Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal

Welcome to inside the manager’s mind — a space where leadership meets reality. Explore the highs, lows, and everyday decisions that shape teams and drive success. From strategic thinking to people management, this blog offers raw insights and practical wisdom for those leading or aspiring to lead. In this feature we’d like you to meet Gaurav Bansal! Gaurav Bansal: As a manager, my constant focus is on solving challenges that my team faces. The key is staying aware of these challenges, acknowledging them, and taking decisive action. Let me share how I approach some common management challenges. Building Cross-Functional Collaboration When my team expanded from client-only developers to include Backend developers, I noticed collaboration gaps emerging. While client developers had strong relationships from working together for a year, the integration with Backend developers needed attention. To address this, we focused on creating a collaborative environment through regular team activities, including recent bowling and dinner events that helped break down barriers and foster natural connections. We’ve made significant strides in fostering technical understanding between teams. Our backend team now regularly shares insights about API performance, which has led to client teams implementing more effective loading states. Similarly, when client teams demonstrate user interactions, it helps backend developers design more intuitive API endpoints. These exchanges have transformed our team’s mindset from “That’s not my job” to “How can I help?” Maintaining Team Motivation Recognition plays a crucial role in keeping the team motivated throughout the development lifecycle. We celebrate joint wins and team contributions, making sure everyone feels valued for their unique contributions. Mercari’s employee-centric culture and various club activities provide additional avenues for engagement and motivation.Work-life balance is another cornerstone of our approach. We’ve implemented flexible working hours, understanding that some team members are early birds while others peak later in… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/inside-the-managers-mind-gaurav-bansal/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Inside the manager’s mind : Gaurav Bansal</span></a>

Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team

Welcome to our hiring series- Building Bridges. At Mercari we pride ourselves on building a talented and dynamic team. In this series, you’ll get to know the faces behind the teams that run our organisation.Let’s dive in and get to know them better with the Engineering Manager – Atif Shaik Mercari India: Can you tell us a bit about  what a typical day looks like for the Cross Border team? Atif:  We’re one of the teams building the next big thing at Mercari, so our days are packed with energy and purpose. We start with a quick sync to catch up on where everyone is with their tasks and anything exciting (or challenging) from the day before. After that, we often have discussions with our product manager and maybe a few other team members to make sure everyone is aligned. Once we’re on the same page, we dive deep into focused work—building the core pieces of our new app. It’s pretty intense, but knowing we’re building something global makes it super rewarding. Mercari India: Tell us more about the engineers you are currently hiring for, and what qualities do you look for in potential candidates? Atif: We’re looking for a passionate folks to join us—a true enthusiast who’s excited by the idea of building for a global audience. It’s fast-paced here, but if you love learning quickly and tackling fresh challenges, you’ll fit right in. We’re after someone who doesn’t just think about the tech; we want someone who has a real appreciation for the product and the experience we’re delivering to people. It’s not just about code; it’s about crafting something people will love using.  Mercari India: How does your team collaborate and what tools or methods do you use to stay connected and productive? Atif: Slack is our… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/building-bridges-introducing-our-dynamic-cross-border-team/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Building Bridges: Introducing Our Dynamic Cross Border Team</span></a>

Sparking Innovation & Collaboration: Inside Mercari India Hackathon 2.0

At Mercari, we’re driven by a spirit of innovation, an eagerness to build solutions that redefine landscapes, and our value of going bold. It is this culture and spirit that has helped us design a product and platform that is a market leader and growing consistently. Never is this spirit and culture more visible than during our annual hackathon. The first iteration of this hackathon happened with great success last year, and therefore, when I got the opportunity to be on the organizing team for Hackathon 2.0, I was beyond excited! It was, of course, going to be bigger than ever! The hackathon was evolving into a global Mercari construct where winners from different geographies would come together and compete for the ultimate recognition at the finale in our Japan HQ. But first, why even do a hackathon? We do it because it creates a unique space for employees to think outside the box and challenge themselves. In a structured work environment, it’s easy to get engrossed in daily responsibilities and deadlines. A hackathon allows us to hit the pause button on these routines and encourages team members to brainstorm solutions that might not typically emerge. This not only sparks innovation but also cultivates a sense of ownership and pride in one’s ideas. Building the Construct Step 1 of the process was putting together a dream team that would help us put an event of this magnitude together. For this, we searched across experience levels, job roles and domains to put together a diverse team. This was critical so that we could bring in different kinds of perspectives and cover all aspects that would go into making this event successful. The team – Rafael Marcos da Silva, Priyanka Sharma, Gaurav Bansal, Sanu Satyadarshi, Samkit Jain, Yogesh Gophane, Adarsh Gupta, Noush… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/mercari-india-hackathon-2024/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Sparking Innovation & Collaboration: Inside Mercari India Hackathon 2.0</span></a>

Mentoring the Future: My Experience with Build@Mercari Program

Hello everyone, I’m Sanu Satyadarshi, currently serving as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari. Recently, I had the privilege of being a mentor for the Build@Mercari 2024 program, and I’m excited to share my experiences from this incredible event. Build@Mercari stands as Mercari Inc.’s premier pre-internship initiative, offering online training and internship opportunities to university students worldwide. This immersive program provides hands-on training, allowing students to dive into the tech stack commonly used in the industry. Selected participants are grouped into teams, with each team being assigned 1-2 mentors. Throughout the program, students undergo comprehensive training covering essential skills such as Git, GoLang/Python, Web API development, Docker, CI/CD, and more. This year, the event commenced on Feb 16, 2024, accommodating both online and offline formats. Online sessions catered to English-speaking students, while offline sessions were tailored for Japanese-speaking students. I had the privilege of mentoring the English-speaking group (while still honing my Japanese language skills 😞). Our initial session focused on assisting students in installing and setting up Git, a fundamental skill for any Software Engineer. Following this, students were divided into smaller groups, with dedicated mentors assigned to each team. The experience was incredibly engaging. We began by configuring our development environments, setting up Golang/Python on our laptops, and deploying a sample web application to showcase the iconic “Hello World!” message on our browsers. As the Build@Mercari sessions emphasize technical proficiency, I volunteered to lead sessions on Docker and CI, in addition to the introductory GoLang session. During the Docker session, I introduced the concept of containers, followed by a demonstration and hands-on exercise on containerizing a GoLang application. Students successfully created containerized applications and executed them on their laptops. In the CI session, we utilized GitHub actions to automate the building of Docker images upon each PR merge, highlighting… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/mentoring-the-future-my-experience-with-buildmercari-program/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mentoring the Future: My Experience with Build@Mercari Program</span></a>

Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup

Hello, I’m Archita Bansal, currently working as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari India. What an incredible day we had on February 10th at Mercari India! The Swift Meetup transformed into a unique gathering of Swift developers from various backgrounds, making it a special day filled with insights and collaboration. This event was much more than a Mercari India initiative; it was a testament to community collaboration. By welcoming Swift developers from different companies, we fostered an environment rich in shared learning and connections. Our attendees had the chance to engage with top Swift technology experts, including Mercari India’s own speakers and notable external specialists. Together, they navigated a wide array of topics, from optimizing build speeds in both local and CI environments to ensuring applications are accessible through comprehensive accessibility audits. The discussions didn’t stop there—they also covered practical tips for applying SwiftUI in production apps, showcasing the framework’s incredible power and flexibility, and delved into the innovative potential of MapKit in SwiftUI. The evident enthusiasm and passion from each presentation truly highlighted the vibrant spirit of the Swift community. It was a day of innovation, learning, and community building, a sentiment strongly supported by the positive feedback we received across social media. The meetup transcended the bounds of mere technical presentations; it embodied the spirit of collective growth and vision. Guided by our leadership, insights were shared that illuminated the core of iOS development at Mercari, revealing the ambitions and principles that unite us all. Being part of such community events demonstrates Mercari India’s dedication to fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, reaching beyond our immediate space. Reflecting on the meetup, we’re overwhelmed with gratitude for the moments we shared, the knowledge we exchanged, and the connections we forged. This event was a collaborative effort that benefitted… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/swift-innovations-unleashed-a-look-inside-the-mercari-india-meetup/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Swift Innovations Unleashed: A Look Inside the Mercari India Meetup</span></a>

