From Classroom to Consulting: Ishan Apte’s Journey in Business Intelligence

A Strong Start: The Decision to Join SDA Bocconi Asia Center

When Ishan joined SDA Bocconi Asia Center’s International Master in Business program, he came in as a fresher with no prior work experience. Having completed his BBA with a double major in Entrepreneurship and Marketing, he was looking for a program that could bridge the gap between his undergraduate education and the demands of the corporate world.

“What pulled me to SDA Bocconi Asia Center was the global faculty and the specialized course curriculum,” Ishan reflects. “The program offered something unique - a blend of international perspectives with practical, industry-relevant learning.”

During his time at the Asia Center, Ishan secured an internship at AB InBev - marking the beginning of what would become a rewarding career in business intelligence and operations consulting.

Navigating a Fast-Paced Role at AB InBev's GCC

Today, Ishan works in AB InBev's Global Capability Center (GCC) wing, where his role sits at the intersection of operations consulting and business intelligence. His geographical scope spans Europe - specifically Italy, Germany & Expansion Markets -giving him exposure to diverse markets and complex business challenges.

"A typical day involves connecting with stakeholders from my geographical scope to discuss strategy," Ishan explains. "I handle data, and we touch base on both the 1-year plans for each geography in terms of sales intelligence and also go over daily,monthy and quarterly commercial strategies.”

The role is demanding and fast-paced, but Ishan finds it deeply enriching. "It's very rewarding to see the on-ground impact of the decisions made by my team and me," he says. "That visibility creates more ownership of the decisions we make. You're not just working with numbers in a vacuum - you're seeing real business outcomes."

Interestingly, the global nature of his work has created unexpected connections. One of the important Stakeholders in their Italian team is an alumnus of SDA Bocconi's Milan campus, creating a shared foundation and perspective that enhances their collaboration.

Read Also: SDA Bocconi Asia Centre Courses

The Three Pillars of Business Intelligence

When asked about the essential skills for students aspiring to enter business intelligence, Ishan breaks down the discipline into three core functions.

"First, it's the data itself. Second is manipulating the data, which is known as data science. And third is telling stories with the data, which encompasses visualization and reporting," he explains.

For anyone looking to excel in this field, Ishan emphasizes the importance of first identifying the field of data that interests you and then the subsequent steps would be mastering data management, storytelling, and project management. "You have to know what data has to be presented and how it has to be presented to stakeholders so they understand the insights you're bringing forth" he notes.

Beyond the Microsoft Suite, Ishan recommends that students develop hard skills in data visualization and basic understanding of automation capabilities. His advice is practical and direct: "Know the tools that are important and needed for the roles you're interested in, and start learning them now."

Courses That Made a Difference

Looking back at his time at SDA Bocconi Asia Center, Ishan credits specific courses and professors with preparing him for the demands of his current role.

"Professor Recla's class on Data Visualization was invaluable. Professor Recla is very knowledgeable and has great insights into this area," Ishan recalls. "Professor Tohid Kachwala also taught some essentials for data management that I use regularly in my work."

These courses provided more than just theoretical knowledge - they gave Ishan practical frameworks and tools that he applies daily in his work.

Getting Ahead: The Power of Preparation

While the IMB program equipped him with technical and strategic skills, Ishan believes his early preparation made a significant difference. “Connecting with alumni before the program started gave me a head start. I already knew Power BI before the program began.”

This preparation gave him an advantage during placements. “Getting into AB InBev depends entirely on merit, as it follows the principles of meritocracy,” he emphasizes, highlighting the competitiveness of landing roles at global corporations.

His advice to current students: “Keep up with market trends—Upskilling constantly and staying updated is essential in business intelligence.”

Disclaimer: The article has been published as part of the marketing initiative between SDA Bocconi Asia Center and Careers360.