Nothing like a swig of rum and coke to get the bloggy juices flowing! So what shall we talk about?
Well firstly apologies to my friends Yason and Bun. We saw a movie together a few months back, "Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi". I thought it was an average SRK + Yash Raj Bollywood formula movie, designed to appeal to not so good looking men with hot women. But my friends thought, and I quote one of them, "This movie has made me believe in love". Now while I still stand by my opinion, apparently this movie has had such an impact worldwide, that even the Chinese have taken to it. This dude has used it as his audition song for "Chinese Idol"!
If Susan Boyle had chosen this song, probably she would've won Britain's Got Talent. Is it the magic of Bollywood or has the world really dumbed down to such depths? I do not have the pedigree to form a judgment on that one. However, as 2 MBA's, Yason and Bun have got the pulse of the next biggest superpower and largest market in the world. This would hold them in good stead if they get their asses transferred to Guangdong from Gurgaon. Cheers boys! You are Winners!
Now that I had mentioned Susan Boyle, I better document this 2 month phenomenon. Susan Boyle made me believe in reality TV. I have been a skeptic and have not watched even one of them, except probably The Great Indian Laughter Challenge [if u can call that reality tv]. Believe it or not, Ive not watched even 1 minute of MTV Roadies. I have been following Britain's Got Talent on the Internet ever since I saw the video of the Dancing Sardar. For sheer entertainment alone you just have to doff your hats to this duo.
Not to mention the hardwork, creativity and talent that goes with it.
The monsoons have hit Hyderabad today. I had posted a facebook status message to that affect and have got a lot of messages from folks saying congratulations and oh wow etc etc. I do appreciate the drop in temperature but I'm thinking, "Damn flooded roads, need to polish my shoes everyday, mud on the shins, need to protect the laptop from getting wet." etc etc. Is it just me being unromantic or is this how all men really think?
Oh did I also tell you that Ive been a lazy bum around the house and have not gotten around to getting any of the stuff I planned for in my previous blogs and continue to live with bare necessities like a bed and a wifi connection? Yeah, that's me. I love my life! Coz there ain't no one to nag me about it!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Monday, June 01, 2009
Today Is Ours
Well, last week, the entire top 3 layers of management of the company i work for, were ensconed in a campus called EC4 in a faraway city. I know EC4 sounds as sinister as Area 51, but those few days of freedom from our bosses were a joyous occasion for a lot of my peers. This poem below composed by yours truly is a tribute to that joy.
Today is the day when we conquer
When we are going to ACHIEVE,
What we have set our minds to.
Nothing can hinder nor distract us,
We are lions, we are tigers today.
Boldly setting out to achieve our plan
We shall lead our batallions to success today
Today It is our plan, our fight and our destiny
Today everything in our calendar we will achieve
And fulfill the dreams our teams have strived for
'Coz today all our bosses are locked up in EC4!
Today Is Ours
Today is the day when we conquer
When we are going to ACHIEVE,
What we have set our minds to.
Nothing can hinder nor distract us,
We are lions, we are tigers today.
Boldly setting out to achieve our plan
We shall lead our batallions to success today
Today It is our plan, our fight and our destiny
Today everything in our calendar we will achieve
And fulfill the dreams our teams have strived for
'Coz today all our bosses are locked up in EC4!
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Some things only accountants can do!
Like how to insult Shahjahan, like even Aurangzeb himself couldn't!
Check this out
While the sheer eccentricity of it is obvious, I'm just curious about the reason for such a valuation. Is it depreciation? So it takes about 350 yrs for probably what is the world's most expensive tomb to depreciate to Re.1/- .. Damn depreciation doesn't spare anyone does it? Its like a debilitating virus.
And since I'm not an accounting expert [actually I would peg myself lower than an accounting novice], I do have other queries as well. I have done my fair share of travel across India, and have always seen that the Govt of India, through its various branches, owns the bulk of the high value real estate across all of India's cities. Does it mean that we value all of these at Re.1/- In that case, is the Govt of India undervaluing its own assets?
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Elections Are Done
The people of India have spoken and they have shown the world, Democracy Rocks. High Five to all those with the indelible ink on your middle/index fingers!
But some people you can't keep out. They may be out of touch with reality, but with their excellent flair for words, fancy degrees and penchant for covering their asses, they still ply their trade as though nothing happened. No I'm not talking about the MBA's responsible for the recession...I'm talking about the GREAT INDIAN MEDIA
Not one, repeat not one, of this elite, shameless tribe got their prediction right on who would garner how many seats. Thank God the Election Commission cut down those opinion/exit polls. Imagine, the waste of investor money in the hands of these imbeciles in recessionary times. I'm not going to single out any single media person/outlet, as they have all proven to be equally incompetent. Now that we are done with the pre-election incompetency, let's get to the post election, "covering their ass" bit.
Today you have them propounding numerous theories as to why the Congress did so well - Rahul Gandhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh, NREGA etc etc
a] Rahul Gandhi - Ain't these the same tribe who were panning his naivete in trying to send out feelers to Nitish Kumar, Jayalalithaa and the Left. Goes to show, Rahul himself wasn't sure they wud do well but atleast he was game enough to try.
b] Dr. Manmohan Singh - Apparently the press believes that the people of India have learnt to respect his honesty and sincerity and have re-elected him. Errr, it thats so why didn't they know of it before the elections. If somone is so wildly popular amongst the masses, the press should know, right?
c] NREGA - National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Its the pro-poor scheme that has set the Indian countryside on fire, or so it would seem if u read the papers today. Interestingly the Congress party itself didn't think it was any great shakes. They mentioned it only 3 times in their manifesto on the 8th page. If hindsight is 20:20, for our media, it is laser vision!
The Indian General Elections have not only given the Congress a mandate, apparently it was a mandate beyond our shores as well. The Sri Lankan Army took it as a mandate to go ahead and shoot Prabhakaran. Yep..we care more for our free color TV's and one rupee rice, Eelam can go to hell. More on this later..
One of the biggest losers of these elections are the terrorists. Terrorism, by its very concept, is the art of influencing governments with high profile attacks that strike fear into the hearts of the people. When the people, themselves, don't care then of what use is terrorism? People of India, it seems, care for the Govt doing an earnest job or appear to do an earnest job of it. [Congress shud thank Chidambaram for this, flying shoe notwithstanding]. People care more for what the Government does that affects their daily lives. If terror were, to shake this country, it has to be much more widespread. In a country of India's size, that means all out war.
The elections also saw the Left lose a substantial part of their clout. They got whacked by Didi in Bengal and were united in commiting political suicide in Kerala. Post the elections, the Left politburo had a meeting and discovered there is still a place where they have 100% acceptability and had swept the elections. They decided to emigrate en masse to this promised land and applied to the Soviet Union for travel facilitation. The Russian embassy sent a "Sorry we do not exist anymore note" along with a Judo video of Vladimir Putin. Then they applied to the Chinese, who don't respond to losers. Then they tried their luck with Comrade Castro, who sent them a book from Hugo Chavez. By then, the kebabwala at Gol Market informed them that their promised land is in Indian territory and does not require a Visa. So off they went, led by Mr and Mrs Karat, who rival the Obamas as the most handsome first couple, to their promised land where they won 2 out of 2 LS seats - Tripura.
But some people you can't keep out. They may be out of touch with reality, but with their excellent flair for words, fancy degrees and penchant for covering their asses, they still ply their trade as though nothing happened. No I'm not talking about the MBA's responsible for the recession...I'm talking about the GREAT INDIAN MEDIA
Not one, repeat not one, of this elite, shameless tribe got their prediction right on who would garner how many seats. Thank God the Election Commission cut down those opinion/exit polls. Imagine, the waste of investor money in the hands of these imbeciles in recessionary times. I'm not going to single out any single media person/outlet, as they have all proven to be equally incompetent. Now that we are done with the pre-election incompetency, let's get to the post election, "covering their ass" bit.
Today you have them propounding numerous theories as to why the Congress did so well - Rahul Gandhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh, NREGA etc etc
a] Rahul Gandhi - Ain't these the same tribe who were panning his naivete in trying to send out feelers to Nitish Kumar, Jayalalithaa and the Left. Goes to show, Rahul himself wasn't sure they wud do well but atleast he was game enough to try.
b] Dr. Manmohan Singh - Apparently the press believes that the people of India have learnt to respect his honesty and sincerity and have re-elected him. Errr, it thats so why didn't they know of it before the elections. If somone is so wildly popular amongst the masses, the press should know, right?
c] NREGA - National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Its the pro-poor scheme that has set the Indian countryside on fire, or so it would seem if u read the papers today. Interestingly the Congress party itself didn't think it was any great shakes. They mentioned it only 3 times in their manifesto on the 8th page. If hindsight is 20:20, for our media, it is laser vision!
