Using process to collaborate strategically across your organisation

Training Workshop Overview

We know that product managers are responsible for so much more than simply product delivery but are often given little authority. However, as product managers develop in their roles and continue to confidently deliver value to their customers, it is crucial that they begin to align their organisation around their process and vision in order to have an impact.

Communication and Alignment empowers product people to begin understanding how to align their organisation around product process and practice. In this overview workshop, we outline some of the grounded, tactical skills that product managers can use every day, and how they can add a layer of strategic thinking to help collaborate with their stakeholders.

Together we delve into communication strategies that will help foster trust and collaboration within your organisation, how to evaluate an opportunity, how to extract maximum value from your research activities, and much more.

What we’ll cover on the day

Communication & Alignment is a full-day workshop comprised of six modules. Each module includes a lecture component on theory and practice, interspersed with up to three hands-on activities. This ensures that you have an opportunity to apply and work with concepts in a setting that will answer questions and facilitate critical thinking.

Syllabus:

• Evaluating opportunity: Understanding how to unpack product assumptions and line up macro data to establish product viability and the foundations for product/market fit

• Research techniques: Reviewing a range of research methodologies, beyond the classic interview, that help product teams validate problem and solution

• Synthesis: Distilling insights from research and how to collaborate with stakeholders to deepen user understanding and influence

• Prioritisation: Covering a range of techniques and their uses for alignment at points of product development lifecycle

• Stakeholder management: A deep-dive into organisational relationships and understanding how to build a communication strategy

Things to reflect on before the workshop

Before your training workshop we ask that you take some time to consider the following questions. The more time you take to consider your current situation, and the issues and challenges you face, the more you’ll gain from your training:

• How much effort do you feel you have invested in stakeholder relationships?

• How often do you make an effort to make your process more collaborative?

• How do new projects or changes to features happen at your company?

• How do you currently collect evidence to support decisions?

Key Takeaways

You will leave this workshop with the skills you need in order to build a strategic layer onto your core product practices. You will understand how to evaluate a potential product idea/change for value, and how to use process as an alignment tool within your company. You’ll go back to work with a firm grasp of where you should include your stakeholders as collaborators, understanding how to build effective relationships with said stakeholders, and with the ability to create a communication strategy with your organisation.

Note: All of the content taught in this workshop will be in English.

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Mind the Product Trainers

Every Mind the Product trainer is a working product manager who has worked with multiple products and domains. Your trainer’s product management experience enriches the curriculum by delivering diverse perspectives on best practice in different scenarios. You will hear about the products they have worked on in the past, what went well, what didn’t go so well, and how they tried to make improvements. Our trainers’ main goal is not to provide participants with all of the answers, but help facilitate them in asking the right questions.

About your Trainer

Shaun Russell, Product Coach

Shaun is a Product Coach, helping individuals find their voice as effective product leaders.

Recently he led the overhaul of product at Outfittery, with a focus on product strategy and cross-functional teams. He learnt his craft as PM at London startups Adthena and Lyst, and way back when as co-founder of Audiobubble.

He combines Design Thinking and Agile methods with wide-ranging perspectives such as philosophy, psychology and storytelling.

Outside of mentoring he is co-organiser of ProductTank Berlin, a keen musician and writer.

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Agenda

• Registration will begin at 9.00

• Class will start at 9.30 sharp and end at 17.00

We'll also provide a light breakfast, buffet lunch, and plenty of tea and coffee to fuel you through the day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What language will this workshop be taught in?
All of the content taught in this workshop will be in English.

Can I change the name or other details on my tickets?
Yes, but only the person who purchased the ticket can make these changes on Eventbrite. You are free to change your ticket details up to two days before the event, including name, title, etc. Please make sure these details are correct as they will be what we show on your badge! Just login to Eventbrite and make the changes, following these instructions. If you can’t reach the person who purchased the ticket in order to get them to change the information please contact us on tickets@mindtheproduct.com and we will help you make the updates.

Can I get a refund?
We offer a full refund up to one month before the event. Simply log in to Eventbrite and request the refund following these instructions. As with changes, only the person who purchased the tickets can request a refund.

Can I pay by invoice?
As we are a small team we only offer payment by invoice if you are buying 5 tickets or more due to the additional overhead. Early Bird conference tickets cannot be purchased by invoice. Please also note that no tickets are held/issued until payment of the invoice has been received. Request to pay by invoice by emailing tickets@mindtheproduct.com

• Tickets are not held until payment has been made – there are no exceptions to this.
• We cannot agree to any terms and conditions associated with Purchase Order numbers or other supplier agreements.
• We do not fill in supplier detail forms for ticket invoices – if you cannot find details you require on our website – please ask.

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