oh what feeling

Saturday I took my last class for the BMS batch that I was teaching. Next semester onwards it will be a new set of kids. It has been quite a ride of sorts for me. For the two semesters that taught them I only took a small part of their portion but I guess I was able to throw some light on the most important part of marketing – research. This is something that is important for any function. In variably in corporate life you see tons of statistics that people put in their presentations. Not understanding research is a severe limiting factor while understanding these presentations.
One example was I think two years back. The company had commissioned a 360 degree feedback. While my results were being discussed with me, I could point at least 4 to 5 fundamental issues with eth survey that put it at risk to being analysed correctly. Even the consultant had no idea what hit him. I don’t think he had figured about the bias that had crept into the analysis. Very silly.
That’s what I tried teaching these guys. Have an open mind, understand the bias in a survey, understand methodology and listen to the respondent and then make your intelligent analysis. Just because a bias has crept into the survey is no reason why you must throw out the survey. You must merely read the survey while understanding in your mind the bias that could have gotten in. It’s really not that complicated doing research. Just an open mind and commonsense. Also thanks to the subject, I had to go through quite a few intellectual papers and recommend them. Also I realised the lovely effects of giving a paper and then taking a test on it before I start explaining it. most of these are self explanatory papers, with anyone with half a mind can decipher. The trick is in getting these guys to read them. So I merely made a small test on them and explained the papers while discussing the answers. Very useful.
Also this batch seemed to be more important to me as I got back to teaching after a longish break. For some reason I felt a connect with this bunch. Good bunch of guys. So when at the last I closed the class, I was a bit overwhelmed with the emotion and show of love from the class. Hugs and thanks all around.
The joy you feel on successful completion of a course, especially if it’s mentally draining is quite a bit. There was a weird type of joy I felt. I felt pangs of sadness as well. But I surely did revel in the outpouring of love. It was something else. I guess kids are simple things after all. Treat them with love and respect and get the same in return. There is nothing to it.

Here is part of the batch. Its a special one. (though I suspect that I will fell like this with all my batches when I take their last lecture)

The next part of the fun will start now. I will meet them in different places, in malls, in shops, in theatres etc. I will recognise some, some will look familiar and some will go SSSIIIIIIRRRRRRR. Meeting them is always good fun. Then suddenly they will introduce me to their mom and dad if they are around. This is the ‘Jaimit Sir’ that I told you about. Typically the parents will first think that I am just an acquaintance and then on being introduced will go ‘oh’. A little more respect will follow and sometimes a namaste. I see the respect suddenly grow. Full time pass it is. This is hardly a ego booster, but the love and comments that come in from the kids… now that’s a real ego booster.
I don’t think it’s easy to understand this. I don’t my family or friends can understand this. Jasmine is merely used to this. Meeting students in vague places. But I think the real warm feeling in my heart that makes it all worthwhile is indescribable and so very internal. I have been floating on mercury since Saturday. What was that density number – it was 13.6 something per somethingI think