Quote Originally Posted by smittten View Post
I am a product manager for a software company. It sounds like that is what you want to do. The reality is though, your greatest ideas will only every figure into a relatively small percentage of what goes into a product. Customer feedback, sales intelligence, competitive analysis, partner opportunities and tech support triage play the most significant role in how a product gets developed. This is generally because companies have historically lost millions of dollars or even their entire business betting on the good ideas of a few individuals. One sub par product, delayed release, or missed market opportunity can be fatal. Look at Nokia, Rim, Voodoo Graphics, America Motorcar manufacturers etc. Product management is all about listening to the customer base and translating those needs into design stories. The model is generally the same whether its software, widgets or Juice Tigers. In fact, a good product manager should be able to move between companies as different as those and be just as effective.

There are multiple paths into product management and they all take time. My current position requires 10+ years of experience and an MBA. The reality is that I have a handful of GCSEs, no A Levels and certainly no degree. I did however spent 15 years working my way up from building computers for a firm in a basement in Hamburg and through various networking and tech support roles before I hit my first PM gig in 2003. Product Managers have a tough job as they have to have both the marketing and technical skills and be able to peer manage in order to get things done without relying on subordinates.

If all of that sounds like a major pain in the arse, you can always try and get a gig at a smaller/younger company or start something yourself. These kinds of places have less rigid requirements and will be more inclined to let their employees flex their creative strengths. They all pay next to nothing and often get acquired or fold. If you have that million dollar idea you can certainly get somewhere providing you know what you are doing. These days however, investors are much more conservative and want to see market traction before they start writing checks.

There is no easy way. I'd be happy to chat with you more if you are really serious about doing something.

hmmmm yeah i'm not sure if that's really what i want to do, but thanks for the awesome information. that definitely sounds like a way to get my product ideas developed, but not the most direct way.

i've done a bit of research into obtaining patents and building prototypes and although that's a more direct way to skin the cat, it's also damn expensive especially if you have to outsource the fabrication of your kit.

engineering or industrial design may be worth looking into, thanks for the knowledgeable advice brothas.