Event Report: Round Table Conference on GenAI

We hosted a round table conference on generative AI at Mercari India on February 23rd in association with The Fifth Elephant community. The event was aimed to get the insights from some of the great minds working in the space and also share and popularize the initiatives that Mercari is working on in the field of Generative AI. Participants We were joined by over 20 participants, including CxO’s of multiple startups, Heads of Generative AI verticals, and renowned industry experts that made the event a huge success. Mercari’s participation was represented by Yuki ISHIKAWA and Vish Magapu along with Sharma RAJESH and Vaibhav Khurana Highlights from the Conference If you are interested in learning about Mercari’s efforts in Generative AI, please visit this page / Mercari AI Also, be sure to follow Mercari India’s social media accounts!

SWE Intern to an Android Engineer: Unveiling the chapters of my experience at Mercari India

Hello, I’m Mrudul Tora, and I’m thrilled to share the comprehensive journey of becoming one of the Software Engineer Interns at Mercari India, spanning from the initial interview process to securing a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO) and converting to a full time Android Engineer. A closer look at Mercari Mercari Inc., founded in 2013, is a prominent Japanese e-commerce company. The Mercari marketplace app, introduced in Japan in July 2013, has evolved into the country’s largest community-powered marketplace, facilitating over 23 Million active users each month. Application Process Motivated by a previous setback in the application process, I approached this opportunity with renewed determination. I meticulously updated my resume, ensuring it highlighted all relevant projects and internships. Applying through a referral in December 2022, I eagerly awaited the next steps. To my delight, within a few days, I received a link for an online test, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in my journey with Mercari. First Round: Online Assessment The initial phase involved an online assessment conducted on the HackerRank platform. The assessment comprised three coding-based questions, all centered around data structures and algorithms. Notably, the difficulty level for all the questions was medium. The assessment was to be taken in two weeks, and a duration of one hour was allocated for the test once it was initiated. Taking advantage of the given time span, I dedicated a portion to revisiting and reinforcing my understanding of data structures and algorithms before attempting the test. Following the completion of the assessment, a member from the Talent Acquisition (TA) team reached out to me. This interaction included discussions about my preferred duration and location for pursuing the internship, allowing for a personalized touch to the process, with options between India and Japan. Post-assessment, there was a waiting period of approximately two… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/swe-intern-to-an-android-engineer-unveiling-the-chapters-of-my-experience-at-mercari-india/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">SWE Intern to an Android Engineer: Unveiling the chapters of my experience at Mercari India</span></a>

Mercari’s Recruitment Journey at IIT Kharagpur

Hello, I’m Sanu Satyadarshi, currently working as a Lead Software Engineer at Mercari India. Mercari stands as a beacon of tech innovation, consistently upholding rigorous engineering standards. We firmly believe in the infusion of fresh perspectives, and our new graduate hires—often referred to as freshers—play a key role in infusing new ideas and dynamism into our systems. India’s burgeoning tech landscape has become a magnet for companies scouting world-class engineering talent. Recognizing this trend, Mercari has cultivated relationships with top-tier Indian engineering institutions for several years. As part of our annual recruitment strategy, we recently visited the esteemed IIT Kharagpur, a global powerhouse in engineering education. While our hiring process might appear simple, it’s anything but that. Planning commences a minimum of 6–8 months in advance, with our new-grad talent acquisition team meticulously orchestrating every detail. This time around, the hiring was being done for positions in Japan. However, since Mercari has a software development center in India, I was nominated by my manager to visit IIT Kharagpur directly and conduct interviews in support of the hiring team from Japan. At Mercari, we believe in working together toward common goals, and this is just one embodiment of our company value “All for One.” Here’s where the logistics get interesting: I was in Tokyo, Japan, until November 29th, with interviews scheduled in Kharagpur on December 1st. This tight schedule required quick transitions, including flights from Tokyo to Bangalore and then to Kolkata, followed by an early morning drive to Kharagpur. During the morning drive from Kolkata to Kharagpur, I was able to discuss a lot of technical topics with Mercari’s CTO Ken Wakasa, VP of Engineering Carlos Donderis, and other senior engineering leaders who had traveled from Japan for the hiring initiative. Upon reaching IIT Kharagpur, we were accommodated at the… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/engineeringblog/mercaris-recruitment-journey-at-iit-kharagpur/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mercari’s Recruitment Journey at IIT Kharagpur</span></a>

