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Countering Toxic barrage
Career Hotline
PRUDENT STUDENT
OFFICE mantra
quick TIP
inside inc
Happiness @ work
Higher education may help you live longer
The emotional bond
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Countering Toxic barrage
There has been a sharp increase in the use of chemical pesticides and fertilisers in Indian agriculture. This has lead to increased levels of toxins in the farm produce, water sources and soil. In some areas in Haryana, Punjab and west Uttar Pradesh these have become alarmingly high. Heavy use of these chemicals has already caused grave damage to health, ecosystem and ground water. It is, therefore, increasingly urgent that environmentally friendly methods of improving soil fertility and pest and disease control measures are used. Environmental toxicologists facilitate research to deal with these problems. India has a vast scope for environmental toxicologists and research in this field. An environmental toxicologist studies the mechanism by which these chemicals damage living tissues, the health risks associated with exposure to and the way plants and animals protect themselves from such exposure. Environmental toxicologists develop ways to counter the adverse effects of the chemicals by lessening the harmful effects of exposure to these. Environmental toxicologist spends time in the laboratory or in the field collecting samples or data, making physical observations culminating in written reports that present the findings. Environmental toxicologists also work along with other environmental scientists and biologists. An environmental toxicologist conducts research, run tests and designs experiments to measure toxins in water, air, soil or any medium where toxins can accumulate, and environmental engineers are there to solve the complex health and environmental problems.
Eligibility
To become an environmental toxicologist one has to study science in Class XII. In college, you may go in for a degree in botany, chemistry, zoology, biochemistry, biotechnology or other natural sciences. Thereafter, a postgraduate training - M.Sc - in environmental toxicology or a related field will make you script a career in this field.
Scope
There are many important practical applications of environmental toxicology. Findings of toxicologists are commonly used by government agencies to set new pollution control standards. Non-profit conservation groups often consult environmental toxicology experts to analyse the severity of damage in an ecosystem and develop the smart ways to go about cleaning it up. Land development companies may also work with toxicologists to make sure that clearing and construction efforts are as environmentally friendly as
possible. Many environmental toxicologists specialise by working with a particular type of ecosystem, species, or pollutant. A researcher might, for example, focus his or her studies on the effects of an oil spill on marine life. He or she might begin a research project by identifying the various carcinogens in an oil sample and predict the consequences that these chemicals may have on organisms. The researcher would then measure the saturation of oil at many different ocean sites, collect biological samples from each, and compare predictions with experimental findings. Results are typically organised into an official report that can be reviewed by other toxicologists. The writer is Director, Amity Institute for Environmental Toxicology, Safety and Management
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Career Hotline
Q. I am working as an accountant in a private firm, but I'm facing a major dilemma regarding my career. While one part of me wants to stay in my current job because it is secure and undemanding, the other half of me wants to pursue something different. I'm also thinking of going for further study. How should I decide what is right for me?
— P.L. Vats You're in perfect position at this point to explore your options. You're getting restless, but you don't hate your job. You can test the waters while earning a living. Before jumping ship, take stock of the half that you really like about your current position. Is it the skills you're using or the work environment? Are your values being met? What about your work - do you want to hang on to it if you decide to make a change? Apart from the positives, what's missing? It's terribly important that you answer these basic questions, or you could find yourself in a revolving door, searching aimlessly for an undefined dream job. Once you've clarified your needs, consider the possibility of job enrichment - strategies to align the other half of your job with your interests. Too often employees looking for additional challenges drop their current positions without ever approaching their managers about additional work projects, committee work, cross-functional teams, training and development opportunities or flexible scheduling options. There are almost infinite variations on ways to enrich your job. Higher studies is a good idea, but only if it fits your goals. Don't just use it as an escape. Before making a final decision, research various career opportunities on the Internet and in person through informational interviews with professionals working in your interest areas. Speaking with others can be particularly helpful in zeroing in on career areas that might be a better fit.
