Who is a Product Manager ?
"Product Manager" is one of the hottest jobs of the 21st Century. A product manager is the CEO of the assigned product. He decides the what, why and how of the product. This is a cross functional role and requires working with Engineers, analysts, marketeers and just about everyone in the Organization.
Product Managers Execute and Research!
Product Managers are required to be present across the entire life cycle of the product - ideation, design, implementation, testing, deployment to end users and maintenance. This requires long periods of brainstorming, researching and quiet times just thinking like a potter who takes time to think what he wants before moulding the clay. The stronger your research and ideation, more detailed and less ambiguous will be your product. This will make it easier for the Engineers to develop. However, the duration of your internship might not be long enough to be there for the entire duration but research is the foundation and most important.
Product Management is NOT about Extracting Work from Others
While a product manager has to be a leader in order to keep the team motivated and the project on track, he is not required to be a "Cowherd" or a "Shepherd". He has to be willing to do the work, come up with creative solutions and show the team how the work is done. Articulation is very important.
Work hard and Work Harder!!
Nope. A product manager is highly organized and plans their work. It is important for the team and the Manager to balance work and life. Yes, "deadlines are sacrosanct" but by paying attention to details from Day 1 and scheduling with buffer time, the product manager will be able to mitigate risk and manage. This will also ensure that the team is motivated and you're not seen as a nag.
So.. What are you waiting for? Go nab that role of a Product Manager.. Have the coolest job of the century and party hard..!! 
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Comments
Manoj Samuel
MBA student
Nice post. Tempts me to become a Product Manager.
7 Jul 2016, 11.15 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Rinku Stephen
Rinku Stephen pursued Computer Science and Engineering just because she was fascinated by the law of cartoons. But later during her course, she was smitten by the tech bug and went on to develop developed Peer to Peer Application for NFCs, automated healthcare claims and solutions to clinical trials. She also had a brief stint as the IT consultant for a Startup – Praise Foundation. Currently, she is a Product Manager in Flipkart. Setting the geek side aside, Rinku loves to trek, try new sports, read crazy, and of course.. GOT.
Good to know.. all the best :)
8 Jul 2016, 12.23 AM |
John Fraser
Going to new heights Rinku
8 Jul 2016, 01.49 AM
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Rinku Stephen
Rinku Stephen pursued Computer Science and Engineering just because she was fascinated by the law of cartoons. But later during her course, she was smitten by the tech bug and went on to develop developed Peer to Peer Application for NFCs, automated healthcare claims and solutions to clinical trials. She also had a brief stint as the IT consultant for a Startup – Praise Foundation. Currently, she is a Product Manager in Flipkart. Setting the geek side aside, Rinku loves to trek, try new sports, read crazy, and of course.. GOT.
Thank you Fraser :D
8 Jul 2016, 06.31 PM |
Stephen Henry
Senior Management Professional
Nice insight into Role and Challenge of Product Manager !
10 Jul 2016, 03.56 PM
+Read Replies (1)
Rinku Stephen
Rinku Stephen pursued Computer Science and Engineering just because she was fascinated by the law of cartoons. But later during her course, she was smitten by the tech bug and went on to develop developed Peer to Peer Application for NFCs, automated healthcare claims and solutions to clinical trials. She also had a brief stint as the IT consultant for a Startup – Praise Foundation. Currently, she is a Product Manager in Flipkart. Setting the geek side aside, Rinku loves to trek, try new sports, read crazy, and of course.. GOT.
Thank you :)
7 Aug 2016, 11.24 PM |
Nipunn Vepakomma
I am a student of NMIMS Mumbai batch of 2017-19. I intend to specialise in marketing. My interests other than marketing are lawn tennis, modeling, dramatics and singing.
Good article. However, I heard product manager role is not given to MBA grads straight out of B school. We need to work for some years in Sales role, then get promoted to product manager role. Then how can we expect an internship itself in product management?
13 Apr 2017, 05.56 AM