Micro-Interview: Mario Vasilev | Product Lead | Imperia Online JSC | Tips on Starting in Product Management

💬 "Everything has already been done by someone else.”

Mario Vasilev is a Product Lead at Imperia Online JSC, one of the biggest game production companies in Southeastern Europe. It is part of Stillfront Group and is popular, with 30+ released games. The studio has over 70 million users worldwide and a team of 70+ professionals. The company's flagship title is Imperia Online, a medieval MMO strategy game available on mobile, browsers, social networks, and Steam.

In under 500 words, he shares:

• How he got into product management…

• How he starts his mornings for maximum productivity…

• Some of his sources of learning…

And more…

Enjoy!

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“How did you get into product management?”

My first experience with product management came during my master’s degree pursuit in Germany when I worked part-time at a Berlin-based company managing game monetization. However, I fully transitioned into product management while working in Imperia's marketing and business development team. Back then, the product team needed extra support, and since I already knew the products, their strengths, and the people in the company, it was relatively easy to step in and help out.

“How do you start your mornings at work?”

My mornings start with coffee—lots of it—which also doubles as a great time to catch up with colleagues and strengthen connections at the office. I go through newsletters and industry websites to keep up with the latest trends and news. After that, I dive into the daily KPIs since things in the gaming industry can change rapidly, even hourly. I review player feedback from various channels and interact with some to stay connected to their experiences. All of this helps me gather enough insights to share with the team during our daily stand-ups and update the action plan.

“What do you know about product management now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”

I had many amazing mentors during my early days, and I learned a lot from them.

However, the best advice I have received and still follow is that it’s all about managing expectations the right way—whether from shareholders, the team, or clients. Effective communication at every level is key.

Once you master that, everything becomes smoother, and your product has a better chance of succeeding.

“What did your biggest product failure teach you?”

No matter how prepared you are or how thorough your risk mitigation plans might be, there will always be factors beyond your control.

The key is not to panic—it’s already happened, and the world isn’t going to end. Instead, focus on creating a solid plan, clearly communicating it with the team and stakeholders, and implementing it effectively.

It’s also important to remember that you’re never alone in these situations. If you have a strong team, they will help carry the burden with you and make everything much easier to manage.

“What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your product management learning curve?”

"Everything has already been done by someone else.”

While this may sound trivial, observing what the best products are doing and understanding why they’re doing it helps a lot. Plenty of established good practices exist, and creating a great product doesn’t always require disruptive innovation. By listening, watching, and learning from what already works, you can gain valuable insights and apply them effectively.

“How do you stay updated on the best practices in product management?”

Books are essential for building a strong foundation in product management, and those by Marty Cagan are particularly valuable. Industry-specific websites are also great for staying updated with trends and best practices. Additionally, I find podcasts like Lenny’s Podcast to be a fantastic resource for practical insights and real-world advice from experienced professionals.