Ex-Vodafone Marketing Leader Reveals a Timeless Playbook for Career Growth

From Electrical Engineering to AI in Marketing: The Inspiring Journey of Dr. Abha Wankhede

When you meet someone whose professional journey spans decades, industries, and eras of technological change, you know you’re in for a masterclass in career wisdom.
That’s exactly what we experienced in our recent conversation with Dr. Abha— an engineer-turned-MBA, corporate leader-turned-academic, and a passionate mentor to the next generation.

Today, she’s a professor at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, but her career began in the buzzing telecom and consumer electronics industries, with stints at Philips India, Reliance, and Tata Communications. She’s also a proud alumnus of JBIMS (Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies), one of India’s most coveted business schools.

The Early Years — Mumbai Roots & Engineering Dreams

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Dr. Abha completed her electrical engineering in the city. Her first job was with the Bombay Electric Supply Company (BESC) — but, as she candidly shared, it wasn’t all that thrilling.

“Being a girl at the time, they didn’t put me in design or planning. I was assigned to the billing department. It felt political and not very exciting. That’s when I decided to pursue an MBA.”

In 1998, she entered JBIMS, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Life at JBIMS — Peer Learning Over Plush Facilities

While JBIMS had the prestige of a top-tier B-school, its infrastructure was minimal compared to today’s private MBA colleges.
But as Dr. Abha points out, the real value was in the people.

Most professors were visiting faculty from industry — senior leaders from Citibank, Lintas, Johnson & Johnson, and more — teaching out of passion rather than obligation. The absence of a formal placement office meant students ran everything themselves, from industry outreach to organizing events.

This scarcity built resourcefulness.

“We didn’t have the internet then. We’d go to old paper markets to buy last month’s Business Standard or Outlook, visit the Indian Council of Commerce to read reports… The hunger for knowledge was real.”

That hunger for self-driven learning, she says, has been a defining advantage in her career.

The Philips India Chapter — Sales First, Always

Dr. Abha's corporate career began in mid-marketing at Philips India, handling Color TVs and audio systems.
Her core message to future marketers is clear:

“Every marketer should start with sales. It’s where you truly understand the market.”

Her daily routine involved:

• Managing distributor and dealer networks

• Tracking competition’s market share and promotions

• Designing trade schemes

• Leading new product launches

• Fighting the month-end sales “fires” every salesperson knows too well

Festival seasons brought both high stakes and high energy. The experience taught her that relationship management, market intelligence, and adaptability are essential in every marketing role — even in brand management or product strategy.

From Dot-Com Boom to the AI Era — How Marketing Has Changed

Having witnessed multiple industry shifts — from the dot-com boom to today’s AI revolution — Dr. Abha has a unique perspective.

The biggest difference now? Speed and opportunity.

“Today, if you have an idea, there’s an ecosystem of incubators, funding, and technology to support it. Companies are more agile. Students, however, need to match that agility — and I sometimes see the hunger missing.”

Where earlier marketers relied on physical research and fieldwork, today’s tools offer instant insights. Yet, she warns, information is not the same as wisdom.

On AI in Marketing — Friend, Not Foe

Dr. Abha is optimistic about AI’s role in the future of work.

“There’s no need to be scared. AI is a smart tool — use it as your assistant. But remember, without domain expertise, you won’t know if what it gives you is correct.”

She draws parallels to past fears — when television was expected to kill radio, or when Google was thought to end traditional education. Instead, each technology has expanded opportunities.

For marketers, AI means:

• Smarter customer relationship management through chatbots

• Faster customer acquisition and retention

• Enhanced personalization at scale

The key? Use AI to augment your thinking, not replace it.

A Message to Students — Read, Learn, and Stay Hungry

As an educator, Dr. Abha sees a concerning trend: a lack of hunger in many students.

She urges them to:

1. Read extensively — industry reports, case studies, market news

2. Use technology smartly — convert reading into audio if time is short

3. Participate actively — in simulations, projects, and competitions

4. Love your work — because “if you love your work, it will love you back”

“In the corporate world, you’re always on your toes. But it’s exciting. Don’t shy away from the effort — embrace it.”

Final Thoughts

Dr. Abha journey is a reminder that careers are built not just on opportunities, but on curiosity, adaptability, and a relentless drive to learn.
From paper markets to AI-powered tools, her story spans eras — and her advice remains timeless.

So, to every student stepping into the corporate arena:
Stay curious. Stay hungry. And never stop reading.