All You Need To Know About The PGDM Offered By SOIL!

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All You Must Know About The PGDM Offered By SOIL!

2 Sep 2023
- admin
- Leadership & Management
To meet the growing demand for innovative business solutions and creative problem solvers, SOIL School of Business Design is introducing its Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) program in Business Design and innovation.

As one of the top MBA colleges in India, SOIL Institute of Management is taking a bold and transformative step in revolutionizing management education. The program’s goal is to develop business leaders who excel in problem-solving and creativity. Graduates of the PGDM program will be well-positioned to become future change leaders.

Why Choose PGDM in Business Design?

The demand for managers who focus on innovation and sustainability is growing rapidly. The PGDM program at SOIL prepares you for the changing workforce requirements during the 4th Industrial Revolution (2020 and beyond).

Business Expertise

Gain expertise in key areas such as Marketing, Finance, Operations, Analytics, Sales, and Human Resources.

Design Thinking

Develop effective problem-solving skills through action and embrace a “fast fail” approach to innovation.

Liberal Arts

Enhance your understanding of human behavior, improve communication skills, think critically, and overcome biases.

Experiential Learning

Experience firsthand the dynamics between humans, businesses, societies, and the environment in their natural settings.

A Course Built by Leaders

Top leaders from India have come together to create a management program that addresses the current business and environmental challenges of our times.

Acquire the Right Skills for Futuristic Careers

Curriculum & Learning Design

Focus on Experience Led Learning and not a theoretical book based

The PGDM program includes hands-on learning experiences that have been thoughtfully planned by the program committee. The goal is to give students the opportunity to discover the corporate world while studying and to work on real projects that have a meaningful impact. In each semester, there is at least one practical activity for students to engage in.

Bootcamps, Simulations, and Digital Modules

During the PGDM program, students learn through hands-on experiences in the form of boot camps, simulations, and digital modules.
- Bootcamps are short intensive workshops where students work together to solve real-life problems using Design Thinking techniques.
- Simulations provide students with realistic scenarios where they make decisions across different departments of a company based on what they have learned.
- Digital modules allow students to access lectures and continue learning at their own pace through pre-recorded videos, ensuring uninterrupted learning.
Power of the Case Study Methodology

SOIL, as a Harvard publishing partner, incorporates the Harvard case study approach in its classes to provide students with the best models for analyzing real-life situations. The curriculum and classroom environment are carefully designed to encourage active participation and help students develop their own leadership style. Practical learning from various organizations, situations, and companies is given greater emphasis.

Course Specializations

The program gives students the freedom to choose their specialization. It is recommended that students keep an open mind and explore different subjects in the first year before deciding on their area of interest after the third semester.

To specialize in a specific area, PGDM students need to complete at least 42 credits, with each subject being worth 3 credits.
- MARKETING
- FINANCE
- HUMAN RESOURCES
- ANALYTICS
Liberal Arts Foundation

A liberal arts education goes beyond teaching you job-related skills; it gives you valuable experiences and helps you understand the meaning and purpose of your life. In today’s job market, employers highly value soft skills. Our foundation program focuses on teaching students the following essential skills:
- How to communicate your ideas
- Find and analyze information and data
- Adapt to new technology and professional trends
- Work with others to solve problems
- Make confident, knowledgeable decisions.
Foundational Cources Offered

Design Thinking

What is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a step-by-step approach that helps us better understand the user, question our assumptions, and redefine problems. By doing this, we can find new ideas and solutions that may not have been obvious at first. The process usually involves the following phases, which are widely recognized and used:

Phases in Design Thinking

Empathize

Being able to understand the world from other people’s perspectives, seeing what they see, feeling what they feel, and experiencing things as they do.

Define

Combining the information gathered about users in the previous stage to create a clear problem statement incorporating their needs, pain points, and insights.

Ideate

Generating various ideas and possibilities by putting yourself in the shoes of others and exploring different perspectives, thoughts, and experiences.

Prototype

Creating experimental versions or models of potential solutions to address the problems identified in the earlier stages.