Market wisely
Q. I am a school teacher and I pursue painting as a hobby. My paintings have drawn praise from art critics from all over the country. Now, I would like to turn my hobby into a profession and sell my paintings in galleries and auctions. Where should I begin from? — Jeevika Brar
The right path
Q. I have done BCA from IGNOU with 52 per cent marks. Please suggest which course would be best for me (MCA / MBA IT). I belong to a middle class family. — Kavish Kakkar
Not a bad choice
Q. I would have liked to go for electronics engineering but managed to get mechanical. I am in my first year and feeling somewhat let down for having landed up with a traditional branch. What else can I do to improve my prospects? — Abhishek Rai As a mechanical engineer you will research, develop, design, manufacture and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. They work on power-producing machines such as electricity-producing generators, internal combustion engines, steam and gas turbines, and jet and rocket engines. They also develop power-using machines such as refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, robots used in manufacturing, machine tools, materials handling systems, and industrial production equipment. Mechanical engineers are trained as 'jack of all trades' and their skills are required in all fields of technology. So they also design tools needed by other engineers for their work. Mechanical engineers may work in production, operations, maintenance, or technical sales; many move into administration and management. A bulk of mechanical engineering jobs are in manufacturing - mostly in machinery, transportation equipment, electrical equipment, instrumentation, and fabricated metal product industries. As far as prospects are concerned, you need not worry. The number of mechanical engineering jobs is fairly large - next only to jobs in electronics and computer engineering. With the rapidly expanding industrial sector looking to plug the demand and supply gap for skilled professionals, the employment potential for talented mechanical engineers is quite high. You can look for work in both the private or public sector industries. Additional knowledge of CAD/CAM using current AutoCAD/CAM software which is more popular in India (the courses are widely available) will be a good add-on. You can also go for high-end design software like: Pro/ENGINEER which can even be run off a good laptop. With all the standards loaded, Pro(E) can do it all: solid modeling, rendering and illustrating. Solid works: Basic inexpensive package which can be uploaded to CDC machines Catia: a virtual product design software extensively used by European aerospace especially Boeing Unigraphics: a more popular American Cad programme used both in Aerospace as well as in some automotive environments. MATLAB: a fourth-generation language and an interactive environment that enables engineers to perform computation-centric tasks faster than with traditional programming languages.
The writer is a noted career expert and director, Career Guidance India (CARING). Please send in your queries with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to:
The Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at careers @tribunemail.com
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Crack the B-school code
J. K. Goyal shows the way to choose the right B-school
A vast majority of MBA aspirants in India are not fortunate enough to make it to top grade B-schools. These students have to settle for self-financing private B-schools. Over the past 15 years, there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of B-schools in this category. For example, the number of AICTE-approved management institutes has gone up from 1888 in 2005-06 to 3,858 in 2010-11 and the number of seats offered has gone up from 1.2 lakh to 3.8 lakh during the same period. There is a large variation in terms of the quality, fee structure, delivery mechanism; AICTE norms and procedure notwithstanding. Apart from AICTE-approved institutions, there are a large number of study centres offering management programmes of various state universities. This year the number of CAT aspirants is a little over 2 lakh. In December, nearly 50,000 students are reported to have taken MAT. Even if we assume that the two sets are not overlapping, the total number of admission seekers is not going to cross 2.5 lakh against an "installed" capacity of over 3.8 lakh seats in AICTE-approved institutions. So the demand supply equation has reversed. Unlike in the past, the supply is far exceeding the demand. All those aspirants who have decent CAT/MAT score (but not so decent as to make it to the super league) will have at least a dozen offers from these private sector self-financing institutions. This would definitely put many in a quandary. Which one should I pick? How do I make the right choice? Follow the following steps: Why do I want to do MBA/ PGDM?
Here the aim is to introspect and address this question to yourself. Our experience tells us that there are four categories of admission seekers to private sector B-Schools. The candidates who want to join an MBA just to increase their marriage "value" or as just a tag to run family business, should pick up a B-school which lays more emphasis on soft skills; attendance and examination system is not too much regimented and provides an opportunity to improve communication skills with a lot of presentation programmes and outdoor activities. However, a vast majority of students want to build their professional career, knowing full well that they cannot make it to the top league. If you belong to this category then you have to be very careful in picking up the right B-school as it is a question of your career.
