I turned an impossible partnership into success

I turned an impossible partnership into success

  • Led the pitch for a partnership with the world's largest e-commerce company.

  • Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders on complex problem-solving.

  • Designed three partnership proposals, balancing user experience and business goals.

  • Successfully established the partnership.

  • Led the pitch for a partnership with the world's largest e-commerce company.

  • Collaborated with internal and external stakeholders on complex problem-solving.

  • Designed three partnership proposals, balancing user experience and business goals.

  • Successfully established the partnership.

My Role

Product Manager, Product Designer - Global Product Planning

Company
Company

OnePlus/OPPO

OnePlus/OPPO
Time
Time

2022-2023

2022-2023
Broader Context

Build ColorOS Ecosystem with Service Partnerships

Build ColorOS Ecosystem with Service Partnerships

To offer tailored local services to users, establish a strong ecosystem, and stimulate business expansion, we are developing foundational product partnerships for ColorOS.

To offer tailored local services to users, establish a strong ecosystem, and stimulate business expansion, we are developing foundational product partnerships for ColorOS.

Project Goals

Partnership pitching to the world’s largest online shopping platform

Despite multiple attempts to propose the integration of an interactive widget feature, our team has consistently been turned down by the partner.

My goal is to refine the product concepts to establish a strategic partnership. This will require redesign of the existing proposal and discovery of new opportunities.

Despite multiple attempts to propose the integration of an interactive widget feature, our team has consistently been turned down by the partner.

My goal is to refine the product concepts to establish a strategic partnership. This will require redesign of the existing proposal and discovery of new opportunities.

Challenge 1

A mismatch between the partner’s business goals and our product proposal

I conducted an in-depth analysis on our widget interaction strategy and talked with various teams involved in the project to pinpoint the critical reasons for our proposals being declined.

I conducted an in-depth analysis on our widget interaction strategy and talked with various teams involved in the project to pinpoint the critical reasons for our proposals being declined.

Partner’s Business Goal
  • New User Acquisition
  • Order Convention
  • Membership Subscription
Our Product Proposal

Our product proposal, focused on post-purchase services such as order tracking, does not align with the partner's primary business objectives.

Design Approach 1

Aligning product proposal with business objectives, enrich widget content to provide more user value and drive growth

Enrich widget content

I expanded the widget content beyond post-purchase services to include pre-purchase personalized content that boosts order conversion and offers customized recommendations to users.

* Mockup Demos

Deal and Events
Deal and Events
Orders and Tracking
Orders and Tracking

Member Exclusive Widget

Additionally, I integrated a new product concept featuring exclusive Prime member-only content, such as widget customizations and special deals, aimed at increasing membership subscriptions.

* Mockup Demos

* Mockup Demos

Regular Widgets

Prime Member Exclusive

Default Interface

Enable Customization

Regular Deals

Exclusive Deals

Design Approach 2

Built the mvp of the Widget Store for immediate user convention

The Widget Store enables new users to browse and download widgets freely, 2X widget exposure and drives user convention.

* See a case study of the Widget Store creation HERE.

The Widget Store enables new users to browse and download widgets freely, 2X widget exposure and drives user convention.

* See a case study of the Widget Store creation HERE.

Challenge 2

Partnerships are just like dating. we need more attractive, innovative immediate proposals to captivate our partners and initiate conversations.

Compromising user experience for partner benefit? No

While exploring partnership opportunities, another team suggested introducing "lock screen ads" to promote partner services. Recognizing the potential detriment to user experience, I opposed this approach.

Revisit User Journey

Are there unmeet user needs in mobile shopping? Yes

I analyzed user research reports and data, uncovering a prevalent behavior across key markets: users consistently compare prices before online purchases.

in US

82%

of consumers compare prices before making an online purchase.

*Source: Statista

In Southeast Asia, users prioritize

smart price comparison

when shopping online, as our reports indicate.

*Source: Internal user research

In Europe, consumers evaluate both

price and delivery options

before ordering.

*Source: Statista

Our research highlights a pain point in navigating multiple shopping apps to compare prices, presenting an opportunity for OS to enhance the user experience by simplifying this process.

Design Approach

Synthesizing user needs, partner requirements, and OS functionality, I proposed a partnership to embed a price comparison tool within the sidebar

Upon reviewing the OS features, I identified the OPlus Smart Sidebar as an ideal solution for price comparison. It not only streamlines multitasking by simplifying the switch between applications but also provides assistance with the user's current task. And it is compatible with all our devices, including foldable phones and tablets, with the capability to invoke split-screen.

Upon reviewing the OS features, I identified the OPlus Smart Sidebar as an ideal solution for price comparison. It not only streamlines multitasking by simplifying the switch between applications but also provides assistance with the user's current task. And it is compatible with all our devices, including foldable phones and tablets, with the capability to invoke split-screen.

Developed a service blueprint detailing the services and support structure for intricate collaborations

Challenge 3

Longer term partnership idea consideration

Business objectives and Stakeholder Interviews

To identify our shared long-term objectives, I engaged with stakeholders and conducted thorough analyses of both our and our partner's business models, product visions, strengths and weaknesses

Long Term Partnership Vision

Build a cohesive ecosystem together

Our joint goal is to establish a robust ecosystem encompassing devices and software. By enabling device connectivity and continuity, synchronizing accounts, we can craft a seamless user experience across all devices.

Our joint goal is to establish a robust ecosystem encompassing devices and software. By enabling device connectivity and continuity, synchronizing accounts, we can craft a seamless user experience across all devices.

I created mockups and demos to visualize the product vision. Planned and prepared workshops for further conversations.

I created mockups and demos to visualize the product vision. Planned and prepared workshops for further conversations.

  • Blue Image
  • Sea
  • Orange Mountains
  • Purple Mountains
  • Blue Image
  • Sea
  • Orange Mountains
  • Purple Mountains
  • Blue Image
  • Sea
  • Orange Mountains
  • Purple Mountains
Result

Established Fundamental Partnership

With the revamped partnership proposal, we successfully pitched to our partners and engaged with their product teams. They have incorporated the price comparison sidebar into their product planning.

With the revamped partnership proposal, we successfully pitched to our partners and engaged with their product teams. They have incorporated the price comparison sidebar into their product planning.

Afterwords

Unfortunately changes in leadership direction paused development on this project assignment.

This experience, however, remains a cherished chapter in my journey of product partnership. We poured our passion into nights and days of research, spirited brainstorming, and meticulous refinement, ultimately forging a proposal that elegantly balanced user needs with business directives.

I hold dear the pride of being the voice of global users at OnePlus/OPPO, and look forward to see where the design land in the future.

Unfortunately changes in leadership direction paused development on this project assignment.

This experience, however, remains a cherished chapter in my journey of product partnership. We poured our passion into nights and days of research, spirited brainstorming, and meticulous refinement, ultimately forging a proposal that elegantly balanced user needs with business directives.

I hold dear the pride of being the voice of global users at OnePlus/OPPO, and look forward to see where the design land in the future.

see also

Widget Store

PoemWiki

SenseWeather