I am a production manager in a manufacturing company. Last month, my company laid off 175 workers. But some, including me, were retained. Although we were given a reprieve, we haven't been guaranteed job security. I am at a loss and don't know what to say to friends who have lost their jobs. I feel scared about my future.

This is an uncertain situation. It is not possible to be human and not feel the pain of layoffs. However, layoffs are here to stay. And we need to learn to handle them though we may not be immune to them. You are working for a company that is not doing too well and could end up losing your job just like your colleagues did. You need to accept the situation and prepare yourself for the future. So get your resume ready and send it out to recruitment consultants. In time, you will find another job and get over this rough patch in your life.

I am 45 years old and have a degree in management from a second-rung B-school. Right now, I am a senior executive with a reputed consumer durables company. I want to shift to a more growth-oriented industry like financial services. Will it help if I go in for a second degree from a better-known institute in India or a foreign school?

Another MBA from a reputed B-school would have helped if you were younger. I don't think it will add much value to your resume now. However, you may need a reality check-the financial services sector is not the growth area you make it out to be. There are several one-year MBA programmes offered by foreign B-schools that are good, but the global economy being what it is, even that may not guarantee you a better job. On the other hand, it is never too late for a person to acquire new skills and competencies. It is commendable that you want to invest your time and money in self-renewal. You just need to be cautious as there is an element of uncertainty involved in the entire process.

I have a MBA degree from a premier Indian B-school and 10 years of sales and marketing experience in the auto industry. I have been unemployed for the past seven months. With the ongoing drought in the job market, how do I deal with my extended period of unemployment? How can I overcome the concerns of my prospective employers?

Layoffs may have become acceptable in India, but people who have been without job for sometime have to, per force, be ready with an explanation that can be offered to prospective employers. If you were laid off because your company was reorganising or right-sizing, chances are that people would have heard about it and the explanation process will be that much easier. However, the fact that you haven't managed to find a job in the last seven months may work against you. At th least, it calls for an explanation. You should be absolutely honest and explain that the right opportunities just did not come your way. In the meantime, you can take up a job even if it is with a smaller company and at a lower pay. The more time you stay jobless, the more difficult it will be to explain.

After working for two years as the senior HR manager of an insurance company, I finally found a dream job. It paid more, and I was told that I would be in charge of an innovative exercise. But six weeks into the new job I realised that my work has not even come close to what I was led to expect. I am extremely disappointed. My boss' explanation is that the new programme has been put on hold for a few months and that I should be patient. Should I quit and look for a new job? Should I call my former company to see if it wants me back?

You are only six weeks into your job but you have already lost patience. There are a few things you need to consider before you decide to quit. Is there more to this job, apart from the new programme? How does this company compare with the previous one? Six weeks is too short a span of time for you to start considering a job change. If you think you are going nowhere, you can always speak to your previous employer. However, if you apply for jobs other than your previous one, you may end up with a lot of explaining to do. You need to make up your mind on the basis of a short-term and long-term assessment of your present job.

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.

A World Without Borders
Indian executives find their niche as global managers.

Just let loose your imagination for a while. Think of a Banerjee or a Baretto from one of the football crazy pockets in the country playing for Manchester United, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Beckham and scoring goals by the dozen in the Premiership League. Very little chance of that happening in our lifetime? Well, take heart. What's not possible in football stadia is a reality in the world of business. Meet Rakesh Kapoor, 42, who as MD and Regional Director heads the operations of the Anglo-Dutch FMCG major Reckitt Benckiser in its home turf-UK, Ireland and Northern Europe. "It's challenging to work in a large and extremely competitive market that demands risk-taking abilities," gloats Kapoor.

MAKING IT BIG ON THE GLOBAL STAGE

P. VARADARAJAN Country Manager, Indonesia, Bank of America ''The ability to successfully integrate oneself in a global environment helps one gain visibility in a multinational work environment'' RAKESH KAPOOR Regional Director (Northern Europe) & MD (UK/Ireland) Reckitt Benckiser ''The right balance of leadership skills and the ability to identify talent and drive growth is the key to success at the global level'' ANUP CHIB General Manager, China/HK GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare ''Success is primarily the ability to foster effective relationships and drive results in a multi-cultural environment''

Indian managers taking up responsibilities on the global level is nothing new. This elite club boasts (or boasted) names like Keki Dadiseth, Victor Menezes and Rana Talwar.

With emerging markets becoming critical for the success of MNCs, they find the Indian manager's knowledge about these markets important. "The fact that they have proven themselves extremely savvy at adapting to the uncertainties and pressures of the global markets also helps," says Sunil Kishore, Senior VP (HR), Coca-Cola India. The cola major's contribution to the international Coke system includes Atul Singh, Head (Operations), China, Ajay Mitra, Country Manager, Bangladesh, and Amit Jain, Regional Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

The uniform work culture at most MNCs have made life easier for Indian managers. Says Anup Chib, GM, GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Healthcare, China/Hong Kong: "A culture that transcends national barriers lends itself to the emergence of a global managerial class."

"Over the next few years, Indian managers will become even more visible and successful," adds Kapoor.

Moral of the story: running a business can be easier than playing football.

Mily Chakrabarty & Bhaswati Chakravorty

"A Global Leader Should Have An Open Mind"

Nalin Miglani, Director (HR) of Beverage Partners Worldwide-a joint venture between Nestlé and Coca-Cola-and former VP (HR) of Coca-Cola India, spoke to BT's Bhaswati Chakravorty about the various aspects of his global role.

On how the work culture abroad is different: The difference is not in the work culture, but in the environment. A global work environment enriches one as a professional as one gets the opportunity to interact and learn from professionals worldwide. However, the transition from one to the other requires some time.

On what he has learnt from his global experience: In the global arena, one needs to be open to learning and have the ability to look at situations from a global perspective. My global role has added to my self-esteem and helped me become self-sufficient. It has provided me with a platform to meet people from different nationalities and to learn from their insights and experiences.

On whether he would come back to India: My assignment in Coca-Cola India was a very fulfiling one. A challenging career opportunity and the option of working in India is always attractive.