Outlook magazine ranks XLRI "Top Private B-School in India"

Outlook magazine ranked XLRI No.1 Private Business School in India:



and overall 4th among all management schools in India:

The Joy of Giving Week: XLRI Students to start training SHGs

Jamshedpur, Sept. 21 (The Telegraph): Students of XLRI will pass on their management skills to the micro-level, with volunteers of Social Initiative Group for Managerial Assistance (Sigma), a students’ society of the B-school, planning to give accounting tips to women of rural self-help groups.

With the help of Jamshedpur-based NGO, Kalamandir, XLRI has identified women self-help groups from the district to launch a pilot project on September 26, coinciding with the start of the Jamshedpur JoyFest: Joy of Giving Week (Sept 26 - Oct 2, 2010).

Around 60 members of Sigma have agreed to don the role of mentors for the four-and-a-half-hour course that would include topics such as the importance of saving, the concept of loans and interests, the nature of bank loans and links with self-help groups.

“Sigma members conduct a computer literacy programme for underprivileged children on campus. But we wanted to do something to help people in a larger way. Since self-help groups have become an important driver of rural development, we came up with this idea,” Madhukar Shukla, a senior faculty member of XLRI, told The Telegraph.

The course has been designed in consultation with XLRI faculty members, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and people associated with self-help groups.

Self-help group members will be brought to XLRI from different villages, so that regular classes of volunteers are not hampered.

“We are launching it on a pilot basis. We’ll assess its impact and changes. For now, we will train around 30 self-help groups. As self-help groups are only likely to grow in number, we would like to continue the programme to help villagers,” said Sigma secretary Rajiv Sengupta, adding that the teaching approach would be “interactive”.

XLRI team wins Tata Business Leasdership Award 2010

Jamshedpur (Sept 22, The Pioneer): The Tata Business Leasdership Award 2010 has a new winner. And it is none other than the team from XLRI comprising Aditi Shukla, Paresh Dhokad, Rishabh Chindalia and Sri Ganesh TV who are all senior business management students at XLRI, Jamshedpur.

The Tata Business Leadership Award or TBLA as it is popularly known comprised four rounds, the first of which was conducted at the various campuses around the country. TBLA was introduced by TAS in 2002, and has been held every year since then in select business schools ‘to bring the best student minds together to take up a business challenge.’

This is usually a strategic problem or situation relevant to the house of Tata. TBLA 2010 held across six campuses: IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, IIM Kolkata, IIM Lucknow, SPJIMR Mumbai and XLRI Jamshedpur. The winning team gets the prestigious Tata Business Leadership Award Rolling Trophy and a host of other prizes where the first prize is `one lakh, a TAS process shortlist, second prize is `50,000, and third prize is `25,000.

The best of the teams from all TAS campuses and group companies participate in the contest, which is judged by young Tata talent at the campuses and by senior business leaders in the final round.

According to the administrators of the event, “The award underlines the commitment of the Tata Group to promoting and encouraging future leaders.”

The theme for TBLA 2010 was “A Billion Touch — point Business Idea” where all team were required to identify a business idea based on the above theme, in other words, the theme of the competition was to conceptualise a TATA business that does not currently exist and which has the capability “to touch a billion lives”.

The winning group conceptualised ‘TATA Environmental Services’. Sri Ganesh, a member of the winning team said, “We came up with this business idea because social class or economic strata pollution affects the vitality of life of everyone in India. Hence a company which can tackle this monumental problem would really touch a billion lives.” This idea was chosen to be the best amongst those presented and thus the XLRI team ‘QED’ was proclaimed as winners of TBLA 2010, a first for this prestigious institute.

XLRI decides to set up another institute in Hyderabad

Hyderabad (Hindustan Times, September 21): Jamshedpur-based premier management institute, the Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) has decided to set up its new campus in Hyderabad. XLRI Director E Abraham and Dean (Administration and Finance) C L George called on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah in the Secretariat today and informed him about the XLRI governing board's decision on their Hyderabad plans.

