I’ve completed my course in June 2009 and am awaiting results.
The Begining
I was looking for some management education that would add value to my overal profile while I continue to work. So, I began a mission to review each executive management course available in Mumbai, and also in IIMs. From the options available, XLRI’s PGCBM seemed the best as:
- It had more coverage compared to similar courses offered by IIMs
- The duration was more than similar courses offered by IIMs
- It had lectures and contact programs (though they are based on Real-time Video Conferencing)
- XLRI’s brand value in the industry
- I fitted into their admission criteria
The Course
The PGCBM Course is offered by two different vendors:
- Reliance Communications: The courses are offered at Reliance Communication’s select Web Worlds across India. The training room consists of a table and a large LCD T.V. to display the instructor. The sound and video quality are acceptable. You are allowed to interact with the instructors at any given time just like normal clarssrooms. I used this platform to complete the training.
- Hughes Telecom: Hughes also offers a similar platform, but their training rooms comprise a dedicated computer for each student.
Overall the course is good and will add on to your decision-making knowledge. However, you cannot expect to get a new Management Job based on the course unless you are presently in a managerial role. You may not get an immediate professional edge, but in the long run it is a good choice.
During my batch, the course duration was 16 months, which has now been reduced to 12 months. As a result, the number of sessions allocated for each subject might have been also reduced. So, I can’t comment much on the knowledge and discussions in the new curricullum, but during my batch, it was certainally a nice value add.
Overall, go for the course iff your present forte is long-term knowledge and value add and not immediate benefit.
Additional Information
For additional information, visit XLRI’s Satellite Course home page.
26 comments
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October 5, 2009 at 12:59 am
Rakesh Ranjan
Lokesh,
I am currently doing this course primarily for knowledge perspective but some how I feel that the value initially perceived about course has been deteriorated.
I am puzzled because of course coverage, in most of the topic I feel that only introductions are given or covered, leaving students in between somewhere. I ma not sure that it happens in same way in regular course.
Second examination is a challenge at Hughes Platform, there are people who are not serious and rely on copying. In this case I can not find a reason of low pass percentage. Looking for your feedback on exam pattern and seriousness of centre.
Warm Regards
Rakesh
October 5, 2009 at 9:14 am
lokeshsahal
Hey Rakesh, thanks for your comment. You have a valid point regarding the course coverage under the new curicullum. We had 2-3 additional lectures for each subject when compared to the present batches. As the topics were discussed a bit more than just introduction during our batch, they are bound to be just introduced in the present batches (I guess so). Also, the coverage may also depend on the faculty. Some faculties may want to give more weightage to discussion than the total coverage. However, some faculties will concentrate on more coverage. In case you want to learn more about a particular topic, write to the professors. They will respond with recommendations about further reading. They may also share some nice articles with you. Their response may be delayed, but that’s acceptable as they have to teach to so many different batches.
Regarding malpractices during examinations: even we had certain centers that were blacklisted due to copying. Best strategy is to write to the TA about the issue and about the negligence of the center co-ordinator. I completed the course on the Reliance platform wherein, at later stages, exams were give live on camera. That is, there was a coordinator at Jamshedpur who kept monitoring various centers. However, even that is not foolproof. Best strategy is to write to the college and complain. In addition, you may have some free riders during project submissions. I had a couple in my center. Initially we submitted some projects as a group, but later we didn’t include their names in the project and complained about them to the TA. As a result, they had to submit seperate assignments or were given zero marks.
I hope this helps.
November 5, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Sandeepan Bhattacharya
Dear Lokesh,
Would you advise this course for people who are already MBAs?
Is this course recognized by the industry (even if it is from a long-term perspective) since it is NOT A REGULAR 2-YEAR ON-CAMPUS RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM?
Have you been able to compare the content of the course offered by XLRI vis-a-vis what is offered by the IIMs? If so, what is the edge in XLRI’s PGCBM?
You may revert to my query on my e-mail ID : sandeepan.bhattacharya@rediffmail.com
Looking forward to your reply at the earliest. Thanking you in anticipation.
Warm Regards .. Sandeepan
January 12, 2010 at 12:15 pm
lokeshsahal
XLRI’s content was more thorough compared to the IIMs during my tenure in the course. XLRI had a coverage of 400+ hours of lectures, which was much more than any of the IIMs. However, now, even XL seems to have reduced the duration.
I may not recommend the course to a full-time MBA unless their preference is to just have the XLRI name on their resume.
January 12, 2010 at 10:47 am
Sandeep KS
Hi Lokesh,
I am planning to apply for PGCBM course in XLRI and i would like to get some feedback from you. Can you please give me your contact so that i can get more info on this course.
My mail id is: kssandy03@gmail.com
Waiting for your reply.
Thanks,
Sandeep KS
January 12, 2010 at 12:11 pm
lokeshsahal
Hey,
The course is good. The faculty is good. However, the present duration of only one year seems truncated. I have mentioned the remaining details in the post and as replies to previous comments.
Go for it if you want to quest your hunger for education. However, don’t expect a promotion based on the course unless you are lucky to be in an organization that associates value with this course.
