Business & Finance

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 09 nov 2014

Project managers play an important role in meeting important performance indicators in a project. According to PMI's talent report, approximately 9 million new project management roles are predicted to be required by 2020 in India. As project management is a continuously evolving field, thus to be an effective project manager requires both hard and soft skills that should be regularly updated and upgraded. Vara Prasad Rongala, Founder & Managing Director of Invensis Technologies, suggests following essential skills for project managers: Hard Skills - (1) Knowledge of latest technologies (Cloud, Big Data, Analytics, Mobile, Social, Business Intelligence) (2) Knowledge of agile methodology (Agile project management brings aspects like continuous improvement, team contribution, scope flexibility, delivery of quality products and maximization of customer value into focus) (3) Knowledge of program and portfolio management (These practice areas facilitate selection of projects that are aligned with strategy, deliver optimal return on investment and enable organizational growth) (4) Knowledge of new Project Portfolio Management tools (PPM tools facilitate financial and operational overseeing of projects, standardization, measurement, governance and process automation). Soft Skills - (1) Leadership skills (2) Solution-seeker (3) Astute decision-making (4) Communication skills (5) Good learner. Read on...

Business Insider: Essential Skills Of Project Managers In 2015
Author: Vara Prasad Rongala

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 28 oct 2014

Strategic roles in businesses are often considered to be of functions like sales, marketing and finance, while human resources (HR) is mostly thought to be lacking the strategic outlook. HR has generally been associated with implementing processes and managing employee relations. Research study published in Jan 2013 by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, a professional association for HR management professionals, showed that nearly 18% of business leaders are unaware of HR's contribution to business strategy. Moreover 18% say that senior HR professionals have no involvement in business strategy at all. But this is probably going to change as most companies consider their 'talent' as strategic advantage and recent discussions are revolving around HR's ability to influence business decisions. According to global study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2012, 70 per cent of CEOs want their HR directors to be a key player in strategic planning. Some of the strategic HR roles that can drive business direction include where to invest in resources and top-level talent issues, such as leadership development, and how to develop and manage the talent pipeline. Anubhav Srivastav of PeopleStrong HR Services, suggests in detail possible ways in which this can be achieved - Understand the business; Leverage the power of data; Technology and change management; Match strategy with action. Moreover HR can also outsource some of their traditional transactional activities like payroll, compliance, document management and query management, that will leave them with more time for strategic considerations. Read on...

The Hindu: Why HR needs a role in business strategy
Author: Anubhav Srivastav

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 27 oct 2014

The newly appointed Chief Economic Adviser to Government of India, Arvind Subramanian, in an interview to IMF (International Monetary Fund) said, 'The Indian economy needs a couple of big things, better governance, a stronger state delivering security of contract, protecting property rights, providing infrastructure. You need a bigger role for the private sector, means getting rid of the lots of regulations that stifled the private sector, that stifled employment creation, that stifled the ability of the private sector to grow, to become big. These are the kind of broad twin challenges that India faces.' He further mentions scarcity of coal and electricity as reasons for stalled private sector projects. He explains that growth has to be brought back to 7.5-8% consistently for about 10-25 years to address these various challenges including jobs for the expanding labor force. Read on...

The Financial Express: Arvind Subramanian: Bottlenecks must be cleared to woo private investment
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 sep 2014

The recent study by Pitchbook Data, based on the funding data between 2009 to July 2014, number of startups and analysis of educational backgrounds of over 13000 founders globally, observed that IIT's (Indian Institute of Technology) are among the top 10 of world's most entrepreneurial universities, with 264 entrepreneurs, who have founded 205 companies and cumulatively raised US$3.15 billion. On the basis of total capital raised, at the top is Stanford University (US$ 3.51 billion) and at the 2nd spot is taken by Harvard University (US$ 3.23 billion). According to Sangeet Paul Choudary of Platform Thinking Labs, 'Less than 2 percent of the applicants get selected, and less than 0.1 percent make it to a top rated branch like computer science or electrical engineering, which is where most of tech-related entrepreneurship and VC activity takes place.' The study by Kauffman Foundation found that 33.2% of all companies founded by immigrants in the US had an Indian co-founder. But a different point that should also be mentioned here is that IIT's are not able to make a higher global mark on the academic basis with most of them being ranked between 351-400, according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2013-14. Read on...

QUARTZ: Why India's best tech schools produce more entrepreneurs than the Ivy League
Author: Nelson Vinod Moses

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 21 sep 2014

Entrepreneurs need, in addition to never-give-up attitude, creativity, differentiating skill-sets etc, a sizeable amount of external resources at the right time to build their dreams into business realities and to grow them succesfully for their own and society's benefit. These resources can be valuable guidance and mentoring from experts, initial angel funding to accelerator and incubator support, and collaborations and partnerships with individuals and organizations. To pursue entrepreneurship in India, it is important to have awareness about organizations that facilitate and support entrepreneurial ideas and startups, so that one can explore and connect with them for the valuable assistance at the critical juncture of their existence. Some of these organizations are - Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE): One-stop-shop for funding, mentoring and enterprise connect; Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI): Provide world-class mentoring and guidance services; Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE): Focuses on development of micro, small and medium enterprises and, promotes and facilitates entrepreneurship, alongwith providing consultancy, advisory and training services; NASSCOM 10,000 Startups: The initiative of National Association of Software and Services Companies, is created with the aim to provide funding and enable entrepreneurs to start-up and grow their businesses. Read on...

