The PGDM Retail Management Department at Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini organized an insightful alumni guest session titled “Breaking into FMCG: Skills Every MBA Student Should Build” on 5th August 2026 for Trimester I students. The session was delivered by Mr. Dikshant Desaur, Alumnus – PGDM Finance & Retail Management (2018–2020), Sales and Customer Development, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd., who shared his professional journey and valuable insights into building a successful career in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) industry.
During the session, Mr. Desaur reflected on his journey from being a student at JIMS to establishing himself in the FMCG sector. He encouraged students to make the most of their MBA experience by actively developing both technical and interpersonal skills. He introduced students to the FMCG industry, explaining its structure, key functions, and the wide range of career opportunities available across sales, marketing, category management, operations, and customer development.
The discussion emphasized the importance of essential professional competencies such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving, teamwork, customer understanding, and strategic thinking. Rather than delivering a conventional lecture, Mr. Desaur maintained an interactive environment through engaging discussions, thought-provoking questions, and real-world industry examples that encouraged active student participation.
A major highlight of the session was a hands-on group activity where students were divided into teams and challenged to conceptualize a new snack or beverage brand for Generation Z with a hypothetical investment of ?50 crore. Within 15 minutes, each team developed a comprehensive product launch strategy covering the brand name, target audience, packaging, tagline, competitive positioning, marketing plan, and distribution strategy. The activity enabled students to apply classroom concepts to a practical business scenario while enhancing their creativity, collaboration, and presentation skills.
Following the presentations, Mr. Desaur provided constructive feedback on each team's ideas and appreciated the students' innovative thinking, confidence, and ability to work effectively under time constraints. He expressed his admiration for the quality of ideas presented and encouraged students to continue developing an industry-oriented mindset.
Overall, the session successfully bridged academic learning with real-world FMCG practices by providing students with practical exposure to brand building, market strategy, and career readiness. It inspired participants to strengthen the skills and mindset required to succeed in the highly competitive FMCG industry.
Key Takeaways
- Understanding the structure and career opportunities within the FMCG industry.
- Developing essential employability skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and customer orientation.
- Applying marketing and branding concepts through a hands-on product launch activity.
- Learning the importance of strategic thinking, innovation, and collaboration in solving real business challenges.
- Gaining valuable industry insights and career guidance from a JIMS alumnus currently working with Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd. in Sales and Customer Development.