Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers and innovators be heroes.

Soft skills you need to be a successful product manager. I’ve often wondered how the so-called “soft skills” – those that involve dealing with other people – were named soft. Most of us recognize them as the hardest skills to learn and implement. They are also the skills that separate the truly successful product manager from the competent product manager. Watch this video or read the summary to learn the necessary soft skills https://www.mindtheproduct.com/2017/09/survive-hardest-part-product-management-janna-bastow/

Tips for product managers using contract manufacturers. When product managers develop tangible products, such as consumer goods or electronics, they frequently outsource manufacturing. The manufacturers become significant partners in creating the product. Read these tips for making the partnerships work… http://news.ewmfg.com/blog/how-a-contract-manufacturer-assists-product-lifecycle-management

How to avoid the biggest mistakes you make as a product manager. Many of the mistakes product managers make involves misidentifying or miscommunicating data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. For example, acting on information as if it is actual knowledge can lead to mistakes. Check out this model for a concise view of the issues https://elezea.com/2017/09/product-managament-biggest-mistakes-how-to-avoid/

10 skills mobile product managers (and others) need. (1) Editorial mindset, (2) Agile development, (3) Understanding app release trajectories, (4) Empathy, and (5) UX/UI design acumen. Get the other five and details at https://amplitude.com/blog/2017/09/05/10-skills-mobile-product-manager/

Not enough time to innovate? Think again about the real issue. Sure, organizations need to make time for innovation or it doesn’t happen. However, without a clear focus, significant opportunities will be lost. Consider what is really holding back your innovation progress http://innovationexcellence.com/blog/2017/09/04/you-lack-allocation-and-purpose-not-time-to-innovate/

How leaders can drive innovation. Leading innovation is different than leading business operations. Most importantly, innovation leaders need to provide emotional support through trust, purpose, and partnership. Details at https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/leaders-successfully-drive-innovation/

10 tips for making innovation work. (1) Clear your mind of logic and limits, (2) Dream the preferred reality, (3) Write it down, (4) Research and explore, and (5) Colour it in. Find these and the other five at https://managersandleaders.com.au/business-innovation-10-easy-steps/