Life at Zoho
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Describe your current role
in the organization.

My learning years at Zoho Schools, followed by the extremely varied exposure to technologies, markets, and methodologies that I was fortunate to receive during my formative years, helped me understand the nuances of product development, straight from the kitchen. Today, I am a Product Manager, overseeing product strategy, market research, requirements gathering, and guiding the overall development process which includes user experience design and testing. I particularly love the cross-functional collaboration and jugglery of stakeholder expectations that come with the job!

organization

What role does Zoho’s company culture play in your identity and the work that you do?

Thank you for this question! It helped me look back at the 17 years I have spent here at Zoho Corp., and how every success I celebrated (and failure I learned from) have been a result of a happy collaboration between an eager learner (me!) and a culture of encouragement and trust (and, of course, a bit of luck)! The accommodative nature of project schedules, the risk-empowering approach adopted by management, and the solid bedrock of support provided by colleagues, motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and indulge in conscious learning.

During my time here, I’ve ventured into various technologies, most of which required me to start from scratch. I had my fair share of successes, but also faced failures along the way, and attempted a few projects multiple times before eventually succeeding. Comparing notes, I have learned to my utter joy, that I have had the opportunity to dabble more in a decade, what many professionals don’t get to do even in a lifetime.

Zoho’s way of work places great importance on extracurricular activities too, which contributes to mental peace and physical fitness. I’ve tried my hand in a wide range of activities, from throwball tournaments to cricket and carrom, too, and finished at the podium in some inter-corporate events. Not to mention the team offsite experiences and celebratory treats that helped me connect with the other side of many of my teammates.

journey
blunder

Your most embarrassing blunder?

As a newcomer to the field, I made my fair share of programming mistakes, and I’ve learned valuable lessons from them. One particular memory that still stands out is the time my code caused the entire system to come to a halt. I eventually identified the issue, but I couldn’t help but feel responsible and regretful. However, I was fortunate to have supportive managers and leaders who didn’t just look for a scapegoat to pile the blame on. Instead, they imparted an enduring lesson that I will never forget: the importance of learning from failures and turning them into opportunities for growth.

What were the highest and lowest points of your journey with Zoho?

There have been quite a few defining moments in my life as a software engineer, and I consider myself profoundly lucky for those learning opportunities.

One such instance occurred when I was part of a team that developed a product specifically designed for children with special needs. We created a series of games, and I took on the role of a backend developer for these Flash-based games. Witnessing these games being used by our target audience, without requiring any external support or assistance, filled me with an overwhelming sense of fulfillment.

ToonDoo, a product that reached millions of users and cartoon enthusiasts, was a high point in my career. I distinctly remember launch day, and the sleepless night we spent at the office watching the signups and user activity skyrocket. My contributions to this project were substantial, and I felt particularly satisfied with the additional roles I took on. I had the opportunity to attend various events, set up stalls, and engage with our young customers, primarily children. Explaining the product to them remains one of the happiest moments of my life.

It was a sheer coincidence that a temporary lull at work happened at the same time the iPhone was launched. I jumped right in, and worked with my group head to build a unique dictionary-based game. This app was far from typical; it featured custom images, animations, special effects, and audio elements, along with an engaging storyline. What made this project even more special was that the original concept had been developed by my manager decades ago, stored on an ancient floppy disk. To our surprise, the app received special mentions and was even featured in a newspaper review.

This fairy-tale-like story can’t be complete, however, without acknowledging the disappointing demons I had to face along the way! Low points I faced have to do with some of the products I worked on which are no longer active, either due to technological obsolescence or evolving company needs. Some were retired by internal diktat, while others just didn’t take off in the app stores. A few that did make it to market didn’t receive the recognition we had hoped for. I am left wondering, “If only we had…”

Nevertheless, each setback served as a valuable lesson. I learned from these experiences, ensuring I didn’t repeat the old mistakes, while making way for the new! Ultimately, my goal remains the same: to be productive and create valuable products for our customers, benefiting them and the company I work for. This journey has taught me resilience and the importance of striving for excellence in the face of challenges.

journey
hobbies

What are your hobbies or favorite activities outside of work?

I can perhaps divide my life into two eras—I am a mother of two kids!

Before kids: I had a deep love for gardening. I enjoyed visiting the nearby nursery to buy new plants and materials. I even had a thriving terrace garden.

After kids: I’m in search of some ‘me’ time, something I haven’t quite achieved yet. I’m still figuring out how to make that happen.

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