There's lots of information sloshing around in this tech-enabled information world. But, information by itself has no great meaning but analysis of information using sophisticated tools that helps one draw insights is key, said Shyam Srinivasan, Managing Director, Federal Bank, while delivering his address as the chief guest of Chrysalis 2018, the Loyola Institute of Business Administration's annual B-school management festival.
"We often discuss in our teams on how pattern recognition and ability to connect the dots help us make frontline customer experience a wow for them. So, information is passe, it is insight that is king," he told the students of LIBA and other B-schools attending the two-day festival, the theme of which was 'Across horizons - limelight on glocalisation'.
Touching on a few broad themes in his address, Srinivasan said that the students must learn to listen intently. "Invariably our attention span is low and we have already decided on a course of action. But, I find immense value in picking up feedback from where the rubber hits the road. It's useful to give this conscious focus," he said.
He touched up on the theme of belief. To unleash one's true potential each of us has to believe and charge ourselves to do the stuff that we normally resist, he said. He quoted the example of a bumble bee. According to the laws of aero dynamics, the wing span of a bumble bee is not wide enough and therefore it can't fly. "But, the bumble bee doesn't know physics or any theory. It just flaps its wings and flies. Likewise, I encourage everyone to unleash one's self-belief," he emphasised.
He urged the students to be authentic in whatever they do. Short cuts and jumping queues may deliver a few quick returns but it is recorded in one's book and marked indelibly against one's name. "Integrity, trust, loyalty, humility; get this right and you will find that you have a winning edge even amidst the strongest of competition," said Srinivasan.
Joe Sebastian, Income Tax Commissioner (Appeals), who delivered the keynote address, said that management principles that take all along will be a true winner, rather than one of conflict and confrontation. "We need empathy and togetherness to be good managers. As the Dalai Lama said, 'We don't need smart people in the world, but empathetic ones'," said Sebastian. He emphasised that one needs good, responsible and accountable citizens who can also be good managers.
Also present were Fr Francis Jayapathy, Rector, Loyola College, and Fr P Christie, Director, LIBA.