CHEIL FRANCE

Galaxy S23 Series Launch:

Samsung Electronics regularly launches new products, with flagship releases like the Galaxy S or Z smartphones, Galaxy Tab, and Galaxy Book series receiving special focus and requiring extensive preparation. While managing the Samsung France website, I had the opportunity to lead several of these high-profile product launches. One key example was the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series, a project where my role was central to ensuring both an on-time launch and high client satisfaction.

Situation:

The primary objective was the timely and impactful launch of the official product website for the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series (S23, S23+, S23 Ultra) on the Samsung France domain. This launch was crucial for supporting the global product unveiling, driving pre-orders, and providing comprehensive product information to the French market.

Key Challenges:

• Tight deadlines synchronized with Samsung’s global product announcement
• Coordination with multiple stakeholders: Samsung France, Samsung HQ in Korea, Cheil UK (overseeing Cheil EU teams)
• Ensuring consistency across all European markets, while adapting to local requirements

My Role:

As the main point of contact between Cheil UK and Samsung France, I was directly responsible for managing the project timeline and ensuring client satisfaction. My role was critical in aligning internal teams and external stakeholders toward a successful launch.

Responsibilities:

• Timeline Management
• Resource Allocation
• Cross-Functional Coordination
• Quality Assurance (QA) Oversight
• Stakeholder Communication

Key actions:

• Created a detailed project timeline in Google Sheets, which incorporated critical milestones, dependencies, and built-in buffer time to address unforeseen issues, providing a clear roadmap for all involved
• Delegated tasks to 3 of my team members using Jira, considering their strengths and current workload
• Collaborated closely with the creative and development teams to produce specific assets and implement unique functionalities on the product buy pages, catering to the distinct requirements of Samsung France
• Acted as a mediator between Samsung France and Samsung Korea regarding regional sales offers vs. global consistency, ultimately achieving a compromise that satisfied both sides
• Conducted thorough QA checks on all deliverables, ensuring that all product SKUs were correctly registered, technical specifications and product descriptions were accurate, and all buy-page functionalities (e.g., customization options, payment gateways) were fully operational before final client delivery
• Conducted thorough post-launch checks with the client to confirm seamless operation, addressing any immediate needs or minor adjustments

Results:

The efforts culminated in the successful on-time launch of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Series website on the Samsung France platform, effectively supporting the global product unveiling. This project not only met its primary objective but also yielded significant positive feedback:

• Received positive feedback from both Samsung France and the Cheil EU lead team for effective project management and problem-solving under pressure
• The project showcased my capacity to maintain client satisfaction even when navigating complex international dynamics and tight deadlines

Key Takeaways:

This demanding experience significantly enhanced my project management skills, particularly in high-intensity, tight-scheduled environments. I gained deeper insights into:

• Efficient delegation: Developed a stronger ability to delegate effectively by aligning tasks with team members’ strengths
• Proactive Communication: Gained deeper insight into the importance of maintaining open, continuous communication with stakeholders, especially in high-pressure, time-sensitive projects
• Conflict resolution in complex ecosystem: Developed strong negotiation and mediation skills to resolve disagreements between diverse stakeholders and foster collaborative relationships

My approach to project management is rooted in proactive planning, transparent communication, and a relentless focus on delivering measurable results while maintaining strong stakeholder relationships. I thrive in dynamic environments where precise execution and strategic oversight are paramount to success.