People@Disaster.com

I am not the ulitimate authority, in fact far from it. If you ask Chaitali she will perhaps roll on the floor with laughter hearing that I have had the audacity to pen down a few words on the topic. But all the same it's a free world and here I go.

The other day a facebook friend - Indira commented that "silence is the best method of eloquence". The statement has to be taken in its spirit and that's quite true. A lot of times we blurt out words that has drastic effects and we do it unknowingly. The other day in a get together a lady had come who manages a play school. When the topic of discussion was playschool somebody mentioned that the school managed by this lady was the best in Kuwait. Immediately another person commented and expressed his full disagreement in front of the lady. Now that's what this piece is all about. How not to put your foot in the mouth? The worst is perhaps when you don't even realize that the deed was done.

A lot of times it could happen with gifts. You gift something to X and then Y transfers the same to Z. Then X and Z discover about the sequence of actions. Disaster ---- and imagine the bad perceptions this creates!!

Would you open a door to a lady or would you stand up when a lady enters the room or perhaps comes and speaks to you at your desk? Points to ponder...while you might also say...what the hell, this is utter nonsense!!

Discussing food is a great topic. I have increasingly found that Indian vegetarians are quite non tolerant in the depths of their mind about non-vegetarians. Mind you this is also true about a lot of sub continent non-vegetarians when they come across food habits say of a Chinese or Korean. The facial gestures or body language that is expressed by a typical Indian vegetarian when they see or hear about non-vegetarian stuff is something that I absolutely dislike and abhor.

It could be surprising to many, but I regularly watch Big Boss, the Indian version of the reality program Big Brother. There’s many a situation happening in that house that happens in office too. It’s more complex in an office with so many people in a close group and let me tell you that men perhaps gossip equally or more than women!! So misrepresentations are the order of the day and then when you get caught at it's nothing but a series of disasters. Sphere: Related Content

Disasters, Manners, Mannerisms, et al

I am not the ulitimate authority, in fact far from it. If you ask Chaitali she will perhaps roll on the floor with laughter hearing that I have had the audacity to pen down a few words on the topic. But all the same it's a free world and here I go.





The other day a facebook friend - Indira commented that "silence is the best method of eloquence". The statement has to be taken in its spirit and that's quite true. A lot of times we blurt out words that has drastic effects and we do it unknowingly. The other day in a get together a lady had come who manages a play school. When the toipc of dicussion was playschool somebody mentioned that the school managed by this lady was the best in Kuwait. Immediately another person commented and expressed his full disagreement, and all this in front of the lady. Now that's what this piece is all about. How not to put your foot in the mouth. The worst is perhaps when you don't even realise that the deed was done.





A lot of times it could happen with gifts. I had this situation where I bought XYZ for a colleague. After a week when I visited a mutual friend I found the same items in their house. On query my hunch was confirmed and I am not sure who was more embarassed. Transfers do surely happen and rather not do them in close groups.




Would you open a door to a lady or would you stand up when a lady enters the room or perhaps comes and speaks to you at your desk? Points to ponder...while you might also say...what the hell, this is utter nonsense!!





Discussing food is a great topic for me specially given the topic i am writing about. There is this guy who makes a big face whenever he hears of Non-Vegetarian. So if you mention that you had this and that he would produce funny demeaning sounds. I find this disgusting. So the other day when I had this bout of food poisoning the same gentleman opined that this must be due to non-vegetarian. I had extreme pleasure in spite of the pain to let him know that the trigger was a simple vegetarian popular snack!!


I have this immense thrill of describing to people how I had cow's intestines but I promise you that the same is always as a retort to something you would have stirred in me.

There is this other guy who when you visit his office will always open this drawer of his that would be full of chocolates. But beware, he would never offer you one, though on every occasion he would make it a point to open the same. Serves me right, with my high sugar problems!! Sphere: Related Content

Misplaced sympathies

Nalini has broken her fast!! Not that I am too concerned with Nalini eating or not while in jail. I have no objections to the fact that her death penalty was revoked. But I do have objections if she is released from prison. The law needs to decide on that and we will abide by our law. She had killed our Prime Minister-Rajiv Gandhi(good or bad) and she was caught. That's it.

This has got nothing to do with Indians killing Tamils in Srilanka or all such related theories. Sometimes we just confuse issues and misplace our sympathies!! Sphere: Related Content

Q8 - Arbit Comments

The climate is changing. The evenings are warm all right but it’s not hot. Give or take another month and the evenings will be extremely pleasant. A walk by the sea would be a good idea, not that you should not go now.

Durga Puja is approaching and there is a local association that does a hush hush affair that I am told everybody knows about. I believe there are some restrictions on idol worship, et al but I am not sure of the same. As usual there are a couple of prominent churches and therefore I believe there is tolerance. But typically it could always be a case of selective tolerance!!

The Ramadan just about got over and that would brought an end to the relaxed office hours. We are not complaining though!! Sphere: Related Content

Office near Home? (Linked in Q)

Office near home could have the following benefits:

1. Reduce stressful travel time and allows your mind to be more healthy and productive.
2. Contribute to lowering pollution since you would be travelling less.
3. Work time and home time...both are important constituents of the day and having an office near home helps maintain a good balance.

On the lighter side:
1. You could go back home for a short siesta to be fresh for the long haul.
2. Go back home for fresh food rather than stale food packed early in the morning and also avoid junk food in office or vicinity. The best would be to have a flexi time HOME office and these days inceasingly thats the way to go!! Sphere: Related Content

Do you feel God is Partial when Luck seems to work better than hard work? (Linked In Q)

God's way of giving is different and need not be a one to one incident based. So while you would help "A" perhaps you would get back from "B". I for one do not expect a direct return of favor.

The concept of a return favor is not a good thing to pursue. If things happen to you due to a direct fall out its good for you...if it's not..something better is destined. Coming to LUCK therefore...we do not have the full insider information on the "LUCKY ONE". He must have done or doing some other good KARMA for him to get rewarded from unexpected quarters Sphere: Related Content

Time Killing or Killing Times

The family is not here and it's an understatement when I say that I miss them. The TV Channels are available but since I like watching movies end to end I am just not being able to figure out when a movie would start. I know it's a game of patience but that's how it is.

The saving grace is that I have a host of movies on my laptop and that's under my control. I have also hooked up the audio system to my PC for hearing my MP3 collection loud and clear.

I have been to a couple of malls but as usual they are all the same and therefore are not of interest. It's too hot outside for a casual evening walk too. What should we do out here?

Yesterday I connected with a Bengali Cultural Society and they have 20000 questions for me to become a member. Ridiculously insane!!

From today I have planned to go to the Gym. While time will perhaps pass, a bit of fat would also reduce. That's finally something positive given the state that I am in. By the way, I forgot to mention that I am in Kuwait now!! Sphere: Related Content

Death

Last month saw two deaths amongst family and friends. A very dear friend was suffering from advanced liver cancer for the last one year or so and finally she found her release last month. Then there was this dear Aunt who passed away last week after a prolonged period of illness.

I still do not how to deal with death, in the sense that there is this perpetual conflict of emotions, behavior, thoughts being in control, etc. Most often than not I am absolutely lost with words to be used for consoling or offering my sympathies. I wonder if mere presence works instead of a barrage of words, or a hug perhaps. If I am in the vicinity of the situation, I try and get involved and get busy with work…and typically there is always a lot to be done. I try and hide my emotions, but these days I am finding it difficult to control them. Sphere: Related Content

Is Sales a part of Marketing? Or is it the other way?

Philip Kotler said that Marketing was all about satisfying needs and wants through an exchange process. I like another definition by The Chartered Institute of Marketing where they have defined it as the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably. There would be others too and I am sure people would have studied them.

So as per concept there is no denying that Sales is a function under the umbrella of Marketing. Marketing to me is the whole end to end process of understanding needs, developing products and services to satisfy those needs, reaching them to the customer, support, maintaining relationships. It would also include market analysis, branding, promoting, product management and almost everything to do with a customer. In spite of views that may not agree with mine I am quite unwilling to change my stand on this!!

For people who think otherwise it is due to the perceptions that dictate their views. They would have been exposed to the fact that typically in most organizations you have a separate Sales Department and a separate Marketing Department.

Typically the marketing department in most situations carries out the marketing support functions like advertising, brand building and promotions. Some of them also bring in Product Management under this department though I have seen situations where Product Management is a separate group and they are responsible for the whole cycle for that particular product. Marketing Dept in the latter companies would perhaps just provide OVERALL Corporate Marketing Support.

Sales is a very important process since it deals with the bottom line(others do too). It consumes a lot of energy in dealing and converting the unknown and also tests the concepts on ground. Most organizations find it easier therefore to separately handle the marketing portions(other than sales) and sales. There would be aspects of Marketing that is broken up and handled by different departments or units. What is however important is that all the marketing activities that would include sales need to be in tandem. The entire mega process is marketing while sub processes are delegated to specialized people.

