Un ‘fair’ boardrooms
No room at the top
Swati Rai

Has the Indian woman worker come of age as a stakeholder in the number game at the top in the corporate world? Countless surveys, woman achievers’ awards and top 10 lists would have us think so. It is time to objectively explore the dynamics of this gender tussle in the corporate world and find out the big picture of gender mapping.

Anne Marie Slaughter’s article in the July edition of a leading US magazine on whether educated professional women 'can have it all', raised a storm over the 21st century conundrum of a working woman. Slaughter, a Princeton professor, quit her high profile job as the Director of Policy planning at the US Department of State to spend more time with her children. This is not a stray incident but a representative one that is being faced by women all across the world while balancing work and home! Sheryl Sandberg, COO, Facebook who recently became its board member, and a mom-to-be Marissa Mayer, who is now the CEO of Yahoo, may just be the inspirations that women want, but occupying the top seats in company boards remains a distant dream as far as the Asian economies go!

Just a few women on top

In leading Asian economies, including India, fewer women make it to the boardroom of companies, creating a shortage of talent that is hurting the growth of the region. According to the Mc. Kinsey & Company's July 2, report ‘Women Matter: An Asian Perspective’, it was found that around “50 per cent of Asian graduates are women, but only a fraction of them make it to the middle management, let alone the top! They often fail to progress very far, either getting stuck in the pipeline early in their careers or deciding to leave at middle management level. The report projects that by 2020 the likely high skill gap in China will be 23 million, while in India the medium skill gap could be to the order of 13 million.”

Ruchika Bhaskar Sethi, Director, People Team, Ernst & Young Global Shared Services, India says, “There is a strong case of maintaining diversity at workplace. Both genders bring different things to the table. Be it in leadership skills, mentoring ways or executing decisions. For this reason, the representation of both genders is a must for raising the productivity levels of the company.” Though Sethi is upbeat about the fact that in her company 50 per cent of the work force comprises women, yet the fact remains that this ratio falls drastically as one takes a look at the scenario in the senior and top level. And this is a common factor. No surprises then that out of the Fortune 500 companies less than 5 per cent have a woman at the top.

Talent not enough

Ironically, the scarce presence of women in top positions has nothing to do with their performance and abilities or even a recognition of their talent. Very few challenge a woman’s ability to handle work pressures, take decisions and lead a company. A global research NGO, Catalyst’s, India Benchmark report (2011) found that companies with three or more women board directors at an average perform better than companies that have fewer women on the board and that too with a significant margin. It goes to the credit of countries like Norway and Spain have reservation for women in corporate boards.

Ananta Singh Raghuvanshi, Director-Sales and Marketing DLF India Ltd. says, “Certain areas involving customer services, advertising, public relations, and facilities management etc. women score better because of the attitude and aptitude.”

Dr. Devlina Chakravarty, Chief Operating Officer & Director Medical Services, Artemis Health Institute, avers, “Women can multi-task unlike most men. They are equally hardworking, reliable and trustworthy. They definitely have an edge over men as they are better at inter-personal skills.” But there are social, cultural and perceptual hindrances that seem to be playing a big role in stopping more women from rising to the top. Even an optimistic Chakravarty can’t stop from raising the all-important question, “So when professionally they are as good as men then why not have more of them on board?” And this indeed is the question that each woman worker in the India Inc. carries in her mind when she her career growth is put in “gender” straightjacket.

Positive policies may help

Vidya Srinivasan, Senior Vice-President Infrastructure and Logistics, Genpact, bares the fine print of the issue, “It is true that most women resign at the mid-level management but this is mostly restricted to certain industries for instance the BPO sector resulting in a huge amount of dearth of talent. The idea should be to try and retain them as much as possible.” There are many options available these days to women such as flexi work, work from home or taking a sabbatical. Offices have day-care facilities, too.

Talking of the women employees’ status and expectations from them Raghuvanshi says, “A safe work environment supported by respect and recognition is primarily what makes women stay in a workplace. On the work front there are no compromises or special benefits.”

Sethi affirms, “Work-from-home, maternity leave, and maintaining flexi hours of work are some other benefits that women friendly companies are offering now”. Citing an example of her company she adds, “We keep in touch with our women employees who proceed for a sabbatical and draft ways of bringing them back according to their convenience and company norms.”

It is true that at present in India there are more women bosses than there were perhaps a decade back. We see them as team leaders, leading projects and as vertical heads. The position of women may have changed over the years but the perception of a woman as a boss perhaps doesn't sit well with most at work.

It is a given fact that having more women in senior positions in the corporate sector will have a competitive edge in the global market. In a scenario where there is a talent crunch; losing out on it is committing business hara-kiri, one that no company can afford.

