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work station: brush up your soft skills automobile industry Career Hotline
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Winning with teams "Coming together is a beginning — Henry Ford A workplace today is innovative in every possible way, thus, it is all the more important to infuse team spirit among the employees where they can climb the ladder of success enjoying the cooperation of co-workers and easily accessible bosses.
Innovative initiatives
Corporates these days constantly upgrade themselves keeping in mind their human capital. Thus creating and enhancing a culture where team spirit runs high can make an important difference and etch a growth path like never before. Technology giant Dell is one such organisation which lays stress on team spirit by including their senior leaders in sharing their experiences through institutionalised platforms like ‘Lessons in leadership’. These platforms help in understanding and developing leadership skills that are essential for becoming a good team member and keep the employee morale high. Prabhakar Pakalpati, Site Director, Dell Chandigarh, says, “We are very focused on providing multiple open communication platforms and providing two-way discussions with frontline through chat platforms like listening posts, ‘chat n chai’. The teams have extensive engagement calendar for events that foster camaraderie and winning. From the career development perspective employees have clear line of sight to their career development while striving to attain business goals and all levels strive for the same goal and celebrate success as One Team”. “There are several best practices that we as a company have put in place over the years, across functions. For instance, we have a ‘Fun Committee’ that serves as the thought generator on the ‘fun-at-work’ approach. It is a great way for our employees to connect and enjoy a few laughs with their colleagues. In addition to that, we also have an internal social media site — Chatter — which has been launched with the aim of promoting accelerated communication and collaboration across locations. This helps to easily initiate dialogue with large groups across the globe on various business topics, ideas and questions. Apart from that we have several skill development and capability building programmes, which lead to a talent exchange, within the company and fosters learning across locations”, says Sameer Wadhawan, Vice-President, Human Resource and Services, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia. Inspired by the Indian Premier League (IPL), IT firm Tech Mahindra has embarked on a unique employee engagement programme, where the workforce not only play cricket matches, but teams are formed and traded like the original tournament in order to foster team spirit. ‘Away Day’ is another initiative that involves an informal outing, or in-house competitions where different teams participate and try to outdo each other at fun activities. With these initiatives, SRS India, a pioneer in the network market, is able to have a highly motivated workforce that contributes towards maintaining the momentum of their progress. “To enhance interaction among our employees and various teams, we conduct several team-building exercises from time to time. The focus of these exercises is to bring the employees together on an informal platform and provide them with a chance for open interaction so as to know each other better”, avers Tinku Singh, Group President, SRS Group.
Spirit of oneness
An important part of a team is team spirit, the sense of oneness and support gained from working together and this is what organsations are working on these days and the HR department is the suitable one to take care of it and plan out on how to go about it. Alka Bakaya, Director R.E.D Training, a performance consultancy firm emphasises on the fact that while traditionally organisations and HR have invested in off-sites, town halls, galas and bonding training programmes
to boost team spirit, in recent times much research has been done to link enhanced performance to motivation, team cohesion and retention. “In our experience fair and accurate feedback on performance, more involvement of a manager in helping a team to generate solutions to work challenges, more transparent communication within the teams are the factors that enhance performance and team spirit.” One of our basic human needs is to feel that we belong to something bigger than ourselves, and for many people that need is met by being part of a supportive work group. Effective team building initiatives foster harmony and sence of purpose in employees and as a result they want to be at work, tardiness and absenteeism becomes minimal, team functions smoothly and units are able to carry out the missions and goals of an organisation in a much better manner.
Special touch
Making each employee feel that he plays an important role in an organisation is an important part of fostering this team feeling. JW Mariott, one of the leaders in the hospitality industry, conducts various activities such as employee interaction on a frequent basis, receiving feedback from them and working on it, internal communication to know what the employees desire the most. They celebrate “Associate Appreciation Week” in May each year during which the hotel's leadership team thanks its associates for all their hard work and efforts. During this week managers get into the role of their associates and do their jobs like room cleaning, bed making, service in a restaurant, serving meals in the associate dining room, etc for a day. “We, at Marriott truly believe that a well-connected team is the key to success and we undertake various activities to enhance team spirit across all our properties,” says Gurmeet Singh, Area Director of Human Resource, Marriott International. The largest maker of security software Symantec, conducts a two-week innovation programme called InnoQuest, which provides innovators across teams mentorship and resources to convert their ideas into innovations. Another event called MindBytes endeavors to create an environment to promote ideation, including contests, brainstorms and guest talks. “Symantechies are invited to contribute creatively to the yearly tabletop calendar that adorns all workstations. The most recent contest required Symantechies to share images that exemplified the essence of Symantec. We received a deluge of entries and all of them echoed the sentiment that Symantec is everywhere, which to us is an indicator of the positive team spirit and commonality of objectives across the organisation,” claims Sudhanshu Pandit, Director, HR, Symantec India.
