Our latest #FinnemoreFireside is with Izzi Dorrian and Ed Butcher, founders of the brilliant Habitude workflow platform for MATs, designed to solve slow, unreliable or lost admin by connecting people, platforms and data into trackable workflows.

Both Izzi and Ed are from an educational background themselves and it’s a really insightful discussion including:

• The significance of education and why both are involved in the field.
• Importance of stability: Emphasis on understanding policies and processes, especially in times of frequent policy changes.
• Recruitment and retention: Highlighted the challenge of administrative hassles, compliance, and the need for strategic recruitment and onboarding processes.
• MATs’ future challenges: Discussion on the evolving landscape of MATs, the importance of infrastructure, and the need for a clear vision.
• Role of technology: Exploration of the role of technology in MATs, potential improvements, and challenges in adapting to different MAT structures.
• Openness in data: Advocacy for open data among edtech companies, with a focus on collaborative efforts for better data flow and management in MATs.

I am interested in what Product Leaders think makes a good Product Manager? And what is your way of identifying a good Product Manager?

I am constantly asked what makes a great Product Manager and what do I look for. I am a great believer that a strong Product Manager is the CEO of their solution. They need to get involved in all aspects, from inception to launch, and then in-life management.  It’s for this reason that I am a strong believer in ‘You hire for attitude, train for skill’. If someone has the right behaviours then you can teach them the skills to be a great product manager. I have learnt over many years that a title doesn’t make the person good at their role.

My approach to interviewing is that the first interview is to understand the candidate’s personality. So I tend to ask myself:

• Can they fit into the team dynamic? (If you want to disrupt the ‘status quo’ to strengthen then that is OK too)
• What does their personality bring to the team that is currently missing?
• Do I think they can work within a team, yet be focused enough to work on their own and drive the solutions that they will be managing?
• Are they tenacious and can they prove this?
• Have they got the right social skills to be able to work with a number of disciplines around the company? They will need to be able to communicate and influence different types of people.
• Are they someone that thrives on ownership and responsibility?

Using this approach means they get to know mine and the company’s expectations. And at the same time, this 1-2-1 personal approach to the first interview allows the candidate to understand if the company is the right fit for them.

When most of us hear the term ‘ghosted’ we think of online dating gone bad. But ghosting is creeping into the professional world too.

Without a doubt, recruitment is where you can find yourself professionally ghosted the most. It’s not at all uncommon for candidates to accept an offer on the phone then never respond to a single email or phone call.

However, companies can be just as bad – especially when it comes to hiring consultants and contractors. One minute they’re agreeing fees and timescales and then – poof! – you never hear from them again.

So how do you deal with ghosts?

1. Don’t take it personally

Getting ghosted will feel weird and will likely a hurt a little too. But don’t take it personally. For whatever reason, ghosting seems to be becoming the norm. My own opinion is that if that person is too weak to tell you why they don’t want to work with you, you’re better off out of there. Cut your losses!

2. Think long term and stay professional

It might be tempting to start sending the odd snarky email or message when you haven’t heard back for the 78th time, having cleared your schedule for that person or company. But remember you’re (probably) in your career for the long haul so it’s important to keep calm and stay professional.

3. Don’t pick up a bad habit

Just because it seems like everyone else is doing it, don’t start doing it yourself! Remember how much you’ve hated the experience and make a mental note to be clear with others. It will save so much time and energy in the long run.