A New Perspective

My first class at NITIE, Mumbai was a very interesting experience. Quite different from what  my previous college and industry experience had been. A real fun filled first session by Dr. T. Prasad a.k.a Dr. Mandy who entered the class with a set of toys : Two soft balls with globe printed on them, two Plastic Butterflies, and a Wooden Lion that moved all by itself under gravity on a wooden track. While allowing us to play with those small toys, he showcased some of the basic principles of management through simple things that keep happening around us but using a different perspective. For instance, how a simple plastic bird designed in a slightly unconventional way so that it balances itself on its beak, could be marketed not just as a toy for children but rather as an interesting showpiece to elders by adding an intangible component of scientific art into it and how a business could be build around a simple idea.

I dedicate this blog to Dr. Mandy, who explained the significance of writing in replicable way that could be used to educate masses. After all, re-experience of real life incidents, not caught live on camera, can be done only by recreating it through the brilliance of imagination from words. And it made sense that even if each student wrote 10 blogs each about their subjects, there would be enough online content that one wouldn't need to join a college to learn any specific subject.

For a person like me, joining for a post graduate program after 2 or 3 years of experience from an IT company like Infosys, the cost of opportunity not only includes the college fees but also the income forgone that I could have earned while working. Hence, what is at stake could be around Rs 2500/- per day which is approximately 150% more than what I had been earning. But what I realized in my class was whether I could get back at least a fraction of it while "studying here". And then Prof Prasad made me realize that "studying here" is no more different than being capable of applying those concepts to earn my living here itself. Tasted the flavor of "Socho becho, becho seekho, seekho socho" methodology. Somehow the best way to learn is by doing what you want to learn and that was the extract of the motto.

A class not just focusing on management subjects but also an inspirational one that instills in one the desire to excel in what one does. One could define a circle as a round shape or as a locus of all points on a plane equidistant from a single point. One definition is vague whereas the other one is absolute and precise. Similarly management too, albeit being a gaseous subjects, requires a precise and correct understanding.

Looking forward for Dr. Mandi's next class.