MBA in Telecom Management

New carrer in fiber optics

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY

ABHISHEK YADAV SPEAKS ON THE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY AND FORECASTS A POSITIVE FUTURE

The KPO industry, which used to be associated with the BPO industry, now fits into other work also.
With the recession, there has been a dip in the low end opportunities. But high-end work like research, analytics, market research has gone up. More technology companies are moving into this space. So, the growth is about 25-30 per cent higher than a year back. We estimate job opportunities to go up — we expect 1,00,000 jobs in the pure play KPO space. We need nothing less than 5 lakh people in the next three years. Unfortunately, we do not have any specific courses for this industry here. In the US, you have courses like an MBA in knowledge management. The only course available right now are those at the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI). There is a huge crunch of even those from ISI. That is the kind of demand for skills now. What is information management? Mass IT deployment of has led to the correct storage of information. What do you do with it? You could analyse, make course correction, etc. This is called information management. Those who want to get into this field need to possess an aptitude for research. He should have logical reasoning, and a certain amount of savvy with IT. It is a new age course. So, it would ideally suit someone inclined towards maths/ science/ technology. Currently, the industry is struggling due to lack of manpower. We were hiring fresh MBAs and literally training them in basic IT/ basic research. Since it is a nascent industry, there is huge attrition at the bottom level. Such is the opportunity available. Employees are very well paid in this sector. Starting salaries are Rs. 5-6 lakh per annum. Fresher ISI graduates are paid up to Rs.9-10 lakh per year.
Even when recession hit IIM campuses, ISI was not affected at all.
Not only is it a well-paid sector, it is a diverse field of many flavours and multiple functions. There is a lot of creativity.
WHAT IS INFORMATION MANAGEMENT? Information management (IM) is the collection and management of information from one or more sources and the distribution of that information to one or more audiences. This sometimes involves those who have a stake in, or a right to that information. IM is concerned with identifying, organizing, evaluating, storing and disseminating information in the most effective and efficient manner. It involves understanding how organizations work, and how information strategies must take into account people’s needs and behaviour. This involves leveraging information systems and Information Technology to maximize information resources to meet organizational objectives and individual requirements.

UK Visa consultant

// <![CDATA[//

Recommended reading

AJEET KHURANA SUGGESTS SOME BOOKS A MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SHOULD READ AT VARIOUS STAGES OF HIS/ HER CAREER

