Passionate about building products that not only meet the consumer's need but become irresistible! Particularly skilled in Product Design, Product Strategy and Hardware + Software coalition and Sustainability in Tech to have brilliant consumer experience. Technically strong in Processor Chip Design & Architecture, Power Management & Automation in the semiconductor industry - Graphics / Data Center hardware. Strong planning and communication professional with experience in leading Tech changes affecting multiple customers. Personal passion & experience drove me to also launch my own small business and build skills in small business strategy, marketing and execution.
My Mentoring Topics
- Product Strategy - Short Term & Long Term
- How to transition into Product Management from Engineering roles?
- The modern day Product Manager
- What does a Product Manager really do?
- Marketing and Go-To-Market planning for new products / startups
- Startup MVP product planning
- Sustainability in Technology
- AI, Sustainability - 2 conflicting needs of Technology
- Cloud computing
- Negotiating & Conflict resolution
- Managing your product Stakeholders
N.
19.November 2024Great session with Shruti. She immediately grasped my issues and was able to guide me to find an answer, and was invested in me finding a solution. Thanks Shruti!
N.
14.November 2024I recently had my first session with Shruti, and it was excellent. She cleared all my doubts and provided detailed guidance on resume building, job search, communication skills, and overall preparation. Shruti was super helpful, humble, and easy to communicate with. Thank you, Shruti, for all your help and guidance. Looking forward to our next meeting!
S.
14.November 2024I got exactly what I was hoping for—gained insights into Microsoft PM roles and the key KPIs she focuses on. Shruti also shared her recruiting experience, which gave me valuable ideas on how to adjust my own strategy. Looking forward to another session with her in the future!
S.
4.November 2024Shruti Sethi is a very kind, capable, professional who is great at helping you to get more clear on professional goals, so you can form a strategy to land that dream role. She helped me get more specific with my exact goals in going into technology such as the type of technology I would like to work with and advised me to use my experience in sustainability instead of starting completely over. Landing a role will most definitely take some time, but I'm grateful for Shruti's helpful advice, and wanted to say thanks for taking time to talk to me. I highly recommend her as a mentor for anyone curious about a career in technology. I'm going to use her advice and look more into the types of technology I would enjoy working with.
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My Product Management Toolkit - Tools and Techniques to Become an Outstanding Product Manager
Marc Abraham
Key Facts and Insights from "My Product Management Toolkit - Tools and Techniques to Become an Outstanding Product Manager" The importance of understanding your customer, their needs, and their pain points. How to effectively define your product strategy and align it with your business objectives. Understanding the role of data and analytics in product management. How to prioritize product features and roadmap items. Why it is critical to build strong relationships with all stakeholders, including developers, designers, sales, and marketing teams. Learning how to communicate effectively and persuasively, both in writing and verbally. The role of the product manager in driving product innovation and continuous improvement. How to manage risk and uncertainty in the product development process. Understanding the different product life cycle stages and how to manage each effectively. The importance of continuously learning and staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in product management. Understanding the role of a product manager in Agile and Scrum methodologies. Deep-Dive Analysis of the Contents The book starts by underlining the importance of understanding your customer, their needs, and their pain points. It resonates with the idea of 'customer-centricity' in product management, which is widely recognized in the field and in academic literature. This idea is crucial for product managers because it forms the basis for creating products that truly provide value to the customers. Marc Abraham emphasizes the need to effectively define your product strategy and align it with your business objectives. Developing a well-defined product strategy involves understanding the market, the competition, and the company's unique value proposition. This aligns with Michael Porter's concept of 'competitive strategy', which involves positioning a company in a way that maximizes its competitive advantage. The book also highlights the role of data and analytics in product management. This reflects the growing trend of data-driven decision making in business. The ability to analyze and interpret data is increasingly becoming a critical skill for product managers. One of the key sections in the book is about prioritizing product features and roadmap items. It provides practical techniques for evaluating and prioritizing features, which is a common challenge for product managers. This aligns with the concept of 'Opportunity Cost' in economics, which refers to the potential benefits an individual, investor, or business misses out on when choosing one alternative over another. The book also emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with all stakeholders, including developers, designers, sales, and marketing teams. This is in line with the concept of 'stakeholder theory' in business ethics, which postulates that businesses should be accountable to all their stakeholders, not just their shareholders. Effective and persuasive communication is another crucial skill for product managers, as highlighted in the book. This involves both written and verbal communication. It aligns with the communication models in business communication literature, which stress the importance of clear, concise, and compelling communication. The author discusses the role of the product manager