B-school trends come and go, but one that seems to have legs is the creation of specialized MBA programs, particularly by second-tier schools. The schools find them useful for attracting students and cementing their brand identities at a time when competition among schools for the best students is intense. In recent years, they’ve becoming increasingly common (BusinessWeek.com, 7/19/07) even at high-profile schools. Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Sloan School of Management, and the Wharton School now offer specialized MBAs, majors, or dual degree programs in areas like real estate, sports management, biosciences, electronic commerce, and health care.

But is a specialized program always a good choice for an MBA student?

Not necessarily. While established programs have placement records on par with those of their general MBAs, many newer programs have not yet established the kind of recruiting relationships that guarantee students high-paying jobs at graduation. And graduates always run the risk of getting hamstrung by their specialties later in their careers, when an industry downturn forces them to look outside their specialties for opportunities.
Chart Your Own Path

Some who have gone through the specialized programs say they are best for those with a firm idea of their future goals, and who are keen to chart their own path. “I knew what I wanted to do,” said Carrie Stern Rathod, who received her MBA from Wisconsin’s Brand ‐ Product Management Center in 2005 and now works for Procter & Gamble (PG), which recruits regularly from the program. “There’s a range of people for whom this program is ideal. If you have an entrepreneurial bent but are not sure you’re ready to take the leap yet, the program might be right.” But, she added, “I think it would be tough if you wanted to go into consulting or something like that.”

For students who aren’t comfortable breaking away from the pack or seeking out professional contacts in unconventional ways, a specialized MBA might not be the best choice. This is especially true at less well-known schools, where big companies often don’t recruit. Students in these programs agree that making industry connections can require a lot of initiative from the student. “If you have a very specific company in mind, you might need to be a trailblazer in making relationships with those companies,” says Rathod.

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Under pressure from local industrialists who fear they are losing out to foreign competition, the Indian government is reviewing a number of free-trade pacts, including those pending with Thailand and Asean.

“Bilateral agreements having divergent standards with different countries may not help India remain competitive in the international market,” said R.V. Kanoria, a international trade expert with the Confederation of Indian Industry, a New Dehli-based trade group.

“Liberalisation of tariffs by the Indian government should be calibrated with internal reforms in labour, infrastructure and agriculture,” he said in an interview with the Bangkok Post.

In October 2003, India signed a signed a limited trade deal with Thailand that came into effect in September 2004. Under the so-called “early-harvest” agreement, which expires in 2008, Indian and Thai firms can freely import and export 82 items. The deal calls for tariffs to be reduced by 50 percent in 2004-05, 75 percent in 2005 and 100 percent in 2006.

Bilateral trade in these 82 items consequently doubled to US$430 million in 2005 from $217 million in 2004, with Thailand recording a trade surplus of $253 million.

The lopsided numbers soured the Indian business community, particularly the automotive components makers, and talks on a more comprehensive deal that would cover thousands of items has since stalled. Recently CII said it was working to modify existing FTAs and implement a new set of industry recommendations for future trade deals, while claiming that multilateral agreements under the World Trade Organisation would benefit the country more than bilateral agreements.

“Toyota, Honda and Procter & Gamble are the three multinational corporations that have benefited the most from the Indo-Thai FTA,” said Sharif D. Rangnekar, an economic analyst and editor of the Indiabiznews.com website.

He added that “these three companies find the logistics of doing business with India rather attractive because they have major manufacturing units in Thailand and find it easy to launch their products in India”.

Indian products, on the other hand, “don’t have a large market in Thailand even if they have the required certification,” Mr Rangnekar said, explaining that this is partly due to the fact that India’s population of 1.1 billion dwarfs that of Thailand.

Criticism of the India-Thai FTA has come from a wide range of sources, including industry groups, independent research think-tanks and columnists. In 2004, the National Council of Applied Economic Research slammed the pact, primarily because of the complicated issue of “rules of origin”. It also questioned if the “early-harvest” agreement is compatible with WTO rules.

Last year, India’s Ministry of Commerce undertook an impact assessment study of the limited trade scheme with Thailand, which analysed trade flows and drew inferences for the future. The Tariff Commission also submitted a similar study to the federal Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in New Delhi.

The CII committee headed by Mr Kanoria will soon come up with guidelines for the Indian government to consider before negotiating FTAs. These are expected to include guidelines relating to negative list, common floor prices and rules of origin.

A survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), one of the largest apex industry associations in India together with the CII, found in 2005 that imports from Thailand rose phenomenally under the limited FTA, while exports from India to Thailand actually declined.

