Independent Director tag no longer a symbol of social status

— By Dipita Joshi | May 22, 2015 12:01 am 

With the new Companies Act mandating increased responsibilities and penalties on Independent Directors, the line of distinction between Independent and Executive directors is getting blurred says Ajay Nadkarni, Company Secretary, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. In a free-wheeling chat with Dipta Joshi, also discusses the challenges of handling a high profile Board

Ajay Nadkarni, Company Secretary, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited (GSK) won the ‘Best Desk Award’ within the GSK Head Office for two consecutive years. For those who know Ajay, this comes as no surprise. After all, he is known to be a stickler for cleanliness. Another personal quality Ajay is known for is his disciplined approach towards the job at hand. “It ensures that I am never saddled with pending work,” says he.

And yet, Ajay is no stranger to the challenges that Company Secretaries face. Reminiscing about the time when his first employer, Skypak Couriers Limited (name changed to Skypak Courier and Cargo) came out with a public issue in 1995, he says, “Since the issue was a first by a courier company in the country, there was no industry average to fall back on while convincing the underwriters to subscribe to the public issue.”He faced a similar challenge when Bliss Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Limited (name changed to Bliss GVS Pharma) which was backed by the same promoter did a Rights Issue of shares. “The company manufactured women’s contraceptives which was a new concept then. This again meant using one’s skills to convince the underwriters,” adds Ajay.

Next, Ajay joined ADF Foods Limited (American Dry Fruits) which too had charted the public issue route a couple of years before he joined them. “Here the challenge was to get a family-run organisation to realise the importance of compliances and responsibilities that come once you are a publicly listed entity,” says he.

Ajay’s association with GSK, the British pharma major began 16 years back when he joined one of its associate companies as Company Secretary. In 2001, he became GSK’s Company Secretary. Currently, he is also its General Manager-Administration. GSK has provided Ajay with several opportunities to showcase his skills. He was involved in the merger of SmithKline Beecham India Limited in 2001, the merger of Burroughs Wellcome (India) Limited with GSK in 2004, the Buy-back of shares in 2005, the hiving off of the Health Care business and the Fine Chemicals business in 2007 and 2008 respectively besides the 2014 stake hike that saw the parent company, GSK Plc increase its stake to 75 percent.

Typically, balancing the different expectations of the Executive Directors as well as the Independent Directors is a big challenge for any Company Secretary. In a multinational company, the problem gets amplified when the expectations of the parent company’s nominee also need to be considered. But Ajay believes, with the correct processes and systems in place, such difficulties can be overcome.

For Ajay, the bigger challenge as a Company Secretary is handling GSK’s high profile Board where every Independent Board Member is a highly knowledgeable, distinguished and respected personality. “No matter how much you study during the Secretarial course, handling a high profile Board needs street smartness and presence of mind,” says Ajay. He feels a CS should pay as much attention to acquiring and polishing his soft skills.

According to Ajay, the new Companies Act, 2013, is a pragmatic piece of legislation. “The old Companies Act had more than lived its life and a new law was overdue,” says he. That the new Act focuses more on corporate self-reliance and greater automation is another positive. Ajay cites the simple example of filing of various forms with the ROC (Registrar of Companies). “The forms under the old Act would be ‘taken on record’ only after an officer from the ROC would scrutinize it and find it fit. This led to delays. Now, online filing ensures that the public can view the form the very next day. It also ensures some level of pre-scrutiny since the form cannot be completed unless all required information has been filled,” says Ajay.

While some corporates have been complaining about the increased compliance under the new Act, Ajay does not view it as a shortcoming. According to him, “The compliance per se is not taxing, but it the lack of clarity that is killing. But this situation will not last forever and things should settle down soon.”

While Ajay welcomes the content and intent of the Act, he thinks many of its regulations should have been introduced in a phased manner to minimize the confusions around it. “For instance, instead of mandating Women Directors en masse, the provision could have been made mandatory for big-sized companies at first instance, since it would be relatively easier for such companies to get a Women Director. Currently, the smaller sized companies are known to have nominated Directors just to fulfill the regulatory requirements even when the candidate does not have the required understanding of the industry,” he points out.

Ajay predicts a similar shortage of Independent Directors as well. Being an Independent Director on any Board is no longer a symbol of social status. With the new Act mandating increased responsibilities and penalties on Independent Directors, the line of distinction between Independent and Executive directors is getting blurred.

Such overlapping of tasks also warrants greater accountability on part of the CS, who among the many duties he performs is also the company’s conscience keeper. “Today, one of the saviors for an Independent Director is the ‘Minutes of the Meeting’ that are prepared by the CS. These will act as proof of the independent Director having recorded his dissent on contentious issues,” points out Ajay.

