Posted by : The Caspian Debt Team Being Impact Associate – An opportunity to understand “Systems Theory”
Impact Associate – the designation says it all. The program Caspian Future Leaders in Impact Program was designed to appreciate and embrace the idea of “Out of the box thinking”. I personally believe that the conceptual framework is akin to modern day “Systems Approach to Management” or “Systems Theory”. The systems theory in business is based on the idea that “every part of the organization is interdependent and interrelated. They interact with each other and also adapt to the changing environment.” The Impact Associates as part of C-FLIP Program are expected to analyse and understand the organization in its parts and as a whole.
During my first stint with the “Finance and Accounts Team” at Caspian Debt, I was encouraged to challenge and question the existing practices. My new ideas and thoughts were openly welcomed. Unlike other roles in Caspian Debt, Impact Associate has the privilege to go beyond the job description and try different things. The idea is to understand the kind of work other departments are doing while making it easier for all departments to cooperate and coordinate. In this process, one is also expected to come out with loopholes in the system, which are normally ignored while conducting day-to-day operations. It has also helped me to hone some of my managerial skills viz. Conflict and Confrontation, Control and
Coordination, Planning, Communication.
I got the opportunity to work on spectrum of key areas – Lender Compliance and Relationship, Daily Accounts and Management MIS, Fundraising and Documentation, Asset – Liability Management, Adoption of the Indian Accounting Standard (IndAS) to name a few.
Like a plant needs a conducive environment to grow, the culture at Caspian is perfect to nurture an Impact Associate who would soon be joining this constantly flourishing ecosystem (The ecosystem of Impact Investment).
Anyone who desires to join the program should come with open mind and heart. They should be agile enough to embrace the new challenges.
With panoramic as well as punctilious view, the person should be able to see the “Bigger Picture” vis-à-vis the minute details i.e., “Not forgetting the trees for forest and forest for trees”. And they should always appreciate that “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” (Systems Theory).
Caspian Future Leaders in Impact Program (C-FLIP) is an excellent opportunity for someone to start their career with !!
