Institute's Short Terms Executive Programs (STEPs) / Reach-out Programs are designed according to the needs of the plantation and associated agri-business sector. Institute has acquired rich experience in designing and conducting these programs, on "reach-out" basis. The programs are uniquely designed and have the following distinctive features:

• Serve as capacity-building initiatives and Organization Development (OD) interventions to facilitate change.
• Act as interactive and mutual learning forums.
• Provide motivational inputs in general.
• Act as diagnostic and problem solving labs; and
• Facilitate converting ideas into action.

The following STEPs, Reachout, Workshops / Seminars were organized by the faculty of the Institute during the year 2013-2012:

Inspiration for Positive Thinking and Performance (20th - 23rd November 2012)

This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for Deputy Directors and SLOs of Coffee Board of India at IIPM Campus, Bangalore. Positive Thinking as Optimistic Thought Process in Measurable Change: Passionate Your Work Performance, Egonomics and Positive Energy Performance Positive Thinking, Self Motivation & Team Building, Managing Stress to Create Synergy for Positive Thinking, Simulation Games to Enhance Commitment and Sense of Belonging, and Group Work and Presentation

The following STEPs, Reachout, Workshops / Seminars were organized by the faculty of the Institute during the year 2012-2011:

Positive Thinking – Instinct Motivation for High Performance (March 12-16,2012): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Administrative and Accounts Personnel of Rubber Board of India at Bangalore. The programme contents included Positive Thinking, Self Motivation and Team Building, Positive Thinking for Effective Inter-personal Communication, E-Governance for Effective Administration and Management, An Art of Physio-Therapy – Positive Approach to Healthier Life, An Orientation on “Positive Thinking & Mind Concentration for Effective work Culture – Visit to Art of Living, Managing Stress to Create Synergy for Positive Thinking, The Power of Positive Thinking and Assertiveness, Positive Thinking and Motivation for High Performance and Group Work.

Strategy for Good Laboratory Management (March 5-9, 2012): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Scientific and Technical Officers of RRII, Processing & Product Development & Training Departments at Bangalore. The programme contents included Emerging Trends in R&D Management: TQM Perspective, Synergic Motivation to R&D Lab Personnel Towards Commitment & High Performance in R&D, Team Development & Critical Thinking: Egg Breaking Game Perspective, Inter-Personal Communication for Organizational Performance, Field Practicum to Institute of Wood Science & Technology (IWST), Bangalore, Stress Management to Enhance Synergy in R&D Organizations, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP): GALP, LIMS, SOP, GPBP & ISO Perspectives, Scientific Staff Resource Development and R&D Organization Management, Accountability, Group Work and Presentation.

Institution Building and Business Led Extension Services (BLESS) for Mangalore Region: This Reach-out Programme was organized for the Board of Directors of RPS and RPD Officials of Rubber Board at Mangalore. The programme contents included Building & Sustaining Grassroots Institution and Business Processes for Rubber Sector, Articulating the Service Vision for Tappers and Rubber Producers to Enhance Rubber Productivity, Rural Leadership for Sustainable RPS Management, Operational Aspects of RPD Schemes, Marketing Through Collective Approach, Production Management, Field Practicum to Successful Farmers Organization, Accounting & Book-Keeping, Trends in Savings & Aligning with Rubber Business Profit, Micro-Finance & SHGs to Network RPS, Group Work, Policy Formulation and Presentation

Institution Building and Business Led Extension Services (BLESS) for Agartala Region (Febraury20-24, 2012): This Reach-out Programme was organized for the Board of Directors of RPS and RPD Officials of Rubber Board at Agartala. The programme contents included Building & Sustaining Grassroots Institution and Business Processes for Rubber Sector, Articulating the Service Vision for Tappers & Rubber Producers to Enhance Rubber Productivity, Rural Leadership for Sustainable RPS Management, Micro-Institutions, Entrepreneurship & Extra Mural Funding for Small Rubber Growers, Field Practicum to Successful Farmers Organization, Accounting & Book-Keeping, Trends in Savings & Aligning with Rubber Business Profit, Micro-Finance & SHGs to Network RPS, Registration Norms & Procedures for Formation of Grassroots Organization in Agartala Region: Issues & Problems, Operational Aspects of RPD Schemes, Group Work, Policy Formulation and Presentation.

Commercialization of Technological Innovations for the Scientists of RRIIRubber Board of India (February 13-17, 2012): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Scientists of Rubber Research Institute of India, Rubber Board at Bangalore. The broad contents of the programme were Strategic R&D Approaches to Open Innovations, Technology Commercialization & Management, Creating Value Delivery in R&D Processes through Technology Life Cycle Management (TLM) & Institutionalization of TOT, Communication for Commercialization of Technology, IPR Issues, Data Search & Technical Reporting Norms, Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmer’s Right, R&D Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Art of Writing Research Article, Managing Stress to Create Synergy in Organization, Policy Framework and Strategy for Research & Extension Interface.

Induction and Orientation Programme on Management (September 26-October 1, 2011): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the newly recruited Development Officers of Tea Board of India at Bangalore. The programme contents included Business-led Tea Extension Service and Institutionalizing Tea Producers for Business Performance, Accountability & Performance Appraisal in Extension, Finance & Cost Management: Estate Performance Assessment (EPA) Perspective, Development of Soft Skills, Interpersonal Communication for Professional Success, Tea Tasting for Marketing & Price Realization, Labour Act & HR Planning for Tea Sector, Facilitation & Management Skills (FMS) for Effective Extension Service, Innovative Extension Techniques, Cash Management for Effective Operations, Application of Information Technology for Extension Activities, Quality Management System (QMS) for Tea Sector, Group Work, Policy Formulation & Group Presentation and Field Practicum to Safal Market, Bangalore.

Strategic Administration and Management (SAM) for Rubber Board Extension Service (August 1-5, 2011): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Joint & Deputy Rubber Production Commissioners and Senior Development Officers of Rubber Board of India at Bangalore. The programme contents included; The Winning Edge: From Strategies to Execution & Excellence for Effective Administration, Executing RBI Strategies: Leadership, Talent & Impression Management for High Potentials of Administration, Development Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring & Evaluation, Time Management for Effective Administration, Visit to Infosys Leadership Institute, Mysore: Learning on Excellence of Leadership & Administration, An Assessment on the Strategic Functioning & Execution of SHGs, RPS & Federation, Inter-Personal Communication for Effective Administration, Coping Stress to Manage Synergy in Rubber Board Extension Services (RBES) and Group Work, Policy Formulation & Presentation.

Positive Thinking – Instinct Motivation for High Performance for (June 20-23,2011): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the research and extension personnel of Coffee Board of India at Bangalore. The broad contents of the programme were Positive Thinking as Optimistic Thought Process in Measurable Change, Positive Energy Power (PEP) for Performance, Positive Thinking, Self Motivation and Team Building, Strategic Approach to Passionate ‘YOUR’ Work Performance (An Observational Learning of Organization Environment), Team Building for High Performance: Sense of Belonging Perspective, Employee Engagement: Building Ownership within Organization (Positive-Centric-Processes), Positive Thinking for Effective Interpersonal Communication, Managing Stress to Create Synergy for Positive Thinking and An Orientation on “Positive Thinking and Mind Concentration for Effective Work Culture”: Visit to Art of Living.

The following STEPs, Reachout, Workshops / Seminars were organized by the faculty of the Institute during the year 2011-2010:

Institution Building and Business Led Extension services (BLESS) (February 21-25, 2011): This reach-out programme was organized for the Presidents, Board of Directors of RPS and Rubber Board Officials of Kozhikode Region. The programme contents included Building & Sustaining Grassroots Institution and Business Processes for Rubber Sector, Rural Leadership for Sustainable RPS Management, Articulating the Service Vision for Tappers & Rubber Producers to Enhance Rubber Productivity, Micro-Institutions, Entrepreneurship & Extra Mural Funding for Small Rubber Growers, Micro-Finance and Formation of SHGs at RPS level, Accounting & Book keeping, Trends in Savings & Aligning with Rubber Business Profit, Operational Aspects of RPD Schemes & Its Issues, Field Visit to Successful RPS/Rubber Company, Group Work, Policy Formulation and Presentation.

Institution Building and Business Led Extension Services (BLESS)(January 3-7,2011): This reach-out programme was organized for the Presidents, Board of Directors of RPS and Rubber Board Officials of Mangalore Region at Hotel Krishna Classic, Mangalore. The programme contents included Building & Sustaining Grassroots Institution and Business Processes for Rubber Sector, Articulating the Service Vision for Tappers & Rubber Producers to Enhance Rubber Productivity, Rural Leadership for sustainable RPS Management, Micro-institutions,Entrepreneurship & Extra Mural Funding for Small Rubber Growers, Accounting & Book-keeping, Trends in Savings & Aligning with Rubber Business Profit, Micro-Finance & Formation of SHGs at RPS level, Registration Norms & Procedures for Formation of Grassroots Organization in Mangalore Region: Issues & Problems, Operational Aspects of RPD Schemes, Field Visit to Successful Farmers Organization, Group Work and Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Building and Nurturing Rubber Business Excellence with RPD Schemes (December 27-31, 2010): This reach-out programme was organized for the Board of Directors of RPS/GRPS and Rubber Board Officials at IIE Campus, Guwahati. The broad contents of the programme included Institutionalizing the Rubber Grower and Business Collective for Sustainability, Impact of RPS Project: Business Perspective, Perspective Problems of RPD Schemes in NE: An Interactive Session, Finance for Non-Finance: Rubber Growers Perspective, Micro-Finance & Formation of SHGs, Operational Aspects of RPD Schemes, Procedures & Norms for Registering a Society, Business Clustering: RPS & GRPS Perspective, SCM & Materials Management in the Rubber Regions: Production to Marketing, Designing SCM and Material Management: Module for Guwahati/Assam, Trends in Savings & Aligning with Rubber Business Profit, Field Visit to Micro Business Unit and Group Work & Presentation.

Strategic Business Development for Rubber Board officials, RPS Members and Small Rubber Growers (November 22-26, 2010): This reach-out programme was organized for the Rubber Board officials, RPS members and Small Rubber Growers at Kottarakara. The programme contents included Natural Rubber Market: Opportunities and Challenges, Fundamentals of Financial Accounting - Records & Information Decision, Entrepreneurship Skills & Capacity Building for RPS, Interpersonal Communication for High Performance, Field Visit to Model RPS, Clustering of RPS and SHGs for Sustainable Agri-Business, Structural & Functional Dimensions of Producers’ Collectives, Natural Rubber Trading: Trends & Implications for Rubber Stakeholders, Schemes for RPS and Group Work.

Building and Nurturing Rubber Business Excellence with RPD Schemes and NE Resources in Tripura (March 22-26, 2010):

Strategic Administration and Management with an Emphasis on Approaching New Problems (March 9-12, 2010): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Junior Scientists, JLOs and newly recruited officials of Coffee Board of India at Bangalore. The broad contents of the programme were Brainstorming Session on Identifying issues in Research and Extension, Technology Life Cycle Management (TLM) and Institutionalization of TOT, Strategic Approaches to Problem Solving: HR Dimensions, Operational Dimensions of R&D and Extension Programs, Managing Stress to Create Synergy, Statistical Design for Experiments in Perennial Crops, Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Interpersonal Communication, Technology Commercialization, Measuring, Monitoring, Managing R&D and Development Programs and Group Work & Presentation.

Positive Thinking, Motivation and High Performance (February 16-19, 2010):

Strategy for Commodity Research and Extension Interface (November 24-27, 2009): This Short Term Executive Programme was organized for the Senior Scientists and Extension Officers of Coffee Board of India at Bangalore. The programme contents included Conceptual Understanding of Commodity Research & Extension: An Overview and Comparative Analysis, Prioritizing R&D and Extension Programs: Nominal Group Technique (NGT) Perspective, Technology Management and Commercialization, Measuring, Monitoring and Managing R&D and Development Programs, Technology Portal to Build Interface Mechanism between Growers, Extension and Scientific Functionaries, Impact Assessment for Effective Performance of Coffee Board Development Programs, Extension and R&D Project Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, National Research and Extension Linkage Module: ICAR Perspective, Operational Dimensions of R&D and Extension Programs, Policy Framework and Strategy for Commodity Research and Extension Interface.

