AboutLeo Lingham Expertise management consulting process, management consulting career,
management development, human resource planning and development,
strategic planning in human resources, marketing, careers in
management, product management etc
Experience 18 years working managerial experience covering business planning, strategic planning, corporate planning, management service, organization development, marketing, sales management etc
PLUS
24 years in management consulting which includes business planning, strategic planning, marketing , product management,
human resource management, management training, business coaching,
counseling etc
Expert: Leo Lingham Date: 6/27/2008 Subject: Choosing an MBA stream
Question QUESTION: Dear Sir, I'm working as a professional in a state-owned Telecom Company in India since Mar 2003. My job profile here includes installation and operations & maintenance of various telecom infrastructure.
I'm appearing in the GMAT in coming month. I want to go for one-year program. Kindly guide me in choosing my MBA stream. I am considering only consulting, finance and operations. Kindly give some insights into these streams.
ANSWER: R.PATEL,
COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME
ABOUT YOUR BASIC DEGREES YOU HAVE COMPLETED.
REGARDS
LEO LINGHAM
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sir, I've completed my B.E. (Electrical Engg.) in year 2000. Then I completed a six month course of 'Diploma in Advanced Computing' in 2001.
I had been in a Computer Training Centre teaching different software languages before I joined this telecom company.
Sir, also kindly discuss what type of personality traits, personal interests best suits these mba streams.
Thanking you.
Regards
R. Patel
Answer R.PATEL,
BASED ON YOUR BRIEFINGS,
-you have a degree in BE [ electrical engg]
-diploma in advanced computing.
-over 5 years experience in
installation and operations & maintenance of various telecom infrastructure.
=========================================
AS FOR MBA, YOU HAVE CHOICE
- 2 years full time.
-3 years part time.
-1 year diploma.
-1 year EXECUTIVE MBA
for people with 4/5 years experience.
====================================
MBA covers STREAMS like
-MARKETING
-FINANCE
-SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT
-INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY / SYSTEMS
-OPERATION MANAGEMENT
-BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY
-INDUSTRIAL MANAGEMENT
-PROJECT MANAGEMENT
-DESIGN MANAGEMENT
-IT MANAGEMENT
-ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT
-CONSULTING
ETC ETC
==============================
NOW YOU HAVE SHORTLISTED 3
-FINANCE
-OPERATION MANAGEMENT
-CONSULTING
====================================
FINANCE
This may be your weakest area.
-lack of finance / accounting knowledge.
-lack of skills/ applications.
-aptitude could be a question mark at this stage.
etc
YOU MAY HAVE TO START AT A LOW LEVEL
ON COMPLETION OF YOUR MBA, AS
-financial analyst.
-business analyst
etc etc
THE COMPETENCIES FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT,
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1.Innovation
Taking risks, adapting quickly to change, leading the change process
2.Leadership
Positively influencing people and events
3.Impact & Influence
Persuading, convincing or influencing
4.Organizational Awareness
Understanding business plan goals
5.Teamwork
Working cooperatively and productively with others to achieve results
6.Self-Management
Managing and continually improving one's own performance
7.Client Focus
Understanding and meeting or exceeding client needs
8.Results Orientation
Knowing what results are important, and focusing resources to achieve them
9.Communication
Clearly conveying and receiving messages to meet the needs of all
10.Organizational Commitment
Aligning behaviour with department values, principles and goals
11.Relationship Building
Developing and maintaining win/win relationships and partnerships
12.Service Facilitation
Ensuring contracted services are delivered effectively to clients
13.Resource Management
Effectively managing internal and external resources to achieve organizational goals
14.Strategic Thinking
Taking a broad scale, long term view, assessing options and implications
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OPERATION MANAGER
YOUR BACKGROUND
-educationwise as well as experience fits well
with this course.
-The MBA operation will enrich your capability
to take more responsibilities and manage
a bigger operation.
-the course would enrich your career.
YOU CAN MOVE UP THE ORGANIZATION LADDER,
ON COMPLETION OF YOUR MBA, AS
-operation manager
-manufacturing services manager
OR
-you can move out and seek better career positions.
etc etc
THE COMPETENCIES FOR OPERATION MANAGEMENT,
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1.Provide leadership in the workplace, appropriate to the level of autonomy accorded to individuals/teams.
1.1 Demonstrate high standards of performance.
1.2 Contribute to the Organisation's reputation.
1.3 Influence individuals and teams.
1.4 Make decisions.
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2.Manage personal work priorities and development.
2.1 Manage self.
2.2 Negotiate, plan and organise personal work Priorities.
2.3 Develop and maintain personal competence.
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3.Lead and participate in, and facilitate work team/group appropriate to the level of autonomy in the workplace
3.1 Plan the establishment of work team/group.
3.2 Develop team commitment and co‑operation.
3.3 Participate in, and facilitate work team/group.
3.4 Manage and facilitate team performance.
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4.Establish and manage positive relationships with colleagues and customers.
4.1 Convey and receive information and ideas.
4.2 Develop trust and confidence.
4.3 Build and maintain networks and relationships.
4.4 Negotiate positive outcomes to rectify difficulties.
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5. Value and stimulate the diversity of people and the environment.
