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career
compass: food and beverage manager
career
compass: fashion entrepreneurship
Aptitude assessment
Remember to bring manners to work
cubicle
trends
in
conversation
Firms focus on available talent
Happiness
@ work
newsboard
bookshelf
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foreign
languages Usha Albuquerque
Technology and globalisation now provide opportunities to engage with others from around the world like never before. Irrespective of the job or career, those having the ability to speak and use more than one language are more likely to be able to find a job and also have an enhanced value that could lead to varied job opportunities in future. Language skills on their own are of very little value. What matters is the framework of technical, professional or practical skills within which a person can apply a language. As companies do more business with international customers, there is an increasing need for employees with diverse language skills. Whether you are translating documents, writing a letter to a foreign customer, closing a business deal or improving customer relationships, fluency in a foreign language gives you an edge at work. New frontiers Traditionally, learning a new language meant that one could land a job with an embassy or in the tourism sector. But, with globalisation companies in the IT and pharmaceutical sectors, MNCs, foreign banks and export houses are also looking for a large number of people who have language skills and can work as translators and interpreters. Interpretation and translation are two closely related linguistic disciplines ideal for those with a fluency in more than one language. While a translator works with the written language, translating books, instructions, software manuals, and other documents, an interpreter simultaneously translates, or transfers meaning orally from one language to another. Translators Indian as well as multi-national companies require translators to communicate with foreign partners, customers or with business associates in other countries. Translators may also be required to have specialist knowledge of a subject, though this maybe acquired on the job. Translators often have to discuss phrases and technical jargon with engineers, scientists, lawyers, etc. to get accurate meaning. The scope and prospects for translators of Russian, Japanese, Korean and Arabic is witnessing a tremendous upswing with growing business and interaction between India and these countries. Interpreters Interpreters work mainly in international organisations (e.g., the United Nations, NATO) and with government, but are also found in the travel and tourism sector. Interpretation has to be simultaneous — the interpreter listens to the speaker through headphones and interprets into a microphone or takes notes and delivers his/her interpretation after the speaker. Interpreters work with government agencies and are required for visits of foreign dignitaries, international conferences and in media. Interpreting skills are also required in trade and business activities also for handling trade delegations, negotiating international contracts and at trade fairs. Some of these interpreters may also be required to have specialist knowledge (such as engineering, economics, information technology, computing or physical science). New technologies like tele-conferencing and video-conferencing now make it possible to hold conferences and meetings across borders without having to actually travel with translators and interpreters handling both the professional and often the social aspects of communication i.e manners and etiquette too. A large number of general interpreters, specialising in languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Russian can also work as tourist guides, in travel agencies, airlines etc. These general interpreters need a considerable amount of historical knowledge, too. Spectrum of choice
Some people are quicker at picking up languages, and so may have no problems with Japanese, Korean or Chinese. The choice of other Asian languages also seems to be a good one, since regional trade and other exchanges are a daily occurrence. China is a superpower with several strong marketing and manufacturing links with India, Japan is a powerful economic force in Asia, and so is Korea with companies like Samsung and LG taking over the electronics market in India. Spanish is among the most widely spoken languages in the world and can open opportunities not only in Europe but also in Central and South America and possibly in the US. The other traditional languages like French and German are now being offered in a large number of schools in India. All of these offer plenty of choices and whichever one you choose, rest assured that learning a second language will be an enriching and rewarding experience.
Training There now exist a large number of institutions that offer courses in both foreign and Indian languages. The duration of the courses varies from a couple of months to upto five years.
Often no specific qualifications are required to enrol for these courses. Most courses include a business, and in some cases, a technical component as well, which gives students an insight into the commercial world of the country and enables them to handle business correspondence, translations and interpretations.
A graduation or post-graduation in the language can give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle, culture, customs and attitudes of the people.
