Chagas, Twitter,Marc Dreir, Job Hunting, Ants

We use the term"Chagas" as a term for expressing something when a happy ending in an unexpected situation. I was therefore horrified to read an article that Chagas is the number one killer in Latin America. This is an insect bite in the face and causes Heart and intestine failure. I was shocked to read that it is as a dreaded killer as fearful as Malaria in Africa and still nothing being done in a large scale to combat the disease.

Many months back I listened to the podcast in the Stanford university thought entrepreneur series when Evan Williams spoke about his journey in creating blogger and his work with Google. I could sense that time, listening that this guy has untapped potential. It is great to see that the Twitter is his brain child. I like Twitter and created account in 2007 but is not crazy about it, but I appreciate the effort. His next revolution, as indicated, email.

Mark has come with a great podcast last week on freeing your calendar for accomdating your schedule to be effective as well as efficient. A must listen to improve your productivity thro delegation and how to do it.

Would you believe that there are 14,000 Trillion(yes) ants in this planet ?The weight of ant on earth is equal human being and that the biggest colony of ant is 2.5 sq.km in Indonesia. Interesting facts. I was amazed!!!. Ants use swarm intelligence to work and as an individual are idiots!!! Hmmm.

Many Tamil movie viewers of the 1960s, would have seen Thangavelu playing as a comedian fraudster, (cheating/ compulsory liar as a employee in famous company, while unemployed) in the movie Kalyana parisu.(Wedding gift). I was reminded of that story when I read this Fortune article, on How Marc Dreir committed fraud to the extent of 700Mio$ as an impostor. Read this exciting, sad story as they say, truth is stranger than fiction.

Fortune magazine recently covered a practical article on how to land in tough times. A practical guide to be ready when things do go dreaded.!!

I was always feeling disgusted about IPL. So here is a blog on FAKE IPL that exposes the idiotic things happening there!!!. So my IPL stay away from TV has extended to 9 days and I haven't watched a single ball. Yes, also TV watching is less than 10 min. Keeping the idiot box away.

Wayne has done an excellent podcast on Telecommuting with Kate Lister, worth listening.

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

KID's blog, Esamskriti, Virodhi, TRUE/ SLANT, Bumptop

Glad to be back to blogging after a week gap, as I was tied to running around for the completion of the upcoming apartment (Reniassance PARK III in Malleswarm) which require inputs from our side. Hopefully we look forward to moving in about 6 weeks time. ( A year behind schedule) Also, last week, I had lot of catch up on reading the magazines, journals so thought of giving update of the blog a miss.

Ok, Seeing me doing blogging, My Son wanted to give a shot at Blogging and has created his website at Blogspot.com. He did this on his own and did this when we were away on travel, so great to see some independent quick decisions. His blog is called Sharavansstance. I must admit that while I am a right wing, conservative, pro Republican, traditional, orthodox in my views, I have no way influenced him in what he writes and always insisted kids to be on their own sticking to basic values of humankind. He is delighted at having found his apparently lost FIFA 08 CD as well as Chelseas wins over the last 10 days so away on seventh heaven to come back to real world as well in his summer vacation mood. Incidentally this the link to my Daughter Radha's blog. She has been doing it for a while but I never did mention!!!.

Of Blog I must mention that My good frined and ex-collegue Aparna Sharma had sent a link to her husband's site on esmaskriti. It captures the essence of Indian culture. Here is the link.

We celebrated our Tamil new year on 14th April, the Tamil new year is called VIRODHI. Virodhi means ENEMY in Tamil. I just wondered how it would shape. As Tamil new year calendar is 60 year cycle, my friend Dilip looked at 1949 to what it was, and we found that the Indian constitution was written that year. Was it good or bad omen!!!! I will leave it to readers judge!!!!!??????.

My resolution not to spend not more than 10 minutes per day at the television is going great. I am in to the III week and yes it is not more than that. Yes, when I have dinner got to gulp as the family watches some serial, so that 15 Minutes don't count. I am staying successfully staying from the poisonous IPL for the second day. Hope god gives me the courage, resolute to go that way.

I read Walter Mosberg review on TRUE/ SLANT and I had subscribed to it. Great resource to see live journalism. Also try the Bumptop reviewed by him. I have instantly downloaded and installed in this laptop. A great view of the desktop.

Parliamentary Election process is on India and it will be a 5 week process. I guess at the end of the day, We wont have chads and Hopefully a clear mandate for a stable, progressive looking government which can make up for the 5 years we lost!!!.

Today, I had been to the inauguration of the POLAR BEAR ® Ice cream parlour opened by good friend near Hebbal. Ice creams have become all season item. This gave me a chance to catch up some of my ex-colleagues from Astra Zeneca after 12 years.

