One year later.. How MBA has changed my life

Time: March 2015, some random Kygo song playing in the background on A-Top hostel block, IIM Bangalore

I walk down the soon to be deserted allies of my hostel block from a class, pick up my camera and click some pics of the happy souls around. Everything is awesome. Life is rocking!

Fast forward One year...

Time: Today, April 2016, Firestone- Kygo in the background in Guwahati

I am still in awe of my recently purchased iPhone of how it simplifies my life by keeping a tab of those never ending emails I receive every day, enjoying some soothing cool air from the AC just above my head, but then, that's it... 

So let me put a perspective on how life has fared for past one year post MBA and was MBA really worth the time, money and effort!

No doubt it feels good when a nice amount of money is credited to your bank account every month-end. It feels great to enjoy those weekend brunches which were once a luxury. At times you even end up buying a high end imported cycle when all you needed was a pair of handkerchiefs. Yes! That's the luxury you enjoy and it feels good to do things you could only imagine a year or so before...

But all of this comes at the expense of the TIME your work demands from you. I often find my friends complaining/cribbing about their work-life and how they feel there is no work-life balance. To be true, for the past one year, I rarely had that feeling of being stuck due to work or that I would be missing a weekend trip due to some random 11th hour presentation to the management (except for 1 instance).

So, what do I do to often chill (atleast they all say that) whilst being happy with my life. Not that I have achieved something really significant in life but then here's a list of 7 simple things I picked up during MBA that helps me a lot:

1. Time Management

Believe me, of all the things you learn during your time at a B-school, time management has to be the pick of the lot. All those assignment deadlines, club meetings and countless nights spent studying makes you value your time in life. It certainly helps me now to carry forward that habit and actively devote my time to all the tasks at hand.

2. Plan your work

This habit is something I owe to my peers from my club back at B. I have always believed that intricate planning gets half the job done. I always break my objectives into small actionable and tend to plan my week every Monday morning with a quick midweek check . This gives me freedom to enjoy my weekend with most of my work done by Friday afternoon. There will be 11th hour requirements but then its in your skill to negotiate...

3. The power to say No

We Indians have this habit of saying Yes to everything that comes our way, because we know, there's always someone else in the  queue to get the job done and take the credit. But the immense pressure back at B taught me to say No to things beyond  my capabilities. Remember, instead of running behind to be in the good books of your bosses, its better to take one step at a time.  At times I end up saying No to my bosses when I realize the timelines are too stiff or unaccommodating. It might not go well with your bosses but then you will be at peace in the longer run.

4. Follow your passion

I have been traveling a whole lot of India for past 10 months and one thing that has always been there with me has been my camera. Its such a relief to watch the setting sun with a cup  of coffee and click some candid pictures. All those psychology classes at B are now coming handy... ;)  

5. Its okie to do mundane jobs

Its no hidden fact that most of the B-School grads end up digging their heads into excel files at the start of their career and often work long hours on weekends. But its okie to do so!! Its okie if you feel that you don't belong to this place and that you should be sitting in a boardroom designing ad-campaigns and dictating 100 crores expansion plans but all you do is edit the power-point slides and make recce notes for your next meeting. Rome was not built in a day and you need to grow up the ladder to run the show. Just accept the fact and learn...

6. Think beyond your KPI's

Six months ago I was enjoying a couple of drinks with my senior from B at a plush happening pub in Gurgaon and all she kept on talking was about her KPI's and KRA's. I found it odd enough and went through my own the very next day!! I soon realized what kept me going at workplace was my liking to learn beyond my KPI's. No one shares their experience until you go and ASK them. So be free and ASK what you need, at worst, you will get a No but then atleast you will be satisfied that you tried. 

I was one of the last in my class when it came to grades in a certain quant subject and I have always hated numbers, but today most of my projects are analytical in nature and I enjoy them and even excel at them. Its all happening since I don't think of it as a threat but as a learning opportunity.

7. Be HAPPY with what you have

I should seriously thank my profs at B-school for giving those doses of happiness and teach how being happy is the best thing that you can do with your life. Amidst all those materialistic pleasures there are moments that make you feel good. Go for them, chase them and make them a reality. I have always loved to be with my friends and party like there's no tomorrow. Do that! Let the world talk what they have to, but then remember, when the sun sets, its not the world that makes your day, its the memories you make when you are happy.