Hugh Mullin is the bet that in three of the largest this year, the acquisitions is to contribute to its Putnam funds for growth and income outperformance of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index for a sixth year right.

Procter & Gamble, Bank of America and Johnson & Johnson 7.6 percent of $ 17 billion Putnam fund’s biggest.

Mullin this year on its three plants the company, the purchase of Gillette, MBNA and Guidant, respectively.

“The resumption of mergers and acquisitions shows a little more confidence on the part of Chief Executive and it’s good for the market,” Mullin said in an interview from his office in Boston.

Putnam’s growth and profits funds was 2.3 per cent this year, Stand August 31, more than 1.9 percent before the S & P 500, including reinvested dividends. Mullin’s Fund rose at an annual rate of 2.9 percent from 1999 to 2004, compared to 2.3 per cent decline in the S & P-500.

Over the past five years, funds up to 50 competitors in the seventh Fund invests in a combination of U.S. companies above average dividends and above the average growth, according to data from Bloomberg. The Scudder Large Cap Value Fund, managed by Thomas Sassi, the top performer, rising at an average rate of 7.5 per cent.

Mullin, stocks, is about 3 ½ years, on average, try not deliberately companies operating in acquisitions. It tends to invest in companies whose shares provide low prices compared to turnover or profits projected.

P & G’s purchase of Boston-based Gillette, valued at $ 57.1 billion this year, office on the list of business acquisitions. American companies have announced, it is worth $ 687 billion, which is most strongly affected by year for acquisitions since 2000, Bloomberg data.

“These two companies really a powerhouse on a global scale, and they complement each other very well,” said Mullin, whose funds are 5.46 million shares of P & G on June 30.

Robert Bruner, author of “Deals From Hell: M & A lessons Rise Above the Ashes,” two aspects of the transaction increases concern. Payment of the reserve and the fact that the transaction comes at a time of renewed acquisitions increase the likelihood that P & G too much for Gillette, said Bruner, Dean of the University of Virginia’s Darden Graduate School of Business Administration.

“The mass of research suggests, mergers and acquisitions afford, but this is not pumping money,” said Bruner. “It is not guaranteed through the creation of value.”

Bank nation’s $ 42 billion purchase of Bank America in 1998, the train, what is now Bank of America, was a waste of money Deal for investors.

Enjoy yourself fallen in three of first four quarters after the agreement was concluded, since the company wrote off bad loans. The action has fallen by 25 per cent for three years until 2000, the S & P 500 has gained 36 percent.

Madison Group of Companies, CMD Saturday Balsara has more than 25 years experience in marketing with eight Sarabhais and Cadburys and relaxation in advertising Contract (JWT), Mudra and Madison.

Balsara, born in 1951, is a graduate of management (from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute, Bombay) and has over 25 years experience in positions of responsibility in marketing with Sarabhai’s & Cadbury’s, and in advertising Contract (a subsidiary of JWT / HTA), Mudra and Madison.

Balsara Mudra occurred during the year 1984, when the Agency was out with Rs 40 million and has contributed to kometenhaften his ascension over the next four years. It was also directly responsible for organising the Reliance Cup in India (Cricket World Cup) and marketing of India in the cup and abroad.

Balsara Madison advertising founded in 1988 with three Blue-Chip accounts Godrej, Tata (Nelco) and Mafatlal and the Agency has gained stature and postal and today its client list includes Procter & Gamble, BPL and Coke underway with the media volume billing R 5.5 billion. Madison functions in bad weather as economically the list of most admired the fourth agency in India.

In recent years, Balsara has acquired a reputation in the media, successfully treated the first AOR in the country, Procter & Gamble. Madison is now AOR for P & G, Godrej, coke, BPL, Kinetic, Perfetti, Maruti (TV) ABN AMRO Bank and media Playwin lottery with offices in Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore.

In 1994, led Balsara Madison’s tie-up with DMB & B, tenth in the world with the agency billing volume of U.S. $ 6.3 billion and served as President and Managing Director of Madison DMB & B. In May 1999, he left the agreement with DMB & B, because differences in opinion.

It is also president of the MOMS (Madison Outdoor Media Services) and Madison & Merchandising director of Anugrah Madison, the advertising campaign Madison unit. It also operates a unit of public work. He is a prominent member of India marketing and advertising professional.

