Managing Self

In psychology, self-management is a term used to describe the process of achieving personal autonomy. In management, it is the ability to manage your personal reactions to responsibilities and challenges in work and life. This involves managing your time and adapting to changing situations. It requires you to reflect on your experiences and their effect on your physical and mental state. Self-management entails the skills of contemplation, self awareness, planning, monitoring, time management, flexibility and self appraisal.

Introspection & self awareness
For a person with some experience, contemplating on your past actions and the results of certain acts will help you in your future relationships. But as a fresher, you need to be aware of one's motivations, needs and aspirations. Try and relate to how you respond to people and situations and how your actions are perceived by people. This point of reflection will help in identification of the need to improving your behaviour and bring in an element of positivism. Such introspection would also help bringing in a certain element of maturity helping in the creation of strategies for goal setting and achieving the same. Self-awareness is very important, because I feel that it forms the basis of your performance in any capacity.
Adaptability
In last month's article, the importance of being a fit in the culture of the organisation was highlighted. Yet again I would like to emphasise the importance of being flexible. Being adaptable and getting accustomed to new positions and situations help in honing your existing skills as well as acquiring new ones. The objective should be to work constructively with people from varied backgrounds, values and mindsets.
Preparation & Observation 
How can we be prepared? Preparation is basically planning. Once you join an organisation, get ready to face the challenges that situations may present. However, the best way to work is by developing a detailed and realistic strategy for accomplishing goals or for resolving problems. Get proactive and foresee problems or other constraints which may crop up, by regularly reviewing and adjusting plans to hold changes in the situation and priorities. The success of an approach lies in achieving the set goal, in a determined time frame and the earmarked resource and budgetary provision.
Time Management & Commitment
Managing time becomes critical, since it involves distributing time, which comes in limited proportions and cannot be controlled. Somebody has wisely said that time is the greatest leveller; everybody has the same number of hours available.

It’s important to identify the demands on your time and then setting priorities and scheduling it according to your set goals and responsibilities. It's equally important to include relaxation and your social life in your plans.

Your commitment is involuntarily always under the scanner. Integrity has been one of the foremost possessions of a person. Your reliability, honesty and commitment get reflected in your work.
Setting goals
Examine your interests, desires and commitments and identify a goal for your self. Goal setting should be well defined, realistic and set in a specific time-frame, where growth can be calculated and success judged unequivocally.
Groom yourself
We can all be trained to be more self-governing through the disciplines of management and leadership; concepts that can give us a great doctrine to live work by. Remember to have a set of values. People get associated with values and get known for them. Always voice your opinion. Inculcate a sense of courtesy. It pays to be polite. Most importantly, be thoughtful but don’t be a sufferer or a martyr.

SNAP Institues Selection Process

SIIB GD/PI selection Process of SIIB (2009-11)

   There were 5 stages of selection process:

1. Case study/GD (15 Minutes)
2. Group Task
3. Essay Writing (20 Minutes)
4. Interview-1 (Why MBA/IB?)
5. Interview-2  (No significant difference in the processes of the two interviews)

Sample Case Study/GD:

1. Times of India Lead India campaign- Is it the right way to search leaders.

2. Deepika n Priyanka r very good friends. Priyanka is proud of Deepika because she has given an excellent presentation on the topic “FAIR SKIN IS NOT NEEDED FOR SUCCESS”. Priyanka goes to Deepika's house to congratulate her. While entering Deepika's house she gets a sneak peek view of Deepika herself applying fairness cream. Priyanka gets emotionally distressed, is she right?

3. In the company "Hindustan Defense”, Mr X which was given two responsibilities of GM (Materials) and Sales/Marketing but he was not able to cope with the pressure. He was not able to achieve the targets and employees trust. Hence he was asked to leave. Company also discontinues the policy of giving two responsibilities, Group was supposed to discuss "what u would do if you were in place of X and in place of MD of the company?

