IIM Ranchi hosted a highly engaging one-day seminar on Monday, April 28, 2025, centered on the theme "Inquiring into Mysteries in Management". The event featured distinguished speaker Prof. Ajit N. Mathur, an esteemed former Professor at IIM Ahmedabad and IIM Calcutta, who shared profound insights gleaned from his extensive academic experience.

Prof. Mathur eloquently articulated the pivotal role of managerial skills, alongside the mindset and inherent drive of an individual in a management capacity. He posited that while management education and theoretical knowledge provide a crucial foundation, true mastery of managerial acumen flourishes only when individuals immerse themselves in real-world professional environments.

Addressing the dynamics of organizational workflow, Prof. Mathur noted that while institutions or companies often establish committees to define tasks and objectives, a formal framework for task allocation is frequently absent. He underscored that it is the prerogative of astute management and effective leadership to judiciously assign responsibilities based on an individual's practical knowledge and accumulated experience. Furthermore, he emphasized that individuals can only validate their capabilities and dedication by demonstrably achieving the defined targets.

Highlighting the collaborative nature of productivity, Prof. Mathur asserted that a manager cannot unilaterally achieve production goals. A cohesive team is indispensable. He suggested that optimizing team size, maintaining a focused and manageable number of members, significantly elevates the probability of successful outcomes, thereby benefiting both the organization and its commercial endeavors. Conversely, an unwieldy or excessively large team can impede progress and diminish the likelihood of success. In such contexts, adherence to sound managerial principles in the operational sphere becomes paramount.

During his address, Prof. Mathur delved into the nuances of international management, international trade, and the benchmarks of institutional development, providing attendees with a comprehensive overview. He also illuminated the foundational history of management practices, revealing that while the discourse on managerial skills gained prominence post the British era in India, European and Arab nations had already cultivated and effectively employed such expertise. He attributed the global expansion of trade by European and Arab entities, in part, to their adeptness in management skills.

Prof. Mathur astutely differentiated between planning and strategy for the participants. He elucidated that planning encompasses a comprehensive and often protracted process of defining objectives and charting a course to achieve them. In contrast, a precise strategy serves as an instrumental tool for achieving specific goals within defined timelines.

In a valuable piece of advice, Prof. Mathur cautioned participants against the allure of superficial knowledge. Instead, he advocated for drawing profound managerial lessons from the inherent wisdom embedded in natural and celestial phenomena. He encouraged students to proactively equip themselves with robust strategies and knowledge relevant to the contemporary landscape, while also cultivating the essential ability to optimize performance within limited resource constraints.

The successful and the insightful seminar was made possible through the collaborative efforts and support of the Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director, IIM Ranchi and other faculty members.