Focus on time management

Pervin Malhotra

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Q.am in my second semester of MBA, I have lost my enthusiasm and motivation to study… My exams are approaching but I can’t wait for the term to get over. The sheer quantum of work is getting to me. No matter what I do (or don’t), can’t manage my time judiciously. In the process, I‘m missing out on the present… Badly need help to snap out of this.— Arpana

A. Time management is the best thing any B-school could teach a student. Here, as in life, you can’t read everything, you can’t do everything, you can’t learn everything. The trick lies in prioritising the essentials.

Assigning the same priority to each task is to wind up with 40 tasks all tied for first call on your time!

Re. motivation: now that’s a tough — and lifelong call. You can generate immediate and short-term motivation by the upcoming challenges themselves, e.g. exams, project submissions, etc. What you have to do is to “visualize” the positive outcomes of such short-term events – a higher grade, self-confidence for the next semester, building towards final placement (of your choice), the joy of overcoming an impending challenge, etc. If you can vividly and strongly visualize such positive outcomes, that will create the necessary episodic motivation — for the end-term exams, etc. So, that’s probably the answer for what you need right now.

Sustained, long-term motivation is another thing altogether. But motivation does not exist in vacuum. It arises from strongly delineated long-term vision and goals. Motivation gurus say that it is the result of these — not an independent entity that can be summoned at will. So, the answer to staying motivated at all times lies in visualising your long term dreams (or “mission” in the parlance of business strategy) as clearly and as steadfastly as possible.

Sounds easy? Wrong! It’s actually one of the more difficult things in life. But take heart, long-term motivation is a struggle for everyone; that doesn’t mean you should abandon it all together; far from it. In fact, you need to work on it continuously.

Meanwhile, get that short-term buzz going…!

Work profile of chemical engineers

Q.What exactly is the work involved in the field of chemical engineering? Does it have a good scope?

— Jeevan Sethi

A.Chemical engineering is a highly complex and specialised field that investigates how chemicals can be used for research and manufacturing across industries. Building a bridge between science and engineering, Chemical engineering has played a major role in introducing many products that are today an indispensable part of our lives e.g., synthetic fabrics, plastics, nylon, rayon etc.

Chemical engineers are also involved in designing a lot of products from torpedoes to cigarette filters to control systems.

Employment opportunities for chemical engineers lie mostly in the refining, plastics, chemical, petroleum and pharma industries and in the field of environment, although most other industries also employ chemical engineers. Even those like textiles, cosmetics and footwear require Chemical engineers.

Given the diverse fields in which chemical engineering finds application, there will be steady employment in the coming years.

Courses in Chemical Engineering are offered at almost every engineering college including the IITS and NITs. The Mumbai University Institute of Chemical Technology (MUICT) is one of the most prestigious institutions for chemical technology in the country.

Role of concierge in the hotel industry

Q.Could you please explain the role of a concierge in the hotel industry? I have seen a few recruitment ads for this position issued by some hotels? — Kedar Rastogi

A.Although a recent entrant in the front office department of the hospitality industry, especially in India, the role of the Concierge which was sidelined due to lack of awareness, is now beginning to be valued. A simple definition of a concierge would be that of a caretaker, a person who makes it his profession and duty to serve guests.

The concierge, often termed as ‘Mr Can Do’, offers assistance in the form of travel info and arrangements, city tips, hard to find items or materials, errand services, medical help etc.

It is an interesting career where you will interact with people from various walks of life, countries and mind-sets, which in turn, will sharpen your PR skills.

Internationally, this is a lucrative and respected position, at times even higher paid than the General Manager. Les Clefs D’Or India (formerly the Concierge Association of India (https://cai.org.in) has played a major role in popularizing this profession through its regional chapters.

A somewhat recent entrant in the front office department of the hospitality industry, especially in India, the concierge’s role which was side-lined due to lack of awareness, is now being duly valued. A simple definition of a concierge would be that of a caretaker, a person who makes it his profession and duty to serve guests.

Internationally, this is a lucrative and respected position, at times even higher paid than the general manager.

This is an interesting career where you get to interact with people from various walk of life, countries and mind-sets which in turn, will sharpen your PR skills.