If there’s a theme that runs through my professional life, it’s this: I was always searching for one thing and ended up discovering something else—something better.
After my time at GetIT Infomedia (AskMe.com) came to an unexpected end, I set out to find a role that felt more stable, more structured. I was looking for a corporate job that involved team management, client interaction, leadership, and a chance to scale the ladder in a traditional environment.
But what I got instead was something that tested my grit and rebuilt my foundation in a new way.
Enter IndiaMART: A Crash Course in B2B Hustle
I landed a role at IndiaMART, India’s largest B2B directory platform. But instead of managing a team or leading client accounts, I was placed in new client acquisition.
It was a high-pressure, target-driven role. A field sales job through and through. And to be honest? It was tough.
I was sent to Mumbai for training, where I met an incredible batch of professionals. Many of them are still in my network, and a few even helped me later when I moved to Mumbai.
Back in Indore, I started building something I hadn’t expected: a powerful B2B network in the local business ecosystem. I got to know:
• How real sales happen in the B2B world
• How to handle objections, negotiations, and cold outreach
• How to use CRM systems effectively
• How corporate meetings work
• And most importantly, how to communicate like a business leader
Fun Fact: Resignation on Draft
There was this inside joke (and sometimes reality) — if you didn’t hit your monthly sales target, your manager would ask you to email your resignation. So most of us kept one ready in our drafts, just in case.
That said, IndiaMART was an amazing organization, and our management team was full of sharp minds who had their own pressure to deliver. They weren’t just managers—they were mentors.
The Mentor Who Redirected My Path
While working at IndiaMART, I crossed paths with someone who would leave a lasting mark on my professional journey. A gentleman from TCS, he later became a very good friend.
Through our conversations, he introduced me to:
• Supply Chain Management
• Six Sigma methodologies
• Quality control systems
• Business Case Studies
• Marketing Strategies
• Strategic frameworks that most people only hear about in B-school
And because of him, I made one of the most impactful decisions of my life: I enrolled in an MBA program.
The Digital Pivot Begins
While pursuing my MBA, I wanted to keep myself engaged and sharpen some practical skills. That’s when I started exploring part-time opportunities.
I had a natural interest in social media and platforms like Facebook, Google, and Amazon. So I thought to reach out to my clients whom I had built connections with at IndiaMART—and guess what happened?
Follow for more to find out what happened next in my journey. Visit our website abhishekmudgal.com.
