Balancing Multiple Clients

📌 How to do Prioritization as a Product Manager. Product Managers face a problem of plenty. You have so many things to do, many problems, many solutions, and many suggestions, but are always limited by time, bandwidth, and resources. Now you need to obsessively prioritize and filter ideas before you put them in the roadmap. But how do you prioritize? The simplest yet most powerful framework that most PMs rely on is the Impact v/s Effort Framework. The impact is determined by: - Potential revenue estimate, - Customer value, - Alignment with company goals, - Demand from the market, or - Any other relevant metrics that align with product goals. Impact estimation is mostly the responsibility of the product manager. The effort is determined by: - Development complexity, - Engineering efforts, - The time required & cost, - Operations complexity, etc. Effort estimation is mostly done by the delivery teams like engineers, design, ops, etc. This is a collaborative exercise. The next step is to visualize this through an impact v/s effort matrix. Provided that the estimations are done correctly, the low efforts & high impact items are picked at the earliest, & other things are prioritized in a logical order. 📌 3 Tips to take your prioritization game to the next level: 1. Consider tradeoffs at every step: Some high efforts ideas could be of high strategic importance, similarly some low-impact ideas could be critical for customer experience. Understand the situation from all angles. 2. Look out for red flags: All ideas look high impact, or the backlog is completely filled with low effort low impact ideas. This indicates either the PM is not competent at impact estimation or is not considering enough ideas during product discovery before deciding on the best one. 3. Validate high-effort ideas by first converting them into low efforts experiments. For example: Rather than converting your whole website into all Indian languages, try to convert the most popular pages into 3 popular languages, observe the results and then decide to roll back or go all in. 📌 Other frameworks for prioritization: There will be times when you'll need more detailed frameworks to prioritize, some of the other helpful frameworks are: 1. KANO: Puts customer satisfaction at the center and distinguishes between basic expectations, performance attributes, and delighters. 2. MOSCOW: categorizes requirements into four priority levels: Must have, Should have, Could have, and Won't have. 3. RICE: adds to more dimensions of Reach and Confidence to make Impact v/s Effort more reliable and exhaustive. ✨ Prioritization is a supercritical and useful skill for product managers, during their work, stakeholder management, and also during interviews. Do you think this would be helpful for you? I share helpful insights for product managers almost every day, consider connecting here 👉🏽 Ankit Shukla to not miss out. #productmanagement #prioritization

As Product Managers it’s so easy to loose trust if features on the roadmap are not prioritised correctly. Here are 5 prioritization frameworks and when to actually use them: 1. RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) ✅ Use when: You have multiple ideas/features and want to prioritize based on expected impact. 📌 Best for: Growth experiments, new features, MVP ideas 💡Tip: Confidence % is often biased calibrate with data! 2. MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won’t have) ✅ Use when: You’re working with tight deadlines and multiple stakeholders. 📌 Best for: Sprint planning, product launches 💡Tip: Don’t let every stakeholder label everything as “Must have.” 3. Kano Model ✅ Use when: You want to balance delight with functionality. 📌 Best for: Customer-facing products 💡Tip: A feature that delights today might be expected tomorrow. 4. ICE (Impact, Confidence, Ease) ✅ Use when: You want a quicker version of RICE for fast decision-making. 📌 Best for: Rapid prototyping, early-stage prioritization 💡Tip: Use ICE when you don’t have a ton of data but still need to move. 5. Value vs. Effort Matrix ✅ Use when: You want to visualize trade-offs with stakeholders. 📌 Best for: Roadmap discussions, stakeholder alignment 💡Tip: Plot features on a 2×2: * Quick Wins (High value, low effort) * Strategic Bets (High value, high effort) * Time Wasters (Low value, high effort) * Fillers (Low value, low effort) So which one should you pick? Use RICE when you’re in a data-driven company. Use MoSCoW when time is tight and alignment is tough. Use ICE when you need speed > accuracy. Use Kano when delight matters. Use the Value/Effort Matrix when people keep asking, “Why this first?” 📌 Save this for your next prioritization war. 💬 Tried any of these at work? Drop your go-to framework in comments! #productmanager #job #PMjobs #learning #frameworks