team spirit mantras
Creating small teams One of the ways to foster team spirit among employees is by dividing them into smaller teams and giving them team goals instead of individual goals. This will ensure that the employees work, consult, help and support each other in their work as they know that they are going to be appraised on the basis of their team’s performance. At the same time, the employees should be very clear as to what is expected from them i.e. there should be clarity of individual tasks. This will automatically enhance team spirit among them. Two-way communication process Communication is the key to all relationships, whether personal or professional. Thus, effective communication makes the challenge easier and creates a transparent environment where everyone feels free to communicate, take and give advice and voice opinions related to work. Give freedom to employees to speak whatever they think will contribute to everyone’s knowledge about their work or any departmental issues. Balance between autonomy and control Although, the rules, regulations and procedures should be in place to get the things done at the right time, allow some amount of freedom to your employees to do a job in a particular way they deem fit. In case of teams team leaders should be allowed a bit of autonomy to use their own methods of getting things done by the people under them. This will contribute immensely towards team building in the workplace. Promoting fun at work Fun-at-work is a vital ingredient in fostering team spirit and almost every corporate today is trying to take this path. This concept works as a stress-buster for employees who are working under strict deadlines, pressure and tension, organising interesting games, birthday and weekly parties, picnics can definitely add zing to the workplace routine. It also gives employees an opportunity to know their colleagues better which can be effective in creating an understanding between them and as a team they can work together better. Rewards and recognition High package is definitely an attraction but retention of an employee depends on rewards and recognition for a job well done. It is also a way to keep them motivated and let them know that the company cares for them. Reward and recognise an employee who has shown considerable growth and guide an employee who is lagging behind, so that the others do not feel deprived and de-motivated. In order to make profits and be successful organisations are undertaking a number of team-building activities as investing in the human capital is the best investment decision that a company can take.
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smart strategy: handling rude colleagues As professionals all of us strive for a work environment that is harmonious, professional and friendly. Unfortunately, bad-mannered co-workers exist at almost every workplace. They can be unnecessarily rude and can ruin an otherwise perfect day. Dealing with such individuals can be tough especially when we spend most of our time in office. Lowering expectations and accepting that not everyone is going to get along can be an option. However, squashing repetitive rudeness is essential as it can hurt productivity and morale. Address the situation in a calm, reasonable and unemotional manner. Talk to the co-worker and let them know that their behaviour is unacceptable. Make sure to be positive, paving way for an improved and stronger work relationship.
Stay calm
An important aspect of tackling a rude co-worker is keeping check on emotions irrespective of the circumstances. Pause, take deep breaths and relax for a few minutes before entering the workplace. Whenever a colleague behaves rudely, remain calm despite their constant misconduct. Outbursts of anger or lashing out at the other person will only aggravate the situation. Speak rationally when communicating with the co-worker to make them realise how ridiculous they sound in comparison. Moreover, by remaining composed you will gain respect from those around, including your seniors. Most importantly avoid letting your emotions get the better of you because you might end up saying something regretful.
Show kindness
Irrespective of how nasty or rude a colleague behaves at workplace try to be kind to them. Although easier said than done, it can prove to be an effective technique to handle such people. Whenever the co-worker becomes offensive counter it by responding in a polite and friendly manner. Refrain from stooping to their level by speaking in an unpleasant tone. The nicer you are to someone, the more difficult it is for that person to treat you poorly. Moreover, it will not only make them feel guilty and ashamed but also shock them into behaving better. This strategy works particularly well when there is an audience or gathering.
Minimise contact
Another way to steer clear of rude colleagues is to keep minimum contact with them. One may not be able to dodge them forever but try to spend as little time as possible. Choose to work on projects with other individuals to avoid work-related encounters. However, if a situation requires interaction with the co-worker, limit it to e-mails and brief phone calls. Maintain a safe distance from the impolite colleague by not going to the lunchroom in their presence. Additionally discourage long conversations that may eventually become a daily ritual. This will help to avert unnecessary conflicts and also keep you protected.
Don’t take it personally
Every individual has his own reasons for acting in a certain way, which may be perceived as rude by others. In fact, no one is intentionally nasty as all of us try to do our best both professionally and personally. As a result one must not take an impolite co-workers conduct to heart. They may be facing some problem which is bothering them enough to translate into unsavory action. Make an attempt to understand the co-worker since their behaviour could be a cry for help. Reaching out to them will be probably hard at first but you may discover a decent person deep down.
Confront
Before approaching the higher authorities have a face-to-face conversation with the rude co-worker. Although confrontations are emotionally draining, ignoring them can be even worse. Talk to the colleague privately in a manner that is neither confrontational nor threatening. Explain to them tactfully that you found their behaviour inappropriate and unacceptable. Rather than throwing insults make an effort to identify the cause of the conflict. Also ask the co-worker if there is anything that you are doing that is bothering them. More than often rude people don't realise that they are hurting the feelings of others. As a consequence speaking directly can resolve misunderstandings and clear the air.
Escalate
Subsequent to exhausting every attempt to reconcile with the discourteous co-worker, escalate the matter. Approach your supervisor and explain the situation in a calm and rational manner. Prepare a strong case and share it with him/her without getting too negative or defensive. Give facts and specific examples so that your claim does not come across as frivolous. Also offer practical solutions which could improve your relationship with the uncivil co-worker. However, don't run to the seniors every time a colleague misbehaves with you. Frequently complaining to them will indicate your incapability to manage things independently. Keeping the same in mind seek the assistance of higher-ups only as a last resort.