Let’s say there is a marketing project where a new brand of toothpaste has to be introduced you would find even R&D and production people getting involved. If the manufacturing is outsourced your external partner gets involved too.

Therefore without confusing ourselves, like some have already explained, everything has to work together. Every unit has a given deliverable to accomplish. Deliverables could be one time or repeatable. They all contribute to the big M.

It depends upon the “culture/direction from top management” on how the organization is structured and how processes will be carried out. The debate that carries on therefore is purely semantics and not worth considering.

Sphere: Related Content

Isnt the 'Proactive marketing approach' more of a disturbance to the customer? (Linked In)

My Answer:

I am not particularly in favour of using an adjective like Proactive. I am not sure as to how Marketing can be otherwise!!

The concept of disturbance again could be relative and diverse based on people, their background, culture likes and dislikes.

Typically any marketing approach and the particular activity undertaken will have to define customer touch points. So it could be an ad in the morning news paper sports section, a radio jingle in a particular program slot, a salesperson cold calling on and ringing your doorbell, an ad during Prime Time Friends, an email, an ad on a website and many more. Each of these again in many different ways.

Now any marketing approach must figure out the target segment and then decide how to reach them. An understanding of the segment that is being targeted is therefore of extreme importance. Understanding would be in terms of their social norms, behavior, culture and other attributes.

When you do all these and then carry out your marketing activities, that's what I would term as being proactive. This means that you try to understand a customer in terms of their thoughts, beliefs, feelings and needs.

Any marketing approach is intended to utilize those moments with the customer effectively. I reckon that if you are offensive or creating disturbance then you are not being effective and therefore you are not being proactive!!

An example:
It was 10.00 at night the other day when our doorbell rang. I live in an apartment in a typical residential high rise building Through the eye-hole I could see a lady and a gentleman. I opened the door with the door chain on, when the lady explained to me that they were doing some survey on tap water and wanted fifteen minutes of my time to conduct the experiment!! I mentioned that we do not consume tap water and then suggested to them they could conduct that experiment at the source itself and should rather contact the building supervisor instead of knocking apartments and that too in the night. She was awed by my suggestion but insisted that I should give in since it would hardly take a while. I immediately asked her if they were trying to sell a water purifier to me and she agreed. I told them I will not buy one and was polite with my 'thank you"!! She made a big face, rolled her eyes away, looked at her partner, shrugged, bid a rude "have a nice day" (@#$&**?) and waled off to next apartment.

This was surely disturbance!! I do not want to blame the salesperson right away here.

It is all a question of marketing approach and the right way of doing things. Some organizations do it well, while most do not. Many products sell in the market, but you would always like to remember and emulate people and organization who do the right thing, the right way and are friendly to the world and its inhabitants.

Marketing is surely about understanding consumer needs and then conceptualising, developing, promoting and delivering the product or service to fulfill those needs again and again. The marketing approach could be Push or Pull but I am quite clear that both approaches have to ensure that they are not offensive or causing disturbance. That's one facet of being proactive after all!! Sphere: Related Content

Customer Service - Should it be a part of sales (Question in Linked In)

My Answer:


1. My first contention is that there should not be a stereotype Customer Service Department in an organisation let alone it be under Sales.
2. All organisations have customer touch points for give and take of contractual promises, delivery, problem solving, help, information, relationship building. Even cold calling sometimes in very esoteric thinking could come under the perview of customer services.
3. Now all these different touch points typically would be a start or culminating point of different internal processes managed by different departments/functions/individuals based on the org structure and process structure.
4. The question is to manage these processes efficiently (led by customer expectations) and ensuring that the orchestra team is playing each instrument at the right time.

Customer Service is all about managing expectations and is an ART that should be managed using Science. Is therefore not a question of whether a Customer Service Department should be under Sales. Most often than not the answer would be negative. But that is not the issue. The point is to ensure that your touch points are well defined and they are delivering right, again and again, in same and different circumstances. That brings in the subject of how to understand customer expectations and that's perhaps a separate discussion, Lastly I feel that anything to do with the customer needs to be strategic!!! Sphere: Related Content

GramPea Salad

Though the heading sort of sounds like Grumpy with a twang, this is really a salad made of Bengal Grams and Chickpea and it could get spicy depending upon your inclination.

1. Soak overnight 100 grams of Bengal Gram and 100 grams of Chick Pea.
2. Next day drain the water.
3. Boil the two in separate pans for about 15 minutes till tender bit not mushy.
3. Boil 2 medium sized potatoes and cut them into small pieces.
4. Put all the three in a large bowl.
5. You need some chopped green chillies based on how "hot" you want this to be.
6. 2 tsp of salt to mix should be enough.
7. Throw in some black pepper too.
8. Now the simple dressing. 2 tbsp of olive oil, 2 tbsp of lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
9. You could also throw in some chopped cilantro and then mix everything lightly!!

That's it. The tenth step is to serve or eat. Sphere: Related Content

Unique way of protesting against Bad Customer Service

Musician Dave Carroll watched in horror as United Airlines baggage workers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport manhandled his $3,500 guitar last year. When he and his band arrived in Nebraska, the guitar was broken.

Thus began Carroll’s sad song.

Filing a claim for reimbursement for the guitar proved futile; airlines often exempt “valuables” including musical instruments from damage coverage in their contract of carriage. So Carroll and his band, Sons of Maxwell, decided to seek revenge instead of reimbursement. He told the last person to deny his claim, Ms. Irlweg, that he “would write and produce three songs about my experience with United Airlines and make videos for each to be viewed online by anyone in the world.”

He put together a catchy song and cute video describing his nine-month hassle and posted it. Although United saved $3,500 by denying his broken guitar claim, the music video likely will generate far more than that in negative publicity for the airline.

The Video:

Courtesy: WSJ BLOGS

Sphere: Related Content

View from Hell

The View from Hell is clear and bright
The Sun is Black, The night is radiant
Good is Evil, Evil is Good
Sweet and Sanity understood,

From Dolan's Caddilac Sphere: Related Content

Why do organizations emphasize on team work but reward individual contributions more promptly?

1, We do not try.
2. We do not understand team dynamics
3. We almost always commit the same "mistakes" without understanding that they are mistakes.
4. We as a race like the concept of heroes.
5. We still do not understand the power of the "middle". We only reward the top and discard the bottom. And we continue our process with the disgruntled middle.

Managing an organisation is a game all right but not so simplistic. This is a complex process with complex situations and complex answers. So just rewarding a hero is not the answer. It has to be a holistic reward system that motivates the people at all levels. Aspirations could be different in terms or money or recognition or other aspects of life. Very few organisations and the people in it invest time to figure out these issues. Therefore it's good to talk about teams, team recognition and rewards in forums, discussions, blogs et al but when going and acting there is much left to be desired between practical theory and actual practice.” Sphere: Related Content

How do we know if there is any Strategy present in a Strategic Plan?

English as a language is ever evolving and words used can be perceived by us in different ways. Vision, Mission, Strategy, Goals, Objectives, Targets, Deliverables, and so on and so forth.

So I could have tactics, but one could also term it as a short term strategy!! Is Mission a Goal? Are objectives met by a strategy or every strategy must have a plan that should include tactics? Vision comes before Mission or vice versa!! Finally everything is relative and depends upon what time frame and accomplishment(oh another new word) we are looking at.

Restricting to the question and using the words listed I would say that a Strategy Plan must have the following:
1. What are we planning to achieve and in what time frame? Why?
2. Is it implementable, actionable on the ground and is the "how" defined and tested.
3. How would you measure the implementation and effort?
4. Is the strategy in sync with the top level areas of Vision, Mission, et al.
5. Is there are a Work breakdown Structure available?
6. Are the resources identified?

A mere Intent white paper is not a Strategic Plan. However the detailing might differ depending upon which level of the organisation is discussing it. Sphere: Related Content

DECISIONS

Decisions!! Are they more from the brain or the gut. The answers could be more brain, or guts or a mix of both.

Then somebody also mentioned that there is a third dimension to this in terms of influence or being a catalyst. It is the Heart!! So there you go!! For further information click on this:

HEART and decisions!!

That would give a new perspective.

The attribute of skill (another dimension) I have assumed to be part of the brain, though you could disagree!! Sphere: Related Content

TV News - Rajdeep Sardesai's feelings!!!

The other day I was reading a blog written by Rajdeep Sardesai on TV news and the apparent negatives and positives.

While you would draw your own conclusions, I find the accumulation of words and cases quite amusing. In the sense its like the classic situation of what you preach is not being practiced in action. How silly it is an action when you become a self appointed ombudsman!!

THE LINK


Sphere: Related Content

What do you think would happen? If we all carried out ONE random act of kindness a day, with no expectation of reward? - My answer in Linked In

This is a great concept and the responses surely prove it.

My question is - why only "ONE" act of kindness and that too "random" in a day. If you are inclined so, what aren’t you a kind person throughout the day? Or, does the way you work or live do not allow you to be kind? Therefore, you need to look for this window where you would be "kind" and then be pleased about it.

