#129 Crafting Meaningful Stories, When to Hire a Product Manager, and Leading with the Story w/ Brendan Fortune @ Customer.io

Hey Listener,

Here's the latest interview with Brendan Fortune, Director of Product Management at Customer.io.

Connect with Brendan on Linkedin.

Listen now on Apple and Spotify.

In it, he shares his journey and insights into building effective product management teams and when it’s time to hire the first product manager.

Brendan's Approach to Product Management:

Brendan Fortune emphasizes the necessity of creating teams with the right balance of skills and passions. He advocates for the triad model consisting of a product manager, product designer, and engineer to ensure all critical areas are covered, thereby mitigating risks and accelerating growth.

Actionable Takeaways

💪 Understanding the role of product managers and how it ties into leadership, particularly in startup environments.

🔥 The pitfalls of hiring product managers prematurely and how to determine the right timing based on product-market fit.

✌️ How customer behavior can inform product flywheels and lead to sustainable growth.

Risk Doesn't Need a Title

Brendan discusses how risk management should not be confined to a job title but should align with the right person. Leaning into team members' strengths often results in better outcomes.

"I think it's on display at every startup that I've worked at. You need to be flexible and figure out how you fit into the solution."

"Leaning into someone's skills and passions can lead to amazing outcomes, as the team reforms around that individual's idea."

Action Tip:Encourage flexibility within your team by aligning roles with individual strengths and passions rather than strictly defined job titles.

The Flywheel Concept When Deciding Team Topologies

Brendan talks about focusing on the flywheel—a sequence of customer actions and reactions—to streamline growth and optimize product management.

"The idea of having a clear sense of your product flywheel can guide product organization and help plan when to hire new team members."

Action Tip:Identify your product's core flywheel and ensure your team is structured to facilitate its natural progression.

Pitfalls of Early Product Management Hires

Hiring a product manager too soon can stall growth. Brendan suggests waiting until the financial metrics justify the hire, ideally outside VC funding.

"Can you economically support a salary for a good product manager? That's a good indicator of reaching product-market fit."

Action Tip:Evaluate whether your business has generated enough value to invest in a product management hire responsibly.

The Importance of Story:

Creating meaningful work often hinges on the story being told. Brendan highlights how product managers can foster excitement and drive within a team by crafting a compelling narrative.

"People want to do meaningful work and the best product manager helps make the work feel meaningful."

Action Tip:

Focus on the narrative that ties your team's work to broader company goals, fostering a shared sense of purpose and clarity.

Best,

Caden Damiano

caden@hey.com

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