UPSC True Achievers!!!!

 Sanjay Akhade, A determined guy has cracked the most prestigious exam of india, UPSC -IAS Exam. he is from Nashilk and has secured 263 rank.

Rashmi Bansal reports about him in her blog...

Son of Dnyandeo, an unlettered porter, and Vimal, a beedi worker, growing up was about bringing home some money. He cleaned tables at hotels, worked at a medical store, distributed newspapers and manned an STD booth through his teens. 

Although a topper in school, Sanjay dropped out and pursued a course at the Industrial Training Institute; getting a job was priority. He'd attend class from 10 am to 5 pm and work at the STD booth till midnight. "I was a voracious reader and would read whenever there weren't any customers. If I liked something, I would jot it down in a diary,'' recalls Sanjay. 

This is what is so amazing. Despite a really hard life, Sanjay did not wallow in self pity and curse his fate. He found a way to learn and grow, within his limited resources. And not for any particular reason. But somewhere deep down I'm sure he knew this was the only way to escape from the prison of circumstance. And make something of himself.

Self-study was what the Marathi-educated Sanjay depended on as he learnt English through newspapers. His drive was recognised by a regular customer, Digambar Vaishyampai, a teacher who started bringing him books and encouraged him to return to studies. It was with his backing that Sanjay enrolled for the HSC exam and subsequently pursued his BA, ranking first in all exams, despite not being able to attend lectures. His family started backing him too. His mother says she can't even read the clock, but wanted her children "to make it big in life''. 

A UPSC advertisement Sanjay chanced upon got him interested in the services. He trails off into another incident that further strengthened his resolve-a narration that brings back memories of Slumdog hero Jamaal being interrogated by policemen. "A college friend of mine once had trouble with a cop, who smashed the windshield of his autorickshaw. When I questioned the action, I was thrashed,'' says Sanjay, adding that he could perhaps join the IPS and reform the system. 

But achieving his goal wasn't easy. He first gave the UPSC exams with history as his subject in 2006 and failed twice. Although from a minority community, Sanjay applied through the open category as he wanted to play fair. "People would tauntingly call me collector sahib and tell me how life would never change, but I believed otherwise,'' says Sanjay. 

He married his cousin last year and has a four-month-old son named Yash. His interview in Delhi was his first trip to the capital. "I gave my interview in English, as I didn't want to lose the essence of what I said during translation.'' Employed with an insurance company, he dutifully returned to the rut, praying all along for his results. When his phone rang on May 4, also his birthday, he knew good news was on the way. "My friends called to say I had cracked the exam.'' His newly rented flat buzzed with visitors on Thursday. 

"Entering the services will not change our lives at home, but help me change the lives of many others like us.'' He says his background has helped him better understand what the government needs to do. "I will be handling child labour, for instance. I know what it is to be a child labourer."

COurtesy: rashmi Bansal 

FACT BOX - 10 | Om Prakash Bhatt

Om Prakash Bhatt

Vital statistics

Born March 7, 1951, in Dehra Dun, India

Married, with 2 daughters

Education

Graduated with BS in physics and MA in English from Meerut University (now Chaudhary Charan Singh University)

Career highlights

State Bank of India (1972–present)

• Chairman (2006–present)
• Managing director (2006)
• Managing director, State Bank of Travancore (2005–06)
• Chief general manager, north east circle (2004–05)

Fast facts

Chairman of the banking and financial institutions committee of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)

Director on the board of EXIM Bank and General Insurance

Member of the boards of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), Xavier Labour Relations Institute (XLRI), Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), Institute for Development & Research in Banking (IDRBT), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), and National Cooperative Development Corporation

Business Standard’s Banker of the Year for 2006–07

CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2007, business category

Asian Centre for Corporate Governance & Sustainability and Indian Merchants’ Chambers’ Transformational Leader Award 2007

Asiamoney’s best executive in India for 2008

Business and Information Technology

Business and Information Technology

 

It is a weekday, and Priya Awasthi, 26, is at work at her high-security Electronic City office in Bangalore. She is in a large, cool, bright hall, surrounded by neatly arranged banks of computers, with biometric sensors and closed-circuit cameras recording every movement. Six clocks show the time in Sydney, Tokyo, Bangalore, London, New York and San Francisco. In front of her, projected on a giant screen, are a bunch of changing numbers, dials and graphs. The scene looks like NASA's space shuttle launch center. But it shows us how deep the technology has penetrated in the business and one cannot think about running a business without having a regular IT infrastructure or outsourced one. Whether you run a MNC or a SME , you have to allocate a part of your revenue for IT infrastructure and if you ask why? Answer is simple: if you want to compete and make profits you have to adopt and equip with global standards in this flattening, fiercely competitive world.

