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Leather industry
Career Hotline
NEWSBOARD course chat: entrepreneurship and family business management CareerCature
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board(s): parent angle field in focus: banking sector smart strategy: effective meeting Right questions to ask at an interview Fair business sense Happiness @ work
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Get into the supple skin of success Leather is an interesting option for those looking for a career in fashion and design fields Usha Albuquerque Today it is not only Britney Spears and Paris Hilton whom you see dressed in stylish fashion garments in leather, but many a young thing in India can also be seen sporting snazzy leather boots, silver studded leather belts and a variety of other leather accessories. Leather is not only making fashion statements among the celebrities but has also beome a preferred garment to brave the chilly winetrs in the region. Interestingly, much of the leather worn all over the world comes from India. In fact, leather is India’s fourth largest export earner, not only in terms of unfinished leather but also as fashionable leather garments, shoes, accessories, handbags, briefcases and other exotic goods. Getting in Depending on the area of work that you wish to get into, you can train in leather design suitable for those with creative abilities, or in leather technology for those technically inclined, or in management if you are looking at marketing of leather goods. Several institutes all over the country offer professional training for the leather industry at the graduate and post graduate level in all three areas of work, including design, manufacture and marketing. While most leather institutes concentrate on manufacture, there are fashion design institutes that also offer specialised courses in Leather Designing. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), New Delhi, offers a four-year undergraduate degree programme in Leather Garment Design for students from any subject stream, with creative ability. Selection to the course is through a preliminary entrance test, and an interview. Several other fashion design institutes have also started offering both diploma and degree courses in leather design. The Footwear Design and Development Institute (FDDI), located at centres in Noida, and in Chennai, provides professional training in Management, Supervision and Design of footwear, which could be made from leather. The institute provides an undergraduate diploma course in footwear technology for students with Plus II qualification. Science and engineering graduates can apply for the PG diploma programme in footwear technology, while the diploma in Footwear Designing (DFD) is a one year’s course for graduates in fine arts, or graduates in any other discipline, having a flair for sketching. The institute also offers a Footwear Management programme for which you need an engineering degree in mechanical or production engineering or leather technology, and several short courses, too. Admission to the institute is on the basis of an entrance examination consisting of a written test and interview. You would need a background in science (especially physics, chemistry and mathematics) to be eligible for the BTech course in Leather Technology. Diploma or short-term certificate courses in Leather Technology are also available. The Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) at Chennai offers certificate, degree and diploma courses in Leather Technology and Footwear Technology. There are several engineering and technical institutes including Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (HBTI) in Kanpur and Dr B R Ambedkar Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar which also offer courses in Leather Technology. The Government Leather Institute at Agra offers a three-year diploma course in Footwear and leather goods technology — a course designed keeping in view the international demand for leather goods. Admission is conducted through the State Joint Entarnce Examination for those with Plus II with science and maths. Job prospects With the growing popularity of leather and leather products, job prospects are quite attractive. These could range from designing footwear and accessories like belts, bags, purses and caps to toys, upholstery, baggage, musical instruments, garment tags, gift items, for leather companies and various export houses. If you have good designing skills with unique creativity then you can reach out to a range of different clients. Coming up with fresh ideas, concepts and designs are some key characteristics required in a leather designer. Leather technologists with a BTech/ MTech in Leather Technology are eligible for jobs in leather firms, export houses and government organisations. They can also get jobs in chemical and engineering industries involved in the manufacturing of items such as bags, suitcases, upholstery, footballs and cricket balls, car and aircraft seats, hydraulic seals, gaskets, etc. Careers in leather technology offer attractive growth prospects and a person working in it can later on move from production technologist to quality control checker, research or technical management, etc. However, one has to be prepared for long hours of work and handling strong smelling raw hides and animal skins. Prospects are also good for those working in departments such as buying, sales or marketing, particularly for those who have done the management course in Footwear Technology can get excellent jobs in leading footwear companies. Leather product companies require professionals who have some knowledge of production or quality management in leather accessories in the marketing team as they can be the most suitable person to deal with potential customers or clients. After some years of experience, you can even set up your own manufacturing units. Several institutions provide financial and other infrastructural facilities for these purposes. Information and guidance both financial as well as infrastructural is provided by institutions like the Small Industries development Bank of India (SIDBI), Small Industries Development organsiation (SIDO), Small Industries Service Institute, National Small Industries Corporation and the like. With the Council for Leather Exports having set targets for the growth of leather exports, all these organisations also assist the leather entrepreneurs with marketing assistance, export facilities, supply of machines on hire