Career Today: Best Jobs; Ask Tarun!!!

Atul Pradhan, Executive Director (e-Business), KPMG, outlines career prospects in the e-commerce sector.

e-Commerce is an extremely promising area. Poor quality of telephony has been the main bottleneck for b2c in India. However, b2b and e-governance are set to take off. Most big corporations are setting up the infrastructure needed to succeed in b2b. Whichever way we look, a career in e-commerce is extremely promising for a young aspirant.

There are two kinds of e-commerce careers: one is 'technology' oriented and the other is 'business' oriented. For a technology-related career, an appreciation of software, hardware, and communication aspects of e-commerce is necessary. And anybody who understands the finer points of the New Economy can embark on a career in e-commerce.

Those having an MBA or technical qualifications like MCA, be, or B. Tech are well placed to enter this field. But, to be a good software programmer one need not necessarily have a BE or an MCA.

What are the skills considered desirable for a successful career in this sector?

Knowledge of internet technology and related software products would help. Even those specialising in business strategy need a basic knowledge of the technology. And an ability to constantly innovate is the key.

e-Commerce is one area that offers global opportunities more than any other, considering the global growth in e-commerce, a perennial shortage of skilled workforce, and the improved 'image' of the Indian professional.

CEO; Transnational infotech firm; USA, UK, Japan, and India; Relevant qualification with experience; Akiko Sherman Infotech, 13/19 Padam Singh Chowk, Ajmal Khan Road, New Delhi-110005.
e-mail: asherman@giasdlo1.vsnl.net.in

CEO; To be based in Calcutta; MD with at least 10 years of professional and management experience in hospital systems of the United States, Europe, and India; B.M.Birla Heart Research Centre, 9/1, R.N. Mukherjee Road, Birla Building, Calcutta-700001;
e.mail: hmlcorp@vsnl.net

Vice-President; New Delhi; Graduate/MBA in marketing, 10-12 years of relevant experience; Ansal Housing & Construction, 15, UGF, Indraprakash, 21, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001.

General Manager (Marketing); Relevant qualification and experience; SECO Advance Equipments, 217, Sri Ram House, Ashram Chowk, Mathura Road, New Delhi-110014

Deputy General Manager (Marketing); New Delhi; Graduate/MBA with 5-6 years of relevant experience; Ansal Housing & Construction, 15, UGF, Indraprakash, 21, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi-110001.

Project Manager; USA; BS/BE and MBA with relevant experience; Reliable Web Solutions; 11-4-641/A, A.C. Guards, Hyderabad.
e-mail: careers@reliablecorp.com

Marketing Executives; Automotive industry; UAE; graduate with relevant experience in sales and marketing in the automotive industry; Personnel Search Services; Engineering Cell, 222, Parabhadevi Estate, Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-400025.

Sales Executive; Trading Enterprises; UAE; Graduate with relevant experience in automotive industry; Personnel Search Services, Engineering Cell, 222, Prabhadevi Estate, Veer Savarkar Marg, Prabhadevi, Mumbai-400025.

Jobwatch

It is as difficult to sift through the myth surrounding e-commerce as it is to grasp the vast potential that the internet holds for businesses. There's tremendous hype and there's infinite potential. Everything is up for grabs. Of course, most estimates paint a rosy picture. In a recent projection, ICRA Information Services says e-commerce in the country is likely to grow from Rs 470 crore in 2000 to Rs 25,200 crore in 2005. It predicts that the lion's share will be taken by business-to-business (B2B) commerce, with b2c-the commercial activities targeting consumers-accounting for just Rs 1,880 crore. That means on-line shopping sites will go through a lot of heartburn.

As far as the B2B segment is concerned, there are tremendous opportunities, though it's still not clear which model will eventually click. Requisite domain experience is crucial in this field, but it is no guarantee of success. Start-ups may or may not click. With wired backends in place, we can expect to see e-commerce in full play in the next few years. But either way, it's going to be a bumpy ride. So look hard before you leap.

e-commerce isn't easy. The e-commerce wave has raised a lot of expectations, some of them unrealistic. And the average B2C experience has not been particularly encouraging. But that has not deterred hopefuls from rushing in. Do you regard yourself as the great white hope of the e-marketplace? Then read on:

The basics of marketing are the same. A thorough understanding of the market, the channels, and the customer profile are de rigueur. Those interested in careers in vertical B2B companies, need domain knowledge.

A basic knowledge of technology and future trends are necessary for even those specialising in business strategy or marketing. This could mean knowledge of software programming like C, C++, ASP, HTML, and java interfaces as well as databases like Oracle and Informix. Familiarity with on-line customer-relationship management and supply-chain management (famously abbreviated as e-CRM and e-SCM), would also be required.

Innovative thinking, too, is a must. The Net is a new medium. To survive, you need to have the ability to adapt, to cope with uncertainties, to learn, and to be effective in a rapidly-evolving sector.

The Top Level: CEOs, coos, head of sales and marketing, head of channel partnering, head of supply-chain management, head of technology, head of finance, and head of content.
Qualifications: A good graduate degree with MBA. Technical qualifications like MCA /BE/B. Tech for technical positions. Relevant experience in a related field.
Compensation: Rs 15-25 lakh

The Middle Level: General managers/Vice-presidents in operations, sales and marketing, strategic alliances, supply-chain management and logistics, finance and accounts, technology, and hr. Content editors and senior writers. Design editors and visualisers.
Qualifications: BE/B. Tech/B. Com/B.Sc with MBA. MCA/B. Tech/B.E. for technical positions. Relevant experience in related fields. Journalistic/advertising experience in content.
Compensation: Rs 7-14 lakh

The Lower Level: Managers/executives in operations, sales, marketing, channel partnering, supply chain, logistics, finance, technology, and hr. Writers in content, artists and visualisers in design.
Qualifications: An B-school graduate for business positions. Technical qualifications for technical positions. 1-2 years of relevant experience.
Compensation: Rs 2-6 lakh

Hot Job, Cool Move
He's gone! P.K. Vijaykumar, the 36-year-old chief executive officer of the Calcutta-based provider of free internet services, Caltiger, has quit. He has moved from Calcutta to Delhi to join NIIT Online Learning Ltd., the company that runs the e-learning site Netvarsity.com. Under this IIT-IIM-trained hotshot, Caltiger grew from being just another free ISP to one of the top players in the access business. Vijaykumar says he made the move as he saw a great opportunities in e-learning. He also claims to have a personal interest in the business. Will he convert his passion into numbers? Watch this space...

Easy Go, Easy Come
One more enters Dabur India Ltd's (DIL) stable of professional managers. The company recently lost its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Yogesh Mathur to transnational company Indian Shaving Products Ltd (ISPL). But it has been able to acquire a new one just as easily. Rajan Varma, who was CFO at another transnational Carrier Aircon, has stepped into Mathur's shoes. Varma no doubt, will add to DIL's much-touted professionalisation drive.

Random Leap
Cll it the French connection. R.K. Rangan, just joined the business services arm of the Axa Group, the French insurance conglomerate. He will be the chief financial officer (CFO) of Axa Business Services, which is into it-enabled services. Before this, Rangan was the CFO of anz Grindlays retail business. Well, balance sheet figures look pretty much same everywhere and all CFOs crunch numbers. Despite the industry shift, it's probably a good move...

Poaching More Talent
Looks like it is time to ring in the new here. The Calcutta-based RPG Group is fortifying its ranks with professional managers. It has just got itself a new head for one of its core companies, Harrison Malayalam, which is into tea and rubber plantations. The new incumbent is Prabhakar Dev, who was earlier with paper major Van Leer. Earlier, it had also snapped up Arvind Aggarwal from Eicher to head its corporate hr function. Aggarwal, who joined as President (HR), replaced veteran Arun Joshi. Another RPG Group company, Food World, too hired itself a new CEO, Prem Pradeep some time back. That's quite a line-up.

L&T soldier
This one is a lifer. Vijay Magapu, who has just taken over as the CEO of L&T Information Technology Ltd (LTIL), joined the company as a design engineer three decades back and worked his way up. He has handled diverse projects ranging from atomic energy infrastructure to fabrication equipment. Under his leadership, LTIL will be looking to move up the it value-chain by focusing on strategic software projects for the utilities sector and e-design services for the engineering sector. New head, new focus...

Postscript
This one is surely corporate India's loss and the consulting industry's gain. Sukanya Kirpalu, who quit Kelloggs India some time back, is joining marketing guru Shunu Sen. Sen, who floated his marketing and brand management consultancy firm Quadra, after a long and successful stint at HLL, is sure to welcome Kirpalu who was the head of marketing in Kellogs and rose to stardom after a brilliant run earlier at Cadbury India. With Sen in Delhi and Kirpalu in Mumbai, Quadra now boasts great fire power...

I am a 28-year-old engineer, working with a reputed NGO, and heading their vocational training cell. I have been working with this NGO for some time and it was my first job after I left my campus. Now I want to shift to the corporate sector as my present job does not have good long-term prospects. I am doing an MBA through distance-learning, and honing my software skills. Do I need more qualifications, or should I try for a better career in the NGO sector itself?

It is never too late to change your career. In the West, it is not uncommon to find people who have changed their field of work in the middle of their careers. You could attempt a full-time MBA. With your background as an engineer and with your experience in training, you could actually get into the software education field. Figure out what really interests you in the long-term.

I am 25 and an economics graduate. I have finished a diploma course in computers and have just got admission to a reputed distance-learning MBA course. I have worked as a junior executive at in advertising agency for six months. Presently, I look after the communications function and office administration in a consulting firm. I realise these are not going to lead to a great career. How can I improve my chances of landing a better job? My distance MBA leaves me time on my hands to invest in my career.

You may be right in your assessment of your current job. However, a distance MBA may not be sufficient to give your career a monumental boost. The question to ask would be: did you enjoy your work at the advertising agency? If the answer is yes, you could go back to working in an ad agency and pursue your MBA. Or get into corporate communications. You could also do specialised courses in advertising and communications - Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad (MICA), Ahmedabad, and Xavier Institute of Communication (XIC), Mumbai offer courses in these fields. Journalism is another related field you could try your luck in, but only if you have the flair for it.

I am a commerce graduate and took a shot at CAT after graduation, but I could not clear the interview stage. I am entrepreneurial by nature-could I do a specific course in business entrepreneurship? My parents want to me to do an MBA. Please advise.

An MBA from a top business school does give you a passport to, or at least a shot at a good job. So it's definitely an option. There are MBA programmes in India (other than those from the IIMs) and abroad, which also offer good prospects. You could also prepare for the interview if you see that as a stumbling block. As for entrepreneurship development-there are entrepreneurial development institutes in Delhi and Ahmedabad. You could also pursue courses in management or entrepreneurship abroad, if you have the resources. If you are quite firm on starting your own business-you could enrol in a compressed MBA course like the five-month offered by IIM, Ahmedabad.

I am a civil engineer with over two decades of experience in a state government department. I have an excellent record in creating and maintaining water- supply infrastructure. I have got citations for my managerial and technical excellence and have lent my expertise to professional bodies. Today, I feel restricted in my government career and want to enter the private sector? But at 46, my age is a barrier. Can I do something about this? Could I start a consultancy practice, if a regular switchover is not possible?

You could apply to larger construction firms who have large contracts for building infrastructure. They are always on the lookout for good people and your age may not be a constraint-though I must add that the construction industry may not be the best paymaster. You may face difficulties if you venture out as an independent consultant-the better option would be to join an established consultancy firm. Weigh your options well. The government job offers you a lot of security and perquisites that you may be taking for granted. These may not necessarily be available in the corporate world.

Tarun Sheth, the senior consultant at the Mumbai-based recruitment and training consultancy firm, Shilputsi, addresses your career concerns every fortnight. Write to help, Tarun!!! c/o Business Today, F-26, Connaught Place, New Delhi-1.