Customer satisfactions.

The last post for 2007. The time files.
I had lot of customer experience to share this week. Let me see how fast I can do this in the next 45 Minutes I set out for blog.

1) I posted my comments on the cranky middle manager Show Forum, on the Poor audio quality of the 800 CEO podcasts. I was pleasantly surprised to receive email from 800 CEO READ about the improvements and asking me to try out. Yes, there is a bit of improvement, looks like they have done their best. Thanks for their response. This goes to show customer every where matters. You may Listen to the moving story of how star bucks saved his life. Very touching. I plan to get the book if it comes to this part of the world. I have given them the feedback on not able to Sync their podcasts on ITUNES. Lets see.

2)I was delighted to see that Harvard Business review South Asian edition is now out for the Indian subscribers with Rupee Payment. This is the first venture, I guess outside USA. The same is true of Fortune magazine. While I could subscribe to fortune easily online through the Hong kong website, the same didn't happen for HBR which is done through phone call etc as there are some credit card issues which needs to be sorted out at the NEW DELHI office of the publishers.3 days have passed since expressing my interest and still no active response. Here is a customer who wants to avail a service and making follow up to the agency for subscription and there is no active response. So much for the customer satisfaction at the other end. Or is it local cultural issue!!! I wonder.
3) The third experience was Airtel broad band was abruptly disconnected from my home for non payment of Monthly dues.(US$ 110) I was surprised that within less than 24 Hrs of deadline expiry, they decided to switch off. I remember times at my hectic travels, I had missed even 2 months payment with other service providers(SPICE telecom) and they never did that. The payment amount would exceed US 600$. In fact even now they call over the phone to collect payments. They know that customer is right and has reasons. It took persuasive skills of my wife to work through customer service( We have 4 telephones, (2 mobiles and 2 landlines phones which she manages payments, issues) to restore service within couple of hours, at 7am. That much they were kind enough to do that before the payment was made at 3pm that day.
4) The last customer satisfaction was more a public interest, the US Visa interview visits were nightmare as people would know. There were lot of feedback when Steve Hamm explained his Indian visa experience. I too posted my piece of mind.(oct 22) I was delighted when the email from VFS came yesterday about a waiting lounge (Stars and Stripes Lounge) etc which will make other people experience much refreshing. (Not for me till 2015 as my US visa is valid till then!!!).

So my prediction for 4-0 whitewash holds good. Lets see. So the neck is safe. The next week weather in Sydney may save India. I guess as Rains are predicted.
Ok, Time is up got to get up to enjoy the Sunday evening walk with Lalitha.

All the best for 2008.

I look forward to receive the MERCK Ganesha Desk calendar from my good friend Ananthasivan.(It reaches me every year since 1998!!).

I have targetted 60-75 Blog posts for 08. Lets see.!!!

Till next week take it easy and take care. Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.
PS: Next week; Kid on Candy Shop!!!.

ALL THE BEST FOR 2008

2007 would pass in to history in less than 36 Hours. It was a great year for the family. We would easily give a rating of 7.5 on a scale of 10. Of course, 1994 and 2006 were much better years. Here is to wish you all the very best for 2008. Hope it is a great year filled with Joy, Peace, Prosperity and goodwill.

Came across this interesting Video. Thought of sharing this with you.

ALL THE VERY BEST FOR "2008". STAY SAFE.

Karthik

Catchup, TED, DIMDIM, Head on block.

Lalitha, Mrs.Rajan, Radha, Dr Rajan,Shravan.(20/12).
As indicated in my last week column, we could catch up with Dr Rajan, my EX-boss at BASF Managalore. Mrs & Dr Rajan took time from (their Indian trip) busy schedule to catch up with us over lunch at our home. It was a time well spent to do retrospection over the last 8 years. Children also learned some valuble tips from him for being successful in life during the interaction.

As indicated in my other podcasts, I listen to the Cranky middle manager show of Wayne Turmel. I never miss the show over the last 8 months. This week, I listened to Wayne's podcast with DD Ganguly of DIMDIM who is based in Hyderabad. Dimdim according to DD will make WEBEX, HISTORY!!. This is an online, web meeting tool. You just need a PC, Internet connection and Phone line. You may send a request email in the dimdim website. This is similar to gotomeeting.com.
Great to see the online tools which kind of help you avoid all the hassles of downloading and installing software. Wayne has planned a live web meeting on 3rd Jan. Cant wait to participate, Awaiting further instructions from him.

I came across interesting website of video presentations which inspires you a lot. TED(Technology, Entertainment, Design) is the website. Worth the time spent. You can also register your profile to join and exchange info in this community. The community concept is hitting speed on on on on.

Here is the list of the best of the Business books of 2007, (800 CEO READ). Glad to see some Indian flavor in to it as well as some Indian authors.

I just finished reading Tim Sanders, Likability factor. Great concepts, how some one is perceived to be likable survives in all the odd situation and goes up the career ladder. Sanders points out Friendliness, Relevance, Empathy and Realness as the factors which make it happen. Worth spending time in the days of uncertainty and unpredictability in all walks of life. His other book, "Love is a killer App, Mark Mentions in the favourite books to read podcast.

I am not sure If I had mentioned, Douglas Welch, Career opportunities, Podcast. Douglas Welch produces great podcasts. He also does podcasts on career Podcasting, Gardening, tech stuff etc. It is worth spending time. I take time to listen in the PC medium. The audio for some of the podcasts gets drowned in the local background noise.

I have just started reading Robin Sharma's- Mega living.

Incidentally, further to my Post on DiSC. This is now available in Manager tools site. The cost is 26$. You may try it out.

So this week the cricket Expectation starts. Let us see, I agree with Stuart Clark, for a 4-0. Looks like great weather in Melbourne. I am putting my Head on the block. My guess its going to be curtains for many of the cricketers.

So till next week, take it easy and take care. Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Merry Christmas.

All,

I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas. Have a great time with your friends and family. I am sure it will be time to rejoice, retrospect, Revere, remember the happenings over the last 50 weeks. Enjoy the time. It also helps us to realize that how lucky we are to enjoy life as much as we do.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Take care.
Regards
Karthik.

