Guidelines to do Summer Project Work for 1st year MBA Students
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This write up provides you some of the guidelines that are provided to be based on faculty experience. However, in the part two you will be given some more ideas.
Introduction
The overall objective of project work is to experience the way in which organizations function is given environment. The keyword is experience. Experience has two dimensions.
1. i. Understand the industry in which the organizations operate.
ii. The business model of the organization
iii. Understand particular functional area such as Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.
2. i. Apply knowledge of research methodology to analyze the problems or issues faced by organizations
ii. Understand how various principles you have learned during one year of course work is applied in the real time business world.
iii. Learn the changes that are taking place in the business world. One question that immediately comes to your mind. Is it possible for me?
To experience all these in 40 days. Experience with students who have successfully completed project work indicate that project work period will be fulfilling the experience if certain guidelines are followed.
1. The project is divided into three phases
i. Pre-project interface
ii. Interface during the project
iii. Interface after the project
Each of the time periods is very important.
Phase I
It is requesting for a project work you will be raising certain expectations from the organizations.
The expectations are generally based on
1. The institute you come from
2. Your competencies
3. References given by you
4. Personal interview attended by you.
At all the stages, honestly, integrity, good presentation of self is very important. In the case of 2006 batch institute have provided a platform for students for interface the project confirmation are based on request of the institute, thus there is very little interaction with you. Therefore you have to be well prepared to graduate into II phase with uncertainty in expectation from that of organizations.
Case II
You will be entering into phase II from 20th July 2007.
1. Preparation at home. Some of you are going outstation for project work, please ensure your train & bus tickets.
2. Find out the name & contact number of the person to whom you have to report.
3. Inform in advance if possible of your arrival. Dress code of plain shirt with shoe, tie and clan shave has to be adhered.
Your first interface should project the following traits.
1. Show patience, organizations have to cater to all stakeholders and yours will be last as the purpose of organization is value addition. This does not mean that you are unimportant; your work comes last in the important things to be done.
2. The project work is an additional responsibility undertaken by organization; therefore don’t expect organizations or the person in charge to respond to you immediately. Some time you may have to wait more than 3 hours or even 1 day. This doesn’t mean that organization is not need of you. It only indicates that they have different priorities. However you will be observed during entire phase of waiting.
Things to do
Sit in the reception and go through book on research methodology, Hindu Industrial Survey and printout of website relating to organization. If you find a newspaper you can read it. But read them with all pages intact, while sitting posture don’t sit like cross legs, crouching position, anxiety, intolerance for delay, constantly going out and talk with your friends through cell phone or talking to the other stranger in the reception or talking with your other friends in low or high voices. All these activities indicate you are not yet become professional. Do not disturb the receptionist by asking questions. However, do not disappear and come after two to three hours. When the manager wants to meet you, you may not be there. You lost a chance to impress people about your character.
Phase III
In phase III you will be working towards meeting expectations of organizations. The general question is “What is the Topic?” for project work. Two kinds of situation you will face. Organizations give you a Topic or they will ask you to choose the topic in both the cases please prepare a list of topics which you will think of completing. If it is marketing have a list of not less than 15 to 20 different topics. Similarly in HR. For HR topics please refer to training instruments by Udhai Pareek and T.V.Rao another question you will face is “What are all the statistical tools you will be using to analyze the data. Please inform them that you can use both parametric and non parametric test. You will also be using multi dimensional scaling techniques wherever appropriate. When a topic is given to you, it will be in business terms for example in an organization like Pepsi they may like to know various local brands sold in Erode District. You have converted this into “Purposive investigation”. In order to convert the business problems into researchable topics you have to go for further analysis. First you should know the different local brands which are competing with Pepsi eliminate brand that are not direct competition with Pepsi (is Paneer Soda a competitor for Pepsi?) Once you identify various brands through a quick survey from retailers then decide a rough title. This title may undergo change once you decide on the objectives and scope of objectives. You have to think for sometime and write down all your ideas in a book that you are carrying remember you are a professional. Write, Correct, Iterate, Incubate, Create this is how you have to go through out the process. Once a business problem is identified the topic reflecting your research and addressing organizations’ need. Go to next Phase of research. What approach do you think that you are adopting. We are adopting a funnel approach. Start with broad ideas and then focusing on to specific and business problems and issues.
The project report writing to a large extend should reflect your thinking process. The following format is suggested for you for synopsis to be submitted on 15th July 2006 to your guide. (Read various data, understand and then write. Don’t reproduce given in the book or in the text.)
Title: ______________________________________________
The first title you arrive at need not be the final title. You can change e as you progress during the project.
Contents
1. Industry Profile
Please go through Hindu Industrial Survey 2007.Pertaining to the Industry. In which the business organization operates. You have to use your discussion carefully, if you are working in automobiles spare parts organizations do touch up on automobile Industry, However as a rule of thumb 75 to 80 of your industrial profile should be
Be comprehensive while talking about industry and write about industry of understanding all the dimensions about industry.
