shit... i cant write anything. complete block. This happens every month end. Every month end post our department review i just go blank. i think it takes a lot of mental and emotional stamina. it just sucks the energy from me and i am left with a blank mind. Probably a good time to do Yoga - Blank mind.... see the connection!!
i also realised many people keep google alerts on various companies including the one i am working for. This is intersting. one could actually use the blog to crib about a company and the right guys in that company could possibly read your issue and respond... hmmm ... could be a great customer complaint redressal mechanism.
surrently i am pissed with hypercity. They have to deliver the bed i had asked for, but they have no clue on the availability and status. really really lost people. the monies have been paid in full and deliveries promised but not kept up. I even name dropped Andrew Levermore (their CEO), hopefully that will energise them.
What i will find most suprising is that if no one responds from Hypercity on reading this blog. And if they dont have google alerts then I think I will find out about their PR agency and ensure I never ever hire them and spread bad press about them.
lets see..... is customer service active in India?
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
elite - cause of teams
While I was teaching the BMS guys I stumbled on something very interesting. On a lark I started the elite class. Basically just took a bunch of kids (completely optional) and called them on Sunday morning at 7. We then ran for some time. Did some elementary yoga, did a lot of games, gave them some real ragda (basically tough excersie / punishments) like frog jump, duck walk, monkey crawl etc. All this followed by a wholesome discussion on something or the other. God alone knows why they came. That too on a Sunday morning. Their parents were wondering what happened to them. One kid’s dad insisted on dropping her off, as he was sure she would be the only kid present there on a Sunday morning. I think he was surprised to the crowd. Hahaha. Take that daddies, who thought kids won’t get up on Sunday mornings, for something completely optional and not related to studies and more so… had lots of physical exercise and horror of horrors – we even had book reading. I guess the real reason kids came was – they had fun. I don’t think they cared enough to bother if they were learning or not, they just wanted to have fun.
And for some reason the kids who attended it somehow got a bit closer to me. They keep talking a lot about elite and how they miss it a lot. well I miss it too… I dunno why it stopped, but obviously time constraints from me were top of the list.
That bit taught me a lot about kids. There ability to laugh through shit, their ability to push themselves when needed, their ability to stick out from the ordinary. I tried building a team there, who shared some “PRIDE” in coming in on Sunday mornings and doing what no body else was doing. I fell somewhere, they were proud of what they doing, I don’t think they knew it but, it stayed on in their head for a long time to come.
Which brings me to corporate stuff. We have these team building offsites. A complete waste of effort and energy if you ask me. It’s a good picnic and that’s that. I have a belief that if you want teams to come closer they need to do much more stuff together. When you are physically tired, your true mettle will come out. It’s not easy to hide emotions when you are exhausted, and there is a destination to go to. Try being nice to colleagues when you are freezing or suffering from leg sores. Trekking for atleast 3 – 4 days through not so benign conditions. That’s one offsite I want to see. Well knits teams will separate from the loosely held ones. It’s the same in cricket. Tough matches show true team mettle and leadership. You need to go through something that should leave you proud of your experience else you WILL not get much from it. Definitely not team building.
And for some reason the kids who attended it somehow got a bit closer to me. They keep talking a lot about elite and how they miss it a lot. well I miss it too… I dunno why it stopped, but obviously time constraints from me were top of the list.
That bit taught me a lot about kids. There ability to laugh through shit, their ability to push themselves when needed, their ability to stick out from the ordinary. I tried building a team there, who shared some “PRIDE” in coming in on Sunday mornings and doing what no body else was doing. I fell somewhere, they were proud of what they doing, I don’t think they knew it but, it stayed on in their head for a long time to come.
Which brings me to corporate stuff. We have these team building offsites. A complete waste of effort and energy if you ask me. It’s a good picnic and that’s that. I have a belief that if you want teams to come closer they need to do much more stuff together. When you are physically tired, your true mettle will come out. It’s not easy to hide emotions when you are exhausted, and there is a destination to go to. Try being nice to colleagues when you are freezing or suffering from leg sores. Trekking for atleast 3 – 4 days through not so benign conditions. That’s one offsite I want to see. Well knits teams will separate from the loosely held ones. It’s the same in cricket. Tough matches show true team mettle and leadership. You need to go through something that should leave you proud of your experience else you WILL not get much from it. Definitely not team building.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
humble arrogance
Humble enough to admit arrogance.
