How a Mumbai Entrepreneur Returned to Her First Love—Writing—After ISB Online’s Digital Marketing Programme
- A Call to Unlearn and Begin Again
- Stepping into the Unknown
- Learning That Changed Leadership
- Discovering the Joy of Learning (Again)
- Personal Transformation at Home and Beyond
- What the Course Gets Right
- Who Should Take This Course?
- ISB Online’s Digital Marketing and Analytics: Programme Highlights
- Looking Ahead
Mumbai-based entrepreneur Neha Sharma has spent over 15 years navigating the ever-evolving consumer tech landscape. As co-founder of iGear, a lifestyle electronics brand she built with her husband, Neha knew success—but also sensed it was time for something more. Her decision to enrol in the ISB Online’s Digital Marketing and Analytics Programme integrated with AI and GenAI, delivered in collaboration with Emeritus, wasn’t just about adding a credential—it marked a bold career pivot and a return to her lifelong love: writing.
A Call to Unlearn and Begin Again
“Not everyone wants to unlearn what they already know,” Neha reflects. “But I realised I needed to.” Years of leading a startup had left her managing everything from a birds-eye view—setting KPIs, overseeing vendors, tracking outcomes. But when it came to understanding the ‘why’ behind marketing numbers or how digital ecosystems truly operated, she knew she had to go deeper.
“I’d become overly dependent on third parties to interpret data,” she says. “Sometimes their reports felt like Latin and Greek. I needed to understand it for myself.”
She came across ISB Online’s Digital Marketing and Analytics programme on LinkedIn. “I saw alumni posting their certificates, and that piqued my curiosity. I didn’t see a course on content or copywriting—my first love—but this felt close enough to what I needed.”
Stepping into the Unknown
For Neha, joining the 12-week online course was “like diving into the deep end of the pool”. Though she initially kept quiet in class, she soon found herself drawn into vibrant discussions led by course leader/mentor Amey Ambulkar and other faculty members. “Amey was patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and made us feel like we were in a real classroom. We weren’t just passive listeners—we were active participants.”
The course covered a robust curriculum—from search marketing, social media, and web analytics to campaign planning and performance measurement. But what stood out most to Neha was how it demystified complex topics.
“The session on hacking tools blew our minds,” she laughs. “We finally understood how competitors were tracking us, how performance could be manipulated, and what actually drives digital success.”
Learning That Changed Leadership
The impact of the programme went beyond marketing insights. It transformed how Neha saw her role as a leader. “I used to demand unrealistic outcomes without understanding the algorithms or backend complexity involved. Now, I can set achievable goals and truly collaborate with people.”
She shares how the course made her a more empathetic leader. “I don’t just throw numbers around anymore. I ask the right questions. I understand the strategy. That has lifted a fog that existed between me and people I work with.”
Discovering the Joy of Learning (Again)
A highlight for Neha was her capstone project—building a brand strategy for Swiggy. “It forced me to think beyond the obvious. What happens after an IPO? How do you sustain innovation? That project reminded me how much I enjoy ideating and storytelling.”
Ironically, it was a project on a BFSI brand that stretched her the most. “I had zero interest in financial markets, but I gave it my all. I studied for six hours, grilled my husband for answers, even downloaded a trading simulator app just to understand the basics.”
That project—and the course—gave her confidence to rediscover her passion. Shortly after completing the programme, Neha made a bold decision: to step away from iGear and pursue a fresh career in content and copywriting.
“I updated my CV. I told the world I was open to work—as a fresher, no less. I just want to write again. And this course helped me find the courage to do that.”
Personal Transformation at Home and Beyond
Neha’s journey also left a mark at home. As a mother of two, she says her children saw her in a new light. “They watched me study, take notes, and join sessions late into the night. Now, when we watch shows together, I pause and ask them to think about language, storytelling, and what the ad is really saying. They’ve picked up my curiosity.”
The family learned to rally around her studies. “I made it clear—Mum is in class. Dinner can wait. And they respected that. It’s a dynamic I hope many women get to experience.”
What the Course Gets Right
For Neha, what sets the ISB Online programme offered by Emeritus apart is its structure. The weekly live sessions, hands-on assignments, and peer learning through WhatsApp groups made it interactive and immersive. “We weren’t lone wolves. We had our tribe.”
Faculty like Prof Madhu Viswanathan stood out for their practical insights and engaging delivery. “Even with pre-recorded sessions, the examples were up-to-date, sharp, relatable, and very Indian. It wasn’t some abstract case study from halfway across the world. They talked about Zomato, Swiggy—brands we interact with every day.”
Who Should Take This Course?
“Anyone with an appetite to learn,” Neha says. “It’s not just for marketers or digital natives. It’s for entrepreneurs, leaders, anyone climbing the ladder who wants to understand the ‘why’ behind the numbers.” She also recommends it for those outsourcing digital work. “You can’t lead what you don’t understand. This course helps you lead better.” If you have a couple of hours a day and the motivation to learn, you can make this happen.
ISB Online’s Digital Marketing and Analytics: Programme Highlights
Now, let’s take a brief look at some of the technical aspects of the programme that you need to consider before applying:
- Programme duration: 24 Weeks
- Eligibility: Graduate/Diploma (10+2+3) with 10 years of professional experience in a relevant domain
- Format: High-quality pre-recorded video lectures, live online sessions with ISB faculty, doubt-clearing sessions with leading industry experts, and guidance from a dedicated programme support team
- Success coach: Personalised support from a dedicated success coach to help you stay on track and achieve learning goals
- Faculty: Taught by renowned ISB professors and global marketing practitioners
- Peer interaction: Engage with a global cohort of professionals through live discussions, case studies, and collaborative projects
- Alumni network: Become part of an elite network of ISB Executive Education alumni and connect with digital marketing leaders across industries
Looking Ahead
Neha isn’t done learning. She’s exploring AI and content innovation courses next. Her advice to future learners is simple: “Give yourself 12 weeks. Netflix can wait. The transformation is worth it.”
Ready to power your career with data-driven marketing skills. Explore the ISB Online’s Digital Marketing and Analytics Programme designed for professionals looking to lead, strategise, and succeed in the digital-first world.
Join hundreds of learners like Neha who chose to upskill with confidence.
