Being a product manager is challenging job - and I'm a mentor that will help you rise to the occassion by helping you think through your thorniest issues and sharing what I've learned to do and not to do along my 10+ year journey in product management so far. You want someone like me in your corner to help you out. Our sessions work best if you have specific questions in mind or you'd like to review something you're working on. Let's connect and I'll help you out!
My Mentoring Topics
- product management,
- mobile apps,
- user experience,
- working with teams,
- brainstorming/facilitating,
- conversion optimization,
- building complex products,
- product discovery,
- product strategy
K.
6.November 2022I highly recommend Bryan and appreciate his help. He was friendly, attentive to my request, and gave me valuable advice during the session. His recommendations were practical, so I knew exactly what to do after the first session. Brian also gave me the motivation to move on!
E.
5.August 2022Our meeting was insightful and stayed on track. It broadened my understanding of skills needed for UX design and examples of responsibilities included in the job. I appreciate the extra resources you shared with me. Thank you for sharing your time!
E.
5.August 2022Our meeting was insightful and stayed on track. It broadened my understanding of skills needed for UX design and examples of responsibilities included in the job. I appreciate the extra resources you shared with me. Thank you for sharing your time!
Anonymous
12.April 2022He was very good giving me ideas on how to approach purchasing departments from his point of view. Thank you!
a.
8.April 2022Yes. Bryan was patient dealing with lagging cell connection. He understood the gist of what I was trying to achieve and provided excellent recommendations on how I can best meet my goals.
P.
4.March 2022Thank you so much for helping me to understand the field and know what to work on! I really appreciate your guidance and advices. Many blessings and hope to talk to you soon!
Y.
6.February 2022Bryan is really nice. He gave me many useful suggestions for my slides. I'm so happy to get the connection with him. He's a friendly, outstanding, and patient mentor, don't be hesitant to talk with him!
W.
14.January 2022Our session was really helpful, thank you for your time! It's always challenging to get unbiased perspectives, let alone specifically from experienced PM's, and I appreciate the targeted suggestions you gave!
A.
22.October 2021Had a great session with Bryan. I learned a lot about user research paths and got some great insights on steps to take for internships and career development. I would definitely recommend a session with him.
A.
16.May 2021I'll definitely talk to Bryan more in the future! He's been helpful and it was a pleasure to talk with him. Started with a nice introduction and we slightly dive into a main topic of the meeting, seems like he is doing this for life xD Generally speaking I'm satisfied with talk, as Bryan gave me some better understanding of what the Product Management is and how to start from scratch in this area. Additionally, I've got a list of resources where I can find some inspiration and grow as a PM. And all this was a Pro-Bono! Thank you very much, Bryan! P.S: I was missing some "straight to the point" replies to my questions, but let's be honest, it's hard to give those in PM field :)
M.
17.April 2021Yes, I enjoyed it.
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Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition - A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean
Karen Berman, Joe Knight
Key Facts and Insights from "Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition- A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean" Understanding Financial Statements: The book takes a deep dive into the importance and interpretation of three key financial statements - the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Analysis of Financial Ratios: The authors highlight the significance of financial ratios in decision-making and understanding a company's financial health. Profitability Versus Cash Flow: The authors stress the distinction between profitability and cash flow, emphasizing that a profitable business may not necessarily have positive cash flow. Importance of Working Capital Management: The book underlines the role of effective working capital management in the smooth functioning of a business. Finance and Strategy: The authors elucidate the connection between finance and strategy, providing insights on how financial performance measures should align with strategic objectives. Understanding Earnings: The authors dissect the concept of earnings, explaining how managers can manipulate earnings and how to detect such manipulations. Investment Decisions: The book imparts knowledge on how to make sound investment decisions using financial data. Cost Behavior and Cost Analysis: The book explains the behavior of costs and the importance of cost analysis in decision-making. Understanding and Managing Financial Risks: The authors shed light on the different types of financial risks and how to manage them effectively. Role of Non-Financial Measures: The book highlights the importance of non-financial measures in providing a comprehensive view of a company's performance. Financial Communication: The authors stress the importance of effective financial communication in fostering transparency and trust among stakeholders. An In-Depth Analysis of the Contents "Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean" is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the fundamentals of financial management. The authors, Karen Berman and Joe Knight, start with the basics of financial statements. They explore the purpose, structure, and interpretation of