Software People Stories

PM Power Consulting
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Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.

  1. 1 天前

    Systems thinking, Social bonding & new contracts with Jithu Gopal

    Episode subtitle: Intro: Jithu Gopal is a fintech product leader based in Bangalore, with 18+ years across engineering, consulting, and product. He is AVP Product at Scripbox and currently owns the charter of building the advisory experience that'll help a million families make confident choices about their portfolios. Before Scripbox he co-founded Nilenso, a boutique technology consulting firm, where he built a social network, rewrote the checkout experience for a ticketing platform, and took on a few other projects. He is curious about what creates habits and what motivates people. Shownotes: In this conversation, Jithu Gopal and Chitra Gurjar explore - Working as a software engineer and an early observer of the cost of quality in workActive community-based learning from Java and Ruby user groups in early careerBuilding a social network , learning the “ethics” of software engineering, recognizing and applying design patterns Work at Nilenso, an employee-owned cooperative-like company, applying functional programming principlesLiving the principles of “being agile”, using Test-Driven-Development to shape a problem and approach it from the outside, rather than just build, staying in the problem spaceThe versions of software engineering, 1.0 and 2.0Indispensable systems thinkingShifts in Product Management, building strong foundations of working with engineering using high agency and trust AI Mavens, followers, the power and tools to leverage knowledge and do way moreExamining AI in layers for any organization or system How we organize ourselves differently in the age of machinesKeeping the “Why” in focus with organization memory and problem memoryWhat “post AI” looks like - awakening consciousness and invoking agency, AI cycles bringing more value addSocial bonding as a key to young people’s future of work and lifeBooks that have had a powerful influence on him.For aspiring software engineers to keep building and asking about what “good” looks like: Few conversations flow back and forth in time, not unlike when you meet friends from childhood. In this episode of the Software People Stories podcast, I found myself having tremendous deja-vu moments as Jithu Gopal shared his flow of thoughts across various aspects of software engineering through his 18 plus years of work, how his interests and ways of connecting what he reads, experiences and works with have significance and relevance in the AI whorl that seems to be sweeping us with it and what habits and disciplines can hold us through as we begin to figure out new ways of working, learning and what the future might hold for our children and aspiring engineers. Listen on.

    Systems thinking, Social bonding & new contracts with Jithu Gopal

  2. 8月7日

    Business Before Technology with Mario

    In this episode of Software People Stories, I speak with Mario Lewis, a manufacturing specialist turned IT expert with over 35 years of experience. He talks about his career that began far away from software—in mechanical engineering, manufacturing, operations, and quality—and eventually found its way into the software services world. We talk about what manufacturing can teach software teams, why domain knowledge and business understanding matter, how to stay adaptable through career transitions, and Mario’s experiment with AI-assisted software development through Project Klyve. It’s a thoughtful conversation about learning, reinvention, and doing meaningful work—even when the path is unexpected. Highlights from this conversation: Early passion for aviation led to mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and operations research.Manufacturing taught lessons in process rigor, quality, planning, and business constraints.Software became a chosen path, not a passion, but Mario approached it with discipline and curiosity.Adaptability emerges as a key career skill across industries and eras of change.Mario argues that technology is an enabler; real value comes from solving business problems.Domain depth and tacit knowledge are becoming more important, especially in GCC-style models.Project Klyve tested how far AI and agentic tools could go in building a complete application.Advice for early-career professionals: master fundamentals, understand hardware, networks, data, and security.Advice for mid-career professionals: keep learning, build domain depth, and understand market forces.Retirement feels comfortable because IT was meaningful work, but not Mario’s core passion.Mario began his career on the shop floor with planning and manufacturing optimization roles in machine tool and switchgear manufacturing. That early focus on physical manufacturing and basic operations grounded his transition into IT services and enterprise software, where he spent over 35 years leading delivery, consulting, operations and business teams. Along the way, in 2006, he authored a book on the realities of IT service offshoring based on his practical experience in the field. At the end of 2024, Mario stepped away from full-time corporate roles into retirement. He spent that time building Klyve, an automated desktop software factory that implemented an SDLC to build full software applications using agentic AI. It was built around strict engineering controls, deterministic design, and local data privacy. For Mario, managing career shifts comes down to fundamentals. Staying useful across changing industries requires an openness to lifelong learning, disciplined routine, steady execution, and personal standards while tracking industry and technology trends." Mario may be reached at: mariolewis @ gmail.com. The Klyve repo is at https://github.com/mariolewis/klyve_factory His book (from 2006) is available at https://www.amazon.in/Application-Service-Offshoring-Insiders-Guide/dp/0761935258