Make a Cost-Benefit Analysis
There is a large difference among the private sector self-financing institutions in terms of the fee charged. The fee for a two-year full time course of most of these B-Schools varies from as low as Rs 3 lakh to as a high as Rs 10 lakh. In India, in majority of cases, it is the parents who bear the burden of fee even at PG level. A small section of MBA aspirants avail bank loans as well; however, that too is guaranteed by the parents. So in this context, you must not only consult your parents, but also make an objective assessment of your parents' capacity to pay. Even if your parents have the capacity to pay, do not just go for a high-fee charging B-School if the benefit does not match the cost. Most of you do calculate your ROI (return on investment) these days. Sometime, it is better to settle for a marginally 'inferior' B-School if the fee difference between two B-schools is too large. For example, if suppose X & Y are two B-Schools offering you admission. X charges Rs 4 lakh and Y charges Rs 8 lakh as course fee. The placement record of X indicates that the median salary of campus placement is Rs 3.5 lakh and in case of Y it is Rs 4 lakh; then it is better to opt for X; since X offers better ROI than Y. A few other things that you must check are as follows: What is the payment schedule i.e. in how many installments do you have to pay the total course fee. If the first installment is too heavy; it indicates that everything is not right. Some B-schools offer alternative payment schedules, giving discounts for one-time full payment. Please check thoroughly. Make sure that there are no 'hidden' and/or additional charges later on. Read the fine print of the brochure carefully. Do not hesitate to ask directly. Some B-Schools offer 'free' laptops and 'foreign trips'. In fact, it is part of the fee component. Find out whether these components are compulsory or optional. You may opt out of these add-ons if you do not find them worth while.
Home advantage
This is another major issue which you must sort out in your quest for the right B-School. As in case of the fee, you must seek the advice of your parents in this regard. The benefits of being a day scholar are that you do not have to incur an extra hostel fee and other expenses which may be a little over Rs 2 lakh or so during the entire study period. In case you opt for hostel or PG accommodation, it is better to take admission in a B-School which is well beyond the 200 km radius of your hometown.
Verify the claims
Every B-school flaunts the standard six parameters - state-of the art infrastructure, well-stocked library; excellent computer labs; experienced faculty; most updated course curriculum and 100% placement. It is ironic that all B-Schools claim 100% placement records for themselves, yet as per AICTE's own admission, 73% of the graduates 'produced' by AICTE approved institutions are found to be unemployable by the industry. It is your duty to take all possible precautions and checks. The following steps may be useful: Check the approvals and affiliations of the B-School thoroughly. Management as a subject comes in the domain of technical education; hence the B-School must be AICTE approved. A detailed list of AICTE approved institutions is available on its website. Make sure that the programme which you have been offered is AICTE approved. Some institutions run other non-AICTE approved courses as well in the same or nearby campus. Some institutions do not seek AICTE approval by choice. In that case, you must be aware of this fact. Many B-schools are affiliated to universities. In case a B-school is affiliated to a deemed university, please double check its status. Similarly, you must exercise abundant caution in case of state level private-sector universities. A detailed list of the same is available on UGC website. Remember that AICTE-approval and /or university affiliation may only be a necessary condition but it is not a sufficient condition to secure quality education. The foreign university tie-ups and affiliations flaunted by some B-schools are normally of no use. Apart from approvals and affiliations, you many check the accreditation status of a B-School. In India, there are two national level bodies which accredit universities and institutions. These are the National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). NAAC accredits the university departments and affiliated colleges; NBA accredits AICTE-approved autonomous institutions. Remember that both these agencies accredit the specific programmes of a university or an institution and not the institution as a whole. So while an institution may proclaim that it is NBA accredited, the programme in which you are being offered admission may not be so. As far as possible visit the institution, particularly by public transport system. Take a thorough round of the institution; talk to as many people as possible without offending the local staff and teachers. Always seek prior permission to do so from the reception. Check the website of the institution. The most reliable information would be available on its link-mandatory disclosure. The writer is Director, JIMS,
New Delhi
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The art of listening
D.C. Sharma CASE I: As the head of department my duty was to supervise the work of 11 competent teachers. When a new teacher joined our team, I could sense his apprehension about being the odd man out in the group. He would invariably talk about his excellent performance in his previous position and this attitude was surely sending wrong signals to the other members of the group and could have created a rift in the team. So I gave a patient hearing to his views and told him, "I don't care what you had done earlier…all I see is sufficient potential in you, which I firmly believe you would not waste…!" These simple four words "sufficient potential in you" sank deeply into his subconscious and he really proved his mettle by giving us top positions in all four classes assigned to him. CASE II: Listening helps a salesman hook a client with rare efficiency. Once a salesman dealing in bikes went on listening as the prospect asked him "How can I be sure this bike suits me?" "Suits you?" queried the salesman in order to know more. "How can I be sure this bike suits my personality?" "Suits your personality?" queried the salesman in order to get more