Guest Lecture Event Report – “Innovation to Sustainability”
The Department of Management Studies, SRM Valliammai Engineering, Kattankulathur, organised the Guest Lecture on “Innovation to Sustainability” for the First Year MBA Students (BATCH 2024 – 2026) on 11th March 2025 at 10.05Am to 11.45Am in Seminar Hall, New Block, SRMVEC.
A thought-provoking guest lecture event “Innovation to Sustainability” was with Guest speaker Ms. Rajalakshmi Srinivasan, Director – Product Management, Zoho Corporation Pvt. Ltd, Dr. Venkata Sai Srinivasa Rao Muramalla, Head, Department of Management Studies has presided the event. Dr. K. Sentamilselvan, Professor, Coordinator, and co-coordinated by Mr. Thanga Baalaji Amuthan, Assistant Professor and Ms. G. Sathya, Assistant Professor.
The session provided valuable insights into aligning personal growth with sustainable innovation and emphasized the importance of adapting to the evolving demands of the modern world. Speaker urged students to introspect and identify their passions before making career decisions. She pointed the importance of choosing specialisations based on individual goals and interests. Furthermore, emphasized the need to find related job profiles by keeping both one’s interests and long-term goals in mind. This approach not only increases job satisfaction but also enhances professional efficiency and commitment.
Before choosing elective speaker told to do an extensive search of demanded job profiles in different industries. Out of all job profiles, she insisted to pick the elective which matches our skills and area of interest. Ms. Rajalakshmi also shed light on the efficient use of technology. She stressed that mobile phones should not just be a source of entertainment but tools for productivity. She encouraged students to use mobile apps for time management, skill-building, and networking
purposes. She told to practice the habit of book reading as not for marks but for overall understanding of career and personal life. In today’s competitive world, building a personal brand is crucial. Students were motivated to prepare their own portfolios and create professional LinkedIn profiles to showcase their skills, projects, and accomplishments
Social media platforms serve as gateways to career opportunities and help build valuable connections. A unique point made during the lecture was about creating real-life examples based on individual skills. Ms. Rajalakshmi emphasized that students should take initiatives to solve real-world problems in their surroundings using their existing knowledge. This not only proves their competence but also contributes to sustainable development.
Change management was another key takeaway. The speaker encouraged students to improve their reading habits, stay informed about the industry, getting adapt to changes, and experiment with different things to align consistency in the dynamic job market. Lifelong learning and flexibility are key traits for future professionals. When discussing the skills needed for success, Ms. Rajalakshmi highlighted curiosity, adaptability, clarity, and confidence as essential attributes for success. Curiosity drives innovation, adaptability ensures survival in uncertain environments, and clarity aids in setting focused goals. Finally, confidence is most essential for job attribute.
To make her points more relatable, she shared a short story of a flower seller who digitalised during the pandemic. With declining in-person sales, the seller began using WhatsApp and online platforms to take orders and partnered with delivery services to maintain business. This simple act of innovation ensured sustainability during a crisis, proving how adaptability and technology can empower even small businesses. In conclusion, the lecture was a valuable learning experience. It bridged the gap between academic learning and real-world applications, inspiring students to be more proactive, innovative, and aligned with sustainable growth.
Coordinator Head of the Department
