‘Closing a Deal Gives an Exhilarating Sense of Achievement’

Bhaskar Kayathwal

Photo courtesy of Bhaskar Kayathwal

Bhaskar Kayathwal, 26, from India, completed his programme in Master of International Business at HSE University in 2021. Currently, he is responsible for business development at an influencer marketing company. In an interview with the HSE News Service, Bhaskar shares his experience at HSE University, the importance of seizing unexpected opportunities, and the parallels between business development and chess.

—Tell us about your company.

—I work for a company called IQ Fluence, where I hold the positions of Business Development and Sales, as well as overseeing Accounts and Client Success. The company is international and was initially in a stealth mode. The founders are primarily Russian, but the business is now global. They were looking for employees with sales experience who are proficient in English to join their team in Moscow.

Our industry is Influencer Marketing / Creator Economy. We analyse data from social media channels and work with agencies, platforms, brands, tech companies, and anyone who can benefit from our data.

—How did you find this job?

—The HR of the company found me via HH.ru. Before I landed this job, I had been in another sales role for 6–8 months. It was difficult to find work as a foreigner in Moscow at that time due to a lack of experience and proficiency in Russian.

I did not set out to work in this industry. The opportunity simply presented itself, and I decided to take it to see where it would lead, which turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made

—What are your job responsibilities?

—I conduct market research in my industry to identify potential new metrics that we could integrate and sell. I also look for potential partners and clients who may be able to utilise our data. After finding such partners, I negotiate with them to close deals and then handle their accounts moving forward, either upselling them or maintaining a strong business relationship.

The most exciting part of my job is interacting with C-Suite executives and employees from other companies in different industries. It's both refreshing and motivating, as it pushes me to do my best. There's also a unique thrill in sales work, and closing a deal with a company gives an exhilarating sense of achievement.

It's challenging to work in sales because you get rejected more than you close deals. However, this is just part of the job

In these moments, it's important to remain persistent and keep going. Also, in any industry, there may be times of saturation or potential decline, when it can be difficult to find new clients or when less funding or investment is poured into the industry overall.'

Photo courtesy of Bhaskar Kayathwal

—How did you adjust to a new work environment?

—It wasn't too difficult, as I had experience working in groups during my studies at HSE and was used to collaborating with others. Additionally, my manager at the company was also Indian, which helped make the transition smoother. My main focus was on doing the job well and understanding how things should be done, while also managing my university studies.

—What have you learnt as a new employee?

—As a new member of the team, I have learnt that success does not come from working alone. There are always different perspectives and people who contribute to making things happen.

Just like in chess, each piece—whether it's a queen, king, or knight—has a unique role, and working together creates synergy that leads to victory. This applies to all companies and organisations, big and small, around the world

—What are your achievements so far?

—Career-wise, one of my major accomplishments was bringing several million dollars in business to my company over the past three years. Additionally, I have successfully completed a master’s degree at HSE University, establishing myself with stability in Russia. This can be challenging for foreign students due to the language barrier and harsh climate we experience throughout most of the year.

—What were the challenges of obtaining a master’s degree in International Business at HSE?

—During my first year of the master’s programme, it was difficult for me to adapt to the Russian educational system, as it has a different curriculum. The methodology and approach to subjects were more practical than theoretical, and it was a challenge to grasp. However, it became easier in my second year, allowing me to perform well and achieve good grades.

—Which subjects and professors at HSE University were most impressive and useful to you?

—I greatly admired Dr Irina Kratko, my Master's thesis advisor Prof. Fedor Vassilyev, who teaches Cross-Cultural Communication, and Prof. Vladimir N. Zuev, who is a professor of Doing Business in the EU.

Dr Irina Kratko's strict teaching style and approach helped instil discipline among students, including myself. Professor Vassilyev's calm and friendly demeanour made it fascinating to understand the importance of cooperation between different cultures for success in international business. Professor Zuev's extensive knowledge about establishing businesses in the European Union and how it differs from other parts of the world was invaluable.

—Could you share your experience of living and working in Moscow?

—I reside and work in Moscow, although my job is fully remote, allowing me the freedom to work from anywhere in the world. Despite my job being entirely online, I love Moscow and Russia in general.

To me, it is one of the best cities to live in due to it numerous opportunities, convenience, easy living, and an endless variety of things to see and do

Today, my Russian is much better than it was during my first year in Russia, although there's always room for improvement. My current level of proficiency is sufficient for me to live comfortably in the country, communicate with locals, and get things done. I also take online classes twice a week to further improve my skills.

—What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

—I read a lot of books and listen to podcasts on various topics such as geopolitics, religion, prehistoric times, current affairs, etc.

I also enjoy cycling and weightlifting, as well as exploring Moscow whenever I can.

—Do you keep in touch with your HSE classmates?

—Yes, I still stay in touch with some of my friends from HSE, and we plan to meet every year.

—What are your plans for the future?

—I plan to excel in my field and travel to work conferences if possible. I also want to establish successful international business relations between India and Russia given our strong ties.

My goal is to launch several successful ventures within the next decade.

I want to contribute to my country and help people here in Russia by making their lives better

—What was the most valuable lesson you learnt at HSE University?

—The most valuable lesson I learnt is to be relentlessly ambitious and always strive to be the best at whatever I do. We should stay curious, learn as much as we can, and not be afraid of failure, as it is a stepping stone to success.

—What advice would you offer to HSE students looking to start their career path?

—I would advise HSE students to start working as soon as they can, whether it's part-time, full-time, or just a few hours on weekends, in a field that interests them. This may not be easy, but starting early will help them become independent and, most importantly, allows them to understand what they enjoy and dislike doing. If I knew this back then, I would have definitely taken this route. Although some may think it's a less-travelled path, these roads often lead to the most rewarding destinations.

I want future students to recognise and be proud of attending one of Russia’s top-tier universities, which upholds international standards and offers global exposure. This is a great opportunity to learn and build their future career.

Absorb as much knowledge as possible, and embrace challenges and setbacks, for they help to strengthen and improve a person's character.

Fast success breeds ego, while failure builds character. The world often admires those who have the latter

I am eternally grateful for my time at HSE, the people I have met, my advisor, my colleagues, and all the challenges I have faced.