HOPE

I think, this speaks for itself and is not required to be dissected.

Be Hopeful or become Hopeless!!

Cheers!!

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The Global Individual

During my last week trip to Karnataka; I could manage to get good time during traveling to get my hands on book I was reading “The World is Flat” by Thomas Friedman. I finished reading it. I really recommend this book to have a new outlook to our future. The book takes on the issue of Globalization.

Couple of things strike me are:

• The Globalization process started with Countries going global and started to collaborate with various other countries around glob. The next one was to Companies going Global. This, basically results in to, companies started to think globally and having their strategies accordingly. No company could think and plan in isolation. If done so, survival is not assured. Opening up call centers or back office operations in India (or other countries) is not profit making or money saving, it is required to survive!! Getting goods manufactured in China is not for having cheaper production but it is to survive. The next and the most recent one is Individual going global. All individual will have to think globally. Their job or work can be replaced not only by someone in their neighborhood, but someone in some other country thousands of miles away. Let me talk about an example, job of a person in customer support or call center in US or UK can be replaced by someone in India, China etc. I must stress, it is not question of a low end job being replaced. Low end job of Taxi Driver or Garbage Collector can not be replaced bye a person in another country. So, individual will have to think globally. Individual will have to find work or job where they can do the best, not only within their country but globally, or, they will have to find something, which can not be replaced. An individual will have to really think globally. This takes me to another aspect.
• How should we prepare ourselves to be ready for this globalization? Well, We All must “Learn – How to Learn”. This is very important for every individual for developing adaptability to change. To give you an example, photographic film developer may now much avenues open, since uses of digital camera become more popular. So, the person must be ready to learn art of digital photography or his job is at danger!. Be ready to except change with shovels to dig opportunity and do not built wall to protect from the change. Also, parents must ensure that their kids “Learn – How to Learn”. This will only make them prepare to face challenges of the newer world.

I am strongly of the opinion that there are more risks but there are of course more opportunities in this changed and ever changing world

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Team Work

My take on Team Work!

Long time back, I had attended a musical program on ‘soft music”. The singer was really nice with his melodious songs. Being “soft music” they were having only 5 guys in orchestra with simple musical instruments. They were playing really soft and nice music. I had been fortunate sitting in the first row. I could focus on playing of each musical instrument separately and could really focus and hear one instrument at a time!!! My imagination made me thinking:

• If orchestra continues playing good music but if it does not match with song, how would it feel like?

Only being good is not enough. Need to have a match with core activity.

• If anyone from orchestra continues playing excellent but if it does not synchronies with others, how would it feel like?

Performance of any team member should be in synch with others in team.

• If one starts playing bad, will others sound good?

You need only one bad performer to spoil overall performance of the team.

There are lots of worthwhile books are written on Team Work. Also, above can be elaborated to a great length. However, keeping above in mind, Team Work is : Work in total harmony towards a single defined goal and objective. Only that really produces a great outcome!!

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Low Cost Airlines

Are “Low Cost Airlines” really Low Cost? Not always.

I had been traveling around India since days of “no option airline”, means there are no options available. You have to fly the only airline available for the sector at the fixed price they decided to charge!

Air Deccan brought in concept of Low Cost – No Frills airline to India, followed by few more such as SpiceJet, GoAir, IndiGo.. etc. Full Feature airlines such as Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Sahara Airlines .. etc had to change their policy over a period of time and introduce a model for discounted prices almost similar to low cost airlines. However, they still remained full features airlines. The lowest most fare offered by Full Feature airlines may not be as low as that offered by Low Cost airlines. The question is how many time one is able to get lower fare ticket??? If not, I suggest that look for prices offered by all airlines at that point of time. Don’t get surprised, if prices offered by Full Feature airlines are lower than that of Low Cost airlines!!! On many many occasions I have found prices offered by Jet Airways and Indian Airlines are much lower than that of SpiceJet or Air Deccan. Also, in addition to lower fare, you get host of other benefits and much better cancellation policy from full feature airlines. So, its double benefit!!!

For business travelers, change of sector, change of date and cancellation are regular features!!! For all these, Full Feature airlines are much better than Low Cost airlines. Recently, I wanted to travel Hyderabad – Delhi – Ahmedabad. I bought Air Deccan ticket for Hyderabad – Delhi and Air Sahara for Delhi – Ahmedabad. Air Deccan was kind enough to let me know day in advance about rescheduling of Hyderabad – Delhi flight. That meant for me to cancel by trip to Delhi, as not much time left between two flights. So, courtesy Air Deccan, I had to cancel Hyderabad – Delhi and Delhi – Ahmedabad tickets. Cancellation of Hyderabad – Delhi of Air Deccan cost me Approx. 1500, whereas cancellation of Delhi – Ahmedabad of Air Sahara cost me Rs. 500. Which one will you like? LOOK for Cancellation policy before you buy ticket!! Low Cost is not always Lowest Cost!

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Books with "Indian Connection"

My friend "Bhattu" was kind enough to let me borrow his books ( he probably had no options!!): "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" by Robin Sharma and "The World is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman. I must mention that I have finished reading "The Monk.." and have read only first few pages of "The World ..".

Strangely enough, I have felt that both the books has similarity by the way of "Indian Connection", however in a very different way. Both books have a backdrop or source of inspiration as "India". Backdrop for "The Monk.." is OLDEST Living Values of Indian Monks in Himalayas. Whereas, source of inspiration for "The World.." is LATEST Indian Software and Outsourcing Industry. So, India has lot to offer!!!

"The Monk.." : I recommend this book. I have read many books on self-improvement, such as "You Can Win", "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" etc.. Everyone ask you to practice The Best and achieve The Best. Whereas, Interestingly, "The Monk.." describes the extreme best, but suggest to practice with moderation. This particular aspect of this book makes it stand out. I found it very easy to read and understand, which makes it not very difficult to follow to an extend one can. READ IT.

"The World..." started with Indian Software and Outsourcing Industry. Source of insperation is "Infosys" the great Indian Software Solution organization. More to come on "The World..." as soon as I finish reading it.

I am off to a trip to Andhra Pradesh. I am sure, I shall get good opportunity to get my hands on the book.

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Just came back from a trip having couple of domestic flights. Not allowed to take liquids on the flights but cell phones and laptops in cabin were allowed!! Is anyone surprised?? Ahmedabad airport security asked me to turn on my laptop but not at Delhi or Kolkota airport. Strange enough. I think, terrorists have achieved what they wanted to, with out doing anything!

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