38 min
S2 | Episode #1 : Mirza Beširović - Group Product Manager at Dixa - 'How to upskill in Product Management' The Technology Leadership Podcast
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- Management
About Mirza:
Mirza Beširović is a group PM at Dixa, a B2B SaaS customer service platform. As a poetry translator turned tech professional, Mirza's career journey has been non-linear and unique. He began his journey a decade ago translating poetry, but eventually found his way to Germany and a part-time student gig at a tech company. This opportunity later led to a team leadership position and a full-time focus on the tech industry. Though his initial focus was on data management and working with machine learning teams, his career path also included roles in business development and consulting. Eventually, he discovered his passion for product strategy and moved into product management, rising to a group product manager role at Dixa, where he currently leads teams in the development of automated customer service software and messaging products.
Synopsis:
In this episode of The Technology Leadership Podcast, Mirza Berisovic discusses growth in product management and leadership roles. He elaborates on the two tracks in product management: an individual contributor track and a management track. While the individual contributor track is focused on becoming an expert in the craft of product management, the management track is more focused on people management, strategy, and mentoring. Mirza emphasizes the importance of self-realization and actively seeking to upskill oneself in order to grow in product management and leadership roles. He suggests finding a mentor, being part of a community, and educating oneself as key ways to improve. He also stresses the importance of constantly learning and growing in not only product management, but in life in general. According to Mirza, due to the current economic climate, companies may be hiring less, and it may be more beneficial to develop within one's current company, and seek mentorship to advance in one's career.
Key Takeaways:
There is no standard path into product management, and many people find themselves in the role through accident or by showing their transferable skills.It is important to understand that there are two tracks in product management: an individual contributor track and a management track.Moving into a leadership role in product management requires different skills and focus than working as a PM.Find a mentor, be part of a community, and educate yourself to improve in a product manager role.Strategy and metrics, specifically financial metrics such as annual recurring revenue and net retention rate are key areas that senior PMs should focus on developing and becoming more familiar with.It's important to understand how a business develops strategy and how it trickles down to departmental strategy and how it affects product and department at large.One way to move into a leadership role is to develop within one's existing company by being proactive and explicit about one's career goals with their manager and creating a growth plan.Seek mentorship from networks such as ADP list, the mentoring club, mentor mesh, and My mentor path as they can be very valuable in helping people evolve into leadership roles.Be proactive and intentional in communicating and working cohesively with other teams such as sales and marketing.Episode Outline:
[00:24] Meet Mirza
[01:42] How Mirza got started in tech
[06:36] Understanding leadership and management.
[11:08] Advice for people moving into leadership.
[13:37] The importance of upskilling yourself.
[18:23] Advice for senior PMs (Product Managers).
[22:14] Breadth of experience vs. depth of experience.
[24:47] Advice on how to hire for a leadership role.
[29:52] The importance of speaking to your manager.
[34:15] Advice for people who want to become product managers.
About Mirza:
Mirza Beširović is a group PM at Dixa, a B2B SaaS customer service platform. As a poetry translator turned tech professional, Mirza's career journey has been non-linear and unique. He began his journey a decade ago translating poetry, but eventually found his way to Germany and a part-time student gig at a tech company. This opportunity later led to a team leadership position and a full-time focus on the tech industry. Though his initial focus was on data management and working with machine learning teams, his career path also included roles in business development and consulting. Eventually, he discovered his passion for product strategy and moved into product management, rising to a group product manager role at Dixa, where he currently leads teams in the development of automated customer service software and messaging products.
Synopsis:
In this episode of The Technology Leadership Podcast, Mirza Berisovic discusses growth in product management and leadership roles. He elaborates on the two tracks in product management: an individual contributor track and a management track. While the individual contributor track is focused on becoming an expert in the craft of product management, the management track is more focused on people management, strategy, and mentoring. Mirza emphasizes the importance of self-realization and actively seeking to upskill oneself in order to grow in product management and leadership roles. He suggests finding a mentor, being part of a community, and educating oneself as key ways to improve. He also stresses the importance of constantly learning and growing in not only product management, but in life in general. According to Mirza, due to the current economic climate, companies may be hiring less, and it may be more beneficial to develop within one's current company, and seek mentorship to advance in one's career.
Key Takeaways:
There is no standard path into product management, and many people find themselves in the role through accident or by showing their transferable skills.It is important to understand that there are two tracks in product management: an individual contributor track and a management track.Moving into a leadership role in product management requires different skills and focus than working as a PM.Find a mentor, be part of a community, and educate yourself to improve in a product manager role.Strategy and metrics, specifically financial metrics such as annual recurring revenue and net retention rate are key areas that senior PMs should focus on developing and becoming more familiar with.It's important to understand how a business develops strategy and how it trickles down to departmental strategy and how it affects product and department at large.One way to move into a leadership role is to develop within one's existing company by being proactive and explicit about one's career goals with their manager and creating a growth plan.Seek mentorship from networks such as ADP list, the mentoring club, mentor mesh, and My mentor path as they can be very valuable in helping people evolve into leadership roles.Be proactive and intentional in communicating and working cohesively with other teams such as sales and marketing.Episode Outline:
[00:24] Meet Mirza
[01:42] How Mirza got started in tech
[06:36] Understanding leadership and management.
[11:08] Advice for people moving into leadership.
[13:37] The importance of upskilling yourself.
[18:23] Advice for senior PMs (Product Managers).
[22:14] Breadth of experience vs. depth of experience.
[24:47] Advice on how to hire for a leadership role.
[29:52] The importance of speaking to your manager.
[34:15] Advice for people who want to become product managers.
38 min