4. Mr. Mohan Lal Thakur is working as the Deputy Director in the Telecommunication dept of the Govt. of India. He got married at the age of 35 and had children at 42. Age. He calculated that by the time he retires his youngest son would only be 16 yrs. He realized he'd need to work another 4 - 5 yrs to support his family after the retirement so, He decides to move to a private sector. He does a part time MBA and clears with an A+ grade. He gets a very good offer from a private telecommunication firm as DGM. He is told that if he joins the company within the next 30 days he can be part of a programme that trains DGMs and promotes them to a higher position. In the meantime a friend calls him to advice that the Government is about to revise the pay and if he resigns 3 - 4 months later he can leave with a higher pension and gratuity. Now Mr. Thakur is confused because if he doesn’t join the private company, the younger guys will be promoted over him. What should he do?

5. Deepika is working as Assistant Manger at an environment company. Browsing through the documents she finds out that the company does some of the waste disposal at local hospitals itself which can have harmful substances however, when she brings this to notice to her operations manager. The company tells her it isn’t harmful and it is a cost cutting measure. She is asked to mind her business, she knows a newspaper editor. what should she do ?
   
   
6. One girl has taken admission into a top college in the city.The girl belongs to a small town, she is finding it difficult to cope up with the city culture where all the girl drinks, smokes and has a boyfriend. So, what should she do: Change colleges or stay there?

Sample Group Tasks:

1. With help of tissue paper an Egyptian Mummy needed to be created by rolling it on one the current SIIB students.

2. Each person in the group was given a secret number which only he/she knew, then everybody was blindfolded and taken to different corners of the room . Group had to arrange themselves from 1 to 10 according to the secret numbers given to each person. During the process no verbal communication is allowed if one talks the entire group could be disqualified.

3. If you (Group of 10) are on the moon and you (Group of 10) are lost. You (Group of 10) are supposed to reach your ship, which is 100 miles away. You (Group of 10) have 13 things with, you have to eliminate three things and arrange rest 10 in the order of priority with justification.
   Matchboxes heater, rope, food, milk, Oxygen, pistols, magnetic compass, FM receiver, parachute silk, etc.

4. A plane carrying 10 people is on the way to a business meeting crashed in the middle of South Antarctica. The pilot and co pilot are dead. Day temperature is -25 degree and night temp -40 degree. The nearest town in 25 miles away. There are 12 items on the board. Group needed to pick 10 and order them based on the priority of their survival and also provide explanation for picking items.
   
   
5. Build an Airport using paper.
6. Build a Park using paper

Sample Essay Topics:

1. Success is a journey and not destination
2. The mumbai attacks broadcast by media was used just to boost their viewer ship."
3. Damage to environment is inevitable while raising the standard of living.

4. Small Cars Boon or bane
5. Micro-finance and its role in eradicating poverty

Do you think the media treats the celebrities’ in a unfair manner by invading into their private lives? Or is that a price that they have to pay for their celebrity status?

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM-C, Graduation Specific Question

Following questions were asked at IIM-C prior to 2004 

Engineering 

BE Civil

Question on fundamentals of de-watering were asked. What is PERT and CPM? In depth questions on Michael Jordon. Name few novels by Lapierre and Larry Collins. If the table present in the interview room was made of RCC, where would be tension and compression? What is the ratio of cement to concrete in a column? Why did you joined the postal course of IMS? How did you perform in the GD? Your opinion on the walls of IIFT. Why didn't you join armed forces (father an army officer)?

BE Mech.

Briefly introduce yourself. Why do you want to do management? Your views on the current political situation. What are the pros and cons of engineers doing MBA? What are your expectations from IIMC? Will engineers join MBA if there is no salary rights? What are the qualities of a world class manufacturer? Do you think students in public schools of Delhi are snobs? Can they (students) make good managers?

Commerce 

BCom

Differentiate between accounts and finance. What is your favorite subject? (Management accounting). Mention three questions on economics on which we could grill you. What measures would you adopt to enhance profits of your company? What are the tools of cost cutting? Solve a problem in differentiation.

