Sunday, Rajat Gupta and Deepak Jain

Finally today, the Mckinsey Rajat Gupta was in campus. So much has been said and heard, today was the day when he decided to come to meet us all for the first time. For a change, the auditorium was buzzing a few minutes before time, not bad my Indian standards... Along with Rajat was Deepak Jain, Dean of kellogg.

Rajat spoke with elan, like the seasoned businessman and consultant that he is. Can you ever answer a question without actually answering it and still make the guy who asked you the question feel as if he has got his answer? If so, you are ready for consultancy... Rajat had some exceptional answers and some exceptional replies for some not so easy questions. But what was impressive was his frank and fair assessment of the global job market, McK's hiring policies and honest views. As he has made many people feel during his career, he was convincing.

Deepak Jain was inspiring. His sheer presence made even my hair stand up. I had read so much about this man and his single handed efforts at getting Kellogg grads placed last year and now he was in front of us, so down to earth and normal. Listening to him speak about his experiences at Kellogg and how they went through the tough US job market... I dont think anyone in the audience blinked... He concluded, "You at ISB have some very good friends at kellogg". That coming from the dean of Kellogg, was a gratifying moment and a confirmation that ISB will become what it aspires to be very soon.

Dipak was to be the dean at ISB. He was lured away by kellogg as they did not want to lose him. At that time, many thought it was a loss for ISB. But today, I got the feeling that what happened was good! He is probably doing ISB great good by the commitment for this school he has drawn from Kellogg.

All in all, a gratifying sunday... as i crash, its back to classes, cases and some reality check...