Advancedge MBA

Advanc’edge MBA October 2012 1

It is that time of the year again. From now starts the period of entrance tests, the SNAP, CMAT, NMAT and many other combinations of letters. But whatever test one may want to take, nobody will ever ignore the CAT, which offers the glory of entering the management world with the IIMs’ silver spoon in the mouth.

When faced with such an apparently Herculean task, it is quite easy to be led astray by worries and advice — both well-meant and otherwise. Should you study alone or in a group? Is the CAT only about who’s more intelligent? Does age or experience matter? I know these are just some of the worries in your mind, my anxious aspirants. To you, I say these are just myths. This issue’s cover story is all about showing you which is which — separating the myth from the reality.

If you’re not satisfi ed with acing the CAT, we’ve given you a lowdown of a few upcoming entrance tests at other B-schools, and about the admission process at some national institutes. And after you’re done with your MBA, there’s a host of career options out there, of which you’ll fi nd out here, what the BFSI sector and the hospitality industry are like.

Whatever you do, remember, there are no substitutes for hard work. So, when test time comes, work smart. Couple these with the basic intelligence that all of us have, knowing how to handle the pressure, with sincerity and passion for an MBA, and I know you will bell the CAT with ease.

All my best wishes for this, and for your future endeavours.

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40 | Sim CAT Winners

44 | Corporate Speak Sharath Jeevan

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48 | Notice Board

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www.advancedge.comOctober 2012Contents

04 | First Step COVER STORY CAT facts: Let the truth be told

10 | MBA Buzz Upcoming Tests

16 | Follow the CAT, The Non-IIM Way

21 | Rama Pandey, IMT Ghaziabad

22 | Career Watch HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT Be my Guest

29 | Scholarship Crusaders

31 | Sector Scope BFSI Money Matters

36 | Success Street Stress, Tech and You

39 | Two Minutes to De-Stress

50 | Study Hour WORD DOSE Florence Nightingale

51 | Globescan

52 | SuDoKu

Advanc’edge MBA October 2012www.advancedge.com 3

FIRST STEP

Advt.

4 Advanc’edge MBA October 2012 www.advancedge.com

FIRST STEP

CAT facts:Let the truth be told

There are myths galore surrounding the CAT, misleading many an aspirant. Here we show they are just that — myths that must be busted.

Gaurav Sharma

Cover Story

The CAT is a tough nut to crack. No matter, how hard you try, the success

ratio can never be ascertained. What can be addressed, though, while thinking of doing an MBA, is busting certain inhibitions or myths related to the CAT, which is definitely difficult but not insurmountable. Here, we clear out a few commonly, and uncommonly, known and unknown myths about the CAT.

Myth One: Race For Intelligent Species Everything said and done, the CAT is not about shortlisting the superior mind. It will favour those who are well-prepared, smart and serious about their career choice. If you are passionate about the path, you have already made an intelligent decision. It is not necessary that a first-ranker will always crack the CAT. The written tests and interviews test your aptitude, not brilliance. Intelligence does not guarantee success, smartness does.

Remember, no matter what background you belong to, there will be thousands of other candidates as unique as you. The choice you have, therefore, is to aim at activating and enriching your mind when preparing for the CAT. A broader mind that can soak in more, and think faster, will almost certainly win the race.

Myth Two: Books Have All The AnswersBooks only guide, and don’t offer super solutions. They don’t have all the answers. For a question like, ‘Why do you want to do an MBA?’, the answer should come from your heart, not from a book. Yes, books do inform, and you must certainly gather information from them, but don’t look at books for all the answers. In fact, the answers to the simplest CAT

questions come not from books, but from your mind. If you have studied well and know why you are doing what you are, you would not have to depend on books.

If everybody lifts the answers from books, how is your genuineness and uniqueness going to shine through?

Myth Three: An MBA Degree Is A Shortcut

To A Heavier Bank BalanceAn MBA is not a shortcut, even though

your books and p r e p a r a t i o n might have

given you that idea. It

is a respected profession. If

money is your only goal, the degree and the journey would not only frustrate you but also make you question your judgment in the longer run. MBA is a way of life. The pay package and starting salaries might be attractive but cannot be the motive for you to be doing the course. If you are not passionate about the subject, don’t spend on it. Passion pays, not the degree.


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Myth Four: The Earlier You Start Preparing, The Better Chances You HaveWhile preparing, time needs to be managed correctly. We hear of college-going students preparing for MBA tests two or three years in advance. Try setting a study schedule while keeping in mind the month you intend to take the test, also fix your schedule of how many hours of study you can put in everyday. The earlier you start studying, the greater the danger of your forgetting your lessons. Once you have decided on the month, try planning backwards keeping in mind your other schedules. This will help you ascertain the time you would actually need to ‘start’ studying. And don’t focus only on studies once you start preparing. Your extracurricular activities should not be sidelined. Activities keep your mind fresh.

Myth Five: Studying Alone Is Going To Get You ThroughIf you have no choice but to study alone, don’t worry. But those who have the access to prepare with a peer group, please go with it. If preparing in isolation is a compulsive habit for you, let go of it! The problem with preparing alone is that you cannot foresee or share the problems. The one who studies alone fails alone too!

Do not stay away from the pack. Take advantage of it. Share knowledge to get an edge. You can even share notes or preparation tips with your peer group. This would help you in the longer run too, when you start working with a team. Man is, after all, a social animal.

Myth Six: Don’t Underrate YourselfThis might be your approach to keep the pressure off. Yes, the good performers always attract attention, from different quarters of well wishers and others. And it might help to monitor and control the performance pressure for some time too, or it will instil a sense of dissatisfaction and hopelessness in your mind if unchecked. While everyone loves an underdog, you clearly don’t have to be one! Keep an optimistic approach towards your preparation. Set an optimistic target, and work towards it.

And if you wish to keep the taunts at bay about your preparation, tell the inquisitors that you are trying your best and keeping your fingers crossed. Let them not affect your mind or heart.

Myth Seven: Sacrifice For A Better ScoreWhile blocking out distractions

might be a good idea when you are studying, sacrificing your routine definitely isn’t. The thought that ‘in order to gain something, one must sacrifice something’ is not such a mandatory line of thought when preparing for the CAT.

Don’t negotiate with your interests to accommodate your study routine. Don’t compromise on your studies either, if you like to read books, or go for a walk or bike! Create a balance between your studies and activities. Sacrifice is not an imperative clause for MBA!

Myth Eight: Fresh Graduate Is A MinusBeing a fresh graduate comes with its own advantages. You will have a fresh perspective compared to people with years of experience. Your college studies will be at the top of your mind. One just needs to be mentally alert of what is happening around, and you might just get an extra edge of being fresh out of college. You would also have time to prepare well for your studies since you will still be in the cycle of studying and appearing for exams.

It is a known fact that the younger you are, more preferred you will be since your training would begin early, and you have more working years ahead of you.

Myth Nine: The Older I Am, The Lesser My ChancesThe older you get, the wiser you become. Not only would you have a better grasp of things around you, you would also be aware of the causes and effect. All of us know that as we grow older, responsibilities and challenges increase, and the time goes by! You might have made half-hearted attempts at clearing the selection process of MBA or struggled with a career your heart does not lie in. Time might have

Cover Story

Group study is always more effective than studying alone

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slipped away. But it is defi nitely not lost! Catch up with it!

If age is not a criterion for the selection process, then why should you worry yourself thinking about it? Grab the opportunity, and create a good career for yourself. It is a great opportunity to take your professional life to another level. And do not miss out on it.

Myth Ten: Classroom Coaching Is MandatoryWhat is mandatory is a well-rounded approach to the preparations. Classroom institutes only facilitate miracles, they don’t work magic. Your approach can make all the difference. If you wish to be spoon-fed and then place the blame on your teachers for your failure, please stay away from the classrooms. Classroom institutes help in clearing your doubts, guiding you, and thus enabling your success. But it still is not a sure shot way to success. You have to push yourself to attain knowledge, rather than depend wholly on the institute. Only self-motivation and passion can see you through.

Myth Eleven: Focus On Core Strength Subject To Maximise ScoreWeak subjects or strong subjects, you need to have a well-rounded informed approach to every section if you wish to maximise your score. Yes, do take advantage of your core strength by spending less time on that particular vertical and more on your weak spots. You should work more on your limitations and inhibitions while sustaining your strengths. This is what an MBA is all about.

And start by focusing on your weak areas when you begin the preparations. Do let your teachers in the institute know about it and ask for help whenever required. Don’t lose heart if it seems diffi cult in the

beginning. If your peers can do it, so can you. All it takes is effort!

Myth Twelve: Extra-Curricular Merits Balance Low ScoreThere is a reason that entrance tests mention the qualifying academic score. The academic scores can be balanced out with non-quantifi able extra-curricular merits. Use your merits as an additional tool to differentiate yourself from other candidates. The ideal candidate for any MBA institute is the one who has been participating in curricular activities and has taken care of the academics as well. This only ensures a well-rounded personality and performance.

Don’t forgo your academics or curricular activities. Just don’t lean too much on either one of the two. And if you do choose, make it academics. For the re is no substitute for academic credentials!

Myth Thirteen: University Score Reigns SupremeNothing outweighs a well-informed candidate. The CAT is a big window of opportunity for all. Do not think that if your last passing score is low, you would not be eligible for MBA. Try out your possibilities before

thinking of not attempting at all. Do not benchmark your capabilities with academic scores. If you are dedicated and passionate about your choice of doing an MBA, show your worth in the entrance test. No one can stop you if you are motivated enough.

The CAT is an even-playing fi eld. So free your mind of thoughts of low academic sores and give it anhonest shot.

Myth Fourteen: Simulation Test = Mock TestPerformance is mandatory. In the bid to attract the maximum number of students by delivering more value for money, some institutes go to the lengths of conducting back-to-back tests for every week of the three months that lead up to the test. But this isn’t necessary; in fact, you just end up spending time on the solved and unsolved questions. Yes, this does help ingrain into our system some of the fi ner qualities of effective question selection, time management, and approaches to the solution. There are defi nitely no short-cuts to this. However, what taking such back-to-back tests does is lessen the importance of how much you score, and leaves very little time for analysis.

Coaching classes only facilitate miracles, they don’t work magic.

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Reading newspapers, blogs, and websites will give you an idea of what you can learn. Make it a practice. While preparing, if you don’t know an answer, look it up, ask around.

Myth Fifteen: Aim For 99A 99 percentile is a very elusive figure. And catchy too! Don’t we hear it from childhood to aim for 99 per cent? For most candidates, it translates into getting through to the second round of selections and also elicits complacency! When you are preparing for the CAT, don’t benchmark yourself according to standards set by others. When others perform, what one needs to aim at is to outperform. How can one do this? By not limiting oneself to a set benchmark. If you benchmark your efforts beforehand, you would only end up securing an average percentile.

What one needs to aim for is the stars.

Myth Sixteen: Attempt Easier FirstYou might be off to a great start but end up on the wrong end with this line of thought.

If it is easy, keep it for the last. Is that not what home tests also instil? Take your time to crack the difficult portion first so that you can divide the allocated time well in advance. Once you start attempting the easier section first, you might end up with insufficient time for the difficult part. Would this not be a disaster, then? When you start preparing for the tests, try and work out on the time splits, order of sections and strategies. Try all permutations and combinations beforehand to work out a strategy suitable for you.

Myth Seventeen: Oscillating Between High And Low Is A NormNo one can be consistent in the task set out. In the months leading up to the test, one can repeatedly hear the phrase ‘peaking at the right time’’ and ‘bottoming well before D-day’. This practice makes one focus more

on timing the success rather than focusing on making success a norm. This attitude makes one treat each success with a fear of failure and each failure with complacency. You need to work hard towards your goal. The success rate in your preparation should resemble a mountain peak, where you climb to the top.

The oscillations between high and low are disastrous for your own good, and help your competitors. Setbacks only make one’s resolve to reach the top stronger.

Myth Eighteen: Being A Working Professional Is A DisadvantageYour work experience will definitely be an add-on in MBA. When starting out, prioritise your work and schedule and stick to it. Twenty-four hours in a day might not seem enough when you begin preparing for entrance but once the routine is set, it will not be difficult. Assign time and fix study hours. Juggle your other schedules but do not give up. If needed, take a day off from work to catch up. An MBA degree is only going to give you extra advantage in your career. Fight for it, and attain your goal! It is in sight already!

Myth Nineteen: When You Don’t Know, Say ‘No Idea’In the interview, post CAT, a lot of

interviewees end up saying ‘no idea’ to the question thrown at them. The idea of the interviewer is to test you, not to take ‘no’ for an answer. You need to be aware of all that is happening around you, despite not having an interest in it. You need to understand market forces, political forces, social implications, and all obscure titbits for all of it is related. Once the examiner gets the idea that you don’t know, they will definitely choose someone over you. Do not give them that option. Reading newspapers, blogs, and websites will give you an idea of what you can learn. Make it a practice. While preparing, if you don’t know an answer, look it up, ask around.

You must stop being complacent and let the knowledge seep in.

Myth Twenty: There Is Always Next YearA complacent approach will not get you anywhere. B-school aspirants may not have a safety net or fallback option. Give it all you’ve got on the first go. And with rigorous tests, you have no reason to be complacent. Even before appearing for the exam, people tend to think of appearing in the next years’ exam if they don’t clear this time. This attitude is a way to definite failure on the first attempt. If you plan to appear in the next years’ exam, how will you give 100 per cent this year? It only leads to a self-fulfilled prophecy and blows your self-confidence. And would not next year imply more competition, with a new lot taking the exams too?

The intelligent thing would be to attempt the CAT once you feel ready. An MBA is hardly few weeks away. If you have not prepared well enough, appear next year. But once you’re prepared, don’t think of the next year. For success will be yours only if you want it!

