Top 15 Scrum Master Interview Questions

Scrum is a framework under the agile methodology that allows quick iterative modulations for a project under agile principles. The Scrum Master has a crucial role to play when it comes to project management. Scrum masters are responsible for overviewing the project development process and managing the scrum team to boost overall productivity. Given the importance of this role, it has become a lucrative career prospect for people in the IT industry. A Scrum certification can help you obtain relevant knowledge regarding the domain.

Important Interview Questions with Answers

Here is a list of top 15 scrum master interview questions with answers to help you prepare for your job interview.
Q. What are some important benefits of performing Scrum?
A. Scrum helps to continuously improve the process by repeatedly looking into the actual performance of the software. It has more transparency and visibility. It also reduces the cost of failure and boosts the ROI for the project.
Q. List the main artifacts of the scrum process.
A. Some of the main artifacts of the Scrum process include product backlog, velocity chart, sprint backlog, burndown chart, and product increment.
Q. Define a Scrum sprint.
A. A Scrum sprint can be understood as a short time-frame during which a scum team completes a work. The work here includes a potentially releasable product increment.
Q. What do you understand by product backlog in Scrum?
A. A Scrum product backlog can be explained as a list or menu that includes all the activities that need to be done in the project. The items on this list can be technical or user-centric.
Q. Explain the role of a Scrum Master in Scrum.
A. The main role of a Scrum master is to overview the project requirements and make sure that the team is meeting the project deadlines. The Scrum Master is also responsible for removing any impediments in the process and ensures that all Scrum practices are followed. They have to boost the overall productivity of the team in the process.
Q. Describe the main elements of the scrum burndown chart.
A. The scrum burndown chart has two axes; the X-axis and the Y-axis. The X-axis depicts the total working days whereas the Y-axis displays the work due in the process. Other elements include the start point, finish points, ahead of schedule, behind schedule, estimated and actual task remaining.
Q. Briefly explain the drawbacks of using scrum.
A. One of the drawbacks of using scrum is that the daily meeting and frequent reviews require substantial resources and continuous changes.
Q. Explain the concept of velocity concerning Scrum.
A. Velocity is simply the total effort a team is capable of in a sprint.
Q. What is the story point in scrum?
A. The story point can be understood as a parameter used in agile project management to assess the difficulty of executing a given user story.
Q. Explain scrum poker.
A. Scrum poker is a method to evaluate the relative size of development goals in the software development process.
Q. How is scrum different from the Iterative model?
A. Scrum is a combination of iterative and incremental model.
Q. Explain the ceremonies performed in Scrum.
A. The three major ceremonies performed in scrum are Planning meeting, review meeting and retrospective meeting.
Q. Mention any two other agile methodologies apart from the Scrum.
A. Two other agile methodologies apart from Scrum are KanBan and Lean.
Q. What should be an ideal time-frame for a sprint?
A. An ideal timeframe for a sprint can be two to four weeks.
Q. How can you track progress in the sprint?
A. Any progress in a sprint can be tracked down by the Burndown chart.

What Are the Benefits of Being a Financial Analyst?

A financial analyst is one of the most prestigious career options in the financial services industry. Given the growing importance of data and the need to analyze it for obtaining valuable information, there is an unprecedented need for professionals who can deal with data. The role of a financial analyst is diverse and requires high analytical skills along with good quantitative acumen.

The job entails gathering data, organizing it, conducting a thorough analysis, making predictions based on the analysis and developing recommendations. There is a high demand for financial analyst courses given the value it adds in terms of providing relevant industry-specific knowledge and practical exposure to the work. The role of a financial analyst is held in high regard given the value it adds to the organization.

A financial analyst is responsible for gathering vital information about the industry and creating strategies to grow the business, they have a huge role to play in an organization’s decision-making process. They are also responsible for talking with various stakeholders to the company and make the required analysis. Let’s delve deeper into some of the most exciting benefits of being a financial analyst.

Benefits of being a Financial analyst

People working in the capacity of a financial analyst are responsible for unleashing actual insights about the company’s financial performance and overall outlook; they help to find out the driving factors that are helping with the growth of an organisation. This helps them obtain in-depth industry knowledge and can open new opportunities for them.
The role of a financial analyst is very dynamic and multi-faceted. It also involves meeting with various stakeholders to the business. This can help you expand your professional network and also help you develop personal connections that can be leveraged later if you might need any assistance in the future.