    Business Before Technology with Mario

  3. 8月1日

    Making Products Matter with Saraswathi Shant Kumar

    In this episode of Software People Stories, I speak with Saraswathi, a marketing leader with over 15 years of cross-industry experience,  about the role of marketing in technology—especially how product marketers translate technical ideas into stories customers can understand and care about. We talk about digital communication, customer empathy, product adoption, AI in marketing, useful metrics, and practical career advice for anyone curious about moving into marketing. It is a thoughtful conversation on bridging products, people, and business impact. Among the highlights from this conversation are: Marketing fundamentals stay consistent, but customer pain points differ across industries.Digital content must be concise, compelling, and quick to capture attention.Audience niches and personalization help messages resonate better.Product marketers act as the bridge between product, UX, sales, and customers.Training works best when broken into short, accessible, in-product learning moments.Email remains effective when segmented and relevant to the audience.AI helps with competitive research, brainstorming, mockups, and faster first drafts.Brand voice can be protected by giving AI clear style guides, examples, and do’s and don’ts.Marketing impact should connect to opportunities, conversions, and revenue—not only vanity metrics.Support tickets offer unfiltered customer insight and can shape better messaging and product decisions.Career switchers can use transferable skills and start by getting closer to customers.Planning, yoga, short walks, and pausing before reacting help Saraswathi stay calm and grounded. Saraswathi Shanth Kumar (Sara) is a marketing leader with over 15 years of cross-industry experience translating complex products into compelling market stories. Her career spans advertising, journalism, SaaS, and Big Tech, leading to her current role at an edtech company in the Bay Area. Sara sees product marketing as the critical translator between product and market — and approaches every challenge with a problem-solver's mindset and a startup's appetite for experimentation. Outside of work, you can find her gardening, practicing yoga, and hiking the many trails in the Bay. My LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/saraskumar

    Making Products Matter with Saraswathi Shant Kumar

  4. 7月23日

    Accounting, ERP and Change management with Chander Sankaran

    My guest today is Chander Sankaran, an ERP and change management Specialist. With a professional background in finance and accounting, he has played many cross-functional roles that bridge the gap between finance and information technology.  In this conversation, Chander talks about Beginning his career in finance and accounting, then entering software through early ERP implementation work in a manufacturing plant in India.His move to the U.S. in the late 1990sHow his accounting and operational background helped him stand out in consulting by giving him stronger context for business requirements.Critical factors for smooth go-livesThe importance of change management for any enterprise technology work How factors such as global teams and hybrid work models require flexibilityThe benefits of AI in improving individual productivitySome concerns about AI’s environmental footprint and its potential effect on entry-level roles.He also shares practical career advice including keeping a resume updated, understanding that everyone is replaceableHis personal practices for staying grounded Chander S is an ERP Specialist based in Texas, and originally from Chennai, India. With a professional background in finance and accounting, he has played in cross-functional roles that bridge the gap between finance and information technology. Outside of work, Chander enjoys yoga, trekking, and volunteering in his local community. He may be contacted at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chander-sankaran-9027503/