Rosaiah wrote a letter to XLRI on August 18 requesting it to set up a campus in Hyderabad and promised all support from the government.

The XLRI governing board considered and approved the proposal, the Director told the Chief Minister.

He sought allocation of 75 acres of land for setting up the XLRI campus.

The Chief Minister said the required land would be allotted at Jawahar Nagar, close to the BITS, Pilani.

A group of representatives from Alexandria, a US Pension Fund House, led by its head of Indian operations Vishal Goel also met the Chief Minister along with the XLRI team to inform about their likely association with the institute.

Started in the year 1949 at Jamshedpur as an anchor institute catering to the professional and skilled manpower requirements of the steel city, XLRI is one of the top-five managements institutes in the country. It has only 240 seats on offer every year at Jamshedpur while the proposed Hyderabad campus would augment the intake of students in near future.

XLRI to find Joy of Giving in every grain

Jamshedpur, Sept. 16 (The Telegraph): For XLRI students, the joy of giving is akin to satisfying hungry mouths.

To plug gaping holes in the public distribution system in a drought-hit state, XLRI — as a part of its Joy of Giving Week beginning September 26 — will embark on annadaan (giving foodgrain) to the poor.

The B-school will form a network of not-for-profit organisations and business houses to collect foodgrain, store them and channelise them to their destinations.

But first, these partners will join hands to popularise the concept of donating foodgrain among individuals, schools and institutions. “Through annadaan, we are requesting everyone to give foodgrain in packets of one, two or five kilograms, following which we will co-ordinate with NGOs across the state to reach grain where needed,” said Madhukar Shukla, a senior faculty member of XLRI, who is co-ordinating the activities with students.

Organisers have also requested corporate houses like Tata Steel and Jusco to help with storage space, logistics and transport. “We will see if we can organise space for foodgrain in the schools we run. It is a pleasure to do something like this,” said Jusco corporate sustainability manager Shubhashis Chakravarty.

Making the joy of giving infectious will be its innovative school-to-school initiative, in which students of elite cradles will voluntarily part with toys, school bags, books, notebooks, footwear, umbrellas, stationery and utensils, which will be given to schools for the underprivileged. The week will also host career counselling for poor students and health camps.

The Joy of Giving Week will go the green route by launching a plastic-free campaign with schoolchildren and planting saplings in designated areas.

Ending on a musical note, on October 2, an inter-school band concert at Tata Auditorium will raise funds for Leh flood relief by way of ticket sales and sponsorships.

Standard Chartered & FINAX Present GNOSIS, XLRI's first Finance Symposium in Mumbai

Standard Chartered and The Finance Association at XLRI (FINAX) are pleased to invite you to GNOSIS 2010, the first annual XLRI Finance Symposium, to be held on September 18, 2010 at the Taj President, Cuffe Parade, Mumbai.

The Symposium

aims at promoting interaction between the members of the industry, students and academia. The event would comprise a speaker series, ‘Viewpoint’, on “Emerging Value Creators and Role of I-Banking” and a panel discussion on “Euro Sovereign Crisis and the impact on Emerging Market Economies”. We have an impressive lineup of speakers comprising leading finance professionals who will share their views through the speaker series and panel discussion.

Chief Guest and Opening Speaker:

Mr Jaspal Singh Bindra -- Group ED & CEO (Asia), Standard Chartered PLC

Speakers/Panelists:

1. Mr Sanjay Bhandarkar -- Country Head, NM Rothschild & Sons
2. Mr Koushik Chatterjee -- Group CFO, Tata Steel
3. Mr Avinash Gupta -- National Leader - FAS, Deloitte
4. Mr Dharmakirti Joshi -- Director & Chief Economist, CRISIL
5. Mr Navneet Munot -- CIO, SBI Mutual Fund
6. Mr Surojit Shome -- MD & CEO, Rabo Bank
7. Mr. Ashish K. Chauhan -- Deputy CEO, BSE

Panel Discussion Moderator:

Mr Shishir Prasad -- Deputy Editor, Forbes India

We look forward to having your company at GNOSIS 2010, which we believe will provide an excellent opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with peers from the industry.

