Sunit is a healthcare business leader with 25 years of experience driving commercial operations in healthcare industries with leading Global and Indian organizations like Pfizer, Novartis, Boehringer Ingelheim and Ranbaxy. He has successfully launched and led large commercial operations and nurtured some of the leading healthcare brands.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Linkedin : Sunit Kishore | LinkedIn
Q. Tell us about your School and College before you came to IIFM. How was your experience there? And how did IIFM happen?
A. I completed my schooling in Bokaro, Jharkhand, attending St. Xavier’s and Central School. Afterward, I pursued a Bachelor of Science at Kirori Mal College, Delhi University. My educational foundations were strongly shaped during my school and college years before I joined IIFM. At school, I was fortunate to be surrounded by some of the brightest minds and friends. Although IIFM was not my planned destination, I was greatly impressed by the campus and the faculty members I met during the interview process, which led me to choose IIFM for my postgraduate studies.
Q. How has been your journey from IIFM so far?
A. My journey from IIFM unfolded exactly as I had envisioned. I always aspired to work in commercial operations within the healthcare domain, a career path not commonly chosen by my peers at IIFM. However, I was determined and fortunate enough to shape my dream career. Working with some of the largest global and Indian healthcare organizations has been both professionally enriching and rewarding.
Q.What were some of the key milestones/learning in this journey that you would like to share with us?
A. Having a clearly defined career path and working diligently to achieve it is crucial. Easier said than done, isn’t it? Staying focused, continuously learning, and upgrading your knowledge are essential. Being open to new challenges and maintaining a hunger to contribute more are key principles in shaping your career.
Q. How has been your experience in your current Organization? What all areas have you been working here?
A. I am currently working at Boehringer Ingelheim, a leading global healthcare organization. I began my journey in India and later moved to Japan, where I now serve as the Business Segment Head for the Pets Business Unit.
Q. What is the most satisfying part in your career?
A. Over the last 25 years, there have been numerous satisfying moments. Successfully navigating complex business challenges and opportunities has been particularly rewarding. I’ve built several social marketing brands and products for underserved healthcare categories. Helping millions of patients receive the right treatment with leading breakthrough medications stands out as one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career.
Q. Has your learning at IIFM helped in shaping how you approach your professional roles?
A. IIFM provided a strong foundation for my professional journey. Working on several marketing projects there helped me successfully start my career as a product manager. Additionally, several faculty members had a significant influence in building a solid foundation, especially in marketing and finance, which proved extremely helpful during the early stages of 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?
A. First and foremost, be clear about your career goals and work diligently to achieve them. You will face several uncertainties but stay focused and keep your learning curve steep. The first few years of your professional journey are the most important; invest all your time in learning and improving. My mantra has been to prioritize learning and then plan your growth. Staying patient early on is crucial for shaping your career. Read extensively to gain diverse perspectives in your field. Finally and most important, don’t chase salary but chase learnings during the early stages of the career.
Q. What are your favorite memories during your IIFM days?
A. I have several favorite memories, starting with living on such a gorgeous campus, especially during the green and colorful springtime. Like everyone, I loved the late-night parties at the hostel. Working on project reports at the last minute and somehow managing to submit them on time was always an adventure. Playing volleyball and cricket added to the fun. These are amazing lifetime memories, and I wish I had more time to revisit the campus.
Q. In hindsight, what was the biggest contribution or take away from IIFM that you think played a critical role in shaping you as an individual or professional?
A. I loved all my courses in marketing, market research, basic finance, and financial management. Professors like Ravi Sundar, BP Pethiya and Amitabh Pandey had a great impact on me. Additionally, I was very fortunate to receive support from my batchmates and alumni during and after my time at IIFM.
Q. As an alumni, what’s your advice to freshers or those are joining IIFM to get best out of the 2 years there?
A. These two years are the most valuable in your educational journey, so make the most of them by investing as much as you can in learning and networking. Decide on your career path early and dedicate disproportionate time to building your foundation while at IIFM. Speaking from experience, choosing a career path that was not the norm at IIFM was challenging, but I managed by staying focused and relentless.
Q. What would be your advise for recent graduates who look for changing their sector after working for couple of years?
A. As I mentioned earlier, it is crucial to decide on your career choices early and build on them if you are aiming for long-term success. Choose a career you are passionate about and avoid distractions, especially in the early stages of your career.
Q. What was your typical day at the work? And how does it look like while you are on a break?
A. No two days are same in my work area, and this is what I like about my job and what I do. Day starts at 8.30 am on a typical day with responding to mails and few meeting during the day. Several days are spend in visiting and meeting customers in different cities.
Breaks are mostly with family or books. Loved travelling so currently exploring some amazing places in Japan like Kyoto, Osaka, Nikko and Okinawa.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family and anything else you want to add?
A. Weekends are mostly with family and reading books.
Q. Favorite Books, movies, authors?
A. Favorite book: The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger and my favorite author is Malcolm Gladwell.
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 am happy to assist any current or past student if they need any career dialogue.
Q. What do you think is different at IIFM now vs when you studied there? When was the last time you visited IIFM?
A. My last visit was in 2008 so very difficult for me to comment.