— The writer is an English language and life skills trainer

Unfair pitch

Despite the obvious advantages, the attrition rate among women employees at middle management is rising consistently. Mc. Kinsey & Company’s report assigns the “double burden” of having a job and looking after the family is the as the chief reason for their high attrition rates. A woman in the corporate sector has to not only manage the work and family pressures but also has to be extra cautious about disclosing her career goals as being ambitious is still not a “quality” for a woman employee. While ambition and confidence are positive traits in a male worker and may even take him places, things change when it is a woman who is clear about what she wants from her career and life. Confidence and an independent streak may cause her to lose important family relationships or else she may have to sacrifice her career to conform to the standards of being a devoted mother, wife, daughter, daughter-in-law etc. These are some of the major factors that have hindered the “rise” of women to top level positions in India Inc.

Catalyst 2012 report titled, ‘Expanding Work-Life Perspectives: Talent Management in India’ found that workforce, regardless of gender, ‘report a strong dual work-family emphasis and the desire for work-life effectiveness. Despite reporting similarly high levels of career interest and ambition as men, women in India report significantly more challenges managing work and personal life, suggesting the need for companies to consider how current work cultures and policies fit the experiences of all their talent.’

Career Hotline
Pervin Malhotra

How can I get into the field of corporate law?

Q. After doing BBA, I'm in LL.B (3rd year). I am interested in corporate law and want to work in corporate firms or in the legal department of MNCs. The problem is I can't decide whether to go for LL.M or MBA? If the latter, from where (in India or abroad) should I do my LLM. Or should I just go for a job after completing my LLB? I am terribly confused.

— piyush baxi

A. In order to become a corporate lawyer, no additional qualification other than your LLB is really necessary. In fact, your BBA would be an added advantage in grasping and understanding concepts in accounting, finance and business. What you need to do is immediately start an intensive job hunt and start working with a law firm or a corporate house or under a good corporate lawyer.

What’s the scope after MTech?

Q. I am very confused about my career. I got 94.3 percentile in GATE-2012. Some suggest I go for MTech, while others say that I should go for a job as there are very few job opportunities after MTech. Please help and guide me for my future. — rajesh asthana

A. Here's an option that will allow you to have your cake and eat it too. Since your GATE scores are valid for 2 years (till March 2014), you can opt for a good job - if you manage to get a good one.

If you find yourself enjoying the work and the company offers the kind of opportunities that appeal to you, you can decide to stick on. If not, then you can go for MTech from a top-rung engineering college or who knows, even an MBA.

In a way, your friends are right. By and large, industry doesn't give as much weightage to MTech as in the West, unless they are recruiting for fairly specialised hi-tech fields or for the R&D.

Relevance of Advanced Placement courses?

Q. I am in Class X and plan to go the US for my undergraduate studies. A few of my friends in Class XI-XII are preparing for something called Advanced Placement courses. Isn't giving the SAT & TOEFL enough for admission to US colleges? Please tell me about the Advanced Placement courses and who should be giving them? — vinita duggal

A. Advanced Placement courses are essentially a way to earn "credits" that count towards your graduation. These are college-level courses in various subjects that can be completed by high school students followed by an exam, usually in May every year.

The benefit: your Advance placement credit in a subject counts towards your major in a US or Canadian College helping you complete your course quicker.

Some students also use the AP credits to support their application or bolster their academic credentials. If you've completed sufficient credit you shorten your programme by nearly a year, resulting in saving a whole tuition fees and living costs!

The AP courses are offered in subject areas of arts, English, history & social sciences, mathematics and computer sciences, sciences, world languages. Full details are available on the College board website which conducts the AP programme - http://professionals.collegeboard.com/testing/ap.

Regardless of whether you decide to take up an AP course or not, you will still have to give the SAT (and possibly SAT II) and TOEFL when applying to US undergraduate schools.

In India, AP courses are taught only at the American School and a few other international schools. However, you don't have to be "enrolled" in an AP course to sit for the exam. You can register online and appear for the exam.

Now for some good news. Starting in 2012, the College Board has appointed an Indian agency to conduct the AP exam across eight cities - Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune. You can check out the exam dates and registration details on their website - www.ap-india.org <http://www.ap-india.org/.

Opportunities in commerce

Q. I am pursuing BCom (Hons) from Punjab University. What can I do after completing my graduation and what are the options for going abroad? — anupam kapoor

A.I suggest you first start by thinking about the field or career that you wish to pursue, then analyse your strengths, personality and academic abilities to see where a good fit emerges.

The BCom programme provides a good base for a range of careers. These are broadly of two types - those related to business and finance, and the non-finance fields.