Nagesh, DISC, Jim Collins,

I am delighted to see that My Linkedin connection has reached 300. I can assure you that of that 280 are those are with whom I have conversation by phone or email. About 20 or so are the requests that came in which was accepted. Yes, some of the common members of community have accepted my request seeing my Blog and Profile. Thank you. I know 300 is a not even a drop in an ocean of 6Billion out there. As Mark says, Build volume indiscriminately, thats a good beginning. Thank you all.

I am also surprised !!!,(Pleasantly) that site hits to my Blog has reached 412 till today from October 22nd. That is almost 8 hits a day from various part of the world. Amazing, I was thinking that I would hit 100 by end of the year. This is also delightful. The average time spent was 2 min, which is OK. Let me see what I can do to improve.

Ok, I was delighted to Host Nagesh Belludi, whose websites (Rightattitudes.com and Inspirational quotes) I had mentioned in my previosus posts, Saturday. He visited my home. We spent almost 90 Minutes on exchanging thoughts on how best we can do value adds to the community of readers.I guess I spoke a lot,!!. I am glad Nagesh took time from his busy schedule during his short 3 weeks visit to India (Nagesh is with Cummins in Indianopolis). If you wish to host Nagesh for any motivational lectures in Bangalore, Pl contact Nagesh on his website. He will be in India till the 29th of Dec. I have worked some plans for taking my personal blogging to some interactive level. More will follow in 2 to 3 months. I have posted the photo above.

I am sure many of you may know about the DiSC profile on the personality of people. Mike and Mark have worked out exclusive podcast on each of the profile. This is for registered members of Manager tools. Registration is free. The DiSC is D Dominant, I Influence, S Steadiness, C Conscientious. They have also worked podcasts on How to give feedback to this guys so that it makes sense to them. Just to let you know my profile is High S. Pattern: Achiever.
It is worth taking a test to know your profile. Ofcourse, there are other equivalent profile to try out for free.

I watched last evening with Awe, Jim Collins video in Utube on Leadership in this interview with Charlie Rose. What an interviewer he is!!!. I got to get hold of his book Good to great soon.( I remember my wife calling me up a year back,then when I was traveling that she would buy the book in the book shop and I told we will see later!!!). Crystal clear clarity of thoughts and expressing it. Worth watching. I am also amazed at the levels of leadership at Level 5 which extends to putting purpose beyond individual like Gandhi, Sardar did for India. Jim talks about Abe as an example.

I will end this week with news, that the family is excited to catch up with Dr VBV Rajan,my boss at BASF Mangalore, who in now in India. It was Dr Rajan, who molded me as a mature person by sharpening the people and task side of managerial skills in me to enrich the technical skills I picked up at Sandoz. Dr Rajan retired during 1999 and moved to USA later. I moved out soon. Some people say I have some misgivings about bosses. It is not so, I was very lucky to work with great bosses. You may read this article by Liz Ryan to see my other side view of bosses.

As we come practically the last working week of the year, I guess it is time to look back. The year just flew by I guess, so all the performance reviews etc etc should happen.

Until next week, take it easy and take care. Live consciously.
Karthik
Karaikudy@gmail.com.

Value of Life, JP Lounge.

I was away to Pune on Business travel and back last night. So 2007 travel is over and I look forward to spending the next 3 to 4 weeks at home and enjoy a bit of holidays. I guess 2007 just flew past in a flash.

I was saddened to read the fatality at work in the Hyundai factory in Madras. 4 People lost their life due to Methane gas leak in the confined space. I really wonder when the personnel overcome their ignorance to this Quiet Assassin. This clearly goes to show the Pre-job inspection and assessing risk is critical. I don't want to touch a safety subject in my blog, the main reason for this posting being that I was appalled by the compensation announced by the company of US 5000 $ for each of the person died. I just wonder that is that the value of life in India. I guess people / press will forget and move on. I also wonder being contract employees, I am not sure what kind of welfare and death benefits would be covered. Is the value of a worker is only that much. I am also seeing from the employee perspective, Couldn't they have done the checks or Hazard recognition. What a loss to the family. How much the family would suffer and undergo pain and suffering in times to come. I know there are no easy answers. Cant we be sure that what ever we do, we take a moment to step back and see if this is the right way to do?, even if not for our own sake, at least for the sake of dear and near ones.

While returning back from Pune to Bangalore, I transited from Bombay airport. I made the mistake of going in to the Jet Airways new premier lounge after security check at the departure bay. Oh, God it was a nightmare, the lounge was right above five or six departure gates of all airlines (Including the low cost airlines) made a hell looks better. There were no glass partitions or noise reduction measures. So I can hear all the screaming and fights of passengers of these low cost airlines whose flights were delayed. It was like seeing a war movie. I had to endure the agony for 90 minutes before boarding. I can not go back to the other lounge as I had completed security formalities. That will be the first and last time I would have gone there. The irony was this lounge was for the benefit of Business class and Platinum card members,(So much for customer satisfaction). Whoever had planned this in Jet is a genius whose job is protected by Life long employment guarantee, I guess (Like some of the Japanese companies).

I am also amazed at the changing security rules and inconsistencies across security checks at Airports. Bombay has strange rules saying that 2 pieces of hand baggage is not allowed. Pune asks for Photo Identification as you enter. Bangalore, lease said the better. Wonder when the consistency will come. My British friends ridicule at the number of Machine gun trotting security personnel at US Airports, I will invite them to visit Indian airports.

I am reading Bill George's (Ex- Honeywell Executive) True North. I found the concept of Passion, Compassion, Empathy and Courage as key behaviors to manifest in leadership. Also, the personal situation drives the key characteristics to manifest. How true!!. I would suggest every one to go through.

Ok, As the year is coming to an end, I got to focus to prepare for performance reviews for myself and my team. I don't have to worry as I have listened to Mike and Mark's Podcasts on performance review podcasts and is fully prepared.

Till next week, Take it easy and take care; Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Board of Directors.

