TOMMY MA

2023
Curriculum 
Vitae (CV)



SNAPCH
CK


START-UP / INDEPENDENT VENTURE | MARCH 2025
TEAM: ERIC LEE | RICHARD WU | TOMMY MA
ROLE: UX RESEARCH / UX/CX DESIGN / SKETCHING / PROTOTYPING / VISUAL DESIGN / BRANDING / AI / ML / AUTOMATION / CRM INTEGRATION / LEAD QUALIFICATION / COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS / AGILE / MVP DEVELOPMENT / CREATIVE STRATEGY / DIGITIAL STORYTELLING  

SnapCheck is a photo check-in app that gives landlords peace of mind—between property visits, not just after them—so small issues don’t turn into big ones.
It’s a prevention-first tool that helps landlords document their unit condition over time, using structured, guided photo submissions from tenants. From onboarding to offboarding, SnapCheck keeps everything organized—from rental agreements and inspection reports to time-stamped condition photos—so landlords stay informed without added friction.




PROJECT BRIEF

We want to show how we transformed one measurable pain point—dealerships losing digital leads through slow, fragmented follow-up—into a cohesive brand and product experience. You’ll see how we: 1. Validated the Problem
● Quanity how slow, scattered follow-ups drain revenue and erode CX. 

2. Translate Insight into Opportunity  
● Funnel eight big ideas into one high-impact MVP: Lead Management and Communication.

3. Build the Brand Experience
● Shape NYO’s voice, visuals, and AI flows so every interaction feels seemless and human.

4. Prototype & Pilot Plan
● Outline the feature roadmap, metrics, and rollout strategy for our launch partner.





STARTING WITH THE UNKNOWN
We knew there were problems - just not which one to solve yet. 

Summary:

At the beginning of this project, we didn’t have a singular direction. We had a long list of pain points from both landlords and tenants: scheduling inspections was a hassle, visits felt awkward, property condition was unknown for months, confrontation was uncomfortable, and tenants felt their privacy was constantly being breached.

We debated heavily as a team—was this a communication problem? A documentation problem? A confrontation problem? A stress-management problem?

What we knew for sure was: something was broken in how small landlords monitored the condition of their units. But in order to build the right solution, we had to slow down and figure out: what problem matters most—and to whom?





TURNING TO RESEARCH
We stopped guessing and started listening. 

Summary:

To move forward, we conducted a series of qualitative interviews and surveys with independent landlords and property owners. We wanted to learn: 

● Which pain points caused the most stress?
● How often inspections really happened? 
● Who they felt more sympathy toward - themselves or their tenants? 
● What kinds of tools or solutions they current used (if any)?
● And most importantly: what kind of person avoids confrontation, but still wants control?

As we listened, a consistent pattern began to emerge - not just in behavior, but in personality. 





DISCOVERING OUR USER
They weren’t negligent. They were just quiet.  

Summary:

Our research revealed that many landlords weren’t being passive or lazy - they were avoiding stress. They lived quiet lives, had stable routines, and often worked in industries like public service, education, or adminstration. They were emotionally conflict-averse, and while they deeply cared about the condition of their unit, they didn’t know how to confront their tenants - or even how to bring up inspections. 

To protect that peace, they stayed silent. But silence, over time, created uncertainty. And that uncertainity led to anxiety.   

That’s when we realized: these landlords weren’t looking for more control - they were looking for peace of mind. 





DEFINING OUR PERSONA
Meet Hank.  

We distilled our learnings into a single, focused persona, Hank. 

We didn’t choose Hank because he stood out. We chose him because he represents thousands of independent landlords across North America who aren’t looking to be property moguls - they just want peace of mind. 






SHIFTING OUR PRODUCT DIRECTION
From documentation to prevention.  

Before Hank, we thought SnapCheck might be a “documentation” tool - a better folder, a smarter checklist, a digital storage space. 

But Hank helped us to see that the core value of SnapCheck isn’t in storing what’s already happened. It’s in catching things before they go wrong.  

That realization gave us clarity. SnapCheck isn’t a reaction tool. It’s a prevention tool. A small system of check-ins that replaces stress with structure, silence with visibility, and anxiety with peace of mind. 





WHICH LED TO OUR PROBLEM STATEMENT
Avoiding inspections isn’t peace of mind - it’s postponing risk. 


Most landlords don’t inspect often—not because they’re careless, but because it’s awkward. Coordinating with tenants can be tricky. Visits feel disruptive. So months pass in silence. But that silence doesn’t bring peace—it brings worry. And when damage is finally discovered, it’s usually too late to prevent.





THE STATS
Our analytics show that there’s a 
clear problem in North America.
Shoppers are Overwhelmingly Digital
● 90 % of shoppers prefer a dealer that lets them start the process online; today they visit just 1.4 dealerships on average.

Slow Responses Kill Deals
● Top-performing stores answer within 5 minutes, highlighting the competitive gap.

Lead Handling is Inconsistent and Fragmented
● Industry benchmarks reveal 27 % of leads receive no contact whatsoever, and the average close-rate on qualified leads is only 12.4 %.





