My Book is Here As someone who has experienced the highs and lows that accompany life as a Product Manager, I am keenly aware of the challenges this important role plays in the technology industry [and so many others]. Where many of the departments in the organization – whether large or small – may choose…
Tag: Career Advice
Listen to Sales, Mostly
Jointly blogged by Laurent Gharda & Wayne Greene As good product managers and product marketing managers, we are told that one of the constituencies that we need to listen to are the sales teams. Those product sales specialists and system engineers that take leads, qualify them, align value proposition with customer pain points, enable a…
Retrospective on a Year of Blogging and What’s next for 2017
After a year of blogging (26 blogs and two bicycle trips), I decided to step back and see what this year has taught me. Having written quite a few “shameless advertising” blogs at VMware and Cisco, my personal blog was finally a breath of fresh air with my new-found avenue to get my own words…
Camelot Days—A Unique Time in Your Career
I was talking with a colleague from my HP days about our strategy sessions that started bright and early with breakfast in a quaint city at the base of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Our strategy sessions continued through the day with absolutely fascinating conversations driving along the redwood-lined Summit Road (eventually leading to a cheese and…
How Can I Get That Long-Deserved Promotion?
Raise your hand if you want to get promoted! The whole room erupts with elevated hands. When I ask people what makes a strong case for a promotion, I get some very interesting responses: A finished project that was successful The release features that had been advocated by you The experience that accumulated since your last…
Want to Improve? Ask for Real Feedback
Not the dreaded performance review, please no, I hope that we don’t have to succumb to that institutionalized excuse for feedback and performance. I have heard a variant of this throughout my corporate working life. Being on both sides of the equation, both as an employee who received feedback and as a manager who provided…
My Best Hacks at MIT – Still relevant in 2016 (1 of a 3 part series)
MIT is best known as the top engineering school in the world (yes I know there are a variety of close seconds…) and traditionally as a place where kids of blue-collar families went to increase their prospects in life through science, math and engineering. I fit into that category particularly well. Most MIT students did not…
Go Broad or Deep, What is best for New Job Seakers
This is a question I get asked a lot, more than I expect—by a large multiplier. I have been asked by students in college, or those just about to graduate, or even folks in their 20’s that are looking for guidance on their next job opportunities and selection process. We have all seen the very…
Insider Insights: High Performing Product Leadership Team
There is much talk about how an organization should drive product direction and execution. I am currently involved with quite a few companies who are looking to tweak their performance in this area. Product teams strive to provide the right direction and it is that critical analysis of the holistic product situation which is crucial. Some think…
New College Grads and Networking Skills
Have you noticed the trend where some folks just graduating from college are taking a bit longer to find a meaningful job? This doesn’t include situations when Mom and Dad find their kid that perfect job lead or internship. Former school connections certainly help, but does that really teach the 20-something the right lesson or…
Get Ready for Constructive Confrontation, Don’t Run Away
No matter how similar, all companies develop their own distinct cultures. Hopefully you have all had the opportunity to experience what it is like to work in a great company culture and working environment. On the contrary, I sincerely hope that your time working in toxic, poorly developed company cultures has been limited. Company culture can…
Your Early Career is a Contact Sport
I’m always amazed when I talk to friends from outside of the Bay Area that the general consensus is that a day at work here plays out a lot like the movie “The Intern.” It’s all about the perks and the fun, without any of that pesky work getting in the way. The cool, free lunches and disruptive…
From Chemistry to Clouds 