All,
I had a quiet birthday celebrations on the 30th, kids are having exams, wife busy with her e -coaching so let the day just drift. Of course did a bit of shopping Thursday.

Ok, I came across2 books this week, Fifth discipline by Peter Senge.
Love the work you are with
by Richard Whiteley
The overlap between the 2 books were amazing, both talk about personal mastery. Both books talk about you forming your "Board of Directors" through friends, well wishers, colleagues, professionals who would facilitate planning,Coordination, direction as in case of management for your personal development. They would work with you as a Politician, strategist, Problem solver, Coach, Butt kicker and Cheerleader to take you forward as you go ahead in life. I loved the concept, Of course in an Indian sense if fits well as you always consult people close to you for all the important decisions in your life.

Here is the Global list of 50 Great thinkers, there are some interesting names, Came across this in CMM web site. I begin to like more and more the show and I feel it should go in to every one's must listen podcasts list.
Insightory.com is a practical information on the Management aspects with lot of information to download.
I also spend some time on Spirituality and religion once a week and came across this website on Swami Sukhabhodananda. He connects religion, spirituality, management. There are some interesting audio interviews to listen too.

As a globe trotter I always refer to the etiquette and business practices that exist in the countries I visit. I was curious to see what is being said about doing business in India. This link provides all the info for doing things in India. I guess many of it is true and practical.

I close my blog with the the 10 Most underrated books of all times and 10 most overrated books of all times and what to read instead. Agree with many of the ratings, ofcourse many of the overrated books I had found useful.

Till next week, Take it easy and take care, Live Consciously.
Regards
Karthik.
Karaikudy@gmail.com

Some Lesssons Learned.

I am taking time to finish this blog quickly as I need to move to the railway station to see my parents off to home town. They spent about 4 weeks and I am glad that I could spend time with them, thankfully there was no travel.(Thanks to the falling greenback which is hitting budgets as never before).

I come back to couple of lessons this week.
1) Success does not always brings Happiness.
2) Horstman's saying: Tell the boss the truth, it shall set you free.

1)My Son participated in the Annual festival conducted by the Hindu Newspaper. His school "National Public School, Rajaji Nagar came second in the western music competition in which he was the lead singer. As luck would have it, there were 8 participants in the band which constituted the team. There were only 6 medals to be handed over to the winners and so my son and other guy missed out.( I guess they were slow to reach the stage I think). So my son was disappointed a lot and all the happiness that should be there after finishing 2nd out of 40 Schools participants, was missing. Of course, that gave me a chance to order a special pizza for him when he reached home. (I am against junk food) This also gave me a chance to explain to him some of the realities of life. We had about 25 Minute talk that night as we went for a walk. (I guess may be second or third time We had gone for a walk together). So I am glad this incident lead to him to learn that all success is not always happiness. I am planning to send a letter to the school as to what they can do about the medal. Lets see.

The second lesson, was Mark Horstman of Manager tool, jokingly mentions always, "Tell the boss the Truth, it shall set you free". I thought, that its just a statement in a proverbial context. When this happened to three friends of mine in different companies within 2 weeks, I was flabbergasted.(Was it coincidence, like 2 formula I crash in 2 days in 50 years) They took up on themselves to take up some issues that needs correction and pointed to their boss. The boss, duly saw to it that they are all set free, for whatever reasons.Two of them have some serious job search to do. One wont care as he was doing job as a hobby, being a millionaire. I feel that the power distance and openness in Indian context has a loooooong way to go. As the saying goes, "You can take Indian out of India, but you cant take India out of an Indian" is very true. I feel, Indian bosses are very intolerant to things being pointed out and ego massaging has to be done for you to go a long way. Thats why, I am personally glad that I am out of this of Indian boss connections. It all boils down to what background and culture and upbringing with which you have come. A Donkey can never be a Horse Right???. Ok, Enough of my venting my frustrations. (I have self censored many sentences, the Emotional intelligence, prevailed)

I came across interesting website Authors@google. This is video on talk of various authors who gave talk at GOOGLE. I watched Daniel Goleman on Social intelligence. Interesting topic.

Also saw interesting video on Stanley Bing on Type of bosses. (Crazy Bosses) Personally, I had been very lucky to work with great bosses in my 22 years so far who had influenced, supported, guided me all through my career. Out of 12 Bosses, I had in my career, only one (for a period 10 Months in late 90s) was a nightmare. Lets forget it.

I look forward to a great week with my Birthday this week.My Birth star as per Indian calendar was Yesterday.

Till Next week, take it easy and take care, live consciously.

Regards
Karthik.

Widgets, Manager Tools, Spirituality

I was just exploring the web yesterday to learn more about WIDGETS. I had no idea about what it was although heard the term used my many in conversations as well as in websites. So Yesterday I finally took the plunge to know about it and I was immediately addicted to it that I spend about 5 hours exploring and understanding better. This also gave a better sense of managing blog posts with the HTML edits etc.

The result was some of the Tools that are posted in the Left side of this blog like the clock, Linked in Blog. Although, I did post a site meter for tracking the visitors, It never occurred to me that this is a Widget. I am glad I did use them and I hope this of help to guys who come to explore the blog.

I am also delighted to see 200 visitors to my BLOG post in less than a month. Many hits may be accidental, but still it is a good hit. Thanks to all who bumped in. Let me see what I can do increase traffic here.

Pl read my comments on Mike and Marks post on Marketing Manager tools. I was amazed (or Appalled, I should say!!) that not a single website or Blog I visit,(95% significant of test of hypothesis) had any reference to the Manager tools podcast as site that they follow or track. They are number one in Business category in podcast alley. With more than 17,000 members, naturally they are retaining membership by sheer quality of information on Management that they dish out. They also avoid all kinds of advertisement in their website.(One of the Few site with more white space in the web page) And all this, they do it for free. The premium subscription is 15$ a month is pittance even in this part of the world. There is also a members only podcast for registered members. I am sure guys have heard of Horstman Law.

