GD Topics for CAT 2012

Here’s a handy guide to help you out.

The Economy

•How the stock market works
•The foreign exchange rate, liquidity, basic economic theory
•Economic reforms in India
•How banking works; common banking terms
•Know how the stock market works – bonds, investment, etc.
•The global economic scenario
•Derivatives trading
•Scandals such as Enron, Worldcomm, Arthur Andersen and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
•The role of technology in business
•The pros and cons of globalization
•Emerging communication technologies
•Foreign exchange rates, convertibility, currencies and per capita incomes

Political events, opinions and situations

•India’s case for a permanent seat on the security council of UN
•The present situation in Middle Eastern countries such as Iraq, Palestine and Lebanon
•The India-US Nuclear deal – is it beneficial or not?
•The Sri Lankan Peace Process
•Basic structure of government systems
•Current politics of India
•Basic political theory and ideologies such as capitalism (Adam Smith), communism (Marx), socialism, democracy, egalitarianism, libertarianism, etc.
•Principles of political theories, pros and cons of each ideology, how the most important governments function
•Currencies and per capita incomes
•India’s 5-Year Plans
•The Indian space programme

Debatable topics – issues concerning:

•Advertising – fairness, company responsibility, unbiased information
•Technology – the replacement of human workers, management, the telecommunications sector, its role in the economy, problems with technology
•Social issues – education, taxation, social programs, income distribution
•Gender issues in society and in the workplace
•The emancipation of women
•Language issues in society and in the workplace
•The effects of globalization and trade on the world and in India
•Problems which plague developing nations
•The “brain drain”
•Immigration
•Issues within the education system
•The preservation of heritage, culture or customs
•Various rhetoric statements – are they true or not?

CFA or MBA: Which is right for you?

A lot of people are wondering whether they should seek a CFA in place of the more traditional MBA. In large part, the answer depends on your focus.

The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation has been enjoying a heightened profile and increased popularity in light of surging private equity activity. So far In 2007 – the program’s 44th year – 140,000 people from 156 countries have registered to sit for the three exams that determine, in part, whether one is permitted to tag those three letters at the end of their signature.

A lot of people are wondering whether they should seek a CFA in place of the more traditional MBA. Which will get them ahead? Which will make them more marketable? Which will attract a bigger compensation package?

Whether you should seek a CFA, an MBA, or both has everything to do you’re your professional goals, says Joshua Wimberley, a client partner in recruiter Korn/Ferry’s financial officers practice. Simply put, if your goals include anything but asset management, a CFA isn’t for you.

Read the complete article on : http://news.efinancialcareers.com/6302/cfa-or-mba-which-is-right-for-you/

Choosing between MBA or Chartered Accountancy

Came across this good article by Rashmi Bansal on MBA vs. CA on Rediff.com. Am copying the text:

During my last career chat on rediffcom, someone asked the following question: 
vic asked, what do u think of chartered accountant career in terms of rewards it carry? kindly suggest

this is what I answered: CA is a good and rewarding career although, like in medicine, building a practice from scratch takes time. Of course, there is the option of working for someone else -- CAs are in demand in the industry like never before.

KPOs, equity analysis and accounting firms employ a lot of CAs at very good salaries. But remember, it can be a very boring profession if you don't like working with numbers. So don't make a choice based only on the job potential!

Half-a-dozen readers sent in angry emails saying that Chartered Accountancy was a great profession -- and that I was projecting a wrong picture. That no profession can be termed as 'boring'.
Well, I'm afraid I can't be politically correct and will go out on a limb to say that CA -- despite being a respectable profession with great career prospects -- has lost out to the MBA. And, like it or not, this trend will only grow stronger.

The ABCD of CA

Ask most engineers why they did a BE and they'll tell you: "That's what all bright students who opt for science do... unless they want to do medicine."

The situation is something similar with CA. "That's what all bright commerce students do... unless they want to do MBA." Of course, the situation is a bit different. Even those doing the CA may eventually top it off with an MBA.
The difference between the CA and MBA is a bit like the difference between a five day test match and one day cricket. Acquiring a CA takes a lot of plodding and perseverance; at the end of the day, a result may prove inconclusive.
The MBA, like one day cricket, is quick, glamorous and performers get faster recognition as stars.
Okay, let's not stretch it. One day or five day -- in both cases, the players hold a bat and throw a ball. In case of CA and MBA, there is a difference. Both may join the same companies, but their job profiles would be completely distinct.
This is not to say that one job is 'superior' to the other. But the fact is that, starting as a CA, you can expect to climb up the ladder upto the CFO position. While an MBA's career path could -- in theory -- lead upto CEO. There are notable exceptions such as Deepak Parekh of HDFC [ Get Quote ], but, generally, this holds true.

