Hi, I am Mansi - who loves crafting products that generate value for the customer and the business. I have been majorly working for B2B tech products and have gained competence in integrating user and business requirements into simple, user-friendly solutions. Having started the professional career as a Software Engineer to now driving Product-led growth, I am looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge through the gains and challenges in all phases. So, if you are looking to break into Product or seeking to create value for your products, feel free to reach out. It would be my pleasure to help you achieve your goals! Mantra - There is no 1 recipe for Product. you always need to adapt, learn and iterate!
My Mentoring Topics
- Transition into Product Management
- Product Discovery
- Business Modelling
- Opportunity Validation
- Product Design
- Working with Development Teams
- Product Development & Launch
- Growth - Acquisition, Conversion, Retention and Monetization
C.
17.July 2024O.
24.December 2023I had an incredibly insightful yet very enjoyable session with Mansi. She was very comfortable to speak with and she answered my questions in great detail. She came at my talking points from an angle of honesty and practical examples I now have more information about my topics of interest as well as action points to work with I wholeheartedly recommend anyone looking for a value filled session to book with Mansi
J.
29.October 2023Mansi is a wonderful mentor, pleasant to talk to and very thoughtful. Through her advice, I gained a new perspective on my situation and was able to construct a plan to achieve my goals more effectively. Thank you!
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INSPIRED - 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.
ViewThe Product Book
Josh Anon, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, Product School
Key Facts and Insights The importance of understanding the customer's needs: One of the key points in the book is that a product manager should always start by identifying and understanding the customer's needs. It's the foundation upon which successful products are built. The role of the product manager: The book elaborates on the various roles and responsibilities of a product manager, highlighting that it's not just about managing the product but also managing the team and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. The product lifecycle: The book provides an in-depth look into the product lifecycle, from ideation to launch and beyond. This includes the importance of prototyping, testing, and iterating. Data-driven decisions: The authors emphasize the importance of making data-driven decisions in product management. They discuss various tools and techniques for data analysis and how they can be used to inform product decisions. Building a product roadmap: The book provides a detailed guide on how to build a product roadmap, including setting priorities, defining milestones, and communicating the roadmap to stakeholders. Collaboration and communication: The authors stress the importance of effective collaboration and communication in product management, including working with cross-functional teams and managing stakeholder expectations. The role of technology: The book discusses the growing role of technology in product management, including the use of AI and machine learning, and how it's changing the product management landscape. Product strategy: The authors delve into the importance of having a clear and compelling product strategy, and how it aligns with the overall business strategy. Product-market fit: The book explains the concept of product-market fit and why it's critical for a product's success. It also provides guidance on how to achieve product-market fit. Product metrics: The book discusses the importance of tracking the right product metrics and how they provide insights into the product's performance. Continuous learning and improvement: The authors promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement in product management, emphasizing the importance of staying current with industry trends and constantly seeking feedback to improve the product. In-depth Summary and Analysis "The Product Book" by Josh Anon, Carlos González de Villaumbrosia, and Product School provides an extensive guide to the world of product management. The first key insight they provide is the importance of understanding the customer's needs. The authors argue that the most successful products are those that solve real problems for customers. This aligns with the concept of "customer-centric design" that has been popularized in recent years. The authors then delve into the role of the product manager, which they argue is not just about managing the product, but also managing the team and ensuring alignment with the company's goals. This aligns with the concept of "product leadership" that emphasizes the importance of vision and strategy in product management. One of the most insightful parts of the book is the detailed overview of the product lifecycle. The authors provide practical guidance on every stage of the lifecycle, from ideation to launch and beyond. They emphasize the importance of prototyping, testing, and iterating, which are key principles of the "lean startup" methodology. The authors also emphasize the importance of data-driven decisions in product management. They provide a comprehensive overview of various tools and techniques for data analysis and how they can be used to inform product decisions. This aligns with the growing trend of "data-driven product management" that leverages data to make informed decisions about product development. Another key insight from the book is the importance of building a product roadmap. The authors provide a step-by-step guide on how to build a product roadmap, including setting priorities, defining milestones, and communicating the roadmap to stakeholders. The authors also stress the importance of collaboration and communication in product management. They provide practical advice on how to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage stakeholder expectations. This aligns with the concept of "agile product management" that emphasizes collaboration and communication. The book also discusses the growing role of technology in product management, including the use of AI and machine learning. The authors argue that these technologies are changing the product management landscape by providing new ways to understand customer needs and make data-driven decisions. Finally, the authors promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement in product management. They emphasize the importance of staying current with industry trends and constantly seeking feedback to improve the product. This aligns with the concept of "continuous improvement" that is a key principle of lean manufacturing and has been adopted by many successful tech companies. Conclusion "The Product Book" provides a comprehensive guide to the world of product management. The authors combine practical advice with theoretical concepts to provide a deep understanding of the role of a product manager. The key insights from the book align with many of the current trends in product management, including customer-centric design, product leadership, lean startup methodology, data-driven product management, agile product management, and continuous improvement. As such, the book provides a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand or improve their skills in product management.
