365 Days @ Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon.

It took me forever on how to write this post. Should I start off like any other “typical” post about “The MBA/PGPM Life” or is there another way? In fact, that is what I learnt first here at Great Lakes. There is another way. All you need to do is stop “running” and enjoy the view because the picture you’ve wanted to paint all along is turning out to be better than expected.

I wish I could write this post on what to expect from joining the PGPM program at Great Lakes, Gurgaon but the truth is the unexpected that is only certainty, and trust me, that is a Great thing! I cannot do anything by agree with you when there were obvious apprehensions prior to the dawn of the program, leaving the professional world as we know it in hope of embarking on much challenging journeys in life through unchartered waters. Yes, I know that feeling because I was reading up on schools like you are right now. That feeling will soon put to bed once you realize that the friends you make here are going last a lifetime. Even more so because they made it in here just like you did and nobody can ever say that you have nothing in common.

The “Ice-breaker” trip we had to Rishikesh bought the mentality of all of us “being in this together” definitely made us work that way from that day on. Win or lose, we’d do it together (Especially the white water rafting). Either way we would end up indulging in multiple rounds of “bunta juices: A delicacy of the location” brought us only closer as a batch and nothing else.

Titans - Deepti Balakrishnan and me

I’m writing this post at the very end of my program here at Great Lakes. Well, almost. And looking back I really can’t understand where the time has gone. Yes, there have been a ton (quite literally) of trainings, classes, exams, late night study sessions, projects, more projects, and the always entertaining group assignments. Watch out! This is when the person you would’ve killed a thousand times over in your mind becomes a friend and you realize that you were judgmental. To anyone in any B-school past / present saying otherwise, trust me they’re trying really hard to be cool. To all the B-school grads that’re reading this, am I right? Or am I right?

Great Lakes, Gurgaon is known for two things in particular. First, we are the front runners in having in our curriculum two of the fastest growing industries in India, Energy and Big Data & Analytics. Much to my surprise, Big Data & Analytics isn’t just a mammoth sized file with a gazillion numbers but indeed is a thinking business. “Lateral thinking” methodologies are put to the test and whether we like it or not, all Great Lakers are Analytics minors at Gurgaon. And second, extraordinary faculty- Great Lakes has spared no cost in reeling in the best of teachers who not only cater to other premier schools in India but abroad as well. Having a global perspective of learning has only strengthened the meaning of our motto “Global mindset. Indian roots”.

While I could give a run-down of the academic portion, projects and lecturers of the program it’s also important to describe another critical aspect of the program and that is the out of class experiences that are critical to our development as business leaders in a culturally diverse world. Great Lakes, Gurgaon has a lot (And I mean “A LOT”) of Industrial speakers who take the time out from their busy schedules and meet with the student. “Wait a minute! Why?” you might probably wonder but I believe them to be the links between what we do in class and what the world out there really runs on. While our “live-projects” and Empirical research projects also gives us such insights, the sheer quantum of knowledge that is shared in these sessions can be compared to none. Uncle Bala calls it “Experiential Learning and insights”. We couldn’t agree more.

L-R : Yogesh and Srinivas @ Great Lakes, Chennai Campus

I was among the lucky three to visit the Chennai campus for three days. Although both campuses are identical in academics and most events are replicated across locations, the student life is completely different. To put it in a nutshell: “In Chennai, I know more people. In Gurgaon, I know more people”.

Let me shed some light on the activities. While some enjoy swimming or working out when we find the time to, there are some who diligently play every day. Yes, every day. You learn how to manage your time better. I would be lying if I told you I was them though but hey! I like to eat the sheek kebab rolls sold next door. That’s some exercise too. Haha!

“Be an opportunist” Uncle Bala’s words were taken a little too seriously. Be it indulge in going that extra mile to make things happen in college or quite literally “the extra mile” might just end up in Jaipur for a weekend at a classmates house. Either way, the fact that we’re a culturally diverse group and know very little about other cultures than our own, we’d have a blast. Yes, I am from Bangalore and the “sarso ka saag” is better than it sounds.