The Indian General Elections have not only given the Congress a mandate, apparently it was a mandate beyond our shores as well. The Sri Lankan Army took it as a mandate to go ahead and shoot Prabhakaran. Yep..we care more for our free color TV's and one rupee rice, Eelam can go to hell. More on this later..
One of the biggest losers of these elections are the terrorists. Terrorism, by its very concept, is the art of influencing governments with high profile attacks that strike fear into the hearts of the people. When the people, themselves, don't care then of what use is terrorism? People of India, it seems, care for the Govt doing an earnest job or appear to do an earnest job of it. [Congress shud thank Chidambaram for this, flying shoe notwithstanding]. People care more for what the Government does that affects their daily lives. If terror were, to shake this country, it has to be much more widespread. In a country of India's size, that means all out war.
The elections also saw the Left lose a substantial part of their clout. They got whacked by Didi in Bengal and were united in commiting political suicide in Kerala. Post the elections, the Left politburo had a meeting and discovered there is still a place where they have 100% acceptability and had swept the elections. They decided to emigrate en masse to this promised land and applied to the Soviet Union for travel facilitation. The Russian embassy sent a "Sorry we do not exist anymore note" along with a Judo video of Vladimir Putin. Then they applied to the Chinese, who don't respond to losers. Then they tried their luck with Comrade Castro, who sent them a book from Hugo Chavez. By then, the kebabwala at Gol Market informed them that their promised land is in Indian territory and does not require a Visa. So off they went, led by Mr and Mrs Karat, who rival the Obamas as the most handsome first couple, to their promised land where they won 2 out of 2 LS seats - Tripura.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
The Glass is Always Full
Is this glass half full or half empty?
Its the favourite cliche amongst Management Practitioners, who are imaginative enough to earn a living out of describing half a glass of water! I've never been convinced by their optimism or pessimism theories and division of people's personalities on the basis of that. But what did I think? Is it half full or half empty.
The answer dawned on me yesterday. The glass is ALWAYS FULL. Half of it is water and the other half is opportunity. Its my choice what i fill it with, more water, vodka, rum, poison, just fruit punch or just plain emptiness.
Life might be a crowded playground, but just go play.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
The Argumentative Indian Siblings
The One : Miss India
The Precious One : And then she wud get into bollywood and become another face in the crowd. If only for once these ppl wud do actual social service/ public service
The One : ur such a pessimist...
The Precious One : Am just goin by what s been happening all these yrs!
The One : beautiful women are not meant for real social work. Its against nature. Name one example to the contrary..
The Precious One : What shit! Chauvinist!!
The One : Dont curse, if u dont have an answer to my point. ur admitting ur own defeat
The Precious One : What kind of a ridiculous notion is that beautiful women are not meant for social work.
The One : darling. counter the point. else zip it. I'm only going by emperical evidence, for generations
The Precious One : What nonsense. Arundhati Roy is socially active. She is pretty. And seriously ur just a chauvinist. Nothing can mask that!
The One : Ahem...go through the mail trail..
u say, "Am just goin by what s been happening all these yrs!"
And i responded
"im only going by emperical evidence, for generations"
pretty much the same response, but i am the chauvinist? look in the mirror...
Arundhati Roy is socially active to sell her books. I dont see her doing any active social/political service
The Precious One : can c ur very jobless
The One : u are speechless so dont make me jobless
The Precious One : Ya right! Ur highly jobless. Ur argument is pointless
The One : ur hopeless...just admit u loss the argument
The Precious One : hopes
The Precious One : And then she wud get into bollywood and become another face in the crowd. If only for once these ppl wud do actual social service/ public service
The One : ur such a pessimist...
The Precious One : Am just goin by what s been happening all these yrs!
The One : beautiful women are not meant for real social work. Its against nature. Name one example to the contrary..
The Precious One : What shit! Chauvinist!!
The One : Dont curse, if u dont have an answer to my point. ur admitting ur own defeat
The Precious One : What kind of a ridiculous notion is that beautiful women are not meant for social work.
The One : darling. counter the point. else zip it. I'm only going by emperical evidence, for generations
The Precious One : What nonsense. Arundhati Roy is socially active. She is pretty. And seriously ur just a chauvinist. Nothing can mask that!
The One : Ahem...go through the mail trail..
u say, "Am just goin by what s been happening all these yrs!"
And i responded
"im only going by emperical evidence, for generations"
pretty much the same response, but i am the chauvinist? look in the mirror...
Arundhati Roy is socially active to sell her books. I dont see her doing any active social/political service
The Precious One : can c ur very jobless
The One : u are speechless so dont make me jobless
The Precious One : Ya right! Ur highly jobless. Ur argument is pointless
The One : ur hopeless...just admit u loss the argument
The Precious One : hopes
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Recession, No Fly Zone Aur Meri Gharibi
I was sitting in a day-long meeting today. You know how Saturday meetings are..they start off interesting but then as the day wears on, your mind revolts and refuses to pay attention.Constantly tugging at your freedom genes and taunting you for sitting through office on a Saturday. Suddenly, I thought I heard the words No Fly Zone. Lost as I was in my own sweet world, it took me 10-15 seconds to re-orient myself. Did I really hear those words? Was I sitting through some National Security Briefing somewhere?
I wanted to ask what was this No Fly Zone. I was looking around hoping someone else would. Sometimes, being a respected manager is about letting someone else ask the dumb question. Bingo! Sales guy, couldn't contain his curiosity and asks the question.
So apparently, this is what it is. Previously our company had a policy of giving us air travel for distances that wud involve train travel of 12 hours or more. Then some hack did an analysis, and decided that if we increase that to 14 hours, then we would save a lot more money. And presto, Hyderabad has become a No-Fly Zone. Earlier we used to fly to Chennai/Bangalore or Mumbai, but now we have to go by train.
And that is not a comfortable experience.
Invariably, we are summoned to Bangalore with less than a week's notice and it is well nigh impossible to get a confirmed ticket with a week's notice on the Indian Railways in the summer months. You would think tatkal booking should take care of the problem? I would too, but then you and I did not account for our centralised ticketing team that can botch things up incredibly [Sorry sir! System crashed!]
I ended up traveling in that train that contributes most to the Legend of Lalu Prasad Yadav. The messiah of the Indian Railways. The man who has made it the most profitable venture in India today. Not since, the British laid the first rail road in India, back in 1854, has the Indian Railways seen a man of this caliber. Ladies and gentlemen, I traveled by the Gharib Rath.
The genius of the train, is the way in which every available crevice has been utilised to put in a berth and charge the customer for the same. There is air-conditioning, but then again from the Seldom-Works factory, somewhere in Bihar. They rent out these blankets and pillows for Rs.25/-, its like a palliative, to make u think the air-conditioning works! Its not all bad, it looks decent. My own first reaction, when I boarded was "Not bad!!"
The worst part is in their endeavor to fit in all these extra people in one standard coach, theyve managed to shave off a few inches from each berth. Mr.Lalu's strategic inch reduction and my own profligate inch surplus, make for one really painful journey!
I wanted to ask what was this No Fly Zone. I was looking around hoping someone else would. Sometimes, being a respected manager is about letting someone else ask the dumb question. Bingo! Sales guy, couldn't contain his curiosity and asks the question.
So apparently, this is what it is. Previously our company had a policy of giving us air travel for distances that wud involve train travel of 12 hours or more. Then some hack did an analysis, and decided that if we increase that to 14 hours, then we would save a lot more money. And presto, Hyderabad has become a No-Fly Zone. Earlier we used to fly to Chennai/Bangalore or Mumbai, but now we have to go by train.
And that is not a comfortable experience.
Invariably, we are summoned to Bangalore with less than a week's notice and it is well nigh impossible to get a confirmed ticket with a week's notice on the Indian Railways in the summer months. You would think tatkal booking should take care of the problem? I would too, but then you and I did not account for our centralised ticketing team that can botch things up incredibly [Sorry sir! System crashed!]
I ended up traveling in that train that contributes most to the Legend of Lalu Prasad Yadav. The messiah of the Indian Railways. The man who has made it the most profitable venture in India today. Not since, the British laid the first rail road in India, back in 1854, has the Indian Railways seen a man of this caliber. Ladies and gentlemen, I traveled by the Gharib Rath.
