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Josh Bean

Senior Director Product Marketing, Zendesk

Content

How can PMMs show that they are adding value within the business to the leadership team? Are there any quick / day-to-day tactics that can help to get buy-in from senior leaders?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

2165 Views

As head of PMM at a startup, how did your PMM team grow over time, e.g. what positions did you hire, when, why? How did divide scope of responsibilities? What were the most strategic hires you made, including non-PMM titles if any?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

1488 Views

What is your advice for PMM to work well with Product and Sales?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

1212 Views

When considering a candidate, how much weight do former titles hold?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

1179 Views

The job of a PMM can vary greatly from company to company, industry to industry, and even based on where they report to (Product vs Marketing). What have you found to be successful in defining your career as a PMM?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

1074 Views

How can a junior digital marketing generalist stand out as a PMM candidate in a role that requires 3+ years of product marketing experience?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

879 Views

How do you prepare yourself to become a Product Marketing Director and manage a team, without any experience managing anyone previously?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

769 Views

What would be the best roadmap to become a successful PMM?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

745 Views

How can I effectively answer "tell me a time when you launched a new product/feature" if you are new to PMM and have never actually done that?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

674 Views

What should I do when I don't think that the feedback from my boss is correct and how do I approach it?

Josh Bean

Zendesk Senior Director Product Marketing • January 27

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

662 Views

Credentials & Highlights

Senior Director Product Marketing at Zendesk