For new and growing businesses, an effective marketing strategy can many a time make the difference between success and failure. Keeping this in mind, NEN and IBM have partnered to organize a four-hour, expert-led learning-cum-networking session to address some of the most critical marketing hurdles entrepreneurs face. We invite you to apply at the earliest as seats for the session are limited and available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the customer and assessing the market opportunity
• Building inexpensive approaches to marketing
• Developing communication channels to micro-market
• Building market-share
• Implementing, measuring and monitoring marketing plans
• Tips for winning large contracts and B2B sales
• Online resource center for your startup: IBM SME Toolkit

Application Process:

We strongly encourage highly motivated entrepreneurs who are actively running their businesses to attend this session. Participation costs for all selected applicants will be fully subsidized by NEN, Wadhwani Foundation and IBM. Apply here.

Workshop Expert: Gurudas Nulkar

As a first-generation entrepreneur,Prof. Gurudas Nulkar started Prostick Adhesive Tapes in 1994, trading in industrial adhesive tapes, along with a partner. In 2000, Prostick acquired a supplier’s manufacturing unit producing speciality tapes in Pune and with that, started manufacturing and converting speciality tapes for the automotive industry. New products were launched for the Indian market and within a short time Prostick grew to be one of the largest special tape converter in India. In 2006, Gurudas decided to enter into a JV with Stokvis Tapes BV, the largest tape converters in the world, to gain access to new technology and new markets. In June 2008, Stokvis Prostick was acquired by ITW Inc USA (Illinois Tool Works Inc), which has over 59,000 employees worldwide and is a Fortune 500 listed company. Gurudas Nulkar was the Managing Director of the Indian arm before he decided on an early retirement from business. Since June 2009, Gurudas is teaching MBA students at Symbiosis Centre for Management and HRD. He also heads the Corporate Training Centre here. He is currently the Program Director for the MBA executive education for working professionals.

Contact Info:

For queries regarding the workshop and application, please contact our representative Aswani Yatheendran at aswani.yatheendran@nenglobal.org or call at +91 99865 16871.

This session will take place on 6th December, 2014 at the EDI campus.

It all started with a love for prose. Hetansh, Parth and Jay Kotak, 22, are childhood friends who turned their passion into a website that encouraged others to showcase their talent.

Parth Mehta (sitting left in the image) is a current student of EDI.

A couple of years ago, they began a literary blog and contributed regularly to it. Realising that people take pride in their creativity even if it is `just a few lines’, the trio launched a talent website to provide a platform for others to express themselves. TALEXPO appreciates all kinds of talents -be it cooking, designing, sketching, or dancing. Individuals can upload their audiovideo on the website where others can access and post comments. This also brings them in contact with others like who share similar talents or appreciate it.

Jay, who got his BBA degree from a Mumbai university, is currently helping his father handle the family business in Rajkot. Hetansh is a fourth year student of Liberal Arts at Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University while Parth is a 25-year-old MBA student at Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India.

Though studies consume a lot of time, the three ensure the website is well-maintained. “We conduct talent competitions which attracts a larger audience and gives participants more exposure,“ says Hetansh.

Parth says, “The website has taught a lot about management and patience. It is not easy handling so many talents, personalities and hosting competitions.We have learnt to manage time so that our studies do not suffer. We are becoming good at multitasking and know that we have to be patient for the website to bring in money.“

(Source : Article from Ahmedabad Mirror; 18th November, 2014)

I for long wanted to beat the drum on how digitalisation has led to hearing the voices of the people whose ping you read and literally spoke in your head to him/her while typing back. Don’t you hear them as well? Well I do, and many others whom I have asked about these voices. Interestingly, it can be put up as hearing through the eyes and speaking through the hands.

This may seem an impressive thought, but there is something that may be alarming. These social media tools have flipped the way we humans interact with each other. Hence, social media has become a bone of contention for arbitrators. We are often caught in the classrooms, playfields, bed, dining table and office fixated to our electronic devices speaking and listening digitally. Have we lost the human touch?