clarification. "I think I need something sporty!" The art of listening not only makes one popular at workplace but it can also mean a successful career. The boss who listens to his employees is always eagerly wanted and respectfully adored. As he allows his workers to voice their opinions on important matters, most of their problems are solved amicably and the employees also make more efforts to prove themselves to be more constructive and productive. The one who keeps the doors of his mind open to his colleagues becomes a winning officer. This art is the key to success not only in workplace situations but also in all relationships. The parents who listen to their children with interest develop excellent family relationships. Such parents make their children feel valuable and develop a sense of self esteem. The same applies to husband, wife, relatives, friends and colleagues. And the salesman showed him a sports bike, and the deal was struck instantly. To listen to one's officer is a rare skill. It is not a quality bestowed upon us by birth. But it can be learnt with constant practice. Such a practice becomes much more proficient as one develops interest in listening to one's officer or co workers. The more one practices this art, the more success one gets. Learning the art of listening requires tact and patience. Just make a hobby to take interest in others' problems. This will not only make you listen more, but will also make you listen with more interest, and will also make you forget your own problems. You will not only develop good relations with others but most of your problems would also be solved automatically through good relations. When you listen to a person's ideas and opinions you let him feel that he is wanted. Psychologically he feels secure. No one wants to be a non-entity. Everyone wants to be treated as somebody. Believe it or not, the art of listening can be very useful at every workplace. If you really listen to what others have to say, you really win their favour. This is what each one of us yearns for. Once you know the knack of listening to others there is no end to what you can achieve professionally.
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Asking for help
There are ways to ask your boss for help that can make a big difference in how he or she perceives you, says Harvard Business Review. “Everyone needs help with their job at some point of time, and you shouldn’t be afraid to turn to your boss for guidance. Keep in mind, however, that how you ask for help can make a big difference in how your boss perceives you. Don’t approach your supervisor without preparing and ask, “How do I do ___?” Managers don’t want to do your work for you. Instead, explain what you know and what your intended course of action is. Ask your manager for his feedback or buy-in. This will give him something to respond to and will show him that you’ve taken the initiative to think the problem through. — Adapted from Why It’s Better to Be Smart and Wrong than Just Silent by Jodi Glickman.
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1. Who has become the first woman officer of the Indian Army to be decorated with a gallantry award (Sena Medal)? 2. Which country has emerged as the world’s second largest economy, surpassing Japan, which held on to the position for over four decades? 3. Name the creator of the Amar Chitra Katha comic series who passed away recently. 4. Which Indian city’s international airport has bagged the first rank in its category globally in a latest quality ranking? 5. In which year was Coca Cola created by pharmacist John Pemberton? 6. Name the chilli from the United Kingdom that has entered the Guinness Book of World Records by becoming the ‘hottest’ chilli, replacing India’s Bhut Jolokia. 7. Name the country music group that won five Grammys this year. 8. What is the capital of Libya? 9. Which biggest coal-producing company of the world will be given the ‘Maharatna’ status by the Government of India? 10. What is the mascot of the Cricket World Cup 2011? — Tarun Sharma
Winners of quiz 381: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Himanshu Gupta, class VI-A, Mukand Lal Public School, Sarojni Colony, Yamunanagar, Pin Code - 135001 Second: Abhijeet Singh, class V-C, Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1, Patiala Cantonment, Pin Code – 147001 Third: Rishav Kaundal, class VIII, DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Ghumarwin, district Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, Pin Code – 174021 Answers to quiz 381: Kepler-10b; Unique Identification Authority of India; Ten; 2012; Sudan; Saana; 78; VJM-04; Ranchi; Javed Miandad Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com
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Core of TEAM WORK
Deepak Thombre "Talent wins game, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships". A lot has been written about how teams work effectively and deliver great results. The best teams work in a collaborative manner and undoubtedly create outcomes that become the envy of competitors and the delight of all team members. Research and case studies have shown that effective team work within and across functions has created path breaking innovations, delivered astonishing growth and in the process created unbelievable top and bottom line value for stake holders. So what then is the core of this team work that is so much talked about? Dynamics of dream team
Everyone enjoys being in a "dream team". It is basically a group of performers, each skilled in his/her own field of specialisation, pulling together and accomplishing greater things than the added total of each performing separately. Teams are the best way of achieving integrated tasks like creating systems, producing complex products or driving cross functional projects through sustained coordinated efforts. They are also useful in cutting across boundaries to get things done. Apart from being competent in their functions and roles, effective team members have great human qualities too. They have character. This means they practice integrity, courtesy, humility. They are committed, hard working and understand the value of sacrifice for a larger purpose. They are the people who don't work for individual credit but they strive for organisational success and ultimately they are the ones who reap rich dividends and are recognised as heroes.
