Mr. D Shivakumar, Group Executive President- Corporate Strategy & Business Development, Aditya Birla Group, imparted the students of SIBM B with insightful advice regarding how they can excel as Corporate Managers in the dynamic corporate world.
SIBM Bengaluru, 1st September 2018.
Interaction with Sir. D Shivakumar, Aditya Birla Group
1) What are the qualities that in your opinion are important for every MBA student
to build on before they enter the corporate world? Especially, in an environment
which is this competitive and dynamic in nature.
to build on before they enter the corporate world? Especially, in an environment
which is this competitive and dynamic in nature.
I would say that one should build a positive attitude. This can only come of you
are willing to be a team player and learn from mistakes. Learning from mistakes
and having resilience to fail is loosely called GRIT. The best leaders have
enormous GRIT.
are willing to be a team player and learn from mistakes. Learning from mistakes
and having resilience to fail is loosely called GRIT. The best leaders have
enormous GRIT.
You should be a good learner to stay relevant. Learning not from a theoretical or
having bookish knowledge but being more practical in the application of
knowledge to the real problems that businesses and society face.
Learn to work in teams at the institute and carry this forward to the workplace.
Great achievements are rarely individual led and hence investing in the nuances
of team work will be a big help.
having bookish knowledge but being more practical in the application of
knowledge to the real problems that businesses and society face.
Learn to work in teams at the institute and carry this forward to the workplace.
Great achievements are rarely individual led and hence investing in the nuances
of team work will be a big help.
2) Owing to your experiences in various industries like Consumer Durables, FMCG
and on what do you think is that one constant business quality that is inherent to
all these varied industries?
and on what do you think is that one constant business quality that is inherent to
all these varied industries?
Change is constant in any industry or sector that you choose to work in.
Embracing change will be important, not just to know that it is happening but also
to shape a coherent winning strategy to deal with change. This requires one to
display both formal and informal leadership. Formal in the way authority or a title
is vested in you and informal in the depth of competency and the warmth you
bring in addressing it with your teams.
Embracing change will be important, not just to know that it is happening but also
to shape a coherent winning strategy to deal with change. This requires one to
display both formal and informal leadership. Formal in the way authority or a title
is vested in you and informal in the depth of competency and the warmth you
bring in addressing it with your teams.
3) What would be your advice for the budding future managers at Symbiosis
Institute of Business management, Bengaluru?
As you start your careers, do not be :
A – Arrogant
B- Bored and
C- Cynical.
Instead be
D – Disciplined
E – Energetic and
F - Focussed