BCom

What are your career goals? A Discussion on dictatorship. Integration of |x| + C with limits -1 to 1. What is a skew symmetric matrix? What is the probability of getting a head in 3 tosses of a coin?

Science 

BSc Physics

What are your favorite subjects? State the laws of thermodynamics? What is the application of super conductivity in the field of IT? What do you know about Haryana-Punjab dispute? Give practical examples of fission and fusion. What are your views on Pokhran? Questions on prominent Indian physicists. Why do you want to do MBA? How did you prepare for CAT?

BSc Botany

How will your study of Botany help you to achieve your career objectives? What were the major upsets at Oscar awards this year? Can you name the north eastern states. What are the major problems they are facing? Comment on SGPC and problems in Punjab. Questions on coordinate geometry, compound interest.

Economics 

BA Hons., Econ.

Why do you want to do MBA? What is the correlation between GDP growth and development of communications network.? What is a GDP deflator? Give a model for correlation. What will be effect of lowering of interest rates on GDP? What other factors would increase GDP? What are your favorite subjects? What is inflexion point and when does it appear on a graph? How can you measure inflexion point or locate it? Which institute would you prefer?

BA Hons., Econ.

What questions should we ask you? Do you think interview should only focus on academics? Questions on theater and NSD. Comment on the present state of education system. What is the relevance of economics? Ask from yourself three questions that would reveal your capability? Between matrices and calculus which area will you choose to answer questions? Is x! continuous? If so then why? What is 1.5!?

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM- C

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-C in 2004 

Why is there a fluctuation in your marks? What is your work profile? You are a graduate in electronics, then why shifting to IT? What is the difference in Windows and Linux? In depth questions on networking from an engineering final year student were asked. How will you apply Keynesian theory in today's international scenario? What is marginal efficiency of capital? Why do you look different in your photograph? Why do you want to do MBA? Why not join MICA for advertising rather that IIMB? Who is your role model? Why should we select you? What does your name mean? The panel asked for recent books read and asked questions on the books which mentioned. Why MBA and how does it help you in your career? How will you define integration and differentiation? What is the application of integration in present working environment? Questions on the project in the final year of engineering. How much percentile did you have and what is the process of calculation of percentile? What would be your rank (with respect to you percentile) assuming that total number of participants is 1.5 lakhs? What is the concept of overdriving in automobile engineering? What is the principal of air conditioner? What are your hobbies? What type of books do you like to read? How many calls do you have? Why is the difference between CAT'98 and CAT'03? How much do you know about finance? How do you operate a bank account? Why MBA now after having 5 years of solid work experience? Why didn't you contribute enough in the GD? What is "Nagma", apart from the South Indian actress? Difference between a "Nagma" and a "Ghazal"? Which is largest training company of India? Which company has been acquired by NIIT recently? What is the present literacy rate of India?

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM's

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-B in 2004 

What is your career vision? What was your project in Final year? Why do you want to do MBA now? Why don't first work and then do MBA? What are your hobbies? What type of books do you like to read? This was followed by further questions on the books mentioned. Questions on job profile & work experience were asked. How does MBA from IIM- B going to help you to achieve your goals? Where do you see yourself 5 years down the line? How good you are in Maths? How HRD ministry decision regarding IIMs fee cut going to effect students? What is your career vision and how do you plan to achieve it? Why was there a gap of one year in your academics? What are your special achievements so far? What would you like to achieve? A number of questions on social service were asked. Questions on BPO & Anti outsourcing. Comment on the performance of Infosys. What you don't like in yourself? Why should we select you? What is your favorite subject? What is operating system? Mention few operating systems? What will you choose, a job offer of Rs 10 Lakhs p.a. or IIM- B selection? What alternative do you have if you are not selected? What is central limiting theorem? What is sampling method? How do you decide the size of the sample?