Acommon question prospective MBAs ask is: “What can I do to improve the likelihood of gaining an admission to a premier B-school?” While solving mock tests or attending coaching classes are clichéd answers, an important point that experts frequently fail to point out is the need to read.
CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING ISSUES: 1) Many students wrongly assume that their career journey is complete if they get into a top MBA programme. The reality is your career begins after you graduate from a management course. Even in the best B-schools, there are those who do not secure decent placement and those who end up having mediocre careers. So, think beyond entrance exams: think about your career. 2) Business education has many detractors who opine that managers cannot be created by making people attend a business programme. There is some truth to this. If you do not gain more knowledge than what the MBA syllabus prescribes, and if you do not gain more work experience than a summer internship, you will not groom yourself to be a good manager. 3) Several concepts that are taught in an MBA programme are only a few steps removed from their daily business applications. These are important concepts. However, if you cannot apply them immediately you must be able to understand them in the intended context. 4) Many areas of business such as internet marketing did not even exist way back in the 1990s. However, a number of managers who hold key positions in the internet marketing space did graduate during the 90s. Clearly they did not reach there solely based on the reading required in a B-school programme!
As all the issues raised above indicate, you need to constantly keep updating and empowering yourself professionally. One of the most efficient ways of doing this is by reading.
However, the kind of reading a person concerned with management should do depends on his/ her present stage, as each stage has differing objectives.
A PROSPECTIVE MBA STUDENT Objectives: (i) Maximising scores in group discussions and personal interviews (ii) Gaining a clear understanding of the various disciplines of business (eg marketing, finance, HR, operations, etc) to select an area of specialisation (iii) Preparing to gain the business concepts taught in the MBA programme. Reading advice: (i) Books: Reading fundamental books on various disciplines is a good way to start. These do not have to be text books or even business books. Some examples are:
Finance for Non-Finance Executives by Prof Prasanna Chandra
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries And Jack Trout
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R Covey
Business as a Calling by Michael Novak
Good to Great by Jim Collins The Pleasure of Finding Things Out by Richard Feynman The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith The Wisdom of Crowds by James Surowieki The World is Flat by Thomas L Friedman The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell (ii) Read the daily newspaper. You do not necessarily read a business paper. Do not restrict your reading to a select few sections.
AN MBA STUDENT Objectives: (i) To maximise the learning from the curricular concepts (ii) To develop a perspective on business management (iii) To impress prospective recruiters about your depth of understanding. Reading advice: (i) Books: Unlike prospective MBAs you cannot just scratch the surface. You will have to delve deep and attempt to develop a multidimensional insight into many areas of business. Some books you could read are: The Economics of Computers By William Sharpe
The Principles of Scientific Management
by Frederick Taylor Reengineering the Corporation by Michael Hammer and James A Champy In Search of Excellence by Thomas Peters and Robert Waterman The Money Game by Adam Smith A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Bruton Malkiel Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter Clicks and Mortar by David S Pottruck and Terry Pearce The Circle of Innovation by Tom Peters The Human Side of Enterprise by Douglas McGregor The Practice of Management by Peter F Drucker Competitive Strategy by Michael E Porter In Search of Excellence by Thomas J Peters and Robert H Waterman, Jr Why Things Bite Back by Edward Tenner (ii) Read business dailies. As an MBA student, you should get into the habit of reading those pink newspapers. Being on top of developments in the business world is a requirement for those about to take a plunge into the workplace.
