How can product leaders crack the code to succeeding as a PM? Join us for an intimate fireside chat hosted by Nisarg Desai, where MEDFAR Product VP Patrick Charbonneau unravels his diverse PM journeys. From unconventional beginnings—whether engineering, design, or business—to breaking into the product world, we’ll explore strategies for success. Dive into team dynamics, scaling impact, and the art of navigating different PM transitions. Plus, discover how some PMs have seamlessly transitioned into broader leadership functions.
Join us for new conversations with leading product executives every week. Roll through the highlights of this week’s event below, then head on over to our Events page to see which product leaders will be joining us next week.
Show Notes:
- Product management roles can vary significantly across industries, company sizes, and customer types (B2B vs B2C).
- Technical background is more important in some industries like cybersecurity, while domain expertise is crucial in others like healthcare.
- Startups vs. large enterprises require different product management approaches – startups are more about exploration and iteration, while large companies focus on managing existing products.
- The ability to influence through meaningful connections is critical for product managers, especially in remote/hybrid work environments.
- Documentation and asynchronous communication have become more important tools for product managers to influence.
- Understanding the founder’s expectations, culture, and boundaries is key when working at a startup.
- Hiring for team fit and complementary skills is important for building an effective product management organization.
- Empowering team members by providing the right challenges is crucial for growth and development.
- Regular communication, including one-on-ones and skip-level meetings, helps build trust and understanding within the team.
- Listening with intent, beyond just hearing, is a fundamental skill for product managers to make good decisions.
- Investing in listening skills and understanding the story behind the data/customer feedback is essential.
- Product managers need to be comfortable with ambiguity and risk-taking to succeed.
- The ability to adapt to different work environments (remote, hybrid, in-person) is becoming increasingly important.
- Transitioning between industries and roles requires leveraging transferable skills and quickly learning domain-specific knowledge.
- Handling failures and learning from mistakes is a valuable part of a product manager’s journey.
- Balancing customer expectations with innovation is a constant challenge for product managers.
- Effective product managers can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Developing a passion for the craft of product management is key to long-term success.
- Understanding the “why” and “what” behind product decisions is more important than the “how” for product managers.
- Adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn are essential traits for product managers.
About the speaker
A highly motivated and bilingual professional, Patrick Charbonneau boasts a rich background in product strategy, performance, and product marketing. Currently serving as the Executive Vice President of Product Management and Strategy at MEDFAR Clinical Solutions, Patrick drives the expansion strategy for primary care products, overseeing a diverse portfolio that includes EMRs, patient portals, and billing integrations. In the role of Senior Vice President of Product Management at ALAYACARE, he played a pivotal role in tripling the company's value, managing home care, residential, and R&D products. Known for his ability to optimize operational efficiency and contribute to system design, Patrick has consistently led teams to deliver profitable outcomes. With a career that includes leadership roles at TELUS HEALTH, where he directed the expansion of health benefits solutions and drove growth in the national pharmacy product portfolio. Armed with a Graduate Diploma in Management and a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Engineering, Patrick possesses a unique blend of technical and strategic expertise. Fluent in both English and French, he excels in formulating innovative solutions aligned with business objectives. With a commitment to excellence, Patrick Charbonneau remains focused on making significant contributions in the product management field within the organizations where he serves as well as in the broader product community.
About the host
Nisarg is currently the Director of Product at cloud security unicorn Lacework, and has a decade of experience in Product Management with the entirety of his focus on securing enterprises from cyberattacks. He has built both 0-1 and 1-100 products in cybersecurity. He is passionate about pushing forward the field of product management by helping a diverse field of entrants grow into successful PMs. He lives in Boston, MA.