Here are 5 suggestions that I recommend product managers adopt during the New Year.
1) Be “market” and not “marketing” driven – Talk to as many customers as possible in understanding their business, why they use your company’s products, what they like about it and what they don’t like about it. Plan to talk to at least one customer every week. Take time to prospects who are not “fishing” with you – why are they not buying or using your product? Know more about the customer than anyone else in the company – this is what will gain you (as a product manager) respect in the company.
2) Avoid using your laptop or Blackberries/iPhones during conversations or meetings – Give your undivided attention to the person who is talking. Nothing that needs immediate attention gets delivered via email. How would you feel if you are talking and everyone was busy using their laptops and blackberries and no one paid attention? Don’t take your laptops or blackberries to a meeting unless you are presenting. If you have something that is more urgent than being in the meeting, decline the meeting – you will do everyone a favor than being a distraction at the meeting.
3) Arrive on time for meetings – Yes, some meetings do run over, but not all. Make late arrivals an anomaly than a norm. Don’t use the excuse of everyone is late – if you break the trend, others might as well. It is nothing but professional respect.
4) Stay on topic during meetings – A shorter meeting that is focused on what is on the agenda is better. Chit chat is OK if you are early to the meeting, but time is valuable. Have’nt you said so many times “I wish I did not have this many meetings?”. Shorter meetings are good for everyone.
5) Listen more than talk – Easier said than done, but practice more listening than talking.
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Software Product Manager by Gopal Shenoy 
I really enjoyed reading this and will like to known more on the subject please
Nice suggestions. I like #5; the more we listen the more respect we show for those we’re meeting with. It pays dividends, especially in tough times. -Michael
Dude! #2-4 are huge pet peeves of mine (i.e. other’s not doing so). Maybe the title of this post should be “5 Suggestions ANYONE WITH A JOB can adopt during the New Year”! Nice post!
6. Commit to being transparent and open in all your dealings.
7. Focus on the decision process, not just the decision.
8. Understand early on whether all of your “bosses” are on the same page when it comes to objectives.
9. Avoid the use of powerpoint in meetings – prepare single-page summaries of talking points.
10. Be compassionate, kind and above all, hopeful.
Nice post! I heartily agree with number 2. I am finding it increasingly rare that people in a meeting are not typing away during the meeting itself. I would love it if everyone I worked with made the same resolution!
April