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?

Rising Above the Challenge

Campus Life, IILM Institute for Higher Education27 AprilAtima MankotiaCovid-19 and IILM, IILM Adapts and Innovates, IILM Education, IILM Institute for Higher Education, Rising Above the Challenge, Why IILM

IILM Adapts and Innovates

Human Resource professionals, consultants and HR specialists have always maintained that the flexibility of ‘Working from Home’ is an HR best practice that has been adopted by some of the top, most innovative and forward-thinking organizations.

According to several studies, flexible work arrangements can improve recruitment and retention, augment organizational diversity, encourage ethical behavior, and help the organization’s efforts to be socially responsible. Employers can experience cost savings, improved attendance and productivity, and an increase in employee engagement. Other identified benefits are reduction in costs in terms of travel by using Conferencing technology; upgraded technology making the company competitive; reduction in space requirements; Work- life balance; and increase in sustainability by decreasing harmful impact on global ecology by reducing carbon emissions and footprints.

Many Millennials consider work-life balance and flexibility to be the most important factors while considering job offers. Infact,64 percent of Millennials said they would like to work from home occasionally and 66 percent of non-Millennials said they would prefer to sometimes shift their work hours to the house according to a recent Price water house Coopers (PwC) study. Most employees long for workplace flexibility, and those showing up for work on time every day often end up resenting employees who worked from home.

However, teaching was always considered one job that could not be done from home. A brick and mortar classroom, a campus life and face to face student-teacher interactions was always considered to be the best way for education. IILM Institute for Higher Education has always believed in the importance of faculty and student interaction, not only inside classrooms but outside them as well. The faculty constantly mentors’ students, guiding them personally and professionally at all stages of their time at IILM and even beyond. So, it was not an easy task for IILM Institute for Higher Education to adapt to the new and challenging situation faced by the world.

The fear of the spread of the covid-19 virus forced people to stay at home. Business needed to be conducted online with employees overnight becoming adept at online forums such as zoom, skype, emails, conference calls and many mores. Webinars and online meetings are now the order of the day.

IILM Institute for Higher Education had to quickly restructure it way of working and it adapt to the new ‘Work From Home’ scenario where the students and teachers stayed at home. Classes are now conducted efficiently and regularly over zoom, with assignments being sent on mail and the teacher-student interaction continuing steadfast. Students continue interacting with faculty mentors over zoom meetings, or even video chats or audio calls.

The work culture at IILM Institute for Higher Education is one that believes in adaptability and flexibility. Student interests are always put first at IILM Institute for Higher Education that has devised new and innovative ways of reaching out to students and keeping them informed and motivated. There are classroom sessions for teaching and there are fun sessions where teachers hang out with students for a chat to find out how they are coping with the new system. IILM Institute for Higher Education also believes in intervention to help students who may need help or are lagging behind due to any reason. The faculty are always alert to the needs of the students.

While these theories and mindsets about working from home being a best work practice crumbled for many Millennials and Non-Millennials within days of the forced lockdown when they were compelled to work from home, the faculty and Management at IILM Institute for Higher Education made the best of a challenging situation creating many innovative ways of working and not getting overwhelmed by the situation.

This is not a dream come true scenario for even the strong supporters of working from home because working from home under the current circumstances is difficult. One must work much harder to get even simple things done without the office infrastructure and interaction and the comfort of the brick and mortar offices, especially in academic in institutes.

IILM Institute for Higher Education has adapted and innovated to create an uninterrupted continuation of the academic process ensuring a comfortable and efficient experience for its students.

Atima Mankotia
Professor HR-OB & Communication
IILM

Awakening Digital Media in Remote Areas

Campus Life, Faculty, General Blog, IILM Graduate School of Management, IILM Institute for Higher Education, IILM Undergraduate Business School, IILM University, Uncategorized02 AprilMegha KochharAwakening, changing vision, Common Man, Digitization, Economy, Growth, Print media, Rural Development

The advent of digital media has been nothing short of a revolution for our country. In recent times this importance got highlighted during demonetization and now with the Corona crisis staring at our face. This has also vastly affected our social relationships and the way we perceive issues.

Every technology has its drawbacks when used to generate negativism and disorder. Unfortunately these are the perils of our times and in spite of existing safeguards there are implications which have ominous consequences. Though, we have embraced the digital world with open arms, however, it cannot be said for the common man.

It needs no emphasis that more than 70 percent of the population our country resides in the rural areas. Has this population changed its ways and thoughts to imbibe the rudiments of digitization? The answer would not please us. We are still a developing country and cannot measure up to the standards of countries such as USA, Japan or France.

