Undergraduate / "...If we were to admit one more student, why you?" - ISB admission essay [3]

Q. If we were to admit one more student to the class of 2012, make a compelling argument as to why that student should be you? (300 words max)

A. I love to try and implement new ideas. Be it packing my bags and go on a weekend trekking trip or joining swimming and guitar classes, I always seek and relish the tiniest opportunity to learn and upgrade myself with something new. This never quenching thirst for 'doing something new'(can we replace with - 'trying novel ideas'). keeps me prompt and innovative. I influence my environment with my ingenuity and inquisitiveness that exemplified in my team member coming up once with, an otherwise subtle, process improvement idea of mandatory duplex printing on network printers to save paper.

Professionally, I rate myself quite high on analytical ability, quantitative aptitude and technical prowess, but the qualities that uniquely set me apart are my leadership attributes, inter-personal skills and 'go-getter' attitude.

My leadership has always inspired team to go beyond the obvious and achieve the goals. In Oct-Nov 2007, at the time of sustained pressures to improve throughput, I motivated and led my 'Small Tactical CR' team, working for GE. to emerge as the winners with delivery of an overwhelming 22 Change Requests. My GE manager, sponsored dinner for whole team, appreciating my leadership, and termed our team as one of the most gelled and motivated teams he had ever worked with.

In Aug 2008, I got an opportunity at TCS to manage Data Center Move project for GE. Executed from USA, UK, Europe and India, this project had 2 major challenges - ensuring thorough communication and building sense of trust and support among the members of this 'virtual team'. Pressures of demanding requirements and stringent timelines sometimes even resulted into serious altercations among team members. Eventually, we successfully achieved on-time project delivery. GE awarded me an 'Appreciation Certificate', commending my contributions towards maintaining team's cohesiveness, in spite of all the challenges.

My further professional stints, while working in 3 different countries, enhanced my skills related to leadership and multicultural & multinational environments, which I can leverage through ISB International Club, and benefit my class. I strongly believe that with my experience, skills and attitude, I would be an asset to the next class of ISB

Q2. What are your short term and long term goals? How will the ISB help you achieve the same?

A. In the short run I see myself working as a Senior Associate in consulting firms like McKinsey & Company, BCG and KPMG. Here I will be responsible for handling mid-sized portfolios in the technology services realm across Asian or European geographies. The core of my work will revolve around partnering with my clients and enabling them to explore new business opportunities, make strategic decisions and develop solutions that deliver on their goals. Learning gained in this tenure will enable me to achieve my long-term goal - to establish a venture capital firm, where, I will evaluate, fund, incubate and grow small technology companies in the emerging economies. In this position as an "entrepreneur behind entrepreneurs" I will work towards developing nascent business opportunities in the technology space. As a member on the board of these portfolio companies I will shape the "Googles" and "Apples" of tomorrow.

In my career, I have acquired technical know-how to evaluate ideas and solve problems, hands-on experience in creating and managing businesses, and the gut to critically analyze a business opportunity. However, there still are gaps in my business training that prevent me from reaching to the next stage. ISB's focus on emerging economies and its strong alliances with industry leaders across the globe will foster realization of my long term goals with a strong foundation in management, business knowledge and industry relations. Hands-on experience in consulting-projects and various Leadership development opportunities through 'Leadership Development Programme' (LDP) and 'Entrepreneurship & VC Club' will provide me necessary business acumen and abilities to become a better consultant and an efficient leader, leading culturally diverse teams in most challenging environments. Electives, in the concentrations of Entrepreneurship and Information & Technology Management will help me handle my post-MBA positions with efficacy, and will ensure a prompt growth towards my goals.

Undergraduate / How to improve essay on aditional information for Indian School of Business? [5]

Please help me with the evaluation of following essay:
Q. Please provide additional information, that will significantly affect the consideration of your application to the ISB. (300 words max)
A.
I strongly believe, person's values define his deeds and consequently shape his whole personality. These values even guide him towards right and ethical decisions when he is in immense pressure in his professional and/or personal life. I consider myself an ever optimist, who is driven by his deep rooted values. Two things moved me the most since childhood - mother nature and education for all.

I still have vivid memories of watering plants every morning as a little child that developed a strong bondage with the beautiful life in flora and fauna around us. My continuous efforts to be close to environment resulted in regular trekking trips, adventurous journey to the 'Corbett National Park' and donating funds to various NGO's working for environment. I also got registered to 'Greenpeace India' that helped me be up-to-date with the latest on environment around us. But for an enthusiast like I am, all these activities were at best a passive participation. Finally in Dec 2009, I broke shackles of my ever demanding professional and personal commitments and joined newly found 'TCS Maitree - Ecology Club' as a volunteer. Teaming up with small but driven group of like minded nature enthusiasts, I found the 'way of living' for me. We took several initiatives such as 'Juhu Beach Cleanup after Ganpati Visarjan', cleanup activities in Sanjay Gandhi National Park on 'Earth Day - 24th April', and Ghatkopar Railway Station cleanup program on 'World Environment Day'. In addition to this, we also took regular sessions with school children and their teachers to spread awareness about environment and potential threats to it, at the grass root levels. Now that the group is evolving ever so fast, I took up leadership roles to guide budding volunteers across there activities. Working for the environment lets me live my values and beliefs, that provide me immense satisfaction as an individual.

Another thing, that I was passionate about since long, was to open schools in small towns of India for children from poor financial backgrounds. My idea was a bit different from the usual charitable free education institutes. I wanted to setup a process within schools that ensures children not only learn the theory of academics but also appreciate practical skills of an entrepreneur. These champions of their own destiny, when they grow up, will ensure a sustained growth for their community and hence the nation. unable to realize this dream because of my full time professional commitments, I spoke to my sister regarding this idea. She took it with both hands we agreed to start the school in Gangapur City (Rajasthan), a small town where she lives. Finally at the start of this academic year 'First Step' - a primary school, fulfilled my dream with 70 students. Despite of my limited availability, I could contribute towards the concept, planning, finance and people convincing aspects. As of now this school is offering quality education with half the regular fee. I have engaged a few local NGO's to provide remaining financial help in exchange to school working for their causes related to environment, education and social awareness etc.