The financial analyst job is considered among the most rewarding career opportunities. The remuneration offered to a financial analyst is usually higher than what other professionals might get at the same level. In addition to the fixed remuneration, financial analysts are also entitled to a decent bonus and commission.

The demand for financial analyst professionals is growing in double digits and has a plethora of opportunities for people who want to pursue a career in finance. In addition to the finance sector, financial analysts are also needed in other industries that rely on using data science to grow their businesses.

Financial analysts have a steep learning curve and require being up to date with new information. This helps you build your knowledge base and makes you better prepared for future job roles. It also keeps you updated with the new economic activities and technological changes in the domain.

Given the nature of the job of financial analysts, job security is an added advantage. Financial analysts are highly skilled professionals who have access to crucial company information. The sophisticated nature of this role makes analysts less-prone to job loss in uncertain times. It is also difficult and expensive for the company to hire a new professional in a short period.
One of the best things about being a financial analyst is the work-life balance that you get. People in the finance industry often complain about the absence of work-life balance. Investment bankers earn more but at a much higher personal cost, they work at least 70-80 hours per week. However, the role of a financial analyst only demands normal business hours.

Working in the capacity of a financial analyst for an organization has numerous benefits. From work-life balance to crucial company information it has a whole lot to offer that other jobs normally do not. It is also among the most rewarding career opportunities.

Also Read: Future of Financial Analyst In India

How Do You Get The Blockchain Certification Online?

What is Blockchain?

The blockchain is a revolutionary technology that supports the digital sharing of data/information. It is widely used for online transactions and cryptocurrency management. It can be considered as a type of digital spreadsheet/diary which contains information in respective blocks. Each block directs to the address of the previous block.

There is no central point of control in blockchain technology. The data is also highly protected and everyone could see the information but they cannot alter it. Each block produces a hash code that strengthens its network security even more. In this article, steps for getting an online blockchain certification will be discussed.

Few clarifications on the Online Certification

• Blockchain is fully legal and used by a lot of firms/companies as their main technology. According to LinkedIn, Blockchain is the second most required hard skill globally by the firms in 2020.

• An online certification from a trusted source is also secure and it will act as a real professional certification in need.

• There is no restriction of background studies to get a blockchain certification online but it is better if you are from a technical field. A little prerequisite will help grasp new technologies better.

Pros & characteristics of an online blockchain certification

• 2020 is a testing time for mankind as we are dealing with a pandemic. Most of us are sitting at homes and not doing anything productive. We can utilize the time and can add some more points to our resume with the help of distant learning.

• One should always research and choose the best certification course available. One such institution is Imarticus Learning where the professional certificate in fintech consists of all the blockchain and integrated technologies.

This Professional Certificate in Fintech consists of two main batches, the first batch teaches us the blockchain technology and its use cases in the financial world.

The first batch is of 60 hours of study in two months. The second batch focuses on understanding financial transactions, cryptocurrency management/transactions, etc. It is also of the same duration as the first batch.

• Besides financial institutions, blockchain is also used by healthcare experts, firms with goods/commodities. Blockchain is a means of peer to peer sharing and digital information is generated in many fields. Learning blockchain and its uses can open many career paths for you.

• The aforementioned educational firm Imarticus Learning is one of India’s leading professional course providers who have successfully trained over 35,000 trainees. It is also in collaboration with some big fintech giants and IT firms which will increase your circle of connection.

• One can learn and use blockchain technology in their businesses for transparency and traceability. Everyone uses some or other means for information sharing and when blockchain provides a more stable and secure means of sharing, we should give it a try.

• One can enhance their existing business by learning blockchain. One can use blockchain technology in the insurance field, supply chain management, and many more.

• Here is the link containing the course overview of the Professional Certificate in Fintech provided by Imarticus Learning, it will help you in getting a detailed analysis of the course before getting started.

Conclusion

There are many lucrative jobs in blockchain technology and it is a trending technology of the modern era. To go with the flow would be the best thing. One can simply look up the internet and apply online for blockchain certification.