Following questions were asked at IIM-B prior to 2004 

Engineering 

BE Electronics and Communication

Introduce yourself. What is your response to the fact that students do not attend classes in DCE? Did you attend? What do you know about IIM-B classes? What did you learn at your coaching classes? Why do you want to do MBA? Why not work as an engineer? Who is an entrepreneur? What is IT enabled industry? Give some examples. Which events have you organized? At which position you play in basketball? What is Karl Malone known as? Which program do you watch on TV? Questions on favourite subject (digital electronics). Did anyone outside tell you that we do not know anything about it? How does a cell phone work? What are the major companies providing the service? How is that signals of various operators do not clash? How does digital TV work? Do you want to know anything else about IIM-B?

BE Computer Science 

You had good marks in XII, then why did you go to DIT? Why shift from software to MBA? Why do you want to do MBA? What are products? In which direction is Indian industry heading? Name some companies and products manufactured by them. Who is a venture capitalist? As a venture capitalist, what would look for in a software company?

Commerce 

BCom Hons.

Questions on background. Questions on accounting concepts. Compare Banking with MBA as a career? What are the various forms of dances? Which one do you know? What is the most recent book that you have read? What have you learnt from it?

BCom Hons.

Questions of principles of accounting. What does dy/dx mean? What is point of influx? What are the emerging issues in finance? What is capital account convertibility?

Science 

BSc Physics

Question on Idol (Peter Drucker). Which books of Peter Drucker have you read? How has it helped you to understand management? How did you contribute to your physics society? State Heisenberg uncertainty principle. A discussion on "A brief history of time" by Stephen Hawkings. Questions on quantum theory, gravity and elementary particles. What is standard deviation? What if it is 0? What is the weight of a squash racquet? Do you watch movies? Speak for 2 minutes on Akshay Kumar.

BSc Botany

Should the interview be general or specific? How do you relate Botany, law, Management and Computer? Name five botanists who contributed to the society. Questions on Rabri govt. and IPKF were asked. What is LAN, WAN? Questions on botany were asked.

Economics

BA Econ.

What is marginal cost? Is replacement cost a marginal cost? Which one is a marginal cost, regular labour or contractual labour? Is salary is a marginal cost? If workers increase, what would happen? What is the characteristics of cost function? What are the characteristics of step function? What is break-even point? Who were the last two governors of RBI? What do you hill resorts of Tamilnadu? Which rivers merge at Sunderbans river basin? What is economies of scale?.

BA Econ. - MIB, DSE

You are a MD of a company which is selling pencils for last 15 years. It wants to sell pens now. What would you do? Three equations were given viz: Cost + Profit = Price; Price - Cost = Profit; Price - Profit = Cost; used by three different businessmen respectively. Can you comment on their psyche? What is a PSU? You are an MD of a rural bank, how would you decrease costs? Compare pre-1991 BOP situation with current scenario.

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM's

Following questions were asked at IIM-A prior to 2004 

Engineering 

B.Tech., Textile, IITD

Tell us about your childhood. What courses do you have in this semester? What Laplace transformation? Which other calls do you have? Questions on Sensex. Do you have a job? How long do you plan to work there? What are gabardines, Oxford wear, plain wear? What are G-7 countries? Can you name them. What is a Nuclear power? Can you name a few. Ringitt is the currency of which country? SE Asian crisis. Problems of Textile industry. Questions about Rajat Sood, my batchmate. Questions on Family. Where does US rank in population?

BE Elect and Commn., DCE

Any three questions we should ask you. A long discussion on Iridium. How do optical fibres work? What is the difference between data and voice transmission? What is GDP, fiscal deficit, excise duty, sales tax and octroi tax? Difference between mobile vs. land phones (PSTN). What should be done to improve the state of Internet in India? How will you increase penetration of computers in India?

Commerce 

BCom Hons.

What is regression and correlation? What is diamond-water thrift? What does my name and surname mean? What is the relation between P&L account, balance sheet? What are the sources and uses of funds? Names of some management gurus. What are deep interest bonds? What do you know about Sec 80, 88 of taxation? What is double/triple taxation bond?

BCom Hons.

