Devon Lachapelle, senior product manager at EditShare, tells TVBEurope about wearing multiple hats, and why it’s “great to be along for the ride” in a rapidly changing industry.
Talk us through an average day in your role.
I act as both the product owner and product manager of three products, so my average day involves a lot of touch points with a lot of different people. Here are the basics. I usually start my mornings off wearing my product owner hat (with a large cup of coffee) where I meet with engineering to ensure they have everything they need (context, requirements, guidance, validations, good laughs, you name it). Following that, wearing my product manager hat, I talk to customers about their needs: what they like, dislike, what they wish the product would do/solve, etc. I also make a point of asking them what they wish the product could be. From that feedback I can brainstorm and plan what improvements to design or workflows we can make to help customers accomplish their jobs more efficiently.
How did you get started in the media industry?
I made a VERY last minute decision to switch to a Film/Video major at Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Cue three years of information overload of all the intricate pieces that go into making our favourite content and truly appreciating the art. Out of college I pivoted slightly and was a production coordinator for a retail company organising their lifestyle and product photography while also working on some small films and teaching film/video basics to kids in my off time. Then, an interesting opportunity came along that combined my growing interest in business and love of film/video – I could work on products that empower creatives throughout the production process.
What training did you have before entering the industry?
The only training I had was what MassArt was able to teach me (which was a lot). Everything else I learned on the job with the support (and patience) of some great peers and managers. I tried to learn the ins and outs of everything I could. I wanted to know all the moving parts to make sure I really understood workflows, and am still learning everyday.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
Technology used in the media industry is changing so rapidly, it’s great to be along for the ride and play a small part in its advancement.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours?
Learn as much as you can about everything that goes into making a product. The conception of ideas, how to validate those ideas, the importance of design and how it plays into human psychology, what it takes to architect those solutions, what technical aspects are responsible for what functionality, the strategies needed to best communicate the value of a product, the different obstacles in that journey that product might face, etc. Although complex, it allows you to truly comprehend the creative process at hand. This understanding will help you succeed as a product manager as you not only have the empathy and problem solving skills to help your customers, but can apply those same skills when collaborating with others to deliver a product as you now understand their needs a little better as well. Everyone wins.
