Debarshee is a sales and marketing professional with a proven track record of closing crucial deals worth millions. He says that his industry of work has no relation whatsoever with his graduate studies which was in the field of journalism and mass communication.
Working in the field of financial services has allowed him to expand his knowledge in finance as well as understand his own capabilities. ‘I thrive under a collaborative environment where I am able to work cross functionally with different teams and continue to grow as a professional.’
Top achievements
- Successfully pivoting his career from a field of arts to the intriguing world of finance.
- Leading and managing the entire digital sales team of ten people and continually overachieving the targets which lead to companywide recognition.
- Successfully leading a pilot project which was given by the Reserve Bank of India wherein the company was selected as one of five companies to develop and test a product for cross-border transactions, which would enable SMEs to collect payments from abroad. His team managed to hit the required target of $1million within six months.
What attracted you to the MBA programme at Kent Business School and why?
Widely regarded as one of the best MBA programmes in the UK, the Kent full-time MBA will enable me to develop the skills, knowledge, and network to help me achieve my goals. Apart from the core courses, electives such as ‘Strategic Marketing and Communication’ and ‘Business Analytics’ align well with my aspirations. Additionally, the one-on-one sessions with the career coaches will help me develop my soft skills and a strong focus on global exposure through leadership skills expedition, and study trips will give me an opportunity to hone my cultural sensitivity and leadership skills in an international setting.
Furthermore, the field trips within the UK will familiarise me with the current global market and the challenges faced by them. Additionally, the consultancy challenge will provide me with experiential learning and enable me to apply the lessons learned in class to solve real-world problems at a client organisation. I’m keen to learn management best practices from guest speakers and the distinguished faculty. I also look forward to tapping into the university’s vast alumni network for support and guidance in the future.
Finally, the picturesque location and excellent infrastructure will ensure that I have a transformative experience. In summary, exposure to a truly international learning experience with world-class faculty, a robust curriculum, and a diverse peer group makes KBS my dream business school.
What are your motivations for undertaking an MBA
Having gained a deeper understanding of the trends, opportunities, and challenges in the industry, I’ve worked in myriad market segments – small, mid-market and big enterprises – and understood the nuances of salesmanship, business development and account management. While these experiences were intellectually stimulating and challenging, they have reinforced the need to look at the company holistically, beyond the narrow lens of lead conversion, to rise through the ranks and take on greater responsibilities.
What are your future aspirations?
As the next step in my professional journey, owing to a strong interest in sales strategy and client engagement, I want to work as a consultant responsible for growing the top line by consulting marquee customers, undertaking business expansion efforts, and helping the organisation establish a dominant market position. Building on this experience, I see myself as a partner at a consultancy firm with P&L ownership in the long term, driving business strategy and paving the path for sustained growth.
What is your best advice for those wanting to progress in business?
Create a sustainable and learning environment for your employees for them to grow as individuals as well as professionals. Focus on your customers since they are your bread and butter, listen to their pain points and tailor your offerings around that.
“Without leaps of imagination or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.”
– Gloria Steinem