Darren Schoen’s Post

Leaving my last job and breaking out of my comfort zone was difficult, as I am the No.1 fan of familiarity. Initially, I expected a quick transition to a new role, but 6 months passed, marking an important phase of personal discovery. During this time, I learned several lessons that others starting their own journey might benefit from: * Embrace your uniqueness, (or: accept that you might not be a square, but a polygon): Realize that you are not confined to a single role or identity. We cannot go out of the box if we are the box itself, so be open to change and transformation, as you may fit into various roles and environments. * Don't settle: Life is too short to stay in places that are no longer precise for you. Embrace fear as a motivator instead of as a paralyzer, and ask yourself “what could be the worst thing that happens if I just try?” * Walk in unconventional paths and wander: Progress is not always linear. Sideways, backward, or diagonal steps can also pave your unique road and lead to growth and new experiences. * Connect with others: Seek advice, listen to stories, and learn from others’ experiences. You will be surprised how easy and helpful it is and how happy people are to help. * Believe in yourself: Instead of "faking it till you make it," focus on genuinely believing in your unique value, and not in comparing what others have that you don’t. * Accept uncertainty: Life offers no guarantees, so be open to new opportunities and experiences without clinging to specific outcomes. Jump into the water, start swimming, and aim only for the nearest “float” in the ocean, one float at a time. * Focus on essence over titles: What matters most is whether a role aligns with your passions and strengths, not just its title. Now, I'm excited to finally begin my new chapter at Payoneer 😉

🎮 Reflecting on 2023: A Year of Resilience and Evolution in Online Gaming As a Product Manager in the real-money gaming sector, I've witnessed firsthand the dynamic shifts that 2023 brought to our industry. Despite the challenges, our team at TFG has remained steadfast and innovative. 📉 This year saw an industry-wide reevaluation, as noted by an EY report projecting a slower growth rate. While some companies faced tough decisions, including layoffs, it has been a period of strategic realignment for us. 🌱 In these times, we've focused on resilience and adaptation. We're honig our product offerings, emphasising user experience and responsible gaming, ensuring we not only meet but exceed our players' expectations. 💡 As we move forward, it's clear that our industry is more than just numbers; it's about creating memorable and safe gaming experiences. The lessons of 2023 have set the stage for a more sustainable and player-centric future. 🤝 I'm proud to be part of an industry that's constantly evolving and adapting. Here's to a future where we continue to grow, innovate, and bring joy to our gaming community. #onlinegaming #resilience #innovation #gamingindustry #YearInReview2023 #productmanagement

Here’s to transforming the insurance experience in 2024…

Few folks pinged asking the secret behind our growth. In my experience so far, apart from the obvious product quality & fast iterations of improvement, customer support is probably one of the top catalysts. At Skiff, customer support is part of on-call rotation. Every engineer gets to directly interact with our users. It keeps us honest. We have SLA’s per support ticket and invested a lot in automation that enables us to respond quickly (and humanely) to most of them. Our users feel heard and that builds trust. Even if we have a bad bug, it’s the time to respond, fix and push out fast that retains the user and naturally spreads the word.

Grateful for the incredible journey at OPPO, as of this month, I bid adieu to working with an exceptional team that has been a driving force behind my growth. 🚀 Thankful for the valuable experiences, cherished memories, and unwavering support that have shaped me both personally and professionally. Now, I'm eagerly pursuing new career goals, ready to make an impact in the dynamic world. Let's stay connected as I take on new challenges and embrace exciting opportunities ahead! #NewBeginnings #ProfessionalGrowth"

Accompanied by solid implementation and support :)

Today was a difficult day. I, along with many others, was impacted by the layoffs at GUIDEcx. We poured our hearts into what we were building, and I believe it made a difference. I’m sad to leave a product that I learned to love. I’m more sad to leave colleagues who became dear, dear friends. I hope our paths cross again. You made me a better person, and a better product manager. I’m also really grateful for the opportunity that I had. They were two amazing years! I learned many things, but two that stand out: - I learned how to better understand what customers want, and then to build what they need. - I learned how to better work with engineers to execute quickly on something minimum that customers can use. Grateful for those who helped me learn those, and many other, lessons. If you need a product leader who can do those things well, and still wants to learn, I’d love to chat.

Chapter 2: READY. SET. SPRINT. I wanted to share a bit about my journey, especially my first job at a Sprint store (now a T-Mobile store). It wasn't always easy – the commute was tough, and I started at 19, feeling like a bit of a failure. But you know what they say, tough times don't last, tough people do. 💪 I stuck it out for three years, earning $10 an hour, and saving every penny to buy my first car. That job was where I really "cut my teeth" in sales. Back then, my biggest dream was to make $60,000 a year. It seemed like a lofty goal, but I held onto it. Life took an unexpected turn when my boss left for Verizon and encouraged me to join. It was a tough decision, but leaving Sprint turned out to be one of the best choices I've ever made. Fast forward, and I've surpassed that $60,000 dream. 🚀 The lesson here? Embrace change, take risks, and trust your instincts. Sometimes, the best opportunities come when you step out of your comfort zone. Stay tuned for the next chapter in my journey! 🔜 Need Some Motivation? Text me: CONNECT to (314)789-9005 #CareerJourney #Motivation #SuccessStory #READY #SET #SPRINT #Journey #Series #Inspiration #Growth

With Demandbase's Smarter GTM approach, you can achieve better outcomes in your account-based journey. You can enhance brand awareness, surpass all advertising benchmarks, secure more meetings with account decision-makers, create more opportunities, improve customer retention, make more informed, data-driven decisions, and drive higher adoption and alignment across sales and marketing. Please see below the great success stories of Demandbase users, such as ADP, CGS (Computer Generated Solutions), Cox Automotive Inc., MarketSource Inc., Securian Financial and VSP Vision Care. #ABX #ABM #AgileAccountBasedGrowth #AgileABG

The HR and talent tech market often falls short, largely due to the complexities surrounding people related processes, diverse company procedures, and unique team hiring rituals. I’ve encountered very few products that truly address the biggest challenges in hiring. BrightHire is one of the few that solve meaningful customer problems! Their AI functionality is game-changing, revolutionizing traditional recruiting habits and bringing transparency to hiring. We're excited to partner with Brighthire and leveraging such innovative technology to enhance our hiring processes. #rollthetape #TalentTech #Innovation #HRTech Rokt are hiring; https://lnkd.in/e9-p2biE