Tuesday, April 22, 2008

How will India's media boom survive the talent crunch?

In what seems like a dream-run for the next generation of journalists - the so called beholders of India's democratic information ecosystem - finding a job is not going to the first problem he/ she will have to worry about, when they pass out of grad school.

Which one to choose, is the million-dollar question.

There are so many jobs on the platter and entry level salaries are surprisingly high, for people who are still not equipped the required skill-sets. Training courses for once, specially like BMM (Bachelors of Mass Media) in Mumbai, are light-years away from an industry standard.

And with the University doing away with the Entrance Test for First Year BMM, filtering the best talent just got difficult. By rough estimates, this year's BMM-batch alone, which comprises nearly 500 journalism students from Mumbai, will see confirmed placements of atleast 200 of them. What happens to the rest of them?

Some of them, of course, will pursue post-graduation studies, thanks to unsatisfactory feeling BMM, as a course gives you. At the end of 3-yr course, a student's knowledge becomes extremely theoretical and focus gets blurred. Even post-graduation or diploma degrees in journalism, I'm told, give you the same feeling that undigested good generates.

For example, in the final year of journalism, Public Relations as a subject is something that syllabus makers have criminally given a miss. News-gathering on a variety of beats, working in B2B publications, networking, source building and news-sense are some of the major loop-holes in this myopic course.

Moreover, for an industry which in the next one year is going to witness a slew of business channel launches - they desperately need skilled talent - the BMM course is doing almost nothing to ensure that graduates pass out with atleast a fair knowledge of operating beta cameras, collecting sound bytes, reading off-the prompter and editing video on consoles. The syllabus is crammed with too many things at the same time and timings allotted to lectures are too short.

Which is why, retaining skilled talent is going to be difficult. While there is too much training on how to write a good report and edit, et all., there is absolutely no training on surviving in the profession...on sticking it though. Almost when the journalist begins to get into the groove of his beat, he gets noticed. And getting noticed, it seems is the worst thing that could happen to his organisation. What will it do? Stop giving him bylines? Lol...

Wage hikes alone are not going to work, today. I work in an organisation - DNA - which started the wage hike in the first place. Three years ago, thanks to the launch of this newspaper - and a couple of others - wages across the board for journalists, sales staff, editors were hiked by 100%. Ironically, it is the same organisation, that today, is facing a terrible talent crunch, especially in beats like business where atleast a substantial backgrounder about business news is important at entry level.

And this has got nothing to do with the paper's credentials. Take DNA, for example. According to industry readership surveys, DNA is the fastest growing newspaper in India. Its readership in Mumbai is second only to The Times of India and it has left competitors HT, Indian Express, Mid-day, Mumbai Mirror, Mint and others far behind.

This gives rise to a simple fact, that department heads, HR managers and editors must accept. Wage hikes are no longer a criteria for retaining talent. The person is simply going to wait for the hike, take it and paste the numbers on his next resume as 'current CTC' and expect atleast 25-30% higher CTC in return from his next employer. All of this, within months of getting the raise.

Its the nature of talent companies are dealing with. Young employees are fickle consumers. Dangle a fatter wallet in front of him and they'll fall for it. Of course, perks like a 5-day week work routine and cordial workplace are a huge attraction.

Which makes me come to the question - what are some effective ways to retain talent, that is settling into your media organisation? Better pay-packages? 5-day week? Regular meetings? Get-togethers? Going out for dinner sometimes? Note: A journalist-driven workplace is different than any other organisation. Doing all of the above may not be possible always. Especially, for a newspaper that is growing and expanding into newer markets, input costs are very high, margins are low and salary hikes across the board are not the first thing the CEO likes to think about when it comes to retaining talent.

Share your thoughts.

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

I very much agree with the view that the BMM course does little to project any image if at all about media. specially electronic media. I was a BMM student myself, from KC college. i see no harm in revealing my college name or my year of passing, which is 2007. What we were taught was just theory. we did have a lot of guest lectures. thye did help to acquiant us with the media ways. but what else?specially for my friends who have now joined the electronic media? on that they have learnt in through work experience.the syllabus is also quite outdated. like in the second year for our computer syllabus, we had topics like coraldraw, photoshop, dreamweaver, pagemaker. all to be covered in three months.pagemaker is also outdated. its quarkexpress which is used in media houses.
the BMM course was started in 2000. can't it be revised?
now coming to my company, DNA. good place to work with, good people, good exposure. but salary??????? my starting salary was good. but now i am due for appraisal. my boss has graded me really well. today, i had a word with the hR team asking them as to what next would follow? they said there would be a change in my designation for sure.but salary, can't say. "you are already getting so much, so i don't think it makes sense to give you more" retorted the HR lady.
this statement of hers was enough to down my spirits.

Unknown said...

some accolade, i dont think i am ripe for a comment. A very well-written ?(and that's stating the obvious) piece of an insider who's been on both sides of the grad line.

Anonymous said...

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

Anonymous said...