Praying for Further Strides: Opening Ceremony of Mercari India

Hello, everyone. My name is Kayoreena and I work in the Engineering Office Team of Mercari Japan. In this article, I would like to report on the opening ceremony of Mercari India held on August 26. Mercari established a base (Mercari India) in Bengaluru, India in June 2022 and has been recruiting tech human resources, mainly engineers. Mercari is establishing a new Center of Excellence in Bengaluru, India this summer! #MercariDays | mercan The opening ceremony was actually planned from the beginning of June 2022, when the office in India was established, as an opportunity to express Mercari’s enthusiasm for expanding into India. The timing of the ceremony had been discussed for a long time. As Vish Magapu, Site Lead of Mercari India, joined the organization in February of this year, and more employees joined the company, which led to the decision to relocate the office, we decided to hold the ceremony on August 26 after the move to the new location. Since the establishment of Mercari India, I have been working on branding and general internal and external communication measures in India, so I was engaged in content planning as a member of the team organizing the ceremony. As a representative of the organizing team, I would like to introduce the preparations for the ceremony and how it went on the day. Preparations Creating the design We decided to create an original logo for the ceremony. Normally, we would not think of creating a logo just for one ceremony. However, because this ceremony was a special one for Mercari India, and because it was to be attended by people from offices in various countries and outside parties, we wanted to have a common concept and create a greater sense of unity and thus created an original logo and design.… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/praying-for-further-strides-opening-ceremony-of-mercari-india/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Praying for Further Strides: Opening Ceremony of Mercari India</span></a>

Mercari India – Software Engineer Intern Experience

Hi, My name is Thari Zephaniah. I had the incredible opportunity to be one of the first Software Engineer Interns hired by Mercari India. In this post, I will be taking you through my entire journey, starting from the initial interview process all the way to receiving a Pre-Placement Offer (PPO). Motivation To tell you a little bit about the company, Mercari is an e-Commerce company where users can buy and sell products. Since my sophomore year, I’ve been keen on Mercari. It has grown into Japan’s largest community-powered marketplace, with more than 250 billion yen GMV in the 3Q of 2023. It quickly became an aspirational company due to the positive feedback and highly commendable experiences shared by my seniors who Interned at Mercari, Japan. Internship Application One usual day in November, while engrossed in my routine LinkedIn browsing, I stumbled across an announcement from Mercari India: They were hiring Software Engineer Interns. A surge of excitement washed over me. This was it – the moment I had been eagerly waiting for! Taking into account my previous application experience with Mercari Japan, where I was, unfortunately, unable to progress beyond the second round, I was determined to present the best version of myself this time, I got my resume reviewed by one of my seniors to enhance my chances. Equipped with their constructive feedback, I was ready to put my best foot forward.  I approached the application process via a referral, confident of the personal touch it would echo in my candidature. This whole process began in November, and patience became my close companion as the process took somewhat longer than anticipated. This delay was because of the fact that the HR setup wasn’t still consolidated in India during the internship opening, leaving the Japan team to manage the… <a class="more-link" href="https://about.in.mercari.com/news/blog/mercari-india-software-engineer-intern-experience/">Continue reading <span class="screen-reader-text">Mercari India – Software Engineer Intern Experience</span></a>