Describe your current role in the organization.
I began my career as a front-end developer at Zoho Mail, and now I handle product management for ZeptoMail and Mail360. Additionally, I guide a team of front-end developers for both of these products.
What role does Zoho’s company culture play in your identity and the work that you do?
The way things work at Zoho has greatly impacted me and shaped who I am today. I like the simplicity, where you don’t have to make an appointment with your managers or other seniors to meet them or have a word with them. Whether it is a casual conversation or a work-based discussion, it is always easy to communicate and work together without any inhibitions. The same is true even with Sridhar Vembu, our CEO, as he is also easy to approach and talk to. This gives me the energy and confidence to handle challenges that come my way in both my professional and personal life.
What were the highest and lowest points of your journey with Zoho?
In my journey with Zoho, there have been a lot of high points. Whenever my work goes live in action, and gets used by people, it is always a joy. One of the happiest moments that I look back to was the launch of ZeptoMail.
One of the lowest points I experienced was in my personal life. But Zoho helped me overcome the tough times by extending complete support and making me resilient during that phase of life.
Your most embarrassing blunder?
Like every other developer, in my early days, I once made an embarrassing blunder in a piece of code and missed a major use case during the internal testing. Since it was a phased release, we found the problem in the first stage itself. But this made me even more cautious and responsible. I still verify every use case before my work is released, regardless of how big or small it is.
What are your hobbies or favorite activities outside of work?
I love drawing kolams, a traditional decorative art drawn on the floor with rice flour. The combination of dots, different geometrical lines, shapes, and colours truly mesmerize me! I love cooking new recipes for my kids and watching them relish that food. I enjoy listening to music, and I also practice Carnatic music on weekends.
Words of Wisdom
Every challenge is an opportunity waiting to be explored. Be open to learning and welcome new challenges with open arms.
Approach your team with empathy, understand their perspectives, validate their emotions, and foster a supportive and inclusive environment.
Give priority to your physical and mental wellness. A Tamil saying goes like this - “சுவர் இருந்தால்தான் சித்திரம் வரைய முடியும்!” (You can paint only if you have a wall!)