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Punit Sthankiya
Director Strategic Initiatives at Canada Life
Professional Background
Punit Sthankiya is an innovative product management professional with a rich background spanning notable roles across some of Canada's most respected financial and technology institutions. Currently serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Canada Life, Punit is keenly focused on developing impactful strategies that drive product innovation and enhance customer experience. His extensive career includes significant positions such as Group Product Manager and Senior Product Manager at Scotiabank, where he honed his expertise in product development and marketing. Punit's hands-on experience in product management is complemented by his previous roles at renowned companies such as BlackBerry and Workopolis, where he was instrumental in shaping product marketing strategies and managing large-scale product launches.
With a strong foundation in both product management and marketing, Punit has been successful in navigating complex project landscapes involving the creation and management of marketing campaigns, pricing strategy development, and financial analysis. His diverse skill set and leadership abilities allow him to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to meet both product and organizational objectives.
Education and Achievements
Punit's educational journey began at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he studied Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Marketing. This academic background equipped him with valuable analytical and strategic thinking skills essential for his roles in product development and management. The teachings from his father profoundly influence his professional philosophy; he believes in working hard, living simply, and learning from those around him. This holistic approach not only drives his passion for excellence but has also led him to be a mentor for budding professionals in the field.
His commitment to continuous learning and professional development reflects his versatility and adaptability in an ever-changing business landscape. Punit's ability to derive value from collaboration emphasizes his belief that success is a collective effort, further enhancing his reputation as a nurturing leader within his teams.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Punit has accumulated a wealth of achievements that demonstrate his capabilities as a Product Manager and marketer. As Director of Strategic Initiatives at Canada Life, he has played a crucial role in steering key product strategies and enhancing operational efficiencies within the organization. His previous tenure at Scotiabank saw him managing diverse product portfolios, leading to significant market growth and improved customer satisfaction.
Punit's time at BlackBerry, a legacy tech leader, was marked by his contributions as the Enterprise Product Manager, where he aptly combined technical know-how with market insights to deliver tailored solutions for enterprise clients. He also excelled in competitive intelligence, showcasing his acute understanding of market dynamics.
In the earlier stages of his career, Punit’s involvement as a Product Management Associate at Research In Motion provided him with a solid grounding in product lifecycle management processes, further establishing his foundation in product strategy and execution. Likewise, his varied roles, such as the Manager of Product Marketing at Workopolis and the Community Manager at Wikibrands, have allowed him to shape engaging marketing narratives that resonate with customers and stakeholders alike.
Punit’s professional journey exemplifies a commitment to excellence, collaboration, and a deep understanding of product management best practices. His insightful approach and unwavering dedication continue to make a lasting impact on the teams and organizations he works with.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
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Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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