XLRI - GMP 2009-10: Profile Interviews: Ankit Chordia

XLRI-GMP 2009-10: Profile Interviews:Sossamma George

Communications are critical in good, bad and new times

Communications are critical in good, bad and new times – This was the theme of talk delivered at XLRI by Mr. Harsh Shrivastava, VP (CSR and Corporate Communications, Reliance Capital. He works with both the HR and marketing departments of Reliance Capital to improve their communications strategies.
XLRI, being one of the country’s top notch Business Schools, has imparted effectual corporate leadership amongst its students through its frequent and periodic interactions with industry experts as part of CEO Forums and Mr. Shrivastava’s visit has once again exemplified this culture.
With the countries around the world getting glimpses of economic recovery, with market bulls slowly getting out of their long hibernation and with business and consumer confidence.
improving day by day, Managing and Handling communications have become ever more crucial.
The event was well received and faculty graced the occasion with their presence. Prof. Pingali Venugopal introduced Mr. Srivastava to the audience. The event was attended by many faculty members including Prof. Munish Thakur, Prof. Sanjay Patro, Prof. Pradhan and Prof. Pani.
He stressed that in changing environment managers need to be proactive and responsible to multitude of stakeholders. He detailed communication strategies for various target audiences. He gave examples of how companies are using various tools of communication – such as PR agencies, seminars, online networking (face book, LinkedIn).

He gave many examples of Monsanto, GM India and Delhi Metro to drive home a point that it is important to have clearly defined communication plan in good times but more importantly, they are required for bad times.

While speaking on Placements, Professors and Patrons, He said, “IIMA is no better than IIMC or XLRI but it continues to be in limelight because IIMA’s well structured communication with the outside world. He shared his own example of how Feedback ventures was invited for Day One placement despite being a very small company in comparison to others. He gave example of Reliance Insurance’s All is Well campaign to energize the work force. While giving example of Infosys, He said corporate image should be such that it passes MIL (Mother – in law Test) i.e. when companies are held high in eyes of masses.
The event was very interactive and Mr. Shrivastava answered many questions of students and faculty.

The event, organized by the one year MBA, General Management Programme of XLRI, staged an intellectual feast with lively interaction among Mr. Shrivastava, faculty and the students. He provided invaluable insights by citing real business scenarios for each of the questions.
The event concluded with memento presentation by Prof. Venugopal.
He concluded by making us aware of importance of effective communications and urging us to guide and help organizations shape sharp, well articulated communication strategies.

Resume Improvment workshop by Ma Foi CEO

We had unique opportunity of participating in Resume workshop conducted by Mr. E Balaji. He has conducted similar workshop at ISB, Hyderabad. It was an interesting, enriching and rewarding exercise.

Balaji E is the Whole Time Director & Chief Executive Officer of Ma Foi Management Consultants Ltd, part of Randstad – the 2nd largest HR service provider in the world. In his current role he leads Ma Foi - Randstad’s Staffing Solutions business which comprises of Permanent Staffing, Flexi Staffing, Career Skills Training, Vendor Management Services and Assessment services. He also spearheaded the Franchising foray of Ma Foi where the organization has established 60 business partners across the county in an 18 months time period.
Balaji's functional expertise includes Temp staffing, Executive-Perm Staffing and Assessment services. He has been instrumental in designing several large turnkey assignments and executing them successfully. His division recruits on an average of 6000 people in a month for various clients.
Balaji has over 15 years of experience which began at Ma Foi in 1994. Over these years he has gathered expertise in handling the operations of different branches. He manages a team of about 1150 professionals spread across 60 locations in the country.
Balaji has written a number of articles on Staffing trends in various business journals and is frequently quoted in business Magazines and dailies on HR trends.
Balaji is a Bachelor degree holder in Physics and is a Postgraduate in Business Administration in Marketing.He is a certified Lead Auditor (IRCA, UK) for ISO 9001: 2000 and a Six Sigma Green Belt. A voracious reader, he has a keen interest in management literature, history and politics.

