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4 Things I Learned at PRME 2018 Session on Impactful Innovations for Sustainable Development

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For three eventful days, IILM, one of the best MBA colleges in India, was buzzing with the 5th International Conference on Resolution to Resolve: Sustainability Practices in Industry and Education. And what a spectacular learning experience it turned out to be.

Amongst its many plenary sessions, the most awaited one was on Innovation and Sustainable Competitive Advantage that was pegged for post-lunch on Day 2. The agenda revolved around expanding the scope of innovation to include not only creating something entirely new but coming up with novel ideas to solve existing problems in the society. Over 90 minutes, four experts shared their experience and their respective organization’s impactful innovations bringing about a positive sustainable change.

Here are the four lessons I learned after attending the same:

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Management and education are two different languages:

In her talk, Dr. Shalini Lal focused upon the challenge of understanding innovation at management institutions, and integrating it at every level with purpose. Dr. Lal also differentiated the two languages of management and education on various points, such as failure, which is often viewed negatively in management, while being conversely true in innovation labs.

“There need to be enough people at the highest levels of an organization who understand and are able to speak the language of innovation for them to be able to see potential in ideas that get generated,” she remarked.

Block-chain technology is the next big thing in sustainable development:

Mr. Ravi Chamria, CEO, Block Chain Enthusiast and Fintech Expert, was the next speaker in the session who enlightened the audience on the history of block-chain technology and Bitcoin, its components, and how his organization has used it as a game-changer for sustainable innovation in fields such as food supply chains and mining.

Commenting on the complete transparency and sustainability of a blockchain process in businesses, Mr. Chamria said, “Through a smart contract on the blockchain, it is ensured that whatever has been authorized through a sustainability certificate, it is being adhered to.”

The purpose of every business should be innovation

 Next, Mr. Ravi Bhatnagar, Head External Affairs & Partnerships, Reckitt Benckiser, spoke about the various collaborations of his firm with the UN and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the various innovations that the company has introduced, like the Rexbot AI for queries on sexual health or Augmented Reality for delivering education. Another interesting topic which he touched upon was the need to encourage B-school and PGDM students to come up with innovations of their own, something which Reckitt Benckiser’s Mavericks Challenge does by creating an innovation pipeline and platform for the brightest management minds of the country.

“If we are not purpose-led, and if we are not thinking about innovation and sustainable competitive advantage, there are good chances of failure. The purpose should come before business. If you are not investing in the future, which is the next 10 years, in terms of your consumers, it will be too late,” he concluded.

Sustainable development from the perspective of work-life balance:

The final speaker at the session was Prof Holger Briel, Dean, Xi’an Jiaotong Liverpool University, China, who discussed the concepts of co-living and co-working spaces and read his paper on the findings of both practices in Europe and India. Interestingly, Prof Briel was not an endorser of the practices as he called for inclusion of employee happiness as an important factor in the sustainability of businesses and organizations. Towards the end, he gave three recommendations at a personal, organizational and government level that can enable organizations and individuals to create perfect work-life balance.

To sum up, the future of management and organizations is intricately tied to innovation which takes into account sustainable development goals set by the UN. For aspiring students of business, this was a great lesson in the importance of sustainability and the need to think out of the box.

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Why is Delhi-NCR a Preferred Choice for Business Schools

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For a first time visitor the national capital can be a nexus of mayhem and confusion, but once you to become a part of the daily hustle and bustle, you’ll soon be swept up into the excitement that makes the city of Delhi. The multicultural city with its ancient monuments, veritable museums, and delectable local cuisine is also a student hub, with many business school aspirants flocking to the city in large numbers to chase their dreams.

Many such aspirants choose to study at our institutes that offer competitive PGDM programs in the city that is the center of activity. IILM has three strategically located campuses. One of the campuses located at Lodhi Road, the political center of the country, allows students to be privy to the developments in politics as well as business. The second campus in Gurgaon’s Golf Course Road, the industrial hub and nerve center of start-ups, gives students the opportunity to gain entrepreneurship knowledge from their surroundings. The third location in the Knowledge Park of Greater Noida provides a networking and knowledge-sharing platform for the students with educational institutes and large firms located in close proximity. Below, we’ve listed out a few more reasons one should consider studying in the national capital.

MBA in Noida, PGDM colleges in Delhi-NCR

Industry-based learning:

A student pursuing an MBA in Noida has the advantage of studying in the National Capital Region, which over the years has transformed into a talent pool where several multinational companies have set up a branch. IILM truly takes advantage of this by making an experiential curriculum available to the students. This type of curriculum is put together after close interaction and inputs from the industry leaders, thereby going beyond the traditional teachings limited to Finance, Marketing and Operations.

International Curriculum:

Today, PGDM colleges in Delhi-NCR provide the world-class education to its students. The curriculum of these colleges is comparable to that of top business schools the world over. For instance, at IILM, the course modules are inspired by the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Wharton Business School, and IIM-A.

