The future of product management: Insights from ProductTank San Francisco
At ProductTank San Francisco, we recently hosted our very first panel discussion on the future of product management. The event brought together some of the most influential voices in the product space, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the topic. The panel including, Marily Nika, AI Product Leader, Mayank Yadav, Director of Product at Reddit, Shubhansha Agarwal, Product Leader at Yelp, and Udodirim Iroaganachi, Product Manager at Microsoft, enriched the conversation with unique insights and experiences. Read on for four key takeaways:
1. AI will not kill your job, but Product Managers who don’t use AI will no longer be relevant
The consensus among our panelists was clear: AI is not a threat to jobs in product management. However, those who fail to leverage AI in their workflows risk becoming obsolete. Embracing AI tools and technologies is crucial for staying competitive and effective in the ever-evolving landscape of product management.
2. Treat AI as your coach
AI should be viewed as a supportive coach rather than a replacement for human intuition and expertise. The panel emphasized the importance of utilizing AI to streamline daily tasks, enhance decision-making, and ultimately focus on more strategic, high-value activities. By partnering with AI, product managers can achieve better outcomes and drive innovation.
3. When you don’t have experience, you have communication
Breaking into the product space doesn’t necessarily require extensive experience. Our panelists highlighted the power of effective communication and storytelling. Crafting a compelling narrative about your journey, skills, and aspirations can open doors and create opportunities in the product management field. Anyone can succeed in this space with the right story and determination.
4. Moving toward the era of hyper-personalization and real-time experiences
The future of product management lies in hyper-personalization and creating real-time, immersive experiences for users. However, the panelists cautioned against neglecting foundational principles. A robust product strategy remains the cornerstone of success. While embracing new trends and technologies is essential, it’s equally important to stay grounded in the core principles that drive product success.
This groundbreaking event highlighted the evolving landscape of product management and provided valuable guidance for navigating its future. This panel discussion was a landmark event for Product Tank San Francisco, and we look forward to hosting more such engaging and insightful discussions in the future.
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About the author
Ketaki Vaidya
Ketaki Vaidya holds the position of AI Product Manager at Oracle, where her primary role involves creating and managing Artificial Intelligence Solutions for a hotel operations and distribution enterprise platform. Additionally, she hosts a podcast called “Personal Branding for Professionals,” which offers career development strategies to support professionals in building a thriving career in the tech industry. Her work with organizations like Women in Data Science and Criya has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges women face in the tech industry, and she actively works towards creating an inclusive space for women. Her efforts have earned her recognition in Entrepreneur Magazine’s side hustle feature and the 1 Million Women in STEM campaign, which highlights the work and experiences of women in STEM and business to promote female role models for the next generation. Ketaki is passionate about mentoring aspiring professionals interested in product/tech and has mentored more than 100 college graduates and professionals in securing their desired job roles and improving visibility at work in 2023. She has also been invited to deliver talks at about 15 conferences/podcasts including prestigious conferences like the Women in Product, Product World, and the Grace Hopper Celebration.
