What do you do if you're a product manager trying to build strong stakeholder relationships remotely?

Managing stakeholders & projects remotely requires one to build trust, comfort & respect. Virtual meetings also require a certain level of ice breaking so that teams can feel involved and engaged. A slight informal chit chat goes along way before hoping onto the main agenda. Always remember to respect your own and other's time. Nobody wants to keep waiting for those zoom or teams meeting to start.

At Mokkup.ai, with users spanning over 160 countries, effective virtual meetings are essential for us. Whether it's a product demo, enterprise license inquiry, or feedback session, addressing user queries is paramount. Here's how I ensure our virtual meetings are productive: 1) Conduct thorough background checks on users before meetings, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn. 2) Use Google to ensure correct name pronunciation and avoid missteps. 3) Gauge user engagement with the product beforehand, preparing answers for any pre-call inquiries, particularly for demo sessions and enterprise plan inquiries. These few "checks" have helped us in having an effective virtual meeting, and in garnering "Best Customer Support" badge on Gartner.

If you haven't met your stakeholders yet, set up a 15-minute meeting to introduce yourself and learn more about them. People are becoming bored of online meetings, so when you have a team meeting, always turn on the camera and set aside some time for chatting.

To build strong stakeholder relationships remotely as a product manager, prioritise clear communication via video calls and email updates. Schedule regular check-ins, actively listen to feedback, and address concerns transparently. Foster trust by delivering on commitments and involving stakeholders in decision-making. Be proactive in nurturing relationships through virtual interactions and tailored communication.

As a PM, building strong stakeholder relationships remotely requires proactive communication, leveraging virtual collaboration tools, and scheduling regular check-ins to align goals and foster trust. Here, amidst diverse time zones, platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom facilitate seamless interactions, ensuring stakeholders feel engaged and valued despite physical distance.

For any product, customer feedback is paramount, and as a law suggests, clearly defining the problem is halfway to solving it. But how can we ensure seamless communication between stakeholders? At Mokkup.ai, we've implemented the following strategies for a smooth user communication: 1) We offer users the option to schedule a demo with us via email, using Calendly for convenient scheduling. 2) Users can choose from platforms like G-Meet, Zoom, or Teams for their scheduled meetings. 3) We utilize Canny to gather product feedback and feature requests, and HubSpot for addressing other queries. These initiatives have significantly eased the process for our users to reach out to us, resulting in better insights and improvements for our product.

Leverage a variety of communication tools to stay connected with stakeholders. Use video conferencing platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams for face-to-face interactions. Utilize messaging apps such as Slack or Microsoft Teams for quick updates and informal communication. Collaborate on documents and projects using cloud-based platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft Office 365. Additionally, use email for formal communications and to share important documents. By utilizing a mix of communication tools, you can ensure effective and efficient communication with stakeholders, regardless of their preferences or locations.

In the realm of remote product management, communication tools are indispensable for fostering strong stakeholder relationships. ???? Utilize a diverse range of platforms—from email to instant messaging to project management software—to tailor your message effectively. Opt for instant messaging for quick updates and informal check-ins, while project management tools are ideal for in-depth discussions and document collaboration. The key is to ensure a seamless flow of information that keeps stakeholders informed and engaged at all times. ?? #RemoteWork #ProductManagement #CommunicationTools

Leverage the communication tools, as being away in still communicating can lead to confusion sometimes. To avoid such conditions, and bring the outcomes of the meeting do the following: 1. Find Your Ecosystem: Utilize a suite of tools that fit your team's needs. This could include project management platforms, instant messaging apps, or collaborative whiteboarding tools. 2. Keep Everyone Informed: Regularly share product updates, roadmaps, and key metrics through the chosen channels. 3. Open the Feedback Channels: Don't be afraid to use surveys, virtual suggestion boxes, or dedicated feedback sessions to gather stakeholder input.

This is always a challenging situation because what works for Stakeholder A may not work for Stakeholder B. In my experience, I leverage video conferencing for face-to-face interactions, collaborate via project management tools like Jira, Asana or Trello, and maintain regular updates through email, Slack and coffee meet ups. Clear, consistent communication fosters trust and collaboration despite remote settings.

Transparency in communication to all the relevant stakeholders is critical in virtual environments. It builds trust and respect to the stakeholders. Regular updates keeps the team aligned and an opportunity to provide feedback which can be an invaluable inputs for product improvements.

Keep stakeholders informed with regular updates on project progress, milestones, and any relevant developments. Schedule recurring meetings or send out periodic emails to provide status updates, address concerns, and gather feedback. Use project management tools like Asana or Trello to track progress and share updates in real-time. Tailor the frequency and format of updates to meet the needs and preferences of stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

In remote product management, regular updates are essential for maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. ???? Whether through weekly newsletters, progress reports, or interactive dashboards, keeping stakeholders informed fosters transparency and trust. By providing a platform for feedback, these updates demonstrate a commitment to collaboration and value stakeholder input in driving the product's success. ?? #RemoteWork #StakeholderManagement #Transparency

I think regular updates are essential to building a stronger relationship with your stakeholders, but you'll need to develop a format that works for everyone. Building a single source of truth and sharing it with all stakeholders is very important. It's vital for a Product Manager to communicate the following: 1-> Metrics, if the product/project is reaching the KPIs. 2-> Timeline progress (Start and End Dates) 3-> Have a field where you can write and place dates related to each update. 4-> Owner of the product/project. 5-> Responsible area. Just to remind you, transparency in communication is paramount, but you must build it in a format that will truly help your relationship with your stakeholders, mainly in remote environments.

