» Asking about a specific problem causes people to ignore the other problems they have

» Make time for product discovery in small steps, not all at once

» Biases reduce cognitive load for our brain when it processes new information

» An opportunity solution tree is a way to externalize your thinking

Compared to when I started out in product management, we’re a lot better at defining what a product manager does. It’s always worth a reminder, so I’d like to share with you a talk I gave last summer, What does a product manager do (and not do)?

Closely related to presenting well is the art of public speaking. While not everyone is thrilled at the prospect at standing up and speaking in front of colleagues or strangers, it is a skill that can be acquired. As you become more proficient, you’ll be able to control your nerves better before a presentation and you may even come to enjoy it. Here are some suggested tips:

So much of being a product manager depends on successfully persuading and influencing others. Whether you’re presenting your product strategy, presenting a business case to the Board or talking with your customers, you need to know your subject matter: to demonstrate a good knowledge of your products and market to ensure that you come over as authoritative and credible.