5.1 Create an environment which recognises; diversity as an asset.
5.2 Promote action which harnesses the diversity in the work team/group.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6.Contribute to the development of a learning environment.
6.1 Contribute to planning learning arrangements.
6.2 Implement effective learning.
6.3 Assess workplace competence.
6.4 Monitor and review learning processes and effectiveness.
6.5 Record and report achievement of competency.
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7.Manage resources to achieve planned outcomes.
7.1 Plan resource use.
7.2 Implement plan for use of resources.
7.3 Monitor human resource performance.
7.4 Monitor financial performance.
7.5 Monitor physical resource performance.
7.6 Review resource capability and utilisation.
7.7 Record and report resource usage.
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8. Manage quality customer service.
8.1 Prepare implementation schedule.
8.2 Deliver products and services.
8.3 Establish monitoring systems and processes.
8.4 Monitor progress and adjust performance.
8.5 Record and report results.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
9. Implement and monitor quality and continuous
improvement processes.
9.1 Implement quality improvement system.
9.2 Monitor performance.
9.3 Consolidate quality improvements and identify opportunities for further improvement.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10. Facilitate and capitalise on change and innovation in a
technological environment.
10.1 Develop creative and flexible approaches and solutions.
10.2 Manage work group/team response to emerging challenges and opportunities.
10.3 Implement and monitor change.
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11. Develop and maintain a safe and fair work environment.
11.1 Access and share the relevant information.
11.2 Plan and introduce processes to implement workplace requirements.
11.3 Monitor and adjust performance.
11.4 Investigate non‑conformance.
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12. Create and encourage a learning environment.
12.1 Plan learning strategies.
12.2 Plan and review assessment of workplace competence.
12.3 Evaluate the effectiveness of learning.
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13. Plan and develop human, physical and financial resource
information for decision making.
13.1 Establish human, physical and financial information requirements.
13.2 Collect, analyse and report human, physical and financial information.
13.3 Manage information systems.
13.4 Prepare resource proposals.
13.5 Monitor and review the management of information.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. ‑Develop plans to meet customer and organization needs.
14.1 Contribute to a shared vision and values.
14.2 Contribute to strategic planning.
14.3 Research customer needs.
14.4 Identify opportunities for product and service enhancement.
14.5 Prepare business plans/budgets.
14.6 Communicate the outcomes of the planning process.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Participate in planning and reviewing quality and continuous improvement processes.
15.1 Contribute to continuous improvement planning.
15.2 Review results.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. Influence the development and direction of the organization.
16.1 Develop the organisation's mission and values.
16.2 Establish goals, objectives and strategies.
16.3 Achieve stakeholder ownership.
16.4 Develop individual managers and management teams.
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17. Influence and monitor the organization's competitiveness.
17.1 Create systems to monitor internal and external environments.
17.2 Identify and forecast trends.
17.3 Identify competitive strengths and weaknesses.
17.4 Improve organizational systems and processes.
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18.Manage financial planning and performance.
18.1 Interpret the organisation's financial status.
THESE ARE THE
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
THAT APPLIES TO THE OPERATION MANAGER
AS WELL AS THE CONSULTANT.
Analysis
Securing relevant information and identifying key issues and relationships; relating and comparing data from different sources; identifying cause/effect relationships.
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Judgement
Committing to an action after developing alternative courses of action that are based on logical assumptions and factual information and that take resources, constraints and organisational values into consideration.
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Decisiveness
Making timely decisions judgements; taking actions when appropriate; committing to position
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
Technical/Professional Knowledge
Having achieved a satisfactory level of technical and professional skills/knowledge in job‑related areas; keeping abreast of current developments and trends in areas of expertise.
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Planning and Organising
Establishing a course of action *or sequence of activities to accomplish a specific goal; planning proper assignments of people and allocating resources; communicating expectations about tasks and deadlines; developing contingency plans focusing energy and time on priority goals, requirements and problem areas.
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Individual Leadership
Using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to inspire and guide individuals towards goal achievement; modifying behaviour to accommodate tasks situations and individuals involved.
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Teamwork/Collaboration
Active participation in, and facilitation of, team effectiveness; taking actions that demonstrate consideration of the feelings and needs of others; being aware of the effect of one's behaviour on others.
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Sensitivity
Taking action that indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others; being aware of the impact of one's behaviour on others.
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Meeting Leadership (Facilitation)
Using appropriate interpersonal styles and methods to motivate and guide a meeting toward its objectives; modifying behaviour according to tasks and individual present.
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Developing Organisational Talent
Developing a subordinate's skills and competencies by planning effective development activities related to current and future jobs. Considering the individual's motivation, interests, current work situation, and personal circumstances.
Sales Ability/Persuasiveness
Gaining agreement or acceptance of an idea, plan, activity, product or service by using appropriate interpersonal styles, approaches and forms of communication.
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Motivation Fit
The extent to which job activities and responsibilities, the organisation's mode of operation and values, and the community in which the individual will live and work are consistent with the type of environment that provides personal satisfaction; the degree which the work itself is personally satisfying.
