TV....TV

The other day I happened to watch a few episodes of the serial 'Dekh Bhai Dekh', a serial which is considered an epitome of good comedy content on Indian Hindi TV. All for good reason. I thoroughly enjoyed myself. And, guess what? I am hooked!!!

There was another one called 'Hip Hip Hurray', a serial about a school, the life and issues of teenagers. Another well made serial. Needless to say, I am hooked again!! :)) ...Well made, relevant, compelling content....well acted. Characters were as normal as anyone. Relevance addressed in a simple, understandable, relatable manner.

But, now-a-days....all normal has given way to Paranormal....family feuds and villainy (which would put the biggest mafia dons to shame!!!)....regression....crime!!!! Where is the normal person on TV???? Absolutely nothing to look forward to :((

Some channels are making a brave effort to revive good content. A lot of luck to the do gooders...We really need that. Can we dare hope that these bravehearts will  survive and get us some decent TV time? I for one, really hope so...

Words ...

Words spin stories. Words are dreams. Words are the reality. They hold the eternal truth and create magic....

The world of words is magical.  To live the tales thus spun is an experience beyond compare.

The feel of words...They are the horizon where the truth meets fiction, where past meets the present, present meets the future, where fairy tales meet the reality, where a story meets experience....

Take care of an organisations' best brand ambassadors ...

Best Brand Ambassador of an organisation, who is it?  The employee. Both current and past. How an organisation treats its people and how they perceive the organisation, is a very very key element of an organisation's DNA.

 A forward looking organisation will always emphasise on its relationship with its people. Many organisations are evolving today with a multi-generational workforce. To keep them engaged, motivated, focused & for them to desire a future with the company, is proving to be a case for Relationship Management than a mere HR function of hiring & induction. The diverse workforce has different needs and aspirations, influencing what drives them to look for a career with a particular organisation.

The professional scenario has evolved over the years with the employees becoming more crucial to the progress of an organisation. Employers are learning to treat them as assets to the company, whose growth and well being is critical to the upward graph of growth. It is imperative to key in various factors like professional growth, skill enhancement, training, competitive compensation, a conducive work environment, wellness etc while looking at engaging employees. Employee-Employer relationship needs to be nurtured by addressing the financial, social & emotional well being of employees holistically. An organisation which understands, accepts, customises while  implementing relationship management policies, keeping in mind  the diverse workforce, has a win-win situation in hand.

Policies and activities have to be segregated also based on functional levels, genders, age and responsibilities within the organisation. For eg., programmes for senior management  will differ from those for other levels. Considering for women facilities & perks for child care, thereby enabling them fulfill their professional ambitions while being there for the family, training in newer techniques for mid-level employees, health care for all etc, can help.

Employees, both current and past prove to be the best brand ambassadors and the key to the DNA of an organisation. An organisation is best defined by its employees, not by the management. The key to success  for any company is its biggest assets - its people. There are many companies whose work culture and employee friendly policies are an ample proof to this truth.

Am I dressed right?

What is the appropriate dress code for the workplace? There is a case for both formal power dressing and a more informal to casual dress code. Some studies say that a formal dress code at work is related positively to seriousness at work, motivation, focus, a feeling of greater power to meet challenges and thereby higher productivity. The atmosphere becomes more 'work place like' and employees feel more inclined to work seriously and it is business all the way  for organisations which have a formal dress code.  There is also a  point of view that a casual mode of dress at work might make the employees feel more relaxed towards their designated tasks and could result in sloppiness, less focus on the task at hand and extended timelines for completion of tasks.

At the same time, there are some who feel that if employees are allowed to dress a tad informally, they are happier, more relaxed, an easier equation exists between the bosses & team members, which in turn will positively impact the turnaround time for work.

US based business consultant Andrew Jensen has studied the correlation between office attire and productivity. He feels that it boils down to office atmosphere. In a relaxed environment, a casual attire will work without impacting productivity. In a more traditional set up, a casual attire may not be the best option. A formal, business like attire will work better in such an environment.

One of best ways to tackle this never ending debate, as per some experts, is to base the dress code at work on the environment at the organisation. In a more traditional environment specially one where employees need to deal with external customers, the dressing style can be formal. In a more relaxed environment, employees can be allowed to dress more casually.

It is a matter of perspective really. There is no one fit for all. The rules around dress code at companies have to be customised to the workplace environment and the companys' DNA.

New job...old job ....

Read an article today on evaluating a new job offer and what to look for. Interesting pointers.

What is important when one has to evaluate a job offer? Money? KRAs? Timings? Company profile and history? Growth? Many more points for consideration come into mind. Each plays its role. Then how does a person decide on whether the job is the dream job...from the outside???

The company DNA definitely plays a role. It's important to know the position of the company, its vision. On the basis of the information one gathers from various sources, a personal analysis can be done. Money aka the salary offered is very important. But, should it be the deciding factor? The overriding deciding factor? Difficult question. There might be a few companies which one can find at all times, which will pay more salary. But, to make a move to a new job based solely on the money offered might not be the wisest decision.

Many factors such as the KRAs of the position offered, the evident growth prospects (which can be evaluated on basis of training opportunities offered, skill enhancement opportunities, the learning on the job etc), the evident work-life balance, benefits and perks etc need to be kept in mind before making an intelligent choice.

The article mentioned one very interesting point, i.e. meet your would be boss at least twice before deciding to join, to assess the comfort level for working together!! My take....this is not in the hands of the candidate.

We all want the best for ourselves. We try and make the best decisions for ourselves. But, just in case one finds oneself on cross-roads in the job scenario, it is time to make a move. An exit from the workplace or  maybe trying to  make things better in the workplace. Both options need to be well thought out. Work this out carefully. Do what you think is the best for you in the long. If at all you have regrets, remember it is all hindsight. Does not help.

One needs to be careful in evaluation and make a mature decision.  We need to remember that there is always a way ahead.

Indian sports in Rio...

Way go Sindhu , Sakshi, Deepa.... Done us proud, very proud.

Feeling awed, not only by their performances and feats on the sports grounds and the medals they won, but also for the show of strength and courage which they demonstrated and achieved the heights they have in their  respective sports. They stood up in face of all adversities, lack of / inadequate infrastructure and performed exceptionally in the Rio games.

They all are exceptional in their chosen sports. No mean feat being one of only very few gymnasts who can perform the most difficult vault. The grit, the show of self motivation....that in itself is amazing.

Time we Indians also talk about sports other than only Cricket. Time that along with  Cricket, other sports should get their place in the Sun.

We are proud of all sports people who went to Rio....they are amongst the best in our nation.

Sequels....My God !!!!

Sequels...Sequels....Sequels!!! Do you like sequels?

Let me answer for myself. I don't mind sequels. But not when the story is not summarized before the new series begins. Books, movies, serials....the rule remains. Summarize, else lose a potential audience.

Nothing can be more annoying than a sequel which is printed after more than a year and too without a few pages dedicated to the story so far!!!!!! Now how does the author and the publishing house expect the readers to remember the events so far in the story. Ditto for a movie!!!

As an example, I have been following the Clifton series by Jeffery Archer. I admit guