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Digital Product Designer | Crafting Engaging Digital User Experiences | UX Researcher
It’s funny how I did it scared but someone learnt from me😅. As an introvert, speaking to people isn’t my strong point at all. But with my role as a product designer, I have found myself speaking to users, designers, devs… pretty much stakeholders. Having to pitch myself to some, understanding painpoints, gathering insights or conducting workshops 😮💨😮💨 I remember having to lead research efforts at Akoma Health. Interesting days but some days, I prayed the user didn’t show up👀.. cause I mean, I was nervous to my bones.. But with great support from Emma Unuode It was just easy. Her enthusiasm was my motivation.. “So Queennette, how about we ask {insert user’s name} xyz”.. “Oh, that’s an interesting answer, I’m curious to know xyz”.. Every user interviews felt like a friendly conversation, my anxiety left the room immediately Emma showed up😅 Working with Emma Unuode was such a delight. I felt more at ease everytime I had to lead an effort cause I knew Emma was always ready to support. While I shared the ropes on user research e.g asking open-ended questions, paying attention to non-verbal cues etc, she unknowingly kept me motivated and less anxious about speaking. Now, I can say if I need to speak to 100 users, I won’t flinch or stutter😅Also, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked with the great people at Akoma Health, leading user experience efforts and solving problems. P.S Read Emma’s post to get a glimpse of how we led user research efforts that enabled us gather insights which informed a subscription model we needed to implement. Moral Lesson: ✔️JUST DO IT {SCARED}, SOMEONE IS WATCHING AND POSSIBLY LEARNING.😊
Product Manager| Digital Health | Data | Championing Diversity in Tech| RTC UK Ambassador | Next Tech Girls Mentor|
I know someone who does more research than the FBI... I never thought I’d enjoy research, until I met Ogochukwu Nduka, a.k.a. madam FBI 😂. Her meticulous, detail-obsessed approach to research, whether for work or even planning a birthday party, was unmatched. Anytime I casually mentioned needing information, she'd dive in headfirst. “As a PM, you'll spend most of your time researching,” she used to say, and wow, was she right. Then came my time at Akoma Health, working with Queennette Onyekachi, who sealed the deal on my newfound passion for research. I remember tackling my first market research project as a PM with her: The launch of our subscription model when we considered expanding from a pay-as-you-go model. Step 1 - Understanding Our Audience. I began by listening to our users, everyone from individual clients to HR leaders and HMO partners. Queenette taught me that beyond structured interviews, real insights come from open-ended chats. Questions like, “What would continuous mental health support mean to you?” uncovered a clear need for ongoing care. These discussions laid the foundation for our model. Step 2 - Analyzing Competitors I downloaded a plethora of mental health apps and mapped out services from direct and indirect competitors to understand how our proposed subscription service would compete within the existing landscape. It became clear that there was an opportunity we could address. Step 3: Researching Trends and Data With these qualitative insights, I dove into broader data, industry reports(both globally and locally), telehealth adoption stats, and social media chatter. The post-pandemic world had accelerated the adoption of digital health solutions, demand for continuous mental health support surged, aligning perfectly with our vision. Step 4: Validating Assumptions Finally, with a clearer understanding of the market, we piloted the subscription model with a select group to observe integration and usage. The results? ongoing support led to better outcomes when therapy wasn't just a one-off event, affirming that this model was both needed and scalable. This journey was a lesson in listening, iterating, and aligning with user needs. It showed that effective research isn't just a process; it's about understanding the people you aim to serve. Thanks to Ogochukwu and Queennette I found my love for research, a crucial skill that helps me better serve users and navigate the market with confidence. P:S This is Ogochukwu, and I at her brother's wedding. She is real, she is not an AI Chatbot 😜 #LifeOfAProductManager #PMWomen #MarketResearch #pmwomenshubchallenge #ProductManagementChallenge Better late than never right? Day 3 of 30 of PM Women's Hub challenge - How Do you Conduct Market Research?
/amplified introvert/ np. Silent screams from a whispering bullhorn. An oxymoron.
1moYour experience is inspiring. It's great to see how you've grown in your role as a product designer. How has overcoming your fear of speaking impacted your design process?