Introduction

I’m originally from Indonesia and joined Colorkrew as a Junior Product Manager shortly after graduating. My background is in Business Analytics, and for the longest time, I thought I would become a data analyst. I’ve always been drawn to logical reasoning and making decisions backed by data and structured thinking.

I had little to no technical background when I started, and I didn’t speak Japanese either. But I was curious, eager to learn, and open to stepping into something unfamiliar. Looking back, that willingness to learn — more than any specific skill — was what mattered most.

In this blog, I’d like to share what makes Colorkrew special to me, what my day-to-day as a Product Manager looks like, and what kind of environment you can expect if you’re considering joining.

What Makes Colorkrew Special?

When I think about what makes Colorkrew special, a few things immediately come to mind. Not in a flashy, marketing kind of way — but in the small, everyday moments that shape how work actually feels.

A Multicultural Environment That Feels Natural

Colorkrew is genuinely multicultural — not just in numbers, but in how people interact.

There are teammates from different nationalities and backgrounds working together daily. In meetings, it’s completely normal to hear multiple accents in the same conversation. English is the main language used, but what stands out to me is the patience. Nobody rushes you. Nobody dismisses an idea because of how it’s phrased. The focus is always on the content of what you’re saying, not the perfection of your grammar.

The company also supports language learning, which I really appreciate. There’s a budget available for Japanese members who want to sharpen their English, and for foreigners who want to improve their Japanese. It sends a strong message: communication is important, and growth is supported on both sides.

On a personal level, working in such a diverse environment has helped me grow beyond just professional skills. I’ve learned how to work with people who think differently, communicate differently, and approach problems differently. It has made me more adaptable and more aware — not just as a product manager, but as a person.

An Open Communication Culture

Another thing I value a lot is the openness of communication.

At Colorkrew, discussions matter more than hierarchy. As someone relatively early in my career, I never feel like I have to “wait my turn” to speak. Juniors can voice opinions. Questions are welcomed. Healthy disagreements are normal.

I regularly have casual conversations with people far more senior than me — including the CEO, CTO, CPO, or team leads. It doesn’t feel intimidating; it feels accessible. Titles exist, of course, but they don’t create walls.

If I’m facing a challenge and need help, I can approach almost anyone and they’ll genuinely try to support me. On the flip side, if I feel ready for more responsibility or curious about another area of the business, I can communicate that too. And more often than not, opportunities follow those conversations.

That level of transparency and approachability makes a huge difference and motivation in day-to-day work.

Thought Process Over Just Hard Skills

One thing that stood out to me even during the interview process — and continues to be true today — is how much people care about how you think.

Logical reasoning is valued. Your thought process matters more than simply agreeing with the loudest voice in the room.

There have been many situations where I disagreed with others — for example, when a feature was requested by sales or a client, but I couldn’t see how it aligned with our long-term roadmap or current architecture. These kinds of disagreements are not unusual. In fact, they’re expected.

What I appreciate is that discussions focus on understanding each other’s reasoning. We try to look at trade-offs objectively. And there have been many times when, after presenting structured arguments and explaining my perspective, people — regardless of position — acknowledged the point and adjusted direction.

That kind of environment builds confidence. You learn that if your logic is sound, it will be heard.

Ownership and Trust

If I had to pick one of my favorite aspects, it would be the level of ownership and trust.

You’re not micromanaged. You’re not handed a step-by-step instruction manual. Instead, you’re given the broader context — the “why” and the overall goal — and trusted to figure out the “how.”

In the beginning, this was honestly a bit intimidating. I was sometimes frustrated by the lack of detailed guidance. I would think, “Wait… but what exactly should I do?”

Over time, I realized that this freedom is intentional. It forces you to think critically. It sparks creativity. It sharpens your decision-making skills.

Now, I genuinely enjoy it. I like having space to design my own approach, to evaluate trade-offs, and to take responsibility for outcomes. You’re expected to think, not just execute — and that expectation is what accelerates growth.

For someone who enjoys problem-solving and independent thinking, this environment is incredibly motivating.