The Damage Delay
How most landlords get burned through 
a negative spiral.

Most landlords avoid regular inspections—not out of neglect, but discomfort. Coordinating with tenants feels intrusive, so months pass in silence. But that silence leads to uncertainty and when damage is finally discovered, it’s often too late to prevent. A missed leak becomes a major repair. A cracked tile becomes a safety hazard. It’s a quiet spiral—from avoidance to anxiety to unexpected cost.






The SnapCheck Way
How small and regular check-ins can create a positive spiral. 

With structured, guided photo check-ins, landlords can stay gently informed throughout the lease. Instead of silence and uncertainty, there's visibility and control. Small issues are caught early. Stress goes down. Trust goes up. What starts as a simple habit becomes a system of clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. 






CUSTOMER JOURNEY
How the system works.

From move-in to move-out, SnapCheck creates a structured rhythm for staying informed. Here’s how landlords go from anxious guesswork to organized, ongoing clarity—without the awkward visits.





PILOT BLUEPRINT FOR 
OPENROAD AUTO GROUP

1. Integrate  
 


Scope: Plug NYO into 2 pilot rooftops (OpenRoad Toyota Port Moody and BMW Langley).

Success KPI: API handshake and CRM sync.


2. Live Chat & Auto Qualify  



Scope: NYO handles 100% AutoTrader and website inquiries after hours.

Success KPI: Average first-response: < 5 minutes (baseline 2 hours).


3. Smart Hand-Off



Scope: AI lead-matching to top hybrid-performance reps.

Success KPI: 90% of leads assigned to “right” salesperson (manual override < 10%).


4. Auto-Notes & Reminders



Scope:  OCR docs / pre-approval forms auto-populate CRM; NYO nudges reps at 24 hours.

Success KPI:  100 % lead profiles enriched; 0 leads dormant > 48 hours.


5. Review & Expand



Scope: Present metrics to the General Managers and Regional Vice President of OpenRoad Auto Group. 

Success KPI: + 2 percentage points for appointment set rate < 60 days.





STRATEGIC PAY-OFFS FOR 
OPENROAD AUTO GROUP

1. Brand-Level CX Consistency
●One AI voice + unified follow-up cadence across 34 stores.
● One AI voice + unified follow-up cadence across 34 stores.

2. Manager Visibility Pre-Visit
● Pipeline dashboard shows why leads ghost before they hit the lot (CRM blind spot today).
3. Zero New Headcount
● Nyo absorbs after-hours and first-touch tasks that Business Development Centres (BDC) can’t.

4. Data Foundation
All interaction data feeds back in to their Customer Data Platform (CDP), unlocking future personalization.





PERSONA SNAPSHOTS

Through a mix of surveys and deep-dive interviews with dealership leaders, we distilled our findings into one representative voice: Andrew, the General Manager.  Andrew’s daily struggles—slow lead follow-ups, scattered customer data, and uneven staff performance —capture the core pains our platform is built to solve and embody the exact audience we aim to serve first.



PRECEDENT STUDY: DRIVECENTRIC
(LEARNING FROM IT, BUT ALSO LEAPING PAST IT)
To gauge market appetite, we examined DriveCentric—the U.S.-based AI sales platform already piloted in two OpenRoad rooftops. Its success confirms that dealers will invest in AI-driven lead management, but the rollout also highlights pain points: high subscription costs, one-size workflows, and offshore support. These gaps define our opportunity: deliver the same AI speed and insight at a fraction of the price, with Canada-based data residency and hands-on, local customization for OpenRoad’s exact processes.




PROTOTYPE SHOWCASE
(SHIFT FROM A BUSINESS CASE TO A TANGIBLE PRODUCT)

Below are snippets of NYO in action - each tied to a pain point. From the moment a lead arrives to the follow-up nudges that save dormant opportunities, these prototypes show how our MVP turns strategy into real screens and flows. 


Seemlessly Capture &
Qualify Leads

Automatically respond to leads within minutes using our AI-powered sales assistant for realistic and personal interactions.


Easy Handoffs
with Customer Summaries


Receive a detailed customer summary from the initial interaction, enabling a seamless handoff and effective deal closing.




Effortlessly Schedule, Manage &  Notify Customers


Easily manage and schedule appointments, automatically notify your customers, and keep everything in sync with calendar integration.


Effortlessly Onboard with Your Existing CRM.

Easily integrate with your current CRM tool to manage customer inquiries like availability.









EXPERIENCE OBJECTIVES

1. REDUCE QUEUE TIMESBy reducing overall wait times, users can spend less time worrying about arriving early to order their snacks and more time roaming their local cinemas, watching the trailers, and arriving on-time to watch their movie. 2. ENHANCE SELECTIONS Since overall queue times are reduced, local cinemas can focus on creating better food options and increasing their selections. Food vendors currently collaborating with these cinemas can also gain more exposure and have an avenue to better prepare for all incoming customers.




