"How to Choose the Right Business School?"-From Prof.M.S.Rao

"The function of the university is not simply to teach bread winning, or to furnish teachers for the public schools or to be a centre of polite society; it is, above all, to be the organ of that fine adjustment between life and the growing knowledge of life, an adjustment which forms the secret of civilization. "-- W.E.B. Du Bois


It is the time for students to take the call in joining Business school for acquiring MBA. Making right decision will help them to come out with quality management education. The time students spend in B school is very precious. Money is the secondary as it can be earned. But when student joins in a wrong b-school s/he has to regret for wasting precious time of two years. Below are a few tips for choosing the right B-school.

Branding of B-school plays a crucial role. Here is a caveat as all branded B-schools may not deliver the goods because of complacency. There are few business schools that have just come up may do better in future.
Before taking admission in any B-school both parents and students should know the profile of academicians with their research publications, accreditation and affiliations of the institution. They should also look at the profile of visiting and adjunct faculty and the eminent speakers delivering guest lectures.

Few B-schools have niche areas such as in Human Resources, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain Management etc., The students who are passionate about specializations may look at niche area of the institution.

Course curriculum should be benchmarked against top business schools and it should focus on building the competency levels of each of its students so that their employability index becomes high. It should be crafted for discovering leaders among the students.

The teaching methodology should be student centric not faculty centric. The faculty should provide education what is relevant and appropriate to the students. They should deliver the goods what the students are looking for.

Look for academic ambience whether the institution is in serene place favorable for learning and development. In addition, check whether the institution is professionally run.

Look at the Return On Investment (ROI). Is it worth to invest hard earned money into the B-school should be verified.

Above all, it should build and blend both art and craft for effective management education. It should bridge the gap between the campus and industry thus enhancing employability of students.

The right Business school is the one that provides quality management education. Ultimately at the end of the course there has to be valuable takeaways and suitable placements for the students in the corporate world.


Do You Want Qualification or Degree?

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows."-- Sydney Harris

Choose the business school that gives qualification not degree. Here is the difference between the both. Degree is what you get on paper. For instance, if you read a book on driving and take a written test you can pass as you have read about driving. But when you are asked to drive the car physically, you will meet accident as you are not equipped with the competency of driving. In contrast, if you really learn driving and take a test drive you will drive successfully because you are competent and confident. Therefore, having licence to drive is based on reading books is like having degree and having competency in driving the car is qualification. That is how we can compare between the degree and qualification. Hence the B-schools should focus on building competencies and capabilities which provide qualification to succeed in the corporate world.


Conclusion:

"The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future."—Plato

To put it succinctly, an ideal B-school should have appropriate curriculum that reflects industry needs and expectations. It should have strong faculty who can teach with industry exposure with research orientation. It must have quality infrastructure such as library, online platform to meet the growing needs of the students. It should have sharp corporate focus with industry exposure, providing guest lectures and offering placements. Finally an ideal B-school should have associations and affiliations such as accreditation, reviews, rankings and blogs.

In western world, parents have the freedom to visit the prospective business schools for looking at their infrastructure such as library facilities, classrooms, seminar halls, accommodation, and transportation etc., before getting their children admitted.

Choosing the right Business School is a strategic decision. You need to go by head rather by heart. Therefore, make your decision carefully and acquire this prestigious qualification for fast career growth.


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Prof. M.S.Rao's Publication in Emerald Journal

Dear All,


I would like to share the successful publication of my intellectual contribution titled “Is cutting development and training in a recession a good idea? Looking at the IT and ITeS sector in India” in the Journal ‘Development and Learning in Organizations’ in 2009 of Emerald Group Publishing Limited vide link: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/10.1108/14777280910982915

“Stages of Decision-Making” – Prof.M.S.Rao

“Decision making is the specific executive task.” - Peter F. Drucker


We all make decisions in life. But making an effective decision is indeed a tough task in today’s borderless world. The challenge with decision making is that you won’t always have all the data you would like. However you need to make decision within the given constraints. Given below are the stages of decision-making that help in arriving at the right decisions.


