Off-beat Courses at Top B-Schools

Indian Institute of Management Bangalore -


PROGRAMME: Learnings from Sports
DURATION: Two Days
STARTING IN: March 2012


Growth opportunities: 

HELPS senior managers deal with different managerial skills and handle groups, which is part of their job.


Class Strength:
THE enrollment has started, and IIM-B and TENVIC have approached different companies. They expect at least 25-30 senior managers. If it succeeds, it will be a twice-a-year or three times-ayear feature.


Objective:
TO give participants an exposure to innovative concepts altruistic mentoring, performance-based leadership, managing the ups and downs of the game, cross-training, and equipping them with skills beyond their role. There will be classroom discussions, interactive sessions, panel discussions where industry experts and sports personalities from corporate India will be facilitators.


Main Content :
LEARNING from others, integrating with the environment and improving management


Genesis :
THE programme took shape when two IIM-B alumni, who work for cricketer Anil Kumbleowned sports company TENVIC, suggested using sports to hone leadership skills as one of their executive management programmes. This had been done in the US before but never in India. Participants will be guided on leadership, how to manage multiple layers, deal with being the “captain” of a team or even “just an executive,” and coping with new job opportunities. 


Also Read : How to Get Internship at Google

Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar.

PROGRAMME: Three-Continent Master of Global Management.
DURATION: 12 months
STARTED IN: September 2011
Content:
THE Euro 40,000 programme, a result of a partnership between XIM, Bhubaneswar, Antwerp Management School, Belgium and Fordham Graduate School of Business, New York, has been structured to draw upon the strengths of each country. For India, it is bottomof-the-pyramid and social entrepreneurship; for New York, it is finance and innovation and for Antwerp, it is marketing in a multicultural society. 

Objective:
CREATE global managers in the true sense of the term.

Targets:
HIGH-potential recent university graduates. The current batch consists of 16 students from Europe, two from the US, two from China, one from Indonesia, Turkey and India respectively.

Job Opportunities :
ALL three institutes offer career services, and almost all the roles are in general management. 

Compensation :
STILL early to say as the first batch is yet to be placed. But in India, it is likely to start at Rs 12 lakh onwards, and will be more in the other countries.


Genesis:
THE idea was born when the deans of these institutes met. They felt real global managers are born when students immerse themselves in the local culture and business, and imbibe the experience of three continents.


Rajiv Gandhi Indian Institute of Management, Shillong
PROGRAMME: Executive post graduate programme in international business.
DURATION: 12 months.
STARTED IN: April 2011.


Objective:
PRODUCE leaders who can handle the current market turbulence and dynamic corporate environment effectively.


Job Opportunities:
STRATEGIC roles and senior positions in companies operating in emerging markets with a focus on India and China.


Content:
THE programme focuses on leadership skills essential for senior management positions. The curriculum is adapted from best practices from Asian countries. It is a blend of basic management courses and specialized modules. Another aspect is the training under Mystique Management and Mind Mapping through outdoor learning camps.


Targets:
PROFESSIONALS with atleast three years’ work experience, preferably internationally. IIM-S has entered into an MoU with Ocean University of China to start this programme, which involves a six-month stay and internship in China.


Compensation:ANNUAL salary could range between $36,000 and $1,20,000

IIM Ranchi
PROGRAMME: Certificate course on ‘Barefoot Manager’
DURATION: 15 days
STARTING IN: July 2012


Targets :
MICRO entrepreneurs and panchayat officials. The video-based programme will impart management concepts to even illiterate people. While higher education takes people away from their villages, this one encourages people to stay back.


Class Strength :
THE target enrolment for 2012-13 is 1,500 Content EVALUATING business opportunities, consumer-oriented business philosophy, product design, distribution, promotion, pricing, accounting, sustainable consumption and production, ethics and society.


Job Opportunities:
SELF-employment Plans IIM-R is getting voluntary organizations, micro-finance companies and the government to help roll out the programme. There are plans to make this certificate mandatory for benefits from the government or micro loans from banks.

Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta
PROGRAMME : PG Programme for Executives on Visionary Leadership for Manufacturing DURATION: 1 year
STARTED IN: August 27, 2007


Objectives:
Provide skill-based training to transform mid-level managers in the Indian manufacturing industry into visionary leaders.


Content:
36 weeks’ classroom interaction, case studies, tutorials, laboratory sessions, project work at IIM-C, IIT-M and IIT-K Eight weeks’ internship in industry Three to four weeks’ industry visits in India and abroad.


Genesis :
THE programme is based on a partnership between IIM-C, IIT-K, IIT-M and CII. The National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council plays a catalytic role, with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency.


Job Opportunities:
STUDENTS of the first four batches have been placed in leading Indian companies.

Source - ET

Read More

GD, PI Round, Tips for First Step on Journey to MBA

Dear MBA aspirants now it is the time to sharpen your communication and presentation skills as you need to gear up for GD and PI round. 

With the shortlists for GD-PI declared by IIFT recently the MBA aspirants have now woken up to the other realities on their journey to MBA and that is they have to make a mark in GD, Essay writing and personal interview round.

