IIM Ahmedabad,Yale and La Jolla

Do you find any similarities between IIM A, Yale and Salk Institute La Jolla..

How about 1963 and 1974.. does it make any sense..

How about AIA 25 Year Award.

I am talking about Louis Kahn, one of the greatest architects of last century who designed IIM Ahmedabad circa 1963 (Institute of Public Administration in those days) , Yale Center for British Arts circa 1973 and the inspiring Salk Institute at La Jolla.

What I find curious with this legend is that Light forms an integral part of his architecture master pieces. Though I havent visited IIMA I have been told that it is kind of spiral in shape with indoor suited for habituation and outdoor sunny. Also this is a brick building without any glass and there are gaps in the building through which light enters and fills the space beautifully. Though I am not an architectural student, I am curious because most of his thoughts have derived from Nature itself and there is a search for truth and simplicity in his architecture. This is the essence of Nature - True, simple and functional..

I am visiting the Yale center for British Arts this weekend to see firsthand the AIA 25 year award winning classic designed by the master himself 1 year before he died..

cheers..
Nature Interpreter.
'

Microsoft's Business Solution Strategy

When Microsoft entered CRM market couple of years ago every one from SME vendors to big enterprise vendors had a nervous look. Two years on but nothing major has come out of Microsoft that could unsettle small and big enterprise players..

But hold on. The creative minds at redmond have dug deep in their hole to build new suite of enterprise applications based on 'Affordable Adaptability' concept. Satya Nadella, corporate VP of Microsoft writes in his blog that the new version of Microsoft business solutions will be based on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) and solution adapted to 50 company roles. People and Process forms the core part of the strategy.

Lets say a HR Manager needs an HRM application that can automate all his process and from which he can derive value by intelligent analytics. While at the same time Operations Manager can use the same application to perform his/her tasks.

Customizable enterprise solutions based on a company's need - its still an utopia. More often companies end up changing the process to suit the package or customize package to such an extent that its only used as a basic framework with most functionalities developed by internal IT team. Most of the enterprise CRM projects loose their flair in such an manner.

Best wishes to Microsoft. Lets see how the new versions shape up.

cheers..

Recipe for customer elimination management

Siebel system - pioneer of CRM technology and leader in enterprise CRM market is floundering. Yes this is the same company that rode to great heights in later part of last decade with innovative CRM products..

This year Tom Siebel fired his new CEO and former IBM man before he could complete his term.
Mainstay customers are unhappy about the product, wasted millions and long forgotten ROI word. SAP is eating away Siebel's customers in North America. Funnel looks short. Since 2001 Siebel has lost 40% of its market share and customers..

Is this the end of Siebel or is this the end of CRM. The problem lies in the way Siebel conceptualized CRM (Other vendors just followed suit). Its not about sales automation or automation of business process. Automation is just a means to the end. The end is help companies manage customer expectations and maintain a winwin situation with them..

Siebel and other CRM products have lost their competitive edge as every company has the same software, same forecasts and same way of doing business with customer. Though it helps to lay out basic processes over the last 4 -5 years nothing has changed much in the way CRM should evolve.

Unless the Siebel looks at the concept of CRM and adapt new technologies to enable business maintain successful customer relationship at optimum costs, Siebel will not see light at the end of tunnel rather the headlights of speeding train..

courtesy - CRM Daily

Elements of Pgpx and other thoughts

Today I am detailing the structure and content of Pgpx program. All elements required to make a top general management program topped with an international project.

The objective - develop bright, enthusiastic, and aspirations executives into management leaders and change agents in the global arena.

This program has been divided into 6 sections.
First - Induction session - 3 1/2 days - Preparing for the program, adjusting to environ etc
Second - Building Blocks - 17 courses for 9 areas -240 sessions - approach 14 sessions/course. This one for cementing the conceptual and analytical management knowledge
Third - Top management - Prepares the participant for leadership and change management at top management level. 14 Courses - 180 sessions - approach 13 sessions/course
Fourth - International Project
Fifth - Electives - 120 sessions - Deeper learning, Research based course to reflect past experiences
Sixth - Capstone - 30 sessions - Integrate learning from the course

Total 570 sessions

Similar programs - Insead with 5 sections - 14 building blocks and 10 electives. Structure remains the same, though the leadership piece part of IIM A Pgpx is missing. More electives in fact on the last count 121 to choose from. 2 months gap - internship whereas 3 weeks project in IIMA.

More drops to trickle..

I have been reading a classic on advertising by Oglivy Mather, the legendary founder of one of the greatest advertising firm. Interesting read. He writes about 3 things essential for any successful campaign.

