FOOTWEAR DESIGNING - THE NEW AGE CAREER

Published on February 1, 2011

Footwear has evolved from a mere necessity and comfort to a chic style statement in today's ultra fashion-conscious world. Everything from flats, sandals and stilettos to boots and sportswear rule the roost.

In fact, what we wear on our feet matters as much as the clothes we adorn!

With the burgeoning demand for fresh designs and interesting concepts, the time is ripe to put one's best ‘foot' forward and make forays into the field of footwear design. Another attractive factor is that India is emerging as the leading footwear destination of the world with numerous global footwear brands clamouring to enter the market. In fact, India is the second leading country (after China) in footwear production in the world.

Nature of work

Footwear designing begins with a plan to sketch patterns and designs in scale drawings (either paper sketches by hand or on computer-aided software or a mix of both).

Then it moves to creating sample prototypes and refining the same for both functionality and aesthetics. It can be in leather, canvas, wood, plastic or jute with embroidery, beads, metals or what have you.

Once approved, the real work starts – converting the conceptualised design into actual footwear for wearing while assuring that they are both easy to wear and do not harm the feet. Designers are usually involved in this production stage at some level or the other. It may even involve working hands-on with complex machinery as well as solvents, glues and dyes.

Footwear designing has been rated as the most technical of all design careers.

Precision is the key – the piece should fit well as there is no scope for alterations. Safety, comfort and quality standards are equally vital. As Sabbah Sharma, footwear designer with her own flagship store in Juhu, Mumbai highlights, “Designing footwear is not merely about aesthetics - one cannot concentrate only on colour and design of footwear, its fit, size, comfort and functionality is most important.”

Therefore, the creations should be attractive, comfortable and durable all at once!

Getting there

Leading vocational institutes across the country offer various undergraduate, post-graduate, diploma and certificate courses in Footwear Design, Management and Technology.

Any 10+2 or graduate qualification will do for most courses. But B.Tech/M.Tech courses mandate science/engineering backgrounds. These footwear technology courses are also regarded as the most progressive of fashion-related courses in India.

Students gain extensive knowledge of materials, patterns, design concepts, design software as well as industry and fashion trends. They also include fine art, anatomy, kinesiology engineering and marketing aspects. Apart from these specialised courses, a broad course in fashion design can also suffice.

Personal prerequisites

Footwear designing is an immensely creative field and demands ingenuity and desire to experiment and also a practical bent. An aesthetic flair and eye for detail goes without saying considering the obligatory colour, balance, line and other design principles. Good drawing skills are also essential. Aspirants should also possess the foresight to both envisage and adapt to upcoming industry trends.

Practice is always essential to develop and hone your craft. As Goa-based self taught designer, Edwin Pinto of ‘Janota' brand fame states, “If one is willing to work hard, has an insatiable desire to experiment, and is particular about finishing and quality of each pair then shoe designing is an interesting career option.” Innovation is his forte as he designed footwear even using coconut and banana fibre!

Work scenarios

Being a vast industry, footwear design offers a wide range of bright employment opportunities in technical, designing and management areas. Different job titles include Footwear Designer, Product Developer, Product Development Manager, Quality Controller, Footwear Technologist, Merchandiser, Marketing Executive, Planning Executive and also Trend Analyst.

Most shoe designers prefer to work for mass merchandising footwear manufacturing companies, sportswear companies (Nike, Adidas, Reebok, etc.) or even designer houses.

Graduates from top institutes are quickly lapped up by international players and global brand houses. Some choose to go the independent route and set up their own design studio crafting exclusive pieces for boutiques, fashion shows or even personalised to individual clients.

Footwear design is both a satisfying and lucrative career option. Though the remuneration varies tremendously due to the diverse job prospects, well-trained designers can easily expect to start off with an annual package of Rs. 1 lakh and above.

With the growing demand for choice footwear what is stopping you from designing smart and trendy pieces that everybody will want to wear.

Payal Chanania

WHAT HOLDS WOMEN BACK?

