Guide to Professional Networking and Job Search

Exam Watch, IILM Institute for Higher Education04 MayMs Mini Biju DanielCommunication, Flexibility, Initiative, Job Search, Leadership skills, Motivation and Enthusiasm, Organization and Planning, Positive Attitude, problem solving, Professional Networking, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Teamwork, Thinking Skills, Willingness to Learn

Only a handful of us, hold jobs that are directly linked to our past work experience or academics. And in the era of opportunity in disguise where talent hunt and job seekers are at parallel lines. “To Bridge this gap” I wanted to pen down a few mantras, through which Job seekers could make themselves visible and how talent seekers could findtheir potential candidates.

In today’s scenario, seeking employment is mentally and emotionally draining. It even begins to affect your self-worth. Efficiency is what is required in job hunting, with holistic views and of course knowledge and use of technology. All institutions are helping students to make use of the technologies for future growth. As, in the present scenario, technology is utilized to improve teaching and learning and help our students be corporate ready.

On a daily bases we get to see Job openings with profile descriptions on various Portals – Linkedin being one of the best social professional platform. Bases your interest- Whenever you see such posts, make sure that you share or drop a “like”or “comment.” You spend only a few seconds but could be a life-changer for someone who is looking out for an opportunity. It will increase their visibility and even help you find desired key words for your resume, which would indeed attract the recruiters. By sharing the post – You may not be able to get them a job, but someone who might be able to, may see it. This is what “Linkedin” and true networking is all about. Let’s join together and help each other out.

Incredible potential were missed out during the earlier system of hiring. With the use of new methods and technology, the advances in robotics and machine learning are transforming the way we work. We should be open to multi task at this juncture and should be willing to do jobs we’ve never done before in our careers. So what are the tools and strategies we need to identify tomorrow’s high performers? In search for answers, I’ve consulted with many of my colleagues, across many sectors, read number of reports and conducted some of my own talent try-outs. My hunt is far from over, but here are few ideas the can lead you to the desired profile.

1. Explore to the maximum

If we only look for talent in the same place/s, as we always do – top notch universities / institutions, reputed schools, prestigious organizations — the results are the same. There’s a lot of talk about the importance of clarity and vision with each step of the search. Your computer, tablet, or Smartphone holds a wealth of information. If you know what to look for, you have access to an unlimited number of learning resources, job search portals and we can make the best use of it.

For example, say you’ve been searching for a job role of “Manager of Marketing” for a while without any luck. Depending on the company, a “Chief Marketing Officer” position might demand the same skills as a Manager-level position. Instead of relying on the job title to determine the scope and function of the role, read the whole listing to discover what’s actually being asked for.

Be especially cautious of the term “manager,” it’s one of the most confused terms in the career world. One organization’s “Marketing Director” might, in fact, be an individual contributor, whereas a “Marketing Manager” with a different company could lead a team of ten members. The point to be noted is, this again depend upon the size, hierarchy of the company.

No issues, it’s about opening up your search by navigating the shortcomings of job! As long the search should be right, keep initial words, read Job Description thoroughly, understand what the company is asking and see if or as a role fits with the bulk of your non-negotiable (like pay, company type, or location), it’s worth exploring further.

2. Performance should speak

Inspired by my own job experience, as a hiring platform called “Linkedin,” which gives candidates an opportunity to polish the various capabilities like the Data Tool, Basic Excel, STRATA, Programming, Tableau Public, Python, SAS; etc. If you’re hiring a data analyst, give them a spread sheet of historical data and ask them for their key understandings. If you’re hiring a marketing manager, have them plan a launch campaign for a new product. And if you’re a candidate, don’t wait for an employer to ask. Seek out ways to showcase your unique skills and abilities outside of just the standard resume and cover letter.

However, employee selection is the process of putting right men on right job. It is a procedure of matching organizational requirements with the skills and qualifications of people.

3. Don’t wait – Explore all job portals

Applying online is instantly gratifying / rewarding. You can apply to 20 places in one sitting and feel incredibly productive. Also most jobs aren’t publicly advertised?? So why to wait…?.

How to access this secret underground job market?

Start by making a list of your dream companies you want to work for. Organize your list based on whether or not you have the right skill sets. If you already know someone there, put that organization on one side of the list, and send an email and fix for an appointment and then take it forward. For everywhere else, you’ll need to make a new connection, which increases your contact and add to your network.

4. The Big Picture

I’ve heard about recruiters who are quick to tag a candidate based on a single short stint on their resume. Try to get a rounded view of the person; otherwise our judgment of them will always be imperfect. For that, let’s stop associating experience with ability, credentials with competence. The employers should leave back the out-dated hiring practices and embrace new ways of identifying and cultivating talent, and candidates can help by learning to tell their story in powerful and convincing ways. We could live in a world where people are seen for what they’re truly capable of and have the opportunity to realize their full potential. So let’s start to construct it.

5. Top Essential Employability Skills and most Transferable in-demand Skills

Various skills in enterprise are role defined, while others can be utilised in all job roles (multi takers). The Manageable skills develop through learning during our career – know what they are and set targets for improving them to maximise the job evolution.

Few of them are:

(a) Positive Attitude

Having positive attitude helps you cope more easily with the daily affairs of life. It brings confidence, and avoids unnecessary problems. If the change is adopted in one’s life, it would bring constructive changes, keeps everyone happier, cheerful and more prosperous.

(b) Self-Management

Success starts with self-management. It is an acquired art. Setting goals and managing time comes out of self-management. It develops the attentiveness skills which will help to overcome the temptation of delay.

(c) Willingness to Learn

Be always open to new learning and cooperative. Be willing to learn from others and share knowledge

(d) Thinking Skills

Thinking skills are the mental state of mind that we apply when in need. It enables us to assimilate each new experience into the diagram that we are constructing or imagining of “how things are”

(e) Flexibility

Flexibility in workplace allows employers and employees to make arrangements about working conditions that suit them. This helps employees maintain a work / life balance and can help employers improve the productivity and efficiency of their business.

