What are you made for and how will an AGSM degree help you achieve it?

I believe I am made for the role of SVP of Product in a major hi-tech company, where
I can establish the companys strategy and direction for the product portfolio. This
requires the knowledge of how business is managed in cross-functional teams of a
company. Right after MBA, I aspire to work as a consultant for a top firm such as
Accenture. I hope to leverage the professional experience I have in IT with the
knowledge gained through MBA to work with hi-tech and IT industry clients,
providing solutions for business problems, such as risks of acquisition or low market
share. My career as a consultant, solving issues faced across different functions in
the industry, will thus help me transition into the role of SVP smoothly.
To attain my goal I need to understand various aspects of business management,
including finance, strategy and marketing, and develop skills, such as organizational
capability, analytical knowledge and networking skill, as companies hire consultants
who have an all-encompassing knowledge in these areas.
AGSMs strong emphasis on core courses will develop my foundation on different
functions, including operations and strategy. Since I never learned marketing before,
the Marketing Strategy will allow me to scrutinize the marketing issues and
suggest new changes to the marketing framework, bringing in profitability to the
product. Besides the Quantitative Business Modelling for Managers can teach me
how to make visual representations of problems and provide solutions based on the
data. The Strategic Consulting Project will provide the hands-on experience by
helping me adapt the theories learned to different scenarios I will encounter as a
consultant. Therefore I need an MBA from AGSM as it accommodates my aspirations
by providing a collaborative culture that is conducive for learning.

What are you most proud of personally and/or professionally and why?
Even though the world is globalized, we still face a multitude of conflicts in our lives
because of a lack of sensitivity and empathy for those who differ from us. Whereas
experiencing diversity in my professional and personal life helped me develop a
progressive attitude. It is this aspect of myself that I am most proud of.
Having grown up for 17 years in culturally and racially heterogeneous Qatar, I
developed an outlook that is far removed from what is seen in India and the Middle
East. I have interacted with Arabs, Somalians, Americans, and Filipinos. I have been
exposed to the liberal lifestyle of the Scandinavians and the conservative mentality
of the Middle Easterners. Studying with Pakistanis made me realize that the
jingoistic stereotypes about them in India are overhyped. I respect the fact that my
European boss is in a common-law relationship and nothing changed in our personal
bond, even though such relationships are frowned upon in India.
Such experiences taught me not to let any disagreements I have with cultures get in
the way of empathizing with people. Furthermore I began to value a persons
character and intellect and not judge anyone based on race, appearance and
sexuality. Whether it is to brainstorm solutions with other delegates in Model UN or
to work with client and HP teams based in five continents, I appreciate the various
cultures of the world, enabling me to adapt my working and communication style to
handle such diversity. Thus being broad-minded made me a better person by being
open to different mindsets, and this characteristic has helped me well in life.

How will you contribute to your classes and to the AGSM community?
My expertise in providing solutions to problems faced by customers in the supply
chain network spread across more than 15 countries will allow me to contribute to
various team projects at AGSM. With my earlier successes in changing the business
processes and in doing quality analysis of the new team based in Bangalore, I can
provide valuable insights to those students, who come from non- IT professional
background.

Besides my experience handling clients and HP teams across five

continents along with my upbringing among diverse groups of people in the Middle
East will help me give a unique perspective in the classroom on various topics that
are more global in nature.
When I studied in college I was always involved in various clubs, extra-curricular
activities and events, and I plan on doing the same once I join AGSM. I will have the
opportunity to join the public speaking and debating club, helping myself and my
peers to learn from each others knowledge while debating on various topics. The
experience I had starting and managing the Model UN event in my college is
something I want to share with the club and, if possible, I would like start a similar
inter-collegiate event at AGSM. Additionally the consulting and marketing clubs
provide an avenue where I can contribute through the various projects and
competitions. By joining the social impact club at AGSM I can continue to give back
to the society, like how I have been doing in India. Finally as an alumnus I would
provide advice and business leads to the AGSM graduates, helping the community
flourish in the corporate world.