Episodes

This podcast episode provides an insightful exploration of the transition from working in large technology firms to the realm of product consulting, as discussed by two seasoned product managers, Alex and Parv. The central theme revolves around the distinctive experiences and skill sets required in these contrasting environments, emphasizing the advantages and challenges that accompany each path. Alex shares his perspective on the refreshing nature of consultancy, where he engages directly with ...

The primary focus of this podcast episode is the intricate relationship between product management and the integration of artificial intelligence tools into the workflow of product managers. We explore the various AI models currently in use, such as ChatGPT and Claude, and discuss their respective merits in enhancing productivity, particularly in the realms of drafting product requirements and optimizing conversion rates. Furthermore, we delve into the implications of AI on the role of product m...

Excited to share a bonus episode of Trying to Product. In this episode, Parv and Alex dive deep into the art and science of roadmap planning for product managers. From aligning with company vision to prioritizing features and balancing stakeholder expectations, they uncover the strategies that ensure a product's success. Whether you're a newbie PM or a veteran in the field, this episode offers valuable takeaways to elevate your roadmap game. Tune in and chart a clearer path for your product's fu...

Product managers are in high demand because of their ability to spark change across a wide range of industries and business models thanks to their broad grasp of technical, commercial, and design skills. The real difficulty is choosing which one to work for. You are in charge of your health, and product managers deserve fair working conditions like all other employees. You deserve to be treated fairly. Maintaining a commitment to professional growth is a great way to achieve this objective. Deve...

Where do companies position specific skill sets on their ladder? What does the career ladder look like for PMs? It's a topic that can be ambiguous, and the role of PMs can be structured differently in different companies. Level 3 PM in one company could have a completely different role or level compared to a Level 3 PM in another company, one might actually be the equivalent of an L4 or L5 in another company, but it can be difficult to know for sure. It's important to understand your level and c...

Debunking myths around Product Management Being a PM comes with a horde of challenges, but explaining what makes a PM great with respect to myths is even harder. What does the role not revolve around given there is no PM school? In today's episode, Parv and Alex debunk some common and uncommon product management myths you are likely to come across. Skewed by both skills and experience, the two burst out myths that you may be wise to consider. Join Parv Alex as they chat about: As a PM you're the...

Failure as a Product Manager Failure is inevitable and is part of the process of being a product manager and it isn't fatal, but the failure to change might be. In fact, there's more to learn from failure. In today's episode, Parv and Alex straighten out on failures as a product manager. Tune in as the two savvy product managers share insightful reflections, show you how to internalize learnings, recover from failure in style and use them as building blocks for your next project. Join Parv and A...

Diving into Popular Questions about Product Managers In today's episode, Parv and Alex walk you through some of the most popular questions about PMs that come up from you, their audience, interview panels, and in general conversations. Although PM roles can be different at different organizations, there are a lot similarities in schedules and approaches, just to mention a few aspects. Tune in as they clear up the air on the most popular questions you have about PMs. Join Parv and Alex as they ch...

Why You Shouldn't Be a Product Manager In today's episode, Alex and Parv cast some light on why you might want to stay clear of being a Product Manager. Product management is filled with pros and so much fun, but today they scrutinize the other side of the coin. Does the idea of accountability without authority or delayed gratification sit right with you? These and many more are some of the aspects you should consider as you mull over being or not being a PM. Join Parv and Alex as they chat abou...

Burnout and Product Management As human beings, we can only handle so much. At times issues accumulate in our workplaces that lead to burnout. It could be prolonged working hours, lack of resources or support, and loneliness, among other causes. These burnouts go beyond physical or emotional exhaustion and can be detrimental. For this reason, it is always important to look out for signs that indicate you are on the brink of burnout so that you can take a step back and reassess everything. This e...