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work station: brush up your soft skills Communication skills
Communication in today’s highly ‘connected’ world has acquired a different colour altogether. Internet has laid new communication channels like e-mails, video and audio conferences. In a highly competitive and professional world it is important that one’s written, spoken and non-verbal communication is clear and concise. Brush your e-mail etiquette, hone the effectiveness of the spoken word and be conscious of the body language cues you transmit to the receiver. With the growing public interface of employees with supervisors, colleagues and customers, spoken communication comes largely into play during presentations, making a sales pitch or engaging in water-cooler talk. For enhanced team work communication channels have to be well oiled and without any room for misunderstanding or unintended meaning.
Work-life balance
Deadlines don't necessarily have to leave you lifeless or highly stressed as that will result in lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and thyroid disorders. There the skills to manage time, set priorities and pre-empt situations come into play. The regular workplace fire-fighting that one does in the form of deadlines, instant results and assessments, require peace of mind and complete control in exigencies. Be active at work and outside, meditate, and yes, do mind-mapping exercises that will come in handy at crunch time.
Social etiquette
Social etiquette now extends to the virtual and the cellular world of connectivity. Be empathetic in using your internet and mobile networking devices. Do not have loud bawdy sounds or music as ringtones or caller tunes. Before entering a conference, meeting or a discussion session switch your phone off or keep it on silent mode. Vibration mode is as annoying as the device not being turned off at all! If you must take the call, excuse yourself for only one and talk softly. Limit your social networking to home only as it can be a great hindrance to work hours. Have a company mail id for all official interaction and correspondence. Having a goofy display picture in emails might be interpreted as being unprofessional and non-serious towards work. Do check with the receiver of communication what his mode of preferred communication is before sending the client a friends request on networking sites!
Understanding diversity
Living in a world where cross-cultural workplaces are the norm, one has to sensitise oneself with the myriad attitudes, dress norms, language differences and cultural variations that exist globally. Keep professional goals rather than personal differences on the agenda. Sure, expect company norms of professional ethics to be complied with but have compassion and understanding of the new employee's cultural background. Not being judgmental about a person of a different nationality or region can go a long way in making the 21st century workplace a more harmonious if not a homogeneous place of work.
Critical thinking
For mental faculties to adapt to an ever changing situation at work, having a positive attitude is a must. Having brainstorming sessions of mind-jog activities such as those involving problem solving, critical situation analysis can augment one’s evaluative thought process. Reading and analysing one’s response to any text aids in developing the thinking faculty and the ability to think on one’s feet. To process information at hand, one’s analytical, listening and visualising skills have to be honed. Workplaces are increasingly becoming demanding, often throwing unknown problems at employees, where quick results are expected without giving sufficient time to react. Mind, therefore has to be made ready to face the challenges of this century's workstation.
Initiative and leadership
Taking decisions, negotiating, proposing change, or suggesting new trends is not the prerogative of the boss only. As an employee you stand out by taking initiative and leading a team. Keep your eyes and ears open to learning and accept constructive criticism. Conflict resolution, supervising, coaching, mentoring, creating options, innovating and organising all fall within the purview of leadership skill. Merit based promotions are made largely on the basis of these skills. — The writer is a skills trainer
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field in focus: supply chain management Supply Chain Management (SCM) is the latest buzzword in business circles as present day business environment has become volatile, complex, varied and dynamic. This field has become a critical part of the organisational structure of many companies operating in diverse sectors ranging from FMCG, automotive, pharmaceuticals and electronics. SCM is the management and integration of physical flow of goods, finances and information from the raw-material supplier to the end-consumer. It is also the management of inter and intra-organisational relationships between the multiple trading (upstream and downstream) partners in the chain. When properly executed, it yields significant benefits to the company in terms of increased profitability through enhanced cost efficiency and customer responsiveness. As this world had become a global village driven by technological advancements, business is no longer localised. Companies today source material and ship products to customers all over the globe. Thus, the first capability of a SCM manager is the ability to think on a global level and understand what's going on throughout the world. His/Her role in an organisation is strategic, cross-functional and requires a 'glocal' perspective.
Skill set
This field requires professionals with a good understanding of multi-dimensional business processes in procurement, operations and logistics. A SCM manager needs to acquire comprehensive knowledge and skills to tackle complex supply chain issues such as: market demand volatility, forecast accuracy, fast decision making in response to market changes; operations and production control, inventory management and warehousing and logistics. As a supply chain manager, the key responsibilities entail: ensuring timely inward movement of goods, coordinating production and marketing activities, overseeing the daily operations of the distribution centers and working closely with the warehouses and channel partners. Additionally, SCM Managers are expected collaborate with the suppliers to reduce cost, get supplies at shorter lead times to meet flexible demands of the internal customers. An essential skill required is the IT proficiency. Technology has been a vital tool in making supply chains efficient and agile. A SCM manager has to capture more details and report more quickly and with the help of IT systems. Networking is indispensable in this field as this makes introductions so much easier and also significantly increases the chances of talking to the "right" person the first time. In short, a SCM manager cannot afford to be a 'jack of all functions' but needs to develop mastery over all the operational functions in an organisation. Passion and panache script success in this field as it involves fast decision making, good coordination and out-of-the-box thinking.
