Imprints
SIMSR Alumni Monthly Newsletter
August Edition 2017
Team ALCOM Speaks
Convocation for University of Mumbai Courses
Team ALCOM presents you the August edition of Imprints. This edition speaks of goodbyes and hellos. While few of our faculty members moved out of the team, our team also welcomed a new batch of enthusiastic ALCOMmers. This edition also speaks of the internationalisation of SIMSR and the plethora of benefits it brings with it. This edition also includes an exclusive interview with Mr. Aja y Kapur , Managi ng Director & CEO - Ambuja Cements Ltd.
The convocation ceremony of MMS (batch of 2014-16 ), MCA (batch of 201316) and MFM, MHRDM, MIM & MMM (batch of 2013-16) programmes was held on 29th July, 2017 It was a great privilege to have our Alum Mr. Aslam Karmali, CEO and Sr. Vice President, Retail & Consumer Division at Eureka Forbes Ltd, Alum of batch 1989-91 as the Chief Guest for this ceremony Our recent batch of Alumni were extremely pleased with the warm welcome they received on returning to the campus. Watch Here
SIMSR Superstars - The Alumni Awards
SIMSR signs MOU with Communication University of China
For the first time in the history of SIMSR, we are institutionalizing 'SIMSR Superstars' - The Alumni Awards' to Another feather in the hat felicitate Alumni who have done exemplary work as SIMSR signed an MOU in their fields and brought glories to SIMSR The with the Communication awards ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, University of China on 2nd September 2017 during Nostalgia You 19th July, 2017 can nominate yourself or your batch-mate(s) who The Academic Exchange you feel have brought laurels to the institute. Programme will be for three years and will To nominate yourself, kindly register on the involve exchange of faculty, below link students, joint academic conferences etc.
Click here to Nominate
International Immersion Programme in Germany A group of 22 enthusiastic students from the PGDM Batch of 2016-18, headed by Prof. J. Lamba, attended a week-long Student Immersion Program at DHBW University, Stuttgart, Germany The program included industrial visits to companies like DHL Logistics, Mercedes Benz production plant and Karcher production plant. Lectures on ‘European Culture and Doing business in EU’ were conducted by DHBW University Apart from this, students had a good learning experience at Porsche Museum and Mercedes Benz Arena
AlumSpeaks
with Mr. Ajay Kapur, SIMSR Alum Batch 1989-91 | Managing Director & CEO at Ambuja Cements Ltd.
With an experience of over 25 years and a degree from the Wharton Business School, Mr. Ajay Kapur, SIMSR Alum of Batch 1989–91, is currently the Managing Director and CEO at Ambuja Cements Ltd.
Favourite Movie
Favourite Holiday Destination
One Word/ Line you say the most
Dil Chahta Hai
Switzerland
Customer is God
Favourite Quote
“Love the life you live, live the life you love” Role Model
Favorite Car
Narayana Murthy
Mercedes Favourite Book
Stop worrying and start living by Dale Carnegie Believe in yourself. Even as you strive for higher goals, stay grounded. Q. You have been awarded as ‘Asia’s Most Promising Leader’. Can you share with us the experience and level of effort that led to Q. Ambuja Cement is one of the first Indian companies to this honourable recognition at the global level? implement Integrated Logistics System. How was this idea A. We are a fairly big organisation. Our market capital is close to $8 seeded? billion today and we engage over 14000 manpower (Direct/Indirect) for our daily operations. To make this large organisation effective, we continuously work on building effective teams. I have many colleagues like me who give 100% and continue to give their 100%;and our predecessors too who have built the company. Our vision is to be the most competitive and sustainable company. We value our global hat. We look at sustainability, health and safety, commercial transformation and branding. Also, over the years, brand Ambuja has been built by successive teams and leaders. Two years ago, we released the very engaging ’Khali’ campaign. We are constantly trying to get closer to the customer. We always try to keep our cost under control. so believe in empowerment. In today’s times, you cannot just look at profit alone. Q. Can you share insights into the journey of the past two decades with Ambuja – where you joined as an executive assistant to the then MD to now being the MD yourself? A. When I joined Ambuja at the age of 27, it was my third job – following short stints with Indian Hotels and Citibank, respectively. At that time, Ambuja was small with just one plant in Gujarat. This break worked well for me – I wanted to do more in a smaller ship than get lost in a big one. I am fortunate to have worked with leaders who had an open mind and were visionary in their approach. I was a young man who picked up a lot of knowledge and as the company grew, I realised my roots in this company were getting deeper. So I do feel that I have become rooted in the right values. I got a vocation which was channelizing my positives and developing my negatives. Q. Mid-career you enrolled at the Wharton School of Business for its Advanced Management Program. How important is this act of learning, after all the industry experience? A. I passed out of SIMSR in 1991 and went to Wharton almost two decades later. When I reflect on this, I realise my thought process was very different. I had some experience by then but the idea was to go and spend time with global leaders. The professors at Wharton were experts with very rich experience. Some of the participants themselves were CEOs and CXOs of global companies. You also get the opportunity to interact with owners of some of the biggest companies. There is a lot of opportunity to network and be part of work groups where you are coached and also get to coach. It is also a time to take a break and reflect. You also pick up from what's happening around the world; and once I returned, I started implementing some of these learnings at Ambuja. It was a very valuable and extremely interesting learning curve.