In today’s world, employees will be expected to specialize in your role to some extent, although understanding the functions of your colleagues’ positions and departments will allow you to work with them better. Being flexible means making time for others and not expecting them to respond to your requests instantly. Look for examples of how your flexible approach to work will benefit the company.

(f) Motivation and Enthusiasm

Whoever hires you, the employer is investing in you, so they need to see that you are passionate about working and interested in your career. If you are lacking in motivation this may have a negative impact on your work.

(g) Initiative

Highly valued in job – is your own initiative. An employer needs to know that you can think for yourself. Approach this with thoughtfulness and start small, you have got your whole career to develop your skills. Kindly note, for any activity please do not act smart or outside of your authority.

(h) Organization and Planning

Prioritization of tasks and time management are the key factor for any job role. You need prove your administration skills to your next interviewer that you will be able to perform to your full ability and excel in your role.

(i) Communication

Effective communication is essential for any job role. Employers need to know that you are capable to express and explain your thoughts to anybody in the organization and also able to realize the viewpoints of others.

(j) Teamwork

Teamwork is often a crucial part of any job role, as it is often necessary for colleagues to work well together. Teamwork means that people will have to cooperate, using their individual skills and providing constructive feedback, despite any personal conflict. Employees get opportunity to work in groups and communicate with people from every department of the company in order to prove and deliver results.

(k) Leadership skills

Leaders take responsibility and delegate tasks effectively. Most roles involve at least some aspect of leadership, especially beyond the initial stages of your career. Look for opportunities to manage projects and other people as early as possible to begin developing this key transferable skill.

(l) Problem solving

Workshops / Training can only take you so far, sometimes you will find yourself in a situation where you need to figure out a new solution. Make a note when you really have to dig deep and figure something out. Try to use examples in your interviews to convince the interviewer.

(m) Self-Awareness

Try to recognize your areas of weakness and improve it. It is almost as important as developing and using your strengths. Your potential employer needs to know that you realise, you aren’t perfect. If appropriate, mention areas you are keen to develop in your new position, (eg. go for trainings, attend conferences, etc.) as well as presenting the skills you bring to the role.

Finally the ability for search in jobs lies in the capability and adaptability of the job seeker keeping in mind the competitive scenario today. There is “No ‘Job Shortage” – but using the right platform and skills will enhance the job seekers to accomplish his/ her goal. The job seeker should however, be well equipped with his or her strong and weak capabilities to channelize his / her root of career.

Mini B. Daniel
Associate Professor of Communication

How to stay positive during Isolation or quarantine by Spirituality?

Center for Emotional Intelligence04 MayAshutosh SinghHow to stay positive, stay positive, stay positive during Isolation

“More smiling, less worrying. More compassion, less judgment. More blessed, less stressed. More love, less hate.”

I am sure if you will involve spirituality in your lifestyle, it will definitely increase your productivity. Especially, while many of us take the option of work from home. Staying with family, roommates, their behavior sometimes irritates us and both parties lose the temper. Some of us stay alone, loneliness according to Indian Journal of Psychiatry may lead to physical and mental diseases.

So, before we go further let us understand about isolation and quarantine.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says isolation is separating a sick person from healthy people to stop communicable diseases, and quarantine is restricting the movement of citizens so that communicable diseases will not spread to other people.

Now, what is spirituality?

Indian history is full of famous philosophers. Adi Shankracharya, Swami Vivekanand and Dr. Sarvapali Radhakrishnan. They guided the world towards spirituality. In his work, “Indian Religious Thoughts” S. Radhakrishnan gave the definition of spirituality as the goal of an individual as “establishing a relationship with the supreme power.” He further quoted Plato’s thought that is parallel to Indian philosophy when he said, “spirituality is irresistible harmony with the reality of the world.” Same quoted by the Gautam Buddha that the world is full of sorrow. Every human searches way to minimize his grief all over the world but the way to get rid of this grief is somewhere inside us.

Dr. Radhakrishnan further quoted Brihadranyaka Upanishad practicing spirituality by three simple steps-

Step 1# “Shravan” (listening)

You can listen if you let someone speak and one needs to listen quietly. Listening makes your thought focused.

Step 2# “Manana” (thinking)

Thinking let you understand and analyze the multiple courses of actions you can take in a specific situation

Step3#“Nididhyasana” (Meditation)

Mediation is the result of listening and thinking leads to concentrated action. A concentrated effort increase the productivity of an individual in comparison to the one whose mind is bombarded my several types of thoughts.

The final output of following the above three steps is “Atma darshan” (self-vision or self-knowledge). An individual thinks critical his/her judgments do not get the effect from the biases.

Philip Sheldrake a religious historian, a theologian with a background of philosophy and political theory says in “Spirituality: A Very Short Introduction” that spirituality is now a personal and tailored to everyone it does not matter that there is any religious affiliation of one’s spirituality or not. Some will say it is spirituality vs. religion. No, it is not.

Spirituality is more than worship. It is about spreading positivity and doing social good.

Conclusion

In the end, now its time to bring theories of spirituality into action. Yes, it is next to impossible not to react. It is true every action has an equal and opposite reaction. But by practicing a spiritual lifestyle we can change it to “Every action can have a more positive reaction”. In addition, even you are staying alone you will find you are too much busy doing things that you do not have time to think negatively.

You can feel spiritual while planting a tree or taking care of a plant in your house, animal nearby your house. So the people who are quarantine can do all above. The people who stay in isolation can give time to their hobbies that they can do in available space.

The Guardian has reported an increase of 20% in domestic violence been increased during global lockdown due to Covid-19 pandemic. It can be controlled and minimise by the help of spirituality during this tuff time. No matter which religion you follow, you can be a change agent, you can change the lives of others too.

