World Colleges Information

Dressing the part, rehearsing the lines and stocking your files are the preliminary part of the preparation for sneaking your way into the corporate arena, but what finally secures the seat is your knack to make that perfect first impression. While B-school education preps a fresher to make it big and score a fly job, it seldom concentrates on the nitty-gritty of business niceties. In today’s era of open-plan work spaces and digital technology the concept of corporate etiquettes is more relevant and crucial than ever. These mannerisms are an essential necessity for a fresher. They are handy not only during the interview phase but also throughout their corporate trajectory – starting from the bottom of the hierarchy and right to the top.

With changing times and newer inclusions of work techniques and technologies, the rules for social appropriateness and mannerisms have blurred. The competition is stiff. With herds of talented freshers and entrepreneurs in the market tussling for the same spot, it is only through charm and charisma that these corporate entities can rise above the rest and get noticed. Such etiquettes and set of social rules lay the groundwork for all kinds of business relationship, whether it is between peers or clients or even between two business units in general. Abiding by these rules project professionalism and hence imbibes a sense of confidence and positivity. Within an organization adhering to social manners and code of conduct leads to a healthier working atmosphere. It allows teamwork to be more amicable and also makes it easier for co-workers with different opinions to work together.

Cultural eccentricities can be tackled more efficiently if every employee follows similar work ethics as it would in turn help these individuals to focus their energy at the task at hand rather than their differences. Being an international concept, business etiquette aids in successful cross-cultural business dealings and is counterproductive in terms of handling vast geographical diversions.

With changing times and the 21st century’s corporate revolution, it is essential for every newbie to imbibe and understand these social niceties. It not only aids in scoring brownie points at an official level but also contributes in molding their overall personality. With the ubiquity of gadgets and technologies like mobiles, tablets and Internet, there are few new additions to the rule book. But, nonetheless there are also these age-old etiquette staples that hold good in today’s scenario.

Time-tested professional protocols

The crux of corporate etiquette is the ability to create socially comfortable work spaces. These norms for professional behavior are standard throughout any kind, form, culture, country or size of business. Table manners, professional greetings, business handshakes, elevator manners, gender treatments, time management, verbal and non-verbal communication, formal dress code, extending courtesies are few pointers from these rule book that has remained consistent. The following are the five essential mannerisms that every professional should swear-by-

Names: upon introduction, always use your full name and also pay careful attention to your counterpart’s full name and how they pronounce it. Also, pay attention to how they want to be addressed and follow it.

Pronunciation of names can get complicated;if yours is a difficult name with an even trickier pronunciation, then either spell it out or right down the break-up on your visiting card before handing it over. Always remember your peers, business associate’s and client’s names – it helps in building inter personal relationship

Language: stick to a strictly professional diction and watch your language. Slangs, derogatory comments and rude remarks are totally unacceptable.Use of colloquial language is unprofessional, hence be careful while picking your words. Stick to polite greetings and don’t go overboard with your ‘thank you’, ‘please’ and ‘sorry’.

Body language: non-verbal communication can be just as impactful as verbal communication. So in order to come across as a serious professional always follow the basic body language rule. A solid handshake is still the norm to kick start a professional relationship. Always standup while introducing yourself or while being introduced to – it helps in establishing your presence. Do not cross your legs while being seated, this rule applies to both men and women. While conversing, in order to direct or emphasis, use your open palm but do not point your finger. Maintain constant eye contact with your counterpart, but do not stare.

Time: always be on time. There is nothing more unprofessional than being lousy with time. Being punctual shows that you value the business and people’s time. Being late just says that you are inconsiderate.

Farewell: after a professional rendezvous always send out a thank you note or a card. Sending either a handwritten note or a digital mail adds value and acts as a follow-up. It will reflect well on your firm and you and also project your sincerity towards the collaboration.

New-age professional protocols

Given the universal presence of social media it is essential to make the right move online. With a professional blunder just a click away; here is the new-age code of conduct that every professional should abide by:

Time: though the digital space is devoid of time restriction, be careful in following it. Any work email, text, voice mails should be sent within the office hours. On weekend steer clear of any official means of communication.

Dress code: with organizations becoming flexible and more relaxed in terms of acceptable office wear, many newbies and professionals are going super casual. Though certain level of leverage is acceptable, showing up to work in ripped jeans and beach shirt is totally not. When in doubt, take cues from your seniors and do not experiment.

Elevator and corridor rules: exchange pleasantries and do not discuss serious office work while riding the elevator or crossing paths. Wearing ear plugs or constantly checking your blackberry while in presence of your peers is plain rude. Common spaces like elevators and corridors are great for social interaction, so use them to interact and catch up with your colleagues.

The workspace maze: everyone works out of a cubicle these days. It is considered as their personal space – so don’t invade it without permission. Either knock or verbally announce before entering.

Online avenues: professional networking sites such as Linkedin are good medium to build and sustain professional contacts. When it comes to be social medium such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, be careful as to whom you befriend and the nature of information you make available to them. Online mistakes are difficult to undo and can leave a lasting impression. So, think twice before you accept or send out that friend request

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

If in life when handed a lemon you are expected make to churn out lemonade, then how much more will you be expected to wrestle and tussle in order to get to the top of the corporate ladder, where, though the seats are numbered, the competitors are galore. With the business market spiraling out of control with latest innovation and opportunities that has not heard or seen before, it is now or never for start-ups, established ventures and for fresher to sneak their way in and make a mark.

In the aggressive business world, competition is an obvious fixture. With so many players yearning for common customers and common place in the market,contesting to be the best is inevitable. While business gurus believe that a healthy competition might be a good, they also feel that it might be an additive factor in causing more stress in an already high strung corporate environment. Like every other facet from the business world even competition or the common competitive edge has its set of pros and cons. Let’s dwell on it further and find out more.

Pros

Competition is considered a virtue by many multinational players, a means to further their cause and excel in the market. A healthy rivalry is often considered essential as it not only breeds progress but also keeps the business and its workers motivated and updated with the market’s latest trends and changes. Many believe a good percent of innovation and consumer convenience schemes are introduced due to this urge to excel, a thought which is brought about by competition. Ratings and rankings encourage the corporate bigwigs to offer newer landscapes.

Productivity:

Tussling to be the ‘star employee of the month’ is often said to enhance an individual’s workforce productivity. Competition among peers breeds productivity. With similar goals and intentions, this individual zeal to excel aids personal growth as well as helps the organization in general. Competitors not only help to improve the quality of work but also enhance the momentum of production – hence creating a very healthy and spirited work environment. It also helps the top management to ward off idle labour issues and judge the efficiency and capacity of their workers. Such competition is usually initiated within the company and the employees are lured by rewards such as bonuses and special recognition.

Profits:

When productivity is high, efficient profits and enviable returns are a given. Though higher profit and increased monetary in-flow doesn’t always guarantee a healthy work space, it definitely helps to improve the organization’s position in the market. As an aspiring manager it is essential to understand that competition should always be friendly and within a set healthy parameter.

Cooperative competition:

Employees who consider corporate competition as a means for self improvement and boasting their work commitment can often turn out to be an asset for the firm. Not all work place competition has to be on a personal level. The intention of workforce competition is often to provoke a sense of teamwork and individual growth. Working in teams can help in strategizing and boasting productivity instead of just helping an individual as there would now be a group of similar minded folks working towards the same goal. A team that has a good sense of workmanship and can work in unison can reduce the production time in half and can be more innovative and efficient. Cooperative completion also reduces work stress as it divides responsibility

Learning edge:

When there are different natured individuals working in a group towards the same competitive goal, it creates a learning environment. With newer perspective and increased collective experience the results are bound to be quicker and more effective. Also, competition within the company helps employees to follow each other’s work pattern and to learn from them.

It also urges employees to meet their targets and deadline more effectively. When the workforce atmosphere is healthy, it aids in keeping up the management standards and maintaining the work place decorum.

Cons

While there are various advantages that the management can gain out of internal as well as market place competition, there is also this thin line of distinction, which when crossed, can turn competition into a business hazard. When workplace competition goes overboard, the same aspects that it helped like productivity, efficiency and profit can get hampered. Among the employees, unruly and unreasonable degree of competition can cause stress and resentment.

Competition and the hurry to be the first to meet the deadline can cause immense pressure. Not all employees can perform under pressure and thus the whole notion of being competitive might turn out to be counterproductive.

Stress:

Stress can be an employee’s nemesis. It affects the overall performance of an individual and can be contagious. Stress will bring down the morale of an employee which would eventually spread among his/her peers and eventually cause a massive drop in productivity and efficiency of the organization in its entirety.