Mention all the subjects of your graduation. What is the difference between diminishing and decreasing returns? Should doctors be governed by an ethical code of conduct? What developments have occurred in Kosovo during the past 24 hours? How will you prepare a fund flow statement?

Science 

BSc Hons., Physics

What were you doing for the last three hours? What are your impressions about the panel? What questions do you expect from us? You are from Asansol, they why are you studying in Delhi? State Boyle's law. Define Kepler's laws. What is the importance of Ellipse in Physics? What is the difference between an ellipse, hyperbola and parabola? What do you know about TRAI? What do you about Lahore-bus-trip of the PM?

BSc, St. Stephen's

Why a shift from science to management? What is the difference between preference and normal shares? Speak for a minute on ICICI. Which game requires most energy? What is the difference between a manager and an entrepreneur? Mention major features of Budget. Questions on cricket and badminton. What are five fastest sports?

Economics 

BA Hons., Econ.

What is your opinion of the case study? How did Career Launcher help you? Who did the reorganization of India? What were the criteria? What are your career goals? Have you prepared the answer? Is a girls' college better?

BA Econ. and IIFT

Why would you prefer IIMA from IIFT? Why is Bihar is so low on development inspite of being politically so aware? What do you know about Enron controversy? Is the division of districts into smaller parts desirable? What is your opinion Women Reservation Bill? What is indifference curve, plot it? Why is it convex? Example of a concave curve.

Previous Year PI Questions asked at IIM's

Following questions were asked for the interview of IIM-A in 2004  and 2005

Bcom, 2 years work experience, 

Describe your self. Questions on social service, hobbies (cricket), commercialization of cricket were asked. The recent that you have read. (Biography of Indira Gandhi) Mention three bold decision taken by Indira Gandhi in her political career. Question on favourite subject accounts were asked . What is the difference between an economist's and a CA's interpretation of Fixed cost and Variable cost. What are quick assets and liabilities? Draw and explain break even point What is the positive impact of corruption and need for privatization Two most important things that will concern you if you were railway minister. If Indian railway was suffering from 10000 crore deficit and you had to increase the fare which fare will you increase freight or passenger? Who was the grandfather of Ashoka? Mention 5 use of eraser. Why did you leave your first job? Are you satisfied with your career? Do you want to ask anything from us?

Candidate's background B. Tech - Electrical

What is distribution system? What is the principle behind an Induction motor? How will you differentiate between an AC and DC motor? What is power factor? What is the concept of Transformer? Final year of project and many cross questions related to it, where asked. How many functions have you organized during your engineering? How will you organize Hasya Kavi Sammelan? Differentiate between the style of Surendra Kumar and Shail Chaturvedi.

Candidate background B. Tech - Civil

Questions on structure design. How is the load in a cantilever distributed? How will design of a beam? How is stress distributed in a structure? Why do you want to do MBA? Questions on work experience.

Candidate background BBS 

What is sampling principle? How will you draw a distribution curve? Questions on standard deviation. How will you explain variance? Do you really need to go for MBA as you have already graduated in Business? Questions on work experience.

Candidate background B. Tech - Chemical

Which chemical is used in perfumes? Which chemical is used in shampoo products? Mention few applications of methane? Why do want to do MBA and in which stream? Which company do you wish to join after MBA? Questions on hobbies and extra curricular activities. How many calls do you have?

Candidate background BA - Economics

What does success means to you? How will you define failure? What were you asked at your interview at other IIM's? Questions were asked on the basis of forms.

Group Discussion: what and why?

GD is a discussion by a group of people which involves an exchange of thoughts and ideas. Group Discussions are largely used by institutes where there is a high level of competition. The number of participants in a group may vary from 8 to 15 people. In most cases a topic or a situation is given to the group and the members have to discuss it within a given period of time.

What the panel looks for:
All that one observes in a GD can be categorised into two broad areas: the Content and the Process.

The content is all about the 'matter' (or the 'what') spoken in the GD. Whereas, the process refers to the 'how', 'when' and 'why' of the GD. Both are equally important and need adequate attention at all stages. A high quality contribution with no regard to the 'process' is as suicidal as one which is high on packaging with little content.

