Some
people leave a lifelong impact in your life. Sometimes it takes a lifetime to
get in touch with someone like that, and sometimes if you are lucky you
encounter such people at an early stage of your life/ career. I was fortunate
enough to come across someone with sea of experience who left an astounding
impact in my life. Let’s Talk Life with Mr. V.P Kamath where he talks about his
early life, struggle and his passion for life
·
Kindly tell us something about yourself?
I was born in a family with very humble
beginnings, me being the youngest amongst four brothers. My dad was the only
earning member and eight people were dependent on him, including my aunt and
her two daughters. While we had only basic essentials – food & clothing, we
were brought up with high value systems (ingrained till date). We all went to
the same school- Victoria High School in Mahim, Mumbai. After which I studied
at Ruia and K.J.Somaiya College (both Mumbai) for my graduation and
post-graduation in Microbiology. I then went on to complete my Masters in
Management, majoring in Marketing. While I like to always help others, I hate
lies and injustice done by anyone.
·
What are you currently
doing professionally?
Currently I am associated with a Healthcare
service delivery start-up as their Group COO, overseeing General Management of
all locations Pan –India. I also sit
on several Boards of reputed Healthcare Companies.
·
What made you choose this career?
When I was young, like most parents at that
time, they wanted to be a Doctor. However as I did’nt get the requisite marks
for admission into a Medical College, pursued my masters in an applied sciences
stream. As I had a proclivity for the Healthcare Industry, chose that as a
career option and extremely happy about it.
·
Tell us about your journey as a corporate
honcho and a teacher?
Like all Management students, I too joined as
a Management Trainee and choosing to involve myself in cross-functional
fields over the past two decades saw me rise swiftly in positions of increasing
responsibility. I have handled various assignments in the areas of General
Management, Operations, Marketing, Sales, Strategic Planning, Business
Development & Healthcare Communications.
My
teaching journey began with TISS, where I used to teach Marketing Management to
their MA( PM & IR) course. As I love to share my knowledge with
professionals and students, even today am a visiting faculty member at
I.I.M.-Ranchi, MET & NMITD, Mumbai. A sought after speaker and presenter in
business forums, seminars and conferences across the world, I have delivered
several lectures including Healthcare World Asia and Management Institutes such
as I.I.M., Bangalore, NMIMS University, TISS, Chetana, Lala Lajpatrai, IES,
Mumbai, Symbiosis Institute, Pune,Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania Institute, Kanpur and
Jaipuria Institute of Management, Lucknow. I am also on the Steering Committee
of Goa Institute of Management, Goa.
·
What motivated you to teach?
My dad though had studied only upto Grade IV, knew
the importance of education then and gave all of us the highest education. He
used to always tell us that he had a desire to study, but did’nt have the
resources to continue beyond Grade IV. He was instrumental in my choosing
teaching as my part time and holiday’s commitment so as to give back a little
to Society.
·
You are one of the most popular professor
amongst your students what is the reason behind that?
Maybe because of my being affable, students
find me easy to connect. Also, I always correlate my student days and conduct
sessions in a simple, lucid way giving ample real time examples in a manner
which they find interesting and easy to comprehend.
·
Apart from being a
corporate professional and a teacher, what do you do in your past
time?
I spend time with my family and love
socializing with my friends. At home, love to listen to some good music while
sipping my Single Malt.
·
Perks of choosing your career?
I am glad to have chosen healthcare as my
domain and teaching as my hobby. For my contributions to both fields, have
received several accolades including the ‘Bharat Excellence Award’ and
‘Rashtrya Jewel Award’.
·
Challenges that you faced during your journey?
How did you overcome them?
Challenges are part of both – professional as
well as personal lives. Whenever I have come across a problem, have analyzed
and arrived at solutions and carried on in life.
·
How many years does it take for one to be a professional
in their respective field?
There is no fixed number, depends on how fast
you imbibe the qualities required and follow the tenets to be perceived by
others as a professional.
·
What was your 'Nothing is Impossible moment'?
Being a part of final jury for the ‘ET Now
Telecom Awards’.
·
Lastly what advice would you give to the
aspiring student who want to make their mark in their respective field?
Be focused and have a time-bound goal, then passionately
pursue your goals with a chronic hunger for success.
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