I am a 30-year-old IIM-A graduate and essentially a marketing man. I have recently joined a foreign bank. I feel I am more competent than my immediate boss and that I would do better in his position. My boss landed the job purely out of the strong connections he had in the upper echelons of the bank's management. How should I proceed without harming my cause?

Go about your work in a manner, which is impeccable and innovative. If you have good ideas, start voicing them at meetings when your bosses are present-this will get you noticed. Always be prepared to present your plans for the company. If you are in a political environment it may not harm you to have a powerful mentor. However make sure you do not start impinging on your boss' authority or he may take umbrage and nip your cause in the bud. Lastly, change or try and change your attitude-it seems too cocky to me. You need to have some achievements to your credit before you can lay claim to a position rung higher in the ladder.

I'm a senior manager in the marketing department of an FMCG company. Around 10 other senior managers from different centres were interviewed for the post of general manager (marketing), and I am one of three finalists being considered for the senior-level position. My acquaintances in the hr outsourcing firm that is handling this assignment tell me that I am a close second. I'm keen to bag this assignment. What can I do to tilt the scales in my favour?

I am sure the other two are equally desperate. Some people do try lobbying with the decision-makers, but personally, I am not in favour of that. It may work in some cases but it backfires in most. Also, I am a staunch believer in merit speaking for itself. Having said that, we don't live in an ideal world. I am sure you can speak to your boss or some of your senior colleagues in other functions who are well disposed towards you. In an impromptu setting, ask them what they think of your chances. Chances are, they may take up your cause or at least talk about you favourably in other informal fora. Make sure you choose these people carefully-don't spread your net too wide and talk only to people whose voice will be heard. Lastly, ask yourself honestly if you are the best person for the job and if you don't get it-remember Rudyard Kipling's line "For they were better men than I".

I am the hr head of a consumer durables company. My company is very employee-friendly and allows married couples to work together in the same office. There is a colleague in my department whose husband is a good friend and also the head of the sales department. My colleague's work is not up to the mark and I am unable to bring this up for the fear of hurting my friend's feelings. But, I now feel the other employees in my department are displeased over this. What should I do?

I think you need to counsel your colleague about her performance. Before that, however, you need to tell the CEO that this is happening and that you are going to speak with her. Depending on how serious the situation is, you could either transfer your colleague to another department, which may be in keeping with her abilities, send her for training or just give her your feedback. It is a tricky situation since two careers are linked to one and the head of sales is usually a key and powerful position in most organisations. How you handle this will depend on your abilities in counselling, handling situations as well as your personal convictions and the courage to stand by them.

I am a 27 year old with a degree in management from IGNOU. I have done a course from NIIT in Oracle and am planning to do a two-month course on enterprise resource planning (ERP). I wish to make a career in ERP consulting. How do I go about it, considering that I have no work experience?

You will have to start from the scratch. In this environment, it may not be very easy to get a job in the ERP domain. You could try to get into a trainee or junior consulting position in one of the ERP consulting companies. On a different note, I would advise you to start working-you are 27 and have quite some way to go. It seems to me that you enjoy studying and getting degrees. That is great, but at some time you need to put them to use.

Answers to your career concerns are contributed by Tarun Sheth (Senior Consultant) and Shilpa Sheth (Managing Partner) of HR firm, Shilputsi Consultants. Write to Help,Tarun! c/o Business Today, Videocon Tower, Fifth Floor, E-1, Jhandewalan Extn., New Delhi-110055.

Time To Take A Hike
The slowdown is not likely to slow increments in 2002.

The bean counters have closed their books for the financial year just gone by; the companies know where they stand, and it's time to share the goodies with the employees-if there's any of it left after a second successive year of corporate bloodbath. But before you yawn in anticipation of another slowdown story, here's the spin: India Inc.'s employees can expect a salary increment in the range of 10-20 per cent. It's perhaps a pointer that expecting an economic recovery this year wouldn't be all that wishful.

The consumer sector has been most generous to its execs with an average pay hike of 17-18 per cent over last year. "Given the cut-throat competition, attracting and retaining the best talent is the key to success," says Y.V. Verma, Senior VP (HR), LG India.

But the picture isn't as rosy for the banking sector. After poor increments last year, foreign banks are likely see only marginal pay hikes this year. But bankers shouldn't crib too much as their salaries are almost on par with the Asia-Pacific region. Low inflation and recession in Asia-Pacific will hold the key for increments in 2002. The expectations are a modest 6-9 per cent across all levels, with 18-20 per cent for performers. Says Manjit Singh Lakhmana, VP (HR), Bank Of America: "If inflation rate decreases in future, increments could come down further." Adds Shailesh Shah, MD, Watson Wyatt Worldwide (India): "Salary increases this year will depend largely on inflation and individual performances."

The glaring income disparity between foreign and Indian banks is set to narrow down. The industry sources peg the most liberal salary correction at 20 per cent, while the more conservative estimates hover around 10 and 12 per cent. With industry leaders like ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, and SBI investing heavily in retail banking, there is a growing need for people with marketing experience. ''The Indian banking sector is now competing with the consumer sector and salaries have to be comparable to attract suitable talent to the industry,'' says K. Ramkumar, GM (HR), ICICI Bank.

Increments in pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare sectors are likely to be 8-10 per cent. For performers, the hike could be as much as 18-20 per cent. Predicts P. Dwarkanath, Director (HR), GlaxoSmithKline: "General bullishness in the sector will result in higher compensation at the senior levels in areas like marketing and research and development."

Increments in the yesteryears' darling it sector are likely to be around 10 per cent with most companies laying stress on pay-for-performance. Says Indrajit Sen, Director (HR), Hughes Software Systems: "Salaries in the it industry are performance-based and performers are rewarded even during a downturn."

The sunrise insurance sector is also expected to pay well in 2002. While the average increments are likely to be 10-15 per cent, the pay hikes may get as steep as 60 per cent for star performers, thanks to the talent gap in areas like underwriting, training, and actuarial services.

-Bhaswati Chakravorty