Mistrust:

In an already dog-eats-dog kind of business environment excessive competition can cause mistrust among employees and the management. This lack of trust will snowball into lack of effective communication between peers and thus block the workflow in the organization’s hierarchy.

Pressure:

Excessive competition mounts to stress and stress leads to pressure and pressure eventually hampers competence and interest. Teamwork will be affected too as individuals would start focusing on individual achievements and accomplishment.This would then lead to lack of goal oriented work pattern. Good employees who are talented but not tailored to perform under pressure might succumb to this menace and quit. Such exodus of talent might cost a company a lot more than just a year’s profit ratio. Also, the workplace might be finally left with sly individuals who might not be good at their work but good at bringing each other down.

Thus, it’s evident that though competition might be both a menace as well as advantage, it is necessary to indulge in the right nature and degree of competition. Competition when invoked in a healthy manner can foster camaraderie and result in increased output and a productive workplace.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Every newbie dreams of the day when they’d be handed that crisp bond paper carrying the logo of a multinational corporation with their name on it. Appointment letters are an aspirant’s ticket to the corporate paradise – an invitation to join the management work force and to take that first grand step into the busy corporate corridor, the fruit of their two-year long labor at the b-school. With management students wasting no time to jump on the job bandwagon, giant MNCs have taken cue of this urgency and are thus flocking prominent b-schools in the country to pick fresh talent right of the classrooms to lure them right into their boardrooms.

The numbers say it all

Speaking volumes about the growing popularity of on-campus recruitment cells is this year’s statistic that projected a solid hike in the number of students placed in multinational firms with an impressive remuneration package. Although this trend is just about picking up and is relevant only among the first tier colleges in India, experts feel that the number can still be considered as a positive trait. According to TamilNadu state level placement drive organized by the renowned Anna University and the individual placement initiative by individual colleges only 11 per cent of students were recruited. The reason stated by the recruiters revealed that students from the second and third tier b-schools lacked that spunk factor and the adequate skills required by them. So, picking up from this let’s dwell on the traits that these corporate bigwigs look for while hiring a student and also the ways and means get them.

The spunk factor:

There is a certain spunk and panache that these recruiter look for when hiring an absolute fresher. Just the banner of a popular b-school will not turn your dream job into reality. With no prior work experience or corporate accolade to prove your mettle the only one who can guarantee you an impressive first job will be you. According to hiring managers of big enterprises a candidate attracts their interest and attention if he/ she display the following qualities during the recruitment meet - a confident persona, being well read and informed, a witty and social outlook, an impressive internship record and lastly a fair academic record. Also, the right amount of confidence reflects very positively on one’s personality, it shows that the candidate is ready to take on corporate responsibility.

Do your homework

85 per cent of hiring managers of major companies across the country opined that the first criteria based on which they fixate on the right student for the job is the amount of interest and knowledge the candidate displays about the company/firm they are interviewing for. Being well read and informed about the organization reflects your seriousness towards the job and also prepares you to answers off-beat interview questions more efficiently. So, before you gear up to face your interviewee, do your homework. Get on the company’s website and read about the core values and work strategies of the firm, also read about the company’s latest achievements and work ethics. Equip yourself to answer questions as to ‘why you chose this particular company to work for’ and the likes. If you are applying online, you can tailor your cover later according to the specific employer or firm.

Be the early bird

To be sought after by big enterprises as a hot corporate commodity, one needs to start early. While other students would be busy whiling away their time and relishing their college dreams, an ideal management student should be pacing corporate corridors to get an early insight by scoring either an internship slot or an on-job trainee post. An early head start would not only let you ease into the modus operandi of big firms but will help you network and build your corporate contact base while being a student itself. Being seen and heard in the business arena way before you are a graduate or eligible for the position will project your keenness and sincerity towards your corporate goal.

Also, most of the major companies are known to retain their interns for real time job, so start early and work earnestly and who knows you might just land yourself your dream job way before your time.

Stay updated and speak up

Clarity of speech and a strong command over the language is a sure shot asset. Being comfortable with the chosen dialect will not only help you express yourself better but will enhance your confidence as well. When you are marketing yourself as an eligible corporate commodity you should be able to do so without any spec of hesitation. In order to muster confidence and fine tune your conversational skills, attend numerous mock interviews. These interviews will ease those early jitters hence you wouldn’t be caught off guard and stuttering during the real interview.

The final touch up

Along with the above pointers, there are few basic rules that every candidate should follow in spite of the nature of recruitment or interview. Time management is extremely crucial, so reach your campus or the venue of interview well in advance to avoid any last minute hullabaloo, confirm your appointment a day prior to the interview. Dressing the part, that is showing up for the interview in your best formal attire along with impeccable grooming will ensure you a good first impression. And at last, get your papers and documents sorted and slotted in an orderly manner, carry a professional folder with all your academic records and an updated resume.

So finally, remember that the job market might be a scary place to be in and these on-campus recruitments might not be your sure shot ticket to the corporate paradise - but follow these above mentioned pointers religiously and you will for sure be on your way to snagging that first big dream job very soon.

Good luck!

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Being a fresher in the corporate pool can be unnerving even for the most competent and confident newbie. But as these initials days pass into being weeks and the weeks role into months, not only does the early jitter settle but a slow uncomfortable lull starts to set it. Early years in the business arena that is before acquiring a crucial decision making role, a budding manager’s days on the job might slowly start gaining a monotonous pace. So, with stiff competition and a long corporate road ahead, it is essential to revive a childhood hobby and strictly follow a stress busting routine to stay in the game and stay motivated.

Why

In this given dog-eats-dog corporate environment being at your best at all times is a necessity. As soon as the initial rush of adrenaline mellows down, life on the job will slowly yet steadily start taking its toll on all the other facets of your life. A solid balance between your personal, professional and leisure lifestyle will keep stress at bay. Stress can deteriorate your productivity both in the mental as well as the physical realm. Having a hobby would help you not only to cut away from the mundane routine, but will also give you a sense of accomplishment, a rush of endorphins (happiness)and will boost your confidence. Being a medium for innovative and creative outlet hobbies help to problem solve and relieve stress. Keeping depression at bay, being involved in an active hobby will get you that much needed physical boost as well as chase away lethargy that usually accompanies the white-collared lifestyle.

What

First there are those regular hobbies that only satisfy your creative craving and then there are others that help you up your corporate game while keeping you both entertained and relaxed at the same time. Here are few of the latter kind of hobbies and stress busting techniques along with their respective benefits

• Creative hobbies like painting, photography, pottery are for those who are inclined towards or already involved in jobs in public relation, marketing and sales. These artistic pursuits will boost your creative and innovative skills,a talent that is required to excel in these sectors.

• Indulging in team sports will project you as a team player to your employer and will help in understanding the dynamics of working with like-minded people. Games such as football, basketball and cricket will also help you build strategies as a team member with a common goal in mind. Such hobbies are not only good for the body but it also feeds the need of the mind and soul.
• Some like to read and write, using it as a medium to vent their frustration and calm their nerves. For anyone with a role that emphasizes on effective communication and social media interaction, these pursuits of leisure will help you blow some steam off as well as help in honing your corporate skills in the bargain. Reading will help in research intensive jobs.So, a trip to the city library to read or a stroll to the park with your pen and paper to write should be the apt hobby for you.
• If mind tricks are your thing and games that exercise them your hobby then join either a chess club or the Sudoku bandwagon to stress bust. These strategic games help in the areas of policy making and strategy formulation. So folks with planning-based roles – get your mind game on!
• Hobbies that involve community service or involvement of a group might prepare you for the role of a collaborator. It might also project you as a humane persona, a trait essential for managerial roles.
• Business development and sales role requires the employee to own skills like determination, tenacity, drive and a strong sense of purpose. Endurance sports like swimming, sprinting and cycling hone exactly such qualities.

• If living on the edge is your idea of having a good time then take up trekking, camping, mountaineering, dirt racing and the likes as your hobby. Such acts are not only physically and mentality exhilarating but showcases you as a person who isn’t afraid to push beyond boundaries.

How

Every corporate firm has a functional human resource team that constantly works towards the welfare of the employee in order to enhance productivity and sustain loyalty.

This department is responsible for all kinds of in-house recreational perks. These HR folk’s main task is to keep the stress level at a minimal level at all times. Official recreational trips, managing company’s sports team, celebrating specific cultural or recreation oriented days like ethnic day, St.Patrick’s day and the likes are part of their work profile. Weekend office get-togethers and outings are arranged in order to socialize and create an inter-personal environment so that the employees would get to know each other and also to relax the strictly-business environment at work. The latest infrastructural additions to big MNCs and major firms are the recreational room, gym, hobby lobby and an eatery for the employees to use during and after work hours. So, if you are having a case of jitters at your work place or are at your wits end de to the work load, just take a break and head to either the hobby lobby to play some snooker or hit the gym and pump that stress away. For those working in smaller offices, the option is to either join an independent club that houses all the amenities mentioned above or to enroll into hobby specific classes or groups. So, now that you’ve tapped into your inner child and picked a sport, draw a schedule and stick to it. Having a hobby alone won’t help you but indulging in it at regular interval and in a consistent manner will.

