Binod Shankar

The Real Finance Mentor organized it’s first ever meet-up event at Dextrus Co-Working in Mumbai on January 11, 2020. The meet-up was a one-hour talk followed by a 40 minute Q&A session. This was a very different presentation, the kind I’ve never given before.

Just 4 slides. But deep, brutally honest stuff reflecting the essence of my views on education, qualifications, skills, family, employers, mentors, leadership, career, life etc. Views not copied from some book but crafted over 30 years in the classroom of life. Not just CFA (we spent very little time on this!), but a holistic approach because everything is connected and getting the big picture is essential.

The hot topic?

The skills gap among finance professionals (what’s missing, why the gap and how to close it). The audience was a 250 + strong crowd of mostly CA and CFA candidates and recent pass-outs. The talk was followed by a Q & A session with the suave and highly experienced Biharilal Deora and some excellent questions from the audience on career, job search, mentoring, self development etc.

The event was well structured and comprehensive - the previous speakers talked on how to differentiate yourself and the target sectors for CFA candidates in India (and how to get in). Participants walked away with quite a few valuable life and career skills.

A big thumbs up to those who attended; shows the huge interest in how to develop yourself and stand out! Also, a shout out to CFA India Society, who is doing stellar work organizing the FTS.

This event focused on Risk Management, a brief talk on the thrills and hazards of living at high altitude, drawing on my intimate (and torrid!) experience of climbing a dozen odd big mountains.

Included a flashback to those three weeks in July 2014 in Kyrgyzstan, when hope, risk, fear, pain and tragedy came together in an unforgettable fashion.

The lesson? Be aware of the risks, prepare for them, never fight with nature (you will lose), never be blinded by ego or over confidence, know yourself (the toughest!), listen to the experts and know your risk threshold.

So take calculated risks. Because there is no adventure without danger and because you live only once.