At first, Abhishek Jain’s ‘The IIM Guy’ YouTube channel comes across as just another source of getting information and tips about MBA. However, it is only when you watch some of the videos that you realise this is not ‘just another’ channel. The videos on Abhishek’s channel are on topics that an aspiring MBA exactly wants – tips to prepare, the reality of Rs. 30-30 lakhs placements at the IIMs, life after MBA, the IIM life, and many many more things. All of these things coming from someone who is an IIM alumnus himself make the content so much more impactful!
What’s more? His videos are mostly uncut and brutally honest and you will see this in the comment section where thousands of MBA hopefuls pour in their thank yous to Abhishek. The IIM Guy is very clear about what he wants to do in life and hence, didn’t hesitate before quitting his high-paying consulting job.
What started just over a year ago as a YouTube journey, now has over 40,000 subscribers. Abhishek wasn’t even sure if he will cross even the 5,000-mark. But now here he is, trying his bit to educate the masses on everything he knows about the journey of an MBA so that the aspirants know its reality and are well-prepared to tackle any obstacles that may come their way. Here is a look at one of the highest-viewed videos on his channel that answers an apt question:
Over to the interview now. Enjiy the read!
The IIM Guy’s Interview
Q1. There are hundreds of YouTube channels guiding people about MBA. What is different in your channel?
That’s a very good question! Because I believe my YouTube channel is very different in a lot of regards and my viewers know this.
First of all, all of the videos have been shot in one take. No re-shoots. The videos aren’t edited. They are raw. The only top selling point of the videos is the content. And the honesty I put across in all my content. When I started, I had no idea I could amass even 5k subscribers. All I wanted was to put out some useful information in the higher education space for the Indian masses. I believe that less than 1% of the 18-24 year age group in India has access to premiere information about higher education or sophisticated roles in the industry. Because only 1% of the population lives in the top 5 metros. What about the other aspirational students living in the rural corner of Kishanganj where I come from? I was told by one such student one day that there is a lot that the Indian aspirational kid wants to know and why don’t you share the information and experience you have garnered on a YouTube video? That’s the story of how my YouTube journey started and this USP and motto about my channel is what is different about it.
Q2. What’s your long-term goal with this channel, considering you are targeting a very limited set of audiences, i.e. MBA/IIM aspirants?
As I said, the number of subscribers is unimportant to me. Today when I have 42k subscribers out of 2 lakh potential students who appear for the CAT, that’s about 25% of the market share which is humongous for me. My short-term, as well as a long-term goal, is to add value to anyone who comes across the videos by putting out the knowledge and experience I have garnered. My goal is to put out the real picture about premier jobs and premier institutes and premier professions so that the Indian student with aspirations can make informed decisions even when he/she is sitting in the nook and corner of a diverse country like India.
Q3. Are you into YouTube full-time or do you have other sources of livelihood?
No, I am not into YouTube full time and I don’t think I’ll ever be. Right now, I am involved in our family business of textiles. I only shoot YouTube videos on Sundays. I then upload and schedule them. The intent is to shoot three videos of 7-15 minutes. I take 2 hours to shoot these videos. Even when my YouTube game becomes very big, I want to be then involved in the actual education provider space. Maybe I’ll open up an MBA counseling company with the brand ‘The IIM Guy’.
Q4. Tell us 3 things that no one knows about you.
1. I have two joint fingers on my left hand
2. I can read palm lines and know astrology
3. I can mimic people very well and often do it in the evenings at home to create a light and happy environment
Q5. If you get Rs. 10 crores in your bank balance, what would you do with it?
I don’t think I would be doing anything different than what I would right now. I have a lot of goals in my mind with a time duration but that doesn’t depend on the bank balance I have. I vehemently believe if you have the right intent and skills to solve problems for people, people will loan you Rs. 10 crores to solve them. So no, I love my life and won’t change anything about it. I do have a lot of problems in life but most of them aren’t money-related.
Q6. If you are made the chief of all MBA colleges in India, what would you do?
I would change the system of placements and create more resources, environment, paraphernalia and funds to create more entrepreneurs straight out of college. So for that, I will also limit the fees of all MBA colleges to max Rs. 5 lakhs.
Q7. If you reach 100K, 500K and 1M subscriber mark on your YouTube channel, what would you do for your fans?
That’s a lovely question. I have been actually contemplating that. So I don’t have a concrete answer as of now. However, I intend to have a physical meet-up with most of them when I reach 100K. So I will plan that definitely. How and where is a question I need to sort out until I reach there.
Q8. With so many colleges opening up and so many people doing an MBA, do you think its value has diminished over the years?
Nope. A premier MBA is highly valued. Top conventional jobs are reserved for top MBA folks. How many McKinsey folks have you seen from tier 2 MBA folks?
Q9. Do you think MBA is really required these days?
Nope. For every McKinsey, there are tons of startups who provide posh product management and data scientist roles with humongous salaries to non-MBA folks. Plus with the advent of the digital world, you can gain knowledge and showcase yourself as an expert in your chosen field without an MBA. So it’s not really needed today. But having one doesn’t kill your chances of doing something great too.
Q10. What are your other hobbies and interest areas?
I love talking to and meeting new people and connecting with them. This also means I love traveling. I love people. I can’t sit on a computer and keep making power points even if I am paid a crore rupees. That’s why I resigned from my consulting job. I love watching, playing and reading about cricket. I love doing standups and mimicking people as well as I mentioned.
Closing Note
It was fun knowing Abhishek Jain closely and I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty with which he answered these questions. The IIM Guy is the same person on and off camera. Here is the link to his YouTube channel again. You can also follow him on Instagram too where he keeps posting pictures from his travels. Hope you guys enjoyed the interview and got to know Abhishek better 🙂 Thanks for reading thus far.
If you know any influencer or social media personality who would be interested in this series, please write to me at vishal@releasingnow.com or contactnow@releasingnow.com. Thank you!