Ajay’s advice to youngsters getting into the field is to look beyond the Company Secretarial function. He believes a CS aiming to grow in the company’s ranks should take

up other functions as well in order to get a hang of the core functions required at higher levels. “A CS is a conduit between the Board and the management and is privy to just about everything that is happening in the company. Thus a CS needs to keep his eyes and ears open and pick up any opportunities in the allied fields that could be available” he says.

The new Act has certainly elevated the position of the Company Secretary as he is now termed as Key Managerial Personnel along with the Chief Executive Officer and the

Chief Financial Officer. The functions of the Company Secretary have for the first time been defined in the Act. The Company Secretary’s appointment and remuneration are now to be approved by the Board of Directors. All this will go a long way in getting recognition for the Secretarial profession, feels Ajay.

Says he, “We have been given both respect and responsibility. Now it is up to us to showcase our skill sets. The domain is open; it is up to us to communicate.”

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Niti Arya, CS, DHFL: Company Secretary should not be limited by dictates of the profession

— By Dipta Joshi | Apr 24, 2015 12:33 am 

Niti Arya, Company Secretary, Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL) believes, the current business environment requires tackling the intricacies of the law with a fresh approach. Thus the role played by the Company Secretary is critical to the smooth functioning of the corporate entity. Speaking to Dipta Joshi, she shares the strategies of a successful Company Secretary.

Niti Arya believes in the maxim, ‘Don’t try to do different things, do things differently’. As the Company Secretary of housing finance company, Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL), she believes, a professional can add value to his or her organisation by being the differentiating factor.

“One needs to stretch beyond the boundaries of one’s comfort zone. I have always tried to make a difference in each of the tasks assigned to me and have often found the solutions by thinking out of the box,” says Niti.

Niti chose the Secretarial field because it offered a “respectable position in the organisation”. Formulating company policies within the framework of statutory norms has helped her gain a wider perspective on the business aspects. “Being a Company Secretary (CS) has enabled me to be updated with the developments in the corporate world and exercise managerial judgment in terms of interpretation of statutes,” she adds.

Niti’s foray into the field began 12 years back. Associated with corporate houses like the Moser Bear Group, Onida and the Deutsche Postbank Home Finance Limited, she was involved in handling many verticals. Over the years, she gained exposure in both Secretarial and legal functions besides dealing with national and international teams. She has always endeavoured to contribute to the business by being involved in all its aspects instead of limiting herself to the dictates of her profession.

Niti’s association with DHFL, dates three years back. A listed entity in the housing finance segment, DHFL competes with banks and Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFC’s) and is a leader in the Lower Middle Income (LMI) segment. Talking about the company’s growth trajectory, Niti says, “In one year alone, we have successfully completed three major projects involving a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and joint ventures in the field of insurance and mutual funds. The experience gained in these past three years has been tremendous. In any other company, it would have taken me another five years to have gained the same experience.”

Niti quite enjoys the heady pace at work even if it means, she has little personal time. “What I lose by way of personal time, is made up through the appreciation shown by the company. For three consecutive years, I was recognised and rewarded by the company,” she reveals.

Niti’s journey as a Company Secretary has been full of surprises given the huge change in the role a CS plays. A Company Secretary’s role has moved much beyond fulfilling the basic statutory requirements for the company.

The responsibility for developing and implementing processes to promote and sustain good corporate governance now falls largely within the remit of the company secretary. Besides, with the recent upheavals in the corporate world having shaken the confidence of shareholders, there is a greater demand on organisations to display corporate credibility and transparency. There is also a need to retain the confidence of various stakeholders. Since, the top management is too busy managing the general working of an organisation, the challenge is shouldered by Company Secretaries.

The paradigm change in the philosophy of the new Companies Act, 2013 versus the old one has also led to a churning in the industry’s working model. The new Act focuses on self-disclosures and self-governance. Any defaults on disclosures now attract higher penalties. While Niti appreciates the new Act for its bold vision of self governance, she is aware that many of the changes ushered face practical difficulties and need to be improved upon.

For instance, according to the new provisions, all companies are mandated to follow the April to March financial year and present their consolidated statements for the same. Consequently, the financial reporting dates of all the subsidiary, associates and joint ventures companies must also be aligned to the April-March format. However Niti feels, following this provision is easier said than done. “While a parent company has unilateral control over its subsidiary, it might not be easy to get an associate company or a joint venture partner (especially a foreign entity) to align to the system unless the parent company has a significant stake in it,” says she.

According to Niti, even the legislation asking unlisted companies (falling under the prescribed criteria) to have at least two of their board members as independent directors is impractical. Given the huge responsibilities independent directors hold, not many individuals are willing to take up the offer. And even when they are, they prefer joining listed companies instead of unlisted companies. Listed companies follow a certain governance standards and have better disclosure norms than unlisted companies.

