What can Product Managers Learn from Film Directors?

Lets discuses “Blade Runner,” Ridley Scott didn’t run the camera, or write the screenplay, he even didn’t act in it, but he did make sure that the “vision” of Harrison Ford’s character caught our “emotions and our intellects.”  Again, he was responsible for the vision and to make sure it all worked together.

Just like any project there is always somebody, lots of bodies, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do and this can work against you when it comes to making decisions.  So, when it comes to the keys to success it is better that one person takes the rains rather then a whole bunch of people.  Product managers share the same vision as film directors do with three key experts, “business director, experience director and technical director.”  When it comes to the limitations of the vision, the experts are allowed to be creative.

Just like in any other professional setting, workers know what their position is and they stay there, the same with the film industry, they do not hinder someone else skills.  The director has so much on his or her plate that they need to know the crew is doing their job, so the director can keep his attention on the “big picture.”

It’s not up to the camera crew to decide what shots need to be filmed or not.  The director is responsible for the budget but the camera crew would be consulted on the difficulty and the cost.  Think of the famous speech that Rutger Hauer wrote in “Blade Runner” this is a demonstration that it takes more then one person to make a film, but a “creative team.”  A creative team, which uses all professionals to the full degree of their creativity.

It is comforting to see that the word ‘vision’ is being used in the film industry again.  Think of the vision it takes for a software company to come up with a new product, like the AppleiPhone, it encourages feelings to think about what can be done.  It is easy to lose your vision, so you need to be carful.  Because this “vision” the director has is the “key to success.”  He or she is responsible for the image and should only be restricted by the budget.

"The Princess Bride’ Movie or a Mini-MBA?"

We have all done it.  Been in a conversation and quoted a movie.  There is an article by Jim Foxworthy call “’The Princess Bride’ Movie or a Mini-MBA?”  Foxworthy talks about how when we are in our everyday life someone ask you a question and we answer with a quote from a movie.  He tells of how he has applied eight of his favorite to the “product management and marketing world.

1.     “You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.”  Think of it this way the product you are going to release is going to miss its date by six months.  You are beside yourself but you keep the quote in mind and as Foxworthy says, “it’s not throwing a light switch.”

2.     “We are men of action. Lies do not became us.”  When it comes to business or home, telling the truth does not always get you where you want it too.  Do you have the courage to say what you want?  You have to be able to look yourself in the eye when it comes down to it.  As Foxworthy says, “it’s difficult to strike that balance between telling the truth and rocking the boat.” 

3.     “I wonder if he is using the same wind we are?”  “Competitive threat” when it comes to business is part of the game.  Just like in any game there is always someone out there who wants to take it away from you.  So you have to pay attention to them.  As the movie says there is a wind out there and you have to get it in your sails as well.

4.     “You know how much I love watching you work. But I’ve got my country’s 500^th anniversary to plan, my wedding to arrange, my wife to murder and Guilder to frame for it. I’m swamped.”  We have all had those days where we can’t get all the work done.  “Product management and marketing” is one of those jobs where you don’t seem to get all your work done. 

5.     “Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.”  We have all heard the saying “life is not fair,” and if you think it is you are setting yourself up for disappointment.  The more time you spend on conditions that are ‘unfair’ the more time you waste, so move past them as quickly as you can. 

6.     It’s not my fault being the biggest and the strongest. I don’t even exercise.”  Unfortunately there will always be someone who knows more then you. Someone with better possession’s then you.  

7.     “Ha ha! You fool!  You fell victim to one of the classic blunders-the most famous of which is ‘never get involved in a land war in Asia’-but only slightly less well-know is this; ‘Never go against a Sicilian when death in on the line!” We all have rules and experiences to learn.  We learn as we go. There is always someone out there that is “bigger and stronger” then you and we all make mistakes but it keeps you humble.

8.      “Sunny, true love is the greatest thing in the world, except for a mice MLT-mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich-where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe.  They’re so perky!  I love that.”  When it comes down to it at the end of the day a lot of stuff does not matter.  When you have a release date and it is late, and everyone is yelling at each other a good product manager keeps thing in perspective, because life is worth so much more then just a release date it’s about a “simple delicious sandwich.”

“Goodnight. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.”