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…
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… 😉…
Are Product Managers copycats?
YES we are! Good product managers wear many hats. They (we 😛 ) hunt for ideas, build strategies, keep an eye on the market & competition, while at the same time act as maestros in coordinating the orchestra of developers, marketeers, support and sales in order to build, launch and scale a product successfully. And as important as it might sound, at the end of they day we are just very good copycats! “Imagination is more important than knowledge” said Einstein, but apparently he was referring to his fellow physicists and their effort to discover new theories of our existence.…
To new Product beginnings
Want to disrupt a micro-culture and speed up implementation? And, I do not mean only in product, but generally in a business environment of an established company. Start hiring! Start hiring people that geek out when it comes to their job. These people come mostly as suggestions by people that already work for you and embrace 100% your work culture and values. You don’t have clear values in your company? Oh my, sit your butt somewhere and do yourself a favor to write them down and communicate them to your team… now! Just a hint: these values should reflect your…
Changing Domain Names Market Conditions: Product thoughts
Changing Domain Names Market Conditions: No-boring insights by CENTR community A domain name is perhaps the only thing a person can truly own online. Still, changing a bit Seth Godin’s quote to reflect our specific industry: “ People do not buy domain names and services, they buy relations, stories and magic!” So why do we still sell domains, as domains? That is a good question for us registrars, despite the fact that most of us have already spent a lot of money and resources on marketing and trying to better communicate our services. But this is our role, as the…