Want to tackle the most impactful data projects? Use the RICE scoring model to sort them by priority! RICE stands for Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort. It’s a useful framework to prioritize tasks and projects effectively. 1. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵: Estimate how many people your project will affect. For example, how many teams will make decisions based on my results?     2. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: Estimate the potential benefit. Will this project bring significant improvements or minor enhancements? Rate it on a scale e.g., 1 to 5.     3. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Assess how confident you are in your estimates. High confidence boosts the project’s score, while low confidence lowers it. Be honest about your uncertainties regarding data quality and model complexity (0.0 to 1.0).     4. 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁: Calculate the time and resources required to complete the project. Measure it in person-hours or team-days. Less effort means a higher score. C͟a͟l͟c͟u͟l͟a͟t͟i͟o͟n͟ 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 = (Reach × Impact × Confidence) / Effort E͟x͟a͟m͟p͟l͟e͟ You will reach 50 sales managers with your model and estimate an impact of 4 out 5 on their work. You're fairly certain about achieving your goal with a rate of 0.8. It will take you about 80 hours of work to build the model. 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 = (50 × 4 × 0.8) / 80 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 =  2 You can compare this score of 2 versus the other project scores and select the one with the highest value. Use the RICE model to sort and prioritize your data projects. It ensures you’re focusing on high-impact tasks that require reasonable effort and have solid confidence behind them. Regularly revisit and adjust your scores as new data or insights become available. This keeps your priorities aligned with changing business goals. By applying the RICE scoring model, you’ll increase the efficiency of your project management, ensuring you’re working on what truly matters. How do you currently prioritize your data projects? ---------------- ♻️ Share if you find this post useful ➕ Follow for more daily insights on how to grow your career in the data field #dataanalytics #datascience #rice #projectmanagement #prioritization

A client called me yesterday in a panic. "Deb, I need to give feedback to my team about being more organized, but my desk looks like a tornado hit a filing cabinet. How can I possibly have this conversation?" First of all, I appreciated her vulnerability and authenticity. Second of all, I applauded her recognition that she might have a credibility issue on this topic. (Third of all, that's what my desk looks like today too.) Here's what we figured out together about giving feedback when you're... let's call it "still working on it yourself": 1. Lead with honesty, not hypocrisy. "I know I struggle with organization too, AND I've noticed when we're both more systematic, our projects run smoother." 2. Make it about the impact, not the person. Instead of: "You're disorganized" Try: "When you can find documents quickly, you can spend more time on strategy" 3. Partner up, don't preach down. "I'm working on this too. Want to help each other build better systems?" 4. Focus on one behavior, not a personality overhaul. You're not asking them to become someone else. You're asking for a specific change that serves the team. 5. Share what you've learned from your mistakes. "Here's what I've discovered doesn't work... and here's what I'm trying instead." 6. Ask for their insight on YOUR growth. "Since you see me in meetings, what would help me be more organized? I value your perspective." 7. Get specific about the business case. "We missed two deadlines last month because we couldn't find the files. Let's solve this together." The truth? Sometimes the best feedback comes from people who understand the struggle. My client knows exactly how hard it is to maintain systems because she's building them herself. Leadership isn't about being perfect. It's about being brave enough to name what needs to change, even when (especially when) you're still figuring it out yourself. #feedback #leadership #authenticity

That’s the thing about feedback—you can’t just ask for it once and call it a day. I learned this the hard way. Early on, I’d send out surveys after product launches, thinking I was doing enough. But here’s what happened: responses trickled in, and the insights felt either outdated or too general by the time we acted on them. It hit me: feedback isn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing process, and that’s where feedback loops come into play. A feedback loop is a system where you consistently collect, analyze, and act on customer insights. It’s not just about gathering input but creating an ongoing dialogue that shapes your product, service, or messaging architecture in real-time. When done right, feedback loops build emotional resonance with your audience. They show customers you’re not just listening—you’re evolving based on what they need. How can you build effective feedback loops? → Embed feedback opportunities into the customer journey: Don’t wait until the end of a cycle to ask for input. Include feedback points within key moments—like after onboarding, post-purchase, or following customer support interactions. These micro-moments keep the loop alive and relevant. → Leverage multiple channels for input: People share feedback differently. Use a mix of surveys, live chat, community polls, and social media listening to capture diverse perspectives. This enriches your feedback loop with varied insights. → Automate small, actionable nudges: Implement automated follow-ups asking users to rate their experience or suggest improvements. This not only gathers real-time data but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement. But here’s the challenge—feedback loops can easily become overwhelming. When you’re swimming in data, it’s tough to decide what to act on, and there’s always the risk of analysis paralysis. Here’s how you manage it: → Define the building blocks of useful feedback: Prioritize feedback that aligns with your brand’s goals or messaging architecture. Not every suggestion needs action—focus on trends that impact customer experience or growth. → Close the loop publicly: When customers see their input being acted upon, they feel heard. Announce product improvements or service changes driven by customer feedback. It builds trust and strengthens emotional resonance. → Involve your team in the loop: Feedback isn’t just for customer support or marketing—it’s a company-wide asset. Use feedback loops to align cross-functional teams, ensuring insights flow seamlessly between product, marketing, and operations. When feedback becomes a living system, it shifts from being a reactive task to a proactive strategy. It’s not just about gathering opinions—it’s about creating a continuous conversation that shapes your brand in real-time. And as we’ve learned, that’s where real value lies—building something dynamic, adaptive, and truly connected to your audience. #storytelling #marketing #customermarketing