Skill set Language learning is a challenging task. Gaining mastery and control over the nuances of a language can take years. Language is a tool for communication with other people. So the more you interact with other people in using the language the more progress you will make. Often a good ear for languages is an inborn talent, which would be difficult to acquire. But an agile mind, and an ability to concentrate for long stretches of time and a knowledge and understanding of people, observation skills, good memory and an open mind to learning something new are the key attributes that can go a long way becoming proficient in a foreign language. As more and more investment flows in from countries like Japan, Korea, China, Spain, Iran, Iraq etc, career opportunities for language specialists can only increase manifold. From TCS to Infosys and Satyam, Indian companies have opened development centers or acquired companies all across Latin America and Spanish companies are setting up businesses in India increasing the demand for Spanish speaking talent. Of late, the demand for Korean language specialists is so large that companies like LG are providing scholarships to students for studying Korean. The government of Japan is also offering scholarships for research studies in the Japanese language. The demand for Chinese is also steadily growing. There are several multinationals hiring foreign language specialists, including Call centres, foreign banks, MNC's and software companies like Hewlett-packard, IBM, oracle, American Express and Tata Consultancy Services. There are also jobs with Chambers of commerce; firms conducting market surveys, and of course, medical transcription, opportunities are aplenty for translators and also interpreters. The internet has further widened worldwide communication and makes it easier than ever for translators to work even from home. So as the global world gets closer you can not only become an international citizen stepping out confidently equipped with the knowledge of a foreign language, but also gain for yourself an exciting new career opportunity. — The writer is Director, Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., New delhi
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career compass: food and beverage manager
The job A food and beverage manager usually holds a director’s position and works at a restaurant, banquet hall, hotel, or catering company. The job responsibilities generally consist of complete menu-planning, budgeting, placing product orders, and maintaining serving and culinary equipment. He/she is also usually in charge of managing the kitchen and catering staff to make sure that the highest level of quality is maintained within an organisation. A banquet event order (BEO) produced by the catering sales unit details the outlook of the client, such as a predetermined menu selection, the time each course should be served, and the number of guests who will be present at the event or occasion. Vegetarian or other dietary needs for individual guests may also be incorporated in the BEO. The manager uses this information to order new products, schedule kitchen and wait staff, and rent any equipment that may be necessary to fulfill the request. In addition to special events, a food and beverage manager may also be accountable for restaurant operations. He or she may plan and create splendid menus, maintain high quality for cuisine to be served in the establishment, and ascertains product safety and freshness. Creating a visually inspiring environment for patrons is usually included in his daily tasks. Duties and responsibilities Food and beverage supervisors are generally accountable for the business operations of a dining establishment. Duties typically include interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling and managing employees, as well as managing inventory, including food and beverages, supplies and other restaurant equipment. Managers are also answerable for resolving customer complaints regarding food quality and service and making sure the business complies with health and food safety convention. In addition, most managers perform organisational tasks such as managing payroll and writing budgets and also participate in the recruitment, selection, and training of staff. Skills Scope The need for professionally trained managers in the hospitality industry is going to increase by 5 per cent over the next few years as more and more eating joints are coming up in urban areas. Most new jobs will be in full-service restaurants, but these are estimated to decline among limited service restaurants. Manager-level jobs will also increase in special food services, an industry that includes food service contractors who provide food for schools, health care facilities, and other profitable businesses and in nursing and inhabited care for the elderly. Managers who administer multiple locations such as a chain or franchise restaurant may be on call seven days per week. Food service managers are on their feet for much of the work day and should expect to sustain a certain level of physical fitness in order to hold the long hours and pressure of the job.
Educational qualifications There are no compulsory educational requirements to become a food and beverage supervisor. While on-the-job training remains the most vital course to a successful career in this field, a degree course in restaurant, hospitality or institutional food services management can give the prospective manager an edge, especially when imposing for work in a fine-dining restaurant or other up-scale establishment. Although practical experience is an essential part of finding a food service management position, applicants with a degree in restaurant, hospitality or institutional food service management will have a an advantage when competing for jobs at upscale restaurants and for progression in a restaurant chain or into corporate management. Remuneration Salaries for a food supervisor vary greatly depending on the employer, experience, certification and location where he is working. Starting salaries are around ~15,000 to ~20,000 a month , including bonus and commission while experienced managers can earn around ~50,000 to ~60,000 a month. The job is more physically demanding than you might imagine. It’s a job where you have to be active all the time. — With inputs from Hemant Kumar Kochar, Director of Madhuban Academy of Hospitality Administration and Research (MAHAR), Dehradun
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career
compass: fashion entrepreneurship
Courses to look out for Those interested in getting into this field can take up fashion entrepreneurship courses at different levels as there are three-year BBA courses for undergraduate students, a two-year MBA for graduates and one-year PG diplomas in fashion entrepreneurship. These courses help students to develop the skills required to evaluate business opportunities, create new ventures and foster innovation. These also aim at linking creative thinking with business strategy in order to nurture creative and flexible entrepreneurs and creators of change. Through intensive mentoring from industry experts and various placement opportunities, students are also supported to perfect personal aptitudes while developing the techniques and skills associated with entrepreneurial spirit. The advantage of pursuing a fashion entrepreneurship course rather than any other general marketing course is that it combines the basic marketing knowledge and in-depth knowledge of the dynamics of the fashion world. Opportunities Opportunities range from launching one’s own business, getting into freelance work. The global market awareness gained during the learning period allows students to work in a global scenario in a range of fashion, business and creative industry related careers like PR, marketing, trend forecasting, event management, styling, and in research and development within the design-led industries. Skill Set
‘Role’ call A trained professional in this field is fully equipped to handle:
— With inputs from Vani Bajaj, Chief Mentor, International College of Fashion.