In a gist

In this corporate roller coaster, if a win-win lifestyle is what you are aiming for then learn to strike a perfect balance. Don’t let the stress at work snowball into your personal, physical and mental arena. Take charge by fine tuning your lifestyle by catering to your emotional as well as physical needs. Make choices that would help indulge your inner child and hone your creative alter ego.

To attain an overall happier state of being – a total overhaul might not be the order but minute tweaks in your work and personal life will most definitely do to the trick.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Ours is the digital era, where shopping malls are swanky fashion websites and friendly rendezvous a ‘like’ and a ‘post’. As a generation that cannot eat, breath or sleep Jacobwithout the World Wide Web and its umpteen perks, we are today on the brink of a lifestyle revolution. In this day and age the virtual world has swiftly seeped into our reality and lifestyle to an extent where a sound internet connection has become a staple necessity and the books have been replaced by digital documents. With e-learning being the wind of change in the education sector, it is estimated that this 56.2 billion worth industry is on its way to double in value by the wake of 2015.

WHEN IT'S A BOON

With the concept of online education a.k.a distance learning programs picking popularity among young students, working professional and aspiring entrepreneur, the education system is being slowly yet efficiently modernized. But, many academic pundits still believe that the classroom set-up is the most effective manner of education though for the new-age student the means of distance learning is becoming more lucrative. For aspiring professionals who can’t wait to make their corporate debut and want to venture into the job arena as early birds, the prospect of online education is more convenient, flexible and probably the only option. The number of students enrolling to learn online has tripled over the last decade. And to keep up with this demand the number of online education avenues has increased manifolds as well. Such drastic hike in statistics is indictor of the fact that online learning option is soon going to be considered in par with the conventional method of learning.

Among the various perks that put online education over the typical kind of college education is the flexibility it provides – the flexibility of time.

For those whose lifestyles include dwindling between work and study – distance learning is the best option. For management students who are looking to merge study and work, online learning serves exactly that as while taking up a course online a student can simultaneously gain work experience as well. For working professionals who are looking to upgrade their academic qualification, online courses offer the luxury of studying without having to take a sabbatical from their corporate obligations.

Unlike regular college schedule, studying online would mean 24 hour access to study material and classes. A student can choose to attend a class or revisit a previous lecture for clarification without having to take an appointment with the concerned professor or to wait for the next class. The flexibility to study whenever and from wherever is one of its most luring advantage.

Contrary to the belief that online education does on inculcate interpersonal style of teaching, many universities today offer online tutorial, mentoring and online faculties. These privileges allow a student-centered teaching pattern where every lesson or teaching session is designed exclusively for a student. A student would get to interact with the concerned faculty directly. Each course and lecture is tailored keeping in mind the temperament and learning capacity of the student. This feature offered by online education defeats the conventional method of classroom learning where every student has to undergo the same manner of learning irrespective of how good or bad their grasping capacity be.

A post graduate degree from a fancy B-school in the country or abroad can result in a big dent in your pocket. But with distance learning option these costs are literally cut into half. Apart from the tuition fee being fairly lesser than the original package of a traditional B-school, online learning also offers savings as there are no additional cost incurred due to facilities like accommodation and transportation. Also, for aspirants who want a degree from a foreign university but don’t have the time and money to invest in it, distance learning is an apt option. From the comfort of their homes, students will get to attend lectures by some of the most prolific educationist in the business world.

Also, many college offer and encourage multicultural interaction opportunities between students from all over the world. A broader outlook at the globe market is made possible from the confines of your home.

Extensive usage of technology and multiple media formats is an extremely effective educational method. Online learning supports both asynchronous communication as well as real-time communication. Asynchronous communication means the inclusion of Email, newsgroups and threaded discussion groups for the purpose of teaching and learning within the classroom. This method is said to be effective as it inspires self-reflection and deeper learning and also keeps all the students in a common loop. Regular group messages ensure that every member from this learning community is updated and constantly informed about upcoming lectures and assignments.

According to a report produced during the ‘No Child Left Behind’ Leadership Summit distance or online learning is touted as the ‘21st century education’. Another fun fact about e-learning is that it is considered as the most eco-friendly means of education. According to the study conducted by British Open University, online education consumes 90 per cent less energy than that of the traditional means of education. Also, according to IBM, organizations that inculcate the means of e-learning formats have the capacity to boost their productivity by a whopping 50 percentile.

When it’s a bane

Though the thought of attending your lectures in your pajamas might be a tempting idea, don’t be too quick to judge and leap. Online education, as many educational veterans claim has its own set of shortcomings. While many top B-school in the world are going viral to meet the new-age student’s demand, crème-de la-crème of universities like Harvard are still to commit to this online trend. Old school belief of inter-personal interaction between the pupil and the tutor is still believed to be the most effective mode of education by these believers.

So, while deciding whether to opt for online learning or the traditional nature of education, analyze if or not you need a direct contact with your peers and teachers, because with online education one-on-one interaction in a physical space might not be possible. Most of the learning happens in the digital space and thus the student has no connect with neither their teacher not their classmates.

Online learning calls for a lot of self discipline and the ability to self motivate. With no physical supervision and no one to watch over you, it solely depends upon the learner to develop a study pattern. Learning model varies from person to person and if a strict classroom schedule and a time table is the only means to help you keep up with your assignment then online education is not your cup of tea. Time management is a crucial factor, along with flexibility comes the chance to procrastinate. So, for those who need a constant nudge of motivation and folks with likewise schedule in order to study and complete their assignment, the traditional college set up is the best call.

Fluent usage of technology and being well-versed in all things computer related is a must for those wanting to trend on the online route. In the online avenue, the learning medium changes as text formats replace pen and paper. Along with a sound internet connection, a good computing device such as a personal computer or a laptop is required to stay connected. So there is always the risk of technical snags and system failures that can hamper the progress of your classes or assignments. The knack to communicate well and efficiently online is a must-have quality.

As for the means of video conferencing or chatting with their online teachers or peers, a student must be equipped with sound inter-personal as well strong communication skills. And thus, for the shy and introvert folks, online medium might become tedious. If you are better at expressing yourself in person than via text or email then the online channel might not be your call.

Apart from being alienated during lectures and classroom sessions, online learning also causes isolation when it comes to extracurricular activities and recreational clubs. On-campus students have the advantage of interacting with peers and creating intellectual community while the online folks are devoid of such perks. Isolation caused due to online education, where the student is left to their own devices can seriously affect communication skills and even cause stage freight among few. The habit of being a socially isolated entity will make that individual more vulnerable in social setups and also affect their corporate behavior in the long run.

Though the universities that offer online education claim that interacting with world class professors and learning in diverse formats is a possibility only in their medium, many educational mentors still believe that an online teacher can never measure up to a real time professor. The lack of a personal relationship and the impossibility to contact them in crisis is a substantial deal breaker. While the online professor can be reached via email and video conferencing, the immediacy of contact becomes impossible. Also, there is the lack of sensitivity in the student-teacher bond, which according to many is an essential academic experience.

Many of these professors also argue about the digital teaching pattern, they claim that online lecture often tend to become monotonous and repetitive. The patterns are more or less the one-size-fits-all kind. Though acquiring knowledge via online classes is possible, gaining an all-round education will not be.

A student- teacher bond is essential; as both of them need to understand the temperament of each other to create a collective learning enterprise, where both of the parties involved will benefit.

The quality of education in totality is often questioned when it comes to online learning. Though many recruiters have started recognizing the validity of online degree, it still isn’t considered in par with traditional degrees. Also, lesser availability of specialization is also a matter of concern among students and aspirants. Limited course offering might be a hindrance for those looking out for specific experience and education. Tailoring lessons and courses is possible only when the professors personally know and understand their pupil, a facet not possible in the online medium.

Top Rankers

Although the inception of such online study avenues is fairly recently, it is still essential to do your homework and pick the best among the lot. The criteria based on which an online college becomes a better option than the other is its credibility and its affiliation to a prominent university. Also essential is the present and past study testimonials, the fee structure, the course duration and the corporate tie ups of such online B-schools. With a sound faculty backing and competitive yet legible course material you will be on your way to fulfill your corporate dream. Nationally the crème de la crème of online B-schools are associated with prominent universities in the country. The top five universities to consider from India as well as from an international platform are:

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IG-NOU) among the plethora of courses offered by this well-known university, management degree is rather recent. Taking into account the number of students who enroll into this university yearly, it has been deemed as the largest Open University in the world.

