Shankar Prasad
Class of 2006
Founder, Plum

Previous Occupation: Before ISB, I was working with Hindustan Unilever (HUL) in a technical function. I worked across manufacturing, innovation and product development.
Present Occupation: Entrepreneur: Founder of Plum, a fresh new way of looking at natural and organic beauty products in India.
Sector: Consumer goods/ beauty.
Work Experience: 16 years: 8 years pre-ISB and 8 years post-ISB.
Interests – Professional/Personal: Science, technology, Carnatic and old Bollywood music

Can you tell us a little about your family background/ history?
I grew up in a traditional middle-class family in Chennai − a family of four. We belong to a community that is typically good at office work − dependable lieutenants, if you will. Very few in our community have ventured into entrepreneurship

Briefly describe your personal and professional achievements (including recent awards/ special projects).
I've been blessed with a strong academic record throughout my school years, at IIT and later at ISB, having topped all three (a technical point: I was the class topper at IIT, not an IIT topper). I was also a lister at HUL and won an Asia innovation award as well.

Tell us about your profile pre-ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB, including your career progression.
I was an out-and-out "FMCG technical guy" before ISB. Pre-ISB, I used to be worried about the lack of flexibility in my career, which is what made me decide to join ISB and leave HUL, which is otherwise a great company to work for. Post-ISB, I joined McKinsey where I worked mainly on financial services and consumer goods − something that proved extremely valuable in my subsequent stint at Everstone Capital, a private equity (PE) fund that loves to do consumer deals. I was in the operations team at Everstone, working with our small and mid-sized portfolio companies, and even carried a chief operating officer (COO) card for one of our portfolio companies for the couple of years that I ran it, while I was still at Everstone. This gave me invaluable learning on running a consumer company from the ground up, which I'm now hoping to leverage with Plum!

Describe your fondest memory of ISB.
Sorry I have to be "academic" about this, but my best memory is when I learned how to make a balance sheet, profit and loss (P&L) and cash flow. I remember the sheer beauty of it all coming to life when Professor Mark Finn taught us so elegantly in our first term. I used to be terrified of accounting earlier; now I'm no longer afraid. The other thing that I will always remember is the assignment sessions with my core group team. What a bunch of guys!

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?
The biggest change for me was when I met people from very, very diverse backgrounds with different talents and skill sets. Being in a large organisation for a period as long as eight years in your first job, you tend to get a little isolated from the rest of the world. The way ISB opened my eyes, honestly, has made me appreciate the beauty in diversity everywhere I go. I find myself always open to new ideas and thoughts. Skepticism is not an automatic reflex anymore. If it does come, it comes after some thought!

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
In one sentence, I wouldn't be where I am if I had not come to ISB.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
World-class.

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The quality of learning I received and the friends I've made that I could never even have dreamt I would.

Word of advice for the current class?
Don't get rattled by stereotypes and "hot career options". Follow your heart, be nice to others around you, and work hard for the best output possible in every small thing you do. The rest will follow.

What was your favourite course/ class at ISB and why?
This one's easy. Accounting by Professor Mark Finn. I get emotional thinking about it, honestly.

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 think our core term group (Suneetha, Vivaik, Tata, Sagar, Anand and I) was a very special one, and all of us enjoyed being together and gained a lot from each other. Two air force people, two techies, one finance sales guy and me – that’s as diverse as it gets, and we had great fun and we still keep in touch often. It's tough for any of us to believe that we first met each other nine years ago. It feels like yesterday.

What are the areas in which you can contribute to ISB?
I do like to help out with admissions quite a bit.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
Creating products that people love to use and leave good reviews about.

What is the next new thing in the industry or vertical you are working in? Any trends that you can see?
The beauty about beauty products is that you will never reach the end of the road in terms of innovation. There is a lot more to do. In India we have barely started the journey towards modern natural and organic products that tell you what's actually inside and what isn't. We are just beginning to understand how make-up is to be worn (due apologies to the ladies). We don't see skin as a living, breathing organ, but as something that has to be matched to a shade card. The good news is things are changing and people are becoming more aware. Our Facebook post on why Plum doesn't make or sell fairness creams got us the maximum number of likes compared to any other post. It's exciting to live in these times!

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