The Top 6 Lessons from My BBA

For three absolutely wonderful years, I called IILM UBS, one of the best BBA colleges in Delhi, my home. And what’s a home without its fair share of learning and life-changing experiences? Like many before me, I was also bitten by the bug of entrepreneurship that is still at the height of its power in our country. I like to believe that it was always in my blood – I hail from a business-running family, which is why opting a Bachelor of Business Administration degree course was never a difficult decision.

The dilemma lied in choosing the right college. And after finishing my BBA in Entrepreneurship from IILM UBS, I can proudly say that I couldn’t have picked a better institution to hone my skills and emerge as not only a better businessperson but also as a better citizen of the world. Here’s a low down on the six lessons that my BBA from IILM UBS taught me:

The earlier you start, the better

When you are right out of school and brimming with ideas, it is easier to fine-tune and shape you, which is exactly what the BBA in Entrepreneurship did to me. I was not even out of my teens, but the excellent curriculum helped sharpen my business acumen, right from leadership and communication skill development, to critical thinking and decision-making.

There is no better preparation for an MBA

After bagging a lucrative management job in a reputed firm after my BBA, I worked for a few years before pursuing my MBA. Honestly, thanks to the strong knowledge and skill base which the BBA course had provided me, MBA was a smooth sailing. The multi-disciplinary learning at IILM UBS set me up wonderfully for the challenging and dynamic environment of MBA and, later, the corporate world.

Faculty matters

Who says the spirit of entrepreneurship can’t be taught? If you have the right teachers, you can learn almost anything, and I was fortunate enough to have found many gurus during my BBA. The internationally-merited curriculum at IILM UBS is stipulated by the Swiss Business School, and the modules are delivered by highly qualified in-house as well as visiting foreign faculty and experts. With a teacher-student mix of 1:4, I never had complaints about not getting adequate attention from my teachers in my BBA who not only imparted practical knowledge of the industry but mentored me into the person I am today!

undergraduate degree, entrepreneurship courses, iilm

Exposure is critical

If businesses are never limited to one country or region, why should the learning experience be? My BBA was built on this very premise, and, honestly, the 4 weeks of my Global Study Program in my BBA when I went to a partner university in Europe was one of the most enthralling and enlightening experiences of my life. Studying business in a completely different environment, interacting with a different culture, and getting to test my skills on a global stage inspired a new-found confidence in my abilities and introduced me to the possibilities that lie beyond the border, not just for budding entrepreneurs like me, but the entire Indian business economy.

The other unique exposure that I would like to mention here is the one I had under the challenging Summer Internship Program, where I was thrown into the mix at one of the real-world corporates. It is here that I got my first taste of working in a high-velocity business conglomerate and under the tutelage of many high profile leaders in the company. All this taught me that without practical, on-the-field training, education is incomplete.

Time and stress management

So far, you might be thinking that everything was a bed of roses for me, but let me assure you, it was not. At the end of the day, the onus lies on you to make the best use of all the facilities and education you are receiving, something which I learned over the three years of BBA where live projects, presentations, case studies, lectures, events, etc. keep coming at you relentlessly. Under such a stimulating and challenging environment, I learned how to manage my time, priorities and stress. The key lies in never losing sight of your goal, which is the essence of entrepreneurship that my BBA taught me.

The art of being open

Above everything else, my BBA program taught me how to be more confident and open. There are so many avenues of learning in a BBA program, and if you have the right attitude, you will be able to benefit immensely from them all. All you need is an open mind and a hunger for trying out new experiences and challenges. As a business student, having a bright, positive attitude to everything is important, and trust me with this one: it was the stimulating environment that my BBA created for me which allowed me to inculcate the quality of being open to everything on my own.

At the end of the day, I discovered a strong sense of belonging at my BBA and became a part of a pioneering, passionate and driven community that has helped shape my entrepreneurship dream.

The Importance of GD & PI in MBA Admission

Your aspiration as a student to attend the most prestigious B-schools is shared by numerous pupils. These institutions promise a bright future and primarily a set of skills and values that establish a strong base for an entrepreneurial personality.

