Monday, 16 July 2012

MBA Admissions


Many students decide on acquiring a Masters in Business Administration without giving much thought to the outcome. They no doubt become capable of handling any work or life situation, but some still wonder about their purpose, career path or interests. Even though the current MBA admissions process allows B schools to assess aspirants in many different ways through written tests, academics, personal interviews, group discussions, psychometric test and work experience, many bright and worthy students fail to impress and secure admission in some of the top management colleges in the country for a number of reasons. To make sure this does not happen to you, before you even start preparing for your written entrance test, do the following.

Review your strengths. Take a pen and paper to jot down your skills, goals, abilities. If you can’t easily come up with points, use questions to give you the right answers. Ask yourself why you want a MBA/MMS/PGDM degree, do you have anything in common with business professionals, who do you aspire to be like, what field are you interest to work in, what values are important to you, what motivates you in work and life, and the like.

Decide a career path. You are at an extremely critical stage in your life. This is the best time to decide what industry you want to work in or what you want your future to be. Remember that most full-time MBA/MMS/PGDM programs will not give you the time to think about this once you start your classes, nor will most allow you the opportunity to change your mind. If you know the industry you aspire to be a part of or have a career plan in mind, it can also help you choose the right B school and management program.

Make a short list of B schools you prefer. Choosing the right management institute and an ideal program is imperative to achieve all your long-term goals in life. Take into consideration all aspects of the college including things like location, feasibility, fees, infrastructure, faculty, amenities, learning environment, student culture, facilities, college ranking, affiliations, accreditations, reputation, alumni, entrepreneurship incubation cell, etc. Also take into account the type of programs the college offers. For students who know the industry they wish to work in, it is wiser to go in for specifically designed programs like e-empowered MBA-Insurance  MBA-Finance (Banking & Insurance) or MBA (Digital Business Management) rather than generic MBA/PGDM degrees. Well-designed and specific management programs provide in-depth knowledge and understanding about the field.

Once you are sure about such things, getting MBA admissions to the B school of your choice will be easier. You can start by preparing for the written entrance test depending on the institutes of interest. These exams are central, in addition to group discussion, personal interview and work experience & academics.

Wednesday, 11 July 2012

Benefits of MBA in Mumbai


A management degree has become a must for anybody aspiring to acquire a managerial position in the corporate world. This may be a primary reason for the unprecedented popularity of management programmes ranging from full-time MBA to short term specific programs such as hospital management for medical professionals, hospitality and tourism management for professionals from travel and hospitality background, etc. While there are a large number of management colleges throughout the country, wise students look for reputation, location and ranking of the institutes before considering admission. In this regard, students that undertake degrees like MBA in Mumbai or other metropolitans of India are considered the best among others, as most celebrated management institutes are located here.

Today an MBA is no longer just a master’s degree; it is your ticket to enter the global world of business. In view of the fact that Mumbai is the country’s commercial center, it houses some of the top B schools in India today. The location of these management colleges also provides aspirants with several benefits. Some of these are that the student has a greater chance of career advancement. The large number of corporate companies, banks, hospitals, businesses, hotels and much more offer better opportunities for students with talent and degrees from well-known and top ranked B schools / institutes. A MBA from a top B school also ensures that the professional is given an apt designation as well as high salary as compared to fresh graduates or persons without a management qualification.

The best management colleges in Mumbai are known for their campus placements. Many thriving national and multinational companies rely on fresh talents from these colleges to add that extra zing to their work environment. The graduates from such B schools are not treated as freshers. Companies prefer hiring them because they are already as experienced as somebody who has been in the field for a while. They can be put on the spot right from day one. A huge chunk of the credit for this goes to the colleges that prepare these aspirants through well-designed programs, hands-on training, practical learning methods, and much more.

These days, there are many students who choose between pursuing a MBA in Mumbai or other metropolitans in India over going abroad for your management degree. There are many reasons for this. The standard of management education in places like Mumbai has grown to be at par with some of the best institutes from around the world. The kind of exposure a student can get in a place like Mumbai is unparalleled. Plus the cost of studying and living abroad to undertake a degree program can be exorbitant. Typically a foreign MBA degree can cost anywhere from 2 to 10 times that of a MBA from the best Indian B school.

Saturday, 30 June 2012

PI tips for MBA


Getting into a top MBA college in Mumbai or any other city known for its educational institutes is no cake walk. Merely getting a good score in the written entrance exam is sometimes not quite enough to get you a seat in the best B school. GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview) also play a significant role in the admission process. They essentially check your readiness for an MBA program. The personal interview is somewhat of a personality test. They interview panel is basically looking for a candidate that has a sound self-awareness, good grasp of academics, knows well what his goals are and is passionate about them, and a well-rounded personality that is also pleasing. The PI usually lasts about 30 minutes to an hour, and the questions asked to the aspirant are intended to bring out qualities that cannot be assessed through a written test.

