Why Every High-Stakes Conversation Should Start with a Story
By John Geraci In business, some conversations carry more weight than others. They’re the ones that determine whether an opportunity moves forward, a team gets aligned, a client stays on board, or a key decision gets made. These high-stakes moments require more than a polished deck or perfectly rehearsed pitch. They demand connection—real, human connection […]
Human Connection at ProductCamp
By Stacey Weber This weekend, I had the incredible opportunity to attend ProductCamp St. Louis. This was a very well-organized and well-attended event, thanks to the great team who volunteered their time to put this together. Jeff Lash and crew (Sarah Ramrup, Brendan Sullivan, Martha Valenta, and all the volunteers) did a really lovely job […]
The Evolving Role of Product Management in the Age of AI
By Stacey Weber When I took my first position in product management, I thought the most important thing that development and the organization wanted from me was to be deeply intertwined with development, helping to dictate features and drive the schedule. After experiencing strong resistance to my first requirement document, which included screenshots, I had […]
Empowering Your Team to Uncover Root Problems
By Stacey Weber In the fast-paced world of product management and product marketing, understanding the market’s needs is crucial. It’s not just about identifying problems worth solving but also about teaching your team to do the same. This guide aims to equip product management and product marketing professionals with the skills to train their sales, […]
The Hidden Key to Success
By Stacey Weber In the world of product management and product marketing, technical skills and knowledge are undoubtedly important. However, the true essence of success in these roles lies in the ability to build authentic connections with the people around you. No matter how well-versed you are in the responsibilities of product management or how […]
Market Leadership Takes a Village
Over my twenty-five years working with businesses, and product management in particular, there are certain discussions that seem to be on an infinite loop. One of those is, “who owns strategy?” I group this along with, “who’s responsible for P&L?” and “who’s the one throat to choke?” There are a myriad of ways to approach […]
Feature Requests: Friend or Foe?
Feature requests are a constant companion of most product managers. It seems like no matter where you go, someone has an idea — AKA a feature request — for your product. Some people hail these feature requests, proclaiming them the silver bullet of product evolution. Other product professionals view these constant requests as the bane […]
Product Management is like Internet Connectivity
By Stacey Weber A few weeks ago, we were on a roadtrip – heading home from Arizona to Wisconsin. It was already dark when we reached Colorado, driving north near the eastern border of the state on some highway that shall remain unnamed. It looked desolate, and then the music stopped as Pandora lost signal. […]
Multiple Perspectives Drive a Solid Strategy
You know you need a strategy; you’ve seen the magic that happens when everyone is rowing in the same direction. Creating that vision and direction seems so much harder when you’re at the helm; everyone wants the best plan, but oftentimes, their ideas and convictions don’t appear to mesh well. A strong strategy gives guidance […]
You Can’t Please Everyone
By Stacey Weber Uncertainty is the nature of product management. After all, we are constantly predicting what the market will buy and forecasting what products and features will delight our users. That uncertainty can be hard to handle, and you’re surrounded by people who aren’t afraid to be vocal about their beliefs and opinions. It […]