Each week I scour articles, wading through the dogs, and bringing you the best insights to help product managers, developers, and innovators be heroes.
This week is a little different – below are highlights of the very latest innovative products.
Google’s 4D integrated perspective with 360 audio virtual reality headset. The experience is so real, you have to see it for yourself. Watch at https://youtu.be/VkOuShXpoKc
Samsung joins the fashion world with IoT jeans. Never again worry about your fly being down as these jeans will tell you. They can also send a signal to your IoT refrigerator to lock you out when the waist sensors detect it is time for a diet. Amazing. Check them out at https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-unveils-internet-of-trousers-fashion-range
Houzz Smartz furniture, pillows, and other accessories customize themselves for your needs. Now your chair can respond intelligently to your style preferences. See it at https://youtu.be/kk69vGnZpVo
Gyroscopiclly stabilized canine selfie stick. Want the best candid pics of your best dog friend anytime? Then give you dog its own selfie stick… http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150401093510-05-april-fools-online-exlarge-169.png
And, some helpful articles for product managers – real ones with valuable insights instead of the April 1st variety.
3 examples of dynamic product roadmaps. Roadmaps are part of product planning. They typically look like Gantt charts organized by future product releases, showing themes and goals. Here are three different examples for how they can be prepared… http://www.productplan.com/example-roadmaps-for-product-managers/
How 3M drives innovation with empathy and collaboration – interview with 3M Global Sustainability Director Michele Whyle. When you see innovation and empathy together you might think of Design Thinking, which begins with Empathy, and you wouldn’t be wrong. However, in this interview the focus is really on emphatic collaboration, something that is part of the culture of 3M. It is an innovation enabler for them. Read the interview at http://www.forbes.com/sites/ashoka/2016/03/31/how-3m-drives-innovation-through-empathy-and-collaboration/2/
Apple’s innovation path – genius or stealing? It’s Apple’s 40th anniversary and articles about their history are everywhere. Apple blurs the lines in so many of the traditional ways we categorize companies. That is innovation itself – they are different and all their differences have created loyal customers. This is an interesting and short article that explores product innovation at Apple… https://techpinions.com/apple-and-innovation/44586. Also, here is another insightful look at Apple based on working there for 12 years…http://www.fastcompany.com/3058271/lessons-learned/three-lessons-on-innovation-i-learned-during-my-12-years-at-apple
How product managers can create synergy with engineering teams. Have you seen all the hard work of product management – to deeply understand customer problems and the benefits customers would value in a new product – to only be ignored by the engineering team that knows better? It’s not pretty and the resulting tension creates inefficiencies and lost customers. Instead, adding transparency and properly addressing conflicts create synergy. Learn how from this article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2016/03/28/how-to-create-synergy-between-your-engineering-team-and-product-managers/2
The primary responsibilities for an organization are product management and innovation. They deliver value to customers. They're also exciting responsibilities for those properly equipped. That is my job - equipping product managers and innovators. 