Published on February 1, 2012

Be it leadership roles, corner offices or corporate boards – the top echelons still seem to be primarily male-dominated bastions. I can see the argument coming: What about Indra Nooyi (CEO, PepsiCo), Vinita Bali (MD, Britannia) Chanda Kochhar (MD, ICICI Bank) and Shikha Sharma (MD, Axis Bank) who have reached the top? Well, these are obviously just a handful compared to the scores of men basking in the C-suite!

If you are still not convinced, consider this - based on latest figures, women constitute only 11% of Fortune 1000 company board seats and 25% of Fortune 1000 companies still have no women on their boards!

So, why is it that when women make up at least 40% of the workforce today and have everything from education, expertise, experience and track records going for them, they are still largely confined to staff positions and support roles? True professional success and senior-level positions seem to elude them. What is actually holding women back from getting ahead?

Impediments blocking progress

There are various internal and external barriers that hinder women from advancing in their careers:

Balancing career and family: The top hurdle by far is the tough balancing act between career, family and child care. Working women constantly sacrifice career progression for family responsibilities and still end up with guilt trips for being ‘selfish'. What's more, they are also branded as less committed and rarely put on the fast track. As Helen Wells, of Opportunity Now (a path-breaking UK organisation representing employers who want to transform the workplace by ensuring inclusiveness for women) laments, “It is disheartening that in 2011 women still pay a career penalty for having a family!”

Despite the ongoing struggle, working women should get their priorities right and then stand by them. They should try to find viable alternatives like agile and flexible arrangements. But remember one can earn flexibility only by delivering results and displaying competence.

Of male resistance and glass ceilings: Subconscious stereotyping and preconceptions of women's roles and abilities simply refuse to dissipate. An ingrained bias lingers that women do not fit the leadership mould (too warm and friendly instead of tough and strong) and keeps men (at times women too) from accepting women in authority. A surreptitious opposition and status quo with some chauvinist male colleagues attempting to undermine female progression is what women in authority face.

Women have to try their level best to chip away at the glass ceiling bit by bit. They have to keep striving to push the boundaries by displaying motivation, experience and potential.

Structural issues: Women decry a lack of role models, mentoring and sponsorship. To add to this, they are also largely excluded from informal networks and therefore, find it difficult to forge connections. Women have to strengthen their network of contacts by finding opportunities to meet and network with powerful seniors.

Favouritism and sidelining: At each stage of advancement, men have at least twice the odds than women. For instance, male employees are often favoured for high-profile/reward projects. Vikram Malhotra, chairman at McKinsey & Co elucidates, “Our corporate talent pipeline is leaky, and it is blocked. Qualified women enter the workforce in sufficient numbers, but they begin to drop off at the very first sorting of talent, when they're eligible for their very first management positions. And it only gets worse after that!” A recent global leadership study also reveals that women's chances for executive promotion are low right from the start as very few women are placed in accelerated-development programs early in their careers as men. Specifically, there are 28% more men in first-level leadership programs, while at the executive level there are 50% more men than women in the high-potential programs.

Organisations need to wake up and start championing diversity and inclusion. They should provide equal opportunity, give female employees bottom-line responsibilities and also make CEOs accountable for hiring women!

Self-sabotaging habits: Apart from these, women unintentionally short-change their own careers. They are riddled by self-doubt and underestimate their skills and abilities. There is always the fear that ‘I am not good enough'. Added to this, women often underplay their achievements and shrug off due credit which keeps them from getting noticed. The inherent reluctance to speak up further reduces their visibility.

Women are also over-patient, guarded, risk-averse and often keep waiting for permission/authority which impedes their effectiveness. As a Harvard Business Review article, ‘Managing Yourself: Stop Holding Yourself Back' cites, “Patience can be a curse for emerging leaders. It can undermine our potential by persuading us to keep our heads down and soldier on, waiting for someone to recognise our efforts and give us the proverbial tap on the shoulder—a better title and formal authority!”

Its high time women overcome these self-imposed obstacles and position themselves for success. Remember winners believe in their self-worth and then tom-tom their value appropriately. As a woman establish a strong personal brand by promoting yourself at every opportunity. Confidently air innovative ideas, demonstrate competencies, volunteer for difficult tasks and grab high-risk opportunities that will get you noticed. And always ask for what you want!