Its all down to FOCUS, BEHAVIOR, IMPACT(FBI). I hope this posts helps people to go the Manager tools website and take advantage to go forward in their career. I have posted the category of podcasts as a link.

I also was listening to the podcast on CMM on spirituality at workplace with Tricia Molloy. There some interesting information which I endorse after reading Jack Canfield and Listening to Earl Nightingale. Interestingly this week, I had a conversation with my American colleague (Indian by birth) that he feels the symbols of secularism is much more in America than in India, in the workplace, as as far he sees. I think personally I may agree with the lot of displays that go in the individual belief. Yes, I too post them in my work place and use it as a driving force. I know this is touch topic for some. But I just thought of posting this. On the same note here is a link to Vedic Hymns.

Also came across interesting post on work life balance or is it choice.??

I am fully convinced the money I had spent for 3 year Economist subscription, is full value for money. The international news coverage is amazing so are the special reports that are out once a month. The other interesting aspect is the Obituary section, not a single person covered so far in the 5 months (22 issues) was a person, I knew lived. (Except for obituary on Mrs. Lyndon Johnson) such is the depth of coverage. I think the Sunday morning I spent completing the Economist is the time well spent.

Gary Slinger posts GTD info which are great.

Ok, Until next week, Take it easy and take care; Live consciously.

Regards
Karthik
Karaikudy@gmail.com.

My Work station at Home

Podcasts in my IPOD.

Hi,
I presume all had a great festive time. Things should get back to normal over the next 12 hrs, back to routine.
I have switched over to the new GMAIL version, which helps you to keep complete details and data of the contacts in the form of address book. So no more worries of the outlook or excel file missing or crashing. This is a great development. Ofcourse MS Windows email (Hotmail I believe offers 5 Gb of data storage).

I thought of sharing the Podcasts I collect in my IPOD. The Ipod is 80GB, so I guess no worry about space. I use ITUNES as a podcatcher. I havent covered the professional podcasts (Safety, health, environmental, FCPA, ISO systems to bore the general visitors, as has been the cast with the intention of the blog).

1. Aesop Fable Podcast.
2. Speed of Trust Radio
3. Brain Sync Theater of mind
4. Business Week Climbing Ladder
5. Business Week The Welchway
6. Career Opportunities.
7. David Allen (GTD) podcast
8. Digital Planet
9. East meet west Podcast
10. The Engaging Brand by Anna Farmery; One of my Best.
11. Fireside chats with Lisa Haneberg. (Management craft website)
12. Grammar Girls Podcast (Teaching English the right way)
13. HBR Ideacast from Havard Business Review. This is also gray cell ticking.
14. Insta Spanish lessons. (This is my long term plan to learn a foreign language)
15. Jumping Monkeys Podcast
16. Killer Innovation podcast
17. Law of attraction tips Podcast
18. Leadership Moment podcast
19. Leadership Place Podcast
20. Learn Spanish with Coffee Break
21. Robin Sharma Podcast
22. Project Management podcast
23. The cranky middle Manager podcast; This also gives lot of insight tools for a middle manager and Wayne is great.
24. Woodward on Management Talent is not enough. Wisdom from England Manager (Rugby world cup winning team)
25. 21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership
    

I have not covered Mike and Mark's Manager tool, which I listen Monday to Saturday for my morning walk (0630 am to 0715am). Thats a routine and I have covered enough times. I am also running out of time, I have covered the most of the list. Its exhaustive listening, is it not!!??. Thats why, the sleeping time is less. Any way its all sleep when I hit the grave, As the saying goes.

Of course, Sunday morning are for completing the Economist. The world info at your finger tips.

Untill next week, Take it easy and take care; Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik
Karaikudy@gmail.com.

Diwali Photos with parents. Chelsea

I thought of sharing this photo which I feel is a good indicator of Behaviors to execute at work and Succeed. We use this Honeywell to measure our success.










I could get the CHELSEA Home jersey for for my Son from Hargraves shop London Heathrow Shop which sells all English premier league TSHIRTS. My son, is excited about this. He is a die hard fan of Drogba










After 16 years, I could spend the Diwali festival with my parents who had come down from home town. They are visiting Bangalore after 2 years and could spend time with grown up grandchildren too. I am glad I could find time to spend with them.

Some of the photos taken during the Diwali celebrations.

2 Years of Blogging, Site meter and A HAPPY DIWALI.

All,
This week marks the 2 Years of Blogging. Wonder how the time flies. This is my 43rd BLOG post. Thats one every alternate week. I hope I would improve this and try to hit the 100th Blog post before the end of the year. It was during the DIWALI week in 2005 that I caught the fancy of Blogging. I am enjoying it.

I had installed the site meter in My blog to track the visitors, more out of curiosity. I am indeed delighted that since installing it on 22nd October, more than 110 visitors have hit this page. I guess many of them could have come through GOOGLE search power tool. I am also touched by comments posted in the blog post.

I am making this blog Short as there was a power outage at home complex since morning for more than 10 Hrs and the back up supply has almost exhausted. So I plan to do blogging over the DIWALI Holidays this week with more thoguhts.

Till then here is to wish you all a VERY HAPPY DIWALI and a prosperous HINDU NEW YEAR mostly for the Merchant community.For those married sisters celebrating BAHI BEEJ, Have a great time. As usual DEEPAVALI in south India is a day ahead of the North India. Looking forward to spend festive time with family and parents.

Till next time, take it easy and take care. Live consciously.

Regards
Karthik.

20 BLGOS that I track Daily.(Almost)

Before I commence, the blog this week, Just wanted to explain the photo. This wordings touched me when I visited the local hospital in Atessa, Italy in February this year. I had been to the hospital with my Colleague, Vincenzo Colasante, for some business reason and this plaque at the hospital reception just left a deep impression in me. I guess abandoning the child is fast catching up as a practice in India, more so if the child is Female. I hope, this inhuman practice ends soon.

Ok, on to Subject, the 20 Blogs/ websites that I track every day. I hope they are useful to you. I use the Google Home page RSS feed to subscribe to the respective RSS feed and get to read from my Mozilla Firfox under multiple Tab. Its ages since I stopped using IE. I got grudgingly use it for some official work which Doesn't support Firefox. This list is a random order and no preferences.

