phrases, today's managers have to keep learning continuously, not only from their jobs but also through formal pedagogy. This is where the role of executive management programmes steps in.

Several new institutes and organisations cater to the rising demand of training of executives, as opposed to predominantly fresh graduates that enroll into B-schools. And, the enrolment numbers at executive education programmes is only going higher by the day. Take for example NIIT Imperia, which was set up in the year 2006 to address the demand for executive training.

Now, has a presence in 8 cities; and it has aggressive plans to be present in 75 cities by 2010! Other than the big players like IIMs and ISB, many other organisations and institutes like HughesNet Global Education, Apeejay School of Management, IGNOU, Reliance Webworld, NIS Sparta, 24 x 7 Learning and U21 Global are growing rapidly too, and are offering various executive education programmes.

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Tags: india, executives, education, management, globalization

Categories: International | News

(Bangalore)--After showcasing their talents to the world all these years, companies in India could face a huge 'talent deficit' in the coming years, says a report by Deloitte, a global consultancy firm. As per the report, the reason for this scarcity is that the country is not producing enough people equipped with the right skills required for the globalized environment.

The report titled, 'New India Manager' states that new talent management model in companies will have to shift in outlook. The report suggests that paradigm of 'scarcity of jobs' should convert to 'scarcity of talent'. "Unless a fundamental shift occurs in the educational system, it will continue to produce degree holders who will lack skills to operate in a corporate environment," said Manish Agrawal, Vice President (Strategy and Innovation) at Deloitte.

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Tags: india, talent management, global workforce, skills gap, competency

Categories: International | News

It's not that there had been no innovation inside Tata Group, the 117-year-old Indian powerhouse responsible for that nation's first steel mill, power plant, and airline, among other achievements. But when India's long protected economy was opened in 1991, Chairman Ratan Tata decided that for his companies to survive and thrive in a global economy he had to make innovation a priority—and build it into the DNA of the Tata group so that every employee at every company might think and act like an innovator.

Today those 15 companies have produced such innovative products as the $2,000 Tata Nano car, and includes firms such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the Mumbai-based IT services and outsourcing power, which earned almost $6 billion in revenues in 2008.

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Tags: india, innovation, leadership, creativity, social media

Categories: International | News

(From The Economic Times) MUMBAI: The traditional image of finishing schools is of the Swiss Alps, where elegant young ladies from well-to-do families learn to walk, talk and make conversation before entering polite society.

Now India is looking to the model for the three million or so graduates it produces every year to refine the skills they need to succeed in business and give the country a sharper edge in the global marketplace.

The "finishing schools" in Mumbai, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Bangalore are to open later this year, as part of a two-million-dollar project by the Indian School of Integrated Learning (ISIL) and British training firm Speak First.

"The finishing school is taking graduates and anyone else of that academic level through a programme which will give them all the skills that a business could possibly want," Speak First's Amanda Vickers told AFP in Mumbai.

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Tags: training, business training, education, workforce, india

Categories: International | News

(From Business Standard) Can online, real-time engines ensure rapid but temporary manpower provisioning for today’s uncertain times?

Downsizing. Right-sizing. Up-sizing. Human capital planning swings between these three points, without ever finding a balance at any point of time. It is amongst the most challenging and demanding business problems of our times. In his book, Talent on Demand, Peter Cappelli, professor of management, Wharton School, argues for using the principles of supply chain management, suggesting that the fundamentals of just-in-time manufacturing can be applied to talent management.

In other words, talent management could boil down to a few basic questions: When do we need a particular talent or skill set? Where do we find it? For how long will we need it? Will the talent arrive just in time to manage the requirements? What is the right price for the talent?

It does sound like asking for the parts of a product, but that is exactly what it is: A solution to manpower provisioning meant for today’s uncertain times where managers find it impossible to forecast their business needs and their requirements for specific talent and skills.

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Tags: talent management, economic downturn, employee development, india, innovation, consulting

Categories: The Economy

The idea of the modern Indian office is a theme that fascinates us in our exploration of innovative design. The office in its current form—with automation equipment, modular furniture and carpet tiles, false ceilings and air conditioning—is a largely Western invention. Merely adding an element of “Indian-ness” to this prevailing view of the ideal work environment might seem contrived.

Tags: india, workplace, work environment

Categories: News

The country's leading companies came together recently to discuss the HR challenges thrown at them in the backdrop of the global meltdown at a seminar  'HR challenges -- coping with the economic downturn,' organised by Dun & Bradstreet, along with the Union Bank of India.

The seminar also shared measures undertaken to revive the confidence of employees. Preeta Misra, head, financial education solutions, Dun & Bradstreet -- India, said, "The economic downturn has opened up opportunities for companies in India, as with the decrease in the attrition rate of employees, companies can now have the crucial talent they need. They can identify and build leaders for tomorrow and set up efficient internal processes in place to build the future growth."

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Tags: india, talent management, employee development, recruitment, economic downturn

Categories: The Economy

From The Times of India: Lead researcher Eden King says that a study has revealed that people, who support diversity programs, have changing attitudes in times of economic strife. The study also suggests that those in hiring positions may be less likely to hire a minority job applicant in an economic downturn, she adds.

King points out that competition for fewer jobs and resources often increases tension among workers, and may especially affect minority groups. "The reality is, diversity programs and disadvantaged groups may be the first to go in times of economic uncertainty. This causes real problems for people of socially disadvantaged groups," she says

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Tags: economy, economic crisis, diversity in the workplace, india

Categories: The Economy