Arnab Neogi, a celebrated poet who was published aged 12, made his first foray into entrepreneurship early in his career, setting up a trade agency for the Indian handicrafts market.The business couldn’t take off and he moved on to work as a systems engineer at Tata Consultancy Services.
However, the intrepid Indian innovator is determined to attempt to break into the handicrafts market again. This time, with the knowledge of an MBA in tow, from Hong Kong’s CUHK Business School.
In the long term, Arnab plans to find a solution to the business issues of India’s handicrafts and handlooms sector with his own company. He hopes to fast track his career immediately in the consumer goods industry.
Previously, the computer science graduate worked as a regional sales manager for Spain’s billion-dollar olive oil distributer Borges International Group. He also interned at healthcare start-up iKure, which uses cloud-based technology to deliver medical advice to patients in remote, rural areas of India.
Outside the world of business, Arnab is a celebrated and internationally published poet, who recently co-authored “Synthesis” — the world’s first ever duet poetry anthology — alongside his wife.
What are your career plans?
After my MBA, I want to work for a global consumer goods company in a strategic marketing role.
In the long term, I plan to find a solution to the business issues of India’s handicrafts and handlooms sector through my own enterprise.
What challenges does India’s handicrafts sector face?
The market is disorganized and monopolized by the government.
Rural artisans, having inherited their knowledge across generations, produce fine handicraft art, and the items are mostly sold to middlemen who sell it on at a margin to a few government agencies.
The government’s distribution network is not wide-ranging and mostly involves direct selling. So there’s low awareness of the market among the urban masses, and handicraft products are confined to the homes of [the] urban elite.
How did you attempt to combat these issues with your first business venture?
After my undergraduate degree my classmate and I started a trade agency, which tried to bridge this gap by reaching out to “consumers who had taste”.
The objective was to source handicraft items from rural areas in Eastern India and sell them at government-licensed trade fairs in upscale urban markets.
Unfortunately, it was difficult to navigate across government policies and the agency couldn’t scale.
What advice do you have for MBAs looking to work in consumer goods?
It’s a very fast-paced sector which requires certain, specialized skills. Having good product knowledge, knowing your consumer and understanding the supply chain are key.
How do you explain your passion for poetry?
It took shape very early in my life, following a tragic incident in my childhood.
I was inspired by the works of Keats, Byron, Shelley and Elliot, although I always considered Auden my guiding light. I took solace in the imaginative and soothing world of poetry and my first work was published in a leading Indian daily at the young age of 12.
Can you see any link between your passion for poetry and your passion for business?
There exists a close similarity and synergy between poetry and sales and marketing.
Someone who is creative and imaginative, but can plan their objectives in a structured way, can be both a poet and a marketer at the same time.
For me, poetry is an imagination of the ideal self, and poems are the tools through which we can bring ourselves closer to that ideal. Marketers regularly use this concept to create an artificial need for aspirational products.
Like poetry, marketing is an art and sales is the tool that manifests this art to its intended consumer.
Why did you decide to pursue an MBA?
I wanted to make the next big shift in my career; to gain an insight into global sales and marketing practices; to study in a multicultural classroom; and to get a global perspectives of business.
Why did you choose to study at CUHK in particular?
Hong Kong is a financial hub, a gateway to China and an ideal educational playground.
CUHK is one of the top schools in the world. It’s the oldest MBA program in Asia and its alumni base is large and diverse.
It’s a global school which not only offers world-class education relating to Eastern business practices, but — through its various field trips and student exchange programs to the US and UK — also provides ample opportunities for insight into western-style education.
How have you profited from your MBA experience so far?
It’s been simply awesome!
My classroom is a potpourri of cultures and diversity; the faculty is inspiring; and the practice-oriented curriculum has given me deep insight into global business practices.
What really stands out is the quality of team projects required with every course. The effort team members put in during each stage of the project is commendable.
Student Reviews
One of a kind
I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way.
I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.
general education courses, unique college system, large campus
The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.
LLM
The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge.
CUHK has good teaching staff too.
Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment
Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed.
Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties.
I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.
exthrillating
One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.
Innovative and Supportive
My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.
Small, New But Friendly Law School
To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere.
I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building.
In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor.
For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country.
The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field.
Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.
A place to explore your interests
As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school.
One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.
Valuable time in CUHK
I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.