Rise above the daily grind of family and work responsibilities to dream big and constantly aspire to push your limits. See yourself as a leader and step up to lead (irrespective of your position) without waiting for the formal authority. To sum up, give opportunity a go, because once you do, there will be no stopping you!

Payal Chanania

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-opportunities/article2848848.ece

Extend common courtesy at work

Published on February 1, 2012

Professional workplace etiquette has all but disappeared in the workplace. The fast-paced business environment renders us aggressive, ill-tempered and discourteous towards one and all. Indeed, common courtesies take a backseat to more ‘pressing' things like being productive, meeting deadlines and getting ahead at work.

In the flurry of activities, it genuinely does become hard to remember to pause and extend common courtesies. But is the excessive workload and responsibilities an excuse to say, ignore people, interrupt others or bark out orders?

Rudeness and incivility create a negative impact all around with brewing misunderstandings, tension and even resentment leaving people feeling abused, insulted or humiliated. A recent ‘Cost of Bad Behaviour' survey reveals that after a single incident of incivility: 48% said they reduced their effort at work, 80% spent time worrying about it, 78% said their commitment declined, 66% felt their performance declined, 38% intentionally reduced their effort and 12% quit because of uncivil treatment. Over 60% blame bad behaviour on an excessive workload while 4% say they do it because they like it. 83% of customers who witness incivility tell a friend, 55% take a less favourable attitude and 50% were less willing to use the company's products or services!

A top psychologist also warns, “Rudeness in the workplace causes staff to make more mistakes, even if they are not on the receiving end of it!”

On the other hand, treating others with courtesy, concern and respect takes just a few extra moments, but the spiralling effect will make a positive difference all around you. It establishes a good rapport in workplace relationships thus increasing harmony, satisfaction, effectiveness and retention manifold.

Here's a dekko at some of the unwritten rules of basic courtesy:

Greet people with a smiling, ‘Hello', ‘Good Morning', etc. even if you pass them in the corridor and always acknowledge others' greetings.

Incorporate ‘Please' and ‘Thank you' as a regular part of your everyday courtesy. Remember to use ‘Excuse me', ‘ May I', ‘ Can I help you' and ‘You are welcome' as and when needed.

Don't hesitate to apologise with a ‘Sorry' even if there's a slightest indication that you are in the wrong.

Always be punctual; lateness is very rude.

Be aware of your voice level at all times. Ensure that you speak at a reasonable volume, especially when on the phone.

Colleagues and managers alike merit undivided attention.

Using your phone, messaging or checking emails during a conversation or meeting is downright rude

Refrain from butting in when someone is speaking. Wait till the person is done and if you have to intrude, first apologise for the interruption.

As far as possible, acknowledge and respond promptly to requests and questions, be it in person, on the phone or by email.

Respect others' time and privacy. Knock before entering (tap on the side if it's a cubicle) and defer if the person signals that he is busy.

Seek permission before borrowing something, even if it is office supplies.

Refrain from sharing personal matters with one and all and avoid interfering in others' private affairs. Draw a clear line when it comes to gossip.

It goes without saying that there is no place for obscenities at work.

No fancy ring tones please! Have a standard, professional-sounding ringer on your mobile and avoid using the speakerphone.

Keep your cubicle neat and clean with discreet décor. It's always better to err on the side of caution when decorating your workspace.

Be helpful, compassionate, tactful and considerate in your dealings with others. Trusting people and giving them the benefit of doubt is also a sign of courtesy.

In other words, do to others what you would have them do to you!

Last but not the least; always make it a point to appreciate the slightest courtesies extended to you!

At times, it is difficult to judge what is proper and what is not as courtesy can often vary depending on personal judgment.

But a basic rule of thumb should be to observe good manners at all times and with everybody!

To sum up, being courteous is being respectful. It's these small but decent things that can elevate your standing and develop a healthy workplace. Moreover, research shows that workplace courtesy is essential for keeping and being promoted in a job!

Payal Chanania

 http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-opportunities/article2849005.ece