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Umesh Nawani
Director, Services Product Management at PAR Technology
Professional Background
Umesh Nawani is an experienced Product Management professional who has established a robust career in Services Product Lifecycle Management across various industries. His proficiency encompasses everything from the ideation phase to the end-of-life management of products and services. He has an exceptional track record in go-to-market planning and execution, highlighting his skills in business and IT transformations. Umesh specializes in building innovative Business-to-Business (B2B) products and services that have garnered significant success.
With a portfolio exceeding $100 million in Services products, Umesh has successfully introduced various technical, professional, and managed service offerings. His comprehensive understanding of the intricate touchpoints within a services business - from systems and operations to GTM (Go-To-Market) strategies, sales enablement, and delivery - allows him to create impactful solutions that meet customer needs effectively.
Umesh has a unique approach to problem-solving that hinges on understanding the 'WHY' behind customer needs and coupling that insight with quantifiable, data-driven analysis. This strategic clarity enables him to focus on the 'WHAT' and 'HOW' of delivering solutions that resonate with clients and drive sustained value over time.
Education and Achievements
Umesh's educational foundation is equally impressive, beginning with a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Computer Science from Smt Indira Gandhi College of Engineering at Mumbai University. His desire for continuous learning led him to further his education in Agile Development, earning a Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) certification. Umesh also pursued Business Negotiation and Project Management courses at UC Berkeley Extension, along with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, its business strategies, and applications through UC Berkeley Executive Education. This diverse educational background solidifies his ability to navigate the complexities of product management in a fast-paced technology landscape.
Umesh's work history is decorated with pivotal roles in respected organizations. He currently serves as the Director of Services Product Management at PAR Technology, where he continues to push the envelope on service products and align development with customer success. Prior to this, he held significant positions at renowned firms, including as a Sr Product Manager for the Global Services Portfolio at Juniper Networks, where he significantly influenced the service offerings strategy.
He also contributed to Cisco as a Technical Product Manager for the Cisco Commerce Platform, where he played a crucial role in streamlining the organizational processes to enhance product management standards. His tenure at Visa as the Director of Global Digital Payments Platform Product Operations further showcases his capability to manage strategic engagements that drive innovation in financial technology. Umesh's career began at Igloo Products Corp as a Technical Project Manager, setting a solid foundation for his future endeavors.
Core Competencies and Skills
Umesh's extensive skill set covers a wide range of core competencies that are critical to successful product management. Notable among them are:
- Agile Product Development (CSPO, SAFe)
- Product Lifecycle Management
- Managed Services (ITOps/AIOps)
- Network Services (Technical, Professional, Managed Services)
- As-a-Service Models (SaaS/PaaS)
- Customer Success
- Sales Operations and Enablement
- Services Contract Management
- Strategic Partnership Development
- Global Cross-functional Stakeholder Management
Umesh's ability to foster teamwork is complemented by his continuous learning approach, which includes a keen interest in cloud technologies and solutions such as Cloud Security, Cloud Solutions (SDN/NFV), and popular platforms like Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and AWS. These technologies are integral in shaping his vision for modern product offerings.
Digital Transformation and Value Creation Philosophy
Umesh firmly believes in a transformative approach toward value creation. His philosophy emphasizes several key points:
- Transitioning from Transaction-based to Subscription Models: Umesh advocates for transforming service offerings into tiered structures that foster deeper customer connections, increasing stickiness, and ultimately growing revenues.
- Holistic Value Creation: He promotes a comprehensive understanding of customer challenges and addresses needs through integrated solutions, including platforms, automation, and strategic partnerships.
- Enhancing Customer Success: For Umesh, customer success transcends conventional monthly or quarterly check-ins; it requires an ongoing commitment to understanding customer journeys and addressing evolving needs.
- Digital Customer Experience: He emphasizes the importance of multiple service channels, proactive automat