in driving product innovation and continuous improvement. This is in line with the principles of 'Lean Startup' methodology, which emphasizes the need for rapid prototyping, iterative product releases, and customer feedback in driving product innovation. The book also covers how to manage risk and uncertainty in the product development process. This is in line with the principles of 'Risk Management' in project management literature, which involve identifying, assessing, and controlling risks. Understanding the different product life cycle stages and how to manage each effectively is another key takeaway from the book. This aligns with the 'Product Life Cycle' concept in marketing literature, which outlines the progression of a product through four stages: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. The author stresses the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends and best practices in product management. This is reflective of the 'lifelong learning' philosophy, which is widely recognized in the field of education and professional development. Finally, the book discusses the role of a product manager in Agile and Scrum methodologies. This is in line with the principles of 'Agile Project Management', which emphasize flexibility, collaboration, customer feedback, and iterative development.
ViewCracking the PM Interview - How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology
Gayle Laakmann McDowell, Jackie Bavaro
Key Facts or Insights from "Cracking the PM Interview" The book provides a comprehensive guide to help aspiring product managers navigate the complex and competitive tech industry. Understanding the role - The book presents a clear and well-defined explanation of a product manager's role and responsibilities in the tech industry. Strategy - The book emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking and planning in product management. Technical and Business Expertise - The book underscores the necessity of understanding both technical aspects and business dimensions of a product. Communication Skills - The book highlights the importance of effective communication skills for a product manager. Interview Preparation - The book provides a detailed approach to preparing for PM interviews, including case studies, behavioral questions, and technical questions. Resume Building - The book offers tips and strategies to build a compelling resume tailored for a product manager role. Company Research - The book stresses the need for thorough company research before an interview. PM Career Path - The book provides an insight into the career path and growth opportunities of a product manager in the technology sector. Understanding Different Types of PM Roles - The book distinguishes between different types of PM roles across various tech companies. Insights from Experts - The book features advice and insights from successful product managers and tech industry leaders. Detailed Summary and Analysis "Cracking the PM Interview" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro is an invaluable resource for those aspiring to become product managers in the technology industry. It provides a detailed understanding of the role, responsibilities, and skills required to succeed as a PM. The book serves as a comprehensive guide, equipped with practical insights and strategies to navigate the challenging and competitive world of tech product management. One of the crucial aspects that the book emphasizes is understanding the role of a product manager. A PM is not just someone who manages a product; they are the 'mini-CEO' of the product. They are responsible for strategy, roadmap, feature definition, and working with engineers, designers, marketing, sales, and support to ensure that the product supports the company's overall strategy and goals. The book underscores the importance of strategic thinking and planning in product management. It is crucial for a PM to understand the market, competition, and customer needs to devise a product strategy that aligns with the company's business objectives. Another key takeaway from the book is the necessity of understanding both the technical aspects and business dimensions of a product. A PM should have a good technical understanding to work effectively with engineers and a solid grasp of business aspects to ensure the product's commercial success. Effective communication skills are another critical aspect highlighted in the book. A PM serves as a bridge between various teams - engineering, design, marketing, sales, and more. Hence, they must be capable of communicating effectively with all stakeholders. The book provides a detailed approach to preparing for PM interviews, including tackling case studies, behavioral questions, and technical questions. It offers numerous examples and scenarios, helping readers to prepare well for various types of questions they might encounter in an interview. Resume building is another crucial area covered in the book. The authors provide tips and strategies to help candidates tailor their resume for a PM role, highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. The authors also stress the need for thorough company research before an interview. Understanding a company's products, culture, and challenges can help candidates stand out in the interview process. The book offers insights into the PM career path and growth opportunities. It educates readers about the different types of PM roles across various tech companies, helping them make informed career decisions. Finally, the book features advice and insights from successful product managers and tech industry leaders, providing readers with a real-world perspective on product management in the tech industry. In conclusion, "Cracking the PM Interview" is a comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of landing a PM role in the tech industry. The book's contents align with the principles and concepts I have been teaching for many years. It is a must-read for anyone aspiring to become a product manager in the technology sector. It not only provides theoretical knowledge but also practical insights and strategies for succeeding in PM interviews and the role itself.
