Weaving Onam's Spirit into Product Management

With Onam around the corner, I can’t help but reflect on how this beautiful festival, so close to my heart, parallels the work I do in product management. Onam, the festival of flowers, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by every Keralite/Malayali across the world. There’s an old saying in Malayalam, “Kaanam vittum Onam unnanam”, which means “One must have the Onam feast even if it means selling one’s property for it.” Similarly, product management is an indispensable part of product development, encompassing a multitude of aspects. Let’s explore the fascinating parallels between Onam and the various facets of product management.

• Planning and Preparation: Just like the meticulous planning that goes into creating the perfect Onam Sadya, product management requires detailed planning and preparation to deliver a successful product.

• Team Collaboration: Onam is a time when families come together to celebrate. Similarly, product management is all about bringing cross-functional teams together to achieve a common goal.

• Innovation and Tradition: Onam beautifully blends tradition with modern celebrations. In product management, we honor the core values of our product while continuously innovating to stay ahead.

• Resilience and Adaptability: Just as Onam celebrates the resilience of King Mahabali, product managers must be resilient and adaptable, navigating challenges and changes with grace.

• Customer Delight: The joy of seeing everyone enjoy the Onam festivities is akin to the satisfaction of seeing users delighted with a product that meets their needs.