Shows
Darshan's DiaryWhy Most PMs Fail at Gamification (and How to Fix It) with Vijay Verma - Jungly GamesIn this episode, we sit down with Vijay Varma, a product veteran with over 20 years of experience in the online gaming industry, including leadership roles at Junglee Games. With a career spanning from the early days of gut-driven development in 2005 to today’s hyper-competitive, data-rich landscape, Vijay brings a rare perspective on how to build digital products that truly resonate with users.We dive into the mechanics of gamification and user psychology, exploring how B2C products can move beyond basic features to create genuine "smiles" and trust. From the critical balance between A/B testing and in...
2026-02-0238 min
Darshan's DiaryIf users aren’t part of design process, we’re not doing justice to design itself - Arun MurugesanIn this episode, we sit down with Arun Murugesan, Head of Design at MoneyView, to pull back the curtain on the complex world of Fintech design. With nearly two decades of experience, Arun shares how MoneyView bridges the gap between high-level business goals and deep user empathy.We dive into the evolution of the Indian consumer, debunking myths about the "tech-illiteracy" of rural users and exploring how personalization is the secret sauce to a successful "Super App." Arun also shares his unique leadership philosophy, including his unconventional hiring process and how he fosters a culture where designers feel empowered...
2026-01-1945 min
Darshan's DiaryWhy 70% of Your Product Experiments Should Fail - Ankit GuptaIn this episode, I sit down with Ankit Gupta, a seasoned product leader at Reliance Retail, to deconstruct the complexities of building AI-driven products for India’s massive and diverse ecosystem.Ankit breaks down the "unlearning" required when moving from online to offline retail, explaining how Reliance uses proxies like RFID and standardized rack space to track customer behavior in the physical world. We dive deep into his "Sense-Predict-Act" framework for inventory optimization and why he believes a product team isn't taking enough risks if they aren't failing 70% of the time.Beyond the tech, we explore the cultural divide be...
2026-01-0551 min
Darshan's DiaryWe look at infrastructure as tools and building a unique solution for our merchants - Nitin PulyaniIn this episode, we sit down with Nitin Pulyani, the Senior Vice President of Product Management at Cashfree Payments, and a seasoned product leader with over two decades of experience building large-scale fintech and consumer products in India.Nitin shares how Cashfree designs and operates mission-critical payment infrastructure—covering everything from onboarding and risk to the systems that keep money moving reliably at scale. Before Cashfree, he led product functions at Jupiter, PhonePe, NeoGrowth, Ola, and TaxiForSure.At PhonePe, he led the merchant ecosystem for 25M+ merchants, scaled Financial Services, and launched major revenue-driving categories li...
2025-11-2456 min
Darshan's DiaryWe set up process to protect business and make it effective enabler for ecosystem - Achyutha SharmaIn this episode, I sit down with Achyutha Sharma, Head of UX Research at Flipkart, to uncover how research shapes bold product decisions and drives business impact. With over 17 years of experience across B2C, D2C, and B2B sectors, Achyutha shares deep insights on leading large research teams, navigating billion-user demographics, and uncovering overlooked opportunities in commerce.We discuss how strategic, impact-driven research fuels innovation, the challenges researchers face today, and how initiatives like User Research India are empowering the community. Whether you’re a product leader, researcher, or founder, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on...
2025-11-0338 min
Darshan's DiaryWe keep talking to our customers even when we're not building anything - Sreeram NarayanIn this episode, we sit down with Sreeram Narayan, Director of Product at Pine Labs, to explore the art and science of building impactful fintech products. With over 15 years of experience across payments, lending, and digital finance, Sreeram shares how he turns complexity into clarity—crafting roadmaps that balance user needs, business goals, and long-term scalability.We discuss:How merchant feedback loops shape product evolution.Insights from transaction behavior that inspire new features.Decision frameworks and mental models that drive product strategy.How the PM role is transforming with AI and automation.Whether you’re a product manager, designer, or f...
2025-10-201h 13
Darshan's DiaryRedesign wasn’t just a facelift, we had setup personality based principles - Aayush JainIn this episode, we sit down with Ayush, Head of Design at Jupiter, where he led a multidisciplinary team of 20+ designers across product design, design systems, research, illustration, and motion. At Jupiter, Ayush has spearheaded the end-to-end redesign of the Jupiter app and website, launched 30+ new features, and led large-scale initiatives like a 100-member internal hackathon, all shaping how millions of users experience the product.Before Jupiter, Ayush co-founded tiosworld, an e-commerce marketplace for sustainable products, and held leadership roles at Crux Intelligence, Healofy, and Housing.com, driving impactful design across AI, commerce, and consumer tech.In this conversation...
2025-10-0652 min
Darshan's DiaryTechnology should not be the first consideration, people should be - Deepak Jose (Ex. Head of Design & Research))In this episode, we sit down with Deepak Jose, a seasoned design leader who has shaped product experiences at companies like Hike, Dunzo, and Ola. With over a decade of experience building and leading design and research teams, Deepak shares stories of creating impactful features while balancing user delight with business outcomes.You’ll hear insights on:Bridging the gap between “wow” moments and business impactLessons from Hike and Dunzo on building for customer lifetime valueHow storytelling shapes design leadership and product buildingBuilding creative trust and fostering deeper team ownershipDriving collaboration across cross-functional teams to amplify the user’s voiceIf...
2025-09-2250 min
Darshan's DiaryDelivery partners want to compare their app and earnings with others - Vaishnavi DeviIn this episode, we sit down with Vaishnavi Devi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gvaishnavi/) , Director of Product Management at Swiggy, to explore what it takes to build products for delivery partners at scale. With over 13 years of industry experience across Swiggy, Ola, and Zipdial, Vaishnavi brings deep insights into solving for operational complexity and driving adoption in high-growth consumer ecosystems.We cover:Designing product fundamentals for non-tech-savvy delivery partnersBridging adoption gaps between consumers and driversTackling unique operational challenges in large-scale platformsLeveraging gamification to boost partner motivationVaishnavi’s approach to ideation and roadmappingThe underrated skills every product ma...
2025-08-2553 min
Darshan's DiaryDesigning a Super App: Uniting Brands, Culture, and Future-Ready Teams - Ankur SardanaIn this episode, Ankur Sardana, Head of Design & Research at Tata Neu, shares how he’s leading one of India’s most ambitious super app design missions—uniting diverse brands like Croma, BigBasket, Titan, and more under a single seamless experience.With over 19 years of experience across Samsung, Amazon, Philips, Honeywell, and OLX, Ankur dives deep into:The UX challenges of blending multiple brand identities.Building scalable design systems without losing brand soul.His support–improve–ignite framework for prioritizing design work.Lessons from working in diverse global cultures.How designers can future-proof their careers in the AI era.Whether yo...
2025-08-1152 min
Darshan's DiaryFocusing on one north star impact generative area at a time has huge potential than jumping around - Aditya (Ex. Sr. Director of PM @ INDMoney)Building innovative fintech products isn’t just about great ideas—it also requires the right ecosystem. In this episode, Aditya, former Sr. Director of Product at INDMoney and now VP of Product at mPokket, shares how government policies and regulatory support have played a crucial role in unlocking opportunities in investing, lending, and tax management.From enabling cross-border stock investments to simplifying ITC claims and digital banking, Aditya dives into the challenges and breakthroughs behind scaling fintech products in India. Whether you're in fintech or looking to break into the space, this episode is packed with insights on n...
2025-07-2843 min
Darshan's DiaryMany designers don’t want to be leaders - Alipta Ballav (Sr. Design Manager @ Microsoft)In this episode, I sit down with Alipta Ballav, Senior Design Manager at Microsoft, to explore what it takes to lead impactful design in complex, high-scale industries like retail, healthcare, and automotive.Alipta shares his journey from building a 21-member healthcare design team at Cerner Corporation, to shaping system-level retail experiences at Microsoft’s Retail Industry Cloud. We also discuss his work at Harman International, where he blended automotive UX with research-driven innovation.Beyond corporate leadership, Alipta co-founded Design Shots, a non-profit initiative aimed at democratizing UX education for aspiring designers.Whether you're a...
2025-07-1451 min
Darshan's DiaryGrowth can be hidden in any side of the business - Malthi SS (Ex. Director of PM @ Paypal )Growth opportunities don’t always come from obvious places. In this episode, Malthi SS, former Director of Product Management at PayPal and founder of SparkProd Consulting, shares how she identified and unlocked product growth across global fintech and SaaS giants.From driving innovation at PayPal, Intuit, and SAP to balancing legacy product trust with bold new strategies, Malthi offers deep insights into scaling, maintaining, and evolving products in dynamic markets.If you're a product leader, builder, or someone navigating the 0-to-1 journey, this episode is packed with valuable lessons. Tune in!#ProductManagement #GrowthStrategy #Innovation #Fintech #SaaS #ProductLeadership #UXStrategy #CustomerExperience #Sc...
2025-06-3039 min
Darshan's DiaryCredibility and trust are really the driver of growth - Aman Raj (Head of content @Groww )Great content doesn’t just engage—it empowers. In this episode, Aman Raj, Head of Content, Communication, and Social Media at Groww, shares how he crafts narratives that educate, build trust, and drive growth. From shaping brand-led content in a market driven by personal brands to navigating the unique challenges of fintech content, Aman brings fresh insights from his experience at Groww, Inshorts, and NASSCOM.Whether you're scaling a startup or refining your marketing strategy, this conversation is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss. Tune in!#ContentMarketing #BrandStrategy #Fintech #MarketingLeadership #ContentStrategy #GrowthMarketing #Storytelling #DigitalMarketing #MarketingInsights #StartupGrowth #Social...
