Podcast Review – Product Management Pulse

This past week I have listened to 10 or so podcasts from the Product Management Pulse series. They were relatively insightful and I liked them because they were all 30 minutes in length. Much longer that seems to drag a topic on too long.

One of the books mentioned by an interviewee is The Product Manager's Desk Reference. This looks like a pretty good volume to purchase, and I have added it to my wish list for when I finish two of the books I currently have backlogged to read.

It was reassuring to me to find that a common thread in these podcasts is that there is no set career path for Product Managers and that the more diversified a career was before moving into this arena, the better rounded the Product Manager is. If that's the case – it appears that I am on the right track.

What is Business Stew?

I work for a small organization called HRN Management Group. I have been with HRN since early 2004 and been involved in almost all areas of the organization. That is one of the great things about working for a small company - you get a little bit of everything thrown at you.

I started out in Client Support, but was also involved heavily in the IT Department from the beginning because I assumed responsibilities for our database. I also functioned as a backup in Sales and Accounting and learned a lot helping out in those arenas.

My current title is Business Analyst. I am still learning what a Business Analyst is. I will also be learning how to do Product Management and Project Management. Again - I am not totally sure what is involved in both of those positions.

Working at a small organization does have the drawback that there really isn't a training budget. Most of my knowledge growth is done on my own free time and with materials I choose to purchase myself.

Since assuming this title in March, I have purchased several books and am reading through them. I have also started listening to podcasts, subscribing to newsletters and following blogs. Almost all of these areas have indicated that one of the best ways to grow is to share your knowledge.

As I was running last night, I decided it was time to start a business blog. I don't claim to know much about any aspects of my job. In many ways I feel like I am starting from scratch.

Since I am starting from scratch and not focusing on any one position title, I consider my job to be similar to a pot of stew. Hence the title, Business Stew. I will be throwing in a little bit of this and a little bit of that as I go along and hope in the end to have the most delicious pot of business stew you ever tasted.

Feel free to join me on my journey.