Its been a long time (1.5 years) since I wrote my last blog. So the best thing I thought of sharing with all are the last 6 months as a Product Manager as that would summarise a lot of things that I have been upto in the past (obviously excluding things at personal front)
Well, I was one of the few people (single digit I suppose) from my batch at IIMB who opted for a career in Product Management and thought of returning back to the Software industry. You feel good sometimes that you are out of the rat race but at the same time it give you jitters. You wonder if this is the right move after 2 years of investment in MBA as none of your other batchmates want to board this train. But slowly as you interact with more people you realize that all of us are different in one way or the other with different interests, passions and priorities in life. So, to make a better choice for yourself you need to understand yourself better and need to give some time for things to settle down. You get more confidence on your decision when a leading Business Magazine of the country features you in their cover story for doing things differently.
Anyways, afterall these thinking and introspection, I settled with the Product Management role in a leading storage company. I wanted to start my PM career at a place where I could learn the initial nuances of job and get a good mentoring from some senior people. At the same time, I didn't want a small piece of the pie (read it as PM of part of the product based on location). I wanted to work with a strong Engineering team so that my interest in technology booms further. Haven spoiled by the excellent environment in Google, I wanted to work in a company which can boast of its work culture globally and believes in giving a lot of freedom to its employees. Taking all this into consideration, I found NetApp as the best fit for me amongst the available opportunities at that time.
Its the first time that NetApp hired fresh B School grads as PMs but they did a splendid job in ramping us. I must say it took my couple of months to figure out what is happening around me. This is such a technology centric company that initially meetings were like Greek and Latin to me. But slowly, I started reading more about the technologies that we use and develop. I started talking to more people to understand the various products we deliver and slowly started to master my own product. It would be wrong to say if I never thought that why I needed a MBA degree if I had to work in such hard-core techie product (will answer that later). But my passion for technology and zeal to learn new things helped me ramp up soon enough. Infact within 6 months here I was in Delhi, talking to customers on my own and talking freely about our technology and the future roadmap. I was not only confident in talking about my product but also the complete package that we offer to customers (and definitely my MBA skills were helping me here). I was feeling so happy and getting such a kick out of all this. Finally, I had got what I wanted - a good mix of technology and business. I am now in a position where I understand the market and customer needs, translates them to requirements for my Engineering and deliver great products in the market to kick out the competition. I am part of the complete cycle and can see the big picture now.
At last, I am glad that I picked up something which aligns with my passion and didn't follow the rat race.
Disclaimer: All the views presented are my personal and not endorsed by my current employer in anyways
Showing posts with label MBA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MBA. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Xoogler's journey in the B School
Many people have been constantly asking me if it was a right decision to leave Google and join MBA. The count of such people was low when I have just joined IIMB because only doubt they had in mind was if I wasn't happy at Google; some where like what more do you expect than Google - it has an excellent work and culture. But as the economy plunged into recession and it started effecting job markets everywhere not even sparing the best B schools across the globe, the count of such people increased. Even when I wasn't thinking about this at all, they were constantly questioning me and trying to make me realise that this was the biggest mistake in my life till now.
I don't know if this was a right decision or wrong. As Steve Jobs say: "you can only connect the dots looking backwards". I am still only half a MBA and I had spent only one year at Google. So, at both the places I dont think results should be used for comparison. I won't like to see it from the point that I became a team lead in Google in just 6 months but wasn't one of the toppers in MBA.
If, any day I have to compare between these two places, I can just compare the experiences there and even then I would never say that one was much better/worse than other. Both the places had their own pros and cons. They were similar in many aspects - I had to meet deadlines at both the places, both the places gave me ample freedom to do what I want. If Google gave me 20%, IIMB gave me choice of electives and obviously all the time after the classes to do what I want.
Both gave me ample opportunities to learn. I learnt a lot about the corporate culture and one of the best at Google. I learnt how to behave professionally, how to conduct meetings, how to orgnaise and prioritise my tasks, how to do the perfect time management, how to meet my deadlines, how to work in a team, how to motivate my team, how to achieve the desired results and most importantly how to play foosball. I guess after coming to IIMB, these learnings continued and actually took the next bigger step. All these professional learnings were honed more when I was working as a member of the placement team and was interacting with companies. I learnt more and more about team work and time management when I was working in so many teams to complete my projects along with managing the studies and placecom tasks.
Both the places gave me an exposure to the outer world with small international stints. Its a different learning experience all together to go outside and work with people of different culture but similar objectives. Also, its much more exciting and you really enjoy a lot visiting so many places in such a short time. Not to forget both the places gave me many friends and contacts which will always be helpful to me wherever I go.
