Nitin Jain

(IBS Pune ’00)

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family

I am working as Assistant Consultant with Tata Consultancy Services and am based in Danbury, CT, US at the client location of GE Commercial Finance. Have been married for five years and have a three and a half year old daughter, Dhruvi.

2. How has your career progressed after passing out of IBS?

After completing B.E in Production engineering from Mumbai University & working for 2 years with Godrej & Crompton Greaves, joining IBS for MBA & CFA programs was the right career move for me. The great learning environment, excellent faculty and con-temporary courseware strengthened
my foundation, enabling me to excel in the challenging corporate world. Post- IBS, I got the opportunity to work with eQ-Technolgic (An offshore partner of UGS Corp. US) and TCS (World-leading information technology consulting firm) and was able to grow in the corporate ladder as per my expectations. After performing various roles in India, including that of the Project Manager, I am currently working as the Lead Business Analyst in U S A

3. What motivated you to explore career opportunities in foreign land?

In today’s global village, a global perspective and experience is a must. My decision to venture out was motivated by the desire to widen my perspective and broaden my sphere of experience.

4. What is your vision of a perfect life?

A life with the personal & professional front perfectly balanced; a life where all the fellow & family members are happy- that’s my vision of a perfect life.

4 How do you relax/ de-stress yourself in today’s competitive world?

By meditating and playing with my daughter.

5.What has been your biggest lesson so far in life?

Be patient and give it your best, the results would come automatically.

6. Who is your ideal and why?

Narayan Murthy - (Founder, Infosys), for his simplicity, honesty and great professional achievements.

7. What are your views on the IT industry?

The IT industry is a great opportunity for India to make a global impression. So far our performance has been good, but we need to innovate in order to remain ahead in the game.

8. How connected are you with your friends/ batch mates at IBS?

Quite well connected, mainly through email & Chat

9. What is your advice to fellow alumni who are embarking upon their careers?

My advice to them is to give it their best shot and be patient. If you think big and plan ahead, then nothing is impossible.

Jose Paul Martin

(IBS Chennai '02)

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your family

I hail from Kochi, the trade hub of Kerala, though we have settled in the princely state of Travancore (known as Trivandrum today).I was Born in India, spent the early years of my life in U.K and then shifted to Bahrain where am presently living with my wife.

2. What have been the major milestones of your life since you passed out      of IBS?

Prior to studying at IBS, I was with Merrill Lynch International Bank in Bahrain. Post IBS, I was fortunate to land myself in Arthur Andersen. However, the company merged with Ernst & Young as a result of the Enron issue. For the next two years, I spent my time oscillating between E&Y Bahrain and E&Y India (Technopark) to help setup an Offshore Development Centre for E&Y in India. Having successfully completed my assignment, I went on to join BDO Bahrain, a management consulting firm, doing consultancy for investment banks and national governments. Currently, my rollercoaster career has taken me to Venture Capital Bank in Bahrain, a niche private equity firm that focuses on small & medium sized enterprises.

3.What motivated you to explore career opportunities in foreign land?

Quality of life, the chance to mingle with a more international/cosmopolitan group of people and of course, without doubt, money. (Though India seems to be a bigger attraction right now!)

4. What is it that you like about Shanghai/ China and what is it that you miss about India?

Sorry, never visited China. But if you are asking for my viewpoint… we (India) are way ahead of China. The only thing left for us to spin ahead is a pro-active government intent on building our country’s infrastructure.

5. What is your vision of a perfect life?

Tough question! Though I guess a life of peace, and I mean true peace… not just sitting on a beach in Hawaii sipping a margarita.

6. How do you relax/ de-stress yourself in today’s competitive world?

Occasionally go to a good spa. Travel to a new place (not India… its pretty stressful as it is!) and sometimes just laze and chill out at home with my wife.

7. What has been your biggest lesson so far in life?

I was supposed to become a doctor-- didn’t because was afraid of the long hours and hard work. Things have changed now. I’ve realized that in today’s world… if you want to be successful you have to keep improving yourself, learning new skills, and
keeping up-to-date on the latest happenings/trends/knowledge. I read and spend many hours learning about new industries, business models etc… In fact I’m probably working harder and longer than I would have as a doctor.

8. Who is your ideal and why?

Sounds crazy… but Jesus Christ. Radical in his approach… human, yet divine. Trying to live the way he did is ultimate.

9. What are your views on Private Equity industry in Bahrain and worldwide? Are their any best practices that you want to share with Indian professionals?

PE of late has been maturing, not just in Bahrain but also in the GCC and MENA region. Worldwide, well from a cottage industry to a global professional and money laden environment– PE & VC has come a long way. I am happy to see a lot of PE firms sprouting in India and heating the environment. Will PE & VC firms continue to
dominate the world of finance… well I think so. I think you’ll have to save my views on PE for a separate article altogether. What best practices… hmm… they change every day.

10. How connected are you with your friends/ batch mates at IBS?

Fortunately in my case, I have a close buddy (Madhan G) who keeps me informed (and shares great ideas) of what’s happening back at home in India and IBS.

11. What is your advice to fellow alumni who are embarking on their careers?

Be prepared to drop every preconceived notion that you know everything. Let’s face it. You cannot expect to be the VP of some operations when u just pop out of college.
Use your knowledge, but never fail to learn more. And finally – be humble!