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Aptitude assessment
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will be conducting the fourth edition of the Student’s Global Aptitude Index (SGAI) in November, 2013. CBSE is the first board of education in the country to conduct an aptitude assessment in the form of SGAI at the pan India level. Developed as a paper- and-pencil test by a renowned team of field experts, SGAI is customised to suit the Indian context.
Changes to expect Instead of January 2014, SGAI will tentatively be held in November 2013. No separate registration for SGAI is required this year. Registration is clubbed with the Online List of Candidates (LOC) of Class X students for academic session 2013-14. Schools may register students for SGAI on payment of ~100 per student. The last date of registration for SGAI Fourth edition is till September 30, 2013 but not later than October 15, 2013. There is no late fee for SGAI. For the purpose of facilitation, the advocacy material is available in the form of Power Point Presentation, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Teacher’s Manual of Activities and Posters will be sent to each affiliated school.
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Remember to bring manners to work
It’s been said that good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. Not surprisingly, there’s a good bit of research to support the point, too. A recent survey by OfficeTeam found that 80 per cent of executives say clothing affects an employee’s chances of earning a promotion. In a separate survey, the company also found that nearly 40 per cent of managers do not respond favorably to social media “friend” requests from employees while 46 per cent aren’t keen on connecting with their boss on social media. But leading the way in terms of contributing to poor form in the work place — and not all that surprisingly — is the inappropriate use of technology.
In fact, a recent study by Robert Half Technology found that 64 per cent of surveyed CIOs said the increase use of mobile devices, including cell phones and tablets, has led to a significant increase in breaches of workplace etiquette. That’s up from the 51 per cent who reported failures in etiquette just three years ago. It’s for reasons like these that The Protocol School of Washington established Bring Your Manners to Work Day. Commemorated annually on the first Friday of September, the day is intended to remind employees and employers that manners matter. From talking loudly on one’s cell phone and texting during meetings to dressing inappropriately and showing up late, bad manners aren’t just bad form, these are bad for business. Because it’s statistically important to Bring Your Manners to Work every day, here are some important following dos and don’ts: — The writer is president of
The Protocol School of Washington (PSOW), which provides professional business etiquette and international
protocol training.
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cubicle
trends
Nearly 70 per cent of employees are more likely to look for another job after coming back from a vacation, a new study has found. The study was based on surveys of more than 1,200 job seekers who visited an online jobs site. “Vacations are a great time for self-assessment. They offer free time, relaxation and detachment from your day-to-day routine,” said Mary Ellen Slayter, a career advice expert for Monster.com. “They also provide the mental clarity needed to carefully consider the life changes required to remedy the source of your strife,” she was quoted as saying by the website BusinessNewsDaily. It’s the way vacationers feel at the end of the trip that really helps push them toward finding new work, Slayter said. “As your vacation comes to a close and you are faced with your impending return to work, your disposition can be an important indicator that it’s time to make a change,” she said. — PTI
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in
conversation
Employee First is one approach that has become virtually a norm in progressive organisations. When an employee becomes an active participant to seed new ideas, organisations see a multiplier effect in performance. Generation Y or millennial employees, especially observe their professional life as an extension of their individual beliefs and value systems. Hence they are passionate about taking ownership of activities that are beyond the outlined description of work. Many companies are encouraging individual employees to step up and use platforms they have invested in to tap this personal dynamism and align it with the larger organisational goals. It’s the responsibility of the leadership and HR to serve as an enabler to employees to use such platforms as this generates grass root innovation and inspires personal accomplishments leading to significant collective contributions from every employee in an organisation.