After completing your BCom your are ideally suited for the whole gamut of finance and commerce options open to you - right from CA/CS/CWA to careers in banking & finance, insurance, investment, trading, consulting, equity research and financial analysis, financial planning, risk management, etc.

Courses that you can consider are completing your graduation are MCom, Masters in Business Economics, Masters in Finance & Control, Masters in International Business, in addition to the ever popular and evergreen MBA.

In addition, international professional certifications/ qualifications such as CFA, CIMA, and CFP can also be undertaken right here in India, and are highly regarded by Indian and international employers.

Non-finance related options include careers in marketing, HR, retail, marketing communications, advertising, etc. Also, careers in government services, media, law, and teaching are also open to you.

The eventual choice should be made keeping in mind your individual preference and your abilities and personality.

As for options abroad, all the above mentioned courses and qualifications are available at foreign universities as well with perhaps slight changes in nomenclature. As for International certifications / qualifications (CFA, CIMA, CFP), there is no distinction.

Email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com...

Cool Counsel
Root out the Fear factor
D. C. Sharma

The fear of failure is the biggest handicap for a person. A man can be successful and happy even if he doesn’t have any limbs but a mind that is afflicted with the fear of failure can make one a loser. All the hard work and sincerity of purpose goes waste if one can't take out the dread of not being able to perform well or have inhibitions about doing certain tasks. Each one of us has faced hurdles and setbacks as a child and many of us develop inhibitions about certain things that we feel we can never do. Most of the students who fail and workers who get no recognition for their work suffer from this kind of fear. It is their psyche which allows others to take control of them and use them as victims. And they develop such thought patterns of inferiority about them.

Remember, one of the greatest and most comforting truths of life is that when one door shuts another better one opens. Equally true is this that when one door opens another one closes. But often we look regretfully at the closed door, and don't clearly see the one that has opened for us. That’s how we ourselves shape our thought patterns, which ultimately make and shape our workplace situations and life. Ignoring to look at the door that opens is like plucking the blossoms. How can we expect to taste the fruit when we opt to pluck the blossoms?

Many consider poverty as a major cause for not doing well in studies and in one's career. They keep looking at this closed door ignoring the opportunities that lie in front of them. How many of us draw an encouraging message from “where there is a will there is always a way”. How many of us build a successful life from it, as did Abraham Lincoln? As a poor boy, Lincoln had to work in the farms, with his peasant father. He had no money to buy books and clothes. At night he would dry his only clothes which he would wash at night, and would read lessons from a borrowed book! One day, the jealous mother of his class fellow who was a dud, taunted Lincoln: "Why waste time working that way, boy? Do you think you would become the president of America?” Instead of inhibiting his energy, this taunting remark actually pushed Lincoln to build his career. Can’t we all act that way in such situations?

We all carry negative ideas about our weaknesses. Instead of exploring the root of such weaknesses we try to find faults with others. Competition, jealousy, and greed simply give rise to unhealthy ways of harming others. Success does not come that easy. It requires competence which comes with self-confidence and focused attention, which operate as we fully attend to the job in hand. Unless and until we remove our inhibitions we will not succeed.

No one is born inferior, yet so many of us nurture inferiority complex. Such complexes are certainly not real. Neither are these based on real experiences. They actually originate from our own negative thinking. They originate from our own baseless conclusions that we have this or that weakness.

To succeed in any line, learn to believe in yourself. It is only when you believe in what others say or tell that one becomes a loser. How can you expect others to praise you and consider themselves as weak? It is your duty to praise your own talents and qualities. As you praise yourself thus, your latent potential comes to the fore. That is the best way to conquer your weaknesses and highlight your positive qualities.

Many employees fear to handle even a minor situation alone. Such employees always wish to have someone by their side. This is a sheer phobia. Its roots go back to childhood experiences. As a child you were not allowed to do a thing of your own. And that gave birth to a fear in you that it is difficult for you to handle a situation on your own. There is nothing to fear now. It should rather be taken as an opportunity that you are allowed to do a thing independently now. Rather you should be happy to handle the situation independently.. Just a little bit of practice will encourage you and show you how efficient and successful you alone can be!

Remember when others judge you negatively, they are mostly wrong. You are inferior to none. You have your own peculiar and powerful potential. Realise it. Explore it. Utilise it. And be of productive and constructive use to others. Add value to your worth, doing a good work. And you will yourself see how people shower praise on you. See yourself as worthy; feel yourself worthy, and you will become worthy. When you change your thought patterns in a positive way, only sky is the limit to what you can achieve.

— The writer is a psychologist and a career expert

Scholarship roundup
Bonanza for sportspersons

Symbiosis International University (SIU), Sports Board has invited applications for sports scholarships for outstanding sportsmen and sports women for 2012-13. This scheme aims at recognising the achievements of young sportspersons and their outstanding performance at the national, state and inter-university levels.

