What it takes to be a Bocconian?
The key to secure admissions in SDA Bocconi’s International Master in Business at the Asia Center To embark your journey at SDA Bocconi Asia Center, focus on the critical points below to prepare yourself diligently and kickstart your management career. CV “Painting an attractive self-portrait is hard, but that’s the key to crafting an MBA resume. A powerful resume grabs admissions officers’ attention, which may bring applicants closer to an acceptance letter.” Provide examples: MBA applicants should give admissions officers a reason to say “yes” by demonstrating a strong desire backed with purpose on their resume. Demonstrate leadership skills: Portray your leadership skill as it is a necessity on an MBA resume. You’ll further groom your management abilities during your MBA program, but the admissions committee wants to know that the foundation already exists. Describe extracurricular activities: Admission officers lay emphasize on the meaningful impact of the candidate on organization and community and not so much on the number of activities the candidate has participated in. Hence, avoid listing a large number of activities without explaining your accomplishments or admissions committee will suspect that you’re either padding your resume or stretching yourself too thin. Offer specifics: An MBA resume should have a detailed description of one’s accomplishments mentioned in concrete language. Admissions committees like to see action words and results-oriented phrases in a resume, so for every bullet point, try to quantify results in amounts or percentages whenever possible. Highlight soft skills: The best MBA resumes are focused on soft skills which are also called power skills that are essential to business leadership and critical in the workplace. Teamwork skills are worth highlighting. Think of examples of when and how you united people behind a common goal, capitalized on others’ talents and skills, instilled a vision, identified a new problem or prioritized the project’s needs above personal ones. Focus on career advancement: Applicants with significant work experience should focus on positions that are more critical to their professional success. Experts say “When applying to a business school, you’ll need to show the admissions committee a clear path of professional growth. “Hence, one should avoid looking stagnant at the admissions wants to admit students who continually seek to learn and advance their skills and leadership abilities. Keep your resume streamlined. Applicants with significant work experience should focus on positions that were most critical to their professional success. “When applying to a business school, you’ll need to show the admissions committee a clear path of professional growth, ” Avoid looking stagnant, as the admissions team wants to admit students who continually seek to learn and advance their skills and leadership abilities.” Ultimately, a successful MBA resume tells a coherent story and clarifies why business school is the natural next step. Add value to the application: Your resume should add new information but maintain the consistent impression you’ve given throughout the application. It’s the applicant’s job to make sure each part of their application brings out their values. Remove jargon: Eliminate industry jargons from your resume and use terms that an MBA admissions committee can understand and comprehend. Keep it short: An MBA resume should ideally fit on a single page and not exceed two pages. Tell the truth: A big part of an MBA admission officer’s job involves judging applicants’ credibility. It is not wise to inflate credentials on your resume. Just be honest. Become informed before you apply: Conduct in-depth research and know all about the B-school. Bocconi Test Tips for the Bocconi test from Sayli Mhatre, IMB Batch 2020 – 2022 “The Bocconi test is an adaptive test with a pattern similar to that of CAT and NMAT. It is divided into 3 parts; Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Logical Reasoning. A few tips to ace the Bocconi test: Be thorough with data interpretation and logical reasoning shortcuts which is similar to CAT. Time management is key. Develop a habit of reading and comprehending the questions quickly. Read articles from The Hindu and attempt practice tests. Practice abstract reasoning to identify patterns efficiently. Since the exam is adaptive, focus on accuracy in solving questions to score