STEP on Competitive Advantage for R&D Management: ICRI Perspective (July 6-10, 2009)

Induction & Orientation Training Programme on Management (March 29-April 3): This six day STEP program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board for the newly recruited Assistant Development Officers at IIPM Campus. The broad of Contents of the program included Interpersonal Communication for Professional Success, Business-led Tea Extension Service and Institutionalizing Tea Producers for Business Performance, Development of Soft Skills, Field Visit to Safal Market-Hoskote, Innovation Extension Techniques for Tea Board Officials, Finance and Cost Management: Estate Performance Assessment(EPA) Perspective, Application for Information Technology for Extension, Programme Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Management of Development Programme, Micro-Finance for SHGs, World Class Business Management and Group Work, Policy Formulation & Presentation.

HR and Finance :

Efficiency & Effectiveness Tools for Finance & Human Resource Management (March 18-19, 2009-Dibrugarh / March 16-17, 2009-Jorhat / ): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board for the Members of Assam Tea Planters Association. The broad of Contents of the program included Managing Labour & Labour Productivity-Leading to Total Productivity, Understanding Financial Statements, Tools & Techniques of Total Cost Management (Group Work), Group Dynamic Motivation-Strengthening Human Value Chain: A Strategic Tip for Competitive Times-SHVC, Case Studies on Cost competitiveness (Group Work) and Profit Performance for Today, Tomorrow & Day-After: A Golden Goose Framework.

IT Enabled Administrative System (ITEAS) (March 11-12, 2009): This two day STEP program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for Head Quarters Staff of coffee Board at IIPM Campus. The broad of Contents of the program included Basic of New Age computers, Fundamentals of Computer Trouble Shooting and Maintenance of Computer, Practical on Hardware Maintenance, IT & Administration-A Case Study Approach, Synergizing Performance in IT Environment-Human Perspective, Managing Stress in Pervasive Computing Network, Preparing Reports, Data Management & Analysis using IT and Practical on Application Software.

Efficiency & Effective Tools for Estate Management (January 7-8, 2009-Dibrugarh / January 5-6, 2009-Jorhat): This two day reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board, ITA and Planters Association for Corporate Managers. The broad of Contents of the program included Translating Macro Challenges to Micro Opportunities: Finance & HR Dimensions, Operational Issues like: work Culture, Unit Level Changes for Efficiency, Cases on cost Management, Action Plan Failure Costs & Scope for Improvement, Group Dynamics an Motivation  HR Perspective, Reorganization of Resource at Estate Level Accountability, Action Plan Strategy of Golden Goose Framework and Development of Action Plan at the Estate Level for Field and Factory.

Promotion of Growers Collectives for Sustainable Coffee Business (December 22-23, 2008): This two day reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Small C offee Growers of Tamil Nadu Region at Tamil Nadu. The broad of Contents of the program included Program Overview, Growers Collectives for Sustainable Coffee Business, Marketing Opportunities and Strategies for Small Coffee Growers, RISK: Coffee Board Perspective, NABARD Schemes for SHGs: Coffee Growers Perspective and Group Work and Panel Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Effective R&D Management Through HR (December 15-19, 2008) :

Financial Growth Strategies and Synergy Building for Profitability in Coffee Business (December 15-17, 2008): :

Articulating the Instinct Vision of Rubber (ARVI) Workforce for Sustainable Business in Kerala (December 10-12, 2008) :

Promotion of Growers Collectives for Coffee Business (December 10-11, 2008): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for Small Coffee Growers of Pulneys Region at Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu. T he broad contents of the program included Introduction of Training Theme, Marketing Opportunities & Strategies for Growers Collectives, Integrating Coffee Planter into the Coffee Market through Farmer Collectives, Growers Collectives for Small Business & NABARAD Schemes, Strengthening Small Growers for Niche Market, Sustainable Coffee Production for Small Coffee Growers of Pulneys, Market Competitiveness of Pulneys Coffee and Developing Appropriate Coffee Business Model.

Business and Finance Sense & Decision Support System (December 9-13, 2008) :

Promotion of Growers Collectives for Coffee Business (December 4-5, 2008): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for Small Coffee Growers of Wayanad Region at Wayanad, Kerala. T he broad contents of the program included Introduction of Training Theme, Integrating Coffee Planter into the Coffee Market through Farmer Collectives, Specialty & Organic Coffee Production Practices, Marketing Opportunities & Strategies for Growers Collectives, Strengthening Small Growers for Niche Market, NABARD Schemes for SHGs: Small Coffee Growers Perspective, Market Competitiveness of Wayanad Coffee and Developing Appropriate Coffee Business Model.

Labour and Risk Management (LRM) for Coffee Sector (December 4-5, 2008): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Medium Coffee Growers of Chickmagalur at Chickmagalur, Karnataka. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, Legal Norms & Procedure: For Coffee Labour Management, Diversification in Coffee, An Art of Greatness: Building, Motivating & Sharing the Positive Reinforcement with Coffee Workforce for Sustainability (Presentation, Group Work & Case Analysis) and Profile of RISK Project: Coffee Board Perspective.

Promotion of Growers Collectives for Coffee Business (December 2-3, 2008) :

Labour and Risk Management (LRM) for Coffee Sector (December 2-3, 2008): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Medium Coffee Growers of Sakaleshpur at Hassan, Karnataka. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, An Art of Greatness: Building, Motivating and Sharing the Positive Reinforcement with Coffee Workforce for Sustainability (Presentation, Group Work & Case Analysis), Diversification in Coffee, Crop Diversification: Coffee Success Story in Thandikudi, Legal Norms & Procedure: For Coffee Labour Management and Profile of RISK Project: Coffee Board Perspective.