Test

Thoroughly evaluate the product or solution using the best ideas developed in the prototype phase.

Organizations with Design Thinking

Airbnb

Took a small company earning $200 per week and turned it into a $40 million company by understanding the needs of people who prefer staying in hotels.

P&G

Observed women in their 40s while shopping and expanded its beauty product range to include them, resulting in a significant increase in sales.

Mobisol

Spent over four years in Tanzania reinventing solar energy supply in rural African countries, leading to annual savings of 15,525 tons of CO2 equivalent.

Life-Saving Dot or Jeevan Bindi

Was created for women. It is a bindi coated with iodine that can deliver up to 150 micrograms of iodine through the skin over eight hours. This innovation has helped save 300,000 women from iodine deficiency.

How Will the Students Benefit?

Design Thinking is a fresh and different way of thinking that helps students solve problems. It encourages thinking outside the box, being creative, and using visual techniques to come up with innovative solutions.

Design Thinking isn’t limited to technology or design – it can be used in any industry, government project, policy, or non-profit organization.

Unlearn Patterned Thinking

Are humans naturally innovative? Are we naturally focused on the needs of other humans? The answer is yes. But do all people believe that? Most would say no.

The following example will help us understand the issues with this patterned thinking.

Schoolkids with unpatterned thinking provided a much better solution than most university toppers and degree holders. Here’s what they suggested.

Understand Human Needs

The core of Design Thinking is to understand and connect with the customer. It’s an approach that puts the needs of the end-users at the center of problem-solving. By empathizing with customers, we can identify their frustrations and find ways to enhance their lives and experiences.

Creating Sustainable Businesses

Design Thinking aims to discover solutions by understanding human needs. The diagram below illustrates how design thinking combines business viability, technological feasibility, and meeting people’s needs.

Sometimes, big tech companies and manufacturers prioritize solving complex problems without focusing on improving the value provided to customers. With Design Thinking, the human-centered approach helps us find meaningful solutions to problems.

Generate Ideas for Innovation

When students come across a great idea, it’s usually not something entirely new. Great ideas often come from combining existing ideas in a creative way.

Design thinking works best when people collaborate to solve problems. By working together, they can come up with innovative solutions.

Develop a fail-fast approach – Be Iterative

In “Design Thinking,” every step we take is focused on creating prototypes and testing them. The process is all about taking action. The main objective is to create prototypes quickly, do them frequently, and test them with real users.

By rapidly creating prototypes, we accept that failure is a way to learn. Students discover the limitations of their mock products and make improvements. This approach of failing fast helps students stay motivated and continuously search for alternative solutions.

Industry Projects & Relevance

In a design-thinking culture, action is essential. The five stages of design thinking highlight the importance of brainstorming and generating ideas. But to make a real impact, we must actively create prototypes and test them.

Here are some projects they can work on during their time on campus:

Creation of partnerships between the Manesar Community and Surrounding Industries

Manesar is a town that is growing quickly, especially in terms of new businesses and government offices. Our students focus on finding suitable partnerships for the Manesar community, which is made up of small-scale industries, MSMEs, and farmers.

Interesting Projects To Work On

Identifying ways to increase the impact of electric vehicles in India

Saving energy is a top priority for many countries. In the USA, hybrid and electric cars are already making a difference, and their use is expected to increase significantly in the future. If the students’ projects show promise, our consortium partners like Tata Motors and Schneider Electric will be involved.

Reimagining your classroom space

Imagine a classroom that doesn’t look like a traditional classroom but more like an artist’s studio. Our students work on projects to improve the current classroom model, making it more flexible, and enhancing communication between students and teachers. These projects help students better understand the concepts being taught.

Academics

Gaining Business Excellence

The main goal of a PGDM program is to teach students about management. At SOIL, students have many chances to apply what they learn in real-life situations through projects, internships, and group work. This helps them put their theoretical knowledge into practice and prepares them for the professional world.

Foundation Courses (Term 1 to 2)

In the beginning, students learn the basics of business, regardless of their previous academic background. These courses provide essential knowledge in business to prepare students for more advanced learning.
List of courses here.

Advanced Management (Term 2 to 3)

During this phase, students dive deeper into management topics and learn through discussions, group projects, and case studies. These projects require students to apply their foundational knowledge across different business subjects.
List of courses here.

Specialization (Term 4, 5, 6)

In the later part of the program, students can choose a specialization in Marketing, Finance, Analytics, or Human Resources. To specialize in a particular area, students need to complete at least 18 credit points in that elective. This allows students to gain expertise in their chosen field of interest.

List of courses here.

Focus on Design Thinking

At SOIL, students learn about design thinking, a problem-solving approach that enhances their innovation and creativity. They study design thinking through classroom subjects, case studies, project work, and design boot camps.
- Introduction to Design Thinking
- Design Dynamics
The faculty members also participate in Faculty Development Sessions to incorporate design thinking into their teaching.

Foundation in Liberal Arts

Our foundation program goes beyond career skills and focuses on providing students with experiences and understanding the purpose of their lives.
- How to communicate your ideas
- Find and analyze information and data
- Adapt to new technology and professional trends
- Work with others to solve problems
- Make confident, knowledgeable decisions.
Soft skills, highly valued by employers, are emphasized. The program teaches students various aspects such as critical thinking, communication, and cultural awareness.

Subjects Taught
- Psychology For Managers –
  
  Analyse a range of factors within and outside individuals that influence mind and behavior.
- Critical Analysis Using Data –
  
  Learn basic and advanced Excel to deal with problems involving data sets that reflect real business life situations.
- Sourcing Inspiration – Key to Self Leadership –
  
  Gain an understanding of the “Panch Kosha” model and the six layers of “self” as expounded in Indian wisdom m traditions.
- Yoga and Wellness For Healthy Life –
  
  Acquire familiarity with the basic practice of asana, pranayama, and relaxation and demonstrate proficiency in their execution.
- Managerial Communication – Written –
  
  The course on Written Managerial Communication focuses on comprehension, expression, and articulation in written and verbal communication.
- Social and Cultural Anthropology –
  
  Study the culture and people’s beliefs, practices, and social organization of human groups through ideas, behaviors, and physical environment.
Curriculam Highlights:

Industry & Career Learning

Industry Visits:

Students visit industries to understand their operations, gain insights into management practices, and develop industry-relevant skills.

Industry Live Projects:

Students work on real-time projects, helping companies analyze business situations and develop implementable strategies. They can connect with faculty members and career management services at SOIL to find these projects.

Leadership Series Talks:

Prominent industry leaders share their insights and address leadership issues through the SOIL Leadership series.

Industry Academy Week:

An event that brings together industry, academia, and students, providing a platform to network, explore career opportunities, and reflect on their learning.

Standout The Most Experiential PGDM in India

3-Week Unlearning Orientation

The PGDM journey begins with a short 3-week orientation where students learn how to challenge their prejudices and break free from ingrained thinking patterns.

Global Immersion

Our students embark on a two-week international immersion to one of the world’s prominent business hubs and participate in hands-on workshops.

Himalayan Retreat

Students take a trip to the picturesque village of Sidhbari nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas near Dharamshala and gain insights into their political, economic, and cultural perspectives.

Social Innovation Project

Students collaborate closely with non-profit organizations based in the NCR region to identify meaningful projects that create real value for people.

Discover India Train Journey

This program exposes students to the diverse cultures of India through a 10-day train journey that visits various business hubs across the country, exploring their historical significance.

Global Immersion Trek

Students participate in a two-week international study tour in one of the leading business capitals of the world, gaining global exposure.

Himalayan Rural Immersion

Students visit Cord Village to interact with local communities and understand their political, economic, and cultural aspects.

Discover India Train Journey

A 10-day trip that exposes students to various cultures and historic business capitals of India.

Annual Innovation Festival

The culmination of the PGDM program where students showcase their learnings, reflections, and impact on the Manesar community.

Self-Leadership through Community Outreach:

Students explore their true potential and purpose by visiting holy shrines of different religions in Delhi.