ViewStrategize: Product Strategy and Product Roadmap Practices for the Digital Age
Roman Pichler
Key Facts or Insights from "Strategize: Product Strategy and Product Roadmap Practices for the Digital Age" The book emphasizes the significance of creating a robust product strategy before embarking on a product roadmap. Product Strategy is the compass for the direction of the product, while a product roadmap is the actionable plan to achieve the vision set by the product strategy. Strategy and roadmap should be flexible, allowing for adjustments based on market conditions, technological advancements, and customer feedback. Pichler emphasizes the importance of stakeholder collaboration and alignment in creating and executing product strategy and roadmap. Agile methodologies are recommended for developing and executing product roadmaps. Product discovery and validation processes are essential to ensure that the product strategy is viable and will meet customer needs. The book provides a comprehensive guide on how to manage products in a digital age, from ideation to post-launch evaluation. Pichler offers practical tools and templates to aid in the creation and management of product strategy and roadmap. The book underscores the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in product management. It highlights the role of leadership in the success of product strategy and roadmap. The book outlines the critical role of product owners in not just managing but also in leading the product team. In-depth Analysis and Summary "Strategize: Product Strategy and Product Roadmap Practices for the Digital Age" by Roman Pichler is a comprehensive guide that provides practical insights into managing products in a digital age. The book offers a deep dive into the importance of having a clear product strategy and roadmap, both of which function as the backbone of product development. Pichler posits that a product strategy acts as the compass, directing the product's course. This strategy, he argues, should be flexible, allowing for adjustments based on market conditions and technological advancements. This aligns with the modern business environment where change is the only constant. The dynamism of the digital age necessitates constant adaptation and iteration of product strategy. The product roadmap, on the other hand, is the actionable plan that translates the product strategy into executable tasks. Pichler emphasizes the need for a flexible and agile roadmap, which again underscores the importance of adaptability in the digital age. The agile methodology, with its emphasis on iterative development, short feedback loops, and customer focus, is particularly well-suited for developing and executing product roadmaps. Stakeholder collaboration and alignment are given significant attention in the book. Pichler emphasizes the critical role of collaboration among team members and other stakeholders in the creation and execution of the product strategy and roadmap. This aligns with the concept of cross-functional teams and Agile principles, which advocate for close collaboration and communication among team members. Product discovery and validation processes are another crucial aspect outlined in the book. These processes ensure that the product strategy is viable and will meet customer needs. This emphasis on validation before full-scale development is an echo of Lean Startup principles, which prioritize learning and validation over extensive upfront planning. Leadership plays a vital role in the success of product strategy and roadmap, according to Pichler. The book underscores the importance of a strong leadership that can guide the team, make tough decisions when necessary, and create an environment that fosters innovation and creativity. This aligns with the Servant Leadership concept prevalent in Agile methodologies, where the leader's role is to serve the team by removing obstacles and providing guidance. The book also provides practical tools and templates to aid in the creation and management of product strategy and roadmap. These practical insights and tools make the book a valuable resource for product managers navigating the complexities of the digital age. Lastly, the book outlines the critical role of product owners in not just managing but also in leading the product team. This is a clear indication that the role of a product owner is evolving from a mere managerial role to a leadership role. In conclusion, "Strategize: Product Strategy and Product Roadmap Practices for the Digital Age" offers a comprehensive guide to product strategy and roadmap practices, accentuating the importance of flexibility, collaboration, customer focus, and leadership in product management. The insights provided in the book are not only theoretical but also practical, making it an essential read for anyone involved in product management.
