Why I joined Asana: Juan Ballinas Rangel, Sales Renewals Executive
Juan Ballinas Rangel is a Renewals Executive based out of San Francisco. The opportunity to learn and grow immensely in his career, while working with coworkers who have become friends, makes the Asana experience one that Juan loves being a part of each day. Get to know Juan and why he joined #teamasana.
What was your journey to becoming a Renewals Executive on the Sales team?
Asana has always been a company and product that I’ve had a lot of respect and admiration for. I have always been inspired by the company mission and the values that our Co-Founder and CEO Dustin Moskovitz has put forward. I was given the opportunity to join a company and team that shared the same values that I had longed for in a career. It became my number one goal to be a part of that team.
I was blessed to join Asana as an Enterprise Development Representative, where I quickly became an asset to our strong, mission-driven sales team. They welcomed me with open arms and have continued to teach, mentor, and care for me as a person to this day. About a year and a half into my Asana journey, I earned the incredible opportunity to create the Renewals team within the Sales organization. As Renewals Executives we have quickly made a positive impact on the business and community of Asana as a whole.
The last two years at Asana have been an adventure, providing me the opportunity to work alongside a diverse group of individuals, all who bring great ideas, unique views, and brilliant contributions every single day.
How have you felt supported in your career journey & growth at Asana?
One of the main reasons I joined Asana was because of the emphasis around career growth, development, and support, which I have been lucky enough to experience since my first day. A huge reason for my career growth and advancement so far is because of the unconditional managerial support I have received from all levels of the company. Asana’s open door approach and emphasis on real talk allows all employees to seek out assistance and support on how to grow their careers. All of this speaks to why I see smiles on my teammates’ faces every day, and why Asana continues to be recognized for countless workplace awards year after year.
Describe what a day is like on the San Francisco team?
The word that immediately comes to mind for me is welcoming. I feel so lucky to be able to collaborate with incredibly smart people who have become some of my closest friends over these last two years. The high energy, strong culture, and inviting vibe of the office (before the shift to WFH), makes starting my work day something to look forward to. A “work hard, play hard” environment where we push each other to reach our goals, and celebrate those wins together, is what keeps our team so close-knit. Now that we’ve been working remotely, it has only brought us closer together and made us go the extra mile to connect with our global teammates. We’re constantly encouraging and pushing each other, which helps us excel in our individual work. Asana has done an incredible job of keeping the company energized no matter where we’re working and I continue to be excited for what the future holds.
What is something unique about the team you are on?
Our team is small but gritty. As one of the first members of the Renewals team, I had the opportunity to help shape the roadmap for our work. Since then, we’ve made additional hires to expand our team, one who has already hit the ground running with her intelligence and efficiency. I’m really looking forward to strengthening our Renewals program, and am so thankful for a manager who not only keeps us on track with our work, but also cares about our personal lives and wellbeing.
How does using Asana impact your work?
Ever since I started using Asana, I have been blown away by how easily all types of teams around the globe can efficiently complete their work. We have become the productive engine we are today because we are able to build project plans, communicate in real-time, and hit deadlines without missing a beat. And the best part is that all of the completed work is celebrated in Asana, so achievements and recognition never go unnoticed.
Most importantly in my day-to-day work, I can always see who is working on a given task and what the status of that deliverable is. Not only is my own work visible, but so is the work of the rest of the company, allowing everyone to have clarity on the work that’s happening and how it contributes to the company’s goals. I have always been impressed by the amount of transparency Asana provides both as a company and a product.
What does Asana’s mission mean to you?
Asana’s mission has resonated with me from the start and was a contributing factor to why I joined. The big picture of what Asana is trying to achieve is incredible when you break it down. The work we do every day is allowing teams all over the world, regardless of industry or size, to manage all of their work and achieve complete clarity rather than getting caught up and wasting time doing the “work about work.” We Asanas are given a chance to help build and shape the future of work. I can’t ask for a better opportunity and organization to be a part of.
What’s your mantra and where did you develop it?
A mantra I’ve followed from other members of our sales team is to “Work smarter, not harder.” At Asana, there are so many intelligent minds that have found new and out-of-the-box ways to speak to the right executive contact, schedule a meeting, or bring in revenue. These new strategies have been incorporated into playbooks and processes within our organization, which shows how our team’s everyday work can be improved by stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding creative solutions to work in smarter ways.
What makes Asana’s culture inclusive?
Our leadership and managers are constantly empowering teams to speak their minds, share their perspectives, and “be real” about things happening in the world. Asana is one of the first places where I truly feel that I have a voice in how my career progresses, and that I can express my thoughts openly without fear of the outcome. From the top down, leaders across the company always emphasized the importance of the safe space we’ve created at Asana, giving all employees the freedom to speak about their feelings on diversity, their backgrounds, ideals, and beliefs. This created an inclusive environment for everyone to bring the whole selves into.
This year, before we transitioned to working remotely, I had the opportunity to be a panelist in one of our Real Talk events, hosted by Gradient, our Employee Resource Group for Asanas of color and allies. Being raised by a family in Tijuana, Baja California, I spoke on the transition from life in Mexico to life in the United States, and some of the cultural differences I’ve experienced as a Mexican-American in both the workplace and in my personal journey. The event topic, “Being an Immigrant in America,” allowed me to share how my dedication to family and faith has allowed me to confidently build a strong career path for myself, and where I aspire to let it take me in the future. I also reminded everyone there is no better meal than mom’s home cooking! It was an unique experience and a conversation that was special to have with my colleagues. I hope this discussion can open up more conversations like this moving forward.
If you could give a new Asana one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and speak up! Asana takes so much pride in making sure everyone is set up for success and feels welcome. All new Asanas have something unique and different to bring to the table, so bring everything that you have! Also never hesitate to ask for help, and more importantly, to offer it. Every Asana has a voice to be heard, and it could be yours that takes our organization to the next level.
Work with Juan—join our team!
Check out opportunities to join the Sales team. We have open roles in San Francisco, Dublin, Tokyo, Munich, Sydney and New York!
