A lecture on ‘Embracing the new normal’ was delivered by Ms. Aprajita Kaul - Audit Head of Compliance & Operational Risk and other Control Functions in APAC - Bank of America, Hongkong. Ms. Kaul is an Amity alumnus and shared her experience and views on living and embracing the new normal. She shared how lives have taken a full spin from March 2020 till now. She stated that India is still a month behind where Hong Kong is in the present times. “We have been redefining current physical and mental boundaries and have evolved from the fear zone to learning and then growth zone. It’s about our choices that we are making in this journey,” stated Ms. Kaul. She also delved at length about the pre and post covid changes with the future looking at using zero hour and contract resources; outsource specialist role and reduce fixed cost and use conferencing and collaboration tools when it comes to people management. She also stated how processes will be optimized to be resilient; automate processes; leverage remote working and reduce fixed office space.
Ms. Kaul talked at length on the new norm of work from home and how this change has been embraced. She averred that setting of dedicated working space and time is integral to work from home as boundaries have blurred and this move can help them bring back. She advised students for creating a routine including regular breaks to recharge and reenergize themselves including creating a to-do list and structuring days dividing time between their various roles and responsibilities. Setting rules with family is another advise she shared in the coming times. “Do make sure & find ways to enhance your communication and schedule regular check-ins on your friends, colleagues and people around you. Also make time for physical and mental self-care,” said Ms. Kaul.
A lecture by Mr. Yatin Thakur, Chairman-Asia, Global Entrepreneurship Network was delivered on ‘Paradigm Shift in Entrepreneurship - Welcoming 2021’. Mr. Thakur shared with the students how post-Covid scenario will see a huge change in the work environment and working techniques. He also averred that while the virus has affected the entire globe posing huge challenges and will have significant impact till the end of 2020, he added that these times have also opened windows of new opportunities. Mr. Thakur further stated how businesses are being run virtually with people stuck at home, unable to go to work like pre-covid days and how machine learning and artificial intelligence will play a key role in running businesses and other operations in the times to come. He further talked about a number of sectors that will witness growth in the coming times including automobiles as people would like to avoid public transportation and rather use their own vehicles to travel. He also talks about the growth in the co-working and co-living spaces in the coming times and also the growth of ed-tech companies with the education system running on virtual mode. He stated that digital revolution will be the way to success in the post-Covid era.
A lecture by Dr Gagandeep, Rabindra Bharti University, Kolkata, Assistant Professor, Department of Drama was delivered on ‘Performing arts as a tool of Communication’. Dr. Gagandeep stated that according to language researchers, communication has a purpose to convey with present of context. “If opposite person is not familiar with language then communication can be tough. Voice, touch sense and visual are the communication tool. Spiritual connection is also required for communication. Performance can be better due to communication,” shared the speaker. He further added that when we create assumption about a person for the first time it’s through their appearance. Content is very important for any film or drama because through content they connect and build communication.
“People easily connect with drama or film but not much with lecture. As a student, you should know which mode of communication is important. For instance, the movie "Thappad" is very much appealing to women. Sometime we connect with the situation because something common has happened,” added Dr. Gagandep. He further averred that communication will be boring if we don't bring new changes or address with a purpose. To know the purpose of communication is very important as with this only communication will be very effective. If your intention is truth then communication will be much better with clear and loud message.