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MBA BUZZ


Upcoming Tests There are a host of MBA entrance exams in the next couple of months, apart from the CAT. Here is a quick look at four of the most important ones.

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies conducts its own

entrance test, called the NMIMS Management Aptitude Test or NMAT for admission to its two-year full-time programmes MBA, MBA-Banking, MBA-Capital Market, MBA-HR and MBA-Pharmaceutical Management at the Mumbai campus and PGDM at Bengaluru and Hyderabad campuses for the academic session 2013-15.

Exam PatternThe NMAT is an objective type multiple-choice test comprising a total of 120 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. There will be no negative marking. There will be three sections in the test:a) Language Skills section – 32

questions in 22 minutes.b) Quantitative Skills section – 48

questions in 60 minutes.c) Logical Reasoning section – 40

questions in 38 minutes.

Section I – Language SkillsThis is usually the easiest section, which means a high score is likely and will help boost the overall score. The section contains a Reading Comprehension, which will then have subsequent questions like Fill In The Blanks, etc. In general, this section is also a boon to students who aren’t very proficient in English, as it is relatively easy compared to the English section of the CAT.

The only area where students

weak in English might face a problem is the Word Analogies section. This section also has Antonyms and Synonyms, Mark The Error and Jumbled Paragraph type questions.

A good number of attempts here would be to answer 30-32 questions (with 90 to 95 per cent accuracy).

Section II – Quantitative Skills This section will contain a mix of easy and moderate level questions, with areas covering Mathematics, Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency. It will also be possible for a candidate to spot the sitters in this section and answer them straight off, instead of wading through the entire list of questions and getting stuck on the moderate to difficult questions. However, the biggest challenge in this section is to complete as many questions possible in the stipulated time.

The Data Interpretation section can get slightly tricky, with a few questions calculation intensive. A good strategy to maximise your score would be to try and solve the sitters first (which will by quite easily identifiable) by not wasting too much time on the moderate level questions and then returning to those questions after solving the sitters.

Around 40-44 attempts (with 90 to 95 per cent accuracy) and guessing the remaining (since there is no negative marking) should help you clear the cut off.

Section III – Logical ReasoningThis section will probably be the trickiest, considering the fact that the number of questions actually exceeds the time allotted to the section. The section will cover all topics like Coding, Arrangements, Groups and Conditionalities, Statement Assumption, Conclusion-based Syllogisms, etc. It can be assumed that this section might have the least number of sitters, and therefore, the smart move would be to not try and locate these, as most of the questions would require time to identify, sort and answer.

One should try and attempt about 30-34 questions (with 90 to 95 per cent accuracy) and guess the remaining.

CutoffAlthough not declared yet, the cutoffs are usually as follows (using previous NMAT data)

This means that overall, a student should manage to attempt around 98-108 questions (this is taking into consideration that he/she can resort to guess work for the remaining since there is no negative marking). Getting somewhere between 91 and 98 questions correct should definitely ensure that a test-taker gets a call for the GD-PI round.

NMAT

Section Attempts CorrectQS 40-44 38-40LR 30-34 28-30LS 28-30 25-28Total 98 -108 91-98

MBA BUZZ


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Accepted InstitutesOn the basis of the NMAT, admissions will be given to the NMIMS Schools of Business Management at the Mumbai campus and the PDGM course at the Bengaluru and Hyderabad campuses.

Exam datesThe exam window for 2012 is between October 11, 2012 and December 19, 2012.

Other important datesThe scheduling of the NMAT will end on October 5, 2012. If a candidate wants to reschedule his/her test, it can be done by December 17, 2012.

Contact detailsSchool of Business Management, NMIMSPhone: +9122 4235 5555 / 2613 4577 / 2618 3688Website: www.nmims.edu, www.nmat.org.in

NMAT 2011 AnalysisThere weren’t many surprises in last year’s test. In the Quantitative Skills section, the number of sitters were reduced to around 22 to 25. A peculiar characteristic observed in this paper was that in the Mathematics section, questions based on a particular area of Mathematics, like Coordinate Geometry, Numbers, Arithmetic, Algebra, etc, were all clubbed together. In Data Interpretation there

were 4 sets of 4-5 questions each; one line graph was very easy, a caselet based on conditions (slightly tricky) and 2 sets were calculation intensive. In the Data Sufficiency section, there were 5 questions, all of which except one were very easy. The Logical Reasoning section proved to be the toughest part. This section had the least number of sitters around 10 to 12, although there wasn’t anything new in the question types. The Language Skills section was the easiest of the lot, even easier than in other tests like the CAT or GMAT.

However, the paper seemed slightly biased towards students with a background in Engineering/Mathematics/Statistics.

The Symbiosis National Aptitude (SNAP) Test is a common and mandatory

written entrance test conducted by the Symbiosis International University for admission into its postgraduate programmes.

Exam PatternThe SNAP test is an objective type multiple-choice test comprising 180 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. There are no descriptive questions, and each question will have four answer options. There will be four sections in the test: a) General English – 40 marksb) Quantitative, Data Interpretation

& Data Sufficiency – 40 marksc) General Awareness – 40 marksd) Analytical & Logical Reasoning

– 60 marksSNAP will have negative marking, with every wrong answer attracting a deduction of 1/4th mark.

Section I – General English Although the difficulty level in this section usually varies from easy to

medium, scoring full in grammar is never easy. There is a Reading Comprehension passage with the related questions, usually around medium difficulty. The section also has the usual vocabulary and usage based questions, with the occasional slight variation in question pattern. Other questions in this section include Fill in the blanks (Jumbled Sentences), Antonyms and Synonyms, Spot the Error, Parts of Speech, Odd One Out, etc.

One should be able to attempt around 28 to 30 questions in 30 minutes with a score of around 22 to 24.

Section II – Quantitative Ability, Data Interpretation & Data SufficiencyThe overall difficulty level of this section was easy to medium. There is also the possibility of a particular area of Mathematics like Arithmetic or Algebra dominating most of the questions in this section. However, by identifying the sitters and solving them first, this section can be

cracked without too much effort.The questions in this section are on Arithmetic, Geometry, Modern Maths (Probability, Log, Permutation and Combination) and Pie Chart and Bar Graph-based Data Interpretation.

A good number of attempts in this section would be around 32 to 34 questions in 35 minutes with a score of 26 to 28.

Section III – General Awareness Questions in this section are based on current affairs and economics. Topics like Share Swap, Carbon Credits and teaser loans are likely. There were some questions with multiple statements, which proved to be tricky, and need to be read very carefully. Good newspaper readers and students who prepared with SNAP-specific mock tests will definitely find this section easy to handle.

A student should be able to attempt around 24 to 26 questions in 15 minutes with a score of 18 to 20.

SNAP

MBA BUZZ


Section Good Attempts

GoodScores

GeneralEnglish

28-30 22-24

Quantitative Ability

32-34 26-28

General Awareness

24-26 18-20

Analytical and Logical Reasoning

22-24 38-40

Total 106-114 104 - 112

Section IV – Analytical and Logical ReasoningThis section is usually a challenging one, and takes time to solve. There will be Syllogisms questions, where one had to identify all the statements that were logically consistent from a set of 8 statements, Critical Reasoning questions, Analogy questions and Logical Reasoning questions. The overall difficulty level of this section can be expected to be medium to difficult. Questions in this section are generally on Sets on directions, cubes, arrangements and input-output, Family Tree, Syllogisms, Analogies and Number Trees.

One can attempt between 22-24 questions in 40 minutes with a score of 38-40.

Cutoff and selectionThe SNAP score out of 180 will be scaled down to 40 marks. The scores received in GE (out of 20), PI (out of 20) and for attributes as defined by respective institutes (also out of 20) will be combined with the SNAP test score to get a final score out of 100. Based on this, the candidates will be selected.

If one can attempt the test as per the following table, he/she stands a good chance of being selected:

Accepted institutesAdmissions are for all PGP of Symbiosis International University.

Important dates

Contact detailsPhone: +91-020-39116226 / 27Website: www.snaptest.org

SNAP 2011 analysisIn the General English section, the number of vocabulary and usage based questions were maintained as per tradition, with slight variation in the question pattern. The Fill in the blanks and Odd One Out questions were time-consuming because the options were not easy to eliminate. The Reading Comprehension passage had four direct questions and indirect questions about tone and title of the passage. Overall difficulty level was medium.

Interestingly, in SNAP 2011, there were no questions on Data Sufficiency, and there were some logical and typo errors in this section. For the General Awareness section, a thorough knowledge of current affairs was required, with questions on government schemes like ‘Swayamsiddha’, ‘Look East Policy’, etc. The Syllogisms questions were new in last year’s paper, and required more time to solve than the others in this section. The Critical Reasoning questions were also tricky, as the answer options were very close. There were logical errors in this section too.

Details DeadlineRegistration Nov 20, 2012

Payment Nov 23, 2012 SNAP Test Dec 16, 2012Result Jan 10, 2013

IRMA

Institute of Rural Management, Anand conducts its own entrance exam for its two-year

PGP in Rural Management (PRM).

Exam PatternThe 200-mark written test has four sections: Analytical Reasoning and Quantitative Ability of 50 marks each, English Comprehension (40) and Issues Of Social Concern (60). The duration is 120 minutes and 1/4th mark will be cut for wrong answers.

Section I – English ComprehensionThis section is relatively simple and requires little time to solve, making

it a strong area to boost your score. It contains an English comprehension with 15 to 20 questions. There is also an entire paragraph where you have to fill in the blanks from the options provided. The section also contains Jumbled Words, Sentence Completion, etc. If one has prepared basically for CAT, then one can sail through easily. The level of difficulty is easy to medium.

A good attempt would be allotting 30 minutes. The expected cut-offs would be in the range of 20-22.

Section II: Quantitative AbilityIt consists of 50 questions on basic algebra and mathematical concepts.

The first 10 to 15 questions involve intense calculations using basic mathematics applications like BODMAS, approximation, etc. Then come the algebra questions on topics like profit and loss, percentages, equations and simple probability. This section also includes three or four DI questions, Line charts, Bar graphs and Pie charts, a lot of which can be solved by observation and do not require calculation. On the whole, this section is of easy to medium difficulty, considering the time constraint. Calculations are usually straight but intensive. Even if one has very good approximation techniques, because of the “None of

MBA BUZZ


these” option in many questions, one needs to calculate and get the answer.


Section III – Analytical ReasoningIt contains 50 questions, including questions on analytical puzzles and reasoning, decision making, Odd One Out, Number Series, Coding-Decoding, inference-based and alphanumeric series. The section also covers difficult questions like the Statement Argument question, Unfair Deduction and questions on cause and effect. This section requires a lot thinking and reasoning to solve, and has easy to medium level of difficulty.


Section IV – Issues Of Social ConcernThe GK section on ‘Issues of Social Concern’ is a distinctive feature of IRMA’s test. This section tests your knowledge about social economic topics like agriculture, demographics, various schemes and government policies, rural budget, millennium development goals — anything from current affairs to social issues. One

thing about this section is – either you know the answer or don’t. So the best strategy would be to quickly read the question and solve or move on, rather than trying to guess the answer.


Cut-off:

Accepting Institutes:The IRMA test is accepted by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (ED), Gandhinagar, Institute of Rural Management (IRM), Jaipur, KIIT School of Rural Management, Bhubaneswar and Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) for their rural management programmes.

Exam DateNovember 11, 2012.

Contact DetailsPhone: 02692-260391,260181Website: www.irma.ac.in

IRMA Test 2011 AnalysisLast year, the English section had a completely new construct of grammar questions, where each question had a paragraph of three sentences given. The options contained five different ways to start the given three sentences, and were not complete sentences but just the starting phrases. One had to infer which sentence fragment carried the same meaning. Sentence Correction questions made a re-appearance with 10 easy to moderate level questions on tenses, articles, etc. In the Quant section, speed calculation would have been instrumental as majority questions were formula based. The AR section was indicative of the rise in level of difficulty. The questions were not straightforward (as in earlier IRMA papers) and students were faced with a lot of data. The Social Concern section contained 60 questions on topics like rural economy and rural development policies. There were some general questions about Nirmala Deshpande, greenhouse gas, Pani Panchayat, migration of rural population to cities, government rural development programmes, etc.

The IIFT entrance exam is conducted by the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade for

admission into the MBA (IB) Degree courses offered at the campuses of Delhi and Kolkata. Exam PatternThe IIFT entrance test is a multiple choice objective type written test comprising 120 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. It consists of 6 sections - English comprehension, General Knowledge & Awareness,

Verbal Ability, Data Interpretation, Logical Reasoning and Quantitative Analysis. 1/3rd mark is deducted for every wrong answer.

Section I - General AwarenessThis section is on current affairs and GK. Anyone regularly following newspapers and magazines, wil find this section fairly easy with the tricky bit being the confusing options. It generally has at least 20 questions.

Cut-off for this section would be 8-9 marks.

Section II - English ComprehensionCandidates should have sound knowledge of the following topics: Comprehension of Passage, Verbal Reasoning, Syllogisms , Contextual Usage, Analogies, Jumbled Paragraphs with 4 or 5 sentences, Foreign language words used in English, Sentence Vompletion, Sentence Correction, Odd Man Out, One Word Substitution, Different usage of same word, Errors in word choice, mania and phobia, Incorrect

IIFT

Section Good Attempts Cut-off

English Comprehension

30 min 20-22


35 min 23-25

Analytical Reasoning

35 min 20-22

Issues of Social Concern

30 min 20-22

Total 83-87

MBA BUZZ


words, Mood, Conditionals and Multiple Usage, Punctuation, Proverb, Phrasal Verbs, etc.

Section III–Verbal Ability This section usually contains about 25 questions with most questions of medium difficulty. There will also be some easy and some difficult questions. It includes fill in the blanks, jumbled sentences, antonyms, homonyms, jumbled words, spellings and grammar based questions (change the speech, phrases).