What is the link between intrapreneurship and the ‘employee first’ approach? The ‘employee first’ approach ensures that each employee works in an environment that is transparent and is able to discuss his/her abilities and challenges with colleagues, reporting managers and leadership teams. This experience reinforces an employee’s trust in the organisation and its culture. Consequently, through experience he or she shall be assured in terms of the available support for new ideas and feel empowered to start fresh ventures like a new service line or suggest new ways of working. Over a period of time, these ideas can be harvested into multiple projects and programmes with appropriate guidance and mentorship from senior management. By ensuring that they put the ‘employee first’ at the workplace, organisations see a workforce emerging that never puts the customer second. What happens when organisations do not support intrapreneurship? Intrapreneurship is not an option but an imperative which an organisation should adopt. A culture of challenging the orthodox is an unparalleled catalyst for a company. It is the invisible hand that empowers and supports an employee to think out-of-the-box and to add value for the customers. While most organisations say that employees are their top priority, many fail to invert the pyramid and fall short of investing in a culture that encourages intrapreneurship. Lack of support for intrapreneurship leads to a lack of inspiration and motivation to bring in fresh ideas to work differently. The below average rewards and performance assessment based only on job descriptions is not a motivating factor for workers. How can intrapreneurship be fostered in an organisation? Organisations need to cultivate an environment where ideas can be put to test to take calculated risks. Thus when an idea needs to be nurtured, it needs its own space to grow with organisations demonstrating an appetite for the risk associated. While practicing this, failure is sometimes an outcome. It should be treated as part of the learning curve and as an investment for the future. Fostering intrapreneurship and making it successful also requires accountability of senior management to sense opportunity and create options and ensure they are aligned with the corporate and business strategy. — GV
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Firms focus on available talent
Hiring activity in India recovered in the January-June of this year over the second half of 2012 but organisations are still trading the cautious path as focus is more on up-skilling available talent rather than fresh recruitment, says a report.
According to the latest edition of TimesJobs.com’s Bi-annual RecruiteX, cautious optimism prevails across major industries as the main focus of employers is on up-skilling available talent rather than sourcing fresh talent. “Hiring scenario recovered during January to June 2013 from the downturn observed during July to December 2012,” the report said, adding IT/Telecom and construction industries observed maximum growth in the recruitment activity. According to the RecruiteX report, building in-house talent besides engaging and retaining employees will continue to be the focus of companies across industries. Moreover, considerable emphasis would be on hiring local talent due to current macro-economic scenario, rupee vs dollar strength and the according rise in expat salaries. The report noted that cautious optimism is prevailing across major industries as rigid global economic scenario, coupled with fluctuating rupee and policy related reservations at the national level have had an impact on the growth of India Inc. IT/Telecom and construction reported the maximum growth in hiring activity, while manufacturing and retail sector reported stable hiring figures. Hiring was impressive across key job hubs. Among top locations, Hyderabad was the most active location, while Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore reported negative hiring sentiments during the period. — PTI
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Career
Hotline Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com Q. I’m not too good in academics but love the outdoors. If I want to become a trekking guide, where should I get my certification from? — arpit ahuja
This institute has facilities for rock craft, ice craft, stream crossing, has a glacier in close vicinity and slopes for skiing in winters. The DefenceMinister & CM of J&K are the President & VP of the Institute.
Can I go for PhD after CA?
Q. I am a practicing CA. I am also an associate member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. I also take part time classes for CA-IPCC students.
I have a keen interest in teaching and research. I want to do my PhD. in any commerce related subject. Please tell me whether I can do PhD. straight after CA. A. I presume you don’t possess a master’s degree. Be that as it may, you’ll be glad to know that CAs can directly pursue Ph.D. Actually, ICAI got this permission in 1984 from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). What this simply means is that you don’t need to do any post graduation (or even graduation) to pursue PhD if you are a qualified CA. ICAI’s Official List of Universities/Institutions recognising the CA qualification for pursuing Ph.D includes 100+ universities, including the IIMs, that are members of the AIU.
Can I get lateral entry in BArch ?
Q. As in the case of BE/BTech courses, can diploma holders also get lateral entry into second year of BArch? — shekhar verma
However, three-year diploma holders can seek admission to Year-1 of the BArch course, provided they have secured an aggregate of 50 per cent and cleared the NATA / JEE test. The general eligibility for admission to BArch courses is Class XII with maths and a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent. Unless a candidate has undergone the prescribed five-year BArch course and cleared the NATA, s/he is not eligible for registration as an Architect with the Council of Architecture and consequently, cannot practise the profession of an architect in the country. Registration with the COA is mandatory for seeking employment with Central/State Government and taking up teaching positions.
Is shipping industry a good option for girls?
Q. After completing my MCom, I am now preparing for MBA entrances. I wish to make a career in the shipping line. I have been told that this is not a suitable field for girls. Is this true? — devika singh
Shore-based jobs such as port management, logistics and ship broking are the areas that you can consider. The Indian Maritime University (www.imu.tn.nic.in) offers MBA programmes in Port & Shipping Management and an MBA in Logistics. So you can try for these.