2025-06-1650 min
Darshan's DiaryWe need to be extremly clear and through on why and what - Arpith Scindhia (Director of Design @ Yubi)In this episode, we sit down with Arpith Scindia, Director of Design at Yubi, to explore what it truly takes to lead design at the intersection of finance, data, and enterprise-scale systems.Arpith shares his journey of transitioning from B2C design leadership at Aspero to leading product design at one of India’s largest digital debt platforms. He talks about the mindset, systems, and frameworks needed to operate at scale — where the smallest design decision can influence multimillion-dollar outcomes.Here’s a sneak peek of what we cover:🔁 Leadership TransitionWhat chan...
2025-06-021h 06
Darshan's DiaryPrototyping and testing have become insanely easy now - Saurabh Soni (Head of Design @ Razorpay)In this episode, we sit down with Saurabh Soni, Head of Design at Razorpay, to unpack what it takes to scale design in a high-growth fintech environment. With experience spanning early-stage startups to large organizations, Saurup brings a rare perspective on how designers can grow both horizontally across skills and vertically into leadership.We dive into the mindset and principles that shape product design at Razorpay—where domain complexity meets human-centered experiences. From rethinking how UX writing fits into a fast-moving team, to building design systems that work for multiple user personas, Saurup shares how his team ba...
2025-05-1938 min
Darshan's DiaryA lot needs to be considered when you craft a vehicle exprience - Agniva (Ex. Head of Design)In this episode, I sit down with Agni, former Head of Design at Ola, to explore the world of mobility, fintech, and design innovation. With a career spanning leadership roles at Ola and FamPay, Agni has played a pivotal role in shaping vehicle experiences, financial products, and large-scale consumer tech solutions.We kick off by discussing his experience designing a Head-Up Display and vehicle interface for Ola scooters, diving into the unique challenges of two-wheeler EV design and the features that emerged from those constraints. Agni also shares his perspective on what truly defines design innovation and how much...
2025-05-0550 min
Darshan's DiaryNot everyone opens an app to buy a product - Ayush Baheti (Ex. Director of PM @ Meesho)In this episode, we sit down with Ayush Baheti, a seasoned product leader who played a pivotal role in Meesho's hyper-growth journey, transforming it from a reseller-first platform to a B2C powerhouse competing with giants like Amazon and Flipkart. Now steering product at ShopDeck, Ayush brings invaluable insights on scaling products for Bharat’s diverse market.Join us as Ayush shares untold stories of navigating high-stakes pivots, identifying feature-market fit in evolving environments, and the essential skills for thriving in growth-stage startups. Packed with practical takeaways, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone passionate about building fo...
2025-04-211h 15
Darshan's DiaryDesining for GenZ have opened up our eyes - Alok Kumar (Director of UX @ Myntra)Designing for Gen Z isn’t just about trends—it’s about understanding a new way of thinking. In this episode, Alok Kumar, Director of UX at Myntra, shares how designing for the next generation has reshaped perspectives on user experience, innovation, and AI-driven personalization.From crafting AI-powered features like Fashion GPT and MyStylist to balancing first-principles thinking with process-driven design, Alok brings deep insights from his experience at Myntra, Walmart, Microsoft, and more.Whether you're a designer, product builder, or just curious about the future of UX, this conversation is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss. Tu...
2025-04-0745 min
Darshan's DiaryDesigned with empathy for 30 million developers worldwide - Vineet Kumar (Former Director of UX @ Postman)In this episode, we sit down with Vineet Kumar, Director of UX at Postman, a globally beloved developer tool with over 30 million users. With nearly a decade at Postman, Vineet has been a driving force in shaping its design practices, fostering collaboration, and building an API collaboration platform of the future.From bridging user empathy with data-driven insights to scaling a 24-member design team, Vineet shares invaluable lessons on designing for technical products, setting up successful onboarding processes, and the rewards of long-term tenure in a single role. This conversation is packed with practical strategies and inspiration...
2025-03-2451 min
Darshan's DiaryPrioritize mental models over words - Arvind Chandrashekhar (Head of Research @ Glance)In this episode, we speak with Arvind Chandrashekar, Director of UX Research at Glance and former Head of UX Research at InMobi. With over 15 years of experience, Arvind is a distinguished researcher and published author who has transformed Glance's research practice from a solo endeavor to a thriving team spanning six major geographies.Blending behavioral economics with neuroscience, Arvind shares fascinating insights into user behavior, decision-making, and how research shapes product strategies. From simple research techniques for startups to AI-driven research automation, this episode is a treasure trove of actionable insights for building impactful digital products.#UXResearch #UserInsights #ProductStrategy...
