Insights from Our Chief Product Officer on Shaping Ramp Network Product Strategy and Roadmap

As part of our 'Life at Ramp Network' series, we're excited to introduce our Chief Product Officer, who brings a wealth of passion and insight to our mission. With a deep fascination for the crypto space and a commitment to product innovation, he is dedicated to transforming our offerings and enhancing the user experience. Join us as we explore his journey, initial impressions of Ramp Network, and the exciting opportunities for our rapidly evolving organization.

What initially attracted you to join Ramp Network as Chief Product Officer?

• I've always been fascinated by this space. As a crypto user, I enjoy exploring, learning about, and reading about emerging technologies that enable faster, cheaper, and scalable payment methods worldwide.
• Ramp Network serves as the passport for individuals transitioning from fiat to blockchain. We act as the gateway, not betting on a specific use case or project but enabling various projects. This broad perspective lets us quickly learn what works and what doesn't.
• I truly enjoyed meeting the people at Ramp Network; the culture is friendly, intelligent, and driven.

In summary, the combination of the space, the industry, the company, and the people attracted me to this role!

What were your first impressions of the product and the challenges Ramp Network faced when you joined?

My initial impression was that Ramp Network operates earlier than I had anticipated; however, this presents a fantastic opportunity for growth and development. Addressing some fundamental functionalities that require improvement has significant potential to enhance the product, and this is a chance for us to create an exceptional user experience together.

What was your approach to re-evaluating and reshaping Ramp Network's product strategy?

My approach was to listen extensively—listen to the team, engage with users, and review customer support tickets. I went through Trustpilot reviews individually, spoke with team members, and examined what competitors are doing to identify what works and doesn't. I also looked at similar products in different industries to gather a broad range of insights. It was a thorough process of data collection and analysis at the outset.

From there, I drafted a roadmap as a starting point for discussions. This was a conversation starter to gauge reactions: Does it make sense? Are there elements that need further exploration? I then gathered feedback, made adjustments, and delved deeper into specific areas.

Can you share some examples of how user feedback has directly influenced the roadmap?

The feedback was consistent. Users wanted a product they could rely on. They didn't want to feel anxious about the whereabouts of their money and crypto; they tried to access their funds whenever needed.

What stood out to us was that while these themes were prevalent, they needed to be adequately addressed. We came in to fix these issues.

Everyone at Ramp Network must make or contribute towards 'bold bets.' Have you made any recently?

I have yet to make any bold bets, as we're currently focused on establishing a solid foundation. A strong base is essential before we can take those bold steps. Previously, we needed a clear direction to navigate opportunities recklessly.

In the future, we plan to make bold bets around offering a 1-click check-out experience for new and returning and exploring loyalty models. No one in this industry is doing this, which would make it a unique offering and help us stand out. These bold bets will come, but we must first lay the groundwork.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a career in product management at a company like Ramp Network?

Product management is fundamentally about solving problems and craftsmanship. There can be a certain allure surrounding product roles, often seen as 'sexy' or 'glamorous.' However, it's essential not to be swayed by that perception.

Instead, focus on truly understanding the product and its purpose. Emphasize the importance of problem-solving and honing your craftsmanship in this field.

Our industry moves at lightning speed. After attending Token2049 and Solana Breakpoint, did you discover anything that shifted your perspective on Ramp Network's current or future product offerings?

The conferences highlighted the booming Solana ecosystem, and I realized that we should focus more actively on supporting it in terms of liquidity, coverage, and partnerships with tokens and wallets native to Solana. This was a key takeaway for me.

Regarding stablecoins, each new stage in crypto brings unique opportunities—right now, it is stablecoins! What is different this time is the entry of major players. For example, large banks are leveraging stablecoins to achieve previously impossible things at a fraction of the cost. This capability to move money across borders is creating a surge in use cases. We should think about our product offerings in a way that positions us as the go-to partner for users looking to transition to stablecoins, enabling them to transfer local currency to stablecoins and then utilize those stablecoins in our products, facilitating peer-to-peer transactions and more.

If you had to describe one thing distinctively, Ramp Network, what would it be and why?

The distinctiveness of Ramp Network lies in its quirkiness—everyone here has their own unique personality, and a refreshing frankness permeates the company culture.

As CPO, what excites you most about Ramp Network's future and the role product innovation will play in it?

I'm excited about becoming more user-focused and product-driven, enabling us to deliver on long-term goals and position Ramp Network as a leader in the industry rather than a follower. I would love to be in a position where, every six months, we can announce new features and showcase excellent partnerships at Ramp Network.

Which Ramp Network value do you resonate with the most and why? ‍

I resonate most with pace and precision. This value is crucial for building solid pillars within the company; it encourages us to work quickly, intelligently, and diligently.

Thank you, Ziad, for featuring in this blog. We look forward to seeing what you'll do next at Ramp Network!

‍

‍