7 Questions with Gemma Hill, a Lead Product Manager, MENA, at Monstarlab

Tell us how you got into product strategy and management?

Like the day to day role of a product manager, my journey to becoming a Lead Product Manager with Monstarlab was far from 'typical'.?

I studied Psychology at Glasgow University with a view to work in Educational Psychology. Most of my early career was spent as an Autism Practitioner working in the inclusion space with children and young people. A few years in, I was ready to embrace something completely different, so I ventured into the 'Tech/ Digital' industry because I have always enjoyed working with people and keeping up with trends. I started as a junior project manager at a digital agency in Scotland and continued to take on a senior role during my five-year stint there.?

During my time at that agency, I had the opportunity to relocate to Dubai in 2017 for a project with a reputable property developer in the region. Opting to extend my stay, I embarked on a fresh challenge with a new company, gaining invaluable insights into the region, clients, and skills that prepared me to transition from delivery to product management.?

I began in a delivery role at Monstarlab but was soon given a chance to grow the product proposition in our Dubai office. I have always been very people-oriented, so the move into this practice to build out processes, implement tools and frameworks and grow the product team felt organic.? I’m very grateful to be surrounded by a talented group of colleagues who constantly encourage me to learn and keep improving.?

What do you love about this job/field in the digital transformation space?

I am passionate about collaborative and teamwork, which I have the privilege of doing? every day in my role. Fostering strong, positive relationships with colleagues and clients is key to understanding how people work and understanding business needs. As we move towards a more AI-driven world, the human element is something that just cannot be replaced and, I believe, will remain crucial in our role, regardless of digital transformation.?

I am also driven by curiosity and problem-solving. The role allows me to constantly ideate and move quickly to deliver value for our customers. Being in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment can be tough but it is never dull, and no two problems, clients or teams are ever the same. You are constantly challenged to remain relevant and adapt to change, which keeps me on my toes!?

What is your role as a Lead Product Manager MENA at Monstarlab?

Every day is a new exciting challenge…and opportunity.

So, first and foremost, I am responsible for my team, ensuring they are supported and set up for success.

I am ultimately responsible for cross-functional collaboration across experience, technology and delivery streams when working on projects to drive the product strategy and vision for our clients products. This typically involves wearing multiple hats to facilitate workshops, create the product strategies, analyse the customer insights, write the user stories for development, manage stakeholders, carry out research, Q&A and attend (many) meetings. It is chaos and my to-do list is never done, but you learn to prioritise pretty quickly!?

Can you discuss three ways in which Generative AI is changing creative work and processes in your field?

AI has had a far-reaching impact in product management, and it is exciting to see how the industry can transform through it.

1. Augmenting capabilities for the product manager in the workplace: The infusion of AI tools can support the acceleration of product development. For example, it can streamline internal processes, facilitate decision making and automate tasks. ChatGPT has been a game changer in assisting with developing user stories and brainstorming on product ideas and improvements.
2. Upskilling: With AI transforming the world, many organisations are now exploring how they can achieve business success using emerging tech. Product managers are in a great position to support these businesses to unlock the potential of AI and support its? integration into their products. With businesses jumping on the AI bandwagon, there is a growing demand for AI-proficient product managers. We’re seeing the role evolve and need to continually upskill to remain relevant?
3. Adapting to Change: People need to be flexible and ready to adapt to constant change in the industry. This week may not look like last week, and as the evolving AI is increasingly integrated in our products and solutions, our mindset has to evolve. We must remain curious, reassess and keep exploring and learning.?

What projects at Monstarlab that you are working on are exciting and why?

I have been heavily involved in projects within the real estate sector, supporting clients on their digital transformation journey and leading initiatives to build out their product portfolios.?

The real estate sector is constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to innovation, emerging trends and sustainability. We are seeing a huge shift in how people think about real estate and the market in general, with clients leveraging VR, AR, AI, Data & blockchain to garner interest. It is really exciting to be a part of shaping and growing this sector for our clients in this region.?

What areas for professional development would you suggest to someone in a similar role as yours and why?

I think in this role soft skills are often the most underappreciated. Many product people are skilled in their ‘craft’ and can execute a framework, methodologies and processes with ease. However, in this role, especially for leaders, communication, persuasion and negotiation skills play a crucial role in day-to-day work. So, my advice would be to always upskill in this area as a product leader. In addition to this, as the landscape is always changing with new technologies, frameworks and theories, staying relevant and continually learning is also super important to remain on top of your game.

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and why?

Teleportation! As an expat in Dubai, being away from family and friends often makes me homesick and I tend to miss out on a lot of important events. I wish I could just travel any time I yearn for home, without planes, trains and automobiles. No restrictions!