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COMPANY SECRETARY
Career Hotline
News board
Scholarship roundup
Super specialisations
Course cruising
Office mantra: be a better worker
Workplace politics — A necessary evil
Food for thought
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COMPANY SECRETARY
The work A company secretary's role covers a wide variety of functions and these depend, largely, on the company for which they work. The work of a company secretary in a registered public limited company may be more specialised than that in a smaller private company and can range from those concerned with incorporation of the company and management of public issue to handling of Provident Fund or insurance cover for employees. Acting as a confidant of the Board of Directors, the company secretary counsels the board and other functional heads on the legal implications of any proposal under contemplation and ensures that all legal requirements are adequately and promptly met. Getting in A company secretary needs to have a multi-disciplinary background in law, management and accounting. The course conducted by the Institute of Company Secretaries (ICSI) covers all these aspects of a business enterprise. Those who have passed the Senior Secondary (Plus II) or an equivalent examination can enrol for the foundation course. On the other hand, if you have completed a graduate or postgraduate degree in commerce, or any discipline other than fine arts, or the final examination of the Institute of Costs and Works Accountants of India (ICWAI), the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI ) or any other equivalent Accountancy exam, then you can directly enrol for the intermediate examination. The duration of the foundation course is eight months, after which the intermediate and final examinations can be taken within a gap of one year after each exam. At the intermediate and final level examinations, you would cover subjects like managerial economics, industrial labour law, taxation, secretarial and management audit and so on. A student who has successfully completed the postal/oral coaching is eligible for admission to the examination. During the period of the final course students have to undergo 15 months of practical training in a recognised company or with a practising company secretary for which they are paid a stipend ranging from Rs 6000-10,000 per month. There is also a 15-day practical training with the Registrar of Companies, Stock Exchange, financial or banking institutions. The exams are conducted in June and December every year for all three levels, and the fees for the course is Rs 25,000 (including registration, examination and computer training) Website:www.icsi.edu Job prospects Those who complete the final examination for company secretary have good job prospects in the corporate sector of both public and private companies. They can also be employed by banks, financial institutions and stock exchanges, and as specialists in the fields of finance, law, accounts and merchant banking. Many companies recruit young professionals to work in the CS department of the organisation and move to a senior position with experience. Globalisation and the advent of multinationals have served as a boon for company secretaries. The responsibilities of company secretaries have been considerably extended and their status is now that of chief functionaries of the corporate sector. They are indispensable to the efficient management of the corporate sector, particularly in cases of mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and so on. Moreover since CS have knowledge on corporate management, information systems, technology and systems audit they can also venture into IT and BPO work, and in the area of intellectual property management. Those with an inclination for academics can go in for teaching as lecturers in universities. Moreover, with a growing legal regulatory framework, in order to ensure the protection of the interests of employees, consumers, creditors, government financial institutions, and the public at large, the role of company secretaries has become established as that of conscience keepers of their respective companies and custodians of public interest. Those who want to join the government need to qualify in the UPSC exam for jobs in Grade I to IV in the accounts branch of the Central Government Law Service. Company secretaries are also eligible for recruitment on the panel of bodies such as the Bureau of Public Enterprises, and state government financial institutions. A qualified company secretary can also practice independently after obtaining a 'Certificate of Practice' from the institute. A CS in practice is authorised to issue certificates and attest documents under the Companies Act 1956, the SEBI Act and the Exim Policy. Companies with a paid up capital of Rs 5 crore or more are required to engage a full-time company secretary, and those with paid up capital of Rs 10 lakh or more but less than Rs 5 crore need a compliance certificate to be issued by a practicing company secretary. The starting salary of a fresher ranges from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh a year on an average, while those with five to eight years of experience can expect above Rs 25 lakh a year in large corporate houses and multinational companies. So if you have a sound business sense, an interest in commerce and accounts, logical ability with a flair for numbers and good inter-personal skills this is a good career to pursue. Other attributes would include basic common sense, and an ability to negotiate with people at all levels in an
organisation. Some typical work responsibilities n
Incorporation of the company, maintaining the register of shareholders and monitoring changes in share ownership of the company; n
Organising, preparing agendas for and taking minutes of board meetings and annual general meetings
(AGMs); n Management of public issue, paying dividends and dealing with correspondence, collating information and writing reports, ensuring decisions made are communicated to the relevant company stakeholders; n
Obtaining institutional finance, project approvals, permits or licences under FERA (Foreign Exchange Regulation Act) n
Advising on requirements relating to the MRTP Act (Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act) with reference to certain trade practices, n
Handling all matters concerning corporate law, central/state sales tax and excise laws, and labour laws and monitoring changes in relevant legislation and taking appropriate action; n
Liaising with external regulators and advisers, such as lawyers and auditors;
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Career Hotline
A.In order to make a viable career in any of the several design-related options available nowadays, you should have the right combination of skills and talents. This means that you should have good creative ability and visualization. You should be good with colours and designs, be able to sketch/draw/paint reasonably well and be good with your hands. If it is so then not just fashion designing but other design-related careers such as textile designing; knitwear design; accessory and jewellery design and also footwear design are the fields that you can get into. Other creative fields that you can consider are graphic design, product design, and architecture and interior design. If your creative skills are not up to such a level, but you still wish for a desgn-related career then try courses such as fashion merchandising, fashion management and even fashion communication. If you're not sure about joining a course in any of these fields straight after your schooling, then take up a regular university graduation course and alongside that do short-term diplomas in several of these areas. This will help you get a better idea of what is involved in each area and your suitability for the same while choosing a path and course for yourself at the PG level.