Eligibility:

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of sports performance in recognised competitions held between the previous two calendar years. Both the prospective as well as bonafide students of SIU can apply for sports scholarship

• A scholarship holder shall not receive any other sports scholarship from any other source and should not be inmate of sports hostel of SAI/State Govt
• The applicant shall apply only in one discipline in which he/she has achieved the highest performance between the previous two calendar years
• If the dates of competitions or timing/ distance/height/weight/ points etc. achieved are not mentioned in the certificate, the applicant may obtain the same from concerned.agency and enclose the same to the application failing which the application will not be considered
• The eligible sportsperson will have to submit their performance report immediately after the completion of a tournament with necessary press clipping through the Head of Institution/Principal or from their state/National Association
• The University Sports Board has the right to decide awarding the scholarships as mentioned above depending on the vacancies available in the games.

Check out: www.siu.edu.in

Supporting ‘scientific’ talent

The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India offers Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana Fellowship (KVPY) for Indian students in basic science, Medicine, Engineering, India 2012

Course Level: Secondary, undergraduate, master’s and research

Eligibility:

• Stream SA: Students enrolled in Class XI (science stream) during the academic year 2012-13 and who have secured a minimum of 80 per cent (70 per cent for SC/ST) marks in aggregate in mathematics and science subjects in the Class X Board examination
• Stream SX: Students enrolled in Class XII (science stream) during the academic year 2012-13 and aspiring to join undergraduate programme in basic sciences (BSc./B.S./Int. MSc./M.S.) for the session 2013-14 provided they have secured a minimum of 80 per cent (70 per cent for SC/ST) marks in aggregate in mathematics and science subjects in the Class X Board examination
• Stream SB: Students enrolled in the first year of BSc./B.S./Int. MSc./M.S. during the academic year 2012-13 and have secured a minimum of 60 per cent (50 per cent for SC/ST) marks in aggregate in science subjects in the Class XII Board examination.

news board
Web academy

Google has introduced a comprehensive training programme for young professionals in India in alliance with NIIT Limited. The programme named 'Google Web Academy' (http://www.niitgooglewebacademy.com/), will bridge the digital skill gap in the country and help students and professionals capitalise on the emerging job market for the online industry. Under the initiative, NIIT will be Google's first partner to offer specialised courses through its centres across the country.

Google will provide NIIT with its world-leading training curricula and certification standards to offer advanced training programmes that are specially designed to create a pool of high quality Google-qualified professionals and help young professionals to gain useful skills required in the job market for the online space. The programme will be initially offered in India, and subsequently launched in other parts of the emerging world.

The courses offered by NIIT under this programme will include certification programmes for online professionals covering topics like search engine marketing, optimising online presence with web analytics; enhance business productivity with Google products and technologies. Subsequently, the programme will also offer technical courses for IT professionals and developers covering topics like building new web and mobile applications using Google technologies, integration across Google products and 3rd party APIs, Web optimisation - bandwidth & loading performance, Introduction to cloud computing, including web standards, System integrator - Google Apps for Business, including configuration, deployment and management and Performance tracking & monetisation (Google Analytics, SEM).

Tie up for wedding planning course

Hyderabad-based Rachnoutsav Events Academy has joined hands with Leeds Metropolitan University, UK for academic partnership in the space of event management and wedding planning. The two institutes signed an MoU recently to open avenues to strengthen and promote academic, entrepreneurial and internship-based employment cooperation at foundation and advanced levels of learning in event management and . Under the linkage, Rachnoutsav Events Academy would offer foundation as well as advanced courses in event and sports event management and wedding planning programmes at its campus in Hyderabad. Leeds Metropolitan University will support and assist in the structuring and implementation of the planned curriculum as well as developing joint workshops, staff training programmes and assisting in overseas internships. It will also provide consultancy and guidance in obtaining validation to Rachnoutsav on sports event management.

— TNS

Thrive on biological breakthroughs
Usha Albuquerque

Isn't it amazing

• Scientists in Singapore have developed contact lenses that can dispense drugs directly into the eye to treat diseases such as glaucoma.
• Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, have built a device that can warn of an asthma attack before it happens. The device, which contains carbon nanotubes, analyses breath for traces of nitric oxide, a telltale precursor of an impending asthma attack.
• A "disappearing" stent, made from a biodegradable polymer designed at Abbott Laboratories in Illinois could help minimise the risk of blood clots or immune rejections normally associated with metal stents inserted for heart patients.