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Confirmation of Participation

To confirm participation please transfer Rs. 3500 to the below account and send us a confirmation of the same at finax@xlri.ac.in. There are limited seats and registration is on a first come, first served basis. Cover: Rs 3500

Please confirm your participation by September 15, 2010.

Beneficiary Name: Gaurav Jain

ICICI A/c 004001578680 Madhapur Branch

IFSC Code: ICIC0000040

Micr Code: 500229003

RSVP:

Rishabh Chindalia

Secretary, FINAX

XLRI School of Business and Human Resources, Jamshedpur

Email: rishabh.chindalia@astra.xlri.ac.in

Mobile: +91- 9973729514

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SOLE SPONSOR:

MEDIA PARTNERS:

XLRI: Entrepreneurship for a sustainable society

Chennai, Sept 13 (The Hindu): Management is mostly about finance, marketing, advertising and information technology. What about understanding and appreciating the role and need for social entrepreneurship in building a sustainable society?

XLRI School of Business & Human Resources, Jamshedpur, offers a two-term course called Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship, as part of a host of electives. The objective of the course is to acquire the knowledge, skills, tools and techniques needed to become an entrepreneur in the social sector and develop sustainable business model for building a social enterprise that can make a difference, says Prof. Madhukar Shukla, OB & Strategic Management, XLRI, Jamshedpur.

The students do field-visits, study different social sectors, have interactive sessions with social entrepreneurs, and finally develop their own social venture plans. As part of internship, Charu Priyadarshee is interning with Desi Crew, a rural BPO company; K. Priya and B.R. Venkatesh are with Rang De, an NGO working in microfinance sector.

“Working with Rang De has helped us understand the ground level realities of handling a micro-finance enterprise — starting with the way they operate, the communities they interact with and the modus operandi of raising funds,” says Ms. Priya.

The communities that we believe are underprivileged have a lot of zeal to get out of their existing state. And the sincerity with which they adhere to group norms (of the SHGs which borrow money) in itself is a testimony to the fact, says Mr. Venkatesh. “The need of the hour is low cost, quality English education for the weaker sections as the potential is tremendous, and opportunities minimal,” he says.

“Our inclination towards working with micro-finance sector primarily stems from the firm belief that access to affordable capital is probably the biggest challenge that a great majority of the society faces today,” says Ms. Priya.

Working with the rural BPO company, Ms. Charu says the rural India offered plenty of opportunities for management students to have a hands-on experience in tackling development-related issues faced by the majority.

On book covers, now - XLRI Faculty turn Authors

Jamshedpur, Sept. 10 (The Telegraph): XLRI faculty members are venturing beyond the confines of the classroom and reaching out to a potential global audience by penning books.

XLRI faculty Manish Singhal has penned a 148-page book titled Spirituality at work — a study of Indian non-profit organisations. The book, published by Germans publishers Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, explores how spirituality makes people better workers.

“Most professionals work for only themselves. They have a limited understanding of different aspects of spirituality such as integrity and wholeness, which makes people stick to a particular organisation. There has to be some connect and meaning to keep people interested in their work,” said Singhal, who teaches organisational behaviour at XLRI.

Singhal’s book is the outcome of a three-year study on six non-profit organisations based in Calcutta, of which three — Bharat Sevasharm Sangha, Aurobindo Ashram and Ramkrishna Mission — were spiritual organisations. The others were Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Vikramshila, Child In Need Institute (CINI). Around 148 people participated in Singhal’s survey.

In his book, Singhal ingeniously applied his core findings from these non-profit organisations and applied them to the profit-making world of enterprise.

His peer, Debasis Pradhan, assistant professor at XLRI, also published a book on marketing management titled ‘To Push or to Pull: Dynamics of Promotional Strategies Book’.

The book, brought out by another German publisher, VDM Verlag, explains the basics of promotional strategies. The 292-page book comprehensively addresses the push and pull debate, with focus on Indian rural industries. Pradhan’s book explores the customer-based brand equity measurement approach with dimensions like retailer awareness, retailer association, retailer perceived quality, and retailer loyalty.

