Product managers are one of the snazziest job titles of this decade. Almost everyone wants to be a product manager, notwithstanding the requirements and the responsibilities that come with it. It might be in your 2015 agenda as well. But are you well prepared? This post will enlighten you on the various aspects of being a product manager in the future, especially in 2015.

When we talk about product managers, there is a huge pandemonium regarding the word product. Is a product a piece of software or website, or a machine like a self-driving car? The answer is “All of them”. A product can be anything that can be sold to the consumer. Product managers are the professionals who are responsible for the entire system and process of building and selling that product. Thus, a great product manager needs to obsess over a couple of things: the target audience, the minute details of the product, and measures required for achieving business success.

Why this is going to be a good year for product managers?

If 2015 is the year you chose for becoming a product manager, gods are with you. In the cutting throat competition, companies need individuals who have a broader vision and a better understanding of the needs and goals of the target market. In addition, organizations are looking to reduce their turnaround time and a well-defined product development process managed by effective managers will help in doing so.

Product managers are well equipped with the abilities to understand what’s worth building and what’s not, which means less time spent on the trial and error method of product development and more time spent on building what’s worthy. With so many benefits to their credit, does it surprise anyone to know that companies are looking to hire more product managers this year? A simple query search on Google will reveal Product manager vacancies to apply to at some of the leading global companies of the world.

Know the secret of being an awesome product manager

Microsoft, the software behemoth is credited for creating the product manager position over a quarter century ago. Now after 25 years of its creation, the role of product manager is still shrouded in a mystic aura. Not even recruiters or job seekers interested in applying to the product manager jobs are aware of the same. As a result, professionals are misguided and recruiters are missing out on hiring the best opportunities to enhance their product and chances of success.

Although the big names like Google, eBay, Facebook and Yahoo, have well-defined roles and functions of a product manager, startups and other lesser known names are still confused about the usefulness of this position. Without proper guidance and awareness, these so-called “product managers” limit themselves to being one-trick ponies. Either they are UX/UI master or they are very good as a project planner, and even if they are very brilliant and hard working, they are quite undeserving of this title.

Product management is about balancing

The most prolific product managers often own their product “like a boss”. They are leaders who apply all their experience and extensive knowledge to keep every aspect of product development on track. A good product management involves maintaining the balance between the left and the right brain, the qualitative and quantitative side of the entire process. While the skills to be a good product manager can be learned, it’s the mindset which takes the level from good to great. The right mindset knows when to maintain a perfect harmony between unchecked creative freedom and disciplined execution. It is the ability to innovate, create marvelous user experiences, hack for growth and optimize for lower Cost Per Acquisition.

While there are degrees and schools that teach students to become engineer, doctor, journalist, lawyer, sadly, there is no such help available that can teach someone become an awesome product manager. You might go to Harvard for management, MIT for computer engineering and Stanford for design, and still not become the best product manager. Google attempted to bridge this gap by creating a product management track, which helps creating and training a continuous supply of Product Management talent.  But what stands true for students of all background, the product mindset is the single most important requirement for becoming a great product manager.

Product managers are one of the snazziest job titles of this decade. Almost everyone wants to be a product manager, notwithstanding the requirements and the responsibilities that come with it. It might be in your 2015 agenda as well. But are you well prepared? This post will enlighten you on the various aspects of being a product manager in the future, especially in 2015.

When we talk about product managers, there is a huge pandemonium regarding the word product. Is a product a piece of software or website, or a machine like a self-driving car? The answer is “All of them”. A product can be anything that can be sold to the consumer. Product managers are the professionals who are responsible for the entire system and process of building and selling that product. Thus, a great product manager needs to obsess over a couple of things: the target audience, the minute details of the product, and measures required for achieving business success.

Why this is going to be a good year for product managers?

If 2015 is the year you chose for becoming a product manager, gods are with you. In the cutting throat competition, companies need individuals who have a broader vision and a better understanding of the needs and goals of the target market. In addition, organizations are looking to reduce their turnaround time and a well-defined product development process managed by effective managers will help in doing so.

Product managers are well equipped with the abilities to understand what’s worth building and what’s not, which means less time spent on the trial and error method of product development and more time spent on building what’s worthy. With so many benefits to their credit, does it surprise anyone to know that companies are looking to hire more product managers this year? A simple query search on Google will reveal Product manager vacancies to apply to at some of the leading global companies of the world.

Know the secret of being an awesome product manager

Microsoft, the software behemoth is credited for creating the product manager position over a quarter century ago. Now after 25 years of its creation, the role of product manager is still shrouded in a mystic aura. Not even recruiters or job seekers interested in applying to the product manager jobs are aware of the same. As a result, professionals are misguided and recruiters are missing out on hiring the best opportunities to enhance their product and chances of success.

Although the big names like Google, eBay, Facebook and Yahoo, have well-defined roles and functions of a product manager, startups and other lesser known names are still confused about the usefulness of this position. Without proper guidance and awareness, these so-called “product managers” limit themselves to being one-trick ponies. Either they are UX/UI master or they are very good as a project planner, and even if they are very brilliant and hard working, they are quite undeserving of this title.

Product management is about balancing

The most prolific product managers often own their product “like a boss”. They are leaders who apply all their experience and extensive knowledge to keep every aspect of product development on track. A good product management involves maintaining the balance between the left and the right brain, the qualitative and quantitative side of the entire process. While the skills to be a good product manager can be learned, it’s the mindset which takes the level from good to great. The right mindset knows when to maintain a perfect harmony between unchecked creative freedom and disciplined execution. It is the ability to innovate, create marvelous user experiences, hack for growth and optimize for lower Cost Per Acquisition.

While there are degrees and schools that teach students to become engineer, doctor, journalist, lawyer, sadly, there is no such help available that can teach someone become an awesome product manager. You might go to Harvard for management, MIT for computer engineering and Stanford for design, and still not become the best product manager. Google attempted to bridge this gap by creating a product management track, which helps creating and training a continuous supply of Product Management talent.  But what stands true for students of all background, the product mindset is the single most important requirement for becoming a great product manager.

Contributor: Saurabh Tyagi

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