The Spotlight is On: Joanne Mattar

At Cien, we’re lucky to have a diverse, talented and passionate team! In this series, we meet a Cien team member to ask them what it’s like to work at an AI-first start up.

This week we meet Product Manager Joanne Mattar.

Where are you from, and what brought you to Barcelona?

I am Lebanese national, born and raised in Dubai, UAE. I first came to Barcelona in the Summer of  2016, and knew I would be back to live here at some point in the future. Talk about manifestation in effect, because two years later, I became an MBA student in none other than Barcelona!

Why did you join Cien?

Coming from a Technical Sales and Engineering background, I was fascinated by the company that applied the power of AI to customer relationships and sales productivity. Also I wanted to understand and be part of the start-up that will change Sales as we know it.

Describe your role in four words.

Quoting the Product Manager: People | Problem | Team | Solution.

People have a problem that our team provides a solution for, aka our product.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The fact that my role is often dependent on the different departments and teams within Cien, which mandates continuous communication, transparency, and multitasking. This helps me enhance the most important skill needed professionally and personally, communication.

What have you learned since you’ve joined Cien?

Is “everything” too cliche if it’s the truth?

Mechanical Engineer turned Petroleum Sales Engineer turned Product Management in Saas. The Cien team took me in with my skill set, and amplified that along with my industry/product knowledge; instead of the other way around.

In your opinion, are the developments in artificial intelligence going to take our jobs?

I am a firm believer in the power of AI and the power of the people behind AI; there will always be something new that needs to be taught and learnt by a machine. Cycles of change are inevitable, but it’s a yin yang, meaning the lost jobs will be replaced by other jobs to be filled.

How do you apply the Cien core values in your day-to-day work?

Through transparent communication and commitment. Cien is people-oriented, and the beauty of our product comes from the innovation and collaboration of all the company’s teams.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Keep going, things will work out.

You’re welcome to get in touch with Joanne or connect on LinkedIn.