    Accounting, ERP and Change management with Chander Sankaran

  5. 7月17日

    An Idea Today, an Outcome Tomorrow with Mathangi Sri Ramachandran

    My guest today is Mathangi Sri Ramachandran, Co-Founder of YuVerse. The conversation included Mathangi ’s early fascination with data-driven decision-making → AI as a force for democratisation → empathy at scale → career choices driven by impact → sustaining a long career as a woman → the ecosystem behind innovation and patents. 00:00 – Introduction: A life and career deeply rooted in AI Mathangi introduces herself as someone whose “heart and soul” are in AI. She talks about her role as CEO and co-founder of U-verse, a last-mile AI company focused on taking frontier AI models beyond experimentation and applying them to real business workflows and outcomes. 01:20 – What does “last-mile AI” really mean? Mathangi explains the gap between powerful frontier models and actual enterprise outcomes. She discusses how AI transformation requires bringing together technology, workflows and the human elements of work—across banking, insurance, real estate, retail and other industries. 02:30 – A 20-year journey in data science Long before the current generative AI wave, Mathangi was working in data science and analytics. She reflects on the long history of AI and reminds us that data-driven decision-making, machine learning and conversational technologies have been evolving for decades. 03:50 – The campus interview that changed her career direction A simple example during a GE campus interview at NIT Trichy—using data to decide where windmills should be located—sparked Mathangi’s interest in scientific, data-driven decision-making. That idea became a defining theme throughout her career. 05:00 – Using data to improve decisions at scale From marketing analytics to risk scorecards in financial services, Mathangi saw first-hand how large-scale data could improve enterprise decision-making. She shares her belief that moving from human judgement alone towards data-informed systems can help reduce bias and democratise access. 06:30 – Can machines deliver empathy at scale? In one of the most thought-provoking parts of the conversation, Mathangi challenges the assumption that machines cannot be empathetic. Drawing from her experience with conversational AI, she argues that machines can deliver consistent empathy across hundreds or thousands of difficult interactions in ways that are extremely challenging for human agents. 07:40 – Why difficult customer conversations can escalate Using debt collection conversations as an example, Mathangi explains the emotional burden placed on human agents who may handle a hundred difficult calls every day. She demonstrates how quickly a human-to-human interaction can escalate—and how well-designed conversational AI can maintain consistency and bring the emotional temperature down. 09:35 – From an idea today to an outcome tomorrow The arrival of large language models has dramatically shortened the distance between an idea and its implementation. For Mathangi, this makes the current era one of the most exciting times to work in AI. 10:55 – What continues to motivate her after two decades? The answer is simple: possibilities. Mathangi talks about her desire to use technology to build a better world by reducing bias, improving decision-making and democratising access to services. 11:20 – AI, financial inclusion and a more equitable world Better decision-making can enable deeper financial inclusion and expand access to capital. Mathangi connects AI and data science to a larger societal purpose: ensuring that more deserving people can access opportunities without being excluded by individual biases or subjective judgements. 12:50 – AI and access to healthcare and emotional support Mathangi explores the possibilities of AI in healthcare and therapy, particularly for people in underserved communities. She imagines a woman in a remote village being able to safely access a culturally aware, local-language AI companion when human support may be unavailable or difficult to approach. 14:45 – Why this is the best time to be working in AI Ideas that once took years to reach the market can now move from concept to implementation at extraordinary speed. Mathangi reflects on why she has never enjoyed her work more than she does today. 15:55 – Where the rubber meets the road: making AI deliver impact Looking across her career, Mathangi describes her current entrepreneurial journey as particularly impactful because she can not only build AI solutions but also take them directly into enterprises—improving processes such as customer conversations, underwriting and claims processing. 17:40 – The AI tailwind and pressure from the boardroom AI adoption is increasingly being driven from the top. Boards are asking organisations what they have done with AI and, importantly, what measurable impact it has created. Mathangi discusses both the opportunities and the risks of this pressure. 