January 2020 - N. L. Dalmia Institute of Management

Career Tips to Choose The Right PGDM Course

January 29, 2020
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| Career, PGDM
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PGDM courses have gained a lot of popularity over the years among young aspirants due to the wide scope of opportunities available, both in corporate and academia. Completing a PGDM course is often considered to be crucial to accelerate a student’s career. However, in order to attain this career growth, it is essential to choose the right program to begin with.

With multiple institutions offering a host of different programs, it’s important to consider certain parameters while choosing the PGDM course that will help you in the future. Keeping this in mind, we have compiled a list of factors that should influence your choice of a PGDM specialization:

Tip #1: Identify The Reason For Pursuing Higher Education

One of the most important factors to consider is identifying why you are looking to complete a PGDM course in the first place. Do you want to advance in your career by enhancing your current skill set? If yes, then you should choose a course that is a natural progression of your skillset and previous qualifications. For example, if you’re proficient in the finance field, you should consider opting for a PGDM course in finance. You could also do more research by discussing the right move with your peers, colleagues, or even your employer.

On the other hand, if you’re looking to diversify your knowledge or enter a more prominent field, you can opt for a course in that field. For example, if you’re working in the finance industry but are interested in moving to the marketing industry, you could opt for a PGDM course in marketing.

Tip #2. Ensure The College Is Accredited

While choosing a course, you also need to consider how many B-school are offering high-quality education in this course. The first thing you need to check is its accreditation. This is important as it will help you evaluate the level of education you will receive, as well as if the amenities offered will help you in your education. Moreover, by completing a course from an accredited college, the chances of you getting better opportunities in your career and better packages increases.

Tip #3. Analyze Placement Opportunities

An advanced course like PGDM can be expensive. To recoup the cost, most students look for a great placement as soon as their course is completed. However, the market is extremely competitive. Hence, you want to choose a course where the demand is high, but the competition is relatively low. For this, you’d need to carry out some market research or can even consider talking to your peers and seniors in your current workplace. They can give you an overview of what the market looks like and whether you should invest your time and money in completing the course.

Tip #4. Consider The Location

When you choose an advanced course like PGDM, you want to ensure that you get the best education possible. If you have the freedom to travel, it is recommended to identify the ideal location to specialize in the subject area you’re interested in. For example, if you’re looking to complete a course in finance, getting the education in the finance capital of India, Mumbai, would give you a chance to learn right at the source.

If, however, you don’t have the freedom to move or travel to places, you can still get the best education from distant lands by choosing distance learning. Many institutions and colleges offer distance learning programs that are equally effective and enable the students to fulfill their commitments while pursuing higher education.

Tip #5. Take A Reality Check

After you’ve finalized your course and the college keeping the previous factors in mind, there is one last step to undertake before going through with the admission process. Stop and minute and ensure what you’re doing makes sense. Can you afford the cost of education? Do you have specific qualifications required to pursue this advanced course? If you’re going to keep your employment, is your employer going to be on-board with you pursuing an education while working?

It is important to get definitive answers to all these hard-hitting facts, or else they can prove to obstructions while you’re already too deep to reconsider.

By following the factors mentioned above, you will be able to effectively narrow down your options, and make the right choice. That being said, while considering these factors, don’t underestimate the importance of choosing the right college as well. Also, it would be best if you carried out proper and extensive research before zeroing on a course as well as college. Just remember to choose something you’re passionate about. Don’t spend the next couple of years staring at textbooks that you have interest in whatsoever. Remember, it’s all about what keeps your excited and only then will you succeed!

