SOCIAL MEDIA – How does Analytics relate to it

Whether you like it or hate it, you can’t deny numerous ways that social media and networking has impacted our lives over the last decade.

Let’s discuss some of countless ways in which social media and networking has changed the world.

GENERAL AWARENESS
The rise of social media and networking has made it faster and easier to access information around the world, and by having smaller, bite-sized chunks of information makes it easier for people to digest and communicate to one another. Whether it’s a simple tweet, post on Instagram or a status update on Facebook, we can instantly get to know and stay updated pertaining to different issues around the world, probably in a much better way!

An example of when social media has been a great tool in raising awareness was during the Chennai Floods, where in  the entire country came in together to provide their support in whatever way they can, thanks to social media.


COMMUNICATION
Social media and networking have broken the barriers when it comes to communicating and we are spoiled for choice when it comes to ways of getting in contact with someone.

Today, if you can’t reach someone on the phone, you can leave a voice mail or send a text. Or even better, tweet, Facebook message, or touch base in other ways. We have the ability to see what others are doing, often within seconds of them doing it.

Social media search functions also make it easier if we want to track someone down who we are looking for or may have lost touch with. There are seemingly endless sources we can search to access the information we need.


WHAT’S TRENDING- Analytical Involvement
Social media has given everybody who chooses to sign up to a platform, the opportunity to tell 'their story' online, through Facebook Instagram pictures, Tumblr blogs. Normal people now have the capacity to make their opinion known on a massive scale. Analytics and social media depend a lot on each other, some of them are:

• Gain new insights. Understand social media engagement patterns across your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+ accounts, and add insights from Google Analytics.
• Identify social influencers.
• See what content resonates

BUSINESSES
Social media has given companies a chance to have a voice when it comes to their brand and a different way to connect and engage with their customers as well as their employees.

Businesses can now respond to customer queries and complaints in real time, with the ability to converse and engage with their customers on a different level which is continually improving as social media companies’ progress. This in turn is creating a better sense of customer service and brand loyalty among followers.

Social media has proved to be an invaluable tool for businesses who want to grow and connect with their audience.

Stepping forward from Social Media Analytics, there are tools and online programs that can help you with Business analysis. The CBA (Certified Business Analyst) online program at Imarticus is a customized course designed for careers in Business Analysis, across various functions such as Technology, Operations and Finance.

Trade Life Cycle – The Process of Buying & Selling, by Abhinit Kumar.

What is a trade?

Trade is a process of buying and selling any financial instrument.

Just like any other product even a trade has its life cycle involving several steps, as those with a career in investment banking know.

What are the Steps involved in a Trade Life Cycle?

Overview of the Process

1. Sale –

This is a process of client acquisition in which HNIs or Institutional clients are introduced to various investment products or vehicles.
These vehicles or products are available with an Investment Manager or Bank by whom the client’s investments are managed.
The investments are collectively called a Mutual or a Hedge fund.

2. Trade Initiation and Execution –

This is the process of placing an order in the market.
Trade Initiation and Execution can be done both at Order and Quote driven markets.
This depends on the choice of market place and on the external platform.
Once order is placed and it gets matched, the trade is said to be executed.

3. Trade Capture –

Trades are then booked internally in a FO system for it to flow down to the operation systems.
It is booked in a Risk Management System (RMS)

4. Trade Validation and Enrichment – Reference data team sets up the static and dynamic details which helps middle office teams to validate the trade, before releasing instructions into the market.

Repository for data management

5. Trade Confirmation –

This is an extremely critical step for the trade settlement.
Trade details and SSIs are agreed with counterparty at least a day prior to settlement date.
Confirmation via depositories like Euro clear/DTCC

6. Trade Settlement – This is the process of simultaneous exchange of cash versus securities for a security trade or cash versus cash for a Derivative trade.

7. Reconciliation – Reconciliation involves matching ledgers against statements to ensure correct accounting of all trade booked.

A pictorial representation of the steps.

If you are looking for career in investment banking, get to know more about the trade life cycle through a focused training and this blog could be a good starting point.

Source: http://imarticus.org/trade-life-cycle/

Imarticus - Leader Speak - Suresh Rao, Faculty and Senior Admissions Officer

“One of my drivers is to inspire the youth and give them the extra edge through teaching, mentoring & help them succeed.” 

Suresh Rao, Faculty and Senior Admissions Officer, Imarticus has 11 years of experience in investment banking and treasury operations in companies like JP Morgan, Nomura, Lehman Brothers and ABN Amro. Suresh has successfully set up complex middle office and critical treasury functions such as corporate actions, reference data and derivative settlements across equity derivatives and cash equities products, supporting EMEA in multiple regions across USA. His specialized knowledge is invaluable in creating and developing a marquee industry relevant curriculum at Imarticus. Suresh holds a postgraduate management degree from Welingkar Institute of Management with a specialization in finance.

