Product Manager Challenges in Early Startups

After moving to Singapore, I often encounter some startups that have product managers. A typical product manager means AKA mini CEO, but in SEA, I think the product manager role is quite different than other countries, especially early startups which they don’t have a CTO or CPO(?).

In a startup, usually, a few founders and some early employees are all your company’s assets. Technically speaking, this is smaller than a normal team size (20) in a large or stable company. If founders want to hire a product manager, founders should give trust and permission, but in most cases, I am not sure they do.

Here is what I found out about most failed cases in early startups.

🔹 Misunderstanding of the Product Manager Role The analogy of a “mini CEO” underscores the pivotal role it plays in propelling the product’s success and this role is inherently tied to strategic decision-making and customer-centric thinking, not someone’s personal assistant.

A startup is a mini-size company, and you are the mini CEO. Why do you need to hire another one? and why now? You must have a clear reason why you need them otherwise …

Do you want to create a mythological creature, Medusa? 🐍

🔹 Micromanaging due to Non-Co-founder Status Okay, let’s say you are too busy to handle fundraising and you don’t have any other co-founders. Then, at least, you must place your trust in product managers to make informed decisions that drive product advancement. Micromanaging every detail can impede a product manager’s ability to leverage their expertise and insights.

If you don’t trust them, everyone will be unhappy… 😕

🔹 Mismatched Expectations and Skill Sets Some product managers come from former designer or engineering roles, and it is often said that they don’t want to continue in those roles. If you think you can combine their previous roles into one salary, think again. You may hire someone who can’t (or doesn’t want to) perform either role effectively.

Probably, you will end up hiring another one again because you thought the former product manager did not work well. Good job, my friend! 👍

🔹 Assuming Technical Expertise Equals Product Management Success While engineers and designers possess valuable skills, transitioning into a product manager role necessitates a distinct skill set encompassing customer empathy, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management. 🛠️

Furthermore, product manager roles often involve a lot of documentation than we think it would be. If they don’t enjoy this aspect, it can become one of the most challenging parts of the job for them. 📝

hashtag#startups hashtag#teambuilding hashtag#hiring