Inside the Mind of Innovation: A Conversation with Verbolia’s Product Manager, Aurore

Bart Verschueren

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

Welcome to our latest feature on the Verbolia blog, where we delve into the minds behind our innovative products. Today, we’re excited to present an exclusive interview with Aurore, our esteemed Product Manager. Aurore has been a pivotal force in shaping the direction of Verbolia’s product development, bringing both creativity and technical expertise to the table. In this insightful conversation, she shares her unique hobbies, the intricacies of managing a product from concept to launch, and the adaptable approach required in a dynamic tech environment. Join us as we explore the journey of a product manager in the ever-evolving world of e-commerce technology.

Q1: Could you share a hobby or passion of yours that most people might not expect a Product Manager to be interested in?

I play a lot of board games, which may seem less serious compared to the field of product management. It’s a nice way for me to spend quality time with friends and family. With the diversity of games available, there’s the perfect fit for every mood.

Q2: Can you tell us about your approach to a feature or product you’ve managed, from its inception to its launch?

We’re about to launch a new feature called merchandising. The idea originated from users’ requests for more flexibility in managing products on Verbolia pages. Initially, I discussed with Pierre-Olivier to determine our objectives. Then, I prepared the wireframes and collaborated with our designer to transform them into mockups. After hashing out the technical details with the IT team, I worked closely with the developers throughout the development phase, focusing on rigorous testing to ensure the feature functions flawlessly.

Q3: If you had to describe your approach to product management, what would it be?

My approach to product management is flexible, which is particularly important in a small company like Verbolia. We don’t adhere to a rigid roadmap, and priorities can shift from one day to the next. The evolution of new features from their initial conception to final release involves continuous adaptation, both in design and functionality.

Q4: If you could transform into a user of your own product for a day, what would you hope to experience or discover?

It would be interesting to experience our platform from an external perspective. When you’re constantly involved in its development, gaining a fresh viewpoint can be challenging. I’m curious about the user experience – is our product intuitive? Are there features that require more explanation? While creating multiple pages, I’d appreciate having numerous customization options – like arranging products to my preference and adding content effortlessly. Ultimately, I’d like to have all the necessary tools to create the perfect pages without needing to rely on the IT team.

Q5: Reflecting on your journey at Verbolia, could you share a particularly challenging moment and how you turned it into an opportunity for growth or innovation?

Introducing new features always poses a challenge. Take, for instance, our product recommendations module, developed as a standalone feature. This presented an opportunity to reimagine the overall user experience and opened doors for growth, as the module could appeal to new customers who might not have been interested in our core solution initially.

Q6: If you were to write a letter to your past self on the day you started as a Product Manager at Verbolia, what advice or words of wisdom would you include?

Keep it simple! Focus on prioritizing the end user’s core needs instead of overcomplicating things. Extra options that are not essential can end up being barely used, yet they require significant development time from the IT team. It’s more effective to concentrate on refining your main product or feature, ensuring it works perfectly and is easy for users to understand.

Our conversation with Aurore offers a rare glimpse into the multifaceted role of a Product Manager in the fast-paced world of e-commerce solutions. Her experiences at Verbolia highlight the importance of flexibility, user-centric design, and continuous innovation in the realm of product development. Aurore’s journey is a testament to the fact that behind every successful product lies a team of dedicated individuals, driven by passion and a commitment to excellence. We thank Aurore for her candid insights and look forward to seeing where her leadership and vision will take Verbolia next.