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.
ViewEscaping the Build Trap - How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value
Melissa Perri
Before diving into a comprehensive analysis of "Escaping the Build Trap," let's first outline some of the most important key facts or insights that the book offers: The significance of understanding the difference between building products and creating value. How to identify and escape the 'build trap' - a cycle of endless product development without strategic value. The role of effective product management in creating real value. The importance of aligning product strategy with business strategy. The necessity of building cross-functional teams for successful product management. The need for an outcome-oriented approach as opposed to an output-oriented approach. The critical role of feedback loops and learning in product management. The importance of product discovery in mitigating risks and maximising value. The concept of 'Product Kata' as a framework for continuous learning and improvement. The need for a cultural shift in organizations for successful product management. The role of leadership in fostering an environment for effective product management. An In-Depth Analysis and Summary "Escaping the Build Trap" by Melissa Perri is a seminal book that delves into the intricacies of product management while underscoring the importance of creating real value. In the realm of product development, organizations often fall into the 'build trap,' where they become incessantly obsessed with building features without understanding if they bring any strategic value to the business. This is the first lesson that Perri expounds on, highlighting the significance of understanding the difference between building products and creating value. The book then moves on to educate readers on how to identify if they are in the 'build trap' and offers a roadmap on how to escape it. This is a critical insight as it helps organizations identify a pervasive issue that can significantly hamper their growth and success. By aligning product strategy with business strategy, organizations can ensure that every product development effort contributes to overarching business goals. Another crucial facet that Perri discusses is the role of effective product management in creating real value. She emphasizes the need for product managers to transition from being 'feature brokers' to 'value creators.' This transition can be facilitated by building cross-functional teams that work collaboratively towards common objectives. Perri also highlights the need for an outcome-oriented approach as opposed to an output-oriented approach. While the latter focuses on the quantity of products or features developed, the former emphasizes the impact or value these products create for the customers and the business. This shift in perspective is essential for organizations to escape the 'build trap.' The book also underscores the critical role of feedback loops and learning in product management. By integrating feedback loops into the product development process, organizations can continuously learn and adapt based on user feedback and market trends. This is closely linked to the concept of 'Product Kata,' which Perri introduces as a framework for continuous learning and improvement. Furthermore, Perri emphasizes the importance of product discovery in mitigating risks and maximizing value. This involves validating ideas and assumptions before investing heavily in product development, thereby reducing the chances of failure. Finally, the book asserts that escaping the 'build trap' requires a cultural shift in organizations. This involves fostering a culture of learning, experimentation, and customer-centricity. The role of leadership is crucial in this regard as they need to create an environment that encourages these values. In conclusion, "Escaping the Build Trap" provides a comprehensive guide for organizations to break free from the cycle of endless product development and shift towards creating real value. By intertwining practical insights with theoretical concepts, Melissa Perri provides a valuable resource for anyone involved in product management.
ViewSprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days
Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, Braden Kowitz
Key Facts and Insights from "Sprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" The Sprint process is a five-day method for solving big problems and testing new ideas, developed at Google Ventures. This process is designed to shortcut the endless debate cycle and compress months of time into a single week. The Sprint process involves a small, cross-functional team and clear roles for each participant. Each day of the Sprint has a specific focus and activities, from understanding the problem to testing a prototype. The Sprint process encourages quick decision-making and rapid prototyping over extensive planning and perfect execution. One of the key principles in the Sprint method is the idea of "working together alone" to maximize productivity and creativity. The Sprint method also embraces failure as a learning tool, encouraging teams to fail fast and iterate quickly. The Sprint relies heavily on customer feedback and real-world testing to validate or invalidate ideas. The Sprint process is not just for startups, but can be applied in any industry or organization size. The book provides a step-by-step guide to planning and executing a Sprint, complete with practical tips and real-life case studies. The Sprint process is a powerful tool for fostering innovation, driving organizational change, and accelerating project timelines. Analysis and Summary of "Sprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" "Sprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz presents a unique method for tackling big problems and testing new ideas, developed by the authors during their time at Google Ventures. This method, known as the Sprint process, is a five-day framework designed to speed up decision-making and innovation. The Sprint process is a novel approach to problem-solving, designed to shortcut the endless debate cycle and compress months of time into a single week. This framework is a testament to the value of time-bound and focused effort in driving results. It challenges the traditional approach to project management, which often involves detailed planning and lengthy execution timelines. One of the defining features of the Sprint process is the structure it provides. Each day of the Sprint has a specific focus and set of activities. The first day involves understanding the problem at hand and setting the goal for the week. The following days involve sketching solutions, deciding on the best one, building a prototype, and testing it with real users. This clear structure provides a roadmap for teams to follow, ensuring that every Sprint is productive and focused. The Sprint process also emphasizes the importance of cross-functional collaboration. A Sprint team usually consists of 5-7 members, each with a specific role. These roles are not based on seniority or job titles, but rather on the skills and knowledge that each individual brings to the table. The Sprint method encourages a "work together alone" approach, allowing team members to work independently on their tasks while remaining part of the collaborative effort. This approach maximizes both productivity and creativity, allowing each team member to contribute their unique perspective and expertise. Another key principle in the Sprint method is the acceptance of failure as a learning tool. The Sprint process encourages teams to fail fast and iterate quickly, viewing each failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. This mindset, coupled with the rapid prototyping approach, allows teams to quickly test their ideas and adjust based on real-world feedback. This leads to another defining aspect of the Sprint process: its reliance on customer feedback and real-world testing. Rather than making assumptions or relying solely on internal opinions, the Sprint process validates or invalidates ideas through actual user testing. This provides teams with valuable insights and helps ensure that the solutions developed are truly meeting customer needs. Importantly, the book makes it clear that the Sprint process is not just for startups or tech companies. It can be applied in any industry or organization, regardless of size. This universal applicability makes the Sprint process a powerful tool for fostering innovation, driving organizational change, and accelerating project timelines. "Sprint - How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" provides a practical guide to executing a Sprint, complete with tips, tricks, and real-life case studies. It equips readers with the knowledge and tools to implement the Sprint method in their own teams and organizations, and harness the power of rapid prototyping and iterative development. In conclusion, the Sprint process represents a significant shift in the way we approach problem-solving and innovation. It challenges traditional notions of project management and encourages a more dynamic, customer-centric approach. As an experienced professor dealing with these topics, I can attest to the value and effectiveness of this method. By embracing the principles of the Sprint process, organizations can accelerate their innovation efforts and solve big problems in just five days.
