EDUCATION THAT ENCOMPASSES ALL

Management is an interesting career choice, if one was to look around, one would find that after having done a management program; people have gone on and done diverse things. From actors to models to fashion designers to artists, management students have gone on to create a name for themselves in almost every sphere of life. One of the reasons for this success is the fact that management is supposed to be common sense and it develops and enhances the ability of an individual to be more successful in life and get a hold of his life. Most of what is taught in a management class room is in fact derived from the basic things in life. The fact that managers put a spin on it and present the same in a new light is the reason why the subject is today looked upon as some sort of science possessed by a select few. Obviously this statement doesn’t hold true for all subjects in management. There are a number of complex subjects which need to be paid attention to and cant be looked at in the same irreverent way as maybe some of the others. What is interesting to note however is the fact that management not only teaches you how to work in the corporate world, it also enables you to be successful at a host of other things. Managing relationships, is for example just another bonus that one gets with a management education.

In this issue of Dare to think beyond, we have covered the success stories of two individuals who have gone on to chart different career paths. While Ms. Aparna Kumar is a successful model and has gone on to conquer dizzying heights in her chosen profession, Mr. Deepak Shah is a successful entrepreneur who started his own firm and is today regarded highly by his clients and his peers in the industry. Both these individuals have taken the road filled with obstacles and have gone on to emerge better and stronger than before. As it is, an entrepreneur’s contribution to the economy is often larger as he provides employment to many others and is more or less responsible for the sustenance of an ecosystem that surrounds his company. Starting from vendors to suppliers to distributors, everyone is dependent on the organization for their growth and development. Almost all institutional areas or business districts have seen the growth of these small vendors who ensure that the demand generated in that area is in some measure satisfied by what they have to offer. Often such places serve as incubation centers for ideas and once in a while, a true path breaking idea comes along and is the next big thing. A majority of the home grown concepts have taken shape in this manner and have gone on to redefine the business landscape. There are enough examples of such Ideas taking shape and fortifying into some big and truly entrepreneurial.

Change Beckons Us All

It was heartening to see the response of some of the protestors who took to the streets protesting the inaction of the government and the police in the infamous Delhi gang rape case. While a lot has been said about the protest and their efficacy, the fact remains that we are witnessing the awakening of the youth in this country. For the first time has the country seen the collection of so many young people who swung into action and stood their ground against the establishment. This trend is both encouraging as well as disturbing for the government, as in the future these youngsters would probably be in a position to constructively effect change. The fact is that they are transforming into a force to be reckoned with no longer can one dismiss this as the “boil of young blood” and merely pay lip service by offering platitudes. Today the youth demand change and in most cases have an extremely clear idea of what that change means. I say so because this has already gone a step beyond just being a trend and has now almost become a phenomenon. We have seen the impact that the Arab spring has had on the society and the changes that it was able to bring about. Already there are murmurs of dissent in our neighboring countries and things seem to be on the verge of spilling over. Governments across the world have to be sensitive towards the youth as much as they are towards other classes as today tolerance levels have shrunk and people are willing to exercise their democratic right a lot more than what was done in the past. In the future governments and their functionaries would have to be extremely careful about the impact of the policies and strategies on the youth of the country. Keeping all this in mind and seeing the changing landscape I have reason to believe that real and actionable change is just around the corner. These are indeed interesting times to be living in!!

In this issue of “Dare To Think Beyond”, we have featured two alumni who have climbed the ladder of success by working hard and continuously growing and evolving with the roles and the organizations that they have worked with. While Mr. Manish Chhetri has been working with various organizations in marketing roles over the years, Ms. Namita Chhetri has been spearheading the Market Research division (ICMR) at Planman consulting whilst also contributing to the institute in its various endeavors. They are both stellar examples of the values that IIPM imbibes in its students of hard work, perseverance and commitment. Their journey with the institute started when they joined the program at the institute and has continued from then. Both have found the perfect match in one another and have been married for twelve years now and they continue to share similar passions and interests. We at the institute salute the spirit and enthusiasm with which these two individuals tackle the various challenges that life throws at them and wish them all the very best for the future.

SINCERE COMMITED AND SUCCESSFUL

In this issue of CULT, we bring to you the story of a couple who have been instrumental in the growth and success of the institute as we know it today. Both these individuals have been silent crusaders and have kept their focus and attention going which has helped them achieve success and create a legacy of excellence. Both Mr. Sandeep Ghosh and Ms. Shikha Ghosh give due credit to their teams and insist that any leader is only as good as his team. Another important factor for success in their opinion is the ability to innovate and create solutions out of problems. It is this innovative spirit that has taken helped them on numerous occasions and has created magic in most of what they touch. While Ms. Ghosh has been associated with almost each division of Planman consulting and IIPM, Mr. Ghosh has been the man behind the expansion and the growth of the institution. He has been instrumental in setting up the various branches that the institute has across the country and has been managing the smooth functioning and operation for years.

As both the leaders who we have featured in this issue have agreed that Innovation is key for business growth and wealth creation, the importance of innovation becomes even more evident in times of crisis. As most businesses grapple with the trying times and try to keep themselves afloat, it is the innovative spirit of the organization and its people that comes in for the rescue and helps the organisation save itself from the perils it is facing. It would be unwise to say that a slowdown impacts one functional area of a business more than the others, as the fact is that each function, be it marketing or finance or HR each have their own set of challenges to face and overcome in order to survive the downturn. These days, more and more organizations are waking up to the importance of understanding the HR implications on any strategy that they wish to implement, it becomes even more critical for the top management to see that the role of the HR department is not reduced to on only nodding in agreement at most of what is decided. The leaders of the HR function in an organization must also see themselves as change agents. And in this light they must “BE” the change that they want to see in their company. It is very impressive to see that most Indian corporate leaders have actually walked the talk and have lead by example. This leads me to believe that we are infact a starong and resilient bunch of professionals who have taken this slowdown as a time meant to reflect and rectify the mistakes that others have committed in the past. It also points to the fact that the Indian HR professional is mature and proactive and is better equipped today to handle situations like the current slowdown with greater ease and better results the next time over.

INSPIRE TO LEAD AND LEAD TO INSPIRE

For many, management education is complex and often thought of as a subject to be studied by a few enlightened souls. Management is taught the world over using a mix of both theoretical and practical lessons. Keeping this is mind, it becomes essential for a management teacher or instructor to carry real world live information into a classroom. In most b-schools in India, the trend of having industry professionals teach aspiring management professions is just about catching on. Most Business schools in India don’t have the bandwidth or the inclination to hire such people who can bring in these learning’s into a classroom. Internationally business schools encourage instructors to undertake researches so that they are in touch with the realities of the corporate world however in India the trend is almost non existent with most teachers not having actively worked in the business field. Often then, companies complain of the lack of practical insights that these management graduates have about the workings of business.

At the institute, our endeavor has always been to ensure that students get the best of learning at each step. All internal professors who teach at the institute are subject matter experts and are usually working on numerous research and consulting assignments with various organizations so that, what they teach at the institute is both relevant and current. The institute also draws on the experience of management professionals and has a large number of visiting or adjunct faculties who share their experiences with the students. These professors are encouraged to bring their real life case examples into the class and ensure a more comprehensive and holistic learning experience for the students.

In this issue of CULT, we have featured two luminaries who have been at the forefront of business leadership at Planman consulting and have always been at the front. Both these leaders have extraordinary people skills and manage people tactfully and both accept that it is the people of an organization which ensures growth for an organization and are the only true assets of the organization. Both Mr. Kaistha and Mr. Wadhwani are leaders who have understood the businesses that they are in and have innovated to beat the competition and stay ahead. During our conversations with them, they both accepted the fact that service delivery is critical to the success of any business as a satisfied client is a client who would give repeat business and yield better profitability for the organization.

Both Mr. Kaistha and Mr. Wadhwani have contributed to the organizations goals immensely and have been pillars of support for the organization over the years. Their contribution to the cause of taking management education to the next level is unparalleled. We have enjoyed speaking to these leaders and have been motivated by their energy levels and passion for their work and we hope to convey the same to our readers in the true spirit.

INSPIRING THROUGH PASSION AND CREATIVITY

I have often read and heard of a teacher being compared to a candle, one that spreads the light of education and removes darkness from the lives of the students who he touches. A good teacher is also a role model for many. He inspires by his passion and commitment and makes the students work hard to realize his true potential. In today’s times, it is the sincerity and passion of the teachers which makes a change in the life of the student under his tutelage. I have had the good fortune of having had some of the most brilliant and inspiring teachers, change my life. While at school, subjects are more structured and most educators follow syllabus strictly, at the graduation and post graduation levels, teaches move on to impact a student’s life more than ever. I feel it is also a time when an individual can and should develop a sense of thinking which is independent of any external pressure or influence. 

Both the individuals who have been featured in this issue of CULT have had that effect on me. One is a brilliant orator who inspired me to go beyond every boundary and stretch myself to limits that I thought I couldn’t touch, and the second is a dreamer who motivated me to dream and think beyond what was ordinary. While Professor Shubhoshekhar, taught us the importance of communication and the skill to speak publicly, Professor Prashanto made sure all of us looked beyond the visible concepts and question these paradigms. Both in their own ways made us independent thinkers, and that in my opinion, has been their biggest victory and also the biggest contribution that they have made to our lives. I have often seen teachers and educators fail in this simple yet fundamental duty of theirs. Most often we as teacher want our students to conform and not confront. This is maybe due to the fact that our society is such. We want youngsters to unquestioningly follow what is being told to them by seniors or society. In doing so we are killing the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation and are dulling the brilliant minds that would have otherwise questioned norms and maybe even bettered them and made society much better than what it is today. 

It is the job of an educator to inspire his students to be independent and free thinking citizens of the corporate world. Anyone not doing this is not doing his job properly and should infact not be allowed to 

impact our country’s future and harm the development of students. Today the only critical differentiator is infact the delivery of the course or the pedagogy, given as it is that curriculums are widely standardized and regulated to ensure quality. In light of all the above, I feel it is necessary for us to have an new breed of educators who are not afraid to set their students free instead of binding them in the shackles of conventional methods.  

“CHANGE AGENTS AND VALUE CREATORS”

In this issue of CULT, we have featured two stalwarts of the IIPM fraternity who have gone on to build systems and organizations that have added value and in the true sense of it created value and benefits for the group. They have been instrumental in setting up businesses and have collaborated to create magic for the organization. Both these individuals who on the outside are so very different work perfectly in synchronization like a well oiled machine and deliver time and time again. They inspire people all around and create magic in all that they touch. Such is the charisma of these people that they continue to inspire alumni of the institute who have long left the institution. 

While Prof Naveen Chamoli is a dynamic individual with an infectious smile and equally infectious energy, Prof Sourav Chatterjee inspires you with his knowledge and wisdom. During our interaction with them, we realized the fact that IIPM is perhaps the only institution in the world which brings about such a huge amount of change in the students that join us every year. It is this knowledge that gives me the confidence of knowing that we indeed are a unique and truly life changing institution. If one were to see the quantum of change that is visible in each and every student who leaves the campus, one would truly appreciate the magic that education is able to bring about in people. This change in my opinion is “Value”, one that is created for the individuals as well as the community and the country they live in.

When I was a student of IIPM, I had often heard my professors talk of value creators and change agents. I used to often wonder as to how these people would work, given the fact that you could only change so much. I was pleasantly surprised recently when I met one such individual who continues to bring about change and in the real sense of the word creates value. I was amazed at the simplicity of this awe inspiring individual and perhaps for the first time realized the fact that one doesn’t to be complex himself to solve complex problems or even to create complex solutions. All it takes is a simple mind and a straight approach to problem solving. Over the last few years I have seen such seemingly complex problems being solved simply by using the right approach. It is the knowledge of this right approach that is critical to the success of most businesses, and most often people fail to see it. It is this right approach or common sense that is taught in most business schools. Some pepper it with complex sounding names and puzzle the students, while other who are more honest to the cause take the approach of calling a spade a spade. Regardless of the approach if the outcome in both the scenarios is the same then in my opinion all is not lost. We can be assured of the fact that the next generation of managers who are coming of out these b schools will infact create value for the organizations that they work in and also for India as a country.  

TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM

In this issue of CULT, we bring to you the stories of some of our international alumni who are doing well for themselves. It has been our endeavour to document the success of our alumni and to celebrate their triumphs so as to share their happiness and inspire everyone at the institute.  During the course of our interactions, we have found these alumni to be strong and independent individuals who have persevered and constantly challenged the limits to do better than what was expected. Each and every one of these stories has inspired us tremendously and each interaction has left us with a greater appreciation of the struggles that these people have faced. These interactions have also enriched us and taught us the value of the human spirit and its ability to go on regardless of the hurdles or obstacles that come in the way. As we document the trials and tribulations of some of these individuals who have carved a niche for themselves in the International markets, we realize the impact that IIPM as an institution has made not just in the Indian markets but also in the international arena. Each year the institute places hundreds of students in international markets and they start their career at a platform where the others might take time to get to. It is this unique advantage that allows these internationally placed students to then take their careers to dizzying heights. In its endeavour to get students international job opportunities, the institute has found huge success with leading corporation form the world over becoming repeat recruiters at the campus. These leading organizations that recruit IIPM’s talent are testimony to the fact that the institution provides world class and cutting edge education to its students and develops them into competent global managers and leaders.  

Also in this issue, we have also featured two of the most inspiring and exemplary leaders of our institute who have gone beyond the call of duty to leave an indelible mark on IIPM as an Institution. Both these ladies Prof. Rajita Chaudhuri and Prof. Arundhati Banerji are classic examples of the vision that IIPM has for its students and the society at large. Their dedication, passion, steely resolve and commitment to the cause of taking the IIPM revolution to the next level leaves no doubt in one’s mind about the changes that they have brought about in the institution. Both these leaders who are also role models for a huge number of women have managed multiple roles and have emerged as winners in each of these domains have shown the power of women to the world. They wear a number of hats being mothers, teachers, administrators, strategists and a lot more and are equally committed and successful at each one of these roles. Every student who has attended their classes at the institute swears by them and fondly remembers their classes as being the most engaging and informative. We at CULT, salute the resolve and commitment shown by these ladies and hope that they continue to inspire us and the whole IIPM community and go on doing the wonderful and awe inspiring work that they are currently doing.