This document summarizes 20 lessons learned from the speaker's experience transitioning from UX design to product management and back again. Some of the key lessons include: managing a packed schedule of meetings, learning to use spreadsheets effectively, trusting your gut instincts, choosing battles wisely, always selling ideas to stakeholders, understanding why other roles like designers and developers can be frustrating at times, and maintaining a fun and humble attitude to avoid "asshole syndrome" despite the pressures of the job. The speaker acknowledges the transition requires adapting skills and being open to constant learning.

1. 20 Lessons Learned
From UX to PM (and back again-ish)

2. Nick Casares
• Director of Product Design, PivotDesk
• Instructor, General Assembly
• 10 years in Product, UX and Design
• B2B, marketplace and B2C
• Early stage to enterprise
@nickcasares

3. Who are you?

4. Designer?
Product Manager?
Developer?
Marketing?
Sales?
Just Looking?

5. Designer?
Product Manager?
Developer?
Marketing?
Sales?
Just Looking?
(BTW that’s called - “here for the beer”)

6. UX to PM?

7. Interest in business strategy

8. More “why” and “what”

9. More design thinking

10. Care about the
future of the product

11. Disclaimer: This talk is based entirely on
my personal experience. Your mileage
may vary and I take no responsibility for
the success or failure of your career as
a PM or the products you do (or don’t)
ship. That said, if you happen to create
the next Facebook, Instagram,
Snapchat, Google, Uber, Airbnb or
Pinterest, I will expect credit.* ** ***
*and a job **and equity ***and a book deal

12. Getting Shit
Done

13. 1The “Mini-CEO”
(this is basically bullshit)

14. It’s this Not this

15. 2Your calendar will be
completely fucked
(seriously)

16. Before After
Looks like a lot of
meetings today!
When do I
even PEE?

17. 3Spreadsheets are
your new pixels
(Fuck you, PivotTable)

18. Spreadsheet
utility BEFORE
life as a PM
Spreadsheet
utility AFTER
life as a PM

19. 4Back away from
the mouse
(I mean it, put it down)

20. Let designers do their job

21. Learning to
kick ass

22. 5Show your work
(think design review - that
happens every day)

23. Yep, all of this…

24. 6Trust your gut
(make sure you have one first)

25. This isn’t easy,
it takes practice

26. 7Learn to say no
(without losing your job)

27. Also, not easy. Practice.

28. 8Choose your
battles wisely
(avoidance is not an option)

29. Know when to stand your ground

30. 9You’re always selling
something
(it’s actually a lot of fun)

31. This isn’t as painful as you
think. Again, practice.

32. 10You’ll suck for awhile
(but there’s great help out there)

33. It takes time, so have patience

34. Making
friends

35. 11PMs are can be a
pain in the ass
(but now know why)

36. PMs are under a lot of pressure

37. 12Designers are can be
a pain in the ass
(but now I know why)

38. Designers can be bad at
explaining the creative process

39. 13Developers are can be
a pain in the ass
(it’s usually the PM)

40. Protect your team at all costs
this is you

41. 14Product + marketing
is like PB&J
(at least it should be)

42. Dig in, they know
things you don’t

43. 15Coffee is for closers
(<3 your salespeople)

44. Help them and you’ll both win

45. Avoiding
asshole
syndrome

46. 16Be nice
(and mean it)

47. Find a balance that
matches your personality

48. 17Be humble
(you’re not Steve Jobs)

49. At the end of the
day, it’s about
everyone else

50. 18Have fun
(this is a cool job)

51. Exciting/useful/valuable/impactful
technology is appearing every day
PMs play a large part

52. 19This might hurt
a little
(it’s worth it - at least for me)

53. Assess your skills, knowledge and interests
Can you give up the pixels?
Are you willing to lose sleep and learn
something new?
Dive in, learn and enjoy the ride!

54. 20There is no
going back
(even if you try)

55. Thanks. Beer?