When your PM tools start to take more work than the actual work, look to lightweight low-code options like Coda. — As a PM, I’ve struggled with a wide range of commercial and home-spun scrappy tools over the years to manage processes, information sharing, and team-wide communication. Gannon Hall captured this dilemma well in his recent post: Why I stopped trying to make PM tools work and rolled my own.

The best plans fail without the organization, culture and processes to deliver and sustain it. — Welcome to my Product Manager Toolkit series, incl. this Coda template Previous post: 3. Drive change — from Zero to Strategy In the previous post we introduced the adapted Kotter change model and discussed the crucial first four steps — done well, the result should be a convincing (even inspiring)…

The first 4 steps (out of 8) to go from #Zero to a #GreatNewStrategy. — Previous post: 2. Why you need to deliberately manage change Next Post: 4. Drive change — Stick the landing In the previous post, we discussed the need for change management in successfully building and launching new product features and platforms. In “the WHY of change” we looked at how individuals…

Great product leadership requires thoughtful Change Management to galvanize your high performing team around your bold vision. — Previous post: 1. Introduction & Overview of the template and tools covered. Next post: 3. Driving change — from Zero to Strategy In the previous post I introduced my product leadership toolkit (in Coda), spanning product strategy, goal-setting, project execution and driving successful change. …

Sightings of the Big 5 and more, in one of the most awe-inspiring wildlife reserves on earth. — If you’re ever in South Africa, The Kruger National Park is thoroughly worth your time and effort. You can fly directly from Johannesburg to Eastgate Airport, and do anything from upscale private parks to publicly run Kruger Park camps. Do yourself a favor, and add it to your trip. Beauty of birds The…

Tools to effectively lead complex tribes of humans, to build & operate great new products, leading to step-change outcomes. — TLDR: I’m writing a series on effective product management, where I’ll be sharing and discussing all the elements of this Product + Change Management Toolkit. Why write this? So you don’t have to kick the same rock I’ve worked in Product Management for over a decade now (across a variety of roles and job descriptions), as everything between an individual contributor (IC)…