Expectations
The process of weaving teams into a strong mesh is such that it creates a strongly differentiated competitive edge which cannot be easily replicated. The best measure of effective team work is "ultimate customer" satisfaction. To achieve this goal, there is a chain of internal "customer-supplier" relationships which need to be nurtured. This chain is as follows - Finance-Procurement-Production-Sales-"Ultimate Customer". Each function is either an internal supplier or "customer" with inherent needs that are required to be satisfied in terms of accuracy and quality of information, speed of response, etc. There is a great degree of interdependence, which needs to be understood through mutual dialogue, appreciated and acted upon. These needs, when satisfied in the chain, can lead to "ultimate customer" satisfaction. The ultimate result of effective team work and customer satisfaction will translate into significant growth for businesses combined with healthier profits and a lot of energy and happiness for the people who contributed to this result.
Prerequisites for effective team work
The fundamental concept that drives great performance is based on the idea that "how can we understand each other better, help each other to succeed and do well" within and across different functions. This requires an in depth understanding of oneself, a lot of competence in one's role, a level of confidence that overrides the feeling of insecurity, if any, the ability to sacrifice for overall gain, subdued expectation of credit for the job done, mutual respect for each other and integrity of the highest order - both moral and intellectual. Thus individual behaviour, truthfulness, competence, choice of words, tone of communication, and ability to articulate one's thoughts coupled with proactive actions with a lot of humility combined with a large heart, is really the core of effective team work.
The writer is CEO and MD, Sri Nataraj Ceramic and Chemical Industries Limited (SNCCIL), a Dalmia Group company
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Gems of ancient wisdom Politeness is the sign of evolution
As Krishna had deep regard for scholars, he washed the feet when Sudama came on a visit. Despite architects advising that the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar be designed as the tallest building in the city, Guru Angad said, “A tree laden with fruit bends low as it has a lot to offer.” Indra, in his arrogance, didn’t get up when preceptor Brihaspati arrived. As a result of Brihaspati’s going away, the gods lost their splendor and prosperity. When Angad, son of Vaali, came with Rama’s message of peace, Ravana didn’t offer him a seat. The mighty Vaanara made a seat as high as Ravana with his tail and then went on to humiliate all but one Rakshasa warriors. Everyone except Ravana tried to move his feet from the ground, but failed. To correct their British misconception that they had come to civilize Indians, Gandhiji chose the weapon of non-violence. When Indians — men, women, elderly, children — faced the brunt of British lathis without hitting back, the world came to know which side needed civilizing. When Indra unleashed rain, thunder and lightning over Vrindavan for not worshipping him, Krishna kept his cool and gave the denizens protection by lifting the Govardhan mountain on his little finger. Sher Shah had been giving Humayun a really bad time. At Khadur, the on-the-run Humayun came to seek Guru Angad’s blessings. As the master was busy in singing hymns, the Mughal Emperor had to wait a while. Angered, he drew his sword at which Guru Angad mocked him, “You used it not where it was required — in the battlefield. And, you now want to put it to use where it is not required — in front of a fakir.” When Ravana, at his deathbed, refused to impart lessons of politics to Lakshman, Rama said, “He is a scholar par excellence. You should stand near his feet and approach him politely.” Thus approached, Ravana couldn’t refuse. Isn’t it right that we get angry when things are not in our control? — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Higher education may help you live longer
The more advanced degrees you have, the higher your chances of living longer, according to a new study.