Any additional closed-ended questions – send them over.
Lokesh
January 21, 2010 at 10:36 am
ShwetaJ
Hey Lokesh,
Thanks for your valuable comments about this course. They are really helpful.
I would like to add my query to this discussion.
Is it a good course for an IT professional with work exp between 4-5yrs? Or good for people who are already in managerial role with exp of 8-10yrs?
Does this course recognized by any organisation? or helps to go for new job?
Would appreciate your feedback.
Thanks.
Shweta
January 21, 2010 at 10:44 am
lokeshsahal
My friend got a job in a new organization based on this course. He was in Sales though. He moved from L&T to Castrol. I have not changed job after completing the course. However, I am sure it’s knowledge will help you to apply and perform in a managerial role. I will recommend the course to an IT professional if that person is okay with the CONS that I have mentioned in the post.
February 6, 2010 at 10:06 pm
nisha
Hi Lokesh, i searched more dan 200+ sites just to collect comments on the course. i have few queries.
1) WHat are the questions being asked in selection time.
2) Is reliance better than Hughes net or viceversa
3) I am not working since 1 yr but have 4.5 yrs work exp from MNC like Accenture. How does it helps me to get a HR role job. I am not getting any calls since last 6 months (2009 Oct onwards)
4) iming at long term career, will it help for my career growth since am alrdy MCA grad.
5) What is the market weighatge of this course in comparison to other Dist/part time MBA
6) Worth spending 2 lacs?
Rgds
Nisha
February 12, 2010 at 8:08 pm
lokeshsahal
RESPONSE TO NISHA:
1) WHat are the questions being asked in selection time. –
Just random questions asked during most interviews like tell me about yourself, why this course, etc
2) Is reliance better than Hughes net or viceversa, —
I preferred Reliance just for a bigger screen and better group-discussion support
3) I am not working since 1 yr but have 4.5 yrs work exp from MNC like Accenture. How does it helps me to get a HR role job. I am not getting any calls since last 6 months (2009 Oct onwards)
Your calls may have been influenced by market scenario. However, this course will surely be a nice value-add to your resume. Calls – i think – you will receive after this.
4) iming at long term career, will it help for my career growth since am alrdy MCA grad.
YES
5) What is the market weighatge of this course in comparison to other Dist/part time MBA
XLRI’s brand. I’d also suggest you to gain another 6 months experience and try to get into or consider similar courses offered by IIMs. If you are in Mumbai, consider NMIMS’ and Welingkars’ weekend programs.
6) Worth spending 2 lacs?
Depends on what you want from it. For knowledge, yes. For promotion, may be no. For new opportunity, may be yes.
March 17, 2010 at 1:54 pm
nisha
Hi Lokesh,
thanks a ton for the response on XLRI. I am trying out IIM B Option as dey are due for admission opening by en d of march 10.
NMIMS is 3.9 lac fee over 20 months trng on weekends mandate ful time classroom teaching. There is no specific course for HR module. Same with Wellinkar and their Blr branch is ful time course with no scope for HR ground.
Pl Do keep in touch, my email id is nishaiflex@gmail.comAny time you would need any help or info, pl drop in a mssg:)
Thanks you dost:)
Thx
Nisha
July 26, 2010 at 5:23 pm
Kaustubh S.J.
Hi Lokesh,
I am in retail operations from 5 years & working as Apple Store Manager. Have done my BMS-Marketing ( bachelor in Management Studies). I am in retail profession for 6 years approx.
I am planning to opt for XLRI satellite PGC in Sales & marketing Management. Please suggest me -”will this course add an additional value to my profile/CV”.
As I am a 28years old married guy with a kid – want to get good returns from the investment of approx. 2 lacs for one year executive MBA. Please give your valuable feedback on the same.
September 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Ritesh Shaw
Hi Lokesh,
This is Ritesh.I am working as a software Eng in Wipro tech having 2yrs of work exp.I am presently based in kolkata.Actually i am looking for a good Emba/online Mba program which would add value to my profile and enhance my knowledge at the same time.I wd like to ask u a few ques..
1.Is this program benificial for IT ppl who are not already into a so called executive/managerial level(2yr exp).
2.How tuff is it to manage the course with the ongoing work life.Does XLRI penalize ppl if dey are not able to attend classes properly.
3.How is the industry recognition for the courses.Do u know any ppl from the IT industry got a good leverage after completing the couse.
4.How have u been benifited from the couse?
Really would appreciate your response.
Thanks in advance
October 8, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Rahul
Hi Lokesh,
I am working as a Pre Sales Consultant with 2.5 yrs of experience, as i am already in a Sales/Management role will PGCBM be a value add for me? or should i be looking at PG Diploma programs?