Niti also wants a change in the provision asking Auditors to report frauds to the Central Government. “The current definition of ‘Fraud’ is too vast and covers even suspected frauds. There should be a provision for the Audit committee or the management to verify the complaint or a fraud before crying wolf,” says she.

The current business environment needs companies to tackle the intricacies of the new Act with a fresh approach. It also means the CS is now accountable both within the organisation as also outside it. Thus his role is critical to the smooth functioning of the corporate entity.

In terms of a career in the CS field, the job profile provides exciting career prospects coupled with innumerable challenging situations. Industry pundits are expecting the demand for skilled Company Secretaries to keep growing. However there are no shortcuts to success, warns Niti. Her mantra for the young ones stepping into the field is simple, “Work hard and give 200 percent to the task at hand. The other things will automatically fall in place.”

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Mandatory woman director: step in the right direction

— By Dipta Joshi | Mar 27, 2015 12:05 am 

Pouruchisti Meherhomji, Company Secretary, Rallis India Limited, applauds the new Companies Act as well as SEBI for making it mandatory for companies to have at least one woman director on board. The move, will lead to a rise in the number of women in leadership positions in the corporate world, she tells Dipta Joshi

Pouruchisti Meherhomji, Company Secretary, Rallis India Limited, believes in innovating within the existing framework. The thrill of doing something new keeps her excited about her work. In the two decades that she has been associated with Rallis, her team has put in place several governance systems, including an Induction process for new Board members and performance evaluation systems. Many of these, like the Induction Manual for new Directors was introduced much before the Securities and Exchange Board of India, (SEBI) revised Clause 49 of the listing agreement to make the ‘Familiarisation programme’ for Independent Directors mandatory. Similarly, the Board evaluation process was also in place before it became mandatory under the new Companies Act and the revised Clause 49.

“Typically, Independent Directors meet their colleagues and start work immediately on joining a Board, but our Induction Manual ensures he is made aware of the company’s expectations. For instance, how many committees is he expected to serve on etc.,” explains Meherhomji.

Meherhomji’s interest in Business Law saw her pursue Law and the Company Secretarial (CS) course at a time when Chartered Accountancy was the most popular choice. At Rallis, despite holding the CS profile, she still dabbles in law whenever she has been called upon to handle the legal functions as well. She has also had the opportunity to handle a preferential issue, bonus issue and a stock split. “The bonus issue was particularly satisfying, as there is a SEBI prescribed time limit of completing it within 60 days of announcement and the challenge was to ensure that the entire process was completed and listing and trading approvals obtained within that period,” she remembers.

Meherhomji’s work has been a continuous process of learning and growing in the profession. And the fact, that she has been attached to a company which belongs to the Tata Group has only helped. “While we do attend seminars etc., to update ourselves on the latest happening in the field, we interact a lot within the Tata Group too. The CS community is close knit and it is possible to pick the phone and just talk to our peers when needed,” says she.

One reason why the CS community has had to keep learning is the constant change in regulations over the years. Meherhomji remembers several occasions when versions of a new Companies Act were circulated and discussed but not enacted. “There were several versions that I studied in details. In 1993, the year I joined the profession, we expected the new Act to come into force and the 1956 Act to be phased out, but the new Act was finally enacted in 2013,” she says, amusement reflecting in her voice.

Meherhomji believes the new Companies Act, 2013, is full of good intentions since it emphasizes on governance, tries to do away with unnecessary approvals and tries to cover possible regulatory loopholes that led to the recent corporate scams. She also hopes the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) will continue to clarify and bring about amendments in rules, where the provisions are either too harsh or where clarity is needed in their implementation.

Listing a few of the positives Meherhomji says, “By bringing in provisions relating to independent Directors, regulation of related party transactions and greater participation of minority shareholders in the decision making process, the Act has tried to improve the governance processes in companies.

The provision relating to spending on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will encourage companies to fulfill their social responsibilities and improve the lives of the communities in the areas in which they operate.”

However, Meherhomji feels one of the most striking piece of legislature in the new Act is the stipulation requiring companies (that fulfill certain criteria) to have at least one woman director on board. The move, will lead to a rise in the number of women in leadership positions in the corporate world. Meherhomji applauds both the new Act as well as SEBI which made the same requirement mandatory under the revised equity listing agreement last year. “While some companies may face difficulty in finding the right candidates who meet all the required criteria suitable for the company, the move is definitely a step in the right direction,” says she.

As corporate governance gains traction, the onus of ensuring high ethical standards lies on Company Secretaries. “Besides ensuring compliance of laws and advising the Board and the management on the critical issues, being part of a process that creates value for stakeholders in the company is also immensely satisfying,” observes Meherhomji.

