‘The school gave me the analytical rigour required for consulting’

After completing his schooling, he did his BTech and then went on to do a PGDBA with Honours in Information Systems from NMIMS. After working with Wipro Technologies, he went on to do an MBA from a top 10 B-school (Chicago Booth) in the US. Having done two MBAs, his natural choice was Management Consulting, where he could apply his knowledge to solve various business problems.

“For personal reasons, I chose to come back to India and was fortunate enough to get a break in Strategy Consulting with India’s top strategy consulting firm. Since then, I have worked with top management consulting firms like EY, IBM, and PwC and am currently working with Francorp Advisors, a world leader in franchising,” shares Ritvik Kaushik, an alumnus from Apeejay School, Sector 15, Faridabad, in a candid interview, among other things.

What drew you to strategy and finance?

Before Chicago Booth, a poor experience with an Economics teacher at NMIMS made me feel I would never understand the subject. I also believe business schools in India do not emphasise Economics enough. At Chicago Booth, however, I discovered its true potential and fell in love with Microeconomics. Learning from some of the world’s finest minds changed how I viewed the world. I loved how Microeconomics explained human behaviour through scientific, mathematical and logical constructs. It also strengthened my interest in strategy and finance, which came naturally to me.

What does your role as a consultant involve?

Management consulting is about solving business problems. A client has a goal and expects you to develop a strategy to achieve it. This involves stepping into the client’s shoes, understanding the problem, studying the market through macro analysis and examining the business through micro analysis. A great consultant synthesises insights from primary and secondary research and builds on them to create a unique strategy for the client.

What skills does a management consultant need?

A consultant requires strong analytical, logical, research, problem-structuring, storyboarding, solutioning and presentation skills. Communication, client management, empathy, teamwork and leadership are equally important. Once the strategy is approved, the consultant prepares a business plan or financial projections for five to ten years, including the Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Statement and Cash Flow Statement. An NPV analysis is also conducted to assess the project’s viability. This requires financial modelling, Excel, research and forecasting skills.

How did Apeejay shape your career journey?

I joined the school in Class XI and did my 10+2. I took the Science stream (PCM with Computer Science). Learning Science at Apeejay School gave me a scientific bent of mind and the much-needed analytical rigour required for higher studies and consulting.

A fond memory from the school…

I took Taekwondo classes in school in Class XI, always being fascinated by martial arts. I participated in the Delhi Taekwondo championship and was fourth in the placements.

What has been your most rewarding professional experience?

I created a strategy for Indian Oil, India’s largest company by turnover, for entry into forecourt retailing (retail shops on fuel stations) across India’s largest retail network of 16000+ retail stations with a 10-year financial model. It was personally a very satisfying experience, and I got accolades from the Chairman and Director, Marketing, the top two officials of the company.