Power of Association…
Guest House: (May 8th)
3 Wipro guys in front of me..all freshers…introduce themselves to me…I introduce myself…and theres comes the word “ISB”…the looks on their faces change…a mark of respect emerges….from then on whatever I say, they listen with silence….with attention…They want to know more about ISB…a lot…they have already started GMAT Preparation…!!!
Guest House: (May 11th)
New set of people come to Guest house (Google guys). This time, I don’t do anything…The Wipro guys convey that I am from ISB…”He is from I..S..B..”!!
Convergys: (May 16th)
Some of my colleagues come to me (freshers)…talk with me…want to know more about ISB…”Bharani, We would like to sit with you and want to listen to your experiences about ISB someday..”. “How much score should I get in GMAT?”…and the list goes on..They see me with respect…talk to me with regard…I would definitely help them out in whatever way possible…of course nothing is official…
Convergys: (June 8th)
A new person joins our team. We kind of introduce ourselves. This time, I don’t say that I am from ISB…After quite some time, he comes to know that I am from ISB..”Oh…you are a product of ISB…? great!”. The look on his face changed to some kind of respect….
Convergys: (June 15th)
Induction program…I introduce myself…mention that I am from Indian School of Business….The looks on the faces of people changes….they pay more attention to what I say…I infered from couple of coffee chats with some of those people that they wanted to work with the team which has grads from ISB! Some people already are planning to prepare GMAT!! They say, “Who better than you to give gyaan about MBA courses…we would like to hear from you about that sometime..?”…
Man, this kind of respect triggers a kind of ‘nashaa’…It’s a good feeling..but should not fall for it…it is very tricky…the expectation on me is higher…They would like to see some magic from me…that kind of pressure is too much…I sometimes think, “Oh man, they think I am a superman…what if i screw up this?”…May be I am disillusioned…but there are more evidences to support that it is not disillusion, but a genuine expectation dilemma…
The last 2 years of impressive placement performance and the incredible media coverage executed by ISB this year has made sure that ISB is known as a big brand…reputed brand…ISB brand is growing…at a rapid pace…
Similar to “Burden of command”, this is called “Burden of ISB”!!! People judge the quality of ISB based on quality of you…if you are really good, then perception about ISB goes up…but if you are not that good, perception about ISB goes down…atleast among the people who observe you daily…
Now I know why some IIT guys and IIM guys move around with a shield around them….and don’t even talk to some people from tier 2 colleges…it’s because of this ‘Nashaa’…it’s because of this “Power of association with a great institution”….I am hoping that my humility will not let me down and help me to walk with a level-head. This ‘realization’ should keep me on my toes and help me to perform well…
I remember as a kid my parents always told me that I am what company I chose.It has been true for people and institutions.You bet there is a power of association.
Comment by EU — June 17, 2006, Saturday @ 3:51 am
Hello Bharani,
Its been a long time since I have been reading your posts. But the first time I am commenting…
Not being from a super-brand institution so far, I guess, it must be a wonderful feeling to be given extra respect for where you have studied from… But having read your works for so long(and particularly from the picture of The Self-Made Man), I am sure you wont be one of those with their noses in the air…
Great luck to you…
P.S: Do stop by my site… Have recently written a post after seeing an unnecessary debate of iims vs isb… Corrections invited.
Comment by Naveen — June 17, 2006, Saturday @ 1:07 pm
Association is the way to improve esp if u r team player. U have good and intelligent people as ur company and there is overall improvement!
Comment by girish — June 17, 2006, Saturday @ 1:48 pm
It is better to let the performance speak for itself. We had a prof , the best ..most enagaging and he advices the prime minister of a country. He teaches the most boring bschool subject : Accounting. I remember his classed more than anything from my T1. He has written more books than any other prof in my school. After teaching for 40 yrs he , retired when we left school..and during a short speach he casually mentioned that he had done his ‘Harvard MBA’ . None of his books mention his Harvard Pedigree..Not even his official biography…My respect for grew manifolds.
The same happened when I met the MD of Consulting firm…he said “I also did my MBA and worked for a consultancy”..and he didnt mention it was Harvard & Mckinsey..
Before my MBA(=the people whom you mentioned) probably people speaking about their degree & affiliations would have impressed me , but now the above behaviours of the MD and Prof hits me better..
Comment by Jeeva — June 17, 2006, Saturday @ 2:42 pm
Dear Bharani,
I can not agree with you more! Me from the 2005 batch and in real estate sector now. This sector’s never even seen an IIM!! Given that and, as you have rightly said, the media coverage, forget the juniors, the senior professionals treat me with awe! (Respect……not quite! That part I shall have to earn and no complaints!) They think I know everything under the sun and that has kept me working harder. But it sometimes feels like ‘the most special alien’ here and that ‘naashaa’ begins to cloud my head! Now, more than a year after passing out, I have (I think!) learned to keep my feet planted firmly on ground and be proud of my (our) alma matter.
BTW You indeed have a wonderful blog!
Comment by .Aditi — June 19, 2006, Monday @ 10:35 am
Thanks for the affirmative EU
Naveen, Thanks for your comments. I left a comment in your blog for the post you mentioned.
Ahem…Ahem….Girish, I am not referring to that association
Well said Jeeva….
Thanks Aditi for seconding my opinion…btw, the blog link that you left was incorrect…corrected it..hope you don’t mind
Comment by Administrator — June 19, 2006, Monday @ 11:53 pm
Bharani,
Reading your posts makes me feel very proud to be studying at ISB. However, the expectations being so high, its not gonna be easy to meet them. All the best for everything!!
Comment by Swapnil — June 21, 2006, Wednesday @ 8:55 am
Bharani,
Reading this post makes me feel very proud to be studying at ISB. However, the expectations are so high, its not going to be easy to meet them. I’m sure you will. All the best!
Comment by Swapnil — June 21, 2006, Wednesday @ 8:58 am
Bharani,
In my office, i come across people from these great institutions such as ISB and IIMs who carry this shield around themselves that you talked about and in the process develop an attitude wherein they look down people who are not from such prestigious colleges.I think it is your humility only that you want to walk with a level head.All the best to you and am sure with this attitude you will definitely fly high.
Comment by Neetu — June 22, 2006, Thursday @ 9:39 am
Thanks Swapnil…You (and me) are privileged to undergo the experience of ISB…Enjoy your stay…
Thanks Neetu…
Comment by Administrator — June 23, 2006, Friday @ 7:18 pm