How much does your B-school tag matter when it comes to working with the top brands of the world? What is it like to work with a massive conglomerate like the Aditya Birla Group, and what kind of work do MBA graduates do at ABG? Here are some excellent insights from an IIM Kozhikode alumnus and a Category Manager at UltraTech Cement on why B-school tags don't matter, and how Dosa Batter went on to become his biggest challenge at ABG!
Govind Haridas is an IIM Kozhikode alumnus and is currently a Category Manager & Analytics Lead at UltraTech Cement. He found his way into the Aditya Birla Group via the Economic Times Young Leader competition, which he won. A mechanical engineer from NIT Calicut, Govind has had an exciting two and a half years working with the Aditya Birla Group - first as a part of the prestigious LEAP programme, and then as a part of UltraTech Cement. In this video, he talks about how at ABG, your credentials and background matter only till you enter the company, due to the highly meritocratic nature of the organisation. He explains how, regardless of the B-school you are from, the differences don't matter since everyone possesses as much knowledge as you.
Govind also elaborates on the various stints that he was a part of as a Leadership Associate at ABG, including at Idea Cellular, Aditya Birla Retail, and even an international stint with Birla Carbon. He explains how ABG promotes the cross-functional application of knowledge by exposing its Leadership Associates to its various businesses. Finally, he also shares a hilarious story of the challenges he faced when he was assigned the challenge of perfecting the Dosa Batter (which also required him to consult with his mother for her delicious Dosa recipe), and also explains how all the projects that he was a part of have helped him understand the consumer much better.
Watch this video for some great insights into what it's like to work at the Aditya Birla Group!
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Some key learnings from Govind's talk at the InsideIIM Pre-MBA Social - Season 3:
1. Don't be a know-it-all. No one likes a know-it-all, especially if you're not a know-it-all. You cannot sit in your high chair and command people to do things.
2. Don't focus on building your CV, focus on building your personality. Pick up skills and don't just write them down on a piece of paper.