Product for Product Management EP 128 - New Book: What do Product Managers Do? with Tami Reiss
Apr 30, 2025
Tami Reiss, a product leader and executive coach, shares insights from her new children's book, 'What Do Product Managers Do?' Designed to simplify complex PM concepts, the book bridges the gap between product jargon and everyday understanding. She discusses her journey, the challenges of turning blog ideas into a playful primer, and the importance of illustrations in storytelling. Tami also delves into how AI might reshape product management and emphasizes the need for collaboration and kindness within teams, making the PM role more relatable for all.
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Why She Wrote A Child-Friendly PM Book
- Tami wrote the children's-style book because people close to product managers—including kids and partners—regularly can't explain what PMs do.
- She created a rhyming primer to teach aspiring PMs and to give product people a playful way to explain their work.
Stepping Back Let The Illustrator Shine
- Tami partnered with illustrator V. Lubow and initially tried to be prescriptive, then stepped back and let the illustrator's process create magic.
- Letting the designer lead elevated the book far beyond the words alone.
Apply PM Testing To Creative Work
- Use A/B testing and user feedback even on creative work; Tami iterated her rhymes and meter after sharing drafts.
- Hire specialists for skills you lack, like a poetry-savvy editor, rather than forcing the work yourself.
