Zendesk Director of Product Marketing, Polomi Batra on Product Marketing Career Path

Polomi Batra

Director of Product Marketing

what should i do and what should be expected

I'm researching the pros/cons of taking an industry solution focused career path in PMM (e.g. PMM specifically focusing on Banking/Financial Services, Insurance vertical;) 

Curious to hear opinions about this career path, progression, and opportunities. What are some of the shifts you've noticed in the PMM-world for career paths. For example, PLG and hybrid motion seems to be the latest career trends. 

I can see how specializing in a specific vertical provides some exclusivity and depth of knowledge that can be hard to come by (and potentially in high demand?). I can also see how the specialization would be an easy cut in an acquisition or if a company is struggling financially. 

Obviously, we do what we can to prove the value of our contributions and protect against this potential.

Any thoughts or opinions? Also would love any suggestions for PMMs to research further who may have gone down this path.

I have been working as a product marketing manager for the past few months and I feel the PMM role in India is not in a mature state and honestly am extremely exhausted of that immature job role. I am doing A to Z but not able to take ownership on the revenue part as much as I want to or even in the strategic part. 

I feel US is a more mature market in this aspect that's why I wanted to know. Thanks!

I am a Psychology student about to graduate in a few months, and am looking for insight into how I can grow skills relevant to product marketing and look for experience. 

I’m relatively new to marketing (have done some freelancing in social media and influencer marketing). But I have a strong interest in messaging, positioning and understanding the customer, and I think Product Marketing could be a good fit for me. 

I am starting to realize how important it is to be tied to a revenue-driving function in a company in order to have stability and PMM seems to be one function let go frequently in these layoffs the past few years. Most people want to jump to PM which then makes that even more competitive in this market. Beyond going up the ladder, what are some successful exits you've seen from PMM? 

AMA: Zendesk Director of Product Marketing, Polomi Batra on Product Marketing Career Path

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