D.

Cite at least one example of when your leadership had an impact on or changed a certain
situation, and justify how an IE Masters Degree program would help you to strengthen or
improve this competence.

My Response

I moved to China as a Trading Assistant to Equities and Derivatives Business at Morgan
Stanley in 2012. Prior to that I was working as a Technology Analyst developing Financial
Reporting applications.

Currently I am Trading Assistant to Equities and Derivatives Business at Morgan Stanley,
China. Prior to this I was working as a Technology Analyst developing Financial Reporting
applications in JP Morgan India for a xyz year and then shifted to HK.


Finance Industry is changing quickly and regulations are getting more stringent every day. Our
focus revolves around maintaining the firms reputation and dignity by adhering to various
regulations.

Coming from technology background, I had no prior knowledge of finance jargons and on top of
that, various market regulations. I put in significant effort and in brief amount of time made
myself adept with its nitty-grittys. Soon, I involved myself with one such regulatory control
for Short Selling.

Coming from technology background, I had no prior knowledge of finance jargons and on top of
that, various market regulations was a significant ask. I put in significant effort and in brief
amount of time made myself adept with its nitty-grittys and get involved myself with one such
regulatory control for Short Selling.


I, from Operations Team, along with representatives from Compliance and Technology,
analysed our internal control process and realised the lack of efficient Short Selling controls. We
discussed ideas both from Short and Long term perspective and prepared different streamlined
workflows. For short-term, we proposed to have a reactive measure, i.e. identify control
breaches on same day and take remedial action. Strategically, we discussed
on proactive controls to prevent breaches in real time. Both ideas were discussed thoroughly
and presented to bigger audience.

I immediately started focusing on Short Term implementation and put daily controls in place.
Initially the process took significant man hours. I leveraged upon my technology skills, and
discussed with Tech teams to provide operational efficiency. Time spent daily, then reduced to
15-20 mins, and added huge efficiency to the process.

Initially developed for China, the process was soon adopted for Korea Business as well. I
conducted multiple sessions across Trading and Operations teams to brief them on Short
Selling, regulatory requirements and firms new control measures. Completed in mid 2013, the
process is highly acknowledged across the business.

The project was a big success, but as my first lead role there are few things which I would
improve such as management skills and strategic thinking. Alongside, while discussing with
Senior management in Trading business, its always beneficial to know the nuances of Finance
to make a sound impact.

IE Business School provides the right platform to develop and hone my leadership qualities
while getting a deep dive into Finance industry. The School is well known for its international
diversity. People from different backgrounds bring multitudes of knowledge. Working with them
will give further insight and better understanding of businesses across the world. This will be a
great opportunity to understand the essentials required to execute businesses anywhere. While
working on various projects, I felt the necessity of the key soft skills required to lead a group and
deliver the right message. With IEs innovative Leadership Labs, I expect to enhance my soft
skills and leadership abilities to make a positive influence on people around me.

In any industry, how ideas are presented and marketed make a sound impact. At IE, I would be
interested in courses such as Marketing Management to focus on product and brand
management and learn how to channel and promote right idea to the stakeholders.

At IE, the unique combination of MBA and Masters in Advanced Finance will provide the right
platform to take a step further and embark my career into Investment Banking. At current
junction of my career, I am highly interested to move ahead into Sales and Trading role in a
renowned Investment Bank. With courses varying from Financial Engineering to Derivative
Products, I am keen to learn and execute the same in professional world.

IE Business School, with its wide range of courses in Management, Leadership and Finance,
will be the apt choice for me to change and move ahead in my professional career.




Personal Statement


I tend to be enthusiastic and full of positive energy whenever I embark upon new things. Be it
related to professional life or my personal hobbies, the high energy level enables me to create a
fun and supportive environment and helps me boost up the morale of the people around me. I
have lived in different cities in and outside India. The changed surroundings everytime has
made me more flexible to adjust into a new atmosphere and different situations.

I joined JP Morgan under Corporate Development Program (CDP), specifically designed to
target graduates from premier institutes. Soon, I was given the responsibility to lead a 6 member
team for the CDP Asia Website. As my first assignment in professional world, I took it as a
challenge to deliver the best. I worked in tandem with my global counterparts in other regions,
and designed plans to launch the website globally. Within 4 months, the CDP website was
launched and received a huge appreciation across the firm. This was a stepping stone into my
career and I learnt a great deal of professionalism by dealing with global counterparts.

Besides CDP, I started as a Technology Analyst providing solutions for Asia Equities Business. I
started developing an inquisitive zeal to understand more about Financial Products and took
several initiatives to acquaint myself and the team on the same. I got promoted to Associate in
2.5 years, and got an opportunity to work at the financial hub of China, as a Trading Assistant
for Equities and Derivatives Group (EDG). Coming from a conservative society, it was a big
challenge for me to move to a new country and start afresh.

I started as a junior member in HK, but slowly made myself adept with nitty gritties of the
Business. I involved myself in several key initiatives varying from regulatory controls, to
operational efficiency, to Cost Savings for the firm. One of the key project that I initiated for Cost
savings was for Cost involving daily Trading Volumes through various Broker firms. I discussed
the Broker Commission Rates with our Trading Management. After few discussions and
negotiations with Trading and Brokers, the Commission charges were revised and effectively
saved over USD 1MM annually in Commission.

Given my background as a Trading Assistant at JP Morgan, I am quite equipped with the
aspects of Trading Business and ready to take a step further into my career. With 5 years of
professional experience, my post-MBA career goal is to move to Sales and Trading role in EDG
in a renowned Investment Bank such as Goldman Sachs, or JP Morgan itself. Such an
experience will broaden my perspective to face challenges in global financial industry and help
me learn how market behaviours impact global economics. As a long term career plan, I would
build on the success in EDG and would want to step up in my role taking on more
responsibilities, i.e. focussing on Corporate and Fixed Income Derivatives as well, and gradually
head these divisions in a major Investment firm.

My current work profile has facilitated adequate financial knowledge, but to achieve my career
goals I need theoretical and practical exposure to the global financial markets in detail. IE
Business School stands out for me among other MBA programs because of its unique
combination of MBA and Masters in Advanced Finance. IE IMBAs core curriculum is especially
compelling due to its innovative concept of "Leadership Labs" which focusses on enhancing the
qualities required to be the future leader. This will definitely help me nurture my leadership
abilities and soft skills to achieve my long term goals. Along with that, the importance given to
International diversity at IE is highly crucial. Working with batch from across the globe will
provide plethora of Business opportunities and platform to discuss challenges faced around the
world. With many electives available, I would be keen to take a step further into Finance
Industry by targeting courses such as "Derivatives and Risk Management and Applied
Financial Engineering. This not only will give me insight but also prepare for the second phase
of the program, i.e. MIAF.

Upon completion of the dual program of IMBA and MIAF, I expect to work in Sales and Trading
role. MIAF will provide me the right tools and equipments to move ahead and take a step further
to achieve my goal. With plenty of core courses aiming at sound foundation in Finance
knowledge, I expect to specialise on Derivatives markets. Electives such as "Equity Derivatives
and Volatility" and Exotic Options will help me build a firm knowledge on Equities, and
Corporate Derivatives and Fixed Income Derivatives will provide me other areas to explore
on Derivatives side of the Business.

I had an opportunity to schedule a 1-1 personal interview with IE representative during an IE
event in China to know more about the Program and get an understanding of how it would be
useful to me. By getting a first hand experience on various courses available and future career
possibilities, I find IE Business School standing out for me among other MBA programs, and
clearly this is the apt choice for me to take my career further in right direction.