I am a long term product manager that is wanting to make a change to another
career.  While I have enjoyed my time as a product manager it's time for a
change.  I'm looking for recommendations for a good career to transition into. 
I've heard sales a lot, but I have worked in sales propr to being in product
management and do not wish to return to a sales position.  Any suggestions?

1. Product Management Job Openings
2. Product Management Questions & Answers
3. Product Management Resources Reviews
   

Recorded webinar is available at http://bit.ly/kk8g8.

Slides are at www.280group.com/cert.pdf.

Complete comparison of 280 Group certifications can be found at:
http://bit.ly/1WoYO1

Comparison table of all 280 Group certs at:
http://www.280group.com/cpm/280certs.pdf.

NOTE: The $300 special offers for the AIPMM CPM/CPMM and Agile CPM as well as
the $500 specials for the 280 Group Blackblot training course and cert are still
good, but expire shortly.

We are very excited to announce the release of our newest product: The
Competitive Analysis Toolkit(tm) http://bit.ly/3oXJG4. The competitive analysis
toolkit is a comprehensive set of templates and a narrated training course that
will help you to quickly and thoroughly tear apart your competition in record
time.

We are also releasing version 2.0 of our award-winning Product Management
Office� Professional. Version 2.0 adds the competitive analysis toolkit to give
you all seven of our toolkits (Product Manager's, Roadmaps, Launches, Product
Reviews, Beta Programs, Competitive Analysis and Developer Programs - a total of
183 templates and six narrated training presentations).

Using the knowledge you gain and the contents of the competitive toolkit you
will be able to:

- Brief your team and executives thoroughly to show you are a market expert

- Build a reality-based strategy for your product to win

- Do more effective product, roadmap and marketing planning

- Arm your sales force with excellent competitive selling tools

What's included in the competitive toolkit:

1.) 50 slide narrated training presentation "How to tear apart your competition"

2.) 17 templates:

Company backgrounder (for each competitor)
Win Loss Summary Chart (for each competitor)
Industry Life Cycle Model
BCG Matrix
Porter's Competitive Five Forces Model
Performance Grid
Positioning Statement & Matrices
Competitive Scope and Differentiation
Competitive Feature Matrix Comparison Chart
SWOT Analysis
Market & Strategy Roadmaps
Internal Company Presentation of Findings
Executive Summary
Product Benefits Comparison Template
Added Value Matrix
External Presentation
Competitive Comparison Sales Tool


3.) Samples:

Porter's Competitive Five Forces Model
Positioning Statement & Matrices
Win/Loss Summary Chart
Competitive Comparison Sales Tool
Competitive Scope and Differentiation
Industry Life Cycle Model
Market & Strategy Roadmaps
SWOT Analysis


For full details on the toolkit or to purchase it for only $99 go to:
http://bit.ly/3oXJG4

Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/598348547

Are you thinking about becoming a certified product manager or an agile
certified product manager? Not sure which certification to choose or what the
value of certification is? Certification can be one of the best ways to move
your career forward and differentiate yourself from the crowd. Yet there are
many choices and a variety of material is covered. Join Brian Lawley in as he
discusses the certification options available for Product Managers and answers
your questions about which might be most appropriate for you and your career.

About the speaker
Brian Lawley is the CEO and Founder of the 280 Group and former President of the
Silicon Valley Product Management Association (www.svpma.org). During his twenty
five year career in Product Management he has defined, launched and marketed
over fifty successful products. He is the Author of the books "Expert Product
Management: Advanced Techniques, Tips & Strategies for Product Management &
Product Marketing"  and "The Phenomenal Product Manager." In 2008 he won the
Product Management Excellence Award for Thought Leadership by the Association of
International Product Marketing & Management. Mr. Lawley is a Certified Product
Manager (CPM) and Certified Product Marketing Manager (CPMM). He earned an MBA
with honors from San Jose State University and Bachelors Degree in Management
Science from the University of California at San Diego.

Register at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/598348547

Oct 10, 2009
Navigating change by helping each other along the way ~ Expect the unexpected at
ProductCamp Seattle 2009

ProductCamp Seattle is a free, one-day, volunteer-driven “unconference”
event focused on product management and product marketing. Other professionals
who will benefit from participating include product planners and strategists,
business analysts, program and project managers, or anyone interested in product
best practices.