Citation:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/you-hearing-listening-five-benefits-jan-johnston-osburn/

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/apr/28/calamitous-domestic-violence-set-to-soar-by-20-during-global-lockdown-coronavirus

IILM’s Top Ten Non-fiction Books for Students Under Lockdown

Campus Life, IILM Institute for Higher Education04 MayAtima MankotiaBooks for Students Under Lockdown, Non-fiction Books, Top Ten Non-fiction Books

World Book Day was recently celebrated on April 23, 2020 to reiterate the importance of books and reading in our lives, something that IILM believes in and inculcates in its students. The first World Book Day was celebrated on 23 April in 1995 and continues to be celebrated on that day. The original idea to celebrate this day was of the Spanish writer Vicente Clavel Andrés to honour author Miguel de Cervantes who died on 23 April. In 1995, UNESCO too decided that the World Book and Copyright Day would be celebrated on 23 April as the date is anniversary of the death of not just Cervantes but also of William Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, a historical coincidence.

IILM encourages its students to read by stocking the library with interesting books that are not text books and by Book Clubs and Societies. During, the lockdown, students are at home with ample time on their hands so IILM has decided to share a list of books with students to guide them about what to read.

Why is reading so important and why does IILM emphases and focuses on reading? Reading expands one’s horizons, improves one’s written and spoken communication and language and most, importantly, reading allows one to think critically and form opinions. Reading, by increasing a people’s knowledge of the world, opens their minds to a plethora of information, that not only allows them to gather more knowledge but also allows them to think on their own and be able to analyze and justify those thoughts.

With so many benefits of reading, please IILM urges to use this time to cultivate the habit of reading.

IILM has put together a list of top ten non-fiction and fiction books that IILM recommend for students to read under lockdown. Today we share with you the list of non-fiction books, i.e, books that are informative or factual rather than fictional.You can choose books that interest you. Most of them are available on kindle and soft copies of some are even available free online. You can even choose them as audio books and hear them.

You do not have to read all. Even if you read one book it is a beginning.

Happy reading!

Top Ten Non-Fiction Books by IILM

1. Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach: A simple and easy book to read with depth of life’s philosophy, Jonathan Livingston Seagull is an ode to self-determination through transcendence of the body and discovery of the limitless nature of the mind and the spirit. The story is told through Jonathan, a seagull, who longs to be in control of his own life and govern himself independently of his dominating, small-minded Flock and how he achieves it.

2. Who Moved My Cheese by Dr Spencer Johnson: An easy read with text interspersed with illustrations, this is a self help book where ‘Cheese’ is a metaphor for what you want to have in life – it could be a good job, loving relationship, money or health. The very core message of the book is that things constantly change so we must adapt. The quicker we adapt a change the more satisfied we will be.

3. The Monk who Sold his Ferrari by Robin Sharma: An inspiration book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari tells the extraordinary story of Julian Mantle, a lawyer forced to confront the spiritual crisis of his out-of-balance life, and the subsequent wisdom that he gains on a life-changing odyssey that enables him to create a life of passion, purpose and peace. What readers all over the globe appreciate about this book is its deft amalgam of the philosophies from both western and eastern worlds.

4. The Prophet by Khalil Gibran: The Prophet provides timeless spiritual wisdom on a range of subjects, including giving, eating and drinking, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, teaching, time, pleasure, religion, death, beauty and friendship. A book of 26 prose poetry fables written in English by the Lebanese-American poet and writer Kahlil Gibran, corresponding to each chapter are evocative drawings by Gibran himself. This book, written in beautiful verse, is a guide to many situations in life.

5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: This self-help book published in 1936 has sold over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling books of all time. Carnegie shares 12 ways to improve. These include the ability to make friends quickly, increase popularity, boost influence, win clients, raise your salary, make you a better salesperson, and help you inspire coworkers to increase their excitement and productivity. The simple concepts put forward by Carnegie are timeless and continue to be relevant.

6. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey: This book hit the business and self-help book list like a hurricane in the early 1990s. Drawing on aspects of the philosophies of ancient thinkers like Aristotle, Benedict, and Cicero, Covey repackages some of the foundational precepts into easily understood lesson for the current audience. The author’s tone is positive, pushing readers to believe that anything is possible with a can-do attitude and solid determination. It is a book that reminds that we are always in a constant state of improving ourselves both in our personal lives and professional careers.

7. First, Break all the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman’s: This is an interesting read for Management students because the main premise of the book is that despite differences of backgrounds, educations, cultures, and leadership styles, successful managers share one key component – the tenacity to break every rule held sacred by conventional business leadership. The concepts delivered are not specific to any one type of organization or manager providing specific ways a manager can improve her leadership and make her organization more effective.

8. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: This international bestseller goes beyond self-help philosophies to unveil where success begins – in the mind. Kahneman introduces and explains two systems that drive the way we think – System One and System Two. The first system contains emotional, intuitive, and fast-paced thinking. The second system is described as logical, more deliberate, and slower. The author argues that understanding these two systems is imperative to know how to make the right decisions in the professional and personal realms in which we exist.

9. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Noah Harari: For those interested in the history of the humans this is the author’s account of how the humans conquered the Earth. Some of his theories astonish with their scope and imagination. Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens avoids simplistic explanations of the evolution of the sapiens and offers an exceptional retelling of the human story seasoned with many personal reflections on man’s tenancy of the planet.

10. The 5 am Club by Robin Sharma: The 5 am Club is a trailblazing and astonishing story of two everyday human beings seeking greater productivity, prosperity and serenity in this age of digital distraction and overwhelming complexity who meet a most weird and wonderful tycoon. The book that talks about how great geniuses, business titans and the world’s wisest people start their mornings; the formula to wake up early feeling inspired, focused with a fiery drive; and a method to protect the quietest hours of daybreak, unfolds a neuroscience-based practice proven to make it easy to rise while most people are sleeping.