Ever since I started reading, and reading like crazy, I have developed an arrogance that is difficult to control. It becomes difficult to enter into conversations and arguments which are so shallow. I have suddenly become the quiet guy in the animated conversation, as I refuse to give ‘expert opinions’ unless I have the benefit of some knowledge on the subject through readings or experience. Also I really don’t bother winning arguments (big change from 5 years back) as one realizes that most of the time the other guy is not anywhere near well read or knowledgeable on the subject. There is no point arguing a strong opinion. I relish talking to a subject matter expert. Reading has made me realize the value of someone’s experience and study. So its either I am completely absorbing what the other guy is saying or just turning off. I mean – whats the point of talking on the basis of newspapers / TV channels. I recommend to anyone that one should keep newspaper / magazine reading to a minimum and completely shut off TV channels, specially the news channels. The quality of reporting is going further and further down. Its better not to have an opinion basis the news. And any such conjecture developed in the brain must be kept there. The more I read the more quiet I get….. I dunno…are opposites reconciling again? Conversations that stimulate me are normally slow, less animated and where there is reception on either side. How many of us can actually listen. Its an art that is very difficult to master. I too struggle a lot on this. One has to be free from thoughts while assimilating and then be able to quicly put it all together, run the argument in your head a couple of times and then slowly blurt it. but given todays speed, we might just as well bolt the stables after the horses have fled… or the better option – shut up.
Yesterday I saw Omkara. Learnings… its best not to let someone lead your opinion on some one else. You will have to judge for yourself on someone. That guy might be a dickhead to the world but if he is good with you then that’s that. Allways be on guard, form opinions but remember – always temper down the extremes that you hear from others. It’s something I have tried in office many times. Reasonable success. And it’s a good thing I saw the movie on DVD. I would not have understood anything in the theatre – never knew English subtitles would be such a great idea for a hindi film.
Ever since I started reading, and reading like crazy, I have developed an arrogance that is difficult to control. It becomes difficult to enter into conversations and arguments which are so shallow. I have suddenly become the quiet guy in the animated conversation, as I refuse to give ‘expert opinions’ unless I have the benefit of some knowledge on the subject through readings or experience. Also I really don’t bother winning arguments (big change from 5 years back) as one realizes that most of the time the other guy is not anywhere near well read or knowledgeable on the subject. There is no point arguing a strong opinion. I relish talking to a subject matter expert. Reading has made me realize the value of someone’s experience and study. So its either I am completely absorbing what the other guy is saying or just turning off. I mean – whats the point of talking on the basis of newspapers / TV channels. I recommend to anyone that one should keep newspaper / magazine reading to a minimum and completely shut off TV channels, specially the news channels. The quality of reporting is going further and further down. Its better not to have an opinion basis the news. And any such conjecture developed in the brain must be kept there. The more I read the more quiet I get….. I dunno…are opposites reconciling again? Conversations that stimulate me are normally slow, less animated and where there is reception on either side. How many of us can actually listen. Its an art that is very difficult to master. I too struggle a lot on this. One has to be free from thoughts while assimilating and then be able to quicly put it all together, run the argument in your head a couple of times and then slowly blurt it. but given todays speed, we might just as well bolt the stables after the horses have fled… or the better option – shut up.
Yesterday I saw Omkara. Learnings… its best not to let someone lead your opinion on some one else. You will have to judge for yourself on someone. That guy might be a dickhead to the world but if he is good with you then that’s that. Allways be on guard, form opinions but remember – always temper down the extremes that you hear from others. It’s something I have tried in office many times. Reasonable success. And it’s a good thing I saw the movie on DVD. I would not have understood anything in the theatre – never knew English subtitles would be such a great idea for a hindi film.
