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DY NAMISM ( E )
# InterView
SACHIN SIVAKUMAR
PGDM 2015-17
waroop Sir , as I fondly call him , spoke to DYNAMISM ( E ) in a generic talk about the changing managerial
S approaches around the world . I couldn ’ t resist instigating him to speak more about the management education , considering his learned experience from a career spanning more than 30 years in academics , research and consulting in USA and in India . Excerpts below :
Sachin : Sir , a basic question . According to you , what is management ?
Swaroop : ( Tries to give a formal answer ) Management has changed dramatically in the recent years . Traditionally , management was defined as an administration and all the activities dealing with controlling things or people , and harnessing the employees ’ efforts in attaining the goals of an organization . Thanks to globalization and the digital revolution , our world and the way we do things have changed forever . The established business models are challenged and things are getting recast . According to me if there is one phrase that captures the essence of management , that would be – process of achieving goals that add the maximum value
Sachin : You ’ re constantly interacting with industry leaders . What do they actually expect from management students , considering that the world around is changing ?
Swaroop : ( recalls for a while ) Given the dynamic conditions , the industry expects students to be job ready – ready to hit the ground running . They should have the technical , analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to solve problems . Versatility is the key to survival in an ever changing business landscape . As professionals we are involved in “ problem solving ”
Sachin : Do you think management education in India is going in the right direction , as in are we successfully matching industry expectations ?
Swaroop : It depends on the institution offering the program . Universities offering an MBA are slow in catching up with the latest industry trends . However , some of the AICTE approved autonomous institutions are in tune with the industry expectations and in some instances they are ahead of the curve .
Sachin : Can you tell us some pedagogical tools adopted by B-Schools , that seem to be working in building a budding management workforce ?
Swaroop : Well . Increased impetus on case studies , activity-based teaching , simulated classrooms and of course , use of technology .
Sachin : What directions do you think management education may take in the coming future ?
Swaroop : Greater emphasis will be on analytics led decision making and expect sector wise specialization .
Sachin : Last question , but for us a very important question - do you think MBA / PGDM students will continue to be in high demand in corporate corridors ?
Swaroop : ( gets formal again ) MBA students are subjected to the vicissitudes of economic boom and bust cycles . However , no matter what the economic circumstances , students who are hard working , versatile , adaptable and carry a right attitude will continue to be in demand .
Dr . Swaroop Reddy Principal & Dean ( Academics ), ISME