In my eight years teaching experience in Nagaland, I have come across various instances where most people have hesitation, uncertainty and even regrets (for not being able to study it because of no proper guidance or lack of knowledge about the existence of the subject) when it comes to management studies. But, let me tell you, I always find it a great joy to explain and enlighten them about the benefits and significance of studying management. For me, such occasions have become a normal routine especially here in our state. Because, let’s face it: management is relatively a new discipline, or shall I consider it as ‘a new subject’ from the perspective of our state curriculum, and it is quite fair for people to have doubts about it. Hence, this will be a continuation of my passion to share with those who would want to know more about the importance of studying management.
Management can be studied in the under graduate level (in many institutions) as BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) or in some universities as BBM (Bachelor of Business Management). It can be studied further in the post graduate level which will be known as MBA: (Masters of Business Administration). These are professional courses and have the same relevance as any other courses like BA, B.Sc., B.Com or MA, M.Sc., M.Com. Etc. Students from any discipline with 10+2 qualification can study BBA. Similarly, students with degree qualification in any discipline including BBA can study MBA through such entrance exam as MAT, ATMA, IBSAT, XAT, CAT, etc. One main feature which can differentiate management studies from others is: within the three years degree course or two years post graduate course, the students get to study different optional subjects from other disciplines too in addition to the major management subjects. It is very interesting to know that management courses/programmes have subjects which touch on varying areas such as from psychology to economics, to simple mathematics, to computers, to communication, to law. Together with that, as of now, according to the Nagaland University syllabus, students can avail specialisation from any two of the three major management subjects: Marketing Management, Financial Management & Human Resource Management.
I have come across some people who question whether a person with management educational qualification will be able to find a government job or not? Will they be able to write civil services or other relevant competitive examinations? My answer is always the same: a) public sector/government departments have realised the need for management qualified personnel in their organisations and have started recruiting people with management skills; b) many management graduates have cracked civil service examinations with good ranking. Ironically, there has been a misconception about the career options for those who study management – that they meanly either work in a private company or starts/runs a business. Yes, those options are there, but there are also tons of other career opportunities for those with management as their educational qualifications which we will take up in detail in the next issue.
Sociologists have defined the present century as a ‘society of organisations’. It is true in the sense that organisations have pervaded all parts of our lives. They range from business organisations, to education, hospitals, semi-public and public organisations and even the church. These are the organs of modern society – hence society is dependent on the quality of its organisations. Simultaneously, for organisations to function, they need to have means to achieve their purpose. This is where management comes in – without proper management, the organisation cannot achieve their objectives. Courses in management studies are important because without the skills needed to compete with competitors and deal with external changes it is easier to fail than to succeed. Thus, the significance of management skills is quite obvious for businesses and also equally clear for educational institutions, hospitals, research institution, public sector organisations and such to function optimally.
Management studies can be an additional benefit for an individual to achieve a more effective as well as efficient outcome wherever they may be based. The course itself in theory as well as in practical brings out the proficiency disciplinary attitude in one. Coincidently, recently, I read a book titled as ‘Vote of Confidence’. The author Aashti Bhartia through personal interviews, constituency visits and interactions with the managers and various people within the politicians’ circle drew a picture of around 17 of India’s upcoming young politicians. The most striking point that I came across in the book was that most of these young politicians have management degrees with work experiences in various multi-national companies. These young politicians show the competencies and efficacy in running their constituencies, ministerial departments and so on. It is observed that apart from their personal attributes, it was the impact of their educational discipline and work experiences which probably made them stand out from their other counterparts.
Similarly, I would also like to stress that management skills are used not only in the business environment but it can be used on a day to day basis of a person’s life. Management studies allow an individual to understand every aspect that makes up the organisation – whether government or private; and also the processes involved in different decision making at every level. This ultimately ensures that one is capable of making the right decisions in times of crisis and uncertainty, or even, can help better predict future crisis. Most importantly, management studies impart the people skill (managing people) which is necessary and vital in every aspect of a human life.
