The 'Rocky' Experience At IIM Sirmaur

A great, objectives-oriented plan with the ability to adapt to situations willingly and radically changing the operation and delivery based on the variability is vital to a supply chain’s configuration.

Like supply chains, teaching also comes in different ways, while some professors just rush through presentations expecting students to develop an insight themselves, others become so indulged that they stigmatise mistakes. In a low volume and high variability situation, agility becomes relevant. Teaching students also require agility and adaptability, and for IIM Sirmaur it is a low volume, high variability situation. Low volume because the class strength is relatively low, high variability because of the heterogeneity of the background of the students, their expectations from class and their pace of understanding of the subject matter in the lectures.

However, one of the most memorable moments in the classroom at IIM Sirmaur was in one of the sessions taken in Operations Management subject by a professor nicknamed “Rocky”. Management schools teach that you should understand your audience before you present to them. Unfortunately, this seems to be missing in professors nowadays. But, using examples which are practical, from his personal experience and something that relates to students made the understanding the concept not just easy but also mesmerising.  His love for 70s music was shown when he explained “standardization” using Pink Floyd, thereafter, his statement to the students that don’t be just another brick in the wall was just a cherry on the top. Specifically mentioning that the first slide at the start of every topic gives the pertinent chapter number which also takes care of the syllabus dilemma among the students, while quoting “Ah, the wonderful days of student entitlement!”

He took only ten sessions on the subject, but enthralled the students about the subject and sparked interest in the topic helping me in consolidating my decision to take subjects related to the stodgy field of Operations. His methodology just like his way of living was straightforward yet so rare among professors, simplicity. His way of teaching incorporated a methodology which mitigated a common error student make, paralysis by analysis. When the concepts are so clear & understood by the student, there is no margin for paralysis.

And just like supply chain, the difference between success and failure is not about choosing one strategy over other, but having the right mix of approaches for any given condition. The approach of fostering an atmosphere of engagement just seems to have worked for me.

The ABG company I would like to work for :

With a mechanical engineering background coupled with inclination towards operations in post-graduation, I would like to be associated with leading aluminium producer in Asia i.e. Hindalco with an aim of creating shared value while maintaining highest level of safety with integrity, ownership mindset, respect and strive towards excellence by learning and improving using the “Plan Do Check Act” principle and do my part in achieving Hindalco’s Mission “To relentlessly pursue the creation of superior shareholder value, by exceeding customer expectation profitably, unleashing employee potential, while being a responsible corporate citizen, adhering to our values.”

- Siddharth Kumar

PGP03