Josh Bean

AMA: Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing, Josh Bean on Developing Your Product Marketing Career

January 27 @ 10:00AM PST
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Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing, Josh Bean on Developing Your Product Marketing Career
Top Questions
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
I always think of PMM as the glue that connects the various functions of a business (product/sales/rest of marketing/etc). A PMM's responsibility is to understand the needs of prospects and customers and communicate that internally. Additinoally, it's PMMs job to take all the innovation and progr......Read More
1228 Views
10 requests
How do you prepare yourself to become a Product Marketing Director and manage a team, without any experience managing anyone previously?
I'm on my 5th year of product marketing in my career, with another 5 years before that in general demand gen at very small companies. I've had management experience in the past, but not in a Product Marketing role. Often times in smaller companies, there will be 1 or 2 PMMs, usually in a very flat hierarchy, or a single boss, with no room to really move up a proverbial ladder and into management experience. So what are ways that I can prepare myself now, so that if the time comes to apply for a Director position (either internally or at another company) that I can be considered even without recent people management experience? Are there any courses for this that are highly regarded in the management arena?
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
In my experience, being a people manager doesn't change much across disciplines. The priorities should always be to help your team grow and develop their career (the output is great work and team success). If you've demonstrated you're a strong people leader that should be enough. I know formal ......Read More
934 Views
8 requests
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
Try to find an introduction to the hiring manager. If you can't find an intro, reach out to the hiring manager directly. Someone who reaches out saying "I saw you're job, I'm very interested, here's why I'm a good fit" will definitely get some extra attention when it comes time to review resumes.......Read More
992 Views
5 requests
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
I've had a bit of a unique journey including leading a small marketing team responsible for everything, as well as focused PMM teams. I don't believe in general blueprints like "your first hire should be competitive and second should be core product" since every business is different. More comple......Read More
2084 Views
3 requests
What should I do when I don't think that the feedback from my boss is correct and how do I approach it?
I get a lot of critical feedback from my boss and I don't always know what to do with it or how to improve. Sometimes I don't even agree with the feedback.
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
Its important to have a maanger who believes in you and supports your career. I'd break the meetings apart into weekly tactical conversations about what needs to be done, blockers, etc. Monthly convos around areas for improvement and then quarterly convos regarding career development. If you have......Read More
669 Views
3 requests
What would be the best roadmap to become a successful PMM?
I had been managing a large organisation with over 4500 ppl, and nowadays I would like to shift my career to product marketing, and without owning the title previously i don't have courage to even apply a pm position. What road should i take to feel that i am ready?
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
Nobody is ever fully prepared to take that next leap. The fact that you're here on Sharebird learning is a good first step. In regards to building courage, the worst thing that happens is you apply and don't hear back from the employeer, there's only opportunity. If you've managed 4.5k employees ......Read More
756 Views
8 requests
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
In order to add value, you need to first consider the priorities of the business and the leadership team. You could be doing some pretty great work, but if it doesn't advance the business's priorities it will likely get wasted. Once you're doing work which aligns to the business goals, its a good......Read More
3083 Views
11 requests
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
Find a way to get the experience. For example, launch a personal blog or Medium. Put together a plan to socialize it to your network. Alternatively you could hit up folks on product hunt who would definitely be open to someone who's willing to assist on a launch in exchange for experience.  If t......Read More
691 Views
4 requests
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
Communicate communicate communicate. PMM/GTM/PRODUCT need to be constantly communicating. Here's a sample cadence to get you started: PMM <> Product * PMMs and Product managers catch up weekly/bi-weekly on upcoming releases, roadmap changes, voice of customer * PMM and Prod leadership meet......Read More
1322 Views
3 requests
When considering a candidate, how much weight do former titles hold?
For example, a senior manager PMM title at a small company may hold the same responsibilities of a manager or lead PMM title at a large enterprise. I've heard many in my network worried to take a "dip in title" when moving in fear that it will hurt their resume progression. I'm interested to hear your take on it!
Josh Bean
Josh Bean
Zendesk Senior Director Product MarketingJanuary 28
If you're chasing titles, you might want to be concerned. I prefer to think about the long term plan and look for opportunities that further my career ambitions. Its ok to take a short term hit on title if you're going to be on a team where you earn lots of experience, credibility and get to work......Read More
1494 Views
6 requests