Open innovation in building and marketing new products

Grzegorz (Greg) Albrecht speaking at Product Leaders 2017, just got interviewed by our colleague, Steliana Moraru, Event Manager.

Read on to discover his professional experience, lessons learned and challenges met along the way.

Steliana: You have a professional background that spans from product manager to startup founder to venture partner. Share with us a bit more about what professional experiences you value the most and what is current role(s) looking like?

Greg: I introduced my first product to the market in 2003 when I was 20. It was the first private label digital camera on the Polish market. It was an amazing adventure to find the supplier, design the packaging, introduce the product to the sales channel and personally run PR and marketing activities for this product. We reached 3% market share in the first year against such brands as Canon or Minolta.

Since then I have invested in a number of ventures ranging from an e-commerce platform with interior design goods to the first TV channel targeted at farmers. For the last few years, I have been actively supporting existing companies in starting new businesses and empowering the growth of small companies.

I work as a coach and mentor to business owners and C-level executives. Our team at Albrecht&Partners helps in turning ideas intro reality by facilitating decision-making processes, as well as designing products and customer journey. Recently I have joined Data Ventures – a B2B Big Data focused venture capital firm. This company invests up to 250k USD in early stage ventures. I am involved in the selection process and supporting the growth of portfolio companies.

Steliana: With what challenges you help the product teams when stuck? 

Greg: I help them fall in love with the customer (instead of their product) and simplify the value proposition. I also very often see products designed without distribution strategy in mind. I believe that customer pain points can be removed only if the product is available in the right place and the right time to be used.

Steliana: Share with us a little more about the experience that inspired your talk at Product Leaders (un)Conference. 

Greg: I have been actively involved in two worlds: the corporate and the startup world. I realized how many opportunities can be found in-between… but also how much hype is generated around the topic of corporate / startup collaboration. I intend to show my view on what these worlds can expect from one another. 

Steliana: What would be the “top ingredients” that tech product practitioners can use to foster innovation in their teams & companies? 

Greg: Be truly committed to innovation. Be good listeners. Encourage people to try and accept failure (when followed by learning). Promote internally best practices from their teams. Walk the talk and be prepared to take the risk. 

Steliana: Is there any advice you would like to share with the audience from Product Leaders?

Greg: If you want to make a difference – don’t wait for others to lead you.

Want to meet Greg and ~200 product practitioners? Join Product Leaders (un)Conference, 8-9 June, Bucharest.