Groupon Employee Spotlight:
Vikram Haridas

Get ready to groove with Vikram, our music-loving Lead Product Manager and motorcycle enthusiast, rocking the AI scene at Groupon! Vikram's vibrant spirit and stellar contributions make him our January Employee spotlight! 🚀

Tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Groupon. 

Massively into music, geek at heart and a Lead Product Manager at Groupon.

How did you get started in your career, and what brought you to  Groupon?

I started off as a software developer and quickly noticed how a lot of people back in 2014 did not know WHY they were making software. That’s when my career in Product Management started. The immense talent, compassion and drive of the people at Groupon was too alluring to pass on, and I am happy that I made the move. It has been quite a journey!

What's the most exciting thing happening in your department right now?

AI Everything. We are working with a lot of departments in Groupon, trying to see how AI can help them in their day to day tasks. We look at AI as an assistant rather than a replacement. An assistant that can do the mundane tasks for you, an assistant who can help increase productivity.

Describe your team in three words.

Innovative. Agile. Collaborative.

What's a fun or interesting way your team collaborates or bonds together?

We constantly have thought experiments where we have an open discussion about any one problem that needs a solution in Groupon. We try to include everyone who wants to have a say and we help each other flesh out some pretty amazing ideas!

What's the best piece of advice you've received from a colleague at Groupon?

“There’s more knowledge in people than in Confluence.”

Share a memorable moment, project or event from your time at Groupon.

MPF tax compliance project. That was a large effort to get across the line and I had the privilege of working with many many many people across Groupon. 

Which of Groupon's values do you feel most in tune with, and why?

Customer Focused. We need to build products and features that address a customer’s pain points. The revenue will follow. If you are not building for the needs of the customer, you could have the best product or feature but if a customer doesn’t need it, it’s pointless.

Can you share any tips for staying productive and motivated?

I think that everything I do is a teachable moment. No matter what the task, there is always something to learn from the experience. 

How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance?

I am an avid motorcyclist and musician. I try to get 45 minutes of piano in everyday after work to ramp down a work day! And weekends are spent on the road on my motorcycles.

What was the first Groupon that you even bought, or experienced?

Gift deal - Advent beauty products. What a great deal and price for the goods! - link

What is one non-work activity or hobby that you're into? 

I am an amateur musician and I also am an avid motorcyclist.

What’s one thing about you that surprises people?

My age. Thank god for good genes I suppose.

Rapid and Fire Questions

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have three items, what would they be?

Music, LifeStraw and a satellite phone to get off the island when I get bored.

If you could have any fictional character as your best friend, who would it be?

Gandalf the Grey without a doubt. 🧙‍♂️    

What's the most embarrassing song on your playlist that you secretly love?

Miley Cyrus - Midnight Sky. BRING BACK DISCO!

If you could only eat one cuisine for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Authentic Italian food.🍝

What was the last book you read?

Alpha & Omega by Charles Seife. 📚

If you could time travel to any era, past or future, where would you go?

Born too late to explore Earth, too early to explore the Universe. Take me to the future where interstellar travel is a thing! 🚀⏳

What's the most unusual talent or skill you have?

Given any two musical notes, I can tell you a song in which they come in that order. 🎵

If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

Diogenes. Rebel even in ancient Greece, and a founder of Cynicism. I think it would be great banter. 🏛️

What's your guilty pleasure when it comes to TV shows or movies?

🤷

And finally, what was the last Groupon you bought?

Spa day retreat. 💆‍♂️🌟