Anjuman: The Corporate luncheon at IIML

The Industry Interaction Committee on the occasion of Manfest 2010 hosted the third edition of Anjuman - The Corporate Luncheon on 23 January 2010. Anjuman has been the platform where stalwarts of various domains to share their expert opinions on a contemporary theme, which this year was “India – Expect, Explore, Experience”. This year IIM Lucknow had the opportunity to invite the following industry leaders:


• Dr. Wilfried Aulbur - CEO, Mercedes–Benz India
• Ashok Swaroop – MD of B.Development and Corp. Affairs Citi South Asia
• S. Ramodarai – VC TCS and former CEO TCS
• Pankaj Saluja – Partner Bain Consultancy
• A. Vaidheesh, CEO J&J Medical India


Each of the speakers presented his views on the theme and shared his opinions on it.


Dr. Wilfried Aulbur felt that sustainable mobility is a key aspect of future growth and meet the needs of the society. He said that the demand for cars was outstripping the infrastructure growth in India. He added by saying that population growth and rapid urbanization were fuelling demands for cars and adding to the problems. He felt that India should develop a road mobility infrastructure plan specific for it and not blindly copy the solution from West.


Ashok Swaroop initiated his talk by contrasting how things have changed from 1970s compared to today. He was referring to the fact that the batch of 2010 at various B-Schools would be facing a demanding consumer, whose tastes have changed and will continue changing. He stressed on the fact that India has become disparate with close to 40% of the population still poor. He believes that both state and civil society have realised this and expects to see major investment in social infrastructure. He left us with an inspiring and optimistic note “There are more things in India that unite than the things that divide”.


Mr. Ramodarai emphasized on the importance of both India and China in shaping the global economy. He felt that a major chunk of labour force of the future will come from these two countries. He lauded the role played by both Indian and Chineese, who have been part of many patents and innovations in the recent years. He stressed that new education methods should be adopted to make 500 million people skillful and ready for the global challenge.


Pankaj Saluja shared his views on how foreign firm should make an effective entry in the Indian market. According to him, the companies should aim higher by targeting the mainstream markets by quoting examples like Lo’real, Nokia and Gillete. Localise the 4Ps and cited how Frito Lays used this strategy to launch Kurkure. Effective cost structure should be maintained. The companies should invest in local talent. His final advice was that the companies should be selective when it comes to partnering, M&A and forming Joint Ventures. He cited the example of Bharti Walmart in the Retail sector.

Communicating effectively - A new paradigm

The Industry Interaction Committee (IIC) organized a Communication workshop to enhance the presentation skills of aspiring managers at IIM Lucknow. Although students at an IIM come in with a sharp skill set in communicating and presenting, they are continually learning the art of persuasion. The workshop was organized for precisely that -honing the persuasion skills of these budding managers.


The workshop was conducted by Mr. Chendil Kumar, a program manager at the NSRCEL, IIMB and a member of the Guest Faculty, IIMB. Mr. Chendil Kumar is also an ace public speaker who has achieved numerous accolades in the Toastmasters Organization, which hones public speaking and leadership skills). Known to be incredibly droll, Mr. Chendil Kumar began with a flurry of anecdotes that emphasized the importance of persuasion skills in the corporate world. He went to explicate the fundamental structures in analyzing the audience and shared with the audience a set of concrete steps to sell themselves effectively when delivering pitches and presentations.


To keep the audience actively engaged, he invited two members from the audience to prepare and deliver a pitch and solicited evaluations of these speakers from the audience. This session perhaps proved to be the most enriching as the students were lucidly shown where the pitfalls lay and how they need to avoid them in the course of making a pitch.


The workshop ended with Mr. Kumar summing up the oft-used models in communication with amusing snippets from his teaching career. The feedback for the workshop was overwhelming, with over 80 students keen on knowing more and requesting Mr. Kumar to host another session. IIC will continue to host communication workshops in 2010 and 2011 catering to different facets in managerial communication.

Anjuman - A Grand Success

Distinguished guests from Industry and the Government, students from prestigious B-Schools of India, Alumni and Faculty members of IIM Lucknow along with the media, attended Anjuman – The Corporate Luncheon of IIM Lucknow on the sunny morning of 17th of January.The second edition of Anjuman provided a platform for stalwarts of various domains to share their expert opinions with the students, facilitating an exchange of ideas and perspectives on fast-emerging trends in the modern world of business. The theme for the discussion was, “Sustainable Development-Fuelling the Future”.

