Pearson, the world's largest education company, is undergoing a global transformation of its product portfolio, strategy, and practices to put the learner at the center. The transformation faces challenges due to the company's print background, growth through acquisitions, and operations in over 70 countries. To drive the change, the company is adopting agile and lean startup practices, learning fast through innovation, and inspiring change from the top with clear vision and communication.

1. Changing A Global Product Culture

2. Craig Strong
Director Product Lifecycle Adoption
Joined Pearson Jul 13
!
Goal: Support and drive a global
transformation of the product portfolio,
strategy and product practice with the
Learner at the centre.
!
craig.strong@pearson.com
Who?

3. Worlds Largest Education Company
Worlds Largest Publisher

4. Company Overview
• Operates in over 70 Countries
• Approx. 44k Employees
• Growth through Acquisition
• Institutional Sales
• Print Background
• 170 Years Old

5. Product Challenges

6. OUR TEAM
CPMO

7. Product Lifecycle
SEARCH
EXECUTE

8. 1 Language
250+ Digital Products

9. Core Practices
!
Agile & Lean Startup

10. Learner At The Centre

11. Learn Fast & Innovate

12. • CHANGE OR DIE
Change
or die

13. What learnt have we?

14. Action, Vision &
Communication
from the Top!

15. Why ?
How ?
What ?
Inspiration Is Key!

16. Change Has A Lifecycle
SEARCH
EXECUTE

17. Celebrate And Recognise
Success To Date

18. Cults

19. Listening = Learning

20. Principles Over Process

21. Why do they listen to that
guy and not me ?

22. Shift To Outcomes
Over Outputs

23. Celebrate
Failure,
But Fail
Elegantly

24. Protect And Trust People,
Especially Early Adopters

25. Share Knowledge For All
© Dustin Wallace

26. Become Bilingual

27. Strategy & Tactics

28. Communities
Are Assets

29. What About Products?

30. Solve Customer Problems

31. GET OUT OF THE OFFICE!

32. Beware Of Projects

33. Cross-Functional
Teams Are Key

34. Hire In Priority Of
!
1. Beliefs
2. Capabilities
3. Skills

35. Search And Execution
Are Different

36. Agile & Lean
Is Not Just
For Development
Teams!

37. Be Explicit!

38. The Road Ahead

39. Questions?