Life always has its ups and down and we somehow find our way back to reality. This never say die attitude is what makes us survive at our jobs and grow. I am sincerely thankful to all the time I have spent at IIM Bangalore, for it has changed the way I face new challenges in life. We all can gain bookish knowledge and believe me, we don't need to attend a B-School to learn to make a financial model or draft a business pitch. Its the overall personality development that's worth every penny spent at the school. 

I consider myself lucky to have spent some good time with some really bright and nice people at IIMB and that's what is helping me today to stay HAPPY. So, YES!! MBA is worth the time, money and effort...

Until next time... Happy weekend!!

-Saurabh Sathe

Life out of a suitcase - 6 weekend destinations in Himachal

Little had I imagined about my life in coming days, sitting inside that swanky auditorium of my new office in Gurgaon on 22nd June. I was just hoping to get a location near Bangalore or Mumbai for my sales stint. But even before I got to know about my location, I had made 41 jealous frenimies at airtel. The mail said Mandi as my location. Till date my only knowledge about that place was that it has an IIT!!

But when I landed there, I was awestruck by the beauty of the location. A swift noisy river, clouds around the office and a small crowded market, I cant describe Mandi better. Soon, I got shifted to Kullu for my stint. And mark my words, those 60 kms from Mandi to Kullu were some of the most eye catching ones of my life. A dam, some waterfalls, landslides, clouds, hills and some more hills and some more hills, awww! The list is endless.

So, here's a list of 6 beautiful places you can visit in and around Kullu district as a backpacker:

1. Kullu town

The town of kullu is a transit holiday destination. Its known to have India's one of the smallest airport with the runway only about a km long. The town is feeder to most small villages in and across the district. One can take a night stay enroute manali here, since hotels are much cheaper than manali. The town is along the mighty Beas and is famous for its apples.

2. Kasol-Manikaran

A beautiful valley away from all kinds of civilization is what you are looking for, then there's no better place than Kasol! The place is a transit camp for most foreigners to forget all pains in life and achieve salvation. Don't be surprised to find cafes serving french food and menu written in Hebrew. Kasol is 32 kms from Kullu and one needs to take a cut from Mandi-Manali highway to Manikaran road near Bhuntar- Kullu. The next 30 kms shall be mesmerizing, for you shall be awestruck by the amount of cannabis grown roadside. The road is pretty narrow and its a bumpy ride thanks to the rocky terrain and frequent landslides. The swift parvati flowing besides on the valley shall keep you glued to the nature and the sight of snow-clad Himalayas in the landscape is enough to make you forget all your pains for the weekend.

 

Its just the right kind of place for people looking to chill for the weekend within the arms of green mountains and mysterious cloud formations. The town of Malana is nearby from Kasol, famous for the Malana Cream brand!! You know you are nearing kasol when the noise of the river is slowly faded away in the charms of boom shiva and heavy bass in the background. Its a place with a vibrant party scene. A 45 mins trek from Kasol and you land at one of the fav all night party place with hipsters of all kinds showcasing their swagger! Manikaran a popular religious destination for the sikhs is just 3 kms ahead of kasol.

 

3. Naggar Valley

The hilly town of naggar is 20 kms north of kullu on the old kullu-manali highway. Believed to be the home of the king of kullu, the majestic palace of naggar is now converted into a HP tourism hotel. One can enjoy the lavishness of kullu dynasty by pre-booking a room here, since its almost always occupied. Fresh apple juice is a must have at the restaurant inside the hotel. The view from the gallery is the best you can get in the entire region. To the left side is the present day town of kullu and to the right are the majestic Himalayas and the busy tourist destination - Manali. 

4. Manali

The famous hill station destination manali is a weekend getaway for many. The town is divided into two parts with the newer town on the lower parts of the hills. Mall road is the most famous area of the town with shops open till midnight. One can get a taste of local and authentic Chinese cuisine here and Thentuk at Chopstics restaurant is a must try for chicken lovers. One can easily hire a bike for leh trip from manali. Bookings for visiting Nubra valley need to be done a day in advance.

The older part of the town hosts a much more retro picture with shops of all kinds along the lane. The famous hidimba temple where the movie "Yeh Jawani hain Deewani" was shot is also part of the old town. One can chill at umpteen number of cafe's in Old Manali and Sunshine Cafe is highly recommended. 