He is currently President of Advertising Agencies Association of India, head of the NRSC technical committee and serves on the FBI Joint AAA. He is also past President of Advertising Standards Council of India and founding member of eco-India, an organization aimed at promoting environmentally-friendly measures.

He was president of the Advertising Club, Bombay (probably the largest advertising club of 3000 members) for almost three concepts and was editor of Solus - ad-Club-Magazin “for many years. He was president of Triple A Awards for many years.

Mumbai: Madison Communications President and CEO Balsara announced Saturday that the amount and the appointment of Veena Gidwani as Chief Executive Officer of Madison Public Relations.

Gidwani has more than 27 years experience in marketing, advertising, media and the public, Madison, PR three years ago as Chief Operating Officer.

Talking about their appointment Balsara said: “Since Veena lead us to Madison PR three years ago as Chief Operating Officer, seducing our customers have greatly increased levels, which led the association as clients of public relations firms in Madison. furthermore, an aggressive strategy of development has led to a plethora of acquisitions of new customers. ”

Prior to his appointment stay in Madison has worked with Tata Infotech’s Media Agency creative design-Shop India Limited as a director and CEO. She also Prima Communications Ltd, the image management Pressman Advertising Agency, as president, said a company release.

In addition to official missions, Gidwani is also the coordinator of the western Indian Public Relations Consultants Association of India and regularly lectures in high schools as Narsee Monjee and Xavier Institute of Communication and Communications Institute of Symbiosis in Pune.

A portion of the RS 55 billion Madison Communications Group, Madison has specialized units in creative public relations, media, outdoor, rural areas and merchandising with the exception of Public Relations.

Currently, Madison Public Relations clients include Procter & Gamble (company and brands0, Sify, Cafe Coffee Day, Dr. Batra’s clinics positive health, ACC, JB, chemistry and pharmacy, Indo Nissin, TBZ.

Reacting to his appointment, Mrs. Veena Gidwani said: “Our growth has been founded through the efforts of the whole team of public relations for Madison, and we are pleased to service customers in those sectors. My efforts are now more companies are developing new industries in creating public relations campaigns, with excellent results. ”

Among the clients are Gidwani Quantas Airways, Crompton Greaves, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Blue Star, Blue Star Info Tech, JK Helene Curtis, Unichem Laboratories, Isibars, London Stock Exchange and Siemens.

Indian companies, it may be the cause of many road, but on the street work barely a second glance students best business schools as IIMS how they will go to embrace all offers of employment foreign companies.

With wages almost double that among domestic firms, foreign companies such as McKinsey, Accenture, Nokia, Barclays Bank, Deutsche Bank and Google are on the list of key intermediaries management staff, students, institutions such as IIMS, XLRI and FMS Delhi.

However, talent management arm of India to acquire the Corporate main house Tata Group Tasmania, he managed to break the domination of foreign companies through points in the third position in the list of top ten, the staff of mediator in the year, according to a new survey.

TAS was dropped before the global society of investment banking giant Goldman Sachs and large FMCG, Procter & Gamble (P & G), according to AC Nielsen runway Campus Survey 2007.

“As a group Tata turns into a true global group with the excitement of growth-border M & As and environmental projects, Tasmania is young professionals challenges breathtaking and a pride of a generation to discontinue difference, “Tata Sons and Executive Vice President Group Human Resources Director Satish Pradhan said.

The TAS is the talent pool central to the Tata group, that personnel in various group companies, sectors, functions and economic crime.

It occupies a McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), were the names of the two purchasers.

TAS was built in the 1950 as a development programme designed to prepare young husband and Professionals Tata Group’s general administration. According to the group, Tasmania, formerly known as Tata Administrative Services, it is perhaps the only brand of employment in India for a long-term recruitment of mobility between sectors, functions and countries. He was on campus as “harsher” process “crack” as the mark draws high performance, the group said in a statement.

The list of the best recruiters was based on the reactions of eight students Top Business Schools - IIM Ahmedabad, IIM Bangalore, Calcutta, IIM, IIM Lucknow, FMS Delhi, Mumbai, SP Jain, and XLRI Jamshedpur Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. TAS students recruited in the first seven.

The other companies in the Top Ten List including Goldman Sachs on the fourth, followed by P & G, Accenture IT services giant, the biggest mobile phone maker Nokia, the British banking giant Barclays Bank, Deutsche Bank in Germany and major Internet Search Google.

Rising wages are considered to be the main drivers behind students preference for foreign firms.

According to another study by AC Nielsen released earlier this month, IIM students expectancy average wage is close to Rs 19 lakh to 30 by last year.