Career Opportunities After MBA in Human Resource Management

January 29, 2020
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| Jobs
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The human resource team is one of the most critical sectors in any company, as it aims to optimize employee performance, which ultimately drives high profit for the company. Hence, completing an MBA course in Human Resource Management is currently trending, due to the various opportunities present in the field. In this article, we will go over the different career opportunities present if you’re considering to pursue an MBA in Human Resource Management:

1. HR Consultant

If you want to pursue the HR field to earn money, then this is the route you should take. Nowadays, most companies are proliferating and keeping up with this demand; human resource departments have become vital. This resulted in the invention of human resource consultants. These consultants generally charge companies on an hour-basis, wherein they assess the company’s current situation and offer systematic recommendations to help the company reach its desired goal. However, to be a successful HR consultant, you need to be proficient in various fields, like employee management & motivation, incentive programs, building a company culture, retirement plans, etc. Another added benefit of being an HR consultant is that you get to choose who you want to work with and what you want to charge them for your services. The perfect concoction of freedom and money!

2. International Human Resources Professional

If you like traveling around the world while meeting new people and learning about new cultures, then becoming an international human resources professional is the path to be on. As an international HR professional, your job role will entail recruiting candidates into global positions, conducting training and creating standards across an international company, implementing benefits programs and plans depending on the national laws, maintaining labor relations across different cultures, among others. You will have to undertake the same amount and type of work as a national human resources professional. However, the key difference is you will be dealing with employees from different cultures and laws from a host of countries. A must-have skill for this role is the ability to engage successfully with different types of people who adhere to different customers. If you’re fluent in multiple languages, that’s considered to be a plus too.

3. Human Resources Executive

Similar to a Chief HR Officer or Vice President of Human Resources, a Human Resources Executive is ideal for those people who want to make enough money to build a lavish vacation house. At this position in the company, you are expected to create effective HR strategies for the company, including policies, systems, and goals. You will be responsible for overlooking all the activities related to the HR departments, including recruitment, contract signings, training and development, benefits, and others. Considering this is a high-ranking position, you will have to work your way up gradually, as most companies hire those individuals with at least 10-20 years of experience. However, if you eventually succeed in bagging this position, you will surely have a satisfying and well-paying career.

4. Training & Development Manager

HR professionals who want to be part of the environment and love teaching are inclined towards building a career as a training and development manager, as they help employees improve their skills and careers. This form of education is carried out in a professional setting, mostly in specially-held classes, workshops, conferences, and different types of events and gatherings. Some companies also hire training and development managers to create effective coursework for employees, to ensure that the training session itself is entertaining and informative.

5. Employee Education Consultant

The job role of an employee education consultant is similar to a training and development manager, as they, too, are responsible for educating employees through workshops, classes, and conferences. The significant difference between the two positions is that employee education consultants don’t work full-time at one organization. Companies hire these consultants either on a contract basis or on a retainer to improve their employees’ skills. This gives them the freedom to work on their hours and choose their clients.

6. HR Entrepreneur

There are multiple types of startups that an HR professional can drive to success, including a headhunting firm, employee placement company, HR consulting firm, or over a professional employer organization. An HR professional can display their entrepreneurial skills, and set up such a firm, find a set of reliable clients and work hard to build their startup into a successful organization. A great benefit of launching such firms is that one they are successful; you can step back from day-to-day tasks and let the firm run itself while taking a passive income from it. With many companies preferring to outsource their HR functions, an HR firm built by an experienced HR professional is undoubtedly a promising path to ensuring an early retirement!

7. Executive Recruiter

As the name suggests, to become a successful executive recruiter, you need to be great at managing and communicating with people, while building relations. This is necessary as every recruiter needs to find and fill job openings, but as an executive recruiter, you are expected to fill the most critical positions of a company. This includes C-level executives like CEOs and other people in vice president positions. While you can charge a high-fee for filing these positions owing to the complexity and importance of this position, you will only be paid in full after you have filled the position. To be successful in this position, it is recommended to build strong relations with companies to ensure that whenever an opening occurs, you are the first to get the job to fill it.

8. Human Resources IT Specialist

Most HR job roles haven’t changed much in the past year, however, the world of HR, in general, is expanding and new niche positions are being introduced due to the complexity of the work involved. One such position is the Human Resources IT Specialist. If you have a passion for software or hardware as well as an interest in human resources, you can combine your skills and pursue a career as an HR IT specialist. Moreover, as this is a relatively new job role, it is highly sought after and well-paid.

