At MMA, we believe in the power of continuous learning and growth. We encourage you to keep igniting your careers and inspiring minds; through this collective effort, we can shape a brighter future for the management fraternity.
The MMA All-India Management Students Convention, on the theme “What Does It Take to Jumpstart a Successful Career,” organized by MMA on October 22 2024, was a grand success. The convention brought together a galaxy of eminent speakers who shared thought-provoking insights tailored specifically for management students. With over 1,000 students attending in person and 26,000 viewers tuning in online, the convention was a testament to MMA’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders.
In this issue, we proudly present articles capturing the essence of each session. These masterclasses offer invaluable guidance for management professionals. We invite you to read on, click to watch the embedded videos, and be inspired by the wisdom shared by our distinguished speakers.
Save the Date: MMA Annual Convention 2025
I am delighted to announce that the MMA Annual Convention 2025, on the theme “Foundations for building a resilient India,” will take place on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Hotel Taj Coromandel, Chennai. This year’s theme promises to be thought-provoking and insightful.
A stellar line-up of eminent speakers has confirmed their participation, ensuring a rich and engaging experience for all delegates. Click here to view the convention brochure.
As a prelude to the convention, MMA invites young managers to participate in a competition on the convention theme. This is a fantastic opportunity for young managers to showcase their skills, represent their organizations, and win attractive cash prizes.
Don’t miss this chance! Send in your nominations soon. Click to view the competition brochure.
MMA CFO Conclave
I am delighted to share information about the forthcoming CFO Conclave on Saturday, December 14 2024, focusing on “The CFO’s Role in Integrating Governance, Sustainability, and Value Creation”. The timely event recognizes the critical role CFOs play in driving business success and financial management.
As the business landscape evolves, CFO’s must navigate complex challenges, from governance and risk management to sustainability and value creation. This conclave will bring together a galaxy of eminent CFOs and industry experts to share their insights, best practices, and innovative strategies.
Join us in person as we explore the future of finance and the CFO’s pivotal role in shaping it. Watch it live on MMA’s social media.
The Constitution of India
This year, India celebrates the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India. It’s an occasion to reflect on its importance and role in the evolution of Indian democracy. Surely seventy-five years of constitutional democracy have had their share of challenges. However, the fact that we have been able to commit ourselves to the principles of democratic governance owes a lot to the supremacy of the Constitution. I firmly believe that the institutions created by the Constitution protect the fundamental tenets of Indian democracy. We cannot take them for granted and need to remain invested in them.
On this particular occasion, MMA organized a quiz on the Indian Constitution for our members. This engaging quiz aimed to empower our members with a deeper understanding of the Indian Constitution and its significance. We are also reminded of the Constitution’s enduring relevance and the responsibility of being informed, engaged citizens. We look forward to continuing this endeavour to promote a community that values knowledge, critical thinking, and the Rule of Law.
Indian Armed Forces
National defence is crucial to the security of a sovereign state. India’s aspiration to become a developed country by 2047 requires much work on national security. It’s pertinent to note that the technological capability of the Indian Armed Forces is a generation behind that of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. We need to close gaps in conventional strength and keep pace with tech-driven advances. The way to do this is to leapfrog to a future with lighter unmanned weapons, swarm weapons, fool-proof missile defence, and space-based surveillance. The shift in military technology—from being based on mechanical engineering and hardware to computer science, software, telecommunications, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI)—plays to India’s strengths.
The induction of the private sector in manufacturing major platforms is vital to national interest. Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has emerged as a new champion for aircraft manufacturing due to its hard work and vision. L&T has emerged as a company in India with rich experience in submarine building. The capability for innovation and ecosystem building is outstanding. It’s high time such companies, with proven track records, are taken on board as strategic partners by the Ministry of Defence. In this context, MMA organized a presentation on the theme “Emerging Technologies in Defence,” by Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Former Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, Former Chairman of DRDO, and President of the Aeronautical Society of India. His presentation was thought-provoking and enlightening on the present status of Indian technological advances in the Armed Forces. Click to watch the video.
Trump Presidency 2.0
Donald Trump’s second term in the White House could impact the world more than the first in many ways, but India would find itself relatively well-placed. The world would have to be prepared for a new normal with Donald Trump taking over as President of the USA. His stance during the campaign was no different from his actions when he was President earlier. Therefore, consistency can be expected, though the extent could be tempered given the new world economic order. However, the government must remain vigilant when the world’s largest economy targets the second largest.
India Among the top 10 in IPO
According to the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) 2024 report on IP trends, India now ranks among the top 10 countries globally in the number of patents, trademarks, and industrial design applications. India recorded the fastest growth among the top origins in patent applications, with a 15.7% increase in 2023, marking its fifth consecutive year of double-digit growth in this area. Industrial design applications have also risen by a remarkable 36.4%, attributed to a heightened focus on manufacturing and creative sectors. This shift highlights the increasing prominence of domestic innovations and intellectual property activities, fuelled by various government initiatives, such as the “Make in India” programme, which encourage local manufacturing and innovation to bring good ideas to fruition, starting with a clear business intent and paying attention to scaling deserving ideas is necessary. I firmly believe that Design Thinking is a versatile technique for creativity and innovation—a human-centred problem-solving model. The CavinKare MMA Innovation Award also encouraged several entrepreneurs to showcase their innovations. MMA organized several sessions on Design Thinking in his context, and the talk by Mr S Anil Kumar, Founder & CEO, FreeElective LLC on the theme “Strategy, Management and Innovation in Business,” is very relevant. Click to watch the video.
Skill Education at Schools
A recent World Bank skill gap analysis across six states highlighted the need to offer skill education in schools for India to reap the demographic dividend and become a developed nation by 2047. Only 8% of government and government-aided schools offer skill education. The government’s goal is to make it 100% by 2030. It is pertinent that access to skill education be expanded. Vocational subjects that are offered have to be realigned to the local economy’s needs. Apart from technical skills, the program should also focus on soft skills that enhance employability. A better partnership with industry needs to be developed, and most importantly, efforts must be made to change the perception that skill training is for the weaker section. In this context, I am delighted to share that the MMA CSR initiative, supported by Ms Super Auto Forge Ltd, focused on implementing skill training in schools, positively enhancing the student’s outlook and overall development.
Mental Health at the Workplace
Organizations are responsible for creating a work environment conducive to mental health and well-being. For this, we need long-term strategies that integrate mental health into the organizational fabric. It’s critical to understand that organizations must recognize that workplace mental health starts with leadership. By cultivating an inclusive, discrimination-free environment and implementing policies for reasonable accommodation and mental health support, leaders must create a foundation for employees to thrive. In this regard, MMA organized several programs for the benefit of our members.
In this issue, I am delighted to present an article on the “Balancing Work Life & Life Work” event organized by MMA. Please read on or click to watch the embedded video in the article.
MMA has planned several exciting and thought-provoking events in December 2024 and January 2025. Click to view the calendar of forthcoming MMA events.
As always, we would be happy to hear your views, comments, and suggestions.
Merry Christmas, Happy Reading!
