Namita Jain, a PGDM (Retail Management) student at BIMTECH Greater Noida recently attended the prestigious Global Management Program at UNIQLO Fast Retailing HQ in Tokyo. She was one of only 53 students selected from over 10,000 global applicants and one of just three students representing India. Here’s an exclusive interview with Namita, from BIMTECH.
Interviewer: Good morning, Namita! It's great to have you here. We're all eager to hear about your international experience with UNIQLO, especially given the recent strategic partnership between UNIQLO and Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH).
Namita Jain: Good morning! Thank you for having me. I'm excited to share my journey and hopefully provide some insights for aspiring retail leaders.
Interviewer: You were among a select group of participants chosen globally for UNIQLO's Global Management Program in Japan. How did you feel when you first received the news of your selection, and what were some of your key responsibilities or learning objectives during the programme?
Namita Jain: Receiving the news that I had been selected for UNIQLO's Global Management Program was a truly exhilarating moment. My immediate reaction was a blend of shock, immense pride, and excitement. It felt surreal to know I would be representing my institution on an international stage and getting a firsthand look at a global retail giant. The selection itself was highly rigorous, out of nearly 10,000 applicants worldwide, only 53 participants were chosen, representing 23 countries, with just three of us from India. That made the achievement even more special.
My initial learning objectives were centered around understanding UNIQLO's core retail operations, from supply chain and inventory management to customer service and visual merchandising. They really emphasise a holistic understanding of the business, and I was keen to absorb as much as possible. The overall key responsibilities and learning objectives for the program were centered around three main areas: strategic problem solving, understanding Uniqlo’s corporate philosophy and cultural and professional immersion.
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Interviewer: That sounds comprehensive. Can you describe a typical day during your training? What kind of tasks were you involved in, and what specific skills did you get to develop?
Namita Jain: Japanese corporate culture is incredibly hardworking, and that really set the tone for my experience. A typical day involved visiting UNIQLO’s Global Headquarters, where I had the opportunity to interact not only with global leaders but also with participants from across countries. The sessions went beyond just understanding UNIQLO, they gave me exposure to how global brands build strategies and execute them at scale. The cross-cultural collaboration was challenging at times, but also very enriching. In the process, I honed key skills such as operational efficiency, customer engagement, data-driven analysis, and problem-solving in a fast-paced retail environment.
Interviewer: How did your academic learning at BIMTECH prepare you for this training, and in what ways did the training at UNIQLO complement or extend that learning?
Namita Jain: My coursework at BIMTECH, especially subjects like Retail Operations, Consumer Behavior, and Supply Chain Management, provided a very strong theoretical foundation. I had a good understanding of the concepts. The UNIQLO training was where those theories truly came alive. For example, we discussed inventory models in class, but seeing UNIQLO's sophisticated inventory system in action and understanding the real-time decisions made based on stock levels and sales, was invaluable. The training didn't just complement; it provided the practical context that solidified my understanding and showed me the nuances of applying classroom knowledge in a global retail setting.
Interviewer: Mr. Kenji Inoue, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, UNIQLO India, during the MoU signing ceremony at BIMTECH mentioned that “this collaboration will offer students a unique opportunity to have business sessions with global market specialists to learn more about the world industry and business.” Did you have an opportunity to interact with any such specialists during your training in Japan, and what was the key takeaway from those interactions?
Namita Jain: Absolutely! One of the most enriching aspects was participating in virtual business sessions with specialists from UNIQLO's global teams. We had sessions with professionals from their Japan headquarters and other international markets. The key takeaway for me was understanding the sheer scale and complexity of global retail operations. They discussed market-specific strategies, challenges in different regions, and how UNIQLO maintains its brand consistency globally while adapting to local tastes. It was a true eye-opener to the international dynamics of the apparel industry.
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Interviewer: What was the most challenging aspect of your training, and how did you overcome it?
Namita Jain: The most challenging aspect was probably the sheer volume of information and the fast pace of the retail environment. There's so much to learn, and decisions are often made quickly. I overcame this by being proactive, constantly asking questions, taking detailed notes, and seeking feedback from my mentors. I also made an effort to connect with different team members to understand their roles and how they contributed to the overall operation. It taught me the importance of active learning and adaptability.
