How does studying in Europe prepare you for launching one of the most innovative companies in a country as complex as India? In this dynamic episode, we sit down with Supra, a global strategy professional who helped expand Tesla into new markets, including India. From landing a role at Tesla in the Netherlands to navigating the multifaceted challenge of launching in India, Supra brings a front-row perspective on transformation, compliance, and cultural agility.
We begin with Supra’s journey as an international student in Europe—what sparked the move, how he adapted, and the raw truth behind studying and job-hunting abroad. Spoiler alert: language barriers can be brutal. But buried in that struggle is also a cheat code that Supra reveals for standing out and thriving in the EU job market after your master’s degree.
The conversation then shifts into high gear as we talk about his time at Tesla—how he cracked the role, what “transformation” really means at a company like Tesla, and how he got involved with strategic planning for Tesla’s India entry. Supra breaks down the hidden challenges: navigating India’s compliance ecosystem, dealing with air quality concerns, and balancing global flexibility with local constraints. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to operationalize a global brand in a country with entirely different regulations, expectations, and realities—this section is gold.
We also dig deep into the cultural dynamics that influence the success or failure of international expansions. From the difference in work cultures between the EU and the US to how Tesla had to adapt its internal processes for the Indian market, Supra gives a masterclass on the human side of strategy.
The episode is also a blueprint for international students. Supra doesn’t just share his success—he shares his systems. Whether you’re considering a European master’s, dreaming of working at Tesla, or looking to launch operations in emerging markets, Supra’s final advice offers clarity and confidence. His closing thoughts are especially valuable for students navigating unfamiliar geographies, unsure whether their degree will translate into real impact.
This episode is perfect for:
International students navigating European education and job markets
Professionals interested in Tesla, electric vehicles, and emerging market expansion
Entrepreneurs and operators launching tech products in India
Anyone exploring cultural agility, compliance, and transformation in business
Tune in for insights that connect the classroom to corporate boardrooms—and European strategy rooms to Indian launchpads.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro + Background
01:58 Journey to Europe: An International Student's Tale
07:31 Naman's B-school experience abroad
12:16 Navigating Finding Jobs in Europe – Languages suck
17:20 The cheatcode to excelling in EU after your MS
22:13 Cracking Tesla role in the Netherlands
24:21 What exactly is transformation?
27:30 Planning for Tesla launch in India
28:51 Navigating Indian Compliance
29:49 Air Quality Challenges in India
33:30 Flexibility in Work Culture
35:30 Tesla Launch: How Culture Dictates Success
38:35 Work culture in EU vs USA
40:43 The Impact of Tesla's Launch in India
43:21 Collaboration Across Cultures
46:05 Supra's tip for international students