Cut-off for this section would be 19 marks.

Section IV – Quantitative AptitudeThis section includes Geometry, (Lines, Angles, Triangles, Spheres, Rectangles, Cube, Cone etc) Ratios and Proportion, Percentages, Inequations, Quadratic and Linear equations Algebra, Profit and Loss, Averages, Partnerships, Time-Speed-Distance, Time and Work, Number System, HCF, LCM, Geometric Progression, Arithmetic Progression, Arithmetic, Geometric and Harmonic Means, Median, Mode, BODMAS, Mensuration, Alligation and Mixtures, Pipes and Cisterns, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Set Theory, Installment Payments, Clocks, Probability, Partnerships, Permutations and Combinations, etc. Again, most questions will be in the medium range of difficulty but there will be easy and tough questions too.


Section V - Data InterpretationThis section will have 3 sets of tables and bar graphs with a total of around 15 questions. The questions are mostly difficult with some of medium

level questions.Cut-off for this section would

be 3.5-4 marks.Section VI – Logical ReasoningQuestions in this section are related to Critical Reasoning, Visual Reasoning, Assumption-Premise-Conclusion, Assertion and Reasons, Statements and Assumptions, identifying valid inferences, identifying strong arguments and weak arguments, Statements and Conclusions, Cause and Effect, Identifying Probably True, Probably False, definitely true, definitely false kind of statements, Linear and Matrix arrangements, Puzzles, Family tree problems, Symbol-based problems, Coding and decoding, Sequencing, identifying next number in series, etc. The level of difficulty is easy to medium.


Cut-off

Accepting InstitutesIndian Institute Of Foreign Trade, Delhi and Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, Kolkata accept this test.

Exam DateThis exam is usually conducted on the last Sunday of November. This year the exam will be held on 25th November.

IIFT Contact DetailsEmail: [email protected], [email protected]: http://www.iift.edu

IIFT 2011 AnalysisThe paper had 120 questions divided into six sections. Each question had four options and the extent of the negative marking was 1/3rd of the marks allotted to the question. The overall difficulty level was moderate.

The Quantitative Ability section had 24 questions from Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Permutation & Combination and Probability. The overall difficulty level was easy to moderate.

The Reading Comprehension section had 15 questions. The difficulty level was easy to moderate.

The English Usage section had 20 questions from Vocabulary, which had further questions on Synonyms, Antonyms, Figure of Speech and Idioms. The other questions were on grammar, para completion, sentence jumble and word jumble. The difficulty level was easy to moderate.

The Logical Reasoning section had 21 questions. The difficulty level of the section was easy. The Logical Reasoning sets were shorter compared to last year. There were few questions from verbal logic as well. The other questions were from Blood Relations, Team Selection, Arrangement, Coding Decoding, Information based sets, Syllogisms and Course of Action. This section had 21 questions. The difficulty level was tougher than last year’s.

The section had a mix of questions from static GK as well as current affairs. The question types were on personalities and awards, business and economy. The difficulty level of the section was moderate to tough.

Section Good Attempts Cut-off

General Awareness

17-18 8-9

Reading Comprehension

9-10 7-7.5

English Usage 16-17 7-7.5Logical Reasoning

14-16 8-9

Data Interpretation

6-8 3.5-4


14-16 11-12

Total 70-80 39-43

MBA BUZZ


Follow the CAT,The Non-IIM Way

Have you given the CAT, but are looking for options other than the IIMs? Here are a few national institutes that offer management courses,

are well known, and will also accept your CAT score.

Department of Management Studies, IIT Delhi

Admission processThe candidates must finish their final qualifying examination before the last date of registration, i.e. 31 July (exact date to be notified in admission letter). Minimum of 60% marks in aggregate (of all the years/semesters) or 6.75 CGPA on a 10 point scale or equivalent in the above mentioned degree programmes are essential for admission.

Those having applied to IIT Delhi MBA programmes on qualifying the JMET will be short listed and then invited for a group discussion and interview, which will be held at IIT Delhi.

Placement3M, Amada soft, Analog Devices, Ashok Leyland, Bank of America, Bharat Electronics Limited, CAE Simulation Technologies, China State Construction, Cisco Systems, Connexious, Credit Suisse, CTS, Essar Group, Futures First, Geodesic Information Systems, Goldman Sachs, Headstrong, HSBC Global, ICICI Lombard, Insilica, Intuit, iRunway, IVY Comptec, Kawasaki Microelectronics, KPMG, LSI Logic, Market RX, McKinsey, Motorola, Maytas Infra Ltd, Novell Software, NXP Semiconductors, Patni Computers, Qualcomm, Reflexis Systems, Sabre, Sandisk, Schneider Electric, Strand Lifesciences, Symantec, Tata Steel, Tower Research Capital, TVS Motor Company, Verizon, Visser & Smit Hanav BV, Xilinx, Adobe, Amazon, Ansys Fluent, Atheros, Bayer Crop Sciences, BHEL, Capital One, Chronus, Citi Group Global, Cosmic Circuits, Crompton Greaves, Cypress, Deloitte, Engineers India Ltd, Evalueserve, General Electric, Geometric Software, Google, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, i2 Technologies, IFC, Intel, Invensys, ITC Limited, JMN Investments, Keppel FELS Off shore, L & T, Mahindra & Mahindra, Mazagon Dock,

Microsoft, MR, Germany, National Instruments, NTPC Limited, Oracle India, PWC, Ramco Systems, Reliance Industries, Safran Aerospace, Sasken Communications, Scope International, Sumitomo Chemicals, Tata Consultancy Services and many more.

Qualification } Bachelor’s Degree in any branch of Engineering/

Technology/ Architecture/ Pharmacy/ B.Sc. Agriculture Engineering (minimum 4 years after 10+2)

} Master’s degree in any branch of Physical/Chemical/Mathematical Sciences like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Application, Electronic Science, Environmental Science, Operations Research, Computational/Information Science, Agriculture or Master’s Degree in Commerce/ Economics, CA/ICWA

} Relaxation of 5% in marks (i.e. min. 55%) or equivalent in CGPA (i.e. min. 6.25) for SC/ST candidates and as per institute norms for PH category.

MBA BUZZ


Department of Management Studies,IIT Madras

Admission processThe first step is the Joint Management Entrance Test (JMET) / CAT. The second step of the selection process consists of a group-task and personal interview. The results of the JMET are used to short-list candidates for this step.The final selection is based on:l The performance in JMET / CATl The performance in the interviews and the group task l The previous academic performancel Work experience, if anyPlacementWipro, Daimler, Royal Bank of Scotland, Idea Cellular, Dell, HP, Standard Chartered Operations India, CRISAL, Fidelity, Nomura Securities, Vistasoft, UCO Bank, Cognizant, Photon Infotech, Infosys, ICRA Management Consulting, KPIT Cummins, Leira Technologies, Avalon Consulting, P&G, Cavin Kare, Medall, Accenture, Ashok Leyland, Bank of America, Bharat Electronics Limited, China State Construction, Cisco Systems, Goldman Sachs, Headstrong, Novell Software, NXP Semiconductors. Patni Computers, Qualcomm, Reflexis Systems, Sabre, Sandisk, Schneider Electric, Strand Lifesciences, Symantec, Tata Steel, Tower Research Capital, TVS Motor Company, Verizon, Visser & Smit Hanav BV, Xilinx, Adobe, Amazon, Ansys Fluent, Atheros, Bayer Crop Sciences, BHEL, Capital One, Chronus, Citi Group Global, Cosmic Circuits, Crompton

Greaves, Cypress, Deloitte, Engineers India Ltd and many more.Qualification} B.E./ B.Tech. (or equivalent) with First Class

(or equivalent) from a recognized Institution or University

} A Masters degree with First Class (or equivalent) in any discipline from a recognized Institution or University.

} Final year students are also eligible to apply. Such candidates, if selected, will be admitted provisionally, on the condition that they complete all requirements for the qualifying degree before the start of the programme and produce provisional certificate of completion within two months of joining the programme.

Industrial & Management Engineering, IIT Kanpur

Admission processThe MBA programme addresses the emerging complexity of how business is managed, keeping in mind that the relentless pace of competition through newer technologies, increased globalisation of business operations, declining barriers in trade and unprecedented changes in the information and communication technologies have all made a technologically endowed MBA essential. To this end, IIT Kanpur introduced its two-year MBA programme to create leaders and entrepreneurs by leveraging on its strength in technology, computing and social sciences.

PlacementDeloitte US-India, Accenture, Infosys Consulting &

BPO, HSBC, PWC, UCO Bank, CitiCorp, McKinsey Knowledge Centre, IDBI, Damodar Valley Corporation and many more. Minimum Qualification: Graduate

MBA BUZZ


Department of Management Studies, IIT Roorkee

Admission processSelection criteria include Performance in JMET, Group Discussions and Personal Interview and Work Experience.

PlacementAC Nielsen, Andhra Bank, Bajaj Auto, Bajaj Allianz, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Career Launcher, Coal India Ltd, Deutsche Bank, Deloitte USA, Ernst & Young, HCL Infosystems, HDFC Bank, Hero Honda, HPCL, Zenith Computers, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Sterlite Technologies, Satyam Computer Services, SBI, Reliance Infocomm, Oracle, Oriental

Bank of Commerce, KPMG, Infosys Technologies, Jindal Group, Kotak, McKinsey Knowledge Centre, IBM Global Services, IDBI, Idea Cellular, Indiabulls Financial Services, Indian Express, BHEL, BSES, Honey Well, ISPAT, PWC, Trident Group, Goodyear Tyres, NSE, Aditya Birla Group, Symantec, Tata Steel, Tower Research Capital, TVS Motor Company, Verizon, Visser & Smit Hanav BV, Xilinx, Adobe, Amazon, Ansys Fluent, Atheros, Bayer Crop Sciences, BHEL, Capital One, Chronus, Citi Group Global, Cosmic Circuits, Crompton Greaves, Cypress, , Engineers India Ltd and many more.

QualificationCandidates with Bachelor’s degree in any discipline of Engineering / Technology or its equivalent or a Master’s degree in any discipline from a recognized Institute/University with at least 60% marks for General & OBC category candidates and 55% marks for SC/ST/PD category candidates in aggregate or CGPA of 6.00 on a 10 point scale for General & OBC category candidates and 5.50 on a 10 point scale for SC/ST/PD category candiddates are eligible to apply. Final year students appearing in the above degree programmes are also eligible to apply. Such candidates, if selected, will be admitted provisionally, provided they complete all requirements before the date of registration and produce proof of passing the qualifying degree with requisite percentage of marks or CGPA.

Management Development Institute, (MDI)

Admission processCAT scores followed by group discussion and personal interview. GMAT for international students.

Qualification} Bachelors degree with minimum 50% marks} Equivalent CGPA

PlacementABN Amro, AIG, Air India, Agrotech Foods, Asian Paints, Astro Malaysia, Axis Risk Consulting, Barclays, Baxter ,Bharti, BOA Continuum, BNP Paribas, Britannia, Cognizant Technology Solutions, Colgate Palmolive, Covansys, Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, Emerio Globesoft, Ernst & Young, Essar Group, GE Money, Glaxo Smith, Kline, Godrej, Goldman Sachs, Grow Talent, Honeywell Technologies, HSBC AMC, IBM, ICICI BANK, IDFC, Imacs, Infosys

Technologies ,ITC, Johnson & Johnson,JP Morgan Chase, Kanbay, Lehman Brothers, Macquarie Bank, Marico ,Max New York Life, Mercer Consulting, MorgItanley ,Motorola, MTV. Nestle, Oracle, Patni Computer Systems, Pepsi ,P&G, Ranbaxy, Reckitt Benkiser, RPG Group, SAP, Sharaf Group, Standard Chartered Bank, TATA AIG, TATA Sons, Tavant Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Titan, Trident, UTI Bank, Vodafone, Wipro Technologies, Yes Bank and many more.

MBA BUZZ


Vinod Gupta School of Management IIT Kharagpur

Admission processSelection will be based on application rating, performance in JMET and performance in group discussion and personal interview. Post qualification work experience in industrial organisations will be given due weightage.

QualificationA candidate who has either secured or is likely to secure a first class Bachelors degree in Engineering/Technology or a first class Masters degree in Science (with Mathematics or Statistics at Bachelors level) or a first class Masters degree in Economics or Commerce (with Mathematics or Statistics at Bachelors level) is eligible for admission.

PlacementAndhra Bank, Dabur Pharma, i2 Technologies, Pagalguy, Ventureast, Aranca, Dell, IBM, PWC, Vodafone, Aricent, Deloitte, IMRB International, Rallis India, Voltas, Bajaj Auto, Deutsche Bank, Infosys Technologies, RPG Enterprises, Wipro, Bank of Baroda,

SBI Capital Markets, Xerox, BHEL, Ernst & Young, ITC, Schlumberger, Yes Bank, Bombay Dyeing, Frost & Sullivan, Iviz, SIDBI, Cadbury India, Futures First, Jones Lang LaSalle, Genpact, Tata Communication, CavinKare, Heinz, KPMG, TCS, CGN Consulting, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages, Tata Steel, Citi Bank, Maruti, Tech Mahindra, Colgate Palmolive India, HSBC, Max New York Life Insurance, UBI.

MBA BUZZ


Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, IIT Bombay

Admission processAdmission to the Master of Management Programme is based on criteria such as the candidates’ academic record, work experience, performance in JMET, group discussion and interview.

Qualification Candidates must have first class Bachelor’s degree in engineering (as given by the Institute / University). Candidates must have 60% marks in aggregate (all years/seems put together). If candidate is M.Sc. he / she must have 60% in Bachelors degree as well as M.Sc. degree. Even if candidate is M.Tech. His qualifying degree would be B.Tech. or B.E. only.

