Mr. Syed Tarique Alam (PFM 2005-07) is a seasoned banker. Currently he is working with ICICI Bank in the capacity of Regional Head, Enterprise Solution in Haryana State as part of Rural and Inclusive Banking Group. In his 13 years of banking career with ICICI Bank, he has got expertise in Portfolio management, Business Relationship management, Risk Management and Business Development.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM to this role?
A. It has been a roller coaster ride with moments full of learning, excitement, and success with a pinch of anxiety too. I got the opportunity to evolve myself by working at various location in different states under great mentors. The journey has been fast paced so never got the time to pause & ponder on the time trail.
A. I did my graduation in Life Science and got into Software development and then IIFM happened from where I got placed as Sales Manager in Financial Sector, deciphering balance sheets and P&L. So, to sum up “Experience is the best teacher”. The biggest learning is that we humans can acclimatize to any given environment, whether its conducive or testing, if we have good learning curve then we imbibe fast. I feel lucky to be selected in ICICI Bank as my last two generation were in banking as well so I think destiny has planned my career likewise.
I feel blessed as the company has given ample opportunity to catapult my career with loads of onsite varied experience in sales, relationship management, financial planning, credit appraisal, collection, recovery as well as cross sales so a big wide platform to learn various things in my role. That is reason I have never switched the job which I got in campus placement in 2007. There are still numerous things to be learned. It is well said by Aristotle that the more you learn, you get to know that you know nothing.
Q. What is the most satisfying part of your current role?
A. I have spent more than 13 years now with ICICI Bank where my role has evolved slowly as I got into bigger role. Initially I was anxious about my adaptability in a number driven target-oriented role with daily sales reporting but with each passing day I got into the groove and started enjoying the challenges. I successfully moulded myself as per job’s role demand and with every success my confidence grew which made each milestone memorable. I really like travelling and meeting people which is part of my profile. As banker we get to know the nuances of economic activity in the market. We learn different business models of the varied industry which I cater as part of my MSME lending job. We get great insight on the entrepreneur’s vision of making a successful franchise and we also learn from their failures which is very enriching. Also it is a wonderful experience to manage a big team and mentor people so it equally challenging to inspire / motivate them to perform optimally under my leadership.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM has been my grooming ground and taught me to unfold wings and fly high. It taught me everything which is tough to quantify. To summarise: it enabled keenness in learning, pushed me to always get into the details of a problem for figuring out of box solutions, liaisoning with various kind of people to get to a solution, making foray into uncharted territories and most importantly enjoying my Job/work along with ethos of integrity, trust and compliance with consciousness.
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.
A. I have been influenced by all my faculties and classmates and I always cherish to be part of IIFM family and more particularly our 18th Batch. I have huge regard for them and feel indebted all my life which is the reason why I make it a point to visit campus each year since passing out in 2007. Our Batch has made 15th August week as our reunion week so we land up at IIFM irrespective of our location and work pressure. We meet all the faculties and the students and try our best to pass on our learning and respect for IIFM. Unfortunately this year will be the first miss, No thanks to COVID!!
My advise to freshers would sound cliché but still I would emphasise to make each day productive and extract as much as possible from the entire ecosystem. Make it an experience of lifetime by making each day count. Always have the go – getter attitude as there is no place for cribbing in life…Imbibe all the positivity and throw out all the negativity.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. Each and every day is memorable which I will keep cherishing throughout my life. From first day to last, each day is fully engraved in my mind which I keep rewinding in my leisure time which brings load of smile and nostalgia. Enumerating them will fill entire book (Which I plan to write in future) but to name a few would be coordinating with SBI for scholarship loan, managing Mess as coordinator and balancing demand of many foodies of my batch, Controlling and bringing together various factions/groups of my Batch as CR, adventure trips across nooks and corners of campus, moving into various administrative sections of IIFM as SAAC Treasurer for getting work done was very satisfying. OT1(now called Summer Internship) in Karnataka, OT 2 in Gujarat / Maharashtra and Field Trip in Kerala were very enriching experience. The skits we performed in Kalptaru (annual fest) has left indelible print on my mind.
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?
A. It will not be right to pick few but I would say the entire IIFM ecosystem was the contributor in Toto. I liked CSR Sir’s BCDH (Basic Computing and Data Handling) and MIS (Management Information System) courses the most, followed by Corporate Environment Responsibility elective course floated by MMY Sir. PKB Sir was always there, mentoring us 24X7 as hostel warden. Although my most favorite place was the Badminton court at Room No. 119. I never missed Chandu Bhaiyya’s morning tea at Mess and evening Tea rides to Chotu’s stall which was five minutes walk from the main gate.
Q. The best buddies / seniors /faculty at IIFM? Some memorable tidbits that you like to share?
A. From my room partner to coordinators of different club, every moment is golden. Trips to Hakim with foodies of my batch which contributed kilos of weight to my body!! Each batch mates birthday celebration were fun filled with special cake from Bake n Shake. So were the festivals special Holi, Janamashtami, Christmas and Bakhrid.
(Tarique – The Santa Clause with other IIFMights)
Q. As an alumnus, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. One should always feel lucky to be at IIFM so make most out of it. Pay attention equally on studies as well as extracurricular activities organised by various clubs. Be positive and get the most of each passing moment as they are non-renewable. Inculcate all the good teaching you get both in and out of course/classrooms. Be participative and contribute positively to our wonderful ecosystem and remember to explore all nook and corners of the campus as it is real fun specially in full moonlight.
Q. What is your typical day at the office?
A. I get up early every day as my biological clock is set likewise. I try to reach office before time every day to be on top of work. I do not have the Monday syndromeas I enjoy my work and yearn to get back to my seat, the benefit of this is that once I return late which is quite often, I don’t feel tired and family perceives as if I am back after entertaining myself and this is my success mantra in my role. My job profile as such that I need to travel often and meet & interact with people and staff which is very enriching.
Q. And how about weekends, Hobbies, Family and anything else you want to add?
A. Playing with Kids and cycling is my regular activity. I also take time out to run, walk and jog on regular basis while listening on my AirPods. I regularly participate in marathons across the country.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. I am not an avid book reader but I do read magazines and newspapers regularly. I am a movie buff and hence I seldom miss any good movie. Favourite being LOTR, Matrix series, Inception, Shawshank Redemption, Cast Away, UP, Kung Fu Panda et al.
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?
A. I love interacting with juniors and would like to contribute as much in my limited capacity so feel free to connect with me for any talk/interaction session.
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?
A. Past is always glorified but we need to change with time. For myself, my time was the best but then today is different and we need to accept it. I believe the two OTs(now called SI) were a very enriching experience along with the 4 weeks Field Trip which should be restarted in the curriculum. Our bonding was great may be due to the small-batch strength of 40, also there was a fair mix of students from a different region from India as well Nepal. I gelled well with all of them which contributed in my personal growth as well.
Q. Any suggestions on who you want to get profiled/interviewed here?
A. Rishi, Satyajit, Kunal, Bigsna, Shreekant, Abhishek, Sudeep, Tarvinder, Kamal, Praveen, Ashish, Arun, PD, Robby, Debu and all my batchmates. Each one has great experience and success to share.