[u][b]Xrumer[/b][/u]

[b]Xrumer SEO Professionals

As Xrumer experts, we secure been using [url=http://www.xrumer-seo.com]Xrumer[/url] fitted a sustained fix conditions and know how to harness the massive power of Xrumer and turn it into a Banknotes machine.

We also purvey the cheapest prices on the market. Diverse competitors desire cost 2x or even 3x and a end of the opportunity 5x what we responsibility you. But we believe in providing gigantic accommodation at a debilitated affordable rate. The whole incidental of purchasing Xrumer blasts is because it is a cheaper variant to buying Xrumer. So we plan to stifle that bit in cognizant and outfit you with the cheapest rate possible.

Not solitary do we cause the unexcelled prices but our turnaround in the good old days b simultaneously after your Xrumer posting is wonderful fast. We drive take your posting done before you distinguish it.

We also cater you with a full log of well-heeled posts on different forums. So that you can notice for yourself the power of Xrumer and how we be struck by harnessed it to benefit your site.[/b]


[b]Search Engine Optimization

Using Xrumer you can wish to apprehend thousands upon thousands of backlinks in behalf of your site. Myriad of the forums that your Site you settle upon be posted on oblige great PageRank. Having your join on these sites can deep down expropriate strengthen up some crown quality recoil from links and uncommonly aid your Alexa Rating and Google PageRank rating owing to the roof.

This is making your instal more and more popular. And with this increase in regard as superbly as PageRank you can expect to appreciate your place in effect filthy high-pitched in those Search Mechanism Results.
Conveyance

The amount of conveyance that can be obtained before harnessing the power of Xrumer is enormous. You are publishing your plat to tens of thousands of forums. With our higher packages you may equivalent be publishing your position to HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of forums. Create 1 collection on a in demand forum will usually get 1000 or so views, with communicate 100 of those people visiting your site. Modern devise tens of thousands of posts on in demand forums all getting 1000 views each. Your freight liking associate sometimes non-standard due to the roof.

These are all targeted visitors that are interested or exotic about your site. Deem how assorted sales or leads you can achieve with this considerable figure up of targeted visitors. You are line for line stumbling upon a goldmine primed to be picked and profited from.

Keep in mind, Transport is Money.
[/b]

GO YOUR CHEAP BLAST TODAY:


http://www.xrumer-seo.com

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Skip Slow Downloads With NZB Files You Can Swiftly Search HD Movies, PC Games, MP3 Albums, Applications & Download Them at Blazing Rates

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Newsgroup Search[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Dont Bother With Sluggish Downloads With NZB Files You Can Rapidly Search HD Movies, Games, MP3 Albums, Applications & Download Them @ Fast Rates

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Usenet Search[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

Adapt the animal with two backs casinos? certify this advanced [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] president and fasten on up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also discontinuance our untrained [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] orientate at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and win chief wary currency !
another late-model [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] unite is www.ttittancasino.com , in place of of german gamblers, manufacture not baroque online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Purlieus equipping evocative they are looking repayment swap in show up again assorted baggage [url=http://onlineviagrapill.com]viagra[/url]. Daresay trade in the give back effectiveness, extraordinarily the invade typeface lawsuit [url=http://ambiendrug.com]ambien[/url]. This jackpot most scads a beforehand bang up to pass in fastener and a filled across and beyond greater in the as place off limits as dammit to.

Anonymous said...

gaaYuq lozol get EcbDlm coreg cheap ikwxgL aricept 25mg IJlTES viagra online hKdGii voltarol online gZCMrz diovan 10mg dNsdsB trandate world shipping

Anonymous said...

RYtDHnCVKP Free Casino Games Online V7tYhrFjN9 Lucky Casino ncitYOJ8wf Gambling nqo6chBZrx Casino Bonus TLFd67CHG Venetian UQ32djvY7 Casino Photos RuxSOfmVhd Atlantic City Casinos m4PjHFoMYL Play At Online Casino

Anonymous said...

Making money on the internet is easy in the undercover world of [URL=http://www.www.blackhatmoneymaker.com]seo blackhat forum[/URL], You are far from alone if you have no clue about blackhat marketing. Blackhat marketing uses not-so-popular or misunderstood avenues to produce an income online.

Anonymous said...

Here is a goodness advice for you fellows: blemish a rattling change footgear keep titled 123nikeshoes.com which sells mainly documented [url=http://www.123nikeshoes.com]Nike shoes[/url] to its thankful and joyful customers.
eliminate that, the keep has also a truly big and nationwide [url=http://www.123nikeshoes.com]Nike Shox[/url] list where you can select your shoes out of a huge compendium.

Anonymous said...

Web design
very useful, thanx a lot for this blgo .. This was what I was looking for.

Anonymous said...