purchase, supplementing the availability of raw materials etc. The current thrust given by government to leather as a priority sector enlarges the scope for professionals in the leather industry. Leather garments are definitely categorised in the range of hi-fashion apparel and with their demand increasing, the export market has been growing at a steady 20-22% every year. So if you have good ideas and the dexterity to transform them into valuable products you could bag yourself an attractive job with a leather company. — The writer is Director, Career Smart Pvt Ltd., New Delhi Institute WATCH National Institute of Fashion Technology, N Delhi, Jadavpur University, Kolkata Footwear Design and Development Institute, Uttar Pradesh Harcourt Butter Technological Institute, Kanpur AVI School of Fashion and Shoe Technology, Chandigarh Dr B R Ambedkar Regional Engineering College, Jalandhar Central Footwear Training Institute, Agra Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology, Design Management Technology, Mohali Anna University, Chennai Central Leather Research Institute, Adayar, Chennai M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda College of Leather Technology, Kolkata Karnataka Institute of Leather Technology, Bangalore Areas of work
Design: Designing in the leather industry involves creating and developing new patterns, keeping in mind, the fashion trends. Designers prepare rough sketches, make out patterns and often work with fabric designers, production people and marketing specialists. When the design is finalised, it is sent to pattern cutters, who will turn it into a two-dimensional pattern, suitable for mass production. Leather designers work on designs for shoes, sandals, bags, belts, and all kinds of fashion and lifestyle accessories. Manufacture: This involves the manufacture/production of mass leather items, whether garments, shoes, accessories, from samples or designs. The manufacturing process of leather products begins in the tanneries and leather factories, where Production Managers supervise the tanning and treatment of animal skins, which preserves the leather and makes it soft and flexible. Leather technologists process the skin and hide by using various chemicals so that leather can be given a shape, according to its thickness, softness, texture, colour etc. Marketing: Marketing involves coordination by the marketing executives, between factories and buyers. It involves ensuring the availability of ready buyers for the products in the domestic market, as well as for export, while also creating a market for new designs and products.
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Career Hotline Can I have a secure job as wildlife photographer?
Q. I want to do a course in wildlife photography and want to know whether I can have a secure job as a wildlife
photographer?— Tridev singh chahal Wildlife photography is ideally suited for someone who thrives on adventure, has an impeccable sense of composition, colour and can capture images that speak a thousand words. It’s a profession based on passion for photography and the outdoors. You must love wild life, animals, and be curious about nature. However, establishing yourself as a professional wildlife photographer is no cakewalk, which is why, many talented photographers remain amateurs. The climb can be hard and long, and the financial returns, not very satisfactory in the beginning. Only those with tenacity and a never-say-die attitude coupled with a real passion stick on and go on to become celebrity shutterbugs like Mike Pandey or the Bedi brothers (both recipients of the Wildscreen Panda Award, better known as the Green Oscar). Apart from learning photography, you should also study and learn about wildlife, their habitats, ecology, etc. Read books, attend short-term programmes from World Wildlife Federation, or Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun or Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History if you are interested in birds. Be prepared to lug heavy equipment, which incidentally does not come cheap. Depending on your assignment — a travel photo-feature — it may take three or four days or even a year or more. You need oodles of patience for that perfect moment and quicksilver reflexes not to miss it as unlike models in a fashion shoot, animals and nature wait for no man (or woman). Since very few full-fledged courses are available in this field, it would be a good idea to work with an established photographer as an understudy before starting out on your own. You’ll gain invaluable learning experience and master some very useful ‘insider’ tips and tricks of the trade. Although most of the known names in photography are self-taught, change is in the air. A number of photography schools have mushroomed all over the country. While there are many things a course won’t teach you, you’ll learn how to handle a camera along with some essential tricks of the trade to get you started. Here are some institutes that you could check out: Academy for Photographic Excellence (APEx), New Delhi 57 (http://apexindia.net), Camera Art Institute, New Delhi, India International Photographic Council, New Delhi, Sri Aurobindo Instt of Mass Communication, New Delhi (www.saimc.com), New Delhi, FTII, Pune (www.ftiindia.com), Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi (www.jmi.nic.in), JJ Institute of Applied Art, Mumbai, Light & Life Academy, Ooty (www.llacademy.org), National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, (www.nid.edu), AAFT Media school, Noida (www.aaft.com); Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi.
What’s the right
specialisation?
Q. I’m an electronics and communication engineer planning to pursue PGDBA. I am very confused about what subject to choose as my specialisation. Please tell me about the scope in HR, Marketing, Banking and Insurance. Is Operations Management related to my field (telecom)? Please tell me which subject to choose from the above mentioned fields that would help me create a solid career. For HR I guess one needs work experience which I don’t have. —
Pavni singh
Is MBA in pharmacy
a good choice?
Q. I am in my final year of BPharm. I’m now confused whether to go for MBA (Pharm) or a regular MBA?
— Tarini Rastogi A. Well, if you’re quite certain that you wish to pursue a higher study programme in management and not in Pharma, then doing a good “general” MBA may be a better option for the simple reason that it will give you a far wider range of choices and possibilities, including joining the Pharma sector.