Business Model for Coffee Growers in Non-Traditional Areas (November 28-29, 2008): :

Hands on Experience with Computers (November 27-28, 2008): This two day STEP program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for SLOs and JLOs of Coffee Board at IIPM Campus. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, EXCEL MIS Reports Becomes Easy (+ Lab Session), MS-Office Software Package for MIS, Data Management, Analysis & Preparation of Reports (+ Lab Session), Trouble Shooting and Maintenance of Computers (+ Lab Session), Presentation & Online Communication  Tools for Effective Laisioning (+ Lab Session) and Practical Assignment on Presentation, Communication & Generating MIS Reports (Lab Session).

Business Model for Coffee Growers in Non-Traditional Areas (November 26-27, 2008): This two day STEP program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for Andhra Pradesh Coffee Growers at Visakapatnam. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, Indian Coffee Industry-Emerging Issues in Coffee in NTAs, Coffee Business Model Managing Income, Expenditure & Measurement of Profit & Loss, Assets & Liabilities Management, Coffee Marketing-Procurements & Prices, SWOT Analysis (Swadheena & Paradhina Bhadyatavalayam) and Bangaru Bhvishyttuki Chitkalu Control Strategies for Bright Future.

Promotion of Growers Collective for Coffee Business (November 25-26, 2008): This two day Reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for Small Coffee Growers of North East Region at Shillong. T he broad contents of the program included Introduction of Training Theme, Integrating Coffee Planter into the Coffee Market through Farmer Collectives, Sustainable Coffee Cultivation in NER, Marketing Opportunities & Strategies for Growers Collectives, Strengthening Small Growers for Niche Market, Market Competitiveness of North East Coffee, Developing Appropriate Coffee Business Model and Coffee Board Schemes for Strengthening SCG.

Competitive Advantage for R&D: CCRI Perspective (Unit II) (November 6-8, 2008) :

Effective R&D Management Through HR (November 24-28, 2008): This five day STEP program was organized in collaboration with RRII for the Technical Staff of RRII and Regional Stations at IIPM Campus. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, Emerging Trends for F&D Performance: TQM Perspective, Synergic Motivation to R&D Support Personnel Towards Commitment & High Performance in R&D, Inter-Personnel Communication to Enhance Synergy in Organizations, Team Development & Critical Thinking: Egg Breaking Game Perspective, Visit to Indian Institute of Science (IISc): Field Practicum on R&D Management (Dr. K. Muniyappa, Chairman, Department of Bio-Chemistry), Impression Management: From an Individual to Clients and Colleagues, Integrating WCB&D Tools for RRII & Accountability (Group Work), Work Ethics & Conflict Management, Stress Management to Enhance Synergy in R&D Organization and Work Plan, Implications and Presentation.

Human Resource Development (HRD) (October 20-22, 2008): This three day STEP program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for SLOs of Coffee Board at IIPM Campus. T he broad contents of the program included Program Overview, HRD Dimensions for Coffee Stakeholders in the Millennium, Motivation for Development, Interpersonal Communication for High Performance, Stress Management, Leadership for Organizational Development, Work Culture, Negotiation & Conflict Management and Group Work.

Strategic Administration and Management (SAM) for Coffee Board Extension & Research Service (October 15-17, 2008) :

The following STEPs, Workshops / Seminars were organized by the faculty of the Institute during the year 2007-2008:

Human Process Re-engineering (March 19-20, 2008): This two-day program was organized in collaboration with Tata Coffee Ltd. For the Office Staff of Corporate Office at Bangalore. T he broad contents of the program included Interpersonal Communication for Organizational Performance, Professional Computing for Effective Office Management, Finance for Non Finance Professionals, Strategy to Build Synergy in the Organization, Stress Management and Development of Soft Skills.

Building Grassroot Institutions for Sustainable Coffee Business Performance in Tamil Nadu Region (March 12-14, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Small Coffee Growers of Tamil Nadu Region. T he broad contents of the program included Grassroot Institution Building for Sustainable Coffee Production, Promotion and Profitability, Micro-enterprises for Coffee & Allied Business, Strategic Business Opportunities for Small Coffee Growers in Tamil Nadu, Budgeting Norms for Small Coffee Growers, Organic/Specialty Coffee Production Practices, Extension & Development Support of Coffee Board, Coffee in other Origins and Group Work & Panel Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Marketing Opportunities and Business Development Strategies for STG (March 11-13, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board and UPASI-TRF for the Small Tea Growers, Association Members and TRF Officials at Gudalur of Tamil Nadu. T he broad contents of the program included Marketing of Tea: Opportunities and Strategies for STGs, Quality Tea for Market Competitiveness, Building Brand for Tea, Micro Enterprises for STGs, Team Development for SHGs: Interpersonal Communication Perspective, Field Visit to Tea Processing Unit, Warehouse and Auction Centre, NABARD Schemes for SHGs-STGs Perspective and Group Work & Panel Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Sustainable Tea Enterprise and Management (STEM) (March 6-7 and March 8-9, 2008): Two reach-out programs were organized on the above theme in collaboration with Tea Board for the Small Tea Growers and other stakeholders of the sector in Islampur (Dinajpur) and Jalpaiguri of West Bengal. T he broad contents of the program included Finance and Accounting Practices for STG, Motivation and Team Work, Economic Dimensions of Development STG, Labour Management in Small Tea Gardens, Agri-business for STG, Leadership Mantra for STG and Crafting a Successful STEM Strategy for STG: Summary of Key Learning, Action Plan, Group Presentation and Panel Discussion.

HRD & IPR for Tea Industry (February 25-26, February 27-28, February 29 - March 1 and March 3-4, 2008): 4 Reac h-out programs on the above theme was organized in collaboration with Tea Board in Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Tezpur and Dooars respectively. T he broad contents of the program included IPR issues in Tea Sector, TBT/SPS requirement for Tea Sector, Group Discussion on IPR Issues, HRM Challenges: People Management, Team Building and Conflict Management and Group Work on HR Problems & Related Issues such as Absenteeism and Alcoholism etc.