“The best year of your life” has long been associated with GLIM’s PGPM program. Having experienced it myself, calling it “the best year of my life” is merely an understatement for the lack of a better word. Never have I been exposed to such miscellany, where differences are celebrated and they blend perfectly to form a different kind of culture beyond religion, and other social nuances. A culture filled with humility, respect, and at the same time, courage and tenacity to take on the world.

It has been an honor and I hope my this post has been helpful. From the corner table of the classroom, Yogesh Babu, signing out.

Dr. Manmohan Singh. As we know him

Dr. Manmohan Singh, is one of the most brilliant leaders in the world and is well regarded for his academic work and for his quiet,down-to-earth personality….both traits which are quite rare among politicians. He has been Prime Minister since 2004, having just started his 2nd five-year term in this position in 2009, but he was a busy boy long before that.  An economist by training, Singh previously held many influential posts in India, including: the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (1982-85), the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission of India (1985-87) and most importantly the Finance Minister of India (1991-96).  His stint as Finance Minister should be further explained:

For most of its modern history since independence in 1947, India has followed a government-heavy-handed approach to regulating and controlling the economy…you know, its called socialism. Now, it was never full-on communism like the Chinese model, but the Indian state did produce a massive, bloated bureaucracy in order to outright control some sectors of the economy, protect other sectors from competition, and in general regulate the hell out of everything else. All this was done to redistribute some of the resources of the state via services like education, infrastructure, and employment in general. After decades of stagnation and inefficiency, in 1991 India put into play a crucial reform package which restructured the entire government/economy relationship…resulting in tons of privatization, slashing of bureaucratic red tape, and promotion of entrepreneurship. All this set India on a path for sustained economic growth and true integration into the global economy, for the first time ever!

In other words, India started the conversion from a heavy socialist state to one based more on capitalist principles of free trade and less governmental control. This move resulted in decreased regulation and inefficiencies, an increased tax base, increased job creation, and increased foreign investments. Wow! Who was the genius that thought all that up? The main brain behind this plan in the early 1990’s was our main man Dr. Manmohan Singh…hey, wait a minute! I know that dude! He is currently the Prime Minister, isn’t he?  You know this!

And Prime Minister Singh continued these same successful economic reforms in first term, largely focusing on reducing government fiscal deficit, providing debt relief to poor farmers and advancing pro-industry economic and tax policies. The result: he has presided over a period where the Indian economy has swelled by an average annual 8?9% economic growth rate for a decade. That is huge! Singh has been a big force behind the country’s successful economic conversion, and people in India know this…and now so do you! With economic power comes global attention and importance, which India is continuing to gain year after year….

But Singh is a playa’ outside India too. As leader of India, Singh oversees the absolute largest multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religious full-fledged democracy on earth! A model for the entire planet! And India is the 2nd most populous country on the planet with 1.3 billion citizens (and it is soon to take the pop top slot from China), so being in charge of 20% of humanity is kind of an important position in its own right. India also is a large contributor of troops to the United Nations, and increasingly has a voice in how those troops are used. In fact, look for Dr. Singh to push very hard for India to be given a position on the UN Permanent Security Council…a spot that I am predicting he will actually soon get.

Add to that the fact that India is a declared nuclear power, has an advanced space program, has the largest and most advanced military in the region, and is even acquiring an aircraft carrier! These guys got game! You should always know who is in charge of India, and for now that is Singh! His disposition is for peaceful resolution of regional and global problems (much like Gandhi), so he is a hugely stabilizing force in a otherwise chaotic area (i.e. problems in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Burma, etc). Singh has also committed his country in joining the US-led global War on Terror. Yep. That’s right. Singh and Uncle Sam on the same team.

You Americans should really get to know this guy better too…because he is increasingly one of your best-est buddies on the planet! Say what? You heard me. Under Singh, the US/India relationship has been blossoming like never before! It really started when former US President Bush helped broker a deal with Singh which will be providing fuel and technology to India in order to help build their nuclear energy industry. With the opening of the Indian economy, we are now seeing all kinds of business, technological, political, and even military ties quickly forming between these two giants.

