Product management conversion and training – High Growth Handbook
When I was at Twitter, a number of the early product managers had been converted to product from other functions (design, sales, business operations, engineering, partner services, etc.). While a number of these individuals ended up having a thriving career in product management, others flailed poorly and had to leave the role once the organization was upgraded. Before considering the conversion of a non-PM into a PM role, you should optimally have (1) an interview or trial process to check if someone should convert, (2) core product management processes in place so the new PM will have guardrails on how to function, (3) a VP product in place to manage the individual and ensure they are trained, and (4) some seasoned senior PMs in place to mentor and support the development of the new PM. Just as your company provides some onboarding and mentorship to junior or new sales people or engineers, the same is useful for product. At many high-growth startups, there is a common pattern for ear
When I was at Twitter, a number of the early product managers had been converted to product from other functions (design, sales, business operations, engineering, partner services, etc.). While a number of these individuals ended up having a thriving career in product management, others flailed poorly and had to leave the role once the organization was upgraded. Before considering the conversion of a non-PM into a PM role, you should optimally have (1) an interview or trial process to check if someone should convert, (2) core product management processes in place so the new PM will have…
saved by
related reading
- Interviewing PMs – High Growth Handbookgrowth.eladgil.com
- Characteristics of great product managers – High Growth Handbookgrowth.eladgil.com
- How to Become a Product Manager Without Experience | Aakash Guptanews.aakashg.com
- How to build work products to get jobs - Product Growthnews.aakashg.com
- Product Manager Portfolio Guide: Examples & Templates (2026)news.aakashg.com
- How to get into product management - by Lenny Rachitskylennysnewsletter.com
- How To Get Into Product Management (And Thrive) ✨ | by Lenny Rachitsky | HackerNoon.com | Mediummedium.com
- Forget the MBA. Here’s the fastest way to become a product managerhackernoon.com
- A guide for finding product-market fit in B2Blennysnewsletter.com
- Top 100 Resources for Product Managers - Sachin Rekhisachinrekhi.com
- What Product Management Is Not - Silicon Valley Product Group : Silicon Valley Product Groupsvpg.com
- Delivering a roadmap a few weeks into the PM jobaatir.substack.com