Another alarming point to note here is how safe is your new mode of speaking and listening? Digital communication has long gone CLOUD (cloud computing). With the recent snooping cases proliferating, are you secure? The reality of network topography means each of your connections involves a series of routers and switches, probably owned and operated by different outfits. If one connection is secure, there’s no guaranteeing any other connection in the sequence is secure. This information is just the tip of the iceberg.

The rationalism in writing this blog was neither to scare nor limit you towards digitalisation. My appeal is that we bring back that human touch again by engaging into more  hangouts, picnics, playing, outings etc where lips are involved in speaking and ears into hearing.

-This blog article is written by Rupesh Raj, 2nd year PGDM-BE student at EDI.

Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji was celebrated as ‘National Education Day’ at EDI on 11th November, 2014

Event details :

Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji’s life was marked with outstanding achievements in the diverse fields. He was towering figure on the Indian political scene, a scholar rated high in the realms of Urdu literature, renowned journalist and a freedom fighter. He was addressed as Maulana Azadji; while the word Maulana was attached to refer to a ‘learned man’, he had adopted ‘Azad’ as his pen name.

He was appointed as the first education minister of independent India. Under Maulana Azadji’s tenure, a number of measures were undertaken to promote primary and secondary education, scientific education, establishment of universities and promotion of avenues of research and higher studies, including establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology and the foundation of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji passed away on February 22, 1958 and he was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna for his invaluable contribution to the nation in 1992. His contribution in laying the foundation of education in India is recognized by celebrating his birthday as ‘National Education Day’ across India.

As announced by Government of India and in compliance with AICTE guidelines, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) paid tribute to this great son of India by celebrating his Birth Anniversary as National Education Day on 11^th November, 2014 by organizing the following programmes & activities:

1. EXHIBITION:

EDI Library Display Area has been earmarked to exhibit rich literature, pictures, quotes on Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji and his contribution in diverse fields including education.  The Display Area has been witnessing visitors since morning.

2. AN ADDRESS BY GUEST SPEAKER ON MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE AND RELEVANCE OF EDUCATION:

On this occasion, Dr. Jayanti Ravi, IAS, Labour Commissioner, Commissionerate of Labour, Labour & Employment Department, Govt. of Gujarat, having sound knowledge and rich experience in field of education, was invited to address EDI students on meaning, significance and relevance of education in the present day.

Dr. Ravi had an interactive session with EDI students and offered them fresh perspective on education and it’s potential. Students enthusiastically participated in the event and also offered their views and thoughts on varied aspects related to education and learning.

Exhibition on rich literature, pictures, quotes relating to Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji

Visitors reading books and other resources on Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji

Banner for Celebration of Birth Anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad as ‘National Education Day’ on 11th November, 2014

Pictures and Quotes on Maulana Abul Kalam Azadji

Prof. Sunil Shukla (Chairperson- PGPs), Honrable Dr. Jayanti Ravi, the Labour Commissioner, Govt. of Gujarat and Shri Satya Acharya, Faculty – EDI, during the event.

Ms. Priyanshi Jariwala, PGDM-BE student, anchoring the event

Prof. Sunil Shukla (Chairperson- PGPs), offering the Welcome Address in honour of Dr. Ravi, the Guest Speaker

Ms. Priyanshi Jariwala, presenting a bouquet of flowers to Dr. Ravi

Dr. Ravi interacting with the audience during the event

Students interacting with Dr. Ravi during the event

Shri Satya Acharya offering the vote of thanks

Prof. Sunil Shukla (Chairperson- PGPs), presenting a memento to Dr. Ravi

GUEST SPEAKER PROFILE

Dr Jayanti S. Ravi has worked as the Commissioner of Schools, Commissioner for Higher and Technical Education, the Chairperson of the State Board of Secondary Education and is currently the Labour Commissioner, Commissionerate of Labour, Labour & Employment Department, Gujarat. She has a Masters degree in Nuclear Physics & a PhD in Technology enhanced Education from the MS University, Baroda. She has worked as the Collector, PanchMahal and DDO, Sabarkantha and Director, NAC in the Prime Minister’s Office.