What then should be the way out? The first and the foremost are related to the reach of media. We need to have internet connectivity to the remotest areas which may involve a large amount of expenditure. A way out could be to develop a cyber hub in each village which should be maintained by the district administration and people could flock there and use the mobiles with the available internet connectivity to transact any kind of business or information related activity. It is noteworthy to see that PayTM and such like platforms have been a great force multiplier towards paperless transaction. We need to build up on these existing platforms and extend their reach to the remote areas of the country.

Broadband highways need to come up and get established in a phased manner. The common man needs this technology to augment the agricultural base of the country and build up the resources of our country. The path is long but can be tread upon if the correct impetus is there. I am reminded of a famous quote,

”Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional”.

Explore Life within You-

Alumni, Campus Life, General Blog, IILM Graduate School of Management, IILM Stories, IILM Undergraduate Business School, IILM University, Uncategorized28 MarchMegha Kochharbetter future, Healthy living, inner motivation, inner strength, inspiring young minds, Lifestyle, mindfulness, optimism, peace, psychology of life, self leadership

” I have always believed success, in life, is most easily measured by the number of days you are truly happy.” Our mindset and optimistic attitude towards life decides everything we come across.

Standing at the edge of human existence, a realization dawns on us that how temporary and uncertain our lives can be. To make our lives more fulfilling we need to create the right mindset which encompasses positive thinking. Think positive and positive things will happen.

Unfortunately we block our energy fields with negative thoughts. You don’t need to know the future as it is in your own hands. There comes a time when you need to have absolute faith in oneself and be sure, destiny will unfold your true path and purpose in this lifetime.

It is therefore extremely important that we channelize our energies to create positivity around us to make our work and life more fulfilling and motivating.

The present environment if has put restrictions, it has also opened up our inner doors of self reflection ,where we need to reflect upon ourselves in ways that we can decide what can be the path of our lives, which manifests in our well- being that would impact our personal and professional relationships as we are spending maximum time these days with ourselves and our family.

When we are going through a difficult situation and feel like running away from it, all we need to think and do is to replace that thought of ‘running away’ with the thought of ‘finding a way’. Let us use this difficult situation as a platform to take an extra step of faith in our lives. Let us take off and face the situation and move towards creating a positive change.

Let’s talk about a handful of simple practices that can be helpful in being more decisive and give direction to positive thinking.

Create Realistic Expectations for Yourself

The problem lies when we expect from others and somewhere hold others responsible for what we desire in life. When you set realistic expectations from yourself and fulfill them it gives you strength to be self reliant in life. Eg. Develop a skill for which you are responsible, create happiness for yourself. Don’t wait for someone to make you happy.

Never compromise on Values

There should be at least one strong value that you possess that you have never compromised on. End of the day it gives you inner strength and satisfaction.

Don’t accept fear as a part of life

Conquer any one fear of yours. The more you run away the stronger the fear gets. Face it and kill it.

Practice mindfulness

Enjoy every moment of your existence. The way you speak to each person, what you eat, what you smell, every breath of yours enjoy it. Imagine if there was no tomorrow. Live each day as if it is your only day to give to the cosmos. You will realize a sense of enthusiasm gushing in pushing you to do so much in life.

Value Relationships

This is what you have earnt in life so value your personal relationships and nurture your professional relationships. Honesty in work and loyalty in relationships take you a long way.

“Optimism is a happiness magnet”

See what kind of people & situations draw

Towards you. This will be a clear indicator of how you view yourself.

“ “Be the change you wish to see in others”

SPORT-O-MANIA 2019

Campus Life, Events, Faculty, IILM Stories, IILM University01 MayVISHAL GOEL

14th March, 2019

And here we go, coming in one of the most exciting and most entertaining collegiate of sports event, SPORTS-O-MANIA 2019 as part of MOSAIC, the annual festival of IILM University. SOPRTS-O-MANIA is the best platform for the sports enthusiasts to showcase their talent and discover their true potential for sports.

The trill, sportsman spirit, the competition, the stress, the outbursts, the friendships and of course the beautiful memories and lots of fun, it was the perfect package.

The entire first day of mosaic, 2019 was devoted to myriad of sports events. Preparation started good number of days before the D-day and the entire college converted into sports ground. Everybody feels sporty, light and active. The volunteers even wore IILM T-shirts to keep the spirit on, and at the same time cheering up for the IIL M teams.

The action began soon after the lamp lighting by the student core team members and the management on day 1, with the massive crowd thronging at the basket ball court, loud and proud cheering up for the home teams and to witness the first event of sports-o-mania. Once the matches began, the air was filled with cheering and tons of encouragement for the teams. This was just the beginning; the sports club had planned lot more the entire day.

Large number of teams from other colleges participated, setting the whole energized and competitive atmosphere. The spirit to win was seen everywhere and the whole atmosphere seem electrified.

