Shreya Shanbhag, a finance professional with experience at Apple and Adobe, shares her insights into corporate finance and product management. She discusses her unique journey through Apple's rotation program, including her transformative time in Japan. Shreya contrasts the cultures at Apple and Adobe, emphasizing teamwork and communication. She also reflects on stock-based compensation, day-to-day responsibilities, and the importance of adaptability in tech careers. Ultimately, she highlights the challenges and joys of working in major tech firms.
Shreya's diverse five-year experience at Apple through its Finance Development Program underscores the value of adaptability in corporate finance careers.
Her rotation in Apple's Tokyo office provided crucial insights into cross-cultural communication, revealing significant differences between Japanese and U.S. workplace dynamics.
The transition from finance at Apple to product management at Adobe highlighted her exploration of different tech sectors and the importance of market research.
Deep dives
Educational Background and Career Path
Shreya's academic journey began with a double major in psychology and business administration at UC Berkeley, where she also engaged actively in business and entrepreneurship clubs. This exposure to both business and tech environments led her to apply for Apple's competitive Finance Development Program (FDP). After a successful application, she spent five years at Apple, rotating through various finance roles and gaining invaluable experience in worldwide sales finance, Apple Music, and iPhone business management. Her insights emphasize the importance of diverse experiences and adaptability in shaping a successful career path.
Insights on the Finance Development Program
The Finance Development Program at Apple is a selective rotational program designed to expose new hires to multiple areas within corporate finance. Shreya shared that the program consists of short, three-month rotations across different departments, allowing analysts to perform varied tasks while gaining deep insights into the company's operations. The application process is rigorous, requiring not only technical skills but also behavioral assessments to fit Apple's unique culture. This structure fosters a diverse skill set and the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges, which is essential in a fast-paced corporate environment.
Cultural Differences Between Japan and the U.S.
During her career, Shreya had the opportunity to work in Apple's Tokyo office, which provided her with a unique cross-cultural perspective. She noted that while Apple's overall corporate culture remains consistent, there were distinct differences in work expectations and interpersonal communication styles in Japan compared to the U.S. For instance, Japanese colleagues emphasized building long-term relationships and consensus before arriving at decisions, which contrasted with the more direct approach often seen in U.S. workplaces. This experience enhanced her understanding of global business practices and the importance of cultural sensitivity in multinational corporations.
Challenges and Learnings in Sales Finance
Shreya highlighted the complexities of working in sales finance, particularly emphasizing the challenges posed by data management and the importance of accurate reporting. At Apple, she often collaborated with various teams to reconcile vast amounts of sales data coming from different channels, requiring meticulous attention to detail. Despite the groundbreaking technology at Apple, Shreya noted surprising levels of manual processing due to the scale and intricacies of the organization's operations. This experience taught her the significance of effective communication and teamwork in overcoming challenges associated with large datasets.
Transition to Product Management at Adobe
Following her tenure at Apple, Shreya pursued an internship in product management at Adobe, which allowed her to explore a different facet of the tech industry. She appreciated the contrast between hardware-focused work at Apple and Adobe's software environment, noting the increased flexibility in beta testing and iterative development that is often embraced in software roles. The internship involved conducting market research and analyzing user trends to improve Adobe's Creative Cloud products. This experience expanded her skill set and solidified her interest in product management, although she continues to explore various career paths within tech.
In this episode, I chat with Shreya, who spent 5 years working at Apple in various finance roles, including a stint in Tokyo.
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------ ⏱Timestamps⏱ 0:00 - Introduction 00:08:40 - Recruiting for Apple 00:02:23 - Shreya’s background 00:16:18 - Explanation of Apple’s rotation program 00:25:54 - Day to day responsibilities 00:30:55 - Rotation at Apple Japan 00:35:37 - Rotation at Apple Cupertino 00:46:24 - Apple’s culture 00:57:14 - Compensation 01:03:27 - Unique experiences at Apple 01:06:02 - A vs. B players 01:08:03 - Motivation for pursuing MBA 01:09:54 - Internship at Adobe as a PM 01:11:51 - Why being a PM wasn’t enjoyable 01:16:31 - Day in life of a PM 01:19:46 - Fun questions 01:24:25 - Advice to younger self
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