Lakshmi Karunya Putrevu is a gifted Quality Assurance analyst for the esteemed Global Trade Platform, Mamenta, a computer software platform that utilizes Artificial Intelligence to automate the complexity of global trade. In 2004, Lakshmi graduated from the Kamala Institute of Technology with flying colors and has proven she embodies the talent and credentials necessary to succeed as a Quality Assurance analyst across a multitude of companies in the technological field. Before she partnered with Mamenta, Lakshmi dedicated a significant number of hours and effort working for other thriving companies including Capital Group, 3n Global, Brownstone Technology Solutions, and Numentica LLC. Mamenta provides a business-friendly platform designed to allow brands and retailers to sell their merchandise directly to clients on worldwide marketplaces, hassle free. As a Quality Assurance analyst, Lakshmi is responsible for inspecting each product or program and ensuring that they are of maximum quality. By thoroughly testing the products, she must confirm that there are no errors or weaknesses to certify they are ready to be released to the public for consumption; Lakshmi tests the end-to-end integration of the merchandise to ensure each product is nothing short of perfection. Thanks to her keen eye and strict attention to detail, Lakshmi has prevented any mishaps from slipping through since her first day on the job as a Mamenta employee.
Lakshmi has a history of devoting herself to the technological field. Before partnering with Mamenta, Lakshmi spent many long days working for other successful companies including Capital Group, 3n Global, Brownstone Technology Solutions, and Numentica LLC. As a partner of Numentica LLC, an ElasticSearch and Informatica partner, she helped organize a meticulous recruitment process and talent retention methodology that has helped attract and retain some of the best talent in the industry. Lakshmi has worked for Numentica LLC in various industries, including e-commerce, finance, marketing and supply chain automation. Devoting herself to helping companies grapple with complex data, Lakshmi has assisted those companies in arriving at a more thorough understanding of it. She has shown that she will always do everything possible to give customers a viable competitive advantage through performance and innovation. Lakshmi, along with the higher-ups in her company, firmly believes that the enormous success of Numentica LLC is due to the well-being of its customers. Lakshmi’s commitment to high quality customer service has enabled her to build genuine and lasting positive relationships with her clients. Her immense technological talent has not gone unrecognized by her employers at Numentica LLC, and they have subsequently welcomed her to their exclusive team after she has gone through what Numentica LLC claims is one of the most elite recruitment processes out there. For more than a decade, Lakshmi has been dedicating herself, fulfilling Numentica LLC’s mission for excellence and directly producing outstanding customer satisfaction rates for the company.
How did you get started in your industry?
I started having an interest in the field of technology when I was in middle school. I would participate in extracurriculars geared toward the field and then in high school my electives were also leaning towards technology. Then after graduating from the Kamala Institute of Technology, I started working in the industry as a quality assurance analyst. I have always had an appreciation for efficiency and process, so I was drawn to quality assurance. I am also very detail oriented so it was a good fit because I am great with catching those small things that may go unnoticed by others. Overall, I am grateful that I found an industry that I was interested in, and that I was able to find not only one but two roles working for these very elite companies in roles that I enjoy.
How do you make money in your field?
I am compensated for the work I do with a yearly salary. It is based on current industry standards and then reviewed yearly for raises. Of course, there are also benefits like insurance and vacation time included in the compensation package as well. I’d say I am happy with it and if there are others looking to get into this industry, I’d highly encourage it!
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
The company I believe, they were profitable within their first 2 or 3 years.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
I would say overall, I am not someone that doubts. I avoid doubting by doing a ton of research before I make a decision. I weigh the pros and cons, I measure the risks versus the benefits, and then I decide what is the best decision to make. When I have made a decision and it doesn’t work out, I don’t take that as making the wrong decision or that my research failed either. Sometimes things just don’t work out. When that happens, I handle it by doing more research, of course, and looking for what my next steps will be.
Do you remember how you got your first client?
My company has been an extension of my career as a lead testing engineer for fortune 500 companies and startups.
When I started my company, my first client was someone that I worked for and someone whom I developed a great rapport with. In short, your work always carries weight. If you put your heart into your work, your colleagues will become your champions.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Social media is such an important tool these days. If your company doesn’t have a strong online presence, then your company really doesn’t have a strong presence at all. If you are doing it correctly, you can utilize social media and interact with your target audience without even having to spend a dime. You don’t necessarily need to buy ads on social media, you can use it to market your company and educate your audience about your products, introduce new products, answer questions, interact and direct message, all of these things cost nothing. You can have an in-house team dedicated to social media marketing or outsource it if need be, but it really is not only a very valuable tool to use in the way of marketing, but it is becoming a necessity for businesses anymore if they want to stay relevant in today’s market.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
This past year has been tough for everyone, that is undeniable. So, it is hard to say that one of my decisions has been tougher than anyone else’s. Honestly, I think we should all just take a moment to acknowledge how hard we have all been trying just to get through every day’s tough decisions and give ourselves the credit we all deserve. Each and every one of us, you and me, everyone reading this. Great job making it this far, you are doing great and should be proud of yourself.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
I think that I have always been a very self-motivated, self-driven person. It has been what has propelled me forward through hard times and kept me from falling into any negative patterns.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
When Numentica LLC put me through what they themselves deemed the “most rigorous hiring process” in order to be hired into their exclusive team it was grueling! When I got the message that I was in, that was extremely validating and satisfying. It was a big accomplishment for me, and I was very proud of myself. It really opened up the next chapter of my whole career.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
I am always looking to grow professionally and personally. I will continue to take in knowledge and look for ways to “climb to the ladder”. I am excited for all of it really, whatever the future holds for me.
What business books have inspired you?
Why Didn’t Anybody Tell Me This Sh*t Before?: Wit and Wisdom from Women in Business by Marcella Allison. It was a very entertaining book, especially as a woman, because one can learn from the experience of other women who have been there and experienced the world of entrepreneurship. I am also a fan of anything by Peter Thiel, I feel like he writes a lot of the classic for entrepreneurs. Zero to One is a great one by him.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I think I would say to my younger self to slow down. What I mean by that is really showing more mindfulness. So many of us get used to rushing everywhere and being constantly occupied with what we need to do next, but that just creates a state of fear and unhappiness. I wish I had learned this earlier, so I would tell my younger self.
Are you willing to be a mentor? If so, how should someone contact you?
I don’t think that is something I am looking to do at this time.