Help me choose a field in MArch
Q. I have completed my B Arch with interior branch. Now I want to do M Arch but am confused which field to opt for? Please suggest. —
Aanya vij In the two-year M Arch programme, you can choose from the following specialisations: Architectural Conservation, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture and Planning, Sustainable Architecture, and Construction Management. Your choice of specialisation will depend on a combination of factors. First and foremost is your interest. Think of the subjects and assignments that you enjoyed and excelled in during your BArch. Also, consider your strengths and temperament and accordingly, your suitability for different specialisation areas. Lastly, understand the kind of work each area entails, its future scope and quantitative and qualitative rewards. Given your BArch specialisation the most obvious choices would be to look at either Interior Design or Industrial Design. What I would really recommend is for you work for a year or two first, get a taste of the practical aspect of architecture, explore the future prospects in the different area, speak to senior architects and veterans in the field and then take a call as to your choice of specialisation.
Where can I learn Turkish language from?
Q. Can you please suggest where I can formally learn Turkish language in India? —
Aslam Mirza A. The strengthening of bilateral trade relations between India and Turkey over the last few years has augmented the importance of the Turkish language -particularly in business and tourism. Jamia MilliaUniversity, New Delhi is the only university in India to offer bachelor’s degree/ Certificate/ Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in /Turkish language in its Faculty Humanities & Languages. Selection: Entrance test. Incidentally, Turkish is
spoken in 24 countries across the world.
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NEWSBOARD Texas Instruments (TI) recently announced the launch of a Centre of Excellence at Netaji Subash Institute of Technology (NSIT), Delhi. This is the first Center of Excellence for Embedded Product Development that TI is setting up in any educational institution in India. The centre was inaugurated by Prof. P.V. Indiresan, former Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. Dr. C.P. Ravikumar, Technical Director, University Relations, TI India and Prof. Dhananjay Gadre, Professor of Electronics & Communication Engineering, NSIT will coordinate the working of the centre. The centre will promote design of embedded products based on TI's semiconductors. It will also promote design of educational solutions for teaching subjects on embedded systems. The centre will conduct educational activities such as seminars and train-the-trainer workshops that will be open to teachers from other engineering colleges as well. “It is very important to experiment and validate any theory before you make your judgement,” said Professor Indiresan at the launch. He further added, “One must question theories, only then can one become a good scientist.” Professor Indiresan also released a book titled Microcontroller Projects for the Evil Genius, co-authored by an NSIT alumnus. TI will be closely associated with the working of the centre. Seminars and courses will pertain to TI’s embedded processors and analog solutions such as, MSP430 and Stellaris microcontrollers, energy harvesting, and low power wireless connectivity solutions. TI will donate the equipment, semiconductor tools and solutions to get the centre started. Students of NSIT who work on product design activities at the centre will be offered internships. “Our main objective is to encourage and promote an ecosystem in the design of embedded products,” said Dr. Ravikumar. “The centre will design products that are relevant to the Indian electronics industry and nurture talent in the area of embedded product design.”
Shyam Shankar from H R Christ Nagar Senior Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram, Pranshu Agarwal from Delhi Public School, Bokaro, Jharkhand and Saksham Gupta from Birla Vidya Niketan, New Delhi, were presented with the Junior National Science Scholarship of Rs 75,000 each. These students are the top scorers among the 18 regional winners who won scholarships of Rs 50,000 each. Teachers of the regional and national winners received the ‘Science Excellence Award,’ which includes an opportunity to visit the National Science Centre, UK, for a one-week workshop. Shell introduced the “Shell Junior National Science Scholars Award” programme in 2012 for students of Class IX and X in partnership with British Council India to encourage students to take up careers in science and engineering. National Council of Science Museums is the Knowledge Partner. The scholarship examination was held on December 16, 2012 in six cities — Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai. Over 7,000 students from 250 schools participated in the scholarship examination which covered Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and General Knowledge (Energy).
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course chat: entrepreneurship and family business management B-schools focus on entrepreneurial skills to give well-structured and systematic approach to family-owned business Arup Baishya India, being a country with the highest presence of family-owned business in Asia (two out of every three listed companies are family-controlled), the scions of small to large business houses are looking forward for specialised skills to take over the reins and work in an increasingly professional corporate environment. With such a scenario Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management has become the new hot discipline for MBA aspirants.
