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TBM 18/52: We Need Someone Who Has Done "It" Before
Have you (or your company) tried repeatedly to hire for Role X? And failed? Do you have a revolving door situation at your company? The Situation Does…
John Cutler
Apr 20, 2022
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TBM 18/52: We Need Someone Who Has Done "It" Before
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TBM 30/52: Why Don’t We Have a Strategy?
The problem isn't that people can't think strategically. The problem is that there are disincentives to thinking strategically. Strategy requires…
John Cutler
Jul 14, 2022
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TBM 30/52: Why Don’t We Have a Strategy?
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TBM 12/52: The Basics
I’m not a process freak, but I do believe teams should have their house in order. You can get by with very little process overhead. Too many teams are…
John Cutler
Mar 17, 2022
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TBM 12/52: The Basics
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TBM 41/51: Why Goal Cascades are Harmful (and What to Do Instead)
Thought experiment: A company sets 24 ambitious goals for the year. They do not consider the org chart at all when creating the goals. The goals are…
John Cutler
Sep 18, 2022
122
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TBM 41/51: Why Goal Cascades are Harmful (and What to Do Instead)
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TBM 5/52: Three Product Teams
I was a guest on Lenny’s Podcast which was so much fun. Check out the episode! This post will explore three popular models for product teams. Sprint…
John Cutler
Jan 19
142
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TBM 5/52: Three Product Teams
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20 Things I've Learned as a Systems (Over) Thinker
This list has received positive feedback. It seems to have struck a nerve. Sending it to coincide with Monday morning to help folks navigate their week…
John Cutler
Apr 30, 2022
155
17
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20 Things I've Learned as a Systems (Over) Thinker
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TBM 205: "Process" vs. Systems & Habits
Sunday morning musings… Team A writes a 1-pager as part of a heavyweight annual planning process. No 1-pager, no budget. Hurry! Hurry! The leadership…
John Cutler
Mar 12
121
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TBM 205: "Process" vs. Systems & Habits
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TBM 8/52: The Problem With “Internal Customers”
In this post I argue that the concept of an “internal customer” is flawed, and that a better distinction is “partner”. To get there I’ll draw on…
John Cutler
Feb 2
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TBM 8/52: The Problem With “Internal Customers”
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Product Enablement Principles
A week in to my new role a Toast, I took some time to clarify my own principles when it comes to operations, enablement, and generally helping others…
John Cutler
Jan 30
105
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Product Enablement Principles
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TBM 9/52: Writing Culture Challenges
I frequently get asked, "how do I promote a writing culture at my company?" Here is how I responded recently. A writing culture is a reading culture and…
John Cutler
Feb 6
105
3
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TBM 9/52: Writing Culture Challenges
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TBM 49/52: Your Calendar = Your Priorities
Share your calendar(s), and the world will know what you (and your company) values. Where does your time go? How much time do you spend: Talking to…
John Cutler
Dec 1, 2021
55
4
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TBM 49/52: Your Calendar = Your Priorities
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TBM 8/52: The Data-Informed Product Cycle
I recently shared this Tweet: Most teams jump from high level strategy/goals straight to feature ideas (w/ "success metrics") The most successful teams…
John Cutler
Feb 24, 2022
67
2
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TBM 8/52: The Data-Informed Product Cycle
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