ChristopherCummings.com – Product Management Blog
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Interview: 7 Questions With… Saeed Khan

Today, we have another great conversation in our continuing series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals.

This time, we’re talking with Saeed Khan of On Product Management. Saeed has worked in startups and public companies, both in Toronto and Silicon Valley, in roles ranging from individual contributor to Vice President of Product Management.

And he understands the potent combination of Legos and Star Wars, so you know he’s good people.


Image source: Inside Sugab’s Brain

What’s the best career advice Saeed received early? And what’s he find distasteful about “Agile product management”? Read on…

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July 6, 2010   1 Comment

Sorry, Product Managers: We Do Actually Own The Dysfunctions Of Other Teams

When we talk about the “product manager”, the emphasis always seems to be on the “product” part — which, okay, isn’t really a surprise, since we’re managing products.

However, we’re doing ourselves and our companies a disservice if that’s all we’re doing.


Kilowog explains the importance of being a hardcore product manager.
Image source: Comic Book Resources

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June 2, 2010   5 Comments

Interview: 7 Questions With… Carl Knibbs

Today, we have another great conversation in our continuing series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals.

This time, we’re talking with Carl Knibbs, a London-based Product Director and co-founder of Lovemoney.com. Who happens to share my love for the British drama Being Human.


The cast of Being Human, or what the PM team looks like at the end of the day?

What’s the single biggest mistake Product Managers make on the job? And what has working for the BBC taught him? Read on…

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April 29, 2010   3 Comments

Product Manager Interviews: David Hudson

Today, we have another great conversation in our continuing series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals. This time, we’re talking with David Hudson, Senior Director of Product Management/Product Strategy at CrownPeak Technology.

In this role, David develops and drives the product vision by unifying product strategy and execution with input and insight from the market, clients, and industry.

Prior to CrownPeak, David worked as a leader in the Information Architecture and User Experience disciplines, first at the pioneering web firm W3-design, later with USWeb/CKS, and finally at marchFIRST. David continues to guest lecture on IA, usability, and content management as part of the information science curriculum at UCLA.

What inspired David to jump from IA to product management? And if he won the lottery tomorrow, how would he spend his millions? Let’s find out…

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March 16, 2010   4 Comments

Product Manager Interviews: Sally Duda

Today, in our continuing series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals, we’re talking with Sally Duda.

Sally is a Product Manager for a privately-held b2b software and services company with over 25,000 customers in more than 70 countries, and has a wealth of experience behind her.

How has her multi-faceted background benefited her, her products, and her team? And what’s the hardest lesson she’s learned as a Product Manager?

Answers to these questions, and more, after the jump…

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February 23, 2010   1 Comment

Product Manager Interview: David Locke

In our continuing series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals, we’re talking with David Locke.

A veteran PM and consultant, David will be attending the next meeting of the Orange Country Product Managers group on February 10 as well as the Orange County Product Camp on February 27.

How does he see product management evolving over the next five years? What are the pros and cons of the growth in product management? Answers to these questions, and more, after the jump…

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February 8, 2010   No Comments

Do Product Managers Understand What They’re Hearing?

As Product Managers, we talk (rightfully so) about the importance of listening to the market.

That’s why we’re visiting with customers, talking with them on Twitter, conducting surveys, blogging, etc.

But, do we really understand what we’re hearing?

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February 1, 2010   4 Comments

Product Management Interview: Jim Holland

Today, we’re kicking off a series of one-on-one interviews with product management professionals.

Our launch guest is Jim Holland, a 20-year product management veteran and a leader of the product management tribe found on Twitter.

What’s the best career advice Jim received as a young PM? What trends does he see in software product management? If he could be anyone, living or dead, who would he be? Answers to these questions, and more, after the jump…

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January 25, 2010   2 Comments

Is An MBA Necessary For Product Managers?

I hate paying bills. However, there’s one bill I don’t mind–and that’s the school loan for my masters. Is that because I’m masochistic or because there’s real value in that degree? Is an MBA necessary for Product Managers, or just nice to have?

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January 18, 2010   10 Comments

Product Management Lessons From The World Of Castlevania

Castlevania is a classic video game I first played in 1986, and instantly fell in love with. It’s a platformer with amazing music, crisp graphics, and monsters. Lots and lots of monsters.

The game is very rewarding–but can also be brutally, frustratingly difficult. Just like being a product manager.

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January 12, 2010   1 Comment