Where Does Product Management Belong?
 By Steve Johnson

The role of product management spans many activities from strategic to tactical. Some very technical, others less so. The strategic role of product management is to be “messenger of the market,” delivering market and product information to the departments that need facts to make decisions. That is why it is not surprising that 33% of product managers report directly to the CEO, acting as his or her representative at the product level.

Many CEOs realize that product management brings process and business savvy to the creation and delivery of products. Perhaps that's why we've seen a shift over the years of where product managers report in the organization.

 

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 Don't Just Listen, Grok Buyer Personas
 By Adele Revella

Grok (rhymes with "rock') is a verb that captures the essence of what we strive to achieve through buyer persona profiling. A marketer who groks a buyer persona is capable of experiencing "the literal capabilities and frame of reference of the subject." Thus grokking a buyer isn't just about listening and acting directly on what is heard, this word challenges us to understand so deeply that we can anticipate needs that people cannot even articulate.

 

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 Pragmatic Marketing Network
 Join alumni, colleagues and friends who have a shared interest in technology product management and marketing


The Pragmatic Marketing Network meets in cities where we are presenting our product management and marketing seminars. In many cases, these events are held in conjunction with the local Product Management Association. In addition to the networking opportunity, these events include a discussion, led by a Pragmatic Marketing instructor, on topics of interest to product managers and marketers.

Current Topic: Where does product management belong in the organization?

Product Management is “messenger of the market,” delivering market and product information to the departments that need facts to make decisions. That is why it is not surprising that many product managers report directly to the CEO, acting as his or her representative at the product level. Yet many organizations subordinate the job under Development, Marketing or Sales. Is this good, bad or it just doesn't matter?

In conjunction with the Triangle Product Management Association, join us in Raleigh, NC on Monday, March 12th, 6-8 PM at the Raleigh-Durham Airport Hilton
RSVP: Via Evite

In conjunction with the Austin Product Management & Marketing Forum, join us in Austin, TX on Tuesday, April 10th, 6-8 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn (formerly Capitol Place Austin Hotel and Executive Meeting Center)
RSVP: Via Evite

Join us in Pittsburgh, PA on Monday, April 23rd, 6-8 PM at the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh City Center
RSVP: Via Evite

JUST ADDED
Join us in San Francisco, CA on Monday, April 23rd, 6-8 PM at the San Francisco Airport Marriott
RSVP: Via Evite

Coming in June to Boston, MA, San Jose, CA, and Seattle, WA

 

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 An Invite to Software 2007
 Join us in Santa Clara, CA on May 8-9

“Powered by Innovation” is the theme of Software 2007 and the conference will focus on innovation as it relates to products, processes, technologies, business and delivery models. Over 2,000 CEOs, VPs, VCs, CIOs, media and analysts are expected to attend and help define the future of the industry.

You can take advantage of a special negotiated rate of $1,495 which lets you register and bring along 3 members of your executive team at no extra charge. Please register here and enter partner07 in the registration code field.

 

Register for Software 2007... 

 The Pragmatic Marketer: Volume 5 Issue 1
 In the current issue


2006 Annual Product Management and Marketing Survey

Technology Assessment for a Better Strategy

Product Managers are Really Super Heroes in Disguise!

Navigating Uncharted Territory: How We Developed a Strategic Product Marketing Role

Product Design: Bridging the Gap between Product Management & Development

 

View the complete magazine archive... 

 Webinars for Product Managers and Marketers
 Learn more about product management and marketing

We are pleased to co-sponsor an ongoing series of webinars with Ryma Technology Solutions, the maker of FeaturePlan, on a range of topics of interest to Product Managers and Marketers. Upcoming events include the following Pragmatic Marketing instructor session:

April 19 Where does Product Management belong in the organization? with Steve Johnson

 

View archived webinars from Pragmatic Marketing... 

 Upcoming Seminars
 For product managers and marketers

Roadmapping
March 15 Research Triangle Park, NC
April 13 Austin, TX
June 7 San Jose, CA
June 7 Bedford, MA

Practical Product Management
March 19 - 20 (21) San Jose, CA
March 26 - 27 (28) Bedford, MA
April 2 - 3 (4) San Francisco, CA
April 10 - 11 (12) Austin, TX
April 16 - 17 (18) Atlanta, GA
April 23 - 24 (25) Pittsburgh, PA
April 23 - 24 (25) San Francisco, CA
April 30 - 1 (2) Boston, MA
April 30 - 1 (2) Minneapolis, MN
May 1 - 2 (3) Toronto, ON Canada
May 7 - 8 (9) Orlando, FL
May 15 - 16 (17) San Francisco, CA
May 30 - 31 (1) Montreal, QC Canada

Requirements That Work
March 21 San Jose, CA
March 28 Bedford, MA
April 4 San Francisco, CA
April 12 Austin, TX
April 18 Atlanta, GA
April 25 Pittsburgh, PA
April 25 San Francisco, CA
May 2 Minneapolis, MN
May 2 Boston, MA
May 3 Toronto, ON Canada
May 9 Orlando, FL
May 17 San Francisco, CA

Effective Product Marketing
March 28 - 29 Cambridge, MA
April 4 - 5 San Francisco, CA
May 9 - 10 Boston, MA
June 6 - 7 San Francisco, CA

 

View the complete seminar schedule... 

 Join our Advisory Group
 Looking for a few good opinions

The Customer Advisory Group provides market feedback and opinions on new initiatives Pragmatic Marketing is developing. If you would like to participate, please add your name and e-mail to our list.

 

Join our Advisory Group