“GULF” BETWEEN ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY

Was recently moderating a discussion on the linkages between Academia and Industry. I recalled reading a research article wherein it was mentioned that only 5% of graduates in our country are considered employable, yes a shocking 5%.  Indeed, a feeling of helplessness pervaded all over. Why is it that people of a nation considered to be an intelligent race languishes so much in the depths when its graduates seek employment? While Academia needs to impart the knowledge to build the foundation, its time that it also started to impart practical skills which make them employment ready for a beginner’s job. That much we owe to our young aspirants. The syllabus needs to be expanded, changed to include practical skills that cover meeting dynamics, numbers orientation, personality development, official communication – spoken and written etc. Industry veterans need to be involved in bridging the gap, or is it the “gulf” between theory and practice. A partnership on these lines between Academia and Industry is the crying need of the hour.

WHAT AILS OUR GRADUATES?

I read an article which shockingly revealed that only 5% of graduates and 19% of Engineers who qualify from India each year are considered employable. When I correlate this statistic with my experience as a professional, teacher and interviewer, I can easily perceive the grain of truth that lurks beneath. There is not a gap, but a gulf between Academia and Industry – as the graduate discovers when he ventures out in to the “real” world. It is time that Academia and Industry collaborate to usher in a learning environment wherein the student is oriented to translate the “gyan” into “usable applications” at least to a point wherein he can be considered employment worthy – enough to gain an entry into the corporate world. It is a systemic change that is critical for the growth of human capital at its very foundation. The imparting of practical skills coupled with the essential knowledge is imperative. I am sure some of the TRP Skills can be drafted into the curriculum for a student to get that desired orientation. 

The Complete Manager

What does it take to be “The “Complete Manager”, a "Performer Extraordinaire”? He needs to have the core knowledge and the 15+ TRP Skills which enable him to seamlessly translate his/her Core Knowledge into Extraordinary Performance on a consistent basis. The “Complete Manager” should have a repertoire of skills which he can draw upon and instantly deploy. I believe that the sustained pursuit of “Riyaaz” ensures that the skills are practiced on a regular basis and honed up for operational readiness. Lack of TRP Skills makes a Manager’s performance severely compromised. The spectrum of TRP Skills covering select technical, communication, retention, recall and personality development skills ensure that the Manager has an all round capability to deliver – rapidly and confidently.

How far will you go in your career... in life! This would depend on your PAC. Potential+Aspiration+Commitment. Potential could be congenital, you could be born with certain levels of intelligence, sharpness, sixth sense... Potential could be in terms of knowledge acquisition through formal or informal education. Potential also refers to Applied Skills to translate that Core Knowledge into Real Output. I call these Applied Skills as TRP Skills which enable you to seamlessly translate Knowledge into Quality Performance. Potential and Aspiration have a circular relationship in that one feeds the other. With Potential and Aspiration backed by Commitment, that relentless pursuit of excellence, you can be the WINNER, no one can deprive you of that!.

TRP skills are a catalyst – too valuable to be compromised. Without TRP Skills your performance could be highly compromised. And what does it take to acquire them – acquiring these 15+ skills through a select curriculum and then perpetuating it through a sustained pursuit of Riyaaz – that daily routine towards excellence.

The First Indicator of a Performer with Really High TRP is the extremely short period of time he/she takes to deliver Quality Work. Work manifests in two forms - 1. the written document and 2. the voluble speech. Such a Quality Performer would be able to seamlessly transmit idea with appropriate technical strength, good choice of words, appropriate construct of the sentence, quick transfer to the document on the screen or in a series of spoken dialogues that reaches the audience unequivocally. It takes sustained practice of customized "Riyaaz" for each aspirant to be that Professional with a High TRP.

Have often asked myself and others "What constitutes an Outstanding Personality?"

Interestingly, the answers vary for almost all of them. But, a striking similarity emerges - the connotation of "Personality" has relevance to how long you know the guy.

When you know him for the fleeting moments of just a few minutes - it is the body language, the attire, the swagger with which he carries himself which constitutes personality. When you known him for about a month, it is more of the civility, the conduct with superiors and the presenting style that constitutes personality. And when you have known him for years, it is the value systems of integrity, fair play that he brings to the table along with his demeanor and sophistication that constitutes "Personality". What is your take on this?