Interview by Sakshi Aggarwal

Dr. M. H. Sharieff, HOD - General Management, International Business, Operations

Dr. M.H. Sharieff has served in various Government of India’s trade facilitation and regulatory committees at the regional level and was a member of India-Philippine Joint Business Council meeting. Dr. Sharieff is currently serving as the Head of Department of General Management, International Business, Operations in IFIM Business School.

Dr. Sharieff was a member of President of India’s business delegation visit to UAE and Syria in November 2010. He has travelled extensively for International Market Research and Trade promotion activities in South–East Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin America. He has served in HAL, BEML in business development areas and in various Government of India’s trade facilitation and regulatory committees at the regional level. He was a member of India-Philippine Joint Business Council meeting. His areas of interest include International Business, Strategic Management, Marketing, Decision Sciences, Organizational Development and Change. 

Dr. Sharieff’s experience in the education sector 

In the education sector, you get a feeling that you are sharing industry experience and making learning rich for students. Education domain is fairly relaxed but targets here are common like corporates. It has more deadlines than corporates. It is fairly catching up on pay and not on perks. Work schedule here is fairly predictable, unlike corporate.

Dr. Sharieff’s philosophy of leadership and his leadership style

If there is clear thinking, clear instructions (communication) and freedom to subordinates (reporters/ team members) with adequate resources, the results will follow. My philosophy says that when you can tame and train animals, why is it difficult to train humans.

Significant challenges faced by Dr. Sharieff as the HOD - General Management, International Business & Operations of IFIM Business School

Limited resources is one challenge.

Curriculum in IFIM Business School

We continuously update the curriculum with inputs from industry and alumni. Corporates are best people to shape curriculum as they are the consumers of products (students) from business schools. Business cannot be left to chance, you have to plan and inputs (curriculum) have to be current and relevant.

Growth of students through placement opportunities available at IFIM Business School

HODs, Directors and Professors have limited roles. They are the facilitators and students have to gear themselves up to meet the requirement of the recruiter. The recruiters look for skills and attitude. We can facilitate them and it is for them to enlarge the envelope.

Read about the placement opportunities available at IFIM Business School here. 

Dr. Sharieff’s relationship with the students being the HOD - General Management, International Business and Operations of the Institute

Students look for value and they approach HOD or Professor when they see that they will get guidance or mentoring. I am available wherever and whenever students see me on the campus. No formal arrangements are required. I give them time when they approach me.

Ideal school environment according to Dr. Sharieff and how does he encourage that kind of culture at IFIM Business School

Ideal school environment according to me is the one which is less regimented. Do not enforce discipline, it should be learned from cultural norms. But unfortunately fine/ punishment/ debarring are primitive methods are prevalent in 99.99% of B-Schools.

HOD - General Management, International Business, Operations of IFIM Business School

Top qualities according to Dr. Sharieff that an aspiring manager must possess

An aspiring manager must possess relevant skills, business-like thinking, know the importance of economics, and have a good relationship with internal and external stakeholders.

Goals in mind for IFIM Business School for the next few years

IFIM Business School should be known for relaxed purpose-based learning place. You carry learnings and culture from campus and no physical things follow them. Unfortunately, parents and students get awed by campuses and mental programming done by campus culture and learning is given no importance.

Read about the faculty at IFIM Business School here.

Suggestions for the current youth and the aspiring students

No model works best every time and in all situations. You must develop two traits- conscientiousness and openness to experience.  You will maneuver life-corporate & personal.