Hello,
As you might know, the Cranky Product Manager is scheduled to speak at the Business of Software 2009 conference. In a crazy-ass wig and sunglasses. As if that really disguised anyone. Maybe the CPM should get one of those Scooby-Doo Villain masks….
Ack. Focus, CPM!
The topic: the Cranky Product Manager is gonna talk about the big dysfunctions that seem endemic to nearly all B2B software vendors:
1. Marketing lies – intentional and unintentional.
2. Ridiculously complicated licensing, option-itis, and near-malignant product proliferation.
3. Wrongly applying the 80/20 rule to product development (example: delivering a product that does only 20% of the main use case, yet expecting 80% of the product’s potential revenue)
The request for your help:
OK, the Cranky PM wouldn’t have known the above were nearly universal ills, if it were not for her readers sharing their woes that were eerily similar. But she still feels dissatisfied. Needs more woe-sharing.
So, as she prepares this little talk, the Cranky Product Manager could use a bit of help. From YOU. Just answer some questions. Share your stories. Email ‘em to crankypm@crankypm.com.
- Have any stories, anecdotes, or egregious examples that pertain to the above topics? (email crankypm@crankypm.com)
- How costly are these dysfunctions, in your experience? (email crankypm@crankypm.com)
- Do you agree or disagree that these are “universal problems” in the B2B software industry? (email crankypm@crankypm.com)
- Are these problem fixable? How? Did you fix them? (The Cranky PM always hears about the unfixable — hearing you FIXED something would be a welcome change). (email crankypm@crankypm.com)
- Any other ideas or thoughts on these topics?
Rest assured, that while your stories will be fodder for my session, I will definitely disguise any info you want and protect your confidentiality. Promise.
PLEASE HELP A SISTAH! Email the Cranky PM!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Just please, please, please have a slide where you have invented a fake datasheet, where you have to read two pages worth, and still, when you are done, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PRODUCT EVEN IS. Not that you don’t know what it does, what the benefits are, no. You don’t know what it is. Could be new mascara for all they tell you.
Yeah, sorry, I really love following you, but this whole biz of sw wig and sunglasses thingy is a bit too much for me. if u don’t want exposure, don’t get on the stage. in other words, I lost you on crazy-ass wig.
I’m just struggling with what the CPM would say, in Scooby Doo villain mode. (”…And I would have gotten away with cutting that feature, too, if you damn kids hadn’t interfered.”)
Hmmm….I don’t buy the sick thing but I do be the stage fright thing….this is just all too convenient.
Meh, whatev, Marky Mark. The CPM has a doctor’s note.