ViewObviously Awesome - How to Nail Product Positioning So Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It
April Dunford
Key Insights from "Obviously Awesome" 1. Positioning isn’t branding: Positioning is about defining how your product is the best in the world at providing something that a well-defined set of customers cares a lot about. 2. Context is king: The way your product is perceived is heavily influenced by the context you put it in. 3. Competitive Comparisons: Position your product relative to the competition to highlight your unique value proposition. 4. The 5+1 Framework: This framework helps businesses to determine the best positioning for their product. 5. Repositioning: It's not just about positioning a new product, but repositioning existing ones can also lead to significant growth. 6. Positioning for startups: Startups often have unique positioning challenges and opportunities. 7. Positioning is a team effort: Successful positioning requires input and buy-in from all parts of the organization. 8. The importance of research: In-depth customer, market, and competitive research are essential to effective positioning. 9. Positioning Pitfalls: The book identifies common mistakes that companies make when trying to position their products. 10. Positioning as a strategic tool: Effective positioning can drive strategy and guide many other aspects of business operations. Detailed Analysis of "Obviously Awesome" Obviously Awesome by April Dunford provides a comprehensive guide to product positioning, a topic that has been largely overlooked in the realm of business strategy literature. As an experienced professor who has been dealing with the topics from this book for many years, I find it refreshing to see such a nuanced and practical approach to an area that is vitally important yet often misunderstood. Positioning is not branding, as Dunford clearly explains in the early chapters of the book. While branding is about identity and perception, positioning is about identifying the unique value that a product offers and effectively communicating this to a target audience. This is a crucial distinction and one that I often find my students struggle with. Context is king in positioning, and Dunford provides ample examples to illustrate this point. The way a product is perceived depends significantly on the context in which it is presented. If potential customers can't quickly understand what your product does and why it's better than alternatives, they're unlikely to buy. Competitive comparisons are an important part of this contextual positioning. By positioning your product relative to other products in the market, you can highlight your unique value proposition. This approach is particularly useful in crowded markets, where distinguishing your product from the competition is essential. The book introduces a useful tool called the 5+1 Framework for determining the best positioning for a product. The framework includes five components: Competitive Alternatives, Unique Attributes, Value (and Proof), Target Market Characteristics, and Market Category. The "+1" refers to Trends, which can also influence positioning. This framework provides a systematic way to approach positioning, and I've found it to be a valuable tool in my own work. Repositioning, or changing the positioning of an existing product, is another key concept in the book. Dunford argues that repositioning can unlock significant growth and provides several examples to support this claim. Positioning for startups is covered in detail, and Dunford provides valuable advice for startup founders. Startups often have unique positioning challenges, as they're introducing new products in uncertain markets. Positioning as a team effort is another key insight. Successful positioning requires input and buy-in from all parts of the organization, not just marketing. This aligns with my own experience, as I've seen many positioning efforts fail because they were viewed as a marketing exercise rather than a strategic initiative. Dunford emphasizes the importance of research in positioning. In-depth customer, market, and competitive research are crucial to understanding the context in which your product operates and identifying its unique value. Positioning pitfalls, or common mistakes in positioning, are also covered. These include not differentiating enough from the competition, not focusing on a specific target market, and not aligning positioning with company strategy. Finally, Dunford explores the idea of positioning as a strategic tool. She argues that positioning can guide many other aspects of business operations, from product development to sales strategy. This is an important point, as it underscores the strategic importance of positioning. Overall, I believe Obviously Awesome provides a comprehensive and practical guide to product positioning. It's a must-read for anyone involved in product development, marketing, or strategy.
ViewHBR's 10 Must Reads on Design Thinking (with featured article "Design Thinking" By Tim Brown)
Harvard Business Review, Tim Brown, Clayton M. Christensen, Indra Nooyi, Vijay Govindarajan