Why MBAs are preferred

The reason is simple: being CEO is about vision and leadership. This would require you -- at times -- to take a leap of faith, even when the numbers are against you. For example, you diversify into a new area of business. This may mean investing a lot of money, literally burning cash in the initial phase. It may look very bad on the balance sheet for a while, but there is a gameplan and eventually it pays off.
MBAs are exposed to all aspects of the business -- their role is to take a bird's eye view of the organisation. On the other hand, CAs are trained to look at the eye of the fish. And they do a damn good job of it.
But should a CA decide to throw down his accounting and auditing arrow and don a different hat, it is not easy. The mobility into general management and consulting that comes with an MBA from a premier institute is missing for CAs. Even though the CA has battled equally hard; a rank holder in particular would be one among several thousand aspirants.
Overall, it appears that MBAs score when it comes to communication skills, presentation and customer orientation. The 'soft skills' so crucial for success in today's corporate world.
The bottomline is that certain jobs are purely in the CA domain: Statutory & Regulatory compliance, Consolidations, Taxation, International Accounting (GAAP), Internal Audit, Systems Audit, Transaction Advisory -- to name a few.
Other profiles are available to both CA s and MBAs: MIS, Budgeting forecasting, Business Planning, Equity Research, Treasury, Investment Banking, Mergers and Acquisitions, Portfolio management, Fund management, Sector Analysis.
However, these are diversified roles. Many employers prefer to hire MBAs from premier institutes for these roles, as it is felt they are more equipped to provide insight and analysis.
Does a CA + MBA combination provide an extra edge? Well, it never hurts to have a double degree but there's no sure fire formula to become a finance whizkid. An engineer + MBA or a B Com with a degree from a top 10 institute stands an equal chance!

So, how do you decide?

Reasons to do a CA include:

1. Dad owns a CA firm, it makes sense to join the business
2. Professional qualification chahiye. CA is a good one -- nothing stops you from doing an MBA later.
3. You genuinely like accounting. It's what you've always dreamt of doing in life.
As few 17 or 18 year olds know what they want in life, Reason 3 is rare. But Reasons 1 and 2 are perfectly valid.
If lucky, you may find that you enjoy the subjects and become an excellent CA. If not so lucky but smart, you may not like what you study but still become a competent CA. If neither smart nor lucky, you will probably remain a frustrated 'trying to clear my CA' student.
The perception is that the CA success story is 'all or nothing'. Either you clear the exam  -- rather, three different exams -- or you get left behind. Whereas, in the case of an MBA, while only a few make it to the top 10 institutes, there is always the hope of the next 10 and then the next 10.
However, things are changing on that front. In a recent interview, T N Manoharan, president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, stated the pass percentage has risen dramatically in recent years. 'Gone are the days when the pass rates were 2-3 percent. Now, if you consider both groups at the final level, these are at 15-20 percent. In a single group, it is often as high as 30 percent,' he said.
What's more, 83 percent of the 7,445 candidates who passed out in 2005 were absorbed by industries. Out of a total number of 1.3 lakh CA professionals, 10,000 are settled abroad. Of the rest, 55,000 were employed in industries, and the rest were practitioners. ICAI believes there is a requirement of 40,000 more CA professionals in the country.
In fact, it does appear that ICAI has woken up and taken the challenge posed by the 'lure of the MBA' seriously. A new syllabus will be launched this year, and the duration of the course condensed to four years.
That's still two years more than an MBA though!
ICAI is also undertaking marketing itself aggressively. For example, by screening films at schools 'to sensitise teachers, students and parents to the importance of the profession.'
Most importantly, ICAI has started offering 'campus placements.' Not only is this great for newly certified students, it's a good revenue earner for the institute. Like premier MBA institutes, ICAI charges recruiting companies -- Rs 1.2 lakhs is the going rate for  'Day 1' at the Mumbai [ Images ] and New Delhi [ Images ] centres.
Top recruiters during the February/ March interviews were Progeon (which offered 163 jobs), Gecis (160), Tata Sons (68) and Reliance Industries [ Get Quote ] (63). The average salary would be Rs 4 lakhs while the highest salary offered was Rs 12 lakh per annum.
But it didn't make headline news, unlike IIM salaries...
The basic problem
ICAI can shout itself hoarse over the great new career opportunities a CA degree brings -- and rightly so. But it is impossible to fight the MBA. At best, it can hope to attract some of the very bright students who become CAs first and MBAs later. 
The very nature of the profession -- exacting, detailed and dealing with numbers will put off many students. And there is nothing that anyone can do about it.
That is all I meant when I made my original statement -- that CA can be a boring profession. That does not imply that all those who become CAs are either bored -- or boring.
But just like you can't become a doctor if you faint at the sight of blood, you can't become a CA if you are unable to make sense of numbers. Realising this simple truth would save many young people a lot of wasted time and effort.

Recommended Books for CAT & MBA Entrance Exams (XAT, SNAP, FMS)

Quantitative Aptitude Recommended books for CAT/XAT/MBA Exams

While preparing for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT/XAT/MBA one can refer following books:
1.Start with Arun sharma (Simple and easy to understand...recommended for those who are starting their CAT preparation ).
Book Name:Quant Aptitude by Tata Magraw Hill , Author:Arun Sharma
2.If you feel your Quantitative Aptitude is pretty decent but you want to make it more stronger then you can follow :
Abhijit Guha's book:Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations Tips, Techniques, And Short-cut Methods by Guha Abhijit
Read online copy of :Quantitative Aptitude for the CAT by Nishit Sinha
3.Even the "Quantitative Aptitude for CAT from Pearson by Nishit Sinha" is a nice book.
4. To download Free books for Quantitative Aptitude Preparation, Click here
Data Interpretation Recommended books for CAT/MBA

For Data Interpretation any of the following books can be followed:

1.TMH How To Prepare For The Data Interpretation And Logical Reasoning For The CAT 3rd Edition by Arun Sharma
Read this book: How To Prepare For DI & Logical Reasoning by Arun Sharma
2.Nishit Sinha's DI LR book by Pearson
Read online copy of:Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning for CAT by Nishit Sinha
3.Quantitative Aptitude for MBA Entrance Exams by Guha Abhijit
4. R.S. Agarawal books on verbal reasoning.Verbal Ability Recommended books for CAT/MBA Entrance

1. Student's Companion By Wilfred D. Best
2. English PLUS I.C.S.E. For Class 10 by Xavier Pinto
3. Wren and Martin English Grammar
4. Word Power Made Easy by NORMAN LEWIS
5. VERBAL ABILITY BY ARUN SHARMA
6. English Proficiency IMS India
7. A Communicative Grammar of English By: Geoffrey Leech
8. Business English and Communication By: Clark
9. 30 Days to a More Powerful Vocabulary by Wilfred Funk and Norman Lewis.
10. To download Free books for Verbal Ability, Click here

Recommended Business Magazines for CAT/MBA Aspirants

1.Business Line by The Hindu Group
2.Business Today by India Today Group
3.BusinessWorld
4.Management Compass Career Launcher
5.Business & Management Chronicle by Chronicle Publications
6.Competition Success Review
  Recommended Newspapers for CAT/MBA Aspirants

The Hindu
Economics Time
The Statesman

Tips for MBA Group Discussion

About Group Discussion:

Group Discussion is a process where exchange of ideas and opinions are debated upon. This process is mostly used for selecting candidates for admission to management schools basically for MBA.

A typical GD comprises of a small group of candidates. Each group is then given a topic for discussion. The topic can be general or specific. Example: Kashmir Conflict  or just a phrase saying "Where there's a will there's a way".

Remember to take a stand during the discussion. It is not necessary that you conclude by a positive or a negative viewpoint, but to summarize the discussion well and being neutral gives you an edge over others. The candidates are given a time limit for discussing this topic. Each participant has to give his or her views about this topic. The panelists are there to judge the discussion. After the time limit is over, the best candidate from the group is selected. The same process is followed for other groups.



Tips on GROUP DISCUSSION 
To help you better we have compiled a list of points that you should keep in mind while you participate in a group discussion.

Group discussions are an important part of the selection process for admission into a B-School of your choice. You have passed the intelligence test, with GD, your oratory and communication skills along with your problem solving skills will be tested.

Let’s read about the points that you should keep in mind:

1)Adequate matter/ Subject matter is essential : You should have subject knowledge and be well aware of the latest happenings around you, not just in India but around the world as well. To be in a better position, make sure that you have in-depth knowledge on the subject. Subject knowledge is a pre-requisite while you are preparing for a group discussion because you will then have the power to steer the conversation to whichever direction you want to. If you can memorize some relevant data, it will be an added advantage.

2) Make Sure you Read Widely: Being an avid reader will help you in group discussions. Last minute preparations you are strictly a no no, while you are preparing for group discussions. You should read over a period of time. Reading not only adds to your knowledge database, but enhances your vocabulary skills as well. Plus reading over a period of time, helps in your understanding of a particular subject/ topic better.

3) Choose Magazines that are Rich in Content: Always opt for magazines that are content rich and not just full of advertisements. Often magazines have columns which are promoting a particular institute etc. Avoid such magazines, do some research and buy the best that will be beneficial for you in the long run.

4) Be Aware of Topics that are Repeated: Often, there are topics which re-appear with minute changes and minor variations. Be aware of such topics well in advance so that you have ample time to prepare for the same. For example the issues of terrorism, gender inequality, poverty, Ayodhya conflict, liberalization and privatization, reservations in educational institutions etc often appear as GD topics. Make sure you know these topics well and can come up with some unique, insightful points along with dates, stating facts.

5) Work on your Communication Skills: You should be well versed in your communication skills. You should have a good vocabulary and a decent command over English. Much before your actual group discussion, rehearse well. You can sit with a group of friends and choose a topic and indulge in a friendly banter. Not only will this increase your knowledge, you will be a better speaker by the time it is time for your GD.

6) Listen to the Topic Given During GD Carefully: Listen to the topic carefully and understand it... Be alert and vigilant. Sometimes, the topic may be really simple but the manner in which it is presented to you, can be baffling. The first thing that you should do after hearing the topic is by structuring it on the sheet that is given to you to make notes. Make a rough sketch of the points that you would like to speak aloud. You will be at an advantage if you open the discussion, but then beware of what you speak. Deviating from the main topic, or passing strong statements like ‘I agree/ or disagree …’ should be avoided. Your strategy should be to test the waters and make a generic statement relevant to the topic. If you can, back it up by relevant data.

7) Try and Maintain a Balance in your Tone: Besides what you are saying, remember that the panelists are observing your body language as well. If you do not agree with the other student’s point of view, do not raise your tone in objection. Listen to his point of view and instead of dismissing it upfront, try and draw a common ground. .

8) Listening Skills are Essential: Carefully listen to what others have to say. Just speaking throughout the discussion doesn’t make you smart, you should also give others a chance to speak. Try and listen to him/her, respect their view point too. If the speaker is making an eye-contact with you remember to acknowledge him by saying “yes, you agree” or just by nodding your head, so that the speaker is aware that his listeners are listening to him and paying full attention. This will also show that you are vigilant and are an active participant in the discussion.

