A product series with Chidi Okoye

Happy New Month to Everyone. This would be my first newsletter for the month of September. I hope August was a blast for you as it was for me ? I pray and wish the new month is even better. Welcome to your best month so far.

On today's episode, I spoke with a seasoned product manager with over 5 years of product management experience. He's currently a Product Owner at Lecturio GmbH, A German-based edtech company that provides online education and training solutions, primarily focused on the Medical, Nursing and other healthcare fields.

He has worked on product and brands like AltSchool Africa , TalentQL Inc. (Techstars '21) , Platr , Hotels.ng .

Let's meet him, shall we ?

NB: In this newsletter, you will come across acronyms like PM, PMing and other terminologies which would be used interchangeably in this article.

New Product Managers is to focus on the user above all else. Understanding your users deeply will help you make decisions that truly add value - Chidi Okoye

• Can we meet you ?? Please state your name?

??????? Hi ??, My name is Chidi Okoye

• How long have you been a? PM and how do you work at the moment as a PM ?

I’ve been a Product Manager for a little over 5 years, Damn time flies and I’m currently a Product Owner at Lecturio GmbH, A German-based edtech company that provides online education and training solutions, primarily focused on the Medical, Nursing and other healthcare fields.

• ?On a scale of 1-5 how much do you love your job ?? And why do you love it so much?

On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd rate my love for my job as a solid 5. Being a Product Owner at Lecturio is incredibly fulfilling for several reasons:

1. Global Impact: We're actively transforming Medical and Nursing education worldwide. Providing high-quality, accessible learning resources to students and educators is not just a job—it's a mission with tangible, far-reaching effects.
2. Collaborative Innovation: I thrive on the challenges of product development. Collaborating with diverse, talented teams which includes Product leaders, Engineers, Marketing specialists, Content creators, Nurses, and other medical practitioner and this allows us to come together and create solutions that truly address real user needs and in this case a learning platform for Medical and Nursing students.
3. Continuous Learning: The nature of both the ed-tech industry and medical field ensures I'm always learning and growing. This constant evolution keeps the work exciting and relevant.

The combination of making a positive impact, working with brilliant minds, and continuously expanding my own knowledge makes this role deeply satisfying. While no job is without its challenges, the opportunity to contribute to such an important field while growing professionally makes it easy to give my role a solid 5 ??.

• So people say there’s money in Tech is it true ? Does that translate to Product management??

?????Yes, it's true, there is money in tech, and this does translate to product management. Product management roles often command good compensation, especially in larger tech companies. However, salaries vary widely based on experience, location, and company size.

• ?What is one thing you don’t like about being a PM ?

Realistically, one aspect of being a Product Manager that I find challenging is the often excessive number of meetings, which can limit the time available for core product work. While collaboration and communication are crucial, the constant stream of meetings can sometimes hinder deep, focused work. I regularly block periods in my calendar specifically dedicated to deep, uninterrupted work. These Focus Time slots are sacred – I treat them as seriously as I would any other important meeting.

• Will you pick being a PM to other professions ??

Absolutely, I would choose being a Product Manager over other professions, and there's a story behind that choice.

I actually started my career as a Frontend Engineer, which gave me valuable technical insights and hands-on experience in building digital products. However, as I worked on various projects, I found myself increasingly drawn to the 'why' behind the features we were developing, the user needs we were addressing, and the overall strategy of our products.

This curiosity led me to transition into Product Management, and I've never looked back.

• As a PM? how do you manage time ?

Time Management is a very important skill for a Product Manager and for me I manage my time doing 3 things

• Time-blocking: I schedule specific blocks in my calendar for different types of work - Product prep, Release notes, wireframing etc
• 'Focus Time': I designate uninterrupted periods for deep work, treating these as non-negotiable appointments with myself.
• Approaching meetings in a Workshop mode : This enables me to gather all the information I need in a meeting to somewhat avoid constant recurring meetings.

• ?What can someone who wants to pivot into PMing do with no experience ?

For someone looking to pivot into product management without a prior experience, there are several steps I can recommend you can take:

1. Educate yourself
2. Develop relevant skills
3. Build a product mindset
4. Gain practical experience
5. Network
6. Tailor your resume and portfolio
7. Look for entry points

• What’s your advice for new PM’s starting out ?

My advice for new Product Managers is to focus on the user above all else. Understanding your users deeply will help you make decisions that truly add value. Embrace continuous learning too, because product management is a dynamic field, and staying curious will keep you ahead of the curve.

Another important thing to remember is that while focusing on users, make sure you also align with business stakeholders and goals. It's essential for you as a Product Manager to maintain a good flow between user needs and business objectives.

• ?What do you do outside of work? Hobbies or activities ?

Outside of work, I like to say I work ??… Just kidding! When I’m not working, you’ll find me in the kitchen experimenting with food—yes, I love cooking. Otherwise, I’m probably cheering on my beloved Manchester United or relaxing with a good movie on Netflix.

I am so grateful for your time Chidi Okoye , it really means alot to me and my audience. I hope someone reading this would be prepared for what to come. Thank you!

So if you are pivoting to tech and want to make a difference then join our community. If you are new to product management and looking to accelerate your career in tech? Join our growing community on Telegram, "All Things Product" (https://lnkd.in/eQjtJjEJ), to connect with experienced professionals, gain valuable insights, and access top-notch resources!

Stay tuned till next time as we feature more existing personalities who are building amazing products and doing their best work changing lives one product at a time.