AMA: Barracuda Sr. Director, Product Management, Sheila Hara on Product Management Career Path
January 31 @ 10:00AM PT
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
As a Product Manager, selling 'no, not now' to stakeholders involves clear communication and strategic reasoning. Transparency is key! Explain the rationale behind priori...
594 Views
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Do you think it makes sense to grow PM competence within the organization or hire people from the broader market to succeed faster?
i.e. how much should we focus on and invest in the teammates who could switch/transfer in their roles vs pay for the new PMs coming from other organizations as new hires?
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
apologies for the long read, in advanceWhen considering the growth of Product Management competence within an organization, it's crucial to strike a balance between nurtu...
856 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
In the field of product management, there isn't really a "typical" career path. Product management is highly flexible. Some product managers may transition into related f...
2188 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
If you're a non-IT professional looking to start a career in product management, it's important to recognize and leverage your transferable skills. Many skills that you m...
442 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
As a Product Manager, a key frustration is the pace of progress; often, things don't move as swiftly as I'd like in response to evolving market trends. However, this chal...
410 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
When considering whether to stay at a company or look for opportunities elsewhere, I always reflect on the reasons I joined the role initially and evaluate how these alig...
415 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
As a Product Manager, when assessing a new opportunity at a different company, I use a three-pronged framework: alignment, growth, and impact.Alignment: Does the company’...
425 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
As a hiring manager, I've found that the best product management candidates share a common trait: intellectual curiosity. They possess a relentless desire to learn, explo...
622 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
To achieve promotions and support colleagues in their career advancement within the same company, I advocate a systematic framework. First, it involves 'auditing your own...
406 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
In situations where you're frequently assigned project management tasks instead of product management responsibilities, it's important to proactively address the issue:Co...
441 Views
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Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
To get into a SaaS-based company without prior experience, focus on highlighting transferable skills and demonstrating a strong understanding of the SaaS model and its ma...
393 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
To overcome domain hiring bias in product roles, emphasize the transferability of your PM skills and your aptitude for learning in your resume. Highlight experiences that...
469 Views
1 request
What should you do if your Manager is not helping you grow and you see little growth opportunities? Should you stay at the job and try to learn as much as possible or should you definitely leave the company and look for a new opportunity?
How much time should you give a job and a manager to see if they are a fit in your growth and career?
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
When facing a situation where your manager isn't supporting your growth and opportunities seem limited, it essentially boils down to two choices: 1. Change your environme...
438 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
The most surprising aspect of transitioning from a Product Manager to a Director role was the significant shift in the nature of customer feedback I encountered. While I ...
491 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
To justify a pay raise, it's important to present metrics that clearly demonstrate your value, impact, and contributions to the organization. Here are some key metrics an...
421 Views
1 request
Barracuda Networks Sr. Director, Product Management • 2y
In a product management interview, my favorite question came up: "What is the best product you have ever used, and why?" I took a creative approach and presented myself a...
830 Views
1 request