Episode 23: Philosophy and Product Thinking w/Magnus Billgren

In this episode of The Productbeats Show, Magnus Billgren, shares his insights on the evolution of product management and how excellent product management is led by product thinking. In this article, we'll take a look at some of the key takeaways from the episode.

Billgren kicked off the episode by reflecting on the massive growth of product management in the past decade. "Ten years ago, there were around 4,000 to 5,000 most important managers in Sweden. Today, we can make an estimation of around 50,000 product people in different roles with different titles," he shared. This explosion in the concept of product management is due to the desire to scale, which has made product management a popular field to work in.

While tools and models have played a crucial role in the growth of product management, Billgren cautions that they're not enough to create truly groundbreaking products. "The problem is that these tools and models won't be able to map or automatically create your next product success," he said. "To create truly great, sustainable, and loved products, you'll need to do a little bit more thinking. You'll need to place product thinking at the center of your work."

So what is product thinking, exactly? According to Billgren, it's a philosophy that goes beyond the frameworks and models that are often used in product management. "Excellent product management is led by evolved product thinking," he said. "Product thinking is a philosophy that guides your approach to product development. It's about understanding the purpose and impact of your product and how it fits into the lives of your users."

Given the importance of product thinking in driving successful product management, it's essential to have a solid foundation in the discipline. The Productbeats Show has provided us with valuable insights into the practical application of product thinking principles. But if you're looking to take your product management skills to the next level and gain a comprehensive understanding of the product management framework, The Productbeats Product Management Certification Program can help. This program offers a structured curriculum designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to excel in product management.