Archive for May 2012

23 May, 2012
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Why do an MBA - Master of Business Administration?


Why do an MBA?

Global economic recession in 2008-09 and the aftermath of which reduced job offers to fresh management graduates to a great extent have raised serious concerns about the outlook of management education.  Although the economic scenario changed somewhat and the job market leaped back to normalcy over 2010-11, the scenario is again looking a bit bleak with the crisis in Europe deepening and outlook of Indian investments looking unattractive due to so called policy paralysis, inappropriate legislations and scams.
So the question, “why do an MBA”? 

MBA is still the most common qualification for a corporate job
MBA is still by far the most common denominator for being qualified for a job in most of the functions in an organization across any industry segment, may be with certain exceptions in case of core sector industries like steel, cement, and infrastructure. But even in these core sector industries, for senior management positions in any function, preference is given to people with MBA degrees. In the rapidly developing service sectors in India like Banking and Financial Services, Retail and Telecommunication, an MBA is a good qualification to get a preference. 

MBAs understand the language of business
MBAs get preferences over other qualifications in corporate jobs across most of the industry domain because MBAs understand the language of business. In most of the functions, which are keys to survival for an organization in any industry domain, understanding of the language of business is very important. Functions like Marketing, Human Resources Management and Finance Management are keys to survival of an organization. This does not mean that production and operations are less important. But at least in Marketing and Human Resources Management, MBA is an essential qualification. Finance functions can do with CAs but then again there are not enough CAs to fill in the huge requirement of finance professionals in the country.

By language of business, I mean certain particular terms and concepts which are essential for one to know in managing a business appropriately. By business here, I mean large scale businesses. A small businessman can do without these business terms and concepts but managers of large scale businesses can’t. Terms and concepts like branding, ROI, marginal cost, value, product life cycle, retention, and net worth are essential in running such businesses and these are not understood well by non-MBAs. 

MBA curricula develop self-belief
An appropriate MBA curriculum also helps develop self-belief in MBAs. Self-belief is key to individual success. Without self-belief, competencies and skills may fail. This is an adage which is true for ages. In the corporate jungle where everyone fights for survival, a large dose of self-belief and self-confidence see one through.  In a good MBA classroom, a student is compelled to compete with one another in a healthy fashion. A student has to make presentations in front of other students and convince them about a concept or solutions to a case study. A student’s communication skills are constantly honed through numerous presentations.

MBA curricula develop abilities to work in a team
Survival in a corporate job also requires one to be able to work in teams. A good MBA curriculum necessitates a student to work in study groups. Study groups typically consist of students from varied background and varied personalities. Working in such study groups for almost two years shapes up a student’s team working abilities. Abilities to work in a team successfully require one to understand others; be sensitive to others’ mindsets and opinion; resolve conflicts without putting anybody down; and overall showing camaraderie to others. A good MBA curriculum helps one to develop these abilities. 

MBA curricula expands horizons
An appropriate MBA curriculum expands a student’s perspectives of socio-economic situations. A good MBA graduate is a person who understands the world’s social, economic and political scenario and understands how all these affect business decisions. MBA curriculum hones one’s analytical and logical deductive abilities. These develop one’s decision making abilities. 

Very few qualifications can develop your abilities like the ones I have written above which an MBA helps to develop. The bottom line is MBA is still by far the best bet for securing a great career. Careers in many other areas could be very lucrative but then every career has a risk, that is, you may become successful or you may not become successful. When you are pursuing a particular career option, you have a risk. So therefore, by pursuing a career, you are taking a risk. The qualification which still minimizes your risk or in which your bet is safer is MBA. Of course the final decision of doing or not doing an MBA should depend mostly upon your interest, aptitudes and personality. MBA is still one of the most coveted and aspired degrees in the world but it is surely not for everyone.
14 May, 2012
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Shanti Educational Initiatives wins the award for innovation in learning, at the Indian Education Congress


It was an award studded evening where, in a glittering ceremony in Delhi, Ahmedabad’s Shanti Educational Initiatives (SEI) — a corporate citizenship initiative by Ahmedabad’s Chiripal Group bagged the prestigious award for Innovation in Learning at the second edition of Indian Education Congress. Chiripal Group is also successfully running Shanti Juniors, Shanti Asiatic School and Shanti Business School, was enthralled with the win. The citation appreciated the colossal changes brought about in content, curricula and methodology across the board.