1. Zen Habit.
   
2. Make it Great
3. Bing BLOG
4. The Engaging Brand.
5. Business Week Online
6. Newyork times Webpage
7. Search Blog John Battelle.
8. Fast Company Blog
9. Kevin's Blog
   
10. Tom Peters Blog
11. 800 CEO Read Blog
12. Management Craft.
13. Career Journal from Wallstreet Journal
14. Inspirational Quotes from Nagesh.
15. Fortune Magazine website. (Ask Annie)
16. Legal Point Blog on Indian Legal issues
17. Presentation ZEN
18. Slacker Manager
19. The Simple Dollor
20. Bagavad Gita.

This week has a state Holiday on Thursday, the state formation day Nov 1st. I am also looking forward to my parents visit this week. Plan to spend some quality time with them.
Until next week take it easy and take care, Live consciously.
Karthik

Evan Almighty, George Bush Job Interview, funny videos

So the Daserra festival went well, the nine nights celebrations were not as Splashy as the Dandia festivals of Gujarat which I used to venture out in the 1990s during my stay there. I remember the "GOLU" we used to have at our home in Karaikudy, it was fun. Over the last 2 days the food was also too much, Cant blame the wife for cooking good food can you!!!!).

I watched the movie "Evan Almighty" As a sequel to the "Bruce Almighty" starring Jim Carey. The movie is a must watch, being a "conservative right wing person", I enjoyed the movie. Act of God, thats what life is all about, great!!. I especially liked the Phrase" ARK- Act of Random Kindness. What a word!!!!!. I also watched the movie Die Hard IV, a cyber terrorism act during independence day weekend. You got to kill 11Hrs of flying time one way, so no better way than movie and Economist.

Ok, I just thought I would share some of the amusing videos I had seen over my search in Google. You need good speed connection to watch this.

South Carolina Gaffe.

Frustrating job Interview
George Bush Job Interview
Bad Job Interview
Amusing Job Interview
Castro's Funeral: I was not amused, to portray a living person dead. Bad.


So, My prediction of Australia Vs South Africa RUGBY final was partially right, with England taking Australia's place. I am also glad that the Springboks overcame the title of chokers and won the world cup outside their country. I guess this could be a defining moment in their sports history. With world cup football going over there in 2010, it could be interesting.

Till next week, Take it easy and take care. Live consciously.
Karthik.

Rome, Jack Reacher, Jason, Eid.

I am just back from Rome on a week visit. This was the second trip to the Historical place this year.

For the second time this year, the baggage didn't reach Rome and it got missed out in London on the BA Flight, coincidentally, this was the trip, I was confident that the baggage would come through as the transit time was more than 2 Hrs and so I did not pack any backup cloth or stuff in the hand baggage.So it was a struggle, anyway this also gave me a chance to reflect on things, how we take things for granted or how we are addicted to habits and can live without. The 3 days with the same cloth, reminded me of the Jack Reacher, the main character in Lee Childs novel. Jack Reacher just travels with one set of cloth with no spares.

The flight BA 118 which I took was kind of unique, during the 11 Hr flight from Bangalore- London, the fasten seat belt sign didn't come on even once. (Except Landing), it was kind of experience as we could move around inside the aircraft. Wonder how many would experience that!!.

I had chance to take a walking tour of the ROME CITY. The guide, Jason, an American now conducts an amazing tour, which is just takes back to you to historic time. He had come to study Theology in Italy some time back and has now decided to conduct full time tour. His Knowledge of the Rome history is amazing, so are some of his anecdotes surrounding history. Not only that, he gives you a good free information on the good restaurants and shops to do value for money. Jason's trip is worth participating if you visit Rome. He can be reached on email at : Toursofrome@hotmail.com. Jason was found by Mike Csedrik, my colleague during his previous visit on the tour of Vatican. I haven't had the time to visit Vatican, I have planned it for the next visit.

So the rugby world cup is proving great and memorable for Jonny Wilkinson and English fans, what a dream run he is having. My guess is that If England wins the World cup, Jonny would surely be on the Knighthood list next year. Great nerve wrecking stuff last night. I am sure tonight's match would be a thriller and we have a strong possibility of Falklands war settled on a RUGBY field. My Boss Anthony is following it live on the Field in France, here is to Wish Anthony a great time out in France.

Came across this interesting website on Leadership Gurus. I haven't heard of John Maxwell before, But his Maximum Impact approach looks straight forward no nonsense as well as he brings the teachings of GOD in a very subtle, secular way.

So the festive seasons has began, so its fun for the next 3 weeks with Navaratri and Diwali round the corner. Have fun. My Pakistan friends would be enjoying Eid al Fitr now. Here is to wish all the great festive times.

Till next week, take it easy and take care, Live Consciously. BTW, good to see Steve Pavlina back on podcasts.

Regards
Karthik.

Back up candidate.

So this week has all been going tight with lot of deadlines on Projects. It was after some time that I felt that 24 Hrs were not enough to manage things on home, work and personal fronts. Yeah it is good to have this pressure once in a while.

Last week, one of my very very close childhood friend had a strange experience of series of interview for a international position from overseas consultant. While he was fully settled and had no plans to move out of India given the Wellness of Indian economy, as well as appreciating rupee as well as wanting to be close to home as a typical Indian worker do. This would make all the movement out of India a redundant. His Personality profile clearly indicates that he would work for a a good and understanding boss and this has been the case for the past 20 years in the organizations where he worked. He accepted to be interviewed over phone for a simple reason for knowing new people as well as the consultant being " the top notch International recruiter" so its good to know people and this company also is so called leader in the field.

