Survival of the Aspiring Manager in today’s economy
By Vinod Thomas (IBMR, Bangalore, July 29,2009)
Good Morning to the Dean, Faculty & Staff at IBMR and Parents. Congratulations and a warm welcome to the aspiring managers and entrepreneurs on the Inaugural Function of the Class of 2009.
My thoughts today revolve on the Survival of the fittest, or should we say Survival of the aspiring manager, in today’s global economy.
"Life's not about waiting for the storms to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain." ~Vivian Greene.
The meltdown of the Global economy has affected us all. Thanks largely to the parents, the students of today are well insulated from the pressures.
But Industry expectations have gone up and there continues to be a gross mismatch between the needs of an Employer and an Employee. We all have become global in our thinking, but we want a lifestyle that is 9 to 5. Unfortunately, today there is no 9 to 5 job. Every employer wants every second of your time.
Strong Performers need not fear the bad economy. There is always reward for good work.
Take for example the IT industry in India. Over the last 25 years a lot of sweat and blood has gone into making what it is today. People toiled hard and made it a colossus. But today’s youth have to see beyond the glamour of the IT industry. We have to continue to be focussed, work hard, stretch and be persistent. We have to endure the pain that all successful entrepreneurs have undergone to build organizations. For that the sacrifices are huge and we can make an impact by focusing on the following areas - goals, character, time management, personal health, money, courage and responsibility.
I would leave you all with the following thoughts to action. They are all time tested
1. Strengthen your basics
2. Make learning your first priority. Be a Fast learner and be adept in Re-skilling & De-skilling yourself
3. Set Stretch Targets / Goals - Set high goals for yourself. If you set low goals you’ll finally meet them all and eventually get bored.
4. The power of Discipline is a must
5. Perseverance in all that you do
6. Flexibility in approach
7. Ability to stand on your own feet through sheer determination and grit.
8. Think Long term – all your solutions need to be long term focussed
9. Patience – Work your way up the career ladder
10. Stretch - Ability to work under pressure
11. Be responsible, deliver, and then demand
12. Just remember...people are like sticks of dynamite; the power's on the inside but nothing happens until the fuse gets lit.
As tomorrow’s leaders
- Can you embody the statesmanship and ethical entrepreneurship abilities of Ratan Tata?
- Can you create wealth for share holders like Mukesh Ambani?
- Can you think Big like Anil Ambani?
- Can you be engaged in the transformation of telecom into a lifestyle business like Sunil Mittal?
- Can you be the Bollywood outsider who made it to the top through sheer grit like Shah Rukh Khan?
If yes, then see you on the Top 5 Powerful People list, 10-20 years from now.
The difference between greatness and mediocrity is "To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done."
Wishing you all the very best and hoping that all our initiatives at IBMR will help you to be successful in your endeavours.
Continue to dream and act on them.
Thank you.
Vinod Thomas
Director, MapleCode Consulting Private Limited
