Our Blog - Toronto Product Management Association

Planning User Research Activities

In the last post, we talked about why user research is important, and an overview of how to get started if you’re new to it. In this post, we will walk you through the first step, which is to plan your user research activities.As a product manager, the insights you gather are crucial not just for understanding user needs but for aligning these needs with your product roadmap.

Leading Through Change: My Journey with the TPMA

When Lee Garrison invited me to join the Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) board, I didn’t know what to expect. I certainly didn’t anticipate becoming President & Chair at our first board meeting. The journey that followed was filled with unexpected challenges, growth, and triumphs. Now, as my term has come to an end, I can reflect on the experiences over the last three years.

Introduction to User Research for Product Managers

Every Product Manager knows the importance of involving users frequently in the product development process. This involvement often happens through user research, conducted by a Product Manager, Designer, or, in more mature organizations, a User Researcher.

What Recruiters & TA Leaders Look For on LinkedIn: How to Make Yourself More Marketable

It’s pretty common only to update your LinkedIn profile when job searching or announcing a new position. Still, as we’ve seen over the last year, employment circumstances can change at any time, so it’s essential to always stay in a position of readiness.

Event Recap: Product Pricing and Monetization Trends

During the event industry experts provided valuable insights into the complexities and innovative approaches to pricing in today's competitive market, emphasizing the integration of AI and big data. Unlike conventional approaches, modern pricing strategies are increasingly leveraging technology to improve accuracy and customer alignment.

If Product Discovery were a process?

Discovery is a three-step iterative process until the validation questions start giving promising results. In the process, it is possible that customer segments change, and the hypothesis itself changes, but the process still remains the same. Once we have tried a few customer segments, we will be able to narrow down to a specific consumer segment and a specific hypothesis to start with.

Event Recap: The AI Double Feature - Building AI Products and Product Management Using AI

With Halloween right around the corner, the Toronto Product Management Association spearheaded the spooky topic of AI in a double-feature focused on the development of AI products and the application of AI in product management. The discussion panel drew a full house of professionals eager to learn more about the world of AI innovation.

How to Stand Out in Your Next Interview

How can you stand out in your next interview? The basics of researching the company, knowing the role’s outline, having your CV ready, and being prepared to answer questions thoughtfully will only get you so far. Leverage the Q&A portion of the interview to wow a potential employer with your curiosity and preparedness.

Event Recap: Climbing The Product Leadership Ladder - Going from Senior PM to CPO

The Toronto Product Management Association kickstarted the season with their first fall event taking place on the evening of September 26th. This engaging panel discussion focused on the journey from senior product management roles to chief product officers (CPOs) and featured insights from three accomplished product leaders.

Signs a Startup is Ready for Product Management

In early-stage technology companies, the CEO/Founder is typically the first Product Manager—the first everything manager really—as they hustle to make their vision a reality. But as the company grows, the product evolves and challenges scaling the business inevitably arise, product management and hiring the right product people becomes a cornerstone to success.

The Latest News on Product Management Education

Looking for a more formalized education in product management? Well Canada just got its first Masters Degree Program in Product.

How Do I Get into Product Management?

"So how can I break into Product Management?" This is a question many have asked themselves before taking the leap and diving into the field. Only recently have there been degrees in Product and a clear path into the profession, leaving most to have either accidentally wandered down this career path or forged their way in.

Are You a Product Manager Looking for a Promotion? Read This First

It’s always natural to think about the future and where your career is headed. It is also common for individual contributors to map out their plans, goals, and ambitions for moving into a leadership role. If this sounds like you and you’re looking for practical advice to move from a Product Manager role into a leadership role, you’ve come to the place.

Scaling a Product Career: Insights from Sorren Isler, Lead PM at VTS

In this TPMA interview, we meet with Sorren Isler to get her expert insights on scaling a product career and the nuances within product management. As the Lead Product Manager at VTS, Sorren oversees the full lifecycle of mobile and digital products, focusing on building cohesive, cross-functional teams that thrive on collaboration and innovation. With a rich background that includes pivotal roles at Ecobee and LoyaltyOne, Sorren has a reputation for tackling complex challenges head-on and fostering an environment where creativity and teamwork flourish.

Six Product Marketing Traits Leaders Look For

In today’s competitive job market, securing a Product Marketing role is more challenging than a year ago. However, Product Marketing remains essential for business success, with companies continuously investing in this area.If you’re looking for your next role, here are six key product marketing traits that recruiters, talent acquisition professionals and tech startups are actively seeking.

Insights from some of the top Product Craftspeople in the Industry.