 

Nearly twenty years ago, personal computers began to revolutionize the way we work and play. In recent years, though, the Internet has been the primary source of technological innovation, offering us everything from online auctions to networked research libraries Today almost every business organization invariably requires a strong and efficient Information Technology (IT) system for its survival and sustenance. This change in organizational structure has not come about in a day, but rather is the result of efforts of various people who are constantly thinking of making human lives simpler and better. Technology has greatly helped businesses in terms of increasing their speed, efficiency. It has also made the working environment more safe, predictable and transparent. Overall, technology has helped the firms in their growth by maximizing their operational leverage.

 

Technology, to a large extent is demand driven. It is the need to create simple ways to do things that leads to innovation and invention. This when applied and accepted on a large scale brings about what we refer to as “Technological Revolution”. In recent times, the technology that has transformed our lives in a big way has been the Computers.

 

The development of computers can be classified in 3 phases. Under phase I from 1940s to mid 1960s, comes what we call as first generation computers (using vacuum tubes), second generation computers (using transistors) and third generation computers (which used integrated circuits-ICs). Advancement in ICs led to development of computer chips or silicon chips. Therefore, under phase II (from mid 1970s to early 1990s) emerged microcomputers which we called Personal Computers or PCs. With the coming of PCs the whole business-to-business and business-to-customer model changed drastically. With greater connectivity, linkages between firms and firms-customers increased and became more direct. Vendor development came into existence and with it the whole idea of value chain addition and quality enhancement.  Phase III started somewhere in early 1990s when Marc Anderson introduced a software browser called Netscape (its generic name being Mosaic). It was followed by the Internet explosion. Internet has made it possible to share data throughout the world within a few seconds and now even in nano seconds.

 

Businesses, not to be left behind also joined the bandwagon and developed their own official websites or web portals to disseminate information directly to their customers, suppliers and investors. In contemporary times, where firms are trying to leave as large a global footprint as possible, firms need to have access to timely and accurate information in order to operate efficiently. Business has been driven by the rapid evolution in technology: virtualization, cloud computing, standardization of IT infrastructure, and the availability of sophisticated tool sets. Industries including telecom and banking, financial services and insurance became the early adopters.  

 

Adoption of IT also has the advantage of reducing transaction and processing costs, greater access to inventory levels, improving accounting information and improving feedback capabilities. Thus, integration of IT in Business not only helps businesses to communicate better among themselves but it also helps in catering to a wider audience while incurring minimum costs. It has also been driven by changes in customer demands and a mature offshore supply environment. Nowadays, it provides the customer with a unique and individualized experience, right at home. Be it online banking or online buying, everything is just a click away, with consumers having the freedom to do these tasks according to their own convenience and their own suitable time.  

 

Though technology is highly desirable, but it is not always easy to introduce new technology. For starters, many new technological inventions are wasted because of lack of clarity on its application. For example, it was Emile Berliner who gave the phonograph (later called gramophones) its purpose, namely playing music. For others, acceptance by masses may take too long a time as was the case with sewing machines i.e. masses are generally the late adopters. This could partly be due to the very high prices charged for the new products which might deter masses from buying them. Further, today technology has been often accused of being too complex and intrusive in nature. In fact, it has been observed that there has been a migration of technology from fore-front to behind the curtain which has sent the wrong impression to customers that everything is as simple as it seems while ignoring the ever growing complex networks in the background. Moreover, there is huge mismatch between consumer demands and vendor supplies that needs to be rectified and brought in alignment.

    

But going forward in future we must admit that technology alone is rarely the key to unlocking economic value, in fact companies create real wealth when they combine technology with new ways of doing business. Having said that Information Technology will continue to affect the business activity be it managing relationships, be it managing capital and assets or leveraging information in new ways.

 

BY : Neha  Richa Amit

The unique game

First my friend said about the news and asked me to read the snippet at any cast. Why? because it is related to me and someheer you'll like it, he said.

