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Addy, Head of Product at Independent Consultant: Advize Career Interview
A dynamic career path, starting from a post-graduation role in litigation to a Head of Product at an independent consultant firm, is detailed by Addy.
A journey marked by curiosity and a passion for improving customer experiences, Addy's career highlights roles at prominent financial institutions, culminating in digital product management expertise.
The interview reveals the multifaceted nature of Addy's work, encompassing early-stage startup guidance to later-stage strategic planning, collaborative teamwork, and constant adaptation.
Success, Addy emphasizes, hinges on active listening, collaboration, effective communication, and finding mentors.
Students learn of the importance of a growth mindset, adaptability, and the value of diverse experiences, even if initially outside of the target career field.
Addy's personal journey—navigating male-dominated industries and advocating for diversity—provides inspiration and practical advice, demonstrating that a self-reliant attitude and a focus on continuous learning are key to a fulfilling career in product management.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Addy Spiller
Head of Product
Independent Consultant
UC Berkeley
MBA from NYU Stern School of Business
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Economics
Technology
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
Scholarship Recipient
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Career Path of a Head of Product as an Independent Consultant
Addy's career journey, beginning with a post-graduation role at a litigation firm, unexpectedly led them to business school after realizing "large companies should be trying to do better." Subsequent roles at Smith Barney, Citibank, and within Citi's venture capital and FinTech divisions, culminating in digital product management, showcase a dynamic career path driven by curiosity, a willingness to "try new things," and a passion for improving customer experiences.
Main Responsibilities Of A Head Of Product As An Independent Consultant
Addy's 15 years in financial services, including a recent Head of Digital Product role at Orca Finance, informs their current work supporting impact-driven startups as a fractional Head of Digital Product. Responsibilities vary by startup stage, ranging from early-stage guidance on "finding product market fit" and building "minimum viable products" to later-stage strategic work like "building out product roadmaps" and collaborating with designers and engineers on product enhancements.
A Day in the Life of a Head of Product as an Independent Consultant
A digital product manager's day is "every day different," but consistently involves competitive analysis, data analysis to understand customer behavior, and extensive collaboration with various teams—"talking to sales team, operations team"—to improve the user experience for both customers and internal users. This collaborative aspect is highlighted as "the most fun part" of the job.
Most Important Skills for a Head of Product as an Independent Consultant
Addy, a Head of Product, emphasizes three crucial skills: "listening" to understand customer and team needs to prioritize feature development, "collaboration" across all teams (engineering, design, sales, etc.) to build the best products, and effective "communication" tailored to each audience—verbally, visually, or in writing. This multifaceted approach highlights the importance of interpersonal skills and inclusive teamwork in product management.
Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Product as an Independent Consultant
Addy, a Head of Product at an independent consultant, thrives on the "ambiguity" and fast-paced challenges of working with startups, where actions have immediate and tangible consequences. The opportunity to build impactful products that directly improve customers' lives is a key motivator, adding meaning and fulfillment to their career.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Head of Product at a Small Startup
Addy's biggest challenge as Head of Product at a small startup is the lack of a singular role, requiring constant adaptation; this experience, however, proved "the most rewarding," allowing Addy to gain diverse insights by "putting [themself] in the shoes" of other teams, ultimately improving product development by directly experiencing pain points and prioritizing features more effectively.
Favorite Parts of Working in FinTech as an Independent Head of Product
Addy, a Head of Product, finds the FinTech industry exciting due to the "intersection of money, technology and expectations," allowing for innovation impacting customer lives, while their recent work in impact-driven startups focuses on building products that "make a difference in this world" by helping people during challenging times.
Who Thrives in the Tech Industry, According to a Head of Product and Independent Consultant
Addy, a Head of Product at Independent Consultant, identifies "nimble, hardworking, humble, accountable, and curious" individuals as those who thrive in the industry. This highlights the value placed on adaptability, strong work ethic, and a growth mindset in this demanding career field.
What A Head Of Product As An Independent Consultant Wishes They Had Known Before Entering Product Management
Addy, a Head of Product, reflects that the digital product management field didn't exist in its current form early in their career, making prior advice impossible; Addy believes their prior experiences made them a "much more effective product manager" by fostering a mindset of "figuring it out as you experience it".
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Product Managers
While junior product manager roles exist, Addy, a Head of Product, suggests a different entry path for undergraduates; gaining experience in operations, customer service, engineering, or design first allows one to approach product management "in a much more holistic way," bringing valuable skills and perspective to the role.
Significant Career Lesson From a Head of Product as an Independent Consultant
Addy's most significant career lesson involved finding mentors or sponsors who provided crucial support and encouragement; this allowed Addy to overcome challenges like public speaking, "getting past that moment of anxiety or fear," by providing opportunities and feedback, ultimately leading to significant professional growth.
College Experiences Helping A Head Of Product As An Independent Consultant Succeed
Addy, Head of Product at Independent Consultant, credits their time at Cal, where "we had to figure out what we wanted to do and then figure out how to get it done," as key to career success. This self-reliance and problem-solving skill, developed during undergraduate studies, is a valuable asset in their professional life.
How Identity Has Influenced a Head of Product's Career as an Independent Consultant
Early in their career in male-dominated financial services, Addy actively countered being "overlooked or even talked down to" by "taking up space," ensuring their voice was heard, and demonstrating value. This experience shaped their career choices, leading them to prioritize organizations that value diversity of thought and encourage questioning, not just agreement, as Addy explicitly states, "I make sure to join the latter organizations".
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