Thrust into Product Management

July 15, 2020

Michael Thom never expected to be in product management, but that’s where he ended up. He’s spent the last seven years at DK Pierce, a healthcare reimbursement firm in Zionsville. Michael used to work primarily in IT, but he now oversees other operational and facilities projects, as well as all the firm’s client project management efforts, processes, and tools.

Michael joined us to share his journey into product management. While his role is not explicitly in product management, many of his responsibilities are directly related to serving users of a custom software platform. He has had to learn how to work with the business, serve his users, and collaborate with a product development team to build something that uniquely allows DKP to provide their clients with the best solution in the market; all while not having been ‘classically’ trained as a product manager.

Our talk with Michael reminded us that whether you’re building for a customer or your internal team, trust in the software is critical. Your team has to trust that the software will work as intended and that you won’t lose valuable data. Otherwise, people will simply stop using it.

Join us to hear Michael’s insights on developing software products at a smaller company. You’ll also hear his thoughts on how to juggle work and parenting. And why he can’t get enough of playing the trombone.

 

Episode Guests

Michael Thom Headshot

Michael Thom | Director of Project Management at DKP

Michael never expected to be in product management, but that’s where he ended up. He’s spent the last seven years at DK Pierce, a healthcare reimbursement firm in Zionsville. Michael used to work primarily in IT, but he now oversees other operational and facilities projects, as well as all the firm’s client project management efforts, processes, and tools. He has had to learn how to work with the business, serve his users, and collaborate with a product development team to build something that uniquely allows DKP to provide their clients with the best solution in the market; all while not having been ‘classically’ trained as a product manager.

Michael’s LinkedIn

Matt Swanson Headshot

Matt Swanson | SEP Alumn

As a Lead Product Engineer at SEP, Matt led engineering project teams who help our customers build the right products, incorporate product thinking, and ship often. He values lightweight agile processes, TDD, and good design.

Matt’s LinkedIn


Episode Host

Zac Darnell Headshot

Zac Darnell | Host of Behind The Product & Manager at SEP

With his diverse background and expertise, Zac brings a unique perspective to discussions around innovation, leadership, and the ever-evolving tech landscape. His ability to bridge technical and business domains makes him a valuable voice in the industry.

Zac's LinkedIn
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