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Jim Semick

Founder and Board Member at ProductPlan

Jim Semick is a distinguished lecturer in Technology Management at UC Santa Barbara and an accomplished entrepreneur and product management leader. He has over 20 years of experience in the tech industry, particularly in product management and development.

Professional Background

  • Founder and Board Member at ProductPlan (2013 - Present): Semick co-founded ProductPlan, a software company that provides tools for product teams to manage their roadmaps effectively. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach to product management.12

  • Previous Roles:

    • Product Management Advisor at Product Discovery (2011 - 2013)
    • Product Management and Customer Discovery at AppFolio (2007 - 2011): Here, he played a key role in launching one of the early SaaS products.
    • Various positions at Citrix (1999 - 2007), where he contributed to multiple product lines.
    • Published Author and Instructional Designer at Microsoft (1995 - 1999) where he developed educational materials.12

Contributions to the Field

Jim Semick is recognized as a thought leader in product management, frequently sharing insights through writing and speaking engagements. He has authored articles on essentialism in product management and has been involved in discussions around product discovery and lean-market validation. His recent book focuses on essentialist principles for product managers, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing meaningful work.2

Personal Philosophy

Semick describes himself as someone who embraces uncertainty and is willing to take reasonable risks, which he believes are essential for launching successful products. His passion for learning extends beyond his professional life; he is also interested in diverse topics such as entrepreneurship and Roman antiquities.2

In summary, Jim Semick combines academic expertise with extensive practical experience, making significant contributions to the field of technology management and product development.

Highlights

May 12 · linkedin

I'm thrilled for the next chapter at ProductPlan - this week we announced a significant growth equity investment from Bow River Capital. Our partnership with Bow River will accelerate product innovation and growth across the company.

Since we founded ProductPlan in 2013 Greg Goodman and I bootstrapped the company to become a market leader in product management software. We're so proud of the culture we've built and what our team has accomplished!

Now with this investment and partnership with Bow River's Software Growth Equity team we're taking the company to the next level. Exciting things are coming for our customers, partners, and employees!

#productmanagement #saas

Oct 6 · linkedin

Why is it so hard to find time to think strategically? I asked a few product managers, and here is what they said. Thanks everyone who responded to my original post! #productmanagement #strategy

Related Questions

What are some key takeaways from Jim Semick's book on being an essentialist product manager?
How did Jim Semick transition from Citrix to founding ProductPlan?
What are some of the most popular topics Jim Semick discusses in his speaking engagements?
Can you provide more details about Jim Semick's experience with AppFolio?
What are some of the challenges Jim Semick has faced in his entrepreneurial journey?
Jim Semick
Jim Semick, photo 1
Jim Semick, photo 2
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Experience

Founder and Board Member at ProductPlan (January 2013 - Present)
Product Management Advisor at Product Discovery (July 2011 - January 2013); Product Management and Customer Discovery at AppFolio (January 2007 - July 2011); Product Management Employee & Consultant a at Microsoft (1995 - 1999)

Location

Santa Barbara, California, United States