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

Regards
Karthik.

Copytrans, Transcend, MS MOUSE, Unhelpful souls.

I have to make this blog entry a brief one as I am in the midst of travel for personal family events over the last 3 days.

As indicated in my blog post last week, myself and my son should give kudos to our selves for successfully completing the IPOD copying back to Itunes. We did this thanks to the Software, COPYTRANS. It was one of the 19$, I had invested. I just installed and took a backup of the IPOD in the newly purchased Transcend 250 Gb hard disk as a backup Plan B. Then I added the IPOD library in to newly installed ITUNES and it copied all songs including play list(Though not the Smart play list) which I duplicated manually and deleted the play list. The only hitch is in doing all this IPOD needs to be restored and SYNC again. The job lasted almost 14 Hrs. (Despite copying rate of 20Mb/sec from my 2Gb RAM). I did goof up a bit in copying New Itunes library folder in an existing folder so it duplicated. So hard to delete all files there and reinstalled. (Yes My son did say to install in a new different path, I missed it by oversight). So a good job done.

As indicated I find Transcend back up portable disk a good one. I got at GLASGOW computers shop Brigade road. ( Got my Ipod docking station last year) Guy gives good discount and has all latest products. Like the cooling fan which Walt Mossberg discussed this week in WSJ was with him. I also purchased the cool MS ERGO Mouse. Worth the purchase, life turning for comfort. It gives a different sense to use mouse and addresses Ergonomic issues.

We had a frustrating experience, no wonder with whom you can guess, the government servants. For the travel we undertook, we need some change of plans which require some authorisation from railway reservation agents. Lalitha had taken a photocopy of her passport to submit, but had forgotten to take the original. She had the original ITIN card ( Called PAN Card). When she gave the copy to the officer at Bangalore cantonment reservation, the officer asked for original passport to check her identity, when she was told they would only want to see the passport to verify her identity or get photocopy of her PAN card. When Lalitha indicated that she is there in person and has one original to show, the argument fell on deaf ears. She couldn't find any photo copy shop nearby and had to spend 30 minutes to take a photo copy. Classic example of height of bureaucracy. I always felt 99% (I would assume many would agree)Indian government servants are unhelpful and frustrated souls. (Yes, My father was one!!!). Yes, the sad part is many private organisations, in recent past, in Multi national context are fast catching up this disease.

Ok, till next week, take it easy and take care; live consciously.
Karthik

Restoring

The laptop in which I store all my music, Podcasts (35 Gb) crashed last week. I am working restoring the info from my IPOD since last night. Looks like will take a couple of hours more.
So I would post on that and other issues to discuss next week.
Till then Take it easy and take care; live consciously.

Regards
Karthik.

Shirdi, IPL, Varun, Lay off

I am back from Shirdi travel last week(Sunday to Tuesday). Great trip. Crowd was phenomenal close to 100,000 Sunday (2 Hrs in queue from 3 pm to 5pm) Monday was far less. The Sunday was the 5th day after the festival of colors "the Holi festival", so had a look of Sai Baba's photo carried on a chariot and the gaiety associated with the festival of colors. (First time seen the chariot in my 10 trips over the past 19 years).

Security and access are issues. Many places you have to walk barefoot so watch out for stained legs and its consequences, as my daughter almost has allergic symptoms. Lot of confusion on entry and exits, (Especially if you enter thro gate 3(Dwaraka Maii side) it will only lead to exit to GATE 1 and you have to enter again thro gate 1 to come in) confirm my firm belief that administrators make a mess of simple things. Big queue for mobile phone handover as it is banned inside samdi mandir, so leave mobile phones at hotel room.

Also the chance to touch Baba's samadhi is no more possible, it is all protected with glass. As I visit every time, I see that the man-divine interaction in a physical sense is getting withdrawn more and more. Anyway, You forget all the hardship and harassment when you stand in the sanctum- sanctorum and it is all just tears in your eyes that wash all the sins. So for that you can bear anything.

This visit I was helped by local personnel to get a VIP pass for the second visit Monday to samadi mandir, so it was a bonus.

Also as the cab driver told me, "the more you wait in queue, the more you get a chance to chant his name and hear about Sai Baba's deeds, that is what he wants, He does not want you to come to him in a easy/ quick access". That was an enlightening moment for me in this trip and a huge take away. So the next visit, I will be more patient to wait in queue and reach his sanctum sanctorum.

I would also mention that many people visit Shirdi do not take time to visit the Khandoba Temple. This was the place where Sai was first welcomed by Mhalsapathi and said "AAO SAI" (Welcome Sai).