How can I become a commercial pilot?
A.The basic eligibility requirement in order to become a pilot is that you need to have physics and maths in Class XII and should have scored a minimum of 55% in both. You also need to meet the basic medical requirements and eyesight test. Interested candidates have to take a Pilot Aptitude Test and interview, followed by a written and reasoning test. Having obtained your student pilot license, you then are required to study for and clear exams that test your theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to attain the commercial pilot licence. In India, the Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udaan Academy (IGRUA), Rae Bareli an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is your best option for CPL training. Beware though, this doesn't come cheap. The spiralling cost of fuel has made pilot training a pretty expensive affair. Although you will earn handsomely, you must be prepared for the steep initial cost of training that can easily touch Rs 25 lakh.
Is MBA an apt move for me?
A.The prospects of a distance learning MBA are not all that great for someone like you. They are useful if you are already working and can't take the time off to pursue a regular MBA even though you realise the need for a higher qualification on your CV/resume. While several universities do offer a legitimate MBA via correspondence or distance mode (online and offline), but as someone with a humanities background and no work experience, you would find it hard to land a job straight after doing this. Also you mentioned that communication and maths are not your strong points - all the more reason why MBA may not be the right path for you. Why not instead consider pursuing a further DOEACC certification or even teaching. If you are still hell-bent on doing an MBA, then I suggest you start working and after a couple of years do either a distance MBA or even better the PG certificate programmes in management (offered in satellite video-conferencing mode) offered by several leading B-schools such as IIM-L, IIM-K and XLRI. You could try applying to recruitment firms and placement agencies - this will also give you a closer feel of the HR function to help you decide whether it's the right area for you or not.
What is a BFM course?
A.The BCom in Financial Markets (BFM) course is a specialised BCom course that focuses on capital markets and investments. It is a cross between a traditional BCom and a specialised BBA in finance with special emphasis on financial markets - equity, debt, commodity, forex, mutual fund. This six-semester course is mainly offered at several colleges of the University of Mumbai - Mithibai College, HR College, Jai Hind, Hinduja, etc. This programme is complemented with intensive project work and on-the-job training especially geared to meet the demand for mid-level executives in financial companies, banks, insurance sector and the stock market. Admission to this course is on the basis of the marks scored in the Class XII board exams or equivalent. A similar course, though with a different name, is offered at Delhi University's Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies - Bachelor's in Financial Investment and Analysis (BFIA). Admission to this course is on the basis of a common entrance exam and an interview. After completing either of these courses, students can choose to enter a wide range of finance-related areas. From stock broking to banking, from insurance to financial planning, from equity research to financial analysis, apart from joining the corporate finance departments of large organisations, as well as consulting and financial services companies. Several students upon completion of the course also choose to undertake specialised finance certifications such as CA, CFA, CFP, CIMA, FRM, etc.
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News board
Among non-engineering graduates, Infosys and Wipro have topped the chart of preferred companies with over 41per cent and 39per cent students opting for the same as their favoured employer. IBM takes the third slot while TCS is ranked at the fifth position. In case of engineering students, over 43per cent of them ranked IBM as their most preferred employer. Infosys and TCS share the second and third position followed by Wipro and Accenture. Commenting on the findings of the survey Deepali Singh, Business Head, Firstnaukri.com said, "Defence has emerged as a preferred sector among engineers from non-IT stream with most of them looking at DRDO as the first option. This shows a tilt towards working in government and PSU's sectors have started getting traction. Also, it is interesting to note that seniors and parents play a key role in influencing decision during campus interviews."
Biggest influencers
The survey also queried students on what basis do they decide to appear for a company during placements. As many as 33 per cent respondents ranked job profile in the company as their first choice. 27 per cent said growth prospect within the company and another 27 per cent said brand image of the company is the key deciding factor when appearing for placements. When students were questioned on who is the biggest influencer during campus interviews, 31per cent respondents said seniors (alumni). Approximately 23per cent of them said parents and 19per cent opted for batch mates.