18:35 – Leadership is hard 95% of the time Mathangi offers a candid perspective on leadership: most days can be difficult and can test your sense of purpose. But the small percentage of moments when you see meaningful impact can make all that difficulty worthwhile. 19:15 – Choosing a bigger canvas over compensation Throughout her career, Mathangi has made decisions based on one guiding principle: where can she create the maximum impact? At times, that has meant walking away from significant compensation and lifestyle benefits in exchange for a larger canvas on which to build and contribute. 20:55 – A lesson from her mother: “Keep your job” Mathangi shares one of the most important pieces of advice she received from her mother. Through motherhood, travel, guilt and the many pressures women encounter, she remained determined not to compromise on her career. 21:40 – Designing life around a career, not a career around everything else Rather than fitting her career around domestic responsibilities, Mathangi says she consciously worked to organise her personal life so that her career could continue. She reflects on the grit required to sustain a career over more than two decades. 23:20 – The invisible infrastructure behind a long career Mathangi speaks with gratitude about mentors, organisations and, especially, her family. She explains why support at home is foundational to sustaining a demanding career—and why a headwind at home can be far harder to overcome than challenges at work. 25:00 – Staying rooted in Bangalore while building a global career Despite opportunities to relocate internationally, Mathangi made a conscious decision to keep Bangalore as her family’s home base. Instead of treating that as a limitation, she built her career around the constraint—travelling extensively while remaining rooted in one place. 27:00 – The story behind nearly 100 patents Mathangi credits the innovation ecosystem at [24]7.ai for creating the conditions in which patentable ideas could flourish. She discusses why innovation requires more than individual creativity—it also needs organisational encouragement, funding, legal support and processes. 28:20 – What makes an idea patent-worthy? Not every mathematically sophisticated model becomes a patent. Mathangi explains that patentable ideas need novelty, meaningful technological application and executability. She reflects on what she learned about innovation, prior art and protecting ideas during her time in an organisation that actively encouraged invention. 29:58 – The ecosystem that enables innovation Reflecting on Mathangi’s experience of filing nearly 100 patents, the conversation highlights how innovation is rarely an individual effort alone. A supportive organisational ecosystem—including encouragement from the team, financial resources, processes and institutional support—can make a significant difference in turning ideas into protected innovations. 31:15 – Career advice for young women: build grit and resilience Mathangi’s first piece of advice is particularly for young women entering the workforce: develop the grit not only to grow, but first to survive and persist. She speaks candidly about the headwinds women can encounter over the course of a career, including societal biases, workplace biases and even self-imposed pressures. 31:50 – Why biases can become more visible as women progress Mathangi reflects on something she wishes she had understood earlier: biases may become more pronounced as women move into more senior positions. Being aware of this possibility, she says, can help women build the resilience needed to navigate difficult moments without being completely shaken by them. 32:55 – “Resilience is the crux of a long career” Her advice is simple and powerful: don’t give up. For women in particular, where the headwinds may be stronger, resilience and the ability to keep going are fundamental to sustaining a long career. 33:10 – Advice for AI professionals: start with the problem, not the technology Whether the technology is AI, LLMs, data science, machine learning or whatever comes next, one thing remains constant: the problem. Mathangi urges technology professionals to develop genuine empathy for the person experiencing the problem they are trying to solve. 33:35 – Let the problem guide the solution Rather than starting with a technology and searching for a problem to fit it into, Mathangi advocates the reverse: understand and empathise with a meaningful problem, and then use your skills and technology to solve it. Finding the right problem to work on, she suggests, can shape as much as 90% of a career. 34:00 – Exposure, curiosity and finding problems worth solving Finding meaningful problems requires stepping outside one’s immediate world—speaking with people, seeking different perspectives and actively looking for opportunities to contribute. This mindset is valuable whether someone is just beginning their career or is already a senior executive. 34:25 – Ending where

