Lessons from an overcomer
In 2024, I was privileged to lead complex integrations with 4 Telecommunication providers (Telcos) across Africa. 2024 was indeed a year of expansion and growth. I hope it was amazing for you as well!
👋 Hey, it’s Valentine. Thank you for an awesome 2024.Thank you for reading my articles throughout the year. I hope they were helpful 2025 promises to be an even better year.
Here are 3 things you can expect in 2025:
Podcast launch: We will be bringing in product leaders weekly to share their experiences
Weekly 1:1 guidance sessions: We will be resuming the weekly 1:1 mentorship sessions for only subscribers.
Free resume Review: We will be resuming free resume review sessions for only subscribers.
If you’re not a subscriber, here’s what you missed previously:
Get Solutions to 7 popular PM interview questions using frameworks from PMs at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon PMs.
Use discount code i2s85yu today only to get a 50 % discount. Limited to 5 customers only
PM Interview case studies: This helps you answer Product management case studies. Get 4 case studies I submitted to hiring managers got me offers from different companies.
Use discount code i2s85yu today only to get a 50 % discount. Limited to 5 customers only
Free resources (worth at least 3500$) that helped me transition from customer success to Product Management (liked by 500+ people
Sample resume used by PMs to land a Microsoft offer. (Liked by 2000+ people)
For context, Telecommunication providers (Telcos) power internet and voice communication around the world. The Telecommunication providers I led integrations with were across West and East Africa, spanning countries like South Africa, Tanzania, and Nigeria just to mention a few.
Here are my top 5 lessons from leading complex integrations with Telcos. This will be useful for young PMs or PMs looking to get better at managing complex integrations.
1. Build relationships early
2. Agree on a scope beforehand
3. Keep stakeholders aligned
4. Product Launching is only stage 1.
5. Iterate! Iterate Iterate!
Let’s deep dive.
1. Build Relationships early:
As a PM leading the integration, one of the most important tasks is forging a good relationship with the partner as quickly as possible. Relationships will be useful when there are blockers during or after the integration. This will save you a lot of stress later on.
2. Agree on an MVP scope early:
Telcos have a lot of products and use cases. Align internally and externally on an MVP that will contain the most important flows and still solve the customer problems. Ensure you have sign off from internally and externally before the integration
3. Keep your stakeholders informed and aligned regularly:
Internal stakeholders are one of the most important partners in the process. Identify stakeholders who need to be aligned and those who need to be kept informed. Regularly update them on blockers and milestones reached using their most preferred medium
4. Product launch is just the beginning:
The product launch is just the first step. The end goal is to solve customer problems and generate revenue for the company. Regularly review product metrics to identify opportunities for improvement
5. Iterate iterate iterate:
Ensure adequate tracking is set up before the launch. Leveraging data and customer feedback, innovate and optimize the flows to generate maximum impact.
Lastly, it gets better with practice. Don't beat yourself when you make mistakes. Learn from your mistakes and improve.
I'm taking these blessings to launch better products in 2025. I hope this helps a PM out there.
Happy new year in advance and see you in 2025❤️ !
PS: I want to hear about your 2024. Send me a message or leave a comment. Also, let me know other aspects or areas you would like to learn more about in the comments
👋 Hey, it’s Valentine. Thank you for an awesome 2024. For reading my articles throughout the year. 2025 promises to be an even better year.
Here are some things you can expect in 2025:
Podcast launch: We will be bringing in product leaders weekly to share their experiences
Weekly 1:1 guidance sessions: We will be resuming the weekly 1:1 mentorship sessions for subscribers.
Free resume Review: We will be resuming free resume review sessions for subscribers.
If you’re not a subscriber, here’s what you missed previously:
Get Solutions to 7 popular PM interview questions using frameworks from PMs at Google, Microsoft, and Amazon PMs.
Use discount code i2s85yu today only to get a 50 % discount. Limited to 5 customers only
PM Interview case studies: This helps you answer Product management case studies. Get 4 case studies I submitted to hiring managers got me offers from different companies.
Use discount code i2s85yu today only to get a 50 % discount. Limited to 5 customers only
Free resources (worth at least 3500$) that helped me transition from customer success to Product Management (liked by 500+ people
Sample resume used by PMs to land a Microsoft offer. (Liked by 2000+ people)
PS: I want to hear about your 2024. Send me a message or leave a comment. Also let me know other aspects or areas you would like to learn more about in the comments