The discussions revolved around the conflict between economic development and environmental concern. To throw some light upon the issue, key speakers Mr.Harsh Manglik, Mr. Vikram Akula and Dr.J.J.Irani were specially invited. 

Mr. Harsh Manglik, the chairman and geography managing director for Accenture in India, stressed upon the fact that sustainability is not an option. It is the way corporate entities will have to rework their business model. Rural employability forms a very important part of the whole process which has no definite answers or pathway and should form the basis of finding new concepts of working. The three key ideas presented by him were access to knowledge and to capability building opportunities, presence of market opportunities and inclusion of the bottom of the pyramid. Mr. Manglik explained the concepts with the help of fundamental principles of inclusion and scalable opportunities. 

This key note address by Mr. Manglik was supported by Mr. Vikram Akula, the founder and chairperson of SKS microfinance. The organization has a mission to eradicate poverty through the provision of financial services to the poor. Mr. Akula emphasized the need of sustainable development in the field of micro financing by addressing the issues of access to capital scalability, increased capacity and very high cost of capital. He also highlighted the concept of creative Capitalism and how the budding mangers can use it to create a sustainable model for giving everyone a chance to have access to finance. In his own words, “…Creative Capitalism should act as a promise of economic freedom to all who have been left behind.”

Dr.J.J.Irani, director on the boards of several corporate firms said in clear words that we can no longer rely on our past and should look forward to the youthful opportunity presented to us to make a difference to the future. 

Table discussions were other highlights of Anjuman. Different mixes of guests, students, alumni and faculties were seated at tables which provided each of the participants a unique opportunity to interact one on one. Different panels discussed topics related to the theme and shared their thoughts and ideas. The topics touched upon Green Marketing, Rural development, Sustainable organizational structure, Environmental stability, Energy management and Role of Academia in sustainable development for the future. The common thought that cropped up during the discussion was the integration of efforts by private and public sector. The representatives of different sectors across various domains came to the common conclusion that sustained efforts through policies and implementation, are required to give our future generations a deserving chance to flourish in a more aware environment. 

The rich interaction of students, faculties, corporate representatives and media persons helped in spreading the message of sustainable development in an effective way. The theme sustainability was reflected by the impression it created in the minds of one and all and the thoughts they have carried and will pass on to many more people they will meet in the due course of their work and social life.

Anjuman - The Corporate Luncheon

“There must be a better way to make the things we want, a way that doesn't spoil the sky, or the rain or the land” - Sir Paul McCartney

Our way of life is placing an increasing burden on the planet. As the world's population continues to increase, we see a world where over a billion people live on less than a dollar a day. From the loss of biodiversity to apocalyptic climactic changes, our consumption patterns are having a negative effect on the environment. To put it bluntly, we are living beyond our means.

The answer lies in a development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In short, we need ‘Sustainable Development’. Aptly thus, Indian Institute of Management Lucknow has decided to base this year’s edition of its annual management conclave ‘Manfest’ on the theme of ‘Sustainable Development- Fuelling the Future’.

Sustainable development is an eclectic concept, as a wide array of views fall under its umbrella. It encompasses a number of areas and highlights sustainability as the ideal mix of environmental concern, economic equity, social progress and a heavy dose of political commitment. Thus, a healthy discussion on the theme requires representation from all stakeholders of the society.

IIM Lucknow, entering into its Silver Jubilee year, proudly presents Anjuman - the corporate luncheon, as part of ManFest. Anjuman endeavors to provide this platform for stalwarts of various domains to share their expert opinions on the topic. It aims to foster a decisive resolve to deal with the issue among the people who can create the maximum impact. The esteemed guest list will include revered policy makers, top industry captains, representatives from the social sector, faculty, senior alumni from the institute, and current students.

                                                                

Format of the Luncheon:

Aadaab

Welcome Note and Introduction

Alfaaz

Speeches by the key-note speakers followed by discussion facilitated by the Anchor

Aalaap

Conversation over Lunch

Asaas

A glimpse into IIM Lucknow

Alvida

Closing Note

         Date: 17^th January, 2009                   Venue: IIM Lucknow