LMS
THE SEAT OF
KNOWLEDGE
THE HEART OF
TRANSFORMATION
The Podium is the annual corporate interaction series of IIM Shillong where speakers from the corporate world are invited to share their industrial experiences with the students thus helping them to get corporate insights. The events includes speakers from diverse Managerial backgrounds and expertise.
Mr. Ajay Aggarwal is an engineer turned financial expert with over 30 years of experience working for companies such as JK Cement, Asia Pacific Fibres, Alghanim Industries, and others. As seen by the list of organizations, Mr. Aggarwal has multi-industry experience with CXO-level experience spanning over 15 years. He believes in constant learning and stability to prepare for the route ahead. Since joining Cyient, he has been involved in 18 acquisitions, most of which have occurred in the United States and Europe.
The topic was ‘My Career Journey and Learnings on Key Leadership Skills.’ Mr. Aggarwal suggested that the students learn about global cultures before joining business teams. He also offered his 80:20 team collaboration rule, emphasizing 80% activity and 20% conversation. Another subject of discussion was the difference between IQ and EQ. Mr. Aggarwal stressed that people are more important than numbers, thus, networking and teamwork are essential for a great leader. He described how a ‘Visionary’ differs from a ‘Performer’ by being ready to learn, presenting fresh ideas, and acting as a backup for the management.
Mr. Kaushik Mitra, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, PepsiCo India, spoke at IIM Shillong on the topic ‘Leadership Lessons – Things that Really Matter.’ Mr. Kaushik Mitra has over two decades of experience working for companies such as Tata Group, GE, Reckitt Benckiser, and PepsiCo. Mr. Mitra has been with PepsiCo for over 21 years, including Finance, Procurement, and Management positions. He has also worked in several countries, including India, Vietnam, and China. Mr. Mitra is a Chartered Accountant with 18 publications to his credit and has received numerous honors for his leadership efforts.
The session was delivered online. Mr. Mitra discussed three essential points that drive success in people’s personal and professional life. The first argument raised was the necessity to always improve oneself. The second point he made was to examine how you collaborate with others. Mr. Mitra’s third piece of advice was always to attempt to develop networks with the people you interact with. Finally, he discussed the importance of Humility, Passion, and Ownership in becoming a good leader.
Mr. Raj Nair has worked as a manager, business owner, counsellor, and mentor for over 40 years. He currently holds the position of Chairman for Germinait Solutions Pvt Ltd., Avalon Consulting, and Avalon Global Research. After spending six years as a merchant banker with Grindlays Bank and working in consumer durables marketing at Murphy, he founded a marketing research and advisory firm before starting a management consulting business. In 2000, he subsequently co-founded a highly successful analytics company. He created a technology firm in 2008 after realizing the potential of text analytics given the rise of social media.
The session was conducted in the format of a panel discussion. ‘Overcoming the Naukri Mentality’ was the session’s theme. Prof. Parijat Upadhyaya, Associate Professor – Information Systems and Analytics Area – at IIM Shillong, joined the panel. Other panelists included PGP and PGP-Ex Programme participants Mr. Karan Agarwal and Mr. Shubhang Mehta, who have founded their start-ups in recent years. The debate began with considering what it means to have the Naukri attitude and how individuals may overcome it. There was debate about India’s position in the start-up ecosystem. All of the panellists gave their valuable insights garnered from their life experiences.
Karthi Marshan, former President and Chief Marketing Officer of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has worked for 16 years at a bank brand. At Kotak Mahindra Bank, he oversaw marketing initiatives across all verticals, including insurance, banking, brokerage, and asset management. He was the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of South Asian Television before joining the Kotak Mahindra Group. Mr. Marshan had previously led marketing at IDBI Bank and co-founded Sharekhan, a retail brokerage firm.
The event was held offline, and the speaker shared his knowledge of Money and Marketing. He presented his thirty-year experiences, stating that “marketers must constantly interrogate the problems” as he recalled his early days of hardship. He emphasized the need to manage stakeholders at all levels. He also shared his learnings from some well-known advertising efforts. He discussed how marketing allows people to influence minds and change conversations in the country. In conclusion, the workshop was very informative, and the participants learned a lot from it.
Indian Institute of Management Shillong FOR ADMISSIONS FOR DEGREE/DIPLOMA VERIFICATION: pgp@iimshillong.ac.in
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phd@iimshillong.ac.inLast modified: August 7, 2023 at 9:04 am
