Monday, January 31, 2011

Co-ordination


What would happen if we put food in our mouth and our teeth refuse to chew, or we want to rush for an emergency and our feet just don’t move? Unimaginable situation, is’nt it? Be it body organs, people or processes, there needs to be close co-ordination or synchronisation. I wish to present two industry examples in which lack of co-ordination has proved to be disastrous for the employees responsible for the loss.
1. X is the sales head of ABC Company that manufactures machines and is on the verge of finalising a huge order with a very important client. The client wants a little change in the specification given earlier and insists the sales head to call someone from quality department to ensure that there is zero deviation. The sales head calls up the Quality Manager and asks him to join them for the discussion. The Quality Manager is in a regular group meeting with the Quality Head who refuses to release the manager from the meeting (the Sales Head & the Quality Head had a rift recently and the latter is looking for a chance to set scores right). The client postpones the order and later gives it to a competitor of ABC company.

2. Delivery of shares is given by the client on the last day to his bank where he maintains his demat account. His broker calls him up after the settlement period informing him that his shares have been auctioned due to non-delivery. He goes to the demat bank and is informed that the shares were delivered after banking hours. The client shows the bank a copy of the delivery slip in which the time is recorded and insists on knowing the true reason, and then he is informed that the server of the bank was down so there was a delay in processing the delivery. The client closes not all the accounts he and his family members maintained with the bank.
Such instances are fateful not just for the employees but for the organization too. The organization needs to look into the reason for lack of co-ordination and take corrective measures. Some apparent reasons are:
1. Fear to seek help and clarity
2. Lack of initiative
3. Lack of clarity
4. Complicated and unclear systems
5. Misuse of power
6. Lack of sense of responsibility or ownership
7. Insufficient standby arrangement in face of system failure
A few solutions:
1. Create a value based work environment
2. Make the workplace employee friendly
3. Integrate system with employee understanding (and common sense)
4. Keep systems simple and brief
5. Ensure adequate learning and development
6. Appreciate new ideas
Last but not the least, remember that co-ordination between one’s thoughts, words & actions is very important before expecting co-ordination from others. If nature was not in harmony with itself, we would'nt get to see life in full bloom as depicted in the picture given above.

Your feedback is of immense value. Please do write in and leave your comments.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Happy Republic Day






These are the pictures of special children who cannot hear or speak. They are singing the National Anthem in their own beautiful way.

I feel it's time for us to look beyond ourselves and come forward to make a difference.

Wishing You A Very Happy Republic Day!


Friday, January 21, 2011

Recognise even the smallest of contribution



Another example from the epic Ramayan to illustrate the recognition of even the tiniest of contribution, specially at work.
When the army of monkies was laying down the bridge to reach Lanka, a squirrel noticed the same and thought of being a part of the work. She laid in the sand and twisted herself up and down, right and left so that she could accumulate as much of sand and gravel as possible. Then she would go to the spot where the bridge was being made, twist herself and unload the matter collected. This loading and unloading of the construction material by her went on and on till Lord Ram noticed. Then he gently lifted the tiny squirrel in his hands and lovingly moved his fingers over her furs. It is said that the squirrel attained immortality and that the lines this species has over its furs occurred ever since Ram patted that squirrel.
Coming to the moral of the story as applicable at workplace:
1. Recognise and encourage every genuine effort.
2. Understand that every task has it's own importance.
3. Every person in the organization has an important role to play and contributes to the topline as well as the bottomline.
4. Always be a part of the solution.
5. Do not take anyone for granted.
6. Never ever under-estimate yourself.
7. Give your best to everything you do.
8. When you work for a noble cause, mother nature takes care of you in every manner.
Please send in your views and comments.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Trust - another intrinsic motivator



The other day I was reading an incident that happened while Sita was in the custody of Ravan. Ram asked Hanuman if he could get Sita back and Hanuman readily agreed. Then Ram asked him these questions-

Question by Ram , Answer by Hanuman
1. Have you ever seen Sita? No
2. Do you know where she is? No
3. Do you knowhow to get her back? No
Then Ram finally asked, then why did you say yes when I asked you if you could get her back?
To this, Hanuman replied-My dear Lord, when you trusted me so much by asking if I could do your work, I trust that you will make me do the work. And we all know the final result.