Effective client management begins with proactive engagement, anticipating needs and potential hurdles. Mastering the art of listening plays a crucial role in this approach, allowing us to gain deep insights into our clients' operations and strategic objectives. Imagine setting the stage at the beginning of a project by discussing with your client: Dependency Exploration: 'Can we discuss any dependencies your team has on this project’s milestones? Understanding these can help us ensure alignment and timely delivery.' Impact Assessment Question: 'Should unforeseen delays occur, what impacts would be most critical to your operations? This will help us prioritize our project management and contingency strategies.' Preventive Planning Query: 'What preemptive steps can we take together to minimize potential disruptions to critical milestones?' Success Criteria Definition: 'How do you define success for this project? Understanding your criteria for success will guide our efforts and help us focus on achieving the specific outcomes you expect.' These discussions are essential for building a roadmap that not only aligns with the client’s expectations but also prepares both sides for potential challenges, reinforcing trust through transparency and commitment. By adopting a listening approach that seeks comprehensive understanding from the onset, we can better manage projects and enhance client satisfaction. Let’s encourage our teams to integrate these listening strategies into their initial client engagements. How have proactive discussions influenced your project outcomes? Share your experiences and insights. #ClientRelationships #AdvancedListening #BusinessStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth

3 Out of 4 Projects Fail Due to Misdiagnosis... here’s how to change that. The Doctor Framework: In a consulting world crowded with “solutions,” what if the secret to true client impact was a shift to diagnosis first? The Doctor Framework is designed to help senior executives-turned-consultants leverage their expertise in a solutions-based sales approach. Here’s why this method is a game-changer for creating long-term client relationships and real outcomes: 1. Diagnose the Pain 🩺 Much like a doctor would with a patient, this phase is about identifying core issues... not just symptoms. Research shows that 80% of s uccessful client interactions hinge on active listening (HubSpot, 2021). For consultants, that means asking pointed questions and focusing on what the client’s really saying... often between the lines. This phase sets the tone for trust and accurate problem-solving. 2. Verify & Prioritize 📋 Too often, consultants jump to solutions without fully verifying the core problem. In fact, 75% of misaligned projects stem from a misunderstanding in the initial discovery phase (PMI, 2022). Encourage clients to prioritize their biggest hurdles and validate the diagnosis before prescribing. This ensures they’re bought into the process, which paves the way for collaborative solutions. 3. Co-Create the Solution 🤝 People support what they help create. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all answer... work with clients to co-create their roadmap, personalizing it to their needs. This consultative approach builds trust and client ownership, leading to better buy-in and outcomes. According to LinkedIn, solutions tailored with client collaboration improve client retention by 42%. 4. Start with Small Wins 🏆 Quick wins build momentum. In fact, research from McKinsey shows that starting with small but impactful projects leads to a 30% higher likelihood of client re-engagement. The goal is to: - secure initial buy-in - build credibility - set the stage for longer-term partnerships. Propose a quick-hit project to deliver immediate results, reinforcing the client’s confidence in both the process and the partnership. 5. Become the Trusted Advisor 🔗 Once the foundation is laid, follow-up and deepen the relationship. Check-in regularly, provide added value, and actively look for new opportunities to expand your impact. By positioning yourself as a long-term ally, not just a vendor, you’ll move from “consultant” to “advisor.” Statistics reveal that 90% of clients who see consistent value are more likely to refer additional business. Ready to level up your consulting approach? Implement the Doctor Framework and start creating meaningful, lasting relationships. Anything you'd add?