Key Facts and Insights Design Thinking is a people-centered, problem-solving approach: The book emphasizes that design thinking is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing products and services. Instead, it is a holistic, human-centered approach to solving complex problems. Iterative process: Design thinking is an iterative process that involves empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. These stages are flexible and can be repeated as needed. The role of empathy: One of the foundational principles of design thinking is empathy. Design thinkers need to understand the perspectives, emotions, and motivations of the people for whom they are designing solutions. Importance of cross-functional teams: Innovation is best achieved with diverse, cross-functional teams where everyone contributes their unique perspective and expertise. Experimentation and failure: Design thinking encourages risk-taking, experimentation, and learning from failures. It is through such experiences that truly innovative solutions can emerge. Business Strategy and Design Thinking: The book explores how design thinking can inform business strategy, leading to more innovative, customer-centric businesses. Real-world Case Studies: The book includes case studies from leading companies like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and IBM, providing practical insights into how design thinking can be implemented. The role of leadership: Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a culture that supports design thinking. Leaders need to encourage experimentation, tolerate failure, and promote a customer-centric mindset. Design thinking and social change: The book underscores that design thinking can be used to drive social change, not just commercial success. The future of Design Thinking: The book speculates on the future of design thinking, including its potential impact on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. In-Depth Summary and Analysis "HBR's 10 Must Reads on Design Thinking" is a collection of 10 Harvard Business Review articles that provide a comprehensive exploration of design thinking. This compilation, featuring an article by design thinking pioneer Tim Brown, offers a deep dive into the principles, methods, and real-world applications of design thinking. The book sets out by defining design thinking as a human-centered, problem-solving approach. It explains that design thinking is not just about designing aesthetically pleasing products but involves understanding the needs and perspectives of the people facing the problem. This perspective aligns with John Dewey's philosophy of "learning by doing," which emphasizes the importance of experiential learning. Central to design thinking is the iterative process, which includes empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing. The book explains that these stages are not linear but flexible, allowing design thinkers to return to previous stages as new insights emerge. This iterative nature is reminiscent of the scientific method, where hypotheses are tested, results are analyzed, and theories are refined based on the findings. Empathy, the book suggests, is the cornerstone of design thinking. Design thinkers must put themselves in the shoes of the people they are designing for, understanding their needs, feelings, and motivations. This is similar to the concept of "user-centered design" championed by Donald Norman, which emphasizes the importance of understanding user needs and limitations. The book also underscores the importance of cross-functional teams in design thinking. It suggests that diverse teams, where everyone contributes their unique perspective and expertise, are more likely to generate innovative solutions. This aligns with the concept of "collective intelligence," which posits that diverse groups often make better decisions than individuals or homogeneous groups. Design thinking encourages risk-taking, experimentation, and learning from failures. The book echoes the sentiments of many Silicon Valley innovators, who believe that "failure is not an option; it's a requirement." By embracing failure, design thinkers can generate innovative solutions that push boundaries and challenge the status quo. The book explores how design thinking can inform business strategy, leading to more innovative, customer-centric businesses. It suggests that design thinking can help businesses identify new market opportunities, create differentiated products and services, and improve customer experiences. This notion aligns with the "Blue Ocean Strategy," which encourages companies to create uncontested market space rather than competing in existing markets. The book includes case studies from leading companies like Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and IBM, providing practical insights into how design thinking can be implemented. These case studies demonstrate how design thinking can lead to breakthrough innovations, improved operational efficiency, and increased customer satisfaction. Leadership plays a crucial role in fostering a culture that supports design thinking. The book suggests that leaders need to encourage experimentation, tolerate failure, and promote a customer-centric mindset. This aligns with the concept of "transformational leadership," which emphasizes the role of leaders in inspiring and motivating their followers. The book underscores that design thinking can be used to drive social change, not just commercial success. It suggests that design thinking can help address complex social issues, such as poverty, health care, and education. This aligns with the concept of "social innovation," which involves finding novel solutions to social problems. Finally, the book speculates on the future of design thinking, including its potential impact on artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. It suggests that design thinking can help ensure that these technologies are developed and used in ways that benefit humanity. In conclusion, "HBR's 10 Must Reads on Design Thinking" offers a comprehensive exploration of design thinking, providing valuable insights for anyone interested in innovation, problem-solving, and human-centered design.
