Naveen Dhanapal
Hold on tight - this isn't your typical resume!
I know your HR Backend must be flooded with applications. While clicking 'apply' was simple, my commitment to this role runs much deeper.
BBY has genuinely captured my attention, and I'm excited about the possibility of joining your team.
Allow me the next few minutes to show you why I'd be an excellent fit for BBY.
Honest Summary
I unexpectedly became a Product Manager in 2020, and it turned out to be the perfect fit! Working across various SaaS products, I've thrived on collaborating with diverse teams - from designers to engineers (those 3 AM database architecture discussions were something else!). While product launches kept me on my toes, connecting directly with customers and solving their pain points has been the most rewarding part. This accidental career switch has become my greatest professional adventure!
BestBuy Case Study
Please review the case study I conducted on Best Buy, analyzing the reasons for increased gaming hardware sales in FY 2024 and identifying potential features that Best Buy can improve to enhance the user experience.
Best Buy Financial Sankey Diagram - Fiscal Year 2024
Employment History
PRODUCT MANAGER
(2021-2024)
WILENSKY MINERALS (U.S.A) | REMOTE
- Led full product lifecycle management from requirements gathering through delivery and maintenance.
- Created comprehensive documentation to streamline collaboration between engineering and design teams.
- Facilitated daily and weekly calls with U.S. clients and customers, ensuring clear communication and alignment.
- Implemented key automation features to optimize product efficiency and workflow.
- Successfully balanced stakeholder requirements with team capacity to ensure timely delivery.
PRODUCT MANAGER
(2019 -2020)
TIER5 TECHNOLOGIES | KOLKATA
- Led development of multiple SaaS products, collaborating with designers, developers, QA, and marketing teams to create optimal user experiences.
- Spearheaded new product initiatives that generated $25K monthly revenue with minimal operational costs (<$100/month).
- Managed daily standups and sprint planning to ensure team alignment and consistent project delivery.
UI/UX DESIGNER
(2015 - 2021)
FREELANCER | REMOTE
- Created brand identities for global startups and businesses across multiple industries.
- Received Presidential recognition from the President of India for my Logo Design.
- Designed UI/UX wireframes for Rakuten's AI website, contributing to their digital presence.
Skillset
SQL Query | Google Analytics | Figma | Rapid Prototyping | Market Research | Data Driven Problem Solving | UI/UX | Data Visualization
Things I am proud of Shipping
(All projects listed below were part of my professional experience)
Short Link Analytics SaaS
When our short link analytics tool faced bot click issues from social media, developers proposed a 2 month research solution. By analyzing the data, I discovered that blocking a few specific IP addresses would eliminate 100% of bot traffic. We implemented this simple fix within hours instead of weeks. Sometimes, data reveals that the simplest solution is the best solution. (Data Never Lies)
Review Management SaaS
I managed a smart review collection system that filtered feedback based on user experience. After identifying UI issues in our website widgets, I partnered with designers to revamp the interface, resulting in increased user engagement and feature adoption. 25% more users started using in a month after implementing the designs.
Chrome Extensions
Through targeted market research, I identified a specific user pain point and proposed developing a Chrome extension to address it. This initiative proved highly successful, generating $25,000 monthly revenue with minimal operational costs (under $100/month) within just a few months of launch.
Revamping the Support
Overseeing 10 SaaS products, I transformed our customer support infrastructure by implementing priority based SOP's and transitioning from Facebook Messenger to Helpscout, resulting in streamlined support operations and improved user satisfaction.
98
Happiness Score
53%
tickets were resolved on First Reply.
2.0
Replies on average is what we needed to resolve a support ticket.
*All the above metrics are from Helpscout user report.
I am pro Tech
I've dived deep into the world of AI, getting my hands dirty with all the exciting language models out there, from OpenAI's ChatGPT to Anthropic's Claude, and even played around with Meta's Llama! Not stopping there, I even explored RAG models (they're amazing at making AI responses even more accurate). After spending countless hours testing these technologies, I'm more convinced than ever that AI is going to revolutionize our future. Every new breakthrough I witness just gets me more excited about where the tech is heading!
Things I have Shipped Personally
(These are personal projects I built and am proud of)
Rockhounding Spots
My curiosity about iOS development led me to dive into Swift programming and create an app from scratch. In just two weeks, I went from learning the MacOS environment to launching on the App Store. The app, which helps users find rockhounding locations using USGS data, is currently available to U.S. users and features a SQLite database backend.
Memeside
What started as an experimental 3D rendition of a meme artist's work in Unreal Engine evolved into a complete game launch on Steam. In just two months, I mastered both Unreal Engine and Blender to bring this project to life, turning challenges into achievements.
A Shameless Plug
Here is a video capturing the moment when I received an award from the President of India in recognition of my logo design work for the University of Madras.
Geology Love
I founded Geology Love during my bachelor's degree, driven by my passion for rocks and minerals. It has since grown to become one of the top social media pages in the field, organically amassing over 600,000 followers without any paid advertising. Here's a recent video that went viral through pure organic reach.
Blinking Eye
Blinking Eye is a Chrome extension I built to remind me to blink my eyes to prevent dry eye syndrome. As we tend to stare at our screens for long periods, we blink significantly less than normal, and this prolonged behavior can result in dry eyes.
Ultimate Flex
I am a distinguished member of the exclusive 'I Actually Paid for WinRAR & Internet Download Manager' club (membership estimated at approximately 12 people globally). Jokes aside, I have been using these products since my childhood, and they have provided a great user experience. As a tech enthusiast, purchasing the paid versions was my way of supporting the developers behind these products. I might even purchase the WinRAR CD and hang it on my wall as a collectible.
I thrive on challenges, whether they're in the boardroom or beyond.
I took on an ambitious project: restoring an Ambassador car from scratch. Working closely with a mechanic (like a developer), I sourced all necessary dependencies (spare parts), experimented with different colors alongside the painter (our designer), and collaborated with craftsmen on the interiors (think UI/UX). Within the timeline, I completed the restoration and embarked on a solo journey from Kanyakumari to Leh. Was it easy? No! Was it fun? Absolutely! The experience taught me countless lessons about automobiles, introduced me to wonderful people, and let me explore India's diverse cuisines. The real reward wasn't reaching the destination, It was the journey that went through to reach it that rewarded me the most. If there is a Face to Face interview would love to come in my Amby in style! :)
Fun Fact: I learned to drive just a month before this adventure and got my license. After covering 10,000 kilometers across India, I think I have become a much better driver than before. This experience perfectly illustrates my approach to challenges - when I set my mind to something, I find a way to excel at it, even when others think it's impossible.
Why I want to work with BBY!
As the world embraces new technologies like AI and Big Data to improve daily lives, I am eager to work with a team focused on solving real problems that can benefit millions of people. I firmly believe that BBY India, in its early stages, will be a significant contributing factor to this transformation. I can think of no better way to be part of this journey than by joining BBY.
Looking forward to working with BBY!!
Contact Number: +91 9524836909
Email: ialreadyhaveemail@gmail.com