Then i searched on the net and got the interview as well as the article. I was extermely delighted to see the person who stands tall in IPR world yet so humble and down to earth has come up with wonderful idea of ipr law game. This is a matter of pride for me and in fact even i was thinking that IPR should be promoted at school level and people should be made aware of IPR and its applications. Many of us do not think IPR is a good career option and hence there is a deep derath of talent in this sector and People who need professionals in this area are compromising with quality. So i starongly recommend this game, not only for children above 12 but also for grown ups. This one game will sure infuse that much needed interest in IPR and who knows many of us would start taking IPR as serious option? here goes the news...

In the next three months, a rather unique board game will hit the stores and that will be a board game on IPR

For starters, it’s a locally developed game, a rarity in a business where international games such as Monopoly, Scrabble, Risk or Scotland Yard, largely owned by global companies such as Hasbro Inc. and Mattel Inc., rule the roost.

Then, it’s developed by a lawyer.

And finally, it’s a game on intellectual property rights, or IPR.

The game is the brainchild of Pravin Anand, one of India’s best-known IPR lawyers. It took him two years to develop the game—and in these two years, Anand has had a busy day job.

The result, Anaryst, is probably the world’s first board game on IPR, and Anand is in talks with Noida-based Frank Educational Aids Pvt. Ltd to market it. Anand has also given away around 200 sets of Anaryst to schools, law firms, and friends to gauge their reaction to the game that he first unveiled last year at a function presided over by science minister Kapil Sibal, himself a well-known lawyer.

Anand’s motive in developing Anaryst is to acquaint young people—the game is essentially meant for anyone over the age of 12, although even younger children can play it—with the concept of IP and IPR, something that he hopes will encourage some of them to opt for a career in IP.

That’s a possibility, although not everyone who loves Monopoly ends up being Donald Trump.

Anand expects the board game to sell for around Rs500. Monopoly costs around Rs999 here. Manish Govil, director, product development at Frank Educational Aids, says that while it is difficult to predict the demand for the game in numbers before its formal launch in the market, he is positive it will receive a “positive reception”.

“The game is a new concept dealing with a current issue (IP). I’m sure children and adults would be interested in it,” Govil says.

Uday Athavankar, a professor at the Industrial Design Centre in Indian Institute of Technology, Bangalore, which specializes in creating and conceptualizing board games, too, believes Anaryst is “a new concept”.

And Sanjay Subrahmanyan, an avid board game enthusiast who blogs on board games, also says Anaryst is the first of its kind to be created in India.

The game, which follows a “roll and move” format, can be played by two-four players.The rules are simple. Players start by choosing one industry, represented by a pictographic card, out of four options—automobile, pharmaceutical, food and beverages, and information technology—depicted by a car, a drug, a drink and a computer system.

Each product has a portfolio of 15 unique intellectual properties associated with it marked on the cards. For instance, in the auto industry there are 15 properties associated with a car such as a patent in the “improved axle”, copyright in the light controlling software and trademark in the brand name.

Each player is given 5,000 A,nas, the currency of the game and acronym for Anand and Anand. The goal is to complete acquiring all the 15 intellectual properties of the chosen industry.

Tresspassers on other players’ squares, that represent factories, have to pay a fine or go to court and pay damages or go to jail. Players can also acquire IP of other players’ industries, become “trolls” and trade them later. The goal is to complete the industry portfolio without going bankrupt.

Stirring interest early

Anand says he has taken the game to students of New Delhi’s Salwan Public School to allow students to try it, and received an encouraging response.

“The school is planning to have inter-school Anaryst competitions. Children learnt that IP is not as complicated as performing a brain surgery. They will learn through the game that in a monogram they create, a recipe or an essay they write, IP is in everything,” the lawyer says.

“Children need to understand these concepts with subtlety early enough to be interested in it. Those students may now want to look at IP as a career. ”

Aparna Keswani, 17, was one of the students at the school who played the game with her friends. The game is now available in her school library. She says it definitely “stirred an interest” in IP among her classmates. “I wasn’t aware of what IPR means. In websites I often saw ‘Copyright 2009’ written at the end of the pages. It (the game) explained what trademark, patents, copyrights and designs mean and how it can be used in different industries,” she says.

Marketing Anaryst won’t be easy, says Subrahmanyan. “The problem with the board game industry is that some makers like Funskool dominate the market as they have rights like Scrabble and Monopoly that have been popular for over 40 years,” he says.