Also Read : How to Get Internship at Google

In an attempt to help you ace these rounds and help you make the correct impression in front of the panel of interviewers here are some tips to ace these rounds. 

One must remember the institute is checking your attitude, how well you structure to your thoughts, your problem solving skills and "how he/she approaches any question or problem.

 For Group Discussions, reading a lot helps. You should be assertive but not imposing.

You should be able to contribute to the discussion but at the same time let others speak. It will show how you conduct yourself in a board room. You can get hold of a book which covers the Do's and Don'ts of case GDs along with a few practice cases. Each and every coaching institute have these GD books. Another interesting idea is that you can try and form a group with like-minded friends and discuss these practice cases.

For Interview round make sure you're dressed formally and have a clean look. You should go with an open mind, positive mindset and self confidence. You can be asked anything under the sun and no one expects you to know all the answers but it is important is how you approach the answer. Please remember you should model your interview in such a manner that it meets the expectations of the particular institute. Do not appear nervous. For practice, you can organise mock interviews with family/ friends.

There are always a few typical questions like "Why MBA?" "What are your long-term and short-term career goals? How MBA will help you achieve these goals?" "Which specialization you would like to opt for and why?" You might be asked questions about any drop in education or a sharp fall in marks at any stage - you should be prepared with the answers beforehand.

The key to success in these rounds is reading, practicing and talking to lot of successful people who have graduated from top B-schools.

Wish you all the best for your career....

Stay tuned to MBA Informer for more Updates.


Post By 
Alok Upadhayay 

Read More

How to Improve Reading Comprehension Skills for CAT 2011

Verbal Ability Section of CAT test is mainly divided into three sections, reading comprehension, verbal reasoning and grammar and vocabulary. These areas, reading comprehension often causes an obstacle, since it involves reading passages and then answer comprehension questions. In this article, we will provide strategies to overcome the difficulties as suggested by the experts.

There are several difficulties they may face when dealing with questions on reading comprehension. To do this, we will offer strategies for the preparation of MBA you must follow to succeed in this section often feared!

Strategies, as told by the experts are:

Read a lot: Reading helps as you get to know about many issues and increasing their knowledge in general. In order to improve its RC and VA section you need to broaden their background knowledge by reading newspapers, magazines and books. Try to discuss a topic of the paper with your parents or friends. This will help develop interest and help in understanding.

In addition to reading a lot, you need to practice speed reading is. Speed reading helps you understand the faster pace and therefore perform better in reading comprehension passages for their MBA preparations.

Go through the following points to the speed of reading ....

1. They focus in three to four main words in a sentence.

2. When you are reading speed and reduce the time it takes to read slowly.

3. Identify the main parts of the paragraph.

4. You can mark important points / words / phrases in the beginning but gradually be able to identify these unchecked.

5. During reading, the eyes move rapidly from left to right, focusing on key words.

6. After finishing an article, type the essence of that. This will help you know how much you remember that passage.

The choice of Reading Comprehension passages

Among the various passages, it is necessary to select the passages will be easier for you to respond. The factors you should consider when choosing the Reading Comprehension passages includes the theme of the passage, whether you like it or not, the patterns in question, whether direct or twisted are some important factors. The relationship between the length of the passages and the number of questions is another important factor. A long corridor with a few questions is paid few dividends in relation to time put in.

Dealing with long reading comprehension passages

Most of facing the question: How do you answer the questions of long passages of reading comprehension in a short space of time? If it is a long passage, everyone will take time. What you need to do is understand quickly, instead of reading quickly. The approach while reading should be not to read faster But to understand quickly, while the CAT.

“Trying to get more practice in reading, especially in dense reading material quickly. Learning to look at each question in the examination of first principles. You can also turn the reading of passages. When you are starting with the preparation of their reading comprehension, short passages, which have a similar style and are more or less equal length. Determine your reading speed from day one. Say, it is 150 words per minute. Read at that speed for a while, say a week or so and after that, spread over the increasing restrictions of time, say 150 words every 45 seconds, "says an expert.

Solving the reading comprehension passages in computer-based testing

Since last year, the MBA exams like CAT, NMAT and MAT have become computer. Those who are concerned about dealing with reading comprehension passages on the screen instead of paper, experts suggest ways to handle it. Experts suggest that if the practice of reading more articles and news on the computer and take notes on your rough paper (to be included in the CAT online), while reading it, you will be better. Focusing on and understanding of the passage in the reading speed, you can make a note of the important points as you read on the rough paper provided. This will help you answer questions faster and reduce the time to browse through a step each time you answer a question. You have to make full use of the highlight option presented in the CAT team base. "

Stay tuned to MBAINFORMER.TK for more information on preparing for CAT 2011

Read More

Should I get an MBA, duel degrees, or choose a concentration? So many options

Selecting a business school that meets your professional objective is not easy - and it can be further complicated if you think that you might like to pursue a dual degree or concentration! The MBA typically offers skills and knowledge in general management that help professionals take on new responsibilities and open up new opportunities for advancement.