Future prospects:

As the region is home to an increasing number of multinational companies, the demand for management experts is ubiquitous and firms are always on the hunt for such management graduates. IILM’s Career Development Center sets the path for students’ future by connecting them to the right firm. Furthermore, the placement cell is also well connected to different sectors of the industry, widening the scope of opportunities. Today, IILM has an alumni network of over 9000 students who have been placed in some of the biggest firms in the industry.

Clearly, the central location of the region proffers numerous benefits to students, giving them an edge. More importantly, it is the attributes such as industry-based learning, international curriculum and future prospects that make IILM a preferred choice for discerning business school aspirants.

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The Importance of GD & PI in MBA Admission

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

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

Group Discussion

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

 

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

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

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

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

Personal Interview

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

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

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

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

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

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Networking with the IILM Alumni

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

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

Networking Impact:

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

Global Study Programme, top 10 MBA colleges in India

Diversity:

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

Relationships & Nurturing:

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

Globalisation:

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

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

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Nail Your College Interview in 8 Steps

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

Do Your Research:

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

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

Dress To Impress:

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

Come Prepared:

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

Go Beyond Answers:

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

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

See A comprehensive Guide for GD Preparation:

What Makes You An Asset:

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

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Put Together A Portfolio:

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

Confidence is The Key:

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

Follow Up:

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

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Pros of Taking a Gap Year between School and College

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Planning to take a break after high school? Well, a gap year is an option that more and more students are taking up these days. And the announcement that first daughter Malia Obama would be taking a gap year before starting her college last year, has made many students consider about delaying their entry into college. Gap years are a great way to explore the world of possibilities and learn about new things, such as various entrepreneurship courses, international programs, and the like.

Here we have listed the pros of hitting the pause button before entering the undergraduate degree life:

Taking a gap year

Recharges your mind: The final year in school is often exhaustive, thanks to the regular tests, extra-curricular activities, college visits and applications that one has to do during this time. Students experience burn out and entering college with that stress is no fun. A gap year will give your mind and body a much-needed break so that you enter college fully charged to take up new challenges.

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Prepares you for college: Despite all the assumptions that people have regarding ‘gap year’, the fact is that taking a year off between school and college actually helps one learn a lot of new things that would have otherwise not been possible. It gives students the maturity that is required to make the most of the college life. You may gain practical experience in a field that interests you, know about your strengths and interests, which in turn help you selecting a course and college of your choice.

Makes you more flexible: Gap year challenges you in a different way, unlike academic and extracurricular challenges that you have in high school. You may plan a trip to the mountains, indulge in outdoor adventure activities to get the adrenaline flowing. The new challenges will make you more flexible and prepared for transition – a very useful skill in today’s time.

Help gain work experience: Gaining some work experience is also a good option to consider after completing school. It will not only help you save money for college but also gain professional experience and a clarity on what you actually wish to study in college.

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10 Lessons From My Time At IILM

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It has been a long journey – from being accepted into one of the top business schools in India to taking flight into the world of corporate administration. My time at IILM, however, has been worth every moment.

Today as I sit down to compile the top 10 takeaways, the most important lessons I have garnered from my time at IILM, I realize that these are not merely components of entrepreneurship courses but are life lessons that I shall carry with me.

Follow your passion:

Leadership is the ability to share your vision, your enthusiasm for your team, guiding it to success. It is only when you are passionate about your own goals can you hope to inspire others; and only with this dedication to your dreams can you leave a lasting impact.

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People are precious:

 One of the greatest lessons I learned at IILM is that it is people that we work for and work with. Placing the people ahead of our goals and challenges will make work a very fulfilling experience and the success worthwhile.

You can make a difference:

One single person, a lone voice, one revolutionary idea, a moment of brilliance – that’s all it takes to change the way things have always been. Being different is a result of courage, though. Cultivate that courage.

Step out of your comfort zone:

Staying with our feet firmly planted on the ground may sound practical but that is not the way to achieve any breakthroughs. Only aiming high, taking risks, pushing ourselves to go beyond your comfort zone, and trying creative solutions to challenges shall help us achieve the success we seek.

Great execution is as important as a great idea:

 Working on creative solutions, customizing products and processes, breakthrough ideas – none of them are worth much unless we dedicate ourselves to flawless execution. Focus and pay attention to details.

Seek diversity:

 Birds of a feather may flock together but it is only diversity that will provide a team, an organization with the skill sets that are required to get a rounded perspective of any situation and to work on an effective solution to any challenge.

Work on your empathy:

At business school, there is a great deal of emphasis on developing soft skills. At IILM, however, we learned to take people-centric management further by working on our empathy factor. This alone will give us a win-win outlook.

Never stop learning:

This in itself is the greatest learning. Make “Stay Foolish, Stay Hungry” your mantra but also stay open to learning that comes from unexpected quarters. Knowledge is not a function of qualification or even experience. Appreciate the critic and the skeptic for their ability to show you your weaknesses.

Take nothing for granted:

 Getting caught up in the dynamics of the corporate world, in our work, in designing and sustaining creative enterprises, we often overlook the need to be prepared for exigencies. Effective handling of crisis situations is just as important as administering business solutions.

