For our first interview for Behind the Scenes @ RevX, we had an interactive conversation with Pranesh Sharma, a Product Manager at RevX to find out more about what goes behind product planning and execution.
While Mobile Advertising has been quite the trend in the Adtech ecosystem, at RevX we are focused on building modules that help app marketers boost their app performance. Our Product Manager, Pranesh Sharma, shares a glimpse of his role with us and discusses some of the best practices around working with data analysis and decoding a vision for a product. So if your work is all about analyzing data and product management, be sure to stick around for the interview!
What gets you out of bed every day?
Taking tiny steps every day can lead to a big difference. Knowing that each day is symbolic, has the power to inspire me. Perpetually, all big life changes are incremental. Overnight success stories might be a thing, but they certainly do not prevail over the night. They succeed only after one puts in efforts incrementally. To sum it all up: 1.01^365 is 37.7. This is also evident in the compounding effect visible in interest rates.
What three words would you use to describe your current job role?
Three words that represent my current job role are Data, People, and Scale.
Here at RevX, my work revolves around data. As a Product Manager, I must ensure that our ideas are in sync with the product that we are building. Before finalizing a set of deliverables for our clients, we scrutinize the data inside out. Often when it’s a small setup, the result is better than when scaled broadly. Skillfully scaling our product for both our internal teams and our clients is my ultimate goal.
Highlight some of your recent developments at RevX?
It is quite an exciting time to be at RevX. With all the new developments and teams coming together, we ensure that we are highly synergistic and efficient. Building and analyzing state-of-the-art product features using Data Science, Data Engineering, and UX capabilities have given me access to a pool of opportunities.
What are your biggest professional challenges and how would you like to overcome them?
Amidst the pandemic, streamlining our personal and professional lives has surely gone for a toss. Throughout the day, there are multiple tasks at hand to keep me engaged. But managing a bunch of tasks together can often get a little overwhelming. Therefore, I make sure that I’m using the right set of tools required to help me keep a tab on multiple threads and conversations going on internally.
Some of the key tools I make use of on a day-to-day basis are:
- Notion – for task management and meeting notes;
- XMind – for mind mapping and problem-solving;
- Any.do – for to-do-lists;
- Google Keep – for stickies and notes.
Tell us something about one of your favorite projects at RevX?
My absolute favorite is the CPM bargainer module; mostly because of the organizational goals this project has helped us achieve. AI and DS are the core aspects of the project and have made it all the more intriguing for me. With this project at hand, I was able to dive deep into AI and DS to build a notable element for our module that we now use extensively in our campaigns.
How do you manage to work in unison with other team members and lead a team?
One does not need to have a nominal role to lead here. At RevX, anyone can come up with a great idea that we can implement and drive in the right direction. The trick lies in aligning our business goals with our vision. That enables our team to work collectively to about a massive impact, while at the same time it also brings us closer to our milestones.
What is your motto or your mantra?
Choosing the right path over a short path has always been my approach to everything I do in life. Shortcuts appear to be beguiling at first but won’t lead you a long way in your journey. When you decide on doing the right thing to reach your destination, you will stay there longer. Plus, it’s also easier to plan and move ahead to your next destination.
“It ain’t how hard you hit; it’s about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward.” – Rocky Balboa.
What do you like to do in your free time?
When I’m not analyzing or mapping out a product idea for our next project, you’ll find me binge-watching a new show that has just been released on Netflix or sometimes, deep-absorbed within the pages of a book.
We must take some time off to rest and recharge, especially on the weekends. Draw a sketch, paint something, cook for your family or simply, withdraw and enjoy a well-made cup of coffee!
What’s a fun fact that people might not know about you?
I am a travel enthusiast who loves to explore new places and enjoys trekking! I’ve covered almost all the prominent regions within India. My next goal is to travel the world and explore all the opportunities it has to offer.
What advice would you give for other professionals who are trying to ace in a similar position like yours?
If you’re new to the world of Product Management, know that it’s always about managing expectations across all verticals.
When leading product initiatives, getting user feedback, expert opinions, and brainstorming ideas will fetch you better results.
Also, researching the current market trends, acknowledging the nooks and crannies of your product, and scaling it accordingly are some of the key aspects to consider.
“Great products are engineered when product managers truly understand the desired outcomes by actively listening to people, not users.” – Michael Fountain, Director of Product at Apptentive.
