Valedictory Session of ICSM 2014

Geoffrey Chaucer, the father of English literature, first said, "All good things must come to an end." No matter how hackneyed this idiom becomes, it never loses its pertinence. After two days of learning and introspection, the International Conference on Social Media on Business came to an end.

Mr. Anand K. Pillai, Senior EVP & CLO, Reliance Industries and Member WEF, reiterated the importance of social media to management graduates and corporate employees. On the issue of using social media for recruitment, he said, "A potential recruiter will know about you even before you tell him anything about you. It is important to stay aware about the kind of digital footprint we leave." 

On the issue of importance of social media to the governmental machinery, Mr. Aman Singh, Principal Secretary, Government of Chhattisgarh, said, "Any government needs to look outside the offices and into what is going on in the lives of the common people... Social media is going to impact 160 out of the 540-odd seats in the 2014 General Elections." Towards the end, it was also brought about that while media vehicles and platforms are important, the real strength of social media lies in its calibration with the culture, both local and global.

It is important to understand that all the research and discussion on social media not only underlines the importance of this platform but also points to the vast potential of this media, not just for interaction but also for value creation. Nevertheless, the successful conclusion of the International Conference on Social Media for Business 2014 is another feather added in the cap of Indian Institute of Management Raipur. Kudos to all those involved for all the efforts, blessings and opinions.

This post was written by Jayesh Surisetti, PGP 2013-15. He can be contacted at pgp13082.jayesh@iimraipur.ac.in