China has begun educating its billions of users and potential buyers in tap payments for the first time.
3 Lessons from Navigating My First Year as a Lead Product Manager in a New Company
While I have intentionally selected a level that offers the right balance between strategic oversight and hands-on involvement, my perspective is influenced by several years of remote experience in a more senior role. Experiences can vary significantly in this field, so keep that in mind as you dive in. About Assumptions Do not assume. Do not assume that systems or people will work in expected ways, or that tools will be used in the same way. The cosmos of each company is different, people are different, and cultures are different. I am referring to a Product Manager, perhaps a Lead…
Part A: A Year of Remote Work, Slow Travel, Local Food and Apps
From the strictest COVID lockdown in the world, in Shanghai, to the mysterious underground ramen restaurants in Tokyo, last year has been a great adventure! I’ve experienced different countries, food, apps, and even a career change from product management to product marketing. So, please take some time off your phone, read this story slowly, and join me for a few laughs! March 2022 – Shanghai Down A few weeks after the Year of the Tiger started (February 1st ’22), hubby and I found ourselves locked down in our apartment in Shanghai. We had to undergo two self-tests per day and…
My product life in Shanghai, China (2022)
It’s been a bit more than a year since we moved to Shanghai in China, and life comparing to Spain, Greece and the Netherlands where I had been living in the past, is for the most part different. And while the culture, the language and the people might for some be the big differences to handle, what has dramatically changed for me is the way I interact with products and technology on a daily basis. Once you have Alipay and WeChat payment accounts, life in China becomes smooth like butter. The words “I have to go and buy…” are removed…
The story of a “bug” that was not a feature!
Working for the same company over many years has its good and bad side. On the positive side, you get to see how a small group of people grows and transforms into an amazing business endeavour. How talented individuals through collaboration and genuine caring, enable customers succeed online. Moreover, you involve with multiple roles and functions, and also you gain the confidence to unblock others with your decision making. On the other side, you get to receive many “sfaliares” (literally smacks in the face in Greek) and lose your sanity over all those non-existent processes that you so desperately need…
The beast of Envy
“Lost in the dark wilderness of the world, Dante seeks by his own power to climb a mountain robed with the rays of the rising sun, “the origin and cause of every joy” (Inferno 1.77-78). But his path uphill has been blocked by 3 beasts: a lynx, associated with lust and other sins of the flesh; a lion, associated with violence and pride; and, worst of all, a she-wolf, the beast of avarice”. To be precise envy, a wicked beast of hatred, cousin of pride. A sin to rule them all “For in truth, all other sins are at times…
To be born again
The Phoenix is the ancient history of many civilizations was a unique mythological bird with the ability to reborn from its ashes. When Phoenix’s end approached its whole body would be set on fire, and consumed by the flames it would turn into ashes. From the ashes something magical would happen, a new Phoenix would miraculously reborn, younger, stronger and prouder. New life No matter how bad things have been, no matter how dark your life might seemed or still seems, you always have a chance to start over. Sorry, my mistake: You always have a choice to start over.…
Building a new Product: Part 1
Working on a new product or project, especially in an established company or environment, can be quite chaotic! And I do not mean for the Product Manager (PM) or the involved team of developers, designers and marketeers. It can be also chaotic -or even worse totally indifferent and boring, for the CEOs and directors, the support team, the accounting department, the secretary and even the sweet cleaning lady making sure you have a wonderful work environment to be creative in. OK, probably the cleaning lady doesn’t give a dime about your product, you’re not the center of the universe… 😉…
About ego
I have already talked about that little voice in our heads that always warns us before our actions and let us know deep inside what is right and what is wrong. Let’s call that little voice, Mr Po, a brave loving warrior representing all the good of this world inside you. Mr Po carries the kindness and the innocence of a little angel warrior you have inside you since you were a child. Ego, you little… But there is another voice inside you too. In cartoons it is often represented as a little devil. In real life is nothing but…
I can’t…
How many times have you heard in life the phrase I can’t, both, from people in your environment and yourself? I may say too many. Moreover, we “clever” humans tend to use language in such a way, that the responsibility of our actions falls on someone or something else. The bus was late, there was traffic, the server was old, the glass broke, it’s the battery of my car’s fault, the weather is awful, my boss is bad, my ex was stupid… and so on. I couldn’t, I can’t, I won’t be able to… You either lazy or you don’t…