- Career Fundas

Management requires job specific qualities, behavior: Rohit Manucha
A career in management is the most sought after in the present day. There is a mad rush to get into the best management colleges, so that the ‘placements’ are good. So what is it like for those who do manage to get the break, actually become corporate honchos.
Garhwal Post spoke to Rohit Manucha, a ‘youngster’ in the field. Being young, he is acquainted with the present trends and challenges, which described at length. Here are some excerpts:
Tell us about yourself?
I am a Consultant with KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited in People & Change Practice (Business Performance Services). I specialise in Organisation Design & Development Engagements.
I did my Xth and XIIth from St Joseph’s Academy, Dehradun. I then went on to complete my graduation - BCom (Honors) from Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, Delhi University in 2006 and, subsequently, my post graduation - PGD (PM&IR) from XLRI, 2008.
I believe in being practical, persistent and goal oriented. I am open to feedback in order to continuously adapt myself to the changing environment. As I’ve travelled throughout much of the country, I have had sufficient opportunities to interact and experience the multitude of cultures and traditions prevailing here. I am not afraid to sail into uncharted territories and am a firm believer in doing things innovatively. My age also seems to complement my strengths, as wherever I’ve gone, I’ve been the youngest and I’ve used that to my advantage by striving to prove myself even harder. I’ve been a writer, a poet and a debater. I come across to be a confident, trust-worthy, articulate, a thinker and a team player. As a leader, I am not afraid to take responsibility for what I’m accountable. I am a firm believer in ethics and am committed towards learning. I have often incorporated, in my daily life, values pertaining to honesty and integrity.
What is the scope for MBA passouts?
Unfortunately, the scope for every MBA post-graduate is not the same. The scope is dependent on brand value of their B-School (this in turn is dependant on influential alumni, learned faculty, incremental placement salary packages, better infrastructure, branding activities undertaken by the institute, etc.), the area of specialisation (e.g. Finance, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, etc.), previous work-experience, the percentile scored and the industry environment and government regulations.
If all or most of the aforementioned criteria are met, then be assured of an initial ‘boost’, nevertheless the same shall not last for more than a couple of years, after which one’s quality of work paves the way.
How important is branded education?
Brands have become our constant companion from cradle to grave. We are known better for the brand we own, wear or drive. Similarly, with the passage of time, ‘brand value’ in the case of education has come to be associated with varied infrastructure, better placement opportunities, learned faculty, influential alumni, etc. I don’t deny that it is not important, but I believe that the questions we need to ask ourselves is whether branded education is the equivalent of good education, and will it serve in good stead for the challenges one may face in life’s journey?
Has it become problematic for youngsters, as everyone is doing an MBA these days?
The problem has emerged from the mushrooming of numerous coaching institutes flooding the market with MBA aspirants. An army of fly-by-night B-Schools (with flexible selection criteria) have further added to the murky underbelly of education.
It may be debated whether branded B-Schools contribute towards the creation of a distinct class of ‘haves’; nevertheless, it’s the third tier B-Schools that have contributed to the development of a vicious cycle of mediocrity, thereby adding to the woes of the youngsters who get duped in this process.
On the other end, constant innovations in the selection and screening process for B-Schools have become more stringent over the years. Certain schools of thought still believe it’s a must to separate the wheat from the chaff.
What is the nature of your job?
KPMG, in India, is one of the leading providers of risk, financial and business advisory, internal audit, corporate governance, as well as tax and regulatory services.
My job as a Consultant with KPMG Advisory Services Private Limited in the People & Change Practice (Business Performance Services) requires me to design, develop, deliver and assist with the implementation of human capital advice/ solutions, which enable clients, across multiple locations, to achieve their business objectives and reflect best practice. My role involves delivering as a part of client engagement teams, assisting in market facing initiatives, participating in the preparation of proposals and commercial bids, dealing with ambiguity, multi-task and manage time effectively.
On a lighter note, it offers the glitz and glamour of interacting with the who’s who and the top leadership of leading global organisations, attending seminars/ conferences/ meetings, invites to social do’s, enrollment in frequent flier programs and a host of other loyalty privileges required to live larger than life.
What qualification should a youngster have to be in this field?
Graduation: BA/ BCom/ BTech, Post Graduation (if any): MTech/ MA
Post Graduation in Management: MBA – from a reputed institution, and suitably high scores (CGPA/ CQPI).
Adequate weightage is provided to extra co-curriculur activities, prior work-experience (if any), positions of responsibility, academic achievements, etc.
Lastly I would like to emphasise that it is not the qualifications, alone, but also the qualities, skills and behaviour (specific to the job and in context of the working environment that an individual possesses) and the competencies displayed that makes an individual suitable to be in this field
What challenges do you face?
This field is highly knowledge intensive; hence, to be relevant and remain ahead in the game, there is a constant need to upgrade one’s knowledge. Sufficient care and discretion needs to be maintained while procuring and analysing data. Many organisations may view consultants in extremes - as miracle workers or as threats. Either poses huge challenges of expectations setting in. While, on paper, many business plans and change management initiatives seem attractive, the implementation of the same may pose unforeseen challenges.
Tips to those aspiring to be in this field:
You should be able to multi-task and work independently, build relationships and network, exhibit high levels of drive, self-motivation and flexibility, thrive on learning and knowledge sharing, think ahead of clients and be articulate in expressing your views.
It is very important to enjoy your work and own it.