The Art of Effective Communication in Product Management
Gabrielle Charnoff, VP of Product at JOKR, a grocery delivery app, has mastered the art of communication in product management. As the first product hire, she bridged the gap between engineering teams across the globe, ensuring a seamless user experience. In our conversation, Gabrielle shares her strategies for managing change, establishing compassionate communication, and maintaining operational consistency.
The Importance of Communication During Acquisitions
When JOKR acquired Daki, a Brazilian company with a similar business model, Gabrielle knew that effective communication was crucial. She emphasized the need for clarity on expectations and requirements during implementation, ensuring all stakeholders were on the same page. Gabrielle also recognized the emotional impact of change on teams, acknowledging the value of their hard work and the importance of sensitivity during the migration process.
Breaking into New Markets
To successfully enter new markets, Gabrielle worked closely with the design team in Brazil to understand local expectations and integrate necessary features. She prioritized user experience studies, friends-and-family testing, and feedback collection to ensure a smooth rollout. By involving stakeholders and aligning management expectations, Gabrielle minimized potential issues and ensured a successful launch.
Stakeholder Management and Trust
Gabrielle believes that trust and open communication are essential for stakeholder management. She worked with a diverse team of VPs of engineering, each with their own process, to ensure that the team’s needs were met. By being flexible and adapting to different workflows, Gabrielle fostered a collaborative environment and maintained trust among her teams.
Building a Product Function from Scratch
As the first product hire, Gabrielle faced the challenge of building a team from scratch. She focused on hiring strong VPs who could manage their own teams and prioritized people over location. Gabrielle also established processes for communicating releases and built relationships with stakeholders in each country.
Listening as a Component of Success
Gabrielle attributes her success to listening. She approaches product management with humility, recognizing the importance of balancing stakeholder input and prioritizing tasks based on practical constraints. By listening to her teams, customers, and data, Gabrielle makes informed decisions that drive business growth.
Proud Accomplishments
Gabrielle is proud of her team’s accomplishments, including the recognition of their tech stack by a third-party company. This achievement is a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication to building a valuable product.
By following Gabrielle’s lead, product managers can learn the importance of effective communication, stakeholder management, and listening in driving business success.