The relevance of M.B.A.

A lot of debate is currently on regarding the relevance of the MBA course. Some argue that MBA has lost its shine as MBA graduates are finding it difficult to get suitable jobs. Some others feel that MBA has always been relevant and will remain so in future as the education we take is for our life long careers and its scope is not limited to just the first job as a fresher. Students, who are in their final year of graduation and planning for an appropriate PG course must be in a dilemma as to whether to go in for an MBA course or not. The author, in this article, makes a brief but specific analysis of the MBA course and its significance in the current economic scenario.

MBA is a post graduate course in business related disciplines. It became first popular as an academic course in the USA, where the premium universities like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale etc. started this program apparently to prepare students for the business world. The course, slowly, gained worldwide popularity and has now become a very coveted degree. It is a program in which the academic subjects are chosen from various disciplines, keeping in mind their relevance for the business world. The MBA program aims at providing structured and interdisciplinary education, which has relevance in the real world of business.

The turbulent economy and hyper competition are making businesses more and more complex. The amazing growth of technology and its utilities have sped up the processes. Change has become a norm and speed is becoming a custom. Managing complexities of the business, adopting changes, maintaining speed with accuracy, environmental concerns, business ethics, corporate governance, team building, mentoring and leadership, visualizing future, etc. are some of the issues which figure prominently in the boardroom meetings. Then there are functional issues like Marketing, Finance & Accounting, Human Resource Management, Information Technology, Operations, etc. These issues can be sorted out by human beings only and Companies are constantly in search of competent people who can address these issues effectively.

Where will this competence come from? The author identifies three sources from which manpower gets trained and can become competent to address the core issues of business. One, in family owned businesses, the elders in the family coach and mentor the younger lot in an informal but continuous process, and thus prepares them for the business world. Two, an individual can learn and become competent through his own experience of working with an organization. The third source is the course of MBA, which is taken up by the students to learn the nuances of the business world to attain competence and develop the skill sets that are required for managing businesses.

The first source is normally unorganized and unstructured in nature and the learning is limited to the knowledge and understanding of the elders in the family, which may not be necessarily comprehensive. The scope of the second source is limited to the domain work of an employee and may not have multidisciplinary approach and enterprise wide outlook. The third source, i.e., the M.B.A. course, promises a well structured and comprehensive learning with a fair degree of standardization.

The MBA course has an interdisciplinary approach and an enterprise wide outlook. The MBA course is a fine combination of Theory, Practice and Research dimensions. The MBA course not only focuses on delivery of knowledge, but also focuses on skill development and attitudinal issues. MBA aims at widening horizons and broadening visions. It has the capacity to change paradigms and enhance thought processes.

Various industries and corporations acknowledge the importance of MBA. Many of them insist on a formal management qualification in the resume before recruiting candidates, irrespective of the domain area of work. Many non MBA employees, though at good positions and good performers, have also understood the importance of formal management education and qualification and feel that not having a formal management education can hamper their promotions and future growth prospects. This is the reason why one finds the Executive MBA courses packed to capacity.

The relevance of MBA should always be seen in the long run and its benefits should also be foreseen in the long run. Many candidates relate the course of MBA to a good first placement, which may not be always possible. The MBA degree can act as a tool to make a good long term sustainable career but not as an instrument of getting a good first job at a fabulous salary package. Though some fresh MBA graduates may receive fabulous offers, some others might be required to struggle for a few years before they can really harvest the benefits of their MBA degree.

The MBA course, or any formal management education, is best taken up in a Campus based program rather than distance learning mode. Management education is not just about reading books and appearing for exams. It is a comprehensive program which calls for high degree of Faculty-Student interaction, working on various Projects, Peer Learning and a varied Industry Interface. All this may not be possible in distance learning mode. Some Institutions offer an autonomous Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Management along with a MBA degree through distance learning mode. Such programs offer a very high degree of concentrated efforts to train the students and the students can have an added advantage of getting an MBA degree from a recognized university. Thus, one can get the benefit dual certifications, PGP from the autonomous institute and MBA from a recognized University.

As long as businesses exist on the face of this earth, the need for trained, competent and efficient manpower will remain there. This is where a career opportunity lies. Formal Management Education (say MBA) is the key source of providing such manpower in quality and quantity. So gear up, pull your sleeves, and start preparing to get the best possible management education available. Happy Innings!

