If I were to summarize the secret of getting ahead in your career (in your job or in business or your venture), this would be it. Think one step ahead. It could very well apply in your role as an entrepreneur or as venture capitalist; indeed it could apply anywhere in your life, even at a traffic signal where you are trying to butt ahead.

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Your thoughts determine the quality of your life. You must have heard this phrase many times. (I myself have said this time and again in my columns.) But do you actually 'believe' this statement? Have you tried to experiment with it in your own life? You see, unless you believe in this truth, you won't make any effort to re-wire your thinking process. What are you afraid of? Why don't you give it a try? What can you lose? Nothing! In fact you stand to gain a lot by researching and re-formatting your thought patterns.

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A personal interview is an opportunity to sell your candidature and convince the panel that you deserve the seat. Your answers to their questions hold the key to your success in the interview. In general, B-school interviews don't follow a set pattern but revolve around your academic and personal life. Being prepared with answers to the expected questions can make your journey through the interview smoother.

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Ever wanted to invest money in a dream start-up? The kind which offers you its shares at ten rupees when it has no takers or few? And then, like a dream come true, over the next ten years it expands and multiplies into a big company, its shares moving rapidly northwards and making you richer in the process. Not too many can be part of such a dream, you say, except perhaps those who invested in an Infosys when it was offering its IPO in the mid 90s?

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Continuing our exposition of topics that are most likely to be discussed in the imminent rounds of selection at B-schools, we present here a complete summary of the important developments in what was perhaps the most critical as well as hyped event in international affairs in the year gone by. This will give you the complete background and update on the Copenhagen Climate Summit concluded in December 2009 and help you explore answers to a question that is being raised in many fora across the world: Was the climate summit just another farce? What do you feel? Write to us at editor@advancedge.com and if your thoughts are indeed cogent and insightful, we will publish them on our website.

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All of us have been told time and again in our lifetimes that we get money by 'earning' it. But what do they mean by 'earning'? Is it just the livelihood that you engage in or is there more to it? As I am progressing in years, the real truth is becoming clearer to me. Suppose you were to give service of a kind that the other person wants, how will you benefit from it? Do you work just for your pay or does job-satisfaction mean anything to you? Do you think that giving more and better service will get you more benefits? Yes, the truth is that if you give a great deal, you receive a great deal. You always get back more than you give, especially if you give from your heart.

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Amitabh Bachchan may or may not be your hero. But as a freshly minted MBA, if there is one person in the country you have to learn from, it is Amitabh Bachchan. The man, once dismissed as too tall for the industry and who was famously rejected from AIR because of his voice, turned out to be an icon of Indian cinema.

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The first results of the MBA entrance examinations for the 2010 admissions-season are out. The CAT, though tumultuous, has also been concluded for a majority of aspirants. Naturally, therefore, the focus is now going to be on the next round comprising the Group Discussion, Written Assessments and Interviews. Starting this issue, Advanc’edge MBA will bring you a series of short write-ups on burning contemporary issues, which you may be asked to discuss in a group, or elaborate on in an essay, in the rounds to come. While we present you a certain perspective on the topics, we also invite short entries from you describing your stance and views on the same. The best entries will be published on www.advancedge.com under the section ‘Wiser by the Week’. So do write in to editor@advancedge.com so that you can share your views with fellow aspirants and also hear what they have to say on these very critical and relevant issues affecting the present and the future.

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Success is a buzzword in today’s time. We today are more aware of the heights we can attain in our professional spheres & the satisfaction that we desire in our personal relationships. There is always a constant effort to balance both the lives, wanting the best in both the worlds.

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India takes pride in its demographic dividend and the people factor has propelled the country into a new opportunity landscape, thus creating a niche for it in the space of Knowledge Services. The population issue which had been seen mostly as a burden until a few years back is now being seen as a positive parameter, as long as we can find a smart way of turning this to our advantage. According to a Report from the Boston Consulting Group, in the year 2020, when most countries in the world would have a shortage of talent, India will have surplus talent accounting for the largest talent pool in the world - 47 million strong. The moot point is, is India going to be able to take advantage of this surplus and service global shortage for talent? The answer lies in making such resources equipped with skills that are in short supply today and are likely to be in demand in the next decade. In order to make the resources employable, systematic planning and implementation involving various agencies and building a whole new eco system to support this would be essential.