She has also been a column writer with Frontline, a leading fortnightly and a performing vocalist in Indian music. She has published papers in International Journals. She has authored case studies for IIM, Ahmedabad. Her book on transforming Higher Education develops a Multiversity model, conceptualized and designed by her. She Studied at LSE (UK) and the Harvard Kennedy School. She is a key member of the team initiating many transformational reforms in Higher Education across Gujarat. She is also a visiting faculty at Harvard University

HIGHLIGHTS OF ADDRESS BY HONORABLE GUEST SPEAKER, DR. JAYANTI RAVI

The following are main highlights of the speech:

1. Jayanti Ravi paid tribute to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad by elaborating about his life and outstanding achievements.

2. Ravi offered an insightful talk on education, inviting participation from students and inviting their views on meaning of ‘education’.

3. Stressing on integral education, which includes physical health and mental health / intellectual health, Dr. Jayanti drew attention of the audience towards the three dimensions of intellectual health namely ethical, aesthetic and reflective dimensions.

4. Ravi also emphasized upon the 3Es of education namely ‘enrolment (access)’, ‘excellence’ and ‘equity’ for making it meaningful. Her address also focused on Democratic dividends, Demographic dividends and Diversity dividends enjoyed by a nation like India. She shared her belief that diversity enhanced the overall learning experience. She also stated that as EDI campus attracted students from diverse cultures and regions, it offered immense scope of cross-learning for the students.

If you have planned a client meeting, it is obvious that you are looking forward to develop a long term business relationship with them. Be confident, show your professionalism and convince the client of your being potential. Make them believe that the money is going in the right hands.

Keep these points in mind while planning a client meeting:

1. Research thoroughly about who your client is. Keep a watch on what they do and what could be a possible expectation from you during the meeting.

2. Set an agenda. Write down points you’d like to discuss. This will save time and you will be clear on what you want to know.

3. Practice your presentation well before the meeting. It will help clear all the fumbles and help you understand when to explain points.

4. Dress to impress. First impression counts the most. Your first look and feel will give your client a clear picture whether you are confident and trustworthy.

5. Never meet at your office. It should be the last place to meet. Distractions come easy when you are in your space. Meetings are supposed to be focused and engaged. Also, never forget to leave your phone on a silent mode.

6. Be on time. Early but never late. This shows your preparedness and professionalism. Reach the meeting spot 10 to 15 minutes early, go through your papers and agenda. Make sure you remember the names of people you are meeting and pronounce it correctly.

7. Do the introductions. Introduce everyone who has accompanied you to the meeting. Have a little talk with each other before starting off. Or else it will come out as if you are too eager and excited. Small talks like, “How’s your day going?” or “What a lovely weather!” can work.

8. Listen carefully, observe what their needs are.

9. Sell yourself; make them believe how perfectly you can fit in after listening to their requirements.

10. Don’t forget to take notes. Jot down each and every question they ask or a point they raise. You can go back to your work place and go through these notes. It will help you analyze the core requirements and how it can be worked out.

11. Be confident on what you know. When you speak, let the words flow out and have a good grip over what you want to communicate.

12. Send a summary of the meeting via email. Prepare a brief on the discussion that happened over the meeting, highlighting points on which you would work.

One thing you need to remember not only for your first client meeting, but for all the stages of the project you take up is, trust yourself. Confidence builds with practice; keep practicing and get better.

Would you like to share the happiest moment or a blunder you made on a business/client meeting? Share your experience.

Humans often wish there was more time to do things in life. Especially when running a business, it feels there are not enough hours in a day.

One best way to increase your productivity is waking up early in the morning and making it a habit.

Do you put your alarm on snooze as soon as it rings off? If so, you are starting your day by procrastinating which is a bad sign.

Let’s see some advantages of rising early:

-There is very less or no distraction

-It is peaceful, which helps concentrate better

-You are fresh and have more willpower to do something

-Mornings have positive vibes. Your rest of the day will be happy and productive if you start early

Did you know?

There are many successful entrepreneurs who wake up really early in the morning which might just be the reason for their success. Let’s read about a few:

1.