Scope
Besides industry, an SCM certified professional can find excellent placements in a consultancy organisation such as Anderson Consulting, Price Waterhouse Coopers, McKinsey, KSA Technopak, etc. who conceptualise, design and implement SCM in different companies in India and around the world. He can also carve a niche career for himself as an independent consultant providing support to both top management and heads of supply chain in different companies. The growing technology industry, which develop SCM products and consultants in that sector are the other lucrative areas for growth. There are various ways in which an SCM professional can enhance his/her career. Joining a professional organisation such as the Institute of Supply Chain Management provides several benefits. The most valuable one is that one is immediately connected to thousands of fellow practitioners all across the world and is updated on the latest happenings in the industry. This is very important at the beginning of one's career when an individual begins building his or her professional network.
Remuneration
Post-graduates can start with anything between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 5 lakh per annum and go up to Rs 10-12 lakh per annum within five years depending on the company size. This field requires 'hands-on' experience and grass-root learning. A candidate should be willing to pursue a long-term career in this field, as it takes a significant amount of time to develop expertise. One must remember that there is no overnight success in this field. — The writer is PhD in Supply Chain Management from UCC, Ireland, and is currently teaching SCM and RSCM at Amity Business School, Amity University, Noida
Top institutes
Top institutes for
Research
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automobile industry Automobile industry has been on an exponential growth trajectory for the past few years and even when the global auto industry went into reverse gear with wafer-thin profit margins in 2009, the Indian industry bucked the trend. Today, it is expected to become the world's third largest automobile market by 2030. Last year has been a rebound season even for former ailing giants like GM and opportunities have grown in manufacturing industries, production plants, service centres, government transport corporations, private transport companies, insurance companies, motor vehicle departments and so on. The cooperation carousel is gaining momentum once again and there is a strong urge to merge amongst automobile players providing abundant opportunities abroad. All these opportunities have made automobile engineering an exciting option for those wanting to bite into the growing auto sector pie.
The major task of an automobile engineer is the designing, developing, manufacturing and testing of vehicles from the concept to the production stage. This broad field of engineering has many sub sections and the areas of specialisation include engine systems, electronics and control systems, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, aerodynamics, supply chain management and the like. It involves understanding the mechanism of vehicle chassis, internal combustion engine, electrical systems, motor transport affairs, workshop technology, research and design.
The foothold
The eligibility for getting into BE/B.Tech. in automobile engineering is Plus II with physics, chemistry and mathematics or equivalent. In addition, the students have to clear the entrance exam with high grade in order to get admissions in good colleges. The entrance exams accepted in India and at a state level are:
The BE/B. Tech courses in Automobile Engineering are of four years (8 semesters) duration while ME/ M. Tech degree and PG Diploma courses in automobile engineering are of two years duration. The Diploma in Automobile Engineering is a three-year programme. Students opting for a diploma in engineering after Class X can seek admission in B. tech second year through lateral entry. As a diploma holder, you should have scored minimum aggregate pass marks as per the rules of the university where admission is sought. You can save one year through this scheme and gain familiarity with the subjects thus widening and cementing your knowledge. In case you opt for a Master's degree, you can either go in for an M.Tech or an M.B.A Selection to the M.Tech. Automotive Engineering is based on the GATE score or through an admission test and an interview. Among the institutions and universities that offer the masters course in Automobile or Automotive Engineering are Jadavpur University, Kolkata; Bharath University, Selaiyur, Chennai; Anna University, Chennai; and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.
Skill set
As innovation is crucial in the automobile industry, so creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, objectivity and perseverance are the basic skills required for this field. Good communication skills and ability to work in teams is mandatory.
Streams and specialisations
As an automobile engineer you can take up any of the streams like Design, Development or Manufacturing. Product Engineers or Design Engineers are those who deal with the designing and testing of the components and systems of automobiles. Manufacturing engineers deal production and assembling of the parts of automobiles, while development engineers are responsible for connecting all systems in a completed automobile.
The road ahead
As an automobile engineer, you would be responsible to test the performance and efficiency of the engine, chassis, transmission system and other components of vehicles. Those who specialise in design can design vehicle models by joining the research and development wings of automobile-makers. You can also take up general supervision of mechanics in factories and workshops. Automobile manufacturers also offer internships for students interested in working in the automobile industry. Working as an intern is a great opportunity to develop a professional portfolio, which is critical to securing permanent employment after graduation. Internships may also lead to a pre placement offer either by the company offering the internship or through the development of industry contacts.
