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MBA in Strategy at SRM Institute of Science and Technology
Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu
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About the Specialization
What is Strategy at SRM Institute of Science and Technology Chengalpattu?
This Strategy program at SRM Institute of Science and Technology focuses on equipping future leaders with the acumen to navigate complex business landscapes and drive organizational growth. It emphasizes analytical thinking, strategic planning, and implementation skills crucial for competitive advantage in the dynamic Indian market, distinguishing graduates as proactive decision-makers.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for ambitious fresh graduates seeking entry into strategic roles, working professionals aiming to ascend to leadership positions, and career changers transitioning into consulting or corporate strategy functions. Candidates with a strong analytical bent and a desire to influence organizational direction will find this specialization particularly rewarding.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect fulfilling career paths in strategic consulting, corporate planning, business development, and entrepreneurial ventures within India. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 6-10 LPA, with experienced professionals earning significantly more. The program fosters critical thinking and problem-solving, preparing students for certifications in project management or business analysis.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Strong Analytical & Quantitative Fundamentals- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate extra time to master subjects like Business Statistics, Managerial Economics, and Accounting. Utilize online tutorials and practice problems to solidify understanding, as these form the bedrock for strategic decision-making. Form study groups to discuss concepts and solve case studies.
Tools & Resources
Khan Academy, NPTEL courses, institutional library resources
Career Connection
A robust quantitative foundation is critical for analyzing market data, financial reports, and strategic scenarios, directly enhancing problem-solving skills valued in consulting and corporate strategy roles.
Cultivate Effective Communication and Presentation Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in class discussions, volunteer for presentations, and join public speaking clubs or debate societies. Seek constructive feedback on communication style and content. Practice structuring arguments logically and presenting complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Tools & Resources
Toastmasters International (if available), TED Talks, peer feedback sessions
Career Connection
Strategic roles demand persuasive communication to articulate plans to stakeholders, clients, and senior management. Strong presentation skills are essential for consulting and leadership positions.
Develop a Managerial Mindset through Industry Immersion- (Semester 1-2)
Read business newspapers and magazines daily (e.g., Economic Times, Business Standard, Mint). Follow industry leaders on LinkedIn and attend industry webinars. Engage with alumni to understand real-world business challenges and managerial perspectives beyond textbooks.
Tools & Resources
The Economic Times, Business Standard, LinkedIn, SRMIST Alumni Network
Career Connection
Early exposure to industry trends and challenges helps in developing a broader business perspective and the ability to connect academic concepts to practical situations, crucial for strategic thinking and career readiness.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Strategic Case Study Competitions- (Semester 3-4)
Form teams and actively participate in inter-college or intra-college case study competitions focusing on business strategy. This provides hands-on experience in analyzing real-world strategic dilemmas, formulating solutions, and presenting recommendations under pressure.
Tools & Resources
Harvard Business Publishing case studies, IIMBx online courses, Dare2Compete platform
Career Connection
Case competitions simulate real consulting and strategic planning scenarios, significantly boosting analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills which are highly sought after by recruiters for strategy roles.
Undertake a Strategy-Focused Internship/Project- (Semester 3-4)
Seek internships with consulting firms, corporate strategy departments, or startups. Actively contribute to projects involving market research, competitive analysis, business model innovation, or organizational restructuring to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting.
Tools & Resources
SRMIST Placement Cell, LinkedIn Jobs, Internshala
Career Connection
A relevant internship provides invaluable industry exposure, builds a professional network, and creates a strong resume differentiator, often leading to pre-placement offers or enhancing placement opportunities in strategic fields.
Build a Foundational Network with Industry Experts- (Semester 3-4)
Attend industry conferences, workshops, and guest lectures hosted by the institution or external organizations. Proactively connect with speakers, alumni, and professionals on LinkedIn. Conduct informational interviews to gain insights into various strategic career paths.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, SRMIST career events, industry association events
Career Connection
Networking opens doors to mentorship, job opportunities, and industry insights that are not publicly available, significantly aiding career progression in a competitive strategic landscape.
Advanced Stage
Specialize through Advanced Strategic Certifications- (Semester 4)
Pursue relevant certifications that complement the MBA Strategy curriculum, such as project management (PMP/CAPM), business analysis (CBAP), or specialized strategy certifications (e.g., from institutions like IIMs or ISB offering short courses).
Tools & Resources
PMI.org, IIBA.org, edX/Coursera specialized courses, certificate programs from leading B-schools
Career Connection
These certifications demonstrate specialized knowledge and commitment, making candidates more attractive to employers in specific strategic niches and potentially commanding higher compensation.
Conduct a High-Impact Strategic Research Project- (Semester 4)
For the compulsory Project Work, choose a topic that involves in-depth strategic analysis, market entry strategies, competitive strategy, or innovation strategy. Aim for actionable recommendations and robust data analysis, potentially collaborating with an industry partner.
Tools & Resources
Academic research databases, industry reports, expert interviews, statistical software (SPSS, R)
Career Connection
A well-executed strategic project showcases strong research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, serving as a powerful portfolio piece during job interviews for strategic and consulting roles.
Master Interview Skills for Strategic Roles- (Semester 4)
Practice answering case interviews and behavioral questions common in consulting and strategy roles. Conduct mock interviews with peers, faculty, and career counselors. Focus on structuring answers, demonstrating logical thinking, and showcasing problem-solving abilities.
Tools & Resources
Case In Point by Marc Cosentino, consulting firm websites for case examples, SRMIST Career Services
Career Connection
Proficiency in case interviews and behavioral questions is paramount for securing positions in top consulting firms and corporate strategy departments, directly impacting placement success.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Bachelor''''s Degree in any discipline with a minimum of 50% marks, and a valid score in SRMJEEM or CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT/GMAT.
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Credits: 100 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 40%, External: 60%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB2101 | Management Principles and Organizational Behavior | Core | 4 | Introduction to Management, Planning and Organizing, Staffing and Leading, Controlling, Foundations of Organizational Behavior, Individual Behavior and Group Dynamics, Organizational Culture and Change |
| PB2102 | Managerial Economics | Core | 4 | Introduction to Managerial Economics, Demand Analysis and Forecasting, Production and Cost Analysis, Market Structures and Pricing Strategies, Profit Analysis and Business Cycles, Macroeconomic Environment and Business Decisions |
| PB2103 | Accounting for Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Financial Accounting, Understanding Financial Statements, Cost Accounting Concepts, Budgeting and Budgetary Control, Variance Analysis, Working Capital Management |
| PB2104 | Business Statistics and Research Methods | Core | 4 | Descriptive Statistics, Probability and Probability Distributions, Sampling and Estimation, Hypothesis Testing, Correlation and Regression, Research Design and Data Collection Methods |
| PB2105 | Business Communication and Negotiation Skills | Core | 3 | Fundamentals of Business Communication, Oral and Written Communication, Non-verbal Communication, Presentation Skills, Negotiation Strategies and Process, Cross-Cultural Communication |
| PB2106 | Legal and Business Environment | Core | 3 | Indian Legal System, Company Law and Contract Laws, Consumer Protection Act, Competition Law, Economic Environment and Policies, Social and Cultural Environment |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB2107 | Financial Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Financial Management, Capital Budgeting Decisions, Working Capital Management, Cost of Capital and Capital Structure, Dividend Policy, Sources of Long-Term Finance |
| PB2108 | Human Resource Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to HRM, Human Resource Planning, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Management and Appraisal, Compensation Management, Industrial Relations |
| PB2109 | Marketing Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Marketing, Market Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning, Product Management, Pricing Decisions and Strategies, Promotion and Distribution Channels, Digital Marketing and CRM |
| PB2110 | Operations Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Operations Management, Product and Process Design, Capacity Planning and Facility Location, Inventory Management, Quality Management and TQM, Supply Chain Management |
| PB2111 | Entrepreneurship Development and Project Management | Core | 3 | Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Idea Generation and Business Plan Development, Legal Aspects of Starting a Venture, Funding for Startups, Project Planning and Scheduling, Project Implementation and Control, Project Evaluation |
| PB2112 | Ethics, Governance and CSR | Core | 3 | Ethical Theories and Business Ethics, Corporate Governance Principles, Role of Board of Directors, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability and Stakeholder Management, Ethical Decision Making Models |
| PB2113 | Business Analytics | Skills Based | 2 | Introduction to Business Analytics, Data Collection and Preparation, Descriptive Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Prescriptive Analytics, Data Visualization and Analytical Tools |
| PB2114 | Managerial Competency Development | Skills Based | 2 | Self-Awareness and Personal Effectiveness, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Styles and Team Building, Conflict Management, Time Management and Stress Management, Interview and Group Discussion Skills |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB2115 | Strategic Management | Core | 4 | Introduction to Strategic Management, External and Internal Environmental Analysis, Strategy Formulation - Business Level, Strategy Formulation - Corporate Level, Strategy Implementation, Strategic Control and Evaluation, Corporate Governance and Strategy |
| PB2116 | Internship | Core | 2 | Industry Exposure, Practical Application of Management Concepts, Project Report Preparation, Presentation of Findings, Professional Networking |
| PB21C61 | Global Strategic Management | Elective (Strategy) | 3 | Global Business Environment, International Strategy Formulation, Global Market Entry Strategies, Multinational Corporations, Cross-Cultural Management, Global Competitiveness |
| PB21C62 | Corporate Strategy and Sustainability | Elective (Strategy) | 3 | Corporate Level Strategy, Diversification Strategies, Merger and Acquisition Strategies, Strategic Alliances, Sustainability and Business Models, Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Management |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PB2117 | Project Work | Core | 6 | Research Problem Identification, Literature Review and Research Design, Methodology and Data Collection, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Findings, Conclusion and Recommendations, Report Writing and Viva Voce |
| PB21C63 | Business Consulting | Elective (Strategy) | 3 | Consulting Process and Models, Types of Consulting Engagements, Problem Solving Frameworks, Data Gathering and Analysis in Consulting, Recommendation Development and Implementation, Client Management and Consulting Ethics |
| PB21C64 | Innovation and Technology Management | Elective (Strategy) | 3 | Role of Innovation in Strategy, Types of Innovation, Technology Forecasting and Scouting, Intellectual Property Rights, Managing R&D and Commercialization of Technology, Open Innovation and Ecosystems |
| PB21C65 | Mergers, Acquisitions and Corporate Restructuring | Elective (Strategy) | 3 | Motives for Mergers and Acquisitions, M&A Process and Due Diligence, Valuation in M&A Transactions, Post-Merger Integration Challenges, Divestitures and Spin-offs, Corporate Restructuring Strategies |
