MBA Crystal Ball

//I just wanted to check if IT services companies recruit from ISB for the role of BDM. Also wanted to know if is within reach for my profile.

Not sure about the specific number of BDM roles in the technology industry, but I can share independent numbers for industry and roles.

Around 20% of the recruiters that come for ISB placements are from the IT/ITES industry.

In terms of roles, again the figure stands at around 20% for post MBA Sales & Marketing jobs (that's the category where BDM would figure).

Hii MBACrystalball
There are still various questions arising in my mind.....which i can't find out......i'm sure you would be abe to help me with this..

Sir how far is it true that MBA graduates only think for the company's profit and they even adopt UNFAIR METHODS or INHUMAN PRACTICES for that. i mean, they donot care about the country/society for their profit.

//Sir how far is it true that MBA graduates only think for the company's profit and they even adopt UNFAIR METHODS or INHUMAN PRACTICES for that. i mean, they donot care about the country/society for their profit.

This has little to do with the MBA degree and more to do with the values of the company and of the individual.

An MBA degree doesn't 'teach' students to be unfair or inhuman. Neither does it team them to be sensitive, noble or professional.

The inherent traits of each person decide how far s/he decides to push the envelope.

The other reason is that folks who are paid a lot of money by companies are expected to deliver the goods. So targets, deadlines and overall expectations tend to be high. In order to justify the special attention that is showered on them, some might feel that the end result is important and the means to get them aren't.

How an MBA (or a non-MBA) behaves in a high-stress environment is pretty much decided by the same person (and not by his educational qualification). You will have to draw the line and decide what you will (and will not) do.

Hii MBAcrystalball:

thank you for your reply. And i agree with your point- "it has more to do do with the values of the individual".
i will keep that in mind ;)

Apologies for such a big post but was necessary to explain my situation..


- Your qualifications:
Lets start from my schooling..I have always been a rank holder and scored above 90 continuoskly for 12 years till senior high.
Cleared XII with 92%..
I was the head of my student council team responsible for discipline and ethical conduct in the school.
SPORTS- i was the captain of my school table tennis team and also won a solo gold medal in inter zone state competition.
GRADUATION:-I did my graduation from Delhi Open University and M.com from IGNOU reason being I opted for Chartered accountancy course and you are not allowed opt for a regular College.

- GMAT score:- 730
-Social circle- Founder of an NGO helping orphan kids those who wanna study but are deprived of resources. our weekends are secured for fund raiser activities and admission enquiries for these kids in different schools. We have around 70 active members.
Founded an online portal to help kids those who feel stressed and are looking for some good words to get encouraged in those hard times before or after their exams.(kinda low profile but a gr8 satisfaction when a kid says i feel so much relaxed now)
- Work Experience- Soon after my senior high at an early age of 17 i joined PWC as a professional assistant and there along with my graduation completed my CA.
I have a work experience of 4.5 years.
Being a professional assistant soon after my first year i was given the responsibility of a field incharge and handled a client with a turnover of 20 crores.
In the third year i was far more experienced on several listed clients i audited than the new recruits and actively participated in their training and grooming.
After I became a CA i left PW and joined a local small firm reason being i wanted the exposure in Taxation field coz dat was the field i didnt put my hands on and here i learned a lot about that.
I wanted to be a chartered accountant coz I wanted to be good with numbers.
My carrer aim was to get an expert knowledge of finance and different markets and then head towards the ultimate goal of joining a B school.

My career goal has always been to go into marketing and advertising field, coz its something that turns me on, if i can say and this is what i love.
Markets, branding, customer behavior,etc.

After MBA i wanna join a FMCG company as a marketing head, and wanna explore new markets and understand customers globally.
There after 4-5 year i wanna set up my own marketing cum advertising venture as good as ogilvy and there i need to combine my knowledge of both FINANACE AND MARKETING.

Major drawback in my profile is that i never went to a regular college.wanted to go to SRCC, didnt make it and others didnt interest me coz they dont provide a practical approach to study which i crave for..
So it was no point for me to waste 3 year of my life in and undergrad school with no value add.
Logics i followed was Read- Apply-Learn, which i practically followed at PW.
Today I feel it was kindof a harsh decission coz it has really affected my profile and its a red flag in the eyes of adcom.
Secondly i always gave importance to work and there we had late working hours and we never get time for any extra studies so i scored really low marks in my first two years of graduation but third year i bucked up a bit and got 70 Aggregate with 90+ in Marketing.

need a candid feedback from you about the situation and also which schools should i aim for and not set an unrealistic target of Wharton, but i really wanna go to Kellogg..
I want a school which can provide a competitive career in marketing.

Thanks a lot for being patient..

Hi Shubhjpwc,

//Apologies for such a big post but was necessary to explain my situation..

No worries, sir. All ok on this forum, though I don't think a big post was necessary to put forward your main message.