February 21, 2011 at 5:00 pm
Narain
Hi, I read your comments on the course and I agree they have the best coverage. I enrolled for PGCBM last yr but could not continue after about 2 months due to change in job. Later I contacted them to be allowed to take readmission and continue but they did not respond favourably and the argument went on ‘you did not respond or take necessary action so we think you are not interested etc etc.. ‘ and till now I have not been able to take re-admission. The professors appear biased and the attitude always seems to be ‘student has to obey whatever is told to him and in any case of student vs teacher the student cannot be right’. This seems very surprising as they run the institute as a certificates for money business. It is not in any way different from other such engineering or medical institutions where it is a open certificates for money business, rather the private engineering and medical institutions show some concern for the student whereas these people have no concern for students, rather they always seize the opportunity to humiliate and scold the student. This I observed in the online classes as well, some student came late and the teacher wasted a good 10 – 15 minutes humiliating him and kept giving his example in subsequent classes to demonstrate the point that because the student came late and did not accept his mistake, he had to pay for it etc etc, much like some frustrated school teacher who keeps punishing some stupid child fora small reason. I find this type of institutions who are in the habit of humiliating and ‘punishing’ people for no reason at all set a very bad trend. One can imagine what these students will do when they go back to their place of work. I am reminded of an old proverb – ‘intelligence is proud it knows so much, wisdom is humble that it knows no more’. God help us if such institutions impart wisdom!
June 6, 2011 at 11:34 pm
Venki
Hi Narian,
Your example of professor humiliating students coming late to class is not right. It shows how serious students are … You have enrolled yourself for management course and on completion of the course, you are bound to become a manager if not senior manager.
Will you except anyone coming late to the meeting called by senior manager?
If I were in your position, I will surely not tolerate people coming late to meeting. They need to have time sense.
April 15, 2011 at 10:15 pm
arindam kopil
i am working in a bank for the last two and half years. i have been working in Whole sale banking department. Please suggest is the XLRI PGCBM course will eb helpful for me?
April 18, 2011 at 11:50 pm
Amit Athale
Hi Lokesh,
I have a work-ex of 8 years in Insurance/Banking and am currently workingwith HDFC bank in card Collections.
I want to get a PG in finance and am toying with the idea of enrolling for PGCBM. Request your views on below 3 points.
1.)Is it worth doing the course considering the value offered vis-a-vis a 3-year distance learning MBA course from other institutes.
2.)comparative weightage being added to me resume post completion of this course considering the brand name.
3.)Any type of placement assistance provided by the institute post successful completion of the course.
Regards
Amit Athale
April 23, 2011 at 10:23 am
SandeepG
HI,
I have applied for XLRI PGCBM20 batch (2011-12). Recently sent the filled form to XLRI office.
1 – The form and the selection criteria on XLRI webiste says graduate from recognised university only however; some other webiste i read says 50% marks in graduation. please tell me which on is true as i have only 40% in graduation?
2- Being possesing not strong academic background, what are my chances of getting admission in the course?
3 – i have approx 9 years of work experiance out of which last 5 years are in managerial profile. I am essentailly willing to join this course to add some academic value to my profile also to gain knowledge about the details of management and emerge as a leader instead of a manager. Please let me know how useful this course is to eet this objective?
4 – I m sure of XLRI name adding lot of value i my profile however; this does not give me the tag of ‘MBA’. what difference does this make?
5 – i have also read that this course requires approx 5 hrs of study on daily basis in order to succed and gain some value out of it. how true is that as being in private sector and managerial post along with family makes it difficult to take out that kind of time on egular basis.
6 – Is it worth getting you interview calls with front line organisations for latteral movements if not getting into strategic Mgt. roles.
Kindly answer my queries as I am on the verge of gettin in to the course(if I get selected). I will greatful for any replies
August 29, 2011 at 8:41 pm
Vikas
Hi Lokesh,
Thanks for such nice info abt PGCBM. I have for the course from Reliance world. Kindly let me know abt the alumni status for this course. Also how is d course material? Does XLRI give printed material or is it online? Also how is the online support like student portal, faculty and peer group interaction?
Thanks,
Vikas.
November 2, 2011 at 2:47 pm
ramya
Hi,
Can anyone tell me what’s the fee for re-joining the course in xlri?
November 14, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Devjyoti
Hi ,
My name is Devjyoti, I have 2yrs of experience in IT field. I would like to know
1)At which time of the day does this course takes place since I am currently working in for a MNC
2)Can we avail education loan for this course?
November 15, 2011 at 4:44 pm
lokeshsahal
1) The course schedule must be checked with XLRI
2) Yes, you can avail education lon
February 7, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Megha
Hi lokesh,
I am planning for PGCBM by IIM Indore. I Have 2.5 yrs of work-ex in IT industry. I want a job role in management thats why i am applying PGCBM. Please tell me how useful it’ll be for my future.
Thanks,
Megha
January 17, 2012 at 9:17 pm
Jessica banu
This is a fantastic course. Go for it.
March 31, 2012 at 8:47 pm
samuel
Hi,
I just happened to come across the satellite programme offered by XLRI. I am interested for PGCBM.
My questions:
1 Is this worth for 2 lakh fee.
2. Does companies (in IT field on a longer term) consider this course as equivalent for MBA course
3. Would you request me to go in for a correspondence MBA degree (of other univ like Symbiosis or IICFAI) or to go in for this course.
Thanks in advance
Regards,
Samuel Mathews.
samuelmathews_7@hotmail.com