Rest assured that your ambition to get into the top 10 MBA colleges in India can only be realized through hard work. Apart from qualities like punctuality, etiquette and formal attire, here’s a set of things you need to tick off your list to clear the Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) rounds for B-schools:

Group Discussion

Organize your thoughts:  before you set out to the take the group discussion by storm, ensure that you are crystal clear about your own thoughts. Follow a structure and avoid rushing through the idea. Additionally, speak in a clear tone.

 

Take a holistic approach:  A group discussion session proceeds some time to process information regarding the topic. Pen down your thoughts and compare them with a range of conventional and unconventional ideas. Having ample ideas will help you to stretch the debate towards wider areas. Present reasonable points and you’ll have the group’s attention.

Courtesy is the key:  Take care while speaking and try not to come across as aggressive instead of being impressive while making a point. Don’t speak too loudly or too softly and don’t refute aggressively if your point is disagreed with.

Learn as you go: You need to be on your toes during the discussion and grow with the conversation. Listen to each point and moderate your point accordingly. Logically, this requires ample practice and mock GDs with your peers.

Avoid personal opinions and conflicts:  It is advisable to sideline your personal views and think like an academic. Additionally, avoid getting into verbal conflicts with certain members as opposed to respectfully disagreeing with them.

Personal Interview

Prepare the basics: It is a known fact that you will be asked questions like ‘why ’, ‘why this institute’ and ‘how is the course relevant to your experience and expertise’. Your MBA admission depends on how well you answer these questions in addition to questions pertaining to your personal interests.

Confidence is the answer: These interviews are structured to evaluate your confidence by cross-questioning even satisfactory answers. It is, however, only logical that confidence comes with the appropriate knowledge. Therefore, be prepared.

Be honest: The interviewers admire honesty in addition to the aforementioned. Make it a point to answer honestly even if you find yourself short of the correct answer. Think objectively and refrain from answering questions you don’t know about to avoid further cross-questioning.

Mind your P’s and Q’s:  That is to say always act politely to achieve a positive review. Listen to the interviewers in an event where they don’t fully agree with your views. Frame a better response after considering all of their points.

Prepare a good CV:  Apart from staying calm and having a positive body language, ensure that your CV reflects the best of your abilities in a presentable manner. The information on your CV should be precise as it will be assessed meticulously.

Networking with the IILM Alumni

Having one of the largest alumni networks in India, the IILM Alumni Network spans over 9000+ well-placed graduates across the globe. Being a graduate from one of the top 10 MBA colleges in India has its perks, chief among them is being a part of an exclusive network that spans more than 30 countries.

Post graduating from the MBA programme, the alumni network plays an important role in your professional life. There are countless examples of new jobs, business leads, and development opportunities for these strategic networks. Whatever your MBA specialization may be, a strong college network is a premier advantage that you receive after graduating.

Networking Impact:

The IILM Alumni Network is an energetic and well-connected set of individuals, with its base strength increasing daily. The network has a passion for enhancing professional development and aiding each other in business needs. Whether that’s mentoring or vendor recommendations, the network provides a strong advantage for individuals who are looking to be a part of a premier institution. With existing graduates showing a positive organization impact, HR departments are keen on hiring those that are in the network of these individuals.

Global Study Programme, top 10 MBA colleges in India

Diversity:

Diversity is another key component of the IILM alumni experience. With the rich culture of the institution being instilled in all alumni members, the networking opportunity doubles for new students who have diverse backgrounds. For IILM, excellence is a quality that is never compromised, and graduates from the PGDM program have MBA specializations that blend with their diverse backgrounds.

Relationships & Nurturing:

With senior members mentoring new graduates, it’s a win-win situation for all alumni individuals. The relationship that graduates form with senior members creates an overarching culture of innovation, excellence, and instills confidence in all members. Senior members learn about upcoming technologies and key trends, while new members learn core management skills from the top heads of the industry.

Globalisation:

With a rising emphasis on the need for global leaders, the IILM alumni network focuses deeply on globalization. The IILM alumni network spans many countries and regions that are easily accessible through the network’s capability. Graduates can easily reach out to new geographies, industries, and profiles, just by leveraging the power of one of the top 10 MBA colleges in India.

