Comments on: Be comfortable being uncomfortable http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/ A blog with tips on product management and related topics. Written by Jeff Lash, a product manager in St. Louis, MO Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:14:56 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: David Locke http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-14131 David Locke Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:31:53 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-14131 A sales forecast is a set of predictions about when you will make a series of sales. You do this in terms of currency. An example of a sales forecast would look like the following: 2008 Q4 $1M 2009 Q1 $.8M 2009 Q2 $ 1.1M 2009 Q3 $ 1.2 M You can make such a forecast for the current quarter based on your sales funnel. How long does it take to close a sale? How many prospects will be approached this quater? How many prospects are now qualified? How many deals are being closed? How many have already closed this quarter? How much are these deals worth? How much is the average deal worth? You can do a sales forecast as a pro forma, which means as a fiction, a guess, .... The further out you forecast, the less reliable the nubers become. A sales forecast is a set of predictions about when you will make a series of sales. You do this in terms of currency. An example of a sales forecast would look like the following:

2008 Q4 $1M
2009 Q1 $.8M
2009 Q2 $ 1.1M
2009 Q3 $ 1.2 M

You can make such a forecast for the current quarter based on your sales funnel. How long does it take to close a sale? How many prospects will be approached this quater? How many prospects are now qualified? How many deals are being closed? How many have already closed this quarter? How much are these deals worth? How much is the average deal worth?

You can do a sales forecast as a pro forma, which means as a fiction, a guess, …. The further out you forecast, the less reliable the nubers become.

]]> By: b.rohitkumar http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-14109 b.rohitkumar Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:54:59 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-14109 what is sales forecast? what is sales forecast?

]]> By: yhnreddy http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-13840 yhnreddy Fri, 17 Oct 2008 15:17:30 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-13840 Good Good

]]> By: zhong335 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-10054 zhong335 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:50:49 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-10054 I made a Chinese translation, here http://www.yeeyan.com/articles/view/zhong335/11548 The website is a web 2.0 site for contributors to translate good foreign articles into Chinese for more people to learn. I made a Chinese translation, here
http://www.yeeyan.com/articles/view/zhong335/11548

The website is a web 2.0 site for contributors to translate good foreign articles into Chinese for more people to learn.

]]> By: David http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-9953 David Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:45:24 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-9953 I once worked with a VP of Dev. He had a mandate to change how Dev got things done. It was his staff that though change was needed. He took a slow process to implementing the changes. He was constantly saying, "Let the process work. Soon." Edwin, you already have a strategy. Find the augmentation. Implement the augmentation gradually. Experiment with one particular product, and if the strategy validates, then spread it. If you implement the strategy within your product line, you won't have to ask for permission. Then, when it works, evangelize it to the other product managers in your company. If you have P&L responsibility, you have policy control within the scope of that P&L. That means that you can make changes tomorrow morning if you wanted to. You won't be able to change sales compensation, or processes owned by other functional units, but you can change the product strategy. I just started reading "Mobile Advertising." There was plenty of strategic thrusts in that book, and they were relevant beyond advertising. Are you viral? Will your virus have to transition subcultures? Do you enable user generated content? Who are your whole product partners? What are the value propositions of each of your product? Can your products be sold on value? I once worked with a VP of Dev. He had a mandate to change how Dev got things done. It was his staff that though change was needed. He took a slow process to implementing the changes. He was constantly saying, “Let the process work. Soon.”

Edwin, you already have a strategy. Find the augmentation. Implement the augmentation gradually. Experiment with one particular product, and if the strategy validates, then spread it. If you implement the strategy within your product line, you won’t have to ask for permission. Then, when it works, evangelize it to the other product managers in your company. If you have P&L responsibility, you have policy control within the scope of that P&L. That means that you can make changes tomorrow morning if you wanted to. You won’t be able to change sales compensation, or processes owned by other functional units, but you can change the product strategy.

I just started reading “Mobile Advertising.” There was plenty of strategic thrusts in that book, and they were relevant beyond advertising.

Are you viral? Will your virus have to transition subcultures? Do you enable user generated content? Who are your whole product partners? What are the value propositions of each of your product? Can your products be sold on value?

]]> By: Edwin http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-9876 Edwin Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:41:13 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-9876 This is a boost to a young product Manager like my self, who is scratching all around looking for a solution,to issues comcerning my wide product line. For me I am always confortable dealing on issues about sales analysis while find is very unconfortable dealing issues concerning creating /improving the marketing straitegies. I think my greatest challengies are [1] the bottle neck in impliment or adorpting a new policy in my company is too long so ,this always discourages me in my research for an improved stratagies. [2] the wide rage of the prodcut an handling couple with my experience as young product manager. This is a boost to a young product Manager like my self, who is scratching all around looking for a solution,to issues comcerning my wide product line. For me I am always confortable dealing on issues about sales analysis while find is very unconfortable dealing issues concerning creating /improving the marketing straitegies. I think my greatest challengies are [1] the bottle neck in impliment or adorpting a new policy in my company is too long so ,this always discourages me in my research for an improved stratagies. [2] the wide rage of the prodcut an handling couple with my experience as young product manager.

]]> By: Paul http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-8701 Paul Sun, 01 Jun 2008 18:57:50 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-8701 Hi, it is very good. It may be interesting to also mentioned tools for persons that are just starting a new job at a new company. Like how to address their energy during the first 3 or 6 months I see your documents very helpful and with potential. I hope you could consider to translate it to the Spanish. I have 1o year of management experience but I am working on improving my English level. Even that I had a great time reading it because they were very easy to understand, thanks. Hi, it is very good.
It may be interesting to also mentioned tools for persons that are just starting a new job at a new company. Like how to address their energy during the first 3 or 6 months
I see your documents very helpful and with potential. I hope you could consider to translate it to the Spanish. I have 1o year of management experience but I am working on improving my English level. Even that I had a great time reading it because they were very easy to understand, thanks.

