Product Managers and Business Units: Two Irreconcilable Worlds?
When Digital Innovation Meets Business Expertise: A Story of Unexpected Allies
originally published on Mon, 25 Nov 2024
In 20 years of digital transformation, I've often heard that innovation belongs to Digital Factories, while business expertise remains the domain of Business Units. But what if true innovation actually emerges from their collaboration?
Lately, I've been reflecting on the fascinating dynamics at play within Bpifrance between our Digital Factory's Product Managers and our Digital Pilots - these valuable links embedded within our business units.
What makes the difference? Our Digital Pilots wear two hats. They not only master their department's business challenges but also serve as digital culture ambassadors. This unique position makes them invaluable sparring partners for our PMs.
On one side, our Digital Pilots navigate effortlessly through organizational complexities. They understand regulatory constraints, carry the business voice AND infuse digital change at the grassroots level. A strategic position that bridges two worlds.
On the other side, our Digital Factory PMs, driven by their user experience obsession. Their daily mission? Rapid iteration, challenging existing solutions, and solving the right problems.
The real magic? When these two roles synchronize and innovate together.
I've witnessed meetings where a Digital Pilot's field knowledge met a PM's product vision, creating solutions that perfectly combine business feasibility with user excellence. Those moments when business expertise enriches the product approach, where innovation emerges from the dialogue between business vision and digital exploration.
What fascinates me? How they complement and elevate each other:
The Digital Pilot translates business challenges into digital opportunities
The PM challenges and transforms these opportunities into concrete user experiences
Together, they push the boundaries of what's possible, creating innovation grounded in real-world reality
Of course, like any sparring partner relationship, there are constructive confrontations, clashing viewpoints. It's precisely in this creative friction that the best innovations are born.
It's no longer about "business versus digital," but a strategic alliance that enables relevant and sustainable innovation.
💠How do you orchestrate this collaboration in your organizations? What have you learned about this PM - Digital Pilot duo?
#DigitalTransformation #ProductManagement #Innovation #Leadership #ChangeManagement #UserExperience #DigitalCulture #CollaborativeInnovation