Beyond the 4Ps: Mastering the skills that modern businesses demand

Twenty years ago, marketing strategy could ride on tried-and-tested formulas: the 4Ps, long product life cycles, brand loyalty, and mass campaigns. Today, that world has shifted.

Customers demand hyper-personalisation, real-time engagement, omnichannel experiences, and seamless service. The digital footprint of a brand, encompassing social media touchpoints and AI-driven chatbots, carries as much weight as traditional marketing campaigns.Simultaneously, the shift from product-based to service-oriented models has changed skill requirements. Marketing is no longer just about “selling stuff” but designing experiences, managing service ecosystems, ensuring retention, and integrating feedback loops into product development.

In many organisations, the CMO is as much a strategist and data scientist as a communicator.Yet across India, there is a disconnect between what the industry needs and what many professionals bring. A 2023 report¹ notes that 77% of Indian CEOs cite skill shortages as a barrier to growth. Further, research shows that only 37% of Indian workers² feel confident they possess the skills to advance in their careers, revealing a critical confidence gap in capability. In the HR and L&D domain, 58% of leaders³ cite skill gaps and the sluggish pace of AI adoption as their biggest challenges in 2025.For professionals early or mid into their careers, especially in sales and marketing, this gap is stark. Many are fluent in social media campaigns and analytics tools, but falter when strategic integration, pricing decisions, or cross-functional collaboration are demanded. The old playbooks no longer suffice, and the next level demands new tools, frameworks, and perspectives.In response to this evolving need, SPJIMR offers the Post Graduate Programme in Marketing & Business Management (PGPMBM) for working professionals, which aligns exactly with these demands, a blended modular programme that equips participants with deeper insights into management fundamentals, sharpens analytical and strategic thinking, and helps them lead marketing and sales functions with confidence.PGPMBM at SPJIMR: Empowering working professionals to lead growth in sales and marketingSPJIMR’s Post Graduate Programme in Marketing & Business Management (PGPMBM) is tailored for high-performing junior and mid-level executives ready to step up as business leaders in the sales and marketing domain.

Through this programme, participants gain a strong foundation in management principles and decision-making frameworks, develop a refined understanding of how marketing and sales align with overall business goals, and dive deep into modern, data-driven strategies that blend theory with practice.

The focus on analytical rigour helps participants interpret data, identify market patterns, and make decisions that drive business impact.Structured over 13 months, the modular, blended design of this executive management programme in sales and marketing balances rigour with flexibility, empowering professionals to upgrade their skills without pausing their careers.Inside the PGPMBM advantage

These features are more than bells and whistles; they are designed to make learning translate seamlessly into performance.

What amplifies the power of PGPMBM is SPJIMR’s strong legacy in executive education, its enduring industry partnerships, and an active alumni base of over 18,000 leaders. Each diverse and collaborative cohort brings together ambitious professionals from varied sectors and locations, enriching every discussion with new perspectives.

The result is a transformational learning experience, an accelerated, application-oriented programme that equips participants to take on higher responsibilities, while helping organisations strengthen leadership pipelines and retain top talent in an ever-evolving business landscape.Admissions & eligibility: Step into the futureThe PGPMBM welcomes professionals who are driven, curious, and looking to grow their career in the sales and marketing domain.Eligibility:

Admissions at a glance:The admission process is designed to identify high-potential professionals who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership potential, and a strong drive to grow. Each stage is structured to assess both aptitude and attitude, ensuring that participants are not only academically capable but also ready to apply learning in real-world business contexts. → Online reasoning rest: An assessment of quantitative, verbal, and logical reasoning, along with critical thinking and decision-making. Evaluators look for clarity of thought and the ability to reason under pressure.→ Personal interview: A conversational interaction with SPJIMR faculty members that gauges commercial awareness, communication skills, self-motivation, and authenticity.→ Application review: Evaluates your academic record, professional progression, clarity of career goals, and overall leadership potential.Tips for candidates: → Be natural, focus on clarity and authenticity over rehearsed answers. → Use real work examples to demonstrate problem-solving. → Highlight how your current experience connects with marketing and business management thinking.A future-focused leapThe marketing and business world is evolving faster than ever, demanding professionals who can adapt, think strategically, and lead with insight. The skills gap is real, but so is the opportunity. SPJIMR’s Post Graduate Programme in Marketing & Business Management (PGPMBM) stands out as a bridge that transforms potential into performance. With its flexible learning structure, industry integration, and leadership-focused curriculum, it empowers executives to not just stay relevant, but to lead confidently into the future of marketing and business.REFERENCES -

Disclaimer: The article has been produced on behalf of SPJIMR by the Times Internet's Spotlight team.