The basket ball tournament ended in a heart break in hard-fought loss in the finals to the champions from North Campus University. While in table tennis, carom and slow cycling, our IILM teams blew out their hapless opponent in a lopsided victory.

And as soon as these games get over, quick prize ceremony began. And then, the most awaited event began fun cricket, where maximum participation took place. With some twists and new rules and regulation this soft ball tournament, in this sports both boys and girls showed their spirit. The entire tournament was on knockout basis and each team showed passion, energy and aggression to qualify for the next level. Everyone showed their skills in form of batting and bowling and the huge sixes, amazing strokes and rattling of stamps. With semis into the play, high pressure moments and the joy of winning on faces of team members were visible to everyone. The final match, the ultimate game was reserved for the next day where both the teams from Pg 1 batch played and ‘IILM Warriors’ stood victory.
With all the matches getting over and the victors decided, everyone waits anxiously for the prize ceremony. Where all the winners and runners up were applauded with trophies, medals certificate and of course cash prizes.

The event ends on the note of thrill and excitement bidding good bye to the day.
This time Mosaic’19 raised the bar even higher, with close games, sportsmanship, enthralling performances and overall good vibes, giving all those who attended good two day to remember.

Contributor: DIVISHA AGARWAL (MBA 2018-20)
Faculty Coordinator: CA. VISHAL GOEL

IILM University celebrates World AIDS Day

Campus Life17 DecemberDr Radhika Madan

AIDS to No AIDS

“The first step towards change is awareness. The second is acceptance.”

-Nathaniel Branden

World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day, designated on 1st December every year since 1988. It is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. The day allows people to show their support for those living with HIV and to have time to remember those who have died from it.

According to the data of 2017, AIDS has killed 28.9 million to 41.5 million people worldwide, and an estimated 36.7 million people are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. The world together is fighting against the HIV AIDS today.

Students of IILM University took an initiative to spread awareness on World AIDS Day! The theme was “AIDS to No AIDS”, where the students had displayed a big Red Ribbon which signifies “AIDS”. The red ribbon is the universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. Students placed a box full of small white ribbons along with red ribbon. The objective was to spread awareness and a message to the society. It was an opportunity to unite the students, faculties, and our entire IILM family towards this noble cause.

By the end of the day, it was overwhelming to see the red ribbon getting transformed into a white ribbon which signified that every individual is working towards eradicating AIDS by spreading awareness and information. World AIDS Day has already given us an initiative to change which we all need to accept.

Stay aware, stay blessed!

Dr. Radhika Madan & Arti Kumari MBA (Batch 2018 – 2020)

E-Cell Leaders Workshop

Campus Life, IILM Graduate School of Management24 SeptemberSanchita Ghosh

Two students of PGDM 2018-20 batch, Sagar Khurana and Harshal Dilwali, were nominated as e-cell representatives to participate in E-cell Leaders workshop organized by National Entrepreneurs Network (NEN) in association with Wadhani Foundation on 21^st & 22^nd September, 2018 at New Delhi Institute of Management (NDIM), Delhi. The workshop aims at understanding functions and objective of e-cell leaders. The workshop was developed as platform to connect entrepreneurial eco system at e-cell leaders’ level. It helped students to understand different activities, structure of e-cell and networking. The trainer emphasized on roles and responsibility of position holders in operations, monitoring and managing of clubs. An online platform on LEARNWISE was introduced to provide backup support to all clubs. In the end, students earned certificate of participation and recognized as NEN student coordinators in North India.

Embrace – Warp to Entrepreneurship: Marketing Conference

Alumni, Blog Catgeory, Campus Blog Category, Campus Life, Career Development (Placement), Conferences, Events, Faculty, IILM Graduate School of Management, IILM Stories01 MarchSanchita Ghosh

In the recent years, an invincible startup movement has unfolded within our country. India has caught the eyes of the world as it is now home to second most tech startups after China and the ranking in number of total startups puts our country in top 5, globally.
IILM Graduate School of Management and Bizzino strategist presented “EMBRACE” the Marketing Conference on 27/2/2018. The conference aimed at providing students, access world class technology veterans, startup ecosystem, startup founders and their stories and more.

INAUGRAL SESSION
After a brief introduction to the conference, the inaugural session began with inspiring words from Dr. Sanchita Ghosh, Area chair Marketing, and Prof. Arun Gupta, Area chair Entrepreneurship.
The session started with the address from our key note speakers, Mr. Anupam Saronwala and Mr. Sameep Singhania. Mr. Saronwala is an expert of Internet of Things (IOT). He emphasized on the importance of exposure to new technologies for a start up to thrive and survive. He said that convincing investors to finance the venture is very critical and is becoming difficult with each passing day. However, he considered three areas, which if given substantial thought and actions taken accordingly, funding would not be a problem.  The first area was the team. While building the team, an entrepreneur should have people from multiple disciplines and everyone should have domain expertise. The next was that the target market size should be large enough to boil down to a good amount of target customers.  He then introduced the audience with the third and the most important point that an entrepreneur should be aware of the fact that his product/service can be easily replicated, if not patented. So there must be a differentiator in the product/service which minimizes the chances of duplication.
The enthusiastic pace set by Mr. Anupam was followed by that of Mr. Sameep Singhania, who through his insightful explanations proved his expertise in the area of block chain development and consultant. He helped the audience understand how block chain functions. He clarified that bitcoin is just one of many applications of block chain. He further added that this is going to be the future of technology, one that will become a necessity for every business.  As this is an area where youngsters are really interested in so the address was interactive and Mr. Singhania facilitated the understanding of all concepts that came up in the form of questions from the young minds or the future entrepreneurs who were attending the conference.

SESSION 2: PANEL DISCUSSION
The Inaugural session set the theme for the conference. The first speaker of the second session was Mr. Pranav Jha, who runs a startup community on facebook named “Startup Noida”. He emphasized on the power of digital groups, Facebook pages and communities. He added how influence marketing starts off as an activity and then it becomes a trend and that it is possibly the best way of creating awareness about the startup and captures the attention of angel investors.
This was followed by the interaction with Mr. Shashank Singhania, a digital marketing consultant. He threw light on the concept of native marketing and how its use is spreading across digital platforms. He further added that even though some digital products are free, it is difficult to get people to try them. He explained how becoming digital is important for a business as a digital technology can facilitate tracking any information. He then introduced a concept of smart marketing in which fake reviews of a product is added by the company itself to facilitate sales.
Then we had our last panelist for the conference, Mr. Harpreet Singh, who started his address by introducing the concept of startup ecosystem. Then he mentioned some of the common challenges almost every startup faces at the time of its initiation and first few months of survival. He said that it is difficult to find the right mentors and right manpower and dealing with customer non acceptance and family pressure is no easy task. He informed the audience of the A-Z list for the success of a startup where A stands for Attitude and Z stands for Zeal of the entrepreneur. He ended his address by quoting a very famous dialogue of movie 3 Idiots ‘Chase excellence, success will follow’.
This marked the end to the conference after a brisk question answer round between the panelists and the students.

CRICKET: MORE THAN JUST A SPORT

Campus Life, Events, IILM University15 JanuaryManan Porwal

‘’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 18^th 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.

IILM-Undergraduate-Business-Schools-Three-Week-Global-Study-Programme

IILM UBS Three Week Global Study Programme – ISM Stuttgart, Germany

Campus Life, Global Study, IILM Undergraduate Business School10 JanuaryNidhi PiplaniGermany- Stuttgart, Global Study Program, Global Study Program at IILM, IILM Undergraduate Business School’s, Three Week Global Study Programme

Going beyond boundaries…
IILM Undergraduate Business School’s Three Week Global Study Programme

“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow”- Anonymous

To be a globally responsible leader, you need firsthand experience learning about cultures, organizations, and business practices around the world. IILM Undergraduate Business School’s International exposure is designed to strengthen students knowledge, skills, attitudes and experience to create economic and social value wherever they go.

The three weeks global study programme helps students examine diverse aspects of interacting with other cultures and innovative methods of learning. This global study programme is an integral part of the academic program, and helps students progress toward completing their degree, while helping them define their view of the world. Our students are entrepreneurial, confident, socially driven and capable of fulfilling leadership roles in a global context.
This academic year our students were taken to the following universities for this programme :

• International School of Management , Germany – Stuttgart Campus
• International School of Management , Germany – Dortmund Campus
• Seneca College , Canada

Summer at International School of Management , Germany- Stuttgart Campus

Stuttgart and its surrounding area from one of the largest commercial capitals in Europe. The campus is just a few minutes on foot from south of the city centre and is easy to reach using public transport. Ms. Vanessa Schmidt Garaj , International Officer at ISM Stuttgart campus coordinated the entire programme and ensured the transition was smooth for the students and faculty. She was one stop guide for all queries pertaining to academics , German culture , places and society.

Students studied two modules- Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Strategic Management was delivered by Professor Björn Röeber and Professor Qeis Kamran delivered Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The teaching methodology included lectures and case discussions. Both professors were highly interactive. They engaged the students through group discussions on the various cases.

Students also had the opportunity to visit three Companies. Students visited Porsche Museum, Bosch and Daimler. It is noteworthy to mention that the Germany is renowned for its automobile industry and students were enthralled to visit the headquarters of the automobile giants.

Overall, the students enjoyed their experience learning about the Germany Education system, exploring opportunities for business and discovering new ideas which they can implement back home.