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Happiness
@
work Gems of ancient wisdom In workflows, one might encounter a worker who doesn’t love or know or want to do his work. Don’t let a reluctant co-worker spoil your plans. Finding his alternative shouldn’t be difficult in this wide world. As Mahamati Prannath, founder of the Pranami sect, wanted to unite warring mankind, he decided to approach Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. But numerous attempts at getting an audience with the Emperor proved futile. So he decided to find “another such powerful man”. Six years later, he met Chhatrasal, the mighty Bundela warrior, who established an independent state of Bundelkhand. When priests of different cults managed to poison the mind of the Kachari King against Shankar Dev, a 15th century Vaishnava saint, he decided to move to Majuli island, a river island in the Brahmaputra in the Ahom kingdom. But the execution of his son-in-law Hari forced the Vaishnavas to move to Barpeta in the Koch kingdom. Shankar Dev spent many peaceful years there. In 1951, Swami Chinmayananda embarked on a mission to “reintroduce Hinduism to Hindus”. To not limit himself to a Sanskrit-knowing select audience, he chose to preach in English. In Madras, which at that time was very orthodox, priests there made sure Chinamayananda had no place to present his views. After a thorough hunt, the haunted house of a Muslim became the venue for swami’s discourse. When Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, the 19th century social reformer, launched a campaign for widow remarriage, there were many who opposed him. So he started a signature campaign. To neutralise his efforts, his enemies started a counter-signature campaign. Realising that his rivals had more signatures that him, he approached the authorities. The Governor General’s council, on November 17, 1855, passed the widow remarriage Bill.
Help for Salim came from his grandmother Hamida Begum and stepmother Salima Begum. Finally, Sayyad Khan Barha, an elderly courtier, nipped the plot hatched by Man Singh and Aziz Koka to crown Khusrau in the bud. Rajaram, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji, was on the run. His elder stepbrother Sambhaji had been killed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Rajaram wanted to seek shelter in the impregnable fort at Jinji in Tamil Nadu, but no South Indian king dared to give him passage. Queen Chennamma of Keladi (in Karnataka) not only did so, but she also managed to keep the Mughal forces at bay. Instead of pushing an ass to do a horse’s work, find a horse. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Humanoid robot developed
The humanoid project was an initiative by Sulabh Kumra (Batch of 2013, EI), a student of ITM University under the guidance of Assistant Prof Ramandeep Singh and mentored by Dr Swaran Ahuja, HoD, EECE. The project has seen over 10 research papers in journals and international conferences and is the one of the largest projects undertaken by the students of the university and is the largest at the undergraduate level. It is an inter-disciplinary undertaking with students from Computer Science, Electronics and Mechanical Engineering working on it. The team comprises second year, pre-final year and final year students. Dexto:Eka: is a tele-operated anthropomorphic robot with three modes of operation: dependent, semi-sovereign and sovereign. In the dependent mode, the tele-operator has complete control over the robot. In the semi-sovereign mode, the tele-operator has partial control but the robot is able to make decisions of its own should a situation prove detrimental to its well-being. In the sovereign mode, the robot has complete autonomy over its actions. These robots can revolutionize search and rescue techniques as they can search for victims buried under debris or trapped in unsafe areas in the wake of disasters. Smart skull
Students from Manav Rachna College of Engineering (MRCE), Faridabad, have developed 'Smart Skull'-a life saving 'in-helmet' device for motor bikers. This device which is actually a crash detection system is paired with the rider's smart phone. In emergence of an accident or crash, the device gets activated and through the smart phone can automatically make a call to the victim's family/relatives and thus can inform them about the mishap. The ultra-light weight device consumes minimum power of about 3.3 volt and is equipped for an impact detection of up to 200 gm force. "This is a smart device that can actually minimize the trauma and hasten the process of sending information about a mishap to the most relevant people", said Mayank Dawar- final year student at Manav Rachna College of Engineering (MRCE). “The device would help in decreasing the mortality rate and neurological disabilities relating to traumatic brain injury from road accidents as a result of inadequate safety protocol. The application has bluetooth connectivity, cloud connectivity, GPS interaction, sensor device communication, past history availability and user authentication too”, said Dr Naveen Prakash, Director-MRCE. The team of 3 students: Mohit Bahl, Mayank Dawar and Chaitanya Chabbra have developed this device and represented MRCE at ‘Yahoo Accenture Innovation Jockey’ competition recently held at Bangalore.
World Convention at IIM, Bangalore
The Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, (IIMB) will host the sixth edition of the Eduniversal World Convention on October 9-12, 2013. The convention will be inaugurated by Prof. Devanath Tirupati, Director, Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, and Martial Guiette, CEO and Founder of Eduniversal. The four-day convention will bring together deans, business educators, academics and professionals in the field of education. It will provide an opportunity for participants to interact and exchange views with academics and administrators from all over the world, see how business, government and society are engaging to move this historical civilization of India towards development and growth, and savor its multicultural heritage. Panel sessions, thematic tours and an awards ceremony will be the highlights of the event. The top three Business Schools in the 9 geographical zones will be rewarded with the special trophy by the members of the Eduniversal International Scientific Committee on behalf of the academic peers from all around the world. Visit http://convention.eduniversal.com/index.php for details.
