The Punk PM #11

Hey there, punk!

Another week, another round of “product management is dead” discourse. This time, it’s thanks to a clickbaity podcast title on Aakash’s show with Claire Vo.

But here’s the thing—Vo isn’t actually saying product management is over. She’s saying it’s evolving, and product managers are going to have to learn to embrace the shift.

Let’s go.

Quote of the Week 🙊

Insight 🦉

Product management isn’t just about process—it’s a creative business role. AI can surface problems and suggest solutions, but it can’t make decisions. It lacks the experience and perspective to turn insights into real, viable initiatives.

Companies that try to offload strategic decision-making to AI are in for a rude awakening. Yes, AI can conduct user research, generate roadmaps, spec out features, and even build an MVP—but removing product managers from the process entirely is a dangerous game.

This week, I posted on LinkedIn about how the product management Venn diagram is shifting—from design to business. In my recent ProductTank talk, I outlined the three essential skills PMs need to survive the AI era: curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. But there’s another “C” that’s just as crucial: commercial awareness.

As a PM, your ultimate North Star isn’t just building a great product—it’s driving real business impact. You can be hyper-focused on solving customer problems, but if those solutions don’t fuel your company’s business model and create sustainable revenue, what’s the point?

Too many PMs assume that if they get the product right, the commercial side will magically fall into place. It won’t. There’s a massive gap between identifying a problem worth solving and building a business that thrives because of it.

AI isn’t going to take your product management job. But a new generation of commercially savvy “cyborg PMs” who know how to wield AI to accelerate product-market fit? They might.

Action 🚀

This week, challenge yourself to level up your commercial acumen. Experiment with how you can use AI to sharpen your understanding of how your product drives revenue for your organisation.

Inspiration 💡

They Wanted to Save Us from a Dark AI Future by J Oliver Conroy
A gripping look at the AI rationalist movement and how extreme ideologies can spiral into dangerous territory. A reminder that even the smartest people can lose perspective when they’re too deep in their own beliefs.

The “Red Pen” Trick to Improving My Writing by Ami Vora
Harsh edits make better writers. Ami Vora’s manager used a red pen to strip away fluff from her writing, teaching her to communicate with clarity and impact—a lesson that applies far beyond the page.

Product Management Is Killing Your Product by Jeremy Horn
Are roadmaps and metrics keeping your team stuck in safe, predictable patterns? Jeremy Horn argues that too much process can kill innovation and that true breakthroughs require bold decisions and a willingness to break the rules.

Signing Off ✍️

What do you think—are we on the brink of a product management revolution, or is this just more AI-fuelled hype? Hit reply and let me know. And if you enjoyed this, share it with a friend or colleague who needs to hear it.

Play it your way,

Toby