Welcome to the latest post in our “Employee Q&A” series, where we interview an employee to reflect on their career and experience at 3D Cloud™. Part of our success is mainly due to our people. So, we’re excited to feature a hardworking team member to learn about their journey at 3D Cloud.
This week, we spotlight Kris Petersen, Chief Product Officer at 3D Cloud™. Let’s read on to learn more!
Kris, how did you learn about 3D Cloud™, and what is your current role at the company?
I learned about 3D Cloud when I started a decking project at my house three years ago. I’m an avid DIY-er and was excited to find 3D Cloud’s Deck Designer product on TimberTech’s website. I had tried several other online deck design products for my project, but TimberTech was the best for my needs.
A year later, by total coincidence, I was contacted by an executive recruiter about a search for a chief product officer at 3D Cloud. Given my personal experience with one of their products, I was excited! After meeting the team, it was one of the easiest career decisions I’ve ever made.
It’s a unique situation when a product manager or engineer gets to build software for themselves. I’m reminded of this every day when I see the beautiful TimberTech deck in my backyard on top of my garage!
What does your role consist of?
As 3D Cloud’s Chief Product Officer, I’m accountable for our product management (what we build and why), user experience (visual design and research), and customer training (onboarding and continuing education) activity. We have amazing teams and leaders in these organizations, which makes my role incredibly fun!
What do you like most about the work we do here?
The products we build are changing how consumers and businesses make complex buying decisions. Think about starting a kitchen remodel or ordering complex office furniture. What used to require multiple trips to a store, paper forms, and interaction with an expert can now happen at your convenience on your phone or laptop.
3D Cloud customers are pioneering a new way of shopping through our products. It’s amazing to partner with such forward-thinking customers to push the limits of technology to improve an end user’s day. I love knowing our products create delightful moments and improve people’s days.
What do you think makes our team culture unique?
3D Cloud created a customer-first mentality from day one. We also remained a relatively small company for quite a while. That combination built fantastic energy and passion for our work and people. In any given all-company meeting, you’re just as likely to hear the latest customer win as you are someone’s newest Netflix find. People genuinely love working at 3D Cloud; as a newer team member, it’s infectious.
How do you structure your day?
I typically break my days into morning, midday, and afternoon/evening.
My team works across three different time zones, including Europe, so the beginning of each day is critical as it’s the only time everyone is online together. The morning includes any daily standups I attend and any cross-team reviews for product or UX.
The middle of my day tends to be spent with the product team. It is critical to stay in sync and align operationally with four product managers in a newly formed product management organization. It’s also the most fun part of my day.
My afternoons and occasional evenings are when I get to put my headphones on and get to work! Some things require focus and meaningful chunks of time to do well. It’s essential to create that space in your day, which I try to protect as best I can for myself and my teammates.
What’s something that you’ve always wanted to try or learn?
I wish I knew how to play the piano. Something about a song being played well on the piano impresses me so much. I’d love to sit down at a public piano and create that moment for people passing by.
Thank you, Kris, for your responses. We appreciate your dedication to the team and the important skills you bring.