2025-03-101h 07
Darshan's DiaryThey won't remember you if you fail - Ayushi Mona Singh (Product Marketing Consultatnt)In this episode, we’re joined by Ayushi Mona Singh, a marketing powerhouse with over a decade of experience across Fortune 500 companies, startups, D2C brands, and non-profits. A gold medalist from MICA and one of Business World’s 30 Under 30 intrapreneurs, Ayushi has honed her expertise in B2B and consumer marketing, branding, sales enablement, and corporate communications.Ayushi shares her insights on the unique role of product marketers, strategies for scaling startups, and how early-stage founders can approach product marketing. Packed with practical tips on branding, positioning, and measuring success, this episode is a must-listen for anyo...
2025-02-2452 min
Darshan's DiaryThey won't remember you if you fail - Ayushi Mona Singh (Ex. Director of Brand @ Delhivery)In this episode, we’re joined by Ayushi Mona Singh, Director of Brand at Delhivery, a marketing powerhouse with over a decade of experience across Fortune 500 companies, startups, D2C brands, and non-profits. A gold medalist from MICA and one of Business World’s 30 Under 30 intrapreneurs, Ayushi has honed her expertise in B2B and consumer marketing, branding, sales enablement, and corporate communications.Ayushi shares her insights on the unique role of product marketers, strategies for scaling startups, and how early-stage founders can approach product marketing. Packed with practical tips on branding, positioning, and measuring success, this epis...
2025-02-2452 min
Darshan's DiaryCraft Digital Brands for Standout User Experiences - Jojo Maria George (Design Director at Kiwi )In this episode, I’m thrilled to host Jojo Maria George, the Director of Design at Kiwi, where he leads a talented team of 10 designers. With a wealth of experience at renowned companies like Headout, Gojek, Paytm, Freecharge, and Snapdeal, Jojo is a seasoned design leader known for creating seamless user experiences and aligning visual design with strategic product goals.
Jojo's passion lies in building strong design foundations, assembling high-performing in-house teams, and crafting digital brands that leave a lasting impression on users.
Here’s what we explore in our conversation:
1. Building Brand Equity:Why it matters and how to d...
2025-02-101h 16
Darshan's DiaryMindset comes from product, business, & design - Alok Jain (Design Director @ PharmEasy )Join Darshan Suthar in an engaging conversation with Alok Jain (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alok-jain-design/) , Director of Design at PharmEasy, as they unravel the secrets of designing for one of India’s largest health-tech platforms. With a rich career spanning OYO, Bajaj Finserv, and Mindtree, Alok brings a treasure trove of insights into scaling design teams, streamlining processes, and driving innovation. Discover how he’s transforming user experiences with initiatives like multi-language support for underserved markets and innovative cost-saving projects.
In this episode, Alok dives into the nuances of retaining users in urgent commerce, tackling operational hurd...
2025-01-2756 min
Darshan's DiaryLearn to sell being PM - Vellanki Sriharsh (Director of PM at Zee Entertainment)In this insightful episode, I’m joined by Sriharsha, Director of Product Management at Zee Entertainment, to unpack the intersection of AI and product management. With a stellar career spanning Media/OTT, E-commerce, and Supply Chain, Harsha has driven transformative solutions like GenAI-powered OTT platforms and automated subtitling tools. Together, we explore the nuances of managing B2B vs. B2C products, practical AI workflows for PMs, and strategies to overcome adoption challenges.
We also dive into the future of AI-first product development, trends shaping content consumption, and what Harsha values when building high-performing product teams. Whether you’re a PM...
2025-01-1359 min
Darshan's DiaryI can't mold someone to behave like me - Manthan Desai (Head of Design at Piramal Finance)In this episode, we sit down with Manthan Desai, a seasoned design leader in the fintech space, to delve deep into the complexities and opportunities of designing for a rapidly evolving industry. This is a must-watch conversation for designers, product leaders, and anyone passionate about creating impactful solutions in fintech and beyond!
Here’s what we cover:
1️⃣ Making Smarter Decisions in Fintech Design
Designing for fintech isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about problem-solving, trust-building, and innovation. Manthan shares strategies for tackling user challenges while staying compliant with regulations and fostering business growth.
2️⃣ Addressing NBFC Lending Challenges
Non-Banking Financial Compan...
2024-12-3055 min
Darshan's DiaryWe may never fully be in their shoes - Rakesh Patel (Deputy VP of Design at Kotak NEO)In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of design with Rakesh Patel, exploring how great design starts with empathy and evolves through research and creativity. From the unique approach of NID’s design education to the art of crafting solutions for diverse user needs, Rakesh shares insights that are as inspiring as they are practical.
We also discuss how creativity shapes design leadership and the evolving role of design research in today’s fast-paced world. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just curious about how design impacts our daily lives, this conversation is packed with stor...
2024-12-141h 15