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Scholarship roundup
SAHU Trust scholarship
Students can apply for SAHU Jain Trust's undergraduate or postgraduate scholarship for technical trade courses, including computers and infotech, engineering and medical at a university in India. Subject(s): Technical trade courses, including computers and infotech, engineering and medical Eligibility: n
The students should be of Indian origin and have a uniformly brilliant academic record. Details: The scholarships are given to deserving students for pursuing higher studies (beyond higher secondary level) in India. The Trust expects them to maintain good results and therefore students obtaining lower than first divisions in their annual examinations have relatively lower chance of being considered. Scholarships will be announced by end of September. Amount: Up to Rs 1,000 per month. How to apply: By Post Deadline: Last date for obtaining the application forms July 20, 2012. Last date for receipt of completed forms by the trust - July 30, 2012 TCS research fellowship Interested students can check out the research fellowship in computer engineering, computer science, information systems, information technology and software engineering at Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication Technology. This prestigious fellowship provides substantial financial and other benefits to full-time students pursuing a PhD program in selected areas. Subject(s): Computer engineering, computer science, information systems, information technology and software engineering Eligibility: n
The scheme is open for fresh admissions in the PhD programme. Students who are already admitted are not eligible. n
Students who are within 28 years of age, who have a first class throughout their education, and who wish to pursue research in the above mentioned subjects. Duration: For a maximum of four years or submission of thesis for PhD, whichever is earlier. Amount: Rs 18,000 per month for the first two years and Rs 20,000 per month for the next two years. How to apply: Online Deadline: May 3, 2012
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Field of focus: archaeology
"The trend of all knowledge at the present is to specialise, but archaeology has in it all the qualities that call for the wide view of the human race, of its growth from the savage to the civilized, which is seen in all stages of social and religious development". — Margaret Murray
Archaeology is an inter-disciplinary activity that revolves around the investigation of material development made by earlier human societies. The objective of this discipline is to study past human cultures by identification, survey, and excavation of historical sites. These sites yield remains of earlier cultures in the form of relics (such as pottery, weapons, jewellery, articles of daily use, plant, animal, and human remains and so on) and architecture. Once artefacts and monuments are unearthed they are properly analysed, documented, and preserved by archaeologists for future reference. Even an insignificant looking article like a piece of broken pottery or a human bone tells a lot of things to a seasoned archaeologist. The finding made during various archaeological investigations often adds new dimensions to the already known facts of the past. As a multidisciplinary activity, archaeology greatly draws upon a vast array of subjects such as anthropology, art history, chemistry, classical literature, ethnology, geology, history, information technology, linguistics, paleontology, physics, statistics, and so on. Right aptitude Archaeology is the perfect career for people who derive self-satisfaction in discovering a part of history and culture long lost in the dust of time. It is a profile that is very demanding since archaeologists have to spend umpteen hours and days camping and undertaking field work at excavation sites and in laboratories. An archaeologist, therefore, must have the patience to work on a project that may take months and even years to get completed. Strong knowledge of history, love for reading, excellent penmanship, and an analytical and focused mind are some essential skills that make a good archaeologist. In this occupation fame and recognition often weigh more than monetary benefits. Interest towards this occupation can be ignited by frequent visits to museums, cultural centres, historical monuments, and even excavation sites. Gathering information from books and periodicals on topics such as history, art history, and ancient civilisations helps a lot in this regard. Keeping track of developments and new findings in the realm of archaeology is another way of getting a head start for becoming a future archaeologist. Getting in Most of the universities in India that have a department of archaeology offer this subject at the post-graduation level and beyond it. In this regard, the first step towards becoming a successful archaeologist is to obtain a bachelor's degree. This could be in any discipline. However, it is preferable to have a bachelor's degree in history, sociology, or anthropology for a better understanding of the concepts of archaeology. Job prospects India has a rich cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years. In this regard, there is always a perpetual demand for well qualified archaeologists to work on new archaeological projects. There is also a demand for experienced lecturers, curators, and conservators. Universities and colleges across the country are doing a great job in meeting this demand. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is the main recruiter of archaeologists in our country both at the centre and the state levels. Qualified students can apply for appropriate positions in the ASI by clearing examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) or by the State Public Service Commissions (SPSC). Students who have earned a postgraduate degree in archaeology can apply for lectureship in various universities across the country. In this regard, they have to appear for the National Eligibility Test (NET) or the Junior Research Fellow (JRF)-Lectureship examination conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Candidates who succeed to qualify the JRF examination have the option to pursue a doctorate degree in the capacity of a paid research fellowship. For taking up a lectureship position within a particular state, candidates need to clear the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET) of that state. Archaeologists also have the option to take up a job in government or privately owned museums for the safe upkeep and management of museum artefacts. Since most of the job openings are in government or government run agencies, therefore the career of an archaeologist is secure. Archaeologists draw all the benefits of a normal government employee as per their experience and official designation. Remuneration Archaeology students in teaching line can start earning soon after clearing the JRF examination. A JRF gets an assistance of Rs 8,000 per month for a period of two years. Emoluments are increased once their position is elevated to that of a Senior Research Fellow (SRF). The pay packet of lecturers is around Rs 20,000 per month whereas professors earn even higher than this. After joining the ASI, the basic pay package of an assistant archaeologist is in a range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 per month approximately. Archaeologists who have a doctorate degree tend to get better positions in the job hierarchy. The monthly salary of the director general of ASI is in somewhere around Rs. 30,000 per month. — The writer is Principal, Satluj Public School, Ropar Different roles, different names
