Product Management Corner

Book Review – Build:

Some months ago, one of my manager gave me the book “Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making” by Tony Fadell, with a note that read, “It would help you to achieve our goal to create products”.

I believe that learning from people who have real work experiences provides me a lot of value for personal and professional growth. While I often enjoy informal discussions with different people about IT, startups, and product-related topics, I was skeptical about gaining the same experience by reading a book.

However, Tony Fadell has managed to do just that. In the introduction, Fadell explains that he wrote the book to share the lessons he learned throughout his career with a wider audience. He has spent a considerable amount of time mentoring young entrepreneurs and innovators, and he sees the book as an extension of that mentorship to a larger group of people. As I delved into the book, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was full of valuable lessons and real-world examples that are directly applicable to my work.

I found Fadell’s book particularly insightful because he offers practical advice on how to create something new based on his experiences creating successful products like the iPod and Nest. I found particularly interesting the topics about: solving real problems, listening to customers and continuously iterating on ideas, using data to inform decisions, managing complex projects, making tough decisions when necessary, and provide environment where people can collaborate effectively .

Other topic I found very relevant is the emphasis on team culture how crucial is to create a positive work environment and establish a shared sense of purpose to build a product and attract and retain top talent. This insight has been particularly valuable to me as I navigate the challenges of building high-performing teams in a competitive industry.

“Build” has become my bedside book, with plenty of annotations, and I have already given copies to my team. In summary, it is a must-read if you’re interested in the product concept and related topics.

Book Preview https://amzn.eu/4rzbhVj

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