Baraa Bilal
Senior Product Manager
It's always fun talking with Baraa. He gives actionable items to the point which helps me with my career progressing.
Bio
As a product manager with over 6 years of comprehensive experience in both product management and design, I have a proven track record of driving innovation and strategic product development. My journey at ChalkTalk, based in Amman, Jordan, has been marked by the successful launch of a teacher-focused SaaS product that significantly streamlined the preparation process for over 4,000 educators, saving them an average of 50 hours per school year. This not only addressed a critical pain point but also played a pivotal role in the product's go-to-market strategy, contributing to a notable increase in sales and market penetration. My approach combines deep market analysis, customer feedback, and agile methodologies to ensure products meet and exceed market demands and customer expectations. My technical background, underscored by an MBA and a Bachelor of Computer Science from the American University of Beirut, has equipped me with a robust toolkit including Python, R, SQL, and cloud computing, alongside expertise in web development and machine learning. This foundation enables me to lead cross-functional teams effectively, oversee the product development lifecycle, and implement data-driven strategies for growth and optimization. My experience in UI/UX design, including usability research and user testing, further complements my ability to create intuitive, user-centered products that engage and retain customers.
Expertise
Career guidance
As an "Accidental Product Manager"—a term also popularized through a book title—I navigated the complexities of building and managing products without direct guidance or a traditional pathway into product management. This unique journey has equipped me with invaluable insights and a wealth of practical experience. Today, I want to share my knowledge on career development for product managers and provide guidance for those looking to transition into a product management career.
Design / UX
I began my career as a UI/UX designer, a role I held for three years. During this time, my focus was on creating unique user experiences and addressing user needs effectively.
Idea validation
Many of us have ideas that could be worth billions, but only a few succeed. Let's focus on validating your billion-dollar idea without bias. I've learned a lot about validation through my own product launches before even building an MVP.
Product management
I'm a product manager with a comprehensive background, blending over 6 years of experience in product management, design, and technical skills focused on data
Toolkit
JIRA
9 years of experienceWithin my role as a product manager, I have extensively utilized Jira to streamline project management processes, enhance team collaboration, and track the progress of product development cycles. My proficiency with Jira has been instrumental in managing backlogs, prioritizing tasks, and ensuring that our cross-functional teams remain aligned with project goals and deadlines.