Consumerism or Spirituality: Learnings of Kabir Das for Gen-Next

Faculty, General Blog, IILM Graduate School of Management, IILM Institute for Higher Education, IILM University, Uncategorized03 MayDr. Kumar Saurabh

According to a Mckinsey report, the spirituality among the Indians is decreasing while consumerism is on a rise. For the very same reason, India is now known as one of the biggest market places in the world. The things which used to be luxury for our grandparents and parents have now become necessities for us. Also, our parents used to buy things for a lifetime but we buy things for just a few years or even for just months. This kind of shift in temperament is visible in various other studies also as when the whole world is now moving towards contentment we are still on the path of dissatisfaction. On the one hand, when the entire world is moving towards spirituality Indians are tilted towards consumerism.

GDP Growth to Happiness Index

The world has moved beyond mere economic development to the well-being of individuals. Presently, the growth of a nation is just not reflected in terms of GDP growth figures rather it is being measured in terms of happiness index. Since 2012, the United Nations have also come up with a study on the happiness of people across countries each year to recognize the happiness quotient of people and their well-being in place of economic development only. Since the beginning, India consistently ranked at the lower strata of countries in the world’s happiness ranking. The same story continues even in this year also as according to World Happiness Report 2020, the performance of India is very dismal in terms of ranking on Happiness Index as it ranked at 144 out of total 156 nations much below than the neighboring countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka which are ranked at 66, 92, 107 and 130 respectively.

To be Spiritual Guru

In the World Happiness Report, the main factors considered for the Happiness Index of individuals are the social environment and the ability to make decisions of life. At present when India is urging to be recognized as the ‘Spiritual Guru’ of the world it is the time when we need to dig out the learnings from our own old and probably forgotten literature to improve our ranking by increasing the well-being of Indians. India, a land of sages has a very rich source of wisdom in the form of religious and philosophical literature. India is a country that had philosophers who themselves have not gone through with any formal schooling and even they don’t know the art of writing but they have given us the mantra for content and satisfying life. Considering Kabir Das, a mystic poet, philosopher and saint of fifteenth-century who himself mentioned as illiterate as in his own words about himself ‘Masi kagad chhuyo nahi, kalam gahyo nahin hath’, he clearly said that he neither touched the paper nor hold the pen in his entire life but have given a wonderful message for a satisfying and happy life.

Consumerism

On consumerism, we can take a lesson from the work of Kabir as ‘Maya mari na man mara, mar mar gaye sharer, asha trushna na mari kah gaye das Kabeer’, the meaning of this verse is very apt that if we go for desires then will never be able to fulfill all instead we will lose ourselves by mere running behind them. Desires are like hallucination and they are never-ending, individuals can keep on fulfilling one the other will keep cropping up the very next moment which leaves us dissatisfied and discontent. So, the lesson which one needs to take that one should always look for needs not for desires because needs are limited which can be fulfilled and can be satisfied while desires are unlimited, and falling prey to your desires is like being in a vicious cycle which has no exit route.

Practice Satisfaction

Furthermore, Kabir also said, “Saain itna deejiye, jaame kutumb samaye. Main bhi bhookha na rahun, sadhu na bhookha jae”, with this he wants to convey that don’t be part of a rat race of earning higher and higher which will keep disturbing you and will not let you be satisfied. The desire for higher earnings will keep you in stress and dissatisfied so instead pray to the almighty for the earnings which are sufficient to meet your needs and to look after the needs of your dependents.

So, if we follow this one simple advice of Kabir to be content and don’t be a victim of our desires then one neither feel dissatisfied by comparing oneself with others nor one feels like losing control on ones’ own life. The aggregate of our feelings of contentment will surely reflect and will have a much-improved ranking on happiness index with the use of learnings of our rich cultural heritage in terms of literature.

Now the biggest question is ‘Which side you want to be?’ To be part of the rat race of consumerism or to follow the path of spirituality, guided by sages for ages. To get more on the subject can approach at kumar.saurabh@iilmgsm.ac.in.

Dr. Kumar Saurabh

Assistant Professor-Finance

IILM Graduate School of Management

Responsible Marketing Will Run the Mile

Uncategorized03 MayShahana QutabCovid-19, ethical business, green marketing, marketing trends, Responsible marketing, social marketing

Source: https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/company-socially-responsible/

Ah! Marketing and its relentless endeavour of profit maximisation! A marketer would not mind making the world one hoarding and splashing its ads everywhere (how do you like seeing automobile, electronics, movie, lingerie etc. ads splashed across on every inch of trains, aeroplanes and their cabins, beautiful scenic highways, public spaces…?)

In the process of bringing a firm’s products and services to the end consumer, a marketer has left no stone unturned acting like a magician casting a spell on the consumer’s mind to spend, buy its products and justify whatever its selling. In this endeavour, the marketer has by and large ignored adherence to ‘virtues’ and ‘philosophies’ like ethics and responsibility towards society. Marketing is increasingly creating and encouraging artificial or false needs (Apple Corp. limiting supplies to create perception of high demand, cosmetic companies coming out with non-essential and expensive products), promoting discrimination (fairness creams, size zero body size) floating false promises (fairness creams, deceitful packaging or excess packaging, flu vaccines that really don’t work etc.) intensifying materialism, hoarding and greed (EMI offerings for luxury products, brand endorsements that pushes consumption etc.) All this kind of irresponsible marketing will impact an organisation negatively, damage the reputation/brand-name, bring slump in sales and profits, mistrust in shareholders, legal disputes and many more.

Ethical issues do influence marketing, its planning and long-term sustainability of the organisation. Ethics, as defined by Peter Stanwick and Sara Stanwick in their book ‘Understanding Business Ethics’ (2013), are values that individuals use to interpret whether an action or behaviour is acceptable or appropriate. It is very important for organisations to respond to ethical issues in their marketing strategy. Marketing mix should compliment ethics and social responsibility to be called as a responsible marketing that considers and honours the long-term benefits of its customers.

When a company vows to practice best interests of society in both short and long term, it practices responsible marketing. Responsible marketing is a philanthropic philosophy and includes many related marketing concepts like cause marketing, green marketing, environmental marketing and social marketing.