Relaxation of 5% in marks or equivalent in CGPA for SC / ST candidates and as per Institutes norms for PD category.

International StudentsA valid GMAT score is mandatory (there will be no cutoff and shortlisting will be done internally at the institute).

PlacementTSMG, E&Y, KPMG, Avlon Consulting, Accenture, Bristlecone, and Mindtree Consulting were in the forefront in offering Consultancy positions. Infosys, IBM, MBT, Wipro, CSC, BirlaSoft, HCL Technologies, Honeywell, MAQ Software, Ramco, Polaris, Citibank, HSBC, JPMC, Bank of America, Kotak Mahindra Bank & Life insurance, SBI, Standard Chartered, SBI, Marico, Oracle, Cadbury, ITC, Colgate-Palmolive, GE, Godrej, ICI, Whirlpool, Tata Motors, Times Group & RPG, Aranca, E-funds, Progeon, Adventity, Fractal, Dell International, Clear Capital.

Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi

Admission processTake the written test conducted by the university. Clear the group discussion and Personal Interview.

Qualification} Science - 55%} Mathematics/Statistics - 60%

} Arts, Commerce or Social Sciences - 50%} Medicine, Engineering or Technology - 60%

PlacementHUL, Procter & Gamble, Tata Administrative Services, Starcom Media Vest, FMC Technologies, Apple, Perfetti, Puma, Heinz, J&J Medical, Mahindra and Mahindra, Standard Chartered, Citibank, HSBC, Bank of America, American Express, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and many more.

MBA BUZZ


What led you to pursue an MBA? I worked for two years in an IT organisation. During this time I got a chance to understand how the business world really works. This inspired me to learn the finer nuances of business which would help me in my career.

What was the biggest hurdle in your test preparation and how did you overcome that?The biggest hurdle, I would say, was to manage time efficiently between test preparation and work. The day usually left me exhausted. After a 9-hour-work day, finding time for test preparation required a lot of effort. I accepted this and focused on making good use of the weekends. I joined the weekend batch of IMS classes at Pune. They helped me figure out the right way to go about my preparation. They also assisted me in making a schedule and following it.

Did you have any experience before appearing for the entrance test? If you had, did it help with the selection rounds?I had two years of work experience with Infosys Ltd, and it helped me in many ways. I learnt to work in a team and get along with people with different behaviour and attitudes. This taught me how to interact with them, improving my communication skills. I believe this gave me an advantage in the GD process.

How was your experience at the selection rounds of the institute?I got to know various perspectives put across by people, which helped me understand the topic in depth. I could showcase my communication skills at each interview, where the interviewers mainly judge your communication skills and confidence levels.

Tell us about your reasons for choosing IMT, Ghaziabad as your MBA destination? Well, I wanted to pursue MBA from a top institute. Also, I wanted to pursue marketing and IMT, being a very good platform for the same topped in my list.

What, according to you, are some of the benefits of studying at IMT, Ghaziabad?IMT’s teaching methodology and faculty are impressive. IMT follows a structured course and emphasises real-time learning — projects, simulations, etc. We also got to participate in many top business college events.

What was campus life like at IMT?The campus life is hectic but fun. Usually, our day starts at 7:30 am. After breakfast, we proceed for classes which go on till 4:30 pm with a couple of hours free for group projects. There is hardly a day when there’s no event happening at the college. The club activities help us bond with other students. After dinner, we start preparing for quizzes or work on our projects. My day usually ends at around 4 am. It might sound exhausting but in time one gets used to it. Moreover, you get to make friends from diverse backgrounds.

Any message for future aspirants? This period is very crucial. Once the CAT results are out, a candidate doesn’t realise how the months passed attending different GD, PI rounds of various institutes. One needs to stay calm during this process and not bother too much about the results. Discuss various GD topics with peers and ask for a feedback. Read newspapers to enhance your business awareness. Remember to stay assertive during GDs and not lose your temper when opposed. All the best!

IMT is hectic, but fun

Rama Pandey, IMT Ghaziabad, 2012-14 ”“One needs to stay calm during the selection process and not bother too much about results. Discuss various GD topics with peers and ask for feedback. Read newspapers to enhance your business awareness.

CAREER WATCH


Puja Shah

Opt for Hotel Management, to be part of the ever thriving, never stagnant industry.

Be myGUEST

CAREER WATCH

22 www.advancedge.com

CAREER WATCH


Hospitality in India has ancient roots. ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ has been our culture as far as we can remember. Therefore, it is not surprising to note

that the World Travel and Tourism Council has predicted that India has the potential to become the number one tourist destination in the world, growing at 10.1 per cent per annum.

The hospitality industry holds the distinction of being one of the oldest industries in the world, dating back to biblical times. Nobody can identify a time in history when hospitality wasn’t present in one form or another. And now, as the world shrinks with people becoming increasingly mobile, it is obvious that the industry will flourish beyond imagination. It is an industry that permeates most other industries; go on, take a moment and think about it. Isn’t it an intrinsic part of industries such as Medical, education, business, government, travel, recreation, events, etc? The list is endless.

Hospitality/Hotel Management is part of the service industry — an industry that brings in more money and creates more jobs than any other. The industry comprises 5-star, budget and heritage hotels, resorts and clubs and restaurants. It is divided into sectors according to the skill-sets required for the work involved. The various sectors include accommodation, food and beverage, meeting and events, gaming, entertainment and recreation, tourism services, and visitor information.

“With many domestic and international hotel chains opening new hotels in various big and small cities, the demand for well-trained hotel management professionals is huge,” says Mr. Ashutosh Phadke, HR Manager, Courtyard, Marriott Pune. Global fund companies and business houses are also investing in the Indian hospitality sector and existing Indian hotel groups are adding hotel properties each year. This in turn has led to a growing demand for hotel managers.

Why do an MBA/Masters in Hotel/Hospitality ManagementMost students take up Hotel Management directly after Class 12, get a bachelor’s degree in the subject and take up a job, since the hotel industry as such does not require you to have a Master’s and you can train on field itself. Having said that, a Master’s degree will definitely set you apart from the crowd and you can expect to enter the industry at a more senior level than the usual entry-level positions. By even completing this level of study, you have shown that you can commit to learning your profession and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to begin your career.

CAREER WATCH


Even years down the line, when it is time for someone to be promoted to a more senior role, more often than not the person with the higher education background will be a frontrunner for the position. Hospitality jobs are always in demand, so you shouldn’t ever fi nd yourself out of a job, especially if you have great qualifi cations supporting you. And no matter where you got the degree from, you can work anywhere in the world.

Another reason is that Hotel Management has specifi c training requirements that need to be met. People who want to take up even front desk jobs need to do a specialised course in Hotel/Hospitality Management. Agreeing with this, Mr. Phadke says, “The Restaurant & Bar operations

management, kitchen operations, Accommodations (Rooms) operations are all highly specialised subjects and need to be learned through a specifi c course. In case an individual wants to pursue a career in Hotel Management, he would defi nitely have an added advantage if he has done a Hotel Management course against one who has done a general MBA.”

Career ScopeAfter doing an MBA in Hospitality Management, the scope for the future is tremendous, as the food and beverage industry, in any country, is pretty much the last to face economic storms and tourists never stop visiting other countries. This gives the industry a certain security, which makes it an enviable career choice. It is also lucrative and offers fast career growth with many perks. Compared to other traditional MBA specialisations of fi nance or international business, it seems more fast-paced and less mundane. “It’s a very exciting industry. The fact that not many people leave the industry (they may change jobs frequently) is an indication of their satisfaction,” said Mr. Sajid Mahmood, vice-president, marketing, Sarovar Hotels.

With over 240 million people in this industry, the career opportunities are immense. There are jobs in the fi elds of hotel, catering and other

related areas. The scope is growing daily with the number of chain restaurants, hotels, spas and holiday resorts that are mushrooming everywhere.

RemunerationSalaries in private fi rms are good for MBA graduates. Top hotel chains such as the Taj Group of Hotels, Marriott Hotels, ITC Group of Hotels, Sarovar Hotels, Oberoi Group of Hotels, et al provide vast opportunities for MBA graduates. They may also work as faculty members in various prominent institutes of Hotel Management, which also help the candidates earn money. The starting monthly salary may be around Rs. 40,000. If they have previous work experience, they can earn even more. But as Mr. Mahmood says, “Salaries totally depend on the candidates, the opportunity available at that moment and the location. There is no fi xed measurement.”

Remuneration AbroadApart from India, the career opportunities for Hotel Management graduates are immense abroad. The pay scale depends on various factors such as management, designation, experience, skill, etc. In the United States, the salary package will start out at around Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 80,000 for a mid-size hotel and it will be more for a global fi ve-star one.

Career OptionsHospitality Industry:• Five-Star Hotels / Resorts• Exclusive Clubs• High Class Restaurants• Fast Food Chains• Flight, Railway, Luxury

Cruise CateringTourism Industry:• Domestic / International Tour

Operator• Travel AgenciesHospitals:• Hospital Catering• Hospital HousekeepingGeneral Industry:• Industrial Catering• Industrial Housekeeping• Public RelationsSales and Marketing:• Corporate Marketing• Banquet Sales• Event ManagementCustomer Care:• BPO – Call Centres• BankingSelf Employment:• Owning, running a Hotel,

Restaurant or Fast Food Outlet

Imag

e co

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Around 200 million people work in the hospitality industry.

CAREER WATCH


Around 200 million people work in this industry. The shifts can be long and tiring, but everyone with a hospitality job has a passion for it. Here

are just a few reasons why a career in hospitality is great.All encompassing – The Indian economy has opened up. The service sector has fl ourished with it and the base for all service sector industries is hospitality. Customer Relation skills are required in almost all these industries. It’s creative - As well as being a people-oriented industry, hospitality is creative. You are creating a product — be that food, drink, or an experience — and

there’s always scope to dream up new ways of making it more enjoyable for your customers.It opens a door to the world – A decade ago India only had hotels such as the Taj, Oberoi, ITC, etc. Entry of international brands like the Hyatt, Marriott, etc has opened up a world of opportunities for jobs in international hotel chains. You can also take up jobs abroad since every country in the world has a hospitality industry and the skills you learn here are readily transferable.Glamorous – Hotel/Hospitality Management has glamour attached to it because of the people you have to socialise with. This makes it a highly sought after job especially for the youth.No Gender Disparity – This is one of the few industries where there is a 50 -50 ratio for each of the sexes. Even though there may be late night shifts, women in this fi eld feel secure.Not Mundane – Hospitality involves a great deal of variety, not only in terms of the hours you work, but also the work you do during those hours.

Abhijit ChitnisDirector,Sales and Marketing (Pune)Marriott Hotel andConvention Centre

Why Choose Hospitality Management

CAREER WATCH


CAREER WATCH


CAREER WATCH


Schools offering Post Graduate Courses in Hospitality/ Hotel Management

IIHM - Diploma In Hotel & Catering ManagementOverview: IIHM’s Advanced Diploma in International Hospitality Administration develops strong practical skills and exposes students to an activity-based environment.Duration: 1 year full-timeEligibility: A bachelor’s degree with minimum 50%. Website: http://www.iihm.ac.in/index1.html

Oberoi Centre For Learning and DevelopmentOverview: Management training programmes at Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD) are considered among the best in Asia. OCLD programmes commence in July each year with the selection process beginning in September of the previous year. OCLD offers the following two year programmes:• Guest Services Management (GSM): Focuses on

careersintwomainguestcontactdepartments;FoodandBeverageServiceandFrontOffice.OncompletionofthisprogrammeyoucouldonedaybecomeaFoodand

BeverageManageroraFrontOfficeManager.• Housekeeping Management (HM): Focuses on all

housekeeping aspects of a hotel. On completion of this programme you could one day become an Executive Housekeeper.

• Kitchen Management (KM): Focuses on culinaryskills and the ability to manage kitchen operations. On completion of the OCLD programme, you will get ample growth and development opportunities in the company. Most general managers in the company today are from The Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development.

Amity School of Hospitality: MBA - Hospitality ManagementOverview: MBA- Hospitality Management (MBA-H) is a two-year professional degree to creating professional managers, entrepreneurs and leaders in the hospitality industry. As an accredited programme, it represents state of the art professional management education by preparing students to be theory and practical-based as well as action oriented leaders who effectively manage executive teams. The course aims to develop technical and managerial expertise and to propose students for career within global hospitality industry.Eligibility:Graduation(min50%)Duration: 2 yearsFees: 1st year fee: Rs. 1.34 lakh. Website: www.amity.edu/ash/

HCMI – MBA in Hotel ManagementOverview: HCMI has the distinction of being the only institute which has its own placement portal to help youfindjobsatthenationalandinternationallevels.ItisaffiliatedwithIGNOU,AmericanHotel&LodgingEducationalInstituteandtheUniversityofCambridge.Duration: 2 years full-time, including 3 months study in Bangkok, ThailandEligibility:GraduateinanystreamAdmission Procedure: The candidate’s eligibility criteria, his past achievements, his interest and commitment,medicalfitnessandhislearningabilityarechecked and only after that is the candidate allowed to register in the appropriate course. A personal interview follows this.Website: www.hcmigroup.com/

CAREER WATCH


ScholarshipCrusaders

A list of students who have garnered scholarships from top management institutes because of the assistance and mentorship of IMS Consulting.