Archaeology in itself is a vast field and different roles are based on the area of specialisation. The major branches of study in archaeology include: n
Archaeobotany — Study of plant remains to ascertain agricultural practices of that time, food habits of the people, and climatic conditions thereof. n
Archaeometry — Is the application of analytical engineering principles and processes to archaeology. n
Archaeozoology — Branch of archaeology that looks into the remains of animals and related aspects such as their health, domestication, hunting practices, and so on. n
Battlefield archaeology — Intensive archaeological exploration of well known battlefields. n
Environmental archaeology — Studies the impact of environment on past societies and vice versa. n
Ethno archaeology— Application of modern day ethnological or anthropological data on past societies to gain an insight into them. n
Experimental archaeology — Replication of obsolete objects and processes in order to get a better understanding of their working. n
Geoarchaeology — The focus of this field is towards the inspection of soil and rock samples to determine changes in geological and environmental conditions. n
Marine archaeology — Also known as underwater archaeology. Study dedicated to probe the remains of ships along with the study of cultures that developed along the coastline. n
Palaeontology — This branch deals with the study of life forms that existed on earth before the advent of the modern man. n
Prehistoric archaeology — Archaeologists whose main interest is to examine human traditions that belong to the pre-recorded or prehistoric era. n
Urban archaeology — Branch that is specifically dedicated to the study of urban centres or cities. Other than, the aforementioned branches of study an archaeologist can specialise in the study of a specific historic period (Biblical, Classical, Medieval archaeology, and so on) or geographical location such as Egyptology (study of Egyptian civilisation), Sinology (study of Chinese history), and so on. They can also gain expertise in a particular area of research such as battlefields, underwater archaeology, geology, culture, flora, and fauna.
Where to study The Institute of Archaeology under the aegis of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), New Delhi, Course: Two-year PG Diploma in Archaeology. The eligibility of entry to this programme includes a master's degree in ancient or medieval Indian history, anthropology, or archaeology from a recognised university. Students holding a master's degree in classical languages or geology can also apply for this programme. Maharaj Sayajirao University, Baroda Course: Three-year bachelor's degree in Indian History, Culture and Archaeology. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi Course: Three-year honours programme in Ancient Indian History, Culture and Archaeology, and Three-year vocational programme in Museology and Archaeology.
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Super specialisations
Mostly an MBA school is designed to respond to the growing demand for graduates who can specialize in a particular area to complement their strong broad management education. You need to enhance your marketability by developing an expertise in one of the eight functional areas. Many MBA schools also offer the general management option. This route allows students a flexibility to self-select all of their modules, thereby completely customising their MBA degree to the demands of the market. Marketing With the expansion of global markets and the impact of rapid growth in the technology of communications, companies are finding that more and more of their resources are required to support the marketing function. The risks are increased and the ability to make strategic marketing decisions is essential. In the marketing specialisation, a student will develop an in-depth understanding of strategic marketing through modules that include market research, creative marketing strategy, marketing and promotions management, managing customers, and pricing. MBA with specialization in marketing opens the doors to a variety of interesting careers in high tech and consumer product retail sector companies, the service sector, market research firms, government, non-profit organisations, and consulting. Entrepreneurship This specialisation is designed to explore the many dimensions of entrepreneurship and new venture management in both corporate and independent settings. Students will acquire the knowledge and spirit for entrepreneurship and familiarise themselves with institutional aspects of venturing. Attention will be given to augmenting and synthesising concepts and techniques studied in the functional areas of management. Knowledge useful for managing new ventures as well as launching innovative initiatives in mature companies will be developed. IT and management Keeping up with the pace of change in the field of information technology (IT) is a key challenge for organisations today. If you want to be an IT leader, you need an in-depth understanding of applied information technology and the ability to stay on top of changes as they occur. As an MBA IT graduate you can assess the information technology needs of a business, then plan, implement, and manage IT solutions. The programme's wide range of modules develop students' skills in business needs analysis, business applications development, database design and administration, business modeling, project management, e-Business, and data communications. Job opportunities are plentiful for MBA IT graduates. They find employment in management consulting, the information systems departments in major organisations or as technology advisers within the functional areas of management. In addition IT suppliers require skilled individuals for positions in sales, customer support, and project management. Finance As an MBA Finance graduate, a student's highly developed skills will be in great demand by employers within this challenging and rewarding profession. In this specialisation, a student will study capital markets and corporate financial management with some of the most prominent members of the finance academic community. The student will be introduced to the valuation of stocks, bonds, options and futures contracts, and to methods of evaluating and financing capital investment projects. To this foundation, you may add modules in the foreign exchange markets, international finance, mergers and acquisitions, financial engineering, risk management, advanced corporate financial management, the use of quantitative techniques in financial decision making, and management of security portfolios. MBA Finance graduates hold positions as managers, analysts, and associates in financial institutions, money management firms, corporate finance and treasury departments, trading and brokerage houses and consulting firms.