The genius of the train, is the way in which every available crevice has been utilised to put in a berth and charge the customer for the same. There is air-conditioning, but then again from the Seldom-Works factory, somewhere in Bihar. They rent out these blankets and pillows for Rs.25/-, its like a palliative, to make u think the air-conditioning works! Its not all bad, it looks decent. My own first reaction, when I boarded was "Not bad!!"
The worst part is in their endeavor to fit in all these extra people in one standard coach, theyve managed to shave off a few inches from each berth. Mr.Lalu's strategic inch reduction and my own profligate inch surplus, make for one really painful journey!
Friday, April 10, 2009
The Desperation of An HR Manager
(This post is inspired by a true incident in an IT company I dont work for, but has been shamelessly embellished for blogging and reading pleasure)
Bulbul Sukhija was happy and contended. She had a nice job, HR manager in a muti-national IT company. People thought that hers was the most secure job in the company. They envied her. She thought they envied her Maybelline lipstick, her Estee Lauder nail polish or her fashionable Gucci purses and she liked it.
Then things changed
March 30, 2009 - Bulbul walks into office 5 mins late. She sees her HR colleagues, Rachna and Shweta chatting at the Coffee Machine. She stops to say hi. "Did you see the new SRK movie? He looks so dashing yaar!!"... There was no response from them. None of the usual giggles, screams or hi-fi's. Just a look of gloom and despair. "Whats wrong Rachna? Nitin didnt wanna go shopping over the weekend?" Shweta speaks up - "Did u hear about it? They laid off Gaurav, Rahul, Chetna and Riddhi in Banglore."
Bulbul was shocked. Layoff news should not have shocked her, but this was different. Layoffs in HR?!! That was unheard of. The reality of her world came crashing down on her. "The word is the VP-HR is coming down to our office later this week. Next round could be here.." Bulbul did not hear the rest of her words. Her mind was abuzz with images, sounds, numbers and reports... Reports she never made and numbers she did not know. They were all the preserve of Neha, her sweet but highly pregnant assistant.
Bulbul stumbled to her work station. No one told her she would be fired. But yet why was she feeling like this? Suddenly the room felt very cold and her fingers were shivering. She just froze over. Suddenly her phone rang, it was her VP-HR. He was coming to town on the 3rd of April. He was just checking if she would be in office then. Of course she would! "Sure..see you then. /CLICK/"
No hi's, no bye's, no inane jokes, no agenda, no enquiries on the weather, the cat or other inane things HR people talk about. Bulbul collapsed into her chair. This time she was sweating profusely. She had to do something. Her job was on the line...so was Maybelline/Estee Lauder/Gucci/her brand new Honda City...EVERYTHING WAS ON THE LINE
She called up Neha, who was on leave this week. "Neha how are u feeling?...Could you come into office for a bit this week...I understand your due anytime but this is important... I DONT CARE IF YOUR WATER BREAKS I WANT YOU IN OFFICE NOW!!
After ten more minutes of haggling, Neha agrees to come to office, but only for the 5 hours today. She looked at the last quarter's report. It didnt make any sense to her. What was that formula for attrition again? She called up Neha again.. "How long wud it take to make the Quarter report?... 3 hrs!.. That should be fine. The numbers are already in place?! Wow Great.."
Suddenly Bulbul felt a lot more relaxed. She had 2 hours with Neha to understand the report and then face her VP later this week. This was the kind of stuff she was good at in school, college and MBA.
MBA!! Her classmate Meena . She had worked with this VP-HR. She should call her for some tips. "Hi Meena , how're u doing?...Long time yeah!!...Yes i remember those days...How is Karan ? ... Oh wow! Didnt know that, Im sorry to hear that ... Your doing well right? ... Oh good good... Acha listen, I need a favour...et al.."
She was nice. She told her that the Boss didn't go with just reports. He was hungry for a taste of the action on the ground. What the sales guys were doing. What were the Engineers feeling on the ground. Real info and anectodes. Funny stories, tough stories and the likes... She mumbled her Thank You's all the while wondering how to get all this info.
How would she get all this info at such short notice? She didn't have the time to meet so many people. Just then, Shweta [from the Coffee Machine] walks up to her. She wanted some paper pins. Bulbul asks her, "How do you get info from a group of people, all at once, without meeting them individually?" Shweta looks at her and walks away as if someone asked her what comes after 0 and says over her shoulder, "You meet them in a Group!! Over lunch or something!!"
EUREKA!! BINGO!! That was it WORKING LUNCH!!
She pulls out her manpower report...looks through them and pulls out 30 people she knew.. people who had flirted with her, some she had flirted with, most she had helped out with some issue or the other. Mostly people who would not say no to a hasty lunch meeting.
She shot out an email to these people. It was 10-15 am. Should be enough of advance notice for a 12 pm meeting. Besides gives her about 45 mins before the cafeteria becomes crowded. Enough time to hear the stories of 30 people and give some anectodes to the BOSS no?
To - Bulbul Sukhija
Cc -
Bcc - 30 random guys - 10 Sales/ 10 Techies/ 10 Managers
WORKING LUNCH WITH HR
12 pm at the Cafeteria, today.
Would be great to meet you over lunch to understand how things have been with you and get to plan for the future.
Warm Regards,
Bulbul Sukhija
She called up the admin guy for lunch arrangements. Sorry madam, no budget left. No madam, approvals se nahi chalega. No budget only.../CLICK/ Idiot...
She calls up the cafeteria directly..Can you arrange some food...No admin approval...Im paying for it...Sorry madam only sandwich available. Regular lunch only by 12-45. OK fine.
11.45 am - Bulbul is at the cafeteria.. She paid the cafeteria guy. She sat there at her table doodling in on her notepad, waiting for her pack of story tellers..Slowly the Mark Twains start trickling in one and twos till even that stopped. No more were coming. Final count 13 guys
3 Embarassed Sales guys - [Athos, Porthos, Aramis] Each had thought it was a one to one intimate lunch with Bulbul Sukhija with a promise of many more to come. A reward that was worth postponing their year end hunt to fulfull their sales targets for.
10 Techies - All there for the free lunch.
0 Managers - They didnt read the mail.
Bulbul - Hi, Thanks for coming. So how are things?
Group - Silence, blink, blink.
Sandwiches and Frooti arrive
Bulbul - Please ha...
Group - Grabs at sandwiches and frooti.. *tear*...*gulp*...*slurp*
Bulbul - So how have things been
Techie #1 - That is all?
Bulbul - You can have Frooti too..
Athos thinks "Oh damn, ive done only 90% of my targets, if i get that deal signed today i would meet my nos...I need to get out of here... What was i thinking coming here"
Athos - It has been a great year..we are all very excited.. the company has been great, HR has been very supportive. Can I go now?
Techie #2 - Can i get some sauce pls?
Bulbul - Sure u can get ur sauce. And Athos, we wouldn't take too long. So tell me guys, how has it been going?
Techie #3 - Are we getting laid off?
Bulbul - Ofcourse not. We have an employee friendly HR policy. If you have done well this year, as im sure you have, you have nothing to be worried about. *Smiles*
Porthos' heart flutters. He knows he has done only 15% of his sales targets. He is a sureshot lay-off. He only hopes Bulbul would be the one laying him off .
Techie #4 - The air-conditioning is not working properly on our floor
Bulbul (expectantly) - Does it cause the team discomfort? Any health problems because of that? Team discord due to the increased heat?
Techie #4 - Mumbles something about not being able to find the remote
Bulbul [disappointed] - So what else?
Techie #1 - Can i get more Frooti?
Bulbul - Yes. What else is happening.
Athos - Hi Bulbul, I have to go now, there is a client meeting i have to attend.
Aramis [he has done 95% of his target and doesnt want Altos to beat him] - Bulbul, what is the company policy on timelines? Should we not planning things in advance and not waiting for the last date?
Bulbul - Yes of course. That is there in the second line of the company motto also. "Proactive Delivery"
Aramis - Oh how wonderful. (Smiles at Porthos, who looks daggers at him) Can u tell us more about the organizational principles we have?
Porthos - Yes please (Eagerly awaiting to hear Bulbul's lecture), bites into his 3rd sandwich
Techie #6 - But where is lunch? We only had sandwiches and Frooti
Bulbul (embarassed) - You can all have more sandwiches too
Techie #7 - Only sandwiches?? No bread pakoras?
