Here I am going to discuss the 5 most popular mistakes almost all product manager commits in their career. Most of these mistakes are done unintentionally. Product managers are aware of the majority of these pitfalls but still, they fall into them primarily because of some biases they developed along their career, maybe they assumed something which blind-sighted them. It is suggested that when you are aware that your assumptions could be wrong then note down assumptions at some place and keep challenging them whenever there is a new development. I can keep discussing this but let us start with 5 common mistakes.
I would also try to give an appropriate example to conclude home
1: Failing to define the target audience
This is a common mistake made by many product managers, especially those who are new to the role. Without a clear understanding of whom the product is intended for, it's difficult to make informed decisions about product features, pricing, and marketing. This can lead to a product that falls below the expectation of the target audience, resulting in poor DAU and customer feedback.
In 2018, Snap Inc. launched a redesigned version of its Snapchat app with a focus on separating content from friends and family from that of publishers and brands. However, this change did not resonate with its core audience of younger users, who felt the app was more complicated and less intuitive. As a result, the company saw a significant drop in daily active users and revenue, forcing them to reverse some of the changes and refocus on the app's original purpose of being a fun and easy way to share photos and messages with friends.
2: Neglecting user experience
A product that is difficult to use or has a poor user experience is unlikely to succeed. Neglecting usability and user experience can result in a product that frustrates users and fails to meet their needs.
For example, in 2019, Samsung launched its Galaxy Fold smartphone, which was plagued with technical issues, such as screen failure and durability concerns. While the phone was innovative and offered unique features, its usability and user experience were negatively impacted by these issues, resulting in a product that failed to meet user expectations.
3: Not prioritizing features
With limited time and resources, it's important to prioritize which product features are most important to include in the first version. Failing to do so can result in a product that is bloated with unnecessary features, making it more complicated to use.
In 2019, Google launched its new messaging app, Google Allo, which included a plethora of features such as chatbots and GIF support. However, the app failed to gain traction with users, as many found it too complicated to use. In contrast, the rival messaging app WhatsApp focused on simplicity and core features such as messaging and voice calls, leading to more successful products
4: Ignoring customer feedback
One of the most valuable sources of information for a product manager is customer feedback. Ignoring feedback can lead to missed opportunities for improvement and can cause customers to lose trust in the product.
In 2016, Microsoft launched the Surface Pro 4 tablet, which received criticism from users for its display driver issues, which caused the screen to flicker and become unresponsive. Despite receiving feedback from users, Microsoft failed to acknowledge the issue, leading to frustrated customers and a damaged reputation
5: Failing to differentiate the product
One of the biggest challenges facing product managers is standing out in a crowded market. Failing to differentiate the product from competitors can result in a product that fails to gain traction. This can be due to a lack of unique features, poor branding, or a failure to target a specific niche. If you want users to switch from an existing product to your product, your product needs to be at least twice better than the competitors
In 2020, Google launched its new Google Stadia gaming platform, which failed to differentiate itself from competitors such as Xbox and PlayStation. Despite the promise of a new and innovative gaming experience, the platform failed to gain widespread adoption due to a lack of unique features and a clear value proposition.
I can also add an example of tesla here as well.
Elon musk launched tesla in a very crowded market flooded with many brands and companies having a legacy of 100ss years, but tesla still become a success because it provided much better features than contemporary ones.
To fall is human but to learn from mistakes is also human
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