Joint degree programs are designed to allow students with strong interest in two professional areas to study for two graduate degrees at the same time. These intensive programs generally require that a candidate fulfill all of the first-year foundation requirements of both degree programs. The benefit comes as you complete your elective coursework, where certain courses can be applied to both degree requirements. Typically, joint degree programs reduce, by one year, the time required if you were to complete the two degrees separately. For example, at Georgetown, an MBA coupled with another two-year graduate program would take 3 years to complete. An MBA with a Juris Doctor (law degree) would take 4 years. An MBA with a medical degree (MD) would last 5 years.

Another option is to choose a concentration. This can be done during the two-year MBA program without additional time. A concentration focuses elective course work on a specific functional area. A concentration, major, or focus (they all mean the same thing) is a good idea for people who know they are going to focus their career in a specific direction and want to build a stronger skill base in that area.

Dual degree - fad or fabulous?

Thomas Schroeder

Director Business Development

Australian Graduate School of Management

Over the last couple of years business schools have seen a proliferation of dual (joint) degrees at their campuses. A dual degree is usually a combination of a traditional MBA with another Masters degree in an entirely different discipline like law, medicine, engineering, or information technology. These programs typically require admission by both faculties.

 Prospective candidates should consider a few things choosing this option. One often cited advantage is that dual degrees usually take less time to complete compared to studying two different masters degree independently. However, this comes at a cost in the form of increased tuition and more time than the MBA alone. The workload for dual programs tend to be even more demanding than the MBA program alone. Juggling requirements for two degrees implies trade-offs concerning choice of electives and summer internship options. These programs tend to require a tight curriculum with limited flexibility. According to recruiters, actual work experience in the field may be as valuable as an additional degree. But for candidates who know exactly what field they want to work in after their studies, a dual degree can offer a competitive advantage and an important point of differentiation on their resume.

The dual degree option offers definite pros and cons. It is yet another reason why it is so important for MBA candidates to be clear about their career goals before choosing among the different options

Broadening the learning and adding skills

Charmaine Courtis, Executive Director

Students Services and Relations

Schulich School of Business

York University

In the early '70s the Schulich School of Business launched its first joint program between the business school and the law school. This four-year, full time MBA/LLB program allowed entrants to complete the two degrees in a reduced time period. Students are required to complete first year in each of the programs and then combining course work from both programs during the remaining two years of study. The joint program gives graduates added support in career direction and choice. By completing the two programs simultaneously they demonstrate to future employers a capacity for multiple lines of thinking, problem solving and framing. These graduates are highly sought after and are extremely successful.

A different kind of dual degree permits a student to earn two MBA degrees from two business schools. The student spends the first year of the MBA in a prominent MBA degree program and the second year at Schulich where the student has over 20 different specializations to choose from. The dual degree reduces the financial pressures for the international student who wishes to have a North American experience as they only have to budget for one year abroad. For many, this is a high value-added proposition. Additionally, these graduates have the full benefit of both schools with placement opportunities internationally. The graduates become alumni of each school. By studying in two different environments they also have learned to be adaptable, and have developed different analytical and problem solving skills. These graduates are truly the leaders of tomorrow. This option makes the MBA degree truly transnational.

 By -

Monica Gray, Director of Admissions

McDonough School of Business

Georgetown University

Read More

Tips on Body Language for Personal Interview

Body language plays a major role in your group discussion and personal interview rounds. As you have read in the previous article on MBA Informer about the role of body language. Remember that, your action speaks louder than your words. So be careful before you act as it can destroy the entire game which you had almost won by utilizing your content, multiple entries and leadership skills.

In this article, we talk about the gestures which should be absolutely avoided by you:

1.   Pointing fingers: Pointing fingers generally signify talking in anger and accusing someone with your finger. It exhibits your aggression.

2.   Playing with pen or paper: Playing with pen, paper or just moving your hands shows careless attitude. Whether you remain silent or talk while playing with such objects, it will show your lack of interest.

3.    Stooping/slouching: You should sit straight while in a GD/PI. Don’t stoop or slouch or bend forward. That is an informal posture and is not at all welcomed in GD/PI rounds.

4.    Sitting with crossed arms/legs: When you sit with crossed arms/legs or both, it refers to a closed mindset and a person who is not ready to accept/listen to others’ point of views.

5.    Throwing your hand: Don’t throw your hands in such a manner that it enters your next group member’s space. Every one has their own personal space and entering that disturbs the entire group coherence.

6.    Fidget: You should not keep fidgeting or move uncomfortably in your chair.

7.     Not to be stiff: When it is advised that you should not keep fidgeting, it is also meant that you should not be absolutely stiff in your position. You should be comfortable in your posture.

8.   Scratching, pricking, rubbing: You should not engage your hands in inappropriate activities such as scratching, pricking, rubbing etc. This will again show your lack of interest in the GD/PI and too much obsession with yourself.

9.     Control your facial expressions: Control your facial expression and avoid showing your anger/disgust/frustration reflect on your face. Also don’t smirk, smile or laugh unnecessarily. Don’t make it too stoic.

10.   Moving your legs: Moving legs refer to impatience. If you keep moving your legs, you will communicate that you want to get rid of the GD/PI process. Even if you feel that way, you should control your movements and body language to make yourself appear enthusiastic in the B-School admission process. 

Read More