Why NOT to ignore Current Affairs?

10:34 | Labels: , , , ,


Which field on this planet is not developing? What experiences zero growth? Nothing! Who said only technology keeps updating it adding value embellishments all the time? In fact, the gamut of knowledge grows faster than the speed of light. Different situations lead individual, companies, organizations and even countries to think of different solution for their data set of trouble. Thus, every new solution thought of by them is an addition to the value of knowledge which could again lead to contesting solutions that could be debated again leading to one more data set of knowledge. Thus each new happening, each new flash adds immense education value whose knowledge will add to your decision making power. Here are some reasons why MBAs should get their hand on the daily newspaper more often.

Group Discussions                                         

As far as MBAs goes current affairs stands tall in front of them in the group discussion. This is the time for intensive reading of newspaper; eminent magazines, education debated and good books. They could come handy in altering the path of your destiny to enter a top-notch business school. Group discussions are in fact very competitive where no amount of knowledge is an upper limit.

Decision Making

Post business school when you enter a work space, whether in India or even abroad, you being an MBA are going to be on managerial level where decision making would be definitely be a part of your job profile. For e.g.  Any decision you take could take at work, with respect any deal without readings your competitor’s stance published on the front page of the newspaper could cost your company millions and it could probably cost you your job too. A daily read of a business newspaper would definitely aid you land a job with a good salary hike and promotion. MBAupdates thinks informed decision making is the key to success anywhere.

Policy and Regulatory Changes

Most of the MNCs or even big governmental corporations are driven by their own set of rules and regulations as stipulated by the governmental and other pertaining regulatory authorities. As the tastes and preferences undergo changes, so do the demand and supply situation affecting regulations to fill in the gaps produced at the macro level. This has its effects on the firms and companies working lower wring in the order and thus being an MBA you ought to keep an open eye for current affairs.

First Impressions

Imagine yourself entering a conference with like-minded, informed and well acknowledged people discussing current issues in the limelight and their repercussions on the trade of your company. Would you like someone to ask you a question and you would stare right back at them in denial of the question thrown? Avoid embarrassing situations by being up-to-date on the knowledge front in professional spaces.
Your knowledge about current affairs and the ability to write a short note on any given topic is a resume by itself. No big degrees or accolades are required to develop this; all you need is- the daily newspaper!

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

Top 5 International Book Reads for MBAs

16:26 | Labels: , , ,


Gone are the days when nurturing brilliant MBA minds was the responsibility of only the Business Schools. In this age of intense competition where the race to excellence exists even between students of top-notch universities one requires to develop an edge, a positive over the negative of the other, a jump above the credentials of another, a little more knowledge that the neighbouring examinee to make it to the towers of business excellence in the global economy. Reading books is an easy way to get advantage over the rest at least to some extent. MBAupdates presents to you some of the International must-reads MBA.

The Halo Effect: … and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers by Phil Rosenzweig

The Halo Effect talks about the basic and guiding mantras of success and failure when it comes to business. It digs deeper to find the cause of cause and the effect of each effect. It shows the chain effects of decision gone wrong and the effects of decision taken right which go on endlessly. Learn the basics of decision making and how your one decision can alter the fate if your business leading it to either success or failure.

Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in the Markets and in Life by Nassim N. Taleb

Who doesn’t get confused while making decision? Which cue should you take, which you should ignore? This is exactly what fooled by randomness talks about. It helps the reader learn to distinguish between the real signal and the false noise leading to no really effect of the decision taken. This book is written and is considered to be relevant in terms of the financial markets.

The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith

The first modern economist wrote this book in 1776 and since then it has been read through the generations. Even today, it remains a popular and recommended book for MBAs. Based on the real examination of the human nature it suggests basic economics to make a peaceful and stable society. It is a book on basic economic theory.

The One-Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

This has been a top management book since its launch. This is a commentary of great practical strategies and advice on how to do the basics of business, delegating jobs, how to appreciate employees and how to make use of criticism to gallop ahead. These may seem small things to read a book for; but actually they determine the productivity, profits and revenue at work.

