Hey HN,
I need some help, and as you are one of the smartest bunches I know I thought I’d just ask here, even if it isn’t really on topic for a community for “solo-founders and bootstrappers”:
Back in November I got the opportunity to join a small startup in the mobile payment space to build the product and technology (as first and then only employee). The last three months were great as I moved to a new city and teared down the old (and shitty) prototype, basically redefining the business on the way, while building the foundation for the things to come in the next year. Everything is coming along great, and I think it was a very good decision as it brought me back to doing things that have a real impact.
Now we’re starting to build the team, and it’s time for me to position myself in the ‘corporate structure’. When I joined, I just called myself “Product”, “Product Manager” or “Product Manager Mobile” depending who I was talking to.
Our first hire is a woman that takes the other part of “product”: While I attack it from the technical side, she will focus more on customer acquisition, communication and marketing. After we worked together for the first few weeks, I think we are a great team and compliment each other perfectly. I see myself as the product guy with a technical focus, but also work on design, business or communication next to that. She sees herself as the product gal with a focus on communication.
To get her on board, our CEO promised her the title of “Head of Product”. So I need a new title, as my current one would imply a superiority of her on me. I can add the “head of” to my title as well, as we just added the first few developers. And voila, here is where I need your help:
Any idea what I could propose as my new title?
PS: Yes, titles can be considered bullshit. But the company and industry don’t, so I better don’t too ;)