In view of the fact that PI is the only obvious opportunity to come face to face with the panel, you should make sure of impressing them. Let’s start with the basics of making a great first impression. The first thing to do is wear appropriate clothes. You need to look presentable, but also exude a polished and professional image. Stay away from flashy colours and stick to formals, even with the shoes. You should carry a nice looking portfolio. Not only does it help you keep your documents organized, but also looks like you are taking each stage of the admission process seriously. Your approach towards the panel is of much importance. Even though the time it takes you to walk from the door to your seat is just about a few seconds, a lot depends on it. Practice your walk with the portfolio in hand. Stand tall and straight with your shoulders back projecting confidence and poise. Smile and greet them formally while making eye contact and extend your hand for a handshake. Handshakes are imperative to making an impression. Practice gripping the person’s entire hand and matching the strength of their hold.

There are four chief focus areas in a personal interview. These are personal details, academic details, your background and current affairs. Hence, some frequently asked questions during the personal interview include telling the panel about yourself, why you want to do this program, where you see yourself in five years, who your role model is,  your hobbies, your strengths and weaknesses, your options in case you are not selected, your academic background, habit, and likes and dislikes. While you can practice the right answers to the questions, there is no guarantee that you will do well. For success in PI you also need to keep in mind some tips.

Listen carefully to every question, without interrupting. Do not hesitate to ask for clarifications in case the question is unclear or vague. Think before you answer, rather than jumping into it. Practice the tonality and volume you will need to speak at in order to be comfortably heard by the panel. Diction is also important. Speak clearly and make sure you are not going too fast or too slow. Keep your answers to the point and elaborate only where necessary or asked to. Honesty is endearing so if you do not know an answer, be honest and avoid bluffing. Be polite and humble, while being cheerful and confident. Many aspirants fail at PI for using the wrong kind of language. Refrain from using slang, as often it is not appreciated by panel members. Answer in the language used for the question. That is, if a question is asked in English, answer using English only.

Thursday, 7 June 2012

MA in Communications in Mumbai


There was a time when a graduate degree seemed to be enough to venture into just about any field. This is no longer the case today. Graduation is obviously expected, but employers are constantly on the lookout for someone who is capable of taking on the complex and cross-functional demands of the global workplace scenario. And to do this successfully requires the candidate to have developed skills, in-depth knowledge, hands-on experience, and wherewithal. With the communication industry spreading its wings to reach a wider spectrum, many fresh graduates are now considering a M.A in communication in Mumbai.or PG in Mass Media that offers specialisations in Advertising, Journalism & Entertainment. The scope of a career in this field is tremendous, especially in Mumbai, the Capital of the State of Maharashtra. This commercial Capital of our country houses the country’s most reputable newspapers, television channels, and Bollywood to kick-start your career.

Many aspirants who consider earning a master’s degree in communication are unsure of its scope. It may be advisable for such candidates to research professional compass of this field online to get a better idea and assurance. Communications professionals are required in a large number of industries including business as well as media. Those having master’s degrees are preferred for their strengths in writing, research, analytics and leadership, and go on to fill management positions right from the start. Some of the designations well within one’s reach after acquiring a master’s in communication or PG Advanced Diploma in Mass Media, are advertising manager, public relations executive, marketing manager, editor, creative writer, television producer, advertising sales manager, client servicing manager, event manager, and many more.

Let’s take a look at a couple of designations to get a better understanding of what they involve. For instance, advertising managers are executive that develop and supervise marketing campaigns of clients. These are professionals hired by publicity agencies, advertising companies, media firms and advertising departments of corporate companies. Many advertising managers these days work as consultants or freelancers in order to have ample flexibility to work on several projects at once. To succeed as professional advertising manager aspirants need to develop good leadership skills, creativity, communication skills and marketing expertise.

Having a M.A in communication in Mumbai can be quite rewarding for those who wish to have a thriving career as a public relations manager. Being a city full of huge corporate companies, celebrities and mega-brands, it promises great things for talent in this field. A PR manager essentially designs strategies to generate a positive public image for the clients. This can be a product, brand name, individual or company. These strategies include promotion through media and word of mouth. Hence, success in this business depends on the professionals’ communication with the various forms of media and the people involved and leadership skills to manage teams and coordinate campaigns.

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Top B Schools in Mumbai


With so many top B schools in Mumbai it is becoming increasingly tough for students to select the institute to do their desired management program from. Researching the details about the best colleges/ b school in the running has is the very first logical step for any aspirant. Fortunately, resources like the Internet have made this task less time consuming and fairly easy. Aspirants can now simply log onto the institutes’ official websites and forums and acquire all the information and up to date knowledge about its various aspects such as the admission process, eligibility requirements, campus news, infrastructural facilities and amenities provided to the students, faculties, awards and accolades, and the like.

In view of the fact that the city is the commercial Capital of India, it translates into offering better career opportunities for talented youngsters. This is also one of the reasons some of the best management institutes of the country have their presence here. It is no longer a secret that getting admitted to one of these colleges for your management program can open the doors into a great future in the global corporate world. Once you have a few institutes on your shortlist, it may be wise to thoroughly go through the various courses they offer. The goal is to not only obtain a management degree, but to have one from a B school that is reputable in the field, and also do a course that is recognized and relevant to your field of interest.