Friday, October 27, 2006
networks and omkara
With 8 years of work ex, I have changed some 8 jobs… I can hardly preach on stability. The skew is even more if you consider 5 years in Kotak itself (in two stints). But one positive fall out of the same is the bloody network. The sheer number of people you know and meet over different jobs is enormous. And if add the 500 odd students I have taught over the few years, the network is BIIIIGGGG. Positive side – go to any mall and you meet someone you know, negative – impossible to cheat on wife!!!
In any case, I always believe it these networks that count in the long run. The value of network increases in geometric progression to the number of people in it. And this network will really be of any value if you are truly genuine and helpful to others in it. [nishkaam karma anyone!!!] People are not dumb. They see thru shitty people, they avoid liars and they hate schmoozers. If they don’t like you, they avoid you when they see you. Evil shit is soon alone evil shit.
So even if you cant do too much good try not to do any harm. Some people will like you some wont, but atleast you wont have too many people hating your guts. Operative words – too many. There will always be some dickheads, jealous shit and insecure chappies who will not like you just becoz you are either too nice or little successful or friendly or just whatever. Ignore those bastards, they don’t count for shit in your life.
May the network be with you.
I have found another use of the team jackets in office. They came in handy today when someone else wore the same shirt as me today. Bach gaya – the jacket was on whole day.
Also with the current look, I have been getting remarks like abhishek bachhan wannabe, shryas talpade, (worst one) himesh reshamiya, mangal pandey (no real connection), or the one I like – Omkara (saif ali). You judge.. photo is attached…. and yes - the sleepy look is for the intense look!!!!!
In any case, I always believe it these networks that count in the long run. The value of network increases in geometric progression to the number of people in it. And this network will really be of any value if you are truly genuine and helpful to others in it. [nishkaam karma anyone!!!] People are not dumb. They see thru shitty people, they avoid liars and they hate schmoozers. If they don’t like you, they avoid you when they see you. Evil shit is soon alone evil shit.
So even if you cant do too much good try not to do any harm. Some people will like you some wont, but atleast you wont have too many people hating your guts. Operative words – too many. There will always be some dickheads, jealous shit and insecure chappies who will not like you just becoz you are either too nice or little successful or friendly or just whatever. Ignore those bastards, they don’t count for shit in your life.
May the network be with you.
I have found another use of the team jackets in office. They came in handy today when someone else wore the same shirt as me today. Bach gaya – the jacket was on whole day.
Also with the current look, I have been getting remarks like abhishek bachhan wannabe, shryas talpade, (worst one) himesh reshamiya, mangal pandey (no real connection), or the one I like – Omkara (saif ali). You judge.. photo is attached…. and yes - the sleepy look is for the intense look!!!!!
Thursday, October 26, 2006
teaching blues and mumbai taxis
my kid was not happy to see me... she's staying over at her nani's place and i went in the morning to drop off some of her clothes. she thought I had come to collect her. the first thing she did was make a face and then told me to come post the vacations!! cool... and all this while i thought she liked me :) hahaha... good fun thing this 'parenting' bit is. they probably grow to let me know that i did a bad jobon them. hmmm, thats why i like to keep it simple and loving as opposed to complex startegies... wehaven't yet got her to taste any aerated drinks, simply by not having it as well. if we dont drink, she does not want to have it as well. its difficult teaching, while you go ahead and flout all rules.
Also i went and bought some hand puppets. it was good fun playing with them. the tough part is trying not to make every quality time with your child an intense teaching session. i dont believe you need to teach all the time, but i sure believe you need to learn all the time. i guess we just need to have a ball with the time we have and leave the rest to the kid's ability. i use that while teaching college as well. Not 100% of the time should be spent teaching. that will completely bore the pants of the kids. I guess even 30% quality time with simple clean concepts would be enough. HAVE FUN - if you learn in the process, cool.
one visitor from london office was wondering how the mumbai taxis run with the fuel meters always on empty! and that too all the taxis??? I had to explain that most of them run on CNG/LPG and their indicators are the small grren dots next to the steering on the left. Whew, he was glad to know that the taxis will have enough fuel for getting him to the airport!
