Funds From The Initiative Will Be Used For Charity

tudents to bid for a day out with CEOs

Shruthi Balakrishna | TNN

Bangalore: Imagine bidding for Infosys mentor N R Narayana Murthy or Biocon Ltd CEO Kiran Mazumdar Shaw just to spend a day with them. The students of Indian School of Business (ISB) are willing to pay any price to spend a day with their favourite CEO through a unique initiative called ‘Shadow a CEO’.

The Hyderabad-based ISB aims to connect the CEOs and students through the initiative. Participating students will bid in an online auction. Funds raised from the auction will go for a social cause. This will fulfil two aims—involvement of corporate India in a social cause and a networking opportunity between current and future business leaders.

In case a student fails to win the bid, then the money will be returned. ‘‘It is designed by the students to combine a business goal and a social cause. It allows students to understand the importance of doing business that not only helps an individual but society as well,’’ ISB dean Ajit Rangnekar told TOI. The initiative has been designed to participate in the ‘Joy of Giving Week’, a national movement.

‘‘It has attracted a lot of appreciation from the industry leaders and we are getting a high rate of confirmations. We are on 20 now and we expect to reach 30,’’ Ajit said.

How does the bidding work:
Bidding process will include an open auction online for all ISB students

Bidding will be open for a limited period. Top three bidders for each CEO will be shortlisted

They will be asked to give a Letter of Intent on why they are bidding for a CEO

A panel comprising faculty and administrative members from the ISB will review the letters and decide on who is the most deserving student to ‘shadow the CEO’

After the winners are declared, the CEO can match the amount raised by students or give more. Funds raised from the auction will be given to an NGO of the CEO’s choice for a social cause. Date for bidding process is from September 21 to 23

Ashish Pedaprolu, student of the ISB, is hoping to win the bid. “I would love to spend a day with N R Narayana Murthy but I am open to with any CEO from the IT industry.” How is he arranging money for the auction? “I am trying to get the money from professional and personal contacts,” Ashish said. Arpita Shanker, who is also participating in the auction, too wants to bid for NRN. “He is a self-made man. I want to learn how to be a CEO and yet remain humble. I also read his book Better India, Better World and loved it. It would be great to spend a day with him.”