ADDICT

Within two weeks of joining, the batch of 2015 at FORE school of management (FMG 22 and IMG 7) was faced with their first B-school Ad event, Addict, organized by team Think Tank. Registrations ended on 28^th July and required students to enter in teams of 3 participants. Eager to make a mark in their first B-School event, the incoming batch responded splendidly.

The first phase consisted of an online quiz which tested students on their general knowledge across different fields. The second phase was held in campus and consisted of three more rounds. These rounds tested the teams’ knowledge of brands and advertisements.

The last of these rounds drew the most plaudits from the participants. As part of this, the final teams were given one product each and asked to make a print ad to sell the product. Teams were also asked to present their advertisement on stage and were given two minutes to do so. A brief question and answer round followed. The teams were judged on creativity and their ability to come up with selling points.

After much deliberation, the results were announced. Team Rehabilitated took the first prize with Team Backbenchers and Team AAG, a close second and third respectively. As soon as the winners were announced, team Think Tank was given a rapturous applause from the participants, acknowledging their hardwork in organizing the event. The signal was loud and clear. The first event for the class of 2015 was a rousing success.

Team Think Tank along with the top three teams.

GUEST LECTURE BY PROF. RAJ DEVASAGYAM

On July 05, 2013, Fore School of Management had a great opportunity to learn when Professor Raj Devasagyam from Siena College, New York shared his knowledge on “Advances in Brand Management” with the 2012-2014 batch. He started with the fact that we all have some basic human needs but brands are something we aspire for. He enlightened students about transformation of products into big established brands and then focused on maintaining brand loyalty, making a brand community and building brand cults.

The audience was able to connect and participate as he moved on with various youth brands like Nike, Harley Davidson, BMW, Walmart, etc. and shared day-to-day examples of brand perceptions focusing on how brands are usually strategically placed so as to occupy a share in the consumer’s mind set.

Prof. Raj Devasagyam addressing the students of batch 2012-2014, FORE School of Management

He focused on how different brands work on ideas to manage the brand creatively, which in turn helps in maintaining brand loyalty. Brand loyalty basically works on Insistence, Persistence and Variety seeking consumers. If a brand is able to maintain these factors, it experiences a high level of loyalty from customers.Secondly he discussed about brand community which emphasizes on shared consciousness, rituals and traditions and sense of moral responsibilities of customers. Brand community reflects a group’s affinity towards a brand.

Lastly Prof. Raj discussed about Brand cult which relates to social identity theory, categorization and self enhancement. This was a very unique concept he focused on that highlighted how many brand followers set unconscious standards that any person using that particular brand must imbibe.  This heightens the sense of brand loyalty but also has a negative affect by restricting entry of new consumer. In the end he had a round of interaction with the audience, where students came up with insightful and curious questions that showed both their interest in the subject, and their willingness to gain as much knowledge as they could.

Prof. Raj’s answered the queries by in a crisp and direct manner, leaving no room for doubts and enhancing the understanding of the students. The overall discussion gave students a detailed insight of Brand Management and its concepts.

QUIZZARK - WHERE EDUCATION MEETS FUN

In every college there is this one committee that strikes out when it comes to the competitions it holds, and the events it organizes. At FORE School of Management this place is held by the Think Tank. Keeping in tune with this spirit, they organized the event Quizzark. A combination of both intellectual and fun games, the event was a quiz that tested students on their knowledge across various domains, namely marketing, sports, finance etc. as well as their ability to adapt to varied situations by giving varied games such as ‘build a bridge’, ‘ modernised version of dumb charades’ etc.

An inter section quiz, the event brought out the competitive spirit of every student, and checked upon what they’d learnt over the year. An event, where the background music was the cheers of their classmates, where everyone had fun and everyone had the chance to showcase their talent, be it the serious kid or the prankster. However even within all the fun, there has to be a winning section who won the prestigious rolling trophy, and this honour went to section A, FMG 21. Giving them a close competition was the runner up team of section C, FMG 21.

The winners - Section A, FMG 21

A fun filled event where every person had fun and more than competing, the people were simply letting down their hair and relaxing. At the same time, there were facts to be revised, general knowledge to be brushed upon and simply said, an evening to be enjoyed.

Management without books with Dr. C.T. Abraham

The Corporate Interaction Division at FORE School of management conducted its first ‘Anubhuti’ session for the batch of 2013-15 on June 20, 2013. The very first session was graced by the Finance and Admin Head (India) at Asian Development Bank, Dr. C. T Abraham, who addressed the students on the topic “Management mantras beyond books”.

Dr. Abraham’s started his session by telling how every individual’s world can be divided into three spheres: personal, professional and partnership. He told the students how the three differ and how their roles in those spheres vary accordingly. He then highlighted a very important fact that passion is the main driver for anything to happen, and it is passion only that can lead to positivity which ultimately leads to perfection.

                   

Another important point that he highlighted was that it was very necessary to understand an ‘organization’s soul’ if one wants to function well in an organization. According to him, in order to be happy, the mantra is to not only exude but also absorb positive vibes in the work place.

Another thought that Dr. Abraham stressed upon was that students have to be more than just good employees. They have to see the importance of and thus be effective human resources in the organization. The first requirement for that is appropriate temperament to work, along with the basic skill set and the ability to work in teams. Lastly he discussed the topic of transparency wherein, there was a lot of interaction with the batch and the enthusiastic response was just an indication of how he had engaged the audience throughout.

Dr.C.T.Abraham Finance and Admin Head (India) at Asian Development Bank

At the end of the session there was a highly informative and entertaining question and answer session and the response of the audience could be felt in auditorium. It was a highly successful session, to say the least and the inspiration that it imparted the batch. All in all, the session was highly informative and fruitful. The students were inspired and participated actively throughout and in fact it was definitely an experience to gain from.