I have never limited my learning at IIMB to only academics and I think that was only possible because I came after a little industry experience which taught me that all these things do not matter in the long term. Because of this I was able to focus on other things which I liked doing. I was able to analyse the long term benefits of many things which were not giving me any short term benefits at IIMB. I am glad that I didn't lose the motive with which I entered into IIM.
I am no financial expert and I dont know when this recession will end and I dont even want to take any guess or make any hypothesis here. I would not mind if I get a lesser paying job from IIM. I never came here with the astronomical figures in mind. I came here to achieve my long term goals. Since, I would be achieving them in long term only, they are insulated from the recessions of the world. So again I wont like to compare these places with their end results in the short term but definitely I would like to cherish the experiences that I have gained here.
As somebody has rightly said, "Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing." So, I strive to enjoy the journey and not the destination.
I don't know if this was a right decision or wrong. As Steve Jobs say: "you can only connect the dots looking backwards". I am still only half a MBA and I had spent only one year at Google. So, at both the places I dont think results should be used for comparison. I won't like to see it from the point that I became a team lead in Google in just 6 months but wasn't one of the toppers in MBA.
If, any day I have to compare between these two places, I can just compare the experiences there and even then I would never say that one was much better/worse than other. Both the places had their own pros and cons. They were similar in many aspects - I had to meet deadlines at both the places, both the places gave me ample freedom to do what I want. If Google gave me 20%, IIMB gave me choice of electives and obviously all the time after the classes to do what I want.
Both gave me ample opportunities to learn. I learnt a lot about the corporate culture and one of the best at Google. I learnt how to behave professionally, how to conduct meetings, how to orgnaise and prioritise my tasks, how to do the perfect time management, how to meet my deadlines, how to work in a team, how to motivate my team, how to achieve the desired results and most importantly how to play foosball. I guess after coming to IIMB, these learnings continued and actually took the next bigger step. All these professional learnings were honed more when I was working as a member of the placement team and was interacting with companies. I learnt more and more about team work and time management when I was working in so many teams to complete my projects along with managing the studies and placecom tasks.
Both the places gave me an exposure to the outer world with small international stints. Its a different learning experience all together to go outside and work with people of different culture but similar objectives. Also, its much more exciting and you really enjoy a lot visiting so many places in such a short time. Not to forget both the places gave me many friends and contacts which will always be helpful to me wherever I go.
I have never limited my learning at IIMB to only academics and I think that was only possible because I came after a little industry experience which taught me that all these things do not matter in the long term. Because of this I was able to focus on other things which I liked doing. I was able to analyse the long term benefits of many things which were not giving me any short term benefits at IIMB. I am glad that I didn't lose the motive with which I entered into IIM.
I am no financial expert and I dont know when this recession will end and I dont even want to take any guess or make any hypothesis here. I would not mind if I get a lesser paying job from IIM. I never came here with the astronomical figures in mind. I came here to achieve my long term goals. Since, I would be achieving them in long term only, they are insulated from the recessions of the world. So again I wont like to compare these places with their end results in the short term but definitely I would like to cherish the experiences that I have gained here.
As somebody has rightly said, "Enjoy the journey, enjoy every moment, and quit worrying about winning and losing." So, I strive to enjoy the journey and not the destination.
Monday, May 11, 2009
Half MBA completed
I have been thinking for long about writing this post and finally I am here. I was expecting this to be the chillest term so far but it just turned out to be the opposite.
From acads point of view, it was really cool. I had to select 3 electives, that means I could choose what I want to study. That relieves some pressure. BTW, you know IIMB is the only Indian B School that offers electives in the first year itself. So, studying half of the subjects of your choice and having some subjects in the kitty which dont have mid term definitely helps. Also, after been through two stressful terms, you anyways get used to all this.
But apart from studies, there are many more interesting events that term 3 offers. The most important one for me was the placement of the senior batch and that took most of the time. PPTs, laterals processes, long night meetings, interaction with companies and seniors, it was all fun and the most memorable moments at IIMB. Finally, we were relieved when the batch was 100% placed even in these tough times. As, I have mentioned in the earlier blog, its a very complex process and it was a great experience to run the show. Thanks to all of my batchmates and seniors who gave their full support for giving IIMB another successful placement season.
Also, third term is term of fun with Unmaad (cultural festival of IIMB). Because of my other engagements, I wasn't able to attend most of it and wasn't able to participate in the dance competition. Still, I made sure that I save some time to attend KK night and L^2. IIMB was a different place for these days with so many visitors from institutes all over the country which also helped in balancing the gender ratio at campus though only for 3 days.
And who can forget the shooting of bollywood movie 3 Idiots featuring Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman, Kareena, Boman Irani. All of them were on campus for around a month and again campus was more colourful in nights. It was nice to see that along with us somebody else was working late nights. I didn't get the time to go and have pictures with them but Madhavan and Sharman themselves dropped in our placeroom once to have a look at the place and thus giving us a chance to have a photo with them.
