All of us are born with talents and skills that are unique to each other. It sets us apart and also creates our identity. This also implies that not all of us are expected to strictly follow protocols or perform mundane tasks on a daily basis. That’s why we have something called ‘marketing’ in every organisation.

If you are a creative person who has a knack for bringing innovation to the table every morning, marketing is the place to be. Marketing is a dynamic field that allows individuals to identify the needs of consumers and develop unique strategies that can help fulfil those needs. It sounds intriguing, but it is also difficult. That’s why people undergo professional training in this aspect, commonly referred to as an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) in Marketing.

Master in Business Administration is the most opted course among student. The reasons are obvious; lucrative careers, high salaries and endless opportunities. However, we have listed here six ways in which doing an MBA will change your life for good.

Impressive Job Titles and Corporates Giants to Work for
Look at the below titles

• Foreign Trade Management
• Managing Partnership and Networks
• International Financial Reporting
• MNC Logistics and SCM
• Negotiation Skills for International Business Geopolitics
• MNC Corporate Governance
• International Derivatives Markets

Do they excite you? Or are you excited to work for an organization like Boston Consulting Group, Accenture, FedEx, Blue Dart, ONGC, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft Corporation, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, and Pepsi, etc.? All the above-mentioned job titles and corporate giants have a huge requirement of marketing professionals who can make strategies at a global level. Lucrative salary and employee benefits are the additional things that you will enjoy with such respectable job titles.

Understanding Consumer Behaviour and Market Research

Consumer behaviour, also known as customer behaviour is the study of customers or consumers, especially those in a target market. It comprises recording and assessing the consumer’s behavioural, mental, and emotional responses to a product or service. This type of behaviour examines how a customer chooses a product, avoids a product, or has other specific buying habits. Thus, this concept transcends looking at what customers want and don’t want.

Factors that can affect the consumer behaviour:

• Purchasing power: Purchasing power is the buying capability of a consumer, which influences their buying decisions. For example, a person who earns a daily wage of Rs. 10,000 would buy a bar of soap that costs Rs. 5 or 10 and would never buy a shower gel worth Rs. 200.
• Marketing campaigns: This is a new trend in the market in which marketers try to attract customers through innovative marketing campaigns designed specifically to persuade them.
• Personality traits: Everything from our upbringing to the type of company we keep has a significant impact on our purchasing habits and choices. For example, if you are used to seeing your mother buy clothes only when there is a mega sale, you are likely to follow in her footsteps when you grow up.
• Individual preferences: Despite our upbringing or the type of advertising that we are exposed to, each of us has our own personal choices, which form an important part of consumer behaviour.
• Economic conditions: Recessions or poor economic conditions can also have an impact on consumer behaviour. People in first-world countries, for example, will be willing to indulge in luxury items; however, the same cannot be said for war-torn or third-world countries.
• Social influence: People are frequently concerned with "what others think of them." This is why we are always trying to show ourselves superior to others or leading a better life than others. These societal influences can also impact the consumer behaviour of several individuals.

What is the significance of Market Research in understanding Consumer Behaviour?

Performing market research helps businesses understand all the important components that can impact consumer behaviour. Market research is like an ocean; it progresses from primary to secondary research, and from qualitative to quantitative research. These can take the form of industry news sites, statistics sources, published studies, and more.

Surveys are an important component of market research. Several researchers use this method to understand where their target market lies and what influences consumer behaviour. It also allows them to make sound decisions and can help create a customer behaviour analysis report. This report consists of:

• What customers perceive about the brand or product
• How customers use products
• How customers behave while researching, browsing products, etc. 

Digital Marketing and E-commerce Strategies

Whether it’s your birthday shopping on Myntra or ordering your favourite food from Zomato, we have come a long way in implementing digital marketing in our daily lives. Gone are the days when we would put up posters and do field-level activities as the only form of marketing. With time, we have surpassed the traditional means of marketing initiatives and adopted technologies in the process. That has led to the evolution of digital marketing, also known as online marketing, which is the promotion of brands to connect with potential end-customers with the help of the internet and other forms of digital communication. Digital marketing is comprised of not only social media, email, and web-based advertising, but also text and multimedia messages as marketing channels.
Nowadays, digital marketing has conquered every field. This is because of the rapid globalisation that has caused organisations to adopt digital means of communication for branding and promotion. One such industry that has reaped the benefits of digital marketing is the e-commerce industry. E-commerce allows you to shop, buy, order, or purchase anything and everything that is available online. So, here are some recommended e-commerce strategies that every retail business should adopt for its growth and development.

• Produce original content: If you want people to buy from you or become loyal customers, you must create content that is relevant, engaging, and 100% original.
• Create an attractive website: If you are into e-commerce, the first thing on which you need to focus is website marketing. This starts with optimising your website with content and graphics that can fit in the appropriate places.
• Focus on content marketing: You must focus on creating and sharing informative material online that does not only promote a brand exclusively but is intended to stimulate interest in the brand’s products or services.
• Build your social media: Social media is a completely different game these days. Even big brands and celebrities resort to social media to build their brand's presence across all the networking websites and grab the attention of their targeted audience.
• Email marketing: When done right, email marketing can help you reach your targeted audience with the accurate information that they need.
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Strategizing your digital marketing efforts through SEO services will optimise your website’s visibility, thereby bringing more qualified traffic to your website.
• Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising: Pay-per-click marketing allows laser-targeted visibility that helps speed up the customers' buying journey and boosts your conversion rate.

Sales and Distribution Management

Sales and distribution management (SDM) is the process of planning, organising, and controlling the activities and processes of a company's sales force and distribution network. SDM's primary goal is to ensure that the company's products and services are available and accessible to customers when and where they require them.

Objectives of Sales and Distribution Management:

• optimise the sales and distribution process
• Increase the revenue
• Improve the overall business of an organisation
• Minimise the usage of inventory

 4 Important Channels of Sales and Distribution Management

• Wholesaler: A wholesaler purchases goods from manufacturers and sells them in bulk to retailers at low prices.
• Retailer: Retailers buy goods from wholesalers and sell it to the customers for consumption.
• Distributor: They are independent merchants who act as an intermediary and help in sourcing the stock and negotiating the best deals with the suppliers and vendors.
• E-commerce: In this channel, goods flow from manufacturers to consumers through electronic means.