Techie #9 - Thats exploitation. Just because the job market is dull, you cant treat us like this
Athos (sensing an opening) - Im sorry i have to leave too..moves away quickly without looking back.
Techie #10 - Lets go to Pizza Hut, who is in?
(slight murmer of disinterest in the group) - recession , month-end, bill payment due...
Techie #10 - Yaar its Techie #4's bday treat that is due.
Chairs moving, laughter, feet shuffling.People starting moving out.
Bulbul (relieved its over) - Thanks all for coming. We had a great time. Good luck.
Porthos - Bulbul, You want to come for coffee?
Techie #4 - Bulbul, u want to come for pizza? My treat?
Techie #10 - Bulbul, pizza and coffee after that?
Bulbul - Thanks guys
Friday, 4 April 2009
Bulbul meeting VP-HR
Bulbul - Yes sir, the team is sensitive to the market conditions, but they are working so hard...In fact they know that our team outing budgets are down, but Ive motivated them to pool in and still do their pizza party. The camaraderie is as great as ever, without a single penny from the company. Attrition, is not a challenge sir... (since we lay them off before they resign).
Everyone is so positive sir. They love the company and its values. Even seasoned Sales guys, want me to take up sessions on the company's core vision. The team is so committed, that even on the last day of the financial year, they are gung-ho to go out and meet their nos. Im so proud of the team that we have set up here. All go getters...(and the rest we lay-off)
VP-HR - Good Bulbul. Nice catching up with you. (Gets up to leave)
Rachna and Shweta, from the Coffee Machine, get laid off that evening. Bulbul got transferred to the Branding dept next week.
Bulbul Sukhija was happy and contended. She had a nice job, HR manager in a muti-national IT company. People thought that hers was the most secure job in the company. They envied her. She thought they envied her Maybelline lipstick, her Estee Lauder nail polish or her fashionable Gucci purses and she liked it.
Then things changed
March 30, 2009 - Bulbul walks into office 5 mins late. She sees her HR colleagues, Rachna and Shweta chatting at the Coffee Machine. She stops to say hi. "Did you see the new SRK movie? He looks so dashing yaar!!"... There was no response from them. None of the usual giggles, screams or hi-fi's. Just a look of gloom and despair. "Whats wrong Rachna? Nitin didnt wanna go shopping over the weekend?" Shweta speaks up - "Did u hear about it? They laid off Gaurav, Rahul, Chetna and Riddhi in Banglore."
Bulbul was shocked. Layoff news should not have shocked her, but this was different. Layoffs in HR?!! That was unheard of. The reality of her world came crashing down on her. "The word is the VP-HR is coming down to our office later this week. Next round could be here.." Bulbul did not hear the rest of her words. Her mind was abuzz with images, sounds, numbers and reports... Reports she never made and numbers she did not know. They were all the preserve of Neha, her sweet but highly pregnant assistant.
Bulbul stumbled to her work station. No one told her she would be fired. But yet why was she feeling like this? Suddenly the room felt very cold and her fingers were shivering. She just froze over. Suddenly her phone rang, it was her VP-HR. He was coming to town on the 3rd of April. He was just checking if she would be in office then. Of course she would! "Sure..see you then. /CLICK/"
No hi's, no bye's, no inane jokes, no agenda, no enquiries on the weather, the cat or other inane things HR people talk about. Bulbul collapsed into her chair. This time she was sweating profusely. She had to do something. Her job was on the line...so was Maybelline/Estee Lauder/Gucci/her brand new Honda City...EVERYTHING WAS ON THE LINE
She called up Neha, who was on leave this week. "Neha how are u feeling?...Could you come into office for a bit this week...I understand your due anytime but this is important... I DONT CARE IF YOUR WATER BREAKS I WANT YOU IN OFFICE NOW!!
After ten more minutes of haggling, Neha agrees to come to office, but only for the 5 hours today. She looked at the last quarter's report. It didnt make any sense to her. What was that formula for attrition again? She called up Neha again.. "How long wud it take to make the Quarter report?... 3 hrs!.. That should be fine. The numbers are already in place?! Wow Great.."
Suddenly Bulbul felt a lot more relaxed. She had 2 hours with Neha to understand the report and then face her VP later this week. This was the kind of stuff she was good at in school, college and MBA.
MBA!! Her classmate Meena . She had worked with this VP-HR. She should call her for some tips. "Hi Meena , how're u doing?...Long time yeah!!...Yes i remember those days...How is Karan ? ... Oh wow! Didnt know that, Im sorry to hear that ... Your doing well right? ... Oh good good... Acha listen, I need a favour...et al.."
She was nice. She told her that the Boss didn't go with just reports. He was hungry for a taste of the action on the ground. What the sales guys were doing. What were the Engineers feeling on the ground. Real info and anectodes. Funny stories, tough stories and the likes... She mumbled her Thank You's all the while wondering how to get all this info.
How would she get all this info at such short notice? She didn't have the time to meet so many people. Just then, Shweta [from the Coffee Machine] walks up to her. She wanted some paper pins. Bulbul asks her, "How do you get info from a group of people, all at once, without meeting them individually?" Shweta looks at her and walks away as if someone asked her what comes after 0 and says over her shoulder, "You meet them in a Group!! Over lunch or something!!"
EUREKA!! BINGO!! That was it WORKING LUNCH!!
She pulls out her manpower report...looks through them and pulls out 30 people she knew.. people who had flirted with her, some she had flirted with, most she had helped out with some issue or the other. Mostly people who would not say no to a hasty lunch meeting.
She shot out an email to these people. It was 10-15 am. Should be enough of advance notice for a 12 pm meeting. Besides gives her about 45 mins before the cafeteria becomes crowded. Enough time to hear the stories of 30 people and give some anectodes to the BOSS no?
To - Bulbul Sukhija
Cc -
Bcc - 30 random guys - 10 Sales/ 10 Techies/ 10 Managers
WORKING LUNCH WITH HR
12 pm at the Cafeteria, today.
Would be great to meet you over lunch to understand how things have been with you and get to plan for the future.
Warm Regards,
Bulbul Sukhija
She called up the admin guy for lunch arrangements. Sorry madam, no budget left. No madam, approvals se nahi chalega. No budget only.../CLICK/ Idiot...
She calls up the cafeteria directly..Can you arrange some food...No admin approval...Im paying for it...Sorry madam only sandwich available. Regular lunch only by 12-45. OK fine.
11.45 am - Bulbul is at the cafeteria.. She paid the cafeteria guy. She sat there at her table doodling in on her notepad, waiting for her pack of story tellers..Slowly the Mark Twains start trickling in one and twos till even that stopped. No more were coming. Final count 13 guys
3 Embarassed Sales guys - [Athos, Porthos, Aramis] Each had thought it was a one to one intimate lunch with Bulbul Sukhija with a promise of many more to come. A reward that was worth postponing their year end hunt to fulfull their sales targets for.
10 Techies - All there for the free lunch.
0 Managers - They didnt read the mail.
Bulbul - Hi, Thanks for coming. So how are things?
Group - Silence, blink, blink.
Sandwiches and Frooti arrive
Bulbul - Please ha...
Group - Grabs at sandwiches and frooti.. *tear*...*gulp*...*slurp*
Bulbul - So how have things been
Techie #1 - That is all?
Bulbul - You can have Frooti too..
Athos thinks "Oh damn, ive done only 90% of my targets, if i get that deal signed today i would meet my nos...I need to get out of here... What was i thinking coming here"
Athos - It has been a great year..we are all very excited.. the company has been great, HR has been very supportive. Can I go now?
Techie #2 - Can i get some sauce pls?
Bulbul - Sure u can get ur sauce. And Athos, we wouldn't take too long. So tell me guys, how has it been going?
Techie #3 - Are we getting laid off?
Bulbul - Ofcourse not. We have an employee friendly HR policy. If you have done well this year, as im sure you have, you have nothing to be worried about. *Smiles*
Porthos' heart flutters. He knows he has done only 15% of his sales targets. He is a sureshot lay-off. He only hopes Bulbul would be the one laying him off .
Techie #4 - The air-conditioning is not working properly on our floor
Bulbul (expectantly) - Does it cause the team discomfort? Any health problems because of that? Team discord due to the increased heat?
Techie #4 - Mumbles something about not being able to find the remote
Bulbul [disappointed] - So what else?
Techie #1 - Can i get more Frooti?
Bulbul - Yes. What else is happening.
Athos - Hi Bulbul, I have to go now, there is a client meeting i have to attend.