Symbiosis International University (SIU) is UGC (University Grants Commission) and AICTE (All India Council of Technical Education) recognized. This Pune based University has learning centers situated all over the country for the purpose of admission and study assistance.

Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) is a again a UGC recognised university that offers a two-year long management post graduate degree. This online course is based on regular assessment and self tutorials.

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), apart from being recognised by Distance Education Council (DEC) SMU is also a ISO 9001:2000 certified university. This educational facility offers various distance education programmes and has over 700 authorized centers across the countries for assistance.

Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh is one of the premier B-schools in the country. The online course on management as well as on information technology is available from its Center of Distance Learning (CDL) branch.

As in the international arena, the comfort that comes from opting for an online course might be the same, but the nature, opportunity, outcome and monetary investment is dramatically different. These online courses have a global appeal to their syllabus and hence they cater to a broader set of experienced professionally and corporate aspirants. Among the many impressive options here are the top five:

University of Florida (UF) is recognised internationally as a renowned educational institution. Ranked as one of the top university by the World Report it offers courses on business basics and also includes specialization in finance, marketing, international business and legal.

Kalpan University: being accredited by Higher Learning Commission (HLC), this university is often ranked as number one among the list of top online universities in the world. Among the broad array of courses Kalpan offers courses on marketing, financial management, accounting, organizational behavior, strategic management and policy for both fresh graduates and experienced professionals.

Ashford University: for a university that was found in 1918, Ashford has various affordable and suitable courses on management. The university also offers courses that can be completed in the span of two years or less. It offers both bachelor’s as well as post graduate courses.

Northcentral University: with master’s and Doctoral degree on offer this university has a specialized mentorship facility. For students looking for personal one-on-one mentorship, highly qualified faculty is available online to support and mentor.

Walden University: this university has the world’s largest array of online courses. It has various flexible offers and facilities for working professionals. The university offers both bachelors and master’s degree in management. Being accredited by HLC, Walden offers extra credits for work experience and prior college work.

The viral verdict

While some argue the lack of sensitivity and personal impact, others vouch for flexibility and course convenience that e-learning has to offer. Hence in conclusion, it is important to realize that while online education can both lure as well as repel, it finally depends upon the individual who takes them up.

Decide keeping in mind your study needs, pattern and the available time bracket. So, as you venture further, remember this parlance “Before you become too entranced with gorgeous gadgets and mesmerizing video displays, let me remind you that information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, and wisdom is not foresight.

Each grows out of the other and we need them all” - Arthur C. Clarke

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

The entire nation stood by and watched in awe as he swore in to become the 15th Prime Minister of independent India. Election 2014 saw him spellbind the masses with power packed rendition of promises and heaps of hope. Sweeping his opponent off the political map with his new-age high tech crusade, 64-years-old Narendra Damodardas Modi has revolutionized the campaign concept and redefined the idea of personal branding. Carefully crafting his political mileage among the youth of the nation, the acronym ‘Brand NaMo’ has become a phrase that everyone wants to be associated with. It’s got the moolah pouring in and the cash registers ringing. So, wonder what caused Bharatiya Janata Party’s political resurrection, a colossal conquest and an epic election? – let’s dig deep!

THE SAFFRON SEASON

In the corporate arena, 2014 has been a year of many firsts and right at the top of this list is the biggest surprise package of the year – The grand brand NaMo. Such was the sheer brilliance of the marketing and branding tactic of the team that there was no escaping this brand, it was everywhere - from corporate boardrooms to school classrooms from the living space of a common man to the on-ground 3D rallies that had thousands flocking, The history of Indian election has been rewritten and tables have turned as for the first time an individual single handedly shouldered an entire season of election campaign and carried his party to a landslide victory. With the dawn of our brand new government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has witnessed a clear testimony of clever branding, excellent marketing mix and outstanding tactic play - in other words its first strategic revolution.

An insight into the making and workings of this phenomenon called Brand Modi is of greater significance for every aspiring entrepreneur, management apprentice and marketing student. So, here’s a quick look at the inception, modus operandi and panorama of Brand NaMo and BJP through their journey to becoming the single most influential political party and product in the country.

THE BRANDING REVOLUTION

Right from the beginning of the election season the players of BJP cleverly cashed in and placed all their bets on their one and only undisputed product: Mr. Narendra Modi. Given the dwindling economy and umpteen failures of the UPA government, the entire branding strategy of the party revolved around projecting him as a savior of the sorry state of the country. Thus, from a management point of view various smart moves were made in terms of brand promotion and brand positioning. The makers of Brand Modi capitalized on the age-old strategy of branding by focusing on the weakness of the competitor, which in this case was the clear lack of leadership in team Congress. While team Congress had no clear leader or brand to project, team BJP had Modi. By designing their entire canvassing strategy around this brand, they highlighted their strengths and promises which made BJP’s reach far-fetched and tactical.

Every possible channel of communication was used. From on-road campaign to digital campaign and with the entire demographic was covered. As BJP and Modi established a strong presence among the citizens, they did so with very simple messages – another branding strategy that was very efficiently used. The best way to make an impact and stay in the memory of the consumer is to keep your message simple and hassle free. Zero fuss messages should be the intention, congress again failed to lay a stronghold in this area, as they ended up confusing the customer a.k.a the voters with too many promises and too many faces. Good governance and overall development was the only agenda that Modi kept stressing on throughout the campaign.

They kept repeating these two pointers at every junction of their canvassing and through every medium possible – this strategy not only appealed to all the sections of the society but, since it was uncomplicated it made also left a stronger impact. This strategy not only made sure that the brand is positioned well but also took it a step 2014ahead of its competition.

On the flipside the other two parties – AAP (Aam Adami Party) and Congress had very scattered and unclear manifestos, which left the people confused. As for BJP, they tugged at the heartstrings with clever slogans and tagline which eventually made a huge impact. ‘Ab ki baar Modi sarkar’ was an apt catchphrase.

Summing up the entirety of Modi campaign in five simple words proved to be very effective in every aspect. Easy, catchy, simple, and uncomplicated - this slogan was another winning streak that the opponents lacked. Demographic wise - the brand was showcased and projected everywhere. The country witnessed a season of saffron as from gullies to highways; every nook and corner of the country was brandished with BJP’s lotus symbol, establishing a solid brand presence. Apart from their physical presence, they set the World Wide Web abuzz as well. They started a Face book page which documented record-breaking ‘likes’ and ‘followers’. A high end and swanky website was also launched which to this day is extremely user-friendly and interactive.

THE PERFECT MARKETING MIX

As opponents scrambled for space and seats, BJP created political history as it swept the country’s political demographic clean by scoring 282 independent and 334 seats along with their allies. This phenomenal success of Brand NaMo was not only a branding revolution but also an example of how a perfect marketing mix can either make or break a product’s tolerability in the market. Timing the product placement is crucial and election 2014 proved to be an apt time for Mr. Modi to launch himself as the forerunner and eventually emerge as the winner. Knowing when and what the consumer requires is the key. So, if you are at the right place at the right time with the right marketing mix then your product is bound to become incredibly successful. As for Mr. Modi and his party, they had a crystal clear vision. Their perfect marketing mix was backed by a solid team of kingmakers and marketing masterminds.

Through every leg of this extensive BJP campaign, a clever mix of marketing tactic intended to have the maximum reach coupled with branding frequency was masterminded by one of the best agencies in the country.

THE CLEVER CLAN OF KINGMAKERS

Such magnanimous victory which has been etched in the political history of the country wasn’t planned and executed over night. To tailor a victory this historic in nature requires an extremely intellectual and well-versed team of experts and that’s exactly what BJP and Modi had. Hiring few of the best masterminds from the country’s branding and marketing squad was a brilliant move. Apart from a close circle of confidantes and advisors the party collaborated with Madison Media and top officials from Ogilvy and McCann.

Though spearheaded by Modi, the high octane canvassing was an intense and strategic effort made by an extraordinary team of marketing geniuses. At the top of this list of kingmakers were country’s finest admen like Piyush Pandey and Prasoon Joshi. Prasoon Joshi penned the anthem which was later made into a music video and broadcasted all over the media and Delhi based advertising mogul Sushil Goswani was hired exclusively to create radio ads. The graphics were taken care by a Pune based team of graphic designers who designed BJP’s campaign ads around the T20 cricket world cup. The idiosyncratic spoofs online that captivated the young masses and the catchy campaign line “Ab ki Baar Modi Sarkar” was designed and delivered by the brilliant team from Soho Square, headed by Samrat Bedi.

