Subash Narayana Bangaru returned from his two-week trip to Appian HQ and AppianWorld in Washington, D.C. feeling validated that he’s at the right company, in the right role.
He is a Senior Product Manager in the Government Acquisition Solutions team in Chennai. We asked Subash about the memorable moments, and what it’s like being part of the growing Chennai technical team.
What surprised you about your visit to Appian HQ in Washington D.C.?
A lot of effort goes into ensuring the office experience is similar across Appian locations. It surprised me that parts of HQ looked familiar! I recognized elements from our new office in Chennai, like the layout, kitchen, and snacks. To me, that’s a cool way of saying we’re committed to our Chennai office for the long run. I know that not every company with multiple locations will put that much effort into creating a consistent experience so that meant a lot.
We connect better by being in person with colleagues in the US and getting to know each other in a more meaningful way. We had the opportunity to enjoy some lighter moments in the office, strengthening our bonds. After that experience, going forward I believe our conversations will be more enriched.
How impactful was getting to speak directly with customers at AppianWorld?
AppianWorld is a big spectacle! Meeting new customers, watching keynotes, and getting to see customers’ and partners’ reactions to our new features was really wonderful.
When I was talking to one customer, I showed them a new feature in the Government Acquisitions suite that we had just built. “Wow!” was their reaction and they had many questions to understand the ins and outs of it. That was the validation of our hard work from the past three months seeing how this feature impacts our customers.
The Government Acquisitions Management Summit group, including Product Managers, UX Designers and Solutions Consultants.
What key insights and learnings did you bring back from the trip to share with the Chennai team?
When a customer appreciates what we’ve built recently, it’s motivating to continue working hard. I relayed that message to the team here in Chennai and they feel validated too. We’re doing the right thing, we worked quickly, and I could see and hear in person at AppianWorld how it will make a difference for our customers.
It proves that I’m at the right company, and on the right team that’s best for me. Appian Founder and CEO Matt Calkins delivered the keynote speech that focused on the importance of being a solutions-based company. It was clear to me how Chennai is a strategic technical center within Appian and we’re working on some of our most sought-out features and strengthening our infrastructure across the board.
How has the growth of the Appian Chennai team affected you and your role?
Appian is growing fast – our product, revenue, and the team here in Chennai. The Solutions team is about 30 people and we just opened our newest office space in the World Trade Center in Chennai. We’re still helping enterprises automate processes, and there are ongoing new technical challenges for how we do that for customers. That’s why we need more smart, technical talent to join our team in Chennai to continue on this mission.
The Appian Chennai team at the new office at the World Trade Center.
For technical talent in Chennai, why is now an exciting time to join Appian?
We’re growing and we work in small elite teams, where you’ll see the impact of what you’re building with customers. You’re hired for your specialized skill set. You’ll work on important technical challenges that are critical. Over the past year, and on my trip to the US, I’ve seen how our Chennai team is working on features that move the needle for the company overall and it is recognized.