A product manager in start-up land

Paul Gray CMO | Community @BGIStudio

@paulalexgray

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

About Me

CMO | Community Director @BGIStudio

Storyteller / Cool Daddy O / Status-Quo Burninator / X & Y / MBA / Wannabe

Screenwriter / Startups / Anything is possible!

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Bubble Gum’s Excellent Adventure

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

A product manager in start-up land

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Business Canvas

Source: Business Model Generation

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

brainmates product delivery cycle

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version“Man I hate <<insert dumb thing>>”“We could totally do that!”

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

Here’s 8 bullet points about why we should do this(Actually, just 5, I got distracted coz the servers went down”

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

I’ve tested the shit out of those 4 other products. Here’s how they’re good and how they suck. I totally know what the market is missing!

Check out the 2 pager brief me and Bob wrote up”

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

“Hey, I already sent you that”

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

“YEAH! Let’s do this! Team meeting!”

2 minute meeting“YEAH! Let’s do this!”

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

<<code>>, <<build>><<make>>

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

startup version

Commence the Blitz! ($0 Marketing budget)

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Product Manger vs ‘Growth Hacker’

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Start-up lessons for product managers

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Startup lessons for product managers

If you fail, everything fails

• YOU are responsible for the product’s destiny

• Create a sense of urgency• Don’t hesitate to freak out• Explain why things matter

to all those who work with you

1

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Startup lessons for product managers

Get your hands dirty

• Write wireframes, make mocks, cut code (maybe)

• Badger your way into technical discussions

• Bring context – don’t be something you’re not

2

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Startup lessons for product managers

Get involved outside your space

• Understand operations• Learn the financials• Customer service – talk to

customers EVERY DAY (7 days)• Get in on biz-dev

3

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Startup lessons for product managers

Less scoping, more making

• Startups move at light speed• Business case? Pish Posh• Shorter requirements• Scope and Refine AS YOU GO

4

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Startup lessons for product managers

Go rogue

• Expedite insight (surveys, instant landing pages, A/B tests)

• Talk to everybody• Tear down rival products

5

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Product management lessons for startup

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Prodmgmt lessons for startups

1 Transform vision into strategy and tactics

• Articulate product champion vision

• Help set focus• Help lead teams to deliver• Manage politics to ensure

vision goals met

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Prodmgmt lessons for startups

2 Keep the focus on the problem(s)

• Help to define, quantify and prioritise opportunities

• Educate team members• Provide tools and techniques

for planning

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Prodmgmt lessons for startups

3 Establish roles and responsibilities

• Optimise outputs• Reduce inefficiency and re-

work• Improve team morale and

job satisfaction

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Prodmgmt lessons for startups

4 Create long-term product management (not just launch)

• Establish frameworks for growth and management

• Maintain focus as products mature

ProductCamp Sydney 2013 | A product manager in start-up land | Paul Gray @paulalexgray

Prodmgmt lessons for startups

5 Don’t drink the kool aid

• Articulate vision into concrete goals

• Give measureable, understandable, communicatable milestones

• Balance overconfidence

THANKS!Have a great day at Product

Camp Sydney!