The aforementioned institution names and link addresses will help you in choosing an effective course. This article was about ways to get online certification in blockchain technology. I hope it helps!

How to Traverse the Web of Investment Banking Operations

An investment banking career is one of the most prestigious professions in the banking space because it guarantees a lucrative remuneration, infinite growth potential, and scope to work in leadership roles. Every year hundreds of graduates and experienced professionals seek to enter the investment banking space in various roles.

This article aims to simplify the web of investment banking as well as discuss career paths in investment banking operations.

What is Investment Banking all about?

Despite its high demand as a career option, the most commonly asked question is this – what is investment banking all about?

Investment banking is a division within the larger ambit of a bank or a financial institution that connects investors with corporations, governmental bodies like municipalities, and large institutions. Investment banks offer operational, transactional, legal, and advisory services to their high-profile clientele with complex financial needs.

Investment banks provide a range of services to their clients, such as:

  • Underwriting
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Sales and trading
  • Asset management
  • Equity research
  • Managing stocks and shares
  • Commercial and retail banking

Contrary to popular perception investment banking is not a single job. Rather, it is a huge segment within the banking ecosystem within which several departments and jobs exist. The various roles within investment banking can be categorized into:

  • Front office functions (revenue-generating and client-facing roles)
  • Middle office functions (overseeing compliance and risk management)
  • Back office functions (managing the entire organization’s operations)

Who Is An Operational Investment Banker?

An operational investment banker, more commonly referred to as an operations specialist, is responsible for ensuring efficiency, accuracy, profitability, and risk reduction vis-a-vis the clearance and settlement of transactions for the company’s clientele. Operations staff provide support to the client-facing departments. They are also responsible for the smooth functioning of IT solutions and data management systems deployed across the organization.

The responsibilities of an operational investment banker include:

  • Processing and settlement of financial transactions executed by front-office teams
  • Efficient logging and accurate processing of transactions within prescribed timelines
  • Developing and maintaining automated systems for fast and precise processing
  • Initiating and overseeing processes
  • Aiding in maximization of efficiency and profitability

Needless to say, an operational investment banker plays one of the most crucial roles in any investment banking firm. Without the operations staff, no process or transaction can go through in a safe and efficient manner. Entry-level staff in this niche are often hired as analysts and undergo a one to two-year on-the-job-training program and formal learning where they are taught administrative and business skills along with a deep dive into the company’s software systems.

How To Have A Career In Investment Banking Operations?

Like any other investment banking role, getting into operations can be challenging because of the competitiveness that exists in the field. On average, companies receive a minimum of hundred applications for each vacancy. Due to this reason, it is vital to have a competitive edge over other candidates to land a decent job in investment banking operations.

Candidates with a degree in finance or a valuable investment banking certification stand a better chance when it comes to being recruited. Companies also regard apprenticeship or internship experiences in operations with high value. Similarly, having an MBA degree in finance from reputed institutions also ensures significantly higher chances of getting recruited into top management positions in investment banking operations.

Conclusion

A career in investment banking operations provides high levels of personal and professional growth, stability, and lucrative financial rewards. It is one of the most important and sought-after career paths in the banking industry and valuable expertise to acquire if one seeks to climb up the rungs to top leadership positions.

best investment banking courses with placement in IndiaThe journey begins with upskilling oneself to suit the requirements of an investment banking operations career.

For that, an investment banking certification course like this Certified Investment Banking Operations Professional course is a good place to start.

India Moves to Install an Automated Face Recognition System

What is Facial Recognition?

Facial recognition is a technique that allows the identification of an unknown person or helps determining a specific person’s identity just by using their face.

It is a part of artificial intelligence technology called computer vision. Facial recognition, however, is specialized and can come with baggage and some spoofing vulnerabilities for a few applicants.

How Does Facial Recognition Work Exactly?

Early automated face recognition systems depended on biometrics, like the distance between the person’s eyes, which would convert the two-dimensional features being measured into numbers that would help describe the face. This process of recognition involved comparing these vector values to the already known set in the database.