Starbucks President Michelle Gass, sets her alarm for 4:30 AM to go running.

2.

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, wakes up at around 5:45 AM in the morning, even when staying at his private island, leaving the curtains drawn so the sun gets him up. He does his best to use those early hours to exercise before an early breakfast and getting to work.

3.

PepsiCo CEO, Indra Nooyi has always been an early riser and wakes up at 4:30 AM.

4.

General Motors’ CEO Dan Akerson, gets up at 4:30/5 AM to talk to the GM Asia before it gets too late.

5.

Apple CEO, Tim Cook, is known for getting up and sending out company emails at 4:30 in the morning. By 5 AM he can be found in the gym. And he works late too, priding himself on being the first in the office and the last out.

6.

Disney CEO, Iger gets up at 4:30 every morning. He takes the quiet time to do a number of things like read the papers, exercise, listen to music, look at email, and watch TV all at once.

7.

Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, gets up at 4:30 every morning to walk his three dogs and work out. Around 5:45 AM he makes coffee for his wife and himself. He gets to the office by 6 AM.

8.

Unilever CEO, Paul Polman, gets up at 6 AM so he can run on the treadmill in his office. This also gives him time to “reflect on the work day ahead,” which is probably pretty hectic at a multinational food and detergent company.

When do you wake up everyday? Adopt good habits and live like a king 🙂

One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops – a few people got on, a few got off, and things went pretty well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground, he glared at the driver and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!” and sat down at the back seat.

Did we mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn’t argue with Big John, but he wasn’t happy about it. The next day the same thing happened – Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And this went on for next few days.

This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him. Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff to prepare himself to stand against the giant.

By the end of summer, he had become quite strong; what’s more, he felt really good about himself. So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on to the bus and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!”

The driver stood up, glared back at the passenger, and screamed, “And why not?”

With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, “Big John has a bus pass.”

Moral: “Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working hard to solve one.”

Share your comments.

Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address to the nation this year announced Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan on 2nd October, 2014, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation. In backdrop of this and in light of the fact that the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) looks forth to each and every institution for active participate in Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, as per AICTE circular (F.No.1-29/CM/AICTE/2012 dated September 24, 2014), Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) launched ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ on 2^nd October 2014.

This even unfolded an Institute level campaign through a poster with an action provoking message: “I Yearn for A Swachh Bharat. Do You? If Not Now, When?”

Students pledged to assume responsibility towards environmental well-being and also invited all those who are associated with the Institute to take the pledge. Director – EDI, Chairperson (PGPs), faculty and staff members welcomed the initiative and also signed the pledge for environmental well-being.

EDI’s Oath for Environmental Well-Being:

“I, as a responsible citizen of India promise myself that my actions & behaviour would promote Environmental Well-Being”.

EDI students and staff members also undertook a campus cleaning activity. Though the Institute is well maintained, neat and tidy, students identified certain potential spots worth further clean up. With brooms in their hands, students enthusiastically started cleaning EDI campus to transform it into a litter free campus.

EDI OATH CAMPAIGN FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING

Student Members of EDI Environment Sustainability Club at Oath Campaign

Prof. Sunil Shukla, Chairperson PGPs, signing EDI Oath for Environmental Well-Being

EDI Staff Members – Mrs. Julie Shah, Mrs. Sarita Modi and Mr. K.K. Soni at EDI Oath Campaign

Shri Satya Acharya, Faculty, at EDI Oath Campaign

EDI CAMPUS CLEANING DRIVE

Main gate area

Cleaned Campus Parking Area

Cleaning at EDI Building Entrance Area

EDI Canteen Area

Are you too looking forward to a cleaner India? Join hands in the Swachcha Bharat Abhiyan 🙂

Once there were a group of men – a young hot-blooded guy and a large number of old folks, doing timber job in a jungle (i.e. chopping down trees).

This young chap was very hard working. He always continued to work through his break time and complained that those old folks were wasting time, having to break few times a day to drink and chat. As time goes by, this young guy noticed that even though he worked through break time and hardly took any rest, those old folks were chopping the same amount of trees as he did and sometimes did even more than he did. It was as if those old folks worked through the break time as well. So he decided to work harder the next day; but unfortunately the results were even worse.

