Rajesh Mani
Class of 2006

Previous Occupation: Entrepreneur
Present Occupation: Channel Head - Retail, Consumer Cards, American Express
Sector:  Banking
Work Experience:  13 years
Personal Interests:  Cooking, Reading, Movies, Fitness

The Entrepreneurial Bug

After his graduation, Rajesh Mani started his career in Sales with Johnson and Johnson. “I was with them for a year when the entrepreneurial bug bit me, and I quit my job to start my own business venture.” It was then that an enthusiastic Mani laid the ground for a BPO operation which managed both inbound and outbound calls for the medical insurance business for Citibank credit card holders. The business, which began in Chennai, expanded to Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Calcutta, and Hyderabad over a period of 9 years and had more than 500 people on its rolls.

He was successful in laying the foundations of a business, and in undertaking efforts for systematic expansion. Very soon he realised that he was looking for a larger canvas to bring his ideas to fruition. For this, he needed the formal framework that only a management degree could give. “My eyes fell on the ISB as it was the best and only institution that met all my needs and promised me the learning that I was looking for and more.”

The 360 degree Learning Experience

For Mani the learning experience was in more ways than one, since he believes the ISB is much more than just a school imparting education in business management. “The learning at the ISB is not simply a 180 degree, but a 360 degree experience, that builds the entrepreneur, the manager, the team player, the leader, the strategist, as well as the learner within you.”

The diversity of his peer group also made his experience very fulfilling. “My experience as the GSB president of the Class of 2006 was one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences I have had in life. The fact that I was leading a fabulous team of talented peers, from whom I had much to learn myself, gave me a fresh perspective to leadership.”

The same multifaceted talent he felt was visible in the faculty pool of the School. According to him its strength lies in the way it harnesses practical aspects of business management by tapping an active faculty in the market itself.

The ISB Advantage

Mani believes that experience is a powerful teacher and that the ISB has helped shape and polish the skills that were there in him but required finishing touches, and discover those latent skills that he was unaware of. Immediately after ISB, he joined ITC, where he was heading the retail business for Andhra Pradesh. This role was very strategic in nature, and encompassed all aspects of the business right from operations and personnel-management to sales and marketing. “From this generalist role, I looked to step into specialist shoes, and this opportunity came to me in the form of the current role in American Express. Here I manage an operation that is more exclusive and intensive in nature.”

Recalling his most cherished memories of the ISB Mani says, “Personally I take back from ISB bonds that I know can never be replaced. I have had the opportunity of finding friends not only among my peer group, but also among my faculty members, who can be approached at any time, whether one is a student or an alumnus.”