Product Development and Brand Management

The process of generating and differentiating your company's image, goods, and services from those of its rivals is known as brand development. As part of brand development, one’s brand must be in line with their company's goals, communicate with its target audience, and be updated or strengthened as needed.

Goals serve more or less as benchmarks for brand development, representing new concepts and items as the business expands. So, as culture develops and one reaches out to new audiences, its strategy may vary over time. It is very important to distinguish the brand from others by giving it a unique identity. The first step towards this is to understand what consumers want and how the brand can fill that gap!

Here are some of the ways in which you can specify your target audience:

• Create useful and relevant content.
• Focus on customer feedback
• Implement targeted advertising

Pricing and Promotion Strategies

Pricing and promotion strategies comprise sales tactics where a company lowers the price of a product or service temporarily or artificially to attract customers and increase revenue through bulk sales. The objective of doing this is to foster a sense of scarcity amongst the consumers, thereby inducing frugal customers to purchase the item.

Following are four common pricing and promotional strategies used worldwide:

• Penetration Pricing: Offering a new good or service for a low initial cost in order to attract clients is known as the penetration pricing strategy.
• Economy Pricing: In this strategy, products are offered at a low price to consumers due to low production costs involved.
• Psychological pricing: This pricing strategy uses emotional responses to attract customers. For example, selling a T-shirt for Rs. 499 gives an idea that is still in the range of Rs. 400, although it is only Rs. 1 less than Rs. 500.
• Premium pricing: Also known as image pricing or prestige pricing, premium pricing is the practice of maintaining an artificially high price for a product or service in order to promote positive opinions among customers solely on the basis of the price. 

Advertising and Media Planning

In today’ competitive world, it is very important that marketers thoroughly plan he most efficient way to communicate a message to the targeted audience.

Types of media planning:

• Paid Media: This refers to paid placement of your brand and includes strategies like PPC (pay-per-click advertising), display ads, and branded content.
• Owned Media: Owned media refers to the content or media collateral that is owned by your brand such as blog posts and social media posts.
• Earned Media: Earned media describes the coverage a brand receives from sources other than their own business such as word of mouth, customer feedback, etc.

The main objectives of advertising and media planning:

• To raise brand awareness
• Provide leads
• Encourage conversions

Benefits of advertising and media planning:

• Increased ROI
• Budget tracking
• Customer division and analysis
• Establish processes

Market Segmentation and Targeting

The processes of identifying a company's potential consumers, selecting the customers to pursue, and producing value for the targeted customers are referred to as market segmentation and targeting. It is achieved through segmentation, positioning (STP), and targeting procedures.

To put it in a nutshell, segmentation is the process of grouping customers with similar needs and then determining the needs of the customers. Targeting allows the company to select the customers that they want to focus on.

Types of market segmentation:

• Demographic segmentation: It divides customers on the basis of age, gender, source of income, occupation, etc.
• Geographic segmentation: division of the customers on the basis of geological boundaries
• Behavioural segmentation: It divides the audience based on behavioural processes and approaches to purchasing.
• Psychological segmentation: This type of segmentation divides customers on the basis of behaviour, lifestyle, thinking, attitude, and interests.

Types of markets targeted:

• Undifferentiated marketing: Undifferentiated marketing, also known as mass marketing, ignores the market segments and treats the entire market as a single target.
• Differentiated marketing: This is segmented marketing where we only focus on those market segments that hold the potential of becoming our consumers.
• Concentrated marketing: It is also known as niche marketing," where one focuses on a niche or a narrower segment of the audience as its customer target base.
• Micromarketing: Micromarketing is the process of targeting a small group of individuals within a niche market.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Customer relationship management, or CRM, is the combination of methods, strategies, and technology that businesses employ to manage and analyse customer interactions and data throughout the customer lifecycle. CRM's goal is to improve customer interactions in order to increase client retention and sales. 
Any organisation that is customer-oriented must focus on organising and understanding CRM data insights. This is significant because it helps you understand your own customer and helps you to engage with them via different tools and technologies. This is one of the primary reasons why several businesses and industries are using CRM tools to create a central hub for audience reports. Moreover, CRM software enables them to interact with new clients, save time and effort through automation, boost customer engagement, and get more deals.

 Components of CRM:

• Salesforce automation: To track customer interactions and automate specific business functions throughout the sales life cycle
• Marketing automation: To automate the repetitive tasks such as ending bulk emails, etc. to enhance the efforts of marketing
• Workflow automation: Using technology to automate and standardise the daily mundane tasks
• Artificial Intelligence (AI): With the help of AI, we can now identify customer-buying patterns and predict future customer behaviours, etc.
• Geolocation technology: integrating GPS (Global Positioning Systems) or other forms of technology to target customers that are geographically distributed.

Supply Chain Management and Logistics

Supply Chain Management (SCM) and logistics is the process of overseeing the storage and shipping of goods and services across the supply chain. It begins with the acquisition of raw materials and concludes with the delivery of finished goods to the customer or final destination.

Are Supply Chain Management and Logistics the Same Thing?

This is a very debatable topic because while logistics is all about the storage and movement of items in the supply chain, SCM is a more comprehensive approach. It addresses the coordination of all channels and partners involved in this network, including procurement, manufacturing, transportation, storage, and selling. SCM uses logistics to get products to customers. It aims to improve financial performance and strengthen a company's competitiveness. To put it in other words, SCM establishes the strategy and oversees the daily logistical operations that take place in manufacturing plants, distribution centres, and other facilities.

Similarities between Supply Chain Management and Logistics

• Both are concerned with goods, information, or services.
• Both aim to support the company’s success while distinguishing it from competitors.
• Both seek to enhance customer satisfaction.
• Both have to follow the same lifecycle of sourcing, manufacturing, storage, distribution, and selling.