Trust is such a big motivator that it makes one achieve the most difficult task too.
Next time, if you are being asked to take up a challenging task, don't feel jittery, just understand that your boss or the organizations trusts your capabilities. I remember one incident that happened while I was working with one of the new generation banks. During an appraisal exercise, one of my colleagues complained to the business head that- things are just too difficult on the workfront and there are so many problems on a daily basis. To this, the business head said- because work is so difficult and there are so many problems, that is why you have been chosen to do it, else any average person could have done it; and we all are here to help you out. These words were more than enough for him to come back into full swing.
So, let's create an environment of mutual trust where everyone can give his best fearlessly.
For subordinates-be so trustworthy that you are the first one of whom your boss can think of in the best and worst of situations;
For superiors-live upto the trust of your subordinates and make them feel that they can look upto you in every situation.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Happy Youth Day


Heartiest wishes to all of you on the occassion of National Youth Day which happens to be Swami Vivekanand's birth anniversary. Here are a few inspirational messages by Swami Vivekanand.

1. We become what our thoughts make us. So be careful about what you think.
2. Take one good thought and make it your life.
3. Let your brain, muscles and nerves be immersed in that thought.
4. Every work is divine and every duty is worship.
5. While doing a work, think of nothing else.
6. So, awake and arise, and get into action.
7. Keep going till you reach your destination.
8. Leave your mark behind.
So always stay youthful.
Please keep sending your comments and suggestions.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Ray of hope



While feeling the the winter chill this morning, I felt so relieved to see the sun rays and then a thought just occurred to me that no matter how dark or tough days are, a ray of hope can do great wonders. Then I remembered a friend saying that down in London the winters are so extreme that there is no sunrise for days together and some people survive on anti-depressants during that season. I was taken aback to know this and then realised that we take a lot of things for granted and forget the abundant blessings we have been bestowed upon with.
Coming back to hope, yes it is a wonder drug; it gives the courage to fight the oddest of odds, it gives a reason to look forward to a better season and stay calm in the rough season. It strengthens one's auto immune system and helps one emerge as a winner.
So, find and cling on to that ray of hope, it'll bring a bundle of opportunities and means of getting there too.
Stay hopeful and keep giving your ideas:)

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Corporate Social Responsibility-an instrinsic motivator



We have been reading a lot about corporates undertaking various CSR initiatives like creating education funds, medical facilities, educating villagers, creating a green environment so on and so forth. Companies like Tatas & Birlas have always been doing a lot for humanitarian cause, nowadays a lot of other companies have taken seriously to the act of giving. Wives of biz wizards Narayan Murthy, Nandan Nilekani and many more are doing a lot of good work for social cause.
I was pleasantly surprised to read about a dedicated stock exchange being set up in London by an Indian & his friend for listing companies that work largely for a social cause like social housing, education, health, public transport, greentech etc. Interestingly the newspaper also reports about The Act of Giving as the theme of The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence. The value of philanthropy being the central idea of a business award- captivating, is'nt it?
On a much serious note, I find these acts to be motivators for the people actually doing all this. I am referring to the employees who are involved in carrying out various philanthropic activities. It acts as a great intrinsic motivator in the following ways:
  • Gives a meaningful purpose
  • Increases trust between employer & employee
  • Increases self-worth
  • Motivates to do better
  • Gives a sense of fulfilment
  • Increases credibility
I urge each one of you to make use of such motivators. Those of you who are at the helm of affairs, please engage your employees in some philanthropic work apart from their routine duties; and others, take up some such activity on your own. You'll feel a new zest for life altogether. Whenever I am engaged in such activities, I get a different high and sense of accomplishment; and am sure you'll experience the same. Please try it out.
Do write in and share your ideas.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Let's welcome the dawn of 2011



Let's welcome the dawn of a wonderful year ahead with a lot of positive energy.

May it drive us towards the path of serenity, humility & noble achievements.

Let's make it a splendid year for ourselves and those around us:)

Wish you a Very Happy New Year!