Job scape
The government sector, both the central as well as state government, have numerous job profiles for the graduates who have successfully passed their B.Tech in automobile engineering. Auto engineers are employed by state transport undertakings and insurance companies. The pay scale in majority of the governmental organisations for entry level engineers will be in the range of Rs 15000 to Rs 20000. Central government has a better pay scale. The candidates can also get promotion to higher posts by writing various competency exams and hence get a hike in remuneration. Private organisations such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Hindustan motors, Maruti Suzuki, and Ashok Leyland are among the prominent recruiters. The remuneration in private sector companies is high. — The writer is a
Ludhiana-based career consultant
Institute watch Some of the colleges providing courses in Automobile Engineering (not in any order) are:
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Career Hotline Right programme for studying abroad
A. The International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) is an international curriculum and qualification for secondary school students developed by University of Cambridge International Examinations. This is distinct from the International Baccalaureate or IB programme offered in several international schools. The IGCSE is equivalent to Class X in India, or "O" levels in the UK. After completing the course, you can either continue with next level in the Cambridge International curriculum (A levels) or switch over to the IB Diploma programme. Like other "international" study programmes, the IGCSE also allows students flexibility in choosing subjects in keeping with their interests and abilities. Typical "core" curricula includes a first language, second language, mathematics and the sciences. IGCSE candidates have the option to choose a number of additional courses ranging from social sciences to creative arts. You can also pursue the IGCSE curriculum as a private candidate. The syllabus and exam pattern is available on www.cie.org.uk and exams can be given at British Council and Edexcel centres across India. An international curriculum such as IGCSE (followed by A Levels) can be helpful if you're certain you'll be going abroad, particularly to the UK, for your undergraduate study. It will prepare you for the education system in the UK and US. Not only will a good score facilitate admission to good universities and colleges in these countries, it will also earn you credits that will exempt you from entry level courses - thereby saving you time and money while completing your graduation. If, however, you intend to do your bachelors level studies in India itself, then the IGCSE grading system may not be such a great idea as college admissions often hinge on differences of as little as a quarter of a percentage. Also, this curriculum may not be in tune with the syllabus of competitive entrance exams for engineering and medicine.
I want to get into hospital administration
A. National Institute of Health & Family Welfare offers the following courses: MD in Community Health Administration (3-year) Diploma in Health Administration (2-year), Both these courses are affiliated to the University of Delhi and recognised by the Medical Council of India. Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Management (1-year) in collaboration with Public Health Foundation of India and supported by the M/o Health & Family Welfare. Certificate in Health & Family Welfare Management, Hospital Management & Health Promotion (1-year, Distance). Details: www.nihfw.org, www.du.ac.in All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi (www.aiims.edu). Master of Hospital Admin (2-years) Selection: competitive exam conducted twice a year. Advertisements appear in national dailies in August and January for sessions beginning December and July respectively. For details of admission procedure & form: see website. Sure, these are two good institutes. But there are several others as well.
How can I get into the shipping industry?
A. You can go in for a one-year pre-sea Graduate Mechanical Engineer course to get into the merchant navy. To be eligible for seeking admission to the GME course you need to be medically fit. Glasses are permitted but the power in each eye should not exceed +/- 2.5. Colour blindness is an absolute disqualifier. B.E / B.Tech (Mech), B.E. (Naval Arch; 50%) with at least 50% in English in Class X or Plus II or those with diploma in engineering are eligible to apply. Besides being fluent in English, it helps if you’re sponsored by a shipping company. Although you can apply any time of the year, the courses typically start in September/March every year. Selection is through a written exam followed by an interview and a medical exam. On completion of the course and after obtaining Part ‘A’ of the MEO Class IV Certificate of Competency of the M/o Shipping from the Directorate General of Shipping, you will be recruited as a Trainee/Assistant Marine Engineer. It’s best to approach these companies directly. For the complete list of recognised institutes that offer this and other courses in shipping, log on to the DG Shipping website: www.dgshipping.com
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International edge in supply chain
management
Leeds Metropolitan, UK, has introduced MSc Supply Chain Management courser from this academic session. The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILTS), this will enable the candidates to gain the academic element needed to achieve Professional Membership of CIPS status, and also offers free student membership of CIPS. The course offers a range of specialist learning which is integrated with a range of core business topics, such as strategy and the improvement of business processes. Suitable for people from a range of business backgrounds, this course is designed for both procurement professionals and those wishing to develop a career in supplier management and logistics. It is also suitable for those from a marketing background or those wanting to widen their business knowledge and profile. Eligibility: Candidates must have a good command of written and spoken English. Applicants whose first language is not English, with certificated qualifications, professional qualifications and/or appropriate work experiences will be considered. Applicants may be required to undertake additional English language courses. An honour’s degree from a UK university or other equivalent degree-awarding institution overseas. For those already having professional qualification: Possession at Level 6 of the membership qualifications of the following professional bodies would be of particular interest:
For those with higher level qualifications some exemptions from part of the course are also available. Applicants with experience in working in a range of different type of organisations are encouraged to apply. Applicants may also apply if they have completed a general business orientated pre-masters award Seats: 20 Duration: 1 year How to apply: Contact India office, Leeds Metropolitan University , M 46, 2nd Floor , Shopping Complex, Greater Kailash II , New Delhi 110 048 E mail: j.raghuram@leedsmet.ac.uk or leedsmetindia@airtelmail.in Deadline: August 31, for September 2012 start. Fees: 12,500. Scholarships: A scholarship of £1,500 is offered to all new full-time overseas fee paying students joining the first year of a course in 2012-13 Check out: http://courses.leedsmet.ac.uk/main/course.htm?ban=MSCML
Online courses
Online education portal EduKart.com in association with Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Meghalaya, has launched EduKart Online MBA and other postgraduate and undergraduate degree and diploma courses The course: The online MBA programme offers specialisation in General Management, Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Operations Management and Financial Management. The UG and PG programmes include BBA, BCA, B.Sc. IT, MCA and M.Sc. IT. The students will get a degree from Mahatma Gandhi University recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and Distance Education Council (DEC) and a Certificate from EduKart.com. Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline. Check out: www.edukart.com.