So with the Phone line being as disturbing it was and you need to strain to hear what was said, and there were some hypothetical questions which didn't make sense to him. It reminded us of a tamil movie of 1960s in which two unemployed graduates discuss about the recent job interview in which they were asked questions about sports tactics in a clerical job interview. (Kalyana Parisu)

What shocked us both was that the feedback that came from the company that he needed to improve his leadership skills and that they found wanting. Some excuse for not they not making it for him. We just wondered whether the discussion was for a CEO position giving Jack Welch or Bob Shaphiro a run for the money. More so with we both reading lot of Drucker and Podcasts. I look up to him for advice and suggestion on Management and best practices as well we exchange all the best practices in Management.

Some euphemistic way, I guess. Anyway, he also shared with me a hunch feeling that he was a backup candidate to turn in to should some things don't work with the first candidate. After listening to him with less transparency when the deal is happening. Anyway, it would have made no difference, but just thought of sharing this incident as how things can go in this competitive environment. I guess you cant find out if you are the backup candidate, but as things progress, you can foresee the end, I guess. So you can say it was hell of an interview. We both wondered if an Indian candidate was used as a scapegoat to project the other guys better.!!!!. I have read such techniques as norm in my MBA paper, so could see the real example.

Incidentally, I had posted my query on sharing the Manager tools podcast for our Indian friends who don't have access to Internet in India. Mike and Mark are pondering over this.

So, as usual the Wallabies found Jonny too much to handle in the quarter final. I think the English rugby is alive and kicking. I had referred Jonny in earlies posts as one of the great sports personality and he proved it again yesterday. It was also sad to see all blacks loosing to France. This goes to show the uncertainties of the game.

I am glad Aussies are teaching Indians lesson in Cricket, reminds me of Clive Lloyd handing out Humiliation to India after the fluke of 1983. Teams like India have long long long way to go to catch up on international cricket. One tree doesn't make a forest. Such victories can only bring some pocket filling. To reach world class levels to be even a number 2 team I don't see happening in my lifetime. This is confirmed by a news of a talented cricketer committing suicide, which I just saw as news in CNN IBN.

Till next week, take it easy and take care, Live consciously.

Karthik.

Great Fiction authors

It read with interest the HBR article on Joseph Finder, the fiction author who writes about issues in corporate world crime,cyber crime (There is also a video). I had heard of Joseph Finder about 2 years back but didn't find time to read his books as I had practically stopped reading fiction.

So I just thought that I would put my 10 best authors. It is difficult to put in any order. Would look for comments. I think cutting to 10 is difficult. I must say I am putting this list after almost reading 90-100% of their works.

Arthur Hailey. Final Diagnosis left with tear in the eye. Airport was master stroke.

Irving Wallace: Second Lady, The word, the Man, the Prize. Makes you wonder as real issues.
Alistair Maclean: All books glue you.
John Grisham: The Firn, the Partner, the Broker was great.

Ken Follett: Eye of the needle, The Iranian Hostage crisis(Dont remember the name).
Jeffrey Archer: Shall we tell the President. Kane and Abel.

Colin Forbes: Stone Leopard.OOPs, He is no more, Missed his death news.

Sydney Sheldon: Other side of midnight.

Desmond Bagley: High Citadel, Golden Keel

Fredrick Forsyth: Dogs of war, Day of the Jackal, Fourth protocol.

Earl Stanley Gardner: Big list.

James Hadley Chase.: Big list.

Mario Puzo, Harold Robbins would also make the cut. I haven't read any of Agatha Christie.

Fiction helps you to think some times beyond normal course of thinking.

I am reading the non fiction of John Grisham's Innocent Man. Should find time to finish it. Good book.

I am also glad that the Supreme court has come very heavily on the Bandh(Strike/ civil action) planned in Madras tomorrow. But the question is will the politicians learn?

OK till next time, take it easy and take care, Live Conciously.

Regards
Karthik.

1900 Hrs
OOPS I missed 3 great guys
David Baldacci and Lee Child. Robert Lubdlum, How silly of me.

Gandhigiri

Gandhigiri

I thought I would touch up on the new phrase used as a means of Non violent form of protest used by the father of the nation. (The movie about this aspect is going on in the Television which the kids are watching)My personal belief in that this can happen only when the other person treats you with DIGNITY. I am sure Gandhi's way of non violence as a means to achieve the ends, would have worked only with the British, who have the habit of treating people with Respect. I wonder what would have been his fate if French, Russians or Italians ruled/ invaded India, I think Gandhi would have met the same fate as Omar Mukthar of Libya.

I am not for propagating violence to attain ends, but anything that is possessed without a fair price is never appreciated, I think, I guess Gandhi is partly responsible for making us a bit complacent. Our parents or education system never taught us the value of freedom which I see it as passion in other parts of the world in my travel.

So it needs two persons with the active interest to participate in the Dialog based on respect and transparency, without that its going to be failure.

Any way thats my loud thinking.

Came across some interesting websites:-

12 Podcasts for the creative class, these are podcasts besides Management. I have subscribed to some of them. Its good way to know about issues beyond work.

Kevin Eikinberry Blog has lot of useful Information. His latest book Remarkable Leadership is a different book is what I hear from reviews.

I listened to Podcast on Cranky Middle Manager with Erika Andersen as well as her Utube video, the phrase, Endoskeleton was a term I liked as the way managers need to be to make sure that the employees grow. The video Clip on her book Growing great employees in which the term used is here.

Also an interesting website on 43 Folders. There are good podcasts on managing emails. I have stared making my INBOX 0 at any time.

Looking forward to exciting final Monday night, which I am sure India will win. Also tracking closely the RUGBY world cup, glad to see Jonny Wilkinson hitting back to form.

Ok till next week, Take it easy and take care and Live consciously.

Regards
Karthik.

Career Opportunities

Hi all,

Good to be back to after a week gap. I was kind of tied up with couple of career cross roads situation that kind of tied up to take some decisions. Now that I have made the decision, it is good feeling back to focus. Also the Hyderabad flyover collapse happened as I was getting ready to work on my blog last week.

