Meet the PGP-BL Class of 2025: Gaurav Arora, IIM Kozhikode

Gaurav Arora

Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode

“Passionate problem-solver and music enthusiast, driven to get things done and create meaningful impact.”

Hometown: New Delhi, India

Fun Fact About Yourself:  As an automobile enthusiast and avid cricket fan, I find joy both on and off the field, whether I’m playing or simply watching the game. However, music is where I find true peace. As a passionate vocalist, I immerse myself in melodies that calm my mind and energize my spirit. Be it singing or listening, music is my sanctuary, offering a serene escape from the hustle of everyday life. I also thrive on socializing and networking, always striving to build strong, lasting relationships. I believe that infusing humor into interactions adds a special touch to meaningful connections.

Undergraduate School and Major: Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi, India; Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical and Automation Engineering

Most Recent Employer and Job Title: Maruti Suzuki India Limited; Deputy Manager

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? One of the key reasons I chose IIM Kozhikode’s MBA program was its emphasis on experiential learning and international immersion at top institutes (SDA Bocconi in my case). This approach allows for the practical application of theoretical concepts, providing opportunities to tackle real-world business challenges while interacting with industry experts. Another decisive factor was the chance to learn from distinguished faculty who bring a perfect blend of academic excellence and industry expertise, ensuring a holistic education.

The program offers extensive opportunities to engage with industry through projects and case competitions, aligning perfectly with my belief that real understanding comes from applying theory in practice. These experiences sharpen my problem-solving abilities, improve decision-making, and help address actual business issues. The international immersion further broadens my perspective on global business practices, especially in areas like Luxury Management and International Business, offering a comprehensive view of the corporate landscape.

Overall, the program’s blend of experiential learning, global exposure, and expert faculty made IIM Kozhikode the ideal choice, equipping me to thrive in today’s competitive business world and emerge as a future business leader.

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? One of my favorite courses at IIM Kozhikode has been Marketing Management by Prof. Keyoor Purani, where I gained a deep understanding of the pillars of marketing and how they are applied in real business contexts. The course opened my eyes to the essential strategies behind creating value for customers, positioning brands, and effectively navigating competitive markets. Additionally, Macroeconomics: Policies, Institutions, and Markets by Prof. Rudra Sensharma has been equally impactful, as it provided me with a comprehensive understanding of macroeconomic aspects such as Gross Domestic Product, inflation, fiscal policies, and monetary policies, and their direct impact on businesses and economies at large.

What made these courses truly enriching was the pedagogy employed by the professors, integrating real-life business scenarios and dilemmas into the classroom sessions. This approach provided me with invaluable, practical insights that go beyond theoretical learning, equipping me to think critically and make data-driven decisions in real business environments.

The lessons I’ve learned—ranging from the strategic marketing principles to understanding the macroeconomic forces that shape business environments—have been transformative in my journey at IIM Kozhikode. I look forward to expanding my knowledge along these lines in the coming months, as I continue to explore the intricate dynamics.

Describe your biggest accomplishment in your career so far: One of my biggest career accomplishments has been launching a first-of-its-kind on-field child part repair service for infotainment systems for MSIL and other OEM. During my time at MSIL, I successfully implemented a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to repair infotainment components instead of replacing entire units. This initiative not only provided significant cost savings, reducing expenses by 28% to 72% in customer interest. By coordinating and managing various stakeholders, I facilitated the smooth implementation of this service, delivering significant benefits to both customers and the organization.

Describe your biggest accomplishment as an MBA student so far: In the past few months, while I’ve gained a wealth of business knowledge both inside and outside the curriculum, my biggest accomplishment as an MBA student has been developing resilience. Attending classes all day, tackling multiple quizzes, preparing project reports, delivering academic presentations, and participating in case competitions – all at once – has been both challenging and rewarding. Despite the intense schedule, we still find time to celebrate each other—midnight birthday celebrations have become a fun tradition among batchmates, providing much-needed moments of joy and bonding.

As many say, an MBA is a transformative journey. Although I’m still a few months away from graduation, I can confidently say it has truly been a life-changing experience. The ability to get up again, no matter the circumstance, has not only shaped my personal growth but has also given me a deeper appreciation for balancing the rigours of academics with moments of connection and celebration.

What has been your most memorable experience at IIM Kozhikode? Why was it so special? For me, the most memorable experience at IIM Kozhikode has been participating in the event Robaroo’24. As a passionate vocalist and music enthusiast, this event gave me the incredible opportunity to perform on-stage, both solo and in a group, in front of the entire institute. It was a unique and exhilarating experience, combining my love for music with the chance to connect with my peers in such a dynamic way.

In addition to the performances, the vibe and atmosphere over those three days were nothing short of flamboyant and amazing. The energy on campus was electric, and the event left a lasting impression on me, making it one of the highlights of my time here.

What led you to pursue an MBA at this point and what do you hope to do after graduation? Coming from a business family, pursuing an MBA has always been on my mind since the day I completed my undergraduate degree. I knew I wanted to gain sufficient experience before taking that step. Right after graduation, I had the opportunity to work with India’s leading automobile manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki. Over the course of 4.6 years, I learned the complete value chain of the business and developed a deep understanding of how businesses are run. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into the architecture of business operations and decision-making.

However, I realized that to further develop a structured approach to making critical business decisions and to elevate my understanding of business management, pursuing an MBA was essential. This decision was driven by my desire to sharpen my business acumen and better equip myself to take on leadership roles in the future.

Post-MBA, I am aiming to work as a consultant, preferably in management and strategy consulting. I believe this domain will allow me to leverage both my professional experience and the academic learnings from the MBA program. My long-term goal is to make a meaningful impact on businesses and people’s lives by becoming a business leader who drives positive change.

DON’T MISS: MEET IIM KOZHIKODE’S PGP-BL CLASS OF 2025