ViewHooked - How to Build Habit-Forming Products
Nir Eyal
Key Facts and Insights from the Book The Hook Model: This is the central concept in the book, describing a four-step process that companies use to build customer habits: Trigger, Action, Variable Reward, and Investment. Triggers: These are cues that prompt the user into action. They can be external or internal, with internal triggers being more powerful as they are tied to emotions and thoughts. Action: This is the behavior performed in anticipation of a reward. The simpler the action, the more likely it is to occur. Variable Reward: The reward given after the action, which varies in nature to create a sense of unpredictability, thereby increasing user engagement. Investment: This is the user's contribution of time, data, effort, or money, which increases the likelihood of the user returning and repeating the cycle. Manipulation Matrix: This is a framework describing how products can be ethical or unethical based on whether they materially improve the user’s life and whether the maker would use the product. Habit testing: A process for identifying which elements of the Hook Model are working within a product and which are not. The role of frequency: The more frequently a user engages with a product, the more likely they are to form a habit around it. Behavioral design: The process of designing products to guide user behavior through the Hook Model. Importance of user psychology: Understanding user psychology is key to building habit-forming products. In-Depth Summary and Analysis "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal is a seminal work in the field of behavioral design and user engagement. The book provides a comprehensive guide for companies aiming to create products that are not just useful, but habit-forming. The central concept in the book is the Hook Model, a four-step process that companies use to build customer habits. This model involves a trigger, an action, a variable reward, and an investment. Triggers, acting as cues that prompt the user into action, are an essential first step in the Hook Model. They can be external, like notifications or emails, but the most powerful triggers are internal, tied to the user's emotions and thoughts. This concept aligns with numerous psychological theories, such as classical conditioning, where a conditioned stimulus triggers a conditioned response. The second step in the Hook Model is the Action. This is the behavior performed in anticipation of a reward. Eyal points out that the simpler the action is, the more likely it is to occur, corroborating Fogg's Behavior Model which posits that behavior happens when motivation, ability, and a trigger come together at the same time. The third step, Variable Reward, is perhaps the most intriguing. By varying the nature of the reward, companies can create a sense of unpredictability, thereby heightening user interest and engagement. This concept draws from B.F. Skinner’s operant conditioning theory, which found that variable rewards are more engaging than predictable ones. The final step, Investment, is the user's contribution of time, data, effort, or money. This step not only increases the likelihood of the user returning and repeating the cycle, but also aligns with the psychological concept of the sunk cost fallacy, where people continue a behavior due to the investment they've already made. Beyond the Hook Model, Eyal introduces the Manipulation Matrix – a tool to help makers understand where their product stands ethically. He argues that if a product materially improves the user’s life and the maker would use it themselves, it can be considered ethical. The book also discusses the importance of Habit Testing – a process for identifying which elements of the Hook Model are working within a product and which are not. This iterative approach aligns with the Lean Startup methodology of build-measure-learn. Eyal also emphasizes the role of frequency in habit formation. He argues that the more frequently a user engages with a product, the more likely they are to form a habit around it. This reflects the psychological concept of repetition and reinforcement in habit formation. Finally, Eyal delves into the realm of behavioral design – the process of designing products to guide user behavior through the Hook Model. At the core of this process is understanding user psychology, which is key to building habit-forming products. Here, Eyal echoes the sentiment of many behavioral economists and psychologists, emphasizing the need to understand cognitive biases and heuristics that influence user behavior. In conclusion, "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" provides valuable insights into the principles of behavioral design, user psychology, and ethical manipulation. It offers a robust framework for creating habit-forming products, making it an essential read for anyone involved in product development, marketing, and user experience design.
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K.
25.November 2024Hi Shruti, She is a great mentor. She is very kind and has a right approach to showing direction for switching to PM role from Engineering background. She is very quick is understanding your problem statement and helps answer all the questions in the discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed learning some useful tips from her during our session and would look forward to the next session. I would definitely recommend her mentoring. Thank you.