I am just wondering as to how much Indian companies had turned around in their approach to management and cultural shift? I have lost the feel as its almost 16 years. I think they have come a long way in kind of managing the issues professionally. But the question is, Are people who are working in MNC for more than a decade or so, who are used to taking independent decisions and working in virtual environment, be ready to take the plunge to adjust themselves ???. I am not very sure. I have also been seeing couple of my friends/ ex-colleagues who moved out from a stable job in MNCs to work with Indian companies and have since been in a kind of job hopping over the past 4 years. Yes, of course, they have grown in their career position in terms of position, stature, titles, but the question over change always come to haunt putting family considerations as well as entering in to uncharted frontiers of working with the unknown? I would be interested to see comments.

I am wondering about the rains about the last 3 days here in Bangalore, and the damage it has caused including deaths. Wonder, when things are going to turn around. You really feel sad to hear stores of people being washed away or house collapse even when the rainfall is hardly a couple of inches. Wonder, what we can do from our side as a social measure?

I came across this websites which I hope will be of help to you.

Douglas Welch hosts very interesting podcast on career opportunities. Worth hearing. I found podcasts on reputation for honesty, empathy etc, very useful.

Jack and Suzy welch roll out a podcast every week on the Business week column called the Welch Way. I am getting to hear during my evening walk. (Morning walk is reserved for Manger tools). Very practical suggestions, straight forward. You may use Itunes to collect podcasts I guess.

Not sure, If I had given link to the Marcus Buckingham's website in my previous posting on his books. He is refreshingly different. I finished his books, First break all the rules, and Discover your strengths.

Ok, Take care and catch up next week. Enjoy the Ganesh festival. I had a good time yesterday. With my son growing up he has started performing the ritual at home this year.

Until then, Take it easy and Take care; Live Consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

RBD, Linkedin, Links.

I am sad to inform you the passing away of Rajesh B Desai, Production Manager, Unique Pharmaceuticals, Bharuch, Gujarat, last Monday due to massive cardiac Arrest. Rajesh was 57. Rajesh was my first customer, I had served his HSE needs for the Pharmaceutical formulations plants and we use to have various reviews. This was during 1986-91. Those days it was all learning curve, so the learning were through trial and error, so it needs lot of support from the line management and Rajesh did his best. I was stunned when the call came at 5am last Monday.

Of course, we had different view on cricket thoughts, as Rajesh was an ardent Indian team supporter and I never, never,(Except India plays Pakistan) and the common interest was to feel happy when Pakistan lost its matches against India. I remember Rajesh's famous saying after the first 1987, Cricket world cup semifinal when Australia beat Pakistan, that it doesn't matter who wins the world cup and he wont care even if India looses the II semifinal the next day. That did happen but he was not very unhappy. People like Rajesh, motivate and create and groom great managers.

Rajesh was also famous for coining the Phrase "MBO" (Maramari Between Ourselves, for the famous Drucker term Management by Objectives when it was introduced in Unique in 1986,(Maramari means Fighting in Hindi). Famously, Rajesh practiced this for about a week even as far as dressed in Shoes (very unlike him, after attending the seminar in Hyderabad on MBO in 1986) and after a week it was back to open toe sandals. Such a friendly, caring person will be missed. I got a chance to talk to him, on July 16th this year, after 10 years, when he responded to my email. I will his cheerful loud voice with mix of English and Gujarai words. May his soul rest in peace.

Ok, I am glad my linkedin response has reached 200, its great to know people and share thoughts and ideas. This is a very useful networking tool.

Some of the web sites I came across:-

1. Salary information on the various position in India. You can get an idea on what the salary is.
2. Wendii posts excellent tips on career you may go through.
3. Interesting article on Global Manager.
4. Rediff Getahead Career Guide
5. Personality test profile, you may try this(OCEAN TEST)
   

Getting ready to celebrate daughters birthday this week(3rd Sep)
Ok,till next week, take it easy and take care, Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Men and Women

I am asking my wife to let me know a topic about which I should dwell upon on the blog. I am waiting for a response, as usual in a typical professional fashion she has put me on the hold. (it's 5 Minutes since I had asked) May be thinking difference between men and women could be the topic I can write about.

On that, I had read the following books and I would recommend, people to read,it had helped me a lot. Remember, I had a Lady Boss for 6 years.It was a great time in my career. You may read about her here. I had also mentioned about her in my previous posts.Besides my ex- boss, a She friend at work, helped me understand women better. Her friendship also gave me a different perspective to know and understand "What Women Want" and for the first time(after 9 years of marriage in 2000, some Sagittarians are naive you may say !!!!) I had brought a gift for my wife on the wedding anniversary / birthdays and this is now a routine affair 17 years in to the marriage. Its also a coincidence that these three women who influence me a lot and lot are all Cancerians.

Please go through the following books, It for sure made a hell of a difference for me and I hope for you too.
Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus.

Why Men dont listen Women cant read maps.

Its 15Minutes still no response, I guess, she has forgotten about the question. Not surprised aren't you.

Ok, I was very fortunate to hear Peter Drucker interview, I had read some of the writing of the great man,but was amazed at his clarity and humility, when I heard this interview. Pl take time to listen to this great master piece. The 45 minutes are worth it. Let me know your thoughts. I also want you to hear the tribute to Drucker by Various management gurus.

Ok, Here is Mark and Mike in Flesh and Blood in a sense. You might have heard the voice but not the face,Pl see Mark here.

I am saddened by the events in Hyderabad. My heart goes out for the families of people who lost the dear and near ones.

40 Minutes in to Blogging still no response from my wife.Thats what women are. Of course, She has seen this and I have green signal to post this uncensored.

Until next time, Take it easy and take care,Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Class C cities Accelarating.

I am glad that I could find time today to sit in front of the Laptop.Its amazing that I haven't been out of Bangalore for 3 Months on business travel that when I got a chance on personal travel with my wife last week, it looked a new experience. You are so used to routine that a change is the thing you look forward to.