The terrorist who killed a Jew Rabbi and his wife together on 26/11 in Mumbai was also helping his fellow terrorist mate with medicines and water since the latter was injured. Was he a kind man?

Would you think that kindness is a character trait? The other question I would like to ask is “Do you care?”

Kindness as a concept to me is not about boosting one’s self ego. It is not another job to be done. It’s how you orient your mind brain and heart so that you have positive feelings towards other human beings, animals, plants, environments, beliefs, race…etc etc.

Now somebody will surely argue that as human beings we have different thought strains for different situations. Yes we surely do, and I am not a specialist in that subject. But given your environment and culture one would expect that you demonstrate kindness “all” the time.

In perspective, say you are being reprimanded by your boss for a misdeed, it’s nothing to do with whether he was kind or not. Again, surely I appreciate the fact that you donate that change in the shop to some charitable organization; but for you that’s not the end.

I hope I am not being complicated in my thoughts. If yes, please be kind to me!! Also, my first statement is perhaps a bit divergent from the rest of the words that I have put together. I needed to be kind after all!!

In the meantime, let’s all be kind and please carry on with your promises to yourself on being kind!! I am on your side, without a doubt!!

Sphere: Related Content

How Indian companies using Internet for Marketing their Products and Services? (My answers in Linked In)

This question has been lurking in my mind too but I have reconciled to myself that the answer is not a simple one. In fact like ART any of the answers could be perceived and interpreted differently.

The first question to ask is what is the product you are trying to sell and to whom? The second question would be in terms of your sales strategy that would mean pre sales, lead generation and finally connecting with the potential segment. There is also a question of your branding and brand building activities.

All these require resources. Resources would be in terms of money, people and knowledge.

Most Indian companies have been using the websites as an electronic form of the Corporate Brochure. A selling medium and especially an unconventional one need to be promoted. So not only are you promoting the product but you need to also promote the medium through which sales has been planned for.

The last point is the most important and that’s all about the consumer. Is your segment ready for responding through internet for the buying process? Is the consumer ready only to absorb knowledge but not purchase through the net? The marketing strategy that is willing to consider the web needs to answer these questions. Sphere: Related Content

Basic Human Nature. Good or Bad? (My answer to Linked In Questions)

Human beings are slaves of their own personal thoughts and actions and that’s not a bad thing, in fact there is no running away from that. Now, is a particular person good or bad is a question of how a person or society or groups judge him.

A person is what he is. Let me take some extreme examples. Mother Teresa was obviously a good person. She took care of the sick and needy, genuinely felt for them and build a fantastic humanitarian society with this philosophy. Is she good? Of course she is, beyond doubt. Now what about a psycho serial killer? Is he bad? Apparently he is. But then let’s say he is assigned to a special psychiatric doctor and then what would you expect the doctor to think of him. The doctor would definitely not judge him. He would rather analyze him and try to fix his bad traits and bring him on track.

So basically I would like to think that all persons were born good, but then circumstances, environments could make him display bad traits or act in a wrong way.

The perspective of the judge here is of utmost importance. A drug lord looking for an accomplice would look for a person with all the ‘wrong’ traits and then find him ‘good’. In the movie “The Italian Job” there is this classic dialogue. “I like you, but I don’t like the things you do”. What would make that person? Good or Bad?

There is no digital answer to this in terms of 0 and 1. It’s much more complicated than that. You have to continuously analyze information and then base your opinion and that could change too under changing circumstances.

Have I been bad or good in my thoughts? I am sure views would be divergent!!

Sphere: Related Content

CONGRESS MP Slaps Bank Manager

The video clip was telecast on national(India) television and I was appalled to see the sight. On second thoughts I was feeling angry and helpless. Then I turned delirious. It's absolutely amazing as to how our politicians tend to think that they are larger than God. In fact we would want them to be us and that where the tragedy lies.

The average Indian mentally is normally a follower in spite of having this much touted "more clever than you' concept. So our politicians who are by no means stupid take advantage of this phenomenon. And the crowd follows them too without any self respect. Pity Us!! Sphere: Related Content

Immature Attempt to Simplify India - III (Written for SAKAI - University of Rhode Island)

In India Pop Music would typically mean Movie Based Music/Songs, Individual Artist Modern Songs, Bands and Groups. In fact there is a term named Indi-POP where songs could be in Indian Language but are highly influenced by Western Rhythm. Indeed we do find a lot of influence of African Rhythms and Melodies too. Lately we have instances where Indian Pop is also influenced by music from the other Asian countries in the South East.

Indian Film Music is a concept that needs to be understood. In the West you had these musicals where acting and the story is based on music and songs. In India it would be a variation of this Most Indian movies would have a story and at regular intervals the actors and actresses will break into song and dance sequences that may or may not be relevant to the main story. Hard core fans would tend to believe that they do enhance the film!

Film Music in India could be based on Classical Music for melody or they could be based on Indian Folk that given the geography of the country is very diverse in nature. They would also be influenced by or sometimes tunes could be directly lifted from other genres or countries,

The majority of Indian Film Music is created in Mumbai (Bollywood) in Hindi the national language of India. The other major film producing centres are in Chennai (Tamil or Tollywood), Hyderabad (Telugu) and Kolkata (Bengali). There would be films in other Indian languages too but ALL of them without exception follow the concept of incorporating song and dance sequences in their respective productions. There are directors who do not follow this format but that are a minority. There is extensive public demand for Film based music. In fact there would be a rare Indian who would not be appreciative of Film Music.

Indi-POP is however sometimes restricted in their appeal and face major competition from Film Music. These types of music evolved in the late seventies but still have not been able to garner a major pie. There are exceptions as usual and a few artistes have done very well for themselves.
Music Bands are very rare and have very little sustaining power and that’s the statistics. In elitist educational institutions they have these rock festivals that most often than not are head banger balls. These bands typically die but some of them continue on. However the more successful bands are definitely the regional ones singing in the local languages.

Please do post questions and then one could answer in detail and specifics. Sphere: Related Content

Do you need sales experience to be an effective SALES MANAGER? (My answers to Linked In Questions)

Sales as a concept to me is generic rather than being operational in a small boundary. So to me a Finance Manager could also be in the selling profession and similarly a Compliance Officer could also be selling. Selling ia locating customers who would need your value proposition and convince them to buy it.

The Finance manager would be selling his organisation to Banks and FIs for getting working capital or other fundings. A compliance manager in a Bank could be selling his org's value proposition to the Central Bank for various clearances.

Given this perspective, it is not about having a title Sales Manager and showing years of experience in sales that counts for me. I would look deeper into the person's competencies in terms of convincing, presentation, analysis, relationship building and team building skills for him to be a sales manager.

Most HR cosultants and experts and line managers have this habit of slotting people based on resumes and experience write ups and that's not a good thing. Like most of the things in life there is no hard and fast rule and your answer cannot be a digital Yes or No.

I know of excellent sales managers in the IT industry coming out from hardcore engineering production backgrounds. I know of industrial engineers having experience of more than 20 years running successful consumer durable sales operations.

You need to find the right person for the job, and its the aptitude, intent and capability that counts. The capability factor further dissected in terms oif attributes mentioned earlier.

Rule of the thumb is not a good way of going ahead, if you want a successful, sustainable organisation. Sphere: Related Content

Why won't Salespeople call on executives? (My answers to Linked In Questions)

This is not a sales rep related problem, at least that is what I think. Over the years I have noticed that most organisations are spending even lesser time on their army in terms of strategic training that would constitute product traimings, customer acquisition methodology and bare sales training. Relationship building is not a lottery and requires careful planning and actual field level actions.

Depending upon the organisation, as a sales person you would sometimes need to attack at all levels and its not just a question of meeting different levels. For the problem that you are going to solve for the organisation, who are the key decision makers, who are the influencers, who are against you in terms of concept or competition. All of these need to be mapped.

It is again not a question of where you would start. Its more a question whats the easiest opportunity of opening that door and once you have opened it how would you cover the full building - the relevant areas of the building that is.

Sales perople need to be trained and monitored for such activities. Sales Strategy and Results monitoring are a given. It's measuring the efforts and taking corrective action is where most organisations lack in intent and design. Sphere: Related Content

How do you listen to a client ramble on the phone and not talk? (My answer to Linked in Question)

Actions to take If you really think your client is rambling on the phone:

1. Put him/her on speakerphone, lower the volume and do something else. During regular intervals respond with am yeah or that's right.
2. Speakerphone, mute, and then disconnect in that sequence.
3. Mute and visit the washroom or get a coffee.

The above will not apply if he/she is an important person in your scheme of things. If the person is one who you have to tolerate or perhaps use then:

1. Look for a break and take the call in control.
2. Divert the topic to a relevant area of mutual interest.
3. Decently interject and put across your point and then ask a relevant question so that the response ceases to be a ramble.

