Even though the session has only been a month old and the MBA journey has just kicked off, there have already been some classroom moments which have left me mesmerised and have been truly inspiring.
Firstly I would like to mention out ever-energetic and charismatic Microeconomics teacher Prof. Manasi Phadke, who could give the top economists of the country a run for their money when it comes to analysis the practical situations from an economic point of view and alongside challenging a full-time stand-up comic for a face-off. The witty, funny and informative Micro-economics lecture always leaves us craving for more. It is truly a blessing to have a Guru like her and to have started the journey in the right direction with her guidance.
Another delightful learning experience, was a subject which is a little unconventional but has a unique charm about it. That I think, is the best thing about SIBM. It surprises you in many ways. When you go inside a lecture hall with little or no apprehensions but come out beaming with positivity and a newly discovered enthusiasm for a previously unknown topic. “Indian Film Industry: A business Perspective” is the name of the elective, I had decided to go with. The name sounded a lot better than the other two elective choices and rightly proved to be so. The teacher Mr. Sriram Gopalakrishnan is a film industry veteran and teaches at SCMC. His style of introducing the subject and explaining the objectives was itself captivating.
The class started in a unique way as Mr. Sriram played some videos from all-time favourite movies like Top Gun, Matrix reloaded and Easy rider. He explained in detailed about the product placements in the movies, their marketing strategies and how the companies got a revamp as these movies helped them turn the fortunes around. His knowledge of the cinematic world in amalgamation with the business world was impressive and all the students were amazed to see the role cinema had to play in shaping the turnover of a company.
I don’t think there would have been a better way to spend my Sunday morning. I enjoyed the interesting mix of trivia and learning and as always, the cool breeze of the hilltop added to the jubilation. There were some clever advertising posters and campaigns discussed before we moved to the topic of marketing propaganda through films.
Thus, the class was full of interesting twists and turns and helped adding value in a way I had never experienced before. I felt motivated to read more about the subject and perhaps take up short-film making as a hobby. I think it was the best decision ever to select the elective and I have been very fortunate to have a chance to learn from such amazing teachers. I will always cherish this classroom experience and the enthusiasm that has been built for the world of cinema and will try to capture it from a business lens.
Which ABG company would you want to work for and why?
The Aditya Birla Group has a myriad of esteemed companies and brands under it but given a choice, I would love to work for Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail limited. It is the custodian of top brands in India each of which has huge sales. Apart from that, the other brands prove to be a mix of all ideologies coming together to form an umbrella covering the whole spectrum. The affordability and the performance of these brands attract the customers. Thus, I feel that learning and growth opportunities would be immense for me if I get a chance to be associated with either of these brands.
Poojit Popli
HR, SIBM-Pune