In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peters, Robert H. Waterman

This book is a reservoir of knowledge, a reservoir of some of the best experiences that made the destiny of the 43 best run companies in the developed United States of America. Just imagine the knowledge, skills and expertise on display in writing that one can learn from.
These are the top 5 reads from the international bestselling bookshelf for management students. MBAupdates has picked them on the basis of the utility each can render to an MBA student in the workspace of today.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

Has The Global Slowdown Affected The Growth Potential For Indian MBAs?

11:20 | Labels: , , , , ,



The global economic order has been shuffling cards faster than the speed of light making job opportunities fluctuate in different countries. Situations are changing with each new set of incoming government data. So now, in such a situation how does an MBA having procured his degree from abroad, deal with the slowdown that is gripping the developed countries like the United States of America (USA) and even the United Kingdom? There are a certain things that the student must study in order to decide whether working there after the MBA makes sense. MBAupdates has researched some basic factors that must be used as parameters to decide your stance on working abroad after the MBA.

Economies and Finance

If you have done your MBA from USA or are even planning to do so, make sure to keep in mind that the US government is now promoting the smallest of the jobs to the American citizens vis-a-vis the earlier tendency of employing brilliant minded Indians. At the same time the salaries are now slightly lower than earlier as the employers are not only cutting costs but also taking advantage of the fact that the unemployment rate which is compelling people to take up any job rather than concentrate and bicker for salaries. UK has come out with a new rule that does not allow a non-resident, non-native to work beyond 2 years after their post graduate degree. This demands the student to come back to India to look for a job. Thus, rather than wasting time, coming back to your home country makes more sense; it is the opportunity cost that one must calculate.

Your Own Finance

Do remember that if you want to settle in India, it is recommended to pursue an MBA from India and if you really desire to settle abroad then a MBA from the same land makes more sense.
Reality Check: MBA in India will cost you around Rs 5-20 lakhs while abroad it will cost you anything between 15-20 lakhs or even more depending upon your institute and other aspects like the living costs. This makes it difficult for an India to work abroad especially if they have an MBA from India. Indian MBAs see more and faster growth in Indian than abroad. If you have a loan to pay then always work in the country where you have fetched your MBA from as this offers the best job deal. However, amidst the slowdown you will need to check for the job offer you get and the scope it has for growth. Running a basic cost-benefit analysis will help you assess your situation.

These are the two main factors one must study; the results will be subjective in nature they are based on the person financial background, the loan scene if any and their willingness to settle in the home country or abroad. However, few years back the time was good where student did not have to think about these factors but now when the job preferences in countries are under flux, that calls for assessing your own situation and position first is highly recommended by the MBAupdates.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

Do BA and B.Com Students Make Good MBAs?