And as fellow linked in members have suggested - Listen carefully, since you never know how information of use might just emanate, Sphere: Related Content

Can Creating Heroes within an Organization Motivate Employees? (My Answer to Linked in Questions)

My answer:

All of us know that management concepts do propagate the concept of recognising and announcing heroes. However we need to remember two important points:

A. Motivation of a person is directly linked to his/her own aspirations in that organisation and also generally his/her outlook towards life.
B. Is the "Hero" really a "hero"?

A lot of times Heroes would automatically come up due to performance or any other special achievements in the organisation. But typically msot recognition schemes are based on past results and that's typically not a good management practice in spite of the latter being the most practiced "practice".

Management and Senior Managers are typically fixated ONLY with results and deliverables and do not delve into the depth of the "HOW". Therefore the "effort" that goes into accomplishment is never understood, recognised, monitored and appreciated..In a soccer match while goals are scored by strikers, the midfielders and the defenders need to play their role and create the situation and that requires serious planning and execution for the final outcome to happen as desired.

Yes, success stories are required but we need to find out and highlight the successes that led to the final succesful result and highlight the men and women who worked for it along with the last striker who sent the ball into the goal. Sphere: Related Content

Immature Attempt to Simplify India - II (Written for SAKAI - University of Rhode Island)

I am no scholar in music and therefore this would be purely an attempt to put forward to you a canvas that you could further explore. Indian music is surely diverse but this comment would need explanation.

Broadly, I personally would divide Indian Music into three categories:

1. Classical Music
2. Pop Music
3. Folk Music

Classical Music

The Free Online Dictionary describes Classical Music as “traditional genre of music conforming to an established form and appealing to critical interest and developed musical taste”. I somehow like this definition since it is sort of limitless and can apply to any distinctive society. The Indian Classical Music scenario could be divided into two parts. We have the Hindustani Classical Form while the other is the Carnatic Form. The former has evolved from the North while the latter is has typically evolved from the South of India. Before explaining the differences we need to explain some associated concepts.

The Indian Classical Form is based on Ragaas. Ragaas are unique, single combinations of notes and are typically monophonic. Western Classical Music on the other hand could be a multiple combination of notes played in harmony. The composition in the latter form could be polyphonic or monophonic or a combination. Am I making any sense? If you listen to the two, I am pretty sure you would discern the difference.

The difference between Hindustani and Carnatic essentially are in rendering styles. They also have different Ragaas. Again after listening to a Hindustani piece and then a Carnatic piece, you would sort of immediately recognize the difference in terms of the instruments, the style of music, etc.
Classical Music is said to be practiced in India for more than 3000 years and there are famous musicians from both the forms in the vocal and Instrumental categories. In the West I think my namesake, “RAVISHANKAR” had a major influence with his Sitar (originally a three wire instrument but later modified with more wires).

These days you have Ustad Amjad Ali Khan with his Sarod and there are many more. I just gave a sample and depending upon choice and perceptions there could and would be more famous musicians whom I have not named, since that was not the purpose. If you however would want some suggestion, I could produce a ‘suggested’ list of artists and their works!!

Typically Indian Classical Music, vocal or instrumental goes through a few stages when an artist is rendering a composition. To begin with the artist would warm up in the form of an ALAAP where the tempo is slow. Later the percussion players join in, the tempo increases and the artist starts rendering variation in the same form of the Raaga. In the end we sort of reach a crescendo in terms of tempo and variation. There could be situations where the artist and the percussionist have this musical tete-a-tete in terms of back and forth responses. In Jugalbandis (two artists with same or different instruments playing together) they would have similar back and forth responses.

There are instances where Indian Classical Musicians have also played along with Western counterparts e.g., Ravishankar playing with Yehudi Menuhin. There are also instances of Western Philharmonic Orchestras playing Indian Ragaas.

The most popular instruments used by Hindustani Classical musicians are the sitar, sarod, tanpura, bansuri, shehnai, sarangi and tabla. Instruments typically used in Carnatic music include venu, gottuvadyam, veena, mridangam, kanjira, ghatam and violin.

In my next post I will deal with the other two genres of Indian music.

3uhsa4rk7d Sphere: Related Content

Immature Attempt to Simplify India - I - (Wriiten for SAKAI - University of Rhode Island)

Typically what you want to see in a picture depends upon your perspective. So when I paint a picture it could have diverse connotations. First is my own perspective and then it would be yours. So ideally there would be no true picture but it would be all about what we perceive of the picture. Without complicating matters let me start of with my comments or commentary if you may name this one

The first thing that comes to your mind (here you would mean an average Urban American) when you think of India would be perhaps as follows and not necessarily in that order

Large Country

Lots of People

Lots of Poverty

Many IT Professionals

Taxi Drivers

Large democracy

Corrupt

Dirty , Dusty and Crowds

Call Centers

Now let me add a few more from my perspectives:

Many languages

Mix of extremely diverse cultures each of them rich in culture and tradition

Rich Classical Music along with the Popular Music

Natural Beauty in terms of mountains, seas, flora and fauna

Classical dances and other Art Forms

Culinary Diversity

Diverse Literature and Films

There would be more and we could go on and on but that’s not my intention. Of course I did not mention one more aspect that fascinate Westerners : The Indian Spiritual History, Practices and Quest.

When you mix up all these attributes you get a heady mix of confusion and perhaps you would lose perspective of what it’s all about. My first endeavor therefore would be to segregate your perspectives and then sort of clear the issues so that you get a clearer picture. I therefore cannot promise that one note like this would do the job and perhaps my off and on word paintings would be better for this gallery.

Let me dwell on the languages to begin with. There are 22 official 'scheduled' languages: Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam, Marathi, Meitei, Nepali, Oriya, Eastern Panjabi, Sanskrit, Santali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu. The National or official languages: Hindi and English.

The Indian Sub Continent was ruled by the British and since our Independence in 1947 the Republic of India was divided into states/provinces that was based on languages spoken, Now whether scientific or logical this was a rather populist move. It had it’s positives and negatives and today we are living with it and perhaps meshing well too. As far as the constitution of India is concerned an Indian is free to settle in any part of the country at any point of time. In other words one has a right to move anywhere, speak any language and follow any religion of your choice and belief

There is no language that we could say is Indian, technically that is. Like in the US we have a Central Government with certain rights and responsibilities and you have the State Governments with their own laws and administrative machinery. So the Central Government official languages are English and Hindi which means that official correspondence, reports and workings are a lot of times conducted in English and Hindi and sometimes both. Some of the states do carry out their official work in the predominant language of the region but when it comes to State – Center or Inter –State communication, English would be the prevalent language.

So typically in most urban areas in slightly better shops and establishments English would get you through with communication. In terms of Police, down the line traffic constables may have difficulties with English. However in the Southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, etc English is quite prevalent

As you travel and go to the rural parts, you would see that communication in English will gradually deteriorate. Exceptions will prove the rule here too

In urban areas the middle class and other upper classes would be normally sending children to English medium schools. These days due to the IT and Telecom penetrations even in remote towns people are realizing the strength of learning English and mind sets are changing. Its also not just about mindsets but also about opportunities and we still have a long way to go

Most regional languages are extremely rich in their home grown literature. I myself come from a Bengali family (my mother tongue is Bengali) and its literature like others are pretty developed and have world recognition. Tagore the Nobel Prize winner was a Bengali Poet and renowned literateur.

I am sure you would find detailed state wise language descriptions for each of the state in Wikipedia, and for that matter, The Lonely Planet Country Books would fill you in with quite an amount of detail

I would be glad if you could ask questions too and surely they would be answered. There is a lot to talk about. If you have the inclination, I have the time!! Sphere: Related Content

Refractions - Written for SAKAI - University of Rhode Island

I have started these contributions for University of Rhode Island with blessings from Professor Nik Dholakia, centered on India for their students.

The first was a reflection on India, which I am repeating here. Would post the other contributions too.

REFRACTIONS:

Self Reflection would literally mean looking at me in the mirror and that too at a 3-dimensional object of a present state of some matter. The image would also be bereft of feelings and would perhaps not convey my actual intentions. So I decided not to look at the mirror. I would rather do some rambling that has no pattern or restriction or boundaries.

I love India. It’s my birthplace, this is where I have grown up, studied and worked. This is where I have learnt about people and nature. This is where I have made friends and this is the place whose culture I have imbibed.

Now because I love this place so much I also have this liberty of praising as well as expressing dissent as far as my thoughts are concerned.

I am not sure whether you would know a bit of Indian History, but prior to independence from British rule, the countries of the subcontinent (now Pakistan, India and Bangladesh) were one. My parents and ancestors belonged to what is now Bangladesh but had shifted to India before independence. They were from an extremely humble background. Later my father studied in one of better colleges in Kolkata (then called "Calcutta") and then went on to join the Indian Police Services and did well for himself in spite of the degenerating governance. I was the pampered youngest child but not for long and I landed up in this boarding school south of Kolkata. It was run by a Hindu Religious Order called the Ramakrishna Mission.

