Insights From The Product vs Tech Event by Modu

From Flow to Growth: Insights from the Product vs Tech Event by Modu

Last Wednesday, Modu hosted an engaging event in Holborn titled "From Flow to Growth: How the Product vs Tech War Was Fought and Won." Hosted by the incredible Craig Strong (Global Practice Leader - Product Operating Model Transformation & Innovation at AWS), The panel discussion explored the evolving dynamics between product and technology teams, with thought-provoking contributions from industry leaders, including Seb Chakraborty (CPTO at Domestic & General), Julian Browne (CTO at Modu), Elisabeth Ling (Product Strategy Advisor & NED), and Conrad Ford (Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica Bank). The discussions provided actionable insights into the synergy required between product and tech teams to drive innovation and deliver value.

Here are some key takeaways from the event:

Not a War, But a Marriage

The relationship between product and tech teams was framed not as a "war" but as a marriage that thrives on a shared purpose and mutual respect. The CPTO’s role was likened to that of a marriage counsellor, ensuring alignment and managing tensions.

• Delivery is the core metric for technology.

• Collaboration improves when teams respect each other’s domains and focus on “shipping together.”

• Product isn’t synonymous with process; rather, it’s about delivering joy to customers.

Rebranding and the DNA of Product Management

The discussion touched on the historical evolution of product management, noting 10 - 15 years ago when Product really took off in the UK, there was a skills shortage of Product Managers. Many businesses rebranded their project managers as product managers; without truly understanding the differences. The skill sets differ significantly:

• Project managers focus on delivering tasks and processes efficiently, while product managers focus on delivering value and outcomes aligned with customer needs and business strategy.

• Some project managers can transition into product management if they possess the right skills, but the obsession with process can hinder innovation.

A striking statistic underscores the gap between the US and Europe in adopting product management: in the US, the first product manager is typically hired as 'employee number 8,' whereas in Europe, it’s often 'employee number 35.'

Insights into US vs UK Cultures

The US culture of embracing agility and autonomy was contrasted with the more conservative approach often seen in the UK. US startups are three times more likely to pivot compared to their UK counterparts, driven by a mindset of speed and customer focus.

• AWS’s approach to tech product managers and commercial product managers was highlighted as a model for balancing technical depth with customer-centricity.

• Book recommendation: "The Geek Way" explores the benefits of West Coast American company culture, particularly speed and autonomy.

Building Great Product and Tech Teams

Creating synergy between product and tech teams requires excellence on both sides:

• Empower product managers with the right training and incentives.

• Foster collaboration by aligning strategies across product, tech, and business functions.

• Avoid terms like “product-led” or “customer-led” that could inadvertently disempower teams. Instead, focus on value-based nuances.

Another book recommendation, "Dealing with Darwin," was shared for insights on reallocating resources effectively within organisations.

Remote Work and the Challenges of Collaboration

The panel explored the impact of remote work on team dynamics and the importance of in-person collaboration for alignment:

• Effective communication and purposeful in-person meetings are key to maintaining connection.

• Remote teams should over-index on culture and adopt practices like white boarding to ensure clarity and alignment.

Amazon’s Approach to Product Management

Amazon’s working patterns were praised for their emphasis on decoupling dependencies and reducing bottlenecks. The "home and away teams" concept was shared as a way to maintain focus while fostering collaboration across different parts of the organisation.

Final Takeaways

The event highlighted that success in product and tech collaboration requires tight alignment between strategy, product, and engineering. Great systems evolve from simplicity, and complex architectures should emerge iteratively.

For anyone looking to dive deeper, here are the highlighted resources:

• "The Geek Way" – A guide to embracing speed and autonomy, inspired by West Coast tech culture.

• "Dealing with Darwin" – A book about reallocating resources for innovation.

The evening ended with networking over food and drinks, bringing together professionals from diverse industries to share experiences and ideas. If you missed this one, I highly recommend keeping an eye out for future Modu events. They’re a fantastic opportunity to gain insights and connect with like-minded professionals!

Written by Roger Chick , Lead Technical Consultant & Bryn Williams Lead Product Consultant at Modu.