In conversation with MBA expert Sidharth Balakrishna…

Sidharth Balakrishna, a well-known name in the field of MBA, is an alumnus of IIM Calcutta. He has been an employee of the world's best marketing, management consultancy and energy firms. Mr. Balakrishna has written articles for various reputed publications, and given guest lectures at several MBA and coaching institutes. He has appeared at seminars across the country and has written books like the following, all published by Pearson Education:

• An Introduction to CAT: Tips from an IIM Alumnus
• Reading Comprehension for the CAT: A Winning Approach by an IIM Alumnus
• Case Studies in Marketing (Pearson Case Book series)

In a recent interaction, Mr. Balakrishna, who is also a member of the interview panel to select students at various MBA institutes, shared his experience as well as expertise pertaining to the field of business management.

You’ve been a faculty member, trainer…How has been your experience so far?

I’ve always been passionate about teaching and it’s always a nice thing to interact with students because they keep me updated about the likes and dislikes of the new generation. One of the biggest advantages of teaching is that it gives you the ability to see things from the perspective of students who could be looking at a particular subject differently.

How do you think the MBA scenario has changed in the last 5 years?

I think the change has happened in terms of the rise in options under the field of business management. Today, there are various specializations and students can actually choose the sector they want. Earlier, this wasn’t the case when the options were limited.

So, are you implying that we are in a better place right now?

Absolutely! With multiple specializations today, I think there is a lot that a student can look forward to in the field of MBA. Students have a variety of options that have individual value and scope.

What according to you are the most promising MBA specializations considering the market and requirements?

I think Marketing is an evergreen sector. Apart from that, Insurance Management, Aviation & Energy management are turning out to be the most promsing MBA specializations.

Basis your interaction with students, what according to you do they look for during MBA admissions?

When students apply in MBA colleges, what they particularly look for is the college placement program. However, I would like to suggest that students should also get some information on how well the institute imparts practical knowledge to its students. For instance, they should find out if the college offers them the chance to work on projects with companies as part of their assignments. Moreover, students should get in touch with alumni who should provide them some clarity while choosing a college to study MBA.

Indian MBA institutes vs. Foreign MBA institutes, your thoughts on that?

Foreign MBA institutes believe in holistic development. They believe in fostering entrepreneurship and global skills in students. I think Indian MBA institutes are still catching up with global requirements.

Tell us something about the books you’ve written. Who should read them? Are you working on another one?

The two books ‘An Introduction to CAT: Tips from an IIM Alumnus’ & ‘Reading Comprehension for the CAT: A Winning Approach by an IIM Alumnus’ have been written for students preparing for CAT exam.

The other one ‘Case Studies in Marketing’ is used by MBA institutes like TAPMI, Goa Institute of Management & IILM for teaching students. And yes, I’m working on a new book called ‘Comprehensive Guide to GMAT’.