Looking Back and Looking Ahead
An Interview with IDFC CEO and GSB Alum, Luis Miranda
Barbara L. Passy, '07
Issue date: 9/28/06 Section: GSB Life
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Luis Miranda, CEO of IDFC Private Equity in Mumbai, took some time out of his busy schedule to reflect on the meaning of his time at the GSB. He examines the tradeoffs of career and personal life and reflects on the value of friendship.
What does the GSB mean to you in retrospect?
I enjoyed my 2 years at the GSB - had some great professors (who have remained friends over the years), met some of my closest friends and was fortunate to be involved in starting LEAD. What has surprised me the most over the past year or so is the depth of the Alumni network. I have met alumni across the world, where we discovered the GSB connection only after meeting up, and some of these meetings helped me in my business tremendously.
What are the big questions that students should be concerned about right now?
The big questions should relate to the courses to be taken at the GSB and what should one do after the GSB - "Do I take the tried and tested path or do I try something different?" I took some tough courses, like Fama's ball-buster, and also some off-the-path ones like Marvin Zonis' economics and politics class and Allan Bloom's class on relationships (at the Committee on Social Thought). After the GSB I came straight back to India, when it was not fashionable to do so, and life has been one big adventure after that.
How important is the first job?
It is important since it is the first post-MBA job on your resume. Most of my classmates have changed jobs at least twice after their MBA. This also means that your first job does not necessarily determine what you do for the rest of your life. As long as you have confidence in yourself and are learning something from your job, you should not worry too much about it.
What is the right tradeoff between personal and professional life?
I don't know if I have the right answer. I was in a situation 6 years back where life was very comfortable at a bank that I helped start. The share price was doing well and I got to spend a lot of time with the kids. I decided to become a venture capitalist and the life style went out of the window. I quickly changed firms and now have more control over my time. It is important to place the bar properly in life - know how much time you want to spend at work making money and at home with the family. There is no right answer and it is a personal choice. Even though I spend a lot of time with the kids and my wife, I don't know if that is enough.
What skills are most valuable in the workplace?
Dealing with people - that is key! I presume that a GSB graduate is smart and has the basic tools when she or he graduates.
How about India for a destination for graduates?
A great place to work in - frustrating and exciting. Life-style can be great and I have met many expats who have said that their stint in India was their best. However, compensation levels are not as high as in other parts of Asia and that is a deterrent for someone with a lot of debt on their books. But the opportunities are fantastic. Note, however, that there are many good, smart, highly-motivated Indians being churned out of local b-schools - so competition is tough.
What does the GSB mean to you in retrospect?
I enjoyed my 2 years at the GSB - had some great professors (who have remained friends over the years), met some of my closest friends and was fortunate to be involved in starting LEAD. What has surprised me the most over the past year or so is the depth of the Alumni network. I have met alumni across the world, where we discovered the GSB connection only after meeting up, and some of these meetings helped me in my business tremendously.
What are the big questions that students should be concerned about right now?
The big questions should relate to the courses to be taken at the GSB and what should one do after the GSB - "Do I take the tried and tested path or do I try something different?" I took some tough courses, like Fama's ball-buster, and also some off-the-path ones like Marvin Zonis' economics and politics class and Allan Bloom's class on relationships (at the Committee on Social Thought). After the GSB I came straight back to India, when it was not fashionable to do so, and life has been one big adventure after that.
How important is the first job?
It is important since it is the first post-MBA job on your resume. Most of my classmates have changed jobs at least twice after their MBA. This also means that your first job does not necessarily determine what you do for the rest of your life. As long as you have confidence in yourself and are learning something from your job, you should not worry too much about it.
What is the right tradeoff between personal and professional life?
I don't know if I have the right answer. I was in a situation 6 years back where life was very comfortable at a bank that I helped start. The share price was doing well and I got to spend a lot of time with the kids. I decided to become a venture capitalist and the life style went out of the window. I quickly changed firms and now have more control over my time. It is important to place the bar properly in life - know how much time you want to spend at work making money and at home with the family. There is no right answer and it is a personal choice. Even though I spend a lot of time with the kids and my wife, I don't know if that is enough.
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What skills are most valuable in the workplace?
Dealing with people - that is key! I presume that a GSB graduate is smart and has the basic tools when she or he graduates.
How about India for a destination for graduates?
A great place to work in - frustrating and exciting. Life-style can be great and I have met many expats who have said that their stint in India was their best. However, compensation levels are not as high as in other parts of Asia and that is a deterrent for someone with a lot of debt on their books. But the opportunities are fantastic. Note, however, that there are many good, smart, highly-motivated Indians being churned out of local b-schools - so competition is tough.
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