“Unfortunately, there is no board gaming culture in India, like in countries like Germany,” he adds. “Here, there are only cards and gambling.”

Anand is not worried because he is not interested in the business aspect as much as in cultivating his hobby and “spreading the message of intellectual property”.

“Even at the inauguration I had mentioned that it is an open source game, anyone can pick up the idea and work on it,” he says.

The lawyer now plans to develop an online version and make it available on a website so it can become more accessible and reach out to a larger audience.

I wish him all the success and hope many more to come in future. Also despaerately waiting for online version to hit the market. Gr8 going sir!!!

Courtesy : Live Mint

Fact Box - 9 (Capt. Gorur Ramaswamy Iyengar Gopinath)

It is the same time again when everyone of us talks about elections, Its imlications, repercussions, Goverment and Politics. When i heard the news that besides the regular contenders and champions of different communities (castes), there are few who are contesting for country. It remains to be seen, wheteher they are truly in battle for the country and for being the change they want to see, or just the rhetoric and gimmick to win and rule.

So i heard that Capt. Gopinath is contesting from Suth Bangalore as an independent candidiate. I realized that in my Fact Box series, i didnt post anything form quite sometime. So what better time than this wud be to post his fact box. More so when i got a piece in her own penned down article.

excerpts for you...

Vital Statistics

Spouse	Bhargavi Gopinath
Children	2 daughters: Pallavi and Krithika.
Residence	Bangalore

Education
 I was born in a small village called Gorur in Hassan district of Karnataka. My father was a poor school teacher and a farmer as well. I went to a Kannada-medium school till Class V after which I was selected at the Sainik School in Bijapur which had just been set up to cater to students in Karnataka. Incidentally, I failed the first time I appeared for the entrance exam as the paper was in English of which I did not know a word. My headmaster, however, was a very determined man and he wrote to the defence ministry asking them how they hoped to recruit boys from villages in South India if the paper was held in English and not in their mother tongue. I was able to appear again for the exam, this time in Kannada and that's how I got selected.
Career Highlights
Captain Gorur Ramaswamy Gopinath is considered the father of low-cost airlines in India. He was born in a village in Hassan district of Karnataka. A graduate from the National Defence Academy and Indian Military Academy, he served in the Indian Army for 8 years. He started commercial helicopter service in 1996. Understanding the needs of this segment, Capt Gopinath decided to start Air Deccan, the first low-cost, no-frills airline of India in August 2003. The French government has bestowed the award of Chevalier de la legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) on Capt G.R Gopinath. He is also the recipient of several awards such as the ‘Rajyotsava Award’ by the Government of Karnataka, ‘Personality of the Decade Award’ instituted by KG Foundation , ‘Editors Choice Award’ by the Indian Express Trade and Tourism Awards and “Sir M Visvesvaraya Memorial Award” by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry. Captain Gopinath is contesting the Lok Sabha polls as an Independent from Bangalore South Constituency.

Fast Facts

After completing school, I got selected to the NDA (National Defence Academy) and went on to be commissioned in the Indian Army where I spent the next eight years and fought in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation war. I quit the Army to come back to my village and take up farming. I got into sericulture and eco-farming. Later, I set up Deccan Charter, India's first private helicopter charter company which was followed by India's first low-cost airline Air Deccan. My dream was to have an inclusive India with equitable growth for which connectivity was crucial.

I have been involved in different enterprises, in different fields and have managed to build meaningful businesses which contributed to nation-building. Over the past two decades, I have been a critic of several Government policies and systems and have worked with successive Governments on policy for reforms and progressive measures, particularly in the aviation sector.

Book Review “The world is flat”

I read “The world is flat” expanded edition of 2006. Considering that the book is huge success across the globe and across the readers, i feel guilty that missed the same till now. The book is one of the gems penned down by the  famous writer and journalist Mr. Thomas L. Friedman, who wrote it as a research book.

When you proceed with the book, it is clearly visible that the book is more about his observation based on his interaction with corporate bigwigs, their interview, his vist to many places and research based on his observation.I just finished almost some 220 pages of the book and that marks the end of all the 10 flatteners mentioned in the book.

I would like to divide the reviw in form of questions and would try to get the answers of those with the help of book.

