- Challenges to create lasting value outlined at the 36th AIMA National Management Convention
- Two-day seminar to host dignitaries, industry stalwarts, political leaders and international speakers
The 36th AIMA National Management Convention was inaugurated today in Chennai, among a gathering of industry stalwarts, management gurus and eminent national and international speakers. The two-day convention proposes to outline ‘Creating Lasting Value’ and innovative thinking to excel in a dynamic market with a global mindset. The speakers at the inaugural were Mr. M A Subramanian, Chennai Mayor, Mr. A Sivasailam, Chairman Amalgamations Pvt. Ltd, Mr. N Srinivasan, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, India Cements Ltd, Mr. Srinivasan K Swamy, President AIMA, Mr. Dennis Sun, President, Asian Association of Management Organizations, Ms Rekha Sethi, Director General AIMA and Mr. Sanjiv Goenka Senior Vice President, AIMA.
In his welcome address, Mr. Srinivasan K Swamy expressed his deep satisfaction that the National Management Convention has come a long way from the first convention organized in March 1971 in Delhi. Elaborating on the decision of this 36th National Management Convention’s theme “Creating Lasting Values” Mr. Swamy said that this subject was to ensure a positive outlook given the current economic scenario. He suggested few steps that should be taken to ensure lasting value like getting more relevant to the customers, being cost competitive, getting people aligned to organizational goals and most importantly to be innovative.
He applauded the efforts of the Mayor of Chennai in implementing various people friendly measures thereby building lasting values for the city.
Mr. N Srinivasan in his theme address said that given the recent economic turbulence which has led to angry investors and cynical employees, it is imperative that organizations spend their energies in building lasting values for customers, the investors, employees and community at large. He elaborated on the various strategies that are needed to create lasting values like focus on long term plans, sticking to core competency, investing in people, building strong and lasting brands and constant innovation. Building lasting value is both the greatest challenge and opportunity facing a CEO particularly those who own a share of the business. Businesses tend to measure value narrowly in terms of equity, revenues and bottom line profits, but lasting value creation extends far beyond financial statements, he said.
Speaking on the dire need for leadership at a higher level, he said that a good leader in today’s organization is one who believes that work is more about creating something which is of lasting value. The focus of leading at a higher level is on long term results and human satisfaction. “Leading at a higher level, therefore, is a process. Great organizations focus on these facets. In addition to financial success, leaders in great organizations are actually aware that their success with people, both employees and customers is equally important”.
Mr. M A Subramanian, Mayor, Chennai in his inaugural address appreciated the efforts of AIMA in organizing a forum of this magnitude for several years focusing on various management practices.
The Mayor focused on some of the important initiatives taken by the government for the betterment of the people like providing free laptops for students with academic excellence, birth and death certificates free of cost, setting up of medical camps, welcome kits for new born babies and gold rings for children baptized with Tamil names
The Mayor also added that Rs 40 crores has been raised for the maintenance of the marina beach. Bridges and flyovers have been built to help ease traffic congestions in this metro city. He requested all to support the government in their endeavors and also suggest ideas that can be taken forward for enhancing civic amenities in Chennai.
Mr. Dennis Sun, the Guest of Honour said that in today’s tumultuous economic scenario it is no secret that many are looking to Asia, if not to lead the way out of the crisis then at least to be very much at the forefront to help drive a recovery forward.
Mr. Sun pointed out that, “To sustain the status of market leaders, companies must continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their management approach. Asia as a whole has enthusiastically embraced over the last decade or so the quest for greater quality. And I believe this is one the main reasons why many businesses in the region have been able to add value to their products and services over and above their competitors else where in the world”.
In her opening remarks Ms Rekha Sethi said that “last year has been a rough one. But I am pleased to inform you that AIMA has been going strong – moving ahead with a number of planned and new initiatives. Our aim has always been to position AIMA as a knowledge organization that ranks amongst the most premier of all institutions”.
“While AIMA’s key offerings - the Post Graduate Diploma in Management and IT management and other Certificate courses - continue to be widely acclaimed for their strong curriculum in industry and academic circles, AIMA is now looking into the demand for new, niche courses in management as the way forward,” she added.
Speaking on the opportunities for global tie-ups, she informed that AIMA is in the process of contacting and exploring possibilities of cooperation with leading B-schools and institutions abroad to expose Indian managers, faculty and students to global standards of learning and industry practice. “The first such course with a leading Europe based B-Schools is expected to be launched in June 2010”, she said.
Mr. A Sivasailam in his special address focused on the significant changes taking place in the field of management which he felt were largely due to technological advancement and development of democracy.
Terming his address as unconventional from the point of view of organizational management which looks upon the functional efficiency of any unit as its main criteria, Mr. Sivasailam chose to take a larger canvas of human endeavor in seeking to apply the management principals to enable us to get the perspective and suitably adjust our actions. He also touched upon the need to address management, policy making and governance be it at an orgazational or national level, from a public interest perspective. He urged the management fraternity to work tirelessly in raising efficiency levels in all walks of life, be it in management of corporate or government or any aspect of public life
The occasion also marked the presentation of Distinguished Service Awards by Mr. Subramanian to Mr. Sivasailam, Honorary Fellowship Award to Mr. N Srinivasan and Honorary Life Fellowship Award to Mr. Kewal Handa. The Mayor also released the convention souvenir.
Mr. Sanjeev Goenka delivered the vote of thanks.
The 36th AIMA National Management Convention is being held in Chennai over September 18-19 2009 and will provide a platform for industry managers to understand and debate issues significant to the industry, facilitate experience sharing and pooling of perspectives and viewpoints. The 2-day convention will help generate myriad innovative ideas for the industry to build lasting values for their organization and the community at large.