Also the cab driver took us to the place where Sai Baba first meditated and stayed before moving to Shirdi. This temple is very near to the Kopargaon Train station on the main highway to Shirdi. There is a temple now called Tapobhumi Mandir.

Yes, This was my first trip on train almost in 2 years on Indian railways, lot of improvements on passenger facility / reservations etc. But the recession/ inflation has taken effect, I guess on food stalls on stations as well as quality of food served in train. (Still better from health perspective from local vendors on train stations I would assume!!!).

Ok, moving to other things, I am more than delighted that the IPL is moving out of India, I despise the bikini clad cheerleader version of this disgusting circus. Anything that takes off hype is welcome one more so in the middle of elections and exams. What a tragedy?? Would any body come and watch overseas!!!! How can they call Indian premier league of cricket when Indians play matches overseas??? Rip off !!!.

My friend Dilip has posted an interesting thoguhts on Varun Gandhi's speech.Good distill of the situation, but at the same time, having lived in Gujarat and seen the way things happen, it is not surprising that the emergence of Modi and Varun, as seen counter balance by some. All I can hope that in near future it doesnt lead to a Nazi like situation with a 21st Century Hitler coming to guide us all.

There was an intestine case study in March 09 HBR on lay offs. Very divergent thoughts.

OK, till next week, take it easy and take care, live consciously.
Vande mataram.
Karthik.

Early posting; Gold; Worst cities, Happy

I am posting this Friday evening as we are all are leaving for Shirdi tomorrow to have Baba's darshan and blessings.

I remember my grandmother telling that in her time (85 Years back) the price of gold was US $ 10 an ounce. So It is mind boggling to see Gold price predicted to hit US $ 2300 an ounce. Yes, 10 $ in 1920s would be a huge amount!!. Such are times!!.

Not Surprised to see Bombay, Madras, Delhi are listed in the Worst 10 cities for business people in the Business week survey. Lagos tops the list.

Realclearmarkets is a good site to keep tab on economic / business information. Marshall Goldsmith mentioned this site in his podcast with Wayne.

Feeling great to see West Indies won the cricket series against England. The happy days are back, I hope. As a die hard WINDIES fan( The only team besides Australia, I bother to follow) it cheered me a lot.

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

Sign of growth, Semantic Web, Loving Relationship, This yet that

This is the time of Performance reviews and discussions on compensation revisions. I am getting comments from my friends, that in these time of uncertainty, while at one end of the spectrum it is a great achievement to keep the job intact without worrying too much about pay cheque. There is an another school, which is oblivious to theses situations and measure the growth only in terms of Salary raise and cash components to take home and be happy about it and nothing else matters. I just wonder where the balance lies?. On behalf all those managers who are facing this dilemma, I have posted the question in the MT Forum.

Steve Pavlina is back with a fabulous 100 Minute podcast on discussing Loving relationship. Steve quote"This is a podcast about loving, intimate relationships that Erin and I recorded together this afternoon. We discuss the inner workings of our (almost 15-year) relationship in depth and share insights, advice, and stories regarding the various topics that touches lives". Worth listening, I enjoyed it very much and the discussion gave me some insight to improve my Loving relationship for sure. Thanks Steve.

I received a forwarded email from a safety manager in which the Wall street investment banking firm had appreciated his company's efforts and mentioned a line or two in their forecast report. I was just wondering who are these folks responsible for appreciating about these TECH focused activities? Do they really know or have a grip on what is happening? Do we take that with a pinch of salt and dance on the ceiling? I guess the whole mess, we are in today, is all due to the investment banks/ wall street making. It was like a saying in my mother tongue Tamil" Saitan vedam Odukiradu"( Satan Preaching Bible to the congregation!!). I dream for the day when Wall street tunes are no longer heard and people don't dance to it! The results are more focused on Technical performance/ producing quality people and decent margins. Not in my life time I guess!!.

I am reading "Toyota Way" by Jeff W Liker. This book is an eye opener, for those who want to learn the lean manufacturing. What I liked the most in the book is the concept" This YET That" which looks at contrasting aspects that go in to designing and building a world beater. A must read for any one who is on the manufacturing/ Supply chain side.

As I was reading the HBR Feb 09 on the "Breakthrough ideas for 2009" list. One of them "Semantic web" caught my imagination. I look forward to the day when search results for what we want is all bundled up and served in one page!!. That day may not be far away.