ProductCamp is intended to increase participants' skills and knowledge, to
support stronger professional relationships across industries, and to provide a
means for greater recognition of product management as a critical profession for
product and company success.

During the event a series of concurrent facilitated discussions will be sourced
from and selected by the participants, ensuring focus on relevant topics and
raising the profile of the discussion leaders. Concurrent informal roundtable
discussions will promote knowledge-sharing and problem-solving among peers.

All participants are encouraged to propose a session they are willing to lead or
facilitate. To propose a session, add it to the appropriate section in the Wiki
page on this site.

ProductCamp will be held at the Amdocs Seattle office at 2211 Elliott Ave.

More information: http://www.barcamp.org/ProductCampSeattle2009
To register: http://pcs09.pathable.com/

Product Managers -- here's your chance to get out of the office, and have lunch
with other local PdMs. No formal presentations or registration fees. Just a
casual group of PdMs meeting for a Thursday lunch. We can vent about bugs and
roadmap planning, strategize about the economy, or just chat!

For more details....
Seattle: http://pmconsortium.ning.com/events/pmc-september-networking-lunch

Bellevue: http://pmconsortium.ning.com/events/pmc-september-networking-lunch-1

Greg,

I agree with your assessment and the comments that it is harder to make an
industry switch in a down market.  One technique that has worked for me is to
put in the time to do a small project for a prospective employer. For example, I
once did a four person usability study (four hours of total work) for a new
online service for a company had no current openings and was in an industry in
which I had not worked.  The study was insightful to the company and addressed a
pain point they were having.  The study landed me an interview with the CEO who
later called me when they had a product management opening.

At a minimum, expect to spend some time researching whatever new industry you
are pursuing so that you can be conversant about strategic issues in the
interview. I would also suggest investing more time preparing for fewer
opportunities than trying to play the numbers game by applying to every open req
you see.

Also, phone screens, especially for candidates who are not in the area, are
becoming much more rigorous. You may be asked the types of questions you would
normally have received during the second or third rounds of interviews. 
Preparation is everything!

Lastly, I'd recommend picking-up "Don't Send a Resume: And Other Contrarian
Rules to Help Land a Great Job" by Jeffrey J. Fox.  It has a number of great
techniques to get your foot in the door and open up the conversation.

Best of luck,

-greg

280 Group: The Product Marketing & Product Management Experts
Consulting, Contractors, Training & Templates
*************************************************************
Greg Cohen | Principal Consultant
280 Group LLC | www.280group.com |650 776-4734



--- In PSPM@yahoogroups.com, "Greg Council" <greg@...> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I've been in product management for about 10+ years and have always wondered
what prospective employers value most: prior product management experience or
industry experience (i.e. for the industry the employer serves).
>
> Obviously "both" would be the desired goal for any employer but, going over
numerous postings it would appear that there might be a preference to industry
experience. Am I reading it wrong?
>
> I have always believed that a really good product manager can learn a new
industry and apply their know-how over the other way around. I've seen companies
try to "finesse" the role with industry experts with subpar results. Personnaly
I've learned 4 new industries as a product manager and had very positive results
each time.
>
> As I'm looking to relocate to the PS area, I am interested in the group's take
on this topic with regard to the area's employers.
>
> Thanks.
>

Hi,

I've been in product management for about 10+ years and have always wondered
what prospective employers value most: prior product management experience or
industry experience (i.e. for the industry the employer serves).

Obviously "both" would be the desired goal for any employer but, going over
numerous postings it would appear that there might be a preference to industry
experience. Am I reading it wrong?

I have always believed that a really good product manager can learn a new
industry and apply their know-how over the other way around. I've seen companies
try to "finesse" the role with industry experts with subpar results. Personnaly
I've learned 4 new industries as a product manager and had very positive results
each time.

As I'm looking to relocate to the PS area, I am interested in the group's take
on this topic with regard to the area's employers.

Thanks.

The latest edition of The Pivot Point newsletter from Pivotal Product Management is available now. 