One complication that was faced in this initial technique was that it did not account for minor errors like head rotation and tilt as it was a more geometric approach.

artificial intelligence and machine learning coursesNow the software that is being focused on has a more photogenic approach,

allowing a more efficient three-dimensional facial recognition.

Things will be made much clearer, in this respect, to aspirants by taking up an artificial intelligence and machine learning course and will help them succeed in an artificial intelligence career.

What Does India Have in Mind For The Use of Automated Facial Recognition Software?

India, in a recent bid to automate the Indian criminal system and improve national security, has decided to implement an automated facial recognition system. This is being done starting with the headquarters of the NCRB in Mahipalpur.

Facial recognition has been a branch of artificial intelligence that has been strongly debated for a long time with a large number of skeptics worrying about the various threats that it can pose to privacy. The initial concerns included that facial recognition software if implemented completely can track the location and movement of citizens, giving this information to the government, without consent. These concerns have been dealt with and hence the software is now being put out.

An automated facial recognition system would be available to all the branches including state police, central forces, and central agencies which all fall under the central government.

According to the NCRB, the presence of an automated facial recognition system would serve as storage for criminal photographs while also facilitating a more efficient method to source out crime patterns and would allow a better understanding of criminal motives.

Using just one click of an icon on a mobile phone, crime fighters will be able to detect all of the criminal histories associated with a person from the automated facial recognition system database. It also has the ability to source out and collect data from a wide set of sources like CCTV footage and sound an alert if a blacklisted criminal is located.

It also updates the database by adding in new information and new pictures that it can collect through various forms of media like newspaper clippings, raids, sketches, and if a picture has been taken by a citizen.

This system may also help collect proof for crimes and thus aid the police and court in indicting a criminal quickly.

HOW A SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRAINING IS PROVING HELPFUL DURING PANDEMIC

As the world got rocked by an unprecedented pandemic, the supply chain management course proved to be one of the best decisions for some students. With this type of training, businesses are more prepared to ramp up their production and need a healthy workforce to handle it.

In this blog post, students will learn the importance of a supply chain management career. So, let us start with the fundamentals of supply chain management.

What is supply chain management?

Supply chain management is a network of entities involved in the process that begins with raw materials and leads to production, warehousing, distribution, and marketing. The goal is for distributors to get products into the hands of consumers efficiently by reducing costs while also maintaining product quality at all times. It is where supply chain management training comes in!

Supply Chain Management Training: Why it’s important?

SCM is a thorough understanding of demand and inventory management. How stock prices fluctuate based on market movements are just reasons companies should invest in staff members who have undergone supply chain management training.

Typically, students interested in this type of career can complete a Supply chain management online course that focuses extensively on business and marketing principles. Students will learn how processes can be improved by effectively providing resources at each stage of the distribution process, including manufacturing, warehousing, transportation, marketing, and distribution. 

How A SCM Training Is Helpful During Pandemic

The importance of supply chain management gets neglected, but it is an integral part of any organization’s success. Good supply chains focus on internal processes and external factors such as suppliers, product development, finance & accounting, etc. They drive customer satisfaction by lowering risk exposure from poor quality or discrepancies with stock levels that might result from errors during production or logistics operations.

The time when products arrive at their end destination should be minimum and consistent with the manufacturing time.  The quality of products needs to match customer expectations. The supply chain must reduce risk exposure caused by external factors such as poor weather conditions. It might affect transport costs or delays due to political events or strikes.

In many cases, this is important when companies lack capacity or because it makes sense from an operational cost-savings perspective. Since purchasing power may still help drive down costs and improve the bottom line. It is also an essential aspect of supply chain management.

Why Enroll in SCM Program at Imarticus Learning

Supply Chain Management CoursesThe Professional Certification in Supply Chain Management online course and Analytics is created in partnership with DoMS and E-learning Centre, IIT Roorkee, and industry professionals.

Imarticus Learning aims to equip candidates interested in entering the operations and supply chain business with cutting-edge experience.

Supply Chain Analytics allows management to make data-driven choices at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels.

There is a scarcity of experts with process and analytical skills in the Supply Chain Management area. This credential prepares students for jobs such as Demand Planner, Data Scientist, Supply Planner, and Supply and Operations Planner, which are in high demand.