Of these, it is medical biotechnology that has had the greatest impact. Diseases, which were once thought incurable, are no more a cause of worry. Since 1982 when the first genetically engineered product, human insulin for the treatment of diabetes became commercially available, medical biotechnologists have been working to develop new ways for health care professionals to detect and fight disease. There are a number of diseases that have been mitigated or cured through breakthroughs in medical biotechnology. Doctors can now prescribe a genetically engineered drug called tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) at the time of a heart attack, when a blood clot enters one of the coronary arteries, to travel to the blood clot and break it up within minutes, restoring blood flow to the heart and lessening the chance of permanent damage. Medical professionals are using biotechnology to treat cancer in several ways. Genetically engineered proteins called lymphokines seem to work with the body’s immune system to attack cancer cells and growth inhibitor proteins which seem to slow the reproduction of cancer cells. Many other diseases are also being treated with genetically engineered products. Doctors can use a genetically engineered vaccine to treat human hepatitis B or a growth hormone to help children with dwarfism. Biotechnologists are also working to identify and locate where defects occur in genes that are related to hereditary diseases.

Multiple avenues

Biotechnology is a multi-disciplinary science that requires collaboration across sciences, whether that involves biologists and physicists coming together to develop nanomagnets to treat cancer, or chemists and engineers trying to integrate electronics into living cells. There are computer engineers working in DNA computing which could persuade biological systems to do something useful, like producing a drug or detecting a pollutant. Doctors and medical practioners can also work in biotech research. Therefore, there is no single entry route into this career - you can start with any science subject, and it is advisable to start with traditional subjects such as chemistry or physics. Also as a biotechnologist depending on the area of specialisation, you could be working in:

Research: Carried out in academic institutes, hospitals, pharmaceutical and chemical industries in areas of genetics, bio chemistry, etc.

Production: Bio-technologists produce bioprocessed materials that would include drugs and vaccines, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic tools etc

Marketing: Most biotechnology firms take on marketing professionals with knowledge of biotechnology to market biotechnology products and processes.

Getting in

While it is possible to study biotechnology even at school level, it is far better to start with a broad basic understanding of core sciences, building up to a BSc/Btech or an MSc/MTech in biotechnology.

You can apply for an MSc in biotechnology after a bachelor's degree in physical, biological, agricultural, veterinary, fishery sciences, pharmacy, engineering, technology or medicine (MBBS) with at least 55 per cent marks.

MTech. in biotechnology can be done after chemical/bio-chemical engineering, leather technology, pharmaceutical technology, food technology, B.Pharma and dairy technology. Postgraduates in life sciences, botany, zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, physiology, pharmacology and biophysics can also go in for MTech. in biotechnology.

The Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, holds a Combined Entrance Examination every year for admission to the MSc. course in biotechnology offered at almost 19 universities.

The IITs also conduct a five-year integrated biotechnology course for the school leaver. A number of educational and research institutions like the National Institute of Immunology, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology etc. also offer academic and research facilities.

Jobscape

Once you become a biotechnologist or a genetic engineer, you can get excellent jobs, not just within the country but abroad as well. This is one career that is really growing especially due to increased industrialisation and rapid biotechnological advancements. With the advancement of medicine and the need for new drugs vaccines and diagnostic tools, medical biotechnology offers tremendous growth opportunities.

There are research based jobs are in government and public funded laboratories such as CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), National Institute of Immunology, Delhi, the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Delhi, the Central Drug Research Institute, Center for Cellular & Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, Institute of Microbial Technology, National Institute of Nutrition, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and others.

For research based jobs it is advisable to appear for the CSIR / NET Junior Research Fellowship exam.

You can also find work in companies, which are investing huge amounts of funds in state of the art R&D facilities - such as Biocon, Shanta Biotech, Ranbaxy, Cadila, Wockhardt, Pfizer, Dr. Reddy's Laboratory, Sun Pharmaceutical, Lupin Laboratories and others.

There are also options like becoming a prosthesis which deals with formation of artificial body parts, or working in forensic laboratories.

Scope

It is estimated that about 10,000 medical biotechnologists are needed every year for the growing medical needs of a global populations. If you have a scientific and inquisitive mind, and an innovative attitude, and are keen to work in a highly specialised medical field, an MBBS will probably not be enough for you. And if you are greatly motivated with a sense of working for a larger good, have a lot of perseverance, team spirit, a systematic approach as well as a keen eye for detail, then medical biotechnology is the career for you.

— The writer is Director, Career Smart Private Ltd., New Delhi

Course cruising

Clinical Research

Admission to MSc. programme in Clinical Research is open at Anovus Institute of Clinical Research in Chandigarh. Students of life sciences can opt for either 2-year MSc. programme or a one-year Advance Diploma, or a six-month diploma in Clinical Research. The degree/diploma are awarded by the Punjab Technical University.