The responsible marketing process of an organisation has to be guided from the very start by ethical practices with focus on customer and societal needs and well-being. The marketing process should end with fair and enriching value creation of the business for their markets. Trend is changing now and increasing number of organisations and companies have become socially and environmentally aware when it comes to planning and implementing their marketing strategies. More and more companies are going ‘green’. During the Covid-19 pandemic we witness many companies promoting ‘social distancing, hand washing and stay at home’ practices. Online portals like Amazon, Nykaa, Myntra are selling only essential hygiene and health protection products. Uber and Ola ride services practiced hygiene and promoted adherence to social distancing guidelines during the pandemic. Local kirana and grocery stores adhere to rationed supply and social distancing through the pandemic lockdown.

For businesses that embrace responsible marketing practices, there are many distinct advantages. It provides financial advantages like tax-cuts and other incentives provided by the government, instills faith, goodwill in the market especially in the customer base and improves public relations. Companies gain more business as customers appreciate social responsibility. Responsible marketing will gain more and more leverage especially post COVID-19, because it promotes respecting the planet and each other as there will not be one without the other.

Keywords: Responsible marketing, social marketing, green marketing, marketing trends, COVID-19, ethical business.

About the author: Shahana Qutab is a doctoral research scholar of Social Marketing at IILM University, Gurugram, India.

How IILM keeps students motivated to learn

Campus Life, IILM Institute for Higher Education, IILM Stories02 MayDr Oly Mishrahow to motivate students, IILM, IILM keeps students motivated

Motivation sooner or later fades away if it is not fed every day.

To keep one motivated requires an investment of time, effort, and energy. However, it is a worthwhile effort. In the case of students, motivation has a key role to play for achieving success in their academic goals. This is easier said than done. It is the responsibility of the teachers to ensure that the students are motivated in their academic pursuits. Teachers with great experience believe that the students are as motivated as is the teacher.

The teachers, who are passionate about their subjects, ensure that their passion rubs off their students as well. There are many ways by which the students can be kept motivated. We, here at IILM understand the importance of keeping students motivated to learn so that they enjoy the learning process.

Here are 7 key initiatives taken up by IILM to keep our students motivated are:

Increase involvement of students: We believe that effective learning happens when the students are involved in all the learning activities. The classes are conducted in a student-centric manner such that the teacher acts as a facilitator in the learning process.
Make learning enjoyable: IILM considers that learning will be effective only when it is enjoyed. Gone are the days when the students would memorize answers and score good marks in exams. We now focus on how well students interact with each other and solve real-life problems through group work. In this way, students have fun as well as learn at the same time.
Healthy competition: Healthy competition keeps the energy levels of the students high and they are motivated to perform better. At IILM we have noticed that students understand concepts better and retain them for a longer time when they compete with each other in classroom discussions.
Variations in teaching pedagogy: At IILM, the faculty members believe in using a combination of pedagogical methods like group activities, quizzes, simulation games, etc to keep the interest of the students in the various subjects. This helps them to excel in their academic pursuits.
Reward students: Rewards always motivate students to perform better. This holds good for students at all levels. The faculty at IILM keeps a constant track of the performance of the students from time to time and rewards them as deems
Give responsibility to students: Some students are motivated when they are given the responsibility of performing certain tasks. Such students are identified and handed over responsibilities like club activities, club boards, co-ordination jobs, etc.
Connect teaching with students’ interests: The bond between the teacher and the student has to be formed over the interest of the students. They connect over these areas of common interest. The areas of interest have also been made a part of the course curriculum in the form of content delivery. The classroom activities in IILM become more engaging and interesting for the students as they are related to the areas of students’ interest.

The motivation of the students to learn creates excitement for learning between the teachers as well as the students. It enriches the learning process and also enhances how the classroom discussions and activities take place. As times change, the ways to motivate students will undergo several changes. The mantra for motivating students, therefore, is ‘Make learning fun’.

Classroom 2.0 – Up and Running at IILM!

IILM Graduate School of Management, Uncategorized02 MayDr Shweta Nandaat IILM Digital skilling, Classroom 2.0

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the need to work remotely while continuing to successfully deliver is more pressing than ever before. However, Remote accessibility to stakeholders has opened many avenues to multi tasking and enriching vivid experiences through various tools and platforms. While skill updating and online trainings will orient the outcomes towards greater good at lesser cost. This blog will help us understand where we are on this journey and the role of academia to provide the fundamental bedrock on the emerging megatrends leading to Classroom 2.0. B-Schools are leveraging multiple learning channels for their MBA classes and are increasingly focusing on hands-on project-based training and social learning for digital skilling.

In the light of changing trends across Industries, the following three skills have emerged as a focal point of Industries across domains. The top management college including IILM has reinvented the wheel by incorporating the relevant content ,increased collaborations with MOOC’s and project based trainings.

Remote Infrastructure
Virtual Communications
Managing Stakeholders Expectations

Remote Infrastructure: Cloud-native applications to support cloud based AI workloads and AI-powered business models are reducing mean-time-to-respond by less than half. At IILM, students are trained on optimal value of digital technologies that emerges from interconnected and interdependent applications.

Virtual Communications: This includes how companies are dealing with the impact of the disruptive technologies on their talent development strategies. In addition to defining what digital skills are, the Best B-Schools are working hand in hand to train students on these skills and how key skilling metrics are measured. At IILM, the course curriculum is based on “Outcome based Learning” and thus we are leveraging the stakeholders’ contribution in updating the course curriculum.

At IILM, Digital skilling is core to organisations’ strategy:

Digital skilling has become an integral part of organisations’ overall business strategy and organisations are making efforts towards seamless execution of these strategies. At IILM, students are encouraged to build FAQ based fresh content, write blogs. They are trained on affiliate marketing, influencer marketing, building a self brand with a focus on SEO tools and analysis. Google digital garage has now emerged as an authentic source of up skilling.

We believe in building ‘composite’ capabilities:

There is a shift in organisations’ requirement from only technical capabilities to ‘Composite’ capabilities comprising technical skills, professional skills, and domain knowledge. We have an edge on our Learning Development Program where faculties are the torchbearers to the holistic development of professional skills.