Before arriving at the decision, it is necessary to establish a positive, healthy and conducive environment. It helps in free flow of ideas, opinions among the participating members. The leader of the team should not bias the members with his/her own opinions and options as it stifles the decision-making process. Once the stage has been set the members must be allowed to provide divergent shades of opinions through several techniques like brainstorming, Delphi, mind mapping, reverse brainstorming etc., Evaluate the multiple alternatives by weighing the pros and cons through discussion and deliberation and followed by taking a call. Once the decision has been made it is time to check the viability and feasibility of the decision. And communicate the same to the team members and execute the decision. Finally it is time to check the validity and reliability through feedback

The above decision-making process helps in generating qualitative solutions for several business problems.

Soft Skills and Johari Window

Soft skills are all about skills, abilities and traits related to personality, attitude and behavior related to non-technical skills. It is also about communication skills and focuses more on how rather than what an individual communicates. It focuses about the pleasant and polite presentation during communication. In the process of improving communication skills, the Johari Window helps a lot in bringing about awareness of oneself and in fostering better human interaction. In this context, it is desirable to know briefly about Johari Window.


What is Johari Window?

Johari window was coined by Joseph and Harry Ingham in 1955. The name Johari has been drawn from the names of both Joseph and Harry Ingham.

Johari window has four quadrants. Each of these quadrants indicates information about feelings, motivation etc., The first quadrant is all about what we see and others see. The second quadrant is all about what others see us but we are not aware of the same. The third quadrant depicts where we neither know about ourselves nor others see. And finally in the fourth quadrant reflects what we know but keep from others. The four quadrants are represented by Arena, Blind Spot, Unknown and Façade respectively.

In a nutshell, Johari Window outlines about communication both at overt and covert level. At the overt level, it actually touches on what is actually said and at covert level it highlights on what is actually meant.


Advantages of Johari Window:

• The tool brings out awareness about individuals thereby helping in their personality development.
• It also promotes team building skills and leadership skills among the people as people are conscious of their abilities and skills and also the strengths and weaknesses.
• It furthers soft skills thereby ensuring the survival and success of the people at their workplace.
• It minimizes if there is any communication gap thereby promoting effective human interaction and relations.
• It enhances better production and productivity.


Conclusion:

Johari Window is widely used in training and development. It brings out awareness about oneself. Finally it promotes soft skills among the people thus bringing out overall growth and prosperity for the individuals as well as institutions.




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References:

Wikipedia.

Health is Wealth

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” - Mahatma Gandhi



Now-a-days, people give so much of importance to materialistic considerations rather than to health. They earn a lot but unfortunately they shell out a lot to medical expenses. Besides, they don’t enjoy blissful life due to health complications although they have lot of money. They are subject to fatigue and mental tension. When people focus too much on materialistic and worldly pleasures they tend to neglect their health. As a result, they suffer at the end. For instance, the pop star, Michael Jackson had lot of wealth but unfortunately he had poor health and it cost his life. A few celebrities suffer with several health complications despite being blessed with lot of wealth. In this context, given below are a few tips for maintaining good health.


Tips for Good Health:

“The first wealth is health.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Hit gym regularly. A regular exercise enhances life expectancy and longevity and keeps agile and active.
• Involve in physical activities wherever it is possible. Prefer to climb stairs rather than to escalators or elevators.
• Avoid alcoholism. Excessive drinking is always unhealthy.
• If you lead a sedentary lifestyle then it is time you need to exercise your body. Those who work with computer systems should take break at regular intervals of time and walk around for lifting their energy levels.
• Go for swimming regularly as entire body gets worked out during swimming resulting into overall physical fitness.
• Drink lot of water as it energies body and hydrates the system.
• Always take nutritious food especially fruits and salads. Avoid junk food. And also oily and fatty food.
• Consume a diet that is rich in carbohydrates just before and after a heavy work out for better health.
• Take food at regular intervals of time for better digestion.
• Go either for yoga or meditation.
• Go to a serene place and spend time as solitude is fortitude.
• Say no to drugs and tobacco.
• Go to bed at regular time everyday.
• Go for regular medical check up.
• Never brood over the unpleasant past as it not only disturbs peace of mind but also wastes time.
• Go for a stroll with family members once in a while as it promotes better understanding among the family members as well as relaxes your mind.