Once you have a couple of B schools in mind for the program that suits you, it is time to move on to the next step of trying your absolute best to get admission. Sincerely devote your time to aptly prepare for the MBA entrance examinations required for admissions. These include MAH-CET/CAT/CMAT/ATMA etc. After the written test comes the GD (Group Discussion) and PI (Personal Interview). While GD and PI carry less weightage as compared to the written test, it is most crucial to score well. Remember that even if you have the best scores in your written test, you are at a risk of being rejected by the top MBA institutes in India if they feel you are not MBA material.

You will need to put in a lot of efforts and time to prepare for the admission process required to ensure you get in at the top B schools in Mumbai, so be prepared to do all it takes because it will be worth it. These B schools are building quite a reputation for themselves in the educational circle. They are known to put the students’ needs and requirements as high priority and are committed to providing the best including a good learning environment, well-designed programs, expert faculties, modern infrastructure, and much more.

Monday, 30 April 2012

PGDM Colleges in Mumbai

The growth in population, the instability of global economies, the boom in commercialism and the exceptionally high standards of top companies of the world for their employees, all this has created a marked need for higher studies in order to achieve success in one’s career. These days, management studies are considered a backbone for any managerial designation in the business sector of the industry. This may be the reason why not only fresh graduates, but also executives working in some of the well-known companies of the country are now pursuing their management degrees from the top B schools in India. The B schools in metropolitan cities of the country are especially in the limelight. In fact, some of the PGDM colleges in Mumbai are highly regarded and are successful in attracting many foreign students as well in the bargain. 

If we survey the management colleges in the larger cities of India, it may come to our attention that there are a large number of courses and programs being run each year. Some of these programs are specific and aim at achieving the highest level of competency for the student by the end of term. While many may argue that the best course in management is the Master of Business Administration (MBA), there are other courses that are more apt for students that wish to learn specifications about the fields they wish to venture in. Some of these programs are the Post Graduate Diploma in Management e-Business (PGDM), e-empowered Management & Business Administration (eMBA) – Finance (Banking and Insurance), Masters in Management Studies (MMS), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Post Graduate Diploma in Foreign Trade (PGDFT), and the like. 

If the PGDM program seems to suit you best, the first step would be to find a good B school to consider for admission. Some of the aspects to take under scrutiny while choosing a college for such higher studies are the kind of reputation and ranking it has in the educational circles, its history and profile, they type of faculty it employs and their qualifications and proficiency, the sort of infrastructure it provides to the students, the learning environment created in the college, the educational and student culture, placement records, etc. Choosing the B school with these factors in mind may help you make the right decision.

Another major decision you will have to make is about your specialization. Specializations of this program in PGDM colleges in Mumbai are Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations, Systems, Insurance and even Banking & Insurance. It is most crucial to take up the specialization according to the career path you wish to pursue. A wrong decision in this respect may affect your work satisfaction for years to come, hence take your time to decide on the subject. You could talk to some of the professors for guidance in case you feel confused.

Diploma in Management

Out of all the post graduate courses in Management that are available in the country today, the most popular among students are the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management (e-Business) with specializations in Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, and Operations & Systems. It may be imperative to seek admissions in a college, where this program is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and recognized by the government of Maharashtra. This approval goes a long way, when it comes to finding a high paying job in a well-known company. Today, companies are on a constant lookout for talented freshers, but to make certain of the professional delivery, companies pay special attention to the B school of the candidates and its reputation, and also the course they pursued and its recognition.

Typically, the Post Graduate Diploma in Management program is spread over four semesters, which integrates introductory and advanced e-commerce techniques with the classical management inputs both for analysis and solution of business problems faced in the fiercely competitive global business world of today. While the first two semesters deal with building the strong foundation needed for advanced learning, the students are introduced to relevant e-business tools and solutions in the following terms. In the first two semesters students cover topics, such as business communications, introduction to business mathematics, managerial economics, marketing management, management accounting, financial management, research methodology, legal aspects of business, operations management, organizational behavior, marketing applications & rural marketing, Indian & global economic environment including BRIC / ASEAN countries, etc.

By the end of the course students start to appreciate the current business practices and delivery systems of the industry, feel ready to face the competition and challenges of the high pressure professional scenario, be competent enough to jump right in the middle of things. This end result is managed through the specific design of the program and the modules it covers. In addition to this, there is a marked emphasis on the delivery of all critical inputs in core areas of management, which is done by using interactive learning platforms and techniques like outbound training, role play, case studies, workshops, innovative classroom teaching, seminars that consist of industry experts that share their experiences, factory visits, scenario building, and so on, to help students realize their potential.

Programs like Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) and Master of Business Administration (MBA) are designed to shape the students in such a way that they feel completely capable of meeting all the challenges and problems of the globalised e-empowered economy. Eligibility for both these courses is the same. It may be wise to do a little research on the B schools you are considering beforehand, in order to not be disappointed on a later date.