Manoj Malav

IIM Calcutta

School: Bal Bharti Public School, Ghaziabad

“I am modest, but hard working. I am someone who demonstrates an unwavering resolve to do whatever must be done to produce the best long-term results, no matter how difficult.”

Hometown: Ghaziabad, Delhi-NCR

Fun Fact About Yourself: I’m a passionate programmer who enjoys spending free time studying and practising new languages and skills, whether in Python, VBA, or C++. I have also travelled extensively, having seen most of Indian states. I like to play chess, sudoku, and go for walks outside to relax at the end of the day.

Undergraduate School and Major: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Mechanical Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Flipkart, Operations Manager

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Calcutta’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? IIM Calcutta is one of the best and finest institutes of India. It is the unique curriculum and pedagogy which fosters the learning intended from these programs and helps in the transformation journey of the individuals benefiting from it. I am currently on one such journey of transformation and hence the selection of this school for my growth.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Calcutta? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? “Shatrubodh” or a sense of the enemy. No battle can ever be won until and unless one knows about the enemy. This is the most important understanding one should have when dealing in a business environment. It goes without saying that the enemy referred to here is nothing but the threats to any business, which the business leaders must be cognizant of and take decisions accordingly to ensure the long-term success of the business. Strategy plays an important role in any domain and more so in the business world which is being taught in the Strategy Classes at IIMC.

What has been the best part of studying business in Kolkata? Kolkata is unique in terms of its offering. I have never studied or worked in Kolkata like many of my friends here at IIM Calcutta. Kolkata provides a different perspective due to its cultural richness and the incredible wealth of its heritage, which we get to experience first-hand. Kolkata also provides access to headquarters of some of the big corporate houses and organizations.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: I am most proud of leading large teams of some of the biggest warehouses of Amazon as well as running the manufacturing value stream of Caterpillar, a globally leading manufacturer of mining equipment. Apart from these, I take pride in developing all the people, who needed mentoring and coaching to upskill themselves and take a leap in their career, and have finally reached advancements in their career.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: My biggest accomplishment and the biggest strength is the network which I have been able to build. It is this network that enables us to enjoy every tiny bit of moment we spend on campus. I have been elected Placement Representative as well as a chosen to be Mentor to Operations Club. This provides me an opportunity to share my experience with the student community across IIMC Programs.

What is your class’s favorite hangout away from school? Why do you gather there? I would not say a particular location, but the favorite hangout places of the class are all those places where all of us meet together, like Park Street, Hostel Lounge, and Sports Arena. It’s an evening to spend our time together, interact with each other and party even harder. It is a time to look back, make the bond stronger and plan for the future. I believe in the quote from Jeff Bezos that says “Work hard, Have Fun, Make History”, which resonates with the energy levels and the ideology of the cohort.

What do you hope to do after graduation? Post-graduation, I would like to learn and work in the corporate houses or lead the organizations from a perspective of Supply Chain and Operations. This involves working on the future roadmap while ensuring the sustainability of the strategic initiatives I take, enabling the growth of the company and myself as a responsible leader.

In the end It is all about a combination of strong analytical abilities that enables quick decision-making while keeping organizations agile towards changing consumer behavior.

What advice would you give to help potential applicants gain admission into IIM Calcutta? Evaluate critically why you want to do the MBA; what is the long term benefit you are looking out of this program; what are your shortcomings that this program will address; and (most importantly) where does this program fit into your future career roadmap? If you get answers to these questions, prepare yourself for the requirements of the applications and the interview and, most importantly, for what lies ahead. Be as authentic and genuine as possible in your application. It will help you get more clarity on the question I have listed above. Good Luck.

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