Name GMAT Score

Qualification University/College Career Span

Present Career Profile

Calls Scholarship/Bursaries

Karan Razdan 750 BE (Mechanical Engineering)

Delhi University 3 years R&D Engr - Agilent tech

MBA Programs at Boston University, Ohio State University: Fisher, University of Maryland: Smith, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

USD 20,000from Maryland, Smith,USD 66,000from the University of Iowa (Tippie)

Ashish Potla 740 BTech (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

VIT 6 years Engineer Consultant - Novozymes

MBA Programs at Carnegie Mellon- Tepper, University of Michigan - Ross, University of Minnesota - Carlson, Univ of Toronto- Rotman

USD 42,000 from the University of Southern California: Marshall

Srinivesh Thanakulla

740 BE (Electronics Engineering)

BITS 6 months

Interning at Family Business (Hotel)

Masters in Management Programs at ESCP, EM Lyon, ESSEC

USD 10,000 from ESCP, USD 26,000 from ESSEC

Prachi Munde 730 BE (Computer Science)

Pune University 0 NA Masters in Management Programs at HEC Paris, Grenoble, EM Lyon, Audencia Nantes and Warwick University. The Young Leaders Program at University of Rochester: Simon

USD 10,000 from ESCP, USD 15,000 from EM Lyon

Sherin Sunny 730 BE (Computer Science)

Pune University 6.5 years

Project Lead - Infosys Technologies

MBA Programs at University of Chicago: Booth, UCLA: Anderson, University of Southern California: Marshall, University of Toronto: Rotman, Carnegie Mellon University: Tepper

USD 12,500from the Carnegie Mellon University, USD 50,000from the University of Southern California: Marshall

Manohar Parasi

730 BTech (Mechanical Engineering)

NIT Kurukshetra 2 years Associate - Capgemini

MBA Programs at Boston University, Arizona State University: W.P.Carey, Michigan State University: Eli Broad, University of Maryland: Smith, Washington State University: Olin

USD 32,000 from Arizona State University, USD 50,000 from Boston University; USD 30,000from the Washington, Olin

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Siddhartha Gujar

730 BE (Computer Science)

Visvesvaraya Technological University

4 years Associate Projects – CTS

MBA Programs at Boston College: Carroll, Washington State University: Olin, Indiana University at Bloomington: Kelley, University of California at Davis, University of Southern California: Marshall

USD 30,000from Marshall, USD 30,000 from Boston college, USD 7,500from Washington, Olin

Urvashi Marda

730 BE (Information Systems)

Pune University 2 years System Engineer – Infosys

ISB PGP (Mohali), MBA Program at Indiana University at Bloomington: Kelley

Full tuition waiver of USD 90,000 from Kelley

Vinay Hn 730 BE( Mechanical Engineering )


6 years Tech Consultant – Infosys

MBA Programs at Emory University: Goizueta, Duke University: Fuqua, Cornell: University: Johnson

USD 30,000 from Emory

Ram Harish 730 BTech (Mechanical Engineering)

NIT Kurukshetra 3 years Quality Engineer – Stryker Global Tech

MBA Programs at Washington State University: Olin, University of Rochester: Simon

USD 44,000from the Arizona State University

Rajeev Prasad Nr

720 BE( Mechanical Engineering)

Anna Univversity 6 months

Section Manager - CaterPillar

Masters in Management Programs at ESCP, HEC Paris, EM Lyon, ESSEC

USD 10,000 from ESCP, USD 26,000 from ESSEC,USD 6,560 from HEC Paris

Rithvik Gv 720 BE (Electrical Engineering)

BITS 0 Interning at Jones Lang Lasalle

Masters in Management Programs at ESCP, HEC Paris, EM Lyon

USD 10,000 from ESCP

Madhusudan N.M

720 BE (Electrical Engineering)


4 years Deputy Manager (Operations) - Ashok Leyland

MBA Programs at Arizona State University: W.P.Carey, Ohio State University: Fisher, University of Southern California: Marshall, Michigan State University: Eli Broad, University of California: Irvine

USD 45,000from the Arizona State University: W.P.Carey, USD 30,000from the University of California: Irvine, USD 50,000 from the University of Southern California

Shashidhar Mp

700 BE (Computer Engineering)


4 years Developer – TCS

MBA Programs at the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University: W.P.Carey, CEIBS

USD 44,000from the Arizona State University

Zuber Ahmed 700 BE (Electronics Engineering)


2 years Senior Systems Engineer – Infosys

MBA Program at Indiana University at Bloomington: Kelley, University of Southern California: Marshall, University of Maryland: Smith

USD 30,000 from Smith

Advanc’edge MBA October 2012 31www.advancedge.com

SECTOR SCOPE

The word recession has been one of the most dreaded words in the economy of

any country in the world for some time now. Hardest hit, naturally, is the finance sector. The situation has been exacerbated with economic crises in several countries, hitting their economies and growth hard, and even affecting currencies, the most recent being the Euro.

The crisis has left deep scars on the banking industry, which was arguably the hardest hit segment of the financial sector. However, while the turbulence in the global financial sector affected the Indian financial markets, especially the equity and foreign exchange markets, it is a fact that the banking industry largely remained resilient in the aftermath of the global financial turmoil. Things are certainly not bleak, especially if you’re looking at a career in the banking, financial and insurance sector. In fact, according to a Central survey, the BFSI sector is currently estimated to employ around 40-45 lakh people and is expected to provide job opportunities for 80-90 lakh people by 2022.

According to a report by Dun & Bradstreet, India has emerged as one of the fast growing economies

in the world, having recorded an annual average growth rate of 8% during the last four years. “Even during the turbulent times, the Indian economy recorded a modest growth rate of 6.7% during FY09. India, with a population of more than a billion and rising per capita income, provides an enormous opportunity for the BFSI companies to expand by introducing of new products, leveraging technology, deploying innovative strategies and

ramping up distribution network,” Dr Manoj Vaish, President & CEO – India, Dun & Bradstreet, has said in the report.

The Growth FactorAlthough the FMCG sector remains the most preferred in campus placements in leading Indian B-schools, students still feel that financial institutions and Indian banks were among the sectors that show the highest potential for growth. According to a study by consultancy major Nielsen, around 19 per cent of all the students felt the BFSI sector shows a lot of promise.

In the statement released by Nielsen, Dinesh Kapoor, executive director of Nielsen, said, “Financial institutions have been a favourite with students from B-schools and that trend stays, but interestingly this year, even nationalised banks find favour within the B-school student fraternity.”

This trend is also evidenced by last year’s recruitment figures at the

Money Matters

Aditya Prakash Iengar

With the economic crises, the BFSI sector today is seeing a lot of change. With a sharp, aggressive mind and smart thinking, the rewards are endless.

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SECTOR SCOPE

management institutes. CITI group actually clinched a spot among the top ten most preferred recruiters, with retail banks like ICICI Bank, HSBC Bank and Axis Bank too gaining ground significantly.

Banking Sector — The Ground RealityIt is a known fact that financial intermediation is probably the most valuable of professional opportunities in the BFSI space. However, according to Professor Rama Seth, a professor of Finance and Control at the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, the general corporate finance that is taught in business schools in India today basically ignores this intermediation sector. So, it is very important for a student to take some electives, prior to graduating, in financial markets and instruments, she says. “The course, in Markets, Instruments and Institutions, is actually a staple course in most management schools in the US. Unfortunately, very few management schools in India are at the moment offering this kind of a course; there is only a basic Bank Management course that is taught,” Prof. Seth says.

However, this in itself is part of the reason why she would advise a career in the BFSI sector. “The sector is currently in the throes of change, both abroad and here, because of the economic crises in the world today. After 2007, a lot of people are rethinking what the role of banks should be, what deposit insurance should be. They are rethinking how the intermediary sector would evolve in a way that makes the domestic economy more resilient, and also promotes growth, particularly in the SME sector, which doesn’t always have access to other capital markets that the

bigger corporations do,” Prof. Seth explains, and adds, “This evolution is critical and essential to MBA students, and they must expend their intelligence and energies in figuring out how to develop this sector. We definitely need smart people in this sector.”

Be Where It MattersThe fundamental reason for choosing a career in this sector remains, as always, the same, Prof. Seth says. “At the end of the day, the banking and financial sector is an important part of development of economy. Intermediation has always been a vital part of the development of most nations and continues to be an integral part of our country. In the past a lot of

credit was allocated towards the Central government institutions, but now, the private sector too is playing a more and more important role, which makes a career in this industry a very exciting prospect,” Prof Seth says.

Pushkar Amdekar, a senior manager at HDFC Bank, concurs. “Apart from the sector being obviously vital to the economy of any country, there is also the knowledge that one gets in the course of the work,” he says. “For example, you’re dealing with a market that has a wide range of corporates. Hence, when you’re dealing with these corporates, you get to find out about other sectors as well, and their financial workings. Although every business is fundamentally the same, the approach and the working are very different for every single sector, and often, even the companies in the same sector. So, you get a lot of knowledge about the most important thing of any company, any market, or indeed, any economy — the financial side.”

According to a consultant from ABC consultants, as a whole, the BFSI sector has been growing despite the global recession. Here in India, in spite of the political

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The BFSI sector is currently estimated to employ around40-45 lakh people and is expected to provide job opportunities for 80-90 lakh people by the year 2022.


SECTOR SCOPE

turmoil, all banks — government, private and foreign banks in the country — are doing quite well. Furthermore, along with the growth of the Indian economy, the need for more banking services and products will shoot up, necessitating the need for employment and consequently opening up lucrative job opportunities. The same reason also holds for the financial services sector, as a growing economy is inextricably intertwined with the financial sector. Also, as the risk factor naturally increases with a growing economy, the insurance sector will also see a lot of transactions, thereby increasing business and opportunities. So, the BFSI sector promises a robust growth, which translates into brilliant job opportunities and healthy career growths for budding MBA degree holders.

The Pros And The ConsOne of the biggest advantages of the BFSI sector is that it offers a variety of roles and responsibilities. Because of the wide range of products and services in this sector, the types of customers vary hugely, which gives an excellent mix of

relationship, sales, operations, analysis and product management opportunities. Naturally, what you learn, you take to other finance, sales, marketing, asset management and software jobs.

Another huge advantage in this sector is the kind of pay package you can expect. An average professional in the BFSI sector, especially someone from one of the leading B-schools in the country can easily earn around Rs 20 to 25 lakh per annum in a couple of years. Furthermore, the BFSI sector is one of those that has used the advantage of newer and more efficient technologies to the fullest, which means as a professional, working in top-notch settings with state of the art technology is a safe given.

However, one has to be careful to not be unduly optimistic. As Prof. Seth pointed out, at a time when the economies of many major countries are in dire straits, the sector is facing many changes. Now, as with any process of change, there will be resistance, and some conservatism when it comes to adopting, implementing and maintaining these changes.

These are practicalities that have to be borne in mind. Hence bright fresh MBA graduates looking for dynamic developmental roles may have to restructure their outlook to bring about these necessary changes.

Receipe For SuccessAccording to Prof. Seth, in the present scenario, a student must also enrol for some management development programmes, like ifloat and other MDPs, sometimes with a foreign collaborator. “For example, at IIMC, we run a simulation game for the banking sector, where all the considerations involved are used in the repeated game. In this, the students get to understand all the various parameters that go into being a bank manager. However, I would stress the fact that some kind of additional tool kit is definitely needed. The students should try and get a course or training from abroad, as business schools aren’t offering this tool kit as a standard kit,” she says.

Something else that is required is a lot of hard work and analytical skills, says Pushkar. “Earlier, the perception was that a job in the BFSI sector meant a lucrative deal. After the global recession and with the current economic crises in the world, things have changed somewhat. Today, the most important attributes a student should have are working hard and handling a lot of responsibility, apart from the obvious set of analytical skills and risk assessment abilities that are required in such a field,” he says.

Pushkar added that apart from this, an innate confidence in oneself is also very important, and to be aggressive when it is needed. Along with this, almost everyone with an MBA degree from a top, Im

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reputed institution in the BFSI sector also needs to be highly people-oriented and skilled at communication, as one of the most important responsibilities will be in dealing with the customers of varied types.

Package DealThe annual salary for an entrant in the BFSI sector depends on the tier of the management institute from which the candidate is recruited. Therefore, at the entry level, an MBA graduate from one of the top 10 Indian B-schools can easily command an annual package of over Rs 17-19 lakh per annum. Subsequently, with careful selection of roles and jobs, the salary can easily cross the Rs 25 lakh per annum mark in a few years.

However, even though a candidate from a tier 2 B-school may not be able to garner as large a compensation package, an annual fi gure of around Rs 8-to 10 lakh is quite possible, Sharad Parwar, a consultant from ACH consultants said. After a few years, the disparity dissolves, and any candidate with relevant experience and an MBA degree can command a salary upwards of Rs 20 lakh in a few years.

Placement ScenarioIIM, Bangalore: Around 22 per cent of the students were placed in the fi nance sector this year. 11 offer acceptances from ICICI Bank, 6 offers each from Deutsche Bank - CIB and American Express. Others included the Blackstone Group, Capital One, HSBC, HDFC, and Goldman Sachs. This is an indication that as far as recruitment goes, the fi nancial sector in India remains largely untouched by the global economic crises.IIM, Ahmedabad: Always known

for its high placements in the BFSI sector, this year was no different for the students of IIM-A. The top recruiter in this sector was the Royal Bank of Scotland, which picked 11 students for various roles in its branches across the world. Yes Bank extended 5 offers to students. Other banks and fi nancial institutions such as RBI, DBS, Axis Bank also recruited in signifi cant numbers.XLRI, Jamshedpur: Although consulting was the most preferred sector this year, the BFSI sector was in the highlight this year too, with the largest recruiter from the Finance sector. 12 offers were made by Goldman Sachs. Other banks included Standard Chartered, NM Rothschild, Citibank, Nomura, Bloomberg, Edelweiss, Rabobank, ICICI Bank, YES Bank and L&T Finance. Airtel, Cairn India Energy and RIL made offers in corporate fi nance roles.Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies: The BFSI sector was the highlight of this year’s placement at NMIMS, with over 32 per cent of the 300 students of the 2012 batch being placed in this sector. Among the signifi cant players were international majors Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Nomura, Citi Bank and Royal Bank

of Scotland. Prominent offers were also made by Indian banks such as ICICI Bank, Yes Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Bank, IDBI Bank, Bank of India and Central Bank of India. Among the fi nance majors were Bloomberg, Motilal Oswal Securities Ltd., India Infoline (IIFL), Darashaw, India Bulls, SBI Caps, CRISIL, etc, while the biggies in the insurance sector included AVIVA Life Insurance, HDFC Life Insurance, Kotak Life Insurance and Marsh India.Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi: As always, the maximum recruitment this year at FMS was in the BFSI sector, with 26 per cent of the 2012 batch fi nding recruitment here. Citibank and Deutsche Bank (CIB) made the maximum number of offers with 6 offers each. Others included Avendus Capital, American Express, Axis Bank, Bank of America, the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, ICICI Bank, ING Vysya Bank, SBI Capital, Tata Capital and Yes Bank.Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management and Research: Here too, the highest recruitment was seen in the BFSI sector, with a whopping 36 per cent of the students getting offers from BFSI companies. Citibank, HSBC and Standard Chartered offered roles in Consumer and Wholesale banking. Investment Banking roles were offered by Barclays Capital. Among Indian names were ICICI Bank, Nomura, Axis Bank, YES Bank, Indiabulls and L&T Finance, while India Infoline, HDFC Standard Life and SBI Capital offered roles apart from the regular profi les.