5. Great Himalayan National forest - Trout fish farms

The forest reserve area is some 60 kms east of kullu near Banjar - Gushaini. Near the entrance of the reserve is relatively unknown Trout fish farm along the river bank. One can catch a trout fish and get it cooked by the caretaker at the farm. The feeling of catching your own food and then munching it is indeed fulfilling. Trout fish is staple to people here and one can understand the entire breeding process at the farm. Besides, the location of the farm is mind blowing. 

6. Mandi town

The town of Mandi is biggest in northen part of Himachal Pradesh and is a major economic hub. The town is along the river Beas and one can enjoy the coolness of the breeze all round the year here. Its home to IIT as well. The town does not have much to offer in terms of sightseeing but has some great restaurants to relish on local dishes like kadhi-chawal and rajmah-chawal.

Simplicity lies in the heart of himachali people and the state is a must visit for, once in a lifetime.

Until next time,

Adios!

Saurabh Sathe

10 things not to miss out on, when at B...

Its been a roller coaster ride, with its own ups and downs, but then yeah, I must admit, life at a B school has everything to offer... Its a perfect bonanza with (un)lucky draws every now and then. So, here are the ten things one should definitely not miss out on while studying at IIM Bangalore.

1. Interaction with Professors
   
   
   We call them best of the lot but then Hey!! You do need to interact with them to get that best. One thing a lot of students, especially PGP students miss out on in a B school is interaction with the rich faculty both inside and outside the classroom. Remember, nothing comes for free, and if does then its not worth the claim.
   
   
2. Focus on all round development
   
   
   Whilst the corporate is increasingly shifting its focus on acquiring talent with a 9:1 strength to weakness ratio, all round development is something peculiar. We need to increasingly realize that its more about personality development and a journey of self discovery, rather than mere focus on one of either studies, sports, RG, CP, DCP, Flirting, Tripping with Exchange mates and what not! Do everything what you deem correct but in limits. Something I personally learnt whilst my time at B...
   
   
3. Food in the mess
   
   
   We might hate it after a month or so, but remember its the hard work of those 20 odd mess workers that keeps us fit all round the year for the rigorous academic curriculum. We are not the only ones to sleep at 5 am and get back to life at 8 am. They have a even tighter schedule and the morning breakfast is the yummiest thing you will taste after your mom's fav recipe..
   
   
4. L^2 parties
   
   
   B is not called the party-IIM just for namesake. It truly is a happy go lucky destination ;) Every floor of the hostel on the campus has its different aura. Might it be the chirping of the birds early morning from Paradise or the 4 am chai at PnE in D base. But one thing that truly kept me osculant to B was the party atmosphere. You just need a reason to celebrate at B!!
   
   
5. Early Morning walk along the campus
   
   
   I can bet on this. The 3 am talks on a rainy night sitting near the ground or a silent walk early morning around the sprawling campus is enough to keep the adrenaline up for the rest of the day. Nothing else can make you fall in love with the greenest campus in India more...
   
   
6. 4 am songs
   
   
   I will not spill the beans here, wait for the moment and experience it. Some traditions are better not questioned, but only enjoyed...And Culcomers are genuinely nice people on campus :P :D
   
   
7. Sleep, whenever possible... wherever possible
   
   
   You need it, just take it. Doesn't matter if its B block or C or your own room or the new faculty classroom! Health is of prime importance. While in classroom, do it in such a way that the prof out there is not offended. At-least do not let him throw that marker on you to wake u up! Yess, even that happens at B :v
   
   
8. Stroll around the city
   
   
   Write back to me in case you fail to fall in love with the city. I shall give you 100 more reasons to fall for it. Might it be the fantastic weather, the evening showers, a walk on the commercial street, beer at TOIT or Ghee Masala dosa at MTR, the city never ceases to amaze you. With the nightlife blooming till 1 am on weekends, its a perfect stress buster for the B heads. Besides, you get to taste the best brewed beer in the country.
   