The prime focus of this team was to crave an impressive yet niche image for Mr. Modi. They started with cleaning out the closet and confronting old issues that had once tainted Mr. Modi’s image in the public eye. Later the focus was on projecting him as a credible and incorruptible leader. The team had a message for everyone and they projected an image that was relatable to every sect of the society and to every age group.

A HI-TECH CRUSADE

The channel through which brand NaMo was transported to the society was incredible. Though the message was easy and conventional, the choice and strategies of media used was technologically superior and thoroughly new-age. Face book feeds, Twitter tweets, Instagram clicks, blogs, interactive website, podcasts - you name it and team BJP team had it. Quirky spin to the campaign tagline was a major hit on Face book. Along with various other catchy pictures the one of Mr. Narendra Modi with Southern superstar Rajinikanth scored over 2.4 million likes and sharing activity. With over 14 million ‘likes’ and followers on the social network, the Modi campaign became one of the biggest and most successful online campaign in the country. This phenomenal usage of Face book also made Mr. Modi the second most liked politician on Facebook after Obama.

Election 2014 was without a doubt India’s first election where technology, social networks and online mediums was used to campaign and connect to the voters. This move helped the parties to appeal to the youth of the nation and lock in on country’s first-time voters. Though other parties like Congress and AAP resorted to using these mediums eventually, BJP and Mr. Modi had the early bird advantage.

Hence their reach appeared to be more original and effective to the massive youth demographic of the nation. Through the usage of the social media Brand NaMo also guaranteed transparency, a facet that was missing in the previous government.

Apart from the social media strategy of using Face book, Twitter and the likes, team BJP also connected to the urban voters by inviting prominent personalities from every sector to join their bandwagon. From Bollywood they had Salman Khan and his family vouching for Mr. Modi while from the business world it was moguls like the Ambanis and Tatas praising Gujurat’s administration under Mr. Modi. This approach vouched for Mr. Modi’s ability to deliver economic results, a promise that country direly needed.

Among many first time election strategies was the usage of tailor-made print and TV advertisements. This was a campaign idea that was personally initiated by Mr. Modi himself. The graphic designers were asked to design advertisements around the T20 cricket world cup while focusing on issues like corruption, lawlessness and lack of leadership

NOW, A WONDER TO PONDER

If the reports recorded by media is anything to go then a set of four students and faculty of the Institute of management studies, Indore are gearing up to research and initiate a case study on ‘Brand NaMo’ over the course of next three months. On completion, this case study will then become chapters and lessons that would be taught to management students nationwide. The research is already underway as these student researchers have started accumulating data, gathering facts, figures, details and numbers. The team is focusing on advertising, public relation and media management concept used by the team of Brand NaMo during the 2014 Lok Sabha election.

The main focus would be to understand the intricate strategies that was used to project and promote BJP’s prime ministerial candidate as a brand to the masses.

Not just them, various prominent B-schools in the country are stepping up to take a lesson or two from this phenomenal election campaign and branding brilliance as well. The IIM (Indian institute of Management), ISB (Indian School of Business), XLRI (Xavier School of Management) and MDI Gurgaon (Management Development Institute) are set to introduce lessons on this for the forthcoming academic year. These lessons and case studies will focus on the techniques and tactics used in this election with special emphasis on the use of technology, social media and the concept of media juggling in its entirety. The seamless use of technology and how team Modi used popular social mediums and conventional SMS and holograms to further their cause will be extensively researched and studied.

In contrary to last year’s case study that focused on studying the contrast and similarity between the branding methods of Aam Aadmi Part and BJP, the students from the class of 2015 and 2016 onwards will have the exclusive Brand NaMo case study included in their syllabi. Similarly IIM Raipur (Indian Institute of Management) which previously used US president Barack Obama’s election campaigning strategy to teach core marketing, brand organization and integrated marketing concepts will now focus on Mr. Modi’s product evolution and branding strategy.

Brand positing, marketing mix, market evaluation, understanding the pulse of the target audience will also be in focus.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Staying connected with the corporate climate in the country is a must-do for every aspiring entrepreneur and b–school apprentice. With pioneering technologies and phenomenal new trends sweeping the IT landscape, Gartner Inc. has identified that top ten tech trends for 2014 that will change the course of strategic technology for every corporate player and business houses in the country. This realistic list of technology trends are predicted to have the biggest potential for remarkable enterprise impact throughout 2014 and beyond. Here’s a sneak peek into these top rankers.

The boom of 3 Dimensional printing:

In spite of being a recent phenomenon, the concept of 3D printing in India is going to rocket its way to being one of the most promising and fast growing tech trends in the country. With the whopping statistic confirming 75 per cent growth in 2014 alone, this technology is set to change the course of business in India. With the prospective to cut cost, boost productivity and fasten manufacturing it is set to revolutionize industries such as consumer good segment, aerospace, pharmaceutical, retailing and military. The number of unit shipments is forecasted to double in 2015.

The clutches of Internet deepens

The concept of Internet of Things (IoT) is set to bombard the notion of how conventional business is perceived in the country. Though still taking baby-steps, IoT has already snuck its way into mega enterprises that are test-running this concept into their business models, applications and technologies. Promising tangible value to business ventures, IoT has the capacity to augment the functionalities in these three core areas – digital supply chain, consumer interaction and operational technology.

The rise of the smart machines

With machines slowly yet swiftly replacing manpower, the machine to machine (M2M) market in India is racing on an upwards trajectory. The next few years are going to be the most transitional and promising phase for the rise of smart machines as businesses are evaluating the usage of M2M enabled solutions to boost their productivity and meet the growing demands. The early birds to adopt these trends are utilities, automotive, financial services, healthcare, transportation and manufacturing. So, for those aspiring entrepreneur looking to earn big and fast, take note, as by 2020 smart machines will become the most disruptive yet productive in the history of information technology.

Massive cloud services

By architecting their own cloud and designing database centers, major players like Google, Amazon, Facebook and Walmart are leading the way in setting trends and taking the concept of cloud spacing many notches higher. Indian businesses are following suit by picking cues from these bigwigs and modeling themselves to achieve higher scale, speed and agility by the means of setting up custom server hardware, eco-friendly data centers and distributed computing methods

The dawn of personal cloud

Evolving at the speed of lighting the needs and demands for personal cloud technologies has boomed like never before. With a herd of devices managing businesses and even personal lives in general, the concept of personal cloud will make the management of overall data organization much easier.

With this promising shift, users will be able to balance all their gadgets and gizmos accessible through the common connect of personal cloud

Amazing apps

Given how our lives revolve around mobiles, Gartner Inc, the surveyors have predicted that the future of mobile application environment lies in HTML5 and browser like before, as JavaScript and its performances has kept involving and improving. Smaller more focused apps will witness more popularity in comparison to the multi-integrated all-inclusive loaded apps. Developers are therefore encouraged to focus at creating blocks that can be later assembled to include the demands of various devices.

Mobiles get swankier:

Mobiles devices are all set to get massive makeovers. With inclusion of technologies like no-touch functionality, voice recognition, software users now have hands-free access to unlimited amount of information via apps like Google Now for Android and Siri for iOS. In a different spectrum all together, the video technology for mobile devices is on the verge of its own kind of revolution. With mobiles devices now available with Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processors that enables 4k videos, the way video and audio are viewed and heard will change forever. Other form factors to take shape this year would be wearable devices, bigger display devices and shared memory and areas. Google, Apple and Microsoft will still remains the key players, though no single vendor might dominate the market.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

These changes are not loud, clear and vibrant, nobody frames it with the new rules and puts them down as thumb rules. The shifts are subtle, understated, low-noted and soft. Though the tenets are not clear-cut, when an inappropriate mistake is committed heads turn, fingers inadvertently point and disapproving looks are exchanged. How do we escape such cringing moments? How does one keep up with the times and learn these intricacies which are rarely taught inside classrooms?

This article is not about the importance of fluent communication or expert advice on managerial skills but attempts to identify and highlight the grey areas within the humongous task of human communication. These grey areas include what is unsaid but implied, what is connotative, not just denotative, what we usually do when we ‘read between the lines.’ At this juncture, say for example, when we slide into our seat gloriously in our cabin and sigh in great content of clearing rounds of interviews, outperforming other competitors, a new unknown fear creeps in, a fear of blurting out anything inappropriate or ambiguous in the new frontier. Every workplace has its own code of communication, the sooner you crack it, the faster you blend in.

