”It’s remarkable how a group of people with such different backgrounds can look at the same challenge from so many creative angles and still arrive at a clear, well-defined direction for moving forward.”
That is how Product Manager Jesper Dalsten describes his experience. He has been a member of a peer group for product managers at EGN for many years and greatly values the advice and sparring he gets from the group.
”Some time ago, for example, I was frustrated that we couldn’t gain traction with a new product that I genuinely believed had great potential. We had reached a standstill, so I decided to bring the challenge to one of our group meetings. Within half an hour, the group had developed a number of targeted strategies that I could take back and work with.”
Jesper explains that while they all share the same professional expertise, it is the group’s mix of different industries, ages and levels of experience that makes the crucial difference. That diversity is where the magic happens. Because they don’t have the same backgrounds, they don’t have the same blind spots either.
“They look at my challenge from the outside and bring completely different perspectives, quirky and unexpected angles, and questions into the discussion. They come up with ideas I wouldn’t have thought of myself,” he says.
Following the meeting, Jesper worked on several of the group’s suggestions, including in-store activities and employee incentive initiatives. This has since resulted in an increase in sales.
For Jesper, participating in both meetings and social events is a high priority.
“I come every time, and I’ve received so much valuable advice from my group. For me, it can be difficult to reach out to my network colleagues between meetings. That’s why it’s great to have a good Chair who makes sure we come together,” he concludes.