Other top management institutes that saw high recruitment in the BFSI sector were SIBM-Pune (20 per cent of the batch placed) and SP Jain (21 per cent of thebatch placed).

The BFSI sector is an important part of development of economy.Now, the private sector too is playing an important role, which makes a career in this industry an exciting prospect.Rama SethProfessor, Finance & Control, IIM-C

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SECTOR SCOPE


SUCCESS STREET

Stress, Tech and You

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with a deluge of emails waiting for you

at the start of each workday? Have you ever felt impatient waiting (and waiting) for a text message response? Do you feel a twinge of excitement when your cell phone rings? Do you find yourself scrolling through a few Facebook postings only to see hours disappear into thin air before you stop? Does your spouse tell you that you talk more on the cell phone than with them? Do you use more than one cell phone at a time? If your answer to any of these is an affirmative, welcome to the brave new world of techno-stress, or what some are now calling “days of digital chaos”. Add to this emotional cacophony additional layers of economic, environmental, academic and societal stressors we encounter daily and suffice to say that stress is indeed the “equal opportunity destroyer” that knows no demographic boundaries.

Stress, that flurry of emotional anxiety that was once considered to be an occasional nuisance, is now considered to be an epidemic both at home and at the worksite according to the World Health Organization.

Today, we are living in the “brave new world” of high-tech, digital information, where everything is just a click away, and immediate gratification abounds in our 24/7 society. Even Swiss Army knives come with USB flashdrives! Boundaries between home and work are extremely porous. However, serious and imminent dangers lurk beneath the utopian promise of

a better life. The undercurrent of these dangers is stress, manifesting in a plethora of ways, well beyond heart palpitations and spikes of elevated blood pressure to panic attacks of sensory bombardment and unflattering addictive cyber habits.

A commonly heard expression at work these days is TMI; code for “Too Much Information”. Coined over a decade ago, this expression was actually a tongue-in-cheek comment interjected as comic relief.

Few people are laughing now. Between a tsunami of text

messages, Facebook posts, Linked-In updates, multiple emails, Google Plus and Skype conversations and countless tweets, and a multitude of Youtube links, the average person is so distracted with bits and bytes of information that it’s affecting not only work performance, but work relationships, marriages, leisure habits, driving habits and without a doubt, one’s health. The exact toll of techno-stress may be hard to measure, but the social impact is unquestionable. The negative impact on health and wellness (mind, body, spirit and emotions) is undeniable.

Here are some Brave New World facts to consider:} Research now reveals that the

average person checks his or her email 37 times per hour.

} A 2010 study by Microsoft revealed that the average person gets over 110 emails per day and it takes over 15 minutes to refocus from the distraction of an email.

} People cite more than 50 emails

Brian Luke Seaward Ph.D. is the Executive Director of the Paramount Wellness Institute in Boulder Colorado. As the author of several bestsellers including Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, he is regarded as an international expert onstress management.

In a time dominated by technology and social networking, one needs a few brave strategies to survive in the brave new world.


SUCCESS STREET

per day as “email stress,” with many saying that reading and responding to email becomes a distraction from their jobs.

} Facebook is now cited as the third leading cause for divorce.

} Vacations were once a means to leave office work behind, but now people take their laptops, smart phones, and iPads with them everywhere.

} A manpower study in 2010 revealed that over half the employees don’t leave the cubicle for lunch; most sit at a desk without exercise, sunlight or even fresh air!

} Screen addictions is the new term used to describe people who demonstrate an inability to turn off their smartphones or unplug from WiFi.

} Each tweet, ping or “you’ve got mail” voice is associated with the release of dopamine (a chemical neurotransmitter) associated with euphoria; the feel-good hormone.

} People who drive and text show the same amount of distraction and poor reaction time as someone with a 0.08 blood alcohol level (the same demarcation as a drunk driver).

} The repeated use of technology makes people less patient and more forgetful.

} In 2011 the WHO issued a statement regarding the use of cell phones, electromagnetic fields and microwave dangers associated with brain tumours, particularly with people under the age of 22.

Tips For Navigating Safely Through The Digital AgeIt’s an understatement to say that stress and technology are an inseparable fact of life, particularly when things don’t work the exact

moment you need them. Here are some time-tested tips for maintaining a sense of balance in our brave new world. Whether you are a corporate executive, MBA student, or housewife, striking a balance in your lives is essential.

Practise Healthy Boundaries Setting healthy boundaries with technology is as important as honouring healthy boundaries with eating habits, finances and relationships. Given its pervasiveness, perhaps even more so. There is no doubt that screen addictions are very real. Checking emails 37 times per hour or constantly looking at Facebook is nothing short of an obsessive/compulsive act. Healthy boundaries with smartphones includes turning them off (completely) during staff meetings, meals at restaurants, meals at home, driving and of course, in movie theatres. Consider making it a habit not to check email until after 9 am. Make it a habit to only check Facebook at the end of each day, not 500 times in the course of each day. Healthy boundaries are constructs you live by, based on life values, and they have to be enforced

as well, otherwise victimisation ensues. Remember the motto: “Once a victim, twice a volunteer.”

Always Opt For In-person CommunicationCommunication experts are at a loss regarding all the way to communicate these days. Teens prefer text messaging, adults (over 40) prefer calls. Due to the dynamics of the digital age, social skills, particularly face-to-face communication skills, are sorely lacking. The end result is stress from miscommunication. Unlike face-to-face communication, the ability to misinterpret text messages and the like is not only easy, it’s quite common.

In 2011, the French company ATOS banned emails altogether. Others firms now require their employees not to email on Fridays to foster more face-to-face contact. Smart idea! The lack of face-to-face contact fosters less empathy, and more mistrust, cynicism, and backstabbing. Remember, the three keys to a successful business are: communication, communication and communication.

Avoid Multi-Tasking ErrorsWhile you may feel more productive doing several things at a time, research shows that when your concentration is divided, quality suffers and mistakes increase dramatically. Get in the habit of completing a task from start to finish without diversions. If you catch yourself double dipping into other responsibilities, stop, take a deep breath and redirect your thoughts to one task and finish it. Keep your mind focused on one thing at a time. Remember that distractions compromise quality work, no matter what you are doing. Keep Smartphones And Laptops Out Of The BedroomSociologists have noted a parallel increase of computer/smartphone Im

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use and insomnia. The effect of a sleep-deprived workforce cannot be understated: work productivity (not to mention one’s health) is greatly compromised. The American Institute of Sleep now calls this “the invasion of technology in the bedroom”.

Melatonin, the sleep hormone, is produced as natural light diminishes and ambient temperature decreases. Without it, your quality of sleep is greatly compromised. The pineal gland, which synthesises melatonin, is light sensitive. While overhead lights for reading will affect melatonin production, the light from computer screens on the face impacts melatonin to a much greater degree. The use of technology in the bedroom makes for bad sleep hygiene too. Moreover, there will never be an app to make more hours in the day! Declare your bedroom a technology-free zone.

Maintain a Healthy Meditation ProgrammePeople have had wandering minds long before the microprocessor was invented, before smartphones and Gameboys. A wandering mind is closely associated with a powerful ego looking to distinguish various sensory stimulation as either friend or foe. Technology didn’t create a wandering mind, but it does enhance the wandering, as anyone who has surfed the Internet or scrolled through

countless Facebook postings for hours can attest. The practice of meditation has one purpose: to domesticate the ego, specifically its countless distractions of negative thoughts. The purpose is to increase one’s concentration skills, leading to an increased awareness. Athletes know the secret of meditation because they know the merest distraction can mean defeat. In the business world, poor performance equates to poor work productivity. The “corporate athlete” needs meditation skills as much, if not more, than the professional athlete.

Meditation teaches to not only observe one’s thoughts, but to observe oneself observing one’s thoughts. This is called mindfulness, and it is the tool to cultivate one’s conscience.

Meditation is as simple as closing your eyes and focusing on your

breathing for several minutes. As distracting thoughts arise, simply let these go as you exhale. No matter how bored you may become, stick with this to discipline your mind. Once you have domesticated the ego, you have mastered the power of the mind and the world is your oyster. As a side note, many people confide that they check emails, Facebook updates, voicemail and text messages because they are bored. Remember, boredom is another form of distraction.

Honour the Rules of CivilitySociologists have noticed a disturbing trend over the past decade, now called the “age of narcissism”. People are rude and social manners are a rare commodity. While the lack of manners may not be due to outright malice, the lack of civility is disturbing to many. Rude drivers, annoying dinner patrons, and inappropriate online behaviour (Facebook postings, emails and texting) have become the norm. The backlash of such behaviour puts people on the social defense raising the threshold of social stress.

Placing importance of yourself over your co-worker, colleague, or family is an increasing phenomenon. The end result is an over-stressed population who feel slighted time after time to the point of general frustration. It’s rude to answer a phone call during dinner. It’s rude (and deadly) to text while driving. It’s disrespectful to post inappropriate things on Facebook (much less have private arguments on a public forum). It’s uncouth to talk on the cell phone while in the bathroom. Not long ago, manners were taught by parents (and teachers) to children. Yet the influx of social media and technology has also created poor modelling, mostly by parents to children who, in turn have grown up experiencing mild rudeness as socially acceptable behaviour. While it’s not your job to be the civility police, you can begin

Stress, that was once considered to be an occasional nuisance, is now considered to be an epidemic both at home and at the worksite, according to the World Health Organization.

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by demonstrating the highest form of politeness in your environments, starting with home and work.

Always Choose Quality over Convenience When polled about their behaviour, people will often cite convenience as the reason why they talk on the cell phone while driving, or type on their keypads while talking on their cell phones. In the rush to get things done, convenience rules! The irony is that quality often suffers. Leave The Office During LunchIt’s no secret that most of us live a sedentary lifestyle, even more so as technology has become so invasive in our lives. Let it be known that humans were never meant to sit down for 6-8 straight hours a day and bang away on a keypad. Cardiovascular exercise is imperative each day. Make a habit to leave the technology behind and walk, jog, swim, bike, anything, without the electronic leash of the Internet. Your mind thank you for the break in sensory bombardment, and your body will thank you for flushing out the stress hormones and setting the stage for a stronger immune system, a stronger cardiovascular system and a better night’s sleep.

Slave Or Master?When technology combines with human psychology, a strange dilemma occurs. Technology always starts off as a means to improve our lives and serve us. Instead, what first begins as a position of “master” reverses to a subtle form of slavery. We become hostage to technology, ultimately giving our power away. Mastery requires a combination of will power and common sense; qualities we each have, but that need to be exercised regularly. The consensus is in: Technology is great. It’s just how we use it that makes us a master or a slave. A wise person knows the difference.

