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Stefan Iliescu
Product at Wayfair
Professional Background
Stefan Iliescu is a dedicated and highly experienced agile product leader who has carved a niche for himself in the competitive landscape of product management. With a keen focus on consumer and enterprise products, Stefan has excelled at launching and optimizing solutions that drive both customer satisfaction and sustainable growth for leading organizations. His extensive career is marked by a wealth of skills necessary for effective product management, including vision establishment, feature definition, and project prioritization.
Throughout his career, he has held various prominent roles at some of the biggest names in the technology and consumer goods sectors, where he has consistently demonstrated an ability to translate complex business requirements into successful product strategies.
Education and Achievements
Stefan's educational background is anchored in a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a German concentration from the renowned University of Virginia. His academic journey laid the foundation for his analytical capabilities and understanding of market dynamics, which are essential in his line of work. Further amplifying his expertise, Stefan pursued a Professional Certificate in Data Science at General Assembly. This endeavor reflects his commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and data-driven decision-making in product management.
Career Highlights
Stefan's career at Amazon marked a significant phase in his professional journey. He initially joined as an Analyst at BlackRock, where he honed his analytical skills before moving onto impactful roles at OnDeck as a Business Analyst and at Yodle as a Senior Analyst. Subsequently, he transitioned to Amazon, where he held various management positions, including Manager of Growth Product Management and Manager of International Expansion and New Ventures Product Management. In these roles, he was responsible for driving international product initiatives and enhancing growth strategies, which resulted in significant contributions to Amazon's expansive reach in global markets.
Most notably, Stefan served as the Product Leader for Alexa Shopping-Tech, where his innovative approach to product development and keen insights into consumer behavior allowed for strategic enhancements to the Alexa shopping experience. His leadership during this period underscored his ability to manage complex projects that require cross-functional collaboration and a deep understanding of consumer needs.
Following his tenure at Amazon, Stefan brought his wealth of expertise to Wayfair, where he continues to apply his comprehensive product management skills to enhance customer engagement and drive business yield. By leveraging his background in both consumer and enterprise sectors, Stefan is uniquely positioned to develop products that resonate with users while fostering business success.
Notable Skills and Expertise
Stefan's product management skill set is expansive, encompassing vital competencies that contribute significantly to the success of the products he manages. His core capabilities include:
- Vision Establishment: Crafting a compelling product vision that aligns with business objectives and customer needs.
- Feature Definition: Identifying and outlining necessary features that enhance user experience and drive engagement.
- Business Requirements Writing: Articulating clear, actionable business requirements that inform product development.
- Product Roadmap Ownership: Developing and maintaining product roadmaps that reflect strategic objectives and user-centric methodologies.
- Project Prioritization: Employing data-driven decision-making to prioritize projects based on potential impact and feasibility.
- Business Impact Modeling: Assessing potential business impacts of products, ensuring alignment with growth strategies.
- Launch Evaluation: Analyzing the outcomes of product launches to inform future iterations.
- Risk Assessment: Identifying and mitigating risks throughout the product lifecycle to ensure smooth execution.
- Program Evangelism: Serving as a champion for products within the organization and with external stakeholders.
- Metrics Definition and Monitoring: Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate the success of product initiatives.
Stefan Iliescu's professionalism, coupled with his comprehensive knowledge of agile methodologies and data science, positions him as a leader in the field of product management. As he continues to make strides in his career, his unique blend of education and experience serves as a cornerstone for future endeavors in creating products that truly resonate with audiences and drive meaningful change in the marketplace.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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