Some course USPs:

  • The Supply chain management course lets the students learn job-relevant skills that prepare them for an exciting Supply chain management career.
  • Impress employers & showcase skills with a certification endorsed by India’s most prestigious academic collaborations –  IIT Roorkee and Imarticus Learning.
  • World-Class Academic Professors to learn from through live online sessions and discussions. This will help students understand the practical implementation with real industry projects and assignments.

Contact us through the Live chat support system or schedule a visit to training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Gurgaon.

What are the Top AI and Machine Learning Courses in India?

Artificial intelligence is one of the most talked-about technologies in recent years. It’s also an area expected to increase over the next decade, with AI and machine learning predicted to be worth $153 billion by 2025. This blog post covers what AIML is, the career scope, and the best courses to opt for a lined career!

Artificial Intelligence: Defined

Artificial intelligence is the general field for all types of AI and machine learning algorithms. In contrast, AI and machine learning courses refer to specific types of software or algorithm that can do certain tasks better than humans.

Artificial intelligence has many applications across different industries- from customer service chatbots on your favorite websites to autonomous vehicles driving you around town. It has been used in various industries such as healthcare, finance, engineering, IT services, and more – it’s even being implemented in education! There are also many career paths you can take within artificial intelligence.

Reasons why organizations are relying on Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a growing field in the industry, and it has been around for more than half a century. Still, its capabilities have improved very recently with deep learning algorithms. A lot of companies are getting attracted to AI because of its ability to make sense of all kinds of structured or unstructured data by using machine learning algorithms

  • From identifying cyber threats early on to preventing fraudulent financial transactions, Artificial Intelligence is being used everywhere with a vast amount of data.
  • Machine Learning helps organizations process large amounts of complex information- whether that’s online search queries or medical records – by teaching computers how humans think/work by providing examples instead of coding rules into them. It automates tasks based on experience and data.
  • Artificial Intelligence plays a vital role in the financial sector as it speeds up trading, helps to improve customer service, and provides more accurate predictions on which stocks will increase/decrease value, etc.
  • From improving communication with customers by providing instant responses to solving problems with the help of predictive analysis Artificial Intelligence has found its place everywhere, from manufacturing units to hospitals.

What is the scope of making a career in Artificial Intelligence?

Employers are looking for people who have gained experience in Artificial Intelligence through internships or projects they’ve been working on during their time at college because there aren’t many courses available that provide hands-on knowledge about AI right now.

If you decide to pursue a career in Artificial Intelligence, you can get started by following courses in machine learning and data science.

Alternatively, you could build up your skillset by opting to gain certifications provided by educational institutions with high-quality material and expert guidance.

Learn and Grow with Imarticus Learning:

AI and machine learning courseThe Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning program certification has been designed to provide the best learning outcome to aspiring AI and Machine Learning learners.

This 9-months extensive program helps students prepare for Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer & AI Engineer roles.

This Machine learning certification program bolsters foundational skills in AIML to gain a deep understanding of the subject. This course goes a long way towards helping unlock lucrative career opportunities in the coveted fields of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning.

Course USPs:

  • Master skills of AIML through the most relevant curriculum designed by industry leaders.
  • Get an exciting opportunity to participate in a unique 3-day Campus Immersion module & interact with peers.
  • Learn what New Age AI/ML Engineers do by solving the problems they face on the job.
  • Get the opportunity to work on multiple AI & ML projects & create your own GitHub project portfolio to impress potential future employers.

BEST 5 SOFTWARE ENGINEER CERTIFICATE PROGRAM TO CHOOSE IN 2021

Software engineering is the study of designing, creating, and maintaining software. Software engineers are in charge of creating programs for companies that will serve their needs. A software engineer must develop new ideas and translate them into a product or service that can be sold.

One of the most acceptable methods to become a competitive applicant for top options as a software engineer is to demonstrate one’s talents and abilities. Even if students have a limited portfolio or background, getting certification in software engineering indicates that they are well-rounded, qualified IT developers.

First, find out what employers look for when recruiting a software engineer for their IT department. This blog post provides information on five different certificate programs available for those who would like to work in this field.

SOFTWARE ENGINEERING CERTIFICATE COURSE: WHAT ARE THEY?

software engineering coursesA software engineering certification course certifies that candidates have a certain level of understanding of the concepts, technicalities, and duties of a software engineer’s role.

