Guest Lecture 2324

ESG Talk by Mr. Santosh Gundapi

On September 1, 2023, Mr. Santosh Gundapi, the Chief Operating Officer of AT & S India, spoke to PGDM 2022–24 students enrolled in the ESG Modular specialization. In his captivating lecture, he stressed the crucial role that Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles play in today's global economy. The conversation was centered on the growing requirement to integrate sustainability and sustainable development into business plans, highlighting the emergence of ESG roles within the corporate landscape and the plethora of employment prospects they bring.

In particular, AT & S India highlighted its attempt to recycle an amazing 80% of the water needed at its Nanjangud plant to manufacture printed circuit boards (PCBs), demonstrating its strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The company's commitment to environmental responsibility and its efforts to reduce its ecological footprint are highlighted by this noteworthy accomplishment.

Additionally, Mr. Gundapi clarified AT & S's ambition to establish itself as a premier international provider of premium PCBs. This lofty goal demonstrates the business' dedication to technological advancement and to satisfying the rising need for dependable printed circuit boards on a global scale. With this expansion, AT & S hopes to significantly advance the technology industry while adhering to ESG principles and exemplifying ethical corporate conduct.

A model for other companies in the sector to follow, AT & S India's commitment to ESG integration stands as a beacon of CSR and sustainable growth. AT & S India is unwavering in its commitment to playing a significant role in assisting in the development of a more sustainable and responsible future for the PCB manufacturing sector in a time when such practices are essential.

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ESG Corporate Talk by Mr. Murali, Rane Group

In the recent enlightening session held at our college, Mr. Murali, a distinguished representative from the Rane Group, shared invaluable insights into the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations in the corporate world. With his extensive experience as a Safety and Health Practitioner and Manager at Rane Group, Mr. Murali shed light on how these three crucial aspects significantly impact their operations, the steps taken to ensure ESG compliance, and the broader importance of ESG in today's industries. During the insightful session, Mr. Murali highlighted Rane Group's proactive measures to align with ESG goals. The company has introduced various eco-friendly initiatives to minimize its ecological footprint and on the social front, it is dedicated to enhancing the well-being of its employees, local communities, and stakeholders. Through these initiatives, Rane Group has not only minimized workplace incidents but has also fostered a sense of responsibility towards one another's well-being. Mr. Murali passionately emphasized the significance of ESG in today's dynamic business landscape.

He also gave an interesting example where one of their employees who was trained to give CPR first aid saved a life of an elderly person in Chennai while traveling on a local train and recalled how their training came into use in a real-life situation and saved a life. The talk shed light on the symbiotic relationship between ESG principles and corporate success.

The talk has been organized as a part of the ESG modular specialization for the PGDM 2022-24 batch, held on August 18, 2023.

Young Managers Empowered with Whistleblowing and Ethics

Dr. Kristian Alm, the distinguished Professor of Ethics at BI Norwegian Business School, Norway, and Head of Research on Global Bibliography on Whistleblowing, delivered an enlightening talk on the significance of building awareness about Whistleblowing for the benefit of employees, communities, and society as a whole. The talk, held on July 26, 2023, aimed to orient the PGDM Batch 2023-25 about the concept of Whistleblowing in the contemporary world. The talk emphasized the vital role Whistleblowing plays in promoting ethics, transparency, and accountability within organizations and institutions worldwide.

During the talk organized on July 27, 2023, Dr. Heidi Karisen, a Senior Academic Librarian and Researcher at BI Norwegian Business School and Senior Lecturer at the University of Oslo, further enriched the discussion by presenting various real-life cases from both Indian and international contexts. In the spirit of fostering ethical awareness, Dr. Karisen discussed the significant impact of Whistleblowing by citing examples like the Bhopal Gas Tragedy of 1984 and the Indian Oil Corporation case of 2005.

The talk also highlighted the crucial research work being carried out on building the 'Global Bibliography on Whistleblowing,' where SDM Institute for Management Development (SDMIMD) serves as the esteemed Indian Chapter. Dr. Mousumi Sengupta, Principal Investigator & Professor of OB & HR, and Dr. Sunil M.V., Co-Investigator & Assistant Professor of Systems and General Management, both from SDMIMD, actively contribute to this significant project along with the student researchers – Mr Druva N, Mr Taha Dhilawala, Mr Yashwanth, and Mr Kaydawala Saifuddin, from PGDM 2022-24 Batch.

Dr. Alm and Dr. Karisen's insightful talks left a lasting impact on the young minds of the PGDM Batch 2023-25, equipping them with valuable knowledge and inspiring them to uphold ethical practices throughout their professional journeys.

Invited talk by Dr. Jyotsna Bhatnagar

Dr. Jyotsna Bhatnagar, Dean Research, Professor, Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management at IMD, Delhi, delivered a talk on "Emerging Dimensions of HR" on July 25, 2023. The session was a comprehensive exploration of a HR professional's challenges and possibilities in today's business world. Her insights and expertise offered valuable takeaways for attendees to enhance their HR practices and drive organisational success through effective people management.

Guest lecture on Responsible Business Strategy by Dr. Shilpa Iyanna

A Guest Lecture on Responsible Business Strategy was organized for the first-year students on July 24 & 25, 2023. The talk was delivered by Dr. Shilpa Iyanna, Senior Lecturer in Marketing at New Castle Business School, Northumbria University. The aim of the workshop was to provide the students with insights into the process of brand building.

Shilpa Iyanna talked about how brands are built, different methods for building brands, and the significance of brands from a consumer's perspective. In addition, she explored the internal and external factors that influence brand marketing, the importance of culture and cross-cultural considerations, and the challenges associated with brand management. And the various cases pertaining to top brands and their advertising techniques were discussed.

Invited talk on Entrepreneurship

Mr. Prasad S N Co-Founder of GREWIND – e-commerce initiative for selling ecofriendly products, gave an informative talk during the first-year orientation program on July 19, 2023. His talk focused on social entrepreneurship, the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, and the need for entrepreneurial skills for management professionals. Further, he insisted on avoiding plastics and using eco-friendly products to control pollution and save the environment. Later, students asked questions and interacted with Mr. Prasad to clarify their doubts regarding the risks faced in entrepreneurship.

Invited talk by Dr. M N Bheemesh

Dr. M N Bheemesh, Senior Advisor at ALTM Legal Advocates and Solicitors, graced the Orientation Program for our PGDM batch of 2023-25 at SDMIMD on July 19, 2023. His enlightening talk on "Unveiling Intellectual Property Rights" provided our students with invaluable insights into this complex field. His commitment to fostering understanding and spreading knowledge is truly inspiring.

Alumnus on Campus – Mr Rohit Agarwal

Mr Rohit Agarwal, alumnus of PGDM Batch 2007-2009 and the Regional Business Head South India at Havells India, delivered an inspiring talk to the PGDM 2022-24 pursuing 2nd Year of the Program on “Opportunities in Sales Domain”, held on July 17, 2023. The session aimed to shed light on the significance of pursuing an MBA, the key attributes of a successful salesperson, and the essential skills required to excel in the sales profession. The highly insightful talk provided valuable insights into the sales world and the qualities defining a successful salesperson.

Mr Rohit called upon the students on campus to be passionate, committed, and eager to continuously learn, to grow in their careers in the sales domain. The talk was an excellent platform for the students to gain valuable industry knowledge and prepare for a successful sales career.