Characteristics of a Successful Executive

Dear Students,

There is always a debate on the characteristics of a successful executive.

The list below brings this out aptly:

1. Strong drive to get ahead.

   
   

2. Ability to take sound decisions.

   
   

3. Willingness to move in conditions of uncertainty.

   
   

4. Respect for others’ drives to achieve.

   
   

5. Ability to aim, plan and organise, involving others in ways which achieve commitment of all concerned.

   
   

6. Ability to explain his / her ideas with clarity and confidence, retaining willingness to listen to others.

   
   

7. Some fear of failing which makes him/her plan and work in ways that will prevent failures.

   
   

8. A strong reality orientation.

   
   

9. Loyalty to overall goals of the organization.

   
   

10. Social skills to work both with groups and individuals.

    
    

Cultivate the above characteristics as you march ahead in your career.

Best wishes,

Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

How to make tough decisions

Dear Students,

If you have a tough decision to make, consider these suggestions from Dr. Barbara Varenhorst, a psychologist and Daralee Schulman, a career and stress management consultant.

• Be aware that you can’t control the outcome of a decision. All you can do is control the decision-making process.

  
  

• Start the process by identifying your wants and needs. Jot them down on paper-even if they are contradictory.
  

• Rank the things you want and need. If you spot contradictory needs, ask yourself, “Which would I choose?”
  

• Gather all the information necessary to make that decision. Look at alternatives, consequences, advantages and disadvantages. Don’t let your emotions interfere with this process. Be as objective as possible.
  

• Determine how much of risk you are willing to take. Once you have done this, consider these strategies:
  
  - Choose the safest alternative , the one that can’t fail.
  
  - Pick the option with the best odds for success.
  
  - Select the alternative with the most desirable outcome, despite high odds for its success.
  
  - Picture how you would deal with negative consequences.

Be effective in making tough decisions !

Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay

(Globsyn Business School)

The Importance of Responsibility

Dear Students,

Responsibility is a great teacher. It sharpens the intellect, improves the power of judgement and promotes creative thinking. It develops new capacities and capabilities while bringing out the best in you. It improves efficiency and effectiveness.

Responsibility strengthens determination and stability and enhances experiences. It generates far-sightedness. It keeps you busy and eliminates wastage. It makes you active, alert, accurate and ever-ready. It is a constant source of zeal and enthusiasm.

Responsibility means taking initiative and facing challenges. It wins you the co-operation of others and earns you their respect, honour and goodwill.

Let Responsibilty be an important resource in your day-to-day activities.

Best wishes,

Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

Life and Wine Glass

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 glasses of wine theory...

A professor stood before his philosophy class, with some items on his desk in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was. The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was. The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous 'YES.'

The professor then produced two glasses of wine from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed. 'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things; your family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favourite passions; things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else; the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first', he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the good things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another 18 holes. Do one more run down the ski slope.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first; the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the wine represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of glasses of wine with a friend.

Contributed By:

Romit Dasgupta

(Director, Globsyn Group)

Accentuate the Positive

Dear Students,

Hang on the walls of your mind the memory of your success.

Take counsel of your strength, not your weakness. Think of the good jobs you have done.

Think of the times when you rose above your average level of performance and carried out an idea or a dream or a desire for which you had deeply longed.

Hang those pictures on the walls of your mind, and look at them as you travel the highway of life.

Best wishes,

Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
Globsyn Business School

Gifts that Last a Lifetime

Dear Students,

How many of us realize that there are some gifts that can be given to employees at any time of the year ? We don’t have to wait for a special occasion to present them.

These gifts are timeless; they will be cherished for ever. Some of these memorable gifts could be,

Respect : Respect and good manners are not only meant for seniors, they can be extended to peers and subordinates also. Respect has a boomerang effect. It comes back to the giver with the same intensity.

Feedback : Many managers avoid giving feedback to their employees for fear of hurting them. However, an honest feedback helps an employee to assess their strengths and weaknesses and thereby to improve themselves. Initially, it might be difficult but after a few rounds, the comfort level increases mutually.

Recognition : Employees feel highly rewarded when they get due recognition and due credit for their contribution. A simple word of praise, a note of appreciation or thanks are a few ways to do so.

Voice : The ideas originating at the bottom rungs of the hierarchy need to reach the higher-ups. A channel could be created to make them feel that their opinions do matter and are sought by management.

Encouragement : A word of encouragement is one of the best gifts that an organization can give to its employees-especially to poor performers. It boosts their confidence and helps them overcome their failings.

So, distribute the above gifts for better employee engagement and convert your company into a classy organization.