Data Analytics and Business Intelligence

The organisations that are into the game of data management utilise the benefits of data analytics and business intelligence (BI).  BI uses technology, data, and applications to make sound business decisions.  Data analytics is the examination of unprocessed data to provide inferences about such information.

Here are some common differences between data analytics and business intelligence.

Leadership and Team Management

John Maxwell once said, "A leader is the one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." Teamwork is important in achieving an organization's goals, but it is the leader who fosters a positive work culture and motivates employees to deliver the best results possible.

Times have changed, and gone are the days where strict, heartless managers evaluated the productivity of an employee by the number of hours he served at the company. Nowadays, it’s all about creating a healthy workspace where each team member feels motivated enough to reach their optimum potential. In order to do that, a leader must possess the qualities of charisma, creativity, consciousness, empathy, and integrity.

For every leader, it is very important to focus on team management, as unified efforts lead to the accomplishment of goals faster and easier. It also promotes critical thinking, solves problems rationally, encourages open communication, and builds a strong team bond among the members.

So, here are some tips for team management that every leader must follow:

• You must stop believing that you are the sole 'correct' person. You should train yourselves to accept opinions and criticisms from others and admit that even you can go wrong. There is no limit to what one can learn in one’s life.
• Encourage a transparent workspace where employees feel connected and motivated. This will build mutual trust and respect among your team members, both within themselves and for their leader.
• Set boundaries when there is a need for them. It is good to be kind, but one must not mistake your kindness for weakness. You must exercise authority when you believe it is necessary to maintain team discipline.
• Engage in light-hearted conversations with your team members. This creates a jolly and enthusiastic work environment and also promotes employee well-being.
• As a leader, you must be accountable for your team’s growth. Appreciate them for their good work and allow them to grow to the next level in the organisation.
• You must be open to change. We must understand that the world we are living in is always evolving and dynamic. Therefore, we must upgrade our thinking and adapt to newer technology, workflow, and support systems.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Ethics in Marketing.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and marketing ethics are moral actions that are taken to instil a positive energy and impact on all of the company's stakeholders, including employees, clients, shareholders, and the community. These decisions are socially and morally conscious with respect to the environment, human rights, and society as a whole. Marketers use this strategy to create a positive brand value through their philanthropic activities, without any hidden intention.

According to the concept of CSR, organisations should balance their profit-making operations with endeavours to benefit society at a local, state, national, or global level. This imbibes an optimistic approach in the brand’s consumers who want to associate with it for its social contribution and impact. Several businesses have incorporated socially conscious components into their marketing strategy in an effort to benefit the community through useful services and goods.

Ethical marketing is all about brand positioning with respect to honesty, integrity, impartiality, and moral responsibility.  The principles of ethical marketing are as follows:

• Mutual trust in marketing communication
• Clarity and transparency in endorsements
• Maintenance of individual privacy
• Adherence to the government’s policies and standards

Conclusion – Should you opt for an MBA in Marketing?

Numerous job opportunities and Scope of further education

PGDM provides you ample job opportunities, some of which we have mentioned above, however, while completing the course you can explore your fields of interest and make a career in the respective field. This course additionally provides you a scope of further education or professional education if you are willing. Management institutions provide some value-added courses with this MBA course so that you have a competitive advantage over others in the job market.

Scope of Earning Handsome Salaries

On completion of this two-year formal degree in Business Administration you will be capable of earning jobs with lucrative salaries and excellent benefits. However, a lot will depend on the organization you choose to work with but be assured that with an MBA you are already holding a poised position. In case you have prior experience, accomplishing this course will open to you more career-enhancing opportunities.

Scope of Working and Travelling Abroad

While pursuing your studies in International Business, and even after that you will explore multiple opportunities for traveling to all parts of the world both for academic and professional reasons. Additionally, pursuing your MBA in marketing course you will come in touch with collaborators, scopes of internships, and training providing you enough scope of traveling to domestic and international destinations.

Self Enhancement and Great Interpersonal Skill

MBA is a comprehensive amalgamation of management, trade, sales, marketing, and aspects related to international law and economics. You will also get acquainted with principles and techniques of ethical negotiation and distributive justice, theories of negotiation, signalling, argumentation, and real options. The course further will groom you with a distinctive personal negotiation position and style.

Enhance your Entrepreneurship skills

As this course equips you with skills and perceptions of international business, it will pave a smooth path for your entrepreneurial dreams as well. However, every international business has a huge customer base, fluctuation in revenues, various product cycles, and a lot more. With an MBA in marketing, you can acquire a critical role in an organization.

MBA is a valuable degree that enhances your career by imparting credible skills to you. This degree prepares you completely for the industry where you learn key concepts of business, people management, project delivery, and handling, and you also learn networking and communication skills that give a great boost to your career. As we understand the magnitude of this degree, one of the biggest questions that matter is are you pursuing an MBA from the best institute? To get the benefits of this degree rather than encircling around the confusion to pursue it after graduation or work experience, what matters most is that you choose the best to earn this degree.

One such top B School is CMS B School an integral part of Jain (Deemed-to-be University), it is India's primary business school with a global perspective. It has been one of the most preferred business schools for MBA students situated in Bengaluru India, and it also attracts international students from across the globe.

Advantages of pursuing MBA after graduation

Having an MBA degree is equivalent to having a magic wand. It opens a plethora of new opportunities – both from a personal and professional perspective. From the professional point of view, you will be introduced to newer and better career opportunities and growth whereas, from the personal front, you will imbibe different life skills like critical thinking, leadership, and time management and all of it will help you excel in your life.