One day, one of the old folk invited him for a drink during their break time. That young guy refused and said he had no extra time to spend! Then the old man smiled to him and said “It was just a waste of effort to keep chopping trees without re-sharpening your knife. Sooner or
later you will give up or be exhausted as you have spent too much energy.” Suddenly the young man realized that actually during break times while those old folks were having a chat, they were also re-sharpening their knife at the same time! And that’s how they could chop faster than him and yet spend lesser time! The old man said “What we need is efficiency by making use of our skill and ability in an intelligent way. Only then can we have more time to do other things. Otherwise you will always keep saying, I have no time!”

The moral of the story: – Sharpen your skills at regular intervals. Take breaks, analyze the situation with a calm mind and re-think on better ways to get your work done.

Do you have a lesson to share? We would love to know.

(Source : ShortStories)

Every success has a long story behind it. Every happy man today must have gone through something sad to come out strong and happy. Do you often think, looking at a successful entrepreneur, ‘Oh how lucky he is. He is on the top of the race and has it all.’ But have you ever wondered about his past. What brought him where he is today?

Let’s keep a check on the realities of being a successful entrepreneur.

Some facts:

1. It’s stressful

Nurturing a business is no easy job. It will shower you with constant stress. You will have to meet deadlines, satisfy your customers, take care of your clients and that too with consistency and perfection. Hiring new team members, training them and making sure they are doing well. All of this brings a lot of stress. If you cannot take the stress, you are not worth it.

2. It’s frustrating

At times, your partner might not agree with you. There are possibilities of miscommunication that will ruin all the hard work you must have done. You will never know what is waiting to happen next and in a hurry everything will fall in the wrong place. Your position will take a thorough test of your frustration level.

3. It’s never-ending

Once you enter, it won’t end. You’ll have to walk miles and miles and it still won’t end. Entrepreneurship is an endless job. The work will keep pouring in once you’ve got a grip. When you think it’s done, there is always scope for something better and new.

4. Demands sacrifices

The lost list of sacrifices includes sleep, food and much more. The ‘leave work at office, don’t bring it home’ saying doesn’t apply for an entrepreneur. He has to work 24*7. Pay checks don’t exist for them. You might not be able to give enough time to your family and friends.

5. It’s competitive

There are always people having an eye on you and striving to do that extra bit in a better way to successfully compete with you. You will have to work day and night to stand that competition and think about the best things possible. You might have to spend sleepless nights and figure out innovations to retain your customers and also attract new ones.

All of these will bring you what you’ve always dreamed of:

1. It’s rewarding

Heard of ‘Try and try and you will succeed’? Whoever has said that is absolutely right. After all the hard work and sacrifices you make to lead your business to growth and success, there comes a time when you start reaping the results. There will definitely come a time when you feel the happiest. All the appreciations and rewards you receive will make you feel on top of the world and all those struggles will be worth it.

2. It’s flexible

An employee drops in at the assigned time and leaves after the boss does. You don’t have to do that. Having control over your work schedule means that you can choose when to take time off and work the schedule that suits you best.

3. Satisfying

At the end of a hectic day, no matter how many issues and problems you go through, you are still happy because you are doing what you love. You are an entrepreneur by choice and you enjoy the process of climbing the success ladder. You are satisfied and satisfaction is something to die for.

4. Independent

You are your own boss. You have nobody to report to. You are free to do what you want and how you want. That kind of position brings along a lot of challenges and you have to take your business seriously, to keep it from going down the drain. But still, being your own boss feels great, isn’t it?

5. Personal Development

Once you start your own business, you start growing as an individual too. You now have your team members to take care of. You have to learn what to assign and when to assign a work to your team mate. You have to learn how to communicate in the best possible way, to your clients as well as customers. Taking care of a business makes you more disciplined, determined, dedicated and punctual.

Are you an entrepreneur and gone through something similar? Share your story with us.