A PRACTISING MANAGER Objectives: (i) To continuously re-tool your business management skill set (ii) To develop an attitude for lifelong learning (iii) To be prepared for business innovation. (i) Books: The books you read should be about developing an insightful perspective or about challenging convention. Here are some books you could read: The Fifth Discipline by Peter M Senge Against The Gods by Peter Bernstein When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein Tyranny of the Bottom Line by Ralph Estes Execution by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan Note: The list of books mentioned above is indicative. Apart from reading the mentioned books, you can also keep yourself updated by visiting various websites and reading relevant and informative material online.
(The writer is a CAT expertd)

GMAT and GRE Transformation Time

TWO OF THE MOST CRUCIAL EXAMS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY TO A UNIVERSITY ABROAD, THE GRE AND GMAT, ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING MORE ACCURATE AT GAUGING A STUDENT’S CAPABILITIES. KARAN GUPTA ELABORATES ON THE VARIOUS CHANGES

Students planning to take the GRE or GMAT in order to apply for admissions two years later, think again. The Graduate Management Admission Council has announced a new GMAT pattern starting June 2012. Simultaneously, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) has announced the radically new GRE starting August 2011.
>> GMAT
The new GMAT will have a 30-minute integrated reasoning section with new question types. Students will now have to collect and interpret information from different sources to solve complex problems. They will also be given visual and tabular data questions and be required to use probability and statistics to solve such questions. The good news is that this new section will not increase the duration of the exam. The section will replace one of the two essays of the current analytical writing section (each essay of the analytical writing section is currently 30 minutes). Also, the scoring of the GMAT will stay the same – 200 to 800 points. Students will have a separate score for the analytical writing essay and the integrated reasoning section.
But, why is the GMAT changing? “In the most recent survey, faculty from 740 B-schools said they need 21st century business students to be able to integrate data from multiple sources, solve complex problems and make statistical inferences. Many of the new question types require the same sort of problem solving students will need to do in business school, so the integrated reasoning score will give both schools and students an idea of their potential to do that,” states the GMAC website mba.com. Nitin Makkar, Business Analyst, MBA Programme, University of New Brunswick, Saint John, welcomes this change, “The stint at a B-school involves many reviews of corporate financial reports to judge companies’ performances. The new section will be a measure of an applicant’s abilities in this area. The GMAT has changed to reflect the changing nature of business graduate study and this is a good change.”
>> GRE
The GRE is undergoing a much more radical change. For starters, the look, feel and software of the exam will now change. Students will be permitted to go back to answers, skip questions, preview sections and even have on screen calculator while taking the exam. Basically, the experience will be like taking a paper based exam on the computer.
One of the chief complaints of students was that the GRE focused a lot on vocabulary and more specifically vocabulary used in institutes in America. The new GRE promises to reduce the focus on vocabulary, eliminating antonyms and analogies completely. Here is the actual new test pattern:
Almost all B-schools accept only the GMAT for admissions. The ETS wants them to start accepting the GRE scores as well. In fact, the GRE website lists the B-schools that accept GRE scores. When contacted, very few of these schools could indeed confirm that they are accepting the GRE. Many experts believe that the GRE is changing mainly to suit the needs of business schools.
In the end, the test makers claim that they are changing these tests to correctly estimate the capabilities of aspirants. But, whether or not the revised tests will actually do that will be seen only once students pass out from their respective institutes.
(The author is a study
abroad consultant)

