Unit 5 THE SCOPE OF CONTRIBUTION

Test 1

Q1 : Which of the tailors has a wider scope of contribution?

The tailor who stitches the dress well and gives it to customers on time
The tailor who ensures that the customer is satisfied (with the quality of the dress and on-
time delivery)

Q2 : The young law graduate is waiting to join his first job. Which way of thinking is bound to
help him in the long term?

Join the job and then look around for better opportunities? For example, look out for
working with the best of lawyers so he can learn and grow in his profession
Look at his career as a journey of building capability, self confidence in and contribution to
himself & the place he works
Q3 : Which of these statements has a wider view of contribution?

As a student, you can have limited influence on people to bring in change

As a concerned student, I can add ‘my voice’ (to any cause I feel strongly about) to bring in
change
Q4 : The scientist in the pharmaceutical research lab has worked towards making a new
medicine. A company wants to market it prior to the clinical trials (which are done to find
out the effectiveness and / or negative impact of the medicine). Should the scientist do
something in such a situation?

Yes, he should as the medicine will impact people and so needs to be ‘safe’ before being
launched into the market
Though he should but there is no way that he can influence the big company. Anyway, that
is not part of his job
Q5 : Rajan works in a software company and does volunteer work in a not-for-profit
organization which helps needy children. Does one need to always do voluntary work in
order to contribute to society ?

Yes. It is the only way to contribute to society

No. You can contribute through your work too
Q6 : During her internship with a media company, Alpana experiences how TV news reports
are ’faked’ and spread only one point of view. Can she contribute within the role of an
intern?

Not much! She can just tell some people but maybe later when she is in a position to
influence, then she could bring in impartiality in reporting
Yes. She can start by spreading some awareness, so that those (with whom she interacts
with) will not be influenced by every news report
Q7 : I call my dentist a contributor! Which of them is my dentist?

My dentist uses the latest techniques in effective ways; and does a check up when I have a
tooth pain
My dentist is busy with so many patients (even people having tooth pain have to wait for
long!) and he finds it difficult to take out time to update his knowledge/ skills
Q8 : As long as you are consciously contributing to self, you can be rest assured that
contribution to organization and society will follow.

True, once you start contributing, it can become a way of life. Moreover, the possibility of
contributing at multiple levels reveals itself easily!
True, only when you contribute to self development, you build your capabilities to take on
more and more responsibilities
Q9 : How can an entrepreneur expand his scope of contribution?

Only through keeping his valued customers and business ‘contacts’ happy (those who will
help his business to grow)
Valuing his customers, business contacts and staff as well as using every opportunity to
serve them through his business
Q10 The gardener was employed by the company to do off-site work (public gardens at a busy
: road junction sponsored by the company were maintained by him). Which is a wider
definition of his work?

I have to water the plants, and keep the garden clean. This is an opportunity to do the work at
my own relaxed pace (since there is no one to supervise my work)
I am responsible for maintaining my company’s reputation. This is a good opportunity to
show passers-by how we should care for the environment
Test 2:

Q1 : Shamim works in an agency which guides students to study abroad. Her role is to check
that each application has no mistakes. How can she view her role ?

She works so that the students will have less inconvenience

She works towards making the students' dream of going abroad to study come true!
Her work involves ensuring that the chances for higher studies and therefore, a better life
become a reality for the students
Her work helps the students to send their application so that there is no mistake and so has
better chances of being accepted

Q2 When you go to the library to find a specific book, the librarian informs you that the book
: has been borrowed by another person. After 2 days, the librarian calls to inform you that the
book has come back and she is holding it for you so you can borrow it. What does it tell
you about the librarian?

She paid attention to me on that day

She made sure that I got the book I wanted
She is good at her job
She is focused on the purpose for which I had gone to the library, and also concerned enough
to inform me
Q3 Raman joins as a sales man in a jewellery shop. What work can he take up in addition to his
: regular work in order to contribute most to himself?

Attempt to recognize the gems and the different designs available in the shop
Build confidence in communicating to the customers
Memorize the prices of the pieces of jewellery he needs to sell
Learn as much about jewels and ways to sell them confidently to customers (e.g. what to say,
how to say, what to remember about customers, etc.)
Q4 : The project was to interview 4 people to find their views on marriage. In the project
team, identify the person who has widened his scope of contribution the most.

Raheem: “I interviewed a lady and she had such different views – they did not match with
the other interviewees”
 Uttam: “I learnt to take short interviews so the report could be finished on time”
Varun: “I learnt that next time we need to prepare ourselves before taking an interview; so
that our report is more precise”
Amanjit: “Through the interview I learnt to recognize that people were hesitant to speak
about private topics such as marriage”
Q5 : The cricketer refuses to recommend a product (in an advertisement). Which is a
reason that seeks to meet the goals of society?

Reason - the cricketer feels that the product advertising can lead to
controversy
Reason – the cricketer has been offered a more valuable contract by a rival
company
Reason – the cricketer doubts that effects of the product may be harmful in
the long- term
Reason – the cricketer himself does not use the product
Q6 : The four teams have been formed to sell annual subscriptions for a new magazine. In
the first month, all the teams have got low number of subscriptions. Which of the
following team leaders would be able to motivate their team the most?

Shaurya: “This is a new magazine so it may take more time to catch up. I am confident the
sales will pick up.“
Falguni “You people are not really putting in your best effort. I want to see the targets met
next month, under any circumstances.”
Sudarshan: “Why can’t we sell more subscriptions? What are the barriers? What can be done
to sell more?”
Rehaan’s “We sold a few at least. So that’s good. I think we need to see what helped us to
sell the subscriptions. Could we keep some stalls at the movie halls? Any more ideas?”
Q7 : Which of these purposes of making a film has the widest scope of contribution?

“I want to make a film which will make money beyond return of investment so that everyone
in my team can get funding for our next project”
“I want to use new, creative techniques to make a film on the man who sailed alone around
the world. The film should be appreciated by other film makers and film critics”
“I want to document the story about farmers and their role in the wine-making industry. It
may also give solutions on how to avoid wastage of grapes & improve productivity for both
farmers and middle-men”
 “I want to bring alive the story of a man who faces domestic violence. People who see it
should become aware of the hidden issue”
Q8 : The way we define the purpose for which we are working, impacts the extent of
contribution that we make.

It is not so easy to define

the purpose
True
Partly true
Not true
Q9 : Why do we need to contribute to our nation?

So that we can fulfill our duty towards our nation

So that India becomes the ‘best’ in the world!
So that all of us can be more happy and fulfilled
So that India earns the respect of other nations
Q10 Muhammad Yunus (who established Grameen Bank) has said, “If we are not achieving
: something, it is because we have not put our minds to it”. What does ‘putting our minds to
it’ mean, in your view?

It means we need to commit to a societal

purpose
It means all of us need to work harder
It means we must build capability in
people
It means we need to find solutions for
others