Fashion photography
Eligibility: Minimum eligibility is Plus II from a recognised board in any discipline. Students appeared in Plus II exam and waiting for the result may also apply. How to apply: Application forms are available at all the branches of JD Institute of Fashion Technology across India. Application Forms can also be downloaded from their website www.jdinstitute.com Selection procedure: Personal Interview. Deadline: August 30, 2012. Check Out: www.jdinstitute.com
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Journalism fellowship
Eligibility: -Applicants should have at least five years of full-time working experience as journalists (not including as student journalists) and possess potential for leadership and management within the profession or organisation. n Applicants should be residing in Asia. Preference is given to those working for Asian media organisations. n Applicants can be working in any medium - print, radio, television or online. Journalists working in non-English media are welcome to apply, but must show proficiency in English through a telephone interview, as English is the working language of the programme. n Applications from journalists in full-time positions must be accompanied by a letter of support from employers, stating that the applicant would be released for the full period of the fellowship, from 25 February 2013 to 17 May 2013. n Freelancers primarily engaged in news or current affairs journalism can also apply. Details: Fellows will be provided a stipend of S$1,500 per month for the duration of the three-month programme. Travel to and from Singapore will also be covered. No extra funding is allocated for Fellows who bring their spouse and children. Free accommodation is provided in service apartments. How to apply: By post Deadline: October 12, 2012 E-mail: applications@ajf.sg
LIC scholarship for undergraduate students
LIC is offering Golden Jubilee scholarship to undergraduate students to study at technical and vocational courses in Industrial Training Institutes in India. The objective of the scheme is to award scholarships to meritorious students belonging EWS families. The scholarship is to be awarded for studies in India in a government or private college/university. It will also cover technical and vocational courses in Industrial Training Institutes/ Industrial Training Centres affiliated with the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT). Eligibility: Students who have passed Plus II exam or its equivalent in the 2011-12 and are interested to pursue higher education in the field of n Medicine, engineering, graduation in any discipline, diploma course in any field or other equivalent courses. n Vocational courses through government recognised colleges/institutes or courses in Industrial Training Institutes (ITI). For Candidates should have scored 60% marks or equivalent grade in Plus II and annual income of whose parents/guardian from all sources does not exceed Rs 1,00,000 per annum. Duration: Scholarship shall be provided for the entire duration of the course subject to the candidate fulfilling the requisite eligibility conditions for renewal. Details: An amount of Rs 10,000 per annum will be awarded to the selected candidate which is payable in ten monthly installments of Rs 1,000 each. How to apply: Online Deadline: August 31, 2012 Check out: www.licindia.in/GJF_scholarshipentry.htm
Raman Research Fellowships
CSIR HQs offers Raman Research Fellowships for Indian students at foreign institutions/R&D centres of excellence. During the Fellowship period the Scientist will be called "Raman Research Fellow". The Fellow will be sent abroad on deputation terms. Areas : Applied research topics in the high priority areas of the Laboratory/CSIR and also any specific area under Basic Science of relevance and immediate importance. Eligibility: The fellowships are granted to the CSIR researchers for carrying out research in the emerging / high priority areas. It would be appreciated if the number of applicants from each institute is restricted to a maximum of two only. Regular scientists of CSIR with high academic qualifications (Postgraduate in engineering and PhD in engineering) and research experience, presently working in high priority areas, who have completed minimum five years of service in CSIR on the last date for receipt of the applications. The applicant must have made commendable contribution to research/innovation in the proposed area, which should be of international level. Age limit: Not more than 45 years as on November 1, 2012. Details: o International air fare to & fro by cheapest Economy class
The entire cost is met by CSIR HQs. The selection will be made through a mechanism of interview by the duly constituted Selection Committee. The interviews are expected to be held in CSIR HQs., New Delhi sometimes during November/December 2012. Duration: Four to 12 months (in one spell only) How to apply: By post Deadline: October 12, 2012
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Happiness @ work Dr Toyoma, leader of the Samurais, not only helped Bose escape from the clutches of the police, but also introduced him to Aizo Soma who hid him in his attic for four months. Bose later married Soma’s daughter Toshiko. In April 1540, Humayun lost his final battle against Sher Shah in Kanauj without even shooting a single arrow. He then went to Patar, Amarkot, Jun and Mastung. Finally, he decided to seek the help of Shah Tahmasp of Persia. The Shah gave Humayun 12,000 cavalry to regain his kingdom. After numerous battles, Humayun entered Delhi on July 23, 1555. Due to the tussle with his brothers over the throne, Rana Sanga had been blinded in one eye by an arrow shot by his brother Prithviraj. He ran away from Mewar to save his life. After some difficult times in the jungle, he met some dacoits who took him to their chief Karam Chand. There, Sanga met Karam Chand’s daughter who first nursed him back to health and whom he married later on. Then, Karam Chand sent spies to ascertain the conditions in Chittor. As both his brothers were dead, Sanga went back and assumed the throne. When Swami Vivekananda decided to go to the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago, the Maharaja of Khetri made a donation to cover the expenses. When Vivekananda reached Chicago, he came to know that the Parliament been postponed and he needed a sponsor. Luckily, he met Kate Sanborn who took him to his house in Boston. There, he met Prof JH Wright who recommended Vivekananda to the Parliament committee. Back in Chicago, he met Mrs Hale who fed him and took him to the office of the Parliament. On September 11, 1893, Swami Vivekananda won international acclaim for India. When Mother Teresa quit as Principal of St Mary’s to work in Motijheel slum in Calcutta, she was joined by two of her old students — Magdalena and Subhashini. For participating in the Quit India Movement, Swami Chinmayananda was imprisoned. There he got typhus and was thrown out to die. A Christian woman whose son was with the Indian troops in Europe, saw him, took him home and helped him recover. Do good to expect aid from unexpected quarters! — Sai R. Vaidyanathan
