Product Manager Resources: Books, Courses, and Communities for PMs
Discover the ultimate guide to product management resources for PMs.
Posted January 10, 2024
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If you are a product manager looking to advance your career, you know that staying up-to-date is key. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of resources for product managers to help you develop your skills, stay current with the latest trends and innovations, and network with other professionals in your field. From must-read books to online courses and communities, we've got you covered.
The Top 10 Must-Read Books for Product Managers
Books can be a great way to gain knowledge and insights from experts in your field. Here are the top 10 must-read books for product managers:
- "Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love" by Marty Cagan
- "The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" by Eric Ries
- "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" by Nir Eyal
- "Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams" by Richard Banfield, Martin Eriksson, and Nate Walkingshaw
- "Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology" by Gayle Laakmann McDowell and Jackie Bavaro
- "The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen
- "Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days" by Jake Knapp, John Zeratsky, and Braden Kowitz
- "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman
- "Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals with Objectives and Key Results" by Christina Wodtke
- "Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs" by John Doerr
Check out this article for even more books to dive into as an aspiring or seasoned product manager!
How to Choose the Right Online Course for Your Product Management Career
Online courses can be an excellent way to learn new skills and advance your career as a product manager. Here's what to consider when choosing the right course:
- Reputation: Look for courses from reputable institutions or instructors with a track record of success.
- Curriculum: Make sure the course covers the skills and knowledge you want to learn and is relevant to your career goals.
- Format: Consider whether you want a self-paced course or an instructor-led one.
- Price: Compare prices with other courses to make sure you are getting a good deal.
- Reviews: Look for reviews from other students to get an idea of the course quality and whether it is worth the investment.
Sign up today for expert-led and highly touted product management courses on Leland designed to expand your skill set, land a new position, refine your resume, and so much more!
The Best Communities and Networks for Product Managers to Join
Networking with other professionals in your field can be extremely valuable. Here are some of the best communities and networks for product managers to join:
- Product School - a global community of product managers and instructors offering courses, workshops, and free resources.
- ProductPlan Community - a community of product managers and innovators sharing insights and best practices.
- Mind the Product - a community of product managers with meetups, conferences, and online resources.
- ProductTank - a global network of product managers holding events and meetups.
- Product Manager HQ - a community of product managers sharing insights and tips on product management.
How to Build a Successful Product Manager Career: Tips and Tricks from Experts
Building a successful product manager career takes time and effort. Here are some tips and tricks from experts in the field:
- Be customer-focused: Always keep the customer in mind when making decisions and creating products.
- Communicate effectively: Be clear and concise in your communication with stakeholders and team members.
- Be data-driven: Use data to make informed decisions and measure the success of your products.
- Take ownership: Take ownership of your products and be accountable for their success.
- Be a good listener: Listen to feedback from customers and team members to continuously improve your products.
The Essential Skills Every Product Manager Should Have and How to Develop Them
Product management requires a wide range of skills. Here are some essential skills every product manager should have and how to develop them:
- Product strategy: Develop a clear product strategy that aligns with business goals and customer needs.
- Market research: Conduct market research to identify customer needs and market trends.
- Product design: Design products that are user-centered and solve real problems.
- Project management: Manage projects efficiently and effectively to meet deadlines and budgets.
- Leadership: Lead cross-functional teams and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
- Business acumen: Understand the business and financial aspects of product management.
The Latest Trends and Innovations in Product Management: Insights from Industry Thought Leaders
Product management is a constantly evolving field, with new trends and innovations emerging all the time. Here are some insights from industry thought leaders:
- Agile product management: Agile methodologies are becoming more popular for product management, allowing for faster iteration and better collaboration.
- Product analytics: The use of data and product analytics to inform decision-making is becoming more widespread.
- Product-led growth: Using the product itself to drive growth, including through free trials and freemium models.
- Customer-centricity: Companies are increasingly focusing on putting customers at the center of their product development process.
- AI and machine learning: These technologies are being used to improve product recommendations, customer service, and more.
How to Stay Up-to-Date with the Latest Product Management Tools and Technologies
Product management tools and technologies are constantly evolving. Here are some ways to stay up-to-date:
- Read blogs and industry publications: Stay informed about the latest tools and trends by reading blogs and publications like this one!
- Attend conferences and events: Attend product management conferences and events to learn about new tools and technologies and network with other professionals in your field.
- Take online courses: Take online courses to learn about new tools and technologies and how to use them effectively.
- Join communities and networks: Join product management communities and networks to learn from other professionals in your field.
Conclusion
We hope these resources have been helpful in advancing your product management career. Remember to stay curious, keep learning, and stay connected to the product management community. Be sure to check out these resources for more information to advance your product management career:
