The SAP Program

Many had diligently told me the need for unlearning that would arise once anyone joins the industry after the MBA College and dutifully I had obliged and also learnt that it was the only way to survive in the market place. Therefore have you ever wondered as to what will accelerate your career growth having left behind your academics and after you have received an above average placement from the MBA College and having been in the industry for more than 4 years? Well I have been wondering of that question now and did do some research and the tool used was the not so commonly used method of “positive retrospection”. The need for this came up especially because Mr. Lawrence requested me to pen down an article on this subject for the upcoming issue of the SAP magazine. And I had to comply because I owe him a lot for the wonderful Leader that he has been for me while I was in the SAP during 2002 – 2004 and all the invaluable lessons that were imbibed in me through him during that time.

I changed 3 jobs after my MBA and handled close to 6 different bosses in those jobs. I should admit that the best boss that I had till date were none of this but it was Mr. Lawrence. His unique style of leadership is so special especially with his down to earth character, spectacular memory, personal involvement, wide knowledge base and with a gift of bringing in a feel of warmth whenever you are with him.

Close to 30% of my MBA fee was taken care by the earnings from SAP program and also from the waiver I got by maintaining a CGPA above 8. Though if we consider that in 2002 to 2004 the fee structure was different from what it is now, that amount was substantial and very helpful for me and the best thing, it came to me by doing something that I liked to do – studying and working in SAP. Though working in SAP is in a similar style to what exists in the professional world, it is better in terms of being a perfect blend between work and fun. Never even once during the program I felt that I was working, instead it was as though I was just performing my daily chores.

Most of you by now would agree (if you have been in ICFAI Business School for more than a trimester) that it is time that you will find least while you are at the School. So many classes to attend, so many assignments to complete, so many groups to work in, so many events to conduct and to participate in (hope you all are doing all this – IBS opens all doors for you to achieve this) and of course the exams. While all these were cramped in the 20 hours of the day (giving at least 4 hours for the poor sleep), finding time for SAP was easy as it was never a stressful activity and it taught well how to manage ones time and handle every activity with the best that you can give for it.

After we had served in SAP for sometime for the first time then, the concept of Team Leaders was introduced in the program. It was the best thing to have happened. Each of the performers (by the way, by this time I had received the Platinum performer award) were given a team to handle all by themselves and to lead them in to performing better. This gave me a peak view in to handling teams in a manner which was similar to what happens in the corporate world.

Now to answer the question that was raised earlier, it must be obvious that it is the above four skills and much more, that would accelerate your growth in the professional careers. And does the MBA program course material at ICFAI Business School offer you that? Yes, through the SAP Program.