A. When Ambuja was born, the plant was set up on the coast of Gujarat. But as we started growing, customer appreciation increased, and hence we also strived to grow better. Our next plants were set up in north India –at Himachal and Punjab. The fantastic response spurred us to expand further in Gujarat. At one of our plant meetings, a young engineer suggested we take the sea route to Bombay and then the sea route to Surat. We started looking into the idea because we had to be more than a cement company. We also had to have knowledge about infrastructure. So we set about by first getting the rights to build a jetty in Surat and Mumbai, then purchase the port and ships and plan the entire handling system for ships. The upside was that the distance was reduced by a third and this positively impacted the freight costs too. And that is how we came up with the sea based transportation system in India. It was environment friendly as well. But we always kept in mind -- if one has to grow one has to reach new markets. We have now built jetties in Cochin, Bangalore and Sri Lanka. Q. How do you deal with stress and how do you rewind after work? A. I ensure work-life balance is added in my Individual Development Plan (IDP). Also, technology can be an advantage if you stay on top of it; but a disaster if it overtakes your life. First thing on waking up we check emails and receive updates from social media with messages jumping out to us and this should be managed. Life is 24x7 connected to these technology mediums. One practice I follow -- switch off my phone at intervals. When I am outside the work situation – relaxing or working-out etc, I refrain from even looking at my phone. I really feel good and follow it even when I am out on weekends with family and friends, watch movies and plays, take annual holidays. Also, I always have my sports gear with me packed wherever I go. Spirituality is another aspect that helps me cope with stress. Q. What are the significant learnings in the two years you spent on SIMSR campus? A. To establish one’s fundamentals and to build a network of friends. Q. Your advice to young alumni starting out on their career? A. Believe in yourself. Even as you strive for higher goals, stay grounded. Along with this, the corporate world needs a lot of energy, so they should keep a healthy body for a healthy mind. It is not an easy journey but with values and patience they can achieve their goals. Finally, it is all about attitude. The greatest leaders in the world did not necessarily go to Harvard. Each one is a leader – take time to find out your true potential.
SIMSR signs MOU with CII-Yi SIMSR and Confederation of Indian Industry - Young Indians(CII-Yi) Mumbai chapter, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 6th July, 2017 in the presence of Mr. Alan Rodrigues, Yi Chair and CEO of Maker's Asylum, Mumbai, our director Dr. Monica Bhatia Khanna and Dr. Shaila Srivastava, Faculty in charge - CII-Yi at SIMSR Mr. Alan Rodrigues also addressed the first YUVA Session of the academic year Click Here
All is Well - 2017 'All is Well - 2017' - the ice-breaking event for the new batch of PGDM was held from 11th - 13th, July 2017 The event showcased stellar performances by the students, exhilarating engagement in the form of war-cries and instilled a sense of companionship in the new batch Although the winner was PG-Comm, the three days brought out the best talent from each course and indeed helped in breaking the ice
Yoga Day @ SIMSR SIMSR celebrated International Yoga Day on 21st June, 2017 with the students of K J Somaiya Bharatiya Sanskriti Peetham and The Somaiya school performing graceful demonstrations of Yoga. Holistic Self Management (HOLSEM) sessions were also conducted for SIMSR students This event was graced by the following people: Hon. Shri. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Indian Railways Mr. Dilip Karambelkar, Chairman, Maharashtra Rajya Marathi Vishvakosha Nirmiti Mandal Dr. Shriram Agashe, Senior Yoga Expert and Dr. Monica Khanna The participants got to learn about different 'asanas' of yoga which can prove beneficial for one's life
Click Here
Milaap - 2017
With great pleasure, we would like to inform you all, Milaap - Batch Reunion will be held to commemorate and celebrate batches completing milestones of 25 years, 20 years, 15 years & 10 years of graduation from SIMSR
Please find below the schedule for this year's Milaap
We hope to see all our Alums of respective batches join the reunion celebrations. More details will be communicated soon.