Eligibility: A bachelor's degree preferably in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry, life science or bioscience.

Fees: Rs 70,000 for diploma, Rs 65,000 per semester for Advanced Diploma (two semesters) and Rs 60,000/semester for MSc. (four semesters)

Check out: www.anovus.net

PG for docs

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in association with Hansa Medcell is offering US International PG programmes in Distance Education in Cardiology, Diabetology and Rheumatology .

The course: The course can be done in cardiology, diabetology and rheumatology; the programmes cover all the clinical aspects of these specialties, in-depth. The course is best suited for those medical practitioners, who cannot break away from their daily practice to acquire specialist skills.

Eligibility: PG degree in medicine or a Bachelor's degree in medicine with a minimum of three years of clinical experience in the specialty.

Fee: The international fee for the programme is $1800; the programme is being made available to doctors in South Asia at Rs 60,000. Educational grants are available on a limited basis that further subsidise the course fee.

Schedule: This programme is approved for release from July 1, 2012 through February 1, 2014.

Check out: www.hansamedcell.com

MSc Sports Coaching

Interested candidates can check out UK’s Leeds Metropolitan University's new course in the field of sports — MSc in sports coaching.

With an active passion for coaching, this course will allow students to focus on specific areas of their choice. Through the course students will compare, contrast and integrate theories and ideas from a range of disciplines such as talent development, sport psychology, physiology and expertise with students' own ideas and practice. As well as working with course staff with excellent research and industry experience there will be the opportunity to meet internationally renowned guest speakers, who will give a wider view on the industry, and the direction it is heading in.

Eligibility: Graduates with relevant experience.

Applicants should have degrees in a sport-related area.

With IELTS score of 6.0 or better (with no single element below 5.5).

All students will be expected to be practising coaches or coach educators with an evidenced history of engagement in coaching or coach education.

Duration: one year

How to apply: Contact India Office

Leeds Metropolitan University

M 46, 2nd Floor , Shopping Complex, Greater Kailash II, New Delhi 110 048

Deadline: August 15, for September 2012 course.

Fees: 11,500.

Check out: http://courses.leedsmet.ac.uk/sportcoaching_msc

Brand ambassadors

The term corporate communication has been accepted as an integral part of the business world. With globalisation the significance of communication has gone up manifold. Various organisations have also realised the relevance of communication within and beyond the company. Corporate communication is the field that primarily aims at building corporate brands and espousing the cause of a company and its credentials in the marketplace. It assists the companies to mould their presence in the market. Over the years, Corporate Communication has undergone many sweeping developments and today it has emerged as a full-fledged career option. It commenced with the concept of public relations in many organisations and has gradually emerged as an intensified form of it. Corporate communication is a far more strategic and concentrated field which encapsulates the functions of the public relations as well. It has expanded its roots in the areas which include brand building, advertising and management in an organisation.

Why corporate communication?

Growing competition has evoked the need for establishing and maintaining the brand name in the market as today more factors affect the image of an organisation than before. Apart from this the need to communicate has also increased as the target audiences have inflated radically. Therefore, in order to reach them corporate communication is needed. 

Pros It's a well paid creative field. It's a challenging field as in corporate communication the communication part of the company is solely dependent upon the corporate communication team. Cons Travel may be required for these occupations to promote the organisation through industry events and conferences that promotes the organisation’s image

Institute watch Delhi University Ignou Guru Jambeshwar University Jamia Millia Islamia Jawaharlal Nehru University Symbosis Panjab Technical University Guru Nanak Dev University PG Diploma Courses Lovely Professional University only for master’s degree

Responsibilities

The key responsibility of corporate communications includes presenting and upholding a positive public image of an organisation. It encompasses functions like proactively developing media outreach strategies, creating and implementing product or service announcements, working with vendors and strategic partners, stakeholders and assisting executives with public speaking engagements. Corporate communications also involves planning and strategising internal and external communication of an organisation.

Educational qualification

The basic educational qualification required for entering this field is a bachelor's degree, preferably in mass communication or English honors and further a master's degree in marketing or business management, or an MBA in media management.

Skill set

Usually most employers require at least five years of related experience in the field of public relations. Those who desire to opt for this field also need to possess excellent speaking skills and a strong ability to write, edit and do research to present media releases.

Apart from it, he/she also needs to have a strategic approach, rational way of thinking and ability to network within and outside the organisation. In corporate communication what matters is being able to understand issues related to your organisation, an understanding of current affairs, and an eye for any development that could affect the organisation in positive manner. Ability to create opportunities for your organisation is another important quality that is required for one to achieve success in this career field.

Payoff

A candidate with a pertinent degree and good communication skills can get remuneration upto Rs 3.5 lakh per annum. If the candidate acquires an experience of 4-5 years in the field, the annual remuneration can easily go up to Rs 5-6 lakh. Talented people can make their way up to the level of vice-president in a company.