In an age when a person is gauged even by the ringtone s/he uses, it is increasingly becoming difficult to sense what is best in a given place at a given time. Subtler gestures are being noticed and taken into consideration for branding a person. From a macro level of fluency and effectiveness, the micro level of words and the so far not-so-significant ah’s and mm’s. It has therefore become absolutely essential for us to keep a constant check on the choice of words we use, rather than the language we use.

Apologies like, “It wasn’t intended that way,” “You know I did not mean that,” or “Definitely there has been a miscommunication” – find their way in our day-to-day conversations in an organisational set up. Sometimes such casualties can cost a job and even create unnecessary glitches in a hopefully great career.

Graduates are finetuning there employability and marketability talents but lose out on certain pertinent competencies that are required to sustain the job. It needs to be persistently drummed into our heads that the ability to thrive stems from the capability to adapt and learn the in-things. So, it is not enough to be determined but to be charismatic in our communication and our great leaders have displayed mastery over these essential and game-changing skills. Though there has been a surge in training sessions and self-help books, a deliberate study and familiarity of the layered meaning-making process coupled with a professional showmanship can be handy in the long run. The language used in an organisational hierarchy operates in the most complex of structures in a labyrinthine fashion which is unseen to the human eye. So words need to be wielded with utmost care while getting messages across. This approach of communication forms part of the 4C’s 21st century skillsets, the other three being collaboration, creativity and critical thinking. All the four go hand in hand and one directly impacts the other. At an organisational and managerial level, the discourse structure is more nuanced and knowing the most appropriate behaviour in a given situation is as important as knowing the right thing to say.

Words have the authority to provide you with a personal branding that can either be constructive or devastating. ‘Yes we can’, ‘I have a dream’, and ‘Never give up’ are simple phrases which have become magical by the persuasiveness and conviction of the speaker. The higher we go in life our contact with machines diminishes and we inter-relate with human beings in highly sensitised circumstances demanding a genre of interaction of the next level. Just as every version evolves into something enhanced than the previous one, the communicative competency of today is calibrated to suit the 21st century needs.

A few do’s and don’ts

1. Do not take strong stands even in an informal discussion. Be open-minded and welcome new ideas. There is no absolute white or black. Acknowledge the shades in between. Even friendly discussions with opposing views at workplaces can at times lead to unfavourable rapport and fall out within hierarchies.
2. Never assume anything. Learn the pros and cons for a given situation before you utter anything conspicuously wrong.
3. Increase the range of your vocabulary. There is a plethora of words available that can convey the hue of the emotion you want to code.
4. Prior to using a new word you recently learnt, check for its connotations and other implications.
5. Gender and cultural individualisms are sensitive concerns in any workplace. Never get touchy in these areas.
6. Complimenting often the same person, in front of others can make them feel peeved.
7. Avoid a laidback attitude when someone comes to you seeking empathy.

As mentioned at the beginning, for someone straddling between formal and informal communication in everyday life ranging from face-to-face to virtual communication, the 21st century netizen has to be extra-careful to be understood in the desired sense. With the right calibration and high-precision word choice, climbing the corporate ladder can be easy.

These lessons when mastered are for a life time and the more you learn, the more cautious and conscious you will be, making you the perfect choice for heading groups, overseas representation and the face of public relations of any organisation as beheld by your higher authorities. Persuasive and influential communication are re-emerging areas within the corporate domain which are gaining momentum among leaders. The ability to speak cohesively with illustrations and anecdotes, enunciating every word you utter with the right amount of force and flavour can give you a cutting edge in a group. Sprinkle innovative phrases of thought even in your daily verbal transactions that can make you interesting and wanted when any discussion comes up.

With the right mixture of effort, earnestness and elegance you can make it to the elite group of communicators, creating an identity for yourself. So go ahead and build your image of the new age communicator!

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

India Inc lines up Rs 63Kcr investments in UP

The Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh recently signed investment agreements worth Rs 63,000 crore with various industrial houses.

The Subhash Chandra-led Essel Group committed to invest Rs 20,000 crore in the State. Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio will be investing Rs 5,000 crore to roll out its 4G network. ITC’s total investment in various sectors in the State is worth Rs 2,100 crore. Healthcare major Fortis announced plans to set up three hospitals, one each in Kanpur, Lucknow and Greater Noida, with an investment of Rs 800 crore.

Technopark plans 45,000 new jobs in 2 years

Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram has charted out plans for creating 45,000 new jobs over the next two years as a part of its efforts to emerge as the country’s IT powerhouse.

The IT park, which will celebrate its silver jubilee next year, currently provides direct employment to 45,000 professionals in its 330 companies. Incremental jobs are expected to come mainly from completion of new facilities by TCS, Infosys, UST Global, Tata Elxsi, IBS and Technopark’s phase-III building this year. This will result in a total of 90,000 direct jobs and an estimated 3.5 lakh indirect jobs at the park.

SEBI unveils measures tospur market

The SEBI recently introduced a series of measured to improve participation of retail investors in the stock market and boost the primary market.

The market regulator decided to reserve a minimum of 10 per cent of shares sold through the Offer For Sale (OFS) mechanism for retail investors. Retail investors participating in the OFS will also be given discounts to boost their participation. Besides, apart from promoters, non-promoters owning 10 per cent or more in a company can also offload their shares through the OFS. The SEBI has also mandated all listed PSUs to maintain a 25 per cent minimum public shareholding as against the current 10 per cent.

Sugar price set to rise as govt hikes duty

Sugar prices are likely to shoot up, with the Union government increasing the Import Duty on the sweetener to 40 per cent from 15 per cent earlier.

Analysts opined that sugar price would shoot up further amid the upcoming festival season if the monsoon remained subdued. The government also extended subsidy of Rs 3,300 per tonne on export of raw sugar till September to bail out sugar mills that are unable to pay Rs 11,000 crore dues to sugarcane growers. The previous government had earlier cut the subsidy to Rs 2,277 per tonne.

Auto, capital goods duty relief to stay

The government recently extended the Excise Duty concession on automobiles, consumer durables and capital goods by six months up to December 31.

The duty relief, announced in the Interim Budget, was scheduled to end on June 30. The previous government had lowered the Excise Duty on small cars, motorcycles, scooters and commercial vehicles to 8 percent from 12 percent.

Similarly, the levy on capital goods and some consumer goods was reduced to 10 per cent from 12 per cent. Despite the reduction in duty, sales of automobiles, capital goods and consumer goods continue to be sluggish.

Gas price decision put off by three months

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently deferred a decision on increasing the price of domestic gas by three months. Last year, the previous Manmohan Singh government had decided to increase the price of gas to spur domestic production.

The Modi government did not junk or modify the pricing formula notified in January this year. The CCEA has decided to consult all stakeholders and arrive at a decision after extensive deliberations. Gas pricing guidelines were notified in January, but the implementation had to be deferred as the model code of conduct for general elections came into force.

India home to 2nd highest no. of shadow businesses

India has emerged as a country with some of the highest number of unregistered businesses in the world, according to a latest UK study, which found Indonesia with the maximum number of shadow businesses.

Researchers at Imperial College Business School in London found Indonesia with the highest ratio of 130 shadow economy businesses to every registered business, followed closely by India at 127.

Shadow entrepreneurs are defined as individuals who manage a business that sells legitimate goods and services but do not register their businesses. This robs the government of taxes and other levies.

NHAI puts road, toll details on website

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched a website where details of each project will be available. The website includes details on how much toll each road developer must collect and the correspondence between developers and the NHAI.

The highways sector regulator has said that the website is aimed at enhancing transparency in execution of public private partnership (PPP) projects and keeping road users informed of the developments of every PPP project at all stages.

Highway users in the country on an average pay an annual toll of about Rs 11,500 crore.

India slips to 7th spot in FDI confidence index

India has slipped to its lowest position in over a decade in the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) ConConfidence Index. A survey of 300 executives around the world by global consulting firm AT Kearney found that the US was ranked top destination in the world for FDI. India, which was ranked second for three years in 2005, 2007 and 2012 and placed in the third spot in 2010, dropped to the seventh position in 2013.

Interestingly, India attracted $28 billion FDI in 2013, a 17 per cent increase over $25.5 billion FDI inflows in 2012.

Mahindra Lifespace enters affordable housing

Mahindra Lifespace Developers, the real estate and infrastructure development arm of the over Rs 1,00,000-crore Mahindra Group, recently entered the affordable housing segment under the brand Happinest. The company’s Happinest homes are targeting families having a combined monthly income of Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 per month. The first two projects are set to be launched soon in Chennai and Mumbai Metropolitan Region. “Our commitment to sustainable urbanisation is to be in businesses and develop projects that promote culture, connectedness and community,” noted Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra after launching the initiative in Mumbai recently.

