Product Club

Welcome to the Product Club, a vibrant community of machine learning engineers and product enthusiasts who come together to discuss the latest developments, share their knowledge and projects, and network with like-minded individuals, all while enjoying a drink. This community was founded in 2023.

Meet the Leaders

Majana is a human-centric product person with over 15 years of tech experience. Her expertise lies in empathy and building meaningful relationships at the intersection of users, brands, and machines. Specializing in understanding human needs and inefficiencies, she addresses them through AI-powered products. She is a heavy product enthusiast, the Head of Product at Mindsmiths, and the co-founder of the CroAI Product Club.

Q: Majana, what motivated the creation of the Product Club, and how has the community evolved to meet the needs of its members?

A: “The motivation actually came from my own needs and a bit of 'product solitude.' It was a strange feeling—when I started working in product a few years ago, I often felt like I was on my own. Meeting other product folks was slow because there weren’t many of us, and I really wanted to connect, share, and learn with others. Then I came across the idea of creating something like the Product Club, but it was not easy; I needed a partner. That’s when CroAI came in—they liked the idea, and something similar was already on their strategy map, so we started this journey together. But what really amazes me already is how many people the Product Club has brought together and how close we’ve become. There are more than 200 of us talking, meeting, and sharing. Imagine starting alone, not knowing if anyone would be interested, and then seeing the incredible power of our community. In moments like these, you really feel that all the effort has paid off. I’m super grateful for everyone who joined, and I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

Head of Product at Mindsmiths

Ante is passionate about the transformative potential of AI and its impact on user experiences. With deep expertise in user experience and machine learning, Ante is at the forefront of using AI to enhance product design, streamline interactions, and create personalized experiences that delight users. At EFG, Ante leads the development of cutting-edge AI products designed to improve player experience by reducing toxic behavior and promoting a positive gaming environment. Ante is one of the leaders of the CroAI Product Club.

Q: Ante, how do product managers bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders?

A: “Product managers must deeply understand why something needs to be built. This 'why' defines the problem to be solved and identifies the specific customer or user it’s intended for. This understanding enables them to effectively communicate user needs and pain points to technical teams, and the value or desired outcomes to business stakeholders. To bridge the gap between business and tech, product managers need specific skills, such as clear, transparent communication tailored to each audience, empathy in terms of understanding the challenges and motivations of both teams, and most importantly, understanding the customer and business acumen—knowing the market, customer needs, and business objectives allows you to guide the product vision effectively. These skills help product managers align technical capabilities with strategic business objectives, ensuring that both teams are working towards the same vision.”

Senior Product Manager at ESL FACEIT Group

Kruno has experience in both agency and product company settings, with a passion for building user-facing products where attention to detail and user experience are paramount. Currently at IBM iX, he helps clients develop and improve products. Previous experiences include working at Napster, where he developed the mobile experience, and Verne, focusing on the future of robotaxis. Kruno is also one of the leaders of the CroAI Product Club.

Q: Kruno, how do you see the role of the Product Club in helping members stay current with the latest product management trends?

A: “As product management evolves, not only in the way it is perceived in general but also in the way frameworks, ways of working, and all the other vast aspects of it grow and develop, the need to constantly learn and adapt becomes more and more crucial. Since we are all spread out in diverse settings and may face different challenges with the products we work on, the Product Club as a community has showcased to be a place where you could just come in, talk with like-minded individuals who may be facing the same challenges, or have already tackled them multiple times, which may help you solve your own. There are mentors, schools, and certificates, but in addition to all of that, having a community of like-minded people around you to learn, ask, question, and help seems like a great addition to all the other tools, in order to face future challenges rather than having to do it on your own.”

Senior Product Owner at IBM iX DACH

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