 

 Is the world really "flat?"
When Friedman said the world is fla, he didn’t mean world being physically flat-- sorry to disappoint you. Instead, Friedman is referring to the forces of globalization. More specifically, the "triple convergence" among the flattening forces, a new business model emphasizing horizontal collaboration, and the opening of India, Russia, China and other closed societies after the fall of the Berlin Wall. As we go with the book we gradually find that growing economies (read India and China), are playing vital role in making the world really flat besides the ten flatteners mentioned in book. This triple convergence created a more global and level economic playing field. Companies are no longer discrete entities residing in one or two countries, but span the globe. Supply chains reach across continents and cultures while Americans no longer compete only among themselves for the top jobs; but across the entire world.

What is the role of growing economy?

The growing economies are contributing their bit as India is becoming the back office of the world and China is the manufacturing hub of the world. Both tailor made for outsourcing and offshoring. Ofcourse there is some overlapping. As the world becoming a global village competition for the best jobs just got a lot stiffer. No longer can citizens of developed world expect to receive top of the line jobs on anything but merit. The increase in education and telecommunication technology across the world is creating a massive potential workforce that is itching to join top jobs at the top of the standard of living pyramid. What this means for developed world is that the need to be constantly upgrading skills and becoming more adaptable is absolutely vital for continued employment.

How is the developed world preparing  for the flat world?
Thomas Friedman refers to an "Ambition Gap" in describing the advantage that Indian and other non-American students have over Americans. After World War II America was truly the only superpower and the clear leader in technological innovation and education. However, that is no longer the case. Now there are students in places like India where the opportunity for a good education is relatively new and the ambition between students in those areas and Americans is almost not comparable. The Indian CEO of 24/7 Call Center, P.V.Kannan describes it best, "Is America prepared [for the flat world]? It is not...You've gotten a little contented and slow, and the people who came into the field with [the triple convergence] are really hungry. Immigrants are always hungry-- they don't have a backup plan."

What is the lesson from this book?
First and foremost, the extent to which the world has been flattened became very evident in this book. I have a much better mental picture of the world economy and the dynamics of basic business practices in the 21st century after reading half of this book. Another key point that I took from this book is the need to always be improving oneself to remain competitive in the global job market. It is no longer sufficient to learn one skill or trade; the modern worker must be continually learning and growing as an employee. While some people view the flattening of the world as a grave threat (low-skilled manufacturing comes to mind), I prefer to take the more optimistic approach of viewing it as an opportunity to improve. In a free-market economy, increased competition is a keystone to a functioning economy. I see no reason why an increase in the competition for jobs caused by globalization should be looked at any differently. In fact, there is so much more to the flattening of the world that is exciting,particularly the potential of massive collaboration on some of the most troubling and advanced problems we now face that a view focused on the outsourcing of American jobs is shortsighted, narrow and far too American-centric to be a valid approach. Sure, the flattening of the world will raise many challenges for many people, but challenges are what bring the best out of both people and societies.

 

The flatteners of the world:

Friedman defines ten "flatteners" that he sees as leveling the global playing field:

1. The new age of creativity – Berlin Wall collapse and Windows went up (Microsoft)--11/9/89: The event not only symbolized the end of the Cold war, it allowed people from other side of the wall to join the economic mainstream. (11/09/1989)

2. The new age of connectivity- Advent and popularisation of www and Netscape 8/9/95: Netscape and the Web broadened the audience for the Internet from its roots as a communications medium used primarily by 'early adopters and geeks' to something that made the Internet accessible to everyone from five-year-olds to ninety-five-year olds. (8/9/1995). The digitization that took place meant that everyday occurrences such as words, files, films, music and pictures could be accessed and manipulated on a computer screen by all people across the world.

3. Workflow software: The ability of machines to talk to other machines with no humans involved. Friedman believes these first three forces have become a "crude foundation of a whole new global platform for collaboration."

4. Uploading- harnessing the power of communities: Communities uploading and collaborating on online projects. Examples include open source software, blogs, and Wikipedia. Friedman considers the phenomenon "the most disruptive force of all."

 5. Outsourcing Y2K: Friedman argues that outsourcing has allowed companies to split service and manufacturing activities into components which can be subcontracted and performed in the most efficient, cost-effective way.

