In this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald sit down with Peter Collingridge, a seasoned product leader, to explore the evolving world of fractional product management. Together, they unpack the nuances of fractional roles—how they differ from traditional full-time positions, the balance of ownership and consulting, and the importance of time management.

Peter shares insights from his own fractional CPO experience, discussing the need for clear boundaries, deep focus, and rapid impact in fractional work. The conversation delves into leadership dynamics, the power of data-driven decision-making, and the critical role of diagnosing organizational issues. The trio also highlights the often-overlooked emotional layer of product management—how navigating human dynamics, trust-building, and team alignment can be just as crucial as solving functional challenges.

Throughout the episode, they offer practical advice for Product Managers looking to embrace uncertainty, set boundaries, and optimize their impact—whether in a fractional role or a full-time position.

Key Takeaways:

1. Fractional product roles require laser focus – Unlike traditional full-time roles, fractional product leaders must prioritize impact over politics, making every hour count.

2. Ownership sets fractional work apart from consulting – Fractional PMs aren’t just offering advice; they take accountability for outcomes, often with founder-level intensity.

3. People problems are often bigger than product problems – Diagnosing organizational challenges requires understanding both functional inefficiencies and emotional dynamics.

4. Data, not opinions, should drive decisions – A strong research foundation helps align leadership, reduce bias, and focus teams on what truly matters for customers.

In this kickoff episode of season two of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn dive into New Year’s resolutions and their parallels to product management practices. They tackle the common resolutions people set—like losing weight, spending more time with family, and getting out of debt—and reframe them for PMs as trimming backlogs, improving customer and stakeholder relationships, and managing tech debt. The conversation emphasizes the importance of intentionality in meetings, strategic time management, and learning new skills to grow personally and professionally. Leah and Marilyn reflect on flexibility, experimentation, and the value of creating leaner processes in both life and product management.

Key Takeaways

1. Trimming the Fat: Clean up your backlog by removing unnecessary items and outdated features, and keep MVPs truly minimal.
2. Building Relationships: Spend more time with the “family” of your work—customers, stakeholders, and engineering—by breaking down barriers and improving collaboration.
3. Managing Debt: Address tech and relationship debt by honoring commitments, mending connections, and being strategic with budgeting.
4. Intentionality Matters: Reevaluate meeting cadences and communication habits to improve efficiency and focus on high-value activities.

🎄 A Special Holiday Episode to Wrap Up 2024 🎁

In the final episode of Practical Product Management Season 1, Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald celebrate the year with a thought-provoking conversation featuring Toni Dos Santos, a B2B product consultant and AI expert. Toni shares his remarkable journey from economics and the music industry to entrepreneurship, offering insights into how startups can find product-market fit faster and build sustainable business models.

This festive season, we reflect on how AI is transforming the world of product management, why solving real problems matters more than chasing trends, and how visionary leadership can light the path for future innovation. Join us as we unwrap the lessons of 2024 and look ahead to a bright, innovative 2025.

Key Takeaways:

1. AI as the Gift That Keeps Giving: Use AI to streamline your workload and focus on what matters most—creating meaningful, human-centered solutions.
2. MVPs: The Perfect Stocking Stuffer: A well-crafted MVP is like the best holiday gift—thoughtful, practical, and exactly what the recipient needs.
3. Visionary Leadership: The North Star: Just like Santa's sleigh, a strong vision guides teams through challenges and keeps innovation on course.

🎅🎄✨