Think big:

Through my time at IILM, my mentors and peers helped me look at the larger picture. Clichéd as it may sound, our business enterprises must fit into the global scheme of development. Thinking big alone will help us achieve phenomenal success.

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5 Insights From My First Year At IILM

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Business school – a long cherished dream for many. When I received my acceptance letter from IILM, nearly a year ago, it was with a bit of trepidation and a lot of anticipation that I packed my bags. The learning would be deeply insightful and the experience very different from undergraduate college, I was told.

To be accepted into one of the top B schools in India is an honor and boy, was I ready to take it on!

Now that I have completed a year here, I think it is time to go back and reflect, to understand and assimilate the insights I have gathered over the past few months.

Defining my role:

The first thing that you expect to learn in a business school is how an organization, a business enterprise functions and your role in it. The numerous case studies we tackled, the interactions with pioneering entrepreneurs from across the country, however, taught me to define my role. Not merely in an organization but as a contributor to my immediate environment, to my society, and to the global community at large. “Am I making a difference?” This is the parameter that I shall now evaluate my actions by.

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From management to collaboration: 

As we stepped into IILM, teeming with our understanding of “management”, notions we had picked up at our undergraduate colleges, unlearning became as important as learning. Understanding the significant role of the collaborative approach in entrepreneurship and business development was an eye-opener. ‘Collaboration’ holds many connotations. It could mean something as simple as team building or something as diverse as bringing together people from across the globe on a common mission.

Address the people:

It is quite easy to get caught up in the mechanics of it all, to lose perspective and above all to ignore the human element. Every solution we design, every demand we meet; every enterprise is ultimately the answer to a human need. This is one key learning that has been emphasized at every step through this year at IILM. And when we speak of the human element, the focus certainly has to be on empathy. Be it a vendor, a stakeholder, a team member, or a client – empathy holds the answer.

Passion for Purpose:

They say how we feel is a true indicator of what is to come into our experience. Even without devolving into the metaphysical, I can state with certainty that my first year in IILM has taught me that we find our purpose only through our passion. It is this very passion for excellence that distinguishes an exemplary leader from a mediocre one.

Problem-solving through focus:

Common sense is uncommon, they say. Persistence, attention to detail, focus, and common sense are the real tools that I have learned to work with, in this yearlong endeavor to design efficient solutions for businesses and communities across the globe.

Armed with these wonderful insights I step into another semester at IILM, eager and hungry to learn more and be better each day.

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Art of Management

Career Development (Placement), Exam Watch, General Blog, IILM Institute for Higher Education,

Management is a subject that defines practical knowledge of lifestyles and mannerism to develop a business on strict terms and procedures. on the contrary, poetry is an expression of my views, perceptions and feelings conveyed through words of wisdom.

“management is itself an art, an art defining self-development goals.”

management and poetry are two ends of the same rope. for me, one is to enhance my knowledge and personality with an exposure to varied fields and concepts while the other end leads me to a more relaxed version of myself wherein I am composed, idealistic, imaginative and innovative.

“art nurtures my soul and strengthens my aspirations through different goals of management“.

“Time is a journey,
Of joys n sorrows.
Moments become a memory,
lightning the path for tomorrow.
Tomorrow, is unknown
for the facts we own.
Time is a measure,
discovering self creations.
Through ways of leisure,
forming insecure upgradations.
Upgradation is a necessity,
for our lively vicinity.
Time is a treasure,
for lonely admirers.
Business is plushy pressure,
discovered through real mirrors.
Mirror, an unbiased cage,
defining our complete image.
Time is a story,
furnished in a short memory.
fore-gone is history.
Followed by, is a mystery!
Mystery, is a heavenly gesture
personifying a lifetime adventure.”

____ Vaishali Kanodia (PGDM Batch : 2017-19)

Tips-BLog

Last Minute preparation tips for CAT 2023

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Since CAT exam is near, there are some important tips I would like to share.

Mocks – Taking a CAT Mock test every day won’t help much, at this point. Instead, focus on the areas that you’ve already covered, take three to four exams over the next two weeks but, most importantly, revise all the MOCKs that you have taken so far, and learn from them.

Speed & Accuracy – Your performance in the upcoming CAT 2017 is highly dependent on what you have prepared and how good your command is over the topics you consider to be your strengths. Here is a clear pacing strategy that will help you time the test better.
• Verbal: Maximum eight minutes for reading a passage and 90 seconds to answer each question based on that passage
• Quant: two minutes per question
• Logic: Six to eight minutes for a set of four questions
• Data Interpretation: six to eight minutes for a set of four questions

Focus on important topics – One should focus on important topics which will fetch more marks. The most important areas of each section are as follows –
• QA: Focus on Geometry, Modern Mathematics and Arithmetic problems
• VARC: Practice Reading Comprehension as much as you possibly can with a slight focus on Jumble and Completion type questions
• LR: Arrangement based puzzles, Investment Betting and Tournaments
• DI: Logic and calculation based DI sets are important.

Last but not the least is confidence. One should be extremely confident during the exam. At no point should the person panic. Try to give 100% during the exam.