Critical success factors in a GD

Cognitive skills or knowledge  The most important aspect of your contribution to a GD is the quality of content (QOC), which is reflected in the points you make, knowledge of the relevant subject, and the supportive examples you give. Comprehension of the core idea  It is essential to deliver high quality content. But to do that, you should speak on the topic and not deviate. The panel basically wants to see whether you have identified the crux of the problem and whether you are offering relevant solutions. Logical reasoning  It includes understanding the topic, generating quality arguments, analysis and a progressive approach to a justifiable conclusion. This is one of the necessary attributes to be seen in an influential participant. Such people convey an impression of being open minded and logic driven rather than opinionated. Behavioural and personality skills  This includes certain attributes like rapport-building, team membership, participation, patience, assertion and accommodation, amenability, leadership, etc. Communication skills  You should be able to articulate your thoughts properly and you should also be able to understand what others are trying to say. Clarity of thoughts  In whatever you say, follow a logical sequence/order rather then presenting the points in some bits and pieces. Body language and eye contact These are some tools which check your level of confidence and whether you can work together effectively in a group or not. So, be sure to maintain eye contact with everyone in the group.

Basics of Tackling Personal Interview

Tackling Personal Interview

In this article we focus on the 'in-room process' and understand the secret of walking out as a winner.

Pleasant Disposition
There is no better way of beginning the interview process than with a warm greeting to the panelists. A cheery greeting coupled with a sunny disposition is a very effective ice-breaker.

Leading the Interview
Typically, any interview starts with an open-ended question about you such as, "Tell me/us about yourself." The interviewer is keen to know a little about you. Also, this is the time he is going to pick up basic data about you and give a direction to the process. This is a golden opportunity that has to be grabbed by you. You need to identify which areas would you want to be questioned on and need to include these areas in your introduction. To do that, you must be clear about your strengths, weaknesses, career goals, the reasons for your interest in the organization or career and how you can make a difference.

Communication Skills
Most 'remarkably good' interviewees have always been keen listeners. A keen listener has a still mind with no 'turbulence' and is not unduly concerned about his/her performance. As a result of being an 'exceptional' listener, one is able to not just respond appropriately to the interviewer but also to pick up subtle signals that the panel sends through its own body language.

Articulation Skills
As a young manager you must appreciate the difference between what may be termed as 'up market and jargon-ful English' and sound articulation skills. Do not be unduly worried about not having a fancy vocabulary. You must be able to articulate the most complex concepts in the most lucid fashion.

Body Language
If there is dissonance between what you say and what your body says, a seasoned interviewer will be able to make you out. You will be thought of as a person that lacks conviction and confidence. One need not be concerned about one's body language as long as one is honest in whatever he says.

Eye Contact
Another important sub-component of the body language is the eye contact between two individuals. Do you look straight into the eyes of the interviewers? Or do you give furtive looks? What is your response if a panel member acts 'unfriendly'? Do you escape eye contact with him or confront him and convey confidence? As you know, a candidate who constantly avoids eye contact with the panel does so either he is being dishonest or lacks confidence.

Honesty, At Any Cost
One basic and unquestionable fallout of understanding the body language is the issue of honesty. You cannot orchestrate you body language as per what you are saying. But you can make a strong body language impact by being honest.

Reasoning Skills
Reasoning skills are always seen as very critical to the success of managerial jobs. And as a potential manager, your ability to make decisions based on strong reasoning skills are seen through a microscope in the interview. These could be tested through a variety of questions based on the data provided by you or your bio-data. Any stance taken on an issue without sound reasoning would make you appear opinionated or as one who does not think deep about issues.

Confidence Personified
An interviewer is perpetually looking for a silently confident person who has no airs about him. Assertiveness combined with politeness makes you a sure winner. But this is easier said than done. There aren't many challenges in our professional lives for which the above saying is not true.
All the best.