the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The book stresses the importance of these statements in understanding a company's financial health and performance. It highlights the need for managers to have a firm grasp of these statements to make informed decisions. The book then dives into the analysis of financial ratios. It explains how ratios like liquidity ratios, profitability ratios, and leverage ratios can signal potential problems or opportunities within a company. This analysis is crucial in strategic decision-making and risk management. One of the key insights from the book is the distinction between profitability and cash flow. Many managers confuse the two, but the authors clarify that a profitable business can still encounter cash flow problems due to poor working capital management. This leads to a discussion on the importance of effectively managing receivables, payables, and inventory to ensure a smooth flow of cash. Berman and Knight also explore the intersection of finance and strategy. They explain how financial measures like return on investment (ROI) and economic value added (EVA) should tie in with a company's strategic objectives. The authors argue that a company's financial performance should reflect its strategic success. The concept of earnings is another vital topic covered in the book. The authors delve into the intricacies of earnings, explaining how they can be manipulated through practices like revenue recognition, expense recognition, and off-balance sheet financing. Understanding these practices can help managers and investors detect potential red flags. Investment decisions form a significant part of the book. The authors provide insights on how to use financial data to make sound investment decisions, considering factors like risk, return, and the time value of money. They emphasize the importance of discounting future cash flows and considering the cost of capital in investment decision-making. The book also covers cost behavior and cost analysis. It explains how costs behave in relation to changes in the level of activity and how this knowledge can aid in decision-making. The authors discuss concepts like fixed costs, variable costs, and break-even analysis. Understanding and managing financial risks is another crucial topic covered in the book. The authors discuss different types of risks like market risk, credit risk, and liquidity risk. They provide strategies for managing these risks, such as diversification, hedging, and insurance. The authors also highlight the importance of non-financial measures in evaluating a company's performance. They argue that metrics like customer satisfaction, product quality, and employee engagement can provide a more holistic view of a company's health and sustainability. The book ends with a discussion on financial communication. The authors stress that clear, honest, and regular communication of financial information can build trust among stakeholders and contribute to a company's long-term success. In conclusion, "Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean" is a comprehensive guide that equips managers with the knowledge they need to understand and leverage financial data. It blends theory with practical insights, making complex financial concepts accessible to non-finance professionals. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to boost their financial acumen and decision-making capabilities.
ViewINSPIRED - How to Create Tech Products Customers Love
Marty Cagan
Key Insights from "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" Emphasizes that product management is a team sport, advocating for a cross-functional team approach. Illuminates the importance of discovering the right product to build before diving into the development. Reveals the role of product managers as the discoverers of the product, not simply project managers. Encourages adopting an outcome-based rather than output-based approach to product development. Highly recommends the application of prototyping and testing techniques to validate ideas before committing to full development. Asserts the necessity of continuous product discovery for sustainable success. Advises on how to establish a customer-centric culture in a tech organization. Reinforces the value of learning from product failures, not just successes. Insists on the importance of strong leadership in product management. Underlines the need for strategic alignment between the product team and the larger organization. Stresses on the significance of a shared product vision within the team. Deeper Analysis of the Book "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan, a Silicon Valley product management veteran, is a veritable guide for tech entrepreneurs, product managers, and those aspiring to create successful tech products. Starting with the assertion that product management is a team sport, Cagan underscores the necessity of collaboration among cross-functional teams. This aligns with the concept of Collective Ownership in Agile methodologies, where everyone in the team is responsible for the quality and success of the product. The book extensively discusses the role of product managers, distinguishing them from project managers. Cagan positions product managers as the discoverers of the product. This involves understanding customer needs, exploring market opportunities, and working closely with the product team to create a product that aligns with the business objectives and customer expectations. One of the notable principles that Cagan advocates for is an outcome-based approach over an output-based one. This shift in focus from simply delivering features to achieving desired outcomes is a core tenet of modern product management, emphasizing on value creation rather than just activity. In "INSPIRED", Cagan