From Joint Family Values to Global Business Insights with Professor Rama Ramakrishnan
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:
Sloan School of Management, MIT
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
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