6. Offshoring- running with gazelles, eating with lions: The internal relocation of a company's manufacturing or other processes to a foreign land in order to take advantage of less costly operations there. China's entrance in the WTO allowed for greater competition in the playing field. Now countries such as Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil must compete against China and each other to have businesses offshore to them.

7. Supply chaining- eating sushi in arkansas: Friedman compares the modern retail supply chain to a river, and points to Wal-Mart as the best example of a company using technology to streamline item sales, distribution, and shipping.

8. Insourcing: Friedman uses UPS as a prime example for insourcing, in which the company's employees perform services--beyond shipping--for another company. For example, UPS repairs Toshiba computers on behalf of Toshiba. The work is done at the UPS hub, by UPS employees.

9.In-forming – Google, MSN, Yahoo: Google and other search engines are the prime example. "Never before in the history of the planet have so many people-on their own-had the ability to find so much information about so many things and about so many other people", writes Friedman. The growth of search engines is tremendous; for example take Google, in which Friedman states that it is "now processing roughly one billion searches per day, up from 150 million just three years ago".

10.The steroids, mobile, personal, digital: Personal digital devices like mobile phones, iPods, personal digital assistants, instant messaging, and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

 

Corporate Governance in Annual Report

This was the part of one of my Power point presentation.

Corporate Governance

•      Corporate governance is the set of processes, customs, policies, laws to control the organization.

•      Include relationships among stakeholders involved and the goals of organization .

•      to reduce or eliminate the principal-agent probles

•      renewed interest in the corporate governance in 2001 after Enron and recently after Satyam scam.

•      Definition: “an internal system encompassing policies, processes and people, which serves the needs of shareholders and other stakeholders, by directing and controlling management activities with good business savvy, objectivity and integrity. Sound corporate governance is reliant on external marketplace commitment and legislation, plus a healthy board culture which safeguards policies and processe”

CG In India Over the years

•      CII Code on Corporate Governance (1998)

•      Kumar Mangalam Birla Committee on Corporate Governance (1999)

•      Recommendations of the Naresh Chandra Committee Report on Corporate Audit and Governance (2002)

•      Narayana Murthy Committee Report: Report of the SEBI Committee on Corporate Governance (2003)

•      Conference on Corporate Governance Trends in India  2004, NFCG formed

•      Clause 49 (2004) (SEBI)

•      Concept Paper on Companies Bill 2004

•      Dr. J.J. Irani Report on New Company's Act

•      Review of companies (Issue of Indian Depository receipts) Rules, 2004

•      Proposed Changes in Clause 49 of Listing Agreement

•      Limited Liability Partnership Bill, 2006

Contents of CG report

•      Company’s philosophy on code of Governance

•      Information on Mangement e.g.Board of Directors

•      Audit Committee Information

•      Subsidiary information and remuneration policy disclosure.

•      Ethics and compliance disclosure

•      General shareholder information and other information for transparency.

HI

Let me first apologise on the outset of the post. Its been more than 2 and half long months since i have posted something (relevent or irrelevent) on my beloved blog. The resons are multiprong and can justify the abeyance of posts but at the heart i know this all would be a lame excuse. I said so because if you have net access round the clock and you say you didnt have time to post anything would not make sense. However somewhat twas true. I was bind by so many things one after another. Xams then Pune tour (pics will follow) then a string of arduaos and life turning high profile decisions to be made then Kolakata trip (pics will follow)then again the study, study and study, bombardment of assignment from all the corners and i end up doing nothing only the rambling thoughts and nothing concrete.

Now at this point of time after 2 and a half month when i still feel like procatinating, i made up my mind to atleast apologise and mind you the million dollar decision is still pending and i dont know if i take decision, what will happen to my blog. i am not sure about the future as i dont know if i get access to net like this or may be time to surf net as a leasure activity. But whats lie in future should not ruin our present. So lets talk about present and to some extent past.

A lot has happened in the past 3 months, from the big fat Satyam scam to Obama taking the charge of US. From the Economic slow down, Finacial crisis to Interim Budget 2009. From the earthshattering sucess of Ghajini to animadeversion acclaim of Slumdog millionaire.

So many things to talk about so many things to write on...

Between i have visited few places. PUNE, MUMBAI and Kolakata apart from old sweet Lucknow.

Theres been so much learning so many moments of excitement and some moments of deep depression (marks disclosed you see).

I always thought to learn from the mistakeand move on. Now when i have to decideand theres no escape, i really dont know what future holds for me.