Depending on the certification provider’s requirements, earning a software engineering certificate course may entail taking a written test or completing a project that proves the candidate’s talents.

TOP 5 CERTIFICATION FOR SOFTWARE ENGINEERS

AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional

This certification ensures students can design and deploy secure, scalable applications with AWS.To get the professional level of certification as a Certified Solutions Architect (CSA), candidates must pass an associate exam and a professional practice examination.

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)

The Certified Cloud Security Professional ensures denotes students have advanced technical skills in designing, managing, and securing cloud applications. The six areas that are covered in  CCSP are:

  • Cloud concepts, architecture, and design
  • Legal, risk, and compliance
  • Cloud platform &
  • Infrastructure security
  • Cloud security operations
  • Data security

Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE)

The CDPSE certification is for technical professionals who work on privacy-related design and implementation. This certificate aims to help organizations install best practices by understanding how employees with different roles work.

Certified Data Professional (CDP)

The Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification requires two separate exams, one on data management and another on information systems. Candidates can choose from several different areas of specialization, including:

  • Data quality
  • Business analytics
  • Information management
  • Enterprise data architecture
  • Data warehousing & design Analytics and integration.

Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)

A Certified Ethical Hacker training is an IT professional who understands how malicious hackers think and work. They use the same tools as a hacker to assess website vulnerabilities for their organization.

Why Enroll in AI Progam At Imarticus Learning

The Certification in Software Engineering for Blockchain and IoT cloud curriculum is created by industry leaders to give aspiring Software Engineers the most significant learning experience possible. This intensive 9-month curriculum will educate students for the new-age Software Engineer position.

The goal of Imarticus Learning is to assist students in preparing for the employment responsibilities they desire. They gain experience with Blockchain and IoT cloud applications through a variety of corporate projects. The projects are drawn from various industries to give exposure to candidates to a wide range of problems that Software Engineers are solving in the real world.

Some course USPs:

  • The course enables students to learn job-relevant skills that prepare them for an exciting Software Engineering career.
  • Impress employers & showcase skills with a certification endorsed by India’s most prestigious academic collaborations – E&ICT Academy, IIT Guwahati, and Imarticus Learning.
  • World-Class Academic Professors to learn from through live online sessions and discussions. This will help students understand the practical implementation with real industry projects and assignments.
  • Flexible Learning Journey that gives you the flexibility to transfer program credits for 1 year.

Contact us through the Live chat support system or schedule a visit to training centers in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Gurgaon.

Investment Banking and Its Key Advantages!

Understanding Investment Banking

Investment banking Training is a specialized division within the finance and banking industry that engages in advisory-based financial transactions for its clients, the clientele includes individuals, government, and corporations. Investment bank helps in capital creation for its clients. The primary function of these banks is to act as a mediator and facilitate financial transactions between two or more parties.

The investment banks leverage their vast network to connect borrowers seeking funds with investors having surplus capital to invest in profitable avenues.

Investment banks help the economy on a macro level by channeling funds between borrowers and investors. Investment banks also help to facilitate Mergers and Acquisitions deals; it requires conducting rigorous research on the companies that can be a good fit for its client’s M&A strategy. Investment banks also help with underwriting new debt and equity securities for various corporations.

Let’s understand the functioning of an investment bank using a familiar example. You must’ve heard of Initial Public Offering (IPOs), during the IPO process the company issues shares and invites the public to be a part of the organization by buying its shares at a predetermined price. A lot is going on behind the scenes, like valuation of the company, market analysis, competitor’s analysis, etc.

All these complex tasks are carried out by Investment banks to help companies go public and accumulate the required capital for their growth and profitability. Investment banks also determine the share prices so that the chances of oversubscription and under subscription can be avoided. Let’s dig deeper into some of the key advantages of Investment banks and how they help the economy.

Key Advantages of Investment Banks

The key advantages of Investment banks can be highlighted in their functioning.

  • Initial Public Offering (IPOs): Initial Public Offering process is an overwhelming financial transaction process and requires expertise in various aspects. Investment banks serve their clients going public by acting as intermediaries between corporations and investors.

