Previous Occupation: Senior Manager (Corporate Strategy) - The Telegraph (ABP Pvt. Ltd.), Calcutta
Present Occupation: Chief Manager - Brand Capital (Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. - The Times Group), Mumbai
Sector: VC/PE Investments         
Work Experience: 9 Years         
Interests – Professional/Personal:Playing the Guitar, Music, Philosophy, PE & VC Investments & Exits

Can you tell us a little about your family background/history?
I am originally from Shillong - a hill station in the North Eastern region of the country. I did my schooling in Calcutta, Shillong, and Delhi post which I went on to pursue my Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunications from Jadavpur University, Calcutta.

I joined Cognizant Technology Solutions after my engineering and worked there for 4 years as a CRM Consultant with a specific focus on Siebel based ERP systems. I graduated from ISB in 2007 and joined the Corporate Strategy team at The Telegraph (ABP Pvt. Ltd.). Almost 2 years later, I joined Brand Capital – the strategic private equity arm of Bennett Coleman & Company Ltd. (BCCL). I have been here for the past four years and I am based out of Mumbai.

Tell us about your profile pre ISB, and recap your professional life after ISB including your career progression
Prior to joining ISB I was working with Cognizant Technology Solutions as a CRM Consultant with a specific focus on Siebel based ERP systems. My core sectors were BFSI and Pharma. I worked with the Company for four years - the last two of which I was stationed in Frankfurt and Chicago respectively.

I was fortunate to be able to make the transition into a non-IT job post ISB and joined the Corporate Strategy Team at ABP Pvt.Ltd. where I worked for about one and a half years. For the past 4 years I have been with Brand Capital – the strategic private equity arm of Bennett Coleman & Company Ltd. (BCCL). Brand Capital is Times Group’s private equity initiative where the Group acquires equity stake in companies to fund their long term branding & communication needs through its pan-India footprint media properties. The division has invested in over 400 brands in the past 6 years. In my capacity as vertical head for Media & Entertainment, Gems & Jewellery and Apparels & Textiles, I am responsible for the Groups private equity investments in the mentioned sectors.

Describe your fondest memory at ISB
The housekeeping staff and the operations staff had worked throughout the year, around the clock to make sure that we had a comfortable and fun filled year on campus. As a token of appreciation, we organized a small get-together at the REC center lawns in the last week. The students stood behind the food and beverage counters and served the staff. It was a bitter sweet moment but as a student and as the SLC Director of my Class, this continues to be one of my fondest memories at ISB.

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 impact that ISB has on ones’ personal life varies greatly from person to person predominantly because School admits candidates across age groups.

For me, ISB contributed greatly in three aspects of my personal life. Firstly, ISB added a significant amount of maturity in thought and in action in my life. Secondly, ISB helped me internalize a structured thought process which has greatly helped me in my day-to-day life. Finally, and very significantly, ISB has helped me develop a long term vision and hone the ability to look at the larger picture without getting bogged down with smaller issues. I have grown as a person post ISB and for the better.

How do you think ISB has contributed to your career growth?
Among the many ways that ISB has contributed to my career growth, I feel 3 deserve a special mention. Firstly, the brand ISB is in itself a significant driver in ones professional growth. It really helps you get a foot in the door into opportunities that might otherwise have been inaccessible. Secondly, the knowledgethat School has imparted to us, albeit predominantly theoretical, is priceless. And finally, it has also given us a phenomenal alumni ecosystem - one which can only get better with time given that the School is just 11 years old.

If you have to sum up ISB in one word:
Life-changing - The best year of my life! (I believe this saying has become a bit of a cliche these days - but it’s true)

What was the main highlight of your programme at the ISB?
The highlight of my programme at ISB would be being entrusted with the position of Student Life Council (SLC) Director. I still remain grateful to my Class for having elected me. Without this post the entire ISB experience would have been very different – to say the least.Although it was like having a part-time job on campus, it helped me to get to know my classmates better. It was challenging to continuously think up ideas to keep the students engaged but the end results were always more than satisfying. Co2007 is/was a rocking batch!

Word of advice for the current class?
Social Capital is a very significant take-away from school. This kind of capital grows stronger with time and it is easy to overlook while facing the rigours of the program. It is critical to make a genuine effort to try and get to know your classmates. Each one of them have been admitted into ISB because the admissions team saw them bringing significant value to the table. There is a lot to learn from them. For most of the students it will probably be the last time that they will spend a year with such a large gathering of people – all with a common trait of being potential leaders of tomorrow.

Spend your time getting to know your classmates. The friends you will make here will be friends for life.

What was your favourite course/class at ISB and why?
My favourite course in ISB was “Leadership Lessons from World Literature” taught by Professor Rajeshwar Upadhyay in Term 8. Through the course we discussed several texts –from Homers Odyssey &Iliad to Shakespearean tragedies, from the essays of Camus and Bacon to the Mahabharatand Ramayana, from Cervantes Don Quixote to Gandhiji’s Autobiography – and their key leadership lessons. The course touched upon several topics like Indian and Greek mythology, philosophy, history, geo-politics etc. and the Professor blended them all together to give us very objective insights into key leadership qualities and how they haven’t changed across centuries. I would like to take that course again someday.

What are the areas that you can contribute in to ISB?
Apart from being a brand ambassador for ISB, I have been regular visitor at school for the past couple of years for knowledge sessions, resume building exercises and mock interview sessions. It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to contribute in any waypossible to the School and the students.

What do you enjoy most about your current career position?
The best part about working with Brand Capital is that you are compelled to look at businesses from a long term perspective and how Brand Capital funding will help businesses five years down the line. The singular focus is on value unlocking through branding building over a five year period. This helps to develop a macro perspective to businesses rather than a short term outlook.

Also, the Times of India brand gives me one-on-one access to promoters of businesses across the spectrum and across the country. This gives me the opportunity to meet interesting entrepreneurs and getting to know their journey.

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