Aramis [he has done 95% of his target and doesnt want Altos to beat him] - Bulbul, what is the company policy on timelines? Should we not planning things in advance and not waiting for the last date?
Bulbul - Yes of course. That is there in the second line of the company motto also. "Proactive Delivery"
Aramis - Oh how wonderful. (Smiles at Porthos, who looks daggers at him) Can u tell us more about the organizational principles we have?
Porthos - Yes please (Eagerly awaiting to hear Bulbul's lecture), bites into his 3rd sandwich
Techie #6 - But where is lunch? We only had sandwiches and Frooti
Bulbul (embarassed) - You can all have more sandwiches too
Techie #7 - Only sandwiches?? No bread pakoras?
Techie #9 - Thats exploitation. Just because the job market is dull, you cant treat us like this
Athos (sensing an opening) - Im sorry i have to leave too..moves away quickly without looking back.
Techie #10 - Lets go to Pizza Hut, who is in?
(slight murmer of disinterest in the group) - recession , month-end, bill payment due...
Techie #10 - Yaar its Techie #4's bday treat that is due.
Chairs moving, laughter, feet shuffling.People starting moving out.
Bulbul (relieved its over) - Thanks all for coming. We had a great time. Good luck.
Porthos - Bulbul, You want to come for coffee?
Techie #4 - Bulbul, u want to come for pizza? My treat?
Techie #10 - Bulbul, pizza and coffee after that?
Bulbul - Thanks guys
Friday, 4 April 2009
Bulbul meeting VP-HR
Bulbul - Yes sir, the team is sensitive to the market conditions, but they are working so hard...In fact they know that our team outing budgets are down, but Ive motivated them to pool in and still do their pizza party. The camaraderie is as great as ever, without a single penny from the company. Attrition, is not a challenge sir... (since we lay them off before they resign).
Everyone is so positive sir. They love the company and its values. Even seasoned Sales guys, want me to take up sessions on the company's core vision. The team is so committed, that even on the last day of the financial year, they are gung-ho to go out and meet their nos. Im so proud of the team that we have set up here. All go getters...(and the rest we lay-off)
VP-HR - Good Bulbul. Nice catching up with you. (Gets up to leave)
Rachna and Shweta, from the Coffee Machine, get laid off that evening. Bulbul got transferred to the Branding dept next week.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Dev D
Ive watched Dev D 3 times now and have loved it for various reasons. The music is fantastic. Refreshingly different from what we see in movies these days. Emosional Atyachaar, was the real show-stealer. But I must say I quite enjoyed the entire album.
The story itself was, well standard, but the way it was weaved into the fabric of today's life in India was engaging. The protagonists had all done justice to their roles. I thought, even Kalki Kochelin, who struggled with her Hindi lines, hit the ball out of the park with her Tamil phone sex!! Her Tamil and French were way better than her Hindi!
Paro, played by Mahi Gill, was a revelation. I thought she looked a bit like Tabu...maybe the eyes. Abhay Deol, continues to impress, if not by his acting, but definitely with his choice of roles. Whoever, did his wardrobe for the movie was good. I loved the t-shirts that he wore through the movie.
By far, my favourite character in the movie was Chunni - if all pimps are this cool, then wonder why more don't take to the profession? My favourite Chunni scene in the movie was actually deleted from the final cut. But take a look. The dude is so cool that I'm gonna name my a/c after him when I get one!!
Monday, March 23, 2009
Refrigerator Times
Did I mention I recently moved into a 2 bedroom apartment in Hyd?...Oh well I did, and this is how events unfurled...
Day 1 4pm - I move in. Considering my worldly belongings consist of 4 suitcases of clothes and books and a bed, there is enough place in my apartment for a TT table, Fussball table and a mini roller-blading rink. Considering I get whacked by most of my friends in TT and have never been into roller blading, the only sane option was a Fussball table. This took 5 hours to decide.
Day 2 12 am - I wake up...its searing hot. I wasn't able to sleep. I drank some water.It didn't help because it was HOT WATER! Now I needed to get an air-conditioner or water-cooler, refrigerator and maybe a microwave. Fussball table - stupid idea!! What was i thinking!! But what do i get first, an ac / fridge/ water cooler/ microwave . This took 5 days to decide
Day 6 - I go to office and tag along with a colleague to get a fridge. There were so many options...single door/double door, Godrej/Samsung/LG and the likes. After a thorough study of which option would be good enough to hold a reasonable number of beer bottles, I finally settled on a Single Door 200 L Godrej Pentacool. The clincher was that the shelf separators were made of metal wiring, giving a natural hold to stack up bottles. The double frosted glass separators were too slippery for the bottles. This took 15 mins to decide.
Day 6 - 2 hours later - Shiny new Refrigerator delivered at home.. My first household consumer durable. I couldn't bear to see it empty. I rushed out to buy milk, apples, oranges, water,an ice cream brick, corn flakes, watermelon, bread, jam...food that involve cooling but no cooking :-D
I come back home, stuff these into my new fridge [i need a name for it btw!]. After admiring it for a couple of minutes, i decided to dig into the watermelon. That's when i realise I have no cutlery. So off I go again, this time to get some plates, cups, glasses, spoons, forks et al
I bring them back home and unpack 'em in the kitchen to realise that I dont have a place to put these! So off I was again, this time to get a dish rack and some dishwasher soap. I hang around the shop for a few more minutes, calling up my mother/sister/friends to check if I need anymore stuff for the kitchen. After getting 15 minutes of counselling, I get a kitchen knife, a vegetable-peeler, a cutting board and 3 stainless steel glasses.
I got back home, a little tired and weary, hoping that no further oversights would come to light. I was quite relaxed when even after an hour, I could not recollect anything amiss.
So, in just reward, I cleaned off the ice-cream and went off to sleep!
PS - Pls do give suggestions for names for the refrigerator and toaster [yes i got one!] I liked the name Rambo, but couldnt decide if that should go to the fridge or the toaster..
Day 1 4pm - I move in. Considering my worldly belongings consist of 4 suitcases of clothes and books and a bed, there is enough place in my apartment for a TT table, Fussball table and a mini roller-blading rink. Considering I get whacked by most of my friends in TT and have never been into roller blading, the only sane option was a Fussball table. This took 5 hours to decide.
Day 2 12 am - I wake up...its searing hot. I wasn't able to sleep. I drank some water.It didn't help because it was HOT WATER! Now I needed to get an air-conditioner or water-cooler, refrigerator and maybe a microwave. Fussball table - stupid idea!! What was i thinking!! But what do i get first, an ac / fridge/ water cooler/ microwave . This took 5 days to decide
Day 6 - I go to office and tag along with a colleague to get a fridge. There were so many options...single door/double door, Godrej/Samsung/LG and the likes. After a thorough study of which option would be good enough to hold a reasonable number of beer bottles, I finally settled on a Single Door 200 L Godrej Pentacool. The clincher was that the shelf separators were made of metal wiring, giving a natural hold to stack up bottles. The double frosted glass separators were too slippery for the bottles. This took 15 mins to decide.
Day 6 - 2 hours later - Shiny new Refrigerator delivered at home.. My first household consumer durable. I couldn't bear to see it empty. I rushed out to buy milk, apples, oranges, water,an ice cream brick, corn flakes, watermelon, bread, jam...food that involve cooling but no cooking :-D
I come back home, stuff these into my new fridge [i need a name for it btw!]. After admiring it for a couple of minutes, i decided to dig into the watermelon. That's when i realise I have no cutlery. So off I go again, this time to get some plates, cups, glasses, spoons, forks et al
I bring them back home and unpack 'em in the kitchen to realise that I dont have a place to put these! So off I was again, this time to get a dish rack and some dishwasher soap. I hang around the shop for a few more minutes, calling up my mother/sister/friends to check if I need anymore stuff for the kitchen. After getting 15 minutes of counselling, I get a kitchen knife, a vegetable-peeler, a cutting board and 3 stainless steel glasses.
I got back home, a little tired and weary, hoping that no further oversights would come to light. I was quite relaxed when even after an hour, I could not recollect anything amiss.
So, in just reward, I cleaned off the ice-cream and went off to sleep!
PS - Pls do give suggestions for names for the refrigerator and toaster [yes i got one!] I liked the name Rambo, but couldnt decide if that should go to the fridge or the toaster..
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hyderabad
Ok folks ive been transferred to Hyderabad. Been here for nearly 3 weeks now and trying to find my way around here.