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

Oscars, 3000 £ Tips, Bad Boss, Childhood Memory

So the Oscars are out. As expected the Oscar committee went with the herd mentality and gives awards to the film that is popular without any logic. I didnt see anything fancy in the Slumcrap movie as classic as Titanic, No country for Old man, Departed or Gandhi. I still wonder how " Curious case of Bejamin Button" missed more awards!!.Any way that is how it goes. While I am a die hard fan of Old school of Indian music directors like Vishvanathan- Ramamoorthy, I have some inclination to listen to Illayaraja and AR Rahman. But the music for Jai Ho is nothing earth breaking to receive an Oscar as Rahman himself admits. If you listen to his Vandemataram (Salute to the mother land) or Mustafa mustafa or Roja, they are great tunes that turns you and melts you and would last and linger for ever. I guess 2 years down the line no one is going to hum Jai Ho. It will be gone with the Wind.

Rahman's Oscar also brings out the fact that you need a western touch to launch your career to the next level, it may be recognition, coaching or education be anything to go to the quantum leap as they call. I can even feel that in my case, the toughest jobs to sweat it out, the challenging experience, hands on,the most intricacy in learning were all in Indian companies till 1991. I guess the learning was almost complete in the first 6 y ears with 16 Hrs a day, 6 days a week, common thing and no big deal and the learning was tremendous (Not to waste time to get snacks / dinner on company expense!!). The recognition, rewards and the materialistic success all happened when I moved to the Multinational environment!!! Yes, the self refinement was amazing in the MNC environment. I guess the Indian system is more harder on people to hand out recognition and reward, may be sets the bar very high!! or praise and miss out the 12 elements of great managing.

I took this Web basics quiz, got 6 out of 20 correct, you may try it out!!.

It was fascinating to read the fortune article last week on Facebook, I didn't work my profile or so I thought. When I did enter my user name and password , Wow, there was my facebook profile created some time back. I had an inkling that I would have created and wouldn't have missed my presence in the most happening thing!.

Wow, here is a personal reflection, 2 Prisoners escaped while guards watched cricket match on TV in Australia. Reminds me of my childhood memory of listening to the radio cricket commentary of match in Jullundar (1974 West Indies in India) and letting thieves come in to my home and steal away the cloths put out for drying), still remember the scolding from parents.!!!. Wonder how the guards felt??.

I have subscribed to Dier Spiegel International web edition and was astonished to read this article in which a British banker tipped 3000 £ tip in the bar. No wonder the economy is hitting south. The article discusses the dismal state of UK economy!!.
Wayne Turmel, is coming out with webinar/ training session on How to create and manage remote teams on 30th March. I have attended Wayne' s great web meetings, live once last year and it is worth attending. Here is the link for registration.

I have been very very lucky that in my 24 years of career, (excpet for a period 7 months during the last millennium, when I had a bad boss who was agressive/ arrogant) I had been blessed to work under great bosses. If you are in such a unlucky situation, here is a series of podcasts from Mike and Mark on career tools. Basically it is to align yourself to his behavior and work out exit plan if it wont work out!!.

I leave you with the 100 best leadership blog list.

Till next week, take it easy and take care; live concisously.
Regards
Karthik.

10 years, Poll, Supremecourt, Vandelism.

This week completes 10 years of creating my hotmail ID. I can still remember the cybercafe location in which I created the Hotmail Account in Mangalore when I was working in BASF. I felt that time itself, Email and web was the way to work out things and they will break the knowledge barrier that existed based on geography. I can recollect the first exposure to the internet during my interaction with CII-EMD team in New Delhi. That became an addiction during the 3 week visit to Yokohama on AOTS Scholarship where anything and everything was on the web based applications. I am glad I embraced the internet and results were always great. Yes, Microsoft was Hobsons choice at that time. 2Mb storage space was a big thing and big file size attachment a big no. My son wonders how people managed files less than 2Mb. This was endorsed by Bill Gates and Steve jobs in their conversation with Walter Mossberg in 2007 at D5 conference when they admitted 128Kb in 1980s was a big thing. Long way ahead!!.

Linkedin has a poll option by which it is possible to post polls to collect data. I have posted one today on the support function that is required for carrying out day to day activities.

I came across this judgement by the honorable supreme court of India that it is no longer necessary to submit proof for getting tax deductions from employer for travel on holidays and conveyance. This is indeed a land mark judgement. I wish the tax deduction is made as an affair between employee and Income tax department. Many of you reading this would agree that the finance managers are so risk averse these days that they are hesitant of taking decisions and do an overkill sticking to the rule of law. A far cry from the finance managers of the 1990s who did things based on trust and judgement and principles of integrity and supported all functions as a job enablers!!. You can only dream of such kind of managers. I always miss such managers in an Indian context!!.

One of the mystery of the cricket was why was the Ashes test at Headingly, Leeds in 1975 was vandalized and spoiled us of one of the great finish in cricket history? Never followed up on that, I got the answer in this week's economist on the Obituary of Rose Davis whose husband's jail sentence marked vandalism of the cricket pitch as a way of protest.

