"Be agile and be flexible to changes" - Yashvardhan Kher

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1. Tell us more about your journey.

It’s a very long road travelled and I have a longer road to travel. My experiences both in my current role and previously has been very enriching. By qualification I am an MBA from IE Business School in Madrid, Spain. It is probably the most intensive 1 year program globally and can say without doubt that it was a turning point in my professional life. 

Before my MBA, I was a regular B.Com (Hons) student from North Campus, Delhi University who had no idea as to what I would want to pursue as a career. Most people who pursue an undergraduate course in Commerce ended taking up Chartered Accountancy, but I in no frame of mind was interested in that path, no offence to the trade. From here on it was more of wherever the wind took me and I flew. Be it from getting the best job on campus as a financial researcher (fancy word for a data mining executive) to taking up the next job as an intern at a sustainable development multi-lateral organisation or as a strategy consultant in the world’s leading climate change consulting firm and to follow up as an entrepreneur helping big corporates to build a green global footprint. In all these diverse experiences, there were two things in common and that was my nature of “being curious” to learn more and mix with people who in their own fields were influencers. This only made the journey more interesting and exciting. 

During my MBA, I got the opportunity to do my summer internship at Flipkart, Bangalore, India. This was the year when Flipkart launched its BBD sale and every floor in the office was like a trading floor with things flying around, people shouting on top of there voice and war-room situations were a normal sight. I learnt a lot and it’s during this time that I got the e-commerce bug.

At Snapdeal, it’s rather been a roller coaster ride and I have been a part of the team in multiple mid to senior positions and the only thing that has been a constant is “change” and the ever “evolving” nature of business. It has truly made me a citizen of the V-U-C-A world.

2. What is the typical role of a business head in any organization?

A business head in the internet or e-commerce space is responsible for the overall health and hygiene of the revenue function in an organization. This includes all planning and execution to drive both top line and profitability metrics while delivering top class customer experience metrics. 

3. What skills does one need to make a career in business management?

In today’s world, which is the V-U-C-A world, it is almost necessary to be well versed in basic skills such as spread sheets and great communication/inter-personal skills. I would stress more so on the softer aspects which are a bit rare to find in today’s times. The first is from a business acumen and interest standpoint. From my experience of just over 10 years in the corporate world, I would think there are 4 pillars to a good future in business management: 

• Solving problems/dealing with ambiguity,
• Be agile and be flexible to changes,
• Managing people – upward management as well as team management,
• Growth Mind-set.

Secondly, it always helps if you have pursued a good MBA program or have been taught by great industry experts and faculty.

4. Could you share some generic tips for lead conversion?

Lead conversion is a by-product of good negotiation between two or more parties. In order to be effective it is important to highlight and ensure that all stakeholders have a win-win outcome. For example, in my world if I understand that some particular business partnership is critical for my growth metrics, first, prior to the dialogue I would do a comprehensive study about the potential partner and then during the conversation try to understand the potential partners business objectives and then make recommendations and joint business plans. Needless to say, servicing and delivering on those plans is the more important part and so it’s always important to be aware of the circumstances and one’s strengths.

5. How can one know if they have a knack for leading business organisation and will enjoy the role?

I think there is no set guide to know this. As a business management professional the only thing one can do is to always aspire to be a better version of them. It is always recommended that we are honest to ourselves and also aware of our strengths and our blind spots.

Like all other roles, the business function also has its lows and highs. Two things that can make the role fun, even during the lows are having a great set of peers/team who are like minded and a great cooling down mechanism (like a coffee break/a walk with your office friend/s etc.)

6. Which is your favourite book and why?

I am not much of a reader but of the few books that I have read there has been one that stood out and had a lasting impact, “Ikigai – The Japanese secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Albert Libermann”. I will tell you why. I must have read this book in early 2019 and at a time when my mind was very chaotic and confused with what I want to do in the future in my professional life. This book clearly talks about the Japanese way of Life among its older population and which has always been about finding a purpose in life and believing in simplicity.

I have always been intrigued by Japanese way of life and it started during my MBA when I had 10-15 Japanese classmates who were just different people from the rest of my peers. If I had to describe them, they were so respectful, always had a soothing calming effect on their face and yet, were crazy party people. Now that is a strange combination.

7. Your message for the youth who are aspiring to be management graduates in the future.

A management degree and a career in business management is just the means to be happy. Don’t let the fun from it get lost. If you realise this earlier in your career, you will enjoy the journey more.

- Yashvardhan Kher

Interview by - Saumya Jaiswal