This issue features a short article on how to improve your effectiveness by practicing coaching skills on a regular basis.  Tip #1: Find ways to share the product and company strategy and objectives with the team, in both formal and informal settings. Better yet, find ways to enable team members to describe the strategy and objectives in their own words. Read the newsletter

Also, here is how you can develop your product management skills in just two days:

Product Management Intensive: June 10-11  Learn from award-winning, practicing PMs and immediately apply the seven best practices for greater product success now. 

Pink slip special!  If you've been downsized in the last 6 months and are between jobs, register by May 26 for the special price of $395 for the two days.  Only 3 seats available at this price!

Also, if you are a Business Analyst, join us on June 1-2 at BA World Seattle - this conference is for BA leaders who want to improve project success through better definition, decision-making and execution.

Here are the latest updates:

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement with BizMap Consulting of India.  See press release.

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement (for South-America) with Lucrum Marketing of USA.  See press release.

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement (for South-America) with NPD Strategy of Mexico.  See press release.

Here are the latest updates:

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement with BizMap Consulting of India.  See press release.

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement (for South-America) with Lucrum Marketing of USA.  See press release.

�     Blackblot signs a content licensing agreement (for South-America) with NPD Strategy of Mexico.  See press release.

There is still time to sign up for our PM Fast Track course in San Jose on May
11th. The course covers the entire product lifecycle, includes certification
exams and a copy of the award-winning Product Manager's Toolkit. In just four
days you will become an expert product manager or product marketer.

This issues includes an excellent article called "Product Management on a dime"
with great tips on how to maximize your output with minimal budget. There is
also a guest article by Kristi Royse on "Making the Most of Your Time", a list
of job-hunting and networking resources and a post on how small marketing and
product changes can make a huge difference.

I'm also excited to announce that my book, Expert Product Management, is now
available on the Amazon KINDLE!!

Have a great May...

Brian Lawley & The 280 Group Team

To read this issue go to:
www.280group.com/insider/5.4.09.htm

CONTENTS

* PRODUCT MANAGEMENT ON A DIME
by Greg Cohen

* PM FAST TRACK(tm) TRAINING SAN JOSE, CA MAY 11
Reserve a spot now - become a certified expert in just four days!

* MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME
By Kristi Royse

* CERTIFIED PRODUCT MANAGER (CPM) SELF-STUDY COURSE
Increase your income, get a great new job and beef up your resume by earning the
AIPMM CPM certification.

* JOB HUNTING & NETWORKING RESOURCES LIST
Provided by Meridian Resources

* SMALL MARKETING CHANGES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE
By Brian Lawley

To read this issue go to:
www.280group.com/insider/5.4.09.htm

PM 2.0: The Product Marketing & Product Management Newsletter
April 9th, 2009

PRODUCT MANAGEMENT MANIFESTO
A stake in the ground about what product management is and why it is critical to
a company's success.

PRODUCT NAMING GUIDELINES
Naming a product is difficult. These guidelines will help you choose a
compelling name that makes your product more successful.

WHAT MAKES A DEMO TRULY REMARKABLE
By Peter Cohan

To read this newsletter go to:
http://www.280group.com/insider/4.9.09.htm

Brian Lawley
CEO, www.280group.com
Author, Expert Product Management

4/22 Expert Panel: Using Social Media to build better products and engage with
customers

Join us on April 22 as a panel of Social Media experts goes beyond buzzwords and
explains social media from a Product Manager's perspective.

Chris Noble, CEO of Kompolt, the cause branded social media agency, will kick
off a discussion about why product managers should care about social media. As a
former Product Manager, Chris will clarify the possibilities it offers
throughout the product life cycle. He'll also lead an open discussion with some
local social media experts, including Jude O'Reilley, former VP of Product
Management and Marketing at Trusera, (and a former Gartner analyst) Scot French,
Product Marketer with social network company Zooppa, Trevor Rotzein, Product
Manager at LexisNexis, plus Meighan Berbich and Rory Martin of Conenza.

You'll get:
� A quick primer on social media basics, including what it is and isn't, why
consumers dig it, how businesses and product managers can use it.
� Clarity on social media myths vs. facts
� Tips and practices you can use, from a panel of social media/product
management experts

We'll have a live Twitter session going and will be blogging from the event.
Come with your questions and get ready to get social!

