Management Science BSc/MSci Additional Personal Statement (2023) NAME: UCAS Personal ID: KAYNAA BAKSHI UCAS PID: 1698624309 The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme is focused on complex, innovationintensive, data-driven organisations. Please select an example of a well-known global organisation that is complex, innovative, and data driven. ORGANISATION: Question 1: Justify your chosen organisation in terms of the ways in which it is complex, innovative, and uses data to drive decisions. Use relevant facts from this year (2022) to support your justification. Discuss and quantify the impact (i.e. value to the organisation) of examples used (e.g. new innovative products or processes, newly introduced technologies, recent big data projects). Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) is a truly impressive company that is at the forefront of innovation, diversity, and data-driven decision making. With a diverse workforce and a steadfast commitment to inclusivity, HUL is breaking down barriers and creating an environment that fosters creativity, excellence, and success. HUL's data-driven approach to product development and customer satisfaction is nothing short of exceptional. By processing vast amounts of data, the company is able to tailor its products and services to meet the ever-changing needs of its customers, ensuring that they are receiving the best possible experience. And with a focus on consumer-centric innovation, brands like Ponds, Vim, and Dove continue to set the standard for excellence in the Indian market. HUL's commitment to diversity and inclusion is also truly inspiring. Through its "Diversity and Inclusion" policy, the company is creating a workplace that is truly equitable, diverse, and inclusive. From training programs to mentoring and leadership development initiatives, HUL is working hard to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to thrive within the organisation. Additionally, the company's products and marketing campaigns are a testament to their commitment to diversity, supporting small businesses and women entrepreneurs, and promoting inclusivity. Overall, HUL is a truly remarkable company that is leading the charge in the Indian market. With their innovative and data-driven approach, commitment to diversity and 1 inclusivity, and a focus on customer satisfaction, HUL is poised for continued success and growth. The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme is a demanding multi-disciplinary degree programme with a particular focus on the application of advanced mathematics, data science and computational algorithms to contemporary management problems. Question 2: Describe five important ways that the UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci is different from other undergraduate Business or Management programmes. The Management Science BSc programme at UCL School of Management is an exceptional degree that provides students with a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills. This degree is highly unique, and it offers a high-performance, high-trust environment that enables students to develop deep technological skills and advanced social and emotional skills. The programme is highly interdisciplinary, and students work in teams to address complex management problems during 12 intense Scenario Weeks. This provides students with valuable practical experience in solving real-world problems and helps them to develop problem-solving and consulting skills. Throughout the programme, students develop rigorous quantitative and analytical skills, along with an in-depth understanding of how companies work. They also develop a strong foundation in key skills that are essential for building successful careers with global businesses that tackle worldscale problems. Teaching and learning occur through a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, case studies, practicals, special sessions, guest lectures, and regular tutorials. There is also a substantial and ever-developing virtual learning environment in which students are expected to participate fully. Extensive background reading and literature research are required throughout the programme. Graduates from the programme work at some of the world's leading companies, including top management consulting firms, global investment banks, and cutting-edge technology companies. With the interdisciplinary skills developed through the programme, graduates are equipped to identify and solve complex management problems, and create value in a variety of roles. The UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme includes a significant element of group work within a culturally-diverse international cohort, reflecting the reality of work in most complex, innovative, data-driven organisations. 2 Students on the UCL MANAGEMENT SCIENCE BSc/MSci programme succeed when they: ● Work well in teams and are empathetic to others from diverse backgrounds ● Are curious and have a passion for learning ● Are open to novel challenges and like to think creatively ● Are confident to ask questions and talk openly in a class setting Question 3: Identify a difficult or challenging situation you have had to deal with that required you to understand and work with other PEOPLE. How did you deal with this situation and what did you learn from it? Question 4: Please suggest something that you think everyone on the MANAGEMENT SCIENCE programme should read, and why? Hint: Avoid obvious things like The Economist or well-known business books. Think about the things that you have read that have really inspired you. I recall a school event called Labyrinth that required us to collaborate with other students to make it happen. With limited time, we knew it would be a challenging task. However, we were determined to make it happen and worked together to ensure that everything went smoothly. Initially, we faced challenges due to different ideas and opinions. However, we realised the need to put aside our differences and focus on achieving our goal. We divided tasks based on our strengths and worked tirelessly to complete everything on time. This project taught me the importance of effective communication and collaboration. I learned that working together as a team can lead to great achievements. Additionally, I learned how to manage my time and prioritise tasks, which will be beneficial in the future. In the end, we successfully completed the project, which was a great feeling. This experience taught me that with determination, hard work, and collaboration, any obstacle can be overcome. In today's uncertain and rapidly changing world, it is crucial for individuals and organisations to be able to thrive in the face of adversity. One book that has deeply inspired me in this regard is ANTIFRAGILE. I believe that every student should read it, as it contains valuable insights that are highly relevant to the business world. ANTIFRAGILE distinguishes between the fragile mindset, which cannot withstand uncertainty, the resilient mindset, which can endure it, and the antifragile mindset, which actually benefits from it by taking advantage of unpredictable events. To become antifragile, we need to manage risks and turn challenges into opportunities. Organisations that are antifragile are better able to withstand shocks and stresses and even emerge stronger from them. By building up extra capacity, they are able to thrive in volatile environments. This is especially important for larger organisations, which are more vulnerable to unexpected crises. As individuals, we can adopt the antifragile mindset by looking for opportunities in the midst of crises and actively seeking ways to benefit from them. 3 Question 5: Tell us something surprising about you that would make your future classmates want to have you in their class? Overall, the ideas in ANTIFRAGILE have taught me the importance of embracing uncertainty and volatility, as they can present opportunities for growth and development I am a unique and valuable addition to any class due to my diverse set of interests and experiences. My passion for dance and choreography has taught me discipline, creativity, and collaboration skills, while my participation in sports such as basketball and underarm cricket has helped me develop teamwork, communication, and perseverance. In my personal life, I enjoy playing guitar and have a love for animals, which has taught me empathy, kindness, and responsibility. As a member of CMCA and various beach clean-up drives, I have gained an understanding of community involvement, leadership, and social responsibility. Total number of words used in all your answers (no more than 1,000) 4