How to Build a Strong Team: 4 Steps for Every Product Leader

A leader standing in front of a group of employees, showing how to build a strong team

Do you have a product vision, but no team to execute it? Where do you start looking for prospective employees? An effective product leader is nothing without a strong team to lead. In technology-driven companies, product teams should be empowered to figure out how to solve customers’ problems rather than merely tasked with creating new product features. Take a look at how to build a strong team that’s perfect for your vision.

Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze: Book Overview & Takeaways

A man in a suit reading a book in front of a bookshelf

What’s Excellence Wins by Horst Schulze about? What happens when businesses don’t deliver excellent customer service? In Excellence Wins, Horst Schulze teaches readers how to build a world-class organization obsessed with customer service. He also discusses how to motivate employees by providing a clear vision of success to work toward. Read below for a brief overview of Excellence Wins.

How to Measure Progress: 3 Metrics for Businesses

Building block bars progressively getting taller with an upward pointing arrow measuring progress

Why do businesses need to constantly measure progress? What are three vital metrics that leaders need to measure? Horst Schulze contends that leaders need to continually measure their progress toward success and adjust their strategies accordingly. Since the market is fierce and extremely competitive, measuring progress helps businesses know when to speed up or slow down. Continue reading to learn how to measure progress as a business leader.

What to Look for in an Employee: 2 Outstanding Qualities

A manager holding a clipboard that has what to look for in an employee on it, while interviewing a prospective employee

What are the qualities of a good employee? What does it mean when an employee has good character? To build a strong team, you must recruit strong people. However, Marty Cagan and Chris Jones argue that you shouldn’t place too much emphasis on hiring the perfect fit. Discover what to look for in an employee, and how these qualities will benefit your company in the long run.

How to Empower Your Team to Make Their Own Choices

A manager who knows how to empower a team, giving a speech to employees during a meeting

When is it time to let your team do their jobs on their own? How can you empower your employees from afar? Marty Cagan and Chris Jones advise that leaders should give teams ownership of their duties, promote a culture of collaboration, and understand that mistakes are essential to success. Giving your team authority is positive reinforcement that empowers them to succeed on their own. Learn how to empower your team by letting them take control of projects and reassuring them that failure is okay.

How to Create a Product Vision That’s Strong and Flexible

A woman thinking of a product vision with lightbulbs, pens, and other office materials

What’s a product vision? How can your vision be strong but flexible at the same time? Before creating a product, a leader must define and articulate an overarching vision to guide their team. Marty Cagan and Chris Jones write that a product vision is the company’s mission, as reflected through its products and services. Continue reading to learn how to create a product vision as a leader of a business.

Small Problems Grow: How to Nip Them in the Bud

A shelf in a nursery with seed packets labeled "CABBAGE," "TURNIPS," and "PROBLEMS" illustrates that small problems grow

Why don’t small problems stay small? Could resolving problems when they’re minor be the key to achieving your goals? Tackling small issues can prevent larger challenges and boost your confidence. This approach is particularly effective during overwhelming times, helping you regain control and make progress. By integrating problem-solving into your daily routine, you can identify and address small problems before they escalate. Read on to discover three practical exercises that will help you master the art of resolving small problems and pave the way for big life improvements.

The 3-Step Plan for Modern Business Operations

A woman working on a computer as part of a modern business operation

What makes an organization a modern business operation? What do you need to do to keep your company on top of the changing industry? Not only are modern businesses and their structures always in flux, but so are the industries in which they operate. In the fast-moving world of technology, product teams need to be empowered with contextual information and decision-making abilities to discover beneficial solutions. Keep reading to learn how a modern business should operate, from a strategic plan to learning from failure.

The 4 Strategies of Startup Management: Boost Your Business

An owner specializing in startup management proudly stands in front of her small business

What are the most important aspects of startup management? What type of management team does your startup need? While big businesses need to learn how to innovate, the entrepreneurial startup needs to learn how to manage itself. According to Peter F. Drucker, startups need to focus on four specific things: their market, financial planning, setting up a management team, and what role their founder should play in the business. Keep reading for helpful advice that every entrepreneur of a startup needs to hear.

The Must-Have Qualities of a Modern Business Strategy

A businessman drawing up a modern business strategy on a whiteboard

Why is a strategy important for modern businesses? What are the qualities of a good business strategy? Just as a good coach begins with a game plan, the first step to setting a modern product team in motion is turning the company’s overall vision into an actionable strategy. Your strategy should focus on a handful of specific goals as you gather information from all levels of your company. Let’s look at the importance of a modern business strategy and how it will serve as the foundation of your company.