Cox & Kings sells camping business

Cox & Kings has sold the camping division of its European subsidiary, Holidaybreak, to France’s Homair Vacances for Rs 892 crore. Cox & Kings had taken control of the camping division as a part of its acquisition of Holidaybreak in 2011.

The funds generated from the sale are expected to reduce the travel company’s debt, estimated at about Rs 4,200 crore. Homair Vacanes is a major outdoor holiday operator in France. Cox & Kings’ camping division offers outdoor holidays at over 170 third-party-owned campsites across 12 European nations.

Surya Roshini plans home appliance foray

Lighting company Surya Roshini will be entering the home appliances segment and will make water heaters, dry irons, steam irons and mixer grinders. The company, which already makes fans, expects to achieve a target of Rs 100 crore from home appliance sales in the next two years. The company is confident that its two lakhstrong retailer network will promote appliances with the same enthusiasm as it has done for lighting and fans.

Surya Roshini plans to offer technologically superior features, attractive designs and affordability as key differentiators.

Glenmark sets up unit in Switzerland

Glennmark Pharmaceuticals last month opened a new manufacturing facility in Swtizerland for supply of clinical trial material. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals SA, a whollyowned subsidiary of the company, opened its new Current Good Manufacturing Practices- compliant, monoclonal antibody manufacturing facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

The facility supplements Glenmak’s existing inhouse discovery and development capabilities and will supply material for clinical development. Since its inception around 10 years ago, Glenmark’s biologics research centre has filed several patents on novel biologic entities.

Bombay Dyeing to add 50 own stores

Bombay Dyeing, the flagship textile company of the Wadia Group, is adding more own stores and expanding its portfolio in an effort to become more relevant with younger consumers. The textile-toreal estate company, which manages 16 outlets on its own and over 350 franchisees, will open 50 companyowned stores in a year and wear a more upmarket and trendier look. The company will enter newer categories within home furnishing and also add more designer labels to its collection.

The company will also tweak its pricing to straddle across economy and premium categories.

Brookfield to buy Unitech’s six assets

Brookfield Asset Management is acquiring 100 per cent shareholding in four SEZs owned by Unitech Corporate Parks (UCP) and 60 per cent shareholding in another two of its assets in India for Rs 3,500 crore. The Canadian asset management firm has agreed to buy the entire stake of Candor Investments, a subsidiary of London Stock Exchange-listed, India-focused real estate investment firm UCP, comprising a 60 per cent share in the firm’s six commercial assets in India. Brookfield has also signed a deal to buy Unitech’s 40 per cent stake in four of the six assets.

Woman director eludes 60% of NSE cos

More than 60 per cent of companies listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) have not met with the requirement of having at least one woman director on their respective boards. Under the new rules as mandated under the Companies Act, 2013, and the SEBI norms, every listed company should have at least one woman director on its board. This will come into force from October 1 this year. But as many as 922 companies - almost twothirds - of the total 1,492NSE-listed companies have not yet appointed a woman director on their boards.Cipla to pick up 60% in Sri Lankan co

Cipla has signed an agreement with its Sri Lankan distributor to pick up a 60 per cent stake in a new company, which will handle its distribution in Sri Lanka. Cipla will fork out $14 million (about Rs 85 crore) for a 60 per cent stake in the new entity.

The deal was inked by Cipla (Mauritius), a wholly owned subsidiary, and Citihealth Imports, Cipla’s existing Sri Lankan distributor.

This acquisition will further strengthen Cipla’s presence in Sri Lanka. Last year, it picked up a 100 per cent stake in Celeris, its distributor in Croatia.

Apollo Tyres to boost production capacity

Apollo Tyres will be expanding production capacity at its Chennai plant. The Rs 2,300-crore plant commissioned in 2010 produces about 5,200 tyres a day against an installed capacity of 6,000.

Apollo has a total installed capacity of about 1,400 tonnes a day of commercial and passenger vehicle tyres in India spread across four plants, making it the largest manufacturer in these segments. The company sees headroom in increasing the output by about 20 per cent at the current level of capacity utilisation which will be fully tapped in two years.

Titan draws up Rs 250-cr expansion plan

Titan, the fifth-largest watch-maker in the world, is expanding its manufacturing capacity and retail footprint across the country for its entire range of products, including watches, jewellery and prescription eyewear. The Tata Group company plans to invest over Rs 250 crore this year.

Of this, Rs 150 crore will go for capacity expansion and the remaining will be spent on retail expansion. The company will add another 40 World of Titan stores to its existing 470; 10 more Helios (Titan’s multi-brand watch retail outlets) to the current 50 and 50 Fastrack stores in the current year.

EU lifts curbs on Ranbaxy’s Toansa plant

The European Medicines Agency, the European health regulator, recently lifted suspension imposed on export of drugs produced at Ranbaxy’s Toansa plant to the EU. The regulator said that medicines produced at Ranbaxy’ Punjab unit posed no risk to public health despite having a number of manufacturing deficiencies.

Ranbaxy, which is being acquired by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, had voluntarily suspended exports from the Toansa plant to the EU this January after the US Food and Drug Administration had banned the company from exporting drugs produced at the plant to be sold in the US.

HAL seeks to reopen old Bangalore airport

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) is making efforts to reopen the HAL airport in Bangalore for short-haul operations. The move is seen as HAL’s plan to diversity into civil aviation. The HAL board has cleared modernisation proposal worth Rs 6,000 crore, its largest at one go, and is focusing on redefining customer sourcing philosophy, advance resource planning and strengthening project and contract management.

The aviation company is also planning to take up more activities in the unmanned air vehicle and unmanned combat air vehicle business segments.

NBCC eyes projects in Oman, Botswana

National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) is eyeing business overseas and exploring possibilities of projects in Oman, Botswana and neighbouring countries.

The NBCC, which was recently granted the Navratna status, will be opening office branches in Botswana and Oman. It has also tied up with a company in Oman for development of an infrastructure project and is looking at revenue flowing from it from the last quarter of this financial year. The Stateowned construction company also wants to focus on redevelopment of government properties. It is also planning a total of 1,000 housing units across cities this year.

Banks told to hold more liquidity from 2015

The RBI has finalised banks’ Liquidity Coverage Ratio (LCR) plan and told them to keep 60 per cent coverage from January 2015 and raise the level to 100 per cent in phases by 2019. The LCR is a concept aimed at ensuring availability of short-term liquidity with banks and financial institutions. Accordingly, banks are required to hold an amount of highly-liquid assets, such as cash or treasury bills, equal to or greater than their net cash over a 30-day period. The LCR was conceived by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision after Lehman Brothers collapsed in 2008.

UBI can lend up to Rs 200 cr per client

The RBI has permitted United Bank of India (UBI) to lend up to Rs 200 crore per client, restricted to triple-A rated companies. The central bank’s move is a sign of improving fortunes of the bank, which has been struck with bad loans. The RBI has asked the Kolkata-headquartered bank not to exceed the Credit-Deposit Ratio of 70 per cent. UBI’s nonperforming assets had shot up to an alarming 10.8 per cent of its total loans in the December 2013 quarter, resulting in a ban on further advances and sudden exit of its chairman in February.

IRDA’s insurance repository pilot project

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) will be launching a pilot project on life insurance repository system. The repository is meant for storing a policy in dematerialised form. The two-month pilot project will start with effect from July 1, 2014, and it will be mandatory for all life insurers and existing five insurance repositories to participate in the programme. During the pilot project, each life insurer will have to convert a minimum of 1,000 policies or 5 per cent of the existing individual policies

Syndicate Bank hiring 5,000 employees

Syndicate Bank plans to recruit around 5,000 new employees - 2,700 officers and 2,300 clerical staff -during the current financial year. Among the 2,700 officers proposed to be recruited, 2,000 will be direct recruits through the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection route and the rest under the specialised officers category.

The bank has already given appointment letters to around 2,000 candidates. The recruitments will fill up vacancies and support the bank’s branch expansion plans.

CRR for non-scheduled UCBs hiked

The RBI recently increased the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) for non-scheduled urban cooperative banks (UCBs) by 1 per cent to 4 per cent.

This increase will come into effect from July 12. The hike will bring non-scheduled UCBs on a par with scheduled primary UCBs. There are some 1,500 unscheduled UCBs in the country. The central bank recently reduced the Statutory Liquidity Ratio for primary UCBs by 0.50 per cent to 22.50 per cent to bring them on a par with commercial banks.

