Building a product that resonates with customers demands both vision and adaptability. Adeyemi Gideon, Chief Product Officer at Pennee Technologies, has navigated this landscape by adopting the principle of breaking down processes and actively listening to the needs of users. His approach has shaped Pennee into a standout platform for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria, providing financial products that support business growth and resilience.
Gideon’s product-building philosophy centres around simplifying the development journey into manageable stages what he refers to as “chunking the process.” By segmenting product tasks into smaller, actionable steps, teams can stay focused on delivering incremental improvements without being overwhelmed by the project’s complexity.
“Product development can feel like climbing a mountain. Chunking the process allows us to approach one peak at a time,” says Gideon. For Pennee, this approach has fostered an agile work environment where feedback is integrated swiftly, keeping the platform aligned with user needs and industry shifts. Pennee’s development teams hold frequent milestone checks, ensuring that each step is optimized and that adjustments can be made without disrupting the overall vision.
At the heart of Pennee’s success is a dedication to user-centric design a process that Gideon believes is impossible without effective listening. His team conducts regular user research sessions, often meeting with customers directly to gather insights and feedback. “Our users are the ones who ultimately define the product’s value. By listening to them closely, we avoid assumptions and focus on real, tangible needs,” he explains.
This approach has proven particularly impactful in Pennee’s efforts to support underserved MSMEs. Through user interviews and surveys, Pennee identified that its clients not only needed accessible financing but also desired tools that would help them manage day-to-day business operations efficiently. In response, the team developed integrated financial management features, allowing business owners to track expenses, automate payments, and access capital with minimal friction. By actively incorporating user feedback, Pennee has refined these tools to enhance functionality and user satisfaction.
Guided by these principles, Pennee’s product development has evolved into a structured yet flexible process. The teams use agile methodologies to track progress on segmented tasks, allowing for rapid iteration and continuous feedback loops. By chunking tasks, developers can quickly respond to changes, which has been instrumental in meeting Pennee’s growth objectives.
The results have been impressive. Since adopting these strategies, Pennee has streamlined its user onboarding experience, reducing the time required for new clients to set up their accounts. The company’s financial tools have also seen increased engagement, with customers reporting greater ease in managing cash flow and accessing credit.
As Pennee continues to grow, Gideon remains committed to refining the product to align with user needs. His work has underscored the importance of maintaining a flexible, responsive approach to development, especially within Nigeria’s diverse and evolving business environment. By chunking processes and emphasizing user input, Pennee is setting a new standard for how fintech platforms can support economic growth across the continent.
Pennee Technologies is dedicated to empowering Nigerian MSMEs by providing accessible credit solutions and comprehensive business management tools that support entrepreneurial growth. Under the product leadership of Gideon Adeyemi, Pennee has transformed into a trusted financial partner for small and medium enterprises helping solidify Pennee’s position as a key player in Nigeria’s fintech landscape, fostering financial empowerment and sustainable growth for businesses across the region.
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