Alumni Homecoming 2010

We are all set to welcome the XL alumni for this year's Alumni Homecoming, scheduled to be held during the weekend of 20-21 November, 2010.

This little note is to politely remind you of our XL family get-together that strengthens our XL bonds and fosters camaraderie amongst us. The institute is happy to invite you for all the events that are being organized in connection with the Homecoming 2010.

Please grace the occasion with your presence. For further details, please check out the Alumni Portal at:

http://alumni.xlri.ac.in/homecoming2010/

For those of you who have not registered yourselves in the Alumni Portal (http://alumni.xlri.ac.in/) please do so at the earliest. Ms. Padmini Singh from the Alumni office will assist you in registering your name. Her contact details are:

Email: alumni@xlri.ac.in

Mobile: 9955132937/9135358468.

All of us at XL Look forward to having you amongst us during 20-21 November, 2010! :)

Book on "Spirituality at Work" by XLRI Prof Manish Singhal

Spirituality at Work: A Study of Indian non-profit Organizations

Paperback: 148 pages

Publisher: LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing (July 23, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 3838374703

ISBN-13: 978-3838374703


About the Book
Spirituality at work (SAW) is being considered as a significant construct to deal with a number of issues resulting from increased dynamism in the business context and the resulting stresses and strains at organizational and individual level. The conceptual framework in this study linked individual SAW needs and organizational SAW supplies to emerge with a P-O fit model on Spirituality at work. The individual SAW needs, organizational SAW supplies and SAW P-O fit were related to outcomes of Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment. FINDINGS: The distinction between religion and spirituality that forms the basis for defining SAW for scholars did not find support in this study. The 3-way conceptualization of SAW in terms of Integrity/Wholeness, Meaningful work, and Larger than oneself was supported. The influence on outcome variables grew progressively stronger in this order: individual SAW needs, P-O fit on SAW, and organizational SAW supplies. This study provides the first empirical proof of the interactive effects of individual and workplace spirituality on outcomes of interest to organizational scholars.

Prof Manish Singhal, a BE (Mech), MBA from XIM Bhubneshwar and a Fellow (Behavioral Sciences) from IIM Calcutta, is a faculty in Organizational Behaviour area and also the Acting Coordinator - Doctoral Programs.

He poseeses an eclectic profile with qualifications in mechanical engineering, MBA in financial and general management, and Fellow from IIM Calcutta in OB, with experience in sociology and disciplines of anthropology, archaeology, journalism and yoga. He has previously worked in chemical plant maintenance, event management, administration, teaching and providing training in holistic personality development and various management functions. His six years of post-MBA experience in the spiritually-oriented service mission of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, as a dedicated selfless social worker has provided the breadth of experience to be able to relate to various human imperfections and encourage the move towards actualizing one’s potential.

XLRI professor pens "To Push or to Pull: Dynamics of Promotional Strategies"

Sept 8 (THe Pioneer): Indian B schools have been regularly churning out cutting edge research work and publications that are making waves in the contemporary management discipline. Leading from the front are the top Indian B schools where a blend of knowledge with practical applications has incubated a healthy environment of learning and top of the line research.

XLRI assistant professor of Marketing Management Debasis Pradhan has penned a book on marketing management titled To Push or to Pull: Dynamics of Promotional Strategies Book. The book reveals a lot about the current promotional strategies prevalent in the global marketing scenario.

In this book, the focus has been on the promotional strategies being adopted by three rural industries of India. Relevant research questions have been identified with the help of literature review coupled with exploratory work that has led to the conceptualisation of a framework. Survey method has been used for data collection. Data analysis and its interpretation have been discussed in detail with a reference to the scope for further research.”

The 292-paged book would constructively address the push vs. pull debate with a focus on Indian rural industries.

Prof. Pradhan, along with another faculty of XLRI, had earlier published a seminal paper on “Measurement of Retailer Brand Equity Using Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process.” Therein it was proposed that retailer brands possess equity termed as retailer brand equity or retailer equity.