Please find at lest ten major companies in your industry and in the international market. Write a brief write up on what happened for the past three years and what is in store for three years for the industry. Identify at least three; Indian CEOs and three international CEO’ and find their views about industry. You can use your CMIE Data Base in the college. You can have photographs of the CEO’s, being copied.
1. Organizations Profile
Please go through past balance sheets, organization’s website, press reports and all other data pertaining to the organization. CMIE data base in the institute will help you to a large extent to achieve better Use Mckensey 7s framework to understand the organization and prepare the brief report. This part will help you to understand your organization in the context of present business situation. (Do not use this as filler. That is trying to fill up pages before the deadline for the project work). Keep a log of what ever you are doing everyday. It will help you where you are and what you are likely to achieve.
2. Need for Study
You have to explain what “Value addition” you will be doing for the organization. You are working 35 clear working days for project work. Your effort, understanding and value addition to the organization by answering specific questions will provide better experience for you.
3. Literature Survey.
This part is mandatory. However it will be a good idea includes information in the project work. However don’t exceed five pages. If you are doing research on motivation you may include latest research on motivation as literature survey.
1. Objectives of study
You have to be precise while writing your objectives and should reflect the research you are going to undertake. Restrict yourself not more than 3 objectives, however two will be ideal.
2. Scope of objectives
In the process of achieving you objectives you will also be undertaking certain other tasks which are important. You may include them under scope of objectives.
3. Research Methodology
· Research Objectives
· Types of Research Design
· Data ( primary and secondary)
· Research Instrument (if it is a questionnaire, you have to write what type of questionnaire. However, do not assume always that you need to have questionnaire to start the research. One of the greatest sins you will commit is to think designing questionnaire to start your research will convent your research putting cart before the horse.) Always remember that you need not have questionnaire to do research. You have different methods and use them to enrich your thought process.
· Research Plan
1. Sample Design
· Sample Unit
· Sample frame
· Time and Place
· Type of sampling
· Sample Size. Determine using methods thought to you in Research Methodology.
2. Analysis of the study
3. Findings
4. Suggestions & Recommendations
5. Appendices
6. Bibliography
Remarks
Do not write history of statistical tools what you have to write is what appropriate tools you have used and reason for using the tools please cross tabulate your data in order to further understanding. From the synopsis to your final report constantly fine tune your project report. It will be rich experience for you to cherish.
Some observations
· Be enthusiastic to listen, to learn, to talk
· Be curious
· Be honest
· Show your integrity
· Define your body language
· Make a statement
WHAT YOU SHOULD NOT DO
· Trying to take breaks while doing project ( you cannot have holidays during your project work)
· Trying to miscommunication with organizations by telling that institute wants a review. We are sending your schedule of project report to all the organizations. You do not have any reviews in between.
· While taking to the organization personnel do not degrade your institute or teachers by making statements that are reduce your self image.
· Talking negative and trying to be certain about everything. No organization or person likes negative talk and people who ask too may question to be certain of everything.
· Let me give some examples
1) I want marketing project, I am in a finance organization. Do not ask the manager this question. You are going to an organization to know its business and business do not have functional silos. However, ask questions relating to your project, show enthusiasm. Smile, enjoy hard work.
2) If some urgent work is to be done by the organization, do it willingly. For example the office has no power and your manager finds that the electricity bill is not paid, volunteer to do the task. MBA is not management by arrogance. Never show that this is not my work. You will be surprised to know that there is no work as not your work. The organizations are boundary less organizations.
3) Do not take campus culture to organization. Leave letters, excuses, concessions etc. Inculcate organizations culture and come to institute with all ideas to change the way in which you work in institute. Share experience with your classmates and teachers. It is an opportunity to professionalize with you.
4) Wear your tie and go to organization. Some organizations have informal environment. They may not insist on your attire. That does not mean that you go with casuals.
FAQs
1. Should I do project in area of my specialization?
Though it is not mandatory, it is desirable. It provides you focus.
2. Is it possible to go home during project work?
It is last thing you will do, it will mar you your prospect of your good career.
3. What type of tools I have used in HR Project?
Please go through “Training Instruments in HRD and OD, Second Edition by Udai Pareek”.
4. Please carry the following when you go to organization.
· Your recent Photographs
· Your CV
· A pad / notebook / pen
4. Is the format suggested for all type of projects?
Yes, to a large extend. For a finance project you may have to modify the format.
5. What these guidelines give you?
6. If I get another project, Can I change the project?
No, it is not right
7. Take note of your guide’s email. Do not disturb him or her on cell phone. He may not know the context of your problem. Give detailed account of your problem and ask for correct questions.
8) When you are staying outside Erode, keep in touch with your other colleagues, exchange thoughts.
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