Earlier, family-run firms used to send their heirs for foreign education to expand their horizon and to sharpen their life skills and the ability to run a multi-cultural workforce back in India. Now as family businesses move towards new growth and a highly competitive global business environment, Indian business schools are also ready to develop the next generation of leaders by offering various entrepreneurship programmes. Such programmes aim to create a vibrant future of the next generation leaders and mentor them to be India's finest business persons. These programmes help those in family businesses or ones who want to start their own organisation to give an extra edge to their business. This is a unique approach to ensure that the progeny of family business owners learns to appreciate and integrate key issues such as adherence to systems, transparency of business process, and an analysis of the best management and governance practices. It will indeed increase the survival rate of family-owned businesses and will also lead to the growth of companies from the small medium enterprise sector to Global Enterprise. Difference between entrepreneurship and other management programmes This programme differs from a conventional MBA programme in many respects. A typical MBA programme does not cater to the needs of family-managed business in terms of growth strategy and family dimensions. This programme focusses on enhancing the young leaders' analytical and functional skills, strengthen strategy and leadership as well as bring to the fore solutions to the business-related challenges. This will help the young family business scions to navigate and grow their business in a highly competitive and globalised business environment. Skills required
The first thing required to run and sustain any business is leadership quality. One has to be a team player and a good decision maker. Future CEOs need to have a working knowledge of functional areas conceptualised in their own business reality. Certain attributes like a positive attitude, energy and friendliness are must haves and will take one a long way in this field. Other than that, good communication, organisational and administrative skills, personal charm, a polite and pleasant personality, flexibility, and a confident approach are the skills that will help any individual to grow with their business. Eligibility Candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification and a prior work experience. To get admission in any of the institutes offering such courses they also have to appear for the Business Aptitude Test (BAT) and a personal interview. Duration The time duration for Entrepreneurship and Family Business Management course varies from institute to institute. It can vary from 15 months to two years. — The writer is the head of Entreprenuership Cell at ERA Business School (EBS), New Delhi
Institute watch
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies SP Jain Institute of
Management & Research Era Business School
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on
board(s): parent angle A child’s basic education begins at home and the family can play a very important role in helping the child cope with exam stress. It is a difficult period for all, particularly for the child. So as a parent you need to take charge and help create a conducive environment at home that helps the child to study. Remember, it is your child who is taking the exam and not you. Here are some tips that parents can keep in mind to lessen the stress for themselves as well as for their children: 2Motivate your child to study: Coercive methods such as threats to shut down TV or confining them indoors do not help as much as trying to genuinely motivate the child to study by helping him link up these exams as a stepping stone to the goals that he/she has for his future. 3Food for thought: A good nutritious diet goes a long way in boosting concentration levels. Avoid stocking up on processed foods such as chips and biscuits; encourage the child to snack on fruits and nuts instead. 4Keep the exam in perspective: It is as important for the parent as it is for the child to remember that this exam is just another of those several small hurdles that he will have to clear to reach his goals. Help your child understand that this is not the be-all-and-end-all of things and that there will always be options open. 5Do not compare: Parents should, as a rule, not compare their child with any other child, not even his/her own siblings. Every child is unique and brings with him his unique potential. 6Don’t rush: Encourage your child to ‘understand’ and not learn by rote. It helps if you try not to rush the child in his learning process. It is better to have him understand concepts well and remember them for all his life than to have him resort to mugging up facts and forget them after writing the exam. 7Try to keep the house noise free: A calm and quiet environment is conducive to better learning. 8Be supportive: Bing supportive and understanding towards the child’'s emotional needs is very important at the time of board exams. 9Don’t impose: As parents try not 'impose' your decisions /experiences onto the child; encourage the child to make his/her own decisions best time to study, what to study etc and have the courage to face the consequences of those decisions. 10sets time table: Adjust the family’s time table to accommodate the child's study hours - if that means entertaining fewer guests and shutting down the television, so be it! —
The writer is a career expert at Meritnation.com
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field in focus: banking sector Gauri Chhabra Banking is one of the sectors that has undergone a paradigm shift and changed its face altogether. For those of you who snort their nose and scoff at by calling it a boring and lackadaisical career, it has got a facelift and become a profession that involves creativity and out-of-the-box thinking. With a plethora of financial products and services flooding the market, it has become adventurous to venture into banking.
It is quite natural for people to confuse between a course in finance, accounts and banking as these are highly related areas. However, a course in banking is slightly different from a BCom or a CA or an ICWA. Getting in For those of you who are aiming to take bank probationary officer's exam need to start early. From CBSE Class XII onwards a threshold of 80% is required for you to seek admission in a good college. You also need to have a flair for number crunching that is your mathematical skills must be strong enough to interpret and analyse numerical data. Besides, the skills to clear the interview include good communication skills, aptitude for banking, sales, marketing and money. The other skills involved are being quite cautious and scientific in doing one’s work. One needs the accuracy of a scientist for marking entries. A practical exposure of opening a De Mat account and trading in stocks, mutual funds, hedge funds and understanding of the pros and cons of availing personal loans and insurance policies, only add to one’s career prospects. You must be prepared for the Banking Entrance Exams and for