It is an “added value” endowed to the retailer brand as a result of past marketing activities of the retailer. Branding of retailers can be instrumental in influencing customer perception and driving the store choice and loyalty. Measuring retailer brand equity can help the retailers and the brand mangers to be more strategic in their decision-making. This study undertaken in India has followed a customer-based brand equity measurement approach wherein dimensions like retailer awareness, retailer association, retailer perceived quality, and retailer loyalty have been considered. A fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to measure the retailer brand equity. The same was presented by the in University of Cologne, Germany this year.

Such publications and research are the need of the hour in the changing and volatile fields of global management. It is indeed heartening to notice that our national schools are sizing up to the challenge and able to leave a strong mark in the field.

Prof Pradhan is a post graduate and fellow from XIMB and IRMA respectively. He joined XLRI 2006 and teaches Advertising and Sales Promotion, Consumer Behaviour, and Marketing Management. Prior to this, he has more than two years of managerial experience in power sector. Papers and cases authored by him have been published in national and international journals of repute.

Social Entrepreneurship attracts more students at XLRI

Sept 7th (The Financial Express):

XLRI Entrepreneurship Course Churns Out Class of Businessmen

Students of first batch of entrepreneurship programme start own ventures, thank B-school
Jamshedpur, Sept. 5 (The Telegraph): At 22, Kavita Agarwal will become the proud owner of a multi-brand garment and accessory outlet in the heart of the city on September 11.

Her batchmate Nayna Shroff, also 22, is eager to taste success with her first business venture — a jewellery store, which will open doors at the end of this month.

And both Kavita and Nayna thank XLRI for making their dreams come true.

The two, part of the first batch of the postgraduate programme for certificate in entrepreneurship management (PGP-CEM) at the premier B-school, said the six-month course gave the much-needed fillip to their career. It instilled entrepreneurship skills in them.

“All this has been possible because of the XLRI course, which motivated us to start our own businesses. We are thankful to the XLRI management, especially the Entrepreneur Development Centre chairman, for designing such a programme, which imparts necessary operational training to prospective entrepreneurs,” Kavita told The Telegraph.

The steel city girl, who did her schooling from Kerala Samajam Model School and completed her BCom from Jamshedpur Women’s College, added: “I am happy with my decision to pursue this course. My outlet, Adarsh Collections — the first-of-its-kind in the city — is located on Pennar Road in Sakchi. Director of XLRI Father E. Abraham has agreed to inaugurate it on September 11,” she said.

Nayna Shroff, who can’t wait for her jewellery business to kick off, said: “I am confident of success as I have also completed a course on jewellery designing from Jadavpur University. The B-school programme further gave me an impetus to take forward my career as an entrepreneur,” she said.

Nayna and Kavita have company in several other students who also want to go their own way after completing the XLRI course.

For example, Sweta Agarwal is bullish on a franchisee of footwear and accessories while Piyush Khemka wants to establish a restaurant. Amit Khandelwal will join the family business of supplying house construction material, but has plans to expand overseas.

“The thought of opening a fast food restaurant in the city came to my mind after I joined the course. If all goes well, the restaurant will start in October,” Piyush said.

The Entrepreneur Development Centre at XLRI launched the non-residential PGP-CEM with half the seats reserved for candidates from Jharkhand in March this year. The first batch, comprising 50 students, will qualify this month. Their convocation will take place on September 29.

“We are happy that the students have come up with their own business plans. In fact, our course aims at producing entrepreneurs, who will create jobs for others rather than seeking jobs for themselves,” said Prabal Sen, chairperson, EDC, XLRI.

“We are trying to invite Jagdish Kapoor, the former deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India, to grace the occasion as the as chief guest,” he added.

XLRI grooms global managers

Jamshedpur, Aug 31 (The Telegraph): Global work exposure as main course and Belgian chocolates for dessert? Trust XLRI students to get the best of both worlds.

