SPSS Workshop at Chennai

IMT is doing a workshop at Chennai for faculty and research scholars, of which I will be a part. On April 6th, 7th and 8th. That is, later this week. This is a skill I picked up while I was getting a Ph.D. in the US of A at Clemson. It has served me well since, and I find its actual use (correct use, if I might add) remains rare in India even today. Mostly, it is because faculty trained in using it are not many. And therefore their research scholars face a handicap.

We have tried to contribute our mite by doing these workshops from the point of view of practitioners/Ph.D. scholars rather than mathematicians- we aren't mathematicians to begin with, anyway. But the user needs to know his needs and some really basic statistics to be able to use this statistical package for his analysis needs. So that is what we try to provide, a little background of what is needed, and some hands-on experience so that the user starts using it, and learns by himself after a while. Tried this at IIM Kozhikode and IFIM Bangalore too, and it was well-received.

Why Chennai? Well, why not? There is demand everywhere, so we'll go wherever the market is. Plan to collaborate with other B schools in future, wherever they might be.

What Makes a Good B School?

A slightly different take on this. One, being good. Second, proving you are good. First is equivalent to the "Product" . The second is more like "marketing" of the product. If you are good and no one is the wiser, it does not help the stakeholders. The list of must haves in a good B school, in my view are-

1. Good students. Without them, your glory would be short-lived. By extension, good alumni.

2. Faculty who do more than teach. Contributions, originality, creativity, willingness to contribute to brand-building in some form is a must these days. Anyone can read a text book, or google the 'content'..so a teacher is more like a mentor and a brand ambassador. He may have to do research, or executive training, or other activities, to make a mark. Maybe write a book.

3. Promoters' vision. All top schools of business have a strong vision to be among the best.

4. Intellectual Resources and Atmosphere fostering Innovation. Basic databases and software, simulation, games etc..in addition to Cases are a must. Encouragement of networking activities like international partnerships, conferencing are also a must.

5. Pushing students to excel at both curricular and other skill and conscience building activities. These can set a B School apart.

IFIM Faculty Workshop

We all (IFIM faculty) spent two very useful days on April 25 and 26 clarifying the role that we have to play as Business School faculty today. And found that this is a multi-dimensional role, that includes mentoring students & colleagues, building the institution's brand through executive training, research leading to publication , consulting, case writing and so on. 

The great faculty members of this world have distinguished themselves through either teaching standards, research or book writing. Think Marketing, and you think of Kotler. Services Marketing, Parasuraman, Brand management, Keller or Kapferer. Therefore, to be a recognised faculty member, you have to contribute in some way to the profession. 

Use of innovative teaching methods, including films, case studies, role plays, projects etc. could be great ways to break the monotony of a class. Live examples cited from current periodicals are also an excellent tool. Computer based analysis helps make students industry ready. These were some of the learnings. Also, a link between all these and appraisal systems would motivate the good faculty to stick around- retention issues re a headache across B schools. All in all, two days well spent.