interviews that follow these entrance examinations. It is recommended that you start preparing for CAT (Common Aptitude Test) right from college onwards so that you are ready and fully prepared to clear the entrance tests and get into a top b-school heading towards an excellent career in banking. For those of you who want to go for greener pastures abroad, the CAT scores and GMAT scores after graduation enable students to get into post-graduate programmes in banking per se. For seeking entry into banking sector, a candidate must at least be a graduate with fairly high marks. Recruitment for the public sector banks is done through the Banking Service Recruitment Boards (BSRBs). The advertisements for recruitment appear in all major national newspapers as well as the Employment News. Recruitment is done on the basis of a written test, which consists of: * Test of Reasoning * Quantitative Aptitude * General Awareness * English Language * Descriptive Test The test is qualifying in nature and the marks obtained are not added in the final merit list. Except for the descriptive portion, all other sections contain objective-type questions. In Reasoning, there are verbal and non-verbal sections. The descriptive paper can be answered in English or Hindi. It is meant to judge the written expression of the candidates. While recruitment in nationaliSed banks is done through the BSRB, recruitment in private banks is direct. The jobs are considered more glamorous as most private banks give preference to high value accounts. One may be able to join these banks after putting in a few years of service in a nationalised bank. Course cursor For instance, broadly, the bachelor’s degree programme in Banking and Insurance offers specialisation in the following areas: * Environment and Management of Financial Services * Micro Economics * Effective Banking Communication * Quantitative Techniques. * Organisational behaviour in banking organisations * Taxation of Financial Services * Laws relating to Banking & Insurance * Cost Accounting of B&I Services * Equity Debt * Corporate Laws governing Capital Markets * International Business Management in Banking Organizations * HRM in Banking Organizations * Strategic Planning. Career pathways Banking offers a plethora of job opportunities to both graduates and post-graduates. It is one of the sectors that cuts across all disciplines such as Science, Arts and Commerce. Once you complete a selective professional course in banking, you will immediately be graduated to a position as a banking sales officer with the private banks. Besides, positions in insurance, personal loans, mortgages, collections and back office operations are always vacant and offer all bright to average students to avail the opportunities presented. The major companies that are on a hiring spree from college campuses are banks such as ICICI, HSBC, Kotak Mahindra, HDFC, Standard Chartered, Barclay's, and American Express. Remuneration Dealing with other's money also fetches a hefty pay package for you. Even as a fresher, you can take home as much as Rs 8,000 to Rs 20,000 to begin with. Those from top league institutions can expect banks such as JP Morgan Chase, Barclay's, Royal Bank of Scotland, American Express, Fidelity to hire them for excellent salary packages of up to Rs 8 lakh per annum. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant Some of the institutions offering courses in banking are: *
Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology, IDRBT, Hyderabad *
National Institute of Bank Management (NIBM), Pune. * Centre for Advanced Financial Studies, Institute for Financial Management & Chennai *
The Indian Institute of Banking & Finance, Mumbai * Indira Gandhi National Open University.
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smart strategy: effective meeting Preetinder Kaur When it comes to business meetings, exercising best etiquette shows respect, dignity and professionalism and goes a long way in establishing relationships and closing deals. Some things may seem intuitive, but it's always good to freshen up on skills that will make you a more marketable and in-demand professional. Adherence to the proper etiquette for a business meeting establishes respect among the participants, helps the meeting begin and end on time, and fosters an atmosphere of cooperation. A lack of etiquette and poor planning are two of the main reasons why many business meetings fail. The business meeting etiquette includes:
2 Agenda: The chairperson of the meeting should circulate a meeting agenda to each participant at least one week in advance. Participants should call the chairperson to express any concerns about the agenda at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. The chairperson and participants concerned will then have time to determine if changes have to be made. The agenda should also mention the meeting's start and ending times as well. 3 Be prepared: Each participant should come to the meeting well prepared with all the materials and data that may be needed and a thorough understanding of the purpose/topic of the meeting. 4 Breaks: If it is a marathon meeting then as a host do plan out the breaks in advance as tired minds are not the inspired minds. Long meetings should have a break every two hours. Breaks should be 20 minutes long, and meal breaks should be 30 minutes long. 5 Attire: The chairperson should indicate what kind of attire is required for the meeting, either business casual or business formal and participants should follow that rule. A representative listing of the attire would be helpful as participants may have differing views on what business casual and business formal is. For example, when listing the meeting as business formal, you can indicate that a button-down shirt and khaki pants would suffice. 6 Speaking: Keep the meeting organised by only speaking when you have the floor. Ask questions during the designated question period, and raise your hand to be recognised by the chairperson as having the floor. Do not interrupt someone while they are speaking or asking a question. 7 Listen: You may find that many of the questions you have about a topic have been answered by the content of the meeting. Listen attentively to the meeting and take notes. 8 Nervous habits: Avoid nervous habits such as tapping a pen on the table, making audible noises with your mouth, rustling papers or tapping your feet on the floor. 9 Cell Phones and Laptops: Turn off your cell phone prior to the start of the meeting. If you are expecting an urgent call, then set your phone to vibrate and excuse yourself from the meeting if a call comes in. Unless laptop computers have been approved for the meeting, turn yours off and lower the screen so that you do not obstruct anyone's view. 10 Guests: Do not bring unannounced guests to a meeting. If you have someone you would like to bring to a meeting, then contact the chairperson for permission to bring your guest. If permission is not granted, then do not bring him. THE LAST WORD * As a participant, thank the speaker, coordinator, meeting leader (this could be just one person). * As the meeting leader, follow-up with participants, circulate list of action items, resolutions, and issues that remain open. * As a participant, complete tasks assigned to you expeditiously and without delay. * As the meeting leader, thank people for attending. * As the meeting leader, request feedback. * As a participant, provide your feedback. — The writer is Principal, Satluj Public School, Ropar
