ProductFTW #16: A Product Reading List
This week we are sharing some product management reads that we think are helpful wherever you are in your product management journey.
Blogs
This blog provides a broad range of topics focusing on the fundamentals of product management, making it a great resource for continuous learning and staying updated on industry best practices. It offers practical advice and real-world examples to help navigate the challenges of building products in a fast-paced, resource-constrained environment.
We like this blog because it provides actionable insights and relatable anecdotes that startup product managers can apply to their own unique situations. The blog's mix of humor and practicality makes it an engaging and valuable resource for PMs looking to build successful products and overcome the obstacles inherent in the startup world.
Silicon Valley Product Group (SVPG) Blog
We are obviously fans of Marty Cagan, so we had to include the SVPG blog. It's a great resource for product managers seeking in-depth insights on product strategy, innovation, and leadership. The blog features thought-provoking articles that challenge conventional thinking and provide actionable advice for driving product success.
We like the SVPG Blog because it offers a wealth of expertise and strategic guidance for startup product managers looking to create innovative, customer-centric products. Cagan's experience and insights provide a valuable framework for navigating the complexities of product management in a startup setting, making the blog an indispensable resource for PMs striving to build game-changing products.
Sachin Rekhi is a seasoned product management leader who has worked with companies like LinkedIn and Microsoft. His blog is a popular resource for product managers, covering a wide range of topics such as product strategy, user experience, and leadership.
We like Sachin Rekhi's blog because it provides practical, actionable insights drawn from his extensive experience in the product management field. Rekhi's ability to break down complex concepts into easily digestible lessons makes his blog an invaluable resource for startup PMs looking to develop their skills and make a meaningful impact in their organizations.
The Product Coalition features articles from a diverse group of product managers, designers, and entrepreneurs. The blog covers a wide range of topics related to product management, offering insights, best practices, and lessons learned from professionals across the industry.
We like The Product Coalition because it provides a range of perspectives and experiences from product managers working in various industries and company sizes. This diversity makes the blog a valuable resource for startup PMs looking to learn from the successes and challenges of their peers, and to stay informed about the latest trends and best practices in product management.
Product Management Today features articles from product managers, designers, and entrepreneurs. The publication covers a variety of topics related to product management, including product strategy, user research, and career advice.
We like Product Management Today because it features articles from various product blogs and publications across the industry, so they are a good round-up of the product management conversations and insights that are being shared from blogs you might not be reading all the time. They also share a reading list at the end of every month of their top "must-reads" from that month.
Product Talk focuses on the critical aspects of product discovery, user research, and continuous improvement. It provides practical, actionable advice for product managers looking to make data-driven decisions and create products that truly resonate with users.
We like Product Talk because it addresses a crucial aspect of product management that is often overlooked in the fast-paced startup world. Torres' emphasis on user research and data-driven decision-making provides startup PMs with the tools and knowledge they need to create products that solve real problems and deliver value to customers, even with limited resources and tight deadlines.
Books
Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Will Love
By Marty Cagan
Marty Cagan provides a deep dive into the role of a product manager and the strategies used by top tech companies to create successful products. This book is valuable for its practical insights and real-world applications that can help product managers create products that not only meet but exceed customer expectations.
We recommend this book because it both inspires and excites readers about the transformative power of effective product management, emphasizing that the customer should always be at the heart of any team's efforts. As mentioned previously, the strategies discussed are those employed by leading tech companies; however, it's important to note that they may not directly translate to startups or smaller organizations.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek explores how leaders can inspire cooperation, trust, and change within an organization. It's essential for product managers who need to motivate their teams and align stakeholders around a common vision.
The first time I read this book early in my career, I was blown away by how simple yet crucial the concept of focusing on "the why" is. This book is a fantastic resource for understanding how centering on the reasons behind your actions can transform your entire organization and mindset. It also offers practical advice on how to determine your own "why."
The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback
By Dan Olsen
This book offers a repeatable, easy-to-follow process for iterating on product ideas, validating them with real users, and achieving product-market fit. It's invaluable for product managers looking to build products efficiently and effectively.
We like this book because it lays out a clear, actionable process. It provides practical tools for identifying the MVP and gathering customer feedback. While it's incredibly useful, keep in mind that there are many other methods available too.
Predictably Irrational, Revised and Expanded Edition: The Hidden Forces that Shape Our Decisions
By Dr. Dan Ariely
Dr. Ariely's exploration of behavioral economics provides insights into why people make the decisions they do, which can help product managers design more engaging and compelling products.
As a startup, understanding your users is the key to creating products that people will love. This book is a fascinating dive into the psychology of decision-making that will help you create products that resonate with your customers.
Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value
By Melissa Perri
Melissa Perri discusses how companies can avoid the "build trap," where they focus more on shipping features than on creating value. It's a crucial read for understanding how to align product development with business goals.
In the fast-paced world of startups, it's easy to fall into the trap of constantly building features without thinking about the bigger picture. We think this book is a good wake-up call to focus on delivering real value to your customers if you might be losing sight of that goal in the heads-down efforts of building.
Empowered: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Products
By Marty Cagan and Chris Jones
This follow-up to "Inspired" focuses on how companies can enable their product teams to work at their full potential. It's particularly useful for understanding how to cultivate an environment where product teams can innovate and execute effectively.
We appreciate this book because it offers valuable insights into structuring your product team for growth. Many smaller companies begin to expand their teams before defining clear operational strategies. This read is particularly useful for understanding how to establish an environment where product teams can thrive through innovation and effective execution.
Principles of Product Management: How to Land a PM Job and Launch Your Product Career
By Peter Yang
This book is a comprehensive guide for aspiring product managers, covering everything from landing a product management job to excelling in the role. It's a great resource for beginners in the field.
We like this book because it's a no-nonsense guide to breaking into product management in the fast-paced world of startups. Peter Yang's advice is practical, actionable, and based on real-world experience, making it a great resource for aspiring PMs. Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned pro looking to pivot, this book can serve as a roadmap to landing a PM job and making an impact from day one.
Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making
By Tony Fadell
"Build" is an insightful guide to product development and innovation by Tony Fadell, the creator of the iPod and the Nest thermostat. It offers a unique perspective on creating meaningful products that stand the test of time.
We like this book because it provides invaluable lessons for startup founders and product managers who want to create products that truly resonate with users. Fadell's emphasis on focusing on the "why" behind a product, rather than just the "what," is particularly relevant in the fast-paced, often uncertain world of startups. His practical advice and real-world examples make "Build" a great resource for anyone looking to develop innovative, impactful products that solve real problems and create lasting value.
Happy Reading!
It's important to remember that the journey of a startup product manager is one of constant learning and growth. And the world of product management is always evolving, so there's always something new to learn. The books and blogs we've explored here are just a portion of the many great resources out there.
We'd love to hear any recommendations you have about books and reading that we should add to our reading list!
About ProductFTW
ProductFTW is a weekly newsletter about product management, with a focus on real-life experiences in startups. We want to help product leaders be successful by giving realistic approaches that aren't for giant tech companies. We know you don't have a full-time product designer on each team. We know your software probably hasn't been used by millions of people worldwide–yet. We're here to bridge the content gap from building your product and team to scaling it.