9) Body Gestures are very Important: The panelists observe the way you sit and react in the course of the discussion. . Body gestures are very important, because your body language says a lot about you.In a GD, sit straight, avoid leaning back on to the chair or knocking the table with pen or your fingers. Also, do not get distracted easily. For example, if the door in room you are sitting in opens, do not look back to see who it is , this will show how distracted you are.

10) Be the first and also the Last to Speak: As mentioned earlier, initiating a GD is an advantage. Closing it too also adds brownie points. If you can grab the opportunity to close the discussion, then you should summarize it. If the group has not reached a conclusion try concluding it .


Imagine you are driving and you have the power to accelerate or brake according to the situation on the road and avoid any accidents. Try to be that conscientious driver in a GD. Take the initiative, know when to apply your brakes and when to seize the opportunity and accelerate the conversation to reach to a desired destination; conclusion in your case.

Source: www.htcampus.com

Choosing a part-time Executive MBA

In India, There is a lot of confusion about executive bschool programs offered by many universities each one no less than the other. This esteemed list includes IIM's(B,K,C) , NMIMS , SPJain, IIFT, etc. which are seen as bschool "brands". The list just starts from here. This is compounded by the fact that same university offers more than one program. As though this not enough these universities are institutions offering versatile program modes.

• Full -time - all through the time with university until you complete the degree
  
• Part time mode - either evening weekdays or full day weekend programs.
• Distance learning - Online tutorials, CD's , Books
  
• Third party - Group or Individual with a remote instructor - as in Hughes education

There is a problem of plenty here.

Then, How do we go about finding the one we need ?

The answer lies in what you want and how considering barriers such as time, geography, effort and any other personal or non-personal considerations. Once you complete these degrees, You'll get opportunities but you have to get through it.

Let me represent my suggestion based on the value the program tries to impart:
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Distance

Full -time is always the best. But a working individual may not sacrifice his job to get there. As such the market now a days is dull - so essentially it risky to venture out.

A striking optimization for a working individual is the part-time. Its prospective for vertical growth in the field. Presents the ability to switch jobs and in some cases develops enterpreneurs. But constraints apply. If you are exhausted in you considerations for a part-time then only go for Distance. Generally, Geography limitation forces one to pick distance.

 

Read the full article at : http://bschoollearner.blogspot.in/

IIFT Interview Questions

A definitive guide for all IIFT Interview Topics for IIFT Interviews 2012

1. Globalization & Glocalization
2. IMF
3. FDI in Retail
4. Foreign Exchange
5. Rupee / Dollar movements
6. GAAR
7. India's exports and imports
8. World export import data
9. WTO
10. Round Tripping & Tax Havens
11. Indian Exports and Industries

MBA Ranking 2012

Financial Times Global MBA Ranking 2012. Check this link for the Top MBA Rankings : http://rankings.ft.com/exportranking/global-mba-rankings-2012/pdf

6 Steps to Crack CAT 2012

Taken by over two lakh students in the country, the Common Admission Test (CAT) is undoubtedly, one of the most competitive exams in the country.
A prerequisite for entry into the prestigious Indian Institutes of Management, performance in the CAT is also crucial for admission to a host of other top b-schools in the country including Faculty of Management Studies, Delhi, Management Development Institute-Gurgaon, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, Indian Institutes of Technology and the like.
Since it is an entrance exam to MBA institutes, it tests the aptitude of the candidate in areas of Quantitative Ability, Logical and Analytical Ability, Data Interpretation and Verbal Ability. Interestingly, these are also some of the basic ingredients of a would-be manager.
The CAT tests the ability of the student to find out how s/he uses the twin resources of knowledge and time to ace the test, given the performance pressure.
CAT 2011 also introduced a few changes -- it had two sections instead of three. The first section was Quantitative Ability and Data Interpretation and the second section comprised questions on Verbal and Analytical Ability.
Each section consisted of 30 questions and with a time limit of 70 minutes. A student can take only one section in the prescribed time. Another disadvantage being that a student cannot switch between sections.
However, given infinite time and no pressure, any above average student can get a score good enough to get a 99 percentile. The fact that the exam is time-bound and there is infinite pressure to perform (a la world-cup final), only the best finally make to the grade!
While the exam is easy, the fact that more than 2 lakh aspirants write the exam compete for the coveted 4,000-odd seats, makes this exam the toughest around in the world!
Hence, to ensure that you come up trumps, you need a comprehensive strategy for preparation and for test-taking.

Read full article on : http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-6-steps-to-crack-the-cat-2012/20120712.htm

11 lessons from cricket to help you ace the CAT this year

When we talk of preparing for MBA entrance exams, we normally think of areas such as verbal ability, mathematics, reasoning, data interpretation, mock tests etc.
The only time, "unimportant" topics such as sports or cricket enter the discussion is when we think of general knowledge and current affairs for exams such as the IIFT (Indian Institute of Foreign Trade), SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test) and CMAT (Common Management Admission Test).
However, what most aspirants don't realise is that is there is a very strong co-relation between the way you prepare for an MBA entrance exam and the way you follow or play any sport.
Since cricket is a religion for most Indians, let us look at just 11 learnings taken from cricket and how they can be used while preparing for an MBA entrance exam.

