Career Today: Best Jobs; Ask Tarun!!!; Tracking; Pumping The Rolodex

CEO; Bangalore-based software company; Bangalore; B.tech/MBA and 12-15 years of experience with at least 3-4 years in managing operations of a software company and a complete understanding of technology; itcareersonline.com, a-34, defence colony, new delhi-110024.
e-mail: rashmitaneja@vsnl.com

CEO; Software company; Chennai; relevant qualification and experience; Nidhi Reddy Consultants, s/36, Fifth Avenue, Besant Nagar, chennai-600090.
e-mail: reddy@vsnl.com

General Manager (Technical); Amsys infotech; Noida; MCA/B.Tech/M.Tech in computer science with 10 years of relevent experience; Amsys Infotech, A-67, sector 57, Noida-201301.
e-mail: anjali@amsysinfotech.com

Quality Manager; Amsys infotech; Noida; MCA/ B.Tech/M.Tech in computer science with five years of relevent experience; Amsys Infotech, A-67, sector 57, noida-201301.
e-mail: anjali@amsysinfotech.com

Vice-President (Technology); Toubro Infotech and industries; California; graduate in engineering with 10-12 years of experience in the software industry and internet-related technologies; Toubro Infotech and industries. Sector 9-d, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh-160017.

Project Manager; AMDOCS; Cyprus; B.Tech/ M.Tech/BE/ME (computer science)/MCA with three years experience in software development; AMDOCS.
e-mail: delhi@amdocs.com

Product Manager; Bahwan automotive centre; Muscat; Engineering/MBA from a reputed institute with 12-15 years of experience in marketing or product management; Bahwan automotive centre, post box-168, muscat-113, Sultanate of Oman.

LEVERaging IT
Hindustan Lever has been used to poachers for some time. It is known as one of the industry's best training grounds. Whether it is marketing, finance or hr, Lever has always been the place to pick up people from. The latest front of attack seems to be infotech. After Lalit Sawhney's exit as head of information systems, which we reported in the last issue, it is the second-in-command Ganesh Iyer's (not to be confused with the Hewlett Packard honcho) turn to exit. Iyer is joining as CIO for Aditi Technologies. Quips an observer: ''it is only to be expected; with HLL's systems already in place, there is not much more to do there.''

The Pros And Cons

Think back to the last cocktail party you attended. How many people did you know before and by the end of the party? If you can count the numbers on your fingers...it's time for some introspection. It's a small world out there. You are surprisingly close to critical information, resources, and people. The average professional knows 3,500 people directly...and each one of those people has a similar number of contacts.

Smart networking is about building strong relationships that benefit both sides. Just a few well-placed phone calls to friends-and friends of friends-can get you in touch with almost anybody in the country.

How it helps
You will have a much better chance of forming a new relationship quickly if you can use the name of a mutual acquaintance-even someone you don't really know very well-to introduce yourself to your target.

Successful people tend to know more key associates than their less accomplished peers. They remember and maintain contacts from their past while continually seeking out new, beneficial relationships. They keep these relationships in good repair, so that when they need a favour or an edge over their less connected competitors, it's theirs for asking. In short, networking is essential in corporate life. We always feel more comfortable dealing with people we know.

Network, or perish
In today's cut-throat environment, nobody can afford to fail. And that means making sure you hire winners. As a result, hr managers have started relying more on reference checks. In some cases the reference check is more important then the interview. A person who has maintained relationships in his networking environment will find it easier to benefit in such a situation. So let the rolodex gather dust at your own risk. But remember, the idea is to promote yourself-not push yourself, because nobody likes a braggart.

S.O.S
His sprits may have been high for the past four years as area manager (Middle East & North Africa), Allied Domecq, but his heart was always at home in India. So when the new economy came calling with an opportunity in healthcare Vikas Kuthiala jumped for it. And that is how he landed up as the general manager (India) for International SOS. One of the world's largest healthcare management and medical assistance company, International SOS is based in Singapore. The Indian liaison office has been around for the last three years. Now it's time for some action.

Heavyweights
The scales at Avery India may have been temporarily put off balance when the 66-year-old head, Narinder Nath retired in December. But the balance was restored on January 2, 2001, when Jairaj Singh joined as the new CEO. After a long search, Singh was picked up from Indal where he was heading a division. Nath also made his exit as CEO from sister concern Schenk Avery, which is likely to get a successor all the way from Germany.

Going Dotty
Who says dotcoms have lost their appeal? There are still many out there willing to take up the dot challenge despite everything being said about them. The most recent new economy convert is P&G's marketing director (Thailand), Vivek Bali. After 16 years with the FMCG major, Bali has joined as President (Content), Sify.com. He will head the portal division of Satyam Infoway that includes Sify.com as well as its channels: walletwatch.com, carstreet.com, and carnaticmusic.com. besides this, he will also be steering Indiaworld.co.in and its channels. The IIM-a graduate was head of P&G's haircare division in India before leaving for Thailand, where he was heading a regional project on teenagers. A few months ago, many would have raised their eyebrows at the idea of a 40-year-old heading a dotcom. But then, as they say, ultimately it is experience that pays.

Increasing EVA
Born in India, a citizen of Australia, educated in the US, and a permanent resident of Singapore, Tejpavan Gandhok is as multi-cultural as they come. The 32-year-old vice-president of Stern Stewart (that's right, the EVA guys) has recently taken over the reins at the firm's Indian operations. The UCLA graduate's career is as varied as his life-he started as a production engineer in a research company, worked in a technology incubator in the University of Melbourne, had a stint at the Boston Consulting Group, where he helped set up the Indian office, and played a business development role for Monsanto in Asia Pacific. To boot, he occasionally takes a look at the family's restaurant business-Tandoori junction. But now that Gandhok is back home, maybe there will be some economic value added.

I am a 34-year-old assistant branch manager (sales) who's been working with LIC for the last 10 years. At present I am close to completing an MBA from IGNOU. I am also a fellow at the insurance Institute of India, and have a law degree from Kerala University. With the recent developments in the insurance sector, I am now considering a career in this field. What are the career prospects at the middle management level? What should I do to be there?

You have good chances if you really have a successful track record, possess a proactive attitude towards customer service, and boast a high level of skills in the areas you have mentioned. You should look out for appointment ads, apply to the insurance companies directly, and also send your resume to leading recruitment consultants. However, the structures and culture in many of the newer companies will be a little different and you need to keep in mind that you may need to adapt yourself to a different working environment.

I am a 32-year-old assistant manager in a reputed transnational pharmaceutical company. I have been handling international sales-mainly in the Asian region-for the last four-to-five years. I am also an MBA from a premier institute. Circumstances in my present office have become such that I want to leave my job. Instead of joining another pharma company, I wish consider other sectors. Where do you feel I would fit in and be able to use the experience I have gathered over the years?

You could of course fit into any export-oriented job-the most relevant would be pharma, bulk drugs, and chemicals. You could also work for trading or export houses or in any other branded goods export business, and at a pinch, even it. So the field is really quite open for you in an international marketing assignment in any industry. However, this could be the right time to make a drastic change if ever you have wanted to make one. In this case, you will have to weigh the long- and short-term career advantages and disadvantages.

I am a 40-year-old investment banker. At present, I am heading the treasury operations of a reputed Indian investment bank. I am an MBA from IIM-Calcutta and have worked in the finance function of various corporate houses. I do not feel that I can achieve more than I already have in my present job. I am getting offers from the Middle East in investment banking that I am not interested in. Given my age, what areas can I switch to in India. Do you suggest any courses or training programmes that can be of help?

Since you already have an MBA for IIM-Calcutta, what you need is to complement it with an awareness of the recent developments, trends, and activities in your field-legal and regulatory issues-as well as developments abroad. You can do a couple of short-term specialised courses or attend a few relevant seminars that are conducted periodically. Your skills in treasury operations can be utilised by banks, finance companies, insurance companies, trading companies, and corporate houses.

I am a 25-year-old individual working with a public relations firm for the last three years. I have been handling the media and several key accounts. I enjoy client-servicing more than handling media. However, I would not like to stay in PR forever. How relevant would my experience be in advertising? Since I am just a graduate in English (hons)-do I need to study more?

You are only 25 years and can augment your qualifications quite easily-it would be worthwhile to do this. That way, the lack of a qualification will not become a constraint later in his career. Your options are to do an MBA or a specialised course in mass communication or advertising. After this, you would be able to get back to pr or switch to advertising and leverage your experience. In case you do an MBA, you could look at other professions. If you enjoy client-servicing and are keen on advertising as a career, a specialised course would be more relevant. If you have not made up your mind and want to keep your options open, you could consider an MBA.

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.

BUILDING ME-INC
Pumping The Rolodex
It's not what you know, it's who you know that counts. How many times have you heard that one? In this instalment of 'Building Me-Inc', Careers Today examines the relationship between success and networking. Here's what the men on the battleline had to say:

R.K. Caprihan
It's been a long and strange trip for R.K. Caprihan: from marketing head of LML, through deputy director of Samsung, to CEO of Jaldi.com. One thing, though has been constant: his faith in the power of networks.

I believe that networking is extremely important and I would go out of my way to network. If you know the right person in the right place, you can get any job done much faster. Organisations are becoming larger and more bureaucratic by the day, and it is difficult to know everyone personally. But if you've made the effort to interact with people, your relationship with them will ensure that they process your work faster.

Sometimes, if you come up with a new idea, and you're networked at the senior level where people have greater vision, it is possible to get your idea approved. It's all about getting the right person at the right time. Even if it is for a minute.

Due to the speed at which new economy companies work, you have to often conduct business with people you don't know. In such situations, business deals take up more time because people are not comfortable making deals with someone they don't know. But the better your networking skills and the wider your network, the lower is the risk associated with a transaction.

Ajay Kapila
Anyone who knows the 38-year-old marketing head of LG appreciates the effort he puts into maintaining relationships. He's the type of person who takes pains to make sure he is available:

In today's environment, business is all about people and relationships. That is why it is critical to keep getting to know people. Marketing today has gone beyond advertising-you market by connecting to people. I spend 30 per cent of my time networking, be it with dealers, consumers, or just about anyone else. It gives me a chance to create awareness about the company and myself.

In a company like LG you get limited time. Social interaction comprises mostly meetings with people in the industry, training programmes, or one-to-one meetings with professionals from advertising. I am also a member of two informal clubs of about 10 persons each. Each has a variety of participants; one, for instance has a corporate lawyer, an economist, a PSU executive, a search consultant. These meetings broaden your horizons. And you learn a lot. Since a professional is a sum of individual skills, I benefit, and, as a result the organisation benefits.

The concept of business is changing. The focus has shifted from production to marketing to technology and now, to knowledge. The faster you gather information and knowledge, the better. The first one to have information will always benefit. And the best way to gather this information is to meet and know people.

Today, speed is essential. And the way to accelerate things is to know who the people are, who can help you, and when. Unless you are networked, you remain ignorant. Indeed networking helps at all times.