Also i went and bought some hand puppets. it was good fun playing with them. the tough part is trying not to make every quality time with your child an intense teaching session. i dont believe you need to teach all the time, but i sure believe you need to learn all the time. i guess we just need to have a ball with the time we have and leave the rest to the kid's ability. i use that while teaching college as well. Not 100% of the time should be spent teaching. that will completely bore the pants of the kids. I guess even 30% quality time with simple clean concepts would be enough. HAVE FUN - if you learn in the process, cool.
one visitor from london office was wondering how the mumbai taxis run with the fuel meters always on empty! and that too all the taxis??? I had to explain that most of them run on CNG/LPG and their indicators are the small grren dots next to the steering on the left. Whew, he was glad to know that the taxis will have enough fuel for getting him to the airport!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
sweet spot
One of the little things I really like is sleeping on the sand at Chowpatty. (The marine drive one). I think that’s one of the lost experiences in the city. As I often like to say - there is no better solitude than in a crowd. (opposites reconciling again) Being a part of a teeming mass but yet all alone gives a funny feeling. Sitting on the beach and looking at all the neon signs, hearing the distant din of traffic and getting a Talia massage done is a complete stress buster. That too for a max of 20 bucks within 10 minutes of my Nariman Point office.
For the uninitiated ‘talia’ massage is a basically a foot massage which is done using a small copper vessel, which he rhythmically presses against the sole of your feet. It’s a bit ticklish to start with but is outstanding for relieving feet stress. He will then show you the black residue on the vessel which he claims is your heat which has released during the massage.
I would love to get this done more often but alas….I need to go more often. In fact many times Jasmine and me take Jispa to Chowpatty, spread out the bed sheet and open the hamper for a picnic. 6 pm is the best time to reach there. Jispa can run about with a football or some other game and since it’s a clean beach, we are not so worried about her. We once took our cousin Arjun for a lovely evening and how we buried him in the sand and made him look like a mermaid. He and Jispa completely freaked out and we did as well. It’s fun to dig and play in the sand.
Its amazing, when I think about it, how some of the best spots are bang in the middle of the places you want to run from. There are many such small places in mumbai where I often run to, and I hope to write about them in time to come. If you guys know of any such sweet spots, do write in.
For the uninitiated ‘talia’ massage is a basically a foot massage which is done using a small copper vessel, which he rhythmically presses against the sole of your feet. It’s a bit ticklish to start with but is outstanding for relieving feet stress. He will then show you the black residue on the vessel which he claims is your heat which has released during the massage.
I would love to get this done more often but alas….I need to go more often. In fact many times Jasmine and me take Jispa to Chowpatty, spread out the bed sheet and open the hamper for a picnic. 6 pm is the best time to reach there. Jispa can run about with a football or some other game and since it’s a clean beach, we are not so worried about her. We once took our cousin Arjun for a lovely evening and how we buried him in the sand and made him look like a mermaid. He and Jispa completely freaked out and we did as well. It’s fun to dig and play in the sand.
Its amazing, when I think about it, how some of the best spots are bang in the middle of the places you want to run from. There are many such small places in mumbai where I often run to, and I hope to write about them in time to come. If you guys know of any such sweet spots, do write in.
Monday, October 23, 2006
diwali musings
Greeting cards are good... only problem is that i hating disposing them off. So i did the next best thing. i turned them into prayer flags a la tibetians. hopefully this way the winds (AC air) will carry the wishes across the office. Recyled office air has some use i guess....i assume some day the collection will grow large and just fall off the ventilation. i hope it take sthe ventilation with it. The office needs some excitement...
I bought for myself (under the pretext of Jispa (daughter)) some really fun crackers. once she said she wanted really big fountains, i went and bought tne biggest they had. had fun bursting them. All the building kids going - wow - dam cool - and other such stuff. Allways fun to be a kid with a lot of money!!!! economic might when combined with kiddie aspirations are a potent combination. God save me from myself. Just for the record jispa cried when i burst them. she did not enjoy it, I DID!. she enjoyed the rockets though. anything that goes 20 mtrs up and then makes a noise is welcome. will have to keep that in mind the next year!
meanwhile doing up my new home is fun. cold desicion meets warm emotion. Opposites are reconciling!!!!!! result a rather haph hazard looking home... but warm nevertheless - and NO, Its not warm due to not have having AC in the living room.