ViewThe Design Thinking Playbook - Mindful Digital Transformation of Teams, Products, Services, Businesses and Ecosystems
Michael Lewrick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer
Key Insights from "The Design Thinking Playbook" Design Thinking is a powerful tool for business innovation: The book emphasizes that design thinking is not just about designing products, but also about developing innovative business models and strategies. Mindset is key: The authors argue that the most important part of design thinking is the mindset it requires – one of empathy, collaboration, experimentation and learning from failure. The concept of Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability: An effective solution must be desirable from a human point of view, feasible from a technological perspective, and viable from a business standpoint. Design Thinking is a team sport: The book emphasizes the importance of cross-disciplinary teams and collaboration in design thinking. The Double Diamond model: This model, which involves four phases of discover, define, develop and deliver, is recommended as a structured approach to design thinking. Customer-centric approaches: The authors stress the importance of deeply understanding customers and their needs as a starting point for design thinking. Iterative Process: The book highlights the iterative nature of design thinking, emphasizing the need for continuous testing and refinement of ideas. Storytelling as a tool: Storytelling is advocated as a powerful tool to communicate ideas and engage stakeholders in the design thinking process. Implementation challenges: The book acknowledges that implementing design thinking in organizations can be challenging and provides strategies to overcome these hurdles. The role of design thinking in digital transformation: The authors propose that design thinking can play a pivotal role in guiding organizations through digital transformation. Ecosystem view: The book encourages readers to consider the broader ecosystem in which their organization operates when applying design thinking. An In-depth Analysis of the Book "The Design Thinking Playbook" by Michael Lewrick, Patrick Link, Larry Leifer is a comprehensive guide to implementing design thinking in organizations. As an experienced professor dealing with these topics for many years, I found their insights truly valuable. At the heart of the book is the idea that design thinking is a powerful tool for innovation. Rather than being confined to product development, the authors argue that design thinking can be applied to developing innovative business models and strategies. A key concept emphasized throughout the book is the importance of mindset in design thinking. The authors argue that design thinking requires a specific mindset - one characterized by empathy, collaboration, a willingness to experiment, and an acceptance of failure as a learning opportunity. This aligns with my own experiences teaching design thinking, where I've observed that the most successful practitioners are those who can adopt this mindset. The book also introduces the concept of Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability, which is a fundamental principle in design thinking. An effective solution must be desirable from a human point of view, feasible from a technological perspective, and viable from a business standpoint. This triad is a valuable framework for evaluating potential solutions in a design thinking process. A further key insight is the emphasis on collaboration and cross-disciplinary teams. The authors argue that design thinking is a "team sport", with the best results achieved when people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines work together. This is consistent with my own experience, where I have seen firsthand the power of diverse teams in generating innovative solutions. The authors also outline the Double Diamond model as a structured approach to design thinking. The model involves four phases - discover, define, develop, deliver - which can guide teams through the design thinking process. Furthermore, the book emphasizes the importance of deeply understanding customers and their needs. This customer-centric approach is fundamental to design thinking, and the authors provide useful techniques for gaining these insights. The authors also highlight the iterative nature of design thinking, emphasizing the need for continuous testing and refinement of ideas. This aligns with the agile methodologies that I teach, which also emphasize iteration and learning from failure. Another valuable tool discussed in the book is storytelling. The authors argue that storytelling can be a powerful tool to communicate ideas and engage stakeholders in the design thinking process. The book also acknowledges the challenges of implementing design thinking in organizations and provides strategies to overcome these hurdles. This practical advice is particularly valuable for practitioners seeking to bring design thinking into their organizations. Finally, the authors propose that design thinking can play a pivotal role in guiding organizations through digital transformation. They also encourage readers to consider the broader ecosystem in which their organization operates when applying design thinking. In conclusion, "The Design Thinking Playbook" provides a comprehensive guide to implementing design thinking, with valuable insights for both beginners and experienced practitioners. By emphasizing the importance of mindset, collaboration, customer-centric approaches, and the iterative process, this book provides readers with the knowledge they need to successfully apply design thinking in their own contexts.
