Aishwarya Ravindra Harsule

Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode

“An adventurous spirit, exploring local flavours, connecting through digital designs while traversing untrodden roads.”

Hometown: Pune, Maharashtra

Fun Fact About Yourself: I can curate a perfect playlist based on someone’s personality. In most parties, I became a part-time DJ for drunks and broken-hearted.

Undergraduate School and Major: P.E.S. Modern College of Engineering, Pune University. Electronics and Telecommunication

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Bajaj Finserv Health Limited, Product Management

Aside from your classmates, what was the key part of IIM Kozhikode’s MBA programming that led you to choose this business school and why was it so important to you? MBA is a channel to understand business and strategies in a comprehensive format. I get exposure to real-time case studies across the globe in a dedicated structured learning timeframe. I aim to upscale my skills, polish and refine my business acumen, learn about processes in Techno-Managerial domains and take measures to build ‘Tech for Food’ initiatives.

I wanted a fast-track curriculum that exposed me to the Indian business markets and introduced international markets to me. The immersion program at IIMK allows me to do so. It opens the door to learning about the International Businesses and Luxury Industry. While only 1-2% of HNWI in India might be known as the market segment of Luxury brands, the aspirational middle (10-15%) and the urban legends (15-20%) are now getting targeted. IIMK is taking a step forward in equipping us to understand these users through their international immersion.

What has been your favorite course or extracurricular activity at IIM Kozhikode? What has been the most important lesson that you have learned from it? My favourite course has been – MPPO – Managing People and Performance in Organisation. The course made me reflect on my journey in corporate, take notes to treasure as keepsakes, and draw an outline on how I could improve my managing styles going forward. It ingrained into me that I need to build content around where I want to take the conversation, give a background of previous conversations before starting a new one, and value the time of those who are participating while talking to me. However, one key lesson that MPPO gave me was to connect with my peers before escalating any discussion with the superior. It sounds simple, but is more complicated when it comes to choosing between team dynamics and deliverables. In a formal context, we might see the same boss multiple times if we are working on multiple projects alongside him, but might not see our teammates that often. In this case, you might get a chance to talk something to your boss way before notifying your team and it might be counterproductive for team activities and the growth of the project.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: In the last decade, Fintech took over the Indian Market and I’m glad I could contribute my two cents in the same domain. I worked as a product manager for the last six years for two Fortune 500 companies, one being Reliance Industries and the other being Bajaj Finserv. One interesting product that I launched for Bajaj Finserv Health is the Scan and Pay journey for OPD Insurances, which helped the OPD policies to be used via any UPI QR. This was nominated for the International Graham Bell Awards – the largest award for innovation in India. In March 2024, I got an opportunity to present my product – HeathPay – in front of panels of CXOs of Indian multinational corporations and chief executives of the Indian government. It was a privilege to be one of the youngest members to have represented my product at one of the largest platforms for product accreditation and growth.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: When I first joined IIMK, like a little kid in Winter Wonderland, I was taken by storm with diverse subjects taught. The institute wanted the students to evolve not only academically but also emotionally. It was tested in a plethora of subjects. I always wanted to write stories. When I got a chance to write one for my assignment, I wrote a fusion covering Product Management and People Management (from my professional background) and infused it with the characters of Ramayana, thus exploring the realms of storytelling in the format of a case study. I am proud to say that IIMK helped to reopen the doors to the creative world that were shut under the pressure of long office hours.

P.S. I think, I’m yet to achieve my biggest accomplishment at IIM Kozhikode. In the meantime, I am living my every day as Day 1.

What has been your most memorable experience at IIM Kozhikode? Why was it so special? The most memorable moment for me was participating in the fashion show. I’m an awkward penguin who doesn’t like having eyes on her. One of the many out-of-comfort-zone activities that I have done is participating in Fashion Show. It was astonishing to see my class support me. It was even more thrilling and funny as I was taught how to walk by my guy friends after the lectures each day that week. They came up with a tagline: “Hamari Hasu Chalne lagi”. The whole experience taught me to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, have faith in those who have faith in you, and don’t forget to have fun amid everyday hustle! I am eternally grateful that one awkward day, helped the penguin to make friends.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Every product built has a vision, every company runs on a mission, and the same goes for life. I wanted my career to be an outcome of my well-planned actions and structured thoughts. At Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL), a Fortune 500 company, my learning instinct helped me upgrade and work as a Product Manager in various domains, namely Campaign Management, Telcom, FTTx, HealthTech and Fintech. My work tenure at RJIL made me appreciate the significance of Management roles, so the need to secure a formal education in the same field became my next goal. After 6 + years in the industry, I was mentally, financially, and professionally prepared to take the MBA leap. I finally felt confident that the combination of my desire to learn and implement and my experience building Products would enable me to make a significant contribution.

The easy accessibility of the Internet Worldwide motivates me to cater to building solutions to global problems by acquiring sophisticated skill sets aligned with the ‘Tech for Good’ initiative. In the next couple of years, I see myself working for top techno giants in the country and using new technologies in the industry to solve upcoming business problems. In the latter phase of my career, I would surely be interested in wiring my skills, being a Subject Matter Expert in Product Development and networking to build something remarkable. I envision becoming a CPO (Chief Product Officer) or a Business Manager and contributing to solving global problems that can inspire and leave a mark on society.

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