14:39 | Labels: , ,



Nowadays, the question haunting most students at a very early age is the whether their chosen stream, be it arts, commerce or science will facilitate their final goal of an MBA. However, MBAupdates suggests and requests the students to decide what they really want? However, if their ultimate goal is not a managerial degree then reading this article is futile. But, yes, if you desire to see yourself seated high up on the complex corporate ladder then read on to find out whether a BA, B.Com or B.Sc. will hinder your path to a successful MBA.
Training
If there is any difference between a student of any standard Bachelors degree and a Bachelors in Management student, then it is the training, the drilling exercises, the inherent mode of doing something relevant for very long. Conventional degree students lack the essential training at the earlier years when the mind is more receptive to picking things. Management students at Bachelors level function the same way as real MBA students but at a lower degree, a notch below them.
Time and Effort
Vis-a-Vis, a conventional degree holder who is used to a lesser hours and efforts in their degree course a management student at undergraduate levels is used to more painstaking effort and mostly undergo a credit based course, with interactive presentation, and more frequent industrial visit totalling contrasting the exposure that each gets. Standard degrees employ lower hours at study as compared to a management student at the same level of education making the management student more capable of taking pressure in the MBA coursework and at work in the future too.
Experience
Alas! Finally the main caveat of practical experience and relevant work exposure makes the management learner take the cake away from the degree holder.
  • They learn to interact at a different level as they do real time projects on the subjects like research methodology.
  • Irrespective to which field they are from during junior college they still have to do essential subjects like Account, Mathematics and Statistics irrespective to their tastes and liking for the subject.
  • Their internships and small time work experiences add value to their existing undergraduate level resume.
  • They deal to learn with people and work with groups of people at an earlier age increasing their power to adapt to changing situations and probably adapt to different work environments in the future.
  • The experience is directly proportional to the number of years dedicated at management level study.
MBAupdates concludes on an affirmative note that the standard or the conventional degree holders like B.A, B.Com or even B.Sc. lack the edge in general. However, MBAupdates strongly clarifies its stand that the aforementioned conclusions are drawn only on the basis of the comparison of the course frameworks and has personal abilities and capabilities of the students are not taken into consideration.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

Top 5 Must-Read Books For MBA Students in India

15:30 | Labels: , ,



A real MBA is an all-rounder, an aspiring student in his times, popular in college and a leader at work. How does this happen? Does it merely happen by attending a good reputed and ranked business school? No, it happens by gaining knowledge and hearing out other people’s experiences. Not often do we know people of relevance whose experiences we can learn from. But, don’t forget we have books where innumerable applicable and real-life experiences offer abundant knowledge at hardly any cost. Use this to aid you to become the real MBA you desire to be. MBAupdates encourages you to read the following books from Indian management scene.

World Class in India: A Casebook of Companies in Transformation, Gita Piramal

This Penguin India book is a must-have, as it supports the case for corporate India to make necessary changes and amendments in context of the global scenario. It talks about the managers of the now big corporate and their resistance to changes that could have cost fortunes. It is a well-researched book diving into various industries and sub sections attempting to understand the psyche of the corporate Indian leaders.

Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, C.K. Prahalad

This book by the reputed management Guru C.K. Prahalad offers some great insight into how the developing countries, like the BRIC nations are actually offering more poor population to make great markets out off. The story of the new market begins form the bottom of the pyramid than the top cream section. This is a book with different perspective that will set you thinking.

Count Your Chickens before They Hatch, Arindam Choudhary

This book explores the different angles making it an encompassing read for an MBA. It starts with the need of the hour in terms of managers and human labour, comparatively analysed by the industry specific experts who possess these qualities along with the psychology of the leader unfolded in each page. This book is a great read to understand the Indian business manager.

Winning Strategies, Shiv Khera

Winning Strategies edges more towards personal development. It teaches the correct attitude 
that business leaders should have, inter personal skills they should develop, how they should set their goal and how strategies are made based on the personal abilities assessed by an individual. This a definite read for all those suffering from taking that extra step forward due to the feeling of incapability and low self-esteem.

Sack the CEO, Jitendra Jain

This is humorous account fictionalised by the author who aims to talks about the different types of leaders, managers and bosses and how each should be dealt with. It unfolds a strategy, strategy worth lending your ears to.
These are some of the most resourceful chosen books after careful and relevant research by the MBAupdates team.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

Would the Increase in Women Managers Benefit the Nation?