While they await a package from an average of 14.2 lakh Rs national enterprises, figures twice over Rs 27.4 lakh, when it comes to foreign companies.

According to the study, consultancy and management of investment banking have proved most popular among sectors IIM lot 2008, with many students, their preferences, companies such as McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs

Massive participation of electoral staff and salaries rocketing intermediaries have marked this year in the placement of the season, the first country Management Institute.

Indian B-schools are on a rotating basis. The student is bathed consulting firms and investment banks, the placing of the season could be better, say the placement officers. Recruitment in most institutions of higher education has been an increase of about 18-44 per cent in wages troop numbers in recent years.

For example, at the IIM, Indore, the highest level of this year was recorded Rs 26 lakh compared to the RS 18 lakh last year, an increase of R 44 per cent. On IIFT Delhi, the highest national supply was Rs 25 lakh as against RS 19.20 lakh during the year 2007, an increase of 30 per cent.

Investments final
Although some agents investment has acknowledged that it had qualms about the global recession that their tribute to the mediation, consulting and banking and financial services companies providing higher education institutions of their best placement.

At IIM Bangalore, consultancy firm represent 37 percent of the total investment. McKinsey praised the 15 students of the highest ever one consultancy firm. Other recruited in many include Boston Consulting Group (11), AT Kearny (6) and Oliver Wyman (4).

The young IIMS to put an impressive show. IIM Indore have been more than 95 companies registering for the placement and 173 students received 367 offers. The average salary was Rs 13.07 lakh per annum.

Procter & Gamble and Edelweiss recruited during final placement of Indore IIM of the first hour. Banks and financial sector dominated by the investment scene with an average salary of Rs 14 lakh per annum. At IIM-Kozhikode, about 105 officers took part placement 402 vacancies for a batch of approximately 178 students.

At the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneshwar (XIM-B), 62 enterprises have participated in the placement and has made an offer a total of 248 lots of 118 students.

Finance and proved to be the major draw this year, with 35 percent of the lot Opting for employment in the banking and financial sector.

The offer was higher at Rs 16.5 lakh per annum, which was proposed by JP Morgan Chase. Approximately 25 new companies have visited the campus of the first hour.

The Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Jamshedpur 298 tenders for a batch of 180 students of the highest national supply of Rs 28 lakh. In addition, 12 international tenders were higher at $ 1.00000.

JM Financial, Barclays, Kotak, 8 Capital Hedge Fund Centre, et al Aptivaa visited the campus of the first hour. Approximately 31 per cent of offers were in financial matters.

Microsoft, HCL, Infosys, whose conscience of Wipro and other means that the technology sector, offering for later roles for students with previous experience in management information services.

At Mumbai-based Jamnalal Bajaj Institute for Management Studies (JBIMS), the highest grade was offered Rs 29 lakh. The number of investment banks visit Campus has doubled this year with 17 per cent of adoption offers the same batch. Consulting is a profile remained high demand on campus.

At IIM Lucknow, such as McKinsey & Co, AT Kearney, Ernst & Young, Accenture, Deloitte Consulting, among others, students recruited. As part of its policy, the Institute is not at the level of detail

While former Indian Institute of Management (IIMS) have kicked-off their final placement, youth are a good presentation of the show. Although banks and financial services sector judgement has been so far from campus, many students have to wear the hat business.

IIM-A: zero days of location, the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad has seen 25 companies, mainly in consultancy, banking and finance fields. A similar number is expected in the coming days. About 11 students arising from investments of the Institute this year, start their own businesses.

Some of these students have been six figures published by Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. Pupils and students to plan their projects in areas such as logistics, manufacturing, advertising, finance, agro-processing and information technology.

IIM-Indore: In 10 years of IIM, Indore, over 95 companies internships for students registered and 173 have received 367 offers. The average salary was Rs 13.07 lakh per annum. Procter & Gamble and Edelweiss recruited for the first time during the final placement.

Two students have internships to start their own businesses. The average salary for marketing flows stood at Rs 12 lakh per annum, the highest ever IIM-Indore. Banks and financial sector continued to dominate the investment scene in Indore IIM-with an average grade of RS 4 lakh per annum.

IIM-Kozhikode: Almost 200 bids were the two days. The party had received 100 lateral offers. A student was chosen for the first time with his own venture. About 80 companies have focused on campus and McKinsey, Accenture and HSBC. Financial consultancy and real estate has so far been the preferred choice for students this year. The average salary is considerably higher than the previous year (RS 13 lakh). The courses will be announced on March 7.