Of course, the list of opportunities available to an MBA in HR graduate is limitless, and these positions are just the tip of the iceberg. The industry is booming, and it’s definitely wise to climb on board now!

MMS, PGDM, MBA: Differences and Similarities

January 6, 2020
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| MBA, PGDM
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Business aspirants have a lot of work to do, considering the demand for skillset and high levels of competition. However, one thing that works in their favor is the number of education options they can choose from. The students are bombarded with so many options of business degrees that it’s quite easy for them to get confused and question, “What should I do next?”

If you, too, are facing a similar dilemma, we’re here to help. In this article, we will discuss three of the most popular business education options – MMS, PGDM, and MBA.

Master in Management Studies (MMS)

If you’re considering pursuing an MMS degree, you can expect to get a detailed understanding of various business specializations, like marketing and finance. MMS is a two-year management degree offered by the Mumbai University. While the eligibility to get a seat in this program differs based on the State’s required assessments, you will most likely have to pass a standard entrance test, which consists of aptitude, group discussions, writing ability, and interviews rounds.

Most students opt for MMS degrees as no work experience is required, and students can complete this course directly after college. Moreover, MMS is also less competitive and cost-effective as compared to MBA and other courses.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

MBA is the most popular degree you can achieve to get entry into the business field. This degree lays the foundation for primary business education and provides intellectual growth through practical training. It’s a two-year degree course, and the curriculum focuses on technical and theoretical business practices.

In India, MBA degrees are exclusive to universities due to education regulations in the country. However, institutes who have an affiliation with universities can grant the degree as well. An MBA degree is more expensive than an MMS degree. However, it costs lesser than PGDM.

To pursue an MBA, you need to complete your undergraduate studies from a recognized university from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Most universities require a score of at least 50% in their undergraduate degree. Moreover, a standard aptitude test and entrance test is mandatory. Reputed universities also consider your scores of CAT, CMAT, GMAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA, etc.before giving you a seat. Finally, you will be tested in group exercises, interviews, wiring ability, and previous academic performance, before securing a seat.

Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)

A PGDM is an advanced course, compared to MMS and MBA. As the name suggests, PGDM is not a degree and a diploma. That being said, pursuing a PGDM can be extremely useful due to the concepts taught in their courses. In some companies, individuals with a PGDM qualification are preferred.

As mentioned previously, degrees need to come from universities or from institutions affiliated to universities. However, as PGDM is a diploma, a lot of autonomous institutes voluntarily choose to stay away from university affiliations while granting a PGDM. The main reason for this is that under the university system, the curriculum is somewhat rigid, and constant updates and keeping up with the industry trends is not possible. Hence, institutes get recognition from the All Indian Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to grant PGDM qualifications. Moreover, by getting accreditation from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the PGDM qualification becomes equivalent to an MBA. Hence, PGDM holders are still eligible to pursue a Ph.D. degree in India.

The PGDM program usually lasts for two years, as one year PGDM programs are not equivalent to MBA degrees. During the span of these two years, students receive information about necessary business foundations and practical training to keep up with the ever-changing industry demands. Similar to MBA degrees, most institutes will accept students who have an undergraduate degree with a minimum score. Candidates will also have to pass a primary entrance and aptitude test along with group exercise, personal interviews, and written ability tests. It is also important to note that a PGDM qualification is very well recognized within the Indian and international job markets.

In the end, what degree you want to pursue next entirely depends on what you want to accomplish in your career. The industry you want to work in plays a crucial role in making this decision as well. Regardless of the qualification, you decide to pursue it’s essential to conduct proper research on your chosen programs and the subjects various B-schools offer. If you’re still on the fence, feel free to contact us at N.L. Dalmia, wherein we can help you take the next step to advance in your career!

How Can a Non-Tech Professional Move to Analytics?