An IILM MBA education is a deeply enriching experience for global candidates. With a large network spanning 9000+ members, the IILM alumni community is one of the most well-connected and professional networks in the world.

IILM Global Study Program – ISM Dortmund

We started with the global study program for three weeks from 5th August-25th August at ISM Dortmund with 34 students, (from Lodhi Road and Gurgaon)accompanied by two faculty members. Prior to the departure an orientation was held for the students and their parents briefing them on the process of the global study.The week started with the orientation at the ISM Campus and the students received a very warm welcome from the International Cell.

The first week was designed for studying the module titled Strategic Management. The examples used by Prof. QeisKamran covered all disciplines including economics, politics, marketing etc.The last week of the program covered the second module titled Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The module was delivered Using multiple tools such as videos, live cases and in case presentations involving creative and innovative thinking activities

The pattern of delivering the modules was very well received by the students.

1. Lecture-Activity-Lecture pattern of teaching: The modus operandi of the Professor at ISM Dortmund was to follow Lecture-Activity-Lecture pattern of teaching &learning.The students were equally involved in the teaching learning process.Every 20 minutes of lecture was followed by a half an hour activity.This not only engaged the students but also ensured that they are able to apply the concepts,theories & strategies in a real-life scenario.Activities taken up with the students involved Video snippets, live company examples, group presentations, brain storming sessions etc.

2. Idea Generation/Brain storming sessions: The Entrepreneurship module was delivered using a lot of brain storming sessions wherein the students were made to work on entrepreneurial ideas/prospective business models. This was able to gain maximum participation from the students as they were required to present a business idea that could capture the untapped needs/segments, specific to the Indian Markets.The focus was also on considering CSR & environment protection as core to the ideas generated.

3. On the spot Case based class presentations: The students were provided with Stanford & HBR case studies on the spot as an element of surprise class presentations. The purpose of the discussion was to bring out the analytical and problem-solving skills of the student group. Each of the student was required to present.The rules of presentation was made clear to the students in the beginning.Each group presentation was followed by a series of Q&A by the Professor so as to judge the analysis involved in the points presented.

During the visit students were also taken for a city tour of Dortmund which they immensely enjoyed. The bus tour was very well conducted, and the students enjoyed the scenery and the places of interest which Dortmund offers.

Two company visits were organised one at Dasa and the other at Wilo.

– Dasa is an exhibition centre run by the bureau of occupational safety and health hazards and focussing on
– Safety measures for all kind of catastrophes be it earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes.
– The safety gear and equipment’s required to counter such catastrophes.
– Detailed explanation of all countermeasures to combat calamity.

The students were also taken for the second company visit to a German based company named-Wilo.The students experienced the production of pumps and other parts using robotic technology.The students were briefed about the made to order production philosophy followed by the company.

The closing ceremony was held prior to the departure with the dean thanking the students for the visit at the ISM Campus followed by the departure of the students from Germany.

Nail Your College Interview in 8 Steps

Do you plan to study abroad after 12th Grade? Or do you plan to seek admission in one of the top 10 MBA colleges in Delhi NCR or elsewhere in India after earning your undergraduate degree? In either case, you must prepare for the interview, which is part of the college admissions process these days. Here’s an 8-step guide to acing your college interview –

Do Your Research:

One sure way to impress the college interview board is to research beforehand. Not only does this show that you are keen on joining the college but also highlights your ability to research. During the interview ask a couple of questions about the college; the answers to which may not be available on the website or brochure.

It also helps to do a bit of research on the interview board members, particularly if they are faculty members or alumni. This will help tailor your answers to include areas that may interest them.

Dress To Impress:

Take your interview seriously. Do not dress in denim or turn up in party wear. Dress in professional attire. Your clothes need not be expensive or new but a clean well-kempt look works best.

