Pune, July 15: He traces his unexpected debut as a quiz master back to his elementary school days in the fourth grade.
‘‘I was a bit of a loudmouth in school, and our teacher was on leave on the day of our annual inter-class quiz, so the responsibility of reading out the questions was thrust on me,’’ he grins.
Today, Giri Balasubramaniam a.k.a Pickbrain is one of India’s best known quiz masters, with seven entries in the Limca Book of Records for quizzing achievements.
In Pune, to host the regional round of the Tata Crucible Business Quiz at the Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies on Thursday, Balasubramaniam believes that quizzing is more about generational relevance than spouting facts.
‘‘I’ve read all the volumes of Harry Potter, not because I think it is great literature, but because kids will relate to this subject better than asking them where the Battle of Panipat was fought. Quizzes today are essentially asking the question do you know the world you live in today? not How well do you know your history?.’’
A former employee of Walt Disney he says, ‘‘At Disney I learnt that anything can be taught if it is packaged in an entertainment format. If we are undergoing a transition where quizzing is no longer seen as something nerdy people do, it is because of technology and gizmos that have made the entire mindsport so interactive.’’
As for the influx of television quiz shows he says, ‘‘Personally, I prefer doing live shows. An Amitabh Bachchan can pull of a TV show, because of the retakes. But to do a live show, you need to exercise an element of discretion and this, only someone from a pure quizzing background can do.’’
Have the attractive prizes on offer given a fillip to the art of quizzing? ‘‘Yes, most certainly. Many companies use quizzes as platforms to build brands. I have never been one to shy away from the commercial prospects of a project as long as it does not corrupt a performance.’’
On the quizzing scene in Pune Balasubramaniam says, ‘‘Corporate and college quizzing in Pune is extremely lively. Pune is attracting the best talent from other areas, people who are young in their thinking. The only flaw is that quizzing at the school level has not been encouraged enough. Schools here need to create a structured general knowledge programme that will nurture a spirit of inquiry amongst the current generation,’’ he concludes.
Tags: amitabh bachchan, attractive prizes, business quiz, class quiz, crucible, entertainment format, fillip, fourth grade, great literature, limca book of records, loudmouth, pune, quiz master, quiz masters, symbiosis institute of management, symbiosis institute of management studies, television quiz
Have a Question? Ask Us..
1. Read:
This is the best in quality as one sees the usage and the context. However, it’s not a direct method for vocab improvement and the ROI in terms of new words learnt for an hr put in is low unless one’s vocab is less than average. This is assuming the average Indian English newspaper. Plus, there is additional bother of looking up a dictionary every time.
2. Vocab books like Norman Lewis and Rosenbaum:
These books look at the roots of the words, origins etc. Thus, each word has a history etc. very easy to pick up certain words and also
It is important to prioritise ones work schedule. With so much to do in a given day its never possible to do everything. But whats most important must be tackled immediately, says Ramachandran Krishana, Sr. Director, American Express Bank. Utilise the time in the best way possible. Learn to work simultaneously viewing TV, or scan business reports while travelling. Use the best moments of the day for work with a lot of mental stimulus.
Putting off or neglecting things is a sure way of incurring loss in business. Delay in submission of returns of sales tax, income tax etc. often invite penalty and additional charges. Similarly, negligence of an important matter may cause a big hole in your wallet. To avoid such losses one must keep a note of all important functions and fix up a time schedule to complete these jobs. If you cannot do it yourself fix the responsibility to remind you the whats and whens of your schedule on one of your employees.
Newspapers and magazines change, because their securities on several factors. 'Computers in libraries, for example, has changed its title to "Small Computer in libraries," the editorial wanted that the scope of the review of both small and mainframe systems. Changes in demographics also influence readership selection of titles. Amended title, most often the target audience. Title change, but often, cataloguing, binding, and other problems related to the library series departments.
Over the years, I have visited many libraries while conventions, while tasks to speak, and even if it for personal reasons. Libraries of all types of ..
Keeping a cheerful countenance is not only good for oneself but it is important and necessary while dealing with others. No one likes a morose, sullen annoyed or agitated face. A cheerful person can talk freely and impress others. While cheerfulness adds strength, anger consumes energy and creates problems.
Repercussions of saying a wrong word, at times, may cost you losing a client or customer for ever. You can increase your clientele if you provide service with a smile.
Control what you can as retirement looms
The most striking thing about mail from readers who are thinking about retirement is something I call the personal action gap.
