From Local Leader to Global Connector: a Student’s Take on the Leadership, Learning, and Lifelong Connections of the HEC Paris EMBA

EMBA student Santhosh Ramakrishnan's journey through the HEC Paris Executive MBA program is the kind of story that makes you believe in the power of education to truly change lives. Santhosh, E.25, an intrepid second-generation business leader from India, has a background that reads like a perfect blend of tradition and modernity. With his engineering degree from one of the oldest and top engineering schools in India and a master’s in international business, he’s forging paths and partnerships with the kind of resolve that defines his professional and personal ethos.

Managing a successful joint venture with a venerable 150-year-old French company is no small feat. Yet, Santhosh’s decision to dive into the HEC Paris Executive MBA program wasn’t just about adding another accolade to his name. It was about transformation—about broadening his horizons and enhancing his leadership skills in ways that align perfectly with his global career aspirations.

The HEC Paris EMBA turned out to be a game-changer for Santhosh. The program, with its prestige and its diverse cohort from over 40 countries, and eminently adaptable schedule, was exactly what he needed. With his focus on flexibility, he’s found the September intake’s format with sessions every two months allowed him to balance his responsibilities back home in India while soaking in the intensive learning experiences at HEC Paris.

Still in the thick of his EMBA coursework, Santhosh has capitalized on ample opportunities to apply EMBA lessons to his professional life right away. With mentorship from seasoned leaders and the chance to learn from his experienced peers, he honed his leadership approach. This newfound knowledge enabled him to stand out at significant industry events, like speaking on Industry 4.0 at the Global Investor Meet in Tamil Nadu and serving as a panellist at various business forums.

Santhosh’s selection for the French Indian Young Talent Program by the official bilateral chambre of both the countries exemplifies the transformative impact of the EMBA. Now enmeshed in a circle of global leaders, he helps provide insights into Indo-French business relations and the dynamics of global business. His interactions with Fortune 500 CEOs and other leaders during this program further broaden his understanding and strategic thinking.

Santhosh sat down with us to expand on how the program has broadened his professional network and significantly enhanced his leadership capabilities, making his EMBA journey a truly transformative experience
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What is your current role, and in which ways would an Executive MBA help advance your career?

Santhosh Ramakrishnan: As a determined second-generation business leader, I am committed to lifelong learning. I hold an Engineering degree in Electronics from one of India's oldest and most prestigious colleges and a master’s degree in international business. I am currently furthering my education with an Executive MBA.

My professional passion lies in International Sales & Marketing, Business Analysis, and Joint Venture Development. Over the past decade, I've travelled to over 20 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and China, enriching my experience and perspective. I successfully oversee a longstanding joint venture between my family in India and Precia Molen, a distinguished 150-year-old French company in the weighing industry.

The weighing industry serves a variety of sectors, providing me with the opportunity to establish relationships with over 6000 customers from diverse industries in India, MEEA and SEA.

Our family-run JV operation in India is a zero-debt entity with industry leading profitability. In recognition of our excellence, we received the title of best SME in 2023 from the Indo French Chamber of Commerce, an honour presented by the esteemed Edouard Philippe, former Prime Minister of France. We dedicate this honour to our long-standing partner Madame Anne Marie Escharavil – Chairwoman of Precia SA and the senior management teams of France and India.

I am focused on leveraging these successes and connections to initiate new joint ventures with European companies in India, in collaboration and agreement with our existing partners, aiming to elevate our collaborative legacy to new heights. Our family also has a family office/holding in India which will be an investment company focused on the growing Indian domestic market. I am dedicated to ensuring that technology bridges socio-economic divides, fostering development in Asia’s emerging nations.

The HEC EMBA has been a gateway to networking with a diverse array of professionals globally, supported by one of the strongest alumni networks and numerous support groups and clubs.

Beyond my business endeavours, I serve as a trustee for a family trust’s non-profit organization, committed to enhancing education, healthcare, and infrastructure for the underprivileged. I am driven by the conviction that education is fundamental to achieving social equity, and I uphold the belief that serving humanity is serving a greater purpose.

Describe the thought process that led to your deciding to pursue an Executive MBA. How did HEC Paris distinguish itself during your decision-making process?

