I am seeing a common pattern where PMs grow into GM role in future but I have never seen PMM heading the whole business unit in future. Is this pattern common?
Depends on company and individual. Have seen it happen but agree in general not common for PMMs to grow into GMs.
Do you see that as a drawback or thats how PMMs should really think as their careers
No. Like I said it really comes down to the company and the individual. People I've seen succeeded are usually strategy consultant (MBB) turned PMMs, those with a broader skill set that just marketing. PMM or marketing in general attracts more ppl who want to be future CMOs and they tend to narrow their learning to marketing only. The organzation is also important. Some companies treat PMMs as support roles so you never get the opportunity. Luckily at Square PMMs are encouraged to explore more and grow to a GM if you want to.
I started as a PM, then did PMM, Dir PMM, VP Mktg and was a founder/ceo...last two were exits. I can do both, and looking for my next gig. But finding now that PM is much more aligned with GM skill sets and higher comp than PMM at most orgs. Kind of a shame.
Having worked both in Pm and pmm role, which one did you find exciting? I think pmm is more exciting because it involves more of strategy and business side of things than product mgmt. pm tends to delve alot in operational stuff .. do you see that as a plus point or a drawback?
It just depends on the company. PMM is better in a marketing or sales driven company like Salesforce. In Google etc it is 2nd class citizen. I would never do a Consumer PMM personally. Maybe Ads PMM at Google / FB
Yeah i have realized pmm in most orgs plays a supporting role. There are very few companies that has well defined pmm responsibilities and authority.
That’s my observation. I assume because PMs tend to span the whole business where PMM tends to be mostly on one side of it (less familiar with the engineering part of the org).