Recent survey data reveals that product management is experiencing significant growth, with lots of vacancies available. This trend shows that the role is evolving, and those securing these positions are adeptly meeting the industry’s changing demands. In this interview, Alona Dobshynska, Senior Product Manager, certified as the Scrum Product Owner, AI Product Manager articulates her view on the efficacy of product management for the company.
Alona, you have extensive experience in product management. Could you elaborate on the initial stages of your journey in this area?
Sure, I began my professional journey in 2011 after earning a Master’s degree in Business Management with a specialization in Foreign Economic Activity. My career kicked off in the banking sector, where I gained invaluable experience and insights into the financial industry. After my initial banking role, I joined Ernst & Young, one of the prestigious “Big Four” firms. My time there helped me hone my consulting skills and financial knowledge and tackle complex financial projects. Building on this experience, I transitioned into the fintech industry by joining CEX.IO, a leading cryptocurrency exchange platform. This move allowed me to leverage my expertise in business management and banking and traditional finances to drive innovation and growth in the rapidly evolving fintech sector.
How did your experience at CEX.IO in developing and launching crypto web and mobile products illustrate the critical role of product managers in overseeing digital transformation projects?
As companies embrace digital transformation, the need for skilled product managers to develop and implement digital products is on the rise. At CEX.IO, I had the chance to build and launch a sought-after crypto web product. This project not only revolutionized our offerings but also greatly enhanced our financial performance and user base. Our goal was to build an advanced interface that made crypto purchases simple and secure for users of all experience levels. We aimed to design a user-friendly interface that offered a seamless and intuitive experience for both beginners and seasoned users.
We know that upon its launch, the crypto web product exceeded all expectations, indeed leading to a significant financial boost of the company, which underscored the product’s market relevance and its ability to attract a large user base. What other advantages can you highlight?
Indeed, when it launched the crypto web product far surpassed all expectation. One of the most remarkable achievements there was a dramatic surge in customer adoption, with the user base growing to an impressive millions of users. So we can say that this product significantly contributed to mass crypto adoption by simplifying the process for users to purchase cryptocurrency as it provided an intuitive and user-friendly interface that made buying crypto accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical expertise. As a result, more people were able to easily enter the cryptocurrency market and participate in the digital economy.
Given your impressive credentials, including CSPO/Certified Scrum Product Owner Certificate, how essential do you believe continuous learning is for professionals in product management?
The field of product management is dynamic, with new tools, methodologies, and market trends emerging regularly. Continuous learning allows professionals to stay abreast of these changes, ensuring that they are familiar with the latest industry practices and can adapt their strategies accordingly.
As for me indeed I hold Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) Certificate and I successfully implemented Agile methodologies using Scrum and Kanban frameworks in three companies, driving significant improvements in project execution. These implementations led to a 50% increase in delivery efficiency, showcasing my ability to optimize processes and achieve substantial results.
In my role, I am committed to mentoring my team, nurturing successors, and training them to become professional product managers. Under my guidance, several individuals have grown into proficient product managers. I led and managed cross-functional teams of over 50 talented employees including Product Managers, Designers, Marketing and Engineering teams, by fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability, setting clear standards and expectations while empowering teams to take ownership of their respective products, as a result grew world-class product leaders. My methodologies and approaches in product management and product delivery have a direct impact on company growth and profitability. I develop digital products, launch them publicly, and generate revenue for the company through user engagement.
I constantly strive to test and improve my knowledge and skills. This ongoing effort not only helps me stay updated with the latest trends and innovations but also allows me to benchmark my capabilities against those of other professionals in the field. By participating in various competitions and challenges, I gain valuable insights and feedback that drive my personal and professional growth.
How have your experiences and connections made at the world’s leading and most renowned conferences such as the Cyprus IT Forum, iFXPro International, and Barcelona Trading Сonference influenced your career and the projects you have been involved in, particularly in terms of driving innovation and success?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the chance to attend several successful conferences where I’ve shared my expertise and showcased my products. These events have been key in expanding my professional network and advancing my projects. For instance in May 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in two notable conferences. At the Cyprus IT Forum I presented the CEX.IO Broker product I developed, receiving significant interest and positive feedback. Additionally, I attended the iFXPro International conference to find partners for a new project. Although I didn’t give a formal talk, the event was highly effective for networking.
In July 2019, at PRBTconf in Barcelona, I set up a demo stand for a product I developed. This hands-on demo allowed me to engage directly with potential partners, generating considerable interest and opening up new opportunities.
These conferences have been crucial in showcasing my work, sharing my methodologies, and building valuable industry relationships. They have significantly impacted my projects, driving innovation and success.
In what ways did your continuous learning and extensive experience in presenting and networking at conferences influence your roles in the companies and projects you were involved with?
My experience and my desire to stay updated on the latest developments in product management have greatly influenced my roles in various companies and projects. As Chief Product Officer at Baanx Group LTD, I developed an extremely successful crypto card product for web and mobile, partnering with Ledger and Mastercard. Announced at the Ledger Op3n conference, it garnered 400 thousand waitlist signups, highlighting its strong demand.
Thus, I can say that my career exemplifies the critical role of product managers in driving digital transformation and innovation for company growth. As the field of product management continues to evolve, professionals will remain essential in navigating the complexities of digital ecosystems and ensuring business success.