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Right questions to ask at an interview First, let's start with what NOT to ask in a job interview. THE biggest faux pas one can make is asking: “What does your company do?” If you’ve not done your homework and researched the company, you don’t deserve a seat at the table. But let’s assume you’ve done your homework. Like a successful first date, there should be a good balance of give and take. Neither person should dominate the conversation and ask all the questions. While the employer will ask about your experience and goals, you should ask questions that help you understand why you should commit to working there. Plus, questions are a great way to demonstrate that you understand the company’s goals and challenges, highlight your qualifications and work ethic, and, most importantly, make an impression that moves you to the top of the list of potential candidates. Here are 10 questions that will provide you with insight into the company while making a favorable impression. *
I’ve been told that I work well as a team member. What are some of the ways your company encourages teamwork? *
Long-term job satisfaction is important to me. Is the company committed to growing talent from within, whenever possible? *
I enjoyed your published mission and values. How are these reflected in day-to-day life? Can you share some examples that would help me understand your corporate culture? *If your son, daughter or a friend was looking for a job, would you recommend working for your company? Why? *
What do you think distinguishes your company from its competitors, both from a public and employee perspective? *
(if speaking to a potential direct supervisor) How often do you speak with your C-level officers? When you do, what do they normally ask you? Do they ask for your opinion? *
How does your company demonstrate a sense of pride in its employees? Can you help me understand what it looks for in return? *
Are there paid, ongoing learning opportunities offered at my level of job responsibility? What obligations do I have if I take advantage of them? *
What does your company expect in the way of personal and professional growth for a person hired into this position? *
Does your company have a code of conduct covering work ethic and appropriate attire? Not every question will be appropriate for every job interview. Choose the ones that best address your career and personal goals and don’t be shy about delving deeper into areas of particular interest. For example, if you’re thinking of starting a family, you may want to explore the company’s commitment to work/life balance. Preparing a list of thoughtful questions before the interview is a great way to boost your confidence and make a great impression. Plus, you’ll gain greater insight into the company and the potential fit. Who knows? That first interview might just be the start of something beautiful.
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Fair business sense
While the jury is still out on whether women truly are more successful business owners than men, a new survey has shown that many women feel that way. According to a new survey, 91 per cent of female small business owners say their business is successful based on how they feel their business is operating right now. To that end, 55 per cent of women rated themselves as conservative in their overall decision making process, compared with 47 per cent of men. According to the Small Business Pulse survey, conducted by The Hartford, 80 per cent of female business owners also felt that they would have been more successful if they had taken more risks. Part of the reason for women’s differing perspective on their success may be that many of them had different reasons for starting their businesses in the first place. According to another new research finding, women are more likely to go into business on their own to make a difference, while men are more likely to be concerned about potential profits when starting a business. The study, which examined why people started their businesses, found that women are 1.17 times more likely than men to create social ventures than economic ventures, and women are 1.23 times more likely to pursue environmental ventures than economic focused ones. Regardless of the reason for going into business, women reported several significant barriers to future success. The biggest challenge, according to female business owners, was the increased costs of doing business. — ANI
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Happiness @ work Life is full of ups and downs. Whenever you find yourself on top, make sure that you don’t fall from grace.
Despite loving prince Salim, Mehrunnisa, daughter of a Mughal nobleman, had promised Emperor Akbar that she wouldn’t come between Salim and the empire. Even when Akbar died and Salim took over as Jehangir, Mehrunnisa stuck to her promise. When Jehangir proposed marriage to her, she refused. Only when her father Ghiyas Beg told her that her marriage to the Emperor was vital to save the empire from neglect did she agree to marry Jehangir. Assuming the name Noor Jehan, she married Jehangir. When prince Siddhartha returned to Kapilavastu after attaining Buddhahood, his father King Suddhodana offered him the throne. Saying that he had chosen the path of peace, Buddha declined the offer. When King Bimbisara of Magadha met the Buddha, he offered to make the Buddha the king of half of Magadha. “I have already walked away from one,” the Buddha explained. After routing the Mughals in the naval Battle of Saraighat, Assamese commander Lachit Barphukan didn’t allow his soldiers to plunder the fleeing Mughal soldiers as it would “tarnish the name of the king and of Assam”. Feigning injuries, Dharmapriya, minister of the desert chief, misguided King Lalitaditya of Kashmir and his army into the middle of the desert. When the mischief was fathomed, the general demand was to kill Dharmapriya. But Lalitaditya, admiring his loyalty to his chief, let Dharmapriya live. The 12-year deadline to build the Konark Temple was coming to an end, but Bisu Maharana and his team of 1,200 craftsmen were not able to fix the crown stone. When Bisu’s 12-year-old son Dharmapada solved the problem, the craftsmen feared that the king would have them killed for not being able to do something that a mere lad had done. So instead of taking credit, Dharmapada simply vanished from the scene. Scum and cream both rise to the top. Choose what you want to be. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan
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MANAGEMENT
IMDR, Pune
