Kanwar Anand

Digital Executive

Equal parts Product and equal parts Manager - I use my technical background and business acumen to ensure that not only do we deliver good products, but the right products.

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About Me

Who I am

I am a customer-focused product manager committed to making sure technology and products help users achieve what they need. I lead teams dedicated to working closely with customers and driving the optimal user experience through diverse channels. I strike a balance between customer wants and business needs, and work with product teams to implement solutions that help users get the most out of our tools and services, and hopefully love doing it.

What I Do

I spend my time learning what millions of Group Benefits and Group Retirement members need from Manulife's digital presence and then work to create the best experience possible across our online and mobile channels.

Day to day, this includes things like user research, persona development, user journey mapping, user story creation, wireframe creation, defect management and leading other members on the team. I use these techniques to deliver products including our Mobile apps, dedicated microsites and redesigns for several existing pieces of collateral.

Quarter to quarter, I participate in higher level items such as roadmap development, product alignment with corporate strategy and brand evolution, and presenting our progress and vision to our customers. I use techniques learned though my MBA education and love seeing how they may be applied in our business.

  • User Story Creation
  • Wireframe & Prototyping
  • Product Experience Design
  • Market Research
  • Competitive Intelligence
  • Persona Creation
  • User Engagement
  • Project Management
  • Team Leadership
  • Stakeholder Management
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Resume

Education

  • 2015-Current

    Masters of Business Administration

    Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON

    I am currently pursuing my MBA. This has made a great addition to my technical background and industry experience. I look for every opportunity to apply my learnings to my job.

  • 2004-2010

    Electrical Engineering Degree

    Western University, London, ON

    My major in Electrical Engineering created my foundation of critical thinking, solutions orientation and creative approach to addressing problems.

  • 2004-2010

    Computer Science Degree

    Western University, London, ON

    My major in Computer Science allows me to understand technical implementations used to drive our business forward. I use the fundamentals I learned there to stay up to date with advancements in this ever increasingly digital world.

Experience

  • 2015-Current

    Product Manager, Digital Associate

    Manulife Financial

    I manage several digital products for Manulife financial, including our mobile apps, websites and digital tools from inception to launch. I develop user stories, personas, wireframes, roadmaps, test plans, marketing material, KPIs and more.

    Recent wins include launch of GRS Mobile app, ORPP information portal and element UI redesign for Manulife secure pages which receive over 1,000,000 sessions a year.

  • 2013-2015

    User Engagement Program Lead

    BlackBerry

    Lead a team of 8 project managers running technical and customer facing projects. Managed digital strategy and best practices for User Engagement programs.

    Managed pre-release program for BlackBerrry Messenger which has over 100 million monthly active users and a 4.3 star rating, and the latest flagship handset in partnership with Android, the BlackBerrry Priv.

  • 2010-2013

    User Engagement Project Specialist

    BlackBerry

    I managed large projects throughout their life cycles using Agile methodologies in a matrix environment. Provided thought leadership on operations and processes, and executed projects with appropriate problem resolution and risk management.

  • 2008-2009

    Technical Customer Support Lead

    BlackBerry

    Supported pre-release BlackBerry products in the global contact centre. Managed technological solutions and process refinement to continually improve the customer experience.

Skills

Product Management

90%

Project Management

90%

Relationship Management

90%

Customer Engagement

85%

KPI Tracking

80%

Test Plan Creation & Strategy

80%

More skills

leadership
Motivation
Management
UX Design
Communications
Marketing

Additional Courses & Certifications

  • Project Management Fundaments
  • Six Sigma Green Belt
  • 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
  • Virtual Workplace Effectiveness
  • Active Leadership
  • Scrum Fundamentals
  • Gamification
  • Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace

Get in touch

Send me a message