With the new Act having opened up large areas for aspiring Company Secretaries and those who want to get into Practice too, Meherhomji believes the future is bright for the profession. For youngsters looking to enter this profession, she stresses on ethical behavior, sincerity and diligence in the performance of one’s duties. She concludes saying, “It is necessary to remember that the Board and the management rely on the Company Secretary for sound professional advice. Apart from building up knowledge and expertise in the field, it is necessary to exercise a high degree of integrity and professionalism to inspire confidence in the Board, management and the investor community.”

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CS Rishikesh Vyas: WIRC-ICSI set to hold record number of programmes this year

— By Dipta Joshi | Mar 02, 2015 12:25 am 

The Western India Regional Council (WIRC) – the zonal arm of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, has made ‘Knowledge’, ‘Skills’ and ‘Visibility’ its theme for the year. Speaking to Dipta Joshi, newly elected Chairman, CS Rishikesh Vyas, shares the list of programmes WIRC has chalked out for the year ahead.

Q) The Companies Act, 2013, has amplified the current role and scope of a Company Secretary (CS). How, according to you, has it impacted the profession.

A) Company Secretaries (CS) have always been the custodians and trustees of the best Governance practices and have ensured the necessary compliance takes place. In cognizance of such utility and involvement, the government has recognised us as ‘Key Managerial Personnel’ which brings us at par with the company’s officials, whole time Directors etc.

While this has increased our responsibilities, it has also made the financial community and the world at large take note of our contribution to the business.

This financial year onwards, Secretarial Audits by Practicing Company Secretaries will be mandatory for specified companies that meet certain threshold criteria.

Besides, even the draft Direct Tax Code which will replace the current Income Tax Act, includes CS professionals under the definition of Accountants. So far, the definition only referred to Chartered Accountants (CA). Thus, the profession’s visibility will continue.

In fact, at WIRC, we have introduced the tag line – ‘Proud to be a Company Secretary, Meri Pehchan, Mera Institute’ to promote a positive outlook among the members.

Q) In the current business environment, Company Secretaries are expected to be up-to- date with the latest laws. How is the Western India Regional Council (WIRC) helping members with this?

A) This year the Western India Regional Council’s (WIRC) theme is   ‘Knowledge,’ ‘Skills’ and ‘Visibility.’ The idea is to pass on timely information to our members because as an Institute, it is our responsibility to make our members aware of the any changes in the law.

The law is not a mathematical subject, it is dynamic and complex in nature. Typically, we hold conclaves, workshop, programs, seminars and study circles where members come together, listen to an expert, raise questions and discuss issues. Involving regulators at these programmes helps to spread awareness on the various compliance and governance issues.

While every regional arm holds such activities, the WIRC is taking a lead this time as we want to excel in the variety of events that we come up with. We aim to raise the standard of our programmes to a new level wherein even other professionals like Chartered Accountants and lawyers etc., attend and benefit from our expertise. We want to showcase the depth of our knowledge to the world.

WIRC-ICSI is focusing on capacity building programs for its members wherein apart from workshops there will also be a series of video lectures. In all, we plan to hold a record number of programmes this year- more than 500.

Q) Can you elaborate on some of the interesting sessions lined up in the coming months?

A) We will organise a National Conclave on the critical aspects of Securities Law this month. We will also hold several workshops on handling an Appearance before Tribunals and handling Secretarial Audits. Besides that, we will hold events that cover areas like Banking Laws, Key Managerial functions, Private Equity, Human Resources, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) etc.

March also sees us celebrating Women’s Day in a unique way. It is a ‘Celebration of Womanhood’. Fittingly this year, our Vice Chairperson is CS Mamta Binanni from the Eastern India Regional Council (EIRC). Our women’s special session aims at boosting a member’s faith in herself and will have several achievers from various fields as speakers. We will also hold programmes that cover serious health issues like Breast Cancer.

We believe women contribute a lot but face a tough life. If we can understand their problems, we can become more effective in solving their issues.

Q) The Institute has been stressing on information dissemination. Do you think the different interpretations of the law is the real challenge faced by the profession today?

A) The phrase, ‘Change is Constant’ is apt for our field. With the new Act coming into effect, the law will continue to evolve each time a new judgement is passed. The many rulings based on the earlier Companies Act, 1956 made its interpretation easier but the 2013 Act is still a new piece of legislation and is bound to face certain hurdles. This is what makes our profession a challenging one. As a CS you study and clear exams, but that’s not enough. The real test begins once you are out on the field. On an average, any CS has to spend about 1 to 2 hours daily studying the various provisions besides the rulings in case laws. Today, the Board of Directors look towards the CS to get the right advice since penalties are running into lakhs of rupees under the new Companies Act.