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

Retrival, Kenken, Kindle, Friday 13th.

A quick check on the number of Blog postings, completed 125. Going good with one post a week commitment. Taken almost 40 months, so at 3 an average per month. Would like to see 200 when I hit 50 Months, lets see!! Stretch target!!.

I always believed that linkedin is a good tool to expand your network, it was a bonus for me to find out some of my college mates almost after 25 years. Ofcourse,the indirect way of some of the person who knows them were on linkedin as secondary connection and my search turned up to make them join on my network. Great dig tool I should say.

I read about the new number puzzle game Kenken which it appears more complex than Sudoku. I have wondered as to how people can doing that for hours together!!. I must admit I am never a fan of crossword/ number game/ puzzle etc. Never remember trying out one!!. Life is too simple to indulge in unveiling the unknown or complex issues.

This week, Kindle new version was released and there are raving reviews and there is hope that this will revive news paper reading!!. The price 359$ is little high for this part of the world. Lets see how it takes shape. I remember Ipod/ Iphone was distant dream even couple of years ago here, but it is now available at reasonable price! I would assume, Apple/ Google may come out with something to capture the market!!.
I was deeply touched by this reality story in Fortune, It really brings to us the situation of those affected by US recession across spectrum. Makes you wonder where everything went wrong and what is the quickest way out?

I am not a superstitious person, so dont bother much for the day and date. But still the events of this Friday the 13th made me to think about it!!. Yes, I remember the historic aspect in Davinci Code. The Plane Crash (Friday here in India) and Train accident which together took about 70 lives. Wonder, what could have been done different.

I leave with the link to the famous Tamil podcast on devotional aspect, Varam oru Allayam (Weekly temple visit in Tamil). Nataraj has done in an in depth research and makes a wonderful presentation. Worth listening for those folks, who believe that whatever happens to them is Divine's will.

Untill next week, take it easy and take care; live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Happy, Soles, Feedforward, Resurgence, Pyjamas

I am enjoying one of the best times, Yes, you may wonder why? It is because due to the dispute between the cable Television operators and the television channels over subscriptions, many of the TV news and entertainment channels are blocked for viewing. So no Bull crap of made up news and idiotic news / entertainment (So called!!!) coverage by third rate / sickening presentations. As such I don't watch TV more than 15 to 20 min a day and follow news thro Web( NYT, BW, BBC, JP thro the RSS feed). I have covered before about this topic so I wont beat the horse to it's death.

The times of recession shows how to be frugal, here is a WSJ article on how Americans are driving an hour to find a cobbler and mend their shoes thus to save 500$. Interesting to read that many are seeing what a cobbler does for the first time. Reminds me of a joke

In a worldwide survey UN asked a question:

"Would you please give your Honest opinion about solution to the Food Shortage in the rest of the world?":!:

Drastically the survey failed because :

Africans don't know the meaning of 'Food'.
Indians don't know the meaning of 'Honest'.
Europeans don't know the meaning of 'Shortage'.
Chinese don't know the importance of 'opinion'.
People of central-east(?) countries don't know what is 'Solution'.
South American people don't know what is 'Please'.
& lastly....
Americans don't know what is 'Rest of the world'.
Hmm!!!
I came across 10 of the best all time HBR articles in the new HBR site. All are a gem!! worth going thro.

Almost 3 months after purchasing, I finished Marshall Goldsmith's What got you here, wont get you there. A must read for every one who has aspirations in life as well as for the one who are a boss. (Including myself). Marshall has given practical solutions to the issues which retard our way thinking as we move forward in life. Feedforward is a wonderful concept.

Yes, I will complete with news that will please a life long, die hard WINDIES fans like me( the only cricket team I had supported and follow closely for 37 years) the trashing they gave to England last night. What a victory,looks like Petersen and company were already thinking about IPL rather than their heart at Sabina Park. I was skeptical when Daren Powell predicted 3-0 win, But that looks a real possibility now!!. Sad state and wonder how much IPL ( Underwear cricket, much like Bill O'Reily's Pyjama cricket) is going to cause havoc and disaster in many cricketing nations growth and ambitions!!!.

Until next week, take it easy and take care, Live Consciously
Regards
Karthik.

Hitman, Foxclocks, HBR, Google

I came across this interesting video by John Perkins, the author of Economic Hitman. I had done some FCPA, (Foregin corrupt practices Act) work in my previous assignment and this kind of clear indication as to why FCPA was legislated in the first place. Wonder, if any of this would have serious effect when it comes to commercial interests.!!

It was pleasing to see the newly designed HBR website. The top 10 all time great HBR articles (Must read) caught my eye. Some gems and some Great authors!. Looking forward to go thro some of them soon.