SR: I have always had a strong commitment to continuous learning and believe in the importance of continually enhancing our knowledge. Recognizing the need to broaden my professional connections beyond India and develop global networks, I found that my company's decision to sponsor my EMBA perfectly aligned with my ambitions. HEC Paris, celebrated as one of the top business schools for an EMBA by international media, was an ideal choice, especially since it is located in France, where many of my professional partnerships are based. Additionally, HEC is notable for its global EMBA cohort, which includes students from over 40 countries, offering a rich and diverse educational environment.
 

Why did you choose the specific intake within the program, and how did its structure support your ability to balance career, family life, and studies?

SR: I selected the September intake, which calls for attendance on campus at HEC Paris every two months. This schedule is well-suited for me, as it allows me to synchronize my visits to HEC with business trips to my partner company. This arrangement also fits seamlessly with my commitments back in India, enabling me to effectively manage both our business and family responsibilities.
 

In what ways did the program allow you to immediately apply EMBA lessons to challenges at work while you were studying?

SR: I am continuously refining and maturing in many aspects of my professional and personal life with support of the mentorship offered by HEC leaders. Being one of the younger members of my cohort, I have the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from more experienced colleagues. I've been able to apply what I've learned in the EMBA to my everyday life and business interactions. I firmly believe in the principle that "Being fair is more important than being smart," a lesson that has been emphasized in various courses throughout my studies. Recently, I was honoured to speak on Industry 4.0 at the Global Investor Meet in Tamil Nadu, which was organized by the state government. Additionally, I served as a panellist in the selection of the Indo French Business Awards and was a speaker at the sustainability conclave organized by the IFCCI.
 

How has the program contributed to the development of your leadership skills?

SR: I was recently selected to participate in the esteemed French Indian Young Talent Program by the official bilateral chambre of France and India. As one of the ten individuals chosen from both France and India, all under the age of 35, I will be joining a diverse group of professionals to enhance Indo-French business relations.

During the program, I will be mentored by a highly accomplished individual and will have the chance to engage with global CEOs, activists, ministers, and members of parliament from both countries. I am thrilled about the opportunity to spend a week in France and then host my French counterparts in India for a week, as we collaborate on a project addressing globally significant issues.

I have already completed the first part of the program in Paris, where I interacted with global leaders to gain insights into the dynamics of the relationship between India and France. We are now embarking on a project to interview Fortune 500 CEOs to delve into the pressing global challenges they face.
 

How did you tailor your EMBA experience to align with your specific goals and expectations?

To tailor my EMBA experience to align with my specific goals and expectations, I strategically selected courses and opportunities that directly supported my professional and personal growth objectives. Recognizing the necessity to deepen my expertise in areas critical to my role and the broader scope of our family business, I engaged in specialized courses through the Global Network of Advanced Management (GNAM). This included studying Digital Finance at EGADE Business School in Mexico, which enhanced my understanding of the financial technologies impacting our industry, and Behavioural Economics at IIM Bangalore, which helped me better predict and influence customer behaviour.

Additionally, I pursued an optional elective course in Family Entrepreneurship at Stockholm Business School to gain insights into managing and sustaining a family-owned business across generations. This was particularly relevant as it provided practical lessons on balancing tradition with innovation—key to our business’s long-term success.

Further customizing my EMBA, I chose to focus on Finance for my elective at Imperial College London. This decision was driven by the need to understand global financial markets and investment strategies better, aiding in the expansion and diversification of our business.

This exposure to a new country and educational culture not only broadened my professional network but also enriched my perspective, enabling me to apply these insights to foster resilience and growth in our business.

By carefully selecting these courses and experiences, I ensured that every element of my EMBA was a step towards enhancing my leadership capabilities and equipping our business to meet future challenges. This deliberate approach helped make this past year the most successful yet for our business in India, demonstrating the practical benefits of an education that is closely aligned with one’s strategic business goals.
 

What was been the most memorable and valuable experience that followed customizing the program to meet your specific goals?

SR: Our cohort organized a cultural day, where participants dressed in their traditional attire and shared insights about their cultures. This event helped us appreciate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our peers from over 40 countries, fostering lifelong connections within the cohort. Additionally, the situational intelligence workshop, a part of our leadership development coursework, was particularly innovative. In highly confidential groups of four, each participant presented a current professional or business challenge they were facing. We then analysed these issues from various perspectives, listing stakeholders and their benefits, examining the situation through different lenses, and offering solutions to each other. This exercise not only deepened our understanding of complex business scenarios but also enhanced our problem-solving skills by considering multiple viewpoints.