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R&D centre on archaeology
IIT-GN would join hands with other institutes like Pune’s Deccan College, Chennai-based Sharma Centre for Heritage Education and MS University, amongst others to develop synergy on R&D, and
to offer a national facility eventually for conducting cutting edge research in the arena. “A lot of new science and technology has come, which has changed the way archaeology is being practised. We think we can offer a continum approach right from basic archaeology all the way to science and technology,” IIT-GN Director Prof Sudhir Jain said. “A small initiative has been taken to establish an R&D centre on archaeology here, in this direction. We shall be working in coordination with other varsities and institutes,” he said. IIT-GN will collaborate with these institutes in the next few months, for which preliminary work has already begun. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mysore, has a branch that works
on deciphering text or languages discovered from ancient sites called-Epigraphy. In a bid to revive archaeological practices by providing a technological interface, IIT-GN has proposed to start offering few post doctoral fellowships to archaeologists and commence a minor programme on Archaeology from the next academic session.
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Twist in the tale
The concept of ‘brain drain’ would take the form of ‘brain cycle’ in the next two decades, as migrants are expected to return to their home countries and fuel local development, says a study. According to Hay Group’s Leadership 2030 research, industrial countries will suffer skills shortages and pressure on the welfare system, and migration will increase. However, the ‘brain drain’ will increasingly turn into a ‘brain cycle’ as growing numbers of migrants return home and use their new skills to accelerate local development, it said. Brain drain is the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another, usually for better pay or living conditions. According to report, even in 2030 talent will continue to be at a ‘premium’ and retaining employees with key skills will be a ‘challenge’. In order to address the demographic imbalances, organisations will have to work hard to attract, integrate and develop international migrants, older people, women and others with ‘caring’ responsibilities. “This will mean introducing family-friendly and age-appropriate employment models, along with educational and development programmes — not least those designed to transfer knowledge between different generations,” the report said. According to Hay Group the leaders of the future will need a host of new skills and competencies if they are to succeed which is tough, but not ‘insurmountable’. “Leaders will have to be multilingual, flexible, internationally mobile and adaptable. But, most crucial of all, they must be highly collaborative and have strong conceptual and strategic thinking skills,” the report said.
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International
accreditation
Amity School of Business, Amity Business School and Amity International Business School, Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Amity University, Uttar Pradesh have become the first institutions in entire North India to have received accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programmes (ACBSP), USA, for their management programmes. ACBSP accreditation standards are modeled on the Balridge National Quality Programme. FMS has become a part of Global Education Network with 470 ACBSP accredited campuses across the globe. The accreditation would provide FMS, AUUP with access to exchange programmes, research programmes and cultural enrichment with other member institutions. With ACBSP's student-centric teaching and learning approach, the students would get global recognition and value of their degrees would get enhanced. The faculty members of FMS would become the part of global network of ACBSP accredited faculty across the globe and could even apply for International teaching.
Skilling youth in Punjab
Education, Training and Services Network, AISECT has partnered with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to impart skill-based training to the youth in semi-urban and rural regions of Punjab. Aiming to train and provide employment to 1800 youths in 13 districts of Punjab during its first phase, the project will be initiated in 56 AISECT centres in the state along with the setting up of state resource centres. This initiative is a part of the MoU that the two organisations have signed recently wherein they envisage the training of over 1.3 million youth across semi-urban and rural India by 2022. As
part of this alliance, AISECT’s skill development initiatives will cater to
NSDC-identified seven sectors, including IT&ITES, electronics and hardware,
banking and financial services, teacher and assessor training, textiles,
organised retail and agri skills.
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book shelf
Procedural: Follow the existing norms and introduce better standards and more effective procedures within the firm. Behavioural: Attend to the human side of the enterprise and the entrepreneur. Strategic: Develop long-term plans for the entrepreneur and the enterprise. Complex management issues, concepts, and situations are discussed is simple language, sprinkled with humorous illustrations. Real-life examples of successful entrepreneurs make this book a must-read for current and aspiring entrepreneurs.