I know whatever decision i'll take it'll turn good for me because choosing best from good is very hard. you never know which is better and thats precisely where we come to know that afterall we are human and to err is human (avarice).

Anyways, i know many of you are snatching out your hairs and must be thinking what the f^%$ is this man talking about :)

But some of you may understand the post. As i have to go to book tickets lets stop the conversation now and let me promise you guys that im back and will be after every lull back with more rigour, strength, enthusiasm and better experinces. Thanks for being my patient in reading this long post.

Business Etiquettes

I saw anad sometimes back in ET, it was about the business ettiquette CD-ROM offered by ET. I actually wanted to have that but when i saw the cost of whole package, my plans took a backseat. Now i got to see a good presentation on business etiquitte. So thoghtto share it with all of you. Thanks to CITEMAN and HIWAY for such a good presentation. They have compiled almost all points necessary, however i was not agree with some points so removed them and have incorporated some new ones which i found suitable enough in Indian context. 

Appreciation of other culture

• Religious beliefs and rituals 

• Family and social structure

• Cultural Norms, Traditions

• Historical Background

• Politics and Government

• Economics and Industry

First Impression

·         First impression is the best impression

·         You represent the organization not yourself

·         Introduce yourself well

·         Memorize names of client representative. If you find it difficult to understand, ask the name again.

·         Handshakes

o   No moist / sweaty hands

o   Firm handshake (gentle if the other person is a lady)

o   Handshake to last only for a short while

Attire

•Appropriate protocol

•Shirt – Light pastel shades

•Trousers – Dark colors

•Shoes – Black / Brown (Polished)

•Socks – Color to match with shoes / trousers

•Slim wallet

•A respectable pen

•Party wear – Dark shirt, light colored trousers

•Different attire everyday during a week

Your personal appearance makes a lot of difference to your

level of confidence 

Personal Hygiene

•Shave / shower regularly

• Neat hairdo

• Use deodorant / perfume regularly

• Avoid herbal hair oils at work

• Clean and Ironed Handkerchief

• Make use of mouth fresheners

Must knows & do's

•Always carry and use your Business Cards

• Vision, Mission, Values … a must know

• History & Culture: Your company and client organization

• Clear idea on expectations from your manager

 Ask for help / clarifications

Communicating

•Speak slowly and clearly

• Watch your tone of voice … not to be too loud. Rememnber the primary aim of communicating is to make your point understand others.

• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand something

• Watch personal space … stand a foot away from other person

• Speak in the universal language (English) when at workplace

• Say “excuse me” if you accidentally bump into someone

Telephone Manners

• Begin the calls with “Good Morning/Evening..”

• Identify yourself

• Keep conversation to the minimum

• Don’t speak too loudly or disrupt people around you

• During meetings, turn your cell phone off / put on silent mode

• If you must take a call during a meeting, excuse yourself and walk out

• Please do not make any personal calls from the client site

Basic Table Manners

•Always sit up when seated on the table

•Avoid making strange noises on the table

•If you have to leave the table in between the meals then always excuse yourself

•While not eating, hands should be either on your lap or rest your wrist on the edge of the table

•Avoid reading at the table

•Always request the person closest to pass on the dish that you desire to have

•Using fork and knife (Work inwards)

• Elbows not to be rested on table while eating

• Season food according to your taste

• Eat with your mouth closed

•Social Drinking:

 - Never drink on empty stomach

 - At a cocktail party, hold the glass in your left hand and

   leave the right hand free for handshaking

 - Do not drive after drinking

Some More Hints ...

•Always come in neat and clean and follow dress code

•Do not discuss personal matters at the work place

•Be discreet when coughing and yawning

•Use positive language

•Be direct in communication

•If you have called a meeting, be there first

Winning Mantra from The MAHABHARATA

•Turn your weaknesses into strengths.

•Turn enemies into allies.

•Share your responsibilities.

•Teamwork scores over Individual Effort.

•Right Team = Right set of Individuals. The right man for the right job.

•Commitment scores over Competence.

•Team interests over Individual interests..

•Know your enemy/challenges. Exploit its weaknesses. Take calculated risks.

•The Right Managers : To inspire, invigorate, counsel in crisis .

•Know Ground realities. Accept different ideologies. Cooperate.

•Empower Women. The Gender Balance is required for stability and administration.