Software expert Rachel Kramer is the business development representative for QASymphony, an Atlanta-based company responsible for the creation of purpose-built testing and test management tools for utilization in software development. Kramer’s expertise in the conceptualization and development of QA tools has aided the company as it seeks to streamline the software testing process in the most efficient and effective way possible.
Kramer sharpened her software expertise as well as her business acumen during her time at Emory University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. In her current role with QASymphony, Kramer is able to offer her insight regarding the design and delivery of tools created with the goal of yielding exceptional software. With an extensive business background bolstering her software expertise, Kramer is uniquely qualified for her position at QASymphony and is therefore able to offer a valuable and insightful perspective on a wide variety of subjects.
Since joining QASymphony, Kramer has been a vital component in the company’s ability to continually develop exceptional test management tools for use in the creation of high-quality software delivered at a rate conducive to companies operating at an Agile pace. With the help of Kramer, QASymphony’s award-winning platform has drawn industry-wide praise and has been cited as a critical test management tool by major companies and startups alike.`
Where did the idea for QASymphony come from?
Traditional test management methodologies were clearly inefficient, especially for companies looking to quickly scale without sacrificing anything in terms of quality.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I work with several different teams, so I spend most of my time collaborating with colleagues and determining the best possible strategy for improving all aspects of our business operations.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I try to see every issue from as many angles as possible in order to develop the most ideal approach for generating a solution.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
There are several still-emerging trends relating to software testing and software development, and I’ve long been interested in identifying these trends and taking action based on the progress that is made as a result.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
My colleagues and I collaborate often, and that is a large part of the reason for the consistent productivity of our entire staff.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
While attending Emory, I held a position in which inefficiency clearly hampered operations in so many ways. It was a frustrating experience and reinforced my desire to pursue a position in which I could ensure operational efficiency.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I’ve never regretted any decision I’ve made, so there is nothing I would go back and do differently.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
I believe in a collaborative approach, but I have the utmost confidence in myself when it comes to making a decision on any critical issue.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business? Please explain how.
We believe that our test management platform sells itself, so we ensure potential clients have access to a comprehensive demonstration of what the platform is capable of.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I try to view any suboptimal outcome as an opportunity to learn and improve, and I believe that quality has been a large part of my professional success.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
There are endless entrepreneurial possibilities in software development.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
I took a few of my colleagues out to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as a way to celebrate the successful completion of a project we had all collaborated on.
What software and web services do you use? What do you love about them?
I love the software QASymphony has developed and love that I am able to contribute to the creation of such an outstanding platform.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
As a reminder that established practices are not necessarily best practices, I’d recommend “Rework,” by Jason Fried and David Hansson.
What people have influenced your thinking and might be of interest to others?
Basecamp founder Jason Fried has made a significant impact on the way I approach business and software development.
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.