Pottery Design Workshop

Within project assignments, students immerse themselves in a practical pottery workshop under expert guidance, fashioning their own creations. Crafting business models and physically molding the product from clay empowers students in ideation and prototyping, pivotal facets of design thinking.

Art Appreciation through Museum, Theater & Art Gallery Walks

Engaging with nearby museums and theaters, students delve into the significance of art and decode the operational frameworks of these cultural hubs. The 2019-21 cohort, for instance, explored the Heritage Transport Museum near Manesar, Gurgaon.

Visual Arts Workshop

Students master effective communication through the art of storytelling. The ‘Storytelling with Graphics’ session, led by Visual Artist Mr. Vishal Prabhakar, was a standout in the Induction Program for the SOBD charter Batch. This module enhances communication prowess using visual narratives.

Social Innovation

SOIL partners with non-profit organizations, allowing students to contribute meaningfully by developing business plans, creating marketing collateral, and initiating innovative fundraising activities.

Curriculum

Take a look at the hand-picked leaders from industries that are transforming themselves for the future and incorporating their inputs to refine the PGDM program curriculum to make it contextual and relevant.

Here are the key inputs in a nutshell that fed into the curriculum structure of the PGDM curriculum

Adapting To Rising Technological Advancements

As technology continues to advance rapidly, businesses must adapt to keep up with the changes. Leaders need to go beyond traditional thinking and embrace innovation.

Leverage Technology For Business Outcomes

Technology is reshaping industries, and leaders must learn to leverage it for successful outcomes.

Upskill Middle Management

Middle managers need to develop problem-solving skills and be proactive in identifying and addressing hidden issues. They should also be comfortable working with diverse teams.

Becoming Agile

To achieve all this, a mindset shift is required, and design thinking can help with that. Organizations are recognizing the need to provide learning opportunities to reskill leaders in areas like Design Thinking, Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence.

Teaching Methods

Case Study-Based Discussion Learning

The school teaches students by sharing real-life stories and situations. They use case studies from Harvard Business School for students to read before class.

Activity-Based Learning

The school promotes active learning. They simplify finance concepts by having students use Lego blocks to understand accounting.

Design Thinking Bootcamps

Students take part in boot camps where they solve real-life problems in a short time (usually 2 days). These boot camps provide quick and practical results, allowing students to apply their theoretical knowledge.

Learn Through Theatre

Students participate in a 5-day theater program with experienced teachers. Theater introduces students to drama skills and combines them with ethics. Students learn voice projection, body language, and other essential skills for self-expression.

Course Structure

Curriculum: Year 1

In the first year, students learn about general management and take courses in Design Thinking and Liberal Arts.

During Year 1, students study a total of 23 subjects. At the end of the year, they must complete a summer internship in a corporate environment. These internships are mandatory and receive a grade.

Major Focus Areas of Year 1
- Marketing
- Finance
- Operations
- Finance
- Analytics
- Human Resources
- Design Thinking
- Liberal Arts
Curriculum: Year 2

In the second year, students have the option to choose elective courses to specialize in up to two functional areas. These areas include Finance, Analytics, Marketing, and Human Resources. The specific elective courses offered will depend on the students’ interests and the number of students wanting to specialize in a particular area. The institute may also introduce new elective courses based on the latest developments and the availability of experts to teach those courses.

The Focus Of Year 2

Choosing Specialization. The electives can be chosen from
- Marketing
- Finance
- Analytics
- Human Resources
Take a look at the term-wise curriculum breakup here.

Student Testimonials

Also, read about

Ritu Mahar’s first year in one of the best MBA courses and Shubham’s Jain’s perspective on the B-school for MBA in Delhi NCR.

Class Profile

Every year, SOIL Institute of Management brings together a diverse group of students for their PGDM program. This diversity includes people from different backgrounds, interests, ethnicities, and goals. A typical PGDM batch is made up of a variety of individuals.

Domain Background

The batch consists of recent graduates as well as students with experience in different industries. The admissions committee aims to create a diverse batch that can contribute to and enhance the program experience.