high. Practice meditation for better concentration.” For more information, watch the video below. Personal Interview An interview is the first time where you can make a lasting impression. Strategize and prepare thoroughly and bring to the table all the skills and experiences you have to become an MBA and what change you will add. Before the interview, you must: Be well-versed with the video interview software- For seamlessly navigating through the software, look at the meeting link shared with you and identify the software that is going to be used for the interview. Update to the latest version and look up all the controls- unmuting, screen sharing, leave call option. Check for any video and audio disturbances. It is recommended that you do a test run to see how you will appear to the interviewer. Place your laptop at an appropriate angle. Stack up a few books under your laptop to adjust the height if required so that you are not ‘ooking down upon’ the interviewer. It is lowkey psychology associated. Turn off notifications on your laptop and keep your phone on silent mode. Log in to your laptop from a ‘Guest Account’ to eliminate all notifications Keep your laptop charged and request your household to limit their wi-fi usage, also, as a back-up, turn on your mobile hotspot to interchange connection in case of any internet disruptions. During the interview: Background and lighting- Declutter your background and opt for natural or artificial lighting that lights up your face. Avoid back-lit backgrounds. Keep essentials handy: notepad, pen, water bottles and any documents. Tactical approach to appear confident and relaxed: “Do’s Your Comfort zone When you’re talking to a screen, it may be more difficult to pick up on social cues or think about your own. Above all, let your personality shine throughout the interview, even if it’s not face-to-face just like how you would do face-to-face Look
Luxe Talk – Newsletter by Luxury Club
– The Luxury Club of SDA Bocconi Asia Center In a first, the Luxury Club of SDA Bocconi Asia Center took the initiative to launch ‘Luxe Talk’, an all-luxury newsletter for the luxury enthusiasts of the college. Who are the consumers of luxury? What do they get beyond the price tag? What are the recent market trends in luxury? Through a weekly newsletter, the luxury club will share its take on the recent events taking place in the luxury industry. The Luxe Talk covers opulent brands from various industries such as apparel, hospitality, automobiles, personal care and so on. On launching the newsletter, Yash Doshi, the Vice President- Branding and Outreach of the clubs says, ‘In my perspective, Luxury as a concept has always been a relative one. Through these newsletters, we intend to communicate this along with the ongoing trends in the market for our readers’. An excerpt from The Indian Edition of Luxe Talk – Lehengas are Eternal The novel Coronavirus has dramatically modified things overnight. The pandemic has bestowed a paradigm shift in consumer behaviour, be it on daily lifestyle or spending on luxurious goods. Marketers across industries try to revamp their business models and therefore the luxury industry is not any exception. According to a McKinsey report, the global luxury goods market is projected to contract by 35% to 39%. Indian fashion designers spent the lockdown away from factories and stores lamenting completely over loss of revenue. Indian bridal wear is seeing an unusual upswing. The quaint lehenga is sparing the day. The lehenga’s origin dates to the beginning of Indian culture itself. The wedding lehenga has been Indian fashion’s greatest goldmine. An exclusive designer lehenga starts from rupees 1 lakh and goes up to Rs . 30–40 lakhs. “The only things selling with us are bridal and couture cloth”, says Tarun Tahiliani. Sandeep Khosla agrees, “Things are slightly better, and it has more to do with the bridal wear. India has long been derided by fashion purists for its ‘Lehenga-Choli culture’. The gorgeously decorated, 16-panel circle skirt has survived the putdowns responding instead with reinventions like lehenga sari, Pakistani lehenga and Benarsi lehenga. The team behind Luxe Talk- Concept: Garima Sharma, President, Luxury Club| Content: Yash Doshi, VP- Branding and Outreach| Design: Supriya Narayanan, VP- Learning and Development The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are of the Luxury Club members. Click here to view the rest of the newsletters.
