We spoke with Harshit Kumar, a proud alum of the Indian School of Business (ISB). Post completing his undergrad from NIFT Delhi, Harshit joined the fashion and retail segment of the Aditya Birla Group. From there he went on to do his MBA from ISB with a double major in Marketing and Strategy & Leadership. After his MBA, he joined Nykaa in the e-commerce division. He is currently working in the Category & Buying vertical at Lenskart. Harshit is a daily practitioner of yoga & meditation and loves playing tennis whenever he gets time. Below are a few excerpts from his talk:
After your undergrad, you were working in one of the biggest fashion retail companies; what motivated you to do an MBA?
After having worked in the industry for few years, I felt the need to expand my repertoire of skills to develop a well-rounded perspective that would enable me to pivot to leadership roles. While my experience at Aditya Birla Group was extremely enriching and laid a strong foundation, I aspired for leadership roles that required a more holistic understanding of business dynamics. Pursuing an MBA seemed like the logical next step to acquire the analytical, strategic, and managerial skills necessary to excel in such roles.
What made you choose ISB over other programs in the market?
I was quite particular I wanted to go to a place that ensured an exponential growth to my learning curve. I had spoken to quite a few alumni who went gaga over the quality of education as well as the peer learning from the top-notch talent that ISB attracts. The faculty, both residential and visiting, was truly world-class and expert in their respective subjects. This was complemented by multiple out-of-classroom learning opportunities. I had also researched the companies and roles that on-campus opportunities presented and it made me feel secure about my future.
How did you prepare yourself for ISB? ISB also has a detailed application process; how did you go about writing your application?
Preparing for ISB involved a combination of academic readiness, professional development, and thorough research about the program. Acing GMAT / GRE is an important step towards the exciting MBA journey. Regarding the application process, I approached it systematically, highlighting my academic achievements, professional experiences, leadership qualities, and future aspirations. I ensured my essays reflected a well-rounded perspective of my capabilities and potential contributions to the ISB community. I chose a recommender who had in-depth understanding of my work and long-term aspirations.
How has ISB helped you polish your personality? Can you describe certain learnings from your year at ISB that changed you as a person?
ISB provided a transformative experience that not only enhanced my professional skills but also contributed to my personal growth. The enriching learning environment, exposure to diverse perspectives, and numerous extracurricular activities helped develop essential qualities such as adaptability, resilience, and empathy. Engaging in group projects, case competitions, and other extracurricular fostered teamwork and leadership skills. Additionally, interactions with accomplished faculty and industry leaders broadened my horizons and instilled in me a lifelong learning mindset.
Post ISB, with Nykaa, you were working in the booming E-commerce sector; why did you decide to move to Lenskart?
Firstly, in all my previous roles I got exposure to building categories and businesses from scratch; in this case, I was getting an opportunity to understand and drive growth in an already established business. Secondly, I developed a strong understanding of fashion apparel, both from a brand and retailer’s perspective. This opportunity gave me a chance to apply the business fundamentals in a completely new category. Thirdly, while ABG equipped me with dynamics of offline detail, Nykaa built a coherent understanding of e-commerce. I was looking for an Omni channel experience and Lenskart with its current offline & online presence gave me a great opportunity to learn that. Finally, I was in awe of the impact the company was making in the space of vision correction; the goals of the company were very inspiring and hence I decided to join the Lenskart tribe.
What is it like working in Lenskart?
Working at Lenskart has been an exhilarating experience characterized by innovation, exciting challenges, and continuous learning. Lenskart's innovative business model, focus on technology-driven solutions, and commitment to customer satisfaction are very encouraging. The company's dynamic work culture fosters creativity and encourages employees to think outside the box. It is a young organization and hence there is a lot of energy around. While the company’s scale has increased manifold in the last few years, the start-up spirit is still maintained. The overall commitment to excellence and customer-centric approach aligns with my professional values, making it a fulfilling and rewarding workplace.
Any final tips for candidates currently doing an MBA or planning to do one in future?
When on campus, interact with as many folks as you can. People have amazing stories and it’s always a great learning sharing ideas. You can’t imagine how much the B-school network is going to help in future. Also, the campus offers the safety net of being able to try something new and fail without causing flutter. This is a good time to explore as many academic and extra-curricular activities as one can.