   
9. Weekend trips across South India
   
   
   Gokarna, Ooty, KodaiKanal, Marayoor, Pondy, Hoggenakal, Ramgarh, Mysore, Goa... The list is endless. Everyhting's a nights drive from B. Just get that Zoomcar and roll out. Do try some good mushrooms when at Kodai! Life shall be a different trip forever then :D
   
   
10. Some good friends...
    
    
    They often say, B school is a place where people mean business. But I beg to differ. Find that right set of pals with similar mindset and life shall be happening thereafter. True that undergrad friends shall be remembered always for the quantum of time spent with them is manifold. You might not get that leisure here at B, but whenever you have the opportunity, make it worth. And yes, you can make lifelong friends at B!

Its difficult to manage everything at a B school. Our schedules get tampered, egos get hurt and mind gets bruised every now and then. But look for sustainable things rather than just conditional happiness... There will be 100 different opinions about life in a B school, I feel, I lived my life doing whats mentioned above :D

Until Next time...

Saurabh Sathe

PGDM, Class of 2015,

IIM Bangalore

  

My Philosophy - My life

Writing almost after an year. I always thought MBA life would not take a toll on me but it seems like it certainly did. This time I am writing something very personal to me, after contemplating for almost a week, I have come up with this post. Hope you all have a good read.

A man’s character is determined by his action and not his words – Unknown

A firm believer in this quote I feel each person is unique; we all have different ideas and opinions, we all practice different beliefs. Our ideas about life are based on our perception, the way we see the world. So it is only natural that each individual follows their own slightly modified philosophy. My immediate surroundings, my life and my beliefs help me shape my philosophy.

I am a person who lives life every moment and believes in living as if it’s the last day of my life. This gives me the opportunity to do things in a better way than what I did yesterday. Life is constant in many ways yet it keeps on flowing all the time. It’s a learning ground every moment. This helps me introspect and improve upon my actions for next endeavors. A life philosophy cannot be outsourced. Although many major religions package premade philosophies, the work of building a strategy for life is my alone. Thinking about my beliefs and strategies is the only real way which has helped me craft my own philosophy..

I feel our surroundings affects up in a lot of ways and is a central force for shaping our philosophy. It teaches us to interact and function in the world. As a child we are only aware of what the adults in our life tell us, we begin to make choices around what they believe is best. But as we grow and obtain knowledge we become more informed, we are able to think for ourselves and begin to make more of our own decisions. I think those values taught to us as a child are always there, but we now have the choice to abide by them or to create our own belief system.

Socrates once said "He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy". I am a person who has complete faith in himself. I think before acting upon any situation and then stand by that decision no matter what the circumstances might be. There is always a scope for improvement but the core idea remains instilled firm. This has helped me developed a strong character to face challenges.

I understand death is certain and hence I spend life my own way and always try not to get trapped by dogma. A lot of people care too much about what others will think of them to freely express their ideas. They always tend to take opinions before any act. While I feel it is good to take opinions and advice it is also necessary to be independent. It is this sense of independence which gives me the power to express my own thoughts and decisions in public space. I am not afraid to go against the masses to stand firm for a right cause and this philosophy gives me my public identity.

Mindfulness has helped me taste success in almost every dimension of my life. By stopping regularly to look inward and become aware of my mental state, I stay connected to the source of my actions and thoughts and can guide them with considerably more intention. By bringing full presence to each interaction, I am able to avoid missteps and stay focused on my real purpose for every conversation. This guides both my personal and professional life.

I tend to travel the path less travelled and leave a trail behind. This comes to me naturally and makes me brave. It’s said that the closer we get to death the more we appreciate life. My 3 near death experiences at my previous work place have made me believe that we should always be prepared with a plan B for any

task at hand. These experiences have helped me modify my thought process to a great extent and today I plan for any activity with a proper backup. I believe I have survived till date to write this note on my philosophy of life since I show complete dedication in all activities involved.

I have a sense of purpose and foresightedness in all my activities. This gives me ample opportunities to learn and help others as well. I believe in helping people unconditionally who affect all the constituents of my life, matter, perception, emotional quotient, feeling and consciousness. They are the true loved ones who make me what I am today. I also understand that the one who stands for others unconditionally is a true friend. I have learned this from my parents who have always been there for me and in fact everyone.

