Catarina Póvoas’ Post

I am super fortunate, because my job includes getting to know great product people and organizations on a regular basis. Last week, I was invited to Flix to talk about the importance of constantly and quickly switching between Problem and Solution Space to improve your time to value. Also on a more personal note: I prefer the train, but I am still amazed by how Flix conquered the European & US bus market leveraging technology. It's a great example that tech plays a huge role in a companies success, even if they are doing something, that people have been doing for ages: bus travel. Oh and before someone adds that into the comments: Well aware that Flix is also doing trains, but there is no connections in Munich yet 😉 Maria Eliseeva thanks for the invitation and for organizing knowledge exchanges at Flix. If you are not as fortunate as the product people at Flix and have someone like Maria organize knowledge exchanges, think about joining our Product Management Roundtable this Friday. It's fun and it's free! ➡️ Link in the comments

Have you ever noticed how two seemingly different realms share striking similarities? Whether it's people, books, movies, or trends in technology, these parallels can be eye-opening. One such revelation struck me today. If you examine closely, Formula 1 (F1) and Product Management exhibit remarkable parallels: Iterative Improvements: F1 cars undergo constant tweaks and upgrades, akin to the iterative development process of products aimed at better meeting user needs. Team Structure and Collaboration: Just as product management involves core teams like race engineers and pit crews in F1, extended teams in both fields encompass strategists, marketers, sponsors, and more. Data-Driven Decisions: F1 teams analyze performance data down to milliseconds for real-time decisions, mirroring how product managers rely on user analytics and feedback to enhance products. North Star Metrics: F1 tracks Constructors' and Drivers' Championship points to gauge success, paralleling how product managers use key metrics to guide development and align with business goals. Secondary Metrics: Similar to lap times in F1, product managers utilize additional metrics to refine strategies and optimize product performance. That said, I'm eagerly anticipating Lewis Hamilton's potential move to Ferrari in 2025. Here's hoping Adrian Newey signs the contract! Who's your pick for the upcoming season? #productmanagement #Formula1

I admit I have a problem. I love F1. Did you hear Lewis Hamilton is going to Ferrari? While I am sad because #teamcarlos I am excited for the future of Ferrari. If we draw parallels between F1 and product management it unveils similarities in agility, strategy, and teamwork. Here’s how principles from the racetrack resonate with product management: 1. Teamwork and Collaboration: F1’s success hinges not just on the driver but also on the pit crew, engineers, and strategists. Similarly, in product management, cross-functional teams (developers, designers, marketers) must collaborate seamlessly to deliver a successful product. Each member's role is crucial, mirroring the collective effort seen in F1 teams. 2. Data-Driven Decisions: F1 teams rely heavily on data to make split-second decisions during races, from tire changes to fuel management. Product managers also lean on data analytics to inform features, prioritize roadmaps, and adjust strategies in response to market feedback, ensuring decisions are evidence-based. 3. Agile and Adaptive Strategy: Just as F1 teams adjust their strategies based on race conditions (weather, track, car performance), product management requires flexibility. Adapting to changing market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements is akin to navigating the dynamic conditions of a race. 4. Continuous Improvement: F1 teams continuously analyze performance data to enhance their cars’ speed and efficiency. In product management, the cycle of testing, feedback, and iteration is central to refining products, underscoring the commitment to excellence shared by both fields. 5. High-Pressure Environment: Both arenas operate under immense pressure—F1 with the physical and mental demands on the team and driver, and product management with the pressure to meet deadlines, KPIs, and customer expectations. Thriving in these high-stakes environments requires resilience and precision. The synergy between F1 and product management illustrates how high-performance teams, whether on the track or in the tech industry, leverage collaboration, data, agility, and continuous improvement to achieve their goals. Now who is ready for February 29?

Wondering if our courses are right for you?👀Hear what Praise obieromah has to say, he recently just concluded our PMB (Product Manager Blueprint program )for Product Managers.🥳 Dive into a world of career transformation with our Black Friday Sale. Time is running out! ⭐️🚀 Click www.productdive.com to enroll now!!! #testimonial #careersuccess #blackfriday #blackfridaysale #productmanagenent #productmanagers