I was pleasantly surprised by the infrastructure available at the Madurai and Trichy airports. The facilities are much better in terms of passenger access, waiting area, catering etc. Infact Trichy airport expansion looks bigger than the present Bangalore Airport. This gave me a chance to travel on one of those rare occasions by Air Deccan from Madurai to Bangalore and to our relief the flight was on time. So some improvement. This visit also gave me a chance to visit the town Manamadurai in Tamilnadu. The town is 50 Kms from Madurai and famous for earthen pots. I did my First Grade here in 1969. I was with our uncle for a year as my father had been to Benaras for his higher studies. (He got his PG Degree when he was 28 and Ph.D at 58 in Corrosion Studies, more on thats for another blog for how I plan to follow his foot steps).

I was also amazed at the developments happening in Karaikudi, my home town. The one hour I spent on the morning walk shook me literally. I didn't recognize most of the buildings that have come up on the places I assumed something else existed. The houses of my school teachers, are razed and multi story shopping complex has come up. I couldn't even place the geographical coordinates to the nearness. Even street patterns had changed, so much so that my cousin who had come from New Jersey to meet my parents last week, missed the intersection to turn in for our house(He lived and studied with us for 3 years 15 Years back). Such is the mushrooming of real estate. The green trees and open space looks like thing of the past even in a C Grade town like Karaikudi which are quite and sleepy towns for educational excellence.

Changing subject, I am glad that Manager tools won the best Podcast award in the business category at Podcast Alley awards. I did my best to vote for Mike and Mark everyday. I am glad to see Anna too made it in the top 10. I am sure I had sent the Horstman's law to all in my email list.

Bye
Till next time, take it easy and take Care. Live Consciously.
Karthik.

Baby India 60.

I am sorry that I was away from Blogging for a couple of things,too many things happening at home front which involved lot of conversations on Sunday as well as personal travel. I apologize.

As India turned 60 yesterday,I just thought that I will choose the 44 moments (There I go thats my age) that kind of defined the India as a personality. The success, the failures, the shame, the People, the companies that made it possible.
Here I go. This is not in order of preferences or seriousness.

1. Emergency 1975. Country put to shame. Indian express fought it tooth and Nail. Yes, as a 12 year old boy I saw things happening with clockwork precision, trains were on time, government servants for a change worked.
2. 1977 Election, Saw congress routed. Being a right winger at that age, I still remember chasing news in BBC radio as Indian media was suffering blackout of results.
3. Moraji Desai/ Raj Narayan. The first non Congress prime minister who I consider as a man brought practicalities in to economy. Raj Narayan was our own Dan Quayle, of course more than a political comedian, he made sure that 2 prime ministers lost the job.
4. Death Of Rajaji. I think he left a deep remark in South Indian politics for making sure that congress is wiped out as an entity in south India. Ofcourse, its a case of fire to frying pan as I guess this alienated south Indians from national main stream.
5. 5day work week for government employees/ retirement age 60. Great move to make the work society less barbaric. I am a strongly against 6 day week as it inhibits productivity. This happened in 1985.
6. Thermax. The great Indian company which can give a run for any multinational in terms of work culture. I am told things have changed a bit in the recent past.
   
7. Sanjay Gandhi. I think his ideas were good, execution poor.
   
8. Rajeev Gandhi Assassination. Welcome to the real world of terrorism of suicide bombings.
9. Phokran II Testing. Made World take notice of India as a super power.
   
10. Rakesh Sharma, Indias own Yuri Gagarin.
11. Indias cricket win over England and West Indies in 1971. Cricket matured.
12. India winning world cup hockey in KL in 1975.
13. APJ Abdul Kalam The people president.
    
14. Viswanathan Anand The world grandmaster champion of chess.
15. Bachindra Pal, the first India women to claim Mt.Everest.
16. Jayalalitha crushing the Tamilnadu government employees strike. I hope the goverment guys learned a lesson, Im told that they still get nightmare, good for them to get that to work.
    
17. Jimmy Carter visiting India to begin the cold relations that Nixon had.
18. 1971 War. Deeds of Arumugam.
19. Sam Manekshaw/ Nanda/ PC Lal, the Architects of 1971triumph.
20. Kuldeep Nayyar who took heads on Indira Gandhi during emergency. The yard stick for the fourth estate. Of course Indira Gandhi was our own Golda Meir.
    
21. Justice HR Khanna of Allahabad High court. Who dare to cross path with Indira Gandhi.
22. Kanishka Bombings.
23. Kausalya Narayan/ Mohan Kumaramangalam death in plane crash in Delhi in May 1973,loss of emerging talents.
24. Alliance air crash in Patna. The last we heard of aircrash in India (Touchwood).
25. MGR Death in 1987, choas in TN politics.
26. Emergence of private airlines, made air travel a common place.
27. Sholay.
28. Deaths in Kumbakonam/ Srirangam fire accidents. Never this should happen.
    
29. Cargil War the heros.
30. Formation of BJP. The Hindu alternative and awakening.
    
31. Indian edition of Economist/ HBR, you can pay Rupees to get it, Great, so the world is coming to you.
32. July 26th rain and havoc in Bombay.
33. Shame of allowing communists to have a say in governance, else where the communism is in the museum.
34. Reliance Industries, The indian industrial giant.You can hate or love them.
    
35. Sam Pitroda/ Airtel Broadband. Virtual work made possible.
36. Modernisation of US consulate for visa process, previously it was a shame to see the rush and chaos for visa. Some American thought enough was enough.
37. Jumbo passport booklet, Thank god, with visa regime everywhere,you can atleast keep passport current for some more time.
38. Availability of mineral water everywhere.
39. Prannoy Roy/ Rajdeep Sardesai. Brought world class TV journalism in to India.
40. Removal of hand pulling carts in Tamilnadu in 1977, I am still pained to see this in West Bengal and other states.
41. Deve Gowda speech in Parliament, once he talked truth and sense.
42. Godhra riots/ 1992 riots, I don't agree with Violence, at least this brought the knowledge to the world that Hindus can retaliate. I guess in some way things were squared and peace prevailed thereafter, I have seen enough curfew in Gujarat in my 12 year stay.
43. Indian space program brought satellite TV home. Thanks to Dr Kasturi Rangan.
44. Movie Swades. If I ever go back to work in Indian companies, this movie could have been the trigger.

Karthik
Jai Hind.