What are some ways that junior and newer pms can get greater exposure to the C-Suite?

Use your product launches as a way to communicate how you are solving customer problems and driving company outcomes. Most companies these days employ communication platforms like slack, intranet boards or other standardized channels. Leverage these channels to start with the why (customer, business problem) and the what (your solution launch). You can leverage simple product announcement templates or use tools to do a quick 2-min video recording to publish. Dont just stop with the launch announ ...Read More

Communicate on topics that matter to the executives through the comms channels that scale. For example, you can write your thoughts (but remember to bring specifics/numbers/exact plans) about topics that have a great impact on your product area or business overall.  Are you as a product line/business not doing something that you think you should be doing? Write about it (long form is better, but keep it simple) and share it with the organization. Executives are always on the lookout for risks an ...Read More

I always say "do the job you want, not the one you have", and I feel that's very applicable here. Usually, an organization has no shortage of ideas or initiatives, but often lacks the resourcing to drive ALL of them forward. If you're a junior PM, you probably are assigned to something that is relatively small in scope and hard to get in front of the C-Suite. However, I strongly believe that you should start thinking about how a more senior PM would be expected to operate. At most companies, the ...Read More

I think that everyone struggles with this when they start as a PM. Typically, I've found that it's simultaneously exciting and terrifying to get exposure to the C-Suite as a junior PM. Despite the feelings involved, getting face time with executives is pretty crucial for career growth as a PM. Here are some tactics that have worked for me and my team members: Own the pre-read: Volunteer to write executive briefing docs for your manager's presentations. You'll learn how to communicate at that lev ...Read More

When I started my PM journey a posting from a prominent Amazon Product leader was something that was referenced. In this piece, the author suggests there are a few traits that put PMs above and beyond others. As a product leader now, I would say the shortlist is: Communicate Forecast & measure Execute Write effective copy As a junior PM, doing these four things exceptionally well will get you recognized and noticed in your role and most likely give you the opportunities to get more career ad ...Read More

Quite simply - get involved and that in things that affect the outcomes that matter to executives. First make sure you clearly understand what you’re executive teams focused on. Your organization should have some high level priorities are OK are as defined no limit what really matters to them. Most of the time that’s going to be top line revenue growth, but depending on the business cycle it may also be profitability. If your executive team hasn’t clearly articulated their top priorities, ask. Y ...Read More

This likely depends on the size of the company and the different rituals you may have. Obviously the bigger the org, the harder it is to get direct exposure to the c-suite. If your company happens to have the following opportunities, take advantage. Product reviews. Does your company run regular product review meetings with the executives? If so, that’s a great forum. I’ve always found it helpful in these meetings to 1/ bring them up to speed on your team’s work, 2/ raise difficult questions and ...Read More