Under the Banyan tree
It takes courage and
initiative to try something different and one of the places we got to see it
recently was at Mindtree Consulting. "At MindTree, we do not look at the campus
induction program as
merely skill building. We believe that
each person is unique, and it is in everyone's best interests to build on that
fact by nurturing each MindTree Mind with strong emotional and intellectual
bonds to the wider MindTree community. The goal of the induction program in MindTree
is to make the campus minds better skilled, more emotio-
nally attached and differentiated." says
Mr.
Parthasarathy, Executive Vice
President at Mindtree Consulting.
Mindtree has evolved a very unique campus induction program system. One of the interesting things they do is talk to the youngsters who pass out the previous year. This keeps them abreast of their thoughts and aspirations.
For example here are 10
expectations of younger IT professionals today (this is based on talking to
2006 campus batch guys) -
1. We are more exposed to what is happening in the world around us.
2. We are more competitive.
3. We are aware of the fact that we have choices, and want the freedom to make those choices. We do not want to be expected to follow predetermined paths that tell us the ‘proper' way to be.
4. We have the ability to multi-task - to work on a project, listen to music and chat at the same time. But we believe we can still get the work done. We are frustrated by the belief of people older than us that if we are multi-tasking we are not concentrating.
5. We are more tolerant to noise - we can still function even if there are conversations or music around us.
6. We need to enjoy what we do. An earlier generation believed that you must first complete you duties and then have fun. We want our duties to be fun, and the fun intermingled with duty.
7. We need to see tangible results quickly. If we are told to be patient and results will be seen only after months or years of experience, we tune out.
8. We are addicted to technology. We cannot separate technology and life.
9. Like and appreciate visual things
10. Like open space for our own graffiti space
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The goal of the induction program in MindTree is to make the campus minds better skilled, more emotionally attached and differentiated |
Based on a lot of in house research and soul searching Mindtree has come
up with a system to make their ‘new minds' feel at home and develop a sense of
pride toward Mindtree. The basic premise behind their new and unique campus
induction program is the fact the inductees are treated like family. The reason
for this programme is 1) Young Mindtree Minds imbibe the culture, history and
values of MindTree 2) Prepare them for their first jobs and careers. 3)
Create the sense of larger family and thus differentiate from other software
services companies.
Each batch is divided
into three houses (the Houses of Imagination, Action and Joy) and each house
has 200 campus minds and a PAL (Parent, Anchor and Leader). The ‘house' is the home for the minds during
their program - they come to their house in the morning, attend ‘school' where
the learning spaces such as classrooms and labs are located and then return
back to their ‘house' later
in the day.
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Mindtree has not just put in its mind to work here but its Heart to make this an enriching experience for all who come under their canopy. |
While the activities in school are focused on the immediate need of equipping the campus mind with the skills needed for practices and projects, the activities in the house are focused on longer term objectives of instilling self-leadership, values and professionalism. The PAL is the friend, philosopher and guide who will provide the access and attention needed to guide and mentor the career of each and every member of the house. PALs are senior line managers who take on this additional responsibility. They are people who have been there and done it; hence an inspiration to young minds with a wealth of experiences. "We used the security of being at home to build our unique sense of self." says Partha. One of the PAL's, Ms Sudha Selvaraj was as enthusiastic as a new mother as she described how close they become during this phase. The innocence of these youngsters who have come from varied backgrounds has moved her at times; as they learn to live and work as adults (for the first time in their young lives) and as a team. There is an enormous amount of trust that the newcomers place in her and the other PALs.
The houses are located in ‘Orchard' in the fifth floor of the building two in MindTree's West Campus in Bangalore. Significantly an orchard is a place devoted to the nurturing and growth of trees - they believe that it is important to provide similar conditions of fertility for the nurturing and growth of the campus minds as well.
The ‘street' on which the houses lie is called the "The Discovery Trail". This is to instill a sense of history and an insight to understand the past, present and future of MindTree in order to feel emotionally attached to the organization.
"The Knowledge Centre" situated here provides knowledge resources that minds can use for self-learning - these resources are managed by the campus minds themselves.
Their respective ‘Houses' is the place where the minds will learn the soft non-technical capabilities needed as a MindTree Mind.
Each house is designed
to mirror an actual ‘home' with a ‘living room' where they have their own lockers with soft boards
where they can express their individuality. This is the center of activity and interactions. .
At the centre of the living room is the ‘House Tree', ( the proverbial Banyan tree where people gather ). This is the gathering point of the house, and is where the PAL will stand to address a house meeting. The underlying theme of the ‘TREE ‘ as a pillar of support with strong roots and as a protector with its shade comes through all along.
Apart from the living room is the computer lab used for instructional sessions or self-learning or for working on projects - but at other times it is like a cyber-café where one can blog, surf and catch up with what is going on in the virtual world. And also the classroom where instructional sessions are held. The PAL can interact with the teachers at school in order to schedule learning sessions here.
MindTree is a global organization and to represent that diversity in terms of MindTree minds and customers, every classroom and lab in the Orchard is named after fruit trees from different parts of the world. Often, senior MindTree minds are invited to talk about topics such as building a career, how to be successful at work and personal effectiveness. These sessions are informal and interactive in nature and they provide the young minds with useful insights for the future. MindTree also believes that it is important to learn from unusual sources - doctors, film actors, social activists are invited to address the minds on the areas of their expertise.
MindTree believes that it is essential for minds to be self-managed - these minds are our leaders of tomorrow and the first step towards leading others is to lead oneself. In order to facilitate that process, the responsibility of keeping the houses and neighborhood clean is entrusted to the campus minds themselves. As the campus minds enjoy their neighborhood - it becomes a part of their emotional identity at MindTree. Even after they have grown up and left ‘home' - they continue to carry fond memories of their initial days. The campus minds can continue to visit and pass their wisdom to future generations who will inhabit the house. And who knows? Some day the cycle of life may complete a circle, and one of the house mates could go on and become a PAL.
Mindtree has not just put in its mind to work here but its Heart to make this an enriching experience for all who come under their canopy.
Arathi P. Balaji
Issue BG78 Sept07
