Chief Product Officer at Patricia, Oluwaseun Odusanya has given insight into what it takes to work as a product manager at Patricia, a leading native crypto exchange in Nigeria.

He advised product managers to embrace failure: “By taking calculated risks and experimenting, I have learned that it can be more valuable than playing it safe.

Although failure can be difficult, it can open up new possibilities and lead to positive outcomes. Risks can inspire creativity and drive us to strive for better. Failure can also be a learning opportunity that helps us grow and succeed.

“Technical and soft skills are also crucial for a successful product manager, even more than a formal qualification. Product managers must be able to lead teams, collaborate and communicate effectively. These skills set them apart and help them manage projects successfully.

“Manager must also invest in innovation; to stay ahead of the competition, it’s essential for a product manager to be innovative and forward-thinking. This requires an open-minded approach to finding creative solutions and exploring new technologies. Encouraging team members to share their ideas and collaborating can result in innovative solutions.

“Another lesson to learn is market research because the ultimate goal is to develop a successful product that stands out from the competition. Thorough market research is essential to understand the target audience and their needs, preferences, and current industry trends. Identifying potential competitors, and product weaknesses, and addressing them is crucial for success.

“When setting expectations and outcomes, all stakeholders must be considered. Realistic expectations that are achievable and measurable result in a successful outcome for all parties. Setting unrealistic expectations leads to disappointment and frustration.

“Customer-focused is another aspect, as the saying goes, the customer is always right, and it’s essential to understand their needs and build a product accordingly. At Patricia, my priority as the first product manager was to make the platform easy to use and user-friendly. The straightforward design and simple navigation contributed to its success and the rapid growth of the user base.

“Hard work and effective leadership skills drove the growth of Patricia, leading to my promotion from a senior product manager to the head of product and finally, the Chief Product Officer. Success is the result of hard work and dedication.