Human beings are a social breed and generally, tend to flock together in groups. The classroom is no exception to this generally accepted phenomenon. Groupism can be detrimental to the overall development that a student has to achieve during his learning process. Many a time, like-minded peers who are usually from the same community can be seen ganging up together. This was my perception until my first day at SDA Bocconi Asia Center.
It was strange and inspiring to see students shifting away from cultural boundaries and rather connect with people of similar ideologies that they could identify with. More often than not, the individuals in a classroom are going to be a completely diverse set. Each student would have been moulded distinctly by his upbringing, education, professional skills and personal attributes. They would have dissimilar expectations and contrasting needs. When these various persons are confined within the four walls of a classroom for the better part of a day, different ideas and opinions are bound to arise which may not be accepted widely by everyone.
However, the cohesive dynamics amongst classmates that were visible here can help create a comfortable and positive environment for them to learn. Different ideas bouncing off each other would ensure that peer to peer learning is also taking place. There is a huge wealth of information that can be absorbed by just having a healthy conversation over a cup of coffee at the cafeteria.
The diversity that is present can also be used as a tool to develop soft skills such as team building, leadership, and communication. When students that do not seem to have much in common are paired together and given a task to collaborate on, the result is usually exceptional. This is because the students are able to see past their cultural differences and work together towards a common goal. In the process, they realize that there is not much that sets them apart and begin to establish a bond that lasts a lifetime. This subtle process is, in turn, grooming us to be business leaders of the next generation.
Classroom dynamics are not limited to only inter-batch interactions but also the synergy between the seniors and juniors. The senior batch takes an active interest in our progress and genuinely coach us to achieve a holistic development. Being a very approachable lot, the interactions are not limited to only academic concepts but also other aspects such as sports, books, and movies.
"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." -Martin Luther King
Which ABGP Company you would like to join and why?
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Limited
India's retail industry has emerged as one of the most fast-paced and dynamic industries. It accounts for 10 per cent of the country's Gross Domestic Product and provides employment to about 8 per cent of the population. The retail market of the nation is also expected to increase by 60 per cent to reach the US $ 1.1 trillion by 2020. This is mainly due to factors such as rising income, lifestyle changes made by the middle class and increased digital connectivity.
Aditya Birla Fashion & Retail Limited (ABFRL) is one of India's biggest players in this market with a revenue generation of INR 6,633 crore for FY 17, growing at a rate of 10 per cent and EBITDA of INR 476 crore for FY 17 that has grown at 18 per cent over the last year. The apparel maker is the only stock with 100 per cent 'Buy' ratings among Indian companies as mentioned in a report published by Bloomberg.
All these numbers suggest that ABFRL exhibits some amount of financial stability and is not a loss-making venture for the group. The management also intends to expand their network by opening up 350 new stores across the country. Working with prominent brands such as Van Heusen and Louis Philippe in a marketing role would be a great learning experience as these occupy a prominent share of the sales made in the country's retail market. Working in fashion retail also means that I am improving the quality of life of my customer and creating a positive impact. Fashion retail is a very stimulating and brisk environment, which would contribute significantly to my professional as well as my personal growth.
Nikhil Peter
IMB (2018-2020)