Success in Product Management: Climbing High or Spreading Wide?

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.” – Roy T. Bennett.

Starting with Roy T. Bennett’s deep wisdom, a question often overlooked in Product Management: Are we genuinely successful if our impact doesn’t go beyond KPIs and user metrics?

Revisiting Measures of Success

Google Glass vs. Google Search: Google Glass bedazzled us with technology but didn’t address a universal need. Google Search, conversely, gave power to the people by democratizing information.

Learnings: Real innovation answers a core human need, making its success far-reaching.

Toolkit for Impactful Product Management:

  1. User-Centricity: The true metric of success lies in solving meaningful problems.
    Example: The Polio vaccine, although not a blockbuster revenue generator, eradicated a global health menace.
  2. Ethical Design: A successful product must aim for societal good, not just user engagement.
    Example: Headspace and Calm (mental wellness apps) prioritize user well-being over addictive social media apps.
  3. Inclusivity: Broaden your product’s reach to include those who are often overlooked.
    Example: Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller teaches how inclusivity can be a business advantage.

Closing Thoughts:
If we use Bennett’s wisdom as our benchmark, success in Product Management is not just about reaching new heights but also about creating a ripple effect of positive change.

This week, let us assess if our product goals are aligned more with climbing high or spreading wide.

Let us make a positive difference in the coming week!

#Leadership #Product #ProductManagement #ProductStrategy
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