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Design

What good product design looks like – Miguel Fernandez (VP of Product Design, Slack)

Leveraging data across the product lifecycle 

Martin Eriksson has 25+ years experience building world-class online products in both corporate and start-up environments for global brands such as Monster, Financial Times, Huddle, and Covestor. He is the Founder of ProductTank, the Co-Founder and Curator of Mind the Product, and a Product Partner at leading venture capital fund EQT Ventures. He is also the author of the best-seller <em>Product Leadership, How Top Product Leaders Launch Great Products and Build Successful Teams</em> (O'Reilly, 2017).

Martin Eriksson

<p>Even though we can&#8217;t do it all ourselves, product managers are often the unsung heroes in the tech world. Here are 10 great ways to recognise the product managers in your team and show them some love this holiday season.<br />
</p>
<h2>1. The Product Management Books of the Year</h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2AdZJTQ"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12464" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps-1024x576.jpg" alt="Product Leadership, Inspired, Product Roadmaps Relaunched" width="1024" height="576" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps-300x169.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps-768x432.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps-285x160.jpg 285w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/product-leadership-inspired-roadmaps-570x320.jpg 570w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
It&#8217;ll be hard to choose between the second edition of Marty Cagan&#8217;s seminal <a href="http://amzn.to/2zOM6M1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inspired</a>, Richard Banfield, Nate Walkingshaw, and my <a href="http://amzn.to/2jvf2O7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Product Leadership</a>, and C Todd Lombardo, Bruce McCarthy, Evan Ryan, and Michael Connors&#8217; <a href="http://amzn.to/2zOFFZs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Product Roadmaps Relaunched</a> &#8211; so why not get all three? 😉</p>
<h2>2. Oblique Strategy / Question Cards</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.enoshop.co.uk/product/oblique-strategies.html"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12463" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/oblique-strategies-cards-1024x685.jpg" alt="Oblique Strategy Cards" width="1024" height="685" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/oblique-strategies-cards.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/oblique-strategies-cards-300x201.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/oblique-strategies-cards-768x514.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
The <a href="https://www.enoshop.co.uk/product/oblique-strategies.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">oblique strategy cards</a> come from musician Brian Eno and painter Peter Schmidt, who use them to jog the mind into more creative and productive ways of thinking. Similarly, MTP Engage Hamburg co-organiser Petra Wille has a great set of <a href="http://petra-wille.de/help-yourself-with-the-box-of-question-cards/?lang=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cards for product managers</a> with 52 questions to jog your product thinking.<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; text-transform: uppercase;">[Submitted by <a href="https://twitter.com/chrizbot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chris Butler</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/herbigt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Herbig</a>]</span></p>
<h2>3. All the Sharpies</h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2iaKAfH" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12454" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies-1024x576.jpg" alt="Gifts for Product Managers - Sharpies" width="1024" height="576" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies-300x169.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies-768x432.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies-285x160.jpg 285w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/all-the-sharpies-570x320.jpg 570w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
No product manager&#8217;s life is complete without a <a href="http://amzn.to/2iaKAfH" target="_blank" rel="noopener">full set of Sharpies</a>, whether it&#8217;s for sketching, wireframing, or just filling in post-its for the Kanban board. And of course you <em>need</em> the cyan colour&#8230;<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; text-transform: uppercase;">[Submitted by <a href="https://twitter.com/ashmccallum" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ash McCallum</a>]</span></p>
<h2>4. Timer</h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2zNr5Bo"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12462" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/timer-1024x683.jpg" alt="Timer" width="1024" height="683" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/timer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/timer-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/timer-768x513.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/timer.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
Product managers need to be masters of context switching and sometimes it helps to break down your day into chunks that let you focus on different jobs at a time. To do this effectively a good timer like the <a href="http://amzn.to/2zNr5Bo" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Time Timer MOD</a> helps!<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; text-transform: uppercase;">[Submitted by <a href="https://twitter.com/herbigt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tim Herbig</a>]</span></p>
<h2>5. Tablet &amp; Pen</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-12467" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen.jpg" alt="Tablet and Pen" width="1000" height="563" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen.jpg 1000w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen-300x169.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen-768x432.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen-285x160.jpg 285w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tablet-and-Pen-570x320.jpg 570w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></a><br />
We all communicate better visually, and the best way to speed up our sketching, notetaking, and wireframing is to do it digitally. So pick up a tablet and pen for your product manager and watch them work faster on new ideas, feedback, and notes &#8211; whether you prefer Cupertino&#8217;s <a href="https://www.apple.com/ipad-pro/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">iPad Pro &amp; Pencil</a> or Redmond&#8217;s <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/surface/accessories/surface-pen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Surface &amp; Pen</a>.</p>
<h2>6. Quality Notebooks</h2>