Eligibility: The Institute will accept the valid scores of the following entrance exams: CAT (conducted by IIMs) (Approved by IIM for accepting CAT score); GMAT /MAT (conducted by AIMA)/ ATMA (conducted by AIMS)/XAT (conducted by XLRI) /CMAT 2012 (Conducted by AICTE) Graduates from any discipline with or without work experience are eligible to apply for admission to this programme, provided they have obtained not less than 50% marks at graduation. Final year graduate students are eligible, provided they have scored not less than 50% marks at the immediately preceding examination. (45% in case of candidates of backward class categories and physically handicapped belonging to Maharashtra State only). Seats: 120 How to apply: Applications can be submitted online through website link: http://www.imdr.edu/appform_dm.htm Before proceeding with the online application a DD of Rs 1000 in favour of Director IMDR has to be taken. Application forms can also be downloaded from the website link: http://www.imdr.edu/dm_form.zip Filled-in applications are to be submitted to The Registrar, IMDR, DE Society Campus, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune-411004 supported with a Demand Draft for Rs.1000/- drawn in favour of Director, IMDR, payable at Pune. Deadline: March 20, 2013 Check Out: www.imdr.edu
BEAUTY & HEALTH Short-term course
Adbiata International Make-up & Hair School, New Delhi, invites application for its short-term course on Fashion Make-up and Hair Style. The details of the programmes are as follows: *
Foundation Level 1 * Foundation Level 2 * Fashion Make-up * Hair Style Duration: 1 Month Eligibility: Open to All Availability of forms: Prospectus and Application Form can be downloaded from the link: http://www.adbiata.com/index.php#&panel1-1 or can be obtained from the Adbiata Head office 18, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi, 110016. Deadline: February 28, 2013 Check out:
http://www.adbiata.com
Medical technician course
The Vivo Health Institute is inviting applications for the Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) course. Duration: 2 months for healthcare providers; and 4 months for Plus II pass candidates. Eligibility: EMT Basic (2 months): Nursing GNM, B. Pharma and B.Sc. Life Science EMT Basic(4 months):10+2 (Science Background preferred) Selection: Interview and skill assessment How to apply: Interested candidates can collect application form VIVO Healthcare, Admission Office-Gurgaon. Call +91 8860004734 or email:enquiry@vivohealthcare.com Deadline: March 1, 2013 Check out: http://www.vivohealthcare.com/institute
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Apeejay Stya University, Gurgaon, invites Application for international teaching fellowship. Applicants would be based in Sohna
(Gurgaon, Haryana) in India. This fellowship programme will provide an opportunity to gain experience in teaching in a global and creative environment. The fellows worldwide would also be provided discretion on pedagogy, evaluation and adapting the syllabus according to their own teaching style. They would also be able to access the student body for research assistants along with a full support on any external grant applications. Subjects: Education, History, Psychology, Economics, Public Administration/Public Policy, Comparative Philosophy and Religion, English & Linguistics, Sociology, Mathematics, Engineering, Design – Industrial & Product Design, Bio Sciences, Pharmaceutical Science, Management, Mass Communication/Journalism and interdisciplinary areas involving the above mentioned subjects. Eligibility: The applicants should hold at least a master’s degree in their fields How to apply: Online. Application form and detailed instructions are available at
http://university.apeejay.edu/files/Fellowship_A.pdf Details: The fellows will be provided on-campus or near campus accommodation, along with meals in the campus dining area. A teaching stipend would also be provided which would be approximate to $1000-$1500 per month. Deadline: July, 2013 Check out:
http://university.apeejay.edu/ Centenary Taught master’s scholarship The Institute of Education, London offers Centenary Taught Master’s scholarship for the academic year 2013-14 to overseas students for courses offered by the university at master’s level. Eligibility: Applicants should be
non-EU nationals who have not previously studied or resided for more than one year in the UK. Number of scholarships: One Duration: One year Details: The scholarship covers the cost of tuition fees and provides a bursary for living expenses for one academic year. How to apply: Online. Deadline: March 15, 2013. Check out:
www.ioe.ac.uk/studentInformation Offer for law students The Law School at the University of Southampton is offering scholarships for Indian students on its undergraduate LLB
programmes. The courses applicable for the scholarship are LLB (Hons) Law (3 years), LLB
(Hons) Maritime Law (3 years), LLB (Hons) European Legal Studies (4 years) and LLB
(Hons) International Legal Studies (4 years). Eligibility: Students must make University of Southampton their firm choice on UCAS and exceed minimum entry requirements by 5 per cent. Entry requirements from the CBSE (Class XII) and ISC syllabus are set at 85% and 80%,respectively. English language requirements are at IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any component. Deadline: May, 2013 Check out:
www.southampton.ac.uk/law . Further enquiries can be sent to global@southampton.ac.uk
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Fortnightly Quiz 431
2. When is National Voters’ Day observed? 3. Where is the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) summit organised? 4. Name the president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD). 5. Which country is the world’s largest consumer and importer of gold? 6. Who has been named the richest sportsperson in India as per the Forbes’ list? 7. Name the oldest marathon runner in the world. 8. Which cyclist recently confessed to cheating to win seven Tour de France titles? 9. Which cricket stadium in India was recently inducted in the list of international venues? 10. Which batsman recently set the record of maximum runs scored in the Ranji Trophy championship? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 430: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Mansi Bhullar; Class VII, Section-B; Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Niclson road; Ambala Cantt; Haryana; Pin Code 133001 Second: Shagun Pathak; class VIII-B; DAV Senior Secondary Public School, Barmana, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh; Pin code - 174023 Third: Eesh Goyal, Class VIII-B, Delhi Public School,Goniana Road, Bathinda, Pin code - 151201 Answers to quiz 430: 125th; Lala Hardyal and Sohan Singh Bhakna; Allahabad, Ujjain, Haridwar, Nashik; Germany, India; Yadavindra Singh; Himachal Pradesh; Narendra Nath Datta; Tennis; 80; Lionel Messi 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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Today it is not only Britney Spears and Paris Hilton whom you see dressed in stylish fashion garments in leather, but many a young thing in India can also be seen sporting snazzy leather boots, silver studded leather belts and a variety of other leather accessories. Leather is not only making fashion statements among the celebrities but has also beome a preferred garment to brave the chilly winetrs in the region.
