Monday, March 3, 2025

Product Management Feels Like Home

I was recently asked about my approach to Product Management, and the question made me pause—it was a great one. It made me reflect on what I truly enjoy about this field and why it resonates so deeply with me. Before diving into that, let’s outline the different types of Product Managers in the industry.

Types of Product Managers

  1. Technical Product Manager (TPM) – Focuses on the technical aspects of the product, working closely with engineering teams.

  2. Growth Product Manager (GPM) – Prioritizes user acquisition, retention, and revenue growth.

  3. Platform Product Manager – Manages internal platforms, APIs, and infrastructure to support multiple products.

  4. Enterprise Product Manager – Develops products for business customers with complex needs.

  5. Consumer Product Manager – Designs products for individual consumers with a focus on user experience.

  6. Data Product Manager – Uses data and analytics to drive product decisions and improvements.

  7. AI/ML Product Manager – Focuses on integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning into products.

  8. Operations Product Manager – Optimizes internal processes and efficiency using product management principles.

  9. Hardware Product Manager – Works on physical products, often integrating software and hardware.

  10. Strategic Product Manager – Focuses on long-term vision, market trends, and high-level business objectives.

Where I Fit In

I naturally gravitate toward several of these roles based on my experience, interests, and skills. Here’s why:

Technical Product Manager (TPM)

With 30 years in IT, I love diving into the technical aspects of a product. At Claimatic, I led the strategy and execution for enterprise claims automation solutions, ensuring they met both technical and business requirements. I thrive on working closely with engineers, breaking down complex systems, and ensuring that our solutions are scalable, secure, and efficient. My background in software development, cloud infrastructure, and security has helped bridge the gap between business needs and technical execution, leading to innovations such as our patented claims automation software (Patent No. 11,151,658).

Platform Product Manager

I find satisfaction in designing processes and systems that serve as the backbone for multiple products. Managing platforms and APIs excites me because it’s about building sustainable, scalable solutions. At IAS Claim Services, I spearheaded product management initiatives to develop a custom content management system that saved $1.2M annually. Similarly, at Claimatic, I optimized IT and software teams, scaling them from 5 to 30 members, significantly improving product development velocity. Creating platforms that enable teams to build better, faster, and smarter is where I thrive.

Consumer Product Manager

I genuinely enjoy talking to people, understanding their challenges, and building solutions that make a real difference in their daily lives. There's an art to listening—truly hearing what customers need, even when they don’t know how to express it themselves. At IAS Claim Services, I worked directly with over 260 clients, aligning software solutions with market needs and improving user satisfaction. Additionally, during my time at Case Design, I focused on customer product management, where I helped refine the product experience to better match customer expectations and ensure usability. Seeing a product resonate with users because it solves their pain points in unexpected ways is what makes this role so rewarding for me.

AI/ML Product Manager

The potential of AI and ML excites me because it represents the future of problem-solving. With my ML/AI for Leaders certification, I’ve been able to combine my experience in IT governance, data-driven decision-making, and product strategy to shape AI-driven initiatives. At Claimatic, I worked on leveraging AI to improve automation within claims processing, ensuring that data-driven insights helped refine decision-making. I enjoy collaborating with engineers and data scientists to turn complex machine learning models into practical, real-world applications that enhance business outcomes.

Operations Product Manager

I have an instinct for optimization—whenever I see inefficiencies, I can’t help but think, There has to be a better way. Whether it’s streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, or refining processes, I find immense satisfaction in making things run smoother. At IAS Claim Services, I automated workflows that reduced operational costs by $100K annually. Similarly, at Claimatic, I led SOC 2 compliance efforts, establishing governance frameworks to ensure security and operational excellence. I take pride in creating systems that enable teams to work more effectively, minimizing friction and maximizing productivity.

Why Product Management?

Product Management is where all my passions come together—technology, problem-solving, creativity, and human connection. It gives me the opportunity to take my years of IT experience and apply them in a way that directly impacts people’s lives. Every day, I get to tackle new challenges, collaborate with brilliant minds, and build something meaningful.

The universe led me to this world, and I’m grateful for it.

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