Win-Loss Analysis Of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Season 8
I love the TV series Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Maybe a little too much.
Since BTVS went off the air in 2003, I’ve purchased all 7 seasons on DVD, two statues, one bust, a pair of script books, three action figures, more tie-in novels than I care to remember, and a philosophy book titled “What Would Buffy Do?”.
And don’t forget the Angel Puppet Replica…
So, yes: It’s a bit of an understatement to say I was pumped when Dark Horse Comics announced that Buffy’s adventures would continue in comic book form with “Buffy Season 8”. And that excitement lasted from early 2007 until the summer of 2008.
Then my enthusiasm started to fade, fast, until I bitterly dropped the title earlier this year.
What happened? Let’s do a little win/loss analysis to find out.
June 30, 2009 9 Comments
In Search Of A Metaphor
In a recent post, Saeed got me thinking (as he usually does) — this time, though, about something I’d said, about a metaphor I used in a presentation to describe product management to people unfamiliar with the practice.
It was about grease and glue. In context, it works, but I can see its limitations. And, well; it’s kind of gross. So, I went in search of other options…
June 25, 2009 12 Comments
Are You An Angry Product Management Buddha?
Marc Maron is a comedian. He has narcissistic tendencies, wears his heart on his sleeve, and co-hosts the Internet talk show Break Room: Live!. He’s an acquired taste, but I enjoy his work immensely.
A few weeks ago, a BRL viewer was giving Marc grief in the post-show live chat–casting aspersions on BRL’s relevance and authenticity–and Marc’s reaction to this person got me thinking (a dangerous past time, I know).
June 22, 2009 3 Comments
The Wow Factor, Japanese-Style
As product managers, we talk about the Wow Factor in Kano analysis and requirements writing … but there’s “wow” and then there’s WOW.
Image courtesy: Bandai corporate blog
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the anime series “Mobile Suit Gundam”, Bandai created a 60-foot-tall, in-scale replica of the legendary RX-78 mecha.
June 16, 2009 10 Comments
Product Managers: Do You Have A Moral Code?
Yesterday: We recapped Ghost Rider #35 “Deathrace” …
Today: We’re using this story recap as a springboard into this week’s topic: In product management, do the ends justify the means? Do we need a moral code?
Disclaimer! Not all ethics quandaries can be resolved with hellfire.
June 10, 2009 4 Comments
Death Rides A Sled! Or, Ghost Rider #35… In 10 Panels Or Less
Today: We’re recapping Ghost Rider #35 “Deathrace” …
Tomorrow: We’ll use this story recap as a springboard into this week’s topic: In product management, do the ends justify the means?
< SPOILER WARNING >
Ghost Rider #35 was created by Jim Starlin (story & layout) and Steve
Leialoha (finished art), and published by Marvel Comics in 1979. Key plot points are pictured herein. You have been warned!
< / SPOILER WARNING >
June 8, 2009 4 Comments
The Biggest Professional Mistake I Ever Made As A Product Manager, Part 2
Yesterday, we started talking about the biggest mistake I’d ever made as a Product Manager. Today–the thrilling conclusion!
To recap: In a desperate bid to escape total annihilation, I activated the Space-Time Energy Projection crystal — which ripped a hole in the fabric of time, sending my team and I back to prehistoric Earth.
Unfortunately, I didn’t notice the Rulon flagship latch onto us with a tractor beam, allowing those evil bastards to follow us back to the past, where they immediately enslaved the dinosaurs in an attempt to… to… oh. Wait. That’s Dino-Riders.
Here’s what really happened.
June 3, 2009 10 Comments
The Biggest Professional Mistake I Ever Made As A Product Manager, Part 1
Everyone makes mistakes.
Everyone does or says the wrong thing from time to time.
It’s true for Cap, and it’s true for me. Gather ’round, everyone–while I share with you The Biggest Professional Mistake I Ever Made, and what you can learn from it.
June 2, 2009 19 Comments
Public Relations 101 For Product Managers
Would you rather slam into a box of live scorpions at 90MPH than talk with reporters or other members of the media?
Then buckle up, buster, because we here at Product Management Meets Pop Culture are going to flush that fear right out of your head and replace it with some practical tips on extracting maximum value from your media experience while avoiding the major pitfalls.
Destro & Dr. Mindbender opted for the scorpions. They chose… poorly.
May 25, 2009 7 Comments
Today’s Product Management Haiku
May 19, 2009 3 Comments