]]> By: Spike http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-8193 Spike Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:24:20 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-8193 This entry is exactly why I read this blog regularly. You always seem to have a timely topic for things that pop up in my career. This week I had to deal with a particularly uncomfortable situation, one in which I would have normally ignore it and hope it would resolve itself. Because of your article I was encouraged to jump in with both feet and use being uncomfortable as a tool to address the issue and not ignore it. Although I am not specifically a product manager, I am the marketing manager and I see a lot of parallel. Thank you for each and every entry! This entry is exactly why I read this blog regularly. You always seem to have a timely topic for things that pop up in my career. This week I had to deal with a particularly uncomfortable situation, one in which I would have normally ignore it and hope it would resolve itself. Because of your article I was encouraged to jump in with both feet and use being uncomfortable as a tool to address the issue and not ignore it.

Although I am not specifically a product manager, I am the marketing manager and I see a lot of parallel. Thank you for each and every entry!

]]> By: Ivan Chalif http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-8011 Ivan Chalif Sun, 13 Apr 2008 05:22:32 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-8011 Comfort has a lot to do with experience. There are always things about any job that you may not like or be good at, but pushing yourself to do those things makes you better at your job. As you gain more experience, the less painful the difficult tasks become. For me, one of the hardest things is being in the middle of a heated argument. I don't so much mind the argument, but my urge is to resolve the conflict quickly, rather than let it play out. But I know that's what needs to happen and just settling the conflict will likely mean that the discussion will happen again at a later date rather than getting resolved. But the more often that I let things play out, the easier it gets. Comfort has a lot to do with experience. There are always things about any job that you may not like or be good at, but pushing yourself to do those things makes you better at your job. As you gain more experience, the less painful the difficult tasks become.

For me, one of the hardest things is being in the middle of a heated argument. I don’t so much mind the argument, but my urge is to resolve the conflict quickly, rather than let it play out. But I know that’s what needs to happen and just settling the conflict will likely mean that the discussion will happen again at a later date rather than getting resolved. But the more often that I let things play out, the easier it gets.

]]> By: Miranda http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7935 Miranda Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:06:13 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7935 Excellent advice! Sometimes new concepts like integrated product management (learn more Apr. 24 in Minneapolis) can seem uncomfortable, but when you overcome the challenges associated with getting out of your comfort zone, you'll wonder why you didn't try it before. Of course, once you're comfortable, it's time to move onto something else uncomfortable... Excellent advice! Sometimes new concepts like integrated product management (learn more Apr. 24 in Minneapolis) can seem uncomfortable, but when you overcome the challenges associated with getting out of your comfort zone, you’ll wonder why you didn’t try it before.

Of course, once you’re comfortable, it’s time to move onto something else uncomfortable…

]]> By: Jason http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7931 Jason Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:21:27 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7931 Great post. I tend to fall back to my 'comfort zone' activities whenever I feel like I am getting overwhelmed with a tas or tasks that are outside my comfort zone and are not progressing as I expect/hope. Assuming time allows, I like moving to a more comfortable task for a couple of days allows me to recharge and rebuild my confidence. I find that after this I can go back to the uncomfortable task with renewed energy and sometimes a different approach. Great post. I tend to fall back to my ‘comfort zone’ activities whenever I feel like I am getting overwhelmed with a tas or tasks that are outside my comfort zone and are not progressing as I expect/hope. Assuming time allows, I like moving to a more comfortable task for a couple of days allows me to recharge and rebuild my confidence. I find that after this I can go back to the uncomfortable task with renewed energy and sometimes a different approach.

]]> By: Когда продуктоводу не стоит заботиться о личном комфорте | Startup Cube - Бизнес-консультирование стартапов http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7894 Когда продуктоводу не стоит заботиться о личном комфорте | Startup Cube - Бизнес-консультирование стартапов Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:48:18 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7894 [...] Источник. [...] [...] Источник. [...]

]]> By: spatially relevant » Blog Archive » A Litmus Test: When Technology becomes a product http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7838 spatially relevant » Blog Archive » A Litmus Test: When Technology becomes a product Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:11:13 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7838 [...] I haven’t spent much time doing pure play product management posting in a while, so I thought I would today.  I’ve been doing a bunch of leisure surfing and looking at a bunch of great stuff online and challenged myself to think about what it takes to transition a technology into a product.  While I didn’t come to a great deal of conclusions, I think I’ve come up with some reasonable litmus tests for consideration: [...] [...] I haven’t spent much time doing pure play product management posting in a while, so I thought I would today.  I’ve been doing a bunch of leisure surfing and looking at a bunch of great stuff online and challenged myself to think about what it takes to transition a technology into a product.  While I didn’t come to a great deal of conclusions, I think I’ve come up with some reasonable litmus tests for consideration: [...]

]]> By: Henrik http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7835 Henrik Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:09:56 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7835 I agree, this is how you grow as a person, but I must admit that the number crunching financial... thats just not my cup of tea... maybe I should look into it.. I agree, this is how you grow as a person, but I must admit that the number crunching financial… thats just not my cup of tea… maybe I should look into it..

]]> By: Gregg Gallagher http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/comment-page-1/#comment-7825 Gregg Gallagher Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:13:30 +0000 http://www.goodproductmanager.com/2008/04/02/be-comfortable-being-uncomfortable/#comment-7825 Not just good advice for PMs, but for all of us in both business and personal contexts.... Not just good advice for PMs, but for all of us in both business and personal contexts….

]]>