Business Insider: Startup! Claim Your F.A.M.E. (Funding. Acceleration. Mentoring. Enterprise Connect)
Author: Richa Sharma

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 19 sep 2014

According to a report from the International Panel on Climate Change, climatic factors like heatwaves, drought, and unpredictable rainfall patterns are already adversely affecting the yields of staples like wheat and maize. Moreover World Bank's Dr. Jim Yong Kim predicts that food shortages could lead to 'food wars' within the next 5 to 10 years. But jackfruit, native to India and grown extensively in South & South-East Asia, may come to the rescue and provide a solution to the depleting food supply in future. Biotechnology researcher, Shyamala Reddy, from University of Agriculture Sciences in Banglore, India says, ' It can provide so many nutrients and calories - everything. If you just eat 10 or 12 bulbs of this fruit, you don't need food for another half a day. It is rich in potassium, calcium, and iron, making it more nutritious than current starchy staples.' According to Danielle Nierenberg of Food Tank, which works on sustainable agriculture, 'It is easy to grow. It survives pests and diseases and high temperatures. It is drought-resistant. It achieves what farmers need in food production when facing a lot of challenges under climate change.' While Nyree Zerega, a researcher of plant biology at Chicago Botanic Garden, points out that, 'The down-market reputation of jackfruit is unwarranted. In addition to its high nutritional value, the fruit is very versatile. The seeds, young fruit, and mature varieties are all edible.' Read on...

the guardian: Jackfruit heralded as 'miracle' food crop
Author: Suzanne Goldenberg

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 sep 2014

India has successfully placed itself as the leading hub of low-cost 'generic' pharmaceuticals in the world. But similar development and success is needed in case of medical technology (MedTech), one of the other main component of healthcare ecosystem alongwith pharmaceuticals and services. It includes variety of technology-based devices, diagnostics, equipment etc. Currently 2/3rd of India's MedTech market constitutes high-priced imports from other countries. Professor David Kelso of Northwestern University says, 'If people began designing devices specifically for resource-poor settings, they could come up with much better solutions.' India has to focus on becoming a hub of low-cost, innovative MedTech products and learn from the development and creation of innovative MedTech industries in Israel and Singapore. It can facilitate entrepreneurial and start-up ecosystem through public-academic-private partnership (PAPP). The MedTech market in India is substantial and can't be ignored with majority of low and mid-income consumers. MedTech spend in India is estimated to grow from US$ 6 billion (Rs 36000 crore) today to over US$ 40 billion (Rs 250000 crore) in 2025. Read on...

The Hindu: India can be more than a pharma hub
Author: Siraj Dhanani

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 30 aug 2014

International Monetary Fund (IMF), with inputs from readers, select global economists and journal editors, recently compiled a list of 25 'Generation Next' economists, below the age of 45, who are influencing and shaping the way one understands global economy. In this list there are four Indian-origin economists - (1) Raj Chetty of Harvard University (Research: Combines empirical evidence & economic theory to help design more effective government policies; Equality of opportunity); (2) Gita Gopinath of Harvard University (Research: International finance & macroeconomics with focus on issues related to international price setting, currency choice & exchange rate pass-through, business cycles & crisis); (3) Parag Pathak of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Research: Market & mechanism design; Labor economics; Education economics & reform); (4) Amit Seru of University of Chicago (Research: Financial intermediation & regulation; Resource allocation & internal organization of firms; Performance evaluation & incentives). Read on...

IBN Live: Four gen-next Indian-origin economists in IMF list of 25
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 24 aug 2014

In a recent Development Dimensions International (DDI) survey of 13124 leaders, 1528 global human resource executives and 2031 organisations from 48 countries and 32 major industries, representing multinationals and local corporations, it was found that many countries including India has not seen much improvement in leadership quality. According to Andrew Warren Smith, MD of DDI India, 'The insufficient talent pool of capable leaders means that tomorrow's leaders may be no more ready to address business challenges than today's and will not have the supply of future leaders they will need to fuel growth, innovation, and execution of business objectives.' Read on...

The Economic Times: India Inc has not seen any improvement in leadership quality - Survey
Author: NA

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 07 aug 2014

The emergence of four forces of Social, Mobility, Analytics and Cloud (SMAC) promises to bring extraordinary transformations in traditional manufacturing practices by focusing not only on quality products but also on managing the knowledge & communication networks that surround products. India has to leverage SMAC to enhance its manufacturing capabilities. In the Deloitte's Global Index of 38 countries, India is 4th most competitive manufacturing nation. SMAC will assist in driving innovation both from the core and the periphery of the business ecosystem. According to Ministry of MSME, Small & Medium Enterprises currently account for 45% of the manufacturing output and 40% of India's overall exports as on 2012-13. SMAC provides SME's better interaction and access to larger out-of-bound markets. SMAC helps in collaboration and building partnerships among the various players of the manufacturing and business ecosystem thus driving more efficient and economic processes. In India's quest for a global manufacturing powerhouse, SMAC can play an important role and provide the right impetus to take the lead in innovation, reach global markets and become more competitive visavis the western manufacturers. Read on...

DNA: How the Four Forces will Change the World's Manufacturing Ecosystem Forever
Author: Mehul Lanvers Shah

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