Read the entire article on Rediff.com : http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-11-lessons-from-cricket-to-ace-cat-2012/20120918.htm

MBA diaries: 4 life lessons from the wild

What can one possibly learn from a trek to the hills and interacting with the country folk, you may ask. A bunch of young MBAs who did exactly that came back with interesting insights about life and management.

Summer internships are long over and it's back to classroom work inside closed walls.
But in some b-schools, internship discussions are still on.
And they would be, considering that some spent their internships among snow-clad mountains, others drank salty butter tea made with Yak milk, still others climbed glaciers daily to reach their place of work and some just matched steps with tigers near the Kanha Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
The students of Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal are full of such experiences. We list a few of them for you. Read on...

Read the complete story on Rediff.com http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-career-what-these-mbas-learnt-outside-the-classroom/20121003.htma

IIM-A moves up in The Economist MBA ranking

 

The Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) on Friday said it has been ranked 56th globally in The Economist full-time MBA programmes ranking 2012, moving up from the 78th position last year.

The Institute has made it to the 5th position in the Asia and Australasia 2012 regional rankings, moving up from 9th position last year.

IIM-A is the only Indian B-school to get ranked in the The Economist full-time MBA programmes since the last three years, according to a release.

Read the full article here: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/education/article3969002.ece

Top Careers for Finance MBAs

Finance -- the sector most battered by the global meltdown -- is making a comeback. News streaming in from top B-school campuses such as the IIMs talks of finance positions once again claiming their place in the sun. Financial heavyweights are flexing their muscles once again on Day Zero. Names currently doing the rounds are Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse, UBS, HSBC, RBS, Barclays, Bank of America -- Merrill Lynch, Nomura and many more.
Although a lot of us may want to take advantage of this, a lot of questions may also arise in our mind.
What are the roles these financial companies offer? What is the meaning of all the perplexing finance positions in these companies? What does one do exactly? What is the skill set required? How much does one get paid?
Finance as a career option is a very wide term. In a survey by an education portal, it was pointed out that over 75 per cent students took finance purely because they felt that it paid the most. That shows one thing: mostly students and job-seekers find who opt for this specialisation do not know what they are getting into.
This is an attempt to simplify some of the financial career options students should look at when contemplating a career in finance.
1. Private equity: The role of private equity is to raise funds from large investors and invest the money directly into businesses. The usual manner is to raise money from overseas investors and then find businesses in the growth stage. Most private equity funds 'exit' the investment after a period of time by selling their holding in the business to some other investors or doing an initial public offering of the shares of the business.
2.Investment Banking: Investment banking comprises two major businesses. One is the advisory/ corporate finance role which entails mergers and acquisitions. This would entail understanding valuations, finding targets, negotiation and compliance with legal regulations. The second role is what is more popularly called equity capital markets role. This entails helping corporates raise funds from investors or the public. So it may entail working on IPOs or Institutional Offerings.
3. Fund Management:
As a fund manager, one is an important decision-maker typically at a mutual fund. The fund manager has a good overall understanding of the macro factors which affect the markets as well as the micro factors about which company to invest in. He invests money in stock market, debt market, directly into companies, etc depending upon his fund mandate.
4. Equity Research & Sales: The role of equity research is to find out the correct value of the stock which is trading on the stock exchange doing various types of research namely fundamental and technical analysis. There are two types of ERs though. One is the sell-side research which belongs to a brokerage, the aim is to do research and sell investment ideas to investors so as to earn commission on trading by the investor. The second is buy-side research, which is a part of usually a buy side fund like a mutual fund. They analyse the research results of various brokerages in addition to their own research on investment ideas for the fund manager.
5. Project Finance & Debt Syndication: This role entails arranging for long-term finance for infrastructure and industrial projects which will take a long time to pay back. The first step is to understand the project, conduct a feasibility study, risk assessment and a detailed financial model. This is done with the purpose to rope in equity partners (known as sponsors) and lenders. Generally the lending part is done by multiple banks under leadership of the syndicate bank.
6. Financial Risk Management: Financial risk management is the practice of creating economic value in a firm by using financial instruments to manage exposure to risk, particularly credit risk and market risk. Similar to general risk management, financial risk management requires identifying its sources, measuring it, and plans to address them. Financial risk management can be qualitative and quantitative. As a specialisation of risk management, financial risk management focuses on when and how to hedge using financial instruments to manage costly exposures to risk. In the banking sector worldwide, the Basel Accords are generally adopted by internationally active banks for tracking, reporting and exposing operational, credit and market risks
7. Corporate Finance: This role entails the entire plethora of banking services required by corporates. Corporate can be divided into largely two sections Large Corporates and MSME which is Medium and Small enterprises. A corporate banker would thus have companies as his clients and service them. Within corporate banking some of the departments are:
•Credit Borrowing to companies for their expansion and working capital requirements. Would entail doing a credit evaluation on the company and sanctioning the loan
•Treasury Help companies manage various types of risks such as foreign exchange, interest rate fluctuations. Treasuries also take proprietary positions to make profit in the 'forex' and bond markets.
•Cash Management Solutions: As most companies have a large number of customers, distributors or branch offices across the country it becomes a huge challenge to deal in money. Banks offer cash management solutions to help streamline this entire operation for its corporate customers.
8. Wealth Management: Wealth management is an investment advisory discipline that incorporates financial planning, investment portfolio management and a number of aggregated financial services. High net worth individuals, small business owners and families who desire the assistance of a credentialed financial advisory specialist call upon wealth managers to coordinate retail banking, estate planning, legal resources, tax professionals and investment management.
Wealth managers can be independent, certified financial planners. One must already have accumulated a significant amount of wealth for wealth management strategies to be effective. Wealth management can be provided by banks, brokerages, independent financial advisers or multi-licensed portfolio managers whose services are designed to focus on high-net worth customers.
The fallout of the events of 2008 has produced a high level of skepticism and distrust among investors, and they will demand greater transparency from their providers to understand what they own, the value of their investments and associated risks.