Strategic Administration and Management (SAM) for Rubber Board Extension Service (February 25-29, 2008): :

Marketing Opportunities and Strategies for STG (February 20-22, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board for the Small Tea Growers, Association Members and TRF Officials at Kotagiri, Tamil Nadu. T he broad contents of the program included Grassroots Institution Building for STG Business, Marketing of Tea: Segmenting, Targeting and Positioning Strategies, Building Brand for Tea, Entrepreneurial Skills for Small Tea Business, Field Visit to Tea Processing Unit, Auction Centre, Warehouse and Retail Outlet, Interpersonal Communication for Group Performance, Budgeting for STGs and Group Work & Panel Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Strategy for Production and Marketing of Coffee in North East (February 5-7, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Coffee Growers and SHG members from Kolasib, Mizoram. The program was inaugurated by Shri. P. K. Datta, Deputy Director (Extension), Coffee Board, Jorhat. T he broad contents of the program included Crop and Enterprise Diversification for Sustainable Farm Income, Value Addition and Marketing of Coffee: Coffee Growers Agribusiness Consortium, Book Keeping and Financial Management, Preparation of Compost and Vermin Compost, Improved Agronomic/Cultural Practices: Pre and Post Harvest Management for Quality Coffee, Perceptions about Strengths and Weaknesses of Coffee Growers & Action Plan for Future, , Marketing of Coffee through SHGs and Field Visit to Coffee Demonstration Farm.

Business Led Extension Services (BLESS) (February 4-8, 2008) :

Strategy for Production and Marketing of Coffee in North East (February 1-3, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Coffee Growers and SHG members of from Meghalaya and Assam at Kahikuchi. The program was inaugurated by Shri. A. B. Ram Prasad, Joint Director (Extension), Coffee Board, Guwahati. T he broad contents of the program included Crop and Enterprise Diversification for Sustainable Farm Income, Coffee Based Entrepreneurship: Micro Enterprise Perspective, Value Addition and Marketing of Coffee: Coffee Growers Agribusiness Consortium, Preparation of Compost and Vermin Compost, Improved Agronomic & Cultural Practices for Producing Quality Coffee, Marketing of Coffee, Perceptions about Strengths and Weaknesses of Coffee Growers & Action Plan for Future and Field Visit to KVK.

Strategy for Production and Marketing of Coffee in North East (January 28-30, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Coffee Growers and SHG members of Mokokchung, Nagaland. The program was inaugurated by Shri. Langthasa, Deputy Director (Extension), Coffee Board, Jorhat. T he broad contents of the program included Crop and Enterprise Diversification for Sustainable Farm Income, Coffee Based Entrepreneurship: Micro Enterprise Perspective, Value Addition and Marketing of Coffee: Coffee Growers Agribusiness Consortium, Preparation of Compost and Vermin Compost, Marketing of Coffee, Improved Agronomic & Cultural Practices: Pre & Post Harvest Management for Quality Coffee, Perceptions about Strengths and Weaknesses of Coffee Growers & Action Plan for Future and Field Visit to Coffee Demonstration Farm/Private Farm.

Competitive Advantage for R & D Management (January 28- February 1, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Rubber Board for the Scientist of RRII, Rubber Board at IIPM campus, Bangalore. T he broad contents of the program included Building Competitive Advantage for R&D: Brainstorming Session, Critical Thinking & Creativity for Innovations, Performance and Career Management, Stress Management to Enhance Synergy in Organizations, Strategy for Scientist Resource Development (SRD) in R&D Organization, Norms for Establishing IPR Cell & Patent Procedures for RRII, Technology Transfer and Participatory R&D Operations Module for RRII: ICRISAT, CGIAR & Harvard Perspective (Presentation & Plan of Action for RRII), Visit to BIOCON: Practicum on Research and Development Activities, Understanding and Moduling Genesis for RRII Competitive Advantage (Group Analysis), Synergic Motivation to Scientists, Technicians and Experiments Plot Workforce towards commitment of RRII Assignments: HD-TQM Perspective and Group Discussion on Policy Implications & Planning for R&D Competitiveness: RRII Perspective.

Grassroots Institution Building for Sustainable Business Performance (January 17-19 and 22-24, 2008): These 2 reach-out programs were organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Small Coffee Growers of Tamil Nadu Region at Gudalur and Yercaud respectively. The programs were inaugurated by Shri. K. Annapurnaiah, Joint Director (Extension), Coffee Board, Kalpetta. T he broad contents of the programs included Self-Help Groups and Institution Building in Coffee Sector-KA Development Schemes by Coffee Board-EPR, Marketing Opportunities and Strategies for Coffee Growers, Micro-Enterprises for Coffee and Allied Business, Budgeting Norms for Coffee Estates, Organic/Speciality Coffee Production Practices and Group Work & Panel Presentation for Policy Formulation.

Sustainable STG Enterprise Management and Marketing (SEMM) (January 18-20, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board, All Assam Small Tea Growers' Association & Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Consortium for the Small Tea Growers of Udalguri, Assam. The program was inaugurated by Shri. Loken Das, DDM, NABARD, Udalguri. T he broad contents of the program included Marketing of Tea through SHGs: Experiential Learning, SHGs in Tea: NABARD Perspective, Women Self Help Groups-Experiential Learning, Establishing Business and Market Linkage: Local and Global Outlook for STGs during 2007-11, Sustainable Tea Enterprise Management, Adopting Holistic Business Practices & Sustainable Enterprise Management for STGs, Crafting Successful STG Business and E-learning Strategies for Global Linkage, Building Brands through Tea Retailing: Avenues and Opportunities for Small Tea Growers and Crafting Successful Business and Marketing Strategies: Group Presentation and Action Plan for 2007-11.

