Kumar Abhishek (PFM 2005-07) heads the Business Model Development & Advance Analytics for the Asia Pacific in the Global Analytics Center of HSBC in Bangalore. His team develops statistical models that are used in accepting/rejecting applicants & managing accounts. They do this for 30+ portfolios spread across 13 countries in the Asia Pacific. They are also into in-house tool development based primarily on Python.
He works across a broad spectrum of statistical techniques – from traditional methods like Regression to Machine Learning methods like Gradient Boosting and Neural Networks.
You can follow him here on Twitter.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
Well, I had done my graduation in Statistics from Hindu College, University of Delhi. During my graduation days, I had not looked at Statistics as a long-term career option. The Statistics that I had studied was primarily into theory, derivations.
Once I landed in IIFM, I realized that what I had studied in my graduation did have a lot of practical usage and value. I got the first glimpse of this thought the much-maligned QT paper. We had a paper of Marketing Research which made my interest keener.
At placement time, I was very very interested in IMRB but unfortunately did not get through. I landed in ICICI Bank though not in an analytics role. By providence, the team that used to sit right behind me was into analytics. I used to overhear their conversations and thought that I could do this well, if not better. So, I approached the Head of that team, my mentor Mr. Vivek Nair. He gave me some work which though saddled with a computer of 256 MB RAM, if I recall correctly, I completed successfully. He was ready to take me in the team, but we had a problem, my current manager at that time would not let me go. So I stopped working for 2-3 weeks, and in a fit of anger she let me go. From there it has been a journey in this field.
P.S. – The day I did not get selected in IMRB, I was devastated. But it turned to be a blessing in disguise as ultimately it led me to a field much broader and sophisticated in terms of statistics than Marketing Research and also perhaps much more financially rewarding. So don’t get despaired very fast!
Q. What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
The learnings have changed as one has grown. In the beginning, what gave happiness was the thrill of seeing the predictions of the model turn true in reality. That was the biggest thrill & high that I have seen in my career. The learning curve then was very steep, and one quickly traversed up it. Now the learning curve is not that steep and the effort to traverse up it that much more.
Along the way, I have learned that relationships matter as being in the right place at the right time does. Being in a knowledge-based industry, it’s imperative to be updated (something on which I feel I am always catching up with the curve). For me, it’s also been essential to create positive & empowered teams.
In the early years, the amount written to the paycheque mattered a lot – the higher the number, the more was the satisfaction. As I have evolved, giving back to society in whatever capacity I can, has become more and more important in my scheme of things. It’s something which of late has been giving me a profound sense of satisfaction, more than the appreciation/criticism at the job desk & the paycheque that it brings. I think we should all do that!
On the flip side, in the last 13 years, I have also learned that the corporate world has its deep pitfalls and flipsides. It is essential to tread carefully with a sense of detachment.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
To have contributed to the development of a high performing team is very satisfying. To lead such an enthusiastic and talented bunch of youngsters is a privilege. Along the way I have built a positive team culture and had some fun To see that the work that we do helps in bettering portfolios that are really big in size also provides a deep sense of satisfaction.
The question did not ask this, but I will tell you what is not satisfying also ? Being an IIFMite I think there’s a huge action bias in all of us. While I work across multiple geographies, it sometimes happens that we do not see the impact of our work on the real ground but through numbers only. This creates a sense of void personally for me sometimes.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
As I said before, it was IIFM which made me realize the more application and real-world aspects of Statistics. This is what has shaped my career.
Q. Who (or what) are the biggest influences or drivers in your careers? What would be your advice to freshers and IIFM graduates who are looking to choose similar sectors/roles?
Teachers, friends & colleagues.
In IIFM, I had the chance of interacting very closely with CVRS Sir, PK Biswas Sir, Suparva Patnaik Mam, HS Gupta Sir. Each interaction with them was very enriching. The passion & commitment that MMY & CSR sir brought to the class was also very inspiring. Then there was Garimella Sir who used to come from IIM Indore to teach us. His teachings were based entirely on cases & I have enjoyed no other classes more in life than his.
