How do you use product manager communities to improve your product ideas?

I've made a lot of product friends in several communities, from in-person meetups and conferences to online forums and whatsapp groups. Thankfully, I now have a few go-to friends in some of the most common product topics, such as experimentation, no/low code, metrics, data etc. Search for people with common product interests (eg. b2b, b2c, saas, fintech etc.) and start a conversation!

From my personal experience I always love and strive for cross industry product management communities. Having established one in Egypt, the amount of insights and cross industry possibilities to learn and adapt from different industries is priceless. You learn new techniques, case studies, best practices not just on common things like running a business business case or ideation techniques but also on development new processes, commercial launch best practices. If you want to be in a community but you can find none, you can start building the community. Reach out to product managers in your vicinity and start exchanging best practices. Soon you would find yourself a community that you built

One thing I like is reserving one day per week on my agenda to have lunch with different product people. Knowing how something is going, trends, joint problems, and much more is good. Another thing I have is some "specialist" friends who are the king/queen for some topic, so when the problem comes, we know who we can talk about and take notes.

Share your ideas and ask for feedback. It's like tossing your puzzle pieces onto the table for others to help you solve. Getting insights from fellow product managers can provide fresh perspectives and help you refine your ideas. Keeping your ideas secret. It's like hiding your puzzle and trying to solve it alone. Sharing your thoughts in these communities fosters collaboration and sparks creativity that can turn your product into something extraordinary.

Product communities help you to know and engage with like minded people across the industry opening many relevant opportunities for growth. Such communities can help you to : ✨️ Engage in quality conversations ✨️ Find relevant advice from people from your domain ✨️ Validate your product ideas ✨️ Seek instant feedback from experts and much more. There are a number of product communities out there who work towards standardizing product management. If you are a social person, hit them up and contribute towards giving back to the community :)

Sometimes I just post my question and wait for replies, but most of the time I'm interacting on someone else's questions. It's a great exercise in terms of opening my mind to different approaches for the same question. By reading carefully the replies, I like to identify like-minded professionals (in terms of interests and maturity). I tend to approach these people directly when I have a question I think they can help.

Joining product manager communities can add value to your product ideas. By engaging with other members, sharing your ideas, and collaborating with them, you can refine your ideas and increase your chances of success. Look for relevant communities where product managers discuss their ideas, challenges, and experiences. Share your product ideas and be open to feedback and suggestions. Participate in discussions, ask questions, and use the community as a resource for research, networking, and finding potential partners or investors. In short, product manager communities can be a valuable resource for improving your product ideas.

I always strive to ask for feedback from people outside my industry. They have fresh eye while they have the background education and experience to give a more constructive judgement. Sometimes it is good to have feedback when you have already an mvp but other times, it helps a lot during the market research to validate your assumptions before investing more time going down the wrong path. Always be clear what kind of feedback you are looking for to ensure you maximize the benefit for you and the community you are utilizing

Leveraging product manager communities has been invaluable for me in refining my product ideas. For example, after sharing a product concept in a SaaS-focused community, I received feedback that helped me pivot from a feature-heavy approach to a more user-centric design. Members also shared relevant frameworks and tools, such as the Jobs To Be Done methodology, that I hadn't considered. This collective wisdom not only enriched my product but also accelerated its time to market. The experience was a testament to the transformative power of collaborative intelligence in product management.

Utilizing product manager communities for feedback is a powerful way to refine your product ideas, but the approach matters. In an age where data-driven decisions are the norm, it's tempting to focus solely on quantitative metrics. However, the qualitative insights from seasoned product managers can offer invaluable context. When presenting your ideas, consider using frameworks like Jobs-To-Be-Done or SWOT analysis to facilitate more structured feedback. Be prepared for constructive criticism and view it as an opportunity for iteration. Also, don't just be a taker; actively contribute to others' queries. This not only builds your reputation but also deepens your understanding of common challenges and solutions in product management.

Online platforms like Product Hunt, Product School, Product Coalition, and Reddit offer valuable resources and connections for product managers. They provide insights, learning opportunities, and networking options within the product management community. 🌐

There lots of product management communities online like PDMA and AIPMM where product managers and product aspirants communicate and share knowledge and experience among each other and strive to improve their learning and experience Additionally there are lots of great Facebook groups as well with product management. It is very important to identify your key benefit that you are looking for, is it more networking or knowledge or all around

While platforms like Product Hunt and Product School are well-known, don't overlook niche communities that may offer unique insights. For instance, specialized Slack channels or Discord servers can provide a more intimate setting for in-depth discussions. Industry-specific forums can offer tailored advice that general communities might not. In the era of AI and machine learning, communities focused on integrating these technologies into product management can be invaluable. Also, consider geographical or cultural-specific communities, as they can provide localized insights that are often overlooked. Remember, the value of a community is not just in its size but in the quality and relevance of the interactions you have within it.

Websites like ProductTank facilitate in-person meetups with fellow product managers. Conferences like Mind the Product, ProductCon, and ProductCraft offer valuable networking opportunities within the industry. Hackathons like Startup Weekend and Hack for Good encourage collaboration with product managers and developers on innovative projects. Mentorship programs like Plato, Product Mentor, and PM Fast Track provide access to seasoned product managers for learning and connection.

While online communities are convenient, offline interactions offer invaluable depth. Conferences like Mind the Product are not just learning hubs but also networking goldmines. Hackathons provide real-time, collaborative experiences to showcase and refine your skills. Mentorship programs offer a structured way to gain industry insights. In the era of remote work, these in-person touchpoints become even more crucial for building a robust network. The value of face-to-face interactions in sharing nuanced discussions and building lasting relationships can't be overstated.

Product management can be a lonely role. In my experience, a PM community counters isolation through camaraderie. Beyond cross-pollinating ideas, it offers empathy. Having trusted peers who intimately understand your frustrations is invaluable. A PM community becomes an extended work family. You not only gain collaborators but also close friends on the journey.

I would say it is being present. Joining any community with a goal in mind can help one identify the most rewarding things, whether it is to bounce ideas off of each other, get guidance on challenges or even just hearing product stories for inspirations.

Maximizing the value of product manager communities is a delicate balance of attitude and approach. In a world influenced by AI and automation, human interaction still remains a vital source of learning. Being proactive in asking questions and sharing insights is important, but equally so is humility. Remember, you're learning from peers who've faced similar challenges. Consistency matters; sporadic engagement won't yield meaningful connections. Respect the community's norms, and remember, professionalism extends beyond your virtual interactions. In the era of remote work, product manager communities provide not just knowledge but also the warmth of a supportive network—something algorithms can't replicate.

The knowledge sharing skill enhancement, mentorship, exposure, and advocacy that come from some communities is priceless. In this remote world where cameras are now off and people are depending on chats to get work done, it is easy to feel alone. Finding a community outside of work that you can tap into is vital to your growth.