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Have you ever wondered how failure-consciousness is created and what you can do to move out of it? Most of the times we remain failure conscious because of our over-entanglement in the material world! Everything reminds us of our inability to ‘afford’ it. This idea of perpetual lack makes us conscious of the fact that perhaps we are failures in this world. These thoughts also release stress chemicals into our brain, making us feel fearful of the future. The more we fall into this trap of ‘not enough success,’ the more we start thinking negatively. These thoughts create mini panic attacks in our consciousness; eventually we end up becoming a failure in whatever we undertake. The ‘loser’ thoughts in our body and mind deplete our energy, creating ‘failure-attacks’ in our inner world, which eventually manifest in our outer world!

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Much has been written about the Tata Nano over the past few months. But, while it is very easy today to see where the Nano is, basking in its success, it makes for an interesting rewind to a few years back when the project was launched. And therein, lies an interesting lesson. The Tata Nano was announced, in 2003 and almost instantly, the naysayers started off. Many said it could not be done - and they were being very charitable if they said only that. There were jokes that circulated on email citing possible contraptions - all deriding the idea itself.

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What could be a new way of processing or creating our dreams? Does it involve our mind or does it only use the heart? These are some of the questions that come to mind when someone tries to sell us dreams (even though they are our own dreams to begin with). Of course, dreams in this context mean our innermost hopes and desires, which include our day dreams but not our sleeping dreams.

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Do you agree with the above statement? Is your life a celebration? Would you like it to be one? Well, the choice is entirely yours. When we were given this life we were asked to enjoy ourselves but somewhere along the line we stopped enjoying, we became too serious about ‘living’ life. Education, career, jobs, family responsibilities took precedence over enjoyment. Even though all our external pursuits are in the name of enjoying life, we have forgotten what a celebration is all about. It is time to take a fresh look at this subject

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Roger Federer won the Wimbledon a few weeks back. And if you read all the reports, there was one common central theme running through it all. The question being asked most of the time was "Is Federer the greatest tennis player ever?"

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How often have you used expressions like – ‘I am completely stressed out’ or ‘I have too much to do – I just can’t manage all this in my schedule’ or ‘I don’t think I’ll make it?” Imagine you are going to take an exam. You are at the bus stop waiting for your regular bus. But today, on this crucial day of your exam, your bus is late. What do you do? What does your mind tell you to do? Does it say – ‘Oh God, of all days does it have to be today?’ Or, ‘this is what always happens to me – I am always unlucky.’ Or, ‘let me wait and see – maybe the bus is just round the corner.’

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The most distinctive skill of today’s marketers is the ability to create brands. It is the unfathomable art as well as the cornerstone in the history of marketing. The American Marketing Association defines brand as a name, term, sign, symbol or design or a combination of them, intended to identify the goods and services of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of competitors. Now, it shall be highly incorrect to curtail this definition merely to branding of products or services. Widening the scope of the word, I shall discuss simple ways in which you may brand yourself. The benefit of the whole exercise, as evident from the definition, shall be a distinct image of YOU. Branding yourself shall ascertain that you are not one among the millions there; however you are one apart from the rest. Sounds a bit overboard or too ambitious? It won’t once you follow this discussion.

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Trailing success is something that today’s generation has learnt much faster than the previous generation. The process started with most of us while we were still in school and it continues to fascinate and intrigue us with its ever elusive quality.

Throughout our life we struggle to grapple with our weaknesses to make them our strengths but somewhere fail to give due importance to the strengths that already exist. As Peter Drucker said rightly, “Most people do not know what their strengths are. When you ask them, they look at you with a blank stare, or they respond in terms of subject knowledge, which is the wrong answer.”

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Here’s an exercise to help you identify and trace your strengths.

There are 5 specific qualities that can help you identify your strengths. These are your attitudes, beliefs, behaviour, thoughts & motivations. Take a look at specific lists given below to find your own unique strengths.

