The New Business environment has moved beyond VUCA( volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) world and entered into BANI which is an acronym made up of the words 'brittle', 'anxious', 'nonlinear' and 'incomprehensible'. The creator of this new concept is JamaisCascio, an American anthropologist, author and futurist. To strive or survive in long-term every company requires a pipeline of visionary leaders who can help build and secure a competitive edge Today’s leadership is about navigating teams to the right destination. Leadership has become a priority as it plays a key role in improving performance by influencing the motivations and capacities of teams, as well as the workplace and business environment. Effective leadership is essential to improve the efficiency and equity of an organization.
A business school plays a crucial and prominent role in building this business environment as they have the mandate to prepare future leaders. In the world of VUCA and Bani, B-schools are trying to instil problem-solving and decision-making skills. Business management students are taught to be critical thinkers. The current situation does not demand only charismatic leaders but transformational and agile leadership which can change, motivate and adapt to people and scenarios. B-schools prepare emerging executives to become more effective influencers who can contribute to corporate success on a higher level.
The courses which are taught are highly personalized programs. Most of the courses and modules are designed under the consultation of industry practitioners and experts, henceforth most of the courses are practical and keep changing as per the industry demands. For example, HR is not just about organizational behaviour and Human Resource Management, but in accordance with current trends, talent management and Acquisition and HR Analytics have been included to keep pace with industry requirements. Introducing analytics in almost all domains equips students with the competencies to face digital challenges.
”A business school plays a crucial and prominent role in building this business environment as they have the mandate to prepare future leaders”
Business Communication and courses like Negotiation have been included to enhance learners’ persuasive skills. B-schools also provide various certifications and workshops which are skill-based and prepare young managers not to be just a leader but problem solvers and situation leaders too. Independent projects and internships during their study expose them to real industry to enable their decision-making skills. They are given the opportunity to interact with consumers and professionals. B-schools ensure that students return to organizations more confident, more capable, and better equipped to take on new challenges and perform as a leader. B-school programs improve decision-making and cross-functional skills by expanding their understanding of business operations and the global marketplace. With broader business knowledge, global perspectives, and leadership insights, they are ready to create an agile culture that embraces digital transformation and implements strategies that drive breakthrough innovation.
B-schools don’t believe in only providing an academic degree but they prepare and train students into corporate professionals. Future managers get sensitized on capitalizing on the opportunities through digital transformation. They learn to plan and address strategic and leadership challenges through various exposures during live projects and internships.
B-schools also nurture the personal growth of management graduates by giving them the independence to handle various clubs and groups. Students are also involved in driving CSR activities which create the virtues of a transformational leader. Activities and assignments during their study are coupled to develop and articulate a compelling vision of the organization’s future through live discussion in the classroom through practical teaching. Through various evidence-based exercises and exposure during internship B-school students get well exposed to decision-making styles. B-schools make tireless efforts to reinvigorate and ramp up learners’ professional journeys.
Besides furnishing students with problem-solving and decision-making skills, B-schools also acknowledge the necessity for leaders who possess substantial emotional intelligence. They are of the strong view that effectual leadership extends technical proficiency and demands the ability to comprehend and associate with individuals on a more profound level. B-schools design courses and workshops that lay strong emphasis on interpersonal skills, compassion, and self-awareness to facilitate the development of emotionally intelligent managers.
Moreover, B-schools recognize the significance of diversity and inclusion in leadership. They accentuate the significance of assuming diverse viewpoints and backgrounds to bolster innovation and promote a more inclusive business environment. Leveraging cooperative projects, case studies, and group discussions, budding managers are motivated to appreciate the importance of diversity and acquire the skills to lead diverse teams.
The growing influence of technology and digital transformation in the existing business landscape has also transformed the dynamics of the domain. In view of this, B-schools are blending courses and workshops on disruptive technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Business Intelligence and much more to ensure that future managers are well-equipped to navigate through challenges in the digital era.
By enabling a technology-oriented curriculum, B-schools are training students to harness the potential of digital tools and strategies to fuel organizational growth and swiftly acclimate to the rapidly growing digital landscape.
Lastly, B-schools ensure that students stay updated with contemporary industry trends and continue to upskill themselves throughout their career journey to not only stay relevant but also thrive in their respective fields.
Dr. Soni Sharma, Associate Professor
In her 17 years of teaching and training career, she has got experience of teaching French, German and English as professional language of Communication. She is B.A (Hons.) English from University of Delhi, M.A (Eng.) from Jamia Milia Islamia. She completed her M.Phil. And PhD from IGNOU. She is on the editorial board of “International Journal of Transformation in English & Education.
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