Vamshi Pothur
MBA Marketing 2015
Vamshi is the managing partner at Designer Stone Impex in Hyderabad, India. This is a family business, specialising in mining granite. Vamshi and his father manage the operations in their mine, and Vamshi is also responsible for marketing their black granite material in the exporting markets.
Talking about his biggest challenge to date, the 25-year-old said: “By the time I entered the Indian granite market it was slumped by losses. I feel that to hike the market and competitively sustain is a herculean task.”
While at the University of Sunderland, Vamshi based his dissertation on the critical strategic factors affecting the exports of Indian granite in a mature global market and the means to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage at the same time.
He said: “My research has helped me understand the statistics of the exports in the world market and which markets have more potential. I'm using my data to find buyers from potential countries and we have been successful so far.
“I have plans to set up a well equipped state-of-the-art monument factory with the support of my partner.”
Asked about his course at the University of Sunderland in London, Vamshi commented: “During the course I had the opportunity to carry out an in-depth market analysis and understand the pros and cons of vital decisions which may be joint ventures, takeovers or production management.
“The University had friendly lecturers and staff; they were very professional, ethical and fun-loving too.
“I enjoyed the course because of the highly knowledgeable lecturers and their lively lectures. My fondest memories are of my academic tutor Thorben Haenel, he was great.
“I also made great friends and the location was superb.”
Vamshi’s advice to recent graduates entering the job market is: “Keep yourself updated with the changes in the market and have a sound knowledge in your area of expertise.”
The Sunderland graduate plans to expand his business to be among the top ten in the granite industry in India.
He concluded: “I’d like to contribute to the growth of the industry as a whole.”