More importantly, this starts the solidification of a new era of US/India foreign policy, which serves to pull Prime Minister Singh and all of India distinctly into the ‘Team West’ camp on a variety of global issues. Namely, India is now firmly on-board the ‘Team West’ train in being a democracy, being a capitalist economy, being a big advocate of human rights and individual liberties, being a member of the ‘War on Terrorism’.

And India will certainly benefit by this new stronger alliance as well. Look for current President Obama and all others after him, to increase visitation, aid, and military intelligence with Singh.  But Singh ain’t no lap-dog: India will be maintaining its independent leadership role in the region, and the world. That’s why its important to watch this guy and see what he is up to all the time. His opinion, his voice, and his country all increasingly affect how events are unfolding in today’s world.

Cheers!
Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)

Crack the GD @ Great Lakes Institute of Management

While I can give you a run down of all the topics for a group discussion, in all probability, none of them might be asked.

So this is what I am going to do. Following are the tips that I think you need to crack the group discussion @ Great Lakes Institute of Management.

First, take a note pad. It is very likely that you will try and remember all the points from everyone in the room but guess what! you're wrong about your memory. You have been given a set time slot so that you "break under pressure". Having a notepad helps. Write down all the points and always refer to the person who mentioned the point in the first place. I know you are a nice guy. This allows the coordinator know as well.

Second, listen to the topic VERY carefully. If you need any clarifications about the topic, ask for it at the very beginning. Think about it. How would it be if I ask you your name after speaking to you for 20 minutes. Exactly!

Its not even funny to know how many times someone clarifies the topic in the middle of the GD. Yes, the topics can be unclear at times and may lead you away from what is asked. Do not fall for it.

Third, answer what is asked. Nobody wants to know about your fairy tale life. Get to what needs to be answered ASAP. "Uhhh!! I think..." is a BIG NO for a start to your opinion.

Start by writing (on your notepad) what the topic is asking you in your own words.Once you've done that, you are going to sail smoothly from then on. Coordinators always give brownie points to the person who has the ability to simplify the problem.

Fourth, recall why you are there in the first place. You want an PGPM/ PGDM. Look at the problem from a macro level. Don't cling on to trivial points.

Also, adapt if you are proven wrong. Learn to look at it from a different perspective. It always helps. If you have made an absurd judgement, correct it. It shows integrity. Do not love your opinions, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot.

L-R - Rithvik, Yogesh and Ranjith

Fifth, you do not have to dive-in to start. For some of them, it comes naturally, let them do it. There is a fine line between being pro-active and looking like an "enthu-cutlet" (Bangalore lingo for a hyper active person a.k.a idiot).

Unless absolutely necessary, I would not dive in because I tried it once and I realised that all the people who give you gyan that it is awesome to start, they do not know you like you know yourself. If that isn't your forte, you dont want to test it on a day you'd be judged for it. FACT!

Sixth, do not Bullshit. Speak facts and figures only if you know it. Yes, you need to know current affairs that you may have to relate for two reasons. One, you are eager to know whats happening around. And two, you are disciplined (There is thesis to prove this point but truthfully, I know you don't care. haha)

Seventh, do not interrupt someone when they're making their point. It is easily one of the worst things you can do in a GD. Although having said that to a billion people, nobody seems to bother. So I'd suggest you intervene and say "Please, lets hear his/her point out... blah blah.." IT WORKS LIKE A CHARM.

Eight, always summarize. PERIOD.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Cheers!
-Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)

Tips to crack an interview @ Great Lakes Institute of Management

I've been getting a lot of calls for this topic. So here goes.

Tips that I think you need to crack the interview @ Great Lakes Institute of Management.

First, be yourself. Interviewers have the experience to see right through you. Don't try to be someone you are not. If you are from a remote region of the country and you did your under-graduation in the UK, you cannot say "I have been raised in the UK". That is just stupid.

The reason I put this as Point #1 is because it is that important. You must have come across the phrase, "a person takes less than 10 seconds to judge you." Its famous for a reason. You do not want to mess it up with your accent training sessions from the office you have worked with earlier.

Second, don't beat around the bush. Interviewers HATE and I mean HATE it people beat around the bush to answer a question. If you are unsure about the answer, say that you are unsure about what you are going to say. If do not know the answer, just say that you do not know the answer and move on. (It worked for me).