    An Idea Today, an Outcome Tomorrow with Mathangi Sri Ramachandran

  6. 7月13日

    Enabling Better Decisions Through Data with Sree Krishna Kumaraswamy

    My guest today is Sree Krishna Kumaraswamy, known more popularly as Krishna, a data and analytics leader with over 20 years of experience spanning consulting and large enterprise technology companies In this conversation, Krishna  traces his journey from growing up in Chennai with an expected engineering path to discovering mathematics and statistics through the Indian Statistical InstituteTalks about his early work in applied statistics and computer vision,applying concepts of  machine learning before “data science” became a mainstream term.Describes how Carnegie Mellon’s Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining program deepened his exposure to algorithms, natural language processing, unstructured data, and the business applications of predictive modeling.Emphasizes that generative AI is powerful but costly, and the need to use it thoughtfullyStresses that responsibility for ethical data use is shared across organizations, including data scientists, engineers, governance teams, risk leaders, executives, and users.Touches on data poisoning, cyber threats, and the growing need for systems that can detect fast-moving patterns without overreacting to every small data change.His career advice for those aspiring to enter or switch to data science rolesShares his grounding principle is the “so what, who cares?” test: work on problems that matter to someone, find partners who care about the outcome, and focus on impact rather than technology for its own sake. Krishna is a data and analytics leader with over 20 years of experience spanning consulting and large enterprise technology companies. With an academic background in statistics and machine learning, he has spent his career turning data and AI into tools that help businesses make better decisions. Most recently, he led data and AI product teams at Salesforce, where he built self-serve analytics and AI tools used by tens of thousands of employees, and predictive systems that helped the company better serve its customers. Throughout his career, he has focused on bridging the gap between technical teams and business needs, bringing a product mindset to data science and AI. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and two kids. His profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kkumaraswamy/

    Enabling Better Decisions Through Data with Sree Krishna Kumaraswamy

  7. 7月3日

    AI, Integration, and Innovation with Elangovan Shanmugam

    My guest today is Elangovan Shanmugam,  a seasoned software professional with over 30 years of experience. Among the multiple roles Elangovan has played are Distinguished Engineer, Director of Engineering, leading strategic AI transformation initiatives in a large organization. In this conversation Elangovan: Traces his journey from FoxPro and 4MB RAM days to AI engineeringShares how software evolved from standalone systems to connected business ecosystems.A major theme is that the problem often stays the same, but the solution changes.Elangovan describes AI agents as digital humans that help people interact naturally with systems.He explains that in software patents, the method of solving a problem can be patentable.His advice for professionals: embrace AI, keep evolving, and don’t stay in a comfort zone. Elangovan Shanmugam is a seasoned software professional with over 30 years of experience. He has held multiple roles—Distinguished Engineer, Director of Engineering, and now leading strategic AI transformation initiatives.  Most recently, he led a 40-person organization through a fundamental shift: teaching traditional engineering teams to think and operate as AI engineering organizations.  He has worked at the intersection of deep technical architecture and enterprise leadership—helping CTOs and organizations figure out what changes when AI becomes native to how you build.  He also has the distinction of receiving multiple innovation awards and has over 20 patents issued to his credit! He is super passionate about solving tough problems for customers! He may be reached at: elangovan.shanmugam @ gmail.com