Just like any engagement strategy, being regular in your engagement builds trust . Another important tip is follow up. Stakeholders will not remember or chase you for the follow ups/ clarification they request during their feedback. Proactively following up of their request even if small builds further trust .

The human aspect of stakeholder management cannot be overstated. Stakeholders, at the end of the day, are people with their own emotions, interests, and concerns. It's crucial to remember that building genuine relationships based on understanding can significantly impact project success. I've seen many junior and mid-PMs hinder their progress by placing stakeholders on a pedestal, almost viewing them as unapproachable figures. While it's important to maintain a level of professional decorum, finding the right balance in personal communication is key. Engaging with them on a human level can foster a more collaborative and supportive environment. After all, effective stakeholder management is about connection, not just communication.

Engaging stakeholders on a personal level is like watering a plant - it nurtures growth and connection. Imagine reaching out to a stakeholder not just as a project contributor, but as a valued individual with unique insights. A simple message or a virtual coffee chat can create a bond beyond emails, unveiling perspectives and concerns that shape projects profoundly. It's about caring, listening, and building relationships that bloom with understanding and collaboration.

Trust breeds trust. Like most important things, trust is a simple concept with three simple ingredients: credibility, authenticity, and empathy. When teams get these ingredients right, mutual respect builds trust and trust unlocks hidden potential. One key ingredient is “authenticity.” And while one can convey authenticity over a zoom call, nothing is quite as authentic as actually meeting your team members in real life where organic relationships can build over a coffee, a dinner, a hallway conversation. So whenever you get a chance, take advantage of or even manufacture opportunities to meet in person. These moments enable more “authentic” connections and accelerate the trust building process to unlock the team’s hidden potential.

Personal outreach can make a significant difference in building strong stakeholder relationships. Take the time to connect with stakeholders on an individual level through personalized emails, phone calls, or video meetings. Show genuine interest in their perspectives, concerns, and goals, and actively listen to their feedback. Offer support and assistance tailored to their needs, and demonstrate empathy and understanding. By investing in personal relationships, you can foster trust, collaboration, and mutual respect, leading to more productive and successful partnerships.

Personal outreach is probably the most important aspect in building & strengthening stakeholder relationships. A quick virtual coffee catchup, a personalized email or message helps in empathizing with their perspectives, priorities, pain points & agenda. This is especially crucial while working for matrix organizations with multiple power centers and bureaucracy. It helps in pre alignment, building trust and develop meaningful relationships. This also aids in eliminating any ambiguities and irons out frictions on big forums.

Establish clear feedback loops to gather input from stakeholders throughout the product development lifecycle. Encourage open communication and actively solicit feedback on features, user experience, and priorities. Incorporating stakeholder input demonstrates responsiveness and strengthens their sense of ownership in the project.

Establish feedback loops to facilitate continuous improvement and collaboration with stakeholders. Encourage open communication channels where stakeholders can provide feedback on project progress, deliverables, and processes. Use surveys, feedback forms, or dedicated feedback sessions to gather insights and suggestions from stakeholders. Actively listen to their input, address any concerns or issues raised, and incorporate valuable feedback into future decisions and actions. By fostering a culture of feedback, you create opportunities for learning, growth, and alignment, ultimately driving better outcomes for the project and strengthening stakeholder relationships.

Feedback loops are vital for ensuring continuous improvement and strengthening stakeholder relationships, especially in remote settings. ?? By encouraging stakeholders to share their thoughts and opinions through surveys, virtual suggestion boxes, or dedicated feedback sessions, you create an environment of collaboration and transparency. ??? It's crucial to not only gather this feedback but also to act on it where appropriate. ??? By demonstrating that their input is valued and acted upon, you reinforce trust and engagement among stakeholders. ?? #FeedbackLoop #StakeholderEngagement #ContinuousImprovement

Cultural sensitivity is crucial, especially in remote work environments where teams span different time zones and cultures. ?? When scheduling meetings or setting deadlines, be mindful of cultural differences and respectful of local customs and holidays. ?? Flexibility is key; adapt your approach to accommodate diverse perspectives and working styles. By demonstrating cultural sensitivity, you foster an inclusive environment where stakeholders feel respected and valued, strengthening your global network. ?? #CulturalSensitivity #RemoteWork #Inclusion

Strengthening remote stakeholder relationships requires more than just work talk. Dedicate time to build personal rapport and trust. Small gestures like celebrating wins together and showing genuine interest go a long way in fostering strong connections.

The most important thing to consider is how does your request benefit / add value to their work. A clear understanding of this will make feedback loops and negotiation much simpler.

Reach out to the various stakeholders to see what their needs and goals are along with their biggest challenges. Acknowledge that you understand them and see what can be done to support them through your own initiatives.