So, to put it simpler, here are some advantages of pursuing an MBA after graduation:

• Gateway to a better future: According to a survey, the majority of companies are inclined to select candidates who have completed their MBA in the concerned field. An MBA degree paves the way for a better future for individuals altogether.
• Improved professional skills: Undergoing a highly professional course like MBA makes you industry ready. You learn and develop important soft skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, etc.
• Become a global citizen: MBA allows you to nurture your global perspective on how each industry works in different parts of the world. This makes you more mature and tolerant of different cultures, thereby increasing your chance of growth anywhere around the world.
• Sets you apart from your peers: Many of us wish to beat the competition and secure a better position sometime in life. An MBA degree allows you to expand your skills and differentiates you from other people of your age. It helps you earn credibility in your network.
• Build a diverse network: Your professional network plays a significant role in your career and your MBA journey helps you do that. MBA allows you to build a corporate network based on your internship experiences or encounters and involvements with seniors, colleagues, alumni, mentors, etc.

Different MBA specializations and their scope

MBA is like an ocean full of opportunities. It is very important that you analyse your area of interest wisely and check if it matches your career expectations. MBA offers specializations in different areas and here are the top ones with scope to excel in each domain.

Single Specializations:

Apart from these, there are also dual specializations that one can opt for that offers combined scope and opportunities to excel 2X in your career. Some of the most popular and recommended dual specializations are as follows:

• Marketing and Finance
• Marketing and Human Resource Management
• Finance and Human Resource Management
• Finance and Business Analytics
• Marketing and Business Analytics
• Human Resource Management and Business Analytics
• Marketing and Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Marketing and Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
• Finance and Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
• HRM and Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation
• Aviation Management and Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Aviation Management and Marketing
• Aviation Management and Human Resource Management

Developing the entrepreneurship spirit among the students is the fundamental pillar of CMS B School, Jain (Deemed-to-be University). Students handle international leadership projects, International faculties visit for guest lectures, international student exchange projects to various countries across the world.

Differences between MBA from top B Schools vs average B Schools

There is a lot of difference between doing an MBA from a top B-School and an average B-school. It’s a whole new dimension and the former is a gateway to a better future when compared to the latter. So, here are some common differences that make MBA from a top B-School more desirable than doing it from an average B-School.

• Better Career Opportunities: Top B-schools offer attractive placements in top companies, promote entrepreneurship, and do not limit exposure to the corporate environment.
• Great salary packages and placements: A MBA degree from a top B-School ensures that you are placed in top-notch companies in the country and worldwide with great salary packages. This applies even to those students who haven’t performed very well in their exams. However, in an average B-School, you do not always get such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and have to often hustle to score the best marks to be able to make it through the placement drive.
• Builds strong credibility: A college’s reputation will add value to your career in the long run. When you do MBA from a reputed B-School, it adds credibility to your resume and brings value to your career.
• Diverse network: Passing out an MBA from a top B-School allows you to have access to the alumni, mentors, faculties, seniors at internships, etc. and all of it contributes immensely to building a long-term career based out of this networking.
• Rewarding educational experience: Theoretical knowledge is never sufficient. You need to upgrade yourself to develop the necessary soft skills. This comes from exposure to a reputed B-School that allows students to nurture their educational experience and cultivate important life skills for professional and personal growth.
• Lays the foundation of a great future: Having an MBA degree from the top-notch B-Schools creates the right foundation for a lucrative career. Leading businesses and corporations will wait in the queue to hire and recruit you and who knows, it can also be the start to your global career!

Importance of choosing the right institute for MBA

• Return on Investment (ROI): Getting an MBA degree can be costly for many of us. Education is often considered an investment as it will reap benefits in the future in the form of employment or entrepreneurial ventures. However, if you spend a fortune on your MBA that doesn’t guarantee proper returns such as a good placement or better career advancements, then it is not a desirable investment in the first place.
• Alumni Network: Connections through alumni play a significant role in propelling your corporate career to greater heights. Alumni are like a mirror of any institute. Therefore, one must be very careful in assessing the alumni background of the institute before applying for MBA there.
• International Exposure: You must go for institutes that offer diverse and global MBA programs in marketing, operations, finance, human resources, aviation, etc. This helps you to understand businesses from a global perspective and can land you international opportunities.
• Placements: There is an end goal for you to apply for MBA unless you wish to take over your family business or start your venture. If your goal is to secure a high-paying job in the corporate world, you must carefully analyze the placement history of the institute and apply based on the statistics.
• Rankings and Accreditation: Consistent ranking and NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council), NBA (National Board of Accreditation), and AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education) accreditations speak volumes of the credibility that an institute holds. This is very important when big corporations and multinational companies look out to hire candidates.

Career prospects and earning potential with an MBA degree

There are several streams under the MBA degree that holds great career prospects and earning potential. So, we have listed down some of them for your understanding.

Career prospects after MBA in Marketing

Scope: In retail, hospitality, banking, media, etc.
Job profiles:

• Brand Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Market Research Analyst
• Sales Manager
• Product Manager
• Media Planner
• Internet Marketing Manager

Salary range: INR 7 – 8 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Human Resources

Scope: In retail, bank, hospital, hospitality, IT, etc.
Job profiles:

• HR Manager
• Recruitment Specialist
• L& D Manager
• Asst. HR Manager

Salary range: Average INR 6.4 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Finance

Scope: In international finance, investment management, taxation, tax planning, insurance management, financial statement reporting and analysis.
Job profiles:

• Financial Manager/Analyst
• Credit Analyst
• Accounting Manager
• Risk and Insurance Manager
• Treasurer
• Finance Manager
• Cash Manager

Salary range: INR 3 - 21 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Business Analytics

Scope: In government, finance, education and software development.
Job profiles:

• Financial Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Business Systems Analyst
• Predictive Modeller

Salary range: INR 10 - 18 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Operations

Scope: In manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and hospitality, e-commerce, and telecom industries.
Job profiles:

• Supply Chain Manager
• Logistics Manager
• Inventory Control Manager
• Project Managers
• Operations Manager

Salary range: INR 3.5 – 12 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Scope: In e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, shipping, export, etc.
Job profiles:

• VP of Supply Chain Operations
• Logistics Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Purchase Manager
• Warehouse Operations Manager
• Demand Planning Analyst
• Supply Chain Performance Analyst
• Distribution Centre Supervisor
• Logistics and Transportation Analyst

Salary range: Average INR 4 – 6.6 Lacs PA

Career prospects after MBA in Entrepreneurial and New Venture Creation

Scope: Any field.
Job profiles:

• Small Business Owner
• Corporate Supervisor
• Fundraiser and Development Officer
• Business Consultant

There is no earning bar for small business onwers as sky is the limit. However, for other roles, it can be upto INR 12 Lacs PA.