    AI, Integration, and Innovation with Elangovan Shanmugam

  8. 6月28日

    Leading Through Every Technology Wave with Indira vidyaprakash

    In this episode of Software People Stories, Gayatri Kalyanaraman speaks with Indra Vidyaprakash, Vice President | Workday Chennai Site Leader, for a conversation spanning three decades of technology evolution. From her early fascination with programming in Coimbatore and her journey through Cornell University, Oracle, and Silicon Valley, to returning to Chennai to establish and scale Workday's India presence, Indira shares lessons learned across every major technology shift—from the internet era and enterprise software revolution to today's AI-driven future. The conversation explores product management, customer-centric innovation, leadership, mentorship, women in technology, startup investing, and the importance of staying curious in a rapidly changing world. Through stories of reinvention, growth, and building high-performing teams, Indira offers valuable insights for technology professionals, aspiring leaders, and lifelong learners navigating their own careers Timestamped Show Notes 00:00 – Welcome to Software People StoriesGayatri introduces Indra Vidyaprakash, Site Leader at Workday India and a technology leader whose career spans Oracle, Workday, product management, and organizational leadership. 00:44 – The Atari That Started It AllIndra reflects on her childhood in Coimbatore and how an Atari gaming console sparked her fascination with logic, programming, and problem-solving. Long before technology became a career, it had already become a passion. 02:19 – PSG Tech, Family Legacy, and the Pursuit of LearningA discussion about growing up in Coimbatore, studying Computer Science at PSG Tech, the influence of her grandfather J.R. Damodaran, and the importance of education and lifelong learning. 04:00 – HCL, Cornell, and the American DreamIndra shares her journey from HCL Technologies in Chennai to pursuing a Master's degree at Cornell University, experiencing a new educational culture, and entering the world of advanced computing. 06:30 – Landing in Silicon Valley During the Oracle EraWhat it was like to join Oracle in 1997 and witness the rise of enterprise software, internet adoption, and the dot-com boom from the heart of Silicon Valley. 08:10 – Why Engineering Alone Wasn't EnoughAfter nearly a decade as a software engineer, Indra found herself asking an important question: "Who is actually using what I'm building?" That question ultimately led her toward product management. 10:45 – Reinventing Herself Through Product ManagementIndra discusses taking a career break, exploring an MBA, learning new business skills, and ultimately transitioning into product management through curiosity and self-discovery rather than a predefined career plan. 14:08 – Learning Design Thinking Before It Became a BuzzwordHow customer empathy, usability testing, user-centered design, and direct customer interaction became foundational to her product leadership approach. 16:00 – The Magic of Product ConferencesIndra reflects on Oracle OpenWorld, customer interactions, product demonstrations, analyst briefings, and how conferences became one of her favorite aspects of product management. 18:38 – Moving from Oracle to WorkdayA story about relationships, professional networks, and following trusted colleagues into a new opportunity that would shape the next decade of her career. 20:30 – Why Culture MattersIndra explains how Workday's employee-centric culture, customer focus, and collaborative environment became major factors in her decision to join the company. 22:17 – Entering the World of HR TechnologyThe challenges and opportunities of moving into HR and Financial ERP systems, understanding customer trust, compliance, security, and building enterprise software at scale. 26:00 – NEYTHRI and Supporting Women LeadersIndra discusses joining NEYTHRI, a professional network for South Asian women leaders, and how community-building eventually led her to participate as an investor in NEYTHRI’s venture fund. 28:45 – Why Representation MattersA conversation about women entrepreneurs, access to capital, and the importance of creating opportunities for women founders and leaders. 30:00 – Returning Home After Three DecadesAfter nearly 30 years in the United States, Indra shares the story behind her decision to return to Chennai and lead the establishment of Workday's India operations. 32:00 – Building Workday ChennaiHow Workday selected Chennai, what it takes to build a new technology center from the ground up, and why creating culture is just as important as creating infrastructure. 34:00 – Scaling Talent and Building Future LeadersIndra discusses mentoring, leadership development, gender diversity, and the excitement of working with AI-native graduates entering the workforce today. 36:30 – Product Innovation, AI, and Learning Through ExperimentationLessons from introducing chatbot technology years before today's Generative AI wave, balancing innovation with customer trust, and the importance of thoughtful experimentation. 39:00 – The Importance of Small ExperimentsWhy successful innovation often begins with a small group of trusted customers, rapid feedback loops, and disciplined iteration. 42:00 – The Most Important Leadership Trait: Growth MindsetIndra reflects on the influence of lifelong learning, adaptability, and why curiosity has remained her greatest career advantage. 44:00 – AI, Accessibility, and India's Digital LeapA fascinating discussion on how AI is democratizing access to knowledge, enabling multilingual interaction, and creating opportunities across diverse communities. 46:00 – Human Connections Still MatterDespite advances in AI, Indra emphasizes that relationships, collaboration, trust, and empathy remain the foundations of meaningful work and leadership. 48:00 – Final Advice: Stay CuriousIndra closes the episode with her advice for the next generation: continue learning, embrace change, remain curious, and never lose sight of the human element behind technology. https://www.linkedin.com/in/indiravidyaprakash/

    Leading Through Every Technology Wave with Indira vidyaprakash
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簡介

Stories of what worked and sometimes what did not, in the course of discovering, designing, developing and delivering software based solutions – as shared by practitioners who went through these situations.

資訊

  • 創作者
    PM Power Consulting
  • 活躍年代
    2018年 - 2026年
  • 集數
    404
  • 年齡分級
    兒少適宜
  • 版權
    © Copyright 2020 PM Power Consulting
  • 節目網站
    Software People Stories