Micro-Interview: Slav Karaslavov, Group PM | Ocado Technology
💬 "be prepared to be always challenged for your decisions"
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Slav Karaslavov is a Group Product Manager at Ocado Technology, changing how the world shops for good.
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!
“How did you get into product management?”
I was a Project Manager for 6 years, and one day, an ex-colleague called me and said: “Hey Slav, are you looking for a new challenge? We are looking for a Product Owner, and I think you will be great for this position”. I was thinking at that moment: “Hmmm, interesting, what does a Product Owner do?” 😀 I read some articles and watched some videos on the topic, and since Project Management was no longer a challenge for me, I decided to dive deep and try it out 😊. They liked me, and this is how, for a day, I became a PO of 4 to 5 teams on a software product providing web components for software apps.
“How do you start your mornings at work?”
I usually wake up around 7:30 and have breakfast with my wife and kid. After my kid goes to kindergarten, my wife and I go to the office 😊. The first thing I do there is make a coffee, socialize with colleagues, and check Slack and E-mails as I’m sipping from this magical drink 😊 Then I check all the meetings I have planned for the day and check my notes from the previous days on what I need to do, and this is how the fun part starts, dealing with all kind of topics and level of stakeholders.
Context switching is on another level when you are a GPM.
“What do you know about product management now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”
Document each decision you agree with your stakeholders and make them sign it! 😊
Be prepared to be always challenged for your decisions, and do not allow this to make you feel bad. Be ready to stop working on something if you do not see value in it, and do not get attached to ideas; they always change.
Stay flexible and be positive; things always turn out good for the people who listen and take charge of the situation.
“What did your biggest product failure teach you?”
Always be open-minded and listen to what your team is telling you. Be positive and supportive no matter the issues you face!
“What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your product management learning curve?”
All the issues and failures I had during my career. Learning through experience is the best teacher.
“How do you stay updated on the best practices in product management?”
Conferences, Videos, articles, books. I try to stay curious 👀, but to be honest, the time I have is constantly getting less 😊.