Professionally, my first manager Mr. Vivek Nair has been the most significant influence and in many ways responsible for getting me into this industry. My ICICI stint has also been a huge influence on me. The kind of talent and seniors that I got to work with there, the completely meritocratic work culture, the independence to do a lot at a very young age were all very enriching. Mohan Jayaraman our department head was also a very positive influence. I have also enjoyed working a lot & learned a lot from my managers in HSBC.
Managing very talented and committed individuals along the way have also very enriching, I have learned a lot from my juniors who I have been privileged to mentor & manage.
In this industry, you have to be ready to learn, keep upgrading yourself lifelong. Analytics assimilates people from all sorts of backgrounds, it’s just that you have to be open to ideas & learnings.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
So many things – from sighting a Russel Viper the first thing as I landed in IIFM to the evening outings to Nehru Nagar to chats over Maggi and endless teacups in Canteen (which was then not in its present fancy self) to the night outings for tea to places as far as Habibganj to turning up at an extra class in the evening half-drunk. ?
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution (courses, faculty, library, friends, alumni.. Anything else!!) or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
An easy one – the friends that I made in IIFM. Easily the strongest circle of friends that I have made in life from school to graduation to professional life with the strongest sense of belonging.
Q. The best buddies/seniors/faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
Everyone at IIFM was a buddy, and they remain till this day –
- Bigsna – a fellow foodie, our outings in Delhi, our chats which were & are sometimes endless.
- Debu & Himanshu, the good boy – our neighbors.
- Harsh – my roommate, buddy, and the one who I riled with my snores the most. I also stay in debt of him for the next 9 lives for using his laptop & his endless supplies of Navy Cut ?.
- Kunal – the go-getter amongst us.
- Kamal – I envy his coolness.
- Rathee – who never forgets me despite being seven seas away.
- Rishi – who’s been an anchor & sounding board for many things in life for me
- Shreekant – my political buddy forever
- Tarvinder – Meeting him always lifts the mood
- Tarique – easily the most large-hearted magnanimous persons I have met or will meet in life.
- Tirkey – another person whose coolness I wish I had & with who I did a memorable OT in Assam.
- Suraj, Satya, Baua, Dada, Thakur Jee & Gupta Jee – all gem of persons…….
The list is endless & I can go on writing on & on about all of them. I can pick up my phone and dial anyone of my batchmates for anything at 2 am in the night that gives a lot of comfort and security.
Amongst the seniors, I was very close to Alok Sir & Parth Sir. Amongst the faculty – CVRS Sir, PKB Sir, Suparva Mam & HS Gupta Sir were the ones I was closest to.
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
Keep an open mind & have all the fun that you can have while at the campus.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
Answering emails, reviewing projects & attending meetings which is what a typical day looks like. 70% of the time I guess goes in meetings.
Q. What about your typical weekends.. Hobbies.. Family..
I read a lot – from books to newspapers to magazines, typically 1-2 hours a day would go into this. I also have a keen interest in matters related to law and politics. International one day & test cricket is also something I follow very keenly. Typically, I watch a movie or two every or every alternate weekend.
Running and squash are passions that I have developed over the last few years & I absolutely love my short, fast runs & solo squash sessions a lot.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors, ..
There are many books I like, but 2-3 books that I have read recently & have affected my thinking profoundly are – Chup, Why Men Rape & The Minority Conundrum.
Movies are many – Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (even went to Budapest chasing locations for this one ?), Sholay, Gangs of Wasseypur, Sarfarosh, Manmarziyaan, Omkara, Parinda, Oye Lucky Lucky Oye, Trishul , Ghatak are some which come to the top of my mind.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitments towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
I am always available to contribute in whatever manner possible whether by teaching, sharing experiences, or help build small infrastructure. I would also want IIFM alumni to come together as a group to help non-privileged students.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? What do you think is a positive change and what is not?
Unfortunately, I have not been in touch enough with junior batches or the institution since I left. So I would not be in a position to answer this justly.
Q. Any suggestions on who from our alumni you want to get profiled/interviewed here?