Organisational behaviour
The purpose of this specialisation is to prepare students with skills to manage human resources and organisations. The skills developed are applicable to general management or the management of any functional area of business in virtually any organisation. Three types of students may be interested in this specialisation. n
Students who plan to be involved in general management or work in any functional area of management, and desire the skills appropriate for managing individuals and work groups. n
Students interested in consulting careers in organisational change and development or human resource management. n
Students who wish to specialise in the staff functions related to human resource management. Strategic management No one can predict the future, however, with skills in strategic management you can anticipate and respond to change in a way that ensures that you will meet your objectives. In this specialisation, you will begin by studying finance, managerial economics, government-business relationships, and business and corporate strategy; then tailor your coursework to your interests with a range of modules from leadership and managing change, to international trade and e-Business entrepreneurship. Graduates are hired for general management and business development positions. Supply Chain Management Competitive advantage is at the heart of a firm's performance in today's aggressive markets. In this specialisation, you will develop the ability to plan, implement, and control value-added supply chain processes, including logistics, production, and purchasing, distribution, and customer service solutions. You will also have an opportunity to choose electives according to your area of interest-for example, logistics and operations, information technology and management, human resources, strategic management, and transportation. Graduates find positions in supply chain, operations, logistics and transportation management with logistics service, transportation, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, and service organisations. — The writer is Assistant Professor at Asia Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi
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Course cruising
Duration: Three-year full-time with 22-week industrial exposure Eligibility: Plus II from recognised board/university or its equivalent qualification with English as one of the compulsory subjects. Selection criterion is on the basis of an entrance exam, counseling and personal Interview. How to apply: Application forms are available at all major book stores in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana. The forms can be downloaded or can be filled online from the website www.maharedu.com. Selection procedure: Applicants qualifying cut-off marks at the entrance test will be interviewed for final selection. Deadline: May 10, 2012. Check out: www.maharedu.com
Apparel designing
Admission is on for the Institute of Apparel Management's three-year full-time bachelor's degree programme in Apparel Design and Merchandising (ADM) and Fashion Communication (FC) for the academic year 2012- 2015. The course is validated by IGNOU. The institute is India's first apparel multi-varsity promoted by the Apparel Export Promotion Council, sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles. Eligibility: Plus II from a recognised board in any discipline. Students who have appeared for Plus II exams this year can also apply. Seats: 30 in each course Entrance test: June 10, 2012. How to apply: Form can be obtained from the admission office of Institute of Apparel Management at Apparel House, Sector-44, Gurgaon, Haryana, 122003 on all working days (9 am to 6 pm) against an application fee of Rs 1600. To apply online download forms from http://www.iamindia.in Deadline: May 31, 2012.
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Office mantra: be a better worker
The role of a mother has a powerful lesson for each and every employee. Yes, even for the powerful CEOs and other corporate honchos. But only if they take the salt out of it and apply it appropriately on the work in hand. Ever noticed a mother cooking food for her children? When a mother cooks, it is always done with love and compassion. And she never feels tired. Rather she feels refreshed after long and tiring cooking sessions. It is not simply a matter of love but a matter of proper focus applied upon the work in hand that she feels a sense of freshness, even elation while doing her work. You can also get the same feeling when you apply the same rule of unconditional love to your work, and put in the same spirit in the work in hand.