CAT

LAST YEAR’S FIASCO OVER THE COMPUTERISED COMMON ADMISSION TEST (CAT) HAS LEFT ASPIRANTS ANXIOUS OVER WHAT IS IN STORE FOR THIS YEAR’S EXAM.
AJEET KHURANA
PROVIDES YOU TIPS ON HOW TO BE WELL PREPARED FOR THE TEST

The CAT, for admission to the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and other B-schools in India, will be held over 20 days between October 27 and November 23, 2010, with breaks for Diwali. Given the extraordinary amount of technical glitches in last year’s exam, most students are wary of this year’s test as well. However, whether the technical goof-ups occur or not this year, the following steps will surely help you maximise your performance in the exam.
GET READY FOR THE COMPUTERISED TEST
Appearing for the CAT on the computer is
substantially different from appearing for it in the paper and pencil mode. For instance, it is much tougher to read large quantities of text in the reading comprehension questions on the computer than in an exam booklet. Similarly, interpreting graphs and tables on the screen is tougher than on a paper, where you can make all kinds of scratch marks and notations. Thus, it is crucial that you are prepared to appear for the test on the computer. It is fine to work with paper and pen during the initial stages of practice, but in the final run up, ie beginning mid-September, you should practice tests only on the computer.
FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANT TOPICS
If we were to list all the topics in the math section of the CAT, we would end up with a list of about 25 odd topics. However, only three of these are extremely important – geometry, functions, and number systems. There is a good chance that these three will account for more than a third of all the questions asked in the math section. However, you cannot take the risk of preparing for only three topics out of 25. But, you need to ensure that you are well prepared for these three. Likewise, the reading comprehension section in the CAT continues to be disproportionately long. Hence, you need to spend a lot of time practicing comprehension questions.
MASTER YOUR STRENGTHS, IMPROVISE ON YOUR WEAKNESSES
Prepare for the test realistically. Make sure to score high in your areas of strength and not perform too poorly in sections/ topics that are you are weak in. In the month of August, you can spend most of your time overcoming your weaknesses. But beginning September, at least half your study-time should focus on revising topics that you tend to do well in. As the CAT approaches, the proportion of time you spend on topics you are proficient in should increase. In any case, by the end of September you should complete the syllabus. October is the month of practice.
UNDERSTAND THE EXAM
To begin with, CAT has a reputation that intimidates many. As if that was not enough, rumor mills are abuzz with the likely problems that will supposedly occur in this year’s computerised test. Some common concerns that you may have as a candidate are:
Different students get different tests
To most students who are used to one entrance exam held on a single day of the year, it is disconcerting to know that there will be 40 different administrations of the CAT this year. That is to say, there will be two CATs each on 20 different days. The important questions that arise are: What if your CAT is more difficult than that of some others? What if your favourite topics do not appear in your test, but do show up in that of others? What if the people appearing for your test turn out to be highly intelligent, consequently making your score seem poor in comparison?
These questions do have some basis, but you have to go with the belief that the IIMs will take care of these discrepancies. “Normalisation” is the statistical process where such “noise” in the test scores can be removed. Be assured that the IIMs will normalise the scores.
If it is of any consolation, please note that another popular MBA entrance exam, the GMAT, is adaptive in nature. This means that the 200000+ students who appear for it get different tests. If such huge number of tests can be normalised then 40 certainly can.
Minimum score in each section
Every year, hundreds of students score well in the CAT but do not make it to one of the IIMs. The reason: though their overall score is high, they fail to get the minimum score required in each section.
All CAT applicants know that to qualify for admission to the IIMs they have to secure an overall score as well as separate sectional scores. But in the melee of the actual CAT, it is easy to overlook this crucial fact. The solution to this problem is effective time-management during the exam. For example, if you are more or less equally proficient in the three sections of the CAT (quant, verbal, DI/ LR), then you should consider allocating 50 minutes to each of the sections.
Prepare well for varied levels of difficulty
Over the years, the level of difficulty of CAT has varied substantially. If you were to attempt the actual test papers from 2007 and 2008, you would get a very different picture of the CAT in comparison to CAT 2009. Last year’s test was comparatively of a lower level of difficulty. This year’s exam will most likely be along the lines of CAT 2009. One of the primary reasons for this is that creation of 40 different CATs with purely analytical questions that can be standardised is a nearly impossible task. However, this is only a likelihood. The correct approach would be to thoroughly prepare for the CAT 2009 like level by the end of August. Once this level has been mastered and you have a higher degree of confidence, you could move to more advanced questions.
Practice meaningful practice
Repeated practice could end up as a vain routine. The trick is to learn from your practice and take the right steps. Once you practice a topic or attempt a mock test, you should evaluate your responses. Try to find out how you could have increased your score. Work on improving your speed in questions that you answered rightly.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT DATE
Given last year’s mess, it is recommended not to choose an early date to appear for the exam. At the same time, waiting for the last date may not be prudent as it increases the stress associated with the exam. Keep in mind that this year Diwali begins on November 5. So it’s best to be done with the exam before the festival begins. The best dates then would be November 3 or 4. This should give you adequate opportunity to learn about the pattern and administration of this year’s CAT. However, if you are not up for these dates, choose the earliest date feasible after November 11.
DON’T GET RATTLED BY THE PROCEDURE
You have quite likely never appeared for an exam such as the computerised CAT. On the day of the exam, you will have to sign a legal document called an NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement). Your thumb impressions will be scanned. In addition, different computers in the exam room will boot up at different speeds. All this is enough to rattle the serious student. But, it is important to realise that as far as your score and admission are concerned, none of this matters. Try your best to avoid getting caught up in the motions. Focus on answering the questions right. That is all that will matter.
Keep reading Education Times to get more information about cracking CAT 2010. All the best!
(The writer is an expert in CAT)