also emphasizes the importance of continuous product discovery. This is about constantly seeking to understand customers, experimenting with solutions, and validating ideas before committing to full-scale development. The principle resonates with the Lean Startup methodology, particularly the Build-Measure-Learn feedback loop. Prototyping and testing are other key aspects that Cagan discusses. He advises product teams to validate their ideas with low-fidelity prototypes, conduct usability tests, and gather feedback to refine the product. This aligns with the principle of Fail Fast, Fail Often in Agile, which encourages learning through quick experiments and iterations. An essential part of creating tech products that customers love, according to Cagan, is establishing a customer-centric culture. This involves prioritizing customer needs and feedback in the product development process, which is a fundamental principle of Human-Centered Design. Cagan also acknowledges that not all product initiatives will succeed. He encourages teams to learn from product failures and to leverage these learnings to improve future products. This resonates with the concept of a Learning Organization, where failure is seen as an opportunity for learning and growth. Underpinning all these principles, Cagan stresses the importance of strong leadership in product management. He insists that leaders should inspire, guide, and empower their teams to do their best work, which aligns with the concept of Servant Leadership in Agile. Lastly, Cagan highlights the need for strategic alignment and a shared product vision. This implies that all efforts of the product team should be directed towards achieving the strategic goals of the organization, and everyone on the team should understand and be committed to the product vision. In conclusion, "INSPIRED: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" is a comprehensive guide that offers invaluable insights and practical advice on how to create successful tech products. It should be a must-read for anyone involved in product management, as it encapsulates the collective wisdom of one of the most experienced product managers in the tech industry.
ViewContinuous Discovery Habits - Discover Products that Create Customer Value and Business Value
Teresa Torres
Key Facts and Insights Continuous Discovery: The book paints a vivid picture of the continuous discovery process, arguing that it's not a linear or one-off process but an ongoing cycle of learning, adapting, and improving. Customer-Centric Approach: The author underscores the importance of a customer-centric approach, suggesting that understanding customer needs and behaviors should be at the heart of product development. Outcome-Over-Output Mindset: Torres emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than outputs. It's not about how many features a product has, but how it impacts customers' lives. Collaborative Discovery: The book outlines the importance of collaborative discovery, promoting the idea of involving the whole team in the product discovery process. Opportunity Solution Tree: Torres introduced a unique tool called the Opportunity Solution Tree to visualize and prioritize opportunities for product improvements. Experimentation and Validation: The author stresses the necessity of experimentation and validation throughout the product development process. Interview Techniques: The book provides insightful interview techniques and tools to gain a deep understanding of customer needs. Building Empathy: Torres highlights the importance of building empathy with customers to create products that genuinely solve their problems. Product Trio: The book suggests that the most effective discovery teams are composed of a product manager, a designer, and a software engineer - referred to as the "product trio". Discovery Cadence: The book advocates for a weekly discovery cadence, where teams engage in regular discovery activities to keep learning and adapting. In-depth Summary and Analysis "Continuous Discovery Habits" is a comprehensive guide to modern product management. Teresa Torres, an experienced product discovery coach, brings to light the importance of continuous discovery in creating valuable products. Torres starts by challenging the traditional, linear model of product development. Instead, she proposes a cycle of continuous discovery where learning, adapting, and improving are continuous processes. As a professor who's been dealing with these topics for years, I find this perspective refreshing. It aligns well with the rapid pace of change in today's digital world, where products must constantly evolve to meet changing consumer needs. The book's emphasis on a customer-centric approach is another crucial insight. Torres argues that understanding customer needs and behaviors should be the cornerstone of product development. This aligns with concepts I've taught over the years, such as "user-centered design," where the user's needs, wants, and limitations are a focus at all stages within the design process. A key theme in the book is the outcome-over-output mindset. Torres points out that product teams often get caught up in delivering features (output) and lose sight of the desired outcomes. This resonates with the "Jobs to Be Done" theory, which argues that customers don't buy products or services; they "hire" them to do a job. Another key insight from the book is the role of collaboration in discovery. Torres argues that involving the whole team in the product discovery process can lead to better solutions. This concept parallels the "cross-functional team" approach popular in agile development practices. The Opportunity Solution Tree, a unique tool introduced in the book, is an effective way to visualize and prioritize opportunities for product improvements. As