Concentrate on positives Most of us focus on getting the cooperation of our colleagues and the boss, and to our dismay sometimes we find that they don't act as we want them to. But once in a blue moon that rare moment comes when we get the things as we desire. Mark Twain advises how we could adjust our focus well, "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great." Be at peace with yourself Grumbling and complaining while doing some work makes one falter as far as the quality of focus is concerned. Such feelings of negativity never allow the doer to do work with a peace of mind. Until and unless there is peace of mind, the presence of mind can't be attained. And without the presence of mind no work can be done well. To improve the quantity and quality of your focus you must be at peace with yourself while doing your job. When you do your work, simply apply every bit of your mental power to it. Let there be no other thought or feeling other than that of the work in hand. As you go on practising like that, the quality of your focus will automatically improve day by day. Focus improves quality The quality of work depends upon the consistent and concentrated efforts made by an employee with proper focus and attention that he applies to the work in hand. It doesn't mean that certain employees lack the power to focus. Each and every one of them have a certain degree of focus, but what most of them lack is the proper target on which they focus their attention. Even when one is working on the job, one's focus is not always on the work in hand. One often thinks of other interesting activities that one could be doing during that time instead. When the presence of mind and love is lacking the work in hand not only appears tough but is also of an inferior quality. Handling an assignment with lack of proper focus ensures a shoddy job. Why should you do your work grudgingly? It is better not to do it instead of doing it half heartedly. Just try to do your work with love and compassion. You will see how easily it is done. Not only such a work is done effortlessly but it is also a work of rare quality. This is what we call the value and worth of focus. Lessons for bosses One may think that one is a big officer but what impression his employees have of him is a factor which decides where he actually stands. If he always focuses upon finding faults with his subordinates he can't have rich and rewarding relationship with them. The boss who feels the same kind of pride in having a harmonious rapport with his subordinates as he has with his son, will have an increased organisational efficiency, as he focuses on the right perspective. And with a sharp focus on the proper point of productivity such an officer can build a top notch company even
out of an ordinary one. The officer who focuses upon one employee at a time is the one who knows the knack of getting things done in the best possible manner. Every single employee has a special talent, special qualities, and uniquely specific ways of doing the same thing with a more sharp focus than any other employee. This uniqueness in each employee comes to the fore only when the officer concentrates his focus on one employee at a time. And one by one, such an officer explores his each and every employee to find depth of his potential, and thus gets the best out of each one. That is how big companies evolve from of small ones where the persons at the helm of affairs focus on the proper perspective at the right time. When the officer focuses upon the skill development of his subordinates, he not only encourages them, but also helps them polish their skills and qualities getting much better work and output from them. Really productive employees never fall from heaven, they are created out of the ordinary stuff only with the focus which their seniors use to develop their skills and qualities. And a boss, who instead of developing their qualities and skills, focuses upon finding flaws in their work, not only harms them but also brings down the output and productivity of his organisation. When the officer focuses upon training his employees as a team, he is the one who is doing the best. Such a boss knows how to cut the coat as per the cloth. He knows the plus and minus points of his team, and puts the right man at the right assignment. He focuses upon motivating every single man one by one, develops a sense of responsibility among them, always keeps them informed of the latest developments in the field, and makes sure that they understand their work and assignment, and even gives them due importance praising their work very often. When a system of focusing upon the right perspective at the right time is involved in an organisation, and each and every employee focuses upon the work in hand, then only sky is the limit to what they can achieve. But when they focus upon something else and do something else, they not only squander their precious energy on wasteful matters but also bring down the image of even a flourishing company. That's why some top notch companies often go down and some ordinary ones touch the sky within a short span of time. Such a power your concentrated focus has! — The writer is a psychologist and a career expert
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Workplace politics — A necessary evil
Office politics — call it diplomacy or street-smartness — is a must in today's workplace considering the fact that everyone exercises it at some time. Be it covering your back or exposing a competitor’s faux pas; flattering the boss or being 'sweet-on-the-face' to a colleague — all give a gentle, if not a giant, push to one's career. However, to agree to this upfront would mean professional hara-kiri but secretly most employees term office politics as a necessary evil for a soaring career graph.
Robert Half International, a US staffing firm conducted a survey on office politics recently and more than half the workers interviewed said that involvement in office politics was at least somewhat necessary to get ahead in career. For the survey, more than 400 office workers in the US were asked, “In your opinion, what effect, if any, does involvement in office politics have on one’s career?” And around 15 per cent of the workers said office politics was very necessary to get ahead, while 41 per cent maintained that it was somewhat necessary, according to the poll. “There is some degree of politics at play in virtually every organisation,” the media quoted Max Messmer, the CEO of Robert Half International. Messmer added, “The savviest professionals practice workplace diplomacy. They remain attuned to political undercurrents but don’t allow themselves to get pulled into situations that could compromise their working relationships or reputation.” Politics and machinations are a part and parcel of work life. One may choose not to indulge in these but to remain immune to these at workplace is a near impossibility. Dr. Simmi Waraich, Consultant Psychiatrist, Fortis hospital, Mohali says, “One can’t be in denial of the reality that office politics exists, the better way of handling it is by accepting and bravely facing the reality.” One must avoid ugly clashes and certainly not jump into an argument without knowing its background.It is one thing watching one's back but downright slander to further your own cause is farthest from office protocol. With pink slips becoming more visible and recession being rampant, it is each one out there for one’s own self in the corporate culture. Though one must surely remember there is no replacement for good work at work!