CAREER IN TEA TASTING, TEA PLANTATION MANAGEMENT

WISH TO HAVE A CAREER IN TEA TASTING, TEA PLANTATION MANAGEMENT OR DO RESEARCH IN COFFEE? JAYANTI GHOSE HAS THE DETAILS

BEVERAGES are a part of our daily lives. The popular choice of beverage varies between countries, regions, and cultures, as also the way it is cultivated, produced, served, brewed, and so on.
Indians are known to be fond of tea, but coffee chains are becoming more popular in India. Wine in India is getting to be popular too, as we manufacture our own product. Beyond this, there is a huge market for juices (fruit and vegetable), carbonated drinks, lassi, etc.
TRAINING AND EDUCATION
Training in horticulture would include insights into tea and coffee cultivation, or plantation crops in general, depending upon the prevalent crop in the region/state where the university is located. Fruits and vegetables are in any case under the purview of horticulture.
Food technology and food process engineering courses are programmes for those who want to be involved in the development and production of beverages. Students are exposed to various food processing operations through pilot plant and laboratories, industrial training, village stay programme and visits to industry. Inputs include crop process engineering, food packaging technology, heat transfer, refrigeration and air conditioning, design of food processing equipment, etc.
A PG in industrial fermentation and alcohol technology would be useful if you are interested in working in the brewing of alcoholic beverages. Candidates with a BSc in chemistry would be suited for this programme.
Formal training in wine technology is limited. However, there are a few institutions offering diploma, degree and postgraduate programmes in fruit processing and wine technology, applied wine technology, and wine brewing and distillation, etc.
In the realm of tea, training opportunities are in tea-tasting, tea-management, tea-research, and so on. Coffee tasting is still about learning by doing, as tea tasting used to be before formal workshops and courses came up. Coffee Quality Management programme that has been started by the coffee board does cover coffee cup tasting.
Tea management is usually a one-year postgraduate diploma programme offered to graduates in any discipline, preferably with a science or an agricultural science background. Tea tasting is usually a shortterm certificate course open to students from all backgrounds.
(The writer is a career counsellor) PROGRAMMES/INSTITUTIONS
BSc horticulture is a four-year Bachelors degree course offered by the State Agricultural Universities open to students completing class XII with physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics.
Those who have not had mathematics would have to complete deficiency courses as prescribed by respective universities. Similarly, agricultural universities located in the states where grape cultivation has become popular would include elective courses or specialised courses in the same. BTech (food process engineering):
Indian institute of Crop Processing Technology, Pudukottai Road, Thanjavur-613005 (www.pprc.gov.in)
Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641003 (www.tnau.ac.in) PG (industrial fermentation & alcohol technology):
National Sugar Institute, Kalianpur, Kanpur-208017 (www.nsi.gov.in/)
A PG diploma in Coffeee Quality Management is offered by the Quality Control Division, Coffee Borad, No.1, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bangalore, www.indiacoffee.org/advertisement/introduction.htm
Central Coffee Research Institute, Coffee Research Station, Coffee Board, P B No 43, Prabhu Street, Chickmagalur-577117 (www.chickmagalur.nic.in) does extensive research in plant breeding, agricultural chemistry, and soil science, plant physiology, pathology, entomology and post-harvest technology.
Birla Institute of Management & Futuristic Studies, Kolkata (www.bifsmgmt.org) offers a PG diploma in tea management, tea tasting
University of North Bengal, Department of Tea Management (www.nbu.ac.in), Darjeeling: Oneyear PG diploma in tea management (including one month of tea garden training; residential)
Darjeeling Tea Research & Management Association (www.nitm.in): Postgraduate diploma in tea (PGDT)/Certificate Course on Tea Tasting (CCTT)
The Heritage Academy, WBUT, Kolkata, (www.theheritageacademy .in/teamanagement.pdf): PGD Tea Business Mgt
Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh-786004 (www.dibru.ac.in): Postgraduate diploma in tea technology and plantation management (PGDTTPM)
Indian Institute of Plantation Management (IIPM), Bangalore, (iipmb.edu.in)
Tulleeho Bartending Academy (www.tulleeho.com/bartendingacademy/) Mumbai/ Bangalore/ New Delhi offers wine appreciation courses for individuals.
(Indicative listing)

Phd in Tamil Nadu

// <![CDATA[//

Bangalore’s B School collaborates with global software company

Gems B school collaborates with SAP to launch U-Academy program on its campus. Program designed to meet the growing demand for SAP certified professionals

GEMS B school, one of the leading management education institutions announces its collaboration with SAP to offer SAP education services at their Bangalore facility. SAP® University Alliances program — U-Academy will be made available to all students.
Started in 2007, GEMS B school today houses more than 500 students and offers more than eight different modules designed to match global standards. GEMS B school will offer SAP as part of the curriculum of its dual specialization MBA, where students can get the twin advantage of an MBA and SAP.
GEMS B school students will be able to pursue modules including Financial Accounting, Management Accounting, Human Capital Management, Supply Chain Management, Enterprise Process Integration as well as SAP NetWeaver Application Development.
Each year, India produces more than 2.5 million university graduates of whom 20 per cent are engineering majors. According to NASSCOM, only 25 per cent of these are considered employable by the rapidly growing IT and ITES companies. The report also states that India’s IT sector will face a shortfall of half a million professionals by 2010. Thus, there is a compelling need for a strong industryacademia alliance.
SAP U-Academy program will allow GEMS B school students to experience the next generation SAP products and solutions and enable them to address the real world challenges as they join the corporate sector and expand the IT talent across the globe.
GEMS B School, A unit of Mysore Maharaja
Institute of Higher Education,
The Bangalore Palace, Vasanth Nagar, Bangalore-52.
MOB: 09880926611, 09980288869, TEL: 080-23560387,
080-23560389 Email: info@gemsbschool.com
Website: www.gemsbschool.com