Managing Stakeholder Expectations: We believe in 360 degree feedback from our stakeholders. This thrives us to diligently gather the valuable inputs from stakeholders. A change post COVID-19 has revived industries with fastest growing nine digital technology areas including three foundational technologies – Big Data and Analytics (BDA), Cloud Computing, and Cybersecurity – and six advanced technologies – Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), 3D Printing, Robotics, Blockchain, and Immersive Media. To ensure a future ready workforce, we are increasingly collaborating with MOOCs, training providers, other enterprises, and government for both skilling and credentialing.

Dr. Shweta Nanda
Assistant Professor- Marketing

My Journey with IILM continues… by Alumnus Joseph Davis

Alumni, Campus Life, Guest Blog, IILM Institute for Higher Education, IILM Stories, Testimonials02 MayJoseph DavisAbout IILM, Alumnus Joseph Davis, IILM alumni, IILM Alumnus, IILM Story, MY IILM, Why IILM

The engineer, not by choice, who wanted more from life than just the mundane, regular and ordinary! Relatable much? I’m Joseph Davis, the head of research and insights wing at Consocia Advisory and this is the story of my journey as a management professional.

The scary realization of the ordinary life awaiting me if I continued in the path of a chemical process engineer during the time I worked at Aramco’s process design consulting firm Petrocil Engineers, made me choose the management career path, as I dreaded the no-communication work style I was part of. I quit the job, prepared for the management entrance exams and scored well enough to get into some of the best management colleges in the country. Being a Keralite all my life, this was my golden chance to explore my opportunities across India. Thus began the research to find the institute that’s the best fit for my aspirations.

2 months and tons of research later, I was at IILM Greater Noida’s entrance for my interview. IILM’s 3 Palmes of excellence ranking making it officially recognized in the category of “excellent business school with reinforcing international influence” by Eduniversal, making it a top B-School offering a PGDM program, was one prime reason for IILM being my go-to choice after several shortlisting stages. Visiting the splendid campus further reinforced the validity of my choice. My management entrance success ensured a 50% scholarship. Yippee! I interacted with the faculty and as my course ensued, I realized that IILM has a dynamic yet structured program with top notch teaching methodology including the concept of flipped class, where the student gets an opportunity to be the teacher and discuss concepts with the professor being a facilitator to clarify the outcome of the discussion enhanced through case studies and course materials by Harvard and many other global universities.

The global study program was a high point of the program with the opportunity to visit Dortmund, Germany as a foreign student at ISM, Dortmund for 4 weeks. I for one, used to the opportunity to the max by visiting 7 European countries over weekends, as we had a Schengen visa. The 4 weeks at ISM gave me a deep understanding of international concepts around Intercultural communication, strategic management, International Finance and Operations Management.

The industry exposure offered at IILM was world class as we had international faculty visiting the campus for specific courses in each trimester apart from the well qualified Ph.D. professors and lecturers coaching and mentoring me to be the best version of myself, both personally and professionally. The experiential learning I obtained as opposed to theoretical ramming one has experienced with the conventional educational system was a game changer in making me ready to face any and all challenges that I would face as a prospective manager and impacted my perception of the corporate world as a seasoned professional. This helped me in my placement at Protiviti Consulting, a U.S based consulting firm as a research associate.

Then came the convocation day. I was awarded the gold medal for the best academic and co-curricular performance over the 2 years at IILM. The grand ceremony hadn’t marked the end of my relationship with this spectacular management institute, but it had evolved into a beautiful connect as an alma mater which I continue to this day. 3 years later, I was back as a guest speaker at the International Sustainability conference representing my company. It was indeed a proud moment being back to impart some insights to the next set of intelligent minds.

My journey with IILM still continues and looking back, I am grateful to the almighty for helping me stick with my decision to choose IILM. To anyone who reads this, life at IILM will certainly change you for the better. Metamorphosis at IILM is real. The question is, are you ready for it?

Unspoken Truth of Women’s Life

Uncategorized01 MayShriya Vashisht

Since Ancient time women have been regarded as goddesses because of the roles they adopt, from being a daughter to wife to mother to grandmother selflessly agreeing upon for the wellness of family. Their status although is perplexing to many, where sometimes they are considered as second gender and sometimes as the superior ones. This has been the only known constant change in women’s life. Ancient women and women of now are still known and regarded for possessing feminine like qualities, off which the top ones run from modesty to elegance to selfless to doer than a speaker and the ones who possess it well are mostly favored.

Men in past century feared women for being emotionally strong and bodily dominant, especially at the time when the biology behind menstruation was unknown and when all one could just see is how powerful a woman is, to be able to procreate, loose so much of blood and still be healthy. Then came the time when the extraordinarily yet uniquely customs and traditions set in and swept away the earned status of women. In Asia Purdah system, Dowry, Sati sub leveled the status of women and propagated female infanticide and foeticide, in Europe the perceived notion of true lady like features such as the ones dressed in corset with the expected feminine qualities were much favored while in mid eastern Burkhah system which still prevails, is fancily appreciated and widespread. Quite contrary to what it was like in previous century’s women in 21^st century seem to have adopted so many new roles. They have set out new boundaries, bolding up to new challenges and are trying to make their space up in the social scenario. Women in 21^st century, projects themselves as duly competent to the gender counterpart. Large number of women admissions in professions that earlier restricted them to join in due to their lack of physical strength, mental ability, social ineptness, immovability etc are now openly recruiting and applauding women for outperforming in those professions. Women are now joining politics, media, military, multinational companies, sports etc adopting leading positions constantly proving to the world that they are wrongly mistaken with their prejudice notion of restricted abilities. All of this has indeed changed the status quo of women externally. Women are given the status that they have longed for a long time. Even at home many women are now able to sail through the demands of personal and professional life. With measures like feminism, women empowerment, women’s rights and groups protecting women’s rights has ensured that women’s social stature is safeguarded and they can present themselves worthily. Hence it can be duly noted that women in today’s century is much more aware of their rights and status in the society and is trying their best to be able to match up with the growing nation’s advances and present themselves professionally at front.