January 3, 2020
| adminblog
| Big Data
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Currently, there is a paradigm shift in the marketplace as many professionals are looking for job roles in analytics, primarily related to fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and other subjects. However, there is a misconception that only individuals with an IT or engineering background can build a successful career in analytics. However, as the field evolves, many domains in analytics require more than just technical knowledge, for example, business analytics.

In this article, we will highlight how non-tech professionals can contribute to the field of analytics efficiently. However, before we delve deeper into the ‘how,’ let’s answer the ‘why’ and ‘what.’

Why You Should Consider Making A Career Shift To Analytics

1. Huge Job Opportunities

Data Analytics is considered to be one of the most ‘hot’ jobs in the current market as the demand for analytics skills has increased exceptionally. However, there is a significant deficit on the supply side globally and is not restricted to any one location. Hence, there is a large number of unfilled jobs across the globe due to a shortage of skills.

2. Multi-Industry Opportunities

With the help of analytics, businesses can implement cost-effective solutions and improve decision-making power in multiple development areas, like healthcare, manufacturing, education, real estate. Hence, depending on your interest, you will have the opportunity to select your desired field from a variety of industries.

3. Key Decision-Making Power

In today’s generation, companies understand the importance of making data-driven decisions. Hence, as a data specialist, you will get the opportunity to work with a critical person in the organization. You will also be part of the decision-making team and streamline the layers from top to bottom and coordinate with subordinates to ensure appropriate action is taken on the insights.

4. Work With Reputed Brands

Data analytics started small, being restricted to start-ups and small companies looking for business opportunities. However, with the evolution of the industry, giants like IBM, SAP, Microsoft, HP, and Oracle are exploring analytical research. That being said, these companies will look for professionals who are experts and have experience in the field. So, you can’t expect to secure a job at these firms in the beginning. However, it does create a growth opportunity for you.

5. Become an Excellent Communicator

As a data analyst, your career prospects don’t only depend on how good your programming skills are, rather the combination of your technical skills and your ability to influence companies to take action on your insights to play the primary driving force. Hence, as you keep progressing in the field, your communication skills are sure to improve tenfold.

What Are Analysts Expected To Do

Typically, analysts working in the field of analytics are expected to be proficient with concepts like data mining, statistical analysis, predictive modeling, and multivariate testing. They are also expected to work closely with the management of the company and provide logical and data-driven insights to make business decisions, right from product development to marketing. To break it down in pointers, analysts are expected to:

Gather data from multiple sources
Evaluate problems and opportunities in the business and identify various areas for improvement
Evaluate the feasibility of a solution and possible outcomes using modeling and analysis
Create activity diagrams, use cases, business scenarios, document analysis, and workflow analysis
Study data accumulated from surveys and workshops
Communicate and coordinate with external and internal customers and vendors
Understand the business needs of a customer and create applications and operational processes to fulfill the requirement with analytics and product management skills

To fulfill the requirements above, the analyst is expected to have an in-depth understanding of various engineering concepts and modeling techniques and methods. They are also likely to be able to develop a case and communicate among team members and customers. Lastly, they need to be able to conduct cost and benefit analysis to guide the company towards a high return on investment.

How Can A Non-Tech Graduate Fit Into This Role

The job description can be threatening for a non-tech graduate, like a commerce student, as analytics is a relatively new field of them. However, a commerce student, for instance, can make use of their strong foundation in finance and management to understanding insights from the data and make better decisions. Moreover, their experience of dealing with numbers can play a crucial role in deriving useful information from numerical data. Non-tech professionals looking to move to the analytical industry, need to work on the following skills:

Document creation and training
Understand workflow management process improvement
Gain a thorough understanding of research, analysis and data management
Get familiar with software applications and even technical experience such as coding
Upgrading excel skills

Regardless of how advanced technology and analytics get, businesses will always need human insights to analyze the data and derive insights to make decisions. Hence, more and more companies are looking for experts to understand data and offer data-driven decisions to help their business reach new heights of success. So, it doesn’t matter which field you come from, if you have an interest in data analytics, the time jump the bandwagon is now! All you need to do is register for an analytics course at reputable institutes like N.L. Dalmia and kick-start your career in big data analytics.

