Student Profile

Aravind Sivashankara

Why did you decide to take Disruptive Strategy?

Though I had read Professor Christensen's books more than once, for example, The Innovator's Solution, I wanted a better handle of the disruption theory and wanted to revisit and solidify concepts like "jobs to be done."

During my day job at Flytxt, where we are trying to create products for big telecommunication businesses, there are challenges that I face and try to solve every day. Revisiting Clay's concepts gives me a way of dealing with these challenges, the arsenal needed to counter them effectively, and a language with which to communicate with my colleagues on the challenges and the solution.

What did you find most insightful about the course?

One of the most insightful components of this course was the detailed case studies on other companies that had similar challenges. For example, the case study on WR Hambrecht, how they deliberately went too early with the Google IPO and its consequences were eye-opening.

These concepts were reinforced in a way that was closer to a classroom networking setup. The diverse perspectives that I got from my peers, which the learning platform enables, were very similar to those I get with my work environment.

How do you plan to apply what you've learned in Disruptive Strategy to your career?

I can use the concepts directly in my day-to-day job. Concepts like "jobs to be done" can be directly applied in building product roadmaps, product specifications for new products, and in creating marketing collaterals. Concepts such as "RPP" (Resources, Processes & Priorities) are evergreen can be directly applied in competitive profiling and strategic planning.