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Going Beyond with Lingyi Cai

October 27, 2023

In our latest Going Beyond blog post, our series that aims to show what it’s really like to work at Beyond, we spoke to Lingyi Cai to learn more about her experience on the Beyond team and growing her career with Beyond.

Lingyi is a Data Scientist, and discusses her journey to Beyond, experience, and what she loves most about being part of our dynamic company.

What is your role at Beyond?

As a Data scientist, I primarily focus on developing and refining our pricing models to stay competitive and maximize profitability. I also create detailed internal reports that shed light on user performance, informing data-driven decisions across different teams. Additionally, I work closely with my colleagues to explore new ways to leverage our existing data, identifying opportunities that could influence our product and market strategies.

What was your experience before joining and what attracted you to Beyond?

My background is in hospitality with hands-on experience in hotels and casinos. After pursuing further education and completing my master’s degree in business analytics at Duke University, I found an avenue that allowed me to blend two fields I’m passionate about: hospitality and data analytics. Beyond’s innovative approach to dynamic pricing for short-term rentals was a perfect match for my interests and studies. Here, I saw a chance to leverage my understanding of the industry while driving deep into data-driven decision-making, which I find incredibly rewarding.

What has your experience been like working remotely?

Working remotely has been a positive experience for me. Not having a daily commute is a significant benefit, allowing me to get into the ‘work zone’ more quickly, without the stress of traffic or public transport.

The flexibility of this setup is also beneficial. During downtime, for instance, while waiting for data analysis or report generation, I can attend to brief personal tasks(e.g., feeding my cats). Moreover, having a complete work setup at home allows me to maintain a consistent work environment, ensuring productivity isn’t confined to specific hours or locations. Overall, I thoroughly enjoy the freedom and effectiveness of working remotely.

How do you typically collaborate with your team?

I collaborate closely with both my immediate team and the revenue management team, especially in the realms of developing and enhancing pricing models. When we’re exploring new ideas, I engage with both teams to assess the potential and performance of new features or models. Once a project is greenlit, my focus shifts to constructing the primary workflow. This phase involves in-depth discussion with my manager and colleagues to determine the most efficient implementation strategies and ensure scalability.

What is your favorite part about working at Beyond?

I love the transparency and collaborative environment at Beyond. For example, we have PED talks where people are encouraged to share their latest works, and I think that’s a fantastic way to learn about others’ roles and contributions to the company. Moreover, this culture of open communication fosters a sense of community and support among colleagues, making it not just about individual growth, but collective progress. We’re empowered to propose new ideas or call out issues, knowing they’ll be received with respect and constructive discussion. This atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement is invigorating, and it motivates me to contribute my best to the team every day.

Our Going Beyond series aims to pull back the curtain and show what it’s really like to work at Beyond. Our five core values provide structure for our company decisions, interactions, and work: We Care, We Go Beyond, We Are On The Same Team, We Inspire Trust and We Ship It. If these values resonate with you, then you belong at Beyond too! Check out our careers page for more information and to see open positions: https://www.beyondpricing.com/about/careers

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