Michiel Cambron
Verified Expert in Product Management
Product Manager
Brussels, Belgium
Toptal member since September 6, 2021
Michiel has been a product management consultant for 13+ years, working with companies to find the right product-market fit, build teams to create successful and scalable products, and define their next growth initiatives. His clients include startups, scale-ups, and multinationals such as Johnson & Johnson, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Kohler, AGC, Bosch, Landal GreenParks, European Space Agency, Menzis, Ubiway, Bpost, and Niko. Michiel's earlier work focused on design and development.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Business Modeling
- Data Product Manager
- Entrepreneurship
- Platform Design
- Product Roadmaps
- Product-market Fit
- Strategy
- Technology Trends
Work Experience
Product Manager
Kohler Company - Main
- Led a team of engineers in developing a CAD conversion tool that automated 3D model conversion by 80%, creating a 3D/AR experience in a more cost-effective way.
- Managed the development of multiple 3D/AR and XR experiences for eCommerce, achieving double-digit sales conversion rates.
- Developed a vision and clear roadmap for a 3D/XR department with team governance to create it utilizing small experiments and a lean startup methodology of quick iterations and customer validation.
- Oversaw the introduction of personalization DPX experience within the eCommerce channels, eRetail channels, and physical stores.
- Experimented with and developed AI toolsets to offer immersive marketing material.
Founder | AI & Growth Product Manager
Ylife Studio
- Created and led design sprints to define the new digitalization effort within Landal's vacation bungalows. The resulting digital and IoT concepts increased customer satisfaction, security, ecological footprint, and NPS by approximately 10 points.
- Redefined the medical device labeling processes and software systems to comply with the MDR regulation, optimized new customer experiences and the supply chain, and implemented the latest RPA, OCR, and QR code technologies.
- Kickstarted the digital customer experience (DCx) program to improve the parcel-sending experience for SMEs. Reduced the churn rate by 20% by prioritizing the customer journey pain points and setting up multidisciplinary sprint teams.
- Explored adjacent business opportunities and launched an online talent recruitment platform in three months. Validated the product-market fit through five signed international clients.
- Coached several startups as part of an incubator program. Theoretical and applied workshops covered user needs, value propositions, go-to-market strategies, product roadmaps, business models and cases, and backlog management.
Phygital Manager
Nextensa
- Supported the digital customer experience for Europe's largest indoor food market (payments systems, customer intelligence tracking, and wayfinding).
- Led the conceptualization and deployment of a faceless AI system for customer intelligence in a large shopping mall, including the development of a customer data lake, GDPR requirements, and overall technology architecture.
- Led a team to deploy a custom-built AI algorithm for EV charging load balancing, taking into account customer preferences. Analyzed innovative pricing models and experience strategies.
- Led the development of an online booking experience for a multi-facet event hall.
- Developed an immersive 3D/XR museum concept for a real estate company, bringing a full commercial district to life in the digital world.
Technology Transfer Broker
European Space Agency
- Provided program set-up and start-up coaching related to product market fit. Set up a funding program for the ESA and created a methodological approach for assisting startups in defining product market fit concepts using Earth observation data.
- Managed a network of 28 international technology brokers aiming to find space technology commercialization and market opportunities for non-space companies.
- Provided coaching for demonstrator and feasibility studies utilizing space technology for non-space applications.
Senior Product Management Consultant
Verhaert New Products & Services
- Worked with a C-level executive to launch a home automation product while serving as the interim senior product manager. Brought design, business, and engineering expertise to the team and owned the backlog for making clear strategic priorities.
- Collaborated with the innovation team of a multinational beer brewer to find new opportunities in beer dispensing appliances.
- Created a product roadmap as part of a future-of-health-insurance initiative. Facilitated a workshop to develop the first MVP of Samen Gezond, an online preventive health platform; defined the business case and first wireframes.
- Led the definition and roadmap strategy in the area of assisted living while serving as an AI product manager in an electronics company.
Technology Strategy Consultant
Deloitte
- Owned the IT program structure and coordination comprising 30 software engineering and validation subprojects with 50+ project resources.
- Supported the launch of a life science incubator in Europe via competitive analysis and definition of the value proposition.
