Tech Talks vol.32 – Product Managers

About Tech Talks

In this Tech Talks series, we will share with you the attitude and vibe of the PayPay Tech Team through the voices of the unique product members from around 50 countries!
For this installment, we will be speaking with three Product Managers on the Payments & Mini App team.

What is the team’s mission?

Pao:
The Payments & Mini App team is responsible for offline payments, online payments, and mini apps to engage users and merchants on PayPay’s open platform. For example, when users make payments at merchants, we must provide the best user experience while ensuring seamless payment acceptance for the merchants. It’s crucial to connect these two aspects, making both users and merchants happy.

Since we handle a wide range of key products, Product Managers are divided by specific domains to handle their respective areas.

What are the respective areas of responsibility and challenges?

Mithila:
I primarily handle the core payment features such as auto top-up settings and available balance limits. My goal is to create all the necessary features to ensure users have a seamless payment experience without any difficulties.

Shubham:
I am responsible for incentives related to what we call “gratification,” such as gift cards and PayPay Points. I work on improving the user journey, up to the fine details, in terms of how to effectively get merchants to take up these incentives, how to notify users in the best way possible, and how to enhance the system to achieve these goals.

Pao:
I oversee the mini app platform, and our main challenge is to expand the user base for mini apps. As PayPay’s core functionality is the payment feature, we aim to build an ecosystem within PayPay that covers everything users need in their daily lives through various mini apps.

What is the role of a Product Manager in PayPay?

Shubham:
The role of a Product Manager at PayPay involves creating and executing roadmaps to achieve business goals. Since PayPay is a technology-driven company, a high level of technical understanding is required. Plus, due to the large organization, even small projects involve interactions with over 10 teams, making seamless communication among stakeholders crucial. Furthermore, given the fast-paced environment, it is important to maintain a pace that ensures delivering results consistently in each project and meeting.

Mithila:
Having said that, despite the fast-paced environment, PayPay prioritizes the well-being of its employees, which is a special quality about the company. While some companies focus solely on employees completing their tasks, disregarding sleep or meals, PayPay is not like that. As a new mom, I appreciate PayPay’s work culture that values each employee.

What is the most challenging aspect of being a Product Manager?

Mithila:
I would say communication. Sometimes, it takes time to have conversations through interpreters, making it difficult to have smooth exchanges. And since we primarily work remotely, there can be miscommunications with team members when communicating on Slack. Also, as someone new to the FinTech industry, there is a lot to learn, especially with various payment functionalities. When I first joined, I struggled with figuring out the right timing to seek help from others.

Shubham:
Since PayPay is growing in size, it becomes increasingly challenging to know all the stakeholders correctly. And given the rapid growth and an abundance of possibilities, we need to choose what will have the most impact and prioritize them.

Pao:
It is very difficult to balance and progress with so much to consider, like user experience, security, feasibility, and legal requirements. The language barrier of not being a native English or Japanese speaker is a further addition to the list of challenges.

Shubham:
Communication is a common challenge in product management, given the need to interact with multiple parties. It’s important to organize and document what is feasible, timelines, and previous discussions in a way that everyone can understand the strategic direction.

Mithila:
And if there’s something you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask anything to colleagues around you!

Pao:
I would like to add that when communicating, it’s important to let go of assumptions and biases and approach the conversation with an open mind, being receptive to what you see and hear.

How is your team’s vibe?

Shubham:
Simply put, the team is filled with the spirit of “One for all, all for one.” When help is needed, everyone supports each other.

Mithila:
That’s absolutely true. When I first joined, I felt the pressure to know everything as a Product Manager and was hesitant about asking for help. But now I’ve come to realize that we have experts in different fields, so there’s no need to be shy in asking questions.

Pao:
When I joined, I was told, “No one can know everything, and we don’t have unrealistic expectations like that.”

Shubham:
As Product Managers, we often feel the need to be the ones who know everything because we’re in a leadership role. But the reality is that everyone on the team understands our limitations, so there’s no need to worry.

Mithila:
On a different note, everyone in the team loves to party! On days when we gather at office, we often all go out for a beer after 5pm.

What challenges do you want to take on in the future?

Pao:
It aligns with the team’s mission, but I want to pursue making the app the smoothest and most convenient all-in-one app for all users and merchants.

Mithila:
In a sense, it’s about becoming a more integrated solution provider. We want to offer various services related to daily life through mini apps and enable payments and reservations using PayPay Balance. It’s a significant challenge, but also rewarding.

Shubham:
Since both of them said it all, the only thing I can add is that I would like to be able to take out my laptop and work from anywhere in the world, not just all over Japan!

Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

Mithila:
With PayPay’s Work From Anywhere At Anytime (WFA) system, you can work from anywhere in Japan and experience the great satisfaction of contributing to an app that people use every day.

Shubham:
Stay hungry and stay curious! It’s the perfect environment for those who thrive in a fast-paced setting and seek personal growth and fulfillment.

Pao:
PayPay provides various support, including relocation assistance and support for settling into a new place. The team members are willing to give a helping hand, and there are numerous opportunities to grow your career. We welcome those who are curious, ambitious, and enjoy helping others.

*Recruitment status and employee affiliations are correct at the time of the interview.