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Vasanthi Srinivasan

All entrepreneurs, by definition are people managers. As founder and owners, they hire people, groom them, motivate them, and harness their talent towards effective management of enterprise. Yet most entrepreneur believe that effective people management is common sense and is acquired through life experience.

While there is some truth to this belief, people management is also a science .It also comprises of principles, procedures and systems that need to be in place as the enterprise begin to groom. Many owners agree that in today’s economy people are the key differentiators in small and medium businesses.

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All entrepreneurs, by definition are people managers. As founder and owners, they hire people, groom them, motivate them, and harness their talent towards effective management of enterprise. Yet most entrepreneur believe that effective people management is common sense and is acquired through life experience.

While there is some truth to this belief, people management is also a science .It also comprises of principles, procedures and systems that need to be in place as the enterprise begin to groom. Many owners agree that in today’s economy people are the key differentiators in small and medium businesses.

The objective of the course is to create awareness on :

* The key principles of people management.

* Critically understand how HR practices contribute to the enterprise sustainability in the long run.

* Understand the role that owner/founders play in creating high performing organization.

The best ideas and strategies are of no consequence without the right people to translate them to action and we would aim at throwing some light on these aspects.

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • What you’ll learn:
  • A) to appreciate the role of entrepreneurs as people managers.
  • B) how to implement human resources practices to build a sustainable enterprise.
  • C) to understand and appreciate the role systems and processes play in effective people management.
  • D) to enhance effectiveness in harnessing human capital for long-term sustainability of the venture.

Syllabus

Week 1 : Thinking like an owner/founder.
Week 2 : People as a source of competitive advantage.
Week 3 : Hiring the right people.
Week 4 : Live Webinar with Professor.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Introduces concepts that apply directly to the daily tasks of the target audience
Taught by an individual who is an acknowledged expert in entrepreneurship
Emphasizes the importance of aligning people management strategies with overall business goals
Encourages participants to critically evaluate the role of human resources in long-term sustainability
Provides guidance on developing effective systems and processes for managing people