Differences between traditional MBA vs online MBA

If you go by the name, it is very clear what the main difference between these two MBA programs is. While a traditional MBA is a regular one where you have to study on-campus, an online MBA lets you do your course virtually anywhere around the world. To help you understand better, here are some common differences that set traditional MBAs apart from online MBAs.

A lot of people often think that online MBA programs are at a disadvantage when compared to traditional MBAs because it doesn’t allow you to build a great network or don’t offer you better placements than a regular MBA. This is a total myth as placement and career advancement opportunities are equivalent in both online and regular forms of MBA. Although, it is a little difficult to build connections on an online platform, however, it is not rocket science and can be easily achieved.

Advantages of pursuing MBA after work experience

The majority of the students who aspire to do an MBA go through the dilemma of whether to pursue an MBA after graduation or after gaining work experience. Right after graduation students are young, energetic and have the curiosity to learn new concepts. But often in this case, they are not aware of the real-world situation or challenges of the industry. Whereas pursuing an MBA after work experience gives you more practical knowledge to develop a mature professional attitude.

It is widely said in the professional circle that there is no substitute for experience. Every experience weighs value when it comes to building a solid career. It helps you implement the knowledge that you gained in practical settings and with advanced soft skills. So, here are some top reasons why you must pursue MBA after working for 2-3 years.

• Better exposure: MBA after work experience provides a deeper perspective into the industry you want to work in the future. It also helps you to plan your career in the right direction and exposes you to better career opportunities. This happens only when you have an idea of how to apply the teachings in the real world.
• Better salary packages: Suppose you are pursuing your MBA in Human Resources Management and you hold a prior experience as an HR executive. This allows you to stay one step ahead of your peers as you have been already exposed to this department. This helps you grab jobs faster than others and that too with better remuneration because a lot of companies like hiring candidates that do not need to be trained much.
• Soft skills enhancement: Although you get to nurture several soft skills during your MBA journey, however, prior work experience helps you accelerate that to the next level. As a fresher, you learn how to respect your seniors and engage in suitable communication, manage your time despite the workload, and be inspired by the leaders of the organization. All of these influence you to develop these skills more efficiently when you join MBA after your work experience.
• Clarity on career plans: Work experience allows understanding of the industry beforehand and gives you clarity if you should pursue this in the future. In case, if you feel that your skill set or interests do not align with your present job role, MBA can help you shift to your area of interest and provide you with a clear career plan.

So don’t just revolve around the dilemma whether to pursue MBA after graduation or work experience, but rather opt for the finest academic B School, if you chose the best it will train you in a holistic way and deliver the best results for a soaring career.

Other factors to consider while deciding between MBA after graduation or work experience

• Placements: This is a very important factor to consider while opting for MBA after graduation or work experience. Irrespective of what you do, you must never settle for B-Schools that do not offer placements. This is also a given fact that students who have prior experience in the relevant field in which they applied MBA, will bag better salary packages than the ones who do not hold any experience. Students who had joined MBA after graduation will land entry-level jobs, however, sometimes this can change and they may end up with a high-paying salary if they are exceptionally talented and skilled.
• Career Choice: A lot of us sometimes want to diverge into another field that attracts our attention. However, with the current graduation degree that you have, it may not be possible. That’s when you apply for MBA in your choice of subject which will help you achieve your goal.
• Financial Stability: Some of us do not have enough financial support to go ahead with the MBA degree. So, they become financially stable through work experience and then go ahead with the program. Sometimes, there are colleges that do provide financial grants and scholarships to help such students cope up with the financial burden.

Cost comparison of MBA after graduation vs after work experience

The cost of pursuing an MBA after graduation remains the same as pursuing after-work experience. The average fees of pursuing an MBA from top B-schools can range from INR 5 Lacs to 40 Lacs. However, if you are asking for a pay scale, then there is a high chance that you will get a higher or a better pay-scale compared to others who hold no experience. However, this is only applicable if you have done MBA in the relevant field where you have previously worked in. For example, if you had been working as Business Analyst earlier, you can get a higher position and better salary once you are through with your MBA in Business Analytics.

Importance of networking and communication skills in MBA programs

Any business or corporation runs effectively with proper communication – starting from the L2 executives to the top management. This is why top-tier business schools focus on improving the communication skills of MBA students. Besides acing this, the MBA curriculum also encourages students to build networks and links that can help them ahead in their careers.

A strong alumni network that generates leads and mentors the students to develop better business and industry-oriented networks. A rigorous placement team works round the clock to connect the top companies with the aspirations of the students. The students of CMS B School are placed in reputed companies with flying salary packages that go upto 15 to 30 lacs P.A. companies such as Google, KPMS, SAP, Accenture, Grant Thornton, Wipro, Wells Fargo, IBM, Nestle, and many more visits the campus for hiring.  The MBA programs of CMS B School has a wide range of specializations such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resource, and even dual specializations. What makes the MBA program even more extraordinary in CMS B School is the opportunity it is providing by offering an MBA program for working professionals.

Here are some of the common reasons why networking and communication skills are important in MBA programs:

• Delegation: When you apply for the role of a manager or a team leader after your MBA, you will have to delegate the tasks to your team members. Possessing smooth communication skills will help you do this efficiently.
• Better Quality Opportunities: The network that you build during an MBA program today will define your future trajectory. You never know which contact can help you someday in your career progression.
• Long-term business relationships: Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and mistranslations of your as well the client’s expectations from a task. This will help establish long-term business associations. Connections built through these long-term relationships can expand your spectrum of opportunities.
• Addressing problems faster: Being good at communicating doesn’t mean that one has excellent oration or expression skills. Communication is a two-way process where one must master the art of speaking as well as listening. Listening patiently and intently will help identify problems faster and solve them easily.

