Product management tips for early-stage tech start-ups

It's not the customer's job to tell you what they want; that's your job, writes Serene Gan in Tech in Asia

When I meet people, and they ask what I do, I say I’m a product manager. If they aren’t in the tech circle, they’ll squint and politely ask “what’s that?!”. Bless you.
 

At an early stage tech start-up, you may squint at the mention of product management, not understanding what it is and how it can help you create a great product. 
 

Here, I shed some light on what it means:
 

Waste nothing

You’ve heard it before—go lean. Don’t be obsessed trying to develop a perfectly polished first product. You’ll burn out quicker, lose your temper easier, and as a result of that, probably go bald sooner.

 

Build for the customer

It doesn’t matter if you have a special liking for navy blue—will your users like it? They are the ones who would be using the product and paying for it, aren’t they? Remember, it’s not the customer’s job to tell you what they want. That’s your job, and your product is supposed to answer what they need. 

Break things down into smaller chunks

For a young start-up with a small team (enough to count with your right hand), it is crucial to make sure that everything you do is manageable. 
 

Make data-driven decisions

It’s great to have a hunch that something will work out. Put that hunch to a stress test and let the numbers prove your assumptions. Numbers coupled with a good dose of your gut is the key to making better product decisions.

People matter

Your product is the sum of all your team’s efforts. Invest in your team, invest in yourself. This doesn’t stop at a professional level. It doesn’t matter if you have the greatest product idea. If you don’t have people to work and stick it out, you’re on your own. 

---

This is an excerpt from Tech in Asia. You can read the full article here.