Too lazy to write a post today, so the Cranky Product Manager is going to resort to a stupid, tired blogular gimick. She’s going to open the floor to reader questions.
Is there something you’re dying to know about the CPM? Something you truly want her uncensored opinion on? Then make a comment on this post. The CPM will will compile the answers into a future post.
And be ye not a stupid head. The Cranky Product Manager is not going to reveal her true identity here, even if you ask.
Hugs and Kisses,
The Cranky Product Manager
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Cranky PM, is you blog photo a genuine photo of your butt?
Cranky Product Manager, what do you think is the best book on product manager for an experienced PM?
What is your opinion of the effectiveness of Client Advisory Groups, and do you think that PMs (cranky or not) should organize and facilitate them?
As a fellow cranky PM with a slightly older cranky child, how do you juggle life as the Cranky PM and a mom? How do you schedule those customer visits and the boondoggles, I mean tradeshows and conferences? Oh wait, you have the South American nanny…. :-)
I’m not a PM but I’m thinking about a career move. A PM seems like a good fit with some nice stretch. What prior experiences maketh the best PMs?
What is the most successful way of reducing the size of discounts applied by Sales to software products aside from implementing approval processes etc? Are their any industry trends/analysis on software sales & discounts? What are is the best approach to help Sales/Account Managers hold the List Price?
I have been doing product management for about 9 years now, and have recently moved from a more tactical role to a more strategic role. I am running into challenges of working with a small sales team, who have many years of experience in a very specialized industry, that do not seem to want to let go of complete control over the client base. I basically need to get “permission” to contact clients and they (well most of them) want to be involved to the nth degree. I feel that I can not truly have the type of conversation I need to with the client when I have “big brother” looking over my shoulder. Any thoughts or suggestions here?
While we are a hardware company, our crown jewel is our SW. Just a preamble…
How does the Cranky PM handle people who out of one side of their mouth claim that PM is essential to the organization, but out of the other side of their treasonous mouths do everything they can to undermine effective product management? I have been at this for > 12 years now, 5 years at this company, and I am getting really tired of being the guy that just does the S#1T work, and gets beat on by the other group leaders.
Cranky PM,
What would you recommend as an effective learning aide for becoming a better PM? Other than a wielding chainsaw and a shotgun? Obviously experience is the best way to learn, but some reading material or other form of guide would be useful. Even the best can find ways to improve.
Thank you
Follow up to the Client Advisory Groups, assuming you have an existing CAG how do extract useful feedback and integrate it with the development process? A ‘rate this feature’ tool? Something all together better?
I am looking for a good model of a business case for a new/modified product, specifically to solve a business need for the customer or the unit that supports them.
My company doesn’t use them. They just build things anecdotally. And I am afraid that a few more years of this, and I will not be able to smile at the interviewer when I say “I’ve never seen one.” Perhaps one of the PM texts has something to offer?
Or perhaps you can confess that no one does use them and I am worrying about nothing.
*Conspiracy theories*
Sometime ago you blogged about slowing down your posts based on personal life, work pressures and so on and asked PM’ers out there would to contribute to your blog.
Today I see a “branded” blog with its own “crankypm.com” domain, adverts and more PM related content. Are you planning on a new venture and more importantly, are you still the only “poster” on the crankyPM blog?
Following up your agile/not survey…
Would love to hear your “as I get immersed” perspectives on agile, from a product management slant. I’m continually trying to get better at explaining the benefits and challenges of agile to people with varying degrees of exposure to the approach. Might help us all to see how your views evolve – which questions come up first, how do the answers to those lead to other questions, etc.
Still loving the crankiness! And congrats on alltop :)
I would love to get the CPM’s opinion about the many joys of working for a public company.
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