My thoughts on software product management, Silicon Valley culture, women in technology, startups, adoptive families, technology, big issues, parenting, my kids, and more.
Bet you're dying to know what the formerly Cranky Product Manager thinks of this whole Google memo situation, right? No? Well, the whole situation has made me so cranky, it's brought me out of blogging retirement. I'm going to tell you my take on it anyway. But never fear, I'll…
My answer to a question originally published on Quora. Q: Why does the American government stimulate the adoption of foreign children with disabilities? What's the use of these children for the country's welfare and future? My Answer: I'll start off…
My answer, originally posted to Quora. Q: If there was one (or more) piece of advice you could give to prospective adoptive parents what would it be? We are thinking of adopting one or more children internationally (currently have zero)…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: From a purely financial standpoint is it more expensive to have twins? Or two single pregnancies 1-2 years apart? Keeping in mind maternity leave, nursery costs, furniture / equipment to buy and economies of…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: What level of coding experience should a good product manager have? My Answer Caveat: I'm assuming we are talking about software products. In THEORY, actual coding experience should be irrelevant to the hiring…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: Infertility: Do you think that using IVF, IUI, or other artificial forms of reproduction is selfish? Some people feel that infertile couples who turn to artificial methods of reproduction are selfish because there…
Dear James (age 3.5), You are a very sweet young boy, and I am so touched by how much well you care for others and help them when they need you. Over the weekend, you and Kian were playing…
Dear Kian, Thursday was the last day of 2nd grade for you, so we spent Friday together doing "special time." First, you played with James a little bit in the morning. Then we took him to daycare so…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: What are your feelings towards your adopted child? My Answer Words fail to describe how deeply I love my two adopted children. While I have no biological children to compare them too, I…
What a goober! (James saw a photo of Kian at age 4 dressed up in this costume, and begged for me to look for it so he could dress up as Buzz Lightyear too....)…
Behold, a visual guide to the inside of a Sales Rep's brain! Or more specifically, an Enterprise Software Sales Droid's brain, as viewed from Product Management. Please do not show to any sales people unless you are sure they have…
“My super powers are super hug powers, hot lava, corn, peas, and carrots.” -- James on 5/14/2014, age 3.10…
Today is the first day (that I remember, anyway) when I realized how grownup Kian already is at age 7.5. I fondly remember when he was 4 or so, and we were so close: best buddies. I could do…
Give me the world’s biggest hug. Bigger than Ironman, Superman, the Green Lantern, and Batman can fly. --James on 4/21/2014, age 3.9…
A question from a reader: Q: Is an MBA necessary to advance in Product Management to the Senior level, Director level, or beyond? Or can one compensate for the lack of a Masters with strong analytics and high-level strategy and…
I read too many blogs that say "ALL product managers should do X". Having worked with so many companies, I can usually think of plenty of cases where it makes sense to break the "rule." But…
*Question was originally posted to Quora on 2 Mar 2014. As a startup, if no ownership shares have been issued and no documents have been signed by any founder yet, but a lawyer has incorporated the business and drafted the…
My answer, originally published on Quora. My Answer The most obvious answer: Fewer and fewer girls are studying math and computer science in college, and Of those women who do graduate in those fields, and who even become programmers, they…
Don't know about you, but I'd read it....…
Don't just look at your competition's website and read a few articles. For a fuller view, try these information sources: The competitor's website -- including hidden pages, all images, and any uploaded documents (PDF, DOC, XLS) Former & current customers…
Acting like a Requirements Monkey. Punting on strategy. Not focusing on a particular target market. Not meeting with enough customers often enough. Not meeting with prospects and non-customers (aka potentials) often enough. Not truly understanding the real problems faced by…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: How does it feel to adopt a child of a different race from you? What should you be aware of? I am young, gay and though not close to the decision whether to…
Ever wonder why so many startup entrepreneurs put out misguided and doomed products, even after attempting to take four steps toward an epiphany and reading the "Lean Startup"? Face Palm Alas, I have witnessed similar "attempts"…
Economics are a big deal when deciding whether to go with a NoSQL, NewSQL, MPP DBMS, or traditional RDBMS. Many of the products (in all four of these categories) claim that economics are on their side, because either… Their products…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: Why do so few African-American children get adopted? My sister has been looking to adopt for a while now so we've been talking about adoption in general for some time. Over several conversations…
My answer, originally published on Quora. Q: Why is it so difficult (time, money, etc.) to adopt a child? It seems like there are plenty of people in the world that would like to adopt a child and plenty of…