Micro-Interview: Kostantin Stambolov, Head of Product | Juicer.io
💬"At its core, product management is connecting businesses that provide value with customers who see that value and are willing to pay for it."
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Kosta is the Head of Product at Juicer.io, a B2B SaaS platform for aggregation, moderation, and analysis of social media content.
As a member of the saas.group family, Juicer embraces a product-led growth mindset, serving businesses of all sizes by helping them leverage social media for their advantage.
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?”
My path to product management wasn't planned; it just happened. Starting off as a designer when the internet was still young, I worked on early products that now millions rely on every day. The role of 'product manager' wasn't even on most people's radars back then.
As I watched the tech industry grow, I grew with it, naturally facing the kinds of challenges that lacked textbook solutions but were crucial to tackle. My career was shaped by real-life lessons on user needs and the goals of the businesses I worked with.
Building and growing products, and businesses respectively, has become a part of who I am.
“How do you start your mornings at work?”
1. My calendar is the blueprint for my day, setting my priorities and attention.
2. I analyze data and trends in our product-led growth journey and business performance to ensure we're headed in the right direction and maintaining the right speed.
“What do you know about product management now that you wish you’d known when you first started?”
Real impact is measured by achieved and validated outcomes, not just by planned strategies.
The business has targets to hit, and so do our customers. Our role in product management is to bridge that gap, making sure both sides reach their goals with as little friction as possible.
“What did your biggest product failure teach you?”
Set hard limits and recognize when it's time to move on.
Holding onto a product that isn't working just because you're attached to it is a mistake. We learned this the hard way by spending over six months clinging to a product that was holding us back, causing stress, and draining our team's time and energy.
“What’s the #1 thing that has helped you shorten your product management learning curve?”
At its core, product management is connecting businesses that provide value with customers who see that value and are willing to pay for it. This exchange keeps the cycle going, benefiting both the business and its customers.
To apply this principle, I’ve adapted a straightforward four-question framework:
1. Who are we serving?
2. Why are we serving them?
3. What value does our product or service provide to our customers?
4. How does providing this value benefit the business?
This framework keeps the focus clear and ensures that our product strategy aligns with both customer needs and business goals.
“How do you stay updated on the best practices in product management?”
From what has worked for me — limit yourself to just three sources to learn from. With so many voices in the landscape, focusing on a select few can truly enhance your product skills and broaden your perspective.
Here's where I get my insights:
· Reforge, for in-depth strategies.
· Lenny's Podcast, for the latest in tech and business.
· Selected thought leaders on LinkedIn for diverse perspectives – some cherry-picks: Kyle Poyar, Elena Verna, Paweł Huryn
I aim to gain a more in-depth understanding and focus on applying new lessons daily until they become an integral part of my toolkit. I've found that it's this kind of concentrated effort that significantly enhances my expertise over time.