Two MinutesTo De-Stress

If you are stressed and fighting against the inevitable, all it takes is something you can do with

five simple two-minute interventions. Breathe: I know we all think this is too simple, but it works! Take very even, slow breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth with a longer exhale than the inhale. This stimulates your whole body to calm down. Stretch: Just as a racer at the starting line tightens muscles to spring into action, stress causes your body to tighten up. Your brain is telling your body that it needs to respond! And all your muscles tighten to take action. But stress does not know that you are sitting at a desk! So, every hour or two, stretch your arms over your head, bend and touch your toes. Stretch your legs in front of you and pull your toes up and then point them down. For a few minutes, let every muscle get a stretch to counteract the

tightening that is inevitable if you are under stress. Go on vacation: Think about an experience you have had in which you felt your five senses were thoroughly engaged: a wonderful meal, a beautiful place or a time in which you felt exceptionally delighted. Now, close your eyes, breathe deeply and evenly, and for two minutes re-experience that. Let your mind dwell on what you saw, smelled, felt, heard and tasted. Take one very deep breath in through the nose and out through the mouth as you return to your work.Laugh: Laughing is a tremendous stress reliever. It loosens the physical tension of stress and unites people in a delightful shared experience. Various studies have demonstrated that laughter is good for health, energy and relieving stress and worry. There are many ways to increase the laughter in your life - play with a small child or get together with friends. But if you only have two minutes, view your favorite funny YouTube or movie clip. Refuel: Your body needs water and energy. Drink enough liquids; herbal teas, water or any beverage that keeps you hydrated are good choices. Try to keep caffeine consumption low if you are stressed out. Your brain is already pumping out neurochemicals to get you aroused, so you don’t need more from caffeinated drinks. Im

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Dr. Margaret WehrenbergAuthor,

The 10 Best Ever Anxiety Management Techniques


SUCCESS STREET

5 WINNERS

Name Rank Centre Qualification Percentile RewardAkshay Borhade All-India Rank 4 Mumbai-Dombivli BE/BTech/BScTech -

Engineering/Technology 99.97 2,000.00

Vedang Patel All-India Rank 5 Mumbai-Churchgate BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.96 2,000.00

Vaibhav Singhal All-India Rank 6 Hyderabad-Madhapur BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

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Pulkit Jain All-India Rank 7 Delhi NCR-East Delhi3

BBA/BBE/BBM/BMS/BBS - Management

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Rahul Gupta All-India Rank 8 Hyderabad-Madhapur BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.93 2,000.00

Abhijit Dhuri All-India Rank 9 Mumbai-Andheri BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.93 2,000.00

Rahul Singh All-India Rank 10 Bangalore-Koramangala

BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

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Ankita Baheti Non-engineering background Topper 1

Kolkata-Hungerford BCom/BAF/BBI - Commerce/Acctg & Finance/Banking &

Insurance

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Ankita Agarwal Girl Topper 1 Kolkata-Gariahat BSc/BHSc - Home Science 99.90 2,000.00 Asha Variyar Girl Topper 2 Mumbai-Andheri BE/BTech/BScTech -


Pranusha Manthri SC Topper 1 Hyderabad-Begumpet BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

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Rakesh Mondal SC Topper 2 Delhi NCR-Gurgaon BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

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Suraj Jaison J SC Topper 3 Chennai-Annanagar BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

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Neeraj Lakra ST Topper 1 Siliguri BBA/BBE/BBM/BMS/BBS - Management

72.51 ,000.00

Harinath Babu K ST Topper 2 Hyderabad-Madhapur BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

53.27 2,000.00

Thejavor Haralu ST Topper 3 Guwahati BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

51.54 2,000.00

Divesh Prakash OBC Topper 1 Allahabad BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.71 2,000.00

Kheyati OBC Topper 2 Allahabad BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

98.01 2,000.00

All-India RankRahul SaranCentre: Delhi NCR-Connaught PlaceQualification: BCom/BAF/BBI - Commerce/Acctg & Finance/Banking & Insurance Percentile: 100.00Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

1All-India RankDeepan BabuCentre: Chennai-TambaramQualification: BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering /Technology Percentile: 99.99Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

2 All-India RankRaunak PujariCentre: Mumbai-DadarQualification: BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering /Technology Percentile: 99.98Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

3

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SUCCESS STREET

6 WINNERS

Name Rank Centre Qualification Percentile RewardSeshendra Parankusam

All-India Rank 4 Bangalore-Indranagar


99.97 2,000.00

Srinath A All-India Rank 5 Bangalore-Jayanagar BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.96 2,000.00

Neel Samant All-India Rank 6 Mumbai-Andheri BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.95 2,000.00

Rahul Joshi All-India Rank 7 Web BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.95 2,000.00

Deepan Babu All-India Rank 8 Chennai-Tambaram BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.94 2,000.00

Kheyati All-India Rank 9 Allahabad BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.93 2,000.00

Nishank Jain All-India Rank 10 Mumbai-Borivali BBA/BBE/BBM/BMS/BBS - Management

99.91 1,000.00

Viren Tulsian All-India Rank 10 Pune-Pimpri BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.91 1,000.00

Ankita Agarwal Non-engineering background Topper

1

Kolkata-Gariahat BSc/BHSc - Science / Home Science

99.89 2,000.00

Ankita Baheti Girl Topper 1 Kolkata-Hungerford BCom/BAF/BBI - Commerce/Acctg & Finance/Banking &

Insurance

99.83 2,000.00

Sawardekar Ajinkya

SC Topper 1 Mumbai-Dadar BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

96.54 2,000.00

Madhabi Saha SC Topper 2 Durgapur BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

92.01 2,000.00

Jeanie Chandra SC Topper 3 Varanasi BSc - Agriculture/Fisheries/Dairy Technology

83.13 2,000.00

Shisainla Pongener

ST Topper 1 Bangalore-Koramangala


78.78 2,000.00

Rupoj Kemprai ST Topper 2 Guwahati BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

65.87 2,000.00

Dipjyoti Brahma ST Topper 3 Guwahati BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

63.02 2,000.00

Divesh Prakash OBC Topper 1 Allahabad BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.83 2,000.00

All-India RankRahul SaranCentre: Delhi NCR-Connaught PlaceQualification: BCom/BAF/BBI - Commerce/Acctg & Finance/Banking & Insurance Percentile: 100.00Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

1All-India RankSahil NevatiaCentre: Hyderabad-MadhapurQualification: BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology Percentile: 99.98Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

2 All-India RankRahul BasuCentre: Kolkata-SaltlakeQualification: BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering /Technology Percentile: 99.98Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

3

41


SUCCESS STREET

7 WINNERS

Name Rank Centre Qualification Percentile RewardAaditya Pv All-India Rank 4 Web BE/BTech/BScTech -


Mitesh Gangar All-India Rank 5 Mumbai-Borivali BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.94 2,000.00

Seshendra Parankusam

All-India Rank 6 Bangalore-Indranagar


99.94 2,000.00

Rahul Gupta All-India Rank 7 Hyderabad-Madhapur


99.92 2,000.00

Siddharth Chowdhary

All-India Rank 8 HO( Post) BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.92 2,000.00

Kashish Chopra All-India Rank 9 Delhi NCR-Connaught Place

BDS/BOptom - Dental Surgery/ Other Medical

Courses

99.91 2,000.00

Viren Tulsian All-India Rank 10 Pune-Pimpri BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.91 2,000.00

Kheyati Girl Topper 1 Allahabad BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.79 2,000.00

Ankita Agarwal Girl Topper 2 Kolkata-Gariahat BSc/BHSc - Science / Home Science

99.68 2,000.00

Rakesh Mondal SC Topper 1 Delhi NCR-Gurgaon BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

92.39 2,000.00

Ajai R SC Topper 2 Bangalore-Indranagar


89.09 2,000.00

Suraj Jaison J SC Topper 3 Chennai-Annanagar BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

87.93 2,000.00

Shisainla Pongener ST Topper 1 Bangalore-Koramangala


95.26 2,000.00

Mahesh Sangade ST Topper 2 Pune-Deccan BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

74.62 2,000.00

Rupoj Kemprai ST Topper 3 Guwahati BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

70.80 2,000.00

Deepan Babu OBC Topper 1 Chennai-Tambaram BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

99.81 2,000.00

Logarajan M OBC Topper 2 Pune-Deccan BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology

97.17 2,000.00

All-India RankPratik Marfatia BharatCentre: Mumbai-DadarQualification: BE/BTech/BScTech - Engineering/Technology Percentile: 100.00Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

1All-India RankRahul SaranCentre: Delhi NCR-Connaught PlaceQualification: BCom/BAF/BBI - Commerce/ Acctg & Finance/Banking & Insurance Percentile: 99.98Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

2 All-India RankPallavi SharmaCentre: Delhi NCR-Connaught PlaceQualification: BCA/BCS/BIS/BIT/BScIT/BScCompSc/BSS - Computers/IT Percentile: 99.97Reward: Rs. 5,000/-

3

42


SUCCESS STREET


CORPORATE SPEAK

Tell us about your journey till you started STIR.I’m a social entrepreneur by career. I have set up an NGO which is trying to make a social impact both in the UK and overseas. Previously I worked in the corporate sector with the consultants Booz and Company and eBay as well. I also ran an IT company in Asia about a decade ago. Along the way, I’ve taken time to work in the social sector as well. I did my MBA at INSEAD in France.

Tell us about your education.I spent my fi rst few years in India, did my schooling mostly in the UK and the Middle East, in the British system and completed my undergraduate degree in Economics from Cambridge. My fi rst stint, for four and a half years was with Booz and Company – the management consultants, which gave me practical experience. I worked with ActionAid for a while. Following this I set up an IT company. I then enjoyed working in the corporate sector but after running the company for a while, I decided to take a breather and consolidate the learning from this sector. So I made up my mind to do the MBA. This was very useful as it introduced me to different fi elds and subject areas of management.

What would you say, have been the most valuable lessons you’ve learnt on the way?Probably the fi rst lesson I’ve learnt is that having a good link between your work experience and education is very useful. It helps to have work experience of a few years before doing the MBA because you can really apply what you are learning to practical experiences. Secondly is that it is always good to continue to learn even if you are not in a formal setting. Even now when I’m not studying, I’m lucky enough to be able to go for conferences and hear eminent people speak. I read a lot about what is happening in the fi eld, I meet a lot of people who are developing new things and innovating in lots of ways, therefore, I’m still learning; and being able to continue to learn, even if it is not in a formal educational environment, is useful.

How did STIR start out? What does it hope to achieve?Basically it came from the realisation that a lot of schools and teachers should be at the heart of changing education and approving standards. In

Creating a STIR for better education

SHARATH JEEVAN served as Founding CEO of Teaching Leaders, an initiative in the UK’s most disadvantaged schools, and was formerly Head of Social Ventures at eBay UK. He is CEO of GlobalGiving.co.uk. He has an Economics degree from Cambridge, Masters from Oxford, and MBA from INSEAD. Now, he tells Puja Shah about his initiative in India called Schools

& Teachers Innovating for Results Education (STIR), an NGO working on grassroots ‘micro-innovations’ of schools and teachers across the world to help disadvantaged children.


CORPORATE SPEAK

India, about 60 million more children are going to school than before which is an amazing figure. Also, about 95% have access to free schooling which is again pretty impressive. Many other countries have also had an equal level of improvement, but what is also important to note is that the quality of education is not always high enough, especially for the disadvantaged children. So, at STIR, we think about solutions to that, in terms of what the teachers are already doing in the classrooms, in the way the schools are being managed, in the way parents are being engaged. We have created an organisation that tries to find innovative teaching practices and choose the best ones. We work with teachers, test if these ideas would work with other schools and if required, we align with the government, private sector and NGOs to get these ideas scaled up so that they can reach millions of children across the globe, over the coming years.

What plans do you have for STIR India?Now that we are formally working in India, we have been searching for the best ideas in Delhi, for the last three months. We are trying to find best ideas across both NGO run schools and affordable private schools where the fees are usually 300-400 rupees a month and also across government schools. The team in Delhi has visited about 250 schools so far. Many

ideas have come through. We have had almost 200 ideas come to us from those visits and we are taking the best 45-50 through to the final selection expecting to actually pick the 25 we want to work with in Delhi. We want to test and see if these can be scaled up. Just to mention some of the ideas that had potential – one is that we had a teacher who found that kids are often very good at math when they are helping their parents in the shops or grocery

stores but when in the classrooms, they can’t grasp concepts. So, she brought Monopoly money into the classroom. Another teacher found that kids find poetry very difficult, so she brought in Bollywood music to make poetry relevant to them. These are small scale and low cost innovations but if they could be rolled out across India they could make an enormous difference.

What are the challenges you expect? Have you faced any resistance?Not yet. I think everyone has been very supportive. Initially, we were worried if teachers would want to take part in this, since they are not being paid for this. We have teachers innovation programmes, wherein we will be helping train them to influence others, to measure performances and to enhance their teaching methods. The most exciting thing is that an idea might start in the East somewhere and end up

in Nairobi or Brazil. We are trying to create a global network so that ideas can flow to other parts of the world.

MBA specialising in social service is an upcoming trend in India, what skill-sets are required in this sector?What makes the social sector different from the commercial sector is the ability to communicate a clear vision in a compelling way. Also, it is necessary for someone in this sector to be able to tell a story effectively and get people to support you and the vision as well. Passion and vision are most important, so is working in a large network. We are a small organisation, employing

Schools and teachers should be at the heart of changing education.The quality of education is not always high enough, especially for the disadvantaged children in the world.

India needs more teachers to help disadvantaged children


CORPORATE SPEAK

The most exciting thing is that an idea might start in the East somewhere and end up in Nairobi or Brazil. We are trying to create a global network for ideas to flow across the world.

less than ten staff members but we work with about 35 partner organisations in India, ranging from the Azim Premji foundation to Teach for India and of course the government. So, being able help manage and understand partners is a key skill in the social sector. The third skill which is extremely important is how to measure the impact - understanding how to design a programme, what is working and what needs to be changed. It is difficult to measure success in this field, whereas, in the commercial sector it is more straightforward to measure it in terms of financial gain. Lastly, if you are a leader in your organisation you need to raise funds effectively, to be able to get support and resources from foundations, the government or corporates.

What, according to you, are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?The most rewarding aspect is the range of people you get to see. For example, I might visit a few schools in the morning, might meet a corporate partner later on to discuss a collaboration, after that I might meet a policy maker to talk about the work we want to do. So the range of people is really exciting. We also see different parts of society collide with each other. People who might never meet socially actually come together to work.

The challenging side is that we are still a young organisation. We know what our vision is but we have to learn as we go along.

Did your management education help you reach this place in your career?Yes it did. Enormously. It is always good to have a general management perspective. It covers all the key areas. It helps me when I have to work on finance issues and also when I have to strategise or consider partner collaborations. It doesn’t make you an expert but it helps in asking the right questions.

It is a good credibility sign as well. If you want funding or are trying to attract partnerships, most people like to know that the person they are considering doing business with has a good management or a business background.

It also provides you with a great network of people, in India as well as around the world. Many of my alumni are business leaders or are in the government and are very open to being approached.

What is your opinion of management education in India? It clearly has a lot of variety. But my main observation is that practicality of training is lacking. It is changing gradually but compared to a lot of other countries there is pretty meagre work experience. There needs to be a stronger practical element, more useful internships and corporate projects. Basically business schools in India should link the industry or corporate world more closely with classroom education.