Sustainable STG Enterprise Management and Marketing (SEMM) (January 15-17, 2008): This program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board, All Assam Small Tea Growers' Association & Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Consortium for the Small Tea Growers of Kaliabore, Nagaon District, Assam. The program was inaugurated by Dr. J. Balaji, IAS, DC, Nagoan. T he broad contents of the program included Marketing of Tea through SHGs: Experiential Learning, Establishing Business and Market Linkage: Local and Global Outlook for STGs during 2007-11, Rural Leadership for SHGs in Tea, Sustainable Tea Enterprise Management, Adopting Holistic Business Practices and Sustainable Enterprise Management for STGs, Crafting Successful STG Business and e-learning Strategies for Global Linkage, Building Brands Through Tea Retailing: Avenues and Opportunities for Small Tea Growers and Crafting Successful Business and Marketing Strategies: Group Presentation and Action Plan for 2007-11.

Sustainable STG Enterprise Management and Marketing (SEMM) (January 11-13 and 15-17, 2008): This reach-out program was organized in collaboration with Tea Board, All Assam Small Tea Growers' Association & Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Consortium for the Small Tea Growers at Mothurapur, Sivasagar District, Assam. The program was inaugurated by Shri. Biswas, DDM, NABARD, Sivasagar. T he broad contents of the program included Marketing of Tea through SHGs: Experiential Learning, SHGs in Tea: NABARD Perspective, Sustainable Tea Development through SHGs: NE Perspective, Establishing Business and Market Linkage: Local and Global Outlook for STGs during 2007-11, Rural Leadership for Self Help Groups in Tea, Brand Building for Small Tea Growers, Entrepreneurship for STG, Domestic and International Marketing Strategies and Crafting Successful Business and Marketing Strategies; Group Presentation & Action Plan for 2007-11.

Building Brands, Production and Marketing Practices for Small Coffee Growers (January 3-5, 2008): This reach-out programs was organized in collaboration with Coffee Board for the Small Coffee Growers of Mananthavady in Wayanad District of Kerala. The program was inaugurated by Shri. Annapoorniah, Joint Director (Extension), Coffee Board Regional Office, Kalpetta. T he broad contents of the program included Marketing of Coffee through SHGs, Panel Discussion on Sustainable Plantation Management and Managing Competitiveness, Domestic and International Marketing Strategies, Price Forecasting and Realization of Good Prices, Improved Agronomic and Cultural Practices for Production of Quality Coffee, Organic/Speciality Coffee Production Standards, Group Exercise on Coffee Production and Marketing, Group Discussion and Presentation of SHG Action Plan for 2007-11, SCG Brand Building for Small Coffee Sector, WTO and Export Requirements of Coffee for SCG, Coffee Board’s Scheme and Programmes for SCGs, Equilibrium thinking for SCGs, SHGs in Coffee and Field Visit to Coffee Board Demonstration Farm.

Agri-Business Farm and Labour Management Focus on implementation of HD-TQM at coffee demonstration farm (CDF) to enhance profitability, accountability of staff, identifying critical factor for the performance of CDF, develop a sustainable module for the farm, labour management, budget & cost management and strategy for effective demonstration to improve skill of planters.

Business Led Extension Services (BLESS): BLESS program is concerned with creating a value and capturing returns from that value. Primary objective of BLESS program is to provide an exposure to managerial principles and concepts of Business Led Extension Services with a focus on strategy, extension service, corporate entrepreneurship, competency, grassroots governance, cash and investment decision, grassroots institution building, commodity future exchange, price risk, HR, market and business decision making processes.

Commodity Futures: Commodity Risk Management-An Overview. International and National Experiences of Commodity Exchanges and Agreements; Commodity Futures-Indian Experiences; Institutional Infrastructure for Price Stability; Single and National Commodity Exchanges-Structural, Operational and Financial Issues; Trading Strategies; Hedging and Price discovery.

Customer Led Extension Services (CESS): Extension is often viewed as a development tool that supports all of the other functions of commodity sector. Adopting a customer focused approach in extension within management framework focused on CRM, SCM, workplace leadership, HD-TQM to delight internal customer, ISO, OHSAS 18001, SA 8001, communication, six sigma, lean management, role of branding and operations management.

Designing Estate Performance Improvement Systems (EPAS): Performance Improvement in organizational context, Estates as organization performance units, Estate as a profit centre and a competitive business unit, Autonomy, accountability and responsibility for performance improvement, Target agreements and target achievement, Developing performance parameters. Static and dynamic performance indicators. Total profitability management, Annual assessment of achievements, Productivity, quality, profitability and cost of production as core parameters of performance, Plantation estate assessment and appraisal systems, Performance contracts as instruments of role clarity between the managers as estates and the respective corporate offices / owners.

Effective Integrative Management: Behavioural, economic, strategic and technical dimensions of estate management, Plantation ethos and the spirit of synthesis, Productivity, quality and profitability interconnections, Productivity improvement through continuous skill development, Quality consciousness through workers education, work force management, employee welfare and motivation techniques, Work effectiveness and work commitment, Conflict handling and conflict organization, Estate accounting system and funds management, Managing cost of production, production-marketing link and value addition, Performance improvement action plans through joint diagnostic analysis, Recent technological innovations in plantations, Information Technology for better estate management. Managing in adverse environment and managing the flattened hierarchies.

Enlightened Leadership for Planters: Need for enlightened leadership in the era of globalization and liberalization, Managerial leadership, Strategic leadership and the enlightened leadership, A four step model of enlightened leadership, Decision making and decision styles of the enlightened leaders, Inspirational - motivation, Human values for the leadership development, Mind liberation, mind - extension and mind - pooling mechanisms for creative solutions and synergy generation, Integrating corporate vision, Industry vision and social vision, The making of the enlightened leadership - case studies from the plantation sector, business history, organizational and social situations.

Export and Export Procedures for Plantations: Economic liberalization, Globalization and new trade policy in India, GATT / WTO and the plantation sector, Futures markets and free trade regimes, Commodity trade profiles, Export competitiveness, Commodity trade and environmental regulations, Export procedures and documentation, Strategic plantations vision for 2005 A.D., Extending corporate frontiers through exports.

