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Cole Sampson

Growth Product Manager at Vokal

Professional Background

Cole Sampson is a seasoned product manager and product owner with extensive experience that spans both startups and enterprise environments. Specialized in delivering significant ROI for stakeholders while focusing on user experience, Cole excels in a variety of roles that require both strategic thinking and agile execution. Throughout his career, he has effectively directed the flow of output from ideation to development, meticulously managing the processes of investigation, requirements gathering, ROI analysis, story writing, and product release. Cole thrives in dynamic environments where uncertainty and change are prevalent, demonstrating a strong focus on speed to market coupled with relentless improvement.

As a product leader, Cole employs servant leadership principles to foster a collaborative culture and cultivate trust both within his team and with stakeholders. This approach has proven to enhance stakeholder relations and promote seamless collaboration throughout development processes. His unique set of skills and experiences allows him to navigate complex projects and deliver impactful results.

Education and Achievements

Cole Sampson graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in University Studies from The University of Texas at Arlington. His educational background has set a strong foundation for his analytical and strategic approach in product management.

Cole's career is marked by several noteworthy achievements and projects, underscoring his ability to drive innovation and foster success. Some of these achievements include:

  • Website Migration: Successfully migrated three websites to a new content platform, a project that required complete site rebuilds and meticulous planning.
  • Agile Implementation: Championed the successful implementation of Agile methodologies in environments that traditionally adhered to Waterfall practices, demonstrating adaptability and forward-thinking leadership.
  • Accessibility Compliance: Played a key role in ensuring the entire content platform met WCAG 2.0 AA compliance, reflecting his commitment to user experience and inclusivity.
  • Product Launches: Instrumental in the launch of three brand-new products, showcasing his ability to transform ideas into tangible offerings that meet market demands.
  • Stakeholder Management: Skillfully navigated the challenges of managing conflicting stakeholder desires across multiple sites, ensuring that the central platform operated effectively and met broader business requirements.
  • Performance Improvement: Spearheaded efforts to dramatically improve mobile site speed scores from the low teens to the 70s on a 100-point scale, enhancing user experience and performance metrics.

Work History

Cole's impressive career history spans various organizations where he has held pivotal roles in product management, strategy consulting, and more. His notable positions include:

  • Growth Product Manager at Vokal: In this key role, Cole focuses on expanding product capabilities and aligning them with growth strategies, driving successful outcomes for the company.
  • Product Manager/Marketing and Product Strategy Consultant at Penny Profit: Cole utilized his analytical skills to consult on product and marketing strategies, successfully steering projects towards their business objectives.
  • Product Manager at Apple Leisure Group: At Apple Leisure Group, he fine-tuned his product management skills and learned to operate within a large, established corporation.
  • Product Manager at Source Voting: He directed product initiatives designed to enhance user engagement and operational effectiveness, overseeing various facets of the product lifecycle.
  • Product Manager at Fivers: In this role, Cole contributed to the development of innovative product solutions tailored to market opportunities.
  • Technical Recruiter at Robert Half Technology: Before his foray into product management, Cole gained valuable insights into tech talent and skills as a technical recruiter.
  • Co-Owner at Allstate Alarms: His entrepreneurial spirit shone through during his tenure as co-owner, where he managed operations and contributed to strategic growth initiatives.
  • Math Teacher at Mesquite Independent School District: Early in his career, Cole imparted knowledge as a math teacher, building a foundation in teaching and problem-solving skills that benefit his current role as a product manager.

tags':['Product Manager','Product Owner','Stakeholder Management','Agile Implementation','User Experience','Market Research','Content Platform Migration','Product Development','Accessibility Compliance','Mobile Optimization','Servant Leadership','Team Collaboration'],

questions

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How did Cole Sampson successfully implement Agile methodologies in a traditionally Waterfall environment?

What strategies does Cole Sampson use to ensure a focus on user experience when developing new products?

Can Cole Sampson elaborate on his approach to managing conflicting stakeholder desires in a project?

What lessons did Cole Sampson learn during his tenure as a math teacher that apply to his current role in product management?

How has Cole Sampson contributed to ensuring WCAG 2.0 AA compliance across content platforms?

What insights can Cole Sampson provide about migrating websites to new content platforms?

How does Cole Sampson measure the ROI of new products developed under his leadership?

What are some key trends Cole Sampson sees in the future of product management?

Cole Sampson
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Location

Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex