“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.