Scope

In a country like India, where industrial development is taking place at such a massive pace, the scope of corporate communication is perceived to be tremendous. Industries are expanding and the need to embrace brand names is also deepening. Corporate communication is in a nascent stage in India at present, but it holds great career opportunities for the students who possess communication and marketing skills. In such a scenario, fresh talent is always welcomed. If you feel that communication is your strength and have an ability to understand businesses then this is the career for you. After all, like finance and marketing professionals, a corporate communication professional too is not restricted to a specific industry.

With inputs from Shalini Rathi, Head, Strategy and Corp Communication, Ecnon Group

Is it the time to quit ?
Smart strategy: rain check
Ragini Gulati

Thinkstockphotos/Getty images

All of us get stuck on crossroads at some point both in professional as well as personal life. Work-wise most individuals find themselves thinking about quitting their job at one time or another. More than often dissatisfaction at workplace is just a phase that can be handled by making minor adjustments. But sometimes things are so fundamentally wrong that it becomes impossible to continue. However, changing jobs can be a daunting decision especially in the current market scenario. As a consequence regardless of how happy or unhappy people are in their jobs, they are afraid to move on. Determine whether your requirements are being fulfilled by the current organisation to know if it’s really time to find a new job:

Compensation

Salary is undeniably important since it allows a person to financially support himself and his family. Moreover, being paid for what we are worth is an essential aspect of feeling valued and appreciated. As a consequence compensation is one of the deciding factors for changing jobs. Most of us generally believe that we could get paid more for the said function. However, rather than having a vague idea explore the market for the going rate. Try looking at comparable positions on job search websites or consult a local headhunter. Get a salary range that is being offered by other organisations for jobs that are similar to your own. Subsequent to the research you can realistically figure out if your current remuneration is fair or not.

Growth

In today’s highly competitive world every professional looks for growth not only in terms of money but role also. Organisations that strive to rise above mediocrity design training schedules for employees to acquire and develop new skills. Additionally they offer mentoring programmes to assist them to climb the corporate ladder by getting to the next level. However when business is slow, chances of both promotion and learning are limited. Request your supervisor for assignments that will challenge you to perform outside the comfort zone. Approach the management to understand if the company is willing to invest in your career growth. It is time to reconsider options when you run the risk of becoming obsolete at the current workplace.

Supervisor

Senior-subordinate relationship has been cited as the foremost reason by professionals for quitting or sticking to a particular job. A good supervisor is the one who motivates subordinates to perform better and facilitates their success. Personality difference and disagreements are natural but it is important to get along with the boss. However, it may be difficult to build a rapport with someone who is constantly downgrading or pulling you down. Make an attempt to mend the relationship by opening lines of communication and addressing the issue. Alternately speak to human resource for the possibility of shifting to another department. Since problems with supervisor negatively affect professional and personal life, start preparing for the exit.

Co-workers

Relationship with co-workers plays an instrumental role in how satisfied people are with their jobs. In fact, not only does it have a tremendous impact on one’s performance but on one’s behaviour also. An ideal work environment would be where everyone can work together and contribute ideas freely. Minor rivalries are common but day-to-day competition should be friendly rather than fierce. When colleagues rarely talk to each other and the atmosphere is one of mistrust, things can get stressful. Damaged relationships with one or two co-workers can be resolved by taking conscious steps. However, problem arises when you have a tense relationship with most or all of those around. In such a situation the best option would be find a new job at the earliest.

Work culture

Our values remain fairly constant but over a period of time we tend to get a lot clearer on what's really important to us. An ideal scenario would be working for and alongside people who share a similar core value system. However, there is a possibility of mismatched values even though at one time they were aligned. It could be in the form of ethical, moral or cultural differences. Perhaps the company contradicts its own written policies or has an overbearing hierarchical culture. Irrespective of the issue it can be extremely stressful to work in such an organisation. Rather than pretending or shrugging it off, address the problem. Look out for a workplace where professionals embrace the same goals and values as yours.

Company’s health

One of the factors to be considered whilst considering a job change is the financial health of the organisation. It is imperative to work in a stable, profitable and reputable environment. A company that is constantly reorganising, downsizing or changing leadership may not be a good long-term choice. Talk to immediate supervisor about your concerns and find out where the company is heading. Keep your eyes and ears open for warning signs of the company’s financial struggle. In case there is trouble chances are you will hear it through the grapevine. Significant cost cutting can be an indication that the organisation is under pressure. Although it might not mean that your job is at risk but start considering alternative options.