Nod for NBFCs to act as banks’ BCs

The RBI has permitted non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) to act as business correspondents (BCs) of banks. The central bank’s decision, aimed at spreading financial inclusion, allows NBFCs to offer limited services. So far, NBFCs could not be appointed as BCs, which provide limited services on behalf of banks in unbanked areas. Besides, the distance criteria for BCs have been removed to provide operational flexibility to banks. Banks have been told to have a contractual arrangement with NBFCs to prevent conflicts of interest.

Piramal buys 10% in Shriram City for Rs 790 cr

Cashrich Piramal Enterprises has acquired a 9.99 per cent stake in Shriram City Union Finance, the retail-focused, non-banking finance company of the Shriram Group, for Rs 790 crore.

This is the third stake acquisition made by Piramal in a Shriram Group company in the past one year. The latest deal has taken Piramal’s total investment in the Shriram Group to nearly Rs 4,500 crore. Piramal, flush with cash after it recently sold its entire equity stake in Vodafone India for Rs 8,900 crore, aims at becoming a strategic investor in the Shriram Group.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Being a woman of substance and style - The quintessential ability is to propel in your career. It takes more than what you know to see yourself in the world of corporations` and businesses` board room. I am not going to start from the middle of a success story or share a success story. But I am going to share from the root, from the beginning of what it takes you to be successful in the pursuit of being ‘The CEO Aspirant’. I would rather mention that as pain points for women of all times not just today! The objective here is clear to make young women like you to make decisions that matter which are essentially to be made by you right from the start of your career or if I may put it rather empirically why not from today?

Women are progressing in the world of corporate heads and getting into the board room. Though the percentile is a mere 4.8%(reportedas on FY 2014) attributing to the women CEOs in the Fortune 500 companies, it has doubled in the past four years which gives us a ray of hope. To be a ‘Woman in the Board Room’can be a far-sighted vision for you at this moment or may be a spur that strikes your mind. Accept your inner voice and respond! Coz it’s your Thoughts which evolves into your Belief and directs you’re Actions and guides the Perceptions of the outer world around you. Nurture your thoughts strong enough to believe that you are making it to the BOARD ROOM one day! And it’s not going to be far enough…Sow the 7 seeds to Success as a CEO Aspirant which gets you to the direction you crave for.

SEED 1: Don’t listen to the voice in your head that doubts whether or not you deserve to be in a certain role or whether or not you are good enough. Confidence can be the secret sauce that allows you to maximize your impact and achieve your goals.

Find your voice and make it heard. Believe that you are poised for greater things. Aspiring to be the CEO can never be an accident. It can be by your choice! Go for it…. ‘Believe that you are chosen to BE!’I have always been convinced with the belief that women right from the days of evolution have been naturally bestowed with the inner strength of her mind to bear surmountable pain with a purpose. So, undoubtedly you are poised for greater challenges which you will deal with élan. All that I appeal here to you is to have this belief on you about your strong inner self.

SEED 2: Bring your whole self to work. Nevertheless it becomes relatively a challenging and the most daring act for a woman to be able to take out the thoughts of family and position your aspirations on top. Get it right from the start to compartmentalize your life and each day at work. Learn and acclimate your sail through the ‘Wind of Life’ swiftly to the place you aspire to be – The Board Room. This is where we tend to get trapped! Women get engulfed in the ‘Thought of Guilt’ when placing Career over life and willingly compromise your dreams of ‘being in the Board Room’ for the sake of family well-being. As a CEO Aspirant, get over the feeling of guilt and get ready to embrace your dream of getting to the Board Room while beautifully balancing the act between Work and Life. Always remember, the roots of the family are grounded with women yet its branches may grow out in different directions simply like the branches of a tree. Be Passionate, pain becomes a pleasure.

SEED 3: Get mentored by like-minded seniors. Expand your connections with the women on the board or the champions in the pursuit and get them to mentor you.

Engrain the second habit from Stephen Coveys` 7 habits – ‘Begin with the end in mind’ very powerfully deep-rooting the end you aspire of becoming the CEO. The right direction from the beginning will lead you to your destination pretty much quicker than you could think of or rather it will make your path stumble-free by way of constant Motivation, Moral support, Novelty and Ideas and provide you that ‘Cushion support’ that all look for at times.

SEED 4: Be so Curious, Competent and Committed and Compassionatetowards every activity at workplace that you get involved with. Make people feel the want to be in your team. Know how you are perceived and the effect you have on others. Remember that everything... in every situation... is about the people you work withand the effect you have on them. If that doesn’t match the effect you desire, work for it with the belief ‘Everything is Workable’. Be passionately curious about everything around you, your work and your people. Never defy your minds` questions. Instead seek answers and find one.

SEED 5: Keep learning from everyone and everything around you. Life is a powerful education if you pay attention, and benefits your world if you are ‘humble enough to be introspective and smart enough to apply’the life lessons you learn from it. You are amazing and the difference between an ordinary and an extra-ordinary individual is the fact that the former hasn’t realized the indomitable power within them while the later has realized, acknowledged and worked that power to show it to the outer world.

SEED 6: Define your Leadership stylebased on the natural quality bestowed on you as a woman: as nurturing, relatable, empowering, results-focused, giving, coaching, open, positive, change and r risk oriented. Craft your uniqueness in your leadership style. ‘Be so very unique to Zig while all other women Zag!’Being a Woman is ‘All-Contained’to be a natural leader who can be Assertive, Firm, Supportive, and Persistent. You will win your way to the board room with these inherent qualities that you possess and when you bring to the surface.

SEED 7: Just be happy to be making a difference, serving others, and continuing to learn.Create your path and takesteps to be able to make a bigger difference in people’s lives and to continue to challenge yourself. A woman indeed is bequeathed with the qualities for giving more. Acclaim that latent quality from within to make people grow. Make your actions to inspire others to ‘Dream more, Learn more, Do more and Become more’. And that`s what lands you right there in that hot seat as a CEO.

BUDDING MANAGERS
JULY 2014 ISSUE

Profile

www.worldcolleges.info web portal is launched in the year 2005 to serve education community and uplift the rural education. The portal helps aspiring students to study in their dream institution by searching and exploring the institutions infrastructure and courses offered as well as utilize the free downloads of application forms, e-books, project ideas, interview tips and study articles hosted by educational experts in the portal. We have reached hit rate of nearly 4crores this year

Our website has been cited in the Tamilnadu 12th Standard Computer Science text book for reference website in Education domain. We are publishing all kinds of Educational Results every year. Apart from this, In order to harness the ambition and energy of the youth, we are conducting a National Level Contest for the young students under the title “E-Fest”. Being India’s fastest growing education portal,worldcolleges.info is very popular among Students ,Staffs & Parents community.

Worldcolleges helps the students to select their higher education on completion of 10th and 12th Standard. The various choices of degrees are elaborated in http://results.worldcolleges.info/careerchart/tree/10_12thcareer.html

We all think that there are only few choices of study like Engineering, Medical, Polytechnic etc. But there are numerous special courses which have very demanding career. Anthropology, Commercial pilot, Forestry and wildlife, Jewelery designing are few of them. To know more just visit http://www.worldcolleges.info/special-college-category

Worldcolleges offers excellent platform for budding graduates which leads to make wonderful career. Yes, the students can practice various placement papers of MNCs. They evaluate themselves by writing online exams on Aptitude, Technical,verbal and logical Question banks

Besides it gives opportunity to prepare/attend UPSC examination.

Various country news papers and magazines are available in one place nothing but http://news5000.com/international

Our Mission:

• To uplift rural Education and Economy.
• One stop solution for all education and career needs.
• List of Colleges and Universities across the world
• Flexible Search engines to find schools and colleges.
• Free E-books & Question bank in downloadable form.
• Free Guide lines for Abroad studies and career guidelines
• Free online Exam for Aptitude, Technical .
• Free Model Exam UPSC (IAS/IPS), TNPSC & Bank Exam , Placement Papers.
• Opportunity for students to publish their thesis, articles, project reports etc and allowing them to view other’s articles.
• Exclusive job portal for job seekers & final year students.
• Results at higher speed with latest technology.
• E-books in down-loadable form
• Guidelines & Details about IAS/IPS

• Placement Papers of TOP MOST MNC’s
• International News Papers and Magazines

Quick Overview of worldcolleges.info

www.worldcolleges.info, a web portal giving all information about education present around the world for the past 9 years and well known to all School and College students

Cited in the textbook on Computer Science for +2 students of Tamilnadu

A Partner of Grameen Gyan Abhiyan Secretariat (Mission 2007) – Rural Knowledge Movement. Hosted by M.S.Swaminathan Research Foundation Has dynamic visitors for more than 3,50,00,000 + every year and more....

ERP-iBoss Education Management system for more details visit:www.cmsvirtual.com