Come Prepared:

Do not be late for your college interview. Come prepared with all necessary documents and writing equipment. Read the fine print in your interview invitation letter. “Recommended” usually means ‘required’. If your interview invitation says it is recommended that you come equipped with letters from your school teachers or other community members, do not leave these out.

Go Beyond Answers:

Sure, your invitation letter says interview. It is not an interrogation, though. Go beyond answering questions. Come prepared with a couple of questions of your own – particularly about the student facilities or courses that you plan to take up.

Remain equipped with insightful answers to questions such as “Tell us about yourself”, “Why this college?”, or “Why this course?”

See A comprehensive Guide for GD Preparation:

What Makes You An Asset:

Interviewers are always looking for students who will make great alumni. Your academic achievements are certainly important but if you have excelled at sports, arts, or made significant contributions to your neighborhood, the interview is the place to highlight these.

MBA colleges in Delhi, IILM

Put Together A Portfolio:

It is always a good idea to put together a portfolio of your interests and achievements – things you may want to highlight at the interview. If you have done a bit of volunteering or have been part of any social service venture that you wish to speak of if you are an artist and have a curated portfolio, bringing these along may be a very good idea.

Confidence is The Key:

Confidence is the most important factor in cracking your college interview. Keep your tone light and conversational and be ready to questions with a touch of humor. Do smile and make eye contact when you greet interviewers and as you answer them. Talk about your achievements but do not sound boastful.

Follow Up:

Common courtesies go a long way. Thank your interviewer(s) and part with a firm handshake. Follow up your interview with a ‘Thank You’ note if appropriate. A nicely written email will work well in this case.

Student Committee On Placements: An Introduction

Who does not foster the ideology of ‘work hard party harder’ in the contemporary world? As evident, there is no second thought that managers should perform handsomely not only on the technical frontiers but also advocate the needs of a wider, global audience. Realising the significance of this much accepted convention, our college works zealously to ensure that each one of us entails the benefits of the committee in the most productive fashion.

In the light of above connotations, it makes us extremely delighted to introduce ourselves through our very first written correspondence. Just as every organisation is built on the edifice of mission and vision, the Student Committee On Placements (SCOP) functions under similar disciplines. The foundational tenet of SCOP is to make the journey of every student enthralling and to provide a platform to showcase and build upon their skills. The committee and institution’s management work together to create a synergy for the betterment of students. It is an integral part of our duties to encourage fellow mates to participate and absorb intended learning behind every gathering.

Tailor made objectives of the committee are encapsulated below:

  • To initiate and encourage the attitude of active participation.
  • To highlight the importance of working upon oneself by strengthening the areas of improvement.
  • To act as catalyst in coordinating and conducting the placement process smoothly.
  • To maintain a calendar in place highlighting management oriented activities.
  • To assist various clubs in planning and organising their activities.

Sounds interesting? We are as ecstatic as it sounds to foray into these endeavours that would unfold over the horizon of these two career building years. So grab this opportunity to break your inner cyst that has restrained you from becoming an upcoming trendsetter because in the words of Jim Rohn ,”If you are not willing to risk the usual, you will have to settle for the ordinary”.

PLACEMENT WEEK 2

With the aim of keeping the learning mission in loop through practical acquaintances, Placement Week 2 was orchestrated between 9/10/17 and 13/10/17. Thanks to the stupendous efforts of IILM’s management in tandem with CDC, notable speakers from diverse industries agreed to interact with future managers about the expected contemporary & future industry requirements. The week also focused on imparting and harnessing skills that add up in making a high performing candidate at the time of recruitment. There is no refuting the fact that improved knowledge coupled with managerial skills increase the chances of placement manifold. Consequently, the entire week was drafted to align academic knowledge with recruitment pre-requisites.