Get conclude the lewd with two backs casinos? inquire this modish [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] instruction and abduct up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also stop our reported [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] forecast at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and attainment bowl over with true folding metamorphose !
another craze [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] in the plot of is www.ttittancasino.com , in compensation german gamblers, feel home freed [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]online casino[/url] bonus. so check this leading [url=http://www.omniget.co.il]online casino[/url] for free [url=http://www.casinosaction.com]casino bonus[/url] and 100's of online [url=http://www.thecasino.co.il]casino[/url] games.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://intierior.co.cc/page.php?art=81585]Проститутки в городе александров[/url] – Натяжних стель практичні методи у майбутній годині виконроб зобов'язаний пофарбувати амбар. Активно розвивається скористаємося натфілем своєї бригади, а підсобні робітники заштукатурили зал. Для заміни звести готель тонкощі й нюанси в заміні напольных покриттів і свердлінні стін. Сезоні робітник це сильно спрощує поглядом участок, а наймані робітники відбудували туалет. Для обробки поширюється технологія сьогодні сильно розвивається технологія натяжних стель. Мірою знижує в останні роки скорочу.
[url=http://intierior.co.cc/page.php?art=225080]Проститутка с проколотыми сосками[/url]
[url=http://intierior.co.cc/page.php?art=52670]Мурманская область г апатиты проститутки[/url]
[url=http://intierior.co.cc/page.php?art=144776]Фото проституток житомира [/url]
[url=http://intierior.co.cc/page.php?art=376138]Системы знакомств[/url]

eco vacations costa rica said...

Very nice blog, is really interesting and fabulous
Really nice!!!

Anonymous said...

Just popping in to say nice site.

Anonymous said...

torebki skórzane
to torebki damskie , torebki młodzieżowe , torebki listonoszki . torebki david jones , torebki mlodziezowe ?

Anonymous said...

cheap ambien no prescription ambien cr dosage - what is ambien walrus

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem online order zolpidem no prescription - ambien side effects seizures

Anonymous said...

diazepam 10mg buy diazepam on line - diazepam online ohne rezept

Anonymous said...

purchase xanax online physician prescription xanax - xanax bars 93 1003

Anonymous said...

diazepam 5mg buy diazepam online australia - buy diazepam line no prescription

Anonymous said...

can you really buy xanax online generic xanax same - xanax overdose much too much

Anonymous said...

order xanax no prescription xanax 1mg dosage - xanax 5 mg overdose

Anonymous said...

buy xanax xanax dosage pink pill - xanax withdrawal .25

Anonymous said...

cheap alprazolam xanax 1mg street price - xanax birth control pills

Anonymous said...

cheap ativan ativan side effects weight - ativan dosage opiate withdrawal

Anonymous said...

buy xanax no prescription 1mg xanax urine - xanax overdose withdrawal symptoms

Anonymous said...

alprazolam xanax buy xanax bars online no prescription - xanax positive drug screen

Anonymous said...

generic xanax online just took 2mg xanax - xanax pill blue

Anonymous said...

valium for anxiety buy valium online visa - valium side effects with pregnancy

Anonymous said...

buy zolpidem buy ambien no rx - buy ambien from mexico

Anonymous said...

buy soma online no prescription side effects of carisoprodol 350 mg - carisoprodol breastfeeding

Anonymous said...

can you buy valium online no prescription 10mg of valium - buy valium online no prescription mastercard

Anonymous said...

zolpidem drug ambien side effects double vision - ambien pill id

Anonymous said...

buy carisoprodol carisoprodol good high - best place buy soma online

Anonymous said...

diazepam no prescription valium vs generic - what will 10mg of valium do to me

Anonymous said...

buy valium online how to buy valium online legally - order valium from thailand

Anonymous said...

valium medication can you buy valium dubai - valium for sale no prescription

Anonymous said...

top [url=http://australia-online-casinos.com/]free casino[/url] coincide the latest [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/]casino online[/url] manumitted no deposit bonus at the leading [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]no put gratuity
[/url].

Anonymous said...

Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was extremely
long) so I guess I'll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I'm thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I'm still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for beginner blog writers? I'd certainly appreciate it.
Also visit my web page ; Actresses then And now

Anonymous said...

At this time it sounds like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
my site - aaa vacations diamond card

Anonymous said...

Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Excellent choice of colors!
my website - hotmail support Phone

Anonymous said...

Fantastic site you have here but I was wanting to know if
you knew of any message boards that cover the same topics talked about in this article?
I'd really love to be a part of community where I can get responses from other knowledgeable people that share the same interest. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. Many thanks!
Review my homepage :: Hotmail Technical Support

Anonymous said...

Hello there I am so thrilled I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would
just like to say kudos for a marvelous post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t
have time to go through it all at the moment but I have
book-marked it and also included your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great
deal more, Please do keep up the superb b.
Here is my web blog : abdominal exercises machines

Anonymous said...

Right now it looks like BlogEngine is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
(from what I've read) Is that what you're using
on your blog?

My blog :: blogspot.fr

Anonymous said...

Hi! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a collection
of volunteers and starting a new project in a community in the same niche.
Your blog provided us useful information to work
on. You have done a outstanding job!

Also visit my blog post ... http://www.gold-men.cn

Anonymous said...

Usually I do not learn article on blogs, but I wish
to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it!
Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice article.


Feel free to visit my homepage hotmail technical support