Conclusion:


"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." -Arabian Proverb

Although technology has brought several comforts to mankind it has also brought out several health hazards. Life has become highly challenging with lot of uncertainty and complexity. People should realize the importance of health and spend some time daily on health oriented activities. Spending time on regular fitness should not be treated as an expense rather an investment. You can achieve anything and everything if health is good. To sum up, health is more important than wealth.



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“YSR – A Leader Par Excellence” – Prof.M.S.Rao

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” - Winston Churchill


Yeduguri Sandinti Rajasekhara Reddy who was popularly called as YSR was born in Pulivendala of Kadappa district of Andhra Pradesh on 08 July 1949. After completion of his course in medical science, he set up a hospital named after his late father Raja Reddy. At the age of 28, he successfully contested elections and entered state assembly. He was blend of both tenderness and fierceness. He was loved by friends but envied by enemies.

He was elected six times from Pulivendula assembly and four times from Kadappa Lok Sabha seats which is a record for any politician in his lifetime. He developed an insatiable appetite for challenges.

In the initial stage, he was an angry young man and later on he reinvented himself as per the changing times and finally evolved as a successful politician. He shrewdly mixed progress with politics. He launched several innovative programs for the benefit of farmers and he was pro-poor. He was one of the most powerful regional satraps. He was noted for strong fighting skills. He was an early riser with lot of self-discipline.

He had differences with late P.V.Narasimha Rao as the latter did not appreciate the background of the former. Probably Narasimha Rao knew the potential of YSR and kept him at a bay.

He was a great leader, visionary and a true human being. He was a self-made political leader. He was filled with energy and enthusiasm. He has passion to serve people. He walked the length and bread of the state for 1,500 kilometers in 2003 to connect with the common man. He had compassion for the poor and downtrodden.


YSR’s Leadership Style:

YSR can be called as a servant leader as he connected with the common man. He was a good listener and was cheerful. He always had vision and mission at heart. He was son of soil. He had friends cutting across political spectrum. He had the uncanny ability to hold the Congress party together. Congress party in the state of Andhra Pradesh was always beset with factionalism and he quelled through his dynamic leadership. He put an end to the concept of musical chairs being played by the Congress high command with his persuasive and confidence building exercises. He was a sympathizer and empathizer. He had tenacity and resilience. He missed the post of Chief Minister by a whisker due to his differences with late P.V.Narasimha Rao. He was a master strategist with political acumen.


Conclusion:

“Great leaders are not born in the minds of the people but they are born in the hearts of the people.”

YSR knew the pulse of the people. He was a man of masses and messiah of farmers. He evolved as a true mass and tall leader in the history of Andhra Pradesh. The void created due to the tragic death of YSR in chopper crash on 02 September 2009 cannot be filled easily. Andhra Pradesh lost a great leader and it is very difficult to replicate his phenomenon in the state.


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Is Humility the Hallmark of Great Leaders?

“I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinions; but a right understanding of the relation between what he can do and say, and the rest of the world’s saying and doings.” – John Ruskin, Modern Painters (1843)



When there is storm the strongest and biggest trees get uprooted but a simple grass survives by changing its direction in tune with the storm and comes back to normal position after the storm goes away. The tree is very strong with its roots and not in a position to change its direction. As a result, it gets uprooted. But a simple grass changes its direction through its flexibility and survives from storm. In fact, the simple grass stands taller than a tree. It demonstrates its humility and survives successfully from storm. The people those who are successful in the world have one of the greatest virtues i.e. humility.


What is Humility?

“Humility does not mean thinking less of yourself than of other people, nor does it mean having a low opinion of your own gifts. It means freedom from thinking about yourself at all.” - William Temple

People often think assertiveness either as aggressiveness or submissiveness although it does not mean the same. Similarly humility is neither inferiority nor superiority complex. It is neither submissiveness nor aggressiveness. It is neither undervaluing oneself nor overvaluing oneself. It is neither talking low of oneself nor blowing one’s trumpet. To put it succinctly in the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon, “Humility is to make a right estimate of one's self.”