So, finally with all these happening events, half MBA is completed and I am here in Dubai enjoying my summer internship. Will talk more about Dubai in later blogs
From acads point of view, it was really cool. I had to select 3 electives, that means I could choose what I want to study. That relieves some pressure. BTW, you know IIMB is the only Indian B School that offers electives in the first year itself. So, studying half of the subjects of your choice and having some subjects in the kitty which dont have mid term definitely helps. Also, after been through two stressful terms, you anyways get used to all this.
But apart from studies, there are many more interesting events that term 3 offers. The most important one for me was the placement of the senior batch and that took most of the time. PPTs, laterals processes, long night meetings, interaction with companies and seniors, it was all fun and the most memorable moments at IIMB. Finally, we were relieved when the batch was 100% placed even in these tough times. As, I have mentioned in the earlier blog, its a very complex process and it was a great experience to run the show. Thanks to all of my batchmates and seniors who gave their full support for giving IIMB another successful placement season.
Also, third term is term of fun with Unmaad (cultural festival of IIMB). Because of my other engagements, I wasn't able to attend most of it and wasn't able to participate in the dance competition. Still, I made sure that I save some time to attend KK night and L^2. IIMB was a different place for these days with so many visitors from institutes all over the country which also helped in balancing the gender ratio at campus though only for 3 days.
And who can forget the shooting of bollywood movie 3 Idiots featuring Aamir Khan, Madhavan, Sharman, Kareena, Boman Irani. All of them were on campus for around a month and again campus was more colourful in nights. It was nice to see that along with us somebody else was working late nights. I didn't get the time to go and have pictures with them but Madhavan and Sharman themselves dropped in our placeroom once to have a look at the place and thus giving us a chance to have a photo with them.
So, finally with all these happening events, half MBA is completed and I am here in Dubai enjoying my summer internship. Will talk more about Dubai in later blogs
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Another Term is Gone
Finally one more term is done and I am a 1/3rd MBA now (hopefully :P). Yea you can just be hopeful after having such exams. But at the end of day 'who cares' because all are in the same boat. Well, the good news is that I have a one week off but the flip side to that is that I am not going to home this time.
So, with nothing else to do, I can look back at how did this term go. It was much different from the first term. Not only in terms of subjects, but also other activities that happened and the way we approached this term. Being a JPR, the burden of placements work grew by leaps and bound this time. Had a week of night outs. Twice I went to the class without having any sleep. Slept on my desk in placeroom once while working and by the time I got up, I realised that I have missed another operations class and thus another interesting case discussion. But still it was fun as usual.
I got to see a lot of ups and downs in this term and learnt a lot too. Starting from the buzz of the Placement season itself I knew this term will be far more exciting and important. I got to see two sides of the picture: both as a JPR and as a candidate in the process. Starting from the company PPTs to the shortlists coming out everyday was adding to the thrill of the entire drama. It was a high activity time: people working hard for each and every bullet point on their CV, putting endless efforts in cracking cases and understanding the downfall of Wall street; studying numerous reports of various companies/industries to become expert of one in such a short time. Stage was set and we finally went to the much awaited process: Summer Placement Process. Some people say that its one of the most complex process that we can be part of in our life. The complexity and pseudapa was much more than we had expected and I am glad that two months down the line, I will be running this process.
It was really a well organised event and hats off to our PRs who managed to place the largest ever batch of IIMB even in such tough market conditions. The best part was how the entire batch came together to help each other and do as much they could in their own capacity. Nobody celebrated his/her achievement till the time entire batch was placed. There was a lot to take away for all: even if you got a day 0 job or not; even if you got your dream job or not; if you got the highest salaries or not. It was a great learning experience and the winner is obviously the one who comes out of these up and downs with a even stronger spirit. Ultimately, IIMB batch 2008-10 was victorious and we celebrated it in true B style with a great L^2 party which I missed because I slept early after so many sleepless nights.
Oh did I miss the mid terms in this whole explanation which just happened a week before the placements. Its not like that they are no more important to us but the only thing is that once you go through all this in the first term, you get used to it and this time I had relaxed mid terms with just 3 of them. Hopefully next term would be even more chill atleast in this aspect. And yea as usual there were a lot of submissions, assignments, quizzes. And its tough to remember which one I cracked and very easy to forget the ones which screwed me. After all who cares for a .1 or .2 here and there.
Finally, the term is over and its time for another one and more exciting one. Dont know how much I will get to study in this term but I am happy that I would be doing something which I enjoy doing!!