Foxclocks is a good add on to know the international time zone on your browser.

As you would have been aware GMAIL is now available offline version to work and sync when you have connection to work and sync. Great leap for email usage. So what was missing to match MS products is now complete. Yes you need to install GOOGLE GEARS.

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

Mintzberg, Google , Obama, Dangle

I am back to blogging, I thought I could take a couple of weeks off, honestly even last week I was like a fish out of water, of course last Sunday(18th) was our wedding anniversary so the day was a kind of tight schedule to indulge in blogging.

I guess, I would stick to blogging Sunday evening and may be try to do more than once a week on some quick thoughts during the week. Lets see.

I always read Henry Mintzberg articles with admiration. I came across his article on Musings on Management quite a fascinating one. This 10 pointer are designed to stir everyone up who cares about Management. He always take the practical stance. I remember my early days in my career (late 1980s)when there were huge debate that whether MBA folks alone can bring the turnaround!!. Some answers!!!.
I must confess I am not a die hard fan of Microsoft, this blog is composed using Firefox. Even I felt pity when I read the mint article on how MS missed the innovation on paid search advertising to take one on Google. Well as we say in this part of the world, Destiny I guess!!!.

So on 20th January 09 at 2238 Indian time History was made in USA when Barack Obama (140 Million search in GOOGLE!!!)took oath to uphold the job next to god. As a staunch GOP supporter as well as a person with more of conservative views, I was disappointed that Mccain didnt make it. Any way at this time of the world crisis, you need to put your personal feelings behind and rally for a cause. So here is to wish him all the very best for the next 4 years.

Please give a listen to the latest podcast on career tools by Mike and Mark on DANGLE. It is one in which you are informally promised of a possible promotion etc after you join in a present position for which you are interviewed. Very practical insights, as usual from them!!.

I close this week with sincere prayers to the almighty for the recovery of 2 people who had made a deep impact in the tech world as well to entire India. Our Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh has undergone Heart surgery, Saturday. He is the architect for all the financial reforms post 1991 and is a gem amidst all the Black coal!!. The other is Steve Jobs, Man, what a change he has made to the TECH world!!. Here is to wish them all the speedy recovery and a one as fast as possible. We need you back to complete more of the unfinished tasks. (Disclosure- my political views are different!!).

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

Weeks off.

I will be away for blogging for a couple of weeks. Just to collect thoughts, ideas, to come out with better aspects.
Stay in touch.
Take it easy and take care; Live Consciously.

Karthik

Linkedin, Best and worst Jobs, HBR, Google.

I was checking the linkedin sites over the weekend answering some of the open questions when I found some cool add on features worth adding in to your linkedin home page.
a) Reading list by Amazon, you can find out what people in your network are reading or the books you/ others would like to read. So a chance to know the books that are popular or a must read. Of course, there are other platforms like Shelfari which helps you to know the best books in network, but this helps over a sizable size network.
b) Boxnet you can share your work for edit/view/ comment or let your network people read some of the files. Good file sharing site.
c) Bloglink helps you connect all the blog pages of your network in one page to browse thro.
Good stuff on colloboration which is the key these days.!!!.

Came across intersting article in the Wall street journal on the best and worst of the jobs. Mathematicican is number 1 and Lumberjack at 200. The safety, rewards, scope are all covered. I was looking for Health and safety manager (my profession) was ranked at 89, Not bad!!!!

I was delighted to see in my snail mail, the Harvard business training programs offering in India from the Harvard Research centre here. This was a dream once to many Indians. The travel cost to attend programs will be a great saver. I hope I get a chance to participate in some program in future. But the great feeling is as they say Mountain has come to Mohammed.

I have installed new google themes of save the children, Action against hunger, Doctors without frontiers etc to my google home page tabs. They are great to remind you of the issues that exist in the world.

I look forward to celebrating the harverst festival of Pongal this week (Our thanksgiving). The summer officially starts here as the sun starts its journey back to tropic of cancer. This is also the month when the very old elderly wish they reach the heavenly abode.(As happened to my grandparents aged 97 and 90 on Jan 25th and Feb 3rd).

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

Board of Directors, Easy, RSS, Downloads.

First of all a very happy new year 2009. I hope this year is filled with peace, joy, happiness and health.

I remember reading an article in fast company some time back on creating your own board of Directors to help and advise you check on personal growth. Jack Welch has also some thoughts on how the board of Directors should steer the company in his Welch way podcast. So I was kind of surprised with the way things have turned out in Satyam Episode in which the famous and educated(!!) turned a blind eye. I also agree that the role of board of Director role in an Indian way is a lot different here in Indian perspective. The ego and power distance ingrained in Indian culture is a long way off from the western culture course correction that can be taken!!.The whole corporate governance it appears is a kind of Hung go, Go the herd way. Wonder, this could be the turning point on so called Indian Corporate governance. Of course, here is the alternate perspective!.