In the western world, the most well-known monk from Ramakrishna Mission is Swami Vivekananda (pictured above), who electrified the delegates at the first World Parliament of Religion in Chicago, in 1893, by his clear exposition of India's religions.

The Constitution of India talks about India being a secular country. The boarding school allowed me to live that concept. We had Muslims, Christians, Jews and Hindus there and we used to live together, study together and pray in the same prayer hall. There were prayers from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and other religions. Given that background I never felt or feel to this day that God's ways are different for the various sects of society. It is the human being that always tries to create groups and factions, and harbors ill thoughts and for ill fated reasons.

When I was growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, India was also growing. Industries in various sectors were coming up but the pace was slow and riddled with corruption. Our political leaders at grassroots levels were changing for the worse. The educated youth was shying away from politics and their goal was to rather become a Doctor or an Engineer or a Bureaucrat. For the former two professions, studies abroad and migrating abroad were attractive propositions. Politics therefore was sort of a last thing one could think of. Also, politics in India is not a profession and I personally have an issue with that. But that’s another discussion.

We in India, however, were still marching ahead in terms of building roads, power plants, automobiles, refineries, and more. The population was also growing at an incredible pace and pressure on agriculture was immense. The farmers were exploited by landowners, there was lack of modern practices and technology, and so on and so forth. So while we were marching we also needed to boost our management styles, our financial management, our health care facilities, etc. In spite of Russia being extremely close to the Government of India the free minded spirit of Indians always looked toward the USA or UK for inspiration in terms of education, technology and research. There were collaborations and I guess we are still going strong in these areas in terms of mutual participation.

I personally did take up postgraduate studies in Management and then joined a technology company. Later on I joined the Telecom Revolution in India where - because of Sam Pitroda (an Indian ethnic high-tech entrepreneur from Chicago, lured to India by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi) - even nooks and corners of India suddenly got connected!! Though economists had been talking about it, the subsequent Governments are hot footing on building infrastructure and that would help us immensely in the very near future.

Software Industry in India - though famous and I was a part of it - has still a long way to go. The most renowned IT companies of India in the software sector are still making money based on "people" supply. Basic Product Research and Development (R&D) is still quite primitive. A few of the IT companies have surely done well with proprietary products but we still have a long way to go.

While I have been rambling on relatively boring issues, culturally we have been extremely vibrant. Most of USA would know my namesake, maestro Ravishankar, since he popularized the Sitar in the West and along with that Indian Classical Music. His association with George Harrison of the Beatles was well known. So I myself grew up with homegrown Indian Music along with western music like the Beatles and even groups like Bread influenced me. Simon and Garfunkel were favorites and later Mark Knofler, Eric Clapton, Pink Floyd and so many others were - and still are - my favorites. But western music was popular only with selected urban youth while most of India was enamored with Bollywood Film Music. Traditional Folk Music is quite rich in India and there is lot to learn and I am forever trying to grasp this immense musical diversity.

View of the International Airport in Mumbai

I have witnessed a transition in India, in terms of technology, automobiles, market economy, management styles and all other spheres of life. The Indian Youth today is more aware of the world than ever before, even in remote corners, unlike the times when we were growing up. Thankfully even in the politico-governance space there are changes and those changes are for the better. We still have a long way to go and I hope I can participate actively in every present moment for the future to unfold.

The New India is again waking up. We have to unshackle ourselves from misplaced priorities, casteism and prejudices, petty politics and bad governance. We will do it for sure and we will do it along with the world as all humanity advances towards the future. We need to collaborate, benchmark, consult and think of implementable strategies for them to work. The educated youth are again finding their way back to politics and civil services and that is a good sign. Good education is the key to a prosperous society and that is what we in India are aiming at.

These days I am in Dubai in the Banking sector but would surely go back to India. About Indians in the UAE, that’s another chapter.

Jai Hind…!!

(The Hindi equivalent of what would be "Vive L'Inde" in French…!)

Sphere: Related Content

Brownie's Points

Like anything else in the world there are good and bad apples in a truckload. More good than bad I would like to believe since most of the latter would not have left the orchard. So when an Indian gets beaten up in Down Under I wonder and sorry folks for thinking like that, was there an issue behind the violence or was it plain robbery? The recurring events however is proof that the violence is focused and perhaps there is a n element of racism in all this.

But racism is a strong word and can have different dimensions. When an Australian beats up an Indian its white vs. brown. When a Lebanese student beats up an Indian in Australia what would you term it to be? Brown vs. Brown. Or say if a African Australian beats up an Indian it would be Black vs. Brown.

Pardon my perpective, but I feel a lot of times its we Indians who perhaps bring this on to ourselves. This could stem from a variety of reasons. Decades have gone by where we have been ruled by foreigners giving rise to some sort of an inferiority complex. Then on Television the other day I heard Prasun Joshi saying that nowadays Indians are more confident and perhaps that's coming in the way. Would it be a case of misplaced superiority complex?

The fact of the matter is that we Indian do not understand cultures beyond our boundaries and therefore most often than not we are not able to mesh in an alien society, keeping our individual cultures and traits intact. Somehow we are not able to project ourselves as equals. Hard Kaur an infamous rapper said that we Indians are more intelligent than others!! In the software industry, I often come across discussion with the same trail of thought amongst developers and engineers. I find similar traits in other industries too where there are plenty from the sub continent. We do suffer from extremes!!

A lot of times I feel that we Indians are perhaps more racist than most of the other cultures. Maybe I am wrong, but we have divides in terms of language, the way we dress, what we eat, whom we marry and more. The matrimonial colums in newspapers or websites is a prime proof of us being racial. Castes, Tribes, Skin Color, Vegetarians vs Non Vegetarians, Marathi vs Bihari, Hindu vs Muslim, Delhiite vs Madrasi, we have it all.

So when on Television shows respected people come and talk a lot of sense while the same sensibility is not practiced in their own backyard, I have this wierd feeling. I think we need to understand that we are not holier than thou. The day we understand this, our debates, discussions and actions would be a bit different.

In our own country we are not mixing with others, and we have the gall of complaining against others. Charity starts at home, but we seem to be always looking for donations and sympathy. I am not justifying the OZ incidents. It's just that I have strong feelings against hasty unfounded conclusions. Sphere: Related Content

IPL Final

For some funny inexplicable reason IPL did not tingle my nerves so much as a world cup or one day series would. True to its philosophy it was a circus and perhaps I am no longer a child, though I would still love an actual circus.

At the end of it, I still find the setting rather impersonal and I could not find myself to be attached to any particular team…whether the sweety Zinta or the pompous Shahrukh…they did not appeal. Though I am from Kolkata, I just hated the KKRs and it was largely due to Buchannan and the team’s egoistic owner. A lot of times I wished doom on them and they were playing in to my hands every time.

In some way, I always wanted the underdogs to come up the curve and they did it in style. Deccan Chargers were the winners and thank God for the same.

The stars perhaps need to polish up their fire engines for next time with an overdose of hydrocarbons!! As far as KKR is concerned perhaps they need to change the coach or the owner. I would love it however if both goes. Just like in the liquor industry, Mallya perhaps can manage two competing brands albeit owned by the same company. But then who am I in the scheme of things!! Sphere: Related Content

Going Back Home

Irrespective of your thoughts on the issue I know for sure and strongly feel that the capitalist greed manifested through a system of debt based society is one of the major causes of this gloom in the world economy. Whether communism could have saved us from this is perhaps not a correct hypothesis but then that’s a separate debate. Here I am just talking about people like you and me that have been affected by all this.

Now as soon as we were hit the first that got affected were the support industries. The Core started looking at reducing costs and manpower is obviously the first choice. You might realize that during economic doom somehow the “goodwill” value in the balance sheet is the most non liquid asset!!

So now the corporation gets into this act of off balance sheet measure of what best human beings can do. Create complications for other fellow human beings. I am not saying here that the measures are uncalled for. It was the most logical thing to do. Get people to multitask, while ask the others to leave.

In this melee, my problem is of a different kind. Why did you plan for an organization structure that had so much excess fat? It required an economic debacle for the organization to realize their wrong planning. The irony does not stop here. On one side you had executives taking one way flights back home while his colleague was going to his local home with a bonus wired to his bank account!!

Some of the establishments have been so blatant that the grants they have received from the Government have been treated as Income in the Profit and Loss Account and they have posted a profit in the books for the the board and the limited shareholders to run away with huge dividends.

The world is a funny place and somehow we have been our worst enemies. The two big Es in our life is slowly killing us. Economy and the Environment are the two things the future need to concentrate on since we cannot do anything with the past other then blaming it. I am not even sure of the learnings the past has to offer. Finally, Nature will act on the environment, but God help us and our Economic System Sphere: Related Content

Linked to Nostalgia

Most of us are members of this professional portal named LinkedIn where like a spider’s web we are connected in the virtual world. I have been of course rather late in joining up and am still getting used to the power of the portal. But that’s not what I have in mind.

