Spokesperson: Keshav Maheswari – Managing Director – Allen Career Institute Overseas

Keshav Maheshwari, Managing Director of Allen Overseas, the visionary leader shared insights into the expansion of Allen’s educational services in the GCC region. From Navigating the challenges of Covid-19 to fostering innovation and expansion, Keshav’s journey and leadership philosophy provide inspiration for aspiring professionals in the region.

Ques 1: Keshav, you’ve led Allen Overseas to incredible heights. Can you share your journey from the inception of the company to becoming its Managing Director, and the key moments that shaped your leadership approach?

Family businesses are common in countries worldwide, and India is no exception to this trend. Before considering taking on the responsibility of managing a family business, it is crucial to recognize its long-term commitment.

Once I decided that I wanted to be more involved in the family business, I intentionally took on various roles that would help me diversify my work experience and strengthen my skill set in preparation for my transition. I started my career as a marketing executive and transitioned into tutoring before moving to an associate position in a multinational corporation.

I moved full-time to Allen 8 years ago with a drive to take the Allen Overseas business to new heights. During one of my visits to Bahrain in 2019, one of Allen’s top-ranking NEET students from the region spoke to me at length about the training gaps in the industry for Indian students looking to pursue higher education in India, which compelled me to expand our overseas business across the Middle East.

Ques 2: As a leader, what’s your driving philosophy that has contributed to the success and growth of Allen Overseas? How do you inspire your team to align with this vision?

As a leader, I believe all voices should be heard. One of the key aspects to success is ensuring that your team is aware of and aligned with your business objectives. A sense of purpose and individual growth is a prime motivator to keep your employees happy and tuned into the business’s success.

As an organization, we always ensure an open communication platform by conducting regular discussions with the wider team. This helps us not only to understand internal concerns but also to be aware of any apprehensions regarding students and parents.

Ques 3: Leading a successful organization requires resilience. Can you recall a challenging period and how you and your team overcame it, demonstrating the values that Allen Overseas stands for?

Covid was a challenging time for all sectors. The restrictions and health concerns made in-person learning difficult, and we had to adapt to a new reality swiftly. For students, teachers, and parents, it was a phase where we had to adapt and develop our online capabilities to ensure the students did not face any consequences.

Every staff member exemplified the values of adaptability and innovation we proudly foster at Allen Overseas. In a short time, we transitioned successfully to online classes, ensuring our students had the necessary resources to continue their exam preparation. We tracked their progress and supported them with round-the-clock tutor assistance. One of our key initiatives was the implementation of online mock tests, which helped students prepare effectively for their upcoming exams.

Ques 4: Innovation often drives progress. How do you foster a culture of innovation within Allen Overseas, ensuring it remains at the forefront of educational solutions and student empowerment?

At ALLEN Overseas, innovation is at the heart of our educational philosophy. We believe that technology is a powerful tool for empowering students to reach their full potential. That’s why we have seamlessly integrated technology into our coaching methodologies, offering online mock test, flexible support systems and hybrid learning options. We are also committed to exploring AI’s potential to personalise each student’s learning experience further.

Our dedication to innovation is evident in our ALLEN Plus Portal, an online platform that provides students with a wealth of resources and tools, including video lectures, live streaming, interactive learning environments, progress tracking tools and personalised quizzes. The portal also features parents’ portal, giving parents real-time insights into their child’s performance and progress. We also believe in fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation among our teachers and staff, empowering them to drive our educational solutions forward.

Through our continuous pursuit of innovation, we strive to create an educational environment that empowers students to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and problem solvers, ready to impact the world positively.

Ques 5: As a leader, your story can be a source of inspiration to many aspiring professionals. What advice would you give to those who aim to make a significant impact in their chosen fields, just as you have with Allen Overseas?

As a second-generation leader at Allen Overseas, I have chosen a path less travelled, expanding our educational services overseas. This journey, marked by challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, has taught me invaluable lessons. As I advise our students, I’ve learned to embrace risk and adapt to change.

Within Allen, our students’ mental health is paramount, and our support reflects the care we extend in our lives. To those aspiring to make a significant impact in their chosen fields, I’d say embrace change, learn from every experience, and prioritise your well-being as you pursue your goal.

Keshav Maheshwari is a dynamic and accomplished second-generation entrepreneur from the renowned Maheshwari family, the force behind the Allen Career Institute of Kota and the pioneers who made Kota the ideal destination for IIT coaching in India.

Read a feature on the family here: https://www.forbesindia.com/article/family-business/they-built-a-coaching-empire-in-kota-next-a-global-makeover/62681/1.

Keshav has walked in the footsteps of his father, Govind Maheshwari, and been instrumental in driving the company’s overseas expansion. He has successfully launched Allen Overseas in the GCC market and is expanding the footprint in the region under the capacity of Managing Director, Allen Overseas. With seven physical centres already operating in Dubai (3), Abu Dhabi (1), Sharjah (1), Muscat (1), and Kuwait (1), Allen Institute is set to further expand its presence with the opening of three additional centres 2023. This expansion will provide quality education to more students and create job opportunities, with plans to hire over 100 people at the current and new centres.

 With a keen interest in family business and passion for innovation and a strong drive for success, Keshav is constantly reinventing his journey and makes sure he seeks advice and guidance from family as well as the larger community on LinkedIn. He is very active and approachable on LinkedIn where he runs The Keshav Konnect, discussing life, learnings, and journey of a second-gen entrepreneur.

He is a musician too and often, in his free time or on special occasions, likes to sing to convey his feelings.