First - Know thy product - Know everything about your product, Do proper homework, learn about the product and client.
Second - Know thy competitor - Understand how your competitors are advertising similar products. What are the positive points that make competitive products sell.
Third - Know thy customer - Understand what makes customers buy a similar product. Research for the qualities that customers are looking for in your kind of product.

How true are these words. These can be applied to any field. How about selling your brand to a top business school. I am going follow his advice and prepare myself for IIMA application..

Vastrapur & Vikram Sarabhai - Making of an MBA

IIMA - a world class institution with over 44 Years experience of educating leaders.
Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the father of Indian Space program and few other spirited individuals started this school on December 11, 1961...
IIM Ahmedabad is the premier business school in India. One of the top schools in Asia. And now it has become the hunting ground for international recruiters as well. Traditionally the 2 year Pgp course is the flagship program of IIM A. Kids with relatively few years of experience or none form this program. I am not looking at this program but at the newly created 1 year Pgp program for executives.
Lets see why I find this program as a best fit for me..
I want a top MBA program which is well recognized in India. No other institute can beat IIMA in this parameter. The content of the program is very much of my liking. 1 year, general management focus, small and focused study group - target audience 50 experienced students. Matured students - lot of knowledge sharing can happen. Excellent academics. Top professors of the country. 15-10% of International student mix. Good functional mix. Excellent post MBA opportunities. Strong network. Relatively with in my budget. Less Opportunity costs. International project is like the cherry on the ice cream. I have decided its my best fit..
Personal bridges - Gujarat. I like this state. My undergraduate school was at Surat. I like the people, culture and food etc.
Now lets see what are the opportunities and risks of this program..
1. Opportunities:-
a. Since the first program one is automatically blessed with Founder member tag
b. Opportunity to shape the program. Since a new program even sky is not the limit for new initiatives. How about a Technology conference at IIM A. We will bring the leading business minds from technical world in a one day conference moderated by a top IIMA professor. I am thinking on the lines of an early tech conference. India needs one and that too from a leading business school.
c. Lifelong network.
d. Trend setters in Indian Business school education.
Risks:-
a. New program. No set rules. evolve constantly
b. How the infrastructure will be shared between pgp and pgpx.
c. Relatively less numbers vs ISB. How the landscape will change.
Now lets see what IIM A requires as part of application and how I stack up
IIM A Myself
Good GMAT Good
Substan Exp 6+ - Good
Leadership/
Management 5 team - Moderate
Good acad Good.
Extra Curri Average
Career Progress Good
Pre MBA Sal Good
Qualitative Items Dont Know.
This is how I stack up against IIMA. I am confident of atleast getting an interview Invite. I am already planning to build the background knowledge about IIMA, Faculty, Students etc etc..
More trickles on the way..

Free Gyan:-

People of vision, above the clouds of doubt,
speak not without substance

How fit are you

Having decided about Why and When of MBA the time has come to take a stand on Where to get an MBA from.It is like choosing a pair of shoes. Which is the most important factor that will decide your shoe. Will it be the color or style or cost? Of course all these factors are very important but there is a one critical factor without which you can forget buying shoes. It is your size. There is always one single size which will fit your feet. Little bigger or smaller the size you wont be comfortable with your shoes. Then you think about color, style and cost and you can arrive at a decision on choosing your pair of shoes.
Translating to MBA terms it is called 'Fit'. What 'Fit' again. You might argue the most cliched term in bschool lingo. My dear friends truth even cliched is truth always. Let me give an attempt in describing the Fit.
My case - Professional aspirations - Looking at a General Management program. Not a career changer. Already has 6 years + experience. More of a career enhancer. Looking at Business roles within technology organizations. More knowledge sharing can happen among people of substantial experience with multi cultural and functional background. I am willing to take time of from my work and absorb the MBA experience fully.
Translating to MBA terms - A general management program building solid management skills while opportunity to explore and extend my competencies in business terms. An MBA program neither filled with freshers (Like most Indian Schools) nor with top management types (Sloan Masters, Executive MBA etc). So Full time program is ideal and if its shorter then it suits me well.
My Case - Personal. I would like to go back to India to avail the in numerous opportunities as well as be with my family there. So a top MBA program well recognized in India will be an ideal fit. Cost wise I am looking at reasonably priced programs.
Translating into MBA terms - Personal attributes -1 Year MBA, Peers with solid work experience, multi cultural and multi functional interaction, Well recognized in India, Reasonably priced.
General attributes - top school, good professors, solid curriculum, Leadership opportunities, Career Opportunities and Strong network..
Now are you so stupid enough that you see the color, style and cost pick up a shoe and later discover that it doesn't fit you. No we all are intelligent people and we choose our shoes wisely.
After my scribbles I have come at a decision about which schools I am targeting
Correct Fit - IIM A Pgpx, ISB, Oxford, Insead and CEIBS.
Ultra Correct Fit - IMD, Ashridge
Comfort Fit - MBS, Cranfield.
More drops will trickle....