Your advice to young MBA aspirants who want to be achievers….Be clear about your goal and try to find the right path to get there. Be open to moving around and trying different things. Some people are lucky. They come out of business school and they know exactly what they want to do. I did as well. I knew I wanted to be a social entrepreneur but I wasn’t sure of how to get there. So I tried some years in consulting where I learnt a lot about management life and how to approach problems. I spent some years in the commercial sector as well. So basically you need to be adventurous and not shy away from trying different experiences. It might ultimately lead you to where you want to be.

STIR aims to better quality of education for disadvantaged kids.

www.advancedge.com

STUDY HOUR


STUDY HOUR

48 www.advancedge.comAdvanc’edge MBA October 2012

MDI Gurgaon Course: PGPM, PGP-HR, PGP-IM,PGPM (NMP), PGPM (ENERGY)Eligibility: For PGPM, PGP-HR, PGP-IM: 3 year’s Bachelors Degree, with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA in any discipline from any University For NMP/PGP-EM: 3-year Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any discipline from any recognised University with 5 years of post qualifi cation executive work experienceTest: CAT Test Date: 11th October - 6th November, 2012Start Date for sale of Application: 5th September, 2012 Last Date for sale of Application: 10th October, 2012 Last Date for submission of application form: 10th October, 2012 Application Fee: Information Brochure can be obtained from Admission Offi ce on cash payment of Rs.1800/- or it can be downloaded from http://www.mdi.ac.in

Filled in application forms along with a Demand Draft for Rs.1800/- drawn in favor of “Management Development Institute”, payable at New Delhi should reach the institute on or before 10th October, 2012. Website: http://www.mdi.ac.in

SP Jain Institute of Management & Research, MumbaiCourse: Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM), 2013-15 Eligibility: Bachelor degree / equivalent from a recognised university in India or abroad. Final year candidates can also apply.Test: CAT 2012/ XAT2013/GMAT (2010 onwards) Start Date for sale of Application: 5th September, 2012 Last Date for sale of Application: 30th November, 2012

Last Date for submission of application form: 30th November, 2012Application Fee: Fill the application form online on the website Website: http://www.spjimr.org/pgdm/

Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, Nagpur, HyderabadCourse: PGDM in ManagementEligibility: 3 year bachelor’s degree in any discipline (or equivalent) with 50% or higher aggregate marks. You may also apply if appearing for the fi nal year degree examination in 2013.Test: CAT/XAT/GMATStart Date for sale of Application: 2nd week of September, 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 10th December, 2012 Last Date for submission of application form: 10th December, 2012 Application Fee: Admission Bulletin can be downloaded from the website.

Filled in application form along with DD of Rs. 1750/- favouring “Institute of Management Technology” payable at Ghaziabad or Delhi should reach the institute before 10th December 2012. Website - www.imt.edu

All India Management AssociationCourse: MBAEligibility: Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Final year students of graduate courses can also apply.Test: MAT, December 2012Test Date: Paper Based Test on 2nd December, 2012 from 10.00am-12.30pm. Computer Based Test on 8th December, 2012 in different time slots at specifi c test venues.

NOTICE BOARD

Application

notif ications

for some

management

institutes


www.advancedge.com

STUDY HOUR


Start Date for sale of Application: 2nd week of September, 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 14 November 2012Last Date for submission of application form: 17 November 2012 Application Fee: Obtain form with MAT bulletin/CD against cash payment of Rs.1200/- from listed branches of Bank of Baroda, Axis Bank, listed Study Centres of AIMA OR from AIMA, New Delhi.

Register online on website and send a DD of Rs.1200/- drawn in favour of “All India Management Association”, payable at delhi. Payment also can be made online through credit card / debit card. Detailed Procedure is given on the website link.Website: http://apps.aima.in/matdec12

IIM BangaloreCourse: Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy & Management: 2013-2015Eligibility: Graduate with minimum 5 years work experience. Government Candidates should be from All India Services or Civil Services and Engineering Services with minimum 7 years of experience Test: CAT/GRE/GMATStart Date for sale of Application: 17th September 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 31st January, 2013Last Date for submission of application form: 31st January, 2013Application Fee: For admission details and procedure visit: http://www.iimb.ernet.in/pgppmWebsite: http://www.iimb.ernet.in/pgppm Loyola Institute of Business AdministrationCourse: PGDMEligibility: Three-year Bachelor’s degree in any discipline, from a recognised university, Final year degree students can also applyTest: XAT/CATTest Date: CAT: 11th Oct - 6th November, 2012 / XAT: 6th January, 2013Start Date for sale of Application: 10th September, 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 2nd February, 2013Last Date for submission of application form: 2nd February, 2013Application Fee: Get a demand draft (DD) for Rs.

1250/- favouring “LIBA CHENNAI” payable at Chennai or pay Rs. 1250/- at any of the specified IMS learning centres and obtain the IMS receipt and Admission bulletin or pay Rs. 1250/- in cash at the LIBA admission office in person.Website: http://liba.sify.net/liba_instructions.php

Nirma UniversityCourse: MBAEligibility: A three-year bachelor’s degree (10+2+3) or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50% marks or equivalent CGPA. Final year Student can also apply.Test: CATTest Date: 11th October - 6th November, 2012Start Date for sale of Application: 1st October, 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 31st December, 2012Last Date for submission of application form: 31st December, 2012Application Fee: Admission Bulletin can be downloaded from www.imnu.ac.in

Filled in application form along with DD of Rs.1,500/- favouring “Institute of Management, Nirma University” payable at Ahmedabad should reach the institute before 31st December, 2012.Website: www.imnu.ac.in

International Management Institute (IMI) Delhi, Bhubaneswar & KolkataCourse: PGDMEligibility: Bachelors degree / equivalent, with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised University Test: CAT / GMATStart Date for sale of Application: 5th September, 2012Last Date for sale of Application: 9th October, 2012Last Date for submission of application form: 9th October, 2012Application Fee: IMI admission Bulletin can be downloaded from website: www.imi.edu

Filled in application form along with DD of Rs.1500 + 500 = 2000 drawn in favor of “International Management Institute”, payable at New Delhi for all campuses should reach the Admissions Office of IMI Delhi before 9th October 2012.Website: www.imi.edu

www.advancedge.com Advanc’edge MBA October 2012 49

STUDY HOUR


The name of Florence Nightingale lives indelibly in the memory of the world by virtue of the gallant adventure of the Crimea where she rose to fame for nursing the sick and wounded during the Crimean War. In Nightingale’s own eyes the adventure of

the Crimea was a mere incident — scarcely more than a useful stepping-stone in her career. It was the fulcrum with which she hoped to budge the world. The appointment of Nightingale to

superintend a group of nurses was unprecedented. She immediately grasped the situation at Scutari, the principal British military hospital. Not wishing to imperil the prospect of

reform by alienating the doctors, her first action was to place her nurses under the doctors’ orders and to establish a hospital laundry. In antithesis to Charles Dickens’ stereotype of

the drunken ignorant nurse, before the Crimean War there was a resurgence of nursing sisterhoods, producing many au fait and moral nurses. The threat of religious controversy was probably an

important factor in influencing Florence Nightingale towards secular nurse training. There were already vociferous opponents of reformed nursing within the hospitals.

In the late 1860s, Florence Nightingale’s attention was drawn to the subject of education in workhouses for the poor. Her trenchant criticism of the punitive

regime suffered by the paupers in residence received widespread acclaim.

Florence Nightingale Gaurav Sharma

M AT C H T H E W O R D S W I T H T H E I R M E A N I N G S1. Indelibly (adv)

(in-del-uh-buhl-ee)2. Gallant (adj)

(gal-uhnt)3. Scarcely (adv)

(skairs-lee)4. Fulcrum (n)

(fool-kruhm)5. Budge (v)

(buhj)6. Unprecedented (adj)

(uhn-pres-i-den-tid] 7. Grasped (v)

(grahsp-ed)8. Imperil (v)

(im-per-uhl)9. Alienating (v)

(eyl-yuh-neyt-ng)

10. Antithesis (n) (an-tith-uh-sis)

11. Au Fait (adj) (oh-fe)

12. Resurgence (n) (ri-sur-juhns)

13. Secular (adj) (sek-yuh-ler)

14. Vociferous (adj) (voh-sif-er-uhs)

15. Trenchant (adj) (tren-chuhnt)

16. Punitive (adj) (pyoo-ni-tiv)

17. Paupers (n) (paw-pers)

a. Causing hostility or loss of friendliness

b. An increase or revival after a period of little activity, popularity, or occurrence

c. Serving for, concerned with, or inflicting punishment, intended as punishment, severe

d. Barely; hardly; not quitee. Without previous instance;

never before known or experienced; unexampled or unparalleled

f. To put in peril or dangerg. To change an opinion or

stated position, moveh. The direct oppositei. Brave, spirited, noble-

mindedj. Of or pertaining to worldly

things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred

k. To get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand

l. Expressing or characterised by vehement opinions

m. French word: having experience or practical knowledge of a thing; expert; well-versed

n. The support or point of rest, on which a lever turns in moving a body

o. Persons without any means of support, especially a destitute who depends on aid from public welfare or charity

p. That cannot be eliminated, forgotten, changed

q. Clearly or sharply defined, sharp

STUDY HOUR


www.advancedge.com

STUDY HOUR


Gaurav Sharma

1. Internet company Yahoo Inc. launched its mobile browser on 23rd May. What is the name of the browser?

a. Axis b. Chrome c. Thunderhawk d. Bing

2. When was Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan President of India?

a) 1952-1957 b) 1957-1962 c) 1962-1967 d) 1977-1982 3. Which among the following

bodies inaugurated World Teachers Day?

a. Red Cross b. UNESCO c. United Nations d. SAARC

4. Who became Miss World 2012? a. Denise Perrier b. Marita Lindahl c. Yu Wenxia d. Azra Akin 5. Which Englishman’s role was

central to the founding of the Indian National Congress?

a. Allen Octavian Hume b. Lord Lytton c. Sir Stafford Cripps d. Robert Clive

6. Writer Urvashi Butalia recently published a major work of great historical importance to the people of the subcontinent. It is a collection of the personal experiences as told by the

survivors of Partition, and lifts the silence on this period. What is her work called?

a. The Other Side Of Silence b. Train to Pakistan c. Lajja d. Midnight’s Children 7. How many eventual presidents

signed the Declaration of Independence?

a. 1 b. 3 c. 4 d. 2

8. Which newspaper was started by Balgangadhar Tilak, known as Lokmanya, to serve the cause of the Indian freedom struggle?

a. Ghadhar b. Free Hindustan c. Swadesamitran d. Kesari

9. What is the full form of ICRA? a. Indo-Canada Racial Alliance b. Investment Information and

Credit Rating Agency of India Ltd

c. Invesment in Information and Credibility Rating Agency of India Ltd

d. Information Centre of Rural Alliances Ltd

10. A veteran of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army who was the first captain of INA’s women wing, and later represented in Rajya Sabha and unsuccessfully stood for President as the joint Left candidate against APJ Abdul

Kalam, died on July 23 this year. Name her.

a. Mother Teresa b. Lakshmi Sehgal c. Pratibha Patil d. Annie Besant

11. What does the blue wheel that appears in the Indian national flag stand for?

a. The wheel of law of justice b. The wheel of religion c. The wheel of Krishna d. The wheel of fortune

12. Which medal or trophy is awarded to athletes who demonstrate a special spirit of sportsmanship in Olympic events?

a. Olympic Order b. Olympic Trophy c. Pierre de Coubertin medal d. Olympic Cup

13. Franklin D Roosevelt had the longest term of office, and had three vice-presidents serve during his four terms: John Nance Garner, Henry Wallace, and Harry Truman. How many years, in total, did he spend in office?

a. 10 years b. 14 years c. 16 years d. 12 years

14. The United Nations organisation (UN) was founded in which year?

a. 1988 b. 1950 c. 1945 d. 1919

A quiz to boost your General Knowledge

STUDY HOUR


15. The tallest waterfall in the world is Angels Falls. At 979 m (3,212 ft), it is 19 times taller than Nigeria Falls, or three times taller than Empire State Building. Where is it located?

a. Venezuela b. Italy c. India d. Sweden

16. In which year were the fi rst general elections held in India?

a. 1947-48 b. 1948-49 c. 1951-52 d. 1946-47

17. The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held in which country?

a. France b. Russia c. Qatar d. Netherlands

18. Which of the following countries has clinched the title of Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament for 2012?

a. Australia b. Pakistan c. New Zealand d. India

19. Which fi lm actress has been selected as the brand ambassador of Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan?

a. Priyanka Chopra b. Aishwarya Roy c. Vidya Balan d. Katrina Kaif

20. The United States has decided to ease the stiff economic and diplomatic sanctions imposed on which country and appointed envoy to her after 22 years?

a. Sri Lanka b. Myanmar c. South Africa d. Sudan

How to PlayFill in the grid so that every horizontal row, every vertical column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1-9, without repeating the numbers in the same row, column or box. You can’t change the digits already given in the grid. Every puzzle has one solution.Hint: Don’t fill in numbers at random. While filling a particular square, write numbers 1-9 on a pad and start eliminating those numbers that already appear in the same row, column or 3x3 box.

SuDoKu

Solution, tips and computerprogramme at www.sudoku.com

1. p 2. i 3. d 4. n 5. g 6. e 7. k 8. f 9. a 10. h 11. m 12. b 13. j 14. l 15. q 16. c 17. o

ANSWERS

21. Which personality is famously known as the father of Operation Flood?

a. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam b. M.S. Swaminathan c. Dr Verghese Kurien d. K.P.S. Gill

22. Which of the following nations is considered the originator of the concept of micro fi nance?

a. Brazil b. South Africa c. India d. Bangladesh

GLOBESCAN

1. a 2. c 3. b 4. c 5. a

6. a 7. d 8. d 9. b 10. b

11. a 12. c 13. d 14. c 15. a

16. c 17. b 18. c 19. c 20. b

21. 22

WORD DOSE

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