In our list of India's Best 50 - the 50 Most Employable Students from the Class of 2020-22, we feature MBA students who have walked that extra mile and done that little more to stand out. One of those featured in today's story, Anshul Garg, has shown an incredible amount of passion to achieve her true potential. Read on and find out her story!
The following are Anshul Garg’s set of responses to a questionnaire floated amongst MBA graduates to determine the top-50 Most Employable MBA Graduates of the Class of 2022. Amongst the massive number of entries and responses being evaluated, Anshul's story and profile stood out. Here's her story in her own words.
Name an instance where you wanted something and went out of your comfort zone to achieve it OR Tell us the biggest risk you have taken so far in your life.
For what it was worth, the biggest risk I took so far was to take a stance against my Undergraduate University. In the wake of the pandemic, the university premised a rule of no revaluation for the final semester examinations having an impact on the future career prospects of innumerable students. As an initial step, effort was to find an affable solution by holding up regular meetings with key stakeholders. But the bye-laws eventually left us with no route other than availing the legal path. The intensity of the risk was huge, not only in terms of time, money & effort involved while standing throughout the entire legal proceedings but also due to the sensitivity that was involved in the entire subject matter. My long built relationship with the university was put to stake as an express litigant against them. Along with it, there was a staunch necessity of incessantly focusing upon the summer placements & academics at MDI in the same time frame. However, the regional High Court ruled a decision in the student favour and consequently, the University had to introduce revaluation not only for the litigants, but the entire student sect of the last semester who appeared for exams with the university, across all affiliated colleges. While the risk-reward maxim for the university stays fulfilled as an epitome of knowledge giving centre for the students too, it also led to a sigh of relief for students who wish to pitch in the best during last semester examinations. Also, the incident instilled an unparalleled sense of confidence and belief in myself and my abilities to put my foot forward in the wake of situations when one feels it is necessary to do so.
When was the last time someone relied on you? OR What did you do which was purely for someone else - a truly selfless act.
While trying to put my bit for the community, writing answers on "Quora" is one of the most selfless acts that I have been a part of since long for people across the globe. It becomes easy for everyone to sail through the tedious challenges that life has to offer when guided by someone who has already faced similar situations. Therefore, to bridge this gap between the need and knowledge creation, I decided to benefit other people out of my experiences, research and mindset through Quora as a medium. Apart from prompting in different interest spaces, I reserve 4-5 hrs. of my week on an average to respond to queries as requested by people. Apart from what the platform has to offer directly, I also connect to people personally via the message feature who seek to have a word and try my best to suggest or advise them in the finest possible capacity.
Tell us about a time when you disagreed with an opinion/idea/decision. What did you do about it?
Being a part of my family pharmaceutical business for the past 10 years, I have had a chance to express my opinions regarding strategy level decision making. During one such instance of ideating upon the mode of entry into the online space, I faced a disagreement with other key decision holders. While the latter wanted to establish their own direct website/app, I insisted on collaborating with existing e-commerce players whether generic or pharma specific depending upon the returns as the entry-level channel. As a part of reconciling the conflict in ideas, I listed down the apprehensions about the two modes and understood viewpoints. Next, I laid down a cost-benefit analysis scrutinising the short & long term goals. This was facilitated by discussions with the other similar brick and mortar stores in the region who recently ventured into the online mode with either of the two options. As an outcome, an appropriate and promising decision, combining the best parts of the two options and delivering greater benefits for the entity as a whole was reached and is presently in the process of implementation.
What is the one thing you can claim to have some level of expertise or depth of knowledge in - it could be anything - a subject, a sport, a hobby, a venture, an initiative which has led you to do deep work in that field?
One thing that has always fascinated me is the intricacies involved in the subject Finance. Being quick with the numbers from the early school days and sound data analytical capabilities, made me fond of the subject. Moreover, while working with my father and helping manage cash flows along with maintaining systematic records in alignment with well categorised accounts, my interest in finance was fostered. In graduation days, I considerably looked up for finance roles while working in teams. Also, amongst the various topics of the curriculum, I found myself intrigued by the intricacies involved in the concepts like valuation models, asset management and advisory services. This fondness drove me to explore more about the subject viz reading books like One Up On Wall Street and Intelligent investor on one hand and watching movies like The Big Short and Margin call on the other.Further, to transcend textbooks and understand the real-life implications of financial aspects and simultaneous effects on various stakeholders, I started looking for finance roles in general and IB roles in specific during my summer placements at MDI. Consequently, I interned with JP Morgan Chase & Co. and was able to secure a PPO. My effort to expand my knowledge base in the said field continues on a daily basis via closely following the market, reading articles & opting for varied training modules. After all, an investment today is value created for tomorrow.
If 10 Million Dollars (approximately INR 75 Crores) is given to you to use it any way you deem fit what would you do with this corpus?
If I am able to get my hands on this big corpus at one go, I will diversify it across three long-standing aspirations of mine on a 2:5:3 basis.
Aspiration 1: Publish my book.If I were to name one thing that has a consonance to my soul, it would be writing. I have been an avid writer, the flair of thoughts perfectly settling through the pen for me. I would love to be credited and known as an author for a book, the first draft of which has already been framed and is called "Footprints".
Aspiration 2: Nationwide / Statewide expansion of my family business Currently, our family owns a chemist store and a manufacturing pharma unit operating in its own brand name. While the former has a well-established presence in the regional district area i.e Yamunanagar, the latter is yet to meet its true potential/expectation owing to the extensively high competition. Foremost, the idea is to set up at least 1 retail store and its related operations in each of the 22 districts of Haryana. This involves leveraging the existing network with the distributors and wholesalers. Once this is achieved, it opens up two business expansion possibilities as a follow up. First, to venture in the online pharma space in our own brand name with real time delivery across the state. And second, to market & distribute our company products through these stores. With an underlying multiplier effect & right strategy mix, it can be further translated to a nationwide pharmaceutical name & presence in the long run.
Aspiration 3: AI Platform to ensure Women SafetyI plan to invest, research and contribute to the development of an AI based platform for women safety that captures nuances of eve teasing and alerts the nearby police stations across the country.
Read the stories of the other Employable Graduates here!