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Describe your current role in the organization.

organization

My 20+ year journey at Zoho has been a thrilling ride! I began by delving into network management systems and crafting a network simulator using C/C++. As Zoho transitioned to cloud solutions, I helped build Zoho Writer and Zoho Show, establishing our position in cloud-based office suites.

Recognizing the potential for interactive presentation tools, I led a small team to explore new avenues. This led to the creation of two game-changing platforms: TrainerCentral and Backstage. Later, I teamed up with the Zoho Docs team to develop Zoho WorkDrive, a robust collaboration platform. Currently, I’m exploring the healthcare market, aiming to build a specialized vertical solution leveraging the power of Zoho’s existing platforms like CRM and WorkDrive.

My focus remains on supporting the success of all the incredible products we’ve built together, including Zoho WorkDrive, TrainerCentral, and Backstage.

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

One of the key aspects of Zoho’s culture is the freedom to fail. This has allowed me to prioritize innovation over rigid measurement. We are encouraged to take risks and innovate, knowing that not every endeavor will be successful.

Another important aspect of Zoho’s culture is the emphasis on getting things done. While not every execution is successful, each failure serves as a valuable learning experience and a stepping stone to future success.

Zoho’s culture of freedom to fail, emphasis on innovation, and focus on getting things done has been pivotal in shaping my approach to work and has enabled me to take on challenges with confidence.

identity

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

journey

Over my long journey here at Zoho, I’ve experienced many ups and downs. Pinpointing a specific incident is tough.

One of the highest turning points in my career was when I started envisioning how to make presentations engaging and interactive. That thinking resulted in two wonderful products: TrainerCentral and Backstage. I’d say my highest point was during the initial releases of these two products.

One of the many challenges I faced involved the initial release of Zoho WorkDrive. In early 2018, the concept of team-based content collaboration was relatively new. WorkDrive played a crucial role in Zoho’s vision of becoming the operating system for businesses, so ensuring internal buy-in was critical. To overcome this hurdle, we actively gathered user feedback and showcased successful adoption stories within Zoho. Over time, WorkDrive’s value became evident, proving its alignment with Zoho’s overall vision.

Your most embarrassing blunder?

During the initial release of Zoho ShowTime (now TrainerCentral), our pricing structure did not fully account for the cost of a third-party framework we used internally to support audio conferencing. When the pandemic hit, our users began relying heavily on ShowTime’s audio conferencing capabilities for all their meetings and presentations. This led to a significant bill from the third-party provider.

To address this, we quickly replaced the third-party framework with our own built-in video conferencing solution. This experience was a valuable lesson for us, highlighting the importance of thorough pricing analysis and the need to anticipate changes in user behavior, especially during unforeseen circumstances like a pandemic.

It was a challenging experience, but it ultimately helped us strengthen our product and pricing strategies.

What are your favorite activities outside of work?

Outside of work, I find fulfillment in actively supporting my daughter’s passion for basketball. Whether it’s cheering her on at tournaments or ensuring she fuels her training with healthy meals, I cherish these moments of connection.

Some of my daughter’s baskets in the prestigious SGFI National level tournament are recorded in this video.

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