Love is an indispensable part of my life. I have thrived on this value and I firmly believe trust is necessary to love others. I know our karma defines our life and of those under our influence and our physical presence might not matter in this regard. Also I try to seek out opportunities where a small amount of resources, time, or effort can make a disproportionately large contribution. I particularly value efforts with a ripple effect, where one action sets off an entire cascade of responses whose overall impact can be really huge. Finally I feel life is God’s gift-so be grateful for it. I am very well consoled with the fact that God will always and forever be there for me. I have been living enough to have fully understood what lies ahead for me. All I know is that God is still busy trying to weave my personal destiny which I am soon to discover.

I am still learning and creating my own philosophy. By researching philosophers’ thoughts and creating my own opinions on life’s ‘big questions’ I am beginning to make my philosophy which I plan to follow in the future. I think it is going to take time to actually be able to live my philosophy completely.

Oh Mighty Soldier!!

The rays at the horizon might be fading,
Economies of scale might be out of scope,
My forehead might wrinkle,
but my love for the country won't reside....

At Rashtrapati Bhavan,
Delhi.

Corridor of success!

Millions aspire to walk through these corridors, only a few succeed

To learn the facets of management, they sometimes fail to manage their own deeds,

The things learnt here will not be carried to the grave, the the memories shall be, 

for sure, they shall be!

For IIM Bangalore

Char Minar, a structure of National Importance, really?!

Its funny how such an idea tickles onto my mind. On my Bharat Bhraman mode, a City Meet with my IIM B pals, seniors and alumni brought me to the city with a flavour of Shahi as well as Mughal dynasty!

The journey from Vizag to Hyderabad was as unplanned as the trip, all thanks to the last minute goof up by my friend to book the tickets online. But then as they say, good thoughts always land up in the right lane, I managed a sound sleep in the multi-axle Volvo throughout the journey. Worth to mention the awesome leather upholstery and the BOSE surround sound system in the new SVR Volvo! (y)

Travel sector in India is developing fast thanks to the Volvo manufacturing unit in Chennai!

I knew luck was with me as my presence brought rains to Hyderabad! The day was free for me since the meet was scheduled for the next evening and with all my friends busy for the afternoon I was left all by myself to explore this beautiful city of Hyderabad. Actually thats what I always intended, with all my previous attempts to explore the old city had been fouled by my showstopper friends!

After exploring the the iconic Mumbai Local and Delhi Metro's 'Jahangir' it was time for Hyderabad Deccan's MMTC. A complete let down though. Travel between any two destination doesn't cost more than 5 bucks but then its very necessary to carry change if travelling single, or else be ready to hear some good words from the TC! A brisk 40 mins journey from Hi-Tech City to Nampally and I here I was, about to enter Old Hyderabad. A bumpy ride in an Auto Rickshaw with aroma full of armpit odour and 7 fellow travellers landed me near Char Minar. I was in awe of the structure the moment I saw it, soon to realize that it was crowded more by police than the touristes. A 5 Rs. entry fee ticket issued by Archaeological Survey of India showed that they did the same at 22 other places in India only to fill in their pockets.

I climbed one of the arches to reach to the top of the majestic structure and could easily locate the Golconda Fort and the new City from there. The most beautiful view was still to be seen, for when I moved to the backside of the structure I could spot the serene atmosphere and a huge courtyard in front of the Iconic Makkah Masjid. I had seen it till date in News, got an opportunity of visit it today. Later went and worshipped as well!

Whilst observing the minute carvings and architectural elements I realized the pathetic condition of the structure. With multitude of visitors thronging the place day and out, I fear soon the structure could be history.  Proper maintenance is need of the hour.

Behind the Char Minar, the road alongside Makkah Masjid also known as the Laad Market is always full of roadside vendors selling everything from bermudas to the in-season beganpally mangoes.

A view of the market from Char Minar:

I 

I even visited the shops in and around Char Minar area to spot all kinds of desi/hyderabadi/genuine pearls. A visit to Bilal Ice Cream Parlor nearby is highly recommended. I had 5 scoops of Mango ice-cream followed by 2 scoops of kharbuja to top it up with a 3 star Milk-Shake. Incidentally Bilal Ice Cream shop is one of the oldest shops in Hyderabad started some 90 years ago.

Overall it was an awesome day out in the heat, because I did what I always loved to, Explore!!

P.S.: Beware of pickpockets and beggars around the old market area. 

Also 100 bucks in the pocket and you can safely visit the place and be back to any corner of Hyderabad!