VIVEKANAND PGDM ALUMNI REVIEW – Mr. KARTHIK MENON EXCELLING IN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Karthik Menon (PGDM – Batch of 2016–18) is carving his path as a Deputy Manager in Business Development at Infibeam Avenues. In Karthik’s own words, his journey shows how his experiences at Vivekanand shaped his professional outlook, the skills required to thrive in business development, and his advice for students aspiring to build a career in sales and client engagement.

Here’s what Karthik had to share about his professional journey and learnings along the way.

1. Can you describe your day-to-day responsibilities as a Deputy Manager in Business Development at Infibeam Avenues?
In my current role, a large part of my day revolves around coordinating with banks to generate and nurture leads. This means regularly engaging with their teams, understanding their requirements, and presenting tailored solutions that align with their business objectives. I work closely with internal teams as well, sharing proposals, conducting research, and preparing detailed presentations. Another important responsibility is identifying weak points in the client’s existing processes and demonstrating how our solutions can add real value. Every day requires a mix of communication, analysis, and persistence to ensure that the leads not only convert but also turn into long-term partnerships.

2. What skills do you think are essential for someone aspiring to succeed in business development?
Patience is perhaps the most underrated yet essential quality in business development. Deals don’t happen overnight, and it often takes multiple discussions, follow-ups, and negotiations before a client is ready to commit. Alongside patience, the ability to follow up consistently without being pushy is critical. Many times, opportunities are lost simply because someone didn’t check back at the right time. Finally, a practical and solution-oriented mindset is crucial. Business development professionals must be able to listen carefully, understand the real problem behind a client’s needs, and propose workable solutions rather than just selling for the sake of selling.

3. How did the skills or experiences from your time at Vivekanand help you navigate challenges in your business development role?
My time pursuing PGDM at Vivekanand played a significant role in shaping my professional approach. The rigorous curriculum and interactive pedagogy exposed me to real-world business situations where quick thinking and problem-solving were key. Group projects and case studies taught me how to analyze challenges from multiple perspectives, which directly translates into identifying practical issues clients encounter in my current role.

Additionally, the emphasis on presentations and class discussions improved my communication skills and gave me the confidence to interact with senior professionals during negotiations. Networking opportunities at Vivekanand also helped me understand the value of building relationships, something that lies at the heart of business development. Beyond academics, the culture at Vivekanand encouraged resilience, which helps me handle rejections constructively and stay motivated even when a deal takes longer to close.

4. What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career in business development or sales?
The first and most important piece of advice I would give is: learn to accept the word “No.” In business development and sales, rejections are part of the process, and taking them personally only slows you down. Instead, see every “No” as feedback and an opportunity to refine your pitch, improve your product knowledge, or revisit your approach. At the same time, invest in building strong interpersonal skills. Business development is not just about numbers; it’s about people and relationships. The more you focus on understanding client needs and offering genuine solutions, the easier it becomes to build trust. Finally, stay curious and adaptable as industries evolve, technologies change, and client expectations shift. Those who continuously learn and adjust are the ones who sustain long-term success in this field.