Technologist, product expert, and explorer of bright ideas and big possibilities
Mission statements are hard — especially for guys like me, who geek out over lots of different things. Whenever I sit down to sum up what I do professionally, I wonder if people will look at the motley assortment of titles — technologist, product expert, writer, speaker, strategist — and think “geez, how many hats can one guy wear?”
So let me start with the most important stuff. First and foremost, I’m a technologist and product expert, which means I help product development managers (aka PdMs) and product teams make better decisions about what they make and how they work by advising them on product development, management, and leadership. You know, the good stuff.
Drawing on what I’ve learned over 15 years leading product initiatives at places like Informed.co, Datalogue, and Philosophie, I help clients overcome common stumbling blocks and find the answers to questions like:
- How can I excel in product management?
- How do I hire my first product manager?
- Why is my product development manager not performing?
- How can I make sure the strategy is crystal clear?
When I’m not working with PdMs to unlock their potential and revolutionize their output, I’m sharing what I know as a public speaker. I’ve been honored to present for Wizeline, Philosophie, Product Led Growth, Industry, Mind the Product, Denver Startup Week, Ethel’s Club, and many other industry-leading platforms.
I’m also a writer on all things tech- and product-related. You can stay up to date at my blog and check out my regular contributions on BuiltIn, Mind The Product, PM Insider, Product Marketing Alliance, Product Craft, ProductPlan, and Product School.
I started my career as the founder of The Gamer Studio, a gaming news website, and later went on to found another startup, Arcade School, that connected people with career paths in video games. So I know what it’s like to be in the driver’s seat, having to make the decisions whose outcomes will ripple throughout the organization like so many falling dominoes.
My latest venture is Survival Metrics, a roadmap for success designed to help product managers and teams understand when to push forward, when to pivot, and when to stop an initiative completely, resulting in fast, politically safe, and data-informed decisions.
If you’re looking to power up your approach to product development, let’s connect!
Dig deeper with my resume or let’s chat on LinkedIn
My Blog
This blog began as a venting platform for me outside of work, but also was a way for me to write about my learnings as a leader. I wasn’t the boss, nor at the top of the organizational chart, but I was a leader of one. As I started my sabbatical, I jumped back into the startup world, got to coach in altMBA, and began to explore the lessons I learned in both corporate America and the world of entrepreneurship.
This blog and my adventures remind me that leadership isn’t a title, but a decision. When you decide, you have the power to advise, coach, and understand the people around you.
F.A.Q
Q. Who are you?
A. Try here.
Q. Who is this blog for?
This blog is a scratch pad of thoughts I have. Sometimes they are sneak peaks into what I am writing, sometimes they are good
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Q. How often do you write?
Usually, 2-3 times per week.
Q. How do you write so often?
A. Short Answer – I only owe myself three sentences.
Q. Do you work on this alone?
Yes. Keeping the ship moving.
Q.What are you working on?
Q. What else have you worked on?
- Lead Product Manager @ SmartRecruiters – HR Tech Company
- Director of Product – Informed
- Product Strategy @ Philosophie – Tech Agency
- Founder @ Arcade School – EdTech
- System Architect @ DTCC – Financial Services
- President of Board @ Barbershop Books – Social Impact [Literacy]
- Founder @ The Gamer Studio – Gaming Magazine
Some other stuff that isn’t worth mentioning. Trust me. They didn’t go well. Life is full of failure.
Q. I don’t feel like digging through your site – what five articles are an excellent primer on your writing?
- Don’t Forget To Breathe
- Small is Good
- Wasting Your Energy With A Long No
- Don’t Hedge
- Visualization Isn’t Actualization
Q. I thought those were interesting, I would like to reach out?
Thank you. Send an email adam@theadamthomas.com and we can chat.
Q. I’d love to interview you on my podcast/radio show?
I love to do your show. Please, send an email to adam@theadamthomas.com with the subject, “Podcast” and let’s talk about the details.
Q. I’d love to get you on my YouTube Series?
Same as above. Please, send an email to adam@theadamthomas.com with the subject, “Youtube” and let’s talk details.
Q. Social media?