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Work Standards
Setting high goals or standards of performance for self, subordinates, others, and the organisation; being dissatisfied with average performance; self imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed by others.
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Customer Service Orientation
Making efforts to listen and understand customers (both internal and external); anticipating customer needs; giving high priority to customer satisfaction.
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Initiative
Active attempts to influence events to achieve goals; self‑starting rather than passive acceptance. Taking action to achieve goals beyond what is necessarily called for; originating action.
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Negotiation
Effectively exploring alternatives and positions to reach outcomes that gain all parties'support and acceptance; compromising when appropriate.
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Maximising Performance
Establishing performance goals, coaching performance, providing training, and evaluation performance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Control
Establishing procedures to monitor the results of delegations, assignments or projects taking into consideration the skills, knowledge and experience of the assigned individual and the characteristics of the assignment.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delegation
Allocating decision‑making authority and task responsibilities to appropriate subordinates; utilising subordinates' time, skills and potential effectively.
Rapport Building
Creating continuing compatibility; getting along well; pro‑actively developing relationships.
Tolerance for Stress
Maintaining stable performance under pressure and/or opposition (eg time pressure, job ambiguity); relieving stress in a way that is acceptable to the person, others and organisation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Innovation
Generating and/or recognising imaginative, creative solutions in work related situations.
Adaptability
Maintain effectiveness in varying environments and with different tasks, responsibilities and people.
Oral Presentation
Effective expression when presenting ideas or concepts to an individual or to group, when given time for preparation (includes gestures and non‑verbal communication).
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Resilience/Tenacity
Handling disappointment and/or rejection while maintaining effectiveness.
Impact
Creating a good impression, commanding attention and respect, showing an air of confidence.
Energy
Maintaining a high activity level and effective performance for an extended period of time.
======================================================================
Integrity
Maintaining social, ethical, and organisational norms in conducting internal and external business activities.
Expressing ideas effectively in individual and group situations (includes non
verbal communication); adjusting language or terminology to characteristics or
needs of the audience.
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Written Communication
Expressing ideas clearly in memoranda, reports, letters or other documents with appropriate organisation and structure, correct grammar and language or terminology that is adjusted to the characteristics or needs of the audience.
YOUR BACKGROUND
-educationwise as well as experience fits well
with this course.
-The MBA CONSULTING will enrich your capability
to take more responsibilities and manage
a bigger operation.
-the course would enrich your career.
YOU CAN UPGRADE YOUR CAREER
ON COMPLETION OF YOUR MBA, AS
-as an internal consultant
-join a consulting firm
OR
-you can move out and start your own freelance consulting.
etc etc
THE COMPETENCIES FOR CONSULTANT,
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
CONSULTING
Professional Competence
Professionalism and Ethics
Operates with professionalism and integrity in all aspects of role including conduct, appearance, adherence to codes of practice and working in the best interests of the client.
Demonstrated Behaviours
Adheres to consultants' code of conduct
Deals appropriately with ethical issues within the code of practice
Ensures professional advice given is technically sound and relevant to client needs
Sets high personal standards
Acts with integrity
Embraces diversity in terms of culture, religion, race and gender
Is courteous, reliable and responsive in dealing with others
Respects confidentiality
Engenders trust
Is respected by professional colleagues
Applies analytical and proactive thinking to client agenda to ensure robust, leading edge client solutions
Demonstrated Behaviours
Adopts a logical, coherent and consistent approach to problem solving
Understands the alternative implications of different issues and courses of action
Recommendations are supported by facts and research
Makes decisions on a rational and timely basis
Challenges assumptions and probes detail
Develops and tests mental models to ensure practical application
Demonstrates flexibility, creativity and innovation in generating solutions and recommendations
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Complexity and Responsibility
Assumes responsibility for own actions, understanding complexity of operating environment and impact of selected course of actions on others.
Demonstrated Behaviours
Demonstrates responsibility for actions which extend beyond the immediate area of scope
Develops thought-through courses of action which take into account issues beyond the immediate scope of role
Works effectively in complex environment s containing value-conflicts and uncertainties which extend beyond the immediate area of practice
Interacts and empathises effectively with others to achieve desired outcomes.
Demonstrated Behaviours
Establishes and maintains productive working relationships
Comes over as confident and assured
Willingness to understand alternative perspectives
Expresses views clearly and openly and without arrogance
Contributions actively sought by others
Seeks to build solutions of mutual benefit
Demonstrates resilience, drive and commitment to results.
Demonstrated Behaviours
Acts on own initiative
Persists with job until complete solution has been delivered
Calm and rational approach when under pressure
Flexible and adaptable to changing demands and deadlines
Lives with ambiguity
Keeps ‘big picture’ in focus, simultaneously addressing detail
Balances priorities, managing time effectively
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Personal Growth
Proven track record of self development and personal growth
Demonstrated Behaviours
Demonstrates awareness of own development needs and opportunities
Pro-actively seeks opportunities to further own development
Recognises impact of own behaviour on others
Seeks and acts on constructive feedback from clients, peers and team members to further personal development
Sets and monitors personal learning and development objectives.
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