11:24 | Labels: , , ,


Issues of the men and women have dominated debates since the beginning of mankind. Women were classified to be home makers and the child bearers whereas men were the bread winners, earning a living for their family for basic sustenance and life. Today, things have changed. In fact, MBAupdates thinks that the profile of men has more or less remained the same, but women have added more cookies to their already heavy baskets. Women can multi task, yes it is a fact, and this is exactly what has given them the edge over men when it comes to see-sawing between, home and work. This in fact is the biggest proof of women being better managers than men. Multi-tasking means increasing productivity in two spheres making them better contenders to help increase productivity in the nation, at large. Here are few reasons why MBAupdates gives away the trophy to the fairer sex MBA.
Flexibility Adding To Productivity
Women are known to be more flexible and probably that one reason why women leave their houses after marriage then men. Flexibility and the openness of the mind add more value to their productivity. Since birth, women know they have to handle both home and work and hence their thought processes are less restrictive in nature that attempt to navigate and find ways to reach the result faster and yes, the same result with any compromises MBA.
Women Are More Ethical
Women are known to be more ethical as their efficiency has more finesse than that of men. This is the reason why they do not really resort to unethical and illegal articles at work. Women are lesser corrupt than men by a whopping 40%. Women include more considerations than men do and hence the try to encompass most of the factors that would probably affect their final product even before a project has started lending them the ability to do tasks without any negative assistance.
Tolerance Levels
Women are more tolerant than men and are stronger at handling feeling of dejection, incompetence and failure. Men often take such adjectives on their ego resulting in a depressive state of mind incapable of adding more productivity to any official result at work or any other place. Higher tolerance levels help them deal with a range of diverse problems unlike men who have a lower threshold on tolerating nuances at work.
Women Are More Tactful
As women have the ability to think 360 degrees, they are more tactful while handling people, managing expectations, giving feedback that reflect as being more responsible. This makes top bosses trust women more than men. Women understand the finer elements and threads of relations and expectation based on the value system as they are multi-faceted by nature and profile.
Yes, thus employing more women at a macro country level will definitely help increase the productivity, efficiency through timely execution and a finer understanding of the scope of the work, as women understand expectations better.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson

What Do B-Schools Look For In A Candidate While Selection?

11:04 | Labels: , ,

 The pressing question of what do B-Schools really look for in a candidate for admission has a rather ambiguous answer. Each business school has its own criteria which undergoes changes each year. There are no criteria fixed by any university, private or public or none listed by the governmental decision-makers on education in the country. This puts prospective MBA desirous students in a fix, in a dilemma with no objective answer. MBAupdates has deciphered the intricacies and researched the opinion of many B-School ex-students and those currently in process of application and admission to boil down to the few indispensableand vital admission gaining criteria for selection by B-Schools.
Experience, Experience, Experience
No matter what people say experience is something that definitely adds oodles of value to your chances of getting chosen in your dream B-School. Having experience in your kitty completes the picture. MBAupdates research shows that having a minimum 2 years’ experience can be lucrative for an admission desiring MBA. Working as an intern or a management trainee reflects your ability to work, your motivation, and your determination about taking up the MBA seriously. Work experience before an MBA looks like a more organised and chalked out system than a one without it.
You scored!                                                                          
Getting a good CAT, CET, NMAT, XAT etc. score is not the ultimately test. MBAupdates estimates that a good qualifying score matters to an extent of 50%, nothing more or nothing less. There are a practically no colleges that take students based solely on the parameter of their score. Thus, beating the world in the common eligibility test is no real guarantee of you getting through the desired program and college. Of course, MBAupdates does not deny the importance of a good score. A good score is necessary but not a sufficient condition. A good score needs many props like experience and overwhelmingly impressive resume.
All-Rounder Resume
There is stark difference in actually being an all-rounder and having an all-rounder appeal for your resume. You resume needs to reflect the correct growth. The resume should show the responsibilities undertaken by you on an increasing trend. You involvement in Extracurriculars should show a rise of nearly 25%at each stage starting from the 10th standard, to graduation, other post-graduation if any and rounding off with a minimum two years of professional work experience. Building a great resume is tough job. However, do remember to highlight extracurriculars at along with each score you write.
Thus, as researched one can notice that none of the above mentioned selection criteria are independent of each other. One’s power is dependent on the others and hence irrespective of the presence each element should be present in your successful selection equation into preferred a B-school.

  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • StumbleUpon
  • Reddit
  • RSS
Read User's Comments(0)
Posted by samjohnson
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)