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Louisa Henry

AMA: Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses, Louisa Henry on Developing Your Product Management Career

April 21 @ 10:00AM PST
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Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses, Louisa Henry on Developing Your Product Management Career
Top Questions
What's the best way to break into the tech industry as a product manager?
Louisa Henry
Louisa Henry
Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses • April 21
If you’re already working somewhere with a PM org, try to move into it. Getting a role at a new company as a first time PM is difficult. Most hiring managers want to see some product experience before making a hire. A lateral move within your company may not be as difficult as it seems. See if yo......Read More
387 Views
2 requests
What metrics do you use to justify a pay raise?
Louisa Henry
Louisa Henry
Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses • April 21
I'm interpreting this question as "what metrics do you use to justify a promotion." Ideally you're working at a company with pay equity (eliminating sex and race discrimination in the wage-setting system). If your company has performance axes, I’d start there. Understand what it means to be ex......Read More
728 Views
3 requests
If I don't want to be a CPO or GM, what future executive role should I be shooting for as a PM?
Louisa Henry
Louisa Henry
Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses • April 21
PM is one of those unique roles that gives you so much exposure to many sides of the business. You could aim to move into almost any executive role with enough experience. For example, if you're interested in sales, revenue, and marketing, you could align yourself to growth related products. Y......Read More
629 Views
2 requests
What framework do you use when assessing a new opportunity at a different company?
Louisa Henry
Louisa Henry
Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses • April 21
This is a framework shared by one of my former executive colleagues. I've found it to be incredibly helpful when thinking through your career, taking on a new project, or considering your next move.  Biggest suggestion is to get it on paper. Thinking about your career can be a lot like buildin......Read More
402 Views
3 requests
What type of skill sets and experiences do I need to build in order to strengthen my career and move from being a Sr. Product Manager to Director level and above? What type of leadership career tracks do you see people continue their careers?
Louisa Henry
Louisa Henry
Gusto Head of Product for Mid-Market Businesses • April 21
If you’re looking to grow from a Senior PM to a Group PM or Director, begin to look more broadly across the business vs focusing solely on your specific product area. It’s important to deeply understand the business levers that outcomes that the company is aiming to achieve. Once you start to und......Read More
721 Views
2 requests