SPJIMR-PGDM 2013 | Page 27

Ÿ The Operations Management Conclave had the theme 'Managing Risks & Sustaining High Performance in Supply Chain'. The keynote speaker for the conclave was Prof. David J. Closs, the John H McConnell Professor of Business Administration & Chairperson, Department of Supply Chain Management, Michigan State University. His presentation, 'Evolution of Supply Chain' dealt with the trends impacting supply chain decisions in India and how a good supply chain should address effective and efficient management of physical assets, expertise and intellectual capital. Ÿ The Finance Conclave had the theme 'Tapping the Business Potential in Financial Services in India'. 'Tapping the Business Potential in Financial Services in India' was the theme for the Finance Conclave 2013. The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Usha Thorat, Director, Centre for Advanced Financial Research and Learning (CAFRAL) and former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India. She identified four major challenges for the financial industry - to provide safe & convenient product & delivery channels, to assess optimum size & structure of a financial services business, to focus on the fiduciary role in financial services that differentiates the business from many others and progressive regulation – all of which were perceived as highly customer centric. Ÿ The annual SPJIMR Marketing Impact Awards, a part of the conclave, had the theme 'Making Marketing Accountable: Metrics for Measuring Marketing Effectiveness' for the event. Corporates from various domains present detailed cases on marketing initiatives that have been taken up to successfully solve a business problem or encash a market opportunity with a measurable impact on business. This year, over 27 business, government and non-profit organisations participated to win the coveted award. The four finalists teams were: ICICI Bank (financial inclusion across 11,000 villages), Four Fountains Spa by CMYK Health Boutique Private Ltd (astute marketing efforts by a start up), Interface Communication-Kraft Oreo (entry strategy and growth of Oreo in the highly competitive biscuit industry) and Eureka Forbes ('water shops' across various rural India) CMYK Health Boutique Private Ltd (Four Fountain Spas) was ranked first while that from Eureka Forbes was adjudged as runners-up. The winning team got the prestigious SMIA trophy and the prize money of Rs. 100,000 while the runners up got prize money of Rs. 75,000. 25