Senior Area Sales Manager for Pune, Rana Bayas, talks about his inspiring seven and a half year journey at Swiggy that recently resulted in the success of a ‘crazy deal’.
From activating business expansion in a city, one partnership at a time, to witnessing one’s strategies and efforts for a local campaign being applied nationally, Rana Bayas’ journey has been eventful and fulfilling. His understanding of business needs, the culture at Swiggy, and his relentless commitment to work have resulted in unprecedented success. A proud Swiggster, he talks about his experience, his work, and his journey at Swiggy. Here’s his story.
1) Tell us about the beginning of your Swiggy ride. What was your role when you joined the company, and how has it changed over the years?
I joined Swiggy as a Sales Manager at the beginning of 2017. At the time, Pune was witnessing around 4,500 to 5,000 orders per day. The company was laying a strong base in the city and across the nation. It was an exciting time as there was a lot of room to make a big impact.
As my years in the company progressed, so did my roles and responsibilities. I started out managing daily operational tasks and evolved towards handling strategic responsibilities. Working in the same city for a sustained period has its own perks and Swiggy gave me the opportunity to leverage this familiarity. I got promoted to KAM, then SAM and then Sr. ASM, and have led multiple high-impact campaigns in my tenure. The most recent initiative that I led was the Crazy Deals campaign, which offered mega discounts to customers on many dishes. It was a huge success in Pune, because of which it was then replicated nationwide as well.
Over the last seven and a half years, it’s been an absolute pleasure to witness and contribute to the company’s exponential growth. I can sum up the change in my role over time with this – in the beginning, my focus was to identify and build individual restaurant partnerships, but from there it kept getting bigger in terms of driving overall market growth, increasing order volumes and most importantly, improving Swiggy’s brand presence in Pune.
2) How would you describe your journey at Swiggy?
It’s been transformative. When I joined Swiggy, we were a small team. So, I’ve actually seen rapid growth right from the ground up.
Personally, it is incredibly satisfying to look back at my own growth within the company. Today, I’m responsible for large-scale campaigns that have boosted order volumes and set higher benchmarks for other cities to achieve. The success I have experienced at Swiggy would not have been possible without the company’s supportive culture. This culture has fostered a strong sense of ownership and belonging in me. For me, Swiggy is more than just a workplace. It is a big part of my life, and I’ve achieved so many milestones here. It’s a privilege to work with some of the most dedicated and innovative minds in the country.
3) Looking back, what would you say has been the best moment of your tenure at Swiggy?
I know I have already mentioned it, but the success of the Crazy Deals campaign is a top highlight for me, and I’m still overwhelmed by the entire journey. The team and I put a lot of effort into strategising and executing the campaign. And to see it result in such phenomenal growth in the order volumes and customer engagement was priceless. This achievement was about more than just numbers. It showcased the power of collaboration, creativity, and hard work, and I couldn’t be more proud of my team.
4) What led you to join Swiggy?
In 2017, the food delivery landscape in India was still evolving. For me, Swiggy stood out as a company that was poised to transform the way people ordered food. I just could not pass up on the opportunity to be part of such a significant story. It’s been worth every minute to work with a team that constantly pushes boundaries to redefine convenience for customers.
5) What was your first day at Swiggy like?
One key memory from day one was being embarrassed because I arrived in formal clothes and everyone else was dressed much more casually. It was quite a funny experience. Overall, my first day at Swiggy was a whirlwind of excitement and energy. I remember being introduced to the different teams and getting a crash course on how things worked. To be honest, it was a lot to take in at one time, getting familiarised with everything from the delivery logistics to the restaurant partners we worked with.
6) If you could, what would you say to the Day 1 version of yourself?
I would say to myself, ‘Don’t worry, you are in the right company and in the company of the right people! Express yourself, work hard, and see how your efforts materialise into success for yourself and the organisation’.
7) Are there any lessons you’ve learned in your time here that can be carried forward in life?
Perseverance pays off. Take complete ownership of whatever task you have been assigned, overcome roadblocks, push the envelope, and you’ll be rewarded.
8) What would you say played an important role in your decision to stay with Swiggy?
I’d say the opportunities for growth, the support from leadership and the bond I share with my colleagues have all been reasons for me to stay, and to improve every day.
9) What’s one Swiggy value you resonate the most with and why?
There are two values that I resonate most with. First, Never Settle, because I truly believe that the sky is not the limit, it’s the beginning. And second, Display A Founder Mentality, because no matter your role, it’s important to commit like it’s your own business.