So, with nothing else to do, I can look back at how did this term go. It was much different from the first term. Not only in terms of subjects, but also other activities that happened and the way we approached this term. Being a JPR, the burden of placements work grew by leaps and bound this time. Had a week of night outs. Twice I went to the class without having any sleep. Slept on my desk in placeroom once while working and by the time I got up, I realised that I have missed another operations class and thus another interesting case discussion. But still it was fun as usual.
I got to see a lot of ups and downs in this term and learnt a lot too. Starting from the buzz of the Placement season itself I knew this term will be far more exciting and important. I got to see two sides of the picture: both as a JPR and as a candidate in the process. Starting from the company PPTs to the shortlists coming out everyday was adding to the thrill of the entire drama. It was a high activity time: people working hard for each and every bullet point on their CV, putting endless efforts in cracking cases and understanding the downfall of Wall street; studying numerous reports of various companies/industries to become expert of one in such a short time. Stage was set and we finally went to the much awaited process: Summer Placement Process. Some people say that its one of the most complex process that we can be part of in our life. The complexity and pseudapa was much more than we had expected and I am glad that two months down the line, I will be running this process.
It was really a well organised event and hats off to our PRs who managed to place the largest ever batch of IIMB even in such tough market conditions. The best part was how the entire batch came together to help each other and do as much they could in their own capacity. Nobody celebrated his/her achievement till the time entire batch was placed. There was a lot to take away for all: even if you got a day 0 job or not; even if you got your dream job or not; if you got the highest salaries or not. It was a great learning experience and the winner is obviously the one who comes out of these up and downs with a even stronger spirit. Ultimately, IIMB batch 2008-10 was victorious and we celebrated it in true B style with a great L^2 party which I missed because I slept early after so many sleepless nights.
Oh did I miss the mid terms in this whole explanation which just happened a week before the placements. Its not like that they are no more important to us but the only thing is that once you go through all this in the first term, you get used to it and this time I had relaxed mid terms with just 3 of them. Hopefully next term would be even more chill atleast in this aspect. And yea as usual there were a lot of submissions, assignments, quizzes. And its tough to remember which one I cracked and very easy to forget the ones which screwed me. After all who cares for a .1 or .2 here and there.
Finally, the term is over and its time for another one and more exciting one. Dont know how much I will get to study in this term but I am happy that I would be doing something which I enjoy doing!!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
One Term is gone like a zoooom!!
It was June 22 when I stepped into the revered walls of IIMB with loads of dreams and aspirations in my eyes and I am happy to see that all of them are still alive and the passion is still firing with all guns to achieve them. The rigour academic pressure had tried to put many dents in the firm will but it finally ended in just testifying the strength of the same. Zillions of assignments, surprise quizzes, tests, and presentations have just helped in sharpening my jaws which are hungry to bite more of learning everyday.
First of all I am sorry to all my readers to whom I have promised that I will keep them updated about my life @IIMB as I had done during my work at Google. Well, when I entered IIMB, I knew that’s its going to be tough but I never knew that its going to be so hectic. At the same time, I never knew that its going to be filled up with so much fun. More I worked harder, more I had reasons to enjoy and live every single moment to the fullest. Be it the BHASAD of our sec A guys on nay random topics or be it the fruitful project and assignment discussions, it was always good to see be surrounded with such bright minds of the country. Everybody here is GOD in some way or the other and has a lot to offer to learn from: Be it through the CP(Class participation) or be it through their enlightening presentations or be it any arbit chat on any random topic. Godly profs giving awesome gyan to sleepy chaps with full CP enthu was a scene of almost every class. The system is so strong that it forces you to question yourself and your abilities and in the process prepares for the bigger challenges of the future. But yea sometimes in this strong system and hectic schedule, you tend to ask yourself: are you at the right place? Are you doing a right thing? Are you still focussed? But then suddenly you realise that you are nearing another sacrosanct deadline which you cant afford to miss and you postpone the answer to these questions by one more day.
After every L^2, we used to think that we wont waste time on the next one and would try to do some mugging, but the sound of the rocking DJ and frequent pings on Bracket(internal messenger) used to pull me out to forget all the tensions with a beer and some leg shaking.
Some unforgettable events: Well so much has happened in the three months but still some few hand picked events that will remain much closer are :
1. First week – full of fun and thrill and the best welcome that we could have expected.
2. The first L^2
3. The first placu party…Hail PRs
4. First movie at the theatre with secA guys
5. Bhasads with VBLs
6. Daily JPR meetings
7. Hooshings at bday parties
8. Submitting the Finacc project 2 minutes before the deadline
9. Night out before two exams on next day and then running for my flight back to home and thus not sleeping continuously for 40 hours and just 6 hours in the last 3 days
It was really nice to have a vacation where I slept for more than 60% of time and now its another term, another round of screwing but with fun :)
P.S: The words in italics come from IIMB lingo and I am sorry if you are not able to decipher the same
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