Extension Management: Vision 2005 for extension management, extension management scenario: local, national and global perspective, People centred approach for plantation and grass root institution building for coffee production, productivity and quality, Issues and problems in agricultural communication, Meaningful agricultural communication for excellence in transfer of appropriate technology: experimental learning perspective and simulation exercise, Accountability framework: stimulating readiness to meet future demands, Micro computer application and its role in diffusion and adoption of sustainable technology, Fostering indigenous and exogenous knowledge to sustain research, extension and client systems through social laboratory, Extension programme planning, co-ordination and decision making processes, Evaluation in extension.

Field Experiment & Research Methodology (FERM) for R&D: Quantitative and qualitative technique for field experiment and laboratory analysis, Non-parametric test, participatory statistical methods in R&D with reference to entomology, soil science, breeding, etc., statistical package for perennial crop, data interpretation and writing skills for refereed journals.

Financial Management for Planters: Financial management in the era of globalization and liberalization. Framework for plantation management , Estate accounting systems and funds management , Balance - sheet analysis, Analysis of financial status and funds flow, Ratio analysis for managerial decisions, Preparation of estate budget, Capital expenditure planning and decision making, Management control systems for better estate management, Managing cost of production, Models of market behaviour, Risk analysis and risk management, Profit optimization in multiple stake holder context, Assessing economic worth of an estate, Management of personal finances.

Food Safety Management for Plantation and Agri-business sector: The primary objective of the programme is to facilitate the stakeholders of plantations to understand the concept of HACCP, EUREPGAP, SQF, ISO 22000, 5S, GAP, GMP, GHP and its application in plantations by identifying appropriate CCP, CL, ECA and document as per the norms of SPS aspects of WTO. This programme will also provide an opportunity to the participants on quality & safety assurance certification process and laboratory norms for safety aspects.

Grassroots Institution Building and Dimensions of Self Help Groups (SHGs): This programme provide an exposure to the managerial principles and concepts of grassroots institution building and management with a focus on strategy for grassroots institution building, formation of federation and institution-based market mechanism, rural leadership, society registration act, agripreneurship, competency, grassroots governance, cash and investment decision, micro-finance, conflict management and agri-business decision making processes.

Industrial Relations for Union Leaders in Plantations: Trade unions in plantations, performance - linked compensation, collective bargaining, employee grievances, labour welfare and social security, HRD approaches to industrial relations - quest for change, harmonization, elevation-paradigm shift from conflict model to co-operation model, decision circles, Negotiation and communication skills, systems perspective & workers' participation in management, Workers' education.

International Marketing for Plantation : Nature of domestic and international markets, Produce vs. Product Identity. Matching niche markets and niche products, Local production - global consumption. New trade policy and its impacts on international markets, Establishment of long term marketing relationships. Creating sustainable international markets, Marketing support and infrastructure for international, marketing efforts, improving global competitiveness of the Indian plantation products, Towards an 'India blend', Operating in futures markets, Export procedures and documentation, impact of environmental regulations on international marketing of plantation products.

Leadership, Communication and Motivation skills for Planters: Liberalization and managerial decision - making, Effective communication, Improving inter - personal communication, Creating conditions for domination - free communication, Motivation and organization belongingness, Decision styles, Decision making and crisis management, From unionization to harmonization, Organizational processes for loyalty creation, Work - dignity and work commitment, Team - building and group synergy, Managing competition, Managing neighbourhood relationships, Integrity in management, Creating identification with organizational ethos, Leadership models based on human values, Case studies of enlightened leaders in organizational contexts, Creation and development of enlightened organizations.

Management of R & D in Plantation and associated Agri-Business: Future scenario of R&D: National, global & competitive contexts, Systems approach for R&D - Multi - disciplinary team development, Motivation and creativity for R&D, Re-engineering the commitment of scientists, technician and workforce. Agricultural communication to link research, extension and planters, Principles and concepts of JSO 9000 / Guide 25 and HACCP for laboratory and field management, Quantitative methods for R&D, Project management in R&D environment, Accountability in R&D, Managing R&D personnel : career, problem solving and innovation, Accidental technology.

Managing Competitive Advantage: The objective was to expose the participants to the latest concepts in Strategic Management and to generate ideas and reflection among them regarding its applicability to the tea sector and specifically to their companies. The attempt was to instill in them a mindset which constantly seeks avenues for competitive advantage by using the commonly used frameworks to analyze competition, competitive forces and competitiveness

Managing Stakeholder's Interest: The objective of the programme was to identify key stakeholders' interests, risk and viability of the sector. The concept includes stakeholders' team building, institutionalization, partnership, identifying needs viz., felt needs, expressed needs, normative needs and comparative needs, competency analysis, etc. The programme also provided information on stakeholders' development, planning, process and impact assessment norms.

Marketing Management for Plantation Commodities: Marketing function in plantation business organizations, Impact of liberalization and globalization for marketing of plantation products, New marketing environment, Industry analysis, Market intelligence and competitor's assessment, Analyzing changing consumer preferences, Local and global brands, Brands as cultural symbols, Identifying strategies for brand building, Institutional support for brand building, Quality matrix for the domestic markets, The marketing matrix: janata product - janata market, niche product - niche market, Preparing a marketing plan, Strategies for value - addition, Management of marketing channels, Product pricing, Demand forecasting, Holistic approach to marketing of plantation commodities, Marketing extension and marketing alliances, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Effective channelling of marketing efforts, New metaphors in Indian marketing, Subaltern marketing approaches.

Marketing Strategies for Plantations: Behaviour of markets, Marketing scanning in the new marketing environment, Global scenario in plantation products, Quality based pricing, Marketing of quality products, Value - addition techniques, The janata and the niche market matrix, Creating product identity, Producer - buyer relationship, Export markets and quality matrix, Changing trends in consumer preferences, Strategic shift from commodity orientation to market orientation, Brand building and marketing extension, Extending corporate frontiers through marketing strategies, marketing alliances and strategic networking, Cultural factors in marketing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM).