Happiness @ work
Gems of ancient wisdom
Your honour is in your hands

At the workplace, act according to your age and position. Don’t dig your own grave with undignified behaviour.

When Sir Rabindranath Tagore heard about the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, he not only stopped using his title, but also wrote to the Viceroy of India to relieve him of his knighthood to register his protest.

In 1766, Raghoba, the Peshwa’s uncle, sent a 50,000 strong army to attack the kingdom of the Holkars. Holkar Queen Ahilyabai sent Raghoba a simple message: I am ready to fight. But consider the consequences, if you lose to me — a mere woman. Raghoba understood and withdrew.

After the death of Swami Nijananda of the Sundar Sath, his son Bihariji became the guru. He had an able assistant in Mehraj, but jealousy got the better of Bihariji. He first got Mehraj wrongly imprisoned for embezzlement and later admonished him for organising a feast open to all castes and creeds. On this, Mehraj severed his connections with Bihariji, formed the Pranami sect and became its guru Mahamati Prannath.

Princess Durgavati of Mahoba had decided to marry Prince Dalpat Shah of Garha, but her father didn’t approve of the alliance. This forced Dalpat to march to Mahoba. Sensing defeat and a loss of face, Durgavati’s father not only put up truce flags, but also welcomed Dalpat.

After leading the Mughal army to victory and killing Baz Bahadur, the Sultan of Mandu, Adham Khan, son of Akbar’s nurse, set his eyes on Baz’ wife Roopmati. In captivity, Roopmati did not eat for three days, got dressed in her bridal attire and consumed some powdered diamond. She died before Adham could lay his dirty hands on her.

When Veera Narasimha, the King of Bangadi, decided to kidnap his own daughter, he had three objectives: Marry her to his nephew, merge Ullal with Bangadi and live peacefully under Portuguese mercy. But his wife Rani Abbakka of Ullal was not the one to be cowed down. She rescued her daughter, got her married to a noble prince and drove the Portuguese away from Ullal.

To seek happiness by witnessing the exiled Pandavas in adversity, Duryodhana and his friends went to Dwaitavana. But they had not planned for a confrontation with the mighty Gandharvas. The Kauravas lost and had to be rescued by the Pandavas.

Then, Duryodhana sent sage Durvasa and his huge retinue to the Pandava abode so that the Pandavas would incur the sage’s curse for not feeding them. Lord Krishna intervened and magically filled their tummies. To avoid the embarrassment of wasting a pile of food that his hosts might have prepared, Durvasa slunk away from the place.

Don’t bring your repute into dispute.

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com

Lunch freebie for employers

Stressed-out office workers give their bosses 16 extra days of work a year for free by not taking a full lunch hour and eating at their desks, a new study has revealed. A poll of 1,000 persons found that an incredible 60 per cent of workers ate at their desks every day while two thirds take 30 minutes or less for lunch despite being entitled to 60 minutes.

This means that they are working an extra 128 hours a year — equivalent to 16 eight-hour days. Even when workers do manage to leave their desks they are usually on business with nearly a quarter admitting to regularly using the time to catch up with professional contacts.

“I think the ethos of austerity has deeply impacted our attitude towards lunch,” the Daily Mail quoted Ann Tonks, director of the city’s Colmore Business District, as saying.

“I can pretty much point to the day in October 2008 when the economic downturn hit and the legendary expense-account lunches which ran late into the afternoon were curtailed significantly,” Tonks said. An academic specialising in the science of workplaces said that employees were putting their health at risk by refusing to take a lunch break.

Dr Patrick Tissington, Associate Dean of Business Partnerships at Aston University, said people feel ‘under pressure’ at work, with many spending long hours at their desks, “tapping away at keyboards, staring at screens and sitting with bad posture in awkward positions.” He said it was important and even productive for workers to take regular breaks, get up, move and walk around a bit.

“Resting, or taking a break in the middle of the day helps to clear out the mind and prepares us for a productive afternoon,” he said.

“The feeling of guilt for taking lunch breaks is a subject that is concerning and probably requires proper investigation,” he said. — ANI

Management tip
How to nurture emerging leaders

One of the most difficult managerial transitions is moving from functional leader to enterprise leader. Preparing people for these top jobs needs to start early.

Give potential candidates experience on cross-functional projects. If you run a global business, be sure to give them international assignments as well.

As their leadership promise becomes evident, give these high potentials positions on a senior management team and exposure to external stakeholders.

Before promoting them to the enterprise level, send them to a substantial executive programme that addresses organisational design, business process improvement, transition management, and other capabilities.

When these rising stars are finally ready to take the reins, place them in units that are small, distinct, and thriving. Surround them with an experienced and assertive team who they can learn from.

— Adapted from “How Managers Become Leaders” by Michael D. Watkins.