CXO challenge introduces students to dynamics of the corporate world

NEW DELHI, IDNIA: The team of Khagesh Kaushal from the Indian Institute of Management-Indore (IIM-I) and Krunal Kapadiya from Xavier's School of Management (XLRI) won the 2013 CXO Challenge, organized by IT, BPO and consulting major Cognizant for B-school students in India and the Asia-Pacific region.

Aimed at promoting a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation among business management students, the competition provides a unique opportunity for students to come up with creative business solutions to real-life challenges around growth, differentiation and leadership. Cognizant's senior management members and leaders from the company's consulting practice, including those from the U.S. and the UK, "mentored" the shortlisted teams-in person and virtually-on various aspects of their business plans and global business issues, and introduced them to the dynamics of the corporate world. The finalists presented their ideas to a CXO panel from Cognizant.

Sriram Rajagopal, VP, Human Resources, Cognizant said: "The CXO Challenge is a part of our efforts to foster a spirit of entrepreneurship amongst business students. In providing first-hand insights into what it takes to successfully grow a business in terms of strategy, competitive dynamics, financials, marketing, operations, and so on, the competition helped students not only discover and hone their leadership skills, but also understand the corporate challenges faced by CXOs ranging from the CEO and the CFO, to the CIO and CPO. It provided an opportunity for students to wear the CXO hat, learn from experienced Cognizant experts, and come up with innovative business ideas."