Words worth

Caution:- This one is very lengthy one.

Why MBA - Age old question. I have tried to answer this question based on my perspectives below
1. An opportunity to learn some thing solid in a short span of time. In real business world there are always projects, deliveries, dead lines with the factor 'Time' always in short demand. MBA gives an opportunity to master this very vital skill while imparting necessary business essentials
2. Leadership camp. MBA at Leading business Schools are nothing but a Leadership camp. Leader is some one who can not only excel individually but also as a part of team of diverse individuals with varied interests. Throw in multi cultural and multi national background, one has a perfect platform to learn and master vital Leadership skills. Change Leadership (Starting a New club), Team Leadership (Working in Group Projects, Team events, Class participation), Thought Leadership ( Case competitions, Business Plans, Conferences, Analyze Issues and provide solutions to complex business problems), Soft Leadership (Ability convey thoughts effectively, Better communication skills, Ability to empathise) and Business Leadership (Solve critical business problems, Ethics, Socio economic awareness, sensitivity to environment variables, social activities) are some of the gold waiting to be mined in any leading MBA program.
3. See Trees when you should trees and See Woods when you should see Woods. See trees and woods when you need both.
4. Analytical and Business Skills
5. Better career prospects
6. Social esteem
7. Opportunity to be part of a life long network.
These are some of the advantages of an getting an MBA. Not every MBA fits everyone's profile. Once decided about getting an MBA the next question that arise is when to get it....

When MBA

MBA is an experience where the learning takes place in and outside the class room. Peer group matters here. More diverse and more matured the peer group more the opportunities for learning. Here one has to contribute to and learn from the class.
With 6 years of IT consulting experience under my belt, I see the time is ripe for me to participate in a MBA program. Having worked across three continents I have learned to operate and contribute in a diverse environment. I work as a senior consultant in a top 100 company and with an MBA i would have gained a holistic view of management. Appreciation of multi functional influences while analyzing a business problem is very imperative. Any solution to even the most simplest of business problem is not complete unless the decision has been taken with all multi functional influences in mind.
Solid management knowledge are critical in today's world for any one aspiring to be a leader. A person will absorb the management thoughts much better if he/she can relate the fundamentals to their realworld experiences.
Also MBA is critical for Business Leadership. Some are born leaders with acute business sense. they donot need an MBA. But for many others it is a platform from which they can find their ends. Its only a means to the end and not the end itself. That differentiation has to be remembered.
Short term and Long term goals - Career changers, job struckers are few categories where MBA can be a helping hand. My short term goal is to lead a service organization in my chosen area. My niche is CRM consulting - there is tremendous opportunity to increase Customer vale for any firm. My short term goal is to be at leadership position focusing on increasing customer value through technology in a top firm. Translating to Practice Head, Delivery Head, Tech evangelist, Business Head etc.
Long term goal - A niche operational consulting firm?? Huh.. The market for mid market CRM is huge and untapped. Is there a product in market which can be used to engage customers, Increase Sales, Provide efficient Service and Optimize the end-end product life cycle - None. you have CRM products like Siebel, ERP products like SAP and analytical products which are big and cumbersome and costly. Such a product for SMEs seldom exist. How about a Microsoft word like product for CRM. Ease to use, Ease to adapt, Less costly and scalable. My dream is to be build such a company.
Now assume if you haven't had any prior experience and if there is no need for you as an MBA, the only motivation for a person is to get a nice job after an MBA. More over the contributions can only be theoretical and takeaway from the MBA program will be minimal if not none.
What you give is what you get is the secret behind any top MBA program.


Free Gyan:-

Body is externally purified by water;
truth is medicine that purifies the mind

Trickles down..

It all starts with a trickle.
Little drops of water make a tiny brook
Small streams get together and form a river
Rivers intertwine and flow into a Ocean...
In the mean time there is growth of new life and passage of old things..
My journey is similar to this. My aim is to attend a top business school. A top business school according to my wishes and dreams. Profile - Indian, 6 + Yrs, Good GMAT, Multi Continent Experience, Techie.
This blog is a trickle towards that journey.

Todays gyan -

Success in righteousness is like riding a palanquin;
failure is like languishing under its burden

First Trickle

Hi world. Test blog..