The goal of this interview series is to inspire and help people to transition their career into a new or next experimentation related role. In this edition Stefanie Grimmling shares her journey. Stefanie is a member of the Management Team & Senior Managing Consultant at konversionsKRAFT.
It’s important to be clear about what you believe in and how you think about trying new things. You should have a strong set of ideas about how to focus on users and how to experiment well, in addition to knowing how to do the experiments themselves.
Stefanie Grimmling
Please introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Stefanie, and I have over ten years of experience in product management and conversion rate optimization focusing on improving project management and handling changes. I launched my first A/B test about eight years ago, and since then, I’ve gained experience as a Product Owner or CRO Manager in various industries and companies. So I primarily help online stores work better and sell more.
Since then I gained insights into different teams and sectors over the years, I am familiar with many challenges and collaborate with teams to develop solutions to move forward quickly and efficiently, optimizing and scaling their experimentation program. I enjoy trying new ways to make websites better, using methods like A/B testing and personalization. I always make decisions based on facts and have a passion for learning and trying out new ideas in the fast-changing digital world. By applying a strategic focus to projects, I help them to mature and deliver visible successes.
What is your current experimentation role and what do you do?
Currently, as a senior managing consultant, I am dedicated to leading teams and implementing cutting-edge solutions to drive growth and innovation in the digital space. For example we are evaluating the maturity level of our clients and picking strategies to scale their experimentation program. In terms of their cultural mindset, their knowledge about experimentation, their technical and databases, their processes and their visibility for this topic.
If you want to learn more about check out this page: https://www.konversionskraft.de/grow-model
How did you enter the experimentation space? What was your first experimentation related role? Share your origin story here.
Over a decade ago, I began my career as a product manager, which was actually a coincidence. I never thought of working as a product manager. I was rid of my old job and quit it without having a perspective on what to do next. So I follow my passion – which is fashion. But I recognized very fast that fashion is not what would make me happy for a long time. So I got a call from a headhunter and she was supposed to find someone for a fashion start as a fashion consultant. We both realized after several calls that I’m overeducated. So they offered me a job in business development, which after 2 months turned out to be a product manager role. So I got in this job, because my former boss saw my potential and my interest in tech and trying out things. So we decided to build up our own tech team and tried to experiment with the ideas we got. So she pushed me and sparked my interest in conversion optimization and e-commerce marking my entry into experimentation. So she was a big influence during this period, because she always provided hands-on guidance and encouraged me to explore and test new ideas.
How do you apply experimentation in your personal life? (what are you tinkering with or always optimizing?)
In my personal life, I apply experimentation to various aspects such as fitness routines or even culinary experiments. I often experiment with different approaches to see what works best for me and continuously optimize my methods based on the outcomes. I try to set goals and measure them afterwards, and also my personal experience and motivation has an impact on those decisions. It’s not only data that counts so you have to listen to you motivation.
What are you currently doing to keep up with the ever-changing industry?
To stay up-to-date on the industry, I try to attend conferences, workshops, and webinars. Additionally, I read relevant blogs or bock,, follow thought leaders on social media platforms, and participate in online courses (CXL or HBS for management) to ensure I remain up-to-date with the latest trends, tools, and best practices. (As long as my time allows me all that – which is pretty challenging at the moment.
What recommendations would you give to someone who is looking to join the experimentation industry and get their first full-time position?
If you want to start a career in the experimentation industry and get your first job, here’s my advice: It’s important to be clear about what you believe in and how you think about trying new things. You should have a strong set of ideas about how to focus on users and how to experiment well, in addition to knowing how to do the experiments themselves.
Also, getting a certificate in this area can really help. It shows you’re serious about learning and being good at experimentation. This makes you stand out and shows employers that you’re ready and committed. So, focus on building your skills and proving what you know.
Which developments in experimentation excite you? How do you see the field changing in the next 5 to 10 years?
I’m particularly excited about advancements in machine learning and AI-driven experimentation, which have the potential to revolutionize how experiments are conducted and analyzed. In the next 5 to 10 years, I anticipate a greater integration of AI and machine learning algorithms into experimentation platforms, enabling more sophisticated personalization and automation capabilities. However, the fundamental principles of experimentation, such as hypothesis testing and statistical rigor, will remain unchanged. The importance of data-driven decision-making and the need for experimentation to drive innovation and growth will also persist.
Is there anything people reading this can help you with? Or any parting words?
If you’re reading this and have insights, resources, or opportunities related to experimentation or any related field, I would greatly appreciate your input and collaboration. Experimentation thrives on collaboration and sharing of knowledge, so I encourage anyone interested in the field to actively engage with the community and contribute to its growth and advancement.
Which other experimenters would you love to read an interview by?
I would love to read interviews by pioneers and thought leaders in the field of experimentation, such as Stefan Thomke or André Morys ;), to gain insights into their experiences, perspectives, and predictions for the future of experimentation.
Thank you Stefanie for sharing your journey and insights with the community.
