Please review my sop for Masters in General Management (or Marketing)

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by the concept of business. I have seen both my parents, who are my role models as very successful entrepreneurs My father is the M.D. of (company A) a multi-divisional engineering company with a turnover of $ (amt) dollars with operations in steel, power, induction furnaces, transformers, electric vehicles and renewable energy. My mother is the M.D. of (company B), the first dealer of Vodafone in the entire state of (state name) and is also into real estate and the construction business. I desire to feel the sense of self accomplishment and achievement which one gets through running a successful business. Thus with the passing years, my initial fascination to run and expand my family business has turned into an unquenchable obsession.

In the last few years, factors including the growing size and complexity of business units, increasing competitiveness and so on call for state of the art knowledge about techniques of handling large diversified work groups, people from different cultures, large diversified clientele, brand management and positioning suppliers, dealers and so on. Thus intensive knowledge of management is mandatory for the smooth and successful operation of any organization. As a step towards my goal, I did my Bachelors in Business Management and I believe a Masters in ____ will further solidify my academic base to run the organization, polish my skills and provide me with the tools I will need to excel in my career.

In my first year of undergraduate studies I was exposed to topics like Principles of Micro and Macroeconomics, Effective Communication, Business Math and Principles of Management and Accountancy. To get a real world perspective I took the initiative to examine the daily working of Navjeevan Press, a well-reputed printing press in the state. I made an in-depth study of their operations and through my presentation of the research findings, gave suggestions on expanding their customer base, image as well as a marketing campaign to increase their product range. Second year made me familiar with general management courses like Marketing, Human Resource Management, Finance and Economics. I also got an opportunity to understand the success story of Dishman Pharmaceuticals, a big name in the pharmaceutical industry in India by analyzing its finance and operations in detail. It was a great learning experience to look at real life company’s in-depth working and analyze it from a global perspective. The third year I benefited richly from courses like Operations Management, Marketing Management Financial Management, Taxation and Law. I got a critical understanding of law and its application in today’s dynamic business environment. I also amassed knowledge about information technology through Computer practicals, the understanding of which is inevitable for excellence in administration. To keep up with the economic news of the country and world, I have also developed a habit of reading the Times of India, The Economic Times and the Economist.

Among all the subjects that I studied I enjoyed marketing the most. For my final year project, I carried out in-depth market research on the tourism industry and travel agents. Designing questionnaires, taking interviews, analyzing and interpreting the data in order to form a comprehensive project report was an enriching experience. I presented the findings in the form of a five-year marketing plan, which included a launch strategy and an advertisement campaign for a travel agency to increase its market base. It was a perfect platform for learning how research is carried out and it honed greatly my marketing and research abilities.

In college I was in the management committee of our annual college fest for planning, organizing and raising funds for the fest, for two years. I was also an active participant in our inter-college cultural festivals and the leader of the team that was awarded the first prize in the GLS and …….. cultural fest for Ad Mad. Here we were required to create an audiovisual advertisement and radio commercial on a topic/product within half an hour and then present it in front of a large audience and judges. Activities like this have helped to sharpen my skills in handling stress, taking quick decisions and teamwork.

During the summer of 2009, I worked as an intern at (company A), a trusted name in foundry and steel and one of the biggest in India. Working in different departments gave me an idea of how an organization really works, both at the tactical and strategic level. Observing and shadowing the MD allowed me to gauge the important characteristics of leadership, allocation of priorities and considerate delegation.

On completion of my BBA degree in May 2010, I decided to take a gap of a year before pursuing my Masters, as I believed that work experience would not only give me a real world perspective, but also help me in appreciating the beauty of management theories better. It would also allow me to apply the amalgamated knowledge, tools and techniques learnt in the classroom to day-to-day practical problems. Thus immediately after graduation, I worked as a management trainee at (Company C) Software where I supervised the catering of a newly developed software, falling under the domain of Banking Financial Service Industry to clients for two months. I had to identify different tasks like addition of new functionality such as bank guarantee, check book issue, bugs and so on, pick out the best person for the job, identify how long each job would take and plan it out in Microsoft Project Planner. I monitored and updated the plan on a daily basis. Ensuring that people started working on designated tasks and accurately finding actual task status was tough. Moreover, it was also challenging to predict time frames for completion of tasks, as often people did not report delays in projects, or conveyed false information to hide their incapability. Working here helped to enhance my communication and leadership skills, as well as my ability to identify and solve problem quickly and decisively.

Subsequently I joined (company A) where I worked at the (name)(electrical two wheeler division) Research Department, as a management trainee for the first 6 months. I assisted in the market research for the launch of a new electric two-wheeler after an in-depth study on the product. I framed a questionnaire with the help of the research team, identified potential customers and trained, led and supervised a team to carry out survey of customers, as well as dealers throughout the state of Gujarat. I then analyzed the data, compiled a report and submitted my findings to the top management. The entire experience honed my leadership and teamwork skills and I got a platform to absorb the functioning of a complex division in the company.

Impressed with the research results the management has now put me to work with KPMG, external consultant to (company A). After an extensive study of the company, researching the website and understanding its vast product lines, I visited some of the potential and existing clientele of (company A) with the KPMG consultants. Keeping the gathered knowledge and the evolving market in mind, I along with KPMG am to make suggestions on the most suitable product mix the company should go in for in the coming span of 5 to 10 years. Working on the assigned task has helped me with detection and interpretation of problems and strategic analysis and planning.

My experience at (company A) has been rewarding and satisfying. I have been working here since eight months and feel strongly connected to the organization and the team. Since the very first day that I started working here, my desire of always wanting to be a part of it, converted into a strong resolve of protecting and supplementing the company's growth rate and expansion activities. I am convinced that this is what I would like to dedicate the rest of my life to. I believe that a Masters from ________ is the best in terms of reputation, quality, exposure, delivery and content and that ______ program would give inputs that will help me realize my dream.

Besides academics and work, I am a very passionate dancer and was a student at SPIN academy and Shimak Davar Institute Of Performing Arts (SDIPA). I have performed at various dance and charity shows, which has moulded me into a more confident and outgoing person. While I was at SDIPA I was awarded the best dancer at a show by Shimak Davar (a leading dance choreographer in the country). I was also offered to join their team of dancers to perform across India.

I enjoy travelling and have had the opportunity to visit the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Europe and the Far East. Besides the global exposure to various cities and people of the world, I have learnt to appreciate and respect their different traditions and cultures as well. My outgoing and sociable personality has helped me to make friends from across the world, as well as maintain a strong network of colleagues and associates both in my travels and at work.

India is growing at a fast pace of 9% per year. After my Masters, I plan to come back and join my family business and exploit the growth rate to the company's benefit. (company A) plans to be a $(amt) group by the year 2015 and I want to be a part of this exciting growth story. This is the reason; I look forward to studying under …….University’s esteemed faculty, the likes of Professor _________. His pioneer work in _______ I believe will help me to gain an in-depth knowledge of the important aspects of running a successful business and extend my analytical and critical capabilities needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

I am looking forward to gaining a lot and contributing in my own way at ______ University. The reputation that ______ University holds furthers my desire and resolve to study here. I know that I have the academic potential and the practical knowledge required to successfully pursue an MSc in ______ (Management) and mould a career path as a successful entrepreneur