Professionally, its a promising move. Im one of the few people getting a higher role, instead of getting bad news :-)
Personally, its another chance to hit the restart button! Thats something I love about moving cities. It allows you to redefine life all over again. Reset your priorities, relationships and somehow takes a lot of load off your shoulders. My life changed for the good when I moved to Delhi. Im grateful for that.
Now here is something I know about Hyderabad...so far.
1. Everyone knows where is Paradise Restaurant.
2. If you ask for directions, the stock reply is "Seedha jaao aur Chauraiya se left maaro"..the idea is do that 3 times, come back to where you are and ask the next guy!
3. If people say Parson, they dont mean yesterday! For some weird reason, even things that happened 2 weeks or earlier is referred to as Parson
4. Ive learnt now that even Digital meters of Autowallahs can be tampered
5. The segregation between Hindu and Muslims is not as bad as Delhi or Mumbai
6. It gets bloody hot here in March [apparently Im told Mr. Solar is equally harsh in Delhi these days]
7. No Parking signs are not meant for politicians [Its a cardinal rule in India, but reinforce in Hyd]
8. There was a hoarding put up by Chiranjeevi's party with photos of the MegaStar and Barack Obama. This was right opposite the TDP office. Being Telugu illiterate, I didnt know what it said, but I wonder if it was done to intimidate Mr.Naidu or tickle him silly! I can imagine Naidu's reponse if Chiranjeevi wins, "It was a foreign conpsiracy" better still " It was a CIA plot and Chiranjeevi is an American agent! We have hoardings to prove it!"
9. Food is cheaper than Delhi...20-30% cheaper
10. The street dogs are really puny!
11. The average number of beggars per sqkm must be the highest in India...They are everywhere!!
12. Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills have the most majestic houses that I have seen anywhere in India.
13. Its possible for a gal walking down the road with a couple of friends at 11 pm in the night and pass a biker gang and not get eveteased/molested/raped.
14. Movie tickets are 25-30% cheaper than Delhi.
15. Its very difficult to get a movie ticket on the weekend unless you do advance booking.Movies that flop in rest of the country would be a hit here. People are just crazy about movies.
Professionally, its a promising move. Im one of the few people getting a higher role, instead of getting bad news :-)
Personally, its another chance to hit the restart button! Thats something I love about moving cities. It allows you to redefine life all over again. Reset your priorities, relationships and somehow takes a lot of load off your shoulders. My life changed for the good when I moved to Delhi. Im grateful for that.
Now here is something I know about Hyderabad...so far.
1. Everyone knows where is Paradise Restaurant.
2. If you ask for directions, the stock reply is "Seedha jaao aur Chauraiya se left maaro"..the idea is do that 3 times, come back to where you are and ask the next guy!
3. If people say Parson, they dont mean yesterday! For some weird reason, even things that happened 2 weeks or earlier is referred to as Parson
4. Ive learnt now that even Digital meters of Autowallahs can be tampered
5. The segregation between Hindu and Muslims is not as bad as Delhi or Mumbai
6. It gets bloody hot here in March [apparently Im told Mr. Solar is equally harsh in Delhi these days]
7. No Parking signs are not meant for politicians [Its a cardinal rule in India, but reinforce in Hyd]
8. There was a hoarding put up by Chiranjeevi's party with photos of the MegaStar and Barack Obama. This was right opposite the TDP office. Being Telugu illiterate, I didnt know what it said, but I wonder if it was done to intimidate Mr.Naidu or tickle him silly! I can imagine Naidu's reponse if Chiranjeevi wins, "It was a foreign conpsiracy" better still " It was a CIA plot and Chiranjeevi is an American agent! We have hoardings to prove it!"
9. Food is cheaper than Delhi...20-30% cheaper
10. The street dogs are really puny!
11. The average number of beggars per sqkm must be the highest in India...They are everywhere!!
12. Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills have the most majestic houses that I have seen anywhere in India.
13. Its possible for a gal walking down the road with a couple of friends at 11 pm in the night and pass a biker gang and not get eveteased/molested/raped.
14. Movie tickets are 25-30% cheaper than Delhi.
15. Its very difficult to get a movie ticket on the weekend unless you do advance booking.Movies that flop in rest of the country would be a hit here. People are just crazy about movies.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Life Choices
Life is a sum total of the choices we make in life. These choices are like a stack of Dominoes, one leading to another. They come so fast and before you realise life has taken you to an unknown place, and made you a person you cannot quite recognise.
There is nothing good or bad about it. Its just the result of the choices you have made. Remember, life would have been very different if you decided to make a different choice early on. Its very difficult when there is no time and there is a rush of pressure to follow the course. Standing up takes a lot of courage and exacts a heavy toll. All to frequently, we don't even know if we are right or wrong.
But thats ok. Stand by your decision. Thats the only right or wrong. Not what someone else thinks. Its a hard choice to make and life could exact an unforgiving price out of you for it. But at least you take to your grave, the satisfaction that you lived your life on your own terms. And no one can take that away from you, regardless of you being a hero or a villain.
PS : Thanks Nikki for shaming me into writing a post!
There is nothing good or bad about it. Its just the result of the choices you have made. Remember, life would have been very different if you decided to make a different choice early on. Its very difficult when there is no time and there is a rush of pressure to follow the course. Standing up takes a lot of courage and exacts a heavy toll. All to frequently, we don't even know if we are right or wrong.
But thats ok. Stand by your decision. Thats the only right or wrong. Not what someone else thinks. Its a hard choice to make and life could exact an unforgiving price out of you for it. But at least you take to your grave, the satisfaction that you lived your life on your own terms. And no one can take that away from you, regardless of you being a hero or a villain.
PS : Thanks Nikki for shaming me into writing a post!
Friday, January 30, 2009
My Johari Window
Arena(known to self and others) confident, independent, intelligent, mature, proud, self-assertive | Blind Spot(known only to others) able, adaptable, calm, caring, cheerful, clever, complex, dependable, energetic, extroverted, friendly, helpful, idealistic, introverted, knowledgeable, logical, loving, observant, organised, patient, quiet, reflective, responsive, self-conscious, sensible, sentimental, spontaneous, trustworthy, warm, wise, witty |
Façade(known only to self)
| Unknown(known to nobody) accepting, bold, brave, dignified, giving, happy, ingenious, kind, modest, nervous, powerful, relaxed, religious, searching, shy, silly, sympathetic, tense |
Dominant Traits
66% of people agree that Abanith is confident
All Percentages
able (9%) accepting (0%) adaptable (14%) bold (0%) brave (0%) calm (23%) caring (9%) cheerful (4%) clever (9%) complex (14%) confident (66%) dependable (28%) dignified (0%) energetic (4%) extroverted (4%) friendly (14%) giving (0%) happy (0%) helpful (9%) idealistic (9%) independent (23%) ingenious (0%) intelligent (19%) introverted (9%) kind (0%) knowledgeable (23%) logical (28%) loving (4%) mature (23%) modest (0%) nervous (0%) observant (19%) organised (33%) patient (4%) powerful (0%) proud (4%) quiet (14%) reflective (9%) relaxed (0%) religious (0%) responsive (19%) searching (0%) self-assertive (23%) self-conscious (4%) sensible (19%) sentimental (9%) shy (0%) silly (0%) spontaneous (9%) sympathetic (0%) tense (0%) trustworthy (14%) warm (4%) wise (4%) witty (23%)
Created by the Interactive Johari Window on 31.1.2009, using data from 21 respondents.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Abanith's full data.
You can make your own Johari Window, or view Abanith's full data.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Dead Poet's Society
I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately,
I want to live deep and suck out all the marrow out of life!
To put to rout all that was not life,
And not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
One shouldnt be writing reviews about a movie that released 20 yrs back, but watching Dead Poet's Society again today brought back a lot of memories. The film itself is a touching portrayal of a group of adoloscent school boys coming to terms with what conformity demands out of them and what life demands out of them. Trying to do both together takes a lot of grace. And grace makes goodness out of ugly things!
I thank my parents for never stopping me from sucking the marrow out of life. I wish I did more. Its time for me to stop drifting and feel challenged again!
I want to live deep and suck out all the marrow out of life!
To put to rout all that was not life,
And not when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.
One shouldnt be writing reviews about a movie that released 20 yrs back, but watching Dead Poet's Society again today brought back a lot of memories. The film itself is a touching portrayal of a group of adoloscent school boys coming to terms with what conformity demands out of them and what life demands out of them. Trying to do both together takes a lot of grace. And grace makes goodness out of ugly things!
