Why Most MBA Students Think About Careers the Wrong Way

What does it really take to build a successful career after an MBA? In this conversation, Gagandeep Kalsi (VP – Décor, Strategy & New Businesses, Asian Paints) and Hersh Kankare (AGM – Supply Chain, Asian Paints) share lessons from more than three decades of combined experience at one of India's most admired companies. From sales and marketing to supply chain, leadership, failure, and business strategy, this discussion offers practical insights that go far beyond textbooks. In this conversation, you'll learn: • Why marketing is much more than advertising • Sales vs Marketing: why it's the wrong debate • How business leaders and CEOs are built • Why failure is essential for growth and innovation • What makes Asian Paints' supply chain world-class • Why customer understanding matters more than functional expertise • How Asian Paints evolved from a paint company into a home décor powerhouse • Why thinking like a business head matters more than chasing job titles • The importance of sales exposure, ownership, and cross-functional learning Speakers: 🔷 Gagandeep Kalsi VP – Décor, Strategy & New Businesses, Asian Paints IIM Kozhikode '06 | LEAP Trainee 🔷 Hersh Kankare AGM – Supply Chain, Asian Paints IIM Kozhikode '13 | IMPRINTS Intern & LEAP Trainee