Explaining Product Management to a 5 year old
Me: Kiddo.. let’s continue our play evening. I have to start to office for work.
5-year old: What work you do at office?
Me: Dear, I am a Product Manager. I mind the Product.
5-year old: I didn’t understand.
Me: Don’t worry! Many grown ups also don’t understand :)
5-year old: Oh! Is it that difficult?
Me: Not so, I shall try explaining to you.
5-year old: Yay!
Me:
First you need to know what is a Product.
A “Product” is a “thing” that can be created and offered for use to people.
Take for example - Mm…
This pen in my pocket is a product that is created and offered for people to write.
Your toys are “products”. They are created and offered to play for Kids such as you
Now Tell me, Which is your favorite toy?
5-year old: Barbie doll
Me: Excellent! Why do you like it?
5-year old: It’s so cute to play with…
Me: Err…! What features it has? What all do you do with it?
5-year old:
I comb her hair.
I stretch & fold her hands & legs and make her sit and walk.
(long pause…)
Me: Then..
5-year old:
I try dressing her up differently each time. Look at this white frill frock & pink shoes that I have for her.
I imagine and narrate stories for her.
My friend Gita also has a barbie doll.
Me: Good, Is the doll heavy to carry? Does it hurt your hand while you play?
5-year old: Not at all, I carry everywhere I go. It is so soft to use.
Me:
Ok, let me now explain.
This Barbie doll is a toy “Product” as I said before.
And, a Product manager puts the effort to understand what kids want.
He decides and bring the right features into this toy to help kids like you play and grow their imagination.
Due to his (Product Manager) efforts, here we have an elegant, easy to use toy product that many kids love.
5-year old: Wow! I love Product Managers and I want to be one! What toys do you make?
Me: I don’t make toys for kids. I make software products that grown ups can play with!
5-year old: What are software products?
Me: Err… Now it’s time to go and read your books :)