Under the international students’ exchange programme, 44 B-school students — a sharp spike compared to 13 students last year and nine the year before — will visit 18 European universities and institutes in United Kingdom, Germany, France and Belgium for a three-month term. In fact, partner universities and institutes have also increased this year — last year, it was five and the year before, three.

“The objective behind the stint is to adapt to cultural differences while forming a cordial working relationship with people across cultures,” said Siddhesh Ajgaonkar, a student bound for the University of Muenster, Germany.

Added Anjali Birla, raring to go to the University of Antwerp Management School in Belgium: “Apart from the excellent education, I am looking forward to explore scenic destinations and gorge on Belgian waffles and chocolates.”

The increase in student volume is explained by the fact that the personnel management and industrial relations batch doubled from 60 to 120. The international students’ exchange programme also managed to successfully rope in more partner universities and institutes this time.

XLRI also started an online seat allocation process to make the application process easier for students. Instead of filling up a form and submitting it manually, students can go online, apply directly and look for details on partner institutions and feedback from former students. “We have beefed up the technology for application to foreign exchange programmes. Students can apply online directly for faster and easier results,” said Hartashika Kaur, a member of the B-school’s external linkages cell.

Although the offshore tuition fee would be inclusive of what students pay XLRI, living expenses would come to Rs 3 lakh to be borne by students. But no one is complaining, as the stint would mean an opportunity to explore a new country, work culture and lifestyle. “We left no stone unturned for students. Some partner institutions are new, so students were apprehensive as they did not have seniors to get feedback from, but I believe we have tried to address all concerns,” said Priti Mittal, the exchange programme secretary.

XLRI bakes job idea for mentally challenged

Jamshedpur, Aug. 30(The Telegraph): While on their way to stratospheric pay packets in the global mart, XLRI students have not forgotten to create job opportunities for the less fortunate.

Business management students of the elite B-school have proposed an innovative livelihood solution for mentally challenged students of School of Hope — an idea both tasty and practical — a bakery enterprise unit for sustained income throughout the year.

But why a bakery?

“As a part of our course on organisational behaviour, we tried to develop a sustainable employment model for mentally challenged students. And through our visits to the school, we realised that special students are good at repetitive work. Keeping this in mind, we came up with a few broad employment ideas, including a bakery,” said Akshita Agrawal, a first-year student of Business Management.

Among the various proposals given by the B-school, students and school authorities of the School of Hope zeroed in on the idea of starting a bakery rather than papad-making unit or a nursery as the former could be set up within school premises.

The B-school students will suggest all necessary requirements to start the project.

With an initial investment of around Rs 3.98 lakh, the annual maintenance cost would be Rs 11,500.

With the assumption that a small-scale bakery would need around 6-8 people for back-end preparations and one person at the display counter to assist customers, financial logistics have to be worked out so that each of the nine employees can be paid a salary in the range of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per month.

Initially, the start-up bakery would be expected to serve 50 customers per day.

School of Hope principal Shyamala Raju appeared keen to start the project soon.

“About 30 per cent of our 170 students are adults who are in urgent need of employment, but most conventional job openings are closed to them. We are excited about the idea of the bakery because its operations will be simple enough to be managed by them. It is also a financially sustainable proposal, as there is a daily demand in the market for bakery products such as cakes, confectionary and biscuits. The school is willing to invest on the project, train the students to run the bakery as a business venture and employ the trained students. I am eagerly waiting for the proposal drafted by the B-school students,” said the school principal.

For the B-school students, the entire exercise has been a unique experience, because they are working on a live project outside the confines of the classroom.

“Participating in class on organisational behaviour and management is easy, but students now need to move out of class and learn to deploy the principles of teamwork and management in real life. Students were asked to pick up a live project and do something socially useful. The bakery enterprise is their brainchild and they are creating a detailed proposal on it. Other student groups working on various other social projects as well,” said M.G. Jomon, senior XLRI faculty member who teaches organisational behaviour.

The School of Hope already has in place certain vocational training projects such as making candles, rakhis and greeting cards, but these are all seasonal enterprises. For year-round income generation, the school has established a stitching section and a loom, and the bakery will be a welcome addition.