Interview of Mr. Jojo Mathews by Isha PGDM (HR), Ishan Institute of Management & Technology, Gr. Noida

Mr. Jojo Mathews is director of Alternative Learning Institute, Delhi

Q.1. Can you tell me in brief about your company ALS?

Ans. ALS is one of India’s leading learning institutions established with an aim to develop as the final destination for all career initiation programmes.

ALS’ unflinching reputation has been built, in large part, by its uncompromising standards and focus on the intellectual and personal development of the individual learner.

Q.2. Tell me in brief, about your journey as Director of ALS.

Ans. I started my journey in 1998. It began as a small institution with an intention to impart quality training for the civil service aspirants. In due course I understood the need for an alternative thinking in the teaching technique and the strategy for preparation. Thus came the idea of Alternative Learning System as a private limited institution. This was a major breakthrough which helped in associating more people of similar thinking and we could embark on a path of lateral expansion. Today the organization has expanded with more than 75 staff catering to the needs of more than 2000 Civil Service aspirants from across India. Over extraordinary results is a proof for our quality of training resulting in more than 1/3^rd of the total all India results every year from our institution.

Q.3.  Can you tell me about your institutions’ past achievements?

Ans. In the past seven years,

ALS IAS Study Circle

is credited to have illuminated the career graph of 2 IAS toppers, 36 rankers in top 20, 105 in top 50 and altogether 1051 successful candidates.

Q.5. Despite the still competition in this field, how did you manage to come out with flying colours???

Ans. When I started the institution they were already many established institution preparing the students for this exam. But one thing which I found to be lacking in these institutions was their approach which was completely teacher driven rather than student centred. Therefore we designed a teaching methodology which could cater the needs of even an average student and yet powerful enough to get through this exam with ease. We concentrated a lot on forcing the students to have a disciplined routine which ensures timely completion of syllabus in a systematic manner.

Q.9. What prompted you to enter into the world of education?

Ans. I was looking for a career where I can have highest order of professional satisfaction along with a feel of serving the society yet earning money and reputation. In my quest to this, educational field emerged as the first choice.

Q.10. What are the areas of focus in the publication division of your company?

Ans. For this I can proudly say that we publish a monthly magazine called Competition Wizard exclusively for Civil Service aspirants which happens to be one of the most circulated monthly for Civil Services in India. Apart from that many specialized book by eminent authors has been published so far which serve as one stop solution for problems faced by student community.

Q.11. How will you rate your employees contribution in the rise of institution?

Ans. I strongly feel that employee-employer relation is a negative concept. We at ALS believe in team-work with each member having different role to play but common goal to achieve. So I can say that every one’s contribution is equally important in making ALS the best IAS training institute in India.

Q.12. What were the major hurdles you had to overcome to make this institution a successful venture. 

Ans. An institution for such a specialized exam is bound to be a student driven one. The biggest challenge in this kind of institution is how to be as close as to the requirement of the exam and at the same time to satisfy the aspiration of the students. Along with this another challenge is to complete the syllabus on time. Yet another challenge is to motivate the students to practice enough number of questions in simulated exam condition.

Q.13. What are the strengths in you which has made you so successful at such a young age as an entrepreneur?

Ans.     Hardworking

            Determined

            Disciplined

            Rational

Q.14. Where you see this company ALS, ten years down the line?

Ans. Ten years down the line, I see this institution touching, moving and inspiring in a more meaningful manner. I would like to see quality officers serving in various field across the nation trained from our institution.

Q.15. To whom you give the credit for your success?    

Ans. Success can be achieved only with team work and team spirit. Along  with this the support from my family is equally important especially my wife and children.

Q.16. what necessary would you like to convey to the budding entrepreneurs of this country?

Ans. There is no alternative to hard work and no shortcut to success. Success is the long drawn process where patience is the key. Opt a field which interests you so that the best in you can come up in an effortless effort. Good luck and God bless you!