MBA Crystal Ball

Hi Hari,

I am a IT infra consultant with 9 years of experience, all with the same
firm. The firm came in existence in 2001 and I joined them in 2003. It has been a very good experience so far as I have had the opportunity to be in different roles (Project management, Designing, Consulting) and have been fortunate enough to have the chance to work with clients from different industry sectors and at times different countries. Also, given the small size of the organization I have had the opportunity to closely watch and understand the significance of other business functions.

I want to do an MBA now as I want to gain understanding of the other business functions that would enable me to move to a 'bigger stage' professionally.

I was wondering if it would be possible for you to guide me especially because IMD is one the schools that I want to apply to.

Regards,
Gaurav

Hi Gaurav,

Happy to help you.

With what little I see of your profile, your 9 years of experience would fit with IMD's class profile - overall average 7-10 years exp, range 4-12 years, trending towards the higher.

More important though is your career motivation after the MBA. As much as you want to apply to IMD (which is great), I'd like to be able to say whether attending IMD would help you achieve the sort of career you want. So think about and come back with answers to the below:

- What (functionally) would you like to do after the MBA? Could mean consulting, finance, marketing, product management, SCM etc
- In what industry / type of company (give me a few names)?
- Where (geography)?

Alternatively, give me a couple of examples of jobs / assignments you see yourself doing after the MBA. What's a plan A and do you have your plan B?

All the best
Baccardisprite

Hi Hari,

Thanks so much for taking out time to help me. Please find below my reply to your queries.

What (functionally) would you like to do after the MBA? Could mean consulting, finance, marketing, product management, SCM etc.
Given my experience I am targeting consulting specializing in IT. Over the last 9 years I have been through the entire life cycle (from day one of we want something to handing over a functional system) of IT Infra projects hence it would be easy for me to fit in easily and hit the ground running.

In what industry / type of company (give me a few names)?
The usual big 4 in consulting as that would give me a good exposure but I am open to the idea of joining a boutique firm specializing in IT consulting. I am not targeting organizations like IBM, Accenture because their focus is applications, they outsource the Infra part totally. That is what I have noticed here and from what I have heard from my contacts that is the case abroad as well.

Where (geography)?
Europe (preferably UK). By the way, did you speak any of the language spoken in Switzerland when you joined IMD? How easy / hard is it to learn French / German? At this point in time my plan is to work abroad for couple of years after MBA ( I am single), gain international exposure, move up the 'ladder' and then move back. This isn't carved in stone though.

Alternatively, give me a couple of examples of jobs / assignments you see yourself doing after the MBA. What's a plan A and do you have your plan B?
Like I said my first preference is Consulting, second option could be joining the internal consulting division of a firm, third option could be getting into operations. Ultimately I want to go to the top of the corporate ladder and not just be a highly skilled IT resource. The gap that is there right now is knowledge of business functions such as finance, marketing, sales, operations, hr etc. I feel MBA will give me the opportunity to bridge this gap. I am particularly interested in IMD given their focus on developing leadership skills.

Plan A is MBA and like I said earlier move into consulting and work abroad for couple of years. (I have applied to ESADE also given their strength in Consulting). Plan B is to move to a bigger organization, experience and understand business at a bigger stage and keep working towards making it to the top.

I hope my inputs help clear the air.

Look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Gaurav

What (functionally) would you like to do after the MBA? Could mean consulting, finance, marketing, product management, SCM etc.
Given my experience I am targeting consulting specializing in IT. Over the last 9 years I have been through the entire life cycle (from day one of we want something to handing over a functional system) of IT Infra projects hence it would be easy for me to fit in easily and hit the ground running.

Pragmatic and sensible

In what industry / type of company (give me a few names)?
The usual big 4 in consulting as that would give me a good exposure but I am open to the idea of joining a boutique firm specializing in IT consulting. I am not targeting organizations like IBM, Accenture because their focus is applications, they outsource the Infra part totally. That is what I have noticed here and from what I have heard from my contacts that is the case abroad as well.

Good! While IMD has a strong network in these firms, you might not find as many in the IT Infra / IT Strategy part; since most of IMD's entrants into this sector are in the Strategy & Functional practices. Would suggest you take a longer look at INSEAD which has much stronger networks in the IT Consulting & Infra space in both the consulting & the product companies

Where (geography)?
Europe (preferably UK). By the way, did you speak any of the language spoken in Switzerland when you joined IMD? How easy / hard is it to learn French / German? At this point in time my plan is to work abroad for couple of years after MBA ( I am single), gain international exposure, move up the 'ladder' and then move back. This isn't carved in stone though.

The older one gets, the more challenging to learn any language! I joined an American MNC in Switzerland, so wasn't required to learn German, but it does create its challenges to integrate with society in general. My job, which is more Core Supply Chain / Network Strategy & Operations, so language skills aren't immediately critical. In client facing roles though (consulting / sales / marketing) you will find that language skills will make you more attractive to employers

Alternatively, give me a couple of examples of jobs / assignments you see yourself doing after the MBA. What's a plan A and do you have your plan B?
Like I said my first preference is Consulting, second option could be joining the internal consulting division of a firm, third option could be getting into operations. Ultimately I want to go to the top of the corporate ladder and not just be a highly skilled IT resource. The gap that is there right now is knowledge of business functions such as finance, marketing, sales, operations, hr etc. I feel MBA will give me the opportunity to bridge this gap. I am particularly interested in IMD given their focus on developing leadership skills.

