From Joint Family Values to Global Business Insights with Professor Rama Ramakrishnan
The Indianness Podcast | Insights from Indian Business Leaders, Indian Founders & High-Performing Indian AmericansShow Notes
On this episode, I am joined by Professor Rama Ramakrishnan, a seasoned academic and advisor with a history in the corporate and academic worlds. He shares his unique journey and insights. Currently serving as a Professor of Practice at the Sloan School of Management, MIT, Rama also has experience from his tenure at Salesforce and various startups.
Key Takeaways:
(02:09) The influence of Rama’s early life in Tamil Nadu, family background and upbringing. (04:07) The pivotal role of education in his family. (07:22) The importance reading played in shaping his intellectual curiosity. (12:51) Shifting from the traditional joint family setup to urban education in Chennai. (16:47) The decision-making process behind pursuing engineering. (18:06) His journey to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras. (19:43) Exploring the realms of operations research. (21:26) The realization of his passion for mathematical thinking and communication. (29:45) Transitioning from academia to the business world. (33:21) His tenure at McKinsey and the drive toward entrepreneurship. (40:00) Reflections on professional growth and the value of diverse experiences. (45:46) Finding satisfaction in pursuing new avenues of learning. (51:29) The role luck plays in success. (57:47) Finding inspiration in the experiences of other professionals.
Resources Mentioned:
Professor Rama Ramakrishnan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramar/ Sloan School of Management, MIT - https://mitsloan.mit.edu/ Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras - https://www.iitm.ac.in/ McKinsey & Company - https://www.mckinsey.com/
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