In today’s fast-changing world, shaped by technological change, environmental challenges, and global uncertainty, transformation is everywhere. Success requires leaders who can drive change and rethink strategies for the future. The MBA program at GEM equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and insights to lead transformational change and make a meaningful impact. To explore this further, we speak with program graduates to understand how well they felt prepared to meet these challenges head-on.
Interview with:
Suhasa Gottumukkala, MBA 2022 Graduate
Product and AI Lead, POSpulse
View the Poets & Quants interview with Suhasa!
What is transformation in your field, and why is it important?
"In today's volatile market and technology landscape, companies must be proactive in predicting and responding to disruptions, while also striving to create disruptions of their own. Transformation in the product world involves changing how the entire business operates to stay ahead of these shifts. It touches everything and connects everyone, forcing the organization to become more strategic, data-driven, and customer-centric.
Imagine a company that's been successful for years but realizes it needs to adapt to stay competitive, especially amidst today's big AI revolution. They decide to bring in a product manager for the first time. The product manager's job is to transform the organization into a vision-driven, product-led company. This involves improving processes, encouraging creative ideation, enhancing collaboration, managing stakeholders and resources, developing strategies, and understanding market trends and customer needs. It also includes crafting vision statements to align the product strategy with the company's overall vision.
The end goal is to make everyone feel accountable for the product, turning them into product managers in their own way—whether they're in sales, marketing, or customer service. This transformation is essential because, as I always say, the product is the true heartbeat of the company and it helps build not just a great product, but one that truly adds value for customers."
How has your MBA impacted your leadership and personal journey?
"The MBA experience has given me a deeper understanding of how organizations think and function, enabling me to create cohesion among different teams. I achieve this through the use of various tools such as frameworks, storytelling, vision statements, and custom prioritization matrices. For example, I used the Business Model Canvas to create a custom Product Strategy Canvas, which helps align all stakeholders. This tool makes it easier to align product strategy across the company by speaking to each team in their own language.
The MBA has also enhanced my interpersonal skills, which are crucial in product management for building consensus among stakeholders and motivating teams. It has even helped me refine my storytelling capabilities, enabling me to communicate complex ideas with greater clarity and impact, fostering genuine alignment across the organization.
Personally, the MBA has taught me how to shift focus quickly and efficiently from the broader picture to the finer details. This ability to zoom in and out has been invaluable in my personal journey, allowing me to make more informed decisions and drive meaningful change."
How did the MBA help you balance innovation with practicality in your job?
"The MBA taught me how to balance innovation with practicality by enabling us to identify the value of innovative ideas and to prioritize them well. This allows me to cut through the noise and concentrate on what's truly important—features that align with the overall product vision and contribute to growth.
I believe the most important aspect of product management is the ability to say "no" effectively. The MBA gave me tools to make these decisions with confidence, gathering sufficient data to support my reasoning and ensure each "no" is data-driven. This approach allows me to prioritize what truly matters while maintaining credibility with stakeholders when declining opportunities that don't add meaningful value."
About the GEM MBA Programs
Discover GEM’s top-ranked MBA, Executive MBA, and Tech EMBA programs, designed to develop leadership, innovation, and global expertise. With flexible formats, international study trips, and strong industry connections—GEM prepares you to fast track your career in the heart of the French Alps.
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