With the work culture and environment both changing at a rapid pace, students have a choice: use what they’ve been taught to either sort out the problems they face today or anticipate the problems they may face tomorrow, said Deepak Satwalekar, Chairman, IIM Indore, speaking at its 20th Annual Convocation held on March 26.
In his address, Satwalekar, told the graduating students to keep their values and principles rock solid and constant. He exhorted the students to focus on goals, work hard and aim for learnings rather than outcomes and rewards. “Be true to yourself and always follow your principles, no matter what — for that will help you in achieving your goals.” he said.
Three intersections
Chief guest, Sanjay Nayar, CEO, KKR India Advisors Pvt Ltd, addressing the students, shared some takeaways from three intersections he faced during his life time — first during his early career, second as a manager and third as an entrepreneur.
“I learnt that we should preach simple things and give 100 per cent to whatever work we’re doing. We should understand and get the courage to take risks — we may learn this over the years, but risks would help us learn from mistakes. Also, always maintain a balance between your professional and personal life, arrogance and humility and remember that you might be vulnerable, but you will still be able to achieve if you focus on your goals,” he told the students.
He then shared his experience as a manager and noted that one needs to walk the talk, for people look to up to you, “and hence you need to work hard if you want your team to work hard. ‘Small things matter a lot, saying thank you, please, matter a lot to people. Always stay humble and learn from your mistakes,” he said. He told the students to do the small things that matter to people. “People rarely remember your professional qualification but they remember how you feel,” he explained.
‘Double Crown’ for IIM Indore
Prof Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore, said the academic year 2018-19 had been a remarkable one for IIM Indore — with the Institute achieving a ‘Double Crown’. It received its accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), making it one of the very few institutions in India with a double accreditation, the first being the one by the Association of MBAs (AMBA), earned in 2017. IIM Indore now aims to earn the third accreditation, Equis, and the process is on, said Prof Rai.
He noted that the job of leaders has become more demanding and challenging today, and they need to think out of the box, find a new paradigm and better solutions for sustainable growth. “The greatest leaders might not also be successful, but they learnt from their mistakes and had the courage to accept failure,” he said. He advised the students that education doesn’t make one great, but it makes one humble. “You’re the future leaders that India needs. You can change India and showcase the role of ethical leadership in creating new management paradigms,” he told the students.
Several awards were given to the students at the convocation:
* The IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 1 to Advika Jalan.
* The IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 2 to Sneha Kavishwar.
* The IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 3 to Ayushi Goyal.
* The IIM Indore Gold Medal for the Best Woman Participant for Scholastic Performance to Advika Jalan.
IIM Indore Gold Medals for Scholastic Performance were presented to the IPM participants:
* IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 1 to Radhika Khandelwal.
* IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 2 to Anmol Madan.
* IIM Indore Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance Rank 3 to Shaurya Saxena.
* IIM Indore Gold Medal for the Best Woman Participant for Scholastic Performance to Radhika Khandelwal.
IIM Indore Gold Medals for Scholastic Performance were presented to the PGP Mumbai, PGPMX-Mumbai and EPGP participants:
* PGP-Mumbai – Kotak Hinal Ashokbhai
* PGPMX-Mumbai – Vishesh Chadha (2016-18), Pulkita Rohilla (PGP 2017-19 Batch 01)
* EPGP Batch (2018-2019) - Kirti