“You are a Product Too”: Manawendra’s Journey to Structure and Strategy with Kellogg Executive Education
At the height of his career, backed by 20 years of cross-industry experience, Manawendra Nath Tiwary found himself asking a simple but profound question: “Am I doing this the right way?”
He had launched products, led innovation teams, and worked across geographies. But he was always looking for a cohesive framework. A structured way to channel his experience into product thinking. That pursuit led him to the Kellogg Executive Education’s Post Graduate Certificate in Product Management Program,, where he found the clarity, tools, and mindset to evolve from instinctive decision-making to intentional product leadership.
How 20 Years of Experience Led to One Defining Choice
Manawendra’s career had already been rich. Working across IT services, consumer electronics, GCC formats, retail, fintech and start-ups, blending communication skills with technical integration. But his journey had been largely intuitive.
“There was no formal ‘product manager’ title when I started my career back in 2008. But we were doing the work. Collaborating across tech teams, rolling out innovations, understanding and empathising with customers deeply. Still, I craved a foundation to tie it all together.”
The Kellogg Executive Education product management program gave him exactly that.
Learning from the Best
One of the highlights of the Kellogg Executive Education Product Management Program for Manawendra was learning from world-renowned faculty, especially Professor Mohanbir Sawhney. Though the sessions were recorded, the insights felt anything but distant.
“Professor Sawhney is a global name in product strategy,” says Manawendra. “Being able to access his teaching from India, at this stage in my career, was a privilege. The value he brought, even through a screen, was immense.”
Equally impactful was his connection with mentor Kiran Kodawanti. What began as academic support soon turned into a meaningful professional relationship.
“Kiran once said to me, ‘You are a product too. Ask yourself: how sellable are your skills?’ That one idea reshaped the way I approached my own growth.”
Bringing Global Lessons to Indian Teams
One of Manawendra’s initial concerns was whether global product frameworks, designed with international markets in mind, would hold up in the nuanced, often complex landscape of Indian organizations. But those doubts were quickly dispelled once the learning began.
“I applied the frameworks immediately at work,” he says. “The structure, the phases, the product strategy. It all made sense here. In fact, I told my team, ‘Don’t listen to me! This is how Kellogg does it.’ That gave credibility.”
He found that the principles of customer-centricity, strategic prioritization, and collaborative thinking were not only applicable but incredibly relevant across his cross-functional teams. The ability to confidently present structured methodologies, backed by one of the world’s leading institutions, helped him influence senior stakeholders and guide his teams with renewed clarity.
“In India, we’re often working in hybrid models with global counterparts. Having a shared language and toolkit for product management was a game-changer. It bridged gaps, built trust, and gave me the confidence to lead with global best practices in local contexts.”
Building Balance, Building Habit
As a full-time consultant, Manawendra knew that time wasn’t something he could find, it was something he had to make. He wanted to upskill, but he also wanted to balance his day job and spend quality time with his wife, two sons, and friends. The Kellogg Executive Education Product Management Program was rigorous, but he saw it as an investment, not an obligation. And it fit right into his schedule!
“It’s about mindset,” he reflects. “No one works uninterrupted for 8 hours a day. We all have pauses, distractions, but how we use those gaps defines our growth.”
Manawendra carved out his own rhythm. He began his mornings with music. His anchor for focus. And broke the coursework into manageable chunks. “I’d listen, reflect, and take notes. Some days it was an hour, some days less. But it became a part of my day, like any other professional commitment.”
What made the learning stick was its immediate relevance. “Because it was real, I could link every module back to a problem I was solving at work. It didn’t feel like academic theory, it felt like a toolkit I was using in real time.”
And it wasn’t just about time management—it was about forming a habit of continuous learning. “I’ve always believed that learning doesn’t end with school. If I go too long without studying something new, I feel like I’m falling behind. This program rekindled that part of me.”
Not a Regular Product Management Program!
Beyond the classroom, Manawendra found something he wasn’t expecting. A tribe!
“We still have our WhatsApp group. We share insights, solve problems, and stay connected. That’s the mark of a strong learning community.”
For him, the learning didn’t stop when the modules ended. Discussions continued, questions flowed, and experiences were exchanged well beyond the formal boundaries of the course. “It’s not just a network.. it’s a support system,” he says. “When someone’s stuck on a product challenge or needs perspective, they know they can lean on the group.”
The program also redefined how he viewed mentorship. His relationship with Kiran Kodawanti evolved into one of mutual respect and accessibility. “Even today, I can ping him with a question—whether it’s about strategy or helping a friend—and he responds. That’s rare.”
The tribe, the mentor relationships, and the ongoing peer learning elevated the experience. It wasn’t just a course. It was a catalyst for growth, community, and long-term connection.
Advice to Future Learners
For anyone considering the Kellogg Executive Education Post Graduate Certificate in Product Management Program, Manawendra has a powerful message: start with purpose.
“Don’t just do it for a certificate,” he says. “Ask yourself—why product? Why now? Why this program? Once your ‘why’ is clear, everything else will follow.”
He emphasizes that this is not just another academic credential—it’s a mindset shift. The program challenges you to think beyond frameworks and roadmaps, and instead reflect on how you, as a professional, can become more structured, strategic, and impactful.
“It doesn’t just teach you about the world of products,” he adds. “It teaches you to be the product. To evaluate your skills, shape your positioning, and ask—how sellable am I? That single insight changed how I lead and grow—not just professionally, but personally.”
His advice is simple: come with intention, stay open to transformation, and be ready to put in the work. Because what you walk away with isn’t just knowledge—it’s clarity, confidence, and a community for life.