Tame the Mass Killer

Over and over for many years and even generations, English as a language has emerged as a mass killer for students, right from their school days, continuing up to higher education and then job interviews. Records prove that most of the students fail in their examinations due to poor knowledge of English language, which ultimately results in inadequate or no understanding of the subject that is being taught in English. Even in job interviews, many interviewees are branded as poor communicators and rejected if they are not able to answer in proper English, though they might know the answer. It is unfortunate that even after knowing this, many of us still do not take any concrete efforts to tame this mass killer. The author, in this article, suggests ways and means of self efforts that can be taken by you to improve your knowledge of English as a language of communication.

The knowledge of English language can be classified into the following.

Understanding what is being told or written in English.
Reproducing whatever is being understood in English
Writing in English
Speaking in English

If I ask how many of you sit with a blank face while attending a lecture that is being delivered in English, many hands will go up. This has happened to you every time, over and over, for years together. But how many of you have really made an organized effort to improve your English understanding is a big question mark. The first step towards improving your knowledge of English language is to accept that your English is poor. Once you recognize the problem, it becomes easier to find solutions. The next step is to acknowledge that English has emerged as the common language of Business Communication and will remain there with increased globalization. The third step is to tell yourself that learning English as a language is extremely important for surviving in this hyper competitive world. If you are through with the above three steps, here are some easy remedies which can fit into your daily life without disturbing your routine or calling for extra time.

Read English News Papers only. And read them daily, from the first word to the last word. Even if the matter is not of any interest to you, read it for the sake of improving your English. The kind of variety an English news paper has in terms of vocabulary and expressions is rare to find anywhere else. This is because there are multiple writers in a news paper and the reader is exposed to different styles of writing, usage of words, and expressions. While reading, keep a dictionary with you. If you do not understand the meaning of any word, refer to the dictionary immediately and understand the complete meaning of the sentence and also the context in which it is being written. Pay attention to full stops, commas, exclamation marks, etc. This will help develop your own bank of English vocabulary.

Watch English news channels only. If you are a cricket fan, while watching matches, tune in to English commentary channel only. This will help you understand how things are described in English. The audio visual effect of the cricket match will help you understand better. Listen carefully to the expert comments and start forming your own opinions, but in English only.

Once you start understanding English properly, it becomes easier to write. Start by writing few sentences every day. You can even start writing a daily diary and try to write anything and everything of that particular day. Pay attention to the grammar and use of words. You will realize that your diary reflects the various moods you were in while writing. Accordingly, your choice of words will also differ. Remember, the purpose of writing decides the choice of words to be used because many words although are synonyms, their expressions are different. Writing helps in learning to reproduce whatever is learnt. Good handwriting is equally essential as it enhances writing pleasure.

Speaking in English is the most vital and dreaded part. Many people can read or write very well in English. But when it comes to speaking in English, they struggle to find the right words. This is due to lack of practice. Speaking in English demands instant reproduction of whatever you know, think, feel, etc. Instant sorting, selection and reproduction of the words from the word bank in your brain are necessary. Proper pronunciations are equally important. One must stress on each word that is being spoken and ensure that it is pronounced properly. Form groups of likeminded people and converse with them in English only. Speak with your teachers or bosses only in English. If you still do not have anyone to converse in English with, identify someone good and be ready to pay him or her for having English conversation with you every day, atleast for an hour. This will give you the much needed confidence and your brain will also get accustomed to sorting, selecting and reproducing words instantly. With more and more practice, you will get better and better.

The gist of this article is the more exposure you give yourself towards English through various ways and means, the early and easily you will learn and practice English. So stop making a demon out of it. Pull your sleeves, gear up, and be ready to tame this fear of English language, which is acting as a mass killer.

Benchmark Yourself against the Best!

Right from our childhood, we have been told stories about Heroes and their heroics, whether real or fiction. If one carefully goes through such stories told to us by our grandparents, parents and teachers, one shall not fail to notice the emphasis given on the personal traits or qualities of such heroes. Have you ever wondered what can be the purpose of telling such stories in our formative years? Yes, the only purpose was to bombard you with the best practices followed by such heroes.

Benchmarking is a process of identifying the best practices followed by the leaders, specialists, achievers in a particular field and adopting those practices. The process starts with identifying such practices and end up with setting new benchmarks for others. It is important for the students to take clues from the childhood stories and apply the principles to the present day situation. Such stories tell you nothing but common sense in a very simple language. Fiction, mythology, history or biographies, the purpose is same.

