Decode and Conquer

What's the difference between Decode and Conquer vs. The Product Manager Interview? by Lewis Lin

Here’s the most commonly asked question since I released The Product Manager Interview:

Could you please tell me what the difference is between the two and if you had to pick one, what would it be?

I'm currently looking for switching my focus from product marketing to product management, and my friend recommended me to read Decode and Conquer written by you. When I searched this book, I found that you also published The Product Manager Interview recently. It says it's an ideal complement to Decode and Conquer. Could you please tell the differences between these two books? And which would be more suitable for me as a newbie?

Difference between Decode and Conquer and The Product Manager Interview

Here's my answer:

Which One Should I Get

I'd get both, because familiarity and mastery, are important objectives.

If you'd want to tip-toe your way into PM interviews, then I'd get D&C first.

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More Counterfeit Books by Lewis Lin

Last time, I covered counterfeit versions of the Product Manager Interview.

The counterfeiters are back at it again, but this time, they’re counterfeiting Decode and Conquer and selling on Amazon. Here are some photos along with some of the key differences.

(And I apologize in advance: my original copy of Decode and Conquer is well-loved. So it’s the one that’s dog-eared and has wine stains.)

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The counterfeit versions utilize bright white paper, but a legitimate copy (middle) uses cream colored paper.

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In this photo, the counterfeit is on the top, and the original is on the bottom. The original has the cream paper. The fake on top has the bright white paper. You’ll also note that the print quality is different and the fonts weren’t reproduced correctly. The counterfeit on top also has a black smudge mark that’s not appropriate for a supposedly “new” book.

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The fake book (top) doesn’t have the UPC symbol or the additional information shared in the original.

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The spine is clearly different: the fake books are shorter. The also don’t use the same fonts as the original.

You’ve probably guessed it: the front is different too. The fake ones are shorter, as I’ve mentioned before. Also, the original book is matted, but the fake books are laminated. And you can see the original has some additional text above the book title, which the fake ones do not have.

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Lastly, the back of the book is dramatically different. Yes, You see the laminate peeling off from the fake one, and the fake ones are shorter too. However, what’s most revealing is the fake ones:

  • Do not have an appropriate UPC symbol

  • The fake books have more printing discoloration, which is most evident in the author photo

  • The price is $10 more expensive at $39.99 vs. $29.99

  • And the testimonial text is shockingly different

One last tip: a sure-fire way to avoid buying counterfeit versions of my book on Amazon is to double check and purchase books sold by Amazon.com only. When purchasing, look for the Amazon.com logo.

Microsoft PM Offer: More Kudos for Decode and Conquer & The Product Manager Interview by Lewis Lin

Just got this note earlier today, and I'm excited to announce that we've got another happy reader. This time, he secured a Microsoft PM offer. 🎉 🍾 🥂

One more thing to note: the reader is absolutely correct. That is, the PM interview frameworks you'll learn from Decode & Conquer can absolutely apply in helping one become a "better product manager." So any time you spend preparing for the interview, will always be time well-spent, whether or not you get the job offer.

Have a happy Monday and conquer those interviews,

Lewis C. Lin

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