It’s about the connections I am making. Long lost connections, names are coming in and am searching for the same and hopefully getting connected. Though it’s virtual somehow I can feel the warmth and affection coming across from most of the people. There are of course some of them who are connections but I guess for the heck of it. They typically don’t reply or respond.
I got connected to some of my colleagues when I started my career way back in Hyderabad. The past years perhaps have changed us in appearance, thinking or attitude. But I was pleasantly surprised to meet up with this motley crowd who are constantly messaging each other and even meeting up.

Now that I have joined, I promised myself to keep in touch. Better late than never is the approach. Sphere: Related Content

Al Kauser, Diyafah street - Biryani, Kababs and everything else

There are Biryanis and there are Biryanis. There is a Hyderabadi version, an Awadhi version, traditional Andhra version, Kerala Style, Pakistani style and so on and so forth. Then you have Biryani that is served by restaurants without any background, class or finesse.

To be honest with you, I like my Biryani light. It should not be heavy with Spices, a lot of flavour and aroma, smooth meat cooked right and cooked on Dum. In India, I feel the best biryani is served by Karims am extremely famous eating place near Jama Masjid, Delhi. I of course like Kababs and the Kakoris and Galouti are good at the Great Kabab Factory.

In Dubai, I have been trying out a variety of Kababs and Biryanis , but then I found the best the other day when we ventured out to Diyafah Street. First let me tell you about the food.
We ordered for Verki Paratha which was served hot and along with came Kakori Kababs to die for. The Galouti was even better and they just melted in our mouth. Biiryani was served in a Earthen Vessel that was sealed with dough and believe me, it was awesome.

We enede with Phirni. Well, we packed all that we ate so that next day's lunch was taken care of. So, don't think too much. This the place for Awadhi cuisine!!!

I don’t need to go to Kabab Roll(reviewed earlier); this is the place for me. You should try and I am sure you will agree with me that The Great Kabab factory in Dubai has to learn something from these guys. The name of the restaurant is Al Kauser. I have had their food in Delhi, but the Dubai branch is excellent I am not going for Indian Non Veg anywhere else!!!

P.S.

Biryani – Biryani in Farsi means 'fry before cooking'. To make Biryani, mutton is fried in ghee and par-cooked (Cooked half way). Separately, the Rice is fried in Ghee, and par-cooked (Cooked half way). The rice and meat were layered (cluster of rice on top of cluster of meat) in a cookware called Handi. The Handi is sealed with dough. It is Dum cooked (baked) on low heat. Sphere: Related Content

Size ém UP errrrr. DOWN

This was a comment I sent in response to a poll on downsizing in a blog I follow. Basically the writer was asking a few questions on reasons behind downsizing. I thought I should not lose what I wrote and therefore this post. If you are keen to read up the original post by the writer I have given the web address at the end of this post. Being a bong, there is this socialistic streak in me. Given that, I feel its a larger question of whether its the right economic system where absolutely everything is decided upon by the market. Most companies, when the going is good, do not ever strategize for bad times in spite of the finance manager trying to be the internal devil’s advocate. There is also this issue of most organizations not strategizing in a scientific manner regarding human resourcing. Most HR managers are not really allowed to apply their skills and thoughts in an organization, where most of then not everything is decided upon by line. If you take the IT sector, these body shopping guys(Infosys is the largest!!!) kept having huge benchstrengths where the people had no work. And then there is some catastrophe and people have to be sacked. More and more now, people should be careful about selecting organizations who they think are employee prone in thought and practice. HR cult has to flow from the operating managers. And of course the “D” of the HRD is a mostly a joke in most Indian companies. And organizations need to build a culture of truth. Most metrics that are published are not true and window dressed. The Balance Sheet is ofcourse the biggest lie of them all. An instance I want to share with you. A bank in Dubai published their 2008 figures last week where they declared a Net Profit of 500 Million AED. Would you believe that 1000 million AED was received as a grant(due to liquidity crisis) from the Emir which was shown as an Income instead of increasing the capital or reserves. They had actually made a loss of 250 million AED. In Indian companies we have over or under invoicing, there is no standard of ethics for human beings, the system is corrupt. As I mentioned earlier, the truth is only know to the top and the people below and the general public are thought to be stupid. so when senior managers talk about work ethics and the philosophy of developing their human resources, I take it with a pinch of salt. The proof after all is in the eating.

The link: www.bullzi-inc.com/polls/05052009/when-is-it-right-to-downsize/ Sphere: Related Content

Variable Captain, Kolkata Knightriders,John Buchanan, Cricket and bits of Shame!!

I somehow like Sourav Ganguly but that’s not what this is all about. A press conference was held today at Kolkata where John sort of spelled out the KnightRiders Team’s captaincy plan.
I understood that for every match there could be a different captain. Also, while the matches are on there could be more than one player directing different aspects of the play like fielding, bowling and what have you.

Let me draw up some analogies. So in a concert you would be having a multiple conductors; one managing the violins, the other perhaps percussion and depending upon the mood of the crowd that day it could be Zubin Mehta or somebody else as the main conductor. There could be more examples but I guess you get the hang of it.

This smacks of overworking minds in an ivory tower trying to take control over the game. Managing communication, keeping up the morale are going to become key issues. I am not old fashioned but stupid changes in formats just for trials is not my concept of good governance A leader is a leader; period. Let’s not undermine the leader and there can only be one.

Shame on you John and Shame on you Sharukh! Sphere: Related Content

TATA launches NANO while I cook some thoughts about Safety!!

We Indian are all so glad that finally the Nano has been launched. The first 100000 bookings have a guarantee on the promised price of 100000 INR. The TATAs have mentioned that the project is profitable. On second guess I have this funny notion that the price guarantees in other words mean that after the last car from the current lot rolls out the selling price will definitely go up.

We all know that TATA Cars to begin with have too many teething problems and I only hope that the “common man”’ consumer is not at his wits end if he has to keep visiting the workshop. So far so good!!

I also heard another piece of newsbyte that apparently there is a Nano Europa that is scheduled for a launch in the European Countries sometime in 2011. We have been informed that the new incumbent will have a more powerful engine and will adhere to European Safety and Emission standards. This leads to a nagging thought in my mind.

Why are Indians compromised whenever it comes to the question of safety? The automobile companies and the Government, both are to be blamed for this. The Government is lazy in introducing laws and the auto companies unless pressurized will never do anything on this. Of course the man on the street is also not absolved because given a chance the subcontinent habit ingrained in our genes is to break the law especially traffic or vehicular.

I remember the days when Bajaj vehemently opposed the introduction of indicator lights on their two wheelers. Unless police started taking serious actions helmets were avoided if possible. Using mobile phones while driving in Delhi is a for sure NO NO. I am not so sure about other states. Seat belts were never fitted in vehicles by the Auto Companies on their own until there was a law. Emission standards also came in to play after a lot of hue and cry. I cannot think of any single instance where the Auto Companies did something for the environment or safety on their own. Unfortunately and this trend continues.

Is it that the companies are to be blamed? We Indians are too shallow on certain crucial basic aspects of life. The Government, the business sector and anybody else in the game are after all manned by us. Where does the buck stop?

Sphere: Related Content

Cirque de BJP, Varun Gandhi, Election Commission, et al

This is an interesting state of affairs. Somebody gets up on a dais on a public forum and makes anti people statements. The political party backing him is anyway not bothered. The Election Commission is advising on issues where they have no locus standi. The media is happy since they have lots of feed of whatever is going on.

Criminals proven or non proven are present in all the parties. So this holier than thou approach by most political parties are hilarious and frightening at the same point of time.

The EC has never risen earlier against anybody else like this and there are scores of other hopefuls waiting for the elections who would have been guilty like Varun albeit on different counts.

Unfortunately as always the common man is at the receiving end of all these antics where nothing fruitful finally happens. I will be amazed if it does. So would you!!!

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Varun Gandhi ‘and his Hate Speech

Like many others I was also appalled to watch Mr. Gandhi speaking against Muslims from that political dais in Pilhibit

I hope that young politicians do not take inspirations from him and start hate campaigns.

Coming to think of it other than his surname I find nothing in him that should inspire us. He has never done any distinguished social service, nor has he gained fame on any area other than publishing a poetry book that nobody bought.

So with the blessings of senior minds in the BJP, he went ahead for his two minutes of fame so that he can be the talk of the town.

I wish he does not win the election. Like somebody said in a movie..I have nothing against him; it’s just that I cannot tolerate the things he does Sphere: Related Content

IPL (Cricket) goes out of India

On television tonight I was watching the frustrated face of Lalit Modi screaming on television rather proudly on how IPL will now be played in South Africa or England this year. Some other BCCI staffer announced that due to the rather negative attitude of the Government this was inevitable.

