Republic Day with a difference

Republic Day means flag hoisting, singing national anthem, and cultural performances. We at Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management (VVISM) Hyderabad did all that and a bit more. The extra bit involved hosting and training the delegates of Afghan CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) at VVISM. These delegates came to Hyderabad and neighbouring cities as part of their India Study Tour organised by GrassrootsU in collaboration with USAID (United States Agency for International Development) and Counterpart International. Ghumakkad donned the role of a teacher and facilitator during the Business Plan Training program on 26th Jan 2017-- our Republic Day. It was a Republic Day with a difference. Pictures.

 While we were waiting for the flag hoisting ceremony, this little girl holding a tri-colour balloon caught my attention. Dreamy eyes, smile on her face and focused gaze-- all symbolize the future of India.

 It was a privilege to teach along with Dr Kim Alter (Oxford Said B School and Portalnd State University USA) and Dr Archana Pillai (IBS and IMT Hyderabad and TAPMI Manipal) on this program.

 Business Plan training over four days included the following topics:

• A live case on ApnaCare
• B-Plan overview and purpose
• Elements of a B-Plan (Marketing, Financial, HR, Operations and Contingency plans)
• Organisational Change
• Elevator Pitch (Team work on a select real life problem)
• Concept surgery 
• Turning concept into a social enterprise (team work)
• Real life Social enterprises in India and their sustainability
• B-Plan template and preparation (team work)
• B-Plan pitch preparation and presentation to Jury (team work)

The training started with a short introduction by participants. Few pictures.

 Here is a short 50-second video excerpt from Kim's session on 'Anatomy of a B-Plan'.

In keeping with the thrust on experiential learning, the class room sessions were followed by outdoor team work. The participants were tasked to debate and select any one real life problem for working out a detailed B-Plan. Glimpses of team work.

Roshan Sirran had difficulty in walking due to problem with her knees. While interacting in the college lawns at VVISM, Ghumakkad (in his role as a volunteer wellness coach) suggested some exercises to strengthen the knees. Prof KL Srivastava of CSIM also evinced keen interest. Picture below.

Thus ended the Republic Day on a different note for us at VVISM. 
Thanks again to Kim and Archana for selecting us as the knowledge partner. It was a unique experience for our PGDM students and me.

Thanks for browsing

   -Harsh-the-Ghumakkad/30th Jan 2017