Having attended a thought provoking keynote this week from the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon GAICD who shared his predictions for the upcoming Australian election, coupled with the current trade wars, things are looking a little uncertain at the moment. When resources are tight, maintaining client trust requires a mix of transparency, prioritisation, and creative problem-solving. Here are some key strategies to keep relationships strong: 1️⃣ Set Clear Boundaries & Expectations Clients appreciate honesty. Be upfront about what your team can realistically deliver and by when. Under-promise and over-deliver wherever possible to build confidence. 2️⃣ Prioritise High-Impact Activities Not all tasks are created equal. Focus on the work that drives the most value for the client rather than spreading your team too thin across less impactful tasks. 3️⃣ Leverage Technology & Automation Use AI tools, automation, and streamlined processes to reduce manual effort without compromising quality. Even simple automation (like email sequences, chatbots, or templates) can free up resources. 4️⃣ Maximise Strengths & Delegate Strategically Identify what your team does best and lean into that. For areas where you’re stretched, consider outsourcing, leveraging freelancers, or forming strategic partnerships. 5️⃣ Over-Communicate, Especially in Crunch Times Silence breeds doubt. Keep clients in the loop with proactive updates. If there’s a delay, let them know early, explain why, and provide alternative solutions. 6️⃣ Build Client Involvement & Ownership Instead of always taking on everything, guide clients to be part of the solution. Can they provide input, handle minor tasks, or collaborate in a way that eases the workload? 7️⃣ Offer Tiered Support If you can’t provide full-service solutions, consider structured options—e.g., self-service resources, group coaching, or staggered deliverables. 💡 Question for You: Have you ever turned a resource constraint into a competitive advantage? Let’s swap stories! 🚀

How I Prioritize as a Program Manager at Amazon One of the toughest parts of being a program manager is deciding what gets attention when everything feels important. At Amazon, where the pace is fast and the stakes are high, I’ve learned that effective prioritization isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity. Here are three approaches that help me stay focused and move the needle: 1️⃣ Impact vs. Effort Matrix When juggling multiple projects, I map tasks based on how much impact they’ll have versus how much effort they’ll take. High-impact, low-effort items? Those are no-brainers. Low-impact, high-effort tasks? They often end up on the backlog or get re-evaluated. This simple framework keeps me and my teams working smarter. 2️⃣ Customer Obsession At Amazon, the customer always comes first. Before prioritizing, I ask myself: How will this improve the customer experience? If an idea doesn’t bring clear value to the customer, it’s either deprioritized or reconsidered. It’s a principle that keeps us grounded in what really matters. 3️⃣ Time for Big-Picture Thinking Amid the daily fire drills, it’s easy to let long-term planning slip. I’ve started blocking time on my calendar specifically for strategic thinking. This helps me step back, focus on the bigger picture, and ensure we’re not just putting out fires but also building for the future. Prioritization is messy, and it’s not always perfect. But these methods have helped me find clarity in the chaos and deliver meaningful results. How do you decide what deserves your attention when everything feels important? #Leadership #Prioritization #CustomerObsessed #ProgramManagement

I used to be a "yes" person with my clients, and this was making me hate my job. 🟢 Everything the client told me, I said yes to. 🟢I welcomed every detour during my check-ins with them. 🟢For every request they made, I quickly actioned (without considering the ask). And I did it because I thought that's what I needed to do to make them... happy. But then it got too much. I started losing control of my accounts and stakeholders; I couldn't keep up with the constant checking in on features, support tickets, and odd requests. My clients viewed me as their server, taking orders to run back to the kitchen. If you find yourself in this situation, it's time to reset. Here's how 👇 #1 You acknowledge what is happening "Hey, thank you so much for sharing so many insights with me on ways we can make the product more valuable for you. I've noted all of your requests, and I'll keep you posted if there are any changes..." #2 You remind them of their goals "...Today, I'd like for us to focus on our plan to get you back on track with your conversion rate. I know your goal is to increase it by 5% by the end of the quarter, correct?" #3 You lay out the plan and your role in it "Got it! To get you there, we'll need to align on our game plan. I've gotten the ball rolling by outlining some low-hanging fruit. These activities have worked well for another client very similar to you, and I believe we can get it done within 3 months..." #4 You get clear on what you need from them "If we put our heads down and focus on delivering this, here's what I'll need from you [outline needs]. Are we on the same page?" ---- That's how you can shift the conversation, but remember that you'll still need to keep it on track. To do that, don't be afraid to bring the plan up whenever things start going sideways again. --- Have you ever felt like a 'yes' person to your clients? #clientmanagement #worklifebalance #customerrelationships