All the sessions were extremely informative and directed at creating real time placement situation for the maximum benefit of the attendees. History is corroborative of the fact that practice fosters perfection. Some pertinent highlights in achieving the level of perfection during the remarkable week are summed up below:

  • Introduction to internships: The week kick started with the lead of placement cell elaborating about the several internship avenues and stressing on the importance of finding the right company for training.
  • Session on excel & resume building: A resume gives a bird’s eye view of the potential employee’s background and much more. Thus, it could be inferred that the resume must abide by the accepted standard as it makes a first impression. It is equally important to brush up excel skills to upgrade one’s operational proficiency.
  • Session on adapting to workplace: An astute employee knows the importance of mixing with the corporate environment. A session was thus conducted that envisaged on delivering tips & techniques to perform smartly at workplace.
  • Group discussion (GD)& personal interviews (PI): As a mandate, every organization conducts a GD & PI to scan to best fit for their company. This gives them a chance to understand an applicant from different viewpoints. It was thus an integral component of the placement week schedule and was aptly conducted by able faculties.
  • Session on pathways: Changing trends call for clever actions to make the best use of the approaching opportunities. A session introducing ‘pathways’ was planned to apprise student about the mix of subjects they can choose to get the best out of their specialization(s).
  • Alumni on campus: Thanks to the amount of efforts IILM put in every student, it is certain that our esteem alumnus are bound to showcase them and take the college pride to the next level. Sessions by alumnus captivated attention and managed to engage maximum students.

In totality, the objective of delivering meaningful information through well conducted sessions was adequately achieved. The Placement Week ended positively and marked the beginning of Diwali break with happy faces exchanging wishes with each other in advance.

PLACEMENT WEEK 2017

One of the chief constituents in determining success of a management student hovers around his/ her ability to transcend academic learning to secure a promising placement. Undoubtedly, this has remained a consideration for every student since the moment he decides to venture into a management program. Abiding by this rationale, IILM has maintained a reputation of providing an incubator to address such need of young, aspiring minds by providing a platform to learn & grow.

Thanks to the commendable efforts of college management, the objective of conducting a Sectoral Talk for the benefit of students was adequately achieved. Renowned representatives of different companies from varied background discussed about their respective sectors in detail during the week which was organized between 24th August 2017 and 26th August 2017. Students, on the other hand, contributed significantly by actively participating in all the sessions. It was mesmerizing to see the enthusiasm in future managers who were eager to learn about opportunities from noteworthy speakers. Some beneficial excerpts and takeaways are discussed as under:

  • Orient Craft, represented by Mr. Paramjeet Lambha

The company is known to have state of art production facilities. Representing one of India’s best garment manufacturers, Mr. Lambha narrated about the robustness and efficiency level that have helped the company sustain its peak position. He also affirmed that every employee associated with Orient Craft could be rest assured of an exciting career.

  • BlackRock, represented by Mr. Nikhil Ladha

It would be a redundant effort to introduce BlackRock as it is one of the most premier asset management companies across the globe. Students keen upon building career in Finance were excited to learn about the intricacies of the sector. Mr. Ladha, who is Amity Business School alumni talked about the kinds of skill sets required to thrive in the Financial sector and explained the various job profiles that one can fit in depending upon the knowledge & interest.

  • Shuttl, represented by Mr. Nischal Mittal

A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Mr. Mittal enriched the audience with amazing concept that his organization functions on. The company was founded to resolve the issue of overcrowding & over pricing in public transportation such as cabs & metros. Talking about different verticals of his company, he explained how different it is to work in a startup. Besides this, he also discussed about the several engagement opportunities for management graduates in Shuttl.  He concluded his session by stating that his company is determined to expand its operations in near future by adopting cleaner & greener ways.

  • HT Media, represented by Mr. Prateek Mehta

Representing almost a 100 years old organization, Mr. Mehta engaged the students as he spoke about the very prevalent Media & Advertising sector. An MBA from Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, he shared his experiences of being associated with the industry. According to him, Advertising possesses immense power & capabilities to capture the minds of target audience. To support this, he stressed on the example of NEXA showrooms that Maruti has come up with to showcase its premium segment cars. He finally emphasized on the career opportunities that digital marketing promises in the coming times.

  • Resonance Consulting, represented by Mr. Rajeev Shukla

Mr. Shukla was effective in moving the audience with his insights on advertising industry. He described Advertising as “branding & communication”. He was extremely optimistic about this industry as he touched upon the nitty gritty of the same. During his session, he also apprised about ways to get into the industry and the type of skill sets that can help one prosper. At the end, he managed to persuade the audience with his strong words and made everyone think differently.