Batch
Reunion
Date
2007
Decade Reunion
28th October 2017 (Saturday)
2002
Quindecennial Reunion
25th November 2017 (Saturday)
1997
Vicennial Reunion
9th December 2017 (Saturday)
1992
Silver Jubilee Reunion
9th December 2017 (Saturday)
Guest Lecture by Mr. Anil Nair
AlumStance
Question of the month: Q. The upcoming app for India is Samsung pay. Do you feel it’ll have the same impact in India as China? A. “Samsung pay cannot be compared to Ali pay. It still needs to learn a lot on consumer psychology ” - Santosh Viswanathan Sr. Test Manager, Infosys, Alum of Batch 1994-96
Mr. Anil K Nair, CEO and Managing Partner, Digital Law and Kenneth Saatchi and Saatchi, Alum of batch 1995-97, delivered a guest lecture on 29th June, 2017 for the students of PGDM Communications as a part of the initiative - The Bigwigs Speak, which is a platform where industry stalwarts give insights and conduct workshops for the students in the Marketing Domain Mr. Nair spoke on "Changing communication paradigms in a VUCA world" Watch the entire video here
Farewell to our Faculty ALCOM Team Members We would like to inform that Ms Shriya Pawar is moving from SIMSR Alumni Relations office to Somaiya Vidyaihar Alumni Relations Office. Dr. Raghu Kumari, Dr. Rupali Gadkari Paranjpe and Prof. Sangeetha Rajesh will also no longer be a part of ALCOM as they will be heading other committees. Our faculty mentors have always inspired us with their valuable advice. We will surely miss all of them and their guiding force.
Ms. Shriya Pawar
Dr. Raghu Kumari
Dr. Rupali Gadkari Paranjpe
Prof. Sangeetha Rajesh
Welcome Juniors ! We welcome these very talented juniors as a part of the ALCOM 2017-19. These budding youngsters are talented, dynamic, enthusiastic and brimming with energy. We are very excited to work with you all and wish you all the best for the next 2 years! Welcome to the Alumni Committee!
Job Opportunities
Nostalgia - 2nd September, 2017
Total no. of recruiting companies
" As truth be told, home-coming never gets old"
9
Nostalgia - the annual Alumni homecoming is just a month away and we cannot wait to see our Alums back to campus - meeting old friends, classmates, acquaintances and teachers and reminiscing their college days once again. We have kept no stone unturned in trying to make this event a memorable one for our Alums. Please find below the key highlights of that day that awaits you -
Total no. of Vacancies 15
Top Recruiting Companies (in July)
Weikfield, Fintelix, Firestar International, Unilever, HSBC
HDFC Bank, Delloitte USI, Longulf, Canara HSBC OBC Life Insurance Co. Ltd
Alumni General Body Meeting
The Alumni Association's progress and the path ahead will be discussed in the meeting
Felicitation of 1987 batch
The Alums of the 1987 batch will be felicitated in appreciation and recognition of being a part of our Alumni family for the last 30 years
'SIMSR Superstars' - The Alumni Awards
To share a job opportunity at your organisation write to us at simsrjobs@googlegroups.com
The awards will celebrate the achievements, innovation, creativity and leadership of our distinguished Alums
Connect with our Alum family by signing up here-
Our college band - Mauj will enthral you with their soulful performances to bring back old melodies
Alumni Portal Sign-Up To be your batch/ city/ country representative, sign up here-
SIMSR Alumni Representatives
Team Alumni Relations
Performance by Mauj
Parichay
The networking event- 'Parichay' would be played with our Alums so that they leave with their Alumni network bigger and stronger Request all Alumni to come be a part of Nostalgia - 2017 to Relive - Rewind - Reconnect. SIMSR beckons you!
Advisor, Alumni Relations Dr. Radha Iyer Chairperson, Alumni Relations Dr. Bharati VW Manager, Alumni Relations Arvind Pandi Dorai Team Imprints Chief Editor Arvind Pandi Dorai Editor Suryani Sinha Ray Contributors : Kushal Thakkar Tulika Singh Aditya Sankhe Sreya Mukherjee Divya Parekh
Arvind Rungta (Convener, Alumni Committee) Kushal Thakkar (Co-Convener, Alumni Committee) Surabhi Singh (Co-Convener, Alumni Committee)
Contact Us
Write to us / Contact us alcom.simsr@somaiya.edu 022-6728 3120