Friday, October 20, 2006
2nd hand santa claus
the luxury of the designation puts me on the mailing list of a lot of diwlai chocolates. when i started my career i would allways look at the big boys getting a bulf of the chocolates and gifts, and they used to take the truckloads of them home. Now in their shoes i have decided never to take anything gifted to me in office home. NO matter what. this gets me two things - 1 - moral high ground - 2 - i distribute it all to in office, so that everyone down the line as well gets to have the lovely sweets / chocolates. I feel very light when i give it all away. Its so much fun to see all the guys devoring it in office. They have nick named me Santa claus. I call it the 2nd hand Santa.
i am not usre if most people realise that the gifts are not given to the person, but to the chair. Its the CHAIR stupid.
i am not usre if most people realise that the gifts are not given to the person, but to the chair. Its the CHAIR stupid.
jispa diaries and marketing fart
i just was wondering in the morning, that over a period of time, i will be writing my entire philosophy and belief in this blog... cool. and in case my kid (jispa) wants to know what i was and what i thought, all she needs to do is to log on! and she would be able to get a sense of what her dad really is. i wish i had that for my dad. this is some real motivation to write a lot here , a lot about my learnings, beliefs, thoughts. i hope they will be usefull to those who read and hope it will spark debate somewhere somehow.
Yesterday i learnt an importnat lesson. rather relearnt it. i was in a dipstick interview where he trashed the sample copy of the brochureware that we were showing it. IT reinforced my belief that financial service marketing is all about letting the product do the talking. as long as we can give enough airtime to adequately explain - showcase the product, the strength of the product will pull it through. if the product has no strength then it is not supposed to do well in any case. it has no busines being there. In that case just get teh best sales guy money can buy and incentivise him like hell..... sometimes i wonder if i will be the man who will write the obituary on financial service marketing as we know it.
Yesterday i learnt an importnat lesson. rather relearnt it. i was in a dipstick interview where he trashed the sample copy of the brochureware that we were showing it. IT reinforced my belief that financial service marketing is all about letting the product do the talking. as long as we can give enough airtime to adequately explain - showcase the product, the strength of the product will pull it through. if the product has no strength then it is not supposed to do well in any case. it has no busines being there. In that case just get teh best sales guy money can buy and incentivise him like hell..... sometimes i wonder if i will be the man who will write the obituary on financial service marketing as we know it.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
'amazingly companionable' and the top learnings
hahahahha... i got that on a testimonial on orkut."amazingly companionable" was dam innovative. i like to thank dipti for this one!!! THNAKS KID! any case that was a great start to the morning. Speaking of mornings, they tend to get heavy with me reading in the trains. i dont know if that is necessarily good, but it does give me a lot to think about. a good 30 minutes to start the day with. I am reading - 'Pride matters more than money' - Jon Katzenbach. cool book. like most, they reinforce the obvious, but then thats the thing. we need to reinforce the obvious else we get tangled on trying to understand the mystic. whatever that means.... like the god 'dharen chaddha' explaind to me that all great men see things complex things as simple. strategy is simplicity. One lens to distill all the complexity into simple problems with simple solutions. Thank you god. that is one of the best lessons i have learnt in my life.
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
pride matters more than money
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i firmly believe in this. thats if you want a performing team or a bunch of mercenaries. in the long run this is what counts! i got my team jackets just for this! let there be pride!
there are things money can buy and for every thing else... there is pride.
Monday, October 16, 2006
first one
writing my first post here... eeeeee... am i supposed to be happy. i dont know guess i just should start with my current in fashion quote ' Subhas Nagre ek aadmi hai pur Sarkaar ek Soch hai' super profound and super mass at the same time - here---- opposites have reconciled. i even have justification for my blog title!
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