an academic tool, it encourages systematic thinking and can help teams avoid jumping to solutions before thoroughly exploring the problem space. Torres' emphasis on experimentation and validation is in line with the scientific method and lean startup principles. She suggests that before investing significant resources into building a product, teams should validate their assumptions through small, quick experiments. The book is also a valuable resource for learning interview techniques to gain a deep understanding of customer needs. Torres provides practical advice on how to ask effective questions and listen empathetically. Building on the idea of empathy, Torres underscores the importance of building empathy with customers. She argues that deep empathy leads to products that genuinely solve customer problems, a concept that aligns with the empathize stage in the Design Thinking process. The product trio concept proposed in the book is also noteworthy. Torres suggests that the most effective discovery teams are composed of a product manager, a designer, and a software engineer. This trio ensures a balance of business, design, and technical perspectives in the discovery process. Finally, Torres advocates for a weekly discovery cadence, where teams engage in regular discovery activities. This routine allows teams to continuously learn, adapt, and improve, keeping the spirit of continuous discovery alive. In conclusion, "Continuous Discovery Habits" provides a comprehensive framework for modern product discovery. It echoes many concepts I've taught over the years while introducing new tools and perspectives. By internalizing the book's key insights, teams can create products that create real value for customers and businesses alike.
ViewInvisible Solutions - 25 Lenses That Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems
Stephen Shapiro
Key Facts and Insights The book presents a set of 25 different "lenses" or perspectives to look at and solve business problems. Shapiro's main argument is that the solution to a problem often lies in reframing the problem, rather than in the solution itself. Each lens provides a unique way of looking at a problem, which then guides the problem solver to a solution. Shapiro also emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions in problem-solving. He suggests that the better the question, the better the solution. The book is not just a theoretical guide but includes practical examples and case studies to illustrate how each lens can be applied. Shapiro argues that innovation is not about generating new ideas but about solving problems. He sees innovation as a byproduct of problem-solving. Shapiro's 25 lenses are not meant to be used in isolation but can be combined and adapted to fit the problem at hand. The book encourages a culture of problem-solving and innovation in organizations. Shapiro's approach to problem-solving is highly flexible and adaptable, making it relevant for a wide range of industries and business contexts. The lenses are not just tools for managers and leaders but can be used by anyone in an organization. In-Depth Summary and Analysis "Invisible Solutions" by Stephen Shapiro is a comprehensive guide to problem-solving in the business context. The book presents 25 unique "lenses" or perspectives through which to view and solve problems. The core argument of the book is that the solution to a problem often lies not in the solution itself, but in the framing of the problem. Shapiro argues that by reframing the problem, we can arrive at more innovative and effective solutions. This idea of reframing problems brings to mind the concept of "lateral thinking" popularized by Edward de Bono. Both Shapiro and de Bono emphasize the importance of looking at problems from different angles to find novel solutions. However, while de Bono proposes a more free-flowing, brainstorming approach, Shapiro provides a systematic framework of 25 specific lenses to apply to problem-solving. One of the key lenses presented by Shapiro is the "Question Lens". He argues that asking the right question is crucial to finding the right solution. This is reminiscent of the Socratic method, where the act of asking probing questions leads to deeper understanding and insight. In a business context, the "Question Lens" can be used to challenge assumptions, uncover hidden needs, and drive innovation. Shapiro also emphasizes the importance of innovation in problem-solving. However, his view of innovation is somewhat different from the conventional wisdom. He sees innovation not as the generation of new ideas, but as the process of solving problems. This view aligns with the work of Clayton Christensen, who also sees innovation as a response to unmet needs or "jobs to be done". "Invisible Solutions" provides not just theoretical guidance but also practical examples and case studies. These real-world examples help to illustrate how the lenses can be applied in different contexts. They also highlight the flexibility and adaptability of Shapiro's approach. The 25 lenses are not meant to be used in isolation but can be combined and adapted to fit the problem at hand. The book also encourages a culture of problem-solving and innovation within organizations. Shapiro argues that everyone in an organization, not just managers and leaders, can use the lenses to solve problems. This aligns with the idea of "distributed innovation", where innovation is seen as a collective, organization-wide activity. In conclusion, "Invisible Solutions" provides a powerful and flexible framework for problem-solving and innovation. By reframing problems and asking the right questions, we can uncover "invisible" solutions that are innovative and effective. This book is a valuable resource for anyone involved in problem-solving, decision-making, or innovation.