On speaking with the professor who interviewed me. He said that he appreciated the fact that I was honest so he gave me a few brownie points for it. However, do not say it more than once. You better be prepared with data. And by data I mean HARD FACTS.

Third, aim for the moon but don't come across like you're arrogant. You are a dreamer, a leader and you will make it in life. You know it and that is a fantastic thing. However, do not come across like you have a billion options which undermines the purpose of your PGPM. Humility is key. Heavy headed people come across and arrogant not assertive. So be mindful when you speak.

Remember, you are not on the other side of the table. If you were, would you take a student like you? Answer that over and over to yourself. And when you reach a "yes" after consulting with your peers, you're ready.

Fourth, be prepared. Always come across as you want it. People who do not prepare enough about the course or college or alumni or anything related to Great Lakes come across as uninterested. You do not want that.

How is this course going to make you who you want to be? Make sure you record your answer to know where you stand. You will be shocked, trust me.

I'm the fifth one from the left

Fifth, know what you want. Not only do you need to know what you want as your short term and long term goals but also know what specialization you want and why? A clear thought process is what I think is necessary. If the interviewer prompts you for other options, tell that you are open to considering other options after getting more details about them and whether it helps you achieve your eventual goal (Atleast speak like you know it)

Sixth, learn to answer the most important question. "Why... ?". You will not believe the number of people who choke with this question. More often than not, interviewers will not ask you this directly, it will be implied. You need to "be in the conversation" to know when that happens. And when it does, be sure to "imply" that you got what they're asking while answering the question.

Its obvious that you need to know why. If you answer is going to stop at "Better job prospects / Return on investment" and their likes. Make sure you go to the nearest Shawarma roll joint and buy yourself seventeen rolls to "feed your sorrows" because those are the worst possible answers you come up with. (There are worse, I'm just trying to be dramatic)

Seventh, take some time off before you answer. I call it the DEAL MAKER. I do not speak for any other college when I say this but at Great Lakes, professors want thinkers. Not some nerd who has been getting straight A's right from school or got a 99 percentile in CAT or XAT. So pause, think, gather information from the interviewer to answer their question, only then answer. If you were the champ of Bournvita Quiz contest in school where you knew the answer before the complete question was told, good luck. This is for those who are normal.

The approach to the answer is as important as the answer itself. And sometimes, even more important than the answer. If you can come across as a thinker and an innovator with your answers, you by default are malleable, which is what Great Lakes looks for in students as they want to learn newer ways.

Eighth, don't get too worked up. Its not worth it. Why? because if you are worked up, all you are going to do apart from perspiring like you were in the "sauna" with a suit is stammer, choke and most importantly, come across as anything but confident.

Take a deep breath. Have a sip of water when you get stuck. And tell your brain that you can do this. You shall pass. (Drama is back)

And Finally, never prepare on the day before the interview (Works for me). Last minute preparation is a BIG NO. While it works for some, it doesn't for many. I always stop my preparation atleast a day before the interview because I want to get my rest or cool off before I face the music.

What do I do? I usually catch a movie or go out for dinner the night before. I would suggest you not to drink because it's very unlikely that you will stop when you need to and end up having a hangover in the interview room. Not sure if you want to look wasted. Save the party for the day of the interview where your emotions about the interview would be the actual truth. haha.

Hope this helps. All the best!

Cheers!
-Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)

Satya Nadell's first letter to the employees of Microsoft as CEO.

Today is a very humbling day for me. It reminds me of my very first day at Microsoft, 22 years ago. Like you, I had a choice about where to come to work. I came here because I believed Microsoft was the best company in the world. I saw then how clearly we empower people to do magical things with our creations and ultimately make the world a better place. I knew there was no better company to join if I wanted to make a difference. This is the very same inspiration that continues to drive me today.

It is an incredible honor for me to lead and serve this great company of ours. Steve and Bill have taken it from an idea to one of the greatest and most universally admired companies in the world. I've been fortunate to work closely with both Bill and Steve in my different roles at Microsoft, and as I step in as CEO, I've asked Bill to devote additional time to the company, focused on technology and products. I'm also looking forward to working with John Thompson as our new Chairman of the Board.