Marketing Club Insights: Keeping up with the Changing Consumer Behavior
At SDA Bocconi Asia Center students have the opportunity to take part in domain specific professional clubs to ensure that their professional development begins, right from the initial months of the course. These clubs include; the Marketing club- Mercato Maniacs, the Consulting club- Consulenza, the Operations club-GenOps, the Finance club, the HR club, the Luxury club, and the Business and Technology club. The Marketing Club of SDA Bocconi Asia Center brings together the brightest minds who aspire to become the marketers that the world needs today. It involves coming together in synergy to explore, exchange and most significantly, learn the ever changing dynamics of the marketing world. The various skills are put to practice by actively taking part in club activities and learning sessions Vision: To enrich and enlighten students with the dynamics of marketing and be resourceful in sharing and spreading knowledge. This blog focuses on consumer behavior and has been outlined by the president of the marketing club to help students gain insights on the relevant marketing trends in the industry. A decade ago, consumers took pride in everything they owned. From houses to watches, the consumers of the 80s and before were very selective in their purchases. They wanted to gain long term results from any purchase they invested in. These consumers were more prone to saving and preferred to buy and own commodities that assured a longer usage time. Let’s head back and have a look at a common household in the 1980s, where owning vehicles was a luxury savored only by the rich and the affluent of the society. A commoner’s major goals in life comprised of owning a house that had just enough room for the family with minimalistic costs involved. Working women were not very common and women generally adopted work that suited their household responsibility of cooking and care. Fast forward two decades, we now witness revolutionary changes in consumer behaviour. India being the youngest country in the world proudly boasts of its energetic and enthusiastic youth. The internet revolution has brought upon some significant changes in shopping behaviour and consumerism of young India. The luxury of decades gone is today’s necessity. Here are a few of my observations as a marketeer pertaining to these shift in trends: Renting vs Owning The millennials of today are drifting from ownership to partnership. Due to a rise in the global workforce, youngsters today lead nomadic lives which was considered rather uncomfortable by the working professionals of the past decade. From renting homes to vehicles and even furniture, youngsters today do not seem to splurge their hard earnings into long lasting goods that demand a hefty sum. Business ventures that leverage this mindset of the millennials are on a rise. “Carpe diem” a popular phrase amongst the millennials that reiterates living in the moment. Most Youngsters today are commitment phobic and are less willing to make purchasing decisions that involve the long term future. It is vital therefore, that we market products that are ephemeral and cost effective. As marketeers of the future we must cleverly predict sectors that might tend towards the sharing economy and prepare consistent brand messages that should be communicated to consumers well in advance. Information Overload As marketeers it’s is inevitable that we have to tap the attention of each one of our distracted customers. Information has become so ubiquitous that customers have become immune to it. Thus it has become more challenging than ever to buy our consumer’s attention. From emails, to social media advertising to search engine ads, customers have become prey to a plethora of information they never really asked for. Thus today’s consumers are willing to pay a cent to avoid advertisements. It’s a parody that applications now motivate their customers to pay for a premium to avoid the very advertisements that keep their revenue running. Information oriented decision making Our customer from the previous decade would probably ask a friendly neighbor next door or a veteran in a particular field before he buys a commodity. Thanks to the internet, today’s customer doesn’t have the plight of keeping up with cranky old neighbors for advice, he simply Googles. Omni channel and multi-channel business models look forward to integrate the online and offline shopping experiences for the customer such that the effort from the customer’s side is minimised. Marketers should excel in customer relationship management to ensure that the customer is always heard and his shopping experience is seamless. From generalization to customization The rise in income has led to a steady rise in consumerism such that consumers today can afford personalization. This trend is particularly rampant in the fashion and beauty sector. Millennials now prefer products that are especially made for them and can cater to their needs in person. The decade saw the bloom of small scale enterprises in clothing, health and cosmetic sector that provide personalised products to its customers. As marketers, catering to specific needs of individuals in an extremely populated country like ours is a herculean task, however it is still feasible in sectors that are concentrated on a specific customer target with an efficient CRM. Time is more than Money Today’s consumer is willing to pay a penny extra for every extra minute he can save. With globalization, Indian workforce is introduced and made available to the western conglomerates. This makes the average working time of an Indian longer than his foreign counterpart, Thus no wonder time is quite valuable to today’s consumer and customers prefer taking routes that decrease their commute time to workspaces. This trend eventually lead to a rise in co-working spaces and the trend of working from homes, such that commute time can be spent on things that are more vital. As marketers one big challenge we face is to ask the customer for his valuable time, and so we must ensure that we engage the customer intelligently and implicitly without him realising his time being spent. Holistic wellness and sustainability The customer of the
The Bocconi Brand: What’s in a Name?
