Communication Strategies for Changing Times: A Panel Discussion

The annual Industry Academia Expert Lecture Week organized by the Centre of Management
and Humanities (CMH) under the aegis of Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh
touched its fourth day on September 14, 2023, with a distinct event: A panel discussion on
“Communication Strategies for Changing Times”.

The panel consisted of accomplished experts and thought leaders in the field of
communication, representing diverse perspectives and backgrounds, and was moderated by
Dr. Jaidev Bishnoi a faculty at CMH. Representing the area of public relations was Ms.
Renuka Salwan (Former Director, Public Relations at the Bureau of Indian Standards, also
Former Director Public Relations, Panjab University Chandigarh); Consulting and Human
Resources was Mr. Abhishek Gupta (Vice President-Chandigarh Management Association,
Chandigarh, Associate Director –Consulting LTIMindtree), and corporate training field was
Mr. Manish Sharma (Founder and CEO, Mansha Training & Development Consultants,
Chandigarh).

A floral welcome by Dr. Anju Singla, Head, CMH commenced the event. Sharing their views
on the topic, Ms. Renuka Salwan highlighted effective communication as a game changer.
She mentioned that with the information explosion and the current digital highway; it is a
must pitch for oneself proficiently. Students need to embark on a path of self-development
and understand the importance of networking as future professionals. Associating with a
a professional body, identifying a mentor, and attending professional events are some ways of
augmenting a professional network and forums to personally brand yourself. Ms. Salwan also
emphasized the importance of empathy in communication.

Mr. Abhishek Gupta shared some novel trends in recruitment like gamification, using video
resumes and multimedia to filter potential candidates, and how students can devise
communication strategies in all forms of communication oral, written, and non-verbal to be
employable. Technology today has not only made professional communication easier but also
increased access across all tiers of an organization. Hence, he focussed that merely the
knowledge of language is not significant in communication, nor is speaking up all the time.
What is essential is speaking at the right time with notable and valid contributions as there
may be no retakes. Surprising as it may seem, Mr. Gupta shared that silence can be a part of
communication too!

The interaction with Mr. Manish Sharma started on a vibrant note with his personal story
emphasizing that rejection is not permanent but the start of something new. Perspectives are
important and how a leader communicates and shares these are critical. Mr. Sharma talked
about the 3 Cs of communication: Content – what needs to be communicated, Channels –
how it reaches its targeted audience, and Consistency – continuous and coherent, and shared
practical tips about how to improve communication skills. He shared how leaders can
communicate to motivate their teams.

The discussion enthralled the entire hall packed with more than 300 students across all
semesters of B.Tech, M.Tech and Ph.D. programs. With numerous questions and answers, the
panel discussion concluded with Head, CMH urging the students to take inputs from today’s
session and plan a path of upskilling for each one of them.