Tag Archives: Product Coaching

Product Coaching Framework

Leave a reply

We looked the kinds of coaching methodologies earlier.

The aim and focus of Product Coaching is completely different.

While coaching models focus on individuals, Product Coaching focus’s on the Organisation, Product and the Human capital.

Can coaching really help in becoming successful? Let’s be honest. Nothing guarantees success than commitment, and hard work. However, when we focus on something, there are many a times we loose track of time or money or resources and rework to bring them back together.

When an organisation is building something, there are many stakeholders. Especially startup’s and SME’s cannot afford to loose they money or time. One of the things which can help keep the idea on track is someone who can keep the three forces together and bring everyone on the same page.

I worked for a little of 12 Years in a company called Cerner Corporation (now Oracle Cerner). The vision is so powerful, that even today (after leaving Cerner 7 years ago) I can recite the Vision statement in my sleep. It was so powerful and they ensured it connects with you. This gave me a purpose to work on. Cerner’s vision statement read*, to connect the appropriate stakeholder and resources with just-in-time information to enhance the quality of care.* This changed today, but what we connected with was the simpler and powerful vision. This brought many people together. Each role was important because end of the day our work is being used for some patient in some hospital somewhere in the world.

Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult for companies to spend time with their teams to help keep focus in them. Founders and Leadership don’t have a lot of time because they are in the pressure to make things work. So, how do you bring all your resources together for optimal outcomes?

At least few members from each team should always focus on the future, believe in the company’s vision to ensure that teams are not going off-track.

Product Coaching derives its framework based on 3 key aspects – Human Capital, Product (Offering of the company) and the Organisation itself.

Human Capital

The soul of any company are its people. It is important to bring the right people on to the team. However, while hiring since there is only so much one can do, deploying a powerful induction program can play a huge role in setting the tone to how you want your team to think and operate.

Product

For any product or service, there are 3 key aspects to enhancing its value – Efficiency, ROI and its Value. How do you build a product which aim’s at these three? By enabling winning thinking among teams.

Organisation

The value of the solution for the problem its solving, its vision, mission and culture.

Coaching Models

Leave a reply

There are various coaching frameworks available, let us take a look at them:

LAISE

L – Listen

A – Acknowledge

I – Inquire

S – Share

E – Explore

GROW

G – Goals

R – Results

O – Opportunities

W – Way

OSKAR

O – Outcome

S – Scale

K – Know-How

A – Affirm & Action

R – Review

CLEAR

C – Contract

L – Listen

E – Explore

A – Action

R – Review

AOR

A – Activities

O – Objectives

R – Results

FUEL

F – Frame the conversation

U – Understand current state

E – Explore desired state

L – Layout a Plan

WOOP

W – Wish

O – Outcome

O – Obstacle

P – Plan

STEPPA

S – Subject

T – Target

E – Emotion

P – Perception

P – Plan

A – Action

OSCAR

O – Outcome

S – Situation

C – Choices

A – Actions

R – Reviews

All the above models are oriented towards individuals and the kind of coaching – few can be for personal improvement, few for professional growth, few for emotional stability, few for achieving success or can be anything else.

Are there any other coaching methodologies other than the above?

Introduction to Strategy

Leave a reply

Strategy is a very commonly used term, but not many actually use the word in a meaningful way. In simple terms Strategy is a long term action oriented plan to achieve something. For instance, Apple never started as a computer company, what Apple started was to make technology simplified and beautiful along with building an ecosystem. As times progress, there were many products which came along from Apple which fit into building the ecosystem. When Apple started, no one had an iPhone or Apple Watch or AirPods in their product lists. It all started with a Microcomputer. Later as times went by many products came into existence.

So, what was the strategy for Apple Initially? Building computers which are simple to use and beautiful and when people started using them, become part of the ecosystem.

For everything, we can come up with Strategy, but ensure there is a bigger goal.

Another example I can come is my previous employer Cerner. Cerner started as an EMR company and over the period of time, its founder, Neal Patterson wanted to make HealthCare Technology more reliable and robust so that automation can help better patient care. The next 45 years saw Cerner becoming one the worlds largest HeatlhCare ERP company until it got acquired by Oracle.

If you are someone who is very strong on having a good strategy, consider the following principals:

  1. Just start doing what you want to do, don’t spend a lot of time deliberating what happens next.
  2. Don’t focus on achieving perfection. It will never happen. Focusing on doing a good job. That’s all.
  3. There will be times when you have to make tough choices. So, be open to them.
  4. Build an effectuative mind-set. Let mistakes happen and learn from them.
  5. If you stuck in a situation, don’t see it as the end, but as a new beginning. Try different things to make things happen.
  6. When something is not working, move on. Decide when to stop or keep going.
  7. After you identify a solution, start building and keep correcting.
  8. The big picture for you or your company might be complex, but that does not mean you cannot start by solving small problems.
  9. Try adopting Servant Leadership philosophy. This will help bring your teams to buy into your idea.
  10. A grounded leadership will help you achieve your strategy, so, coach your teams to be practical rather than illusional.

What is Product Coaching?

Leave a reply

Let us deep dive into what is Product Coaching?

Product Coaching focus’s on Product Managers and Team Members to help build a strong product offering.

There are two key aspects of Product Coaching.

  • Behavioural Factors
  • Technical Factors

Behavioural Factors

Behavioural factors relate to the Vision, Mission, Strategy and Business understanding with the team members. For building a successful product, it is important for team members to ensure they understand how the business makes money and what they are committed to. Depending on the level and experience of the team members, Product coaches ensure that these behavioural factors are understood by everyone.

Technical Factors

What technologies are being used to build and manage the product? As technologies keep changing and evolving, it is important for team members to understand how to migrate to newer technologies and how long will a particular technology be available in the market and when should the transition happen etc. These factors to be assessed, understood and shared, Product Coaches help Product Managers to prepare the Tech Strategy framework.

In Summary, all what is required to build a success Product – Team attitude and aptitude, business acumen and technology understanding are the focus on the Product Coaches.