Reasons Why You Should Study MBA in India

January 3, 2020
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| MBA, MBA Advice
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The one thing that legends like Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, Michael Bloomberg, and former Hewlett Packard Enterprise CEO Meg Whiteman all have in common is an MBA degree. In today’s day and age, everyone wants to get an MBA, right from fresh graduates to professionals working in the industry for a couple of years.

An MBA might come as a single piece of diploma; however, the degree itself packs a lot of punch. Getting an MBA means no matter where you plan to build your career, and regardless of the location or industry, you’ll increase your credibility.

If you’re still on the fence about taking the leap and committing your time and finances to an MBA program, here are five truly compelling reasons to give it serious consideration.

Why You Should Pursue an MBA Degree

1. Improve Leadership Skills

MBA programs are considered to be the training grounds for the world’s future business leaders. While pursuing your MBA, you will get the opportunity to harness your hard and soft skills to become the ultimate team player and their potential leader. Through the program, you will not only get exposure to subjects like economics and marketing but also team-building skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and demonstrating integrity, bringing out the best in you.

2. Get Access to a Large Business Network

Through an MBA course, you will get the chance to meet multiple like-minded people. You will be able to be part of a network, including the alumni who have experience in the field. Hence, by being surrounded by ambitious professionals means you will not only be motivated to do your best, but you could also meet your potential business partner.

3. Secure Your Dream Job

Employers are always on the lookout for top talent and generally turn to MBA colleges to find young, energetic individuals who are motivated and driven. So, by enrolling for an MBA course, you might be able to secure your dream job while pursuing your higher education!

Now that you know why the next question you need to answer is ‘where’? Many Indians are confused about whether they should pursue their MBA in India or abroad. However, it’s important to note; many foreigners are opting to come to India to pursue their higher education. India has a high number of top-class institutions and many examples of individuals who have gained success after achieving an MBA degree from an Indian institute. Here are a few reasons why India has the best MBA courses to offer.

Reasons To Pursue an MBA Degree in India

1. Top-Class Institutes

Considering the popularity and demand for MBA in India, the institutes here are designed to provide the best experience to students. The colleges offer only excellent infrastructure for the overall development and world-class faculty who have professional experience and an understanding of how the industry works.

2. Cost-Effective

As compared to pursuing the degree is other countries, India is considerably more cost-effective. Not only the course fees, but peripheral costs like accommodation, food, and transportation is also low. Moreover, if you’re a deserving student, you can apply for a scholarship that can reduce the entire cost by half!

3. Better Industry Exposure

India is a vast and diverse country, which makes the country a great market and provides an excellent scope for learning. Moreover, Indian universities strive to incorporate the Indian market scenario with other global prospects. For example, these colleges will invite renowned personalities from India and other countries to give lectures and conduct workshops.

4. Quality Education

Education is one of the most critical sectors in India. Hence, the quality of education in the country is exceptionally high, striving to create experts in every field. The professors that teach in Indian universities have top credentials, good exposure, and are considered to be industry experts. Hence, if you’re looking for quality education while pursuing your MBA, you should consider a reputable institute in India.

5. Security & Rapid Growth

India is developing quickly as its market is proliferating and creating many opportunities for individuals in terms of learning and working. You can also opt to undergo an internship while pursuing your MBA here as more and more companies are on the lookout for young talent. By doing this, you can say updated with the latest trends, while gaining practical knowledge in the industry. Due to the tremendous growth in the Indian market, no job scarcity giving you a sense of job security.

In conclusion, by pursuing an MBA in India, you can go easy on your pocket and not miss out on world-class education. That being said, before choosing a university, research about the various colleges in Indian and go through the ranking. You can even talk to the alumni and know about their experience. You can consider factors like education, cost, and job opportunities while choosing the best MBA college in India.

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