Hey there Croners! Here’s a brand new column covering SaaS Products, and more specifically, how to build a product that people love.
Everyone, at some point in their lives, has had an incredible idea: but how does that turn into a product? We’ve asked some experts in design and product development and founders to bring their own experience and knowledge to you.
In this episode, we have Giovanni Di Fonzo, product manager at Contents.com talking about his experience and impact of AI on his job.
SaaS Genius: Giovanni Di Fonzo
Hi Giovanni! Let’s start with a quick warm-up: 5 words to describe yourself.
Can you give us a short overview of your career so far?
My career began as a no-code software content developer, specializing in Microsoft tools like SharePoint and Power BI.
Afterwards, I transitioned into IT Product Management, focusing on deeply understanding of business processes and researching IT products in the market to enhance them.
This experience provided me with an initial insight into the world of corporate products and the relevant market.
Following a brief period as a Project Manager, where I was responsible for overseeing company projects and managing resources, I decided to fully dedicate myself to product management and development.
I have since been focused on the entire lifecycle, from the conception of an idea to its practical implementation, ensuring that I oversee every phase to guarantee the project’s success.
What’s the most exciting part of your job as a Product Manager?
The most exciting part of working as a Product Manager is the opportunity to lead the development of products that solve real problems for users. I am thrilled by the chance to work closely with interdisciplinary teams, from engineering to design, and to turn ideas into concrete solutions.
Seeing a product take shape, receiving user feedback, and iterating to continuously improve it is a stimulating challenge that motivates me every day.
Additionally, creating a brand new solution means guiding its evolution, ensuring it continues to meet the needs of users and stays relevant in a rapidly changing market.
I also enjoy the strategic aspect of the role, where I can contribute to the long-term vision of the product and the impact it can have on the market.
How do you manage to align vision with company goals and product development?
Aligning the company vision with product goals and development is a critical task for a Product Manager. This process begins with a deep understanding of the company’s vision, mission, and long-term strategic goals.
With this foundation, the Product Manager can define product goals that not only support the company’s growth but also contribute to its long-term success. Cross-functional collaboration is vital in this alignment process. By working closely with executive teams, marketing, sales, engineering, and design, a Product Manager ensures that everyone shares the same vision and goals.
Transparent and continuous communication across these teams helps maintain alignment as the business evolves.
A key tool in this process is the product roadmap, which should reflect both the company’s vision and the specific goals of the product. This roadmap needs to be adaptable, evolving as market conditions and business priorities change.
Finally, when developing new features, it’s important to prioritize those that will have the most significant impact on the company’s overall objectives. Prioritization frameworks like RICE (Reach, Impact, Confidence, Effort) are valuable for making informed decisions that align product development with the broader company vision.
What’s the impact of AI on your job?
AI significantly impacts Product Managers by improving decision-making through data analysis, enabling granular user experience personalization, and automating various processes.
It fosters innovation by identifying market needs and testing prototypes, enhances customer intelligence, optimizes pricing strategies, and aids in risk management.
AI also supports continuous product development, allowing for faster updates based on real-time feedback. Overall, AI boosts both operational efficiency and the ability to innovate, helping Product Managers create products that better meet market demands.
What would you suggest to someone who wants to become a Product manager?
If I were to give advice to someone looking to start a career as a Product Manager, I would first suggest cultivating curiosity: it’s essential to never stop learning, exploring new ideas, and deeply understanding user needs.
Passion, on the other hand, is what will motivate you to overcome challenges and push yourself further, even in the most difficult moments.
Start by getting to know the market, and its trends, and study existing products thoroughly. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even those that seem obvious; often, the answers to these questions lead to important insights.
Additionally, developing the ability to listen: being able to listen to feedback from users, colleagues, and the market is one of the most valuable skills in this role. Also, don’t forget to maintain a long-term vision.
A good Product Manager must be able to balance immediate needs with future strategy, always keeping an eye on the horizon.
Remember, as Steve Jobs said, “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
Last one: what were your past, and what are current and future challenges?
In the past, I faced the challenge of modernizing the intranet product and corporate software, rethinking information flows and optimizing business processes to improve operational efficiency.
Today, I focus on developing innovative products by leveraging artificial intelligence, aiming to apply this technology in a concrete way to enhance work processes.
In the future, I anticipate the challenge of designing and simplifying cutting-edge products, staying up to date with technological evolution, and translating these innovations into practical and implementable solutions.