Students must start the process of benchmarking as early as possible. This will give them enough time to analyze, take corrective action, re-analyze and recorrect themselves. Remember, standards are not static. They are always growing and often, at a very high speed. The students should be able to match the pace of growing standards. For those lagging behind, the learning speed has to be still higher so as to catch up with new benchmarks being set everyday. It is important to keep your eyes and ears open, and have a receptive brain in order to remain informed and understand the changing standards. Now the question is what should be the elements of benchmarking. Remember, benchmarking is a process and not a one time activity. The process will go on and on as you move out of the college and surge ahead in your careers. The question is what elements need to be considered for benchmarking. To have a clear view and a focused approach, I would suggest a three prong strategy, viz., Personal and Social Development, Academic Development and Career Development.

When we talk about personal and social development, it is important to acquire knowledge, attitudes, and interpersonal skills to help yourself understand and respect self and others. Knowledge and awareness of surroundings, historical events and current happenings play a major role in giving substance to speak and listen. An ability to make decisions, set goals and take actions to achieve those goals is developed by gaining knowledge. Knowledge and awareness helps to understand and acquire personal safety skills. Learn to use such acquired knowledge. Develop a positive attitude. Improve your interpersonal skills. Recognize the changing personal, family and social roles. Demonstrate appreciation and respect for diversity. Exhibit respect for differing points of view. Learn to use your personal strengths and assets. These attributes improve confidence levels and thus, help in shaping your personality.


Academic Development is necessary to acquire the attitudes, knowledge and skills that contribute to effective learning in school and across the life span. It helps you understand the relationship of academics to the world of work and to life. Academic development here is not limited to scoring marks in examinations. It is important for students to understand the concepts in academics and try to apply theory to real life situations. Remember, Academics are all about concepts, the clearer they are, the easier you lives are going to be. In your life, you will be tested on concepts, not as sterile definitions but on real life application. It is importance for students to create a benchmark for understanding levels. For this, students should have discussions on the subject amongst themselves and look for examples outside to validate such concepts. See the same thing as everybody else does, but think of something different. The formula of LEOCE (Learn, Experience, Observe, Conceptualize and Experiment) should be followed systematically. Remember, knowledge is most useful when it is either derived directly from practice, or while deriving originally from other sources, is tested and validated through practice.

When it comes to Career Development, it is important to acquire skills to investigate the world of work in relation to knowledge of self and to make informed career decisions. Shed the herd mentality and set different, yet realistic benchmarks for yourself. Devise strategies to achieve future career goals. Understand the relationship between personal qualities, education, training and the world of work. Once the goals are set, look for people who are successful and achievers in the same field. Investigate and try to identify their strengths and learn how they capitalized on the existing opportunities. Make a detail analysis of their personal qualities, background, current position and future plans. Try to acquire those skills and qualities.

Students and young professionals, at this stage, have the greatest of opportunities for learning and innovation, for breaking down hierarchies, for better bonding, for having high aspirations and for running the marathon. This is when you are hungry too. You are ready to try out anything new if it could afford you success. This is when you must set the goals right. You will never have to look back after that.

Explore the Leader within You!

Leadership is like gravity. You know it is there, you know it exists. Still we find it difficult to define and understand it. We all have seen leaders in different roles in action. For example, Parents, Teachers, Managers, Entrepreneurs, Social Reformers, Politicians, etc. We have experienced leaders with many different styles. Some have been effective or caring. Some have been divisive or even ruthless. Some have been great role models, others big disappointments.
So what leadership is all about? Is it something which provokes the will for super action? Or it makes the happening of the super action look simple and easy. Is it like finding a simple solution for a complex problem? Parents universally hope that their children develop leadership qualities. Because leaders are the people who are effective in whatever they do, are respected by others, and rewarded for those skills in a variety of ways. It is in these formative years that, through our parents, we first see leadership as desirable and important. As young people we look up to people around us that motivate and listen to us, people that seem like "real-life" heroes. We consider these people as leaders. As we grow we begin to relate leaders to their jobs - ministers, teachers, senior colleagues, and later, Managing Directors, Presidents, and the CEO's. As we grow, all these thoughts and experiences define why we think leaders have desirable traits and play roles we admire. All these experiences and thoughts help us define why leadership matters. It matters because leaders make a difference and can shape the future. It matters because leaders are valued and valuable.
In our childhood, we have been told stories of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and his heroics. Let us have a look as to why these stories were told to us. From a management student’s point of view, have a look at the qualities he had as a leader. Shivaji was brave, intelligent and inspiring. He was a rebel at the core and had the ability to question the contemporary practices. . He had set a definite goal and had tremendous confidence and an unflinching conviction to the cause. He knew he had limited resources. He knew his only strength was his young, physically strong and aggressive soldiers. He had a small army which was inexperienced and much under equipped than the enemy. But Shivaji was a master strategist. He knew that he was not capable of declaring an organized war so he took the enemy by surprise. He devised guerilla tactics which were superbly suited to the rugged mountains and valleys of the region. His guerilla attacks were meticulously planned and executed with precision. This element of surprise gave him a tremendous advantage of attacking an unprepared, unsuspecting and extemporary enemy. Apart from wartime tactics, Shivaji was also known for his peacetime diplomacy. He had a fatherly attitude towards his subjects. He encouraged all socio-economic groups to participate in the ongoing political changes. To this day he is remembered as a just and welfare-minded king. Shivaji brought revolutionary changes in military, fort architecture, society and politics.

