Product Strategy: We’ll Stay True to You in Good Times and in Bad – with Mirja Bester (Honeypot, ex New Work)

What Does Product Management Feel Like in Different Economic Cycles?

Three years ago, the digital economy was a land of milk and honey: everything was growing, money seemed to grow on trees, and job offers were everywhere. But the last two years brought the opposite – downsizing, bankruptcies, and the challenge of finding a new job. That’s exactly what we should talk about!

Together with Mirja Bester, I discuss what working on digital products feels like during an economic boom. Teams grow rapidly, mergers and acquisitions shape everyday work, and the workload seems almost impossible to manage. But we also look at the other side: What does product management look like in an economic downturn? What role do layoffs play, and how does growing pressure affect a decimated team?

We find one common denominator in every economic phase: a strong product strategy. You’ll hear in the conversation why it should never be neglected.