When you implement a product strategy, you are laying out the foundation of your company’s direction. You are responsible for outlining the vision of your organization and establishing a roadmap or plan that guides further progress.
To figure out what will be next in the world, you must do some work. This work will likely consist of market research, customer empathy, and insight generation. All of these elements are required to layout an innovative strategy.
Even during an internship, you can conduct user-centered research and layout the foundation for the next steps of a product. During this time, you should also aim to complete a small aspect of the product on your own and assemble the team to take over when you leave.
Core Principles for Success
Leadership
Would you consider yourself to be a leader?
To be a good leader, one must think without restrictions, and only then can they release the full potential of their product. Leadership can be found in all of us and even as an intern. Rather than trying to climb to the top, why not refine the skill of “leading without authority?” Your success lies in the mindset you adopt.
Innovation
Innovation can only happen when you think in “step changes,” 10x bigger.
Think bigger than today, tomorrow, and next week. Expand your mindset to allow yourself to fully visualize the bigger picture.
You need to practice divergent thinking before you engage in convergent thinking. Divergent thinking is the ability to generate ideas through the exploration of potential solutions, whereas convergent thinking is a type of thinking centered around coming up with a single, focused solution.
For example, taking a problem at face value leads to solutions within the known scope. Whereas questioning assumptions to find the “why behind the what,” is the key to keep insights.
Delivery
During your internship with a technology company, hopefully, you will have the opportunity to change and develop something from beginning to end. Make sure you have a clear project that is both simple and feasible.
You want to ensure that by the end of your internship, you’ll have something to deliver. In addition to getting something tangible done, by delivering something, you also show the other individuals throughout the organization that you keep your promises and deliver what you say you will.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, all you have is your word and your skillset.
Whatever you do, “make sure you do, and you do well.” In other words, ensure that you’re always performing and that your work is of quality.
Most importantly, remember to value learning, conduct research, and ensure your goals align with the culture of the organization.
Stay curious and keep learning!