While a world-class education is the overriding imperative when it comes to the b-school selection process, one factor remains an essential part of the equation: reputation. Why? Because with so many MBA programs to choose from, a distinguished brand name attests to the quality of the degree — not just to prospective students, but also to employers seeking out the best and brightest talent. One name sure to stand out in any crowd? Bocconi. Let’s take a closer look at why adding the Bocconi name to your resume is a winning proposition. About University Bocconi University Bocconi, founded in 1902, was the first Italian university to grant a degree in economics. For a century, Bocconi has played a leading role in Italy’s social and economic modernization. It has remained true to its founding values of being a major research university, with democratic values and open to the world, as well as financially and politically independent. About SDA Bocconi SDA Bocconi is one of just five business schools to have received not one, not two, but three of the world’s most prestigious accreditations awarded by prominent global organisations. It’s not surprising, therefore, that this prestigious institution garners top spots on international rankings, including the title of Italy’s best business school, according to the Financial Times global roundup, along with top 10 rankings in Europe and top 25 global rankings. But it doesn’t end there. SDA Bocconi also consistently makes the grade at Forbes, The Economist, Bloomberg Businessweek, and QS Top MBA. The clear takeaway? SDA Bocconi’s reputation is more than good — it’s truly stellar. Brand Matters While discussions are abound regarding the ROI on business school, experts agree that the better the programme, the higher the ROI. With Bocconi, you don’t just get a business degree, you gain access to all of the advantages of a world-class business programme, along with the credibility and prestige that go along with it. Employers don’t just know the Bocconi name; they covet Bocconi graduates. Our extraordinary placements at both SDA Bocconi and MISB Bocconi speak for themselves. Enter MISB Bocconi For MBA candidates looking for all of the advantages of International Business Schools in India, the Bocconi name with direct and strategic sightlines of the rising Indian economy, MISB Bocconi is the true embodiment of best of both worlds. There’s no better seat in the house when it comes to advancing your knowledge of the business world than in the heart of Mumbai. Not only that, but there are plenty of opportunities for international immersion, as well, thanks to our celebrated exchange programmes. You won’t find the amalgam of these opportunities anywhere else: We are proud to have the honour of being the world’s only offshore presence of Bocconi. When you select MISB Bocconi, you’re not just choosing a business school, you’re choosing to become part of a community of innovators, big thinkers, and business leaders known all over the world. Can you think of a better way to build your personal brand than by becoming part of the Bocconi legacy? Download PGPB Brochure
MISB’s “Secret” Weapon: The SDA Bocconi Advantage
Well, it’s not so much a secret. In fact, we’re delighted to shout it from the rooftops. Why? Because our partnership with Milan’s prestigious SDA Bocconi differentiates us from our competition in several key ways. Wondering what we mean when we talk about the Bocconi Advantage? Let’s take a closer look. Introducing SDA Bocconi If you’re familiar with the international higher education and global b-school scenes, then you’re likely already well aware of University Bocconi and SDA Bocconi. The management school of University Bocconi, SDA Bocconi is Italy’s leading School of Management and claims top rankings among Europe’s academic institutions in both business and economics. Just how prestigious is SDA Bocconi? Its MBA program was ranked 26th in the world by the Financial Times in 2015. SDA Bocconi is also one of only three business schools across the globe to have received all three sought-after international b-school accreditations: AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), and AMBA (Association of MBAs). Why It Matters to PGPB Students at MISB Bocconi As the world’s only offshore presence of University Bocconi, MISB Bocconi offers its students access to all of the benefits and prestige of an SDA Bocconi education, but in the heart of India’s financial epicenter, Mumbai. What do you get from the Bocconi name when you enroll in the PGPB? The answer is manifold: a 110-year legacy of excellence across teaching, research and education; stellar international faculty; an exchange program with over 150 plus electives; and a diverse and welcoming alumni network of more than 90,000 graduates across the globe. International exposure is also at a premium; thanks to dual campus student exchange between Milan and Mumbai, as well as immersion across not one, not two, but three continents. For students looking towards an unparalleled business education merging academic and practical curriculum, SDA Bocconi has long served as a training ground and launching point for future business leaders. As a newer and yet increasingly vital entrant, MISB offers an equal yet different opportunity for students to benefit from the same extraordinary b-school education and global perspectives, but against the distinctive backdrop of India’s vibrant and significant cultural ethos.