When you have to explain this in your essays or in a separate email to Admissions Officers, ensure that you trim the fat and just retain the bare minimum. Makes it much more coherent.

//I have a work experience of 4.5 years.

I actually struggled to find this in the big post

Your entire post has focussed on the academic background, so let's address that first. After you shortlist your bschools, send a note to the admissions office to see if the qualifications (explain what you have) will be a hurdle. Keep it short and snappy. No apologetic justifications.

Now let's move to the bigger challenge that I see.

//My career goal has always been to go into marketing and advertising field, coz its something that turns me on, if i can say and this is what i love. Markets, branding, customer behavior,etc.

From being a CA and a tax expert, you are trying to move into dramatically different field. One involves left brain skills (numbers, analysis etc) and the other involves right brain prowess (creativity, soft-skills etc).

Apart from your interest in this new field, I'd like to know if you've had any hands-on experience in the domain.

//After MBA i wanna join a FMCG company as a marketing head, and wanna explore new markets and understand customers globally.

In addition to the MBA degree, what inherent traits do you have that'll make you a good marketing head for an FMCG company?

//There after 4-5 year i wanna set up my own marketing cum advertising venture as good as ogilvy

Taking on Ogilvy in 5 years after your MBA when you have zero background in the field sounds too ambitious, bro.

//Major drawback in my profile is that i never went to a regular college.

I don't think that's the major drawback. Think about the questions that have come up in my response.

//which schools should i aim for and not set an unrealistic target of Wharton, but i really wanna go to Kellogg..

Looking at realistic goals should be your primary target. Then the question of schools would be easier to answer. Neither Wharton nor Kellogg will digest a story that seems un-researched or too incredible to be believed.

//need a candid feedback from you about the situation

Candid as it can get, I hope.

Thanks a lot sir for such a quick reply..

When I joined PW, main thing that came into my mind was a question that how can this help me set up my own business...? When i think of starting a company i never wanted to be dependent on other experts but wanted myself to be self sufficient with not mere superficial knowledge of laws and numbers but an expert knowledge..

Also i have no experience in the field of marketing officially, thats really going to be a career shift. But i have to start one day, so do u prefer me to start before applying..?

About the skills, being an Aquarian creativity comes naturally. Over a number of years I have developed analytical skills, analysing each and every aspect of an event closely and meticulously..Trust me even a snallest of an act has to be perfect for me..
Creativity has a front seat in my mind not just in terms of how to do things but in terms of how to do things differently..? I know the solution to a problem is not going around circle but is through the circle..i have gazillion ideas in my mind just need a practical platform backed by superb curriculum of a B School.

And Yes honestly this is the mixture i have always thought of data analysis and applying those results creatively..

And yeah taking down ogilvy in 5 years phewwwwww...
I will just start with that aim..

Hi again Shubhjpwc,

//About the skills, being an Aquarian creativity comes naturally.

With due respects to sun-signs, astrology, palmistry and all other exotic sciences, it would not be a good idea to use these as the rationale of why you fit into a certain career

//..Trust me even a snallest of an act has to be perfect for me..
Creativity has a front seat in my mind not just in terms of how to do things but in terms of how to do things differently..?

Your claims (about having the relevant creative, marketing skills) will get a big credibility spike if you can demonstrate it. Do you want a chance to prove that? Read on.

//Also i have no experience in the field of marketing officially...but i have to start one day, so do u prefer me to start before applying..? i have gazillion ideas in my mind just need a practical platform.

How about starting today? I might have a marketing assignment for you (a paid one). Here are the details of the part-time marketing internship.

Depending on how it goes, we could share the story here. Plus you'll have a nice marketing success story as evidence.

If you are up for the challenge, drop me an email on:
info at mbacrystalball dot com.

Hello Sir...

Lession learnt today...
Every word I say can go against me...!!!!
Honestly sunsign is not the criteria of me choosing a marketing career..had gone with the sunsign i wud have been a doctor by now...;-)

Surely, definitely, 100% i wanna take that assignment of yours... Just in a couple of weeks I will be off with my deadline client and will be free to take up your work and complete it with total honesty n prove my ability..
So sureshot on 17th I am going to drop you a mail for further clarifications...

I am overhelmed with gratitude for your help and concern...
Thanks a lot...

//Lession learnt today...Every word I say can go against me...!!!!
Honestly sunsign is not the criteria of me choosing a marketing career..had gone with the sunsign i wud have been a doctor by now...

I'm sure you wouldn't have said that in your apps. But always good to be aware of what you just said - Every word, idea, thought counts.

//Surely, definitely, 100% i wanna take that assignment of yours... Just in a couple of weeks I will be off with my deadline client and will be free to take up your work and complete it with total honesty n prove my ability..

Looking forward to it, bro.

//I am overhelmed with gratitude for your help and concern...

Let's save those formalities till you get into a good school