While we have seen great success, we are hungry to do more. Our industry does not respect tradition - it only respects innovation. This is a critical time for the industry and for Microsoft. Make no mistake, we are headed for greater places - as technology evolves and we evolve with and ahead of it. Our job is to ensure that Microsoft thrives in a mobile and cloud-first world.

As we start a new phase of our journey together, I wanted to share some background on myself and what inspires and motivates me.

Who am I?

I am 46. I've been married for 22 years and we have 3 kids. And like anyone else, a lot of what I do and how I think has been shaped by my family and my overall life experiences. Many who know me say I am also defined by my curiosity and thirst for learning. I buy more books than I can finish. I sign up for more online courses than I can complete. I fundamentally believe that if you are not learning new things, you stop doing great and useful things. So family, curiosity and hunger for knowledge all define me.

Why am I here?

I am here for the same reason I think most people join Microsoft - to change the world through technology that empowers people to do amazing things. I know it can sound hyperbolic - and yet it's true. We have done it, we're doing it today, and we are the team that will do it again.

I believe over the next decade computing will become even more ubiquitous and intelligence will become ambient. The coevolution of software and new hardware form factors will intermediate and digitize - many of the things we do and experience in business, life and our world. This will be made possible by an ever-growing network of connected devices, incredible computing capacity from the cloud, insights from big data, and intelligence from machine learning.

This is a software-powered world.

It will better connect us to our friends and families and help us see, express, and share our world in ways never before possible. It will enable businesses to engage customers in more meaningful ways.

I am here because we have unparalleled capability to make an impact.

Why are we here?

In our early history, our mission was about the PC on every desk and home, a goal we have mostly achieved in the developed world. Today we're focused on a broader range of devices. While the deal is not yet complete, we will welcome to our family Nokia devices and services and the new mobile capabilities they bring us.

As we look forward, we must zero in on what Microsoft can uniquely contribute to the world. The opportunity ahead will require us to reimagine a lot of what we have done in the past for a mobile and cloud-first world, and do new things.

We are the only ones who can harness the power of software and deliver it through devices and services that truly empower every individual and every organization. We are the only company with history and continued focus in building platforms and ecosystems that create broad opportunity.

Qi Lu captured it well in a recent meeting when he said that Microsoft uniquely empowers people to "do more." This doesn't mean that we need to do more things, but that the work we do empowers the world to do more of what they care about - get stuff done, have fun, communicate and accomplish great things. This is the core of who we are, and driving this core value in all that we do - be it the cloud or device experiences - is why we are here.

What do we do next?

To paraphrase a quote from Oscar Wilde - we need to believe in the impossible and remove the improbable.

This starts with clarity of purpose and sense of mission that will lead us to imagine the impossible and deliver it. We need to prioritize innovation that is centered on our core value of empowering users and organizations to "do more." We have picked a set of high-value activities as part of our One Microsoft strategy. And with every service and device launch going forward we need to bring more innovation to bear around these scenarios.

Next, every one of us needs to do our best work, lead and help drive cultural change. We sometimes underestimate what we each can do to make things happen and overestimate what others need to do to move us forward. We must change this.

Finally, I truly believe that each of us must find meaning in our work. The best work happens when you know that it's not just work, but something that will improve other people's lives. This is the opportunity that drives each of us at this company.

Many companies aspire to change the world. But very few have all the elements required: talent, resources, and perseverance. Microsoft has proven that it has all three in abundance. And as the new CEO, I can't ask for a better foundation.

Let's build on this foundation together.

Satya

-Yogesh Babu
(www.fb.com/yogesh87)

The Ultimate Motivational Clip - Rise & Shine!

We all need motivation once in a while. Ofcourse, I dont expect you to see this before you crucify your breakfast but you know what I mean.

I love great motivational videos. Especially before I set up to do something really important.

I just found this on youtube and just HAD to share it,

Bottom line : Keep going. No matter how far, how tough or painful. You will be where you want to be only if you try hard enough.

-Yogesh Babu

(www.fb.com/yogesh87)