Came across an interesting podcast with Umesh Ramakrishnan on the 800-CEO read blog on the book "There's no elevator to the top". The conversation covers the author's interaction with various leaders and lessons and learning. A worth listening!. I plan to purchase the book if it is available here in Bangalore.

I was listening to Wayne Turmel's work week podcast on Management issues the other blog for the first time. Wow, there were 70 podcasts out there and it is not linked to ITUES to auto download. So as I was wondering how to download the episodes in to my IPOD without clicking and download each episode, the FIREFOX extension download all manager came to my rescue. Bang. All episodes automatically downloaded in 20 Minutes.!!!.

I read the summary of leadership from inside out by Kevin Cashman. One take away for me is Don't take yourself too seriously. That is a big learning and implementation for me in 2009. Some times that is root cause to various issues.

I am sure all are saving time with links to RSS feeds to view your favourite pages collected in one page! I use google home page. It saves lot of time. I just wanted to be sure!!. The watching the net just mentioned this today in an email so wanted to pass it on.
Till next week, take it easy and take care; Live Consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Feelings, Steelcage deathmatch, Careertools, Roomtoread.

I had received feedback on the performance review posted in my blog last week. Yes, it can be used as a tool by the middle managers to link the organization goals with individual goals with results and behaviors. Many managers miss this view.

I came across a very touching column in IHT which really expresses the view from the other perspective of secular Muslims. Having been to Pakistan more than dozen times during my Monsanto assignment, thus consider a second home. I cant help fully agree that you cant paint everything with the same brush as expressed by the author.It touched me somewhere, and I thought that I should share that feeling.

Kamla Bhatt does very lively, interesting radio shows on livemint. The talk with Sam Pitroda, Sridhar Vembu, Reid Hoffman. I enjoyed the show she did with Mitchell Baker of Firefox, the browser I adore. (My son chides me, Yes, I too like Google Chrome, but would take a while).

I found google profile which helps to find people on planet. I hope this extends to find the people from past to whom we were connected!!.

I was dumb stuck when I read an economist article recently that there are more than 30 Billion videos posted on Youtube and this would reach 1 trillion by 2013. I was way off the mark, I was thinking around 2 to 3 million!. What a resource, you just type and the video is out there!!. Ofcourse, I am pleasantly surprised that the search, that I didnt find first time comes up magically after a week or so!!. Some one is watching what is searched!!. Thank you.....

Manager tools have refurbished their website. They have also began a new series of podcast called Careertools (The same website). The steelcage death match podcast on Performance review in these downturn times is worth listening. Give it a try.

I was also amazed at the services done by roomtoread, started by John Wood (Ex- Microsoft) which works for children's education in a big way. Makes you wonder on the issues that are all out there to fight.

I leave with the passing away of Jorn Utzon the designer of Sydney Opera House. I remember the visit to this wonderful architecture back in 2004 during my Australian visit (of course also visited SCG, we grumbled at not seeing the visiting team dressing room) and I wondered who was the intellect to come out with such a great design!!. It is a pity he never saw the completed structure.May His soul rest in peace. Ofcourse! he is not world famous!! but such people create master piece and leave a legacy behind.

Till next week, take it easy and take care and live consciously.
ALL THE VERY BEST FOR 2009.
Regards
Karthik.

Charsur, Strange, Type I, Great for sport.

I am posting this blog with practically the work year being over with unofficial shutdown for the next 2 weeks in view of the situation. 2008 was a reasonable year with lot of hits and a few miss!!. Lets hope the economic sitation do turn around in 2009. I came across this article on damming performance review in WSJ. Hm, interseting.

I came across an interesting website Charsur Digital work station from which you get a chance to access Great Indian musical classics. The work done by Charubala and Suresh(Hence Charsur) is great. I have put in some personal requests in their website for some of the devotional music I enjoyed in the Mid 1990s thro music cassettes, but seems to have vanished. Let me see if I can access to it.!!.

Ever wondered what happens when pilot is unqualified to land the aircraft in a rough weather and flies the flight back to destination jsut minutes to land. Having myself been on the edge of the runway for more than 90 minutes inside the BA flight from Madirid to Heathrow, waiting to take off,only to return to stand, this August, I can feel the heartburn for the passengers!!.

I attended the TYPE I diabetic club meeting in Bangalore today. The meeting was very informative and removes some of the misconcepts, misinformation as well as some diet misguidance we have about Diabetics. Also the approach to Type I and Type II diabetics are quite different. Dr Madhuri and team does a great job. It is a feeling to give back to society. She can be contacted at 99808 38108.