- Analyzed IT organizations, identified opportunities for improvement, and defined strategies for implementing the latest technology solutions.
Corporate Innovator Consultant
Board of Innovation
- Conducted and analyzed interviews with C-level innovation executives on their innovation issues and best practices.
- Performed desk research on innovation theory, acceleration, and incubators.
- Created a manual for corporate entrepreneurship based on best practices in market and innovation theory. The manual included the creation of concrete workshop material and tools.
Project History
HiveBike | Rental of Smart Locks for a Bike Network
Co-founded the startup and developed the product and revenue strategy.
HiveBike is a Belgian AI startup that’s building an open network for bikes, made possible by a universal smart bike lock. Renters can find and unlock local bikes via our app. We provide logistics, insurance, maintenance, payments, and more. The company received funding for a pilot version, but it’s on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Preventive Health Platform Design
Led the team to define a vision and clear roadmap for the company and supported the wireframing phase for the first launch.
A Dutch health insurer was looking for a way to lower the risk of their customer base by providing preventive health services to reduce their claims payout rate. Our project goal was to find a concept that would stimulate a healthier customer base and launch the first MVP.
Johnson & Johnson RPA/OCR Solution for Supply Chain
Led supply chain optimization projects using an RPA/OCR solution.
I led projects to optimize the labeling process by redesigning the software systems and automating the processes through an RPA/OCR solution. I initiated the projects by setting up different project teams consisting of business, technology, and end-user stakeholders; facilitated the requirements gathering process; and managed the development team in an Agile environment. I maintained the Agile way of working while ensuring that the development was done within the guidelines of the medical device group’s products.
Phygital Experience for a Multiexperience Real Estate District
http://www.tour-taxis.comLed an organization to further digitalize an entire real estate district with the latest data, AR, VR, and digital screen solutions.
Served as the head of phygital strategy to enhance the customer experience via technology and digital marketing. We built a full digital twin of a real estate district to increase brand awareness and customer satisfaction through digital and phygital initiatives.
Education
Master in Business Engineering (MBE) in Business & Technology
Solvay Business School - Brussels, Belgium
Master's Degree in Finance & Risk Management
Ghent University - Ghent, Belgium
Bachelor's Degree in Commercial Sciences: Business Administration
University College Ghent - Ghent, Belgium
Certifications
Practical Deep Learning for Coders
Fast AI
Become a Three.js Developer
Three.js Journey
Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals
Microsoft
Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 2
WSET
AI Product Manager Nanodegree Program
Udacity
Wine Sommelier
Syntra Brussels
Deep Learning
Udacity
Business Model Canvas and Value Proposition Canvas
Strategyzer
ITIL Foundation 2011
QRP Management Methods International
Innovation Theory & Management, Software Engineering
Tallinn University of Technology
Leadership for Sustainable Innovation
Nyenrode Business University
Skills
Tools
Blender
Paradigms
Agile, Sustainable Business Management, Augmented Reality (AR)
Platforms
Drupal
Other
Project Management, Product-market Fit, Risk Analysis, Risk Management, Business Cases, Business Planning, Entrepreneurship, Ideation, Product Strategy, Market Fit, Business Model Canvas, Business Modeling, Value Proposition Design, Lean Startups, Product Roadmaps, Digital Transformation Program Management, Customer Experience, Program Management, Platform Design, Technical Project Management, Market Research, Validated User Research, Business Strategy, Product Strategy, Finance, Strategy, Product Management, Data Product Manager, Portfolio Management, User Requirements, Phygital Strategy, Product Owner, Technology Trends, Technology Transfer, Wireframing, Revenue Strategy, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Supply Chain, Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), Product Development, Requirements & Specifications, Product Coach, Business Models, Business Plan Consulting, Product Marketing, SEO Tools, A/B Testing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), CAD, Python, AutoML, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Startups, Startup Funding, Agile Sprints, Process Design, CX Strategy, QR Codes, Digitization, Data, Analytics, Training Materials, Training Content, Payment Gateways, Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Market Entry, Online Payments, AI Design, Virtual Reality (VR), New Product Development, Growth, Customer Experience Strategy, Deep Learning, Three.js, JavaScript
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