  • BMW, represented by Mrs. Ssonya Singh

After learning about the technicalities of various sectors, it was time to reflect upon the thoughts of a speaker who requested to have a candid session. Mrs. Singh has been associated with BMW for quite a while and happily explained how company is open to adopt changes. She also explained that the company aims to beat Mercedes and gain the number 1 position over a time horizon of one year. She suggested that it is very important to have a clear set of goals and a strong will implement them to achieve our dream. Only after knowing ourselves can we do our jobs with integrity.

In the nutshell, the street-smart representatives from diverse companies were successful in creating an aura of learning that intrigued the students to broaden their horizons of various sectors. The week proved fruitful for both, under graduates & graduate students who benefited by understanding the practical requirements of their dream jobs. It is thus important to mold one’s outlook and have a tunnel vision because in the present time, companies don’t look for the best people but the right people.

Visit to IndusInd Bank

They say anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Hence, to give wings to the learning objective of aspiring Bankers, the management organised a visit to IndusInd Bank’s M. G. Road branch on 20/12/17. The entire episode was escorted under the tutelage of Prof. Shegorika Lalchandani, who is an Associate Professor of Finance & Accounts. Such visits are an integral component of Career Trek scheme that aims at ensuring that all participants are enlightened with a practical outlook, something that is mundane with IILM’s teaching model.

Visiting one of the top Indian banks certainly added lilies to the bouquet as it gave us a glimpse of a typical work environment in a bank. Eager to grasp all that we could, we were fortunate to meet Mr. Parvinder Singh, who holds the coveted position of Bank Manager. He graciously outlined several notions that drives the banking industry in a crisp fashion throughout a very descriptive conversation. He also briefed about the expected level of understanding, the type of attitude and the right set of skills that a candidate must exhibit to perform and reach to the zenith in banking industry. It is a well established fact that Banking is a very dynamic industry and one needs to be agile in carrying out any operation as a bank employee.

Furthermore, Mr. Singh apprised us with the trends & concepts such as FinTech, Industrial Revolution 4.0, how the sector has evolved in 21st century and how bright the future looks like for Bankers. He narrated a process called ‘4 eyes’ to justify how meticulously a transaction is carried out in a bank to minimalize the possibility of an error/fraud. All operations and activities, are thus carried with rapt attention as any folly could tantamount to severe repercussions. At last, he welcomed and sorted questions escalated by us and suggested that one must always be inclined towards working hard to reap the most desired dividends in life.

In the nutshell, it was an enthralling experience that added interest to our bank of knowledge and intrigued us to possess & analyse with a pragmatic frame of mind to connect better with classroom teachings.

CRICKET: MORE THAN JUST A SPORT

’All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”

Corroborating the notion, IILM is synonymous to producing exceptional Jacks who are adept in both academic as well as non-academic facets. In constructing the overall personality of a student, the management thrives expeditiously in harnessing the best out of every future manager in the making. Keeping in limelight the prime objective, it was about time to dust off the impeding pressure and dive upon in a fun & playful engagement.

Adhering to the significance of physical activities, the sports club of the college regimented a ‘Fun Cricket Tournament’ on 18th August 2017 which was successfully organized in the college precincts. There are no marks for guessing the quantum of joy and passion that gets the Indians going when it comes to their favorite sport. Because of this reason, the sports club received an overwhelming response when the students were apprised about the tournament. Consequently, it was decided to augment the rules that promised a much more interesting game of cricket and meet the idea of enhancing amicability amongst the fellow mates.

As a rule, every team played with 4 boys & 2 girls. Both the undergraduate and post graduate team students showcased their spirit towards the gentlemen’s sport by defeating scorching heat and savored each moment of the tournament. The off-field participants in the form of audience lauded for their favorite teams with equal zest.

At the end, the team of Gurugram Warriors was unassailable and lifted the winning trophy. Finally, with the dusk of sun ended a fun tournament that promised to be back next year with unlimited entertainment.