    Investment banks provide underwriting services for companies opting for equity funding by issuing company stocks to the public. The underwriting process is not as simple as it sounds. The underwriting process involves investment banks purchasing the shares of the company at an agreed-upon price which it then resells to the public using a stock exchange.This requires the investment bank’s commitment to purchase a specified number of shares, it could purchase all or part of the total shares being issues. There are three types of underwriting commitments; it includes firm commitment, best efforts, all or none. In the firm commitment, the investment banks have to purchase all the shares being issued at a predetermined price.

    The best effort commitment is suggestive of the name, here investment banks commit their best to sell as many shares as possible and there is no legal obligation for them to buy all the shares being issued. All or none case requires selling all the shares being issued to the public, any under the subscription will lead to a null deal.

  • Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A): Mergers and acquisitions is a strategy used by corporations to come together and boost collective profit by eliminating competition. Corporations leverage their synergy in operations to boost profitability and growth prospects. The merger involves two companies usually competitors coming together whereas acquisition involves one company buying a majority stake in another company or acquiring it.

This whole process entails complex research work to understand the competitors in the market and what they bring to the table for a profitable M&A deal. The M&A deals also require investment banks to value to targeted companies that could be a profitable prospect, this valuation requires conducting rigorous due diligence to understand the financials of the prospective company.

Also Read: Beginner Guide to Investment Banking

What Are the Types of Change Management

What is Change Management?

Change Management is a process that helps organizations/firms to cope up with advancements. With all the technological enhancements going on, they need to adapt quickly to the changes. Their employees also have to learn and adapt to new working methodologies to grow. In this article, types of organizational change management & individual change management will be discussed.

Types of Organisational Change Management

• Evolutionary Change Management – It is one of the oldest and most experienced forms of change management. It is a part of natural selection where man has evolved and so do his thinking. It may not be evident in a short period but when we compare the state of today’s industries to the state of industries fifty years back, we might witness a lot of change.

• Revolutionary Change Management – This type of change management occurs when organizations/firms are forced to change due to extreme/foreign forces. It may be from the government, protests, etc. Firms have to cope up with these types of changes otherwise it may become a matter of survival of the firm in the market.

• Directed Change Management – Directed Change Management is a younger model of change management than the aforementioned models. It is designed to achieve a specific target/vision. Organizations have to use their custom models, strategies & processes to achieve the desired goal. It is of three types which are as follows:

1. Developmental Change Management – Whenever any organization brings changes in its working culture, methodologies, standards, etc. they have to cope up with the developmental change management. Examples of developmental changes are an increase in sales/capital, a shift in communication standards, etc. The firm has to make sure that each employee learns and adapts to the new changes. If they fail to do so, it will ultimately hamper the firm.

2. Transformational change management – It is a complex and challenging type of change management faced by companies/firms. They have to work on a vision/aim in which the future is uncertain. The hit and trial method is widely used to generate more information. Examples of Transformational change are shifting of business on a digital/virtual platform, complex mergers & acquisitions, etc.

3. Transitional Change Management – Transitional change occurs when the present state is going to be changed into something completely different and better. Examples are the launch of new services/products replacing the old ones, shifting of work locations, IT shifts, etc. The firm has to ensure that each employee should let go of the old working environment both mentally and emotionally to grow and develop.

Individual Change Management

The aforementioned change management types were in respect of organizations. Personal change management is also important for a person to adapt quickly to the changes and play a part in the development of the firm. it is also categorized into four types as follows:

Exceptional Change Management – In this type, an individual has to make sure that personal trouble in any field should not affect all other parts of life and living.

Incremental Change Management – In this one, an individual has to cope up with monitory hikes, new responsibilities to adapt to a new role.

Pendulum Change Management – When a complete swing of the present state to another state happens, this type of change occurs. An individual has to make sure he survives

Paradigm Change Management – This type of change occurs when a change in beliefs, morals of an organization happens. An individual has to learn new characteristics of the firm

Change management is a very interesting field and one can find various change management courses available in the market/internet to know more. There is a lot of competition in the market for market share, the firms which understand the importance of their employees make sure they grasp new things quickly and help in the development of the firm. This article was all about various parts of change management.