The study by researchers at the Brown University in the US found that people who went to college or university had lower blood pressure as they aged than their counterparts who did not finish high school. And the biggest health benefits were found among those with master’s degrees or doctorates, and were stronger for women, the Daily Mail reported.
With high blood pressure doubling the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke, the findings suggested that a good education could save your life, it said. For the study, the researchers tracked the health of nearly 4,000 American men and women for 30 years. It was found that women with 17 years or more of education — a master’s degree or doctorate — had systolic blood pressure readings 3.26 mm of mercury lower than female high school drop-outs. And men who completed their graduations had systolic blood pressure readings that were 2.26 mm of mercury (mmHg) lower than their counterparts who did not finish high school, found the study. The findings, published online in the journal BMC Public Health, also showed that highly educated men tended to be thinner and smoked and drank less than those without further education. Well-educated women also smoked less and were thinner, but drank more than those who did not go to college or university. The jobs taken by school drop-outs also appeared to have an impact on their health, said Eric Loucks, who led the study. Loucks said: “Low educational attainment has been demonstrated to predispose individuals to high strain jobs, characterised by high levels of demand and low levels of control, which have been associated with elevated blood pressure”. The researchers aren’t sure why women’s blood pressure is particularly affected by education — or the lack of it. But it may be that lack of education affects a woman’s lifestyle, and so her physical health, more than a man’s, they said. Dr Loucks said: “Women with less education are more likely to be experiencing depression, they are more likely to be single parents, more likely to be living in impoverished areas and more likely to be living below the poverty line. “Socio-economic gradients in health are very complex. But there’s a questions of what do we do about it. One of the big potential areas to intervene on is education.” Past studies have already linked education with warding off Alzheimer’s. — PTI
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The emotional bond
‘Emotional ownership’ is the key to keep employees motivated: study
Attractive remuneration packages and perks are vital to retain employees but it may not necessarily motivate them to give their best to the company if there is no sense of “emotional ownership” towards the organisation, according to a new study.
The factors contributing to “emotional ownership of work” and a sense of belonging are “opportunities of self-expression, creativity in work, empowerment, freedom on job, opportunity to learn something new, variety in job and a sense of achievement”, said the study on transforming the organisational culture, conducted by Manik Kher, a UGC research scientist at Pune University, advocating the concept of Emotional Ownership to keep employees motivated. “All over the world organisations are plagued by a number of concerns such as rising costs, cut throat competition, corruption, job insecurity and employees’ dissatisfaction due to various reasons. “A combination of the above mentioned factors can establish a link between one’s work and the organisational goals,” said the study based on emulative examples and exhaustive interactions in the industry. “A person who likes his work may not like his organisation. A feeling of ownership towards the organisation does not come by offering Employee Stock Option Scheme but by making employees experience fairness, timely recognition of good work, trust and openness through transparent management, a caring approach, job security, freedom at work, a friendly work atmosphere and good career prospects,” it said. Alienation from organisation is the “stumbling block in creating emotional ownership”. An employee would give his best to the organisation only when he ‘owns’ his organisation emotionally”, said the study titled The culture of emotional ownership by Kher who holds a doctorate in Industrial Sociology. The study highlights the problem of middle cadre employees, who it said “invariably get neglected” by management rendering them more vulnerable to job insecurity than unionised workmen covered under Industrial Dispute Act. Describing it as a “sandwiched cadre”, it said “their situation is worse in recessionary conditions. Whenever the market dictates manpower reduction, the axe first falls on middle cadre employees for their removal is easier than that of operatives...” “Acute insecurity in times of economic slump makes one awfully stressful and lose interest in everything. Those working in the IT sector are the worst hit. With increased automation, and an overall rise in the skill level of operatives, the gap between highly skilled operatives and first line supervisors is now reduced considerably.” On the leadership role in the organisation, it said “a genuine leader has a deep-seated compassion for the people he leads. It is his responsibility to create a team and nurture team spirit. If the leader is only a sweet talker but crooked in action, no employee would feel like working in the organisation.” The study said the increased practice of hiring employees on short contracts is proving harmful not only to the organisations but also for the emotional well being of people and society at large, adding “when the value of loyalty has become a thing of the past, linking job security to performance and increasing contract period should help”. “It is management’s responsibility to make the employees feel that they are wanted by the organisation and create a work atmosphere in which emotional ownership can thrive”, it said emphasising on the need to change mindsets of both leaders and employees.