MICA: The Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA) is located close to packing up his final placement. About 94 students of Post-Graduate Program in Communications Management (PGPCM) for courses this year.

Close to 40 companies on campus this year and a total of 103 offers were made. Students have 36 Pre-Placement. Last year, the average wage was proposed Rs 7.5 lakh, which is something higher this year. Motorola has the largest offer of Rs 11.78 lakh for a sales and marketing position. Fire management companies have armies of the room, media monitoring, data analysis, marketing companies and account planning agency.

XIM-B: The Xavier’s Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIM-B), 62 enterprises have participated in trials and a total of 248 offers a batch of 118 students. Finance and have proved major train with 35 percent of the batch opting for jobs in the banking and financial sector.

The offer was higher at Rs 16.5 lakh per annum, proposed by JP Morgan Chase. In FMCG and the media, the highest wages were Rs 10.5 lakh and Rs 11.5 lakh, respectively. Approximately 25 new companies came on the campus of the first hour.

XLRI: The Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI) Jamshedpur, offers 298 were in a batch of 180 students of the highest national supply of Rs 28 lakh. The offer national average stood at 14.75 lakh In addition, 12 cases were international tenders at an average price of $ 90000 for the first time, staff interim contain JM Financial, Barclays, Kotak, 8 Capital Hedge Fund, Centrum, Aptivaa among others.

Approximately 31 per cent of offers were in financial matters. 21 per cent of students had received offers consultancy services. Microsoft, HCL, Infosys, whose conscience of Wipro and others, that the technology sector supply side. 11 per cent of the charge agreed to respond to these offers.

Goa Institute of Management (GIM): GIM, 119 students were 40 companies in the final placement.

Companies like Hindustan Unilever, State Bank of India, Marico, Vodafone, Mercer Consulting, Thomas Cook, Deloitte and Citiglobal visited the campus. Among the 72 companies registered with GIM recruitment, only 40 were able to recruit. The students were recruited with such profiles transition as a manager, strategist of the arbitration, research, risk management, evaluation, branding consultancy and strategic human resources.

Institute Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur, offers courses in management and personnel Industrial Relations, Business Management and Executive Post-Graduate Programme.

The teachers of the Institute is composed of 38 full-time faculty and 25 faculty visit. Students in seeking permission from the Institute must be acceptable to a number of points to Xavier finding a level of fitness (XAT). HLL, GE Caps, Glaxo Smith Kline, ICICI, Pepsi, deep & T and Procter & Gamble employees have their graduates.

The highest salary was offered lach Rs14 per year in average wages was offered lach Rs6.82 per year. The Institute of tuition costs rs2, 76,500. Hostel fees amount to about Rs49, 000 per year

NEW DELHI: For companies that are trying to the right opportunity, India, as well as Indian firms announced his arrival on the international scene, overseas at Giessen offers are available for students of the Faculty of Company Economics, Delhi.

The private placement was packed and more than 20% of the party has the opportunity to work abroad, with about 20 students, compared to only four last year. The largest scholarship offered this year was Rs 1.44 lach FMC Technologies, as compared to Rs 1.25 lach recent years. The award was also an average of R 22000 per month during the past year on R 30000 this year. A total of 73 companies participated in the summer of the 170 offers up to 91 students.

Global companies such as Lufthansa, FMC Technologies, IKEA and the Middle East, KPMG took in the process, while the Indian Hindustan heavyweights like Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Tata Administrative Services, ICICI Bank IDG Ventures, and ” a multitude of international tenders for a wide variety of roles overseas.

This has been driven by companies that are committed to an entry in a big way in India and others that cater to a large expansion drive throughout the world. Seema Rao, secretary, internships, SGF, said: “The Indian students are now being sought. It is quite logical that the Indian companies, offering them internships overseas are on an expansion drive. They have known for years. Unwanted Foreign Companies that seek to conquer the Indian market, as they do, for the brand of the employer in the country by these students. ”

Other companies who visited the campus this summer, BNP Paribas, Capital Land, Singhi Advisors, Zeus Infrastructure Funds, Ranbaxy, Vodafone, Frost & Sullivan, Britannia, EXL Services, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Langham Capital, ABN Amro, Accenture, Motorola And Mercer.

A comparison according to the profiles, showed the largest number of students have opted for the placing on the market, with 39% of vote for him, funding has hit the maximum number of the past year.

That year, 36% of students to finance their summers. Over 18% of the lots have opted for the consultation.