I end this weeks blog delighted to see South Africa pulling off a sensational win over Australia. I think the 60 minutes I spent over the last 2 days, wathcing it live on TV was worth the time spent on the quality of cricket dished out. Having missed the chance many times to pull up one on Aussies, I think this wins erases the bitter memory as well as anger of the miss out of Egbaston 1999. Australia sorely lacks the bowlers who needs to take 20 wickets to win matches!!. Hope they find the remedy soon. Yes,on cricket, one of my new year resolution is not to waste a minute watching cricket in dead tracks in India, whom I am told beat England this week. Let me see how to much I stick to it though I didnt watch much of it for sure!!.(Borning/snoring stuff).
Till next week Take it easy and take care; Live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

Meeting, Openletter, Kungfu, Calendar

I had an interesting experience yesterday. As indicated in my earlier posts, we have decided to buy a flat and signed an agreement in August 07 with the promise that the house would be completed by May 08. Renaissance builders, who are building park III(The apartment built by Renaissance Holdings) are less than open about the changes in overall plan of the apartments as well as Inordinate delay. So all of us met yesterday (Saturday) in their office and had a meeting. Needless to say, the 50 of us, (Out of 100 potential owners) had a tough time controlling our emotions in check ofcourse we have a great spokesperson in Mr Suparna. This was kind of first time experience for me as meeting I usually attend at work or never about life or survival as it was for some of the people who had been asked to vacate their present dwelling and move out. What saddens us was the kind of hide and seek played by the Renaissance management with no formal communications over the last 15 months to us on reasons for delay, or when they would complete or would there be a kind of compensation. The senior management also sometimes seem to disappear letting junior staff manage the gauntlet. I was kind of fortunate that the time overrun for my flat is less than 5 months where as I did meet people who had booked 3 years back and had been promised possession in 2007. Such are the shape of things. So an experience!! While we appreciate, understand that the present recession conditions have made situation of builders funds, resources to make things happen slow and delay ( I just read delay of 2 years in Boeing, airbus!!), what is expected from them is honesty, transparency, and commitment to deadlines or timely communication when things tend to go off track. So much for professionalism I suppose. We hope that things move for good from hereon, and hope that construction completes in say next 4 months and that we should move to park III by May09.

I was moved by the open letter to our Prime minister by an IAS Officer. He had expressed his disappointment over his performance as well as him tolerating mediocre bureaucrats over the last straw on the camel back- the Mumbai carnage. Would some change happen!! I wonder like other incidents we will forget and move on after a victory in a cricket match.

My Son over the weekend persuaded me to sit with him and watch the movie Kungfu Panda. Comedy / cartoon movie it was, I could correlate many leadership aspects in the movie. The ability to be ready for challenges in unforeseen situation, determination to learn and win, strive for excellence as well as success is all due to positive mental attitude were some of the great take away. Worth the 90 Minutes on a Friday night!!.

As the year is coming to an end I was looking for 2009 calendars in excel format and came across this magic calendar. Lot of useful information on almanac, distances to cities etc to work through.

Ok, till next week, take it easy and take care; live consciously.
Regards
Karthik.

DISGRACE, Top 10 management guru, 7S

I had a first hand experience this morning of the inept and incompetent way as well woeful lack of infrastructure at BIAL airport. I had gone to receive my brother who was returning from his stint in Oman(for the past 2 years). Due to the usual problem in Winter (Today was the first of many for the next 2 months) of high FOG early morning at Bangalore the flight was diverted to Madras. I had to wait for 4 Hrs from 6am there as the airport is so far away from city centre(30 Miles) that it is impossible to return home and go back. I saw the pathetic state in which I always call BIAL as match box airport, (Some of the people referred as Dignified bus stand) being exposed, there was no drinking water fountain, no toilets, no telephone booth, no place to sit for people waiting for passengers, no announcements, no help desk and to cap it all the access to common visitor area was closed due to so called security reasons which is not a surprise as in any public sector institutions the withdrawals are always faster. What shame, disgrace to inherit such a public infrastructure. And to add insult to injury, the arrival section is such a mess that visitor can go out from any gate without knowing there is no coordinated channel. My brother did come out after 5 Hrs delay( NO instrument landing system here!!) and the parking lot was chaos with more than 30 minutes waiting to get in to the car. It is an insult to the people of Bangalore and how they could be taken for a ride. Can we do something!! Nothing you bet!!!!!.

I will leave with the top 10 management gurus who has taken shape.
Came across this 7 S principles for strategy. Good one.
Sorry to leave it short time to catch up with brother after 2 years as he is just spending a day here.

Till next week, take it easy and take live consciously.
Karthik.