Amidst this ideal situation where women are comforted and at peace professionally the real deal is when the number of successful women (personally and professionally) is counted, they are surprisingly very few in number. Besides what till date is preset for every women is their personal, professional, social, political, societal role which has been decided and unanimously agreed upon. These roles are further reinforced and are imbibed upon by our elderly ensuring that what has been previously followed is not challenged upon. Further more in a population which comprises of crore of people, 50% of it is women. It is astonishing to quote how very few women have acquired the top positions despite of being talented, how very few women manage to continue with their professional life after they get married or how few of women join work post maternity leave. Parallel to this, a report by APA claim that woman as compared to men is more susceptible to anxiety disorders (Yonkers, 2001 and Hoffman, 2011). If we were to see the happiness and life satisfaction it correlates well with the professional and personal satisfaction of the individual. Claiming that women have reached the success ladder professionally and are working and moving towards independence which earlier was taken away from them but what is really still making them so unhappy and discontented? Some might say that every woman is fighting a battle some are fighting battles at home, some are fighting battles at workplace, while some are fighting even tougher battles but aren’t men fighting the same battles is the real question. If we were to look at the proportionality of the battles men fight which may or may not be as aggravated as women’s especially considering the previous centuries in mind but men have their own battles like earning good, supporting the old parents, unrealistic portrayals of men by media etc now these battles are often overlooked since the world is attuned to look at the problems of women. Thanks to movement for men which recognizes the battles men faces too. Paying little or less heed to the existing congruence of the problem which men and women almost face parallel, what really needs to be stressed upon is who has better adaptability to cope with stress? Who is weak emotionally? Who has been trained to be independent? Who is not able to deal with daily life stressors and subjecting oneself to conditions because of not being able to cope with it?

There is one unidentified element that has inevitably skipped generations and till date plays vital role in the changing stature of women centuries by centuries- “The unrealistic expectation and fear of independence” which was highlighted by Collette Dowling, New York psychotherapist in her book called “Cinderella Complex”- derived for fairytale version, highlighting the psychological dependency issues in females. The commonality between the previous centuries or centuries today is how women is guided on what to do, how to do making them unconsciously assured that even if they go wrong someone will fix it up for them. Hence giving rise to dependability issues, mostly psychological which then takes many forms from emotional to financial to male oriented to society stimulated. Now this can further be acclaimed from the reports presented by psychologists and psychiatrists who have worked closely with women suffering from stress or are domestically abused. Few researchers tried to claim it through their researchers how women are never trained to be dependent (Wilson (1978), Wang (2007), Saha (2016) and Chastine (2019) and all they are looking for is a ‘knight in shining Armour’. Furthermore adding to the commonality, women in both the centuries strives to achieve independence which women in today’s world have achieved but what has got unnoticed is despite of being independent professionally women are not able to achieve emotional and psychological independence. It is the need of the hour to understand how women can be free emotionally and psychologically so as to achieve and fight in the real world and win the real battles. It goes unsaid that the nature of women’s status is subject to change depending on their social roles and the way they are brought up. Despite of some women being lone survivors or pretending to be one still seeks dependence in day to day lives being constantly assured that they have someone to look after and to fix everything which later manifests real life problems like marital conflicts, domestic violence, divorces, increased number of stress and anxiety issues because woman have been trained to listen and not speak up.

While it is hard for any women to accept that they are seeking dependence it is important for any women to first understand and connect with oneself and the challenges they face-

Esteem issues
Questioning self
Seeking constant support and approval
Incapable of facing life challenges and solving problems
Need for reassurance and validation
Interpersonal difficulties

Despite of being able to closely relate to it some women unwavering reject the idea of seeking dependence and might openly propagate the Independence they have earned professionally being naive to understand that being Independent professionally doesn’t mean being independent from Mind.

References

Chastine, V., & Darmasetiawan, N. K. (2019, March). Cinderella complex on working women. In 16th International Symposium on Management (INSYMA 2019).Atlantis Press.

Dowling, C., & Dowling, C. (1990). Cinderella complex. New York: Pocket Books.

Howell, H. B., Brawman-Mintzer, O., Monnier, J., & Yonkers, K. A. (2001). Generalized anxiety disorder in women. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 24(1), 165-178.

McLean, C. P., Asnaani, A., Litz, B. T., & Hofmann, S. G. (2011). Gender differences in anxiety disorders: prevalence, course of illness, comorbidity and burden of illness. Journal of psychiatric research, 45(8), 1027-1035.

Saha, S., & Safri, T. S. (2016). Cinderella Complex: Theoretical Roots to Psychological Dependency Syndrome in Women. The International Journal of Indian Psychology ISSN, 2348-5396.

Wang, Y. H., & Liao, H. C. (2007).The Psychological Dependency Syndrome in Women of Taiwan-An Exploration of Cinderella Complex. 台灣醫學人文學刊, 8(1&2), 25-36.

Wilson, M. L. (1978). College women and the Cinderella complex. Educational Horizons, 56(3), 137-139.

Impact of Market Sentiments and Indian Indices

IILM Institute for Higher Education, Uncategorized01 MayMs Mini Biju Danielcoronavirus impact on economy, Impact of Market Sentiments, job loss due to coronavirus, market down due to corona

Indian Market is experiencing its worst nightmare since financial crisis of 2008. There has been a series of events which has led to the Downfall of Indian Economy since 2019. India was already facing challenges with the banking sector having huge Non Performing Assets (NPA) with Scams of IL&SF Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS), whose defaults on its payment obligations led to a liquidity crisis in the shadow banking sector, had posted a staggering net loss of Rs 22,527 crore in 2018-19 (FY19) on a standalone basis, as against a net profit of Rs 333 crore in the previous year, according to the company and DHFL Bankruptcy scam putting deposit holders with overall exposure of Rs 6,000 crore and at risk of losing their savings.