My points are as follows:

1. The BCCI was stupid to have planned for this date clash with the elections. Knowing reality and taking action is prudent rather than take the stupidest form of risks. Security is about spectators too.

2. The Home Ministry was rather sedate in its approach to resolve issues. I think we did not try enough. It is apparent that the Sports Minister in the Government has no say, nor can he contribute.

3. I still feel that IPL could have been held in India and in some form or the other, maybe with reduced matches or some other way.

4. Sometimes money and pride make human beings vulnerable and this is also another example of the same.

5. I feel sorry for ourselves that we did not work as a team to make this happen. The Government and the BCCI; both are at fault.

Sphere: Related Content

My Comments on Reality Televison on We The People, NDTV

Reality TV is not necessarily voyeuristic. Its the ''type'' of show that is of concern. As always there is always a good and bad in everything and that is judged by the societal norms of our surroundings. You have to admit that these rules are ever evolving and beyond your control. Human beings given the complex minds that we have cover the full extremes of positive and negative of morality(that itself is vague by definition).

Parenting and education are the control mechanisms when somebody is young. The law and societal rules are the control mechanisms when you are an adult. The problem is that in every sphere we absolve of or do not perform our responsibilities. So OK should have refused the coverage contract of Goody but they did not. Similarly a mother gave too much of pocket money to a child when that was not required.

You and I cannot define these. But that's how human culture evolves and only time will tell whether civilisation is marching towards doom or ever better future.

Media events are a reflection of our society.Good debate is good for the mind, but you and me do not have the powers on how humans will behave in the future. Morality is relative and its all a cycle. The word freedom can be interpreted in different ways and that's what is going to count in the future. Unfortunately, neither you nor I or for that matter anybody else will have a definitive answer.

The human laws unfold over time and always spring a surprise on older generations. Sphere: Related Content

Bombay Tadka in Dubai : An evening of Parathas, Biryani and Kulfi

While most of Dubai vouch for Paratha King in Karama for Parathas( Indian Pancakes made of wheat flour, a lot of times stuffed with Veggies or Minces) I did not like the experience too much. Perhaps when nothing is available, the one that you get becomes so dear to the heart. Or at least, that was my conclusion.

Then I visited this place called Bombay Tadka. The food has nothing to do with Mumbai, the menu is Spartan, but then this place is for repeated visits.

These guys make awesome parathas. The ones on offer are, Aloo(Potato), Dal Palak(Lentils and Spinach), Mooli(Radish), Gobi(CauliFlower) and Keema(Mutton Mince). Served hot, you cannot stop at one. I left out the special for the last. They have something called the Aloo Anda Paratha. So after the potato stuffed Paratha is done, the chef takes a knife and makes an insertion In the paratha and shoves in a beaten egg. The end result is fantastic. All parathas come with raita(diluted yoghurt with herbs, there could be many variations!!) and a chilly pickle.

Bombay Tadka also serves Mutton Biryani and it’s awesome. There is RaJma Chawal that I am told is good and of course you have the Kulfi as dessert if you choose so.

Bombay Tadka is situated in the Food Court of Lulu HyperMarket that is situated beside Mall Of Emirates. Rakesh Puri, the renowned chef is the promoter and trust me he is doing a great job. Avoid the Kababs. That’s a disaster. Overall rating for the food would be an 8 out of 10!! Sphere: Related Content

Amateurish and Childish Words

The morning sun greets us or is it the other way around.
The days just pass like a circle round and round.
The flowers are up for grabs
The claws of the devil - just like crabs
The evening is quiet and there seems to be no sound.

We could see the horizon when we first came in
The moon, sun and stars absolving us from every sin
The view now has gone away
Leaving behind just walls of grey
The curtains that were open have now closed in.

The cruel waves of the sea keep coming back
A young girl hurries with shells for her back pack
The forecast is of gloom
Believers tend to follow the doom
We go ahead as we should, turning our back. Sphere: Related Content

Taking the HINT!!

We were sitting in our office the other day when a client guest walked in and requested for a working place. He was shown to a secluded place where he would have got his space but instead he kept insisting in sitting amongst us. He could not take the hint and he there he was sitting creating an uneasy atmosphere in the room.

There are a lot of times when this happens to all of us where we refuse to take the hint. When a host says what would you like to have for an evening drink, would you think it’s better to ask what he has to offer and then pick your choice?

The other day somebody requested for borrowing an Asterix Comic Book from a host friend. Now this guy has a policy of not letting out these possessions. So when asked he hesitatingly requested that this be rather read inside the house. But this friend kept on insisting when I had to blurt out the policy on behalf embarrassing both him and the host. We could have avoided this.

Another quick episode that occurs almost everyday. Say, we are a group of four having a conversation. Suddenly two or three would break into their own mother tongue leaving the balance dumbfounded. You try and converse once or twice in the common medium but these guys would not listen. You have no alternative other than to bear it or walk away. They just don't take the hint.

So when you keep insisting on something, would you take a quick nanosecond moment to thinks if there is a hidden hint from the opposite side and then please take it. This character demonstration would also be known to show you as a polite person. I am sure you would like to be one!!! Sphere: Related Content

Media and our Voyeuristic Misdemeanor

Reality TV seems to showing everything these days. Relationships, behavior, morals, taboos are being discussed, enacted and shown live on different channels. The consumer is like a voyeur, without any self inflicting morals, digesting these, day in and day out. The Internet also helps. Video channels allow you to upload anything for anybody to see and comment. Now I am not here to judge societal values and morals and that’s not the idea behind putting together these words. But then perhaps there is a limit to how much we should give and conversely how much we should take.

I heard lately that Jade Goody (Big Brother Fame) wants to broadcast her death on Television. Now surely I am definitely not the one who would watch the proceedings and this does not have anything to do with my respect for mankind. When you die, no matter what you have accomplished in life, the dignity of the remains is supreme and would perhaps increase. But the process of death is inevitable and is a private one. The process per se of this natural sequence of events is surely to be kept for family and friends and medical assistants if needed.

The problem here is not Jade Goody herself. She is dying of cancer. Her only claim to fame is her Big Brother participation and racist comments and subsequent reversals in stance. She knows that she generates the ever ready hyena like media to get some footage out of her. Her wish therefore emanates from this understanding. She also knows that suckers are there to do exactly what suckers do.

Then we have another bombarding our brains from the media. Alfie Patten, the 13 year old father with his new born son on Youtube, print and everywhere else, communicate his part of the story. I wonder about the senses of the parents on both sides of the new parents and how degenerated they are.

This is not an attribute of the British (both of the above are British); rather it’s the sorry state of mind of “we the people” irrespective of countries and breed. Maybe tomorrow you would have people fornicating on the streets and then the media covering the event live(surely they would). Then while they broadcast the same we would munch pop corn and watch the thriller. This would be an orgasm and perhaps death on TV would generate the same voyeuristic hormones in our brains. Sometimes and these days a lot of time it feels that a significant percentage of us have been samples of the worst produce of mutation.

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My Kind of Pizza

No matter what the original looks like in Italy, I started having Pizzas way back and that too in India. Those days you did not have the large international chains and therefore were entirely dependent on the home grown pizza restaurants. In fact in Kolkata there was only one joint serving Pizzas somewhere in Park Street. When I was in Delhi, I was introduced to the Nirula's Chain of outlets and we used to wait for any sundry occasion to either visit of call for a Pizza. Later on the international chains started coming in and we started sampling the Pizza Huts and Dominos.

My maximum no of Pizza consumptions took place while I was in Korea and that too mostly from Pizza Hut. Then somebody introduced Papa John's and I thought that the latter was a trifle better. In Dubai I have had Pizzas from the international chains as well as local restaurants. Pizza Hut is quite common all over town, while you would find Papa Johns too. The other day I located Dominos in Deira but still do not know whether they home deliver or not.

Now back to the topic itself, the kind of pizza I like is quite similar to most of you. Should be hot and there should be lots of cheese. Now there are two more specifications that I look for and they are the quantum of hotness and how crispy they are. In fact I prefer thin crust pizzas with lots of jalapenos, pepperoni and mozarrella on a pesto base. Fried buffalo wings as accompaniment and a can of acid errr.. Coke would do good!!! The best Pizza I had in Dubai is from a restaurant named Garden and this is not the one beside Ravi in Ghusais. This is somewhere inside AL NAHDA 2. Next time I will remember to post the address and contacts of this place. Satisfaction is guaranteed. Do try their pastas too. Good Stuff. 8 out of 10!!! Sphere: Related Content

The Great Kabab Factory, Dubai

I still remember the first visit to the Great Kabab Factory in Delhi about 10 years back. The concept was novel, the food was delicious and the service was impeccable. Since then they have opened new outlets in Greater Delhi and all our sojourns to these places were fantastic experiences. So when we heard and read about GKF in Dubai, the brain cells processing food taste became active and we were looking for an opportunity to sample the overseas fare.

