A state of uncertainity

Ask any MBA student - where do you see yourself in next six months?. The answers most likely will not vary among majority of students. The most common response will be - 'I don't know'. 

This answer stems from the uncertainity that has plagued the job market. What seemed earlier to be a good investment in oneself (it still is), in the short term appears to be one of the not-so-wise decisions. Worldwide collapse of the markets, the recession (Umar Haque calls it a state of compression) and the loss of confidence have taken its own toll on the prospects of finding a job. Students are now dwindling between finding nothing to finding anything so as to pay back the huge loan they have taken. Internships have dried up and the summer projects are not so easy to find. Overall the state of the MBA economy looks not so pleasant. Afterall no one left their cushy jobs to land themselves in this state of uncertainity.

While many will resonate with my claim, I do not claim to represent the entire MBA student fraternity, I for certain falls in the category of uncertain people. Even though all is not lost and there are opportunities to look for, this experience, has certainly allowed me to think out-of-the-box. I do not simply think about the regular profile that I would have got for myself after MBA, nor do I fancy my chances in UK, which I surely considered before joining the course. Now I am thinking more than ever about opportunities in India. Now I am no more looking for a stereotype role in the IT industry (though I may still end up there) but I am considering all types of industries. This will enable me to 

• experience different industry, and
• enhance my profile

I am not so sure if I will be successful in what I am thinking but slowly and surely I am looking forward to apply wherever opportunities arise. If you think you might have something in store for me drop me an email. 

Who said recession was bad, MBA in a recession has definitely made me resilient.  

A brief reflection :)

I have been wondering of late about the frequency of my post on this place. Not that I am too busy, the thought of communicating through this channel has been overbearing. The sense of guilt and the thought that I should be communicating more often has often kept me away from writing here. Today, I take a pledge to write on a regular basis. I hope to honor that commitment.

The past few weeks have been a good experience. I visited home during the Easter vacation and there I was trying to network among older contacts for opportunities. After coming back to Lancaster, the case exam and the assignment submission of the last term consumed entire energy.

Spring has gradually settled in here and as spring sets in I have moved into the electives term. The year so far has moved so quickly that it is unfathomable that MBA started in Sept/Oct last year. It has been an intense journey so far and has thrown open many new options for me. I have decided to concentrate on Strategy and International Business to major in. I never thought strategy would be an option for me before MBA but now I am very confident that strategy is the 'the' thing for me. I am quite hopeful to get an opportunity in that area.  As of now I am looking for projects/internship for the last term, which is due in another 2 months.

As of now, wish me luck.

a quick reflection

I was looking to find some free time today and realised that I have not written any post in a long time. So realised that there is no better way to spend the bits of free time than posting here.

Last few weeks have been really heavy. Loads of coursework, loads of presentation, early morning presentations (these, by the way, are my regular workouts), multiple revisions of same report until I memorise them and then the real world consultancy for which I didn't get paid.

This whole term has been been really hectic (don't know if that is the appropriate word) but equally enjoyable. Good marks (highest) in the case study exam (a three and a half hour exam I wrote in hand after nearly 8 years) and the best presentation award (in Strategy) were the highlight in terms of the academic execellence.

Disappointments were few. Arguments were many. Learnt to say, 'I do not AGREE', with a reason, a logic. Persuasiveness, the art of convincing others is gradually improving so is the listening ability. Ability to reflect has also improved. Overall, I am quite satisfied with this term and happy the way it has turned out to be. I am enjoying this MBA experience (sans the work load).

I have begun sending in emails into my network for a possible internship/job opportunity. If you come across some opportunity do let me know and I will thank you with a hand written email.

Charity

There is lot to write about but right now there is a different need to write this post.

My class is having its MBA charity day on Wednesday (Feb 18, 08) and as part of our contributions to the local charity organisation (YMCA), the Scafell (my) group is organising a day long (12 hrs) squash marathon at the Lancaster University Sports Center.

As the adage goes ‘Charity begins at Home’, you are invited to come and take part in the sport and alongside contribute to the charitable cause. You can also get sponsorship from anyone and play or your sponsors can sponsor themselves to come and play.

The attached brochure describes the event. 

The forms can also be collected from Kanchan or from the MBA office. If you are not playing do consider contributing on the website – www.justgiving.com/mbasquashmarathon

 Your whole hearted participation will make the event a success. Please participate in the charitable cause and make the event a success.

Do contribute.

Corporate Social Responsibility

The big Question is How?

Solution is 'Go Green'.

This is the mantra being preached presently in the class. I agree completely with the fundamental principle behind it. Sustainability has become such a big issue that it requires constant unfettered attention. Globally corporates are paying attention and so are MBA schools, where they view their students as tomorrow's global leaders.

At Lancaster (which got its new ranking of 27 in the world according to Financial Times yesterday), CSR is a major emphasis. There are many lectures talking about sustainability, corporate sustainability reporting, legal aspects, individual and corporate resposibility and many other issues. The basic theme behind these ideas is that tomorrow's leaders need to be aware and informed about the various issues that plague managers.

As I write about CSR, I chanced upon Harvard Business Review Oct 2008 edition that suggests Hippocratic Oath for Managers. It is reproduced below (click on the image to read)

I understand that the oath or the pledges are too simplistic, but they are worth a look. For the risk that managers take and the power they enjoy it is reasonable to assume that the risk generate the rewards and the power is used responsibly. 

The larger question in the context of CSR is how far is this sustainable and to what extent a corporation can go for it. My answer is simple. Companies need to implement CSR and make sure they implement not only in word but also in spirit. For example if customers need to be accounted for and asked for feedback about impact of company's action on them, then it is better to ask atleast 50% of your customers to get some representative data. It does not makes sense if the data is collected from just few customers to be compliant about the guidelines.

There are many such issues which can be highlighted and needs attention, but the most important one is to be ethical and believe one's conscience when working on. Money can be made and will be made, the cycle might be a bit longer.