Change manager

UPFRONT

Even as two infotech icons from Bangalore headed for Ahmedabad, a financial world supermanager was headed in the opposite direction: to Bangalore's IIM. ICICI managing director and CEO K.V. Kamath, author of ICICI's universal banking vision and change manager, also talked revolution to graduating students.

Kamath said conventional organisational structures should be challenged so that bureacracy does not creep in. "A strong brand equity is important as it establishes instant credibility and enables organisations to face the challenges of change on a stronger foundation," Kamath said. Addressing the 27th annual convocation at IIMB, Kamath also took the opportunity to set up a chair in 'change management' at the institute.

He said quick and decisive actions are vital to corporations in an era of change as opportunities may be transient. "Building a meritocracy in which people are the most important part of an organisation is most important," Kamath said. Tolerating ambiguity has always been a key skill for a leader. "Your learning over the last two years has given you the basic knowledge, relationships and judgment required to survive in a demanding business environment. But this is only a beginning "" as you go through your careers you must constantly be prepared to reinvent yourself and start afresh."

Kamath said a key facet of dealing with the challenge of change was a good value system which would lead to the establishment of a long-term partnership with all stakeholders in a company.

IIM Director M Ramamohan Rao said a post-graduate programme in public policy and management will begin from June 5, 2002. The programme will include a module on 'Public policy: an international comparative perspective' which will be offered at Maxwell School in Syracuse.