Many people I work with are drifting in their careers simply because they don't know how to go after the next level of their potential. Seeing someone stuck in their career when they have top-notch credentials and a stellar track record is like seeing a Ferrari on a 25-mph road. Sure, you can keep driving there...but you're capable of so much more! I find it so fulfilling to help people get to the career they always dreamed of achieving. It was only a dream because they never had the tools to get there. Once they're equipped, I love seeing them fly down the road - like they were always meant to! #careerdevelopment #jobsearch #careers #careercoach #personaldevelopment -- Learn 3 core strategies for landing your next senior-level role! Join our live webinar on August 1 at 12pm ET. Register here: https://loom.ly/ziu4HCg

I ran a half marathon with my brother Daniel Constable last weekend. I couldn’t be prouder! He wanted to prove to himself that he could take on an endurance event. Me: well, I’m training for my 5th marathon aiming to beat my PB 😅 There are 2 learnings that I believe are so important for any Product Manager to take from this. 1) the importance of goals. With a winning mindset you make meaningful progress, and Dan showed that in abundance! 2) lead with empathy. Listening to customers, your team - or my brother in this case - means you can be part of something that brings success for you both. I am so grateful we crossed the line together. #productmanagement #productmanager

Today marks two years at Carmax out of hopefully a life long career at truly the best place to work. Reflecting back two years ago I was getting in the groove as an APM, where I spent many of hours shadowing and learning through practice. As I was onboarding I was also coming in during the OKR planning process. Which was both daunting and exhilarating. Over multiple quarters I would revisit the series of steps, receiving coaching & guidance from some of CarMax’s product pros along the way. Well it just so happens that on year #2, I unintentionally celebrating by tackling OKRs (rather efficiently I may add) with my team and was able to share the process with a new APM who is in the process of learning the ropes of navigating quarterly planning herself. From discomfort to diligent, here are three major things I do to approach OKR planning: 1. Reflect. Take a chance to look back and share all of the accomplishments your team has done over the fiscal year & over the quarter. Discuss both what worked & what could be better moving forward. 2. Align. Reference your product organization goals and outline where your team fits into the big picture. There’s a lot of proven benefit to having team focus and knowing where your team ladders up to the business objectives. 3. Include. Involve your entire team in the process. You’ll have a better chance to meet, if not beat your objectives if you put all of your subject matter experts in the room and talk about what’s possible. Questions like, what carry over should we expect to see from this quarter to next? What are we being asked to assist with? And most importantly, what is it that you want to work on for both delivery & discovery? Better put, go in with an open mind to what your team feels compelled to work on. This not only gives more empowerment to those who are delivering the work, but also a level of ownership to team outcomes & milestones.

Happy new week. Have you had a good long weekend for those of us in the UK? As product managers, we are hired to create value. The quote this week speaks of what value is. Here is hoping that all your actions this week contribute to creating amazing value for your organisation. Have a productive week! #quoteoftheweek #createvalue #productmanagement

Celebrating a Milestone! 🚀 We’re thrilled to share a glimpse of the successful completion of our recent corporate training program! 🌟 It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re proud of the growth and achievements witnessed throughout. A heartfelt thank you TVS Motor Company for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this transformative experience. Your commitment to excellence and your team’s enthusiasm have made this program truly impactful. Thank you Dhruv Singh for your support. #ThinkMates #TVSMotors #CorporateTraining #BusinessInsights. #Innovation #StrategicThinking #DataDriven #TeamGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #OperationalExcellence #MarketStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment #BusinessSuccess #CollaborativeLearning #InsightfulSession #NextLevelThinking #CuttingEdgeStrategies #ActionableInsights #Transformation #EmployeeEngagement #LearningAndDevelopment #StrategicGrowth #TeamSynergy #PerformanceImprovement #ExcellenceInAction

Thoughts for the weekend As Product Managers, we often find ourselves reflecting on past triumphs and failures, believing they define our trajectory. Yet, it is our aspirations for the future that truly mold our essence. Each decision we make today is profoundly influenced by the visions we hold of our future selves—those we aspire to become and those we strive to avoid. Visualize yourself three to five years from now. As you awaken each morning, how do you envision feeling? Picture a state of inner calm, confidence, and purpose guiding your every action. Contemplate not only your career aspirations but also your personal life, relationships, and contributions to your community. What legacy do you wish to forge? What achievements will bring lasting pride to your future self? By embracing this future-oriented perspective, we gain clarity on the paths leading toward success and fulfillment. It compels us to make choices aligned with our long-term goals and aspirations, steering us away from distractions that hinder our progress. Let us harness this foresight over the weekend, reflecting deeply on the steps needed to shape our future selves into who we aspire to be.