At the Institute, we think it is our job to clear the doubts regarding interpretations and we keep working towards it.

Q) The CS community is divided regarding the practicality of provisions in the new Companies Act, 2013. What is your opinion on the same?

A) The Act took a very long time to get enacted so I say, “Better late than never”. Personally, I think it is a very good piece of legislation.

The big takeaway from the Act is that the government has decentralised power. It has given the corporate world the liberty to function with freedom within the legal framework.

It is a new Act and hence there are some teething problems which the government is looking into. Certain exemptions have already been carved out (like Section 185) and more are expected. The Institute has given a representation to government to make certain changes with respect to rules for Inter-corporate Deposits and Section 188 that deals with Related Party Transactions.

More importantly, we have to realise that under the new mechanism, certain Standards are being set. The Companies Act has a provision for Compliance of Secretarial Standards and the Institute has been asked to prepare the guidelines regarding Annual General Meeting with shareholders, Board meetings etc. The new Secretarial Standards, I and II will be out very soon and so a CS will now be guided by these standards and parameters. So there will be a set of good governing practices, that a corporate will have to adhere to.

Q) Earlier you mentioned about how companies will increasingly depend on a Company Secretary’s competencies for business development. Could you elaborate on the new avenues opening up for CS professionals within the business framework?

A) Today a CS is the nucleus or back bone around which a company performs. Within the organisation, he interacts with the Board besides the Marketing, Finance and Legal departments. He also handles external agencies to meet all regulatory requirements. Thus his job covers 360 degrees and is not confined to a particular domain.

Now a CS can also make Appearances before Tribunals and manage Internal and Secretarial Audits. They are also making their mark in the capital markets, merchant banking and IPR fields.

Even law firms are recognising the contribution of a CS and involving them while chalking out legal strategies. Since a Secretarial Audit covers all other applicable laws besides the Companies Act, the area of work has widened in non-traditional areas too and the potential is unlimited.

Q) With the industry having so much to look forward to, do you agree with the view that the profession is finally getting the recognition it deserves?

A) Yes, though we contribute a lot, it has taken a long time to get the recognition. Thanks to the efforts put in by our earlier members, we have achieved so much. Yet, at the same time, we must understand that the Secretarial profession is young as compared to other professions like Chartered Accountancy. The Parliament recognised us as late as 1980. So though we may always debate, I think it is never too late.

As CS, we are the harbingers of compliance and governance in the corporate world. This is the only field where from the very first day you get the chance to sit in the board meetings and can later be a part of the Board. Arun Nanda, Chairman, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd., Dev Bajpai,  Executive Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Dr. S. D. Israni, Advocate and Sr. Partner, S D Israni Law Chambers and Bharat Doshi, Director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., are just some of our members who are contributing to the corporate world in their capacity as Directors and Independent Directors.

While all other fields are specific, a CS covers more than one field. A CS knows the business well because whatever you are doing, raising finance, fighting a legal dispute or thinking of employee welfare in terms of Employee Stock Ownership Plan’s (ESOP), you need a CS. That’s why we are unique. We don’t just specialise in one law, we specialise in all the laws related to all the fields.

Q) WIRC has also drawn up programmes that extend to communities beyond its own. Can you tell us more about these social activities?

A) We feel it is our duty to contribute towards society and take great pride in being involved in areas like health care, environment, senior citizen’s welfare and children’s education etc. We will be holding awareness camps on health issues like Cancer and Diabetes. Other programmes are aimed at providing scholarships to slum children, building community toilets etc.

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A perfect office – Career in Office Administration

— By FPJ Bureau | Aug 31, 2015 12:01 am 

No office would be able to function effectively with the structural backbone – the administrative staff. Knowledge looks at the career

Sector overview

Technology can make the various jobs easier, but the fact remains, that there needs to be a person to run the technology effectively. The job in question here is one that you watch happening in every office in every city or town in every country. Whichever office you go to, one thing is common. Virtually every business needs office support personnel. This is needed and is not likely to change anytime soon. Many small businesses started out by working without support staff (admin or assistants), but with expansion, they had to give in and hire.

It is understandable that when dealing with the employees internally and in dealing with other business parties externally, businesses need the services of such personnel, apart from the day-to-day office administration functions. Whatever the number of people working in the administrative capacity in an office, the role could mean looking after several functions. It could all include handling the telephone, dealing with difficult phone calls from customers or other parties, handling challenging clients, presentation and storage of documents, maintaining reports, accounting for petty cash, mail and file management, banking work, sometimes handling computer data entries for the organisation, and so on.