Admissions

“The only B school in India which conducts a design thinking workshop to identify students who are talented. Our Admissions process tells you more about yourself than just being a selection process.

Whom Are We Looking For?

We are looking for students who –
- Have a passion for learning, besides having just academic records.
- Have the ability to think independently and have original ideas that go beyond popular opinions and biases.
- Can combine analytical and creative skills with business knowledge and have a deep understanding of the limitations of traditional management programs.
- Is motivated to make a positive impact and is committed to personal growth, not just for the sake of getting a job.
If the statements above resonate with you, please apply to SOIL’s 2-year PGDM program.

Eligibility Criteria
- Take one of the following exams: GMAT, CAT, XAT, or MAT.
- Both freshers and executives with less than 5 years of work experience can apply.
- You can submit scores from multiple exams, but we will consider the best score when reviewing your application.
- By 15th June 2023, you should have completed your full-time undergraduate degree and have the completion certificate.
- Applicants from any discipline are eligible as long as they hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution.
- Your graduation could be a 3-year, 4-year, or 5-year integrated program.
- Your stream of study could be Arts, Commerce, Science, Engineering (B.Tech/B.E), or any other related field.
Application Cycles

Admission Process

SUBMIT ONLINE APPLICATION

The admission process requires you to fill in an online application form by a given deadline. You will be required to provide –
- Details of academic background
- Extracurriculars & Hobbies
- MBA Exam Scores (Mandatory)
- Upload Document Proofs
- Pay the Application Fee of INR 2000
Profile Shortlisting

Besides the academic scores, SOIL shortlists students based on the following key aspects –

Design Thinking Workshop

The students will execute the 5 key processes of design thinking i.e. Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test solutions to the given problem statement. There will be a personal interview round followed by the design thinking workshop.

Personal Interview

Interviews last about 45 minutes. Students are expected to –
- Arrive at the interview venue 30 min prior to the interview. In case the interview is being conducted over Skype/zoom, be ready 30 minutes.
- Bring all your original documents to the interview venue for verification.
Admission Result

Final decisions will be emailed to all candidates within four weeks of taking the interview. If selected, you are made an offer to join the program, or y would be asked to appear for a personal interview for the second time.

Registration & Scholarship

Students become eligible to apply for PGDM Scholarships by registering for the program by paying the initial fees of INR 2,10,000. The program officials will get in touch and offer you the option to apply for scholarships such as –
- Need-Based Scholarship
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Dr. Verghese Kurien Scholarship
- Wards of Defence Personnel
- Unique Achievement Scholarship
PGDM Admissions Resources

You can choose any one of the following to experience the complete SOIL experience before joining the program.

Schedule a Campus Visit

The best way to experience SOIL is to visit

Get Your Profile Evaluated

Send us your profile and get guidance from our program & careers team on the best specialization and career path for yourself.

Get Connected With an Alumni

Get in touch with our 1400+ successful alumni working around the globe.

Attend an Admissions Event

Our virtual events provide wonderful opportunities for you to learn about the Full-Time PGDM and clear all your doubts.

Admission Collaterals

The Design Thinking Workshop

The Design Thinking (DT) Workshop is a compulsory process for students to undergo as it aims to find the ones who are extremely good and efficient in real-time working environments rather than identifying them solely based on their past academic performances and entrance exam scores.

The dire need for business leaders in the workforce who are innovative, agile, and adaptive to change has redefined the MBA education system. The first step towards creating leaders of such quality begins with the selection of suitable students at the B-school.

An example of a Design Thinking workshop is given below.

09:00 AM – Students arrive at the Interview Centre

09:30 AM – Completion of Registration & Verification Process

09:45 – 10:15 AM – Design Thinking Masterclass – An interactive training that helps participants understand methods, techniques, and tools for innovating and creating compelling service experiences so that they learn about the art and sciences of empathizing with people, generating ideas, embracing collaboration.