Whats that?
Simply this. Many devote a lot of effort to things with uncertain results, like investing. Remarkably little attention goes to personal actions that have surefire results.
So here are five simple steps toward retirement. They require personal action. They dont require help from others. They require willpower and intention. They dont require an MBA.
More : chron.com
Yale requiring MBA students to study abroad
For one group of graduate business students at Yale, next months lessons will take place on pineapple, banana and coffee plantations in Costa Rica.
Other MBA students are checking out investment prospects in Tanzania and whats sizzling in Singapore.
Yale this year became the first major university to require its MBA students to study abroad. The Ivy League school also replaced finance and marketing courses that have been the mainstay of business education with courses structured to mimic the way managers operate.
We are at the beginning of what over the next five years will be tremendous
Yale makes MBA students study abroad
Conn. - For one group of graduate business students at Yale, next months lessons will take place on pineapple, banana and coffee plantations in Costa Rica. Other Master of Business Administration students are checking out investment prospects in Tanzania and whats sizzling in Singapore.
We are at the beginning of what over the next five years will be tremendous change in business education, said Joel M. Podolny, dean of Yales School of Management.
Business schools increasingly compete for students and faculty as the number of MBA programs has soared. Universities are trying to differentiate themselves
Lack of opportunities and tough competition in almost all walks of life compel us to do what we may not be interested in. This helplessness is the consequence of unemployment and population explosion. The way most of us are placed in our circumstances, it is very difficult to take abrupt decision and change our job or direction of work or business.
Whats the alternative? The best course is that once you have set your target and know your field of activity, job or business, you have to chalk out a programme to come out of the undesirable and embarrassing situation
MBA students spread word on road safety
After the Road Safety Patrol (RSP) cadets manned signals in busy chowks last week to create awareness on road safety, it is now the turn of MBA students to do the same.
As part of the week-long traffic safety week, MBA students from the Vikhe Patil Foundations Centre for Management, Research and Development (CMRD) imparted traffic rules to school children from 15 private and public schools from standard V to VII.
Priyanka Bhonde from the institute says that it was nice to teach children. We were amazed when children from standard V explained to
Yale Makes MBA Students Study Abroad
or one group of graduate business students at Yale, next months lessons will take place on pineapple, banana and coffee plantations in Costa Rica. Other Master of Business Administration students are checking out investment prospects in Tanzania and whats sizzling in Singapore.
Yale this year became the first major university to require its MBA students to study abroad. The Ivy League school also replaced finance and marketing courses that have been the mainstay of business education for 50 years with courses structured to mimic the way business managers operate.
We are at the beginning of what over
The road leading to this milestone i.e. rolling out of millionth car, has not been without its share of potholes. Recalling his early years, R.C.Bhargava, Managing Director said, When we started in August 1981, we knew nothing of car manufacturing. Undaunted, the dedicated team set about selecting the right collaborator. At that point of time, major car producers in the world were not willing to risk an investment in India, remembers Bhargava. Whats more, the car selected would have to be small, affordable and fuel efficient. We were at the final stages of negotiations with a Daihatsu, when we received
Yale shakes up MBA program by requiring study abroad for business students
Connecticut: For a group of Yale business students, next months lessons will take place on the pineapple, banana and coffee plantations in Costa Rica. Others are checking out investment prospects in Tanzania and whats sizzling in Singapore.
Yale this year became the first major MBA program to require students to study abroad. The Ivy League university also replaced finance and marketing courses that have been the mainstay of business education for 50 years with courses structured to mimic the way business managers operate.
The changes, implemented this fall, come after criticism
An MBA Doesnt Guarantee More Pay
I have been out of college for about six years. My undergrad degree was in international business/marketing. I always thought I would go back and get my masters but have yet to do so. I am not sure if it is worth it. Will I really make more money with an MBA I am not sure what I would specialize in or what I really want to do when I grow up. Should I get an MBA or some other masters degree just to have it, or would it be best to get one in
Debate with journalism students during a seminar on "The importance of journalism and media, science today," organized by the Institute of training in integrated management, Dr. Chandan Mitra, editor, The Pioneer, pointed out that the expanded scope and career in the sector.
Asserting that India is as a super-power of the media, he stressed that the insatiable appetite of information, coupled with increased consumption per capita purchasing power is triggering a growth exponentially in the media sector. Citing figures, he recalled that the only Delhi has 20000 daily, but also the maximum number of days of English newspapers.
The four current media