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fortnightly quiz 420
2. Whose famous words were “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for the mankind” after landing on the moon? 3. How many tiger reserves are there in India, where the Supreme Court has imposed a ban on tourism in the core areas? 4. Which gas, released by visitors everyday to historic Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra, poses a threat to these caves? 5. Name the disorder caused by the ingestion of gluten contained in food items like wheat, barley and rice. 6. To which country does Miss World 2012 belong? 7. Name the writer of the book “Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges”. 8. With which sport is Tour de France championship associated? 9. Which Indian cricketer, who earned the sobriquet ‘Very Very Special’, retired from international cricket recently? 10. Which country won the under-19 Cricket World Cup recently? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 419: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Ishaan Kaushal, class X-B, VR Public School School, Housing Board, Phase I, Baddi district, Solan (HP),
Pin Code - 173205 Second: Anshul Sharma, class X-A, Blue Star School, near DC Office, Hamirpur
(Himachal Pradesh), Pin Code - 177001 Third: Vaibhav Mahajan, class IX-B, St Joseph’s Convent School, Pathankot, Gurdaspur Road, Pin Code - 145001 Answers to quiz 419: Twenty two; Usain Bolt; 25m rapid fire pistol event; 66 kg freestyle wrestling; 10m air rifle event; 51 kg women’s flyweight category; Saina Nehwal; 60 kg freestyle; KD Jadav; Rio de Janiero 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
Name……………….………….............................................
Class....………….......….…….........................................
School address ......................................................
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The word “team” stands for “together we achieve more”. And, when one talks about team mechanics, an organisation is the place where one can see the best example of how teams work to achieve a common goal. 
On the other hand Coca-Cola is an organisation which is quite popular among job seekers for its ‘fun-at-work’ programmes. This is an initiative to retain employees and provide them an ideal work environment. Regular ‘Town Hall’ meetings, workshops etc allow an easy and smooth exchange of information and healthy interaction between managers and subordinates leading to building of a conducive, open and happy environment for all system associates. Their workplace is a reflection of the happy energy that the group constantly endeavours to achieve and such a concept not only helps the employees to relax and enjoy but also helps in building team spirit. 
In the present-day corporate world, soft skills can make or break one’s career, enhance promotion prospects and become a stepping stone to success. There is a constant demand of people who are not only professionally savvy on paper but more importantly are so in practice. Here’s a ready reckoner of six key soft skills that need your attention to make a go at a successful career
Two hundred — that’s the number of new and updated cars that are scheduled to debut over the next 24 months, according to an article in the June 2012 issue of the oft read and quoted magazine Automobile. The staggering growth in the automobile sector owes its genesis to the three-word formula — Liberalisation, Globalisation and Privatisation, and the world shrinking into a flat ball.
The work
Q. Could you please tell us if the IGCSE programme is helpful for studying abroad? Can a student avail of this programme after doing CBSE? Please guide us about the prospects of pursuing IGCSE from International Schools.
— Suvarna Joshi 
Q. I have completed MBBS but I don't wish to pursue medicine further. Instead, I want get into hospital administration. I have heard that the National Institute of Health & Family Welfare and AIIMS, Delhi offer excellent courses in this field. Could you please give me some details of these institutes? —
Rahat Shafiq 
Q. I am in third year of the mechanical engineering course and want to make career in the shipping industry. Please help me. How should I proceed? —
Mayank Kamath 
Interested candidates can check out the Diploma in Fashion Photography course being offered by the JD Institute of Fashion Technology. The course is six-month full time programme in fashion photography. It includes subjects like principles of photography, types of cameras, shutter speed relations, exposure, colour, spectrum, processing of black & white films, understanding the human body, lightings in the studio & effects, studio photography.
Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore is offering Research Fellowship in journalism. The scholarship is being provided by the Temasek Foundation and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and is for Asian students.
Many of us desire change, but do nothing about it due to lack of support. Remember that if the cause is worthy, you’ll — at every dark corner — find someone to prop you up. On November 15, 1915, Ras Behari Bose took part in a meeting in Tokyo where he lashed out at the British. The Brits persuaded Japan to issue an extradition warrant against him. Bose had to flee. 
Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar, will establish a centre for research and development (R&D) on archaeology with a view to facilitate protection of the national heritage.
Executive Coaching is a high-value learning and development opportunity offered to critical senior executives. Its objective is to help them make strategic shifts in their professions, careers and lives. The book is an exploration of this transformation practice. The book discusses the process beginning from the initial contact to building relationship and mutual understanding, taking the required precautions and maximising output. The author has detailed the theoretical approaches to Executive Coaching; the competencies, capabilities and skills required to be an effective executive coach; and the tools and techniques used in the process. The book is an invitation to getting an inside look at Executive Coaching. It will serve as a guide to building a positive coaching culture in organisations and to help the top management in getting the best out of their workforce.
This book looks into the numerous areas that the employees can focus on to keep themselves out of the day-to-day firefighting with the undistinguished entrepreneur. It will help employees avoid the straining relationships that result from the undistinguished entrepreneur’s attitude and practices. Designed as a boot-camp-style workbook, it puts forward a three-pronged framework for success in business:
1. Name NASA’s rover that was launched recently on Mars.