10:15 – 10:30 AM – Refreshment Break

10:30 – 10:40 AM – Forming teams & Problem Brief – a real-life problem is given as a problem statement with a problem brief such as the economic conditions, social problems, and regulatory issues helping the participants in finding a solution.

10:40 – 11:15 AM – Empathise with the user & Brainstorm Ideas – Participants empathize and understand the user who faces the problem and has to think from their POV.

11:15 – 11:30 AM – Converge on a single solution – Participants work on their negotiation and leadership skills in this phase.

11:30 – 11:40 AM – Refreshment Break

11:40 – 12:15 AM – Diverge on creating Prototypes – Participants identify flaws in their finalized idea and improve to their prototype.

12:15 – 1:00 AM – Converging through Presentation & Feedback – Participants present their ideas and prototypes to all the teams and the facilitators and understand how they can further improve.

12:15 – 1:00 AM – Workshop Feedback

The participants submit their constructive feedback to the Admissions team and share their learnings and experiences.

Student Work In The Past

Fee Structure (PGDM Batch (2023-25))

*The above fee is inclusive of tuition fee, examination fee, extra and co-curricular activities on campus, Library books & reading material, IT Services, etc.

**Refundable after completion of the program, subject to clearance of all dues and damages to institute properties/assets.

PGDM Scholarships

SOIL makes its unique 2 Year program available for the most committed and high-potential leaders of tomorrow. It has allocated generous scholarships which are mentioned below:
- Need-Based
- Scholarship
- Merit-Based Scholarships
- Dr. Verghese Kurien Scholarship
- Wards of Defence Personnel
- Unique Achievement Scholarship
Learn more about fees and scholarships here.

Career Services Office

Career Activity Highlights

The careers team at SOIL conducts events around the year to engage, train and develop students’ employability through various on & off-campus events.

Get industry-ready through SOBD Academies

Academies function as a bridge between what you’re learning in the curriculum and its application during your internship and post-MBA career.

CV Mentorship

The students are advised to work on their initial CV draft before coming to campus.

Inviting Companies For Internships

The committee analyses the student’s interest areas and future goals before sourcing companies for placements.

Organising Mock Placements Fair

The committee members invite senior industry leaders and alumni to act as pseudo-interviewers.

Conducting Sumer Internships

The companies participating in the process are invited and all the interested students are required to be on campus during this time.

Coordination With Firms After The Process

The committee ensures all the internship offers are received by students and also helps in connecting them with their seniors regarding stay, travel, and other logistics.

Conducting Lateral Placements

The committee invites companies that specifically require students with industry-related work experience.

Conducting Final Placements

The final placement process is the single most important event on Campus regarding Career Services as its responsible for finding a placement offer for every student in the process.

Placement Report & Statistics

The Career Management Services(CMS) is dedicated to assisting students in achieving long-term professional success by providing appropriate resources and guidance.

1-on-1 Mentorship

The Industry Mentoring Program is a partnership between the student and mentor that focuses on identifying career goals, gaps, and future action scopes.

Setting Up Vision & Way Forward

Every student at SOIL will undergo a vision workshop to find out his ideal career path and personal developmental goals.

Industry Academy Networking/Weeks

An Industry Academy Week is held every year to provide students with a fantastic opportunity to pause and focus on building their creative networks and determining their future careers whilst reflecting on their own work.

Placement Process Simulation

SOIL prepares its students for the two most significant career strides at the campus, i.e. Summer Internships and Final Placements.

Industry Study Tours

Industry tours provide an opportunity for students to visit and witness how corporates work in real-time and leverage technology across industries.

Final Placements 2023

Our Placement Highlights would detail our efforts towards guiding the career paths of our students.

Participating Companies

Industry Leader Testimonials

Our Top Stories to Read
PGDM VS MBA – KEY DIFFERENCES, FULL FORM & REASONS TO PURSUE Founder & Chairman Mr. Anil Sachdev Learnings and Importance of Theatre
SOIL Live Digital Events

Beyond my MBA | Alumni Webinar Series | 07.00 PM
Learn More
Meet SOIL Admissions Team | PGPM Programs | 07.00 PM
Learn More

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