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Reviews summary

Practical people management for entrepreneurs

According to students, this course is a highly practical and foundational guide for entrepreneurs on effective people management. Learners consistently praise the instructor's expertise and clear delivery, making complex topics easy to grasp and immediately applicable. Key modules like creating a performance culture, hiring the right people, and implementing sustainable HR practices are frequently highlighted as valuable. While ideal for new and first-time entrepreneurs, some experienced professionals found the content to be introductory, seeking more advanced strategies.
Provides valuable direct interaction and Q&A.
"The webinar was a great touch, allowing for direct interaction."
"The live webinar was beneficial for Q&A."
"The live webinar was helpful, but overall, it didn't fully meet my expectations for practical application."
Perfectly suited for those new to people management.
"As a first-time entrepreneur, this was exactly what I needed."
"It's great for new entrepreneurs, but experienced managers might find it covers familiar ground."
"It provided a great framework to approach HR in my small business. Would recommend."
"A solid course for getting started with people management."
Key areas like performance culture and hiring are highly valued.
"...especially the modules on creating a performance culture and grooming talent."
"I particularly liked the structured approach to hiring and understanding competitive advantage."
"The section on hiring the right people was particularly strong."
"I especially valued the insights on performance culture. This course is a must for anyone starting or running a business."
Professor's insights are valuable and clearly delivered.
"The professor's insights were incredibly valuable, especially the modules on creating a performance culture..."
"The instructor explains complex ideas simply."
"The professor is a true expert and passionate about the subject."
"The depth of knowledge shared by the instructor, combined with the clear, concise delivery, made complex topics easy to grasp."
Provides immediately actionable strategies and frameworks.
"I found the practical frameworks immediately applicable to my startup."
"Truly helped me shift my mindset from just managing tasks to truly managing people as assets. The content is well-organized and the lectures are clear."
"The practical examples and tools provided were super helpful."
"The frameworks are actionable. I've already started applying some of the principles to my business."
Some desire more diverse and recent examples.
"I wished for more diverse real-world case studies beyond large Indian corporates..."
"The examples felt generic. I expected more depth from an IIMB course."
"The course might benefit from more recent case studies, but the core principles remain relevant."
May be too basic for those with prior HR experience.
"Decent course, but it felt a bit introductory for someone who already has some HR background."
"Found this course quite basic... I expected more depth from an IIMB course."
"While the principles are sound, I was looking for more advanced strategies for scaling HR operations in a rapidly growing company."
"The material is sound, but useful for absolute beginners, maybe less so for others."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in People Management for Entrepreneurs with these activities:
Review the basic principles of people management
Review the basic principles of people management to ensure you have a solid foundation before the course begins
Browse courses on People Management
Show steps
  • Read a book or article on people management
  • Attend a workshop or webinar on people management
  • Review your notes from a previous course on people management
Recall key concepts from Entrepreneurship 101
Strengthen your foundation in entrepreneurship by reviewing core concepts to prepare for more advanced material covered in this course.
Show steps
  • Review your notes and materials from Entrepreneurship 101.
  • Complete practice questions or exercises related to entrepreneurship fundamentals.
Review Basic Human Resources (HR)
Reviewing basic HR principles will strengthen your understanding of the course material.
Browse courses on Employee Management
Show steps
  • Read a beginner-friendly article or book on HR.
  • Take an online course or workshop on HR fundamentals.
  • Attend a webinar or seminar on HR best practices.
16 other activities
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Show all 19 activities
Read "The Effective Manager" by Peter Drucker
Read "The Effective Manager" by Peter Drucker to gain insights from one of the leading management thinkers of our time
Show steps
  • Read the book and take notes
  • Summarize the key takeaways from the book
  • Apply the principles from the book to your own management style
Participate in online discussions and forums to exchange ideas
Engage with peers to share perspectives and insights on course topics
Browse courses on People Management
Show steps
  • Identify relevant online discussions or forums
  • Read and analyze the discussions
  • Contribute your own thoughts and ideas
  • Engage in respectful and constructive discussions
Engage in peer discussions on HR best practices
Expand your knowledge and gain insights by sharing ideas and experiences with peers who are also pursuing similar goals.
Show steps
  • Join or create a study group or discussion forum.
  • Actively participate in discussions, sharing your thoughts and seeking feedback from others.
Practice hiring and interviewing techniques
Practice hiring and interviewing techniques to improve your ability to find and hire the best talent
Browse courses on Hiring
Show steps
  • Conduct mock interviews with friends or colleagues
  • Review sample interview questions and answers
  • Attend a workshop or webinar on interviewing skills
Conduct Mock Interviews
Conducting mock interviews will provide you with hands-on experience in applying HR practices.
Show steps
  • Identify a job posting or create a hypothetical scenario.
  • Develop a list of interview questions.
  • Practice interviewing a candidate.
  • Provide feedback to the candidate and reflect on your own performance.
Explore case studies on effective people management
Enhance your understanding of how people management principles have been applied successfully in real-world scenarios.
Browse courses on People Management
Show steps
  • Identify reputable sources for case studies on people management.
  • Read and analyze multiple case studies, taking notes on key strategies and outcomes.
  • Discuss the case studies with peers or mentors to gain diverse perspectives.
Join a peer group of other entrepreneurs and business owners
Join a peer group of other entrepreneurs and business owners to share ideas and learn from each other
Browse courses on Entrepreneurship
Show steps
  • Find a peer group that is a good fit for you
  • Attend peer group meetings regularly
  • Share your experiences and insights with other members of the group
  • Learn from other members of the group
Read *The Effective Executive* by Peter Drucker
Learn principles of effective people management through Drucker's insights into executive leadership
Show steps
  • Read and take notes on the key principles of people management
  • Identify and summarize the key ideas behind effective executive leadership
  • Consider how Drucker's ideas can be applied to your own management style
Use online resources to learn about HR best practices
Supplement course materials with guided tutorials on HR best practices to enhance understanding
Browse courses on Human Resources
Show steps
  • Identify relevant online resources and tutorials
  • Follow tutorials and take notes on key concepts
  • Apply your learnings to case studies or real-world situations
Attend a workshop on performance management and culture creation
Gain practical insights and skills in performance management and building a strong workplace culture
Browse courses on Performance Management
Show steps
  • Identify and register for a relevant workshop
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate
  • Take notes and synthesize key learning points
  • Apply your learnings to your own work environment
Develop a performance management plan
Develop a performance management plan to help you track and improve the performance of your team
Browse courses on Performance Management
Show steps
  • Identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for your team
  • Create a system for tracking employee performance
  • Develop a process for providing feedback and coaching to employees
Volunteer at a local non-profit organization that provides services to people
Volunteer at a local non-profit organization that provides services to people to gain practical experience in people management
Browse courses on Non-Profit Management
Show steps
  • Find a non-profit organization that you are interested in
  • Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Volunteer regularly and consistently
  • Learn from the staff and other volunteers at the organization
  • Share your skills and experience with the organization
Create a presentation on the role of entrepreneurs as people managers
Reinforce understanding by creating a presentation on the key role entrepreneurs play in managing their teams
Browse courses on Entrepreneurship
Show steps
  • Gather information and research the topic
  • Develop a clear and concise outline
  • Create engaging visuals and slides
  • Practice and rehearse your presentation
  • Present your findings to an audience, seeking feedback and critique
Develop a mock hiring plan and conduct practice interviews
Enhance your practical skills in hiring by developing a comprehensive hiring plan and conducting realistic interviews
Browse courses on Hiring
Show steps
  • Research and identify best practices for hiring
  • Develop a mock hiring plan for a specific role
  • Prepare interview questions and scenarios
  • Conduct practice interviews with peers or colleagues
  • Reflect on your performance and identify areas for improvement
Create a presentation on a human resources topic
Create a presentation on a human resources topic to share your knowledge and insights with others
Browse courses on Human Resources
Show steps
  • Choose a human resources topic to present on
  • Research the topic and gather information
  • Create a presentation that is clear, concise, and engaging
  • Practice your presentation and get feedback from others
Start a small business that requires you to hire and manage employees
Start a small business that requires you to hire and manage employees to gain practical experience in people management
Browse courses on Entrepreneurship
Show steps
  • Develop a business plan
  • Secure funding for your business
  • Hire and train your employees
  • Manage your employees and ensure that they are performing at their best
  • Grow your business and expand your team

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Learners who complete People Management for Entrepreneurs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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