Leadership is the art of accomplishing more than the science of management says is possible. Leaders deliver maximum productivity making optimum utilization of the available resources. How to imbibe leadership qualities in yourself? Here are some tips for you. Understand the need of the hour and be pro-active. Communicate with others. Be honest and fair. Make decisions with inputs from others. Have consistency in your actions. Give others the information they need to do their jobs. Keep focused through follow up. Listen to feedback and ask questions. Show loyalty to the team members. Create an atmosphere for growth and have a vision. Appreciate and give recognition. Criticize constructively and address problems. Set goals and develop plans. Have tolerance, flexibility and assertiveness. Treat others with respect and dignity. Make yourself available and accessible.
It's healthy for you to question, evaluate, and consult with others when making decisions. However, once a decision is made, it's also important to go forward with confidence and conviction. The best way to learn is to do, making some minor errors along the way and learning from them. Have perseverance. In this fast-paced, short-attention-span world, it's challenging to stick things out. But good leaders stay on track, make adjustments along the way if necessary, and get to completion. Have a lifestyle that will give you personal space and time, which you can spend for yourself, with your family and friends. Remember, no job is worth losing touch with your family, getting sick, or dying.
Now that you've developed a concept of what it takes to be a leader, you can put those ideas into practice, whether that means seeking leadership positions or simply demonstrating these qualities day-to-day. Many opportunities exist for students to hone their leadership skills. Start by being a leader every day in the classroom. As your skills progress, participate actively in student activities, college functions, social work etc. Working to implement the principles of effective leadership will set you on your way to becoming a leader of tomorrow.

Making the Right Choice!

To do or not to do. This is a million dollar question every one of us has come across multiple times in our lives. What makes this question interesting is not just the task of taking a decision. The real challenge is in taking the right decision.

Students preparing for their final year graduation examinations have this additional task of planning for their higher studies. In this era of intense competition it is important for students to carefully plan their choice of courses. Choosing the right institution which offers such courses is equally important. Students aspiring for management studies are not an exception to this situation. There are many institutes and colleges in Nagpur, offering management courses. This is why the question of choosing the right institution gets highlighted. Here are some points which students should consider while making their choice.
Does the college offer the specialization of your interest? How many electives the institute is offering and at what stages of the course? What is the examination pattern? Does the college offer the appropriate training? What is the average number of students in each class? Will you get enough contact/attention from the Faculty? What kind of career planning services are available? Does the college impart training in soft skills? What activities the college conducts for proper grooming and personality development of the students? Does the college offer placement assistance? If yes, what percentage of students get jobs on campus? What is the course fee? What does that include? Are their any payment plans available? Do banks offer education loans for the course? Does the college offer any scholarships? How is the infrastructure of the college? How good is the college library, computer lab and the internet connectivity? Are there any sports & recreation facilities? Visit the college campus. Try to meet the Faculty members. Test their attitude towards the students. Decide whether u feel like belonging to the place. Check the admission requirements. Decide on the distance and location of the college.
Finding a proper institution is one area where students should exercise utmost care. Due to lack of knowledge and information about the colleges in the country compounded by the barrage of often misleading and false advertisements, students opt for colleges claiming foreign affiliations. An exorbitant fee is seen as a guarantee of a premium education. Students should analyze carefully as to how such foreign affiliations are useful in imparting quality education and enhancing career prospects. Or they are just the tags used as marketing gimmicks to attract students. There is also a trend of students seeking admissions in colleges of Pune or Mumbai without giving proper thought. Agreed, these cities are ahead of Nagpur as far as higher education is concerned. But every institute in these cities does not guarantee quality education. Studying away from home involves a lot of additional expenditure towards housing and food. If you have a tight budget, you may end up compromising on these two aspects which may affect your general health and subsequently, studies.

