Antoni Lewa, Product Manager, Ninja Van Watch - https://engineers.sg/video/working-with-rockstar-engineers-as-a-product-manager-productcamp-singapore-volume-7--1425

1. Working with
Rockstar Engineers
as a Product
Manager
Antoni Lewa
Product Camp Volume 7
25 Feb 2017
Google Asia Pacific

2. About Antoni
Product Manager - Ninja Van
Management Associate - Singtel
● Product Development Manager, mFinance (Consumer)
● Analyst, Technology & Architecture Office (Enterprise)
● Analyst, Global Competencies (Enterprise)
● Analyst, Business Operations & Strategy (Enterprise)
● Analyst, Global Resource Management (Enterprise)
SMU - Information Systems + Finance

3. 3 takeaways
- Identifying rockstar engineers
- Frameworks & Engagement Tactics you can use to work with Rockstar engineers
- General Practical Tips you can apply now
- Show quick wins
- “Push & Pull”
- Invest in Social Capital

4. E-commerce Logistics is complicated
Real-time coordination of diverse Personas using different platforms
System integration with various partners
Unlike transporting humans - parcels can't speak
SEA = logistics nightmare

5. Fastest Growing e-Commerce Logistics
Startup in SEA, powered by Technology
● Established in mid-2014
● Focus on Last-Mile Deliveries for e-commerce
● Total funding to date: US$32.5m+ (Series B)
● 40+ cities, in 6 countries, & ~120m people
within coverage
● Proprietary technology systems on scalable,
cloud-based microservices platform
● Algorithms to optimize vehicle routing, fleet capacity
planning, scheduling etc.
● 36 engineers / 9 nationalities

6. Software Product Management
UX
Business
Technology
You are here!

7. Software Product Management (at Ninja Van)
Cust Experience
Logistics Strategy
Technology
You are here!

8. The ‘Rockstar’
- 10x intellectual capacity
- 10x productivity
- 10x motivation
Not every tech (engineer) is the same!
The ‘Basic’
- Personality
- Culture
- Experience
- Interests
- Habit

9. “
Good product managers start with ‘Why’
Great product managers start with ‘Who’

10. Identifying your (rockstar) engineers
COMPETENCE
COMMITMENT
*Ken-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory
IV
Variable Competence
Variable Commitment
III
Variable Competence
High Commitment
I
High Competence
Variable Commitment
II
High Competence
High Commitment

11. Situational Leadership
DIRECTIVE
SUPPORTIVE
Delegating
Low Directive
Low Supportive
Supporting
Low Directive
High Supportive
Directing
High Directive
Low Supportive
Coaching
High Directive
High Supportive

12. Putting it All Together
COMPETENCE
COMMITMENT
*Ken-Blanchard’s Situational Leadership Theory
IV
Variable Competence
Variable Commitment
III
Variable Competence
High Commitment
I
High Competence
Variable Commitment
II
High Competence
High Commitment
Delegating
Coaching Supporting
Directing

13. “Who”-”Measure”-”Learn”
WHO

14. Tactics to Engage ‘Rockstar’ Talents
- Show quick wins
(and others)
- “Push & Pull”
- Invest in Social Capital

15. Working with
Rockstar Engineers
as a Product
Manager
Antoni Lewa
Product Camp Volume 7
25 Feb 2017
Google Asia Pacific

16. Further Reading
- Situational Leadership Theory - Ken Blanchard Model
- ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins
- ‘Level 5 Leadership’ by Jim Collins
- ‘12 things product managers should do in their first 30 days at a new company’ by
Ken Norton
* PPT design adapted from Viola template
http://www.slidescarnival.com/viola-free-presentation-template/414