I thank my parents for never stopping me from sucking the marrow out of life. I wish I did more. Its time for me to stop drifting and feel challenged again!
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Letter From Azim Premji
Dear Wiproite
Recently I had the opportunity to talk to a very large group of entrepreneurs - about 1700 of them. They wanted me to share my experiences of leading Wipro, for the past 40 years - during which period our organization has grown from $4 million to over $5 billion - from absolute obscurity to being a globally known leader in IT.
I always look at the future, and am hardly prone to reminiscing, but this opportunity did spur me to think about the past of Wipro, and what I have learnt from the privilege of leading this wonderful organization.
I thought it might be worthwhile for me to share these thoughts with all of you – who have actually shaped and defined Wipro.
What follows are a few passages from my speech.
________________________________________________________________
My experience tells me that we learn a lot more from difficulties and failures than from successes. In fact, hidden behind each success is a trail of difficulties and failures. So as I describe my experience as an intrapreneur, I will focus more on the difficulties, than on the successes.....because the successes of Wipro are reasonably well known.
In 1966, at the age of 21, I was practically overnight thrust in to the role of the CEO of the company that we know today as Wipro, and was then called Western India Vegetable Products Limited. The company was about USD 4 million in sales then, and was not in the best of shape. We used to make vegetable oil.
To take over that responsibility, and with that suddenness, I had to leave my education two quarters incomplete. The circumstances demanded it. My father had passed away at the age of 51, and I absolutely had to take care of the company.
It was not easy. Actually it was very difficult. I was dealing with a personal loss, and I was also trying to take charge of a role for which I had no training, no experience, no preparation and no demonstrated strengths.
I learnt a lot. I learnt not to look back. I learnt that pining for what could have been, is neither a path to happiness nor to success. I learnt that the most important thing is to deal with the here and now. And I learnt that, that can happen only through personal action.
It has stayed with me forever. There is no substitute to action. That to me is the starting point and the ending point of being an entrepreneur.
__________________________
Let me stay with those early days.
In the very first AGM, there was a shareholder, who said that he didn’t trust my ability to run the company. He said that if I were running the company, I could only run it to the ground.
In hindsight, perhaps he had good reason to say what he did, because indeed I was very young and with no experience in business. (At that time, my need was to dye my hair white to look older).
But for me at that point in time, his statement was a challenge. A challenge that consumed me in many senses. I made up my mind that I will prove him wrong, and with each passing day my resolve only increased. With each difficulty that I faced, my determination only grew.
As I look back, I can only thank that man.
Thanks to this man and to this episode I also learnt a crucial lesson. To be successful you have to be challenged by something, and then have the resolve to deal with it. This is the surest way forward. I learnt that challenges, determination and passion is what propel a person. Eventually I have also learnt that, often you have to go out seeking challenges, because challenges may not come seeking you.
There is another interesting insight that I got over time. Rarely have I come across a successful entrepreneur, who became an entrepreneur only to make money. In practically all cases, people become entrepreneurs because there is a challenge that excites them....a challenge to change the world, a challenge to invent something, a challenge to create something etc.....some deeply captivating challenge that appeals to them personally – but rarely is the desire to make money the prime driver.
________________________________________________________________
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Azim Premji
Recently I had the opportunity to talk to a very large group of entrepreneurs - about 1700 of them. They wanted me to share my experiences of leading Wipro, for the past 40 years - during which period our organization has grown from $4 million to over $5 billion - from absolute obscurity to being a globally known leader in IT.
I always look at the future, and am hardly prone to reminiscing, but this opportunity did spur me to think about the past of Wipro, and what I have learnt from the privilege of leading this wonderful organization.
I thought it might be worthwhile for me to share these thoughts with all of you – who have actually shaped and defined Wipro.
What follows are a few passages from my speech.
________________________________________________________________
My experience tells me that we learn a lot more from difficulties and failures than from successes. In fact, hidden behind each success is a trail of difficulties and failures. So as I describe my experience as an intrapreneur, I will focus more on the difficulties, than on the successes.....because the successes of Wipro are reasonably well known.
In 1966, at the age of 21, I was practically overnight thrust in to the role of the CEO of the company that we know today as Wipro, and was then called Western India Vegetable Products Limited. The company was about USD 4 million in sales then, and was not in the best of shape. We used to make vegetable oil.
To take over that responsibility, and with that suddenness, I had to leave my education two quarters incomplete. The circumstances demanded it. My father had passed away at the age of 51, and I absolutely had to take care of the company.
It was not easy. Actually it was very difficult. I was dealing with a personal loss, and I was also trying to take charge of a role for which I had no training, no experience, no preparation and no demonstrated strengths.
I learnt a lot. I learnt not to look back. I learnt that pining for what could have been, is neither a path to happiness nor to success. I learnt that the most important thing is to deal with the here and now. And I learnt that, that can happen only through personal action.
It has stayed with me forever. There is no substitute to action. That to me is the starting point and the ending point of being an entrepreneur.
__________________________
Let me stay with those early days.
In the very first AGM, there was a shareholder, who said that he didn’t trust my ability to run the company. He said that if I were running the company, I could only run it to the ground.
In hindsight, perhaps he had good reason to say what he did, because indeed I was very young and with no experience in business. (At that time, my need was to dye my hair white to look older).
But for me at that point in time, his statement was a challenge. A challenge that consumed me in many senses. I made up my mind that I will prove him wrong, and with each passing day my resolve only increased. With each difficulty that I faced, my determination only grew.
As I look back, I can only thank that man.
Thanks to this man and to this episode I also learnt a crucial lesson. To be successful you have to be challenged by something, and then have the resolve to deal with it. This is the surest way forward. I learnt that challenges, determination and passion is what propel a person. Eventually I have also learnt that, often you have to go out seeking challenges, because challenges may not come seeking you.
There is another interesting insight that I got over time. Rarely have I come across a successful entrepreneur, who became an entrepreneur only to make money. In practically all cases, people become entrepreneurs because there is a challenge that excites them....a challenge to change the world, a challenge to invent something, a challenge to create something etc.....some deeply captivating challenge that appeals to them personally – but rarely is the desire to make money the prime driver.
________________________________________________________________
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Azim Premji
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Victim of Terrorism
i'm sitting in a restaurant in a crowded market in delhi, thinking
what would happen if a couple of loonies' with an AK walk in and let
loose?
what would happen if a couple of loonies' with an AK walk in and let
loose?
Whichever way i look at it...it doesnt seem a promising prospect if
they come in! There is only one entry/exit. The kitchen is on the
other side of the entry. Tables are not so big that i cud hide down
there. As a target, even the most lousy constable in india wouldnt
miss me, forget any trained terrorist. My only hope is they wudnt come
into this place as it isn't too crowded and there aint any firangs
here!!
You would think im acting paranoid here, spooked by the horrible carnage in
Mumbai. You're right. But it didnt start with Mumbai. Delhi's markets have also become the favourite haunts for terrorists boms. Before last month, whenever i go by
this market, I cross the road and walk on the less crowded
side, looking out for any suspicious packages. I also made sure I
didnt go near the market during peak hours when its most crowded. I
assume that whn the loonies wud like to strike.
I've never seen a terrorist attack, let alone be physically harmed by
one. But you see I too am a victim.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Experiment
If this goes through this is gonna be legendary!! Im trying to blog
through email!
through email!
Mobile to blog direct!
--
Abanith
Life is never going to be the same again.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Days of Glory
I saw a French war movie recently that refocussed my attention on the racism and class disparity that is widely prevalent in societies. The name of the move was "Days of Glory". I belive the original French version was called "Les Indigenes".
It struck me how the mindset of society and its individuals fosters a cycle of sel-defeating cynicism. We become so stuck up in status-quo and accept the overlordship of others, that we forget to believe and fight for our rights. Even when we fight, its more to let our frustrations than to win the war.
Its important for people to believe.
Its more important for society not to hinder individual belief and aspirations.
Its been true against struggles of all kinds, be it against racism, colonialism, imperialism, casteism....anything. Even today's depressing economic scenario. Markets keep going up and crashing on nothing more tangible than "market sentiment". Nobody knows how long this would last. People have shut shop and are preparing for the Great Depression. But what really is going to take us over the hill is when we as individuals start believing that this is over. Either we do it ourselves or we wait for a catharsis.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Barack Hussein Obama II
The genius of the man is that he means a lot of things to different people depending on where they come from. To many he is the anti-christ and to many more he is THE ONE.
