Many Hats a Product Manager Wears: Insights from Johnny Chen, HP's Senior Product Management Manager

In a recent Seminar in Business Management Course, Mr. Johnny Chen, Senior Product Management Manager at HP, took the stage to share his expertise, providing audiences with a glimpse into the world of product management in the tech industry.

Mr. Chen started his talk by giving an overview of product management, explaining that product managers oversee all stages of the product life cycle, going beyond project-based tasks. Drawing from his experience, he emphasized three essential skills for a product manager: social networking, problem-solving, and leadership. These skills, he added, are the bedrock for handling the complex challenges inherent in the daily life of a product manager.

Curious about what a typical workday for a product manager looks like? With a touch of humor, Mr. Chen shared his daily routine, a “jam-packed schedule” that requires him to work anywhere, at any time, and collaborate with colleagues worldwide. Known for its highly lucrative and sought-after profession, product management combines business management, marketing, and technology. However, it also poses significant challenges, typically revolving around managing people. Navigating new and complex tasks or managing disagreements and arguments among teams or stakeholders are all challenges that product managers encounter on a regular basis. Mr. Chen shared a quote from Ben Horowitz, stating that “A good product manager is the CEO of the product,” and advised that it is crucial to be open-minded, empathetic, and foster a growth mindset as a product manager.

Mr. Chen also shared a recent case where 10,000 laptops were hijacked during shipment. He explained his thought process and strategy, which involves collaborating with insurance providers for compensation and partnering with Microsoft to implement software lockdown measures. This real-world scenario underscored the need for project managers to possess creative problem-solving skills to tackle diverse challenges. Constructing “how-might-we” questions, Mr. Chen explained, helps generate creative solutions, keeping his team focused on solving the right problems.

In the later session, Mr. Chen discussed the importance of storytelling for project managers. He guided how to draft ideas for presentation and persuasively deliver them effectively. “It is crucial to be relevant and compelling to keep your audience tuned in,” he said. Before making any statement about the company, or the products or services we offer, we should pause and ask ourselves: "What's the WIIFY (what's in it for you)? Mr. Chen encouraged the students to create a narrative arc around their ideas, making it relatable and compelling for listeners during the course activity.

Mr. Chen gave a captivating talk on what PM is like in the fast-paced world of technology. He recommended those interested in pursuing a career in product management should chart their career path, explore the different fields while in school, and take on different roles in teamwork to grasp the full scope of a product manager’s role. His advice resonated with the audience and offered valuable perspectives to those looking to succeed in this field.