Chanakya Academy in Chandigarh
Chanakya IAS Academy opened its first Branch in Chandigarh earlier this week. The academy imparts its class-room training through seven of its study centers, out of which two are in Delhi and one each in Ahmadabad, Ranchi, Jaipur, Pune and Chandigarh. So far more than 2100 candidates have been selected for civil services in past 20 years. — TNS
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Looking beyond myths
Seerat Toor Grewal
101 Myths and Realities @ The Office is a compelling read for the HR guys and has something for everybody who is a part of the organised workforce. It is based on a vast volume of experiences which were gathered by the author during his professional career. Rai believes that management as a thorough leadership skill is still a mystery for many and has, thus, tried to make the ends meet in his book by fitting in the missing links in the huge organisational jigsaw. The book reflects the intent to highlight diverse situations that need to be acknowledged and addressed by the managers as well as the employees in order to produce a healthy and effective workforce. It can serve as a quick reference book — a collective guide or a generic management handbook which, as Rai puts it, should be handy. Rai explains the motivating force behind his work in an interview. Excerpts: Who do you think will benefit more from the book — the employee or the employer? The format of the book explains the myth and provides a recipe to both the employee and the manager, under respective sections, to deal with it. The key is to get to the bottom of the issue and not undertake temporary fixes. This is what I have tried to aim at, so it is useful to both. As most of the “myths” or situations mentioned in the book are an integral part of a workplace environment, what are the elementary changes that can avoid these? An environment where people can talk freely with their managers on issues bothering them. They should have an open mind to understand manager’s perspective on why certain things are happening in a particular way. On the other hand a manager should learn to hear the unspoken, as most of the time what is said is not the actual issue. Manager should be sincere and honest in answering it, even if the response is unpleasant for the employees. Employees always prefer truth, even if it is bitter. This can happen only when the organisation provides an environment to foster such dialogues. You have had a global work experience. Do you feel, such unhealthy competitive strategies are seen more often in Indian workplaces? During my career I got a chance to work in different countries, companies and cultures, and I found that the basic people issues are more or less the same and the employee’s reaction to such issues is also the same. When in trouble, some blame the office politics, while others blame the managers. Some blame their colleagues while others blame their subordinates. Though culture plays a role in how a person approaches it and deals with it, the actual issues are common everywhere. What advice would you want to give to the young workforce and management? Most of the time it is the lack of understanding of an issue which spoils the show. It is really true that we need to take control of our worklife, own our mistakes and seek solutions rather than being helpless and playing the blame game.
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Fortnightly quiz 447
1. Name the recipient of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2012.
2. Name the President of Syria. 3. Name the only human-built spacecraft to have left the solar system to explore the larger galaxy. 4. Name the pioneer of sound technology and founder of the US audio company Dolby Laboratories who died recently. 5. What is the full form of SASE? 6. Which city will host the 2020 Olympic Games? 7. Which sport recently staged an unprecedented Olympic comeback after beating bids from rivals squash and baseball/softball in an International Olympic Committee vote? 8. Name the only cricketer to have played in more than 100 one-day international matches without playing a single Test match. 9. How many tennis Grand Slam titles have been won by Rafael Nadal so far? 10. Name the oldest male tennis player to win a Grand Slam with the US Open men’s doubles trophy. —Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 446: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Satyam Thakur; Class IX; DAV Senior Secondary School; Ambota, tehsil Amb, district Una, Himachal Pradesh; Pin Code — 177205 Second: Nidhish Kumar; Class IX-D; Gurukul School, near Kurukshetra University; Kaithal Road, Kurukshetra (Haryana); Pin Code — 136119 Third: Sunidhi Garg; Class IX Rose; St Xavier’s High School; Rampura Phul; Bathinda; Pin Code — 151103 Answers to quiz 446: GSAT-7; C-17 Globe Master; Dhyan Chand; Shalimar Bagh; Srinagar; Japan; 8,107; Ronjan Sodhi; Guru Nanak Dev University; England Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at quiz@tribunemail.com Name……………….…………......................................