Natural Resources Management: Greening wasted natural resources, Accounting for Green Capital, Sustainable utilization traditions, Plantation hamlets and regeneration for natural resources in plantation zones, Institutional frameworks for Natural and Inter - dependant Resources Management (NIRMAN), Eco - balancing and NIRMAN Models, Gender issues in resources entitlements and resource distribution, Local action and capacity building for natural resources management, Ecological audit of Plantations.

Plantation Economics for Sustainable Management: Operating in a market-driven environment, Micro-economic foundation of plantation enterprises, Organizations as collective property rights of stake holders, Profit Maximization in multiple stake holders context, Productivity-cost-Profitability and calculating cost of production for plantation crops, Productivity models, cost Maximization-profit Maximization, Controlling cost of production, Strategies for improving profit margins, Minimizing opportunity losses, Influence of B-E-S-T factors on cost of production, Cost and benefits analysis of plantation enterprises, Management of short-term, and long-term finances, Capital investment decisions, Planting and re-planting decisions, Assessing economic worth of an estate, Economics of value addition, Developing economic sense and finance sense for effective cost management, Globalization and expansion of business frontiers.

Plantations and Environment Management: Towards Re-Greening, Plantations and conservation of biological diversity. Group forest management and group resources management, Local capacity building for environment protection, Technologies for sustainable development of plantations, Organic farming and pollution abatement, Environmental regulations and impact on trade in plantation commodities, R & D for sustainable development of plantations, Extension efforts for better environment management, Joint diagnostic analysis, Environmental TQM and ISO 14000, Financial resources for eco-friendly plantations, Local groups for re-greening, environment protection and management, Grass-root action and management for conservation, Plantation tourism within the framework of environment sensitivity, In-situ-bio-diversity conservation in Plantations.

Project Management and Project Implementation: Idea exploration, Concretizing new ideas, Formulating a project around an idea, Identification of investment opportunities, Planning and evaluating capital expenditure proposals, Planting and replanting decisions, Preparation of feasibility reports, Approval of project reports including environmental appraisal, Creating small but significant projects, Project implementation and review related to small and large projects, Diversification for risk reduction, Assessing economic worth of an estate, Formulating new programs, Programmes management and decision audit, forward engineering for project gearing and programs implementation, Diversification through eco-friendly high-tech projects in plantations.

Property Improvement Instruments & Operational Management Systems: Significance of property improvement for plantations, Productivity models and cost control systems, Estate maintenance and property improvement, HRD for sustained improvement of plantation enterprises, Financial accounting systems for property improvement strategies, Natural resources accounting and property improvement, Globalization, Competitive advantage and total systems performance in relation to property improvement.

Risk Management Systems & Strategies for Plantation Enterprises: Profile of risks and uncertainties facing plantation managers - Typology of risks facing plantation enterprises - Natural, socio - political, economic / business, organizational factors, Risk assessment techniques, coping with risks - psychological factors in risk management, Economic diversification for risk management, Financial strategies for risk management, Role of natural resources and technology planning for risk management

Self Help Groups (SHGs) / E-Team: Self Help Groups (SHGs) offer material assistance among individual with shared concerns. The concept of SHG serves the principle "for the people, by the people and of the people". These groups should be promoted by village based organizations (VBO) such as association, producer's society, club, its sub-group for cluster based activities. E-Team is a dynamic group who create wealth for all the stakeholders. A group wants to do business in a group is called E-Team.

Sustainable Plantation Management: Sustainable plantation management: A new paradigm, Natural resources management & property improvement systems, Estate performance agreement system, Cost control systems for plantations, Designing Environmental Management Systems for plantation industry, Long term investment strategy, Aspect - Impact exercise.

Taxation Issues in Plantation Management: An overview of taxation policies, Taxes as social responsibility, Direct taxes and their salient features as applicable to plantations, Capital gains taxation and its implications, Taxation of agriculture income, Treatment of dividends and income from other sources, special allowance and rebates for agriculture activities, Assessment and appeal procedures, Case laws, Salient features of State indirect taxes - sales tax and appeal procedures, Guidelines for professional tax and entry tax, Advance planning for tax liability, Taxation considerations in decision making.

Technology and Operations Management in Plantations: This course focuses on the understanding of principles and concepts related to agri-business & plantation technology and operations management for tea, coffee, rubber, spices, biofuel plants, aromatic & medicinal, oil palm, etc. An emphasis is placed to provide managerial dimensions of science & technology of agri-plantation needed to solve problems related to field operations in south, northeast and upland regions.

Total Cost Management: Emerging Economic Scenario and Managerial Responsiveness; Strengthening Human Value Chain in Plantation Companies; A strategic tip for Competitive Times; Financial Statement Analysis Group Work; Towards Cost Competitive Edge; Cost Management Systems for Estates, New Techniques for Plantation Management: TQM perspective, Case Study of Cost Management System, Management Control Systems.

TQM & ISO 9000 for Plantations: Towards international quality standards. Relevance of TQM & ISO in the changing economic scenario, Improving local and global competitiveness, TQM and ISO for creating niche market, Principles, ideas, tools and techniques of TQM & ISO, Bench marking, Variance analysis and variance control, Cause - effect analysis, quality costs and quality benefits, Market segmentation and the quality matrix, ISO documentation systems, quality audit, TQM for workers commitment and performance improvement.

Work Culture Development in Plantations: Work ethos & work ethics, Work activity & productivity, Developing excellence in skills, Management styles, Decision circles & team spirit, Developing self managing teams, Self awareness & self development, Work & workership, Harmonization paradigm, Work culture development through ABO (Action By Objective) approach.

Workers Empowerment Through HRD in Plantations: Emphasis on the significance of employees - perspectives from HRD, Empowerment through enlightened leadership, Emphasis on the synergistic use of resources, Creation of different levels of competencies among workers, TASK (Techniques - Attitudes - Skills - Knowledge) model of empowerment, Empowerment through decision circles.

WTO, Trade and Environment: This course aims at bringing out the complements and trade-offs of WTO regimes with sustainable development.