The cost of the program and the time invested has to significantly outweigh the benefits - both tangible and intangible.
Tangible Benefits
Increase in Salary: Alumni research indicates an increase in excess of 25% of their financial plan within six months of graduating. A Product Manager’s annual salary in 2014 survey was pegged at INR 32 lakhs; Chief Product Officers at leading companies draw salaries of INR 1 crore or higher.
Compounded Effect: Salary change is important, but continuous financial growth is even more important. Even if there is a strong chance of becoming a VP in the next seven years, why would you not do that in three? Growth is important; speed of growth is even more important for senior professionals.
Avoiding Loss of Salary: Learn while you work so your cash flow and corporate ladder growth don't stop or pause.
Reduced Upfront Investment: Other branded MBA programs will cost anywhere from INR 12 lakhs (IIM) to INR 28 lakhs (ISB) to INR 54 lakhs (INSEAD). It certainly puts a bigger hole in the financial bag to fill!
Intangible Benefits
While it's hard to put a specific $$ amount to intangible benefits, they are significant catalysts to excel and grow a career.
Confidence: As an IPLite (IPL alumnus), you develop the ability to participate in higher level meetings with a business vocabulary, and ability to influence cross-functional departments in the organization by giving them a strategic view on proposed solutions.
Seen as a Thought Leader: As an IPLite (IPL Alumni), you are seen as a thought leader. For example, our alumni run a non-profit movement called the Product Leaders Forum (PLF) and are recognized in the industry as thought leaders with initiatives like productthinking.com.
Network: What you know is important; who you know is even more important. How do you build a CXO network or a VC network, a network of people who you can interact and learn at a life-long level?
Life-long Support: Your relationship with the institute lasts your lifetime. You can access mentors, coaches, faculty, the Career Management Cell, the Incubator, industry connects, alumni, and, collectively, all the resources whenever you need them, for the rest of your professional life.