Conclusion:

The MBA programs at CMS Business School impart the core management competencies required in modern business such as decision-making, problem-solving, strategic thinking, global perspective, and leadership. This helps the students to hone their skills and talents and emerge as best in the industry.

Learning at CMS Business School is delivered by highly accomplished faculty who possess a wide range of expertise, experience, and knowledge. The comprehensive learning methodology includes a curriculum that is designed keeping in mind all the facets of the industry. Application of concepts in a real-world scenario, Interactive lectures, case study analysis, classroom projects and exercises, class simulations and games, group presentations, field projects, company visits, and activity labs are some of the pedagogical tools used in delivering subjects.

Has it ever occurred to you how eCommerce giants like Flipkart, Amazon, Ikea, or big manufacturing units manage to operate so smoothly? How do they manage to procure and dispatch goods in such a disciplined manner? The answer lies in their strong logistics and well-structured Supply Chain Management (SCM).

Simplifying these two terms logistics is all about delivering the required product to the customer within an agreed timeline at the right place in good condition while SCM manages the synchronization of production, inventory, location, and transportation of all the organizations involved in the supply chain.

An MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management teaches students the innovations related to reverse logistics and warehousing apart from the intricacies of supply chain and operations. Training in the latest analytical tools and techniques is also one of the purposes of an MBA degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.

MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Curriculum Overview

Logistics and Supply Chain Management is a significant department that can impact the organization’s overall growth and customer satisfaction. The strategic planning and management of supply chain processes ensure the regular movement of products and services from the resources to the customer. Individuals who aspire to either become a Logistics and Supply Chain Manager or start a logistics and supply chain company develop skills that help them to manage costs, receive practical exposure, and be well-versed with specific customer needs.

This curriculum often prepares the students to:

• Apply core methodologies (probability, statistics, and optimization) to make trade-offs between forecasting, inventory, and transportation, design supply chain networks, and technology use within the supply chain.
• Helps students to figure out what drives financial performance in enterprises
• Act as a value enabler by aligning supply with demand
• Prepares students to move from Supply Chain Management to Supplier Network Management

Reasons to opt for MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

MBA today is not merely confined to business studies, rather it also teaches students to widen their thinking and unleash newer domains in the modern business world. An MBA degree in logistics and Supply Management will train you in understanding the innate technicalities of how a business operates. It will also teach you a data-driven approach to carry out an end-to-end operation efficiently and manage the flow of data, goods, or services from organization to end customer right on time. Now let us see some of the main reasons why you should opt for an MBA in Logistics and Supply management.

• Ample job growth prospects – Logistics and SCM professionals have high demand even in times of recession. A study by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a seven percent job growth from 2016 till 2026.
• High Salary packages and Job titles – A MBA degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management gives you the scope of attaining blue-collared and high-paying job titles like Strategic sourcing manager, Supply Chain Performance Analyst, Business Operations Manager, Logistics, and Transportation Analyst.
• Extended Job Opportunities - Additionally MBA in SCM and logistics will provide you scopes in Consulting, Process Excellence, Project management, and Supply Chain Technology. Skilled Logistics and SCM resources have extensive job opportunities in E-commerce, FMCG, manufacturing, retail, hospital and hospitality, aviation, and shipping industries.
• Scope of International Travel – Logistics jobs offer you ample scope of traveling abroad for work-related purposes, and can be highly beneficial for those who wish to enter the international job market.
• Opportunities in Diverse Domains – You can get access to multiple domains like wholesaling, warehousing, and postal services. Your scope of employment can range from Corporate giants to Non-profit organizations and even in the Government sector.

Different areas of specialization within the field (e.g. procurement, distribution, transportation)

• Logistics: Process of coordinating and moving resources—manpower, materials, materials, and equipment—from one location to storage at the desired destination.
• Operations:Planning, sourcing materials, labour, and facilities management, producing and delivering those goods and services.
• Transportation:  Movement of products from one location to another, from the initial point to the customer’s doorsteps.
• Warehousing and inventory: Process of handling inventory and related tasks within a warehouse, managing stock, and forecasting business trends.
• Logistics network design:In-depth study to orientate crucial decisions related to logistics and supply change management

Required qualifications and certifications in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

You require an undergraduate degree in any stream with 40% aggregate marks.

Admission to MBA is granted either based on their graduation merit (i.e, UG degree in any stream with 40% aggregate marks) or through entrance exams.

Direct admission process –

Check the college’s website for the application release date.

The applicant needs to submit the application to the colleges for further evaluation.

If selected, you will have to undergo personal interview round and finally secure the admission by paying the admission fee.

Entrance exam selection process –

 Most of the colleges conduct entrance exams to assess the eligibility of the students. Some of the most common entrance exams that are conducted Pan-India are:

• CAT (Common Admission Test)
• MAT (Management Aptitude Test)
• XAT (Xavier Aptitude Test)
• GMAT (Gratitude Management Aptitude Test)
• CMAT (Common Management Admission Test)
• SNAP (Symbiosis National Aptitude Test)
• TANCET (Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test), etc

Skills and traits that is highly valued in the industry:

To pursue a career in logistics and supply chain management, one must have a basic skillset that will help them ace the course and be a valuable asset to the organization.

• Decision making
• Communication skills
• Leadership qualities
• Analytical skills
• Technical understanding
• Business ethics
• Stress management

Top Career Paths in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

• Forecasting / Industry Analyst: They identify both current and upcoming trends and processes to bring out more logistical innovations to the organisation.
• Operations Manager: Maximizing processes and procedures to oversee operational activities at every level of an organization.
• Warehousing Manager: Manages warehouse staff, vehicles, and other equipment, storage of goods, and oversees security, sanitation, and administrative functions of the warehouse.
• Global Logistics Manager: He is responsible for managing and delivering logistics and field procurement activities, implementation of logistics processes, and overseeing the development and delivery of training nodules to employees.
• Procurement Manager: Ensures cost-effective purchase of all materials and services as per the quality standards and compliance with the Company's policies and procedures.
• Inventory Manager: Manages inventory tracking system, shipments, and stock levels, improves inventory control procedures, and analyses daily product and supply levels to anticipate inventory problems and shortages.