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Inlaks research travel grants
Study Subject (s):
Humanities and Social Sciences. Eligibility: The applicants must: Duration:
Three months. Details: The Grant will cover: Selection criteria:
The candidates will be expected to go through a two-tier selection procedure. First round: short-listing on the basis of the written record submitted by the candidate. Second and final round: Personal interview of the short-listed candidates. How to apply:
By post. Deadline: October 15, 2013. Check out: www.inlaksfoundation.org
Fellowship at BHU
The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is funding one Junior Research Fellowship/PhD Position at Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, India. Study subjects:
The fellowship is awarded in Andreev transport in low dimensional (1D/2D) systems. Eligibility: Duration:
Initially for one year and likely to be extended for five years, subjected to the financial approval from DST. Number of award(s):
One Details: What does it cover? Junior Research Fellow covers Rs 16,000 p.m. How to apply: Online or by post. Check
out: http://www.iitbhu.ac.in/
NEF Research Grant
Nagao Natural Environment Foundation (NEF) is offering NEF research grant programme for researcher/scientist in their home country. Applicants of developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region can apply for this programme. The programme supports academic and scientific research that will deepen knowledge of nature conservation in the Asia-Pacific region. Study subjects: Proposed research project must be scientific research contributing to the nature conservation of the applicant’s country. Eligibility:
Applicants must: Duration:
Two years. Details: The maximum grant size in this programme is 500,000 Japanese yen per project. Eligible expenses include: How to apply:
All documents (a completed application form and a recommendation letter) should be submitted to the NEF Secretariat by e-mail (secretariat-at-nagaofoundation.or.jp) in MS Word or PDF or by fax. Deadline:
October 28, 2013. Check out: www.nagaofoundation.or.jp
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Diploma in jewellery design
The course: The course is a six-month full -time programme. It includes subjects like Gemology, Orthographic Projection, an insight of Indian jewellery industry/international jewellery, International trade & Practices, Jewellery making & Industrial manufacturing, Diamond grading . Eligibility: Applicants should have secured minimum 45% in 10+2 from a recognised board in any discipline. 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 the website www.jdinstitute.com Deadline: September 14, 2013. Check Out:
www.jdinstitute.com
PGDM for working professionals
Era Business School (EBS), New Delhi, is offering admissions to full-time PGDM programme for working professionals. This weekend programme will equip professionals to solve business challenges. It will be held at EBS Dwarka. Credit courses customized for the working executive's profile from Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, Information Technology, International Business and Project Management with focus on strategy. Duration
- 2 years and timings are Saturday 4pm to 8 pm and Sunday 8:30am to 4:30 pm. Fee:
Rs 3.8 lakh with international certificate programme Eligibility: Graduation in any stream with 50% (General Category) and 45% (Reserved Category) with Minimum 18 months of work experience with entrance exam score. Application Form:
Register with EBS with separate application form amounting Rs.200 which is available through the following modes: Online: Apply on ms.mycollegeform.com/era-business-school/admission/ Deadline:
October 31, 2013
MBA at Nirma University
Applications are invited from candidates appearing for CAT-2013 for admission to the MBA programme being offered by the Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. The course: It is a two-year full-time residential programme that follows trimester system. The first year consists of core courses. The second year consists of a few core courses and several elective courses. A summer project is scheduled at the end of the first year. The programme offers dual specialisations (major and minor) in the second year. Important themes running across courses are: Internationalism, Business, Ethics and Information Technology. Specialisations are offered in the areas of Finance, Marketing, Information Technology, Human Resources Management, International Business, Operations Management and Strategic Management. Seats: 240 Eligibility:
A three-year bachelor's degree (10+2+3) or equivalent in any discipline from a recognised university with at least 50 per cent marks or equivalent CGPA. Candidates appearing in the final year of the bachelor's degree and completing all requirement for obtaining the degree by June 25, 2014 can also apply. How to apply:
Online at www.imnu.ac.in from 03-10-2013 to 31-12-2013 and make online payment of Rs 1500 as processing fee. Deadline:
December 31, 2013 Check out: www.imnu.ac.in
Rural management diploma
Application forms for IRMA admissions will be available online and in hard copy at IRMA Admission Office from September 25, 2013 onwards. All applicants who apply to IRMA with CAT 2013 SCORE will appear for IRMA admission test on "issues of Social Concern" subject to their application forms being complete and accepted by IRMA. Deadline
for CAT 2013 registration: September 26, 2013 Check out: https://ww.irma.ac.in
Sustainable management course
Institute of Management, Lucknow, is inviting applications for admissions to the Post Graduate Programme in Sustainable Management (PGP SM) 2014-2016 at its Noida Campus. The course:
The two-year PGP SM, a full-time residential course, is designed to help professionals evolve into environmentally conscious and socially responsible mangers, equipped with holistic thinking and skills to handle varied sustainability challenges in a dynamic and unpredictable environment. Eligibility:
Candidates should hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline with at least 50 per cent marks (45 per cent in case of SC/ST/ PWD category) or equivalent, with at least two years professional experience. How to apply:
Application form for PGP SM can be downloaded from IIML website. Deadline: October 31, 2013 Check out:
www.iiml.ac.in
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foreign
languages
It’s been said that good manners will open doors that the best education cannot. Not surprisingly, there’s a good bit of research to support the point, too. A recent survey by OfficeTeam found that 80 per cent of executives say clothing affects an employee’s chances of earning a promotion. In a separate survey, the company also found that nearly 40 per cent of managers do not respond favorably to social media “friend” requests from employees while 46 per cent aren’t keen on connecting with their boss on social media. But leading the way in terms of contributing to poor form in the work place — and not all that surprisingly — is the inappropriate use of technology.