Imarticus offers comprehensive industry specific training programs in various sectors such as Financial Services.. Our first program focuses on training and providing career options within the Investment Banking industry, an attractive career choice that is currently inaccessible to many due to lack of awareness and relevant skills. An industry relevant curriculum, distinguished faculty, innovative learning methodology and a strong relationship with the industry are our key strengths. Imarticus has been formed to bridge the gap between academia and industry by providing the knowledge and skill sets which are essential in today’s competitive working environment. Through our programs, we aim to elevate the skill levels of our aspiring students and job seekers thereby increasing their employability and relevance to the industry at large.

Replying to Anil Mascarenhas of IIFL, Suresh Rao says, “One of my drivers is to inspire the youth and give them the extra edge through teaching, mentoring & help them succeed.”

Earlier, people used to often wonder why academicians with all their knowledge do not move on to become professionals. In your case we find the reverse the happening. What is bringing about this shift? 

The overall focus of education is changing where students and colleges are realizing that general education does not cut it today and there is a huge need for specialized knowledge. This specialized and industry specific knowledge is what experienced professional like me have. In addition, I think the concept of giving back to the society is a lot more prevalent now and more and more people want to train and mentor young professionals

What is driving some professionals to become academicians?

Personally, I don’t think academicians or teachers have been given enough recognition in our country. Having worked in the corporate world for 11 years, I have gained immense knowledge about our industry but it is pointless if you don’t unlearn and give appropriate skills to the community. One of my drivers is to inspire the youth and give them the extra edge through teaching, mentoring & help them succeed. This way it’s a win-win situation, where students get the brightest and the best jobs in the market and corporates are happy with the skilled pool of resources.

What made you switch from being a corporate professional into an academician?

I have spent many years in large corporates and was looking for a change that would enable me to interact with the young upcoming generations. I feel I’ve had a successful career and now I am in a position to mentor the youth and help them realize their potential.

What are the opportunities here and what would you imagine are your major challenges?

With this successful model in Investment Banking, similar opportunities exist in other sectors of the industry. Major challenge is the lack of awareness about job specific skills which are required to succeed.

What is your view on money? To what extent do you find this financially

rewarding?

Money obviously is important but not the end all. 

There is no doubt the respect commanded by academicians is much more than most corporate professionals. How has your experience been?

Respect is a tricky word! I think any professional who does well and is at the top of his field deserves to be respected.  This is no different for academicians or corporates. My personal experience in teaching has been particularly rewarding and I am looking forward to a long-term career in the education industry.

Investment banking industry is not as exciting as it used to be a couple of years ago? Are you still seeing a lot of interest here? Do you have a regular faculty for investment banking?

Yes, Investment Banking as an industry is undergoing transformational change since the crisis started in 2008. Investment banks are still to adjust to the ‘new normal’. In a constrained operating environment the only certainty is increased regulation & thereby increased pressure to generate revenues which in-turn impacts the return on equity. Economies experiencing rapid growth like we see in emerging markets, with little well established competition, offer exciting opportunities for investment banks.

India has a unique opportunity to further help to cut down on costs due to its offshoring capabilities. Almost all the big Investment Banks globally have their captive centres in India, servicing global markets, clients & their trading operations. Demand for such jobs are high but require highly specialized skill & knowledge to perform the same.

Do you offer placements? What is the salary range one can expect in India and abroad after successfully completing your course?

Yes, we offer placements through strong domain knowledge training & career preparation modules. Typical salaries offered in India could range from 3.5 lacs to 6 lacs depending on the educational qualification & work experience of an individual & not to mention market dynamics.

Give us a brief idea about the course structure and fees.

CIBOP & CIBIF is Rs. 85000 & CIBIT is Rs. 1,25,000 exclusive of taxes. Installment schedules can be organized.

What kind of certification do you offer?

We have three industry endorsed certification programs – CIBOP (Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional), CIBIT (Certified Investment Banking Information Technology Professional) & CIBIF (Certified Investment Banking International Finance Professional)

Having come from a professional world, what are the other aspects – you have realized- which are vital for a successful career? (Like personality development, writing).

Some of the key aspects one should look at are -self-awareness, strong fundamentals, clarity of thought, articulation in concise form while speaking or writing, continuous improvement mindset, networking, aligning oneself to company’s overall goal, maturity & humility.

- See more at: http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/research-leader-speak/suresh-rao-faculty-and-senior-admissions-officer-imarticus-38317279_1.html#sthash.vsE0GtNm.dpuf