Interviewer: And on the flip side, what was the most rewarding part of your UNIQLO training experience?
Namita Jain: The most rewarding part was the depth of understanding I gained about the retail industry. In this space, every brand aspires to go global, and my experience showed me how that journey is actually made possible, not just in terms of survival, but in building sustainable growth and profitability. On top of that, working with participants from different countries was truly enriching. It expanded my perspective and significantly boosted my confidence.
Interviewer: Based on your experience, what advice would you give to current MBA aspirants, particularly those considering a specialization in retail management, who are looking to leverage partnerships like the one between BIMTECH and UNIQLO?
Namita Jain: My advice would be threefold. Firstly, be genuinely curious and proactive. These partnerships offer unparalleled access to industry leaders and real-world scenarios, so make the most of every opportunity to learn and ask questions. Secondly, develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Retail is increasingly data-driven, so being able to interpret data and make informed decisions is crucial. And finally, cultivate strong interpersonal and communication skills. Retail is all about people – customers, colleagues, and suppliers – so being able to communicate effectively and build relationships is paramount. Don't just rely on the classroom; actively seek out and embrace these industry exposures. They are truly transformative.
Interviewer: That's fantastic advice, Namita. Thank you so much for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. It's been incredibly informative.
Disclaimer: This article has been published as a part of the marketing initiative between BIMTECH Greater Noida and Careers360.
On Question asked by student community
Hello,
Your academic credentials are strong, your CMAT percentile is below the typical cutoff for BIMTECH's PGDM core program. However, factors such as your OBC-NCL status and gender diversity considerations might enhance your overall application. It's advisable to reach out directly to BIMTECH's admissions office to discuss your specific situation and explore potential opportunities.
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) offers PGDM, PGDM International Business , PGDM Insurance Business Management, and PGDM Retail Management programmes. According to the official placement report for the batch of 2022-2024, some of the companies which extended job offers to the marketing graduates for sales and marketing roles were Accenture, Infosys, Wipro Ltd, Schneider Electric, SBI General Insurance, Make My Trip (MMT), Tata AIG, Wildcraft, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., Aditya Birla Health Insurance, etc. Some of the roles offered to candidates were of Management Trainee, Research Associate, Area Manager, Consultant, Management Trainee –Analyst, Senior Sales Officer Trainee (SSOT), Associate Solution Advisor, Business Development Manager, etc.
Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) offers a Post Graduate Diploma in Retail Management. The programme provides in-depth knowledge to students in all aspects of retail marketing, and core management areas such as Marketing Management, Financial Accounting, Quantitative Management, and Economics.
The institute has a strategic tie up with the Retail Association of India (RAI), Mumbai. On the job training is provided to students in order to enhance the student- industry interaction so that students can acquire the experience of a retail store working, which bridges the gap between academics and field learning. This also helps students to gain knowledge and experience in the functioning of a retail stores.
BIMTECH also organises visits to various industries to enable students to have first-hand knowledge of procedures and formalities in the industries. A number of industry interactions and experts visits are regularly organised by the institute.
PGDM Retail Management students undertake a number of projects as a part of the course curriculum. The institute follows the case study pedagogy. During the course of the programme, students are required to undergo a three months mandatory summer internship assignment between the first and second year. Therefore, you will get a lot of opportunities for practical learning, such as internships, projects, and case studies in the PGDM Retail Management programme offered at BIMTECH Greater Noida.
Students pursuing the Post Graduate Diploma in Management at Birla Institute of Management Technology are required to study a number of core, and elective courses as the part of the programme. The list of core marketing courses offered in the first two trimesters are mentioned below:
In third, fourth, and fifth trimesters, students must select functional elective from Marketing/ Finance/ HR/ Operations, and Decision Science. The list of functional elective courses in marketing specialisation are mentioned below:
Similarly, students who pursue the PGDM International Business are also required to select elective courses.
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