9. Retail Banking: Also known as consumer banking, it entails dealing with products / services for individual customers. So the scope encompasses getting business for products such as credit cards, savings accounts, personal loans and auto loans. Operational roles would entail teller, authorising, clearing, remittances and customer service.
10. Corporate Finance: A career in corporate finance means you would work for a company to help it find money to run the business, grow the business, make acquisitions, plan for its financial future and manage any cash on hand. You might work for a large multinational company or a smaller player with high growth prospects.
The job of the financial officer is to create value for a company. As a corporate finance professional one is typicall involved in four main activities to meet its objectives: 1) designing, implementing and monitoring financial policies, 2) planning and executing the financing programme, 3) managing cash resources, and 4) interfacing with the financial community and investors.
Jobs in corporate finance are also relatively stable. Performance in these jobs counts, but your job is not going to depend on whether you're selling enough this week or getting good deals finished this quarter. Rather the key to performing well in corporate finance is to work with a long view of what's going to make your company successful. Many would argue that corporate finance jobs are the most desirable in the entire field of finance. Some of the benefits of working in corporate finance are:
•You generally work in teams which help you work with people
•It's a lot of fun to tackle business problems that really matter
•You'll have many opportunities to travel and meet people and
•The pay in corporate finance is generally quite good
Thus, a budding financial wiz should look at understanding which area interests him/her the most and build skill sets which can help take the leap into financial sector.

5 tips on how to ace your B-school interview

So the entrance tests are done with, and the preparation for the group discussion-personal interview phase has begun. Most candidates wonder why a group discussion/interview is even necessary after they have managed to pass the gruelling exams. The common sentiment is that after clearing the hurdles of a tough examination like the CAT or XAT, the interview sessions and group discussions simply add to the burden. But the fact remains that a written examination can only test the academic capabilities of a candidate. The group discussions and interviews on the other hand are more like assessment tools that help the interviewers find the qualities that they are searching for in an ideal candidate.
 Personal interviews can help candidates too however. They present a platform where the candidate can elaborate on his / her candidature. S/he can put forward various points that he or she might have missed in the application.
Remember, the interviewers look forward to meeting some of the best minds in the country; so make sure you are one of them. Here are some tips to help you ace your B-school interview:
Make a positive first impression
The first impression has to be good -- so make sure you dress well. One should go for conservative business attire. Flashy dresses, dirty nails or unkempt hair are to be avoided. If you happen to be wearing a party outfit, the board might think that you lack focus about your career. A casual attitude can ruin everything.
Be punctual
Punctuality is a virtue that is never wasted. If you are not on time, you cannot expect the interview panel to believe that you can manage all the work timings, deadlines and meetings that MBA students and professionals have to handle. In case there is a genuine cause, you should be apologetic. People on the board are not unfair and they will understand. But the reasons should be valid. Silly reasons like the betrayal of alarm clock or traffic jams are to be avoided if you want to make a positive impression on the board.
Stay focused, be confident
Different interviewers look for different things is a prospective student but one thing that is common to all is the search for emotional maturity. The candidate is standing on the threshold of a career that will need him or her to take firm decisions. Taking these decisions will not be easy, but a good manager should rarely lose his or her cool. Likewise, a good candidate should not lose his focus or his cool during the interview even though he is under a lot of pressure. The interviewers will mark you on different points and one of them is the way you handle stress.
Do your homework
During the selection procedure, the admission committee is sure to why the candidate has chosen to study in that particular school. So make sure you read about the school and its programme so you are prepared for this question and will be able to give a well thought out answer.
Communication is key
An ideal candidate must have clarity of thought when they are communicating something to the interview board.
Unfocused candidates often lose track of their argument and end up irritating the interviewer(s). The interviewer will look for confidence and alertness in a prospective student. They also assess candidates on the way they present their arguments. If you can articulate your thoughts in a concise and crisp manner, the interview board will appreciate it.
Like yoru verbal communication, positive body language will be appreciated. Things that should be avoided include bad eye contact, bone crushing handshakes or playing with finger rings. These are distractions that the interview board will not like.
When you prepare for the interview, you should also prepare to learn from unusual sources. No knowledge can go wasted. Before you say anything, take a second or two to reflect on your words. This will help.