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Food for thought
A follow-up study found that men who flirted at workplace had lower levels of "emotional intelligence" or understanding of other people's feelings. The second study also indicated that women who flirted at work were happier in their jobs, but researchers said the result could have been a fluke, the Daily Telegraph reported. The researchers set out to test the theory that flirting could improve people's chances of being promoted at work. Dr Adrian Banks, who led the study, said: "What we found was the complete opposite. Flirts don't perform better at work and men who flirt are less satisfied with their jobs. “There is strong evidence against that notion that you can flirt your way to the top.” The team then conducted a second survey to establish whether men who flirted at work were different from their peers in any way. It was found that such men had lower levels of emotional intelligence, meaning they were worse at understanding other people's emotions and controlling their own feelings. This could have meant they were less able to suppress flirtatious behaviour or judge whether their actions were inappropriate, Dr Banks suggested. Although it was unclear why flirty men had lower job satisfaction, one explanation could be that their behaviour was down to boredom, he added. “Flirting is not going to be the way to advance your career, and of course flirting when it is unwanted is not appropriate and you shouldn't do it. It is not going to help and could be harmful,” he said. Speaking at the British Psychological Society's annual conference in London, he added while flirting seems romantic, people also do so in order to attract help and improve relationships. — PTI Management Tip Meaningless phrases, such as ‘To be honest’ and ‘Like I said’, often creep up in meetings and presentations. Using these expressions undermines your credibility. Try replacing this filler language with meaning by doing the following:
n
Switch from conditional to declarative. Couching statements with phrases like ‘I believe’ or ‘We think’ weakens your argument. Strengthen your points by cutting to the chase. If you must use the conditional, try the stronger ‘We’re Confident’ or ‘We expect’. n
Be positive. Negative statements sound defensive and fail to provide information. Instead of saying ‘What we’re not is...’ tell your audience exactly what you are.” — Adapted from “Replace Meaningless Words with Meaningful Ones” by Jerry Weissman.
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Happiness @ work
A woman approached Mahatma Gandhi and asked him to advise her son not to have too many sweets. He told her to come with her son two days later. When the duo came on the scheduled day, he advised the boy on the lines requested by his mother. When asked about the gap of two days, Gandhiji said, “In the break, I tried if I too could stay away from sweets.” When the Qazi heard Guru Nanak’s famous proclamation: There is no Hindu or Muslim, he invited the master to the mosque. Inside, the guru started laughing as the Qazi prayed. “Have you come here to insult us?” the Qazi said. “No, but I expected you to concentrate on God here and not think about your newborn colt.” One day, little Vivekananda was playing a sanyasi with his friends in a park. His friends panicked when they saw a snake in the bushes. Vivekananda kept his poise and the snake quietly went past the ‘sanyasi’. Seventy-three-year-old Mother Teresa had a heart attack in Rome and the doctors put in a pacemaker. They advised her to rest, but she said, “I have so much to do.” She continued working for the next 14 years till she breathed her last on September 5, 1997. JRD Tata was better at his mother tongue French than in English, but his job required him to dictate letters to his stenographer Iyer in English. So JRD wrote what he had to dictate on a piece of paper and then read it out pretending as if he was giving a dictation. One day, Iyer caught him in this act. But JRD worked hard on his English and soon overcame this handicap. One day, a pregnant Sujata was sitting next to her husband sage Kahoda who was teaching his class. As Kahoda chanted a hymn wrongly, a voice from the Sujata’s womb corrected him. Enraged, Kahoda cursed his unborn son to be born crooked in eight places. The boy became renowned as the great scholar Ashtavakra. Maharana Mokal, his wife Rani Hadi and his son Rana Kumbha were resting in a camp at Bagor near Chittor when some traitors attacked them. On his father’s order, Kumbha managed to escape and ran to the house of a Patel who had two fine horses. Kumbha took one horse, but he killed the other one so that no traitor could follow him. If little Arjuna could be so focused during target practice as to see only the bird’s eye, you too can be. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at
svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Fortnightly quiz 411
2. Name the chief of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). 3. Where is the Annadale ground situated? 4. Which dynasty built Golconda Fort, a 16th century monument and a cultural symbol of Hyderabad? 5. In which ocean did the Titanic go down 100 years ago? 6. Which two Indian cities recently held a test-run of a double-decker train? 7. In which Indian state is the Asia’s first research centre to strengthen conservation efforts to save dolphin to be set up? 8. Who recently became the youngest Indian boxer (age 18) to qualify for Olympics? 9. With which sport is Jwala Gutta associated? 10. Which trophy is awarded to the winner of the West Indies-Australia cricket Test series?
— Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 410: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Aditya Kalia, class V, Sri Aurobindo School of Integral Education, I-A, Sector 27-A, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh, Pin Code - 160019 Second: Vivek Garg, class IX-A, General Gurnam Singh Public School, Sangrur, Pin Code – 148001 Third: Divyansh Sharma, class VII-A, Blue Star Senior Secondary Public School, opposite DC Office, Hamirpur (Himachal Pradesh) – 151103 Answers to quiz 410: Karnal; INS Chakra; Ajmer; Punjab; Forty five; Lord Mahavira; Mali; 20; Leander Paes; England 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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Field of focus: archaeology
Office politics — call it diplomacy or street-smartness — is a must in today's workplace considering the fact that everyone exercises it at some time. Be it covering your back or exposing a competitor’s faux pas; flattering the boss or being 'sweet-on-the-face' to a colleague — all give a gentle, if not a giant, push to one's career. However, to agree to this upfront would mean professional hara-kiri but secretly most employees term office politics as a necessary evil for a soaring career graph.
Are you looking for a business related career? Have you dreamt of rising to a position when you would be sitting with the Board of Directors of a company? Here is a career where you can do that almost at the beginning of your career. The company secretary is an important member of the corporate management team and acts as a point of communication between the Board of Directors and company shareholders with regard to legal and business matters. Every company requires a company secretary which means there will always be job opportunities for those with a relevant qualification. Managements need to ensure greater transparency while adhering to high standards of responsibility. With the growth of the Indian economy and more and more companies increasingly being listed on the stock exchange today, the requirement for company secretaries has increased considerably.
Q. I am an arts stream student and have just entered Class XII. I am very confused about what I will do after school. I want to do something related to designing, but am not sure whether fashion designing is the right field for me. How should I decide? Please help me in making the right choice. 
Q. What is the qualification required to be a commercial pilot? What entrance exam would I need to appear for? I've heard that a lot of finance is required for it? Is it so? What are the best colleges in which I can apply in India? — aman mehra
Q. I am a married woman and I completed my BA in 2007 with 63% marks and DOEACC O-level with 60%. My English is not so good and my maths is weak too. I am considering doing an MBA in HR through distance learning course. Will this be a good move for me? Please guide me. —pavika suri
Q. While doing some research on undergraduate courses for our daughter, I came across a course called Bachelor of Financial Markets (BFM). Could you please tell me about this course, its structure and prospects? 
IBM and Infosys have emerged as the most preferred employers by both engineering (BE/B.Tech) as well as non-engineering graduate (BSc/BBA, BA. BCA) students. Both these companies have topped the employer preference charts for the second year in a row. This has been revealed in a survey conducted by First Naukri.com where 2000+ engineering and non-engineering graduate students were questioned on their employer preferences.
Recovery and analysis of remains obtained from excavation sites is the primary duty of all archaeologists irrespective of their field of specialisation. Apart from the traditional process of collecting and managing material evidence of the past, archaeologists also employ modern investigative techniques. The state-of-the-art research techniques utilised by modern day archaeologists are — genetic study, radiocarbon dating, thermography, satellite imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and so on.
CAT, MAT and other important management exams are over and now it’s the time to think of your global market interest and understand it. Yes, I'm referring to your interest in specialisation in MBA programme, because the interviewer might ask you regarding your taste in business administration during the interview. So having sufficient information in this regard will stand you in good stead.
Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), is inviting applications for admission to the International Hospitality Management course for the academic session 2012-15. This programme from IGNOU incorporates courses of American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AH & LEI) is among the most comprehensive; industry oriented hospitality administration programmes available in India. The objective of the course is to prepare students for a successful career in the hospitality industry not only at the domestic level but at the international level as well.
Women, beware of office flirts, as they might be doing so because they are bored of their job and lacking in sensitivity, psychologists say. A survey of about 200 persons carried out by a team from Surrey University in the UK found that office flirts had lower levels of job satisfaction, suggesting that rather than being a sign of passion their amorous behaviour could be down to ennui.
While to err is human, wonder why some make fewer mistakes than others? They put in a slight extra every time to keep mistakes at bay.
1. Name the countries with the capacity to launch long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles.