So we did a fair bit of review and then off we went to Dubai Mall on a Saturday evening. Let me explain the concept at GKF. Basically it’s a sit down Buffet that means food is served on an unlimited basis at a pace and sequence of your desire. So a typical offering would be six types of Kababs (Non Veg or Veg and you need to choose your stream upfront!!). Two types of Dal, a vegetable and Indian Breads would be served. There would be a Biryani and the evening would end with a dessert. In the beginning there would be some salad too. Soft beverages and water is charged separately. A meal for one costs about 125 AED.

We were served the following:

Salad : Lettuce, Pineapples, Cucumber with a tangy mustard dressing. This was good and we had a repeat at the end of the meal.
Kababs : First to arrive was the Galouti Kabab. This is made of Mutton Mince that would almost melt in your mouth. It was served hot and was delicious. I was not impressed with the Ulti Tawa ke Paratha(wheat flour dough pancake roasted with oil on a reversed flat pan). The taste was insipid and nothing to talk about.
Then arrived the Chicken Kabad which was napped in good Indian spices and this was nothing to talk about. The meat was not smooth and rather fibrous.
The third on the agenda was I suspect hammour napped in coriander and mint sauced and deep fried. This fish was exquisite.
` Next in line was a Garlic Chicken Boti. Small cubes of chicken breast marinated with Garlic, Yoghurt and other spices and then grilled. This was unimpressive too. I reckon the marination was not properly completed and therefore the chicken was not soft.
The fifth was a Mutton Burra which means marinated mutton chops grilled in a tandoor (An Indian oven). The mutton was not well done and was tough.
The sixth was a Chicken Seekh Kabab that was again insipid and underdone.
Breads: The variety of Breads that were served was:
1. I have already talked about the Ulti Tawa ke Paratha.
2. There was some Nan which was not bad.
3. The Sheermal was a disaster. I have never seen such terrible Sheernal being served in a restaurant leave alone our previous GKF experiences. (A special type of Kashmiri Roti, Sheermal is special sweet bread prepared using yeast. It is made of wheat flour, sugar, butter and milk, flavored with saffron. This bread is about 20 cm in diameter, 2 cm thick, and the crust is covered with sesame seeds. It is usually baked in traditional tandoor.) It was oily, and had no taste whatsoever.
4. The Saunf (Fennel) flavoured Bakarkhani (a Sheermal derivative-popular in Dhaka) was good. The first piece was hot and fabulous. The repeat was cold and underdone!!
Dal : The two lentil dishes were good. One was a Yellow Dal while the other was a traditional Dal Makhni.
Biryani : The first time I was served only rice and that was cold. On pointing out the flaw, the waiter had to get a proper refill with pieces of meat too. This was unpardonable.
Dessert: There was a choice of Mung Dal Halwa, Firni and Gulab Jamun. The Firni had not set properly and was not creamy. The Mung Dal Halwa was passable.


In the beginning as soon as we entered the restaurants a smart alec waiter tried to veer us toward this notice board where the menu is written and the concept explained. I did not like the way we were greeted in the sense that he should have politely explained us his objective for taking us in front of the board and then done the deed. Assuming that people are unaware, uneducated and unintelligent is not a good sign. Things can be done better. Perhaps when one sits down you could come to the table and explain the whole deal.


The ambience left much to be desired but I give the benefit of doubt since this was part of a food court. But then your charges are un-food court like and I would demand and expect a more cosy atmosphere.


Food needs to improve a lot especially compared to our Delhi experiences. Quality sometimes comes at a price but then when you pay that price you must get that quality. My overall score with the baggage of my older GKF experiences would be a 6 out of 10. If I remove the baggage I would add another 0.5 to the rating. Will I take a guest to this place for a meal? In the current circumstances it’s a No. If you are willing to pay and try out this place please do go ahead at your own risk. The bottom line has to change before I venture back here. Sphere: Related Content

Dubai Accidents

There isn't a single day these days when the morning news papers in Dubai are not without a report on some accident or the other along with some related deaths. Who knew that this would be their last day on Earth when they came out for work early morning.

I have been talking about Road Rage, Driving Etiqettes and so on and so forth but then a) nobody reads my blogs and b) even if they do would they change and c) would they really want to change.

Today morning on Emirates Road I saw a Toyota Corolla swerving from one lane to another at speeds higher than 120 kmph without signals and taking other motorists by surprise. In another occasion on Beirut Road today a Hummer was bullying an Yaris while the latter was driving at 80 kmph there which is the speed limit!!

We talk about authorities patroling the streets but that's only one part of the solution. Driving licenses when awarded must judge the skills rather than be dependant on the examiners mood swings!! To give you an example, a colleague failed his road test for the fourth time(what's new you would say..). But this is not about him. In the same car there were four examinees. One of them while starting the car had the hand breaks on. It took some time for him to realise this and then he released the brake with his feet on the accelerator pressed and the car jumped and tyres screeched. This is the guy who passed out of the four!!

Then comes of course your inherent respect for other fellow human beings. But that's being too idealistic I guess. History does not support this and I am sure the future would be pretty much the same. Prejudices, hatred and selfishness of human beings are the main risks facing the Almighty in HIS project named EARTH LIFE.

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Road Rage - Dubai

The other day I happened to visit Lulu Hypermarket in Qusais. I had already entered the parking lot and was slowly cruising to locate a parking slot. There was this T junction and a vehicle from the left was trying to barge in though it was my right of way. I went ahead and then found this gentlemen rolling down his window and uttering obscenities in a language that I don’t understand. I ignored him but then this fellow in a Hummer overtook me by swerving onto the footpath and then tried to bang his vehicle against mine. Luckily there was a lane that I could get into and I escaped the attention of this mad man. I think I did well to get off from his sight by controlling my own blood pressure in a foreign land where perhaps I may not get a favorable decree.

On the roads, people frequently try to barge in to your lane dangerously or even try to bully you from behind. The other day I was driving on Academic City road at 80 on cruise control (!) when this Nissan Patrol kept honking and flashing till I gave way. Now when the speed limit was defined why would I need to adhere to the whims of a fellow driver? But then again, road rage is something that I rather stay away from as a philosophy.

There is a lot of talk of driving safely by newspapers, columns, the authorities but then nothing seems to be working. The unruly drivers are carrying on with their stunts. Some talk about education. I tend to think that it’s all about upbringing, etiquette and culture. These qualities are not only about speech but also about how you lead your life at home and outside. The mindset of not caring about others is increasing among people and that’s a sad reflection of the society that we live in.

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A Fishy Experience - Bu Qtair, Umm Sequim, Dubai ( Opposite Fishing Village)

The catch of the day were Sherry, Black Pomphret and Jhinga(Prawns). Two fish and one Crustacean napped in Malabari/Kerala Spices all ready to be fried. We stood in queue in the small portacabin and waited patiently for our turn. You need to point out the fish and quantity in terms of the metric weight system and then patiently wait outside.

The tables are arranged for you on the sand. The cool sea breeze, the Burj Al Arab view and the hot fish…feels and sounds good. We were five of us and everybody enjoyed their fill.

My take was as follows:
a) The oil was toxic after repeated use and that’s an issue.
b) The fish were over fried and therefore became burnt and carcinogenic.
c) The spice was not spicy in terms of flavor and hotness.
d) Salt was not adequate.

If you really insist, I might take you there or accompany you but would like to try some excuses to avoid the sojourn. A lot of people do come to this extremely popular joint and who am I to judge their preference; but then I have some reservations as mentioned above. My ranking would be a 5 on 10. Suggestions could work wonders for this place but I might charge some consultancy. Till such an event I reckon you are on your own as far as Bu Qtair is concerned. Sphere: Related Content

Driving License in Dubai or Luck by Chance?

When I came to Dubai the most difficult task explained to me was of getting my driving license. For any resident in Dubai this is so very true. This is the toughest accomplishment you would perhaps achieve and that too, a lot without you having too much of control.
To start from the beginning, one of the first tasks would be for you to enroll into one of those Govt recognized driving schools. You would find that when you take a normal membership your turn for classes would not occur before 3-6 months!! Sp now they would try to sell you their VIP package where you spent a substantially higher amount. This ensures that you get your classes and instructor assigned. Whether you get a good instructor or not is entirely your luck and I have know people where midway even instructors change. The worst part is there are instructors who contradict on concepts and if you happen to be one of the guinea pigs, it’s better to watch out and clarify.
There are these signal and assessment tests that you should pass easily. The former is conducted by the RTA while the ;latter would be conducted by one of the School Inspectors. Once you are done with these and your quota of classes you happily wait for the D-DAY that is the Final Road Test DAY.
You are hardly asked to drive for 2 minutes or less and that too none of the road skills would have got tested. I have seen people go for multiple tests and fail each time without understanding what better to do next time. In my case in my first test where I failed the evaluation sheet talked about me not negotiating a roundabout properly. The fact was that I never drive past a roundabout!!
So my suggestion is, ensure that you pray to the almighty for a favourable result and hope that works out and if you are an atheist let me do the praying for you.

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