ViewMonetizing Innovation - How Smart Companies Design the Product Around the Price
Madhavan Ramanujam, Georg Tacke
Key Facts and Insights from the Book: Product success is dependent on the pricing model: The book emphasizes the significance of designing products around their price, contrary to the conventional approach of setting the price after product creation. Willingness-To-Pay (WTP): Understanding a customer's willingness to pay is crucial in determining the price of a product. Four types of monetization: The book identifies four types of monetization - feature shock, minivation, hidden gem, and undifferentiated product - each of which requires a different approach. The 'Monetizing Innovation Funnel': A tool that aids in ideation, product development, and monetization decisions. 80/20 principle: The book endorses the Pareto principle, suggesting that 80% of a company’s profits come from 20% of its customers. The importance of customer segmentation: It emphasises on understanding distinct customer segments to tailor pricing and product features. Early price determination: Establishing a price early in the product development process can help avoid feature shock or over-engineering. Perceived value vs. real value: The book stresses on the importance of understanding the difference between perceived value and real value to customers. Customer-centric approach: A company must focus on the customer's needs and values to design a product that they are willing to pay for. Role of Sales and Marketing: The book highlights the role of sales and marketing teams in understanding customer needs and willingness to pay. Role of leadership: Leadership plays a critical role in fostering a culture of innovation and customer-centricity. An In-depth Analysis: The book "Monetizing Innovation" presents a unique perspective on product innovation and pricing strategy. It flips the conventional product development approach by urging companies to design their products around the price. Product Success and Pricing Model: The authors argue that the success of a product is intrinsically linked to its pricing strategy. This is an invigorating reversal from the traditional model where pricing comes after the product is developed. The authors posit that designing products around price allows companies to create products that customers value and are willing to pay for. Willingness-To-Pay (WTP): The concept of WTP is central to the book. By gauging the customer's willingness to pay, companies can price their products more effectively. This strategy is rooted in the principle of customer-centricity, which emphasizes on understanding the customer's values and needs. Four Types of Monetization: The authors classify monetization into four types - feature shock, minivation, hidden gem, and undifferentiated product. These classifications reflect different scenarios in the product development process and their respective pricing implications. The authors offer specific strategies to navigate each type of monetization. The 'Monetizing Innovation Funnel': This tool, introduced in the book, aids in decision-making during the ideation, product development, and monetization phases. It ensures that price and customer value are considered at every stage of the product development process. 80/20 Principle: The book endorses the Pareto principle, suggesting that a majority of a company’s profits come from a minority of its customers. This insight underscores the importance of identifying and catering to these profitable customer segments. Customer Segmentation: The book emphasizes the importance of understanding distinct customer segments and tailoring pricing and product features accordingly. It promotes a nuanced approach to customer segmentation, one that goes beyond demographics and considers factors like behavior and needs. Perceived Value vs. Real Value: A key insight from the book is the differentiation between perceived value and real value. The authors argue that companies must strive to understand the real value of their product to customers and price it accordingly, rather than relying on perceived value. Role of Sales and Marketing: The authors highlight the critical role of sales and marketing teams in understanding customer needs and willingness to pay. These teams provide valuable insights that can significantly influence product development and pricing decisions. Role of Leadership: Finally, the book underscores the role of leadership in fostering a culture of innovation and customer-centricity. Leaders play a pivotal role in steering the company towards a pricing-first approach to product development. "Monetizing Innovation" presents a compelling case for a paradigm shift in product innovation and pricing strategy. The book is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the interplay between product development, pricing, and customer value.
ViewProduct Operations - How Successful Companies Build Better Products at Scale
Melissa Perri, Denise Tilles
Product Operations is the discipline of helping your Product Management function scale well. Surrounding the team with all of the essential inputs to set strategy, prioritize, and streamline ways of working. Many companies want to reap the benefits of economies of scale that comes with being a product-led company. As our businesses change shape to focus more on software, so do our ways of working. We need to make sure we're breaking down these silos of information and capabilities that arise at scale. To react quickly and set great Product Strategies, leaders and team members alike need access to high quality data and a process to implement their decisions. In this book, Melissa Perri and Denise Tilles explain how Product Operations helps solve many of scaling issues companies face today, like: Connecting financial metrics back to the delivery of software features Better working relationships between go-to-market teams and software teams Getting the right information to set and monitor company and product strategies Streamlining the flow of user insights into the right teams How to set up a Product Management Operating Model Executives and leaders of SAAS scale up and enterprise companies will discover the benefits of the Three Pillars of Product Operations as they read through the stories of real companies who have implemented the function, like Stripe, Uber, athenahealth, Oscar Health, and Fidelity. This book covers the following topics: What is Product Operations and why is it an essential function in scaling software companies The Three Pillars of Product Operations: Data and Insights; Customer and Market Insights; and Process and Governance How to Introduce and Build a Team for Product Operations
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7.December 2024My session with Mansi was incredibly insightful. She's an exceptional mentor, and we had meaningful conversations about AI and privacy. What truly stood out was her deep knowledge and extensive experience, seamlessly blending technical expertise with a strong understanding of business and growth. If you're seeking guidance, I highly recommend connecting with her—you won’t regret it!