Meet Sumana, an Area Product Owner from India
Sumana’s Nokia Journey: Navigating Success and Innovation
We had the opportunity to interview Sumana, a key member of Nokia's Customer Documentation team in India. During our conversation, Sumana provided valuable insights into her professional journey at Nokia, sharing experiences, contributions, and personal reflections.
Q: Sumana, it's a pleasure to have you here. Could you start by introducing yourself? What's your role at Nokia,
and when did you join the company?
Sumana: Thank you for having me! I'm Sumana G N, and I'm currently the Area Product Owner for the 3G Customer Documentation (CuDo) team in the Product Knowledge Delivery (PKD) business unit. I've been a part of Nokia since 2012.
Q: That's quite a journey! Can you tell us more about your career at Nokia? Have you worked in different countries, or have you primarily been based in one location?
Sumana: My time at Nokia spans 11 years, both with former Alcatel-Lucent and Nokia. While I've had the chance to travel to Poland for a project transition, my work has primarily been based in one location.
Q: What were your first impressions of Nokia when you joined, and what motivated you to choose this company as your workplace?
Sumana: My initial impression was that Nokia is a great workplace. It's employee-friendly and fosters an environment where I can freely express my thoughts and ideas, feeling valued as a team member. What drew me in was the company's growth mindset and its embrace of new technologies.
Q: Could you describe your current role and the primary responsibilities you handle at Nokia?
Sumana: Certainly! As the Area Product Owner, my responsibilities include planning and project management for the WCDMA CuDo project 3G Customer Documentation team. This project encompasses of Customer documentation of various entities such as the WCDMA System, AirScale RNC, mcRNC, OMS and more. I'm also in charge of
authoring release documents and features, peer review of content, and giving final approval for publication to the customer.
Q: Impressive! Can you share a significant accomplishment or project you're particularly proud of during your time at Nokia?
Sumana: One of the initiatives I'm especially proud of is the customer site visit program I proposed. Our team had the opportunity to visit three customer sites, gaining firsthand insights into their live environments. This experience helped us create better-quality documents from the customer's perspective.
Q: How has Nokia supported your professional development through training, mentorship, or growth opportunities?
Sumana: Nokia has been incredibly supportive of my professional growth. I've had access to product-related training, role-based training, and soft skills training, all of which have been invaluable. The company also offers various opportunities outside of work, such as talent initiatives for women. Program for Women 2023 edition badge and recognitions such as the Women Achiever of the Year award (2024) have boosted my confidence and kept me informed about the latest at Nokia.
Q: In every career journey, there are challenges. Can you share any challenges you've faced at Nokia and what you've learned from them?
Sumana: Challenges are part and parcel of every project. At Nokia, our approach to overcoming them involves gaining a thorough understanding of the project, proactively raising potential issues, and working collaboratively with the team to find effective solutions. Teamwork has been our key to successfully navigating these challenges.
Q: Can you tell us about your team dynamic and workplace culture at Nokia, and how they contribute to your daily experience?
Sumana: I've been fortunate to work with an outstanding team, both in the WCDMA Program and the MN Customer Documentation teams. The team is not just approachable but fosters a strong camaraderie that makes coming to the office every day a pleasure. Engaging activities, whether they're fun or self-development workshops, help build lasting bonds within the team.
Q: How have your roles evolved over time at Nokia, and what opportunities for advancement have you pursued within the company?
Sumana: My journey at Nokia has seen me grow from the role of a Senior Technical Writer to a Local Product Owner and now, an Area Product Owner. Each role brought its unique set of learning experiences, and the guidance from senior leaders helped me make the right career choices.
Q: Sumana, how do you feel your work has impacted the success of the company, and how does it affect people's day-to-day lives?
Sumana: My work involves delivering high-quality, user-friendly documentation, reducing dependencies, and contributing to the company's overall success. Positive customer feedback during usability meetings shows that our work is valuable for their daily operations, motivating us to continue delivering user-friendly documentation.
Q: How do your personal values align with Nokia's?
Sumana: My personal values align with Nokia's commitment to embracing new technologies and the fearlessness to acknowledge and learn from mistakes. I also feel empowered by the support of my leaders, which resonates well with Nokia's culture of growth and innovation.
Q. Maintaining a work-life balance is crucial. How do you manage it, and can you tell us about your hobbies?
Sumana: Nokia's excellent milestone planning allows for a healthy work-life balance. We can plan ahead for leisure activities and disconnect from work over the weekends. This balance enables me to pursue hobbies like gardening, reading, trekking, and travelling.
Q: Can you recall any memorable moments, events, or interactions that have left a lasting impression on your career journey at Nokia?
Sumana: One of the most memorable moments was receiving a note of appreciation from the Program owner for our efforts, despite many release challenges. It motivated me to deliver successful releases consistently. I also cherish the support I received from my team during an extended leave for surgery.
Q: Is there anyone you'd like to express gratitude to for helping you in your career, be it mentors, colleagues, friends, or family?
Sumana: I'd like to express my gratitude to my core team, who provide me with new learning experiences every day. I also want to thank my husband and daughter for their unwavering support in maintaining work-life balance. My girl gang from work has been instrumental in shaping both my professional and personal life.
Q: Sumana, thank you for sharing your incredible journey and insights with us. Is there anything else you'd like to add to your story?
Sumana: You've covered everything in your questions, but I'd like to express my gratitude to the entire Nokia team and the supportive work environment that has been pivotal in my journey.
