The Software Product Management Blog

How-to quickly clean old newsletters in Apple Mail

I receive a ton of email newsletters. I try to unsubscribe but let’s be honest who really wants to go through and manually click “unsubscribe?”

I know there are paid services that will manage your inbox for you. I just don’t feel like spending the money.

Here’s a way to nearly automate batch deleting tons of email in macOS Mail.

So, if you want to follow along, launch your Mail app and let’s get going.

Product Manager & UX Interview Exercise

When I interview Product Managers or UX designers I usually block off time for an interactive exercise to see how a candidate tackles product problems.

This involves designing a feature for app or website.

Not to design the “right” solution but to observe thinking.

I don’t want “free work” from the candidate so it’s never about my company’s products. Rather, I’ll take an application that I’ve used recently that I find particularly irksome.

Product Ownership is Taken, Not Given

Ownership is taken, not given. If you are starting out in product management, don’t wait for your boss to give you responsibility over a product line. Prove that you deserve it and then take ownership.

How do you prove you deserve it?

Understand the company’s strategic vision. Be able to articulate that strategic vision and how the current product fits (or doesn’t.)

Understand your product inside and out.

Understand your competitors inside and out and know why they make the choices that they make.

How to Build Better Products by Asking Yourself One Question

Discover how to shift from product-focused to customer-emotional needs in product management, enhancing value by understanding what you're really selling.

Want to build a better product? Stop obsessing about it (here’s what to focus on instead)

This post was updated from an earlier piece

Assume for a moment that you just returned from a cross-country trip. You’re sitting at home looking at your credit card statement with all of the trip expenses. Which companies are most likely to show up on your bill? If you flew, maybe it’s USAir or JetBlue. If you drove, you’re likely to see Exxon, Lukoil or some other gas stations.

So let me ask you this: Is Amtrak going to show up on your bill? It’s possible but not likely. How about Reading Railroad or Southern Pacific?

What John Mulaney can teach us about bad UX design

Learn how a John Mulaney show experience reveals key lessons in UX design, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and user expectations on websites.

Navigating the World of Product Management: Job Descriptions, Salaries, and Entry-Level Opportunities in the US

Explore the essential guide to product management in the US, covering job roles, salaries, and entry-level opportunities. Delve into detailed insights about product manager and product owner roles to kickstart your career in this dynamic field.

Product Management is not Project Management

These two terms are often used interchangeably and yet, other than having the word “management” and sort of sounding the same, they are vastly different things.

In many organizations senior management will point to a project manager and say “He’s our product manager.”

Qualitiative Analytics Case Study - AWeber

Learn how I used quantiative and qualitative analytics tools to improve mobile application adoption and engagement.