‘In conversation with’ Anastas Tashev, Senior Product Owner at emerchantpay

Welcome to the second instalment of our new ‘In conversation with’ series. This week, we’re putting the spotlight on Anastas Tashev, our brilliant Senior Product Owner.

Anastas sheds light on his life-long love of technology and his drive for crafting robust products with precision and purpose that, ultimately, contribute to emerchantpay’s sustainable and global growth.

Can you tell us about your journey at emerchantpay?

My journey at emerchantpay was not exactly a conventional one. Prior to landing a role, I was keeping tabs on Fintech job opportunities without actively looking for a new job at the time. I actually heard about emerchantpay through a friend of mine, who was already a part of the team. They’d always spoken so highly about the company and their dynamic, close-knit team. I did some further digging on emerchantpay and decided it was the perfect place for me to expand my career in Product Development.

This year marks my five-year work anniversary with emerchantpay, which is pretty incredible. I initially joined as a Product Owner and then, a few years later, advanced to Senior Product Owner. The culture is second to none and is the reason why myself and so many of my colleagues have stayed here for so long.

How would you describe your role as a Senior Product Owner?

My work involves developing and managing our products in collaboration with the rest of my team. As part of this, I oversee the product lifecycle, from conception to launch. My team looks at the latest market demands, local and global requirements as well as company goals when tailoring existing products or inventing new offerings.

Collaboration, be it with my department or with cross-functional teams, is integral to my role. This helps me define product features, form roadmaps and get the necessary approvals to roll out new products.

My team also acts as subject matter experts internally for other teams and externally for our clients. As part of this, we work with businesses on finding solutions that are appropriate for their requirements as well as helping them improve their payments strategy.

What drew you to a career in Product Development within the Fintech sector? How has your perception of this area evolved throughout your journey at emerchantpay?

I’ve always been fascinated by how technology can reshape traditional financial landscapes and help businesses connect with their customers. emerchantpay has provided me with the perfect opportunity to experience this first hand and immerse myself in the exciting and rapidly evolving Fintech sector.

Contributing to the launch of cutting-edge products that optimise and redefine the payment experience for global customers is truly rewarding. emerchantpay has completely shifted my perception of product developments and enhancements. The Fintech industry has taught me that successful products incorporate innovation and practicality. They address challenges and pain points in line with business objectives and customer expectations.

The more I’ve grown in the company, the more I’ve come to appreciate the complex relationship between technology, user experience and market dynamics that characterises the products we build within the Fintech arena.

What are the ingredients for success in your role?

To excel in this role, you must have a diverse skill set, with strategic thinking and attention to detail being among the most essential qualities. The ability to study market trends and customer feedback, while understanding compliance and security requirements enable us to inform our decisions when crafting product roadmaps.

You must also be agile and ready to switch gears at any given point, as this is the nature of the Fintech landscape. Being comfortable with change and acting fast enough to adjust your strategies is key to staying ahead of the curve.

Additionally, empathy and a customer-centric mindset are paramount. Speaking to businesses to understand their requirements and staying user-focused throughout the product development process is fundamental for building products that resonate with what the market and our clients want.

Lastly, you must be able to sift through large volumes of data, extract valuable information and translate this into easily digestible information. You need this to be able to clearly identify a specific business problem that can be solved by a product or service.

What three words would you use to describe emerchantpay?

For me, emerchantpay is all about growth, as we are always looking at ways to expand our horizons in terms of our offering, market presence and people. The organisation is also about evolution. Fintech is a field that never stops and emerchantpay very much embodies innovation, by staying abreast of industry trends and new technologies to evolve our solutions for our clients and our growth.

There’s also a unique sense of family that you won’t find anywhere else. This close-knit ethos creates a welcoming workplace and makes it easy to collaborate with colleagues, making you feel valued.

How do you measure the success and impact of the products you've developed? Could you provide an example of how you tracked KPIs to inform your product strategy?

Success comes down to the story told by our data. Let’s look at 3DS as an example. For this product, my team developed a real-time reporting tool to track various metrics including error rates, reason codes, issuer performance and geographic distribution among other KPIs. This enables us to identify ways to refine and tailor our solutions to better meet the needs of our clients and the wider industry.

How are you balancing your professional life with additional at-home and personal responsibilities?

My work schedule involves being in the office three times a week, allowing me to build and maintain relationships with my colleagues. The beauty of a hybrid work model is that it enables me to stay connected with my team, while having the flexibility to juggle commitments outside of work.

Do you have any advice for people who wish to pursue a career in Product Development within Fintech?

My advice is to never stop being curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. In particular, understanding the “why?” in everything and the reason behind processes and strategies. This is how you can get a deeper understanding of your work, allowing you to make informed decisions and contribute more effectively.

Analytical thinking and meticulous attention to detail are also at the core of Product Development. Keeping a finger on the pulse of what’s trending in the market, collecting customer feedback and navigating compliance and security regulations are key to carving the pathway that a product will take.

Being an efficient communicator is equally a significant trait for someone that’s starting in Product Development. Articulating the product vision to teams, partners and stakeholders facilitates the successful execution of projects.

Anastas’ story – Being able to put yourself in your customers’ shoes is key to building a successful product

Anastas is not just our Senior Product Owner, he’s a visionary orchestrator who transforms market gaps into offerings that help simplify payments for our clients and their customers. Driven by a commitment to excellence and a profound understanding of market and customer needs, he navigates the intricate path from product inception to completion, empowering businesses to create seamless payment experiences.