MBA Pulse, a unique platform for higher management education aspirants, is the first-of-its-kind initiative to guide, advise, and mentor both UG and second-year PG students.
The Founder of MBA Pulse (www.mba-pulse.com), Dr. C.N. Narayana, needs no introduction in the PGDM B-School segment. He has worked in leadership positions in International Management Institute (IMI, New Delhi) and IFIM Bengaluru, KIAMS (Harihar & Pune) as Principal Director, and IIEBM, Pune as Group Director General. He has won several national and international awards for his teaching, research, and leadership of business schools. He also ranked No. 4 in Leadership in 2017 by NHRDN and people matters ranking.
At the age of 56, he had the vision to start something that is geared to help the student community explore opportunities for better career growth. “There are around 4,000 odd B-Schools in India, but the quality is always a question mark,” he says.
Over the years, Dr. C.N.Narayana has mentored thousands of students. He has also had a great stint in the corporate world, working in leadership positions in Godrej, GE, Xerox, Thermax, Essar, and the RPG group. He has handled finance, FP&A, manufacturing, costing, HR, operations, and group business audit before embarking on his journey in academia. He has published 10 books in the areas of management, spirituality, inner management, mysticism, and life.
Dr. Narayana was mentored and guided by the late Dr. C.S. Venkatratnam and Padma Shri Dr. Pritam Singh. He has taught Strategic Management, Human Resources Strategy, Training and Development, and OD & Change Management. He has published more than 20 research papers in reputed management journals and published case studies in Case Centre U.K. He is also a social worker, helping NGOs for girl child development in rural areas.
Dr. C.N. Narayana says his 34 years of experience taught him that Indian students are not mentored properly in higher education. Many end up regretting their choices due to lack of guidance and mentorship post UG. He believes that aspirants must be properly mentored so that they are able to make the right choice. MBA Pulse will focus on mentoring aspirants free initially to choose the best fit PGDM and MBA institution, and then for a nominal fee for career counselling and advice. Second-year management graduates will also be given inputs on the interview process and tips on how to crack interviews.
MBA Pulse is a unique platform through which both management aspirants and management institutes will gain immensely as Dr. Narayana will guide and advise CAT/XAT/MAT and other entrance examination candidates depending on their entrance score, profile, and background. There is an online form that aspirants can register with for the initial free mentoring based on MBA Pulse’s Panch Tantra Model (5 Pulses). According to Dr. Narayana, it’s useful for management institutions to deliver well on academics, skilling, personality development, international linkages, accreditation, and placement and packages. A few pointers on the 5 Pulses will give an understanding both to the aspirant and PGDM/MBA institutes to give better value for the post-graduation course.
The right kind of guidance is like fuel in the engine of a person’s career. The right amount of this fuel can not only provide the necessary kick-start but also furnish it with the essentially requisite ultra-power. One such unique platform is MBA Pulse.
“I’m a big fan of technology, which will pave the way for futuristic education and learning and absorption – whatever changes are going to happen, they are going to happen through technology.” – Dr. C.N. Narayana
About Dr. C.N. Narayana, Founder of MBA Pulse
Dr. C.N. Narayana is an extensive researcher, a teacher, an author, and a proven transformational leader of B-Schools. He has been on both the sides of the table, and hence best understands how things work in the industry as well as the relationship between institutions and corporates.
With this valuable experience he founded MBA Pulse, which is an initiative to connect students with the best kind of B-School for them. After working for corporations and B-Schools, he came across the need for better regulated business and management institutions. About this, he says, “There are around 4000 odd B-Schools in India, but the quality is always a question mark.”
The 5 Pulse Model
The 5 Pulse Model or “Pancha Tantra Model of 5 Pulses” ranks institutions based on the validation points of pulses 1–5. Only the top 50 institutes will be chosen to guide students for the best possible fit.
It is considered to be the most important avenue to credibility and growth in career. Institutions are known by their academic rigour and seamless intervention with the student-knowledge spectrum, which ultimately helps in cultivating professional craftsmanship.
The three focal points of this pulse are:
- Standard setting
- Institute’s support in rigour in achievement
- Validation of achievement
Pulse 2- Industry Academia Interface Pulse
It speaks about the symbiotic relationship between academics and industry, and how good institutes should power the needs of industry.
The focal points are:
- Good institutes should power the needs of the industry
- Ratio of regular faculty to industry professionals should ideally be 1:4
Pulse 3– Personality Enhancement Program & Extra-Curricular Activities
This pulse talks of the role that personality enhancement initiatives of an institute play in shaping a student’s career, and whether or not the program combines the need to be groomed with management-related aspects.
The focal points are:
- Personality development is earmarked as a course with due credit given to every aspect of personality inputs
- Good institutes have a well-sketched-out personality development program inclusive of almost all aspects of L, S, W, and R
- The institute must have a well-defined volunteering program where students understand the importance of giving back to society
Pulse 4- Accreditation, International Linkages, Certification Courses, Student Exchange
It talks about the efficiency of institutes with regard to being accredited by standard setting bodies that are known for their governance and compliances; if they have the minimum National Board of Accreditation (NBA) at first level, as the AIU affiliation certificate of PGDM equivalent to MBA enables higher study opportunities abroad; and whether quality is assured on international accreditations such as SAQS, AMBA, and AACSB.
The focal points are:
- International linkages
- Certificate courses
- Student exchange
Pulse 5- Placements, Profile & Packages (ROI)
As there is a major need for this aspect in the life of every student, it becomes imperative that this particular pulse exists. It reiterates the availability of a well-defined and progressive placement cell in institutions. It checks if processes and systems are put in place for placements, if students are trained for placements and interviews, and if longer Business Immersion Programs with higher credits ranging from 16 to 24 will give better scope for PPOs and a higher average salary.
The focal points are:
- Placements
- Admissions
- Code of Conduct
- Leadership
Credibility of the Institution is Paramount
Dr. Narayana firmly believes that it’s not about the degree, but about credibility. He has hinted that most institutions today do not impart knowledge with attitude but focus on sales pitches. To help students get out of the snares of capitalistic institutions and help them choose a good institution, he hopes to provide them with valuable advice that is free of cost. He also has plans to mentor over 1,000 students in 2021.
Through the accumulation of knowledge with the industry perspective and practical learning based on technological adaptation, MBA Pulse aims to impart industry-oriented concepts of internship, intrapreneurship, and entrepreneurship through live projects.
Quality Private B-Schools are as good as branded IIMs
MBA Pulsecomprehends the fact that recruiters focus 70% on attitude and 15% each on skills and knowledge. Therefore, there is a clear need to focus on good internships that can build attitude and opportunities to encourage Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs). Institutions must focus on longer internships in summer and winter with higher credits. Further, Dr. Narayana is resolute on providing mentees with the best guidance and counselling.
Dr. Narayana says private B-Schools can be better than IIMs and government-supported ones, if chosen properly. When asked about the student-professor relationship, he says, “Students are not perceived properly by faculty. I am a learner for life. I learn from students. I never use PPTs. I make use of storytelling and look at the students’ perspective before thinking like a teacher. I want to make it very simple.”
Major Takeaways from MBA Pulse
MBA Pulse provides mentorship and job counselling through career buddy to students of MBA and PGDM, while freshers are given additional support to help them carve a successful career in management. Using MBA Pulse’s Panch Tantra, they also learn how to choose the best B-school in line with their expectations and goals. Individuals with job experience who are seeking career growth can also opt for MBA Pulse, while undergrads who are looking for sound guidance receive seamless counselling.
Though there are many counsellors and admission consultants in this PGDM sphere. None in our view worked at the highest level of Business Schools as a leading teacher, researcher and Director to directly interact with aspirants and students. It may be a rare opportunity to interact with a leader who has witnessed everything in a Business School Journey.