Staying Motivated as a Product Manager As a product manager, you can feel overwhelmed by the endless deluge of information, products, and technology that drives the business world. You could flip through so many different websites, articles, podcasts and other resources that it feels like you're drowning in an ocean of data rather than swimming through a sea of knowledge. In this episode, Alex and Parv team up for a special episode about motivation. They talk about how it is so hard to stay moti...

Your Product Manager Superpower In this episode, Parv and Alex discuss how to find your superpower as a PM. Every PM has specific attributes that kind of mesh together to give them a sense of the PM product. This time, Parv and Alex discuss the comparability, various characteristics they've observed over the years, PM skill set, among other intriguing topics. As two experienced PMs, it's quite easy for Alex and Parv to spot the various key factors that make someone successful in the PM role. Tun...

How to Pivot Industries as a Product Manager Everything is moving so quickly these days, and industries are constantly disrupted by startups. With this comes the feeling of ‘you'll never learn everything’. Fortunately, part of being a Product Manager is dealing with ambiguity and being in that mind space of acknowledging that you might not know the problem necessarily, but will still try to understand it and solve it. So, as a product manager, how do you pivot industries in this rapidly changing...

Imposter Syndrome as a Product Manager Imposter syndrome is incredibly common in product management. Yes, even if you’re 5+ years into the job with a proven track record and experience. And it’s not just product managers — the uncertainty runs deep across our entire industry. Imposter syndrome is definitely something that exists outside the field of Product Management. But sometimes it can feel like a big enemy within the product management space as well. So grab your diary, lean up against a tr...

Types of Product Management Interviews Interviews in the product management field vary from company to company, and they could be structured or unstructured, depending on the company. Regardless of the type of interview, it's essential to know what to expect in such interviews to avoid making mistakes such as giving scripted answers or giving answers that only suit the interviewer but not you. In this episode, we take you through the types of interviews you'll encounter as a PM, including the co...

Mistakes We Made as Product Managers Just because you are a product manager doesn't signify that your opinions carry all the weight, in actuality your team works with you and not for you. This is just a sneak peek of the many mistakes we make as product managers. We all make thousands of mistakes and as a product manager, inherently, part of the role is making mistakes. We should constantly be learning from them, trying to be better, and improving all sorts of different attributes of being a pro...

Paths to becoming a product manager In the modern business environment, product management is the job profile that is most in demand. Due to their responsibilities and contributions, they are among the highest-paid professionals in a company. Suppose you're wondering how you can become a product manager. In this episode, we take you through the various means of getting into product management, including internships, switching roles inside a company, and learning the course online and offline, am...

Isolation as a product manager One of the things about PMs is that we're sort of like, on an island. In this episode, Parv and Alex discuss how being a PM can be both enjoyable and taxing. Whether you like it or not, being a PM means you'll spend a lot of time working alone. We believe this is a worthwhile topic to discuss, especially concerning the present climate and the pandemic. Tune in to listen to this and more! Key Highlights [1:00] Alex's thoughts on why working as a PM can be quite taxi...

Types of Product Managers The product manager role is a general and broad term. The job of a product manager is to discover a valuable, usable, and feasible product. Most people go online looking for product management roles, never realizing that there are so many different flavors and types of product managers hidden underneath every title. Various categories of PMs branch from this term, each with its unique roles, responsibilities, and qualifications. In this episode, we give you a detailed b...

What is Product Management Depending on who you ask, a product manager is either a wonderfully fuzzy job title that means many things to many people. No one can seem to agree on what product management is (or should be) and if you're just starting out in your career, take our advice: defining product management might be a frustrating exercise, but perhaps it is best to accept that the term is ambiguous by design. In this episode, Alex and Parv will jump into what product management is. Tune in a...

Sometimes we don't always end up on the career path we started. By staying open to possibilities and trying new things, you can find a career that truly suits your skills and personality. This is especially true with Product Management In this episode, Parv and Alex share their journey into being product managers from their initial careers to being product managers. Parv studied engineering in India but shifted to project management and then product management. Alex also shares how he transition...