Thursday, June 26, 2025
Date: 26.06.2025
Time: 11am - 12pm
Venue: Dr. D.Y. Patil B-School, Pune
Resource Person: Mr. Darshan Nandkishore Kapadia
Faculty Coordinator(s): Prof. Riidhi Jain & Dr. Nirbhay Mishra
Class / Division: PGDM Batch (2025-2027), Induction Program
Objective(s)
The session aimed to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world professional expectations, specifically from the perspective of the consulting industry. It was designed to orient the new PGDM and PGDM Global Batch (2025–27) towards the role of consultants in modern business environments and how they can transition effectively from campus to corporate leadership.
Brief Report
A highly insightful corporate session was conducted by Mr. Darshan Nandkishore Kapadia, Co-founder and Managing Director of ABS Consulting, who brought his extensive industry experience to the forefront while addressing the PGDM and PGDM Global Batch 2025–27. The session, titled "From Academic Qualification to Professional Leadership – Consulting Role Perspective," focused on how students can transition from academic learning to impactful professional roles, particularly within the consulting domain. Mr. Kapadia shared his rich insights on the consulting industry, offering a well-rounded view of its structure, evolution, expectations, and opportunities in today’s dynamic business environment.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Consulting and Its Types:
Mr. Kapadia began by defining consulting as a professional service that provides expert advice to businesses and organizations.
He categorized consulting firms into various types: strategy consulting, management consulting, IT/technology consulting, HR consulting, and boutique firms specializing in niche domains.
2. Evolution of the Consulting Industry:
He traced the history of consulting from traditional advisory roles to today's data-driven, tech-enabled strategic functions.
Emphasis was placed on how digital transformation and globalization have reshaped the consulting landscape.
3. Responsibilities of a Consultant:
Mr. Kapadia detailed key roles played by consultants: problem identification, data analysis, solution design, implementation support, and change management.
He stressed on the importance of client communication and maintaining objectivity in problem-solving.
4. Skills and Traits Required:
The session outlined core competencies needed to succeed as a consultant:
Analytical thinking
Communication and interpersonal skills
Project management
Adaptability and learning agility
Business acumen and strategic thinking
5. Case Studies:
Real-life consulting assignments were discussed to demonstrate the practical application of consulting frameworks.
These case studies helped students understand how consultants create value for organizations across sectors.
6. Pros and Cons of a Consulting Career:
Pros: Dynamic work environment, exposure to diverse industries, fast learning curve, high earning potential.
Cons: Demanding work hours, frequent travel, work-life balance challenges, pressure to deliver consistent results.
Conclusion:
The session was informative, insightful, and well-received by students. Mr. Kapadia’s industry experience and case-based approach offered a practical view into the world of consulting, encouraging students to develop the right mindset, skills, and adaptability for consulting and other professional roles.
It successfully laid a strong foundation for the students to understand how their academic learning can be translated into impactful business contributions through a consulting lens.