Training
All posts in the Training category
Corporate India : Understanding The Ethical Dilemma
Published December 16, 2014 by vishalvkale
UNDERSTANDING THE WORD ETHICS IN THE BUSINESS WORLD
THE ETHICAL DILEMMA
UNDERSTANDING THE ETHICAL DILEMMA
Corporate India : Is This Business? Professionalism? Planning? Management?
Published December 5, 2014 by vishalvkaleONE
TWO
THREE
FOUR
Book Review : Infinite Vision
Published July 21, 2014 by vishalvkaleThe Story Of a Hospital That Provides Free Treatment To The Community, And Is Yet The Best In Its Field In Terms Of Technology, Skills, And Throughput
By Pavithra K Shenoy and Suchitra Shenoy
This is also the story of a family, a family that was cajoled, talked and convinced into sharing the dream stated above; note my words – “sharing” the dreams, not trying to fulfill out of love. It is the story of how every member of the family contributed to the dream. It is also about how the family, through sheer dint of hard work and performance, stunned the world, and made their creation – Aravind Eye Hospital – the finest of its kind in the world, a hospital focused not on profits, but on a dream – the eradication of treatable blindness in India.
The target was clear : eradication of Blindness. The method was clear – free treatment, or highly subsidised – and absolute world-class, the best treatment. The problem is that nothing comes for free in this world. At this point, they made what would seem to us to be an illogical decision – we wont accept donations or grants. So, they went about creating internal systems and procedures that would minimise expenses, while not compromising on quality.
Infinite Vision, indeed – appropriate title for the book. It is the engaging story of how these Doctors, MBAs, Business Professionals connected together, and created the internal systems, procedures that ensured they handled the highest number of patients worldwide, by a factor or 3 times. Procedures that ensured that they achieved and maintained financial independence, while providing free services to the community of the poor people, who could not afford to pay! The Money Will Come – Focus On Your Tasks was the constant refrain – dont worry about money; if we are the best, money will come. Remember 3 idiots? Chase Excellence – Success will follow. Well, the Aravind Eye Hospital is the living proof of that statement.
Aravind Eye Hospital is also the story of the chase of excellence in treatment; of the sacrifices everyone made for the greater goal. It is the story of a single-minded chase after excellence, and the pursuit of perfection, challenging all norms, modes and systems. It is the story of how one Hospital went about ensuring the availability of the best the world has to offer in a 3rd World country like India, and then subsequently beating the world at their game.
It is a text-book case study, in that it covers every aspect of a modern organisation – from Marketing to Operations, and from Finance to Human Resources. This is the book that will help you understand the importance of Vision and Mission of an organisation; this is the book that will teach you the magic of training. This is the book that will teach you the importance of constant upgradation of skill sets; of a single-minded focus on employee retention and how it works wonders in the company; This is the book that will teach you the importance of backward integration, of research, or opening markets, of a planned and strategically executed expansion strategy – of bringing the latest technologies to India, of setting state of the art manufacturing facilities, and consulting houses.
This is the book that teaches you the benefits of a focus on the long-term, of the importance of total intolerance towards short-termism that is so common now, this is a classic case of how to plan your human resources both for the current-to-mid term as well as the long term, of smooth succession planning right till the topmost levels without compromising on even one single point. This is the book to read to learn just how vital a long-term look at Human assets is important, and how training can play a pivotal role – and of the importance of robust systems and processes in an organisation; and how following the basics and building blocks leads to marketshare, leadership as well as an excellent top and bottomline. At is also the story of how one organisation can create a worldwide ecosystem, and create as well as define a new market – becoming the leading consultant in the world. It is a story of sharing information, and helping the competition – and reaping rewards from the experience. A book that challenges long-held notions, and does so quite successfully.
The writing style is engaging, and keeps you absorbed. You are not taken into a series of numbers and facts; instead you are taken onsite, and get a prime seat among the main players as the time rolls. You are treated to organisational lessons for learnings in a fun form, loaded with examples and practicalities, while fully detailing the roadblocks, problems that emerged, internal as well as external.
All in all, a deeply engaging book that leaves you richer for the experience, and successfully changes the way you look at life and business… A must read book of how one family created an ecosystem, as well as the finest Eye Facility in the World – a book that should be required reading for everyone in India at least. Last but not the least, Infinite Vision is the book that explains how having a purpose and a dream can be actioned, and of the importance of having your soul in what you are doing, combined with a higher purpose- while meeting the requirements of practicality. A book that reaches deep into your soul, and forces you to ask some tough questions of your own self.. .
The Skill Gap – 2 : The Way Forward; Focus On What You Can Change
Published July 1, 2014 by vishalvkaleI am also an active blogger, and regularly attend blogger meets across platforms like Indiblogger and Blogadda, where I meet and mix with teens, 20-somethings as well as 30-somethings.
Thus, I have seen the so-called “unskilled” people at 4 levels –
* hiring manager;
* team leader / area manager / segment manager / regional manager;
* Professor and/or guide
* Friend, or group member, having been talking to and conversing with them as one of them.
THE BACKDROP
As I observed in my previous post on this – The Great Indian Skill Gap, the so-called Skill Gap is vastly different from the perception. I have read several news articles that wax eloquent on this, as well as a few surveys – all have the same verbiage and meaning; but fall short on specifics, Furthermore, most are a survey of hiring managers, and are frankly based on the gift of gab. This is by no means in the category of an exhaustive research.
ABOUT SKILL SETS AND COMPETENCIES
TRAINING SCENARIO
THE WAY FORWARD – THE CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE
Remember : Focus on what you can change, the circle of influence. The socio-economic factors, the schooling issues are way too complex and are in the circle of concern. Changing that will require decades- and you want business performance in the near term.
My point is that this is not so simple, and has many, many facets and roots – Socio-Cultural, Economic, Political, Business etc. This does not lend itself to simple and-or situations. In the meantime, we in Corporate India need people.
Any youngster will have dreams and aspirations, that is natural. It is the absence of dreams that is a problem, not how tall they are. Similarly, not all can communicate their feelings and thoughts. That is again a human trait. Does this mean that all those who cant communicate are worthless, and have no talent? Obviously no. What is needed in counselling – which is not done, or proper guidance as to what suits which person. This is the most significant gap in educational systems.
What can WE do should be the question? That is our circle of influence. Remember – we require people as much as they require jobs. Our need is in some ways greater than theirs. We can either sit and cry as to the failures of the system – or roll up our sleeves, plan and execute strategies that will bridge the gap. The latter course is a sure guarantee of success. The former isnt.
What we can do is step in, fill the perceived gaps in chosen institutes that have the potential of meeting our needs, and work with these institutes round-the-year, through monthly seminars with students, one-on-one counselling sessions,and other such activities. This will cost next to nothing, and give us a strong understanding of the prospective candidates to boot. In the pressure for immediate results, we forget to nurture new talent; we set the bar too high due to our internal deliverables which are demanding, so say the least. The need of the hour is a long-term approach. To be specific, choose and target specific colleges in smaller towns and cities – Indore, Bhopal, Varanasi, Surat, Nasik, Akola, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Bhuj, Agra etc. Work with these places – you will get talent, and at a lower cost. Win-win situation
This will also go a long way in reducing employee turnover, reduce stress, build engagement. Survey after survey is showing rise of dissatisfaction, unbearable stress, physical diseases, mental diseases in Corporate India.
In my experience, students do respond to counselling, and proper guidance. Problem is, they dont have anyone to approach for help and guidance. We can play that role. The pay-off? Talent. Assured talent, and tie-ups with institutes that will last years, as also fulfilling your CSR mandates in a sure way.