Advancement opportunities in the field:

MBA in logistics and supply chain management provides individuals with various job opportunities in the clearing, freight forwarding organizations, forwarding companies, couriers, and third-party logistics industry.

A degree course in supply management allows the professionals to not just explore the top positions in the field but also allows opportunities in other areas, such as:

• Customer Service Manager
• Expeditor
• Logistics Engineer
• Fulfillment Supervisor
• Consultant
• Shipping Coordinator
• Export Executive
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Supply Chain Software Manager
• International Logistics Manager
• Supply Chain Managers, etc

A comprehensive MBA degree by CMS Business School

According to a report compiled by Supply Chain Management Research Association (APIC), for millennials, this sector has provided tremendous growth opportunities. Those who are already in this sector believe they have imbibed the ability to create a difference in the business world apart from enriching their intrapersonal skills.

CMS Business School offers a comprehensive four-semester MBA degree in Logistics and Supply management. We train our students with all the functional operations of an organization so that they can make a better career choice either being entrepreneurs themselves or become professional as logistics analysts, sourcing specialists, global supply analysts or purchasing managers and likewise.

Our experienced and innovative Faculty members will teach you to create efficient strategies to initiate effective production methods and create profitable partnerships with suppliers enabling you to contribute to the maximum. With us, you will get the best-in-class infrastructures like:

• International study tours
• Sessions by industry experts
• Innovative nurturing curriculum

Impact of digitalization and automation on the industry:

Digital technology is paving the way for the transformation of the logistics and supply chain industry. Following are the ways by which digitalization and automation are creating a massive impact on the industry.

Enhanced Productivity

Cloud-based software used by logistics companies helps them centralize their activities and automate their supply chain.

Improved Business Intelligence

Advanced data analytics and business intelligence through cognitive computing and AI-enabled digital technologies help organisations combat technical difficulties, thereby improving end-user experience with reduced costs.

Better Routing

Investing money in cutting-edge technologies helps prevent delivery delays caused by drivers getting lost. This can be done through better routing with the help of technology that will allow the drivers and transporters to reach their destination quickly by consuming the least amount of petrol.

Early preventative maintenance

Improved digital technology makes it feasible for logistics businesses to carry out preventative maintenance on their cars, identify faults, and maintenance issues, and addressing them before time.

Case studies of successful companies that prioritize Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Heinz

Food giant makes major supply chain and financial improvements by prioritising the forecasting discipline. They forecasted consumption first and then distribution. Each SKU was efficiently handled that led to 100% accuracy in forecasting demand and reducing wastage.

Fujitsu Services

 This leading European IT firm has an annual turnover of £2.46 billion ($3.59 billion) and over 19,000 employees in 20 countries. Fujitsu’s lean program called "The TIC Way," helped replace rigid, command and control style of logistics management with empowered policies and protocols. This initiative increased the productivity by 23%, reduced labour expenses by 14% and elevated customer satisfaction from 6.8 to 7.8 out of 10.

Real-life examples of how Logistics and Supply Chain Management can positively impact a business

Amazon

Forbes has listed Amazon as the most innovative business in logistics business where they have been able to deliver 2.5 billion packages around the world. Amazon’s digital freight matching marketplace known as Amazon Freight has helped them improvise their delivery, shipment and organisation of products across the world.

Flipkart

Flipkart is a leading Indian e-commerce company that offers different delivery options such as one-day, same-day delivery, etc to its customers. To operate its seamless logistic system, Flipkart has built a network of warehouses, delivery hubs, and fulfillment centers across India. It also partners with third-party logistics companies to handle the transportation of packages from its fulfillment centers to customers' homes.

Importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility in the industry

A supply chain built on a sustainable platform creates effective partnership opportunities, improves productivity by saving time, money and efforts. Eco-awareness activities improve your brand reputation and further legitimise your organisation. Nike is a classic example of sustainability at work. The world’s one of the leading shoe brands changed how it makes some of its shoes and adapted more environment-friendly ways to create these products. This reduced labour costs by up to 50% and material use by 20%. The ultimate outcome was a 0.25% increase in margins.

Conclusion

In recent years’ logistics and supply chain management has become indispensable to every industry. No matter what industry you are talking about, be it automobile or chemical, food & beverages, or technology, everyone will need to buy raw materials or manage their inventory or need to dispatch products either across the town or the globe and will need a sturdy logistics and supply chain management to manage the whole process efficiently. So you can assume the importance of this specialization and JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) offers you every scope to make a promising career in this domain.

Get in touch with us for detailed information on this course.

Download the free Prospectus today!

Be a Logistics and Supply Chain Professional

Are you manifesting your dream MBA programme this year but need help figuring out where to start from? Well, better late than never. MBA or Masters in Business Administration is a two-year postgraduate programme designed to impart business administration knowledge and training to graduates willing to conquer the corporate world. If you are an MBA aspirant looking for details on the entrance exams, we will guide you in this article today.

Types of MBA entrance exams

As every MBA aspirant needs to sit for the entrance exams to become eligible for admission, aspirants must know and gather all the information related to these tests and then choose the one most convenient for them. For example, they must appear for the CAT if they want to do their MBA from IIM. However, if you are seeking MBA from a tier-2 B-School, then you appear for CMAT or MAT.

Here are some of the well-curated MBA entrance exam formats that you should look for:

Levels of MBA entrance exams

There are three levels of MBA entrance exams, which are as follows:

• National level: These are the most popular entrance exam formats for MBA aspirants. It consists of CAT, CMAT and MAT format.
• State level:They are second to national level exams and consists of popular formats such as MAH-CET, TSICET, APICET, KMAT and TANCET.
• University/College level:Some of the profound entrance exams include XAT, SNAP, IIFT Exam and IRMASAT

Conclusion

You can apply for MBA exams online on their official website, which will guide you to pay application fees. Once the fees are submitted, you can download the entrance exam admit card and take the test on the scheduled date, time, and location. If you score as per the eligibility criteria, you are all set to go for your MBA!