— PTI
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Environmental toxicology provides a host of opportunities to those who want to make a difference by detecting and fighting the ill effects of various toxins in our environment, writes Tanu Jindal
J. K. Goyal shows the way to choose the right B-school
CASE I:
As the head of department my duty was to supervise the work of 11 competent teachers. When a new teacher joined our team, I could sense his apprehension about being the odd man out in the group. He would invariably talk about his excellent performance in his previous position and this attitude was surely sending wrong signals to the other members of the group and could have created a rift in the team. So I gave a patient hearing to his views and told him, "I don't care what you had done earlier…all I see is sufficient potential in you, which I firmly believe you would not waste…!" These simple four words "sufficient potential in you" sank deeply into his subconscious and he really proved his mettle by giving us top positions in all four classes assigned to him.
"Talent wins game, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships". A lot has been written about how teams work effectively and deliver great results. The best teams work in a collaborative manner and undoubtedly create outcomes that become the envy of competitors and the delight of all team members.
Research and case studies have shown that effective team work within and across functions has created path breaking innovations, delivered astonishing growth and in the process created unbelievable top and bottom line value for stake holders.
Toxins are continuously being introduced into our environment. These are of various types and emanate from different sources. While some are very obvious ones like industrial byproducts, others enter the environment silently and subtly like as additives in the suntan lotions we use daily, and some toxins occur naturally in our environment. Some remain in the environment as harmless chemicals, while others accumulate in plants and animals which humans consume and have harmful effects on body systems.
A. No matter where you are in your career, you'll find that if you don't do something dramatic to shake things up at regular intervals, you will just stagnate and retire doing exactly what you are doing today. As much as you may enjoy it, you may not want to end your career handling accounts for a small firm.
A. If you want to turn your art hobby into a profession go where the market is. In India, the major market for art is in Mumbai and Delhi (Kolkata is catching up). The art galleries in these cities are more proactive. Which is why, consultants to international auctioneers are also mostly located in these two cities in India. And that's also partly the reason why young Indian contemporary artists from other places find poor representation in auctions, especially those staged abroad. Also, do try posting your work on online art galleries like saffronart.com and timesart.com
A. One's financial status has nothing to do with it, but an MCA or some other computer-related certifications would be a better option straight after BCA. All good B-schools require two to three years of work experience after graduation. And there is no point spending so much time, money and effort on a B-grade B-school. If you can get an opportunity to work (albeit part-time) while pursuing your computer education (MCA), nothing like it! Besides entry-level jobs in software, web development etc, there are plenty of tech-support jobs available in BPOs which pay well and also groom you in English usage etc. You can always decide to go for an MBA after some years of working and shoring up your bank balance. Many tech companies facilitate pursing management education alongside your job after you've been with them for a while. Besides subsidising your fees, they make sure you get sufficient study and preparation time etc.
A. On the contrary - if you will speak to your seniors, they'll tell you how mechanical engineering is the broadest engineering discipline, extending across a wide range of interdependent specialities.
Over the past two decades there has been a substantial shift in enrolment from traditional degree courses to professional/technical courses. The biggest component of technical education is management. Management is all about decision-making; training in management discipline sharpens and enhances one's latent decision-making skills. A manager has to pick one alternative out of a wide range of alternatives available. Ironically, a fresh entrant to this course has to make a choice even before he is trained to do so i.e. in which B-School to go?
United, teams stand and divided they fall. There is just one organisation with the same goal i.e. customer delight. There are no functional barriers Finance, Accounts, Manufacturing, Sales, Product Development, HR etc are all one with just different roles. In the daily language of communication with each other, the words "they" , "them" or "I" must be replaced by "we" or "us"
The higher the person gets, the softer he becomes. While a supervisor may have to shout to get work done, a manager just has to sign on a dotted line. While a King has to express a wish for it to be fulfilled, the Almighty just has to wish it.