Best wishes,
Prof.D.P.Chattopadhyay

Globsyn Business School

Elements of Managerial Efficiency

Dear Students,

The following rhyme on the secret of success illustrates amply the elements of managerial efficiency:

What is the secret of success-asked the Sphinx.
PUSH said the Button.
NEVER BE LED said the Pencil.
TAKE PAINS said the Window.
Always KEEP COOL said the Ice.
BE UP TO DATE said the Calendar.
NEVER LOSE YOUR HEAD said the Barrel.
MAKE LIGHT OF YOUR PROBLEMS said the Fire.
DO A DRIVING BUSINESS said the Hammer.
BE SHARP IN YOUR DEALINGS said the Knife.
FIND A GOOD THING AND STICK TO IT said the Glue.

Best of luck always,
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
Globsyn Business School

Be A Self Starter

Dear Students,

Have you ever pondered, why certain people are “forerunners” while some are “laggards”?

• A slight turn of the key actuates the self-starter that further sets the automobile engine roaring. Some way, a bit of motivation puts a self-starter person into action and it is such people who lend dynamism to organizations.
  
  
• If you observe people long enough, you will realize that the self-made ones have an abundance of working parts that don’t just work from 9 to 5, but also from 5 to 9.
  
  
• And only the self-starters are capable of being self-made. Throughout history there have been two categories of people, i.e. those who create wealth and those who consume it. Self-starters are the ones who create… not only wealth but also dynamism.
  
  
• Self-starters realize, people are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them.
  
  
• To such people, planning is bringing the future, into the present that you can do something about it now.
  
  

So, remember, things which matter most, should never be at the mercy of things, which matter least.

Be a self-starter, always!

Best wishes,
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
Globsyn Business School

A Thought to Remember

Dear Students,

What should be your principal aim in life ?

1. Wealth: No. Obviously you stand in danger of losing it. Sqaundering money by you, prolonged illness, depression, or disputes can destroy wealth.

2. Success: No. It should not be your goal. It is a journey which you must desire.

3. Happiness: No. This is because it is nearly always in someone else’s hands. It is not a thing that you possess. It is a thing you should share.

Your principal aim in life should be constructive development of your mind and personality. Once you achieve that no one can ever grab it from you. It will then bring wealth,success and happiness to your life.

The above thought will enhance your ability to deal with people which outscores any other ability under the sun.

This is the fulcrum on which effective human resource management rest.

Best wishes,
Prof.D.P.Chattopadhyay
Globsyn Business School

Summer Internship Program

Dear Students,
This is your first opportunity to interact with the corporate world through the Summer Internship Program (SIP). It is a chance for gaining practical experience after all the inputs you have received in the classroom sessions. You get to understand how things are shaped as the theory is applied in practice. Your knowledge during these 8 weeks intensive internship program bridges the gap between theory and application.
You are there in the organization as a brand ambassador of your institute. So do always have a focus on your behavioral and interpersonal skills as you are interacting with corporate people. Always have an eagerness to learn more. Develop your concepts and try to utilize this occasion as a platform to enhance your knowledge. Do work hard and aim to give suitable recommendations to your organization. This is an area where you can actually portray your appreciation of the project.
You should give your full effort to leave an impression in the mind of your guide in terms of your work so that they recall you for final job-offers.
ENJOY YOUR SIP …Best Wishes!!!
Ms. Ipsita C. Patranabis
Globsyn Business School

Leadership Talk

This is a video recording of Dr. Kiran Bedi's talk underLeadership Lecture Series 2007 held at IIT Bombay on 17th February 2007 at CDEEP site of IITB.

This is one of the most inspiring and well articulated talks. I am sure you will enjoy this talk till the end.

Part A: http://www.cdeep.iitb.ac.in/vod/ll/

Part B: http://www.cdeep.iitb.ac.in/vod/ll/Part2.html

Happy Viewing!

Dr. Meenakshi Khemka
Globsyn Business School

The Power of Positive Phrases

Dear Students,

Here are few phrases which can do wonders for you. These positive phrases can help you serve customers better, work more effectively with co-workers and satisfy bosses:

· “How may I help you ? “ is what all customers want to hear. It gets right to the point and saves their time and yours.
· “I am not sure but I’ll find out “ is an honest approach that not only lets you admit that you don’t have a solution but also volunteer to find one. That signals others you’ll do what you can to meet their needs.
· “I’ll keep you updated.” When you say this, it means others will expect you to give them regular and timely status reports. Follow-through is vital to build your reputation for dependability.
· “I’ll take responsibility.” This is often the toughest phrase to get out. Reason: You’ll bask in the spotlight if things go well but take the heat if they don’t. But your willingness to say it and do it will pay off over time.

Best wishes for building lasting relationships

Prof.D.P.Chattopadhyay
Globsyn Business School