ViewThe Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts
Rhiannon Beaubien, Shane Parrish
Key Facts and Insights from "The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts" The importance of mental models: The book emphasizes how essential mental models are in understanding the world, making decisions, and solving problems. The map is not the territory: This concept highlights the difference between our perception of reality (the map) and reality itself (the territory). Circle of competence: The book encourages understanding and acknowledging the limits of our knowledge (our circle of competence) and working within them to make better decisions. First principles thinking: It involves breaking down complex problems into their basic, fundamental parts to understand them better. Thought experiments: The book explains the value of conducting thought experiments to challenge existing beliefs and generate new ideas. The power of inversion: By looking at problems in reverse (from the end to the beginning), we can gain a different perspective and find unique solutions. Probabilistic thinking: Emphasizes the importance of considering all possible outcomes and their probabilities in decision-making. Occam's Razor: The simplest explanation that fits the facts is usually the most likely one. Hanlon's Razor: This principle advises not to attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by incompetence or misunderstanding. The law of diminishing returns: Beyond a certain point, more input does not necessarily lead to proportional output. Second-order thinking: This concept encourages thinking about the consequences of our decisions beyond the immediate effects. Analysis and Summary of "The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts" Authored by Rhiannon Beaubien and Shane Parrish, "The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts" is a profound exploration of the mental frameworks that guide our thought processes. It delves into a diverse array of mental models and educates readers on how to use them effectively to understand the world, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems. The book begins by emphasizing the importance of mental models. All our understanding and perceptions of the world around us are based on these internal maps. However, as the book aptly points out, "the map is not the territory". This is a crucial concept that helps us understand the difference between our perception of reality and reality itself. It encourages us to continuously refine our mental maps to better reflect the world. One of the significant mental models discussed in the book is the "circle of competence". It underscores the importance of understanding and acknowledging our knowledge boundaries. Operating within our circle of competence can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. This model resonates with the Dunning-Kruger effect, a cognitive bias where individuals with low ability at a task overestimate their ability. The book also introduces "First principles thinking", a method used by many great thinkers, including Aristotle and Elon Musk. It involves deconstructing complex problems into their fundamental, irreducible parts. This approach helps in understanding the root cause of problems and finding innovative solutions. "Thought experiments" are another powerful tool discussed in the book. They are mental simulations that challenge existing beliefs, stimulate creativity, and generate new ideas. Famous thought experiments like Schrödinger's Cat and Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity have revolutionized our understanding of the universe. The concept of "the power of inversion" encourages us to look at problems in reverse order. This perspective shift can often lead to unique insights. It's reminiscent of the 'retrospective approach' in project management, where you start with the end goal and work backward to identify necessary steps. Understanding "probabilistic thinking" is vital in a world full of uncertainties. The book emphasizes considering all possible outcomes and their associated probabilities while making decisions. This echoes the teachings of Bayesian inference, a statistical method that updates the probability for a hypothesis as more evidence or information becomes available. The book also expounds on Occam's Razor and Hanlon's Razor, two heuristics that guide decision-making. Occam's Razor advocates for simplicity, suggesting that the simplest explanation fitting the facts is often the most likely one. On the other hand, Hanlon's Razor advises against attributing ill-intention to others when their actions can be explained by incompetence or misunderstanding. The "law of diminishing returns" and "second-order thinking" are also integral parts of the book. The former is an economic concept that states that beyond a point, additional input does not result in proportional output. The latter encourages us to think about the consequences of our decisions beyond the immediate effects, a concept closely related to systems thinking. In conclusion, "The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts" is an enlightening journey through the mental models that shape our thinking. By understanding and applying these models, we can refine our decision-making abilities, solve problems more effectively, and navigate life with greater wisdom.
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R.
14.November 2022Yes, I found the session to be useful. I definitely learned some good insights.