Details:
Date: April 22
6:00 � 6:30 Light Snacks & Networking
6:30 � 8:00 Program & Facilitated Discussion
Location: Amdocs, 2211 Elliott Ave, Seattle
Pricing: Register by 4/20 for a $10 early registration discount. At the door
registration is $30 for PMC members and $40 for non-members.

For more information, or to register, please visit www.pmcnw.org

Business Case Secrets of the Pros

4/16/2009 in Kirkland, WA

With a changing business environment and more conservative business strategies in most organizations, the projects that are selected for investment in the next year likely will be very different from last year's winners.  What are the new decision criteria that executives are using this year?  What should you do differently, and what business case practices should you retain, mo matter what is happening in the company or economy?

This is finance and career-building in a one-day course.  You'll learn how to nail the analysis, build and deliver a compelling story about how and why the company will make money on your idea.  Designed for Product Managers, Product Marketers, Product Planners and Program or Project Managers in software, hardware and technology firms this workshop is team-taught by Finance and Product Management veterans who have successfully "sold" business cases in all economic climates.

Your learning experience will be enhanced by the small class size and expert feedback on several interactive exercises and a practice case study.  You'll leave the course much better prepared to make your next business case proposal a company-and career-enhancing success, whether it's an internal project or a product targeted for commercial markets.

Date: April 16, 2009

Time: 8:30am � 4:30pm

Location: Kirkland, WA (Carillon Point)

Fee: $995

Discounts:

�         Pink Slip special.  If you have been pink-slipped in the last 6 months and are currently between jobs, pay just $100 to attend this course.  Only six seats available at this price � first come, first served before April 1.  Call the number below to register.

�         Register online by April 1 for a $100 discount

�         Bring a colleague for have off the full session fee � Call the number below to register.

REGISTER or get more info:

https://pivotalpm.learn.com/learncenter.asp?page=49

Questions?  Call 1-866-647-5397 between 8:00 and 5:00 Pacific Time.

Hello,

This email message is a notification to let you know that
a file has been uploaded to the Files area of the PSPM
group.

   File        : /Jobs/Job_Opportunities/Nokia_Product_Manager_Kirkland_WA.pdf
   Uploaded by : gabriel_steinhardt <gabriel.steinhardt@...>
   Description : Nokia_Product_Manager_Kirkland_WA

You can access this file at the URL:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PSPM/files/Jobs/Job_Opportunities/Nokia_Product_Ma\
nager_Kirkland_WA.pdf

To learn more about file sharing for your group, please visit:
http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/groups/original/members/web/index.htmlfiles

Regards,

gabriel_steinhardt <gabriel.steinhardt@...>

With layoffs, transitions to Agile, reorganizations....we all need
tools to help us manage the changes that are a part of everyday life
for Product Managers.

If your schedule makes it difficult to attend PMC evening meetings,
here's a great chance to attend a complimentary morning Webinar and to
learn about change management tools.

To attend, visit
http://pmconsortium.ning.com/events/webinar-change-is-not-a, RSVP,and
then click on the "Export to Outook or ical" link. The Webinar details
and link will be saved right to your calendar!

Sabra Goldick
PMC Community Manager
----------------
Change Is Not a Four-Letter Word!  Webinar on Feb. 27

Is your company grappling with major changes this year?  If so, are
you seeking tools to help you navigate the shifting landscape with
less angst?  Join us online on Friday, February 27th at 10am PST as
PMC presents guidance from a change management superstar.

Dr. Debbie Stairs of Oak Ridge National Laboratories is an expert on
the ways in which change affects humans and organizations.  A
nationally recognized leader in Organizational Development and Design,
she trains executives, managers and team leaders on succeeding through
change.

You'll hear invaluable insights on how you can successfully lead
yourself - and your team - through the changes that can either
seriously rattle or greatly benefit companies, products and careers.

You'll gain:
  - New understanding of the change process
  - Important change management tools
  - A blueprint for knowing when change is - or isn't - working

As our newest way to bring career-enhancing tools to the PMC
community, this first-ever PMC webinar is complimentary.  However, our
web-based service is limited to only 100 attendees, so put this on
your calendar now, and then sign in five or ten minutes early on the 27th!

If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before: Test your
connection:
http://maark.na3.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm

Visit Product Management Consortium at: http://pmconsortium.ning.com