Working with Rockstar Engineers as a Product Manager

Antoni LewaProduct Camp Volume 7

25 Feb 2017Google Asia Pacific

About AntoniProduct Manager - Ninja Van

Management Associate - Singtel

● Product Development Manager, mFinance (Consumer)● Analyst, Technology & Architecture Office (Enterprise)● Analyst, Global Competencies (Enterprise)● Analyst, Business Operations & Strategy (Enterprise)● Analyst, Global Resource Management (Enterprise)

SMU - Information Systems + Finance

3 takeaways- Identifying rockstar engineers- Frameworks & Engagement Tactics you can use to work with Rockstar engineers - General Practical Tips you can apply now

- Show quick wins- “Push & Pull”- Invest in Social Capital

E-commerce Logistics is complicated Real-time coordination of diverse Personas using different platforms

System integration with various partners

Unlike transporting humans - parcels can't speak

SEA = logistics nightmare

Fastest Growing e-Commerce Logistics Startup in SEA, powered by Technology● Established in mid-2014● Focus on Last-Mile Deliveries for e-commerce● Total funding to date: US$32.5m+ (Series B)● 40+ cities, in 6 countries, & ~120m people

within coverage● Proprietary technology systems on scalable,

cloud-based microservices platform● Algorithms to optimize vehicle routing, fleet capacity

planning, scheduling etc.● 36 engineers / 9 nationalities

Software Product Management

UX

Business

Technology

You are here!

Software Product Management (at Ninja Van)

Cust Experience

Logistics Strategy

Technology

You are here!

The ‘Rockstar’

- 10x intellectual capacity- 10x productivity- 10x motivation

Not every tech (engineer) is the same!

The ‘Basic’

- Personality- Culture- Experience- Interests- Habit

“

Good product managers start with ‘Why’

Great product managers start with ‘Who’

Identifying your (rockstar) engineers

CO

MPE

TEN

CE

COMMITMENT*Ken-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory

IVVariable CompetenceVariable Commitment

IIIVariable CompetenceHigh Commitment

IHigh CompetenceVariable Commitment

IIHigh CompetenceHigh Commitment

Situational Leadership

DIR

ECTI

VE

SUPPORTIVE

DelegatingLow DirectiveLow Supportive

SupportingLow DirectiveHigh Supportive

DirectingHigh DirectiveLow Supportive

CoachingHigh DirectiveHigh Supportive

Putting it All Together

CO

MPE

TEN

CE

COMMITMENT*Ken-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory

IVVariable CompetenceVariable Commitment

IIIVariable CompetenceHigh Commitment

IHigh CompetenceVariable Commitment

IIHigh CompetenceHigh Commitment

Delegating

Coaching Supporting

Directing

“Who”-”Measure”-”Learn”

WHO

Tactics to Engage ‘Rockstar’ Talents- Show quick wins

(and others)

- “Push & Pull”- Invest in Social Capital

Working with Rockstar Engineers as a Product Manager

Antoni LewaProduct Camp Volume 7

25 Feb 2017Google Asia Pacific

Further Reading- Situational Leadership Theory - Ken Blanchard Model- ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins- ‘Level 5 Leadership’ by Jim Collins- ‘12 things product managers should do in their first 30 days at a new company’ by

Ken Norton

* PPT design adapted from Viola templatehttp://www.slidescarnival.com/viola-free-presentation-template/414