<p><a href="http://amzn.to/2k8OYMP"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12474" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook-1024x576.jpg" alt="Notebook" width="1024" height="576" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook-300x169.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook-768x432.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook-285x160.jpg 285w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/notebook-570x320.jpg 570w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
For those who are a little bit more old-school like me, good old-fashioned paper has its own charm and beats those fancy tablets any day. And you&#8217;re spoiled for choice &#8211; from <a href="http://amzn.to/2k8OYMP" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Moleskine&#8217;s new dot-grid notebooks</a>, to <a href="https://www.muji.eu/pages/online.asp?Sec=12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Muji&#8217;s minimalist aesthetic</a>, to the unique stylings of <a href="https://sloanestationery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sloane Stationery</a>.</p>
<h2>7. Design Museum Membership</h2>
<p><a href="https://designmuseum.org"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12465" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/design-museum-1024x683.jpg" alt="Design Museum" width="1024" height="683" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/design-museum-1024x683.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/design-museum-300x200.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/design-museum-768x512.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/design-museum.jpg 1800w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
Every once in a while we all need to get out of the office and get a breath of fresh air &#8211; both physically and metaphorically by getting inspired by other designers and how they&#8217;ve tackled customer problems. So give a membership to your local design or art museum for that critical inspirational getaway! We recommend the <a href="https://designmuseum.org/become-a-member/gift-membership" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Design Museum</a> in London, <a href="https://www.sfmoma.org/give-gift-membership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">SFMOMA</a> in San Francisco, and <a href="https://www.cooperhewitt.org/membership/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cooper Hewitt</a> or <a href="https://www.moma.org/support/gift/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MOMA</a> in New York among many others.</p>
<h2>8. Voice Recorder</h2>
<p><a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-voice-recorder/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12468" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/voice-recorder-1024x512.jpg" alt="voice recorder" width="1024" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/voice-recorder.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/voice-recorder-300x150.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/voice-recorder-768x384.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
For all those interviews you&#8217;re doing with customers and stakeholders, being able to record the session instead of focusing on taking good notes is critical. So pick up a <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-voice-recorder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">great voice recorder</a> and then use a service like <a href="https://www.rev.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rev.com</a> for transcripts. Or you can get a voice recording and organising app for your smartphone like <a href="http://www.cassette.design/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Cassette</a>.<br />
<span style="font-size: 0.8em; text-transform: uppercase;">[Submitted by <a href="https://twitter.com/thomasleiterman" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thomas Leiterman</a>]</span></p>
<h2>9. Noise Cancelling Headphones</h2>
<p><a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12469" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Noise-Cancelling-Headphones-1024x512.jpg" alt="Noise Cancelling Headphones" width="1024" height="512" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Noise-Cancelling-Headphones.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Noise-Cancelling-Headphones-300x150.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Noise-Cancelling-Headphones-768x384.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
Whether you&#8217;re listening to those interviews, the latest podcast, or just shutting out the world with some music while you focus on getting some work done, noise-cancelling headphones are must in the product manager arsenal. There&#8217;s so much choice here we rely on The Wirecutter for advice &#8211; whether you want <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-headphones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over-the-ear</a>, <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-noise-cancelling-in-ear-headphones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">earbuds</a>, or <a href="https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-bluetooth-on-or-over-ear-headphones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bluetooth</a> headphones.</p>
<h2>10. A Coffee Kit</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/products/rambler"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-12470" src="//wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit-1024x576.jpg" alt="Stumptown Rambler Coffee Kit" width="1024" height="576" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit.jpg 1024w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit-300x169.jpg 300w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit-768x432.jpg 768w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit-285x160.jpg 285w, /wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Stumptown-Rambler-Coffee-Kit-570x320.jpg 570w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a><br />
Product managers are fuelled by caffeine and I haven&#8217;t met one yet that doesn&#8217;t appreciate a really good cup of coffee. So give them a kit to make it themselves &#8211; on the road or at their desks! <a href="https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/products/rambler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Stumptown Rambler</a> kit is a great all-in-one package with a grinder, aeropress, and two mugs.</p>
<h2>11. Training and Conference Tickets</h2>
<p>Of course here at Mind the Product we always turn things up to 11 so we also have to suggest one final idea &#8211; get your product manager tickets to our public <a href="https://www.mindtheproduct.com/product-management-training/mind-product-training-public-workshops/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">product management workshops</a> or <a href="https://www.mindtheproduct.com/conferences" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mind the Product conferences</a> so they can stay awesome!</p>
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core/freeform

Product Management

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10 Ways to Celebrate Your Product Manager this Holiday Season

Martin Eriksson

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