How to Select the Best MBA College? Know MBA School Rankings

There are probably thousands of MBA colleges if you consider the whole subcontinent. And with all these colleges, you will have thousands of MBA programs to choose from. This has made it really difficult for a student to choose the right college. So, what are the factors you need to keep in mind before you select the right college? Knowing the MBA school rankings is a must and apart from that one needs to know on what parameters these rankings are based. Here are a few pointers...
The accreditation of the college matters a lot and is one of the prime factors which determine MBA school rankings. The accreditation is a kind of certification which is being given by the senior management of other schools and a team of professional assessors who are specially employed for the job. A college with accreditation must meet the prescribed academic standard set by the professional assessors. If the college is not accredited, it is better not to enroll for the course.
The college faculty is equally important. They are not just teachers but are the ones who will guide you in the path of your career. Teachers in MBA schools are like counselors or guides who will help you to identify your weaknesses and strengths, and direct you towards your goal. The college which is known to have qualified professors will be undoubtedly the best choice. Check out the quality of professors especially in the field where you want to specialize. For instance if you want to specialize in marketing, take note of the professors who will teach you the subject. They should be experts in their fields.
Some factors like the location of the college also matters for the students and is a determining factor in MBA school rankings. There are students who would not like to travel thousands of miles and stay apart from their family. A college in a convenient location can be good for both such parents and their children. However keep in mind that location is often a secondary factor, while things like college faculty and accreditation are given primary importance in the selection process. If you are leaving your home for the first time to lead a life in hostel, you should be extra cautious. The reputation of the college is also important.
You will be leaving home to make a successful career. So you need to choose only the best, which means that you should be discerning about the reputation of the college and the importance of the degree which you will receive. This is directly related to the quality of education imparted in the institution. It is better to do your own research work about the college, the kind of courses offered and if the degree offered by the college is considered prestigious in the corporate world. The ultimate goal of every MBA student is to get a good placement. It is the brand value of the institute which actually helps to determine the kind of placements you will be getting, and the kind of companies which will come to hire you. The best companies of the world will like to hire the best minds in the industry-so make sure you go to an institution which makes you one of the best.
You should also consider the performance of the college before taking admission. Check out their previous year's placement statistics. Also find out if they have a suitable academic corporate interface as it will allow you to be in touch with the current needs of the corporate world. Visit the college as brochures and websites can often be misleading. Take you time but take a wise decision while selecting the right college.

Is Work Experience Essential for MBA from Top MBA Schools Kolkata?

Work experience can help the candidates in the admission procedure when they are looking for admissions to top MBA schools Kolkata. Most good B-schools in fact select candidates who have already worked for some years. They feel that working professionals will have a better idea about teamwork, and people skills, which are the two most important qualities needed to be a good manager.
Related Articles Ways to Choose MBA Institute Want to Study MBA in Calcutta? Mba College Selection: Tips For Kolkata Fresh Graduates Best MBA Colleges in Eastern India - Check Out the Ranking of Top B Schools in Kolkata There are many B-schools in the world where work experience is considered absolutely mandatory. In fact a number of business schools in UK are extremely strict and they never offer admissions to those who have less than three years of full time work experience. You may opt for other options, but think of the competition and if work experience gives you an edge, why not try for it? If you have a low GMAT/GPA score, you can actually highlight the managerial and leadership qualities and for this, you can take help of work experience. This will make your candidature strong when you are applying for top MBA school Kolkata.
Students will find that there are a number of business schools who look for candidates fro different cultural backgrounds to add diversity to their student community. Students who have work experience in teaching, private equity, sports, teaching consultation and military are also welcome. They actually enrich the learning process by bringing in their diversified experience. Moreover a class of students with different perspectives and different views in handling a situation will only add to the spirit of learning. People who have already handled situations in reality often have better perspectives than those with no experience at all.
AdChoices
 One should not forget that a student with a MBA tag will expect a bigger compensation package than anyone else. In that case a fresh graduate will have to face stiff competition from those who have already demonstrated their skills to cope with adversity and conflict in a real world situation. In this regard, a candidate with work experience will have better chances. He or she will be able to position himself or herself better by citing examples of their past experiences. They can also elaborate on their managerial skills by taking examples of real life instances from their previous jobs. In comparison, a ‘green’ candidate will have a tough time convincing the recruiters.
There is one small problem. If your resume shows that you have been frequently changing jobs, this will not create a good impression on the recruiters. It is better to stick to one job for a longer period in order to reap the benefits. You can avail the opportunity that comes your way, but it is always better to be faithful to your organization for at least 3-4 years.