The students should also seek knowledge about the teaching methodologies of various colleges. It is important that the teaching methodology should foster learning and not just memorizing. For example, the teaching methodology at ICFAI National College, Nagpur, emphasizes learning. The teaching methods are designed in such a way that the students are required to apply their theoretical knowledge to real life business situations on a continuous basis. Besides the use of case studies and technology in the classroom, students are encouraged to do outdoor activities like Live Projects, Operation Workouts, Seminars, Paper Presentations, Interaction with Industry Experts and Short Selling Assignments. The 4 months Summer Internship Program of ICFAI National College is like a jewel in the crown. These activities not only give the students an opportunity of experiential learning but also help in confidence building and personality development, thereby grooming them for the corporate life. Even the Faculty Members at ICFAI National College, Nagpur, are formally trained to apply various teaching methods. “The application of above 25 teaching methods, benefits of smaller groups, more individual attention and an effective working relationship with the Faculty Members really creates a learning atmosphere,” says Prof. Shashikant Kashikar, Soft Skills Trainer, INC Nagpur
Finally, don't be shy about asking questions and look for answers in more than one place. The college authorities can answer your questions about policies and resources, while students and alumni will let you know about the learning activities on a day-to-day basis. So ask away and make the right college choice!!!

Summer Placements III

Summer is fast approaching and all the management students must be looking forward to their summer placements. Normally, summer is considered as a period of holidays and relaxation. But for the first year students of Management Studies, this traditional view is irrelevant because soon they will be pushing off for their summer internships. Student interns can derive two values from their summer internships. One is the face value, i.e., to impress the employer and earn a Pre Placement Offer (PPO) and the other is the intrinsic value, i.e., to have an opportunity to put theory into practice and application to real life situations and develop professional skillsets. Here are some useful tips for students planning for their summer internships.
In summer internships, often, there is a lack of direction. The guide may not have time, the goals may not be clear and there can be lack of resources. But remember, it is your project and yours alone. Tackle these problems proactively and creatively. Setting clear project goals is the first step. Usually, the company and intern are aware of what they need. But this may not be clearly expressed, leading to confusion when the project is well under way. Ensure that the goals are Specific, Deliverable, Measurable, Action Oriented, Realistic and Timebound. Each goal should be tested to meet the above requirements. If it doesn't, it may need revision. Their can be variety of other mundane tasks a student intern may be required to perform. Such tasks are vital learning opportunities as they help develop the clarity of thinking and the understanding of the workplace environment. Though such tasks are important, one should not loose track of the project.
Maintain a logbook and update it daily. Write even the minutest of details. This will make preparing the final report easier as the data can be easily collated. Always keep your Company Guide posted. The Company Guide is the most important person in your internship. He is helpful in mid-course correction if you are loosing focus. Keep the contact details of all those you meet during your summer internship. This should be the beginning of your professional networking. Remember, networking always helps.
Look for accommodation in hostels. In most cities, however, schools and colleges with hostel facility let you stay over at a reasonable price as their classes are closed for summer holidays. But these hostels have selective admission criteria and certain regulations, like time limits, that should be examined before putting up. Pay attention to your health. Many of your would be staying away from your homes for the first time, for such a long period. It is extremely important to remain healthy throughout the internship period. Avoid roadside, oily and unhygienic food. Drink clean water.

Carry your texts with you. You realize the utility of textbooks when they are applied to the real world. It is better to carry them rather than regret later about useful information that could have been applied in the project. If you are with friends, each could carry a separate text and you could share them over the internship.
Don't look at the money. Ask any person five years your senior (even informally) if you should look at the internship as good pocket money. Assuming your expenses are covered, look at summer internship as a valuable learning experience. It gives you a peek into the organization, the line of work and the people in it. Use it as a base for long-term decisions about whether you wish to work in the company and sector. Understand the term, 'learning experience'. Knowing the key deliverables (to the company) and take aways (for you) are important. Don't confuse the activities with learnings that add value to your understanding of how the business works.
Last, but most important, ‘Benchmark against the Best’. If things go well, it could mean the start of a great career for you !!!

MANGO MOODS: SUMMER PLACEMENTS ( II )

MANGO MOODS: SUMMER PLACEMENTS ( II )