What Type Of Person Thrives In The Tech And Networking Industry, Per A Group Manager Product Marketing At Cisco
Stephanie, a Group Manager of Product Marketing at Cisco, identifies two key traits for success in the tech industry: a "genuine passion for the industry" coupled with strong product expertise, ideally including "technical acumen," and the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams across numerous functions on "cross-functional projects." This necessitates enjoying "working with a bunch of different people," a crucial aspect of a product marketing manager's role.
Technical Acumen, Cross-functional Teamwork, Passion for Technology, Communication Skills, Product Expertise
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Stephanie Sosa
Group Manager, Product Marketing
Cisco
UCLA
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Technology
Communication and Marketing
Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Passion for the tech industry and product expertise are essential for success in product marketing. A deep understanding of the product, ideally through personal use, is key.
2. Technical acumen is highly valued in product marketing. The ability to understand the technical aspects of a product is crucial for simplifying complex information for a wider audience.
3. Strong collaboration and cross-functional teamwork skills are necessary. Product marketing managers work with diverse teams, requiring effective communication and collaboration across various backgrounds and expertise.
Transcript
How would you describe people who typically thrive in this industry?
There are a couple of things that make for a successful PMM. One is having a genuine passion for the industry. In tech and networking, the most successful people have immense passion and product expertise.
Successful PMMs need to know their product intimately. This means using it in their everyday lives and being a little technical. While marketing is often seen as storytelling, product marketing requires technical acumen.
You need to understand the technical aspects to simplify messaging. Therefore, individuals who are technical and enjoy their industry tend to be the most successful.
The second key factor is enjoying collaboration. PMMs work with many different people and on cross-functional projects. While not everyone enjoys this, it's essential for the role.
As a PMM, you interact with hundreds of people. You need to be good at working with diverse backgrounds and expertise to get the job done. A collaborative approach benefits the entire team.