Career
Hotline
Proficiency in a foreign language connects one with another culture and opens the doors to a whole new world of associations and understanding. But more than that in today’s global economy, knowing another language adds a competitive edge to your career scope.
With so many opportunities on the platter, a student usually gets confused about choosing a specific foreign language to specialise in. There are no easy or difficult languages, but one should choose keeping in mind the popularity and job scope of a particular language. 
The Prime Minister Office (PMO) released a report in 2012 according to which almost 5 lakh language experts will be required in India in 2013-14. Hence the renewed focus on foreign language translators and voice and accent trainers in Business Process
Outsourcing.
The BPO sector has significantly increased its intake of foreign language specialists. With a large number of companies from non-English speaking European countries eyeing India for outsourcing work, business and knowledge process outsourcing companies
(BPOs & KPOs) have started hunting for people proficient in languages such as Spanish, German, French, Japanese and other foreign languages to support their clientele. 
For those who worry that they would end up with voice jobs, BPOs today cover a variety of work profiles which could be a translation job, or for those with the necessary qualifications, one that involves both, technical and language support. 
Be it a special event or the routine daily operations in a hotel, one person who oversees all issues related to quality control, staff management, inventory, health, safety regulations, customer service along with the profitability of a restaurant or hotel’s catering department is the food and beverage manager.
Most food and beverage supervisors work full time, often on nights and weekends. Food and beverage supervisors engaged at establishments offering extended hours, which may incorporate certain fine-dining or fast-food restaurants, often work between 12 and 15 hours each day and more than 50 hours each week. 
A career in fashion entrepreneurship is the perfect choice for those dreaming to launch their own signature labels and becoming leaders in the fashion industry. According to a report by Fiber2Fashion.com, the Indian fashion industry can increase from its net worth of
Rs 200 crore to Rs 1,000 crore in the next five to 10 years. To make it happen the industry needs those who have mastery in the business of fashion.
Bosses, please note! The long vacations your employees take have a side effect - the holiday may actually fuel their desire to quit their jobs.
Inverting the pyramid of leadership also cultivates the spirit of intrapreneurship within an organisation. “Contrary to perceived norms, today it is possible to harness an entrepreneurial spirit even within organisational constructs”, says Prithvi Shergill, Chief Human Resources Officer, HCL Technologies Ltd. In an interview Shergill talks about how the ‘employee first’ approach can strengthen the culture of innovation in an organisation. Excerpts:
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A basic certification from any of the following institutes should get you started. You can always graduate to higher levels of certifications upon successfully clearing the previous level.
A.There is no provision for lateral entry in the second year (or any other year) of the five-year BArch course.
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Girls are certainly eligible to join the Merchant Navy, and you will find several of them working in the shipping industry. Generally though, this line is not a preferred option for women as it involves extensive travel and staying away from home for 4-6 months on end and also being a physically demanding job. Given your age and educational qualifications you are not eligible for joining the Merchant Navy. You require science stream (PCM) in Plus II with a minimum of 60 per cent marks.
As Prince Salim kept bad company; had got Abul Fazl, his father Akbar’s favourite courtier, killed; and had revolted against his father, Mughal Emperor Akbar started thinking of Salim’s son Khusrau as his successor. Senior courtiers Man Singh, the Raja of Amber, and Aziz Khan Koka (Khusrau’s uncle and father-in-law respectively) supported Khusrau’s candidature.
A team of students of ITM University has developed a humanoid robot — Dexto:Eka: — in a one-of-its-kind project whose aim is to build a completely autonomous robot capable of undertaking search and rescue operations.
The Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation is offering research travel grants for registered PhD students of Indian universities for short-term visits to universities abroad. This travel grant is geared to assist registered PhD students of Indian universities to undertake short-term visits to universities abroad to collect material, use facilities and consult experts. 
JD Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi, has announced admissions for Diploma in Jewellery Design. The programme offers the students an in-depth understanding of designing jewellery and the materials used. 
IRMA Institute of Rural Management, Anand, will use CAT 2013 scores for admission to 2014-16 Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management (PRM) and 2014 Fellow Programme in Rural Management 