The Indian Education Congress was an interactive forum consisting of formal presentations, panel debates, round tables and personal meetings for exchange of ideas and opportunities within the realm of growing Indian education sector.

The two day conference saw participation from various big educational institutions. Pawan Aggarwal, Planning Commission member, GOI; S S Mantha, chairman, AICTE; Vineet Joshi, chairman, CBSE; Shantanu Prakash, IAS, CMD, Educomp Solutions Ltd.; Dilip Chenoy, CEO and MD, National Skill Development Corporation; Shobha Mishra Ghosh, director, FICCI; Lokesh Mehra, director-education advocacy, Microsoft among others were the distinguished speakers at the conference.

Ronak Chiripal, Trustee, Chiripal Charitable Trust and Jay Sanghani, head, New Initiatives, Shanti Educational Initiatives collected the award for SEI. “At SEI, celebrating change is a way of life. We offer an evolving curriculum that matches the rapidly changing global outlook. That’s why we have been awarded for innovation in learning,” said Jay Sanghani.

Ved Prakash Chiripal, Chairman, Chiripal Charitable Trust, said, “It’s a matter of great pride for us. Chiripal Charitable Trust is investing in research in two particular areas of knowledge that are deficient and calls for a change”.

The awards distributed at the convention aimed at recognizing and felicitating achievers, innovators and suppliers, who have contributed significantly towards the excellence in the education sector. Pawan Agarwal, adviser, Planning Commission, Government of India, received the award for the Policy Maker of the Year. Lifetime achievement Award went to Prof. D. V. Sharma, general secretary, COBSE. The Manekji Cooper Trust won the award for the Best Contribution by a Trust award.
09 May, 2012
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Prof. David Faulker on International Strategy



Prof. David Faulker Chairman of Magna Carta College, Oxford, visited Shanti Business School, Ahmedabad campus to explain the students of International Strategy and to promote student exchange between the two organizations.

The honorable professor touched upon topics like theory of absolute and comparative advantage, the theories of international development with Vernon cycle & Uppasalla model, etc. he tried to explain the students how a country builds it advantageous position and how with the help of it companies could build their own core competencies and therefore create an international brands for themselves. He further explained that due to several factors like exchange rates, difference in language & culture, transport costs, difference in tastes & preferences, Govt regulations and difference in standard of living companies and countries need to develop different strategy for domestic and international market.

He further added that any company or brand’s international success depends upon comparative advantage of the country and the company which could be achieved through configuration & co-ordination.
03 May, 2012
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A Session by Mr. Mrinal Bhargava on Career Opportunities in Finance Sector


Mr.Mrinal Bhargav at Shanti Business School


During an interactive session with students of Shanti Business School, Mr. Mrinal Bhargava, vice president, Royal Bank of Scotland, Dubai, shared his life mantra that “Journey is the Reward”.  Mr. Bhargava conducted the interaction with the students on various career opportunities available in today’s time to post graduates in business management in the field of Finance. 

Apart from the mantra, the guest speaker first asked students to have a focused approach towards life and career and emphasized that one must do a self SWOT analysis. He further added by stating that in today’s world one cannot possess knowledge about just one subject and be revered for that, one needs to have overall understanding of all aspects as everything is interconnected. At the same time one needs to deliver that extra as people remember you for something that you deliver which is a little bit better than the others. One needs not forget the importance of basic business etiquettes.  

Mr. Bhargava explained various roles one could get into in the finance sector and what qualities one would require for that. He also explained basic functions of banks, working capital cycle, importance of 15 basic ratios, the liquidity picture and treasury centre solutions. 

His last advice to students was that industry respects candidates who have seriousness, preparedness and willingness to learn and deliver. These according to him are hard facts of life which one might not like but cannot ignore also.