Plan A is MBA and like I said earlier move into consulting and work abroad for couple of years. (I have applied to ESADE also given their strength in Consulting). Plan B is to move to a bigger organization, experience and understand business at a bigger stage and keep working towards making it to the top.

Operations in an industrial company is Supply Chain, Manufacuring, Planning, Distribution. IT Operations (if that's what you're talking about) is an entirely different animal. You can have a good career path going up to the CIO of a business / corporate... These are pretty senior roles that require IT, business / commercial and leadership skills. You're right that an MBA can bridge certain gaps, but getting to the top is all you, your performance and competencies you gain while on the job :-)

As an Indian - your GMAT will matter. While your experience is probably quite strong and relevant, you're in a competitive and undifferentiated pool of Indian applicants. A strong GMAT (700+) will help you potentially break the tie with another applicant with a profile similar to yours (there will be many).

All the best
Baccardisprite

Hi Hari,

Couple of questions

* My GMAT is 610, how bad is that?
* The organization that I work for does a lot of work with Tier 1 partners hence has a very strong 'pull' there but the end customer doesn't knows that. How bad is this lack of branding?
* Even though my background is IT, my profile and work experience is absolutely different than what usually is the profile of an Indian male with a IT background. What do I need to do to stand out in this undifferentiated pool of applicants?
* Do companies coming to IMD hire for a particular geography or the positions offered are global?

Look forward to your reply.

Regards,
Gaurav

One more question, I will submit my application in August; is it the right time to apply or late?

Regards,
Gaurav

Hi Gaurav,

GMAT - strongly recommend you improve to somewhere near 700. IMD's class is small (90), designed in a manner that no nationality has more than 10% of the class, meaning max 9 Indians / people of Indian origin, all diverse (IT, Consulting and industry). Over the last 5-6 years or so, the number of Indian applicants has increased, therefore has gotten more competitive. The profiles tend to be strong without exception, so the GMAT is one likely tie-breaker (there may be others) between 2 equally strong candidates. Indian GMAT's average >700 in IMD. A 610 is a disadvantage I recommend you try addressing. Read this interview on Pagalguy, with IMD's former Director of Admissions and Career Services.

(Lack of) Branding - As long as you are able to articulate clearly your role, impact and collaborative (customer & interval) skills, you should be fine.

Work profile - Am sure you'll be able to articulate why your profile is different; however you're competing with people from core industry (including most of the other Indian applicants). How will you differentiate your profile from other Indians, most/all with GMAT's ~700+, and from Aerospace, Medical Tech, M&A Consulting, FMCG/Durables Marketing/Operations, NGO, and IT etc (all profiles from the current class)?

75% of the class ends up in Europe/UK across all industries and consulting (very few go to banking / financial services); rest spread around Asia, North & Latin America.

Fewer seats at the time, gets more competitive. My opinion - late for you this year.

To be honest, your current GMAT doesn't inspire confidence. HOWEVER, please do get a second opinion from IMD's Admissions Committee who are very responsive to queries from potential applicants. You are welcome to let them know that I suggested you contact them. They know me very well.

Recommend waiting a year to enter, get some professional help to improve your GMAT, re-take the GMAT end of year / early 2013, and apply for any of the 1st 3 deadlines (1st March, 1st May or 1st June). If you apply the first 2 deadlines, you might get a chance to interview in Singapore.

All the best
Baccardisprite

Hi Hari,

Thanks a lot for your help on this thread.
My question is: I've missed the 1st 3 deadlines - Will I be at a disadvantage if I apply in the 4th round?


Thanks,
Angshuman

Hi Angshur,

I would say yes, applying in the Aug 1st deadline is too late for the below reasons:

*More than 2-3rd of the class is filled (admission offers are accepted)

*As there fewer places, but still potentially great applicants (including yourself), greater likelihood of being wait-listed with less likelihood of waitlist resolution well in time for you to make arrangements (visa, accommodation etc)

*Lower possibility of being able to apply for scholarships & financial aid (definitely NOT if you apply for the Sep 1st deadline, which is the last deadline); even lower if you're wait-listed and the admit decision comes sometime in October (it has happened).

*Over-represented applicant pool (India, possibly IT) competing with other applicants for fewer seats. A low GMAT score is almost certainly a wait-list if not an outright reject (with / without interview).

*(Unwritten dynamic) If you apply late, adcomms likely to question why? Particularly if you say you're passionate about IMD - the question will be - what took you so long? Harder job to convince adcomm of your commitment to IMD (applies to any school for that matter). This is NOT a deal-killer, but IF from an over-represented group, then question likely to arise.

*Later deadline means less time to concentrate and write your essays, and less time for your recommenders to craft specific reco's! Risk of overall lower quality of application.

If IMD your first choice, take the time to understand the school and understand the challenges and dynamics of the application. As an MBA alumnus (from IMD) who has seen essays from various schools, the IMD application is uniquely challenging with its restrictions and very specific questions. You'll need time to prepare. Take it!

All the best
Baccardisprite