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Saurabh Agarwal
Class of 2007
Program Manager, Google


Previous Occupation: Senior Associate, Diamond Management and Technology Consultants; Analyst, Deloitte Consulting
Present Occupation: Program Manager, Google
Sector: Internet & Technology
Work Experience: 10 years
Interests:
Professional: Strategy, analytical modelling and business development
Personal: Fitness, meditation and travel
 

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history?
I grew up in Rajasthan. My father is a wholesale merchant and my mother is a homemaker.
I moved to Mumbai for my studies and lived there for many years, both for education and work. Though I have lived in many cities in India and a few cities abroad, I consider myself a Mumbaikar.

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
Every assignment that impacts the organisation, community and people in a positive manner is an achievement for me. As a consultant, I worked on a healthcare project on effective diabetes management in collaboration with the government of South Africa. The project was a success, and we received a Public Service Innovation award. However, the biggest gratification came from the patients we interacted with, who said that their lives had changed because of this initiative. In another instance, I was involved in establishing a partnership between two leading telecom companies on the revenue side, which was the first of its kind in India.

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
Pre-ISB, I worked with Deloitte as an Analyst in their technology consulting practice. After ISB,
I joined the management consulting firm Diamond, which was instrumental in shaping my professional career. Not only did I get to work on different types of assignments across industries and geographies, but I also learned how to approach situations in a structured way and solve issues in a simple manner using fundamentals. I then changed industries and joined a telecom firm in the strategic alliance function. I am currently working with Google as a Program Manager, managing analytics and operations of Google maps.

Describe your fondest memory at ISB.
There are many! The best ones are with my closest friends: group meetings, dinners and parties, attending classes on time but getting late for exams and dunkings in the pool. I also have good memories of visits to Aikya family dinners and treats at Eat Street. I can never forget the feeling of getting an “A” in the course that scared me to death (and a B- in one that
I thought was the easiest!), handling the pressure of placement day, and of course, graduation day.

In your personal life, how have you changed post-ISB? Do you see yourself doing something differently because you went to ISB? What has left a lasting impression?
My interaction with a diverse peer group at ISB has given a broader perspective to my thought process. I deal with situations with less prejudice and more maturity.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
ISB’s contribution has been immense! ISB provided me with the right set of tools and academic knowledge, ample opportunities to do various projects, and a chance to experience a variety of job roles and companies. It also gave me friends and an alumni network that I could always rely on for advice or when making a career move.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
Awesome (simple, yet apt)!

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The great faculty, excellent infrastructure, crazily packed schedule and diverse peer group at the school.

Word of advice for the current class?
They may have had too much of it already. I would say: Put your effort into academics, particularly in the courses you like; hone your leadership skills by participating in various activities; and enjoy the ISB experience.

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why?
Managerial Economics, Decision Models and Optimisation, Options & Futures, and Financial Engineering. I enjoyed these as most of them were completely new subjects for me, they were interesting and the professors were very good.

Was there anyone during your time at ISB who acted as a mentor for you? Tell us a little about this relationship and why it was valuable.
I interacted with many alumni while I was at ISB. Some of my professors and batchmates also guided me during that time. These interactions were useful as one sometimes needs to consider different points of view or have a discussion on the thought process. There was no single person who acted as a mentor to me, but I believe it is useful to have one. Thus, I’ve volunteered to serve as a mentor from next year onwards.

What are the areas in which can contribute to ISB?
Mentorship and informal coaching sessions for current students.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?

Working on the cutting edge of technology and moving at a fast pace.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you see?
User generated content (UGC) is going to play a big role in all sectors. UGC covers a huge spectrum and has vast utility; be it knowledge, entertainment, social networking, travel or maps, it is everywhere and is growing at a very fast pace. It is a very powerful medium and a cost-effective resource, therefore, companies that understand the users/ customers and make the best use of content will be successful.

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