Inline SMB Checkout

Project Summary

My first end-to-end project at Microsoft focused on enabling a new in-app checkout flow for small and medium businesses (SMBs). I led a cross-functional team to develop a streamlined experience that allowed SMBs to purchase subscriptions using consumer Microsoft accounts via Simplified Sign-Up (SSU) — removing the friction of needing a commercial account setup.

SSU for SMB Subscriptions

At the time, Microsoft’s primary growth strategy for SMB subscriptions involved enabling purchases through consumer identities, reducing sign-up complexity. This project aimed to extend that strategy into the in-app checkout funnel.

My Role:

• Led product planning and roadmap for the SSU-based SMB checkout.
• Coordinated a team of engineers, UX designers, legal, and research partners.
• Managed compliance and policy reviews to ensure alignment with Microsoft account structure and downstream licensing systems.
• Aligned multiple stakeholders on go-to-market and rollout planning.

Strategic Change & Outcome

Just before launch, the business shifted its approach: Microsoft decided to revert to requiring commercial accounts for all SMB subscriptions. As a result, the project was sunset prior to rollout.

Despite this, the work:

• Deepened my understanding of internal account systems, commerce architecture, and policy/legal constraints.
• Gave me hands-on experience navigating large-scale enterprise decision-making and adjusting course under changing priorities.
• Strengthened my ability to lead cross-functional collaboration across many disciplines.

What I Took From This Project

While the product was not launched, this project was foundational in:

• Building my confidence as a product manager at Microsoft.
• Establishing strong working relationships across engineering, legal, design, and research.
• Learning how to adapt plans under strategic uncertainty and maintain team morale and alignment in the face of cancellation.