product management

EP# 041: Mindfulness

EP# 041: Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the direct practice of developing a calm mind. The key method to develop mindfulness is daily meditation. Like creative thinking, mindfulness is a skill that can be developed and improved through daily practice. And that practice is founded on mediation. The goal of mindfulness is to become patient, present in the moment, and calm. Anger, a typical emotion that we all encounter is a destructive reaction to perceptions created internally. As product development is typically a high-paced, stressful activity, anything we can do to improve how we respond to others, act in the face of conflict, or create new ideas needs to be a key part of our personal and professional toolbox. The benefits of daily mindfulness practice and a conscious effort to be patient and not anger is a critical goal to enjoy life.

EP# 022: OTC: Sell Those Ideas

EP# 022: OTC: Sell Those Ideas

As product managers we need many tools in our quiver to excel at our jobs. From the ability to develop creative ideas, to the use of systematic research techniques to understand competitors and customers, to strong analytical skills to evaluate market data, these are all critical business skills. But an often overlooked skill is selling. As product managers we often have a love-hate relationship with salespeople. But no matter how we feel about selling, we all need to excel at this critical skill.