In fact in several companies and professions, a trusted administrative assistant is looked upon as a confidante. Many managers prefer assistants who know everything about them, about their lives and especially about their style of work. And that’s why effective and efficient administrators are in great demand, and once they gel with the employer, seldom are they let go. There is something deeply comforting about having everything in office run smoothly, and meetings happening on time, with the correct coffee and snacks. And for that, you need personnel!

To get there

Since a formal education may not be necessary to get a job, there is no single route to becoming an administrative assistant. There are several ways in which one can go about it. It often happens that people get a job, and learn on it and develop expertise while working. Even then, there are certain soft and behavioural skills, apart from technical skills that assistants are supposed to have.

Aspirants should ideally think of taking a professional course, since the curriculum is designed to look into particular job descriptions and so training will be offered in those areas. This training provides an upper hand in many cases in terms of getting a good job. In either case, the skills are essential. When hiring office support personnel, many companies look for employees with a combination of the types of technical skills that are needed in the particular job as well as a positive attitude and strong communication skills. With technology now ruling the roost, most positions look for personnel who not only display the soft skills to work on the job, but also have a fair knowledge of operating computers and the required software on them. Often, before recruitment, companies ask applicants to take several tests to gauge their abilities in handling the tasks that lie ahead. These may include tests for typing speed, skill with basic software like Microsoft Word and Excel, drafting emails, handling mock telephone calls, accounting for petty cash (basic maths) and so on.

The most important skill that you should be looking to develop is that of working to perfection and learning how to gel with others, since you will be working with (or even as a subordinate) with someone else, who might often give a few ‘orders’ every now and then. Undoubtedly, they expect the tasks to be done!

Institutes and courses

• S.N.D.T Women’s University at Premlila Vithaldas Polytechnic – Diploma in Administrative Services
• Indian Institute of Hospitality & Management – Certificate/Crash Course in Front Office
• Apeejay Institute of Hospitality Professional Development Programme
• Maniben Nanavati Women’s College – Certificate Course in Secretarial
• Avalon academy – Certificate Course in Personality Development
• KES College of Arts and Commerce – Certificate Course in Business English Skills
• Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management Career and Leadership Development Programme
• Davar’s College – Certificate Course for Professional Secretaryship. This is offered for three levels – Executive Assistants, Millennium Secretaryship and Executive Personal Assistants
• The Department of Lifelong Learning and Extension, Mumbai University – Certificate in Office Administration Market and remuneration

Whatever the designation or the title, the person in charge of office administration (management) carries a lot of responsibility. The diverse duties comprise those that must be performed on a daily basis, and some that need to be handled on a case-to-case basis. The role may vary with the business and the size of the office, but the primary duty is to ensure that the daily running of the office is smooth. Among other things, the office administrator is responsible for collecting and sending out mail, for directing the calls to the appropriate offices or extensions, and making sure that the documentation is in place.

There job prospects are usually high for those who are qualified, since offices will always need administrative personnel, and with expansion, they tend to take on more and more people. Openings can be found at departments and offices in the public as well as private sectors, no matter the industry. A variety of positions are available depending upon the work and the kind of hours to be put in. Usually, the office administrators and assistants have fixed hour jobs. It is a good option for those looking for a little flexibility, or even a single shift, and they should be able to work something out with employers.

Salaries vary like night and day. They depend heavily on the size of the organisation, the duties involved, the tasks assigned and most importantly, the experience the person has. A new entrant to the profession is can draw a pay cheque of an amount anywhere between Rs. 14,000 and Rs. 20,000. Individuals seeking high-level positions will face increased competition for jobs during the same period.

An aspirant asks

Sulekha Karande / FYJC student    

I am not going to be able to complete my graduation from college, since I have to work to help with the family responsibilities. I want to pursue a course in office administration and try and become a secretary. I am worried that due to my limited skills in the English language, I might not be able to get a good job. Please advise.

Professional Najma Memon answers: I do feel that you have perhaps taken an appropriate decision keeping your duties in mind. My first piece of advice to you is that even if you land a job, please finish your graduation via distance education. Although it might seem quite unnecessary in the short run, you will find it extremely helpful in future when you are looking to advance in your career.

As far as your concern for the English language skills go, I advise you to hone them immediately. Anyway, you will be able to take up a good administrative course only after your HSC, so you have at least a year and a half to improve your English. Join a course or try and learn online. The best way would be to read a newspaper every day, and read magazines whenever you have the time. Look up the difficult words in the dictionary and try and remember how to use them. If you have the willingness, you will succeed.

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‘Art’ you interested? Career in Arts

— By FPJ Bureau | Aug 17, 2015 12:45 am 

Art is gaining importance really fast, like few other fields are. Take a look at a career in this field, if you have the talent

Sector overview

Without a little bit of beauty or a splash of colour, everything would seem dull and drab. On a personal level, we all tend to add that zing to our wardrobes with the accessories we like most. And that’s exactly what a piece of art does for a space that you want to liven up. It adds that little bit of zing to everyday activities. The minute you hear the word art, you are most likely to conjure up the image the image of a painter capturing the fine thoughts of his mind. But there is much more, including paintings, sculptures, installations, beautiful writing, and perhaps even design!

A couple of decades ago there were hardly any options for artists to make a steady income, but now there are many options. The opening up of more art galleries, conduction of exhibitions and art appreciation events has led to the growth of opportunities in this field. Over the years festivals such as the Kala Ghoda art fest not only provide a platform for budding artists and artisans, but they also prove to be inspirational for artists across the country.

Sine art is a matter of personal choice, the work in this sphere is now more open, and artists are more sociable, meeting with the patrons for whom they create their pieces. This field has come a far way from being associated with sale, purchase and commissioning for recreation purposes only.

Today, fine art creations find practical applications in the commercial world across mediums, including music, theatre and cinema. With the realisation that this field could actually be monetized to offer a decent living to artists, several organisations and societies have been formed to promote the cause of specific arts. With that, the awareness of the arts increases and so does its appreciation and sale.

Market and remuneration

The market is young, and there are a variety of work options open for those who have acquired a degree. Most professionals suggest that you should build your portfolio along with your education, so that you have something to show and tell for your talent when you go in for work interviews.

Within the industry, you can start working for an art designer or a graphic designer, which will enable you to pick up job skills needed in the real world. For many artists, free lance work is a huge options, it provides the liberty to work from home (or your own studio) as well as the flexibility in terms of the time you want to work for. For free lance work, you need to build a ground network, so that you can look for more work. Apart from that, you need to be constantly tracking the trend, and look out for arts festivals and exhibitions that happen across the city (or even the country) and try and mingle with the others there to widen your network.

Those who are comfortable with the digital medium can easily find work with advertising agencies and media houses and other industries where art is needed like textile houses. Young talented graduates also find work with art studios and fashion and production houses.

Like many other fields, art is one such where generalisation of the pay scale does not work. This is because the earning differs from job to job. The job depends on the requirements of work, and sometimes, for those who work on an assignment basis, the money differs from month to month.

To get there

Is a course a must? Well, that is a very subjective discussion, for many would argue that in the old days, artists just created their work, they did not need to study it. But today, there are many aspects to being an artist, apart from creating the work. And for that, it is essential to undergo some formal training in the field.

Needless to say, whether or not one

pursues a course, an aspirant needs to have a certain inherent aptitude, not only to create art, but also to visualise and appreciate it. If a person has this aptitude, it can be polished with work experience as well a study programme. But like in singing or any such other field, an aspirant needs to have that talent to create the art. Without it, looking at this as a profession would not be a suitable idea.

Formal training can help you work on your existing talent, and bring out the best in you. For this it is essential to choose an appropriate course. There are degree, diploma and certificate courses to choose from. The most popular of these is the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. It is of four years’ durations, and offers a lot of knowledge and perspective to the students. It looks into print and electronic media as well as the use of art in advertising, among the study of many other technical subjects related to art.

To get admission into the course, you have to pass class 12 (HSC or equivalent). You can choose the specialisations later in the course, depending on your interest and aptitude. After completing the bachelor’s degree an aspirant can also opt for the master’s degree, which is the Master of Fine Arts (MFA), which is a two-year programme.

Some institutes in Mumbai are:

• Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art
• Rachana Sansad’s College of Applied Art
• Faculty of Fine Arts, SNDT Women’s University
• Kala Vidya Sankul Polytechnic
• L S Raheja School of Art

An aspirant asks

Rupali Ranadive   / SSC student    

I am really good at art, and I have also taken the talent exams like elementary and intermediate. My parents are very supportive, and have encouraged me to continue my passion even while I prepare for my board exams. The drawback is that currently I do not have a computer at home, and even though my father might be able to get me one soon, I am not sure I want to use that medium to become an artist. Will it be possible for me to get work if I do not use a computer?

Professional Aakanksha Sheth answers: I get asked this question often, because as artists, we often visualise our medium as the paper and colours or the canvass. I would say that to build your skills and be up to date in this world, you should learn how to operate the art software modules on the computer, even if you do not intend to work in it. It will show you the contrasts and the possibilities and the drawbacks. Also, as I said, it will keep you updated on stuff. That does not mean that you pressurise your family to get a computer right away. You have some time, and so you can wait until they can actually get one for you.