WHY MOBILE? “Digital ticket sales are increasing, with e-ticketing growing by 18.7% in 2018, making up 21.3% of the market. More than 70% of online ticket sales are now via mobile, highlighting the preference for the immediacy and convenience of mobile apps.”
Grand View Research (2022)

“Mobile ticketing applications can also be used by sports, event, and music concert organizers to drive ticket sales, as well as to offer customers the convenience of booking tickets from a remote location or from the comfort of their home without the need to be physically present in a queue at a ticket outlet or having to pay in cash.” 
Persistence Market Research (2022)





EXPERIENCE MAPPING
We identified a concise list of current issues that could compromise the movie-going experience at local cinemas if not addressed. It lay the foundation for a journey map, which helped us to:
Focus on key touchpoints to resolve existing frictions
Develop an infomation architecture map for where the SnackFlix app would fit seamlessly









DESIGN & IMPLEMENTATION From Wireframes to High-Fidelity
Our process benefited mostly from rapidly prototyping low-fidelity clickthroughs to determining user flows.

To access our full project, CLICK HERE





PAPER WIREFRAMES

We quickly captured various ideas through sketches, allowing for flexibility without committing to a specific design layout. While creating these sketches, we marked elements that were the most user-friendly, ensuring a focus on usability in each design iteration. All of the sketches are archieved here.






DIGITAL WIREFRAMES
We transferred the paper wireframes to digital wireframes via Figma.  






PROTOTYPES

Low-Fidelity Prototype

Following extensive efforts to connect the dots, it took some time for us to become comfortable with the foundation we established. We had to "just do it" and validate our findings through prototyping and testing. This process enabled us to acquire a general understanding of the application's feel.





KEY TOUCHPOINTS
TOUCHPOINT 1  - DISCOVERYPush Notifications + Match Ticket  to Prepare Order

Users are notified in advance to order their snacks before their movie showing. They must then link their movie ticket with the app, so food vendors are notified ahead of time and can prepare orders accordingly.



TOUCHPOINT 2 - ASSURANCE Categorized Choices + Health-Conscious Options

Users are presented with all the options that food vendors in local cinemas offer. The options are categorized for easy navigation. Additionally, a "Health-Conscious" category has been provided, allowing users to easily find healthier alternatives.



TOUCHPOINT 3 - ENGAGEMENTPre-order with Saved Payment Information

Users can pay in advance and choose the saved payment option that works best for them.



TOUCHPOINT 4 - POST-ENGAGEMENTMobile Order Kiosk Integration

Users can skip the long queue and be fast-tracked to the mobile order kiosk, where they can pick up their orders by providing their order number.



TOUCHPOINT 5 - POST-MOVIE SYNDROMELoyalty Program Integration

Users now have an incentive to remain loyal patrons of their local cinema through a loyalty program that allows them to earn and redeem points by ordering through the app.





FIGMA COMPONENT LIBRARY
The component library was created to ensure a consistent design language across the application. It was designed alongside the application, allowing for changes throughout the design process. Only after completing the application did the component library become finalized. 

To access our Figma component library, CLICK HERE





USING FIGMA VARIABLES
To ensure that we don’t design too many variants for a simple drop-down menu, we learned how to use Figma’s new variable feature.



1. Create Local Variables

We created multiple strings and colors to set up our local variables. 



2. Create Components

We created components and their variants, including the selection list and the drop-down menu. Afterward, we applied our local variables to the text layers, allowing us to change the text at any time by renaming the variables.



3. Create Prototypes

We linked everything together and applied the variables to the components, including hover states and both collapsed and expanded drop-down menus. This ensures that when an item is selected from the drop-down, it is replaced by the user's selection."



To access the completed variable feature as shown above, CLICK HERE





TAKEAWAYS, LEARNINGS
Building a Strong Case
This was primarily the backbone of our project. It helped us prioritize focus aspects, determine scope, and drive design decisions.


UX as a Business Strategy
Largely described as user-centric considerations when designing, UX serves not only form and function, but when harnessed fully can create value for brands and transform businesses.


“More” Doesn't Always Mean “Accurate”
Knowing what to do with substantial amounts of research can be disorienting. As we pieced together insight after insight, it took considerable time to become confident in the foundation we established. Ultimately, we adopted a "just do it" approach, validating our findings through prototyping and testing.


Using Variables to Build Drop-Down Menus
We aimed to save time during prototyping, and one method we used was incorporating variables to create drop-down menus. This approach enabled us to quickly change texts and avoided the need for repeatedly creating variants.





FUTURE IMPLEMENTATIONS;
SAME PLATFORM, DIFFERENT USES
Sport Complexes and Stadiums
Sports centers and stadiums, such as BC Place and Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, typically offer concessions to their patrons but do not have a dedicated mobile application for facilitating these transactions. Our application can be easily integrated to serve as their solution, enhancing the overall customer experience.

Performance Art Venues
Venues such as the Orpheum or the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in Vancouver often offer concessions for their patrons but lack any in-house mobile applications for this purpose. Our application can be seamlessly integrated as their go-to solution to enhance customer satisfaction.





REFERENCES
https://www.acvmax.com/blog/understanding-the-car-buyers-online-journey

https://www.autocorp.ai/blog/how-ai-for-car-dealerships-converts-leads-into-loyal-buyers-around-the-clock