Video
July 11, 2018
FitBit, SVP Product
Member
Everything that I have learned over the past 25 years as a product manager has come from launching and shipping product in the field. On the other hand, there is plenty of value in academic courses and live events that focus on product. However, the best way to develop as a product manager is to launch products and learn from these experiences to both improve and prevent future mistakes.
You may not realize it, but product managers operate very much like economists. For example, we have to make the most out of limited resources. Your primary resource is your team and you have to figure out how to maximize everyone’s time. As a result, you feel like resources are always limited and the key is to figure out how to create value for your company.
As product managers, we tend to obsess about product development or its features and benefits. However, these attributes are simply a path to help get you toward our goal of reaching more customers. Ultimately, what matters most is that we are creating value for users with the resources that are available.
Tim Roberts has led product teams at innovative tech companies for over 25 years. Starting out as FitBit’s eighth employee, Tim ascended to become EVP of Product and Design – overseeing all product functions and taking the company from startup to IPO. Tim currently works with several tech fitness companies as a strategic advisor.
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