Day-to-Day as a Product Manager in Colorkrew

One of the things I enjoy most about being a Product Manager at Colorkrew is that no two days look exactly the same. The role is dynamic, sometimes messy, often challenging — but never boring.

From Strategy to Execution

I discuss about product roadmap with the Product Owner to ensure our strategic direction translates into clear, actionable work items. Strategy only works if it becomes something concrete, so we constantly monitor whether what we are building is aligned with the plan and intent — not more, not less.

I also review team backlogs and reprioritize when necessary. Priorities can shift depending on customer needs, technical constraints, or broader company goals. Being flexible while staying aligned with long-term vision is a constant balancing act.

Thinking Deeply About Features

A large part of my time is spent thinking — sometimes quietly, sometimes collaboratively — about feature specifications and logic.

When designing or refining a feature, some other things have to be considered:

• How it fits within our current architecture
• How existing users are already using the product
• What edge cases might arise
• How this feature could evolve in the future
• How it connects to potential future improvements or additions around it

It’s not just about making something work today, but ensuring it won’t create limitations tomorrow. That kind of forward-thinking is both challenging and intellectually satisfying.

Connecting Customer Needs to Product Vision

Customer requests are another important input. I regularly review feedback from sales and customer success teams and evaluate how those requests align with our product vision.

Not every request becomes a feature that were originally requested — and that’s okay. The key is understanding the underlying problem behind the request. Sometimes the real need is different from what was initially asked for.

Part of my role is translating these insights into roadmap decisions while keeping our long-term direction clear.

Being the Communication Hub

In many ways, a PdM at Colorkrew acts as the communication hub of the organization. I work closely with designers and engineers to clarify feature behavior and development plans, ensuring that what we build matches the intended outcome. I support Customer Success and Sales by helping them fully understand our current features before they speak with clients, and I also step in to clarify questions from customers when needed. At the same time, I collaborate with Marketing to refine how we communicate our product value externally, and regularly align with Product Owners on the bigger picture and long-term vision.

A big part of this role is adapting communication to different audiences. Knowing when to provide high-level context and when to dive into detailed logic is critical. The same feature needs to be explained differently to engineers, sales, designers, or customers — and it’s my responsibility to ensure everyone receives the right level of information so we stay aligned toward the same goal.

The role stretches across multiple departments, and that cross-functional exposure is something I truly value.

Driving Improvement Beyond Features

Product management here isn’t limited to feature development.

As an example, our PdM team recently initiated efforts to collect and analyze product usage data so we can make decisions in a more data-driven way. Monitoring this data will play a growing role in shaping roadmaps and recommendations.

Beyond product features, I also actively look for operational improvements. This can mean exploring automation to speed up processes and reduce manual work, or refining existing workflows to make collaboration smoother across the entire value chain. Small improvements in processes may seem minor at first, but over time they create meaningful impact in efficiency and clarity across teams.

More Than a Job Description

If I had to summarize my role in one sentence, it would be this:

I do whatever is necessary to figure out what to build next, ensure we build it well, and help to

promote what we’ve already built and see how well it resonates with users or market interest.

It involves dozens of small steps — analysis, discussion, prioritization, writing, reviewing, clarifying, adjusting. It requires problem-solving, critical thinking, and constant communication with people who have very different expertise.

For me, who enjoys connecting dots, thinking logically, and working across disciplines, this role feels incredibly fulfilling. It’s demanding, but in the best ways.

A Message to Future Teammates

If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far, it’s that growth rarely happens in perfectly structured environments. It happens when you’re trusted, challenged, and surrounded by people who are willing to think deeply and communicate openly.

Colorkrew isn’t just a place where you complete tasks — it’s a place where you’re expected to think, question, and take ownership. That can feel intimidating at first, but it’s also what makes the journey meaningful.

If you’re someone who enjoys solving problems, working across cultures, and continuously pushing yourself to improve, you might find this environment just as rewarding as I do.

▶ Recruitment site: https://www.colorkrew.com/en/recruit/