VP, Reliance Capital visits XLRI

Harsh Shrivastava, 36, is a marketing, communications, and public policy
expert. After his MBA from IIM-A in 1995, Harsh has been a journalist;
wrote India’s first book on Corporate Social Responsibility; the first
webmaster of the BJP’s website; an officer on the personal staff of Prime
Minister Vajpayee, and his deputy speechwriter; a senior staffer at the
Confederation of Indian Industry; and the head of marketing for India’s
leading infrastructure services company, Feedback Ventures. He is
currently at Reliance Capital in Mumbai, where he works with both the HR
and marketing departments to improve their communications strategies.
Harsh has taught a course on Strategic Public Communications in 2007 to
the first batch of Public Management and Policy at IIM-A. He’s also written
articles for ET and the Indian Express.

THE CLASH OF TITANS

His arms were exhausted, his legs tired. It was difficult for him to focus, but he knew he had to deliver with the next ball. Bare footed, he ran down to the popping crease and delivered an absolute cracker, the batsmen tossed the ball back to him .......off balanced in his follow through, SAURAV dived to his right and plucked the ball out of the thin air. He came crashing on the ground but felt no pain... the only feeling was the feeling of ecstasy. For he became the first GMPian to take a hattrick and he knew this wicket was the last nail in coffin of BM/PMIR team. The wicket gave GMPians their victory what was left now was mere formality. But during last two hours game had swung both ways.

It all started with the toss.GMP captain SANJEEV won the toss and took a bold decision to bat first. The decision soon came under scrutiny with GMP losing wicket in very first over. ANURAG became victim of a misunderstanding and was run out. NEERAJ started well but didn't last long and with both the openers back to pavilion GMP was already under pressure. But then MOHIT came in. In difficult times he always stood tall and this day was no different. He started the counterattack scoring runs all around the wicket. The scoreboard got new life and started moving at aggressive pace. His straight batted shots were treat to watch. But at the other end......wickets kept on falling, while SOUMYA was unfortunate to be run out, SURAJ and RANJAY fell cheaply.

Then PREMANGSHU came in. The architect by profession designed a solid structure, playing cautiously, pushing the ball artistically in the gaps. PARTH took over after MOHIT fell. And he decorated the solid structure with some lusty blows. The ball started disappearing in the park more frequently. The score soon reached a 100 mark. But it was not over as yet and there was another twist in the tail with GMP losing wickets in a hurry towards the end. SANJEEV slipped while stealing a quick single, he was injured in the process and was run out. SAURAV and SUVDEEP fought the remaining battle and GMP reached 108/9 in 15 overs.

Seeing the reputation of the BM/PMIR batsmen 109 was gettable total.GMP took the fields without captain SANJEEV with SRIDHAR substituting for him. Acting captain SAURAV and SUVDEEP opened the balling attack.BM started aggressively and at one point of time it looked like they will live up to their reputation.
But SAURAV gave them the first blow, the ball was lofted in the deep and ANURAG took an amazing catch with a single hand. Saurav uprooted the wickets in the very next ball.
With two quick wickets GMP was back in the game. Mohit came as the first change and while balling he emulated his batting performance. Balling a very tight line he dried the BM scoring and went on to take three wickets. Parth continued his good form with the ball and took two wickets, and ranjay chipped in with one wicket.
But pick of all ballers was Saurav who after taking two consecutive wicket came back in second spell and in the very first ball took a diving catch in his follow through to take the first hattrick. He went on to take four wickets. Overall GMPians were good on field except for one or two rare miss fields they fielded well. With Sridhar doing fabulous job in the slip cordon and Neeraj taking three catches behind the wicket it was good team effort.
The team was whole heartedly supported by Hemant, Gautam, Romil and sweet little Ria (Romil's Daughter). In the end it was well deserved victory for the GMP, but they missed Dr. Pracheesh on the ground.

New Year wishes from XLRI GMP

XLRI GMP 2009-10 batch

wishes

all Students, Alumni & Faculty

loads of happiness, success, love and good health

in the new year 2010