All the best, and don’t lose hope! You have got this.

Do you dream of ruling the corporate world one day? But dreaming alone doesn't count. A lot of effort goes into making your education during the MBA course worthwhile. But once you are done with it, lucrative opportunities await you.

If you want to pursue your MBA degree (Master's in Business Administration) from a reputed business school in India, CMS Business School can answer your questions. Recognised by ISO 9000: 2015 TUV India and accredited by NBA (National Board of Accreditation), CMS B-School, located in the heart of Jayanagar, Bangalore, offers a plethora of opportunities such as internships at corporate firms, on-campus placements by 300+ firms all over India and a lifetime opportunity to make it big in the corporate world.

CMS B-School by JAIN Deemed-to-be University) lays the foundation for youngsters to become the entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow. We integrate knowledge and technology to build a global business community.

At CMS, your MBA degree will be considered a 'Career Accelerator' and will attract higher salaries across several industries in India and abroad. As globalisation is gripping the world, managers and business leaders have become an important component for the smooth functioning of an organisation.

But we understand that you have your fair share of doubts about the MBA course and its prospects. Don't worry because we will help you understand the diverse career prospects offered by the MBA course.

Financial Manager

Finance is a great subject choice for MBA aspirants. A financial manager oversees a company's financial condition, prepares or reviews financial reports, analyses trends, and advises the top management personnel on financial strategies, management, and profits. Candidates with a degree in MBA in finance can avail themselves of different job opportunities in government and the private sector.

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers are responsible for the planning and execution of various marketing plans that can help the companies to grow. MBA in marketing pursuers develop the knowledge and skills to research and analyse market conditions and trends, communicate with clients, and add value to the brand image through creative and innovative marketing strategies.

HR Manager

As the need for staffing increases in the coming days, so will the demand for the MBA in human resources department. An HR manager leads the entire human resources department and is responsible for hiring, recruiting, and maintaining an employee lifecycle of an entire organisation.

Operations Manager

An Operations Manager can be termed as someone who is the company's jack-of-all-trades. These professionals are mainly tasked with planning, organising, and supervising the entire process of manufacturing, production, or the provision of services. They oversee daily operations, procurement, inventory management, coordination between departments, and policy creation.

Investment Banker

Investment bankers are the talk of the town these days. Leading financial service providers and banks such as Motilal Oswal, Bank of America Continuum, SBI Capital Markets, etc., hire candidates for this role. These professionals work as an underwriter and connect investors to organizations that need funds. Investment bankers help companies invest and grow their capital and assist and advise organisations during financial transitions such as acquisitions and mergers.

Management Consultant

If you like solving complex problems, this is the right job. A management consultant analyses an organisation's problems and brings innovative and simple solutions to solve the problems. They identify the problems within the organisation that may hinder them from achieving their goals.

Wrapping Up

An MBA degree imparts training and knowledge sufficient enough for you to enter any of the fields discussed above. It also allows you to unlock the path for future growth, especially when coupled with a few years of experience. However, the effectiveness of any degree is driven by your passion and interest. So, gear up and buckle yourself if you want to rule the corporate world!

After completing the MBA, most people opt for a high-paying job at an MNC or a small firm. Very few MBA graduates think of becoming the black sheep, i.e., being entrepreneurs and starting their businesses.

It is not easy to launch a business of your own. Although it may sound fancy and inspiring, it has many ordeals and risks. However, a startup empowers not only the entrepreneur himself but also the entire society- either through the innovative product or service they are offering or employment.

So, for those MBA aspirants or pursuers thinking of starting their own business, we have come up with some lucrative entrepreneur ideas for your dream project!

Consulting Business

Business consultancy is an interesting field you can choose if you are interested in the advisory business. There are different kinds of consultants that you can choose to become based on your area of interest:

1. Management Consulting – You can provide information and solutions to smaller companies on ways to streamline their processes and aid in decision-making. You will be in ‘high demand’ and become ‘manager’s manager.’
2. Digital Marketing Consulting - Digital marketing is a hot topic these days. With several firms choosing digital means of selling their products and services through social media and the internet, this area of consultancy can be a good choice for your startup plan. 
3. Finance Consulting – Many firms look out for consultants who can guide them to streamline finances and related compliances. A finance consulting firm can be a great idea for your business. 
4. Advertisement Consulting - If you have an MBA in marketing, this line of business can be helpful for you. Many small and medium companies do not have enough budget to hire advertising or PR employees and may require external help. An advertising consultant can be a respite to such companies. 
5. Admissions consulting – Many candidates are often clueless about the right type of MBA programme and how it can help their career. Therefore, an admission consultant who knows the lucrativeness of MBA programmes, the benefits, cracking placements, interviews, and coping with the MBA curriculum can be a valuable asset to those students. 

Business Advisors

Many would-be and existing entrepreneurs are often clueless about how to make their businesses take flight. Some don’t possess MBA knowledge, and some don’t know how to implement the knowledge. Business advisor utilizes their years of experience and knowledge in the corporate field to help these entrepreneurs draw a business plan and move to success.

Blogger

Blogging is a trend these days. If you are good at public speaking, you can become a blogger to impart knowledge on business and related topics with the help of audio or audio and visual podcasts and reels. You can create an impressive blogging site or an engaging social media account to gain followers.

Author

If you like writing and can express your thoughts well, you can write your book. This can be fictional storytelling, or you can write about the dynamics of the business world. You can either publish this as a hard copy or release it as an eBook on Amazon.

Ecommerce

As the current market scenario is very competitive, selling your product on an e-commerce platform can give you an edge over others at a cost-effective range.

So, if you have big dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, you must not stop at them. But, these dreams can be converted to reality only with proper training and skill enhancement. The right MBA programme will help you learn about the science of business to fuel your entrepreneurial dreams.