These events impacted the banking system as a whole -after which two major banks came in the limelight.

First being the fraud of Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative Bank Limited (PMC) that the PMC bank allegedly favored to the promoters of Housing Development and Infrastructure Ltd (HDIL) and allowed them to operate password protected ‘masked accounts’. It is found that around 21,049 bank accounts were opened by bogus names to conceal 44 loan accounts. The bank’s software was also tampered to conceal these loan accounts.

This bank fraud case was busted by a bunch of women employees of the credit department of the PMC bank. These employees told to the RBI that they were aware of the ghost accounts. When this case came in the light; then customers of the PMC bank rushed to the PMC bank to withdraw their hard earned money but they were refused to give their deposited money and withdrawal limit is set by the bank. Further the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had sealed the assets of Rs 3,500 cr of the HDIL group.

Followed by the fall of the 5th largest private sector lender… “Yes Bank” had loaned more than its net worth to companies that were unlikely to pay back the type of firms and sectors to which Yes Bank was lending resulted in the start of the crisis. According to one estimate, as much as 25% of all Yes Bank loans were extended to Non-Banking Financial Companies, real estate firms, and the construction sector. These were the three sectors of the Indian economy that have struggled the most over the past few years. And Yes bank got exposed to the toxic Assets.

The investors were already alarmed of the grey patch Indian banks were going through, but these events made them loose confidence. Had the Government and RBI start seeking for resolutions amid many concerns heading into 2020, the event that no one expected was the outbreak of COVID-19—

A Coronavirus that first emerged in the populous city of Wuhan, China, and which is now proving to be both more infectious and virulent than the common flu. Impact of this on global economic growth has been huge. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has halved the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth projection for 2020 due to Coronavirus. “The current restrictions have impacted most economic activities like travelling, consumption, etc. Manufacturing Industries impacted due to supply chain disruptions and this in turn will delay capacity additions and Capex spending. This event caused a massive crash in the global markets with drying up of liquidity and a complete halt of economic activity in various parts of the globe. The pandemic event has caused a dent in the real GDP growth of various developed and developing markets.

Making things worse is the crude oil war between Saudi Arabia and Russia, which has injected volatility into other assets. “Earlier, only the equity and debt markets were impacted by the Covid-19 scare; now the commodities and currency market are in turmoil due to the crude oil war. After a crash of this magnitude, market confidence usually does not come back soon.

Fall of Market Indian Indices:-

If the Benchmark indices fall more than 20% from their peak, it is defined as a bear market. With the Sensex and Nifty down by more than 30% and we are deep in bear territory now. However, very few Indians have the courage to invest right now. An online survey by ET Wealth reveals that only one out of six investors is planning to buy aggressively at this stage .it is heartening to note that a large number of investors have not lost heart. They may have lost a big chunk of their investments in 2020, but they are not planning to go away. While the spread of Covid-19 is the main worry right now; investors are more worried about the economic impact of the lockdown. Experts say these fears are not unfounded, because it is not a financial market problem that can be addressed by monetary policies like rate cuts, quantitative easing or a fiscal stimulus. The real issue is the worldwide lockdown. “The economic pains triggered by Covid-19 and lockdowns are expected to last longer than the previous financial market crisis.

In the current phase, foreign investors are exiting the market, the net amount of Rs 59,377 crore was pulled out from equities and Rs 52,811 crore was withdrawn from the debt segment by the FPIs in the month of March 2020, which translate the total net outflow of Rs 1,12,188 crore, which comes after six consecutive months of investment by FPIs since September 2019. At the same time, domestic institutions have poured in Rs 55,595 crore. But if the markets continue to fall, even domestic investors may start exiting.

RBI & Govt. announced to few measures:-

To calm the nerves of a stock market gripped by bears and to help liquidity conditions in the economy, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Shaktikanta Das cut key policy rates on Friday 27-03-2020. This rate cut intervention by RBI has come after central banks across the world announced rate cuts to stave off a corona virus-related recession. the repo rate and reserve repo rate cut by 75 basis points and 90 bps, respectively (100 basis points/bps = 1 per cent). The repo rate now stands at 4.4 per cent and reserve repo rate at 4 per cent. The Reserve Bank will conduct auctions of targeted term repos of up to three years’ tenor of appropriate sizes for a total amount of up to Rs 1,00,000 crore at a floating rate linked to the policy repo rate . CRR reduced by 100 basis points to 3.0 per cent This would release liquidity of Rs 1,37,000 crore in banking system and many other policies to infused and boost the market confidence .

Impact on Industries and man power:-

The nationwide lock-down to battle corona virus pandemic is likely to result in huge job losses, pay cuts and freeze on hiring over the next few quarters, thereby giving blues to India’s already distressed employment in India.

Based on the best available estimates currently, there could be an estimated job loss of 10-12 million, across travel, tourism and hospitality sectors. The manufacturing sector is directly dependent on how soon the government lifts the lock-down, thus enabling people to go back to work.

Other worst-hit sectors are automobile & auto-components, MSMEs, consumer durables and capital goods sectors. These sectors will face the greater burden of the slowdown. India’s economy is expected to slow down to 2% from the current around 5% levels, while many other major economies of the world are going to be in the negative zone. The revenue loss in tourism, travel and hospitality sectors is pegged at $21 billion. With fear, uncertainty and doubt looming large on the future of the businesses across various sectors, one of the worst-hit sectors like hospitality sector has already terminated services of contract workers. Out of an estimated 20 million workers estimated 20 million workers engaged in the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors; an estimated 50% jobs will be affected.

As the number of COVID-19 cases worldwide topped one million with half of humanity now under lock-down and over 10 million jobs lost in two weeks in the USA and an estimated 11 million European workers have lost their jobs -this is clear that it has impacted Global Job losses as a whole. This particular black swan event has made the countries take a call on either safeguarding the economy which is at a complete standstill facing humongous economic loss or safeguarding the human capital.

Mini B. Daniel
Associate Professor of Communication