As far as looking for work goes, the fields are different and the needs and necessities from each medium are different. Thus, even though it may not be difficult to find work in the traditional medium, the digital world will have more opportunities.

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Knowledge abound! – Career Guide

— By Ratan Mani Lal | Aug 10, 2015 12:02 am 

There’s a lot more than knowledge process outsourcing to what meets the eye, and a career in the field can be rewarding, says Reena Jhaveri

Sector overview

One known as the poor man’s five-CD changer, the radio has come a long way, and more ways than one it has become a lifeline for citizens. It is a humbling leveller for all kinds of listeners, for those who blast it on a state-of-the-art system in their top-notch brand cars to those who listen to it on their beaten down phones while talking the bus to work. There is a lot to choose from, the number of stations, the variety of songs as well as the theme-based shows conducted by the radio jockeys. Each and every programme has a loyal set of fans and followers, and this has made the industry robust and growing. With over 250 private FM stations operating in close to 90 cities, one can hardly say that this industry is not growing.

Financial reports show that the growth rate is robust, and the popularity keeps increasing according to many, since of the ease of access of the radio for everyone, opines an industry insider. He mentions that mobile phones have made it much easier for listeners to tune in any time anywhere. Even if radio is not a new concept for our country, earlier, a listener was expected to purchase a special radio device to listen it, and even it was small and easily portable, it was an additional thing to carry. The mobile phone solved this issue, since even the most basic model offers connectivity via radio. With such figures, the stage is set for major growth among the various radio channels. Needless to say, growth will bring more opportunities for those looking to be employed in this sector.

Being one of the foremost mediums of digital mass communication, it is a medium of entertainment for a majority of the country’s population, which relies on the radio.

Market and remuneration

The market is huge, and so are the opportunities with are closely related to a person’s qualifications, expertise and knowledge. Once you clear the interview levels of a particular company, you do not have to worry much, since the company will train you in the various processes and create an environment in which you can learn and grow.

Different kinds of job profiles cater to different types of roles. The industry is fast picking up in India, and needs a lot of trained personnel. One skill that you need is proficiency in the English language, along with your subject knowledge expertise. Apart from domain knowledge, you also need great web researching skills and hands on experience in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) as essential skills for this industry.

The remuneration is higher than a comparable industry within India, plus, this industry offers lots of incentives and perks. It also depends on the skill of the person. A KPO job offers its employees a chance to hone skills in a specialised field. A fresh graduate can start at Rs. 30,000-35,000 per month, whereas a professional with about two years of experience can look forward to an annual pay packet of around Rs. 6 to 8 lakh. An experienced professional can draw between Rs. 15 and 20 lakh.

To get there

The study routes are varied, since the processes are so different that the need a more expert approach in every sense. Hence, to get into this industry, first, you need to have a professional qualification and knowledge to that extent. Since knowledge process outsourcing is associated with standardised process with expertise, advanced technical and analytical skills are needed. The work could be related to any field such as finance, legal issues, intellectual property, analytics, market research and data management. It includes research work too. There is no particular qualification required as such to work in a KPO. These processes may include

• Legal Process Outsourcing
• Intellectual Property (IP) Research
• Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
• Animation and Design
• Learning Solutions
• Business and Technical Analysis
• Business and Market Research
• Medical Services
• Writing and Content Development
• Research and Development
• Training and Consultancy
• Data Analytics

Those with the ability to think and analyse, and a good command over the English language are better-suited to work in this industry. Working knowledge of computers and basic software suites is also expected. Another aspect is that this industry needs a high level of confidentiality of the work done, so if you are one who needs to unwind in the evening by rehashing work at home, make sure you do not give away the details!

An aspirant asks

Shefali Shinde   / Financial management student  

I have developed my knowledge in the field of finance in a pointed and focussed way, and I am looking at all the career options available to me in future. I know what knowledge process outsourcing means, but I do not know the details of this field. Do they hire fresh graduates? My communications skills are great, and so is my knowledge of finance, but I am not sure what this industry expects and how to break into it. Will I be able to do it?

Professional Sheetal Desai answers: If you have the expertise and the skills, why won’t you make it? It is only a matter of time, and you will be able to land a job in this field. You will also be able to do some satisfying work in this industry. As far as getting a break, you have to be on top of things. You need to look at opportunities in different organisations by visiting their websites regularly. There are some online job portals that specialise in listing job openings in the outsourcing sector, including KPO jobs. Search for the various outsourcing job openings available to locate a job opening that suits you. In terms of salary, the industry has some good prospects. Even those who are working at entry level are able to take home attractive salary packages. As you reach higher positions, salary and other perks will also increase.

This detailed profile is done at the request of our reader, SYBA student Naina Arora. If you want to know more about a particular career, write to us at knowledge@fpj.co.in

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