Feature

Approach to Develop
Management Skills

Amitava Basu

MANAGEMENT is a buzzword in present times. There is a craze for pursuing a management course. It is generally believed that by securing a management degree one will be ensured of employment. This is true to a large extent. Most management institutes have campus placement arrangement.

While getting an employment is crucial, it is equally important to have advancement in career. There are several views on how to progress in working life work sincerely, develop specialisation, and do job hopping and many more. However, the critical factor is that one need to establish that one has the qualities and attributes that could bring benefits to the employer. In other words, one has to develop job market value.

This requires updating knowledge and skill, right aptitude to work, and, above all, ability for man-management. In a managerial position, one is expected to organise, direct, supervise and get work done. This involves dealing with different types of people, building team work, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the team members, interacting with subordinates, peers and superiors, analysing their psyches, and cohesively harnessing them to meet the organisation goal. One who can ably carry out these tasks succeeds in career advancement faster than the competitor. Here come the real management skills.

Mere studying the management theories is not sufficient. One needs to internalise the concepts and practice in real life situation. Also, one has to realise that in many instances blind application of theory that is studied may not work due to unique features of socio-economic, socio-political and legal conditions together with internal working environment of the organisation. For example, the way one would work and manage in the developed countries may not be effective in a developing country. Similarly, the working style in a multinational company would be different from that of a government company.

It is a combination of theory and practice that makes a successful manager. In truly utilising management knowledge, one has to adapt the theory to suit the work environment to be effective and successful. It is similar to what a matured artist of classical music does. He follows the rules and adapts to suit the changing tastes of time. So, begin management studies to master knowledge and endeavour to develop skills to adapt the concepts for appropriate application in different work environment.

It was a wonderful experience working with the dynamic and energetic team of BBC World service trust. The program venue was Chilmary, 35 minutes boat journey away from our hotel Obokash. I was amazed at the scale of the work force that was involved. The program was to be conducted by the riverside. Previously, there was a corn field in that particular area. BBC team took over the place for two days from the owner, giving him a handsome reward. The management engaged some local people for guarding the surroundings.

Talking with the BBC team, I came to know that the journalists came from 17 countries. I got myself introduced to many of them. I particularly remember Lili, who came from BBC, china.

The journey with BBC World took us to Bhola, Mongla, Sirajganj, and Rajbari. On the shooting day, I went early in the morning to see about the progress of work. I could see that under the direction of Mr. Fitzpatrick, the entire team worked very efficiently. I was excitedly waiting for the moment when a helicopter would come and circle overhead to take our videos. It was amazing to see the amount of preparation that was necessary to make the production perfect.

BBC has announced November as their climate month. It launched programs in many countries around the world in this regard. NODIPATHEY BANGLADESH in “Bangladesh River Journey, charting the course of climate change” was part of this worldwide event of BBC.

(Student of Business Administration Discipline Khulna University, Khulna)