To me he is a man of immense substance - practical yet philosophical, street smart yet very polished, young but very mature, cool but very can-do, liberal yet very disciplined and so on and so forth.
His evolution as a candidate has been an amazing journey. From a journeyman during the 2000 Democratic Convention, with the Clinton family at its powerful peak to being the upstart outsider who upset the Hillary applecart in 2008, he has blazed a trail of his own. He has been brilliant in studying his constituency and building his message. He has tackled various audiences at differing stages of his career brilliantly. Be it the Illinois electorate that gave him his first break or the liberal young college crowd that thronged his rallies or the general election crowd that need to be convinced he was more than an empty suit.
Ive been following this man for quite some time. He is THE ONE. And I thought so much before Oprah Winfrey said so.
I remember watching his 2004 DNC speech and being blown away by it. While still in hostel, I remember I used to look him up on YouTube everyday. I tracked him before he declared his candidacy and also as he declared it. Ive seen him grow as a candidate and take the centre stage.
What drew me to him was how he emphasised the need to unite, rather than divide. At a time when the world was wracked by terrorism, America's response to it with two wars, arrogant with us or against us attitude, this man seemed to be a balm to all the wounds that had been cut up. His cerebral approach to politics was stark contrast to Bush's Cheney approach!
On hindsight, I think Obama is all the more smarter as he understood the problem he faced in gunning for the Presidency and had a plan to get around it.
Fired Up Ready To Go
The most obvious thing about Obama is how good a speaker he is. He used his charisma and speech-making skills to fire up his base before Iowa. For a man who can electrify hundreds of thousands in one speech, I can only imagine how he must have fired up hundreds of people in small halls and school gymnasiums across Iowa.
Politics is about making your opponents strength their weakness. Ask Kerry and the Swift Boat Veterans! Somehow Hillary and team were not able to pin down Obama on their "empty suit" line of attack.
He is a master of playing the crowd. Watch this video, the last speech he gave before the elections. The last 4 minutes are electrifying.
Grant Park - Chicago Victory Speech
I would not forget this speech. I was over at a friends house watching the results come in live. Suddenly CNN called the elections in favour of Obama. It was a great feeling. I felt as though I was one amongst those 250,000 people in Grant Park, Chicago. The enormity of what he had pulled off was astounding. It was too big to comprehend in that little moment.
He came out and addressed the world. He seemed to understand the enormity of the challenges that were ahead of him, while the rest of the world was still ecstatic to see him there.
Somehow, in that one moment, America showed the beauty of Democracy. It was regime change without a shot being fired. An ideology was overthrown and a new one dawned. Make no mistake, this man and his moment shall pass. The old might become the new and this change would become old. But the beauty of democracy is the right man with the right ideology at the right time would be the messiah.
Yes We can
The difference between Obama and a generation of politicians before him and his own peers, is his ability to inspire people to take up his cause. This video is one of many on the Web that spread his word and message. He has become the ubercool icon for the youth generation. Words like
The fierce urgency of now
We are the ones that we have been waiting for
Yes we can
that have been crafted into his speeches have made him the symbol of hope for a generation of people, for very different reasons, which Im not sure Obama himself understands fully. He has mobilised millions of people at a grass roots level to carry his message. This is not the traditional Democratic party machine, but an entire structure this is outside of it. Rudy Guiliani was right when he quoted Community Organizing as one of Obama's experiences during the Republican Convention. Where he and his party were sorely mistaken, was their lack of respect for the same.
Sure enough, he is the flavour of the season now. But that wasn't always the case. Obama has been a political chameleon but not in a way a fair-minded person could fault him. When the Rev. Wright crisis broke out, he did stand up for the Reverend in his speech on the racial divide in America. I remember seeing that speech and thought this was a great speech and that it should put his election beyond doubt. When i saw the newspapers and news coverage the next day, I did not see a ringing endorsement. Though the media was supposed to be on Obama's side, people did prefer to nuance their positions till it became clear who the top dog was. In American politics, the winner takes all!
Its a New Day
He has come through and won the election. Regardless of what he does going forward, the last two years have been historic. Not because of Barack Obama, but because for people like me who wanted the leadership of the world to change. Change comes not by just hoping for it. But by translating that hope into action, which is focussed towards an ultimate goal. When that happens, each new day seems so special.
To me he is a man of immense substance - practical yet philosophical, street smart yet very polished, young but very mature, cool but very can-do, liberal yet very disciplined and so on and so forth.
His evolution as a candidate has been an amazing journey. From a journeyman during the 2000 Democratic Convention, with the Clinton family at its powerful peak to being the upstart outsider who upset the Hillary applecart in 2008, he has blazed a trail of his own. He has been brilliant in studying his constituency and building his message. He has tackled various audiences at differing stages of his career brilliantly. Be it the Illinois electorate that gave him his first break or the liberal young college crowd that thronged his rallies or the general election crowd that need to be convinced he was more than an empty suit.
Ive been following this man for quite some time. He is THE ONE. And I thought so much before Oprah Winfrey said so.
I remember watching his 2004 DNC speech and being blown away by it. While still in hostel, I remember I used to look him up on YouTube everyday. I tracked him before he declared his candidacy and also as he declared it. Ive seen him grow as a candidate and take the centre stage.
What drew me to him was how he emphasised the need to unite, rather than divide. At a time when the world was wracked by terrorism, America's response to it with two wars, arrogant with us or against us attitude, this man seemed to be a balm to all the wounds that had been cut up. His cerebral approach to politics was stark contrast to Bush's Cheney approach!
On hindsight, I think Obama is all the more smarter as he understood the problem he faced in gunning for the Presidency and had a plan to get around it.
Fired Up Ready To Go
The most obvious thing about Obama is how good a speaker he is. He used his charisma and speech-making skills to fire up his base before Iowa. For a man who can electrify hundreds of thousands in one speech, I can only imagine how he must have fired up hundreds of people in small halls and school gymnasiums across Iowa.
Politics is about making your opponents strength their weakness. Ask Kerry and the Swift Boat Veterans! Somehow Hillary and team were not able to pin down Obama on their "empty suit" line of attack.
He is a master of playing the crowd. Watch this video, the last speech he gave before the elections. The last 4 minutes are electrifying.
Grant Park - Chicago Victory Speech
I would not forget this speech. I was over at a friends house watching the results come in live. Suddenly CNN called the elections in favour of Obama. It was a great feeling. I felt as though I was one amongst those 250,000 people in Grant Park, Chicago. The enormity of what he had pulled off was astounding. It was too big to comprehend in that little moment.
He came out and addressed the world. He seemed to understand the enormity of the challenges that were ahead of him, while the rest of the world was still ecstatic to see him there.
Somehow, in that one moment, America showed the beauty of Democracy. It was regime change without a shot being fired. An ideology was overthrown and a new one dawned. Make no mistake, this man and his moment shall pass. The old might become the new and this change would become old. But the beauty of democracy is the right man with the right ideology at the right time would be the messiah.
Yes We can
The difference between Obama and a generation of politicians before him and his own peers, is his ability to inspire people to take up his cause. This video is one of many on the Web that spread his word and message. He has become the ubercool icon for the youth generation. Words like
The fierce urgency of now
We are the ones that we have been waiting for
Yes we can
that have been crafted into his speeches have made him the symbol of hope for a generation of people, for very different reasons, which Im not sure Obama himself understands fully. He has mobilised millions of people at a grass roots level to carry his message. This is not the traditional Democratic party machine, but an entire structure this is outside of it. Rudy Guiliani was right when he quoted Community Organizing as one of Obama's experiences during the Republican Convention. Where he and his party were sorely mistaken, was their lack of respect for the same.
Sure enough, he is the flavour of the season now. But that wasn't always the case. Obama has been a political chameleon but not in a way a fair-minded person could fault him. When the Rev. Wright crisis broke out, he did stand up for the Reverend in his speech on the racial divide in America. I remember seeing that speech and thought this was a great speech and that it should put his election beyond doubt. When i saw the newspapers and news coverage the next day, I did not see a ringing endorsement. Though the media was supposed to be on Obama's side, people did prefer to nuance their positions till it became clear who the top dog was. In American politics, the winner takes all!
Its a New Day
He has come through and won the election. Regardless of what he does going forward, the last two years have been historic. Not because of Barack Obama, but because for people like me who wanted the leadership of the world to change. Change comes not by just hoping for it. But by translating that hope into action, which is focussed towards an ultimate goal. When that happens, each new day seems so special.
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