Know the Right Profile For An MBA From A Business School

Even a few years back Kolkata was called a dying city because there were not many opportunities to pursue. Times however have changed now and the city has recently witnessed the growth of many fantastic MBA institutes which offer students gala placements. So if you are a student in Kolkata who is keen to study MBA in a top Kolkata B school then you are on the right track. First and foremost you need to decide if you are the right profile to be admitted in a good business school?
So how does a student from Kolkata keen to get admitted to a top B school decide if he is suited to it? First you should know about the average profile of your seniors. This will actually tell you where you stand. The written exam scores are important. But if you have low scores, you should not feel disheartened. The scores are important, but they are not the sole deciding factors.
However if you have a good CAT, you can easily get admitted to any of the schools you want. In case the scores are not satisfactory, work experience of 5 years will be an added advantage. If you can speak more than 2 languages, you have a fair chance to get admitted. It has been noticed that there are many students who are pretty comfortable in speaking almost 3 languages. There are some schools which values different experiences. They prefer diversity in academic backgrounds which means they are willing to admit people other than management or economics background.
A diverse class can always work in your favor. You will have something to learn from everyone. If all the students have same profiles, the class would be boring and there would be nothing to share except probably the class notes. Think of the ways in which you can contribute in the forming class. There is no age limit to when you can pursue a MBA degree. The more important factor is your objective, and what you have planned for your future. Think of your career goals and objectives. Do you think it would be better if you have pursued a PhD degree rather than a MBA degree?
You should understand that in most Kolkata business schools, the average age of getting admission is from 23-25. There are several MBA students who possess a master's degree in any of the disciplines before they join the MBA program; however it is undecided if the master's degree gives them an edge in the admission process. Nonetheless it cannot be denied that most of the schools now prefer a work experience of 3 to 4 years. You will never be able to contribute much in a MBA class in any of the schools, if you have not spent enough time in a real-world corporate sector. Your experience will count and you need something to contribute in the class. Professors appreciate the fact that you can analyze a situation based on your experiences in the real world.
If you keep on thinking that you are tool old to pursue a MBA degree, you can always go for an executive development program or an intensive specialized program in the field you want. The selection criteria will be different and there will be a drastic change in the profile. With a part-time MBA program you will have some added advantages. You can continue to do your work, while you do some value addition to your resume. At the end of the course, you will find that you are better equipped to handle any real life problem that may crop up!
To sum up keep in mind the MBA exam is a fast track way to add a cutting edge to your career. So it is imperative that you should get it. Be confident and hone your positive aspects while you go to get that coveted MBA degree.

10 BRILLIANT start-up ideas for college students

There’s been a lot of talk as of late regarding young entrepreneurs given the massive wealth Facebook’s IPO has created for its billionaire founder, Mark Zuckerberg. Google, Microsoft and many other companies were started on campus. Unfortunately, there simply aren’t that many investors in India out there to fund ideas from mostly unproven young adults, so it remains up to the entrepreneur to do it on their own.

For young adults, the best place to flex your entrepreneurial muscle is while you are in college — or at the very least when you are young enough to not be bogged down with a career. College is a great place to start your venture as you have lots of free time, access to a large pool of human capital and your college can provide much-needed support. The following ten business ideas are what can be executed while being on campus.

Flier Marketing Service- Lots of local small businesses are interested in different ways that they can reach the customers around them for cheap. Marketing for them usually involves buying space in the local newspapers or cable channels. Many small businesses would jump at the chance to have your company design and pass out fliers around town announcing sales or specials that they are offering.

Shoe Wash Company - Previously canvas shoes were cleaned using old toothbrushes and detergent but nowadays people have moved on to trendy sneakers and want the shoes to be cleaned by people who are experts in the field so that they can be maintained properly. In order to be successful in this business it is essential to know how to use chemicals and a fair degree of marketing skills are required too.

Doorstep Grocery Delivery Services - Nowadays customers want the groceries at their doorsteps without having to go the bazaar or wait in long serpentine queues on weekends at supermarkets.  This is where a doorstep grocery delivery company can come in handy. The main skills needed to run this business smoothly are sales and logistics management. This business has a break even period of 2 months at the very minimum and can provide gross profits of nearly 20 percent.

Wedding Planning - Wedding planning, made popular thanks to Bollywood flick Band Baja Baraat  is also a good business idea for those inclined towards event management and enjoy Indian Weddings! Nowadays, weddings in India are being celebrated on grand scales and the celebrators might not have the time to properly attend to every little nuance as a lot of time is involved in this as well. Wedding planners can help people in such situations.

Baby Sitting – Given rapid urbanization, nuclear families and both parents professionally working, babysitting services is the need of the hour. One needs to start with friends and referrals to build credulity and confidence of parents. The ability and tact of handling kids is a pre-requisite. If all is well this is a perfect business where one can study while being on the job!

Housekeeping For Corporates - Housekeeping services for small businesses is a proper business idea. With corporates and offices looking to keep their offices spanking clean, this is a good business idea. Good communication and man management skills are necessary to succeed in this domain.

Résumé Writing Service – Are you good at finding the best angles to present information? Start a résumé writing service helping students put their experience in the best possible format and phrasing to attract interview and career opportunities.

Student Awards Program – Everyone is looking for a way to get ahead in today’s competitive job market.  Team up with student affairs or any club like Lions or Rotary to start an on-campus student awards program where students are rated and awarded in certain categories that are relevant to future career success. Charge an entry fee and look for sponsors. This is a cool way for students to get accolades they can add to the list of credentials that can be presented to possible employers.

Financial Planning – Personal financial planning is a field that is expected to grow in the next few years. You can get an early start by beginning your financial planning business on campus. Work with students to help them save and manage their money. College is a time when people can really put a damper on post-college opportunities by ruining their credit or getting into debt. Help students avoid this and get paid for it.

Website For Rating Professors – Some professors are amazing, some are more boring than paint drying on a wall.  Your college mates might want to know that and maybe you can start a website to allow group rating and comments so everyone will know what they’re getting into before they register for a class.

There are possible many other things one can look to start with on campus. Just get a team in place, stop thinking and start acting. This is the single biggest step for an entrepreneur, Just do it!

Murtuza Rohawala is the Founder & CEO of Edfin Consultancy (www.edfin.in) which provides strategy and financial consulting to a lot of promising businesses. He also actively mentors students from various institutes in India. Murtuza is an MBA from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies.