Bengaluru: Experts from the business community converged at Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research (WeSchool) Bengaluru to witness the outcome of six months long industry collaborated Global Citizen Leadership (GCL) programme. Students presented their innovative business models which provided solutions to issues relating to rural, innovation, social issues, human resources, smart city, artificial intelligence, retail, infrastructure, logistics and energy conservation.
With the ever changing technology brought around by Fourth Industrial Revolution, we are on the brink of yet another disruptive change in the way businesses are being run. Concerted efforts need to be put in by academia and industry to upskill and reskill the workforce and make India’s youth employment ready. GCL is one of the initiatives undertaken which will create conscious business leaders of the future who would look at inclusive growth for all curbing the impact of disruption caused by #Industry4.0.
Chief Guest at the valedictory function; Shri Abhishek Ranjan, Global Head – Sustainability, CSR and BFSI Industry Marketing, Brillio Technologies said, “GCL is a wonderful programme which really shows the dedication the faculty that is bringing relatable leaders. As per estimates by 2020, 80% of global workforce will be the millenials, who will change the world. With evolution of technology on a constant basis the next five years will bring about a disruptive change in the IT industry“.
Launched at WeSchool (Bengaluru) in 2014, The Global Citizen Leadership (GCL) in association with the world renowned Center for Creative Leadership (CCL®), a company that trains fortune 500 companies globally on innovation and leadership practices, is aimed at transforming the students of the Full-Time PGDM programs into Global Citizen Leaders, leading to the betterment of organization and society. With a view of providing holistic student growth and development, GCL aims to connect with corporates, government and NGOs to create an experiential platform to mentor the students to become socially conscious global business leaders with empathy towards all stakeholders. Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a global nonprofit organization focused on leadership development and research. This unique programme offers a platform to address industry issues and imparts leadership and innovation skills to create a difference in the industrial eco-system.
Group Director of WeSchool, Prof Dr Uday Salunkhe said “In today’s rapidly evolving world we need to look at innovative solutions to the challenges that we are witnessing. Industry and academia need to collaborate further to encourage and provide a platform for young minds to showcase their design thinking and problem solving abilities to further bolster their leadership skills. The Global Citizen Leadership Programme is one of the finest examples of industry and academia collaboration towards cultivating future leaders”.
Over 154 students of the Full time PGDM programs worked on 17 projects that were displayed, which is an effort of six months. The prototypes have been created under the guidance and mentorship of faculty members. Some of the corporates who have engaged with students on these challenges include Randstad, Dell, Wallmart, Indegene, HP, Biocon, TCS, Mindtree, Titan etc.
The corporates visiting were seen taking keen interest and interacting with the students at stalls during the walk-through which was arranged to showcase all the prototypes and posters related to the various challenges and the research findings.
Some of the interesting projects are listed below:
For Maya Organic India: The challenge on hand for the company was process improvisation. The problem statement identified was to spruce up the operation efficiency of Maya Organics. Creating Awareness about Social Investments and Encouraging Social Investments/Donations for Rang De
· Recommendations:
o The aim of the project was to simplify and standardize the operations at MAYA ORGANIC. The following suggestions were made, of which a majority were by the company.
§ Improvise the seasoning process with alternative cost effective ways.
§ Change in storage layout to reduce wastage
§ Creation of a customized ‘Identity Card’ to track the performance of workers
§ Designed gum tape with embedded logo for packaging to enhance recall value
§ Innovatively designed sign boards for better housekeeping.
§ Performance analysis based on Job card.
§ The challenge facing the company is to implement a modern and scientific operative model on a creative but reluctant workforce to propagate an ancient art
For Protovillage: The challenge on hand for the company was Business Enterprise Management. The problem statement identified was to Devise Feasible Strategies for Protovillage: Considering Project Infancy, Limited Resources and Market Competition.
Recommendations
A detailed cost and operation statement for distribution was presented for three options i.e. multilevel marketing, Amazon Easyship, G10 organic inventory space.
Promotional strategies suggested for the products so as to create high recall and recognition for the brand “BeLeaf”.
A supply chain model was made for them that could benefit on the margins by reducing retailers’ cut. The model also provided the company a list of process steps that could help them to do the same efficiently {ninjacart , farm fresh to you , G10organics}.
The student team responsible for online activities optimized the company website, created an Instagram account updated the company Facebook page and formulated the necessary tabs and content for effective social media activity.
An activity based model was suggested that could help the company segregate activities into village, nodal and house level activity and map appropriate return to every contributing center. 3 models for efficient waste management were suggested that could transport compost material from cities to villages.
For Rang De: The challenge on hand for the company was creating awareness about social investments and encouraging social investments/donations for Rang De. The problem statement identified was to create awareness about how Rang De as an organization is working towards helping communities by giving them an opportunity to earn a living.
Recommendations:
Promote awareness about the Rang De cause. It is important to overcome the wrong perception that the investments are donations and this needs to be explained. All this requires concentrated efforts by the company official.
Companies to be strongly targeted to sign up Rang De as their CSR partner.
Residential gated communities have large people strength which needs to be strongly tapped by way of conducting creative /fun activities.
Rang De to execute their awareness activities through viral challenges like DubSmash and Laughter Challenge to raise social investments/donation.
Rang De can create awareness among school children by visiting schools and doing drives in order to raise the social consciousness towards community service from an early age.
The projects presented in the GCL finale’17 are under review by the participating corporates after which these would progress to explore funding in the next phase.