A. Exciting? Yes. Adventurous? Yes. Secure? Not really!
A. Most B-school programmes are structured so as to introduce and familiarise you with concepts in general management in the 1st year -- lay a foundation, as it were. You will cover subjects and topics ranging across the gamut of management disciplines e.g. Marketing, HR, Finance, IT, Communication and Operations, etc. It is in the second year that you will choose you specialisation -- partly based on your performance and partly your preference and interests in any of the above mentioned areas and proceed to acquire specialised knowledge and skills. Don’t let your BTech degree/specialisation become an albatross round your neck. Consider all options with an open mind, explore them further and then decide. 
A. Catering to the dwelling needs of fellow beings and creating structures that cater to individual needs, an architect is a designer, environmental expert, artist, visualiser and creator all rolled into one! Which other field blends art, science and technology and provides you the thrill of translating your dream design on paper into a grand reality?
Shell India and British Council India presented the Shell Junior National Science Scholarships to the winners of the Shell Junior National Science Scholars Award in Delhi recently. Dr. Yasmine Hilton, Chairman, Shell Companies in India, and Rob Lynes, Director, British Council India, presented the awards to three national winners and 18 regional winners.
More and more members of the younger generation want to be involved in their family business with a professional approach. They aspire to take their business to the next level. Successors are ready to get more exposure and to be a part of a more professional environment by familiarising themselves with emerging innovation, people management, and business strategies. 
1Do not nag: Do not constantly keep reminding the child about exams. This builds up pressure and it will surely not help
The privatisation of banks has made sufficient room for graduates in any field. If you have a BCom degree, you can get placed as a sales executive for loans, mortgages and insurance with any of the leading banks. All you need is fluent communication skills. Similarly, if you hold an MBA in finance from a good B-school, you can expect to be placed as a relationship manager.
Institute watch
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Arrival: If you are the host, then protocol and timeliness should be on your priority list. Arrive at the location of the meeting at least 15 minutes early. This allows you to find a seat and get situated before the meeting starts. Also confirm or acknowledge your participation to join when you have been sent an invitation to attend the meeting
The best way to approach the interview is to think of it like a first date. While a job interview is in a professional setting and the outcomes are different, the intentions are the same. You’ve exchanged information because you think there might be a connection, and now you’re ready to figure out if you want to pursue things further.
On the other hand, just 80 per cent of male small business owners shared their optimism. Janice Co, vice-president of strategy and chief marketing officer for The Hartford’s small commercial insurance unit said the findings of this survey align with the measured approach we see in many of our own female customers, and as women realise that they’ve built successful businesses, they tend to sharpen their focus on protecting their accomplishments against future uncertainty.
As his elder brother King Vira Narasimha of Vijayanagara had ordered his death, Krishnadeva went underground. A temple dancer, Chinnadevi, gave him shelter. When Vira passed away, Krishnadeva Raya assumed the throne on August 8, 1509, and married princess Tirumala Devi. Despite not needing Chinna any more, he married her as his second wife. The hostess of Jamsetji Tata in England was surprised to note that Jamsetji — despite being away from home — had breakfast only after taking a bath. When Mohandas Gandhi went to England for studies, he vowed that he wouldn’t touch wine, women or meat. Even when there was no family member overseeing him, he remained true to his promise “even if it could mean death in that cold climate”.
Institute of Management Development and Research (IMDR) Pune, is inviting applications for its PGDM course of 2013-14.
Teaching fellowship 
1. Which aircraft of Boeing were recently grounded on account of their lithium-ion batteries that are potentially flammable?