Humility is all about modesty. People often confuse between humility with timidity. Both are poles apart. Humility is all against pride while timidity is absence of courage. Humility is admitting that you don’t know everything and asking others for help. You must be able to consult and seek help from your subordinates, or peers who are experts in a particular area. It is treating others with respect without any arrogance. It is about listening to others. It is being courteous with others whether you need help or not. It is also about allowing the wrong doers to save their face in the presence of all. Humility is the hallmark of great people and it is one of the greatest virtues of all.


True Humility Vs False Humility:

“True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.” - Edward Frederick Halifax

When people submit so as to gain something from others by way of promotions, perks, or recognition, we may call such behavior as false humility. However, when people demonstrate their simplicity and humility through thick and thin without expecting anything in return we may call the behavior as true humility. Therefore, both true humility and false humility are poles apart and it is always the true humility that alone triumphs in the world.


Advantages of Humility:

“We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.” - Rabindranath Tagore

There are endless advantages with humility. You can expect friendly and warm relations from others thus improving your relations with others. You can command respect from everyone. It presents and projects you in a positive light in front of others. It minimizes anxiety and maximizes performance at the workplace. It eliminates the conflicts arising out of ego clashes. The pleasure you get out of humility is truly immense.


Leaders with Humility:

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.” - Marleen
Charles de Montesquieu

One of the greatest traits of great leaders is their humility. It keeps leaders rise above the rest. It makes them totally different and distinct from others. It requires humility to accept failures. It requires humility to give credit to the deserving people rather than swallowing. In case of a failure, a good leader says, “We have failed because of my mistake”. In case of a success a good leader says, “We have succeeded because of the efforts of our team”. It requires not only courage but also humility to accept the debacles and failures. To put it in the words of Eisenhower, “A sense of humility is a quality I have observed in every leader whom I have deeply admired. I have seen Winston Churchill with humble tears of gratitude on his cheeks as he thanked people for their help to Britain and the Allied cause. My own conviction is that every leader should have enough humility to accept, publicly, the responsibility for the mistakes of the subordinates he has himself selected and, likewise, to give them credit, publicly, for their triumphs.”

Jim Collins in his Level 5 leadership mentions that the leader should have both professional will and personal humility. It becomes obvious that one of the key ingredients of leadership is extreme humility. The level 5 leaders are so passionate about their goals that they don’t mind who get credit for their efforts and energies. They are karma yogis. Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Mother Theresa, to name a few, are indeed the leaders with great humility. They may belong to different spectrum but they stand unique, different and tall from others because of their humility. At times, leaders remain as unsung heroes due to their humility.


How to Practice Humility:

“Wash out your ego every once in a while, as cleanliness is next to godliness not just in body but in humility as well.” - Abbe Yeux-verdi

• Solitude is fortitude. Go to a serene place where there are no external distractions or disturbances. Analyze yourself. Find out your strengths and weaknesses. Look at the ways and means to overcome your weaknesses.
• Practice fasting. Fasting not only cleans the internal system but also enhances inner energies and iron will to become strong and humble.
• Go for meditation. Meditation is the best method of realizing oneself without any external influence. It makes one to think about oneself honestly and helps in bringing the desired changes.
• Always be humble to your superiors, be courtesy with your peers and be kind to your subordinates. This attitude will transform you as a humble person over a period of time.
• Be a karma yogi. Do your duty. Don’t expect rewards for your efforts. Let people judge what you are.
• Remember the slogan, ‘Empty vessels make much noise’. speak less and listen more. The more you listen to others the more you learn and respect others’ knowledge and ideas. It reminds you of the right place you actually belong vis-à-vis others resulting into behavioral changes for refinement and improvement.
• Continuous feedback is essential to know where you stand. Take the feedback honestly without any false ego. It helps you assess yourself how far you are reaching towards humility.


Conclusion:

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” - Confucius

Humility is a virtue found in the great people. When people achieve one success after another they become more humble. Humility is also possible as one gets older. The humility index goes up when you reach higher positions.

We can learn through the lives of great leaders about the humility. The common thread connecting across all great leaders irrespective of their areas of interest in the world is humility.

Humility is a learned skill. It is essential for everyone to cultivate this skill for gaining acceptance with others and for achieving all round success in life and for making a difference to the world.


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