Hey everyone!

Get ready to dive into the dynamic world of product management! Today, I'm thrilled to share with you a lively and insightful comparison that paints a vivid picture of what sets apart a stellar Product Manager from a not-so-stellar one. Imagine having a front-row seat to the secrets of mastering this exhilarating role – that's what we're about to explore together!

So, buckle up and let's embark on this exciting journey to uncover the essence of truly effective product management. 🚀✨

Aspect Good Product Manager Bad Product Manager
Role Perception Acts as the CEO of the product, driving vision and taking ultimate responsibility for success. Thinks of themselves as just a marketing resource, with a narrow role focused on tasks like writing data sheets and arranging press releases. Often overwhelmed by demands from various organizations.
Balancing Factors Balances a variety of factors including company goals, customer demand, and competition. Seeks to understand and address each factor. Misses the big picture or overlooks important factors. Fails to understand the market or the company's capabilities, leading to products that don't fit or are too complex. Reacts only to competitors without developing their own product identity.
Communication with Product Development Clearly defines product requirements in writing, involving engineering in the process. Respected by the engineering team. Cuts corners in communication or misunderstands their role, specifying how rather than what should be built. Leaves aspects of the product unclear and makes decisions based on incomplete understanding.
Goals and Advantages Has clear, written goals and understands the advantages of their product. Committed to achieving explicit, written goals. Has vague or undefined goals and product advantages. Inconsistent in product positioning and unable to articulate clear benefits.
Sales Force and Customer Focus Known and appreciated by the salesforce. Understands and prioritizes making salespeople successful. Knows customers well. Neglects the salesforce and customer relationships. Lacks understanding of field dynamics and customer needs. Unable to effectively present or engage with sales teams and customers.
Key Skills Proficient in a range of marketing functions, manages time effectively, focuses on high-impact tasks, and maintains discipline. Lacks a broad understanding of marketing functions, poorly manages time, constantly putting out fires, and lacks discipline in their work. Fails to leverage time with FAQs or standard presentations.
Overall Approach Demonstrates skills and capabilities of a group product manager, being proactive, working well with executives, and leveraging the organization. Limited in their approach, often reactive, struggling with executive communication, and not leveraging the organizational resources effectively.

Source article: https://sriramk.com/memos/Ben_Horowitz_Good_Product_Manager_Bad_Product_Manager.pdf