How good managers are we?

It is heartening to hear that IIMs are regarded as one of the best B-schools in the world. This is evident from this years placement packages that were on offer for the passing-out students.

When i was thinking on this issue, this interesting question did arise: " How good managers are we?". This is a serious question to think about.

Indians are always considered to be highly effective manpower. How effective have we been in utilising oppurtunities and resources? I doubt whether this managerial attribute has been weaker in Indian blood. Of course, there are always exceptions. I am just discussing a generalised picture that we pose as Indians.

Right through the history, till date, we have always been controllable and submissive to authority. We live and work for someone else's dreams. we never did have a dream of our own. Never did bother to capitalise on our own resourses. We do what others say. We were mere pupetted machines. No sixth sense at all.

In contrary to our attitude, take the Britishers. Britain was a damn tiny country and once they ruled an empire where the sun never did set. They have been wonderful and master bussinessmen, who marketed the entire world their culture, language and mindset, that we all do cherish and enjoy every moment. The cost that we and the rest of the world, have paid is totally unimaginable. TOTAL LOSS OF ONE'S OWN IDENTITY. Thats the worst thing one can experience. YOU CEASE TO EXIST.

Britain, a nation of tribes which had nothing to it other than a chunk of ice during the Roman invasions. This small island was also invaded a number of times during the Roman era. They were just a group of tribes who were left with absolutely no resource in their island. Surrounded by the ocean, it was always under constant threat from foreign invadors. They had no great culture like what we did cherish. The first known Anglo-saxon culture evolved late in the 10 th century AD only.

The lack of resources and the constant threat from invadors made them search for resourses outside their land. For this they need a powerful mobile military to serve for both trade and security. Thus was born the strongest military power, The Royal Navy. It was with this that they were able to colonise the entire world. A small group of people who made the ends of the world meet. We managed their resources very well. The master managers of manpower, materials, power, money and control. They made our men fight our own kin. Sold our own stuff to us and made profits. Introduced best concepts of money management in the world. Insurance is one example. The list is endless.

I am not being supportive or praising the qualities of the Anglais. I am just trying to make a point by making a comparison.

Where do u think lies the problem, when we have all that we need within our boundaries? I beleive it is only an Attitude problem. This attitude is infused in blood. I think we need to be more confident at heart and soul. Hence, lesser influencial to others thoughts that take complete control over ourselves. Only then, we will be able to make best use of our resources and oppurtunities and grow in all directions. Necessities will then find their own best solutions. Thats what managerial philosophy is all about.

Please do give it a thought.