Your attitude: Your attitude is what helps you continue your efforts towards your achievements and success. Given below are the lists of attitudes that can be your strength. Identify any three statements from the list below that you identify the most with. If the list does not include any traits of your attitude, you can add it in the last line as others.

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Being enterprising is not just about starting a business, it’s about having an attitude, motivation and an inner drive to succeed in anything that you undertake. Those who are enterprising by nature have certain qualities and a particular way of thinking that enables them to achieve success in business.

Many of you are perhaps aspiring to make a career in the business world and maybe even kick start your own venture some day. So, we bring you here a tool to help you evaluate “how enterprising are you?”

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A few weeks ago, a college in Mumbai had conducted a two day workshop for its students on Ethics at the Workplace. And many interesting questions were asked by the students. One question that a student raised received a very loud and enthusiastic applause from all other fellow-students and teachers assembled at the workshop. The student said, “I value honesty and friendship. So during the exams when my close friend asks me for an answer, which of these two values should I choose? Is it unethical to help a friend who is in need of your help?” Interesting situation, isn’t it? What would your answer to this question be? Please be sure of your answer before reading the rest of this article!

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We have heard of emotional intelligence, but social intelligence is the new ‘must have’ doing the rounds these days. Especially in the face of the economic slowdown, this expression has taken a new meaning. Developing social intelligence is said to have the potential of bringing about an improvement in most areas of your life. It is being termed as a life-changing skill.

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Have you discovered the most powerful success technique on earth as yet?
Are you ready to take some steps that could change your life?
Do you wish to enjoy success along with limitless energy?
Are you interested in experiencing creative rushes?
Do you want to think like a genius and solve problems quickly?
Do you wish to double your ability to learn and release all stress in the process?

Well, all this may sound like some sales pitch to you. No, I am not selling anything. I am just asking you to follow some steps that I have been following with great satisfaction. It won’t cost you anything but a little attitudinal shift.

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Before you take this test, let us take a brief look at what a skill means. A skill is also known as a talent or strength. It basically means your capability for a smooth sequence of behaviour that helps you reach a certain objective within a certain context. I am sure you have come across someone from your team or group of friends who so brilliantly persuades everyone to join him for a movie which no one is actually keen on watching. It’s his sharp skill in communication and persuasion that makes everyone agree to join him for the movie. Skills play a major role in enhancing one’s personality and give one an edge in both the worlds, personal & professional/academic. Companies constantly look for employees who possess skills that can be useful at the place of work. Employers generally spend huge amounts of money in training their candidates on various skills so that they can carry out the work more effectively. So a great thing about skills is that you can enhance and develop it.

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The collapse of two of Wall Street's most respected financial institutions and most aspirational work places, Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, sent shock waves across the globe last year. Here are some glimpses of the international headlines that created a global distress situation and panic in financial and economic circles.

“The FBI is investigating Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc and insurer American International Group Inc and their senior executives for potential mortgage fraud” ~ CNN

“Lehman Brothers, the U.S. investment bank, was defrauded of more than $355 million in transactions that it suspects were carried out by two employees at the Japanese trading house Marubeni” ~ Reuters

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Here is an interactive checklist to help you understand the things that make your job enjoyable and fun, and the factors that contribute to your satisfaction at the end of the day. Do read the instructions before you start the test.

Instructions: Part 1 comprises of 9 statements. Each of the statements given below is to be ranked. Here the highest rank will be 9 & the lowest rank will be 1. Remember, give rank 9 to the statement that matters the most to you & 1 to the statement that matters the least. You can assign one rank just once i.e. you cannot give the same rank twice in one part. Follow the same procedure for each part.

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What is it that makes us feel secure in life? Educational credentials, a well-paying job, a decent bank balance, comfortable home, or a happy, understanding family? What is your pick? People have a tendency to cling to all kinds of goals and aspirations in order to feel secure. Some cling to career goals (when I do an MBA, I will feel secure), some have financial goals (when I earn 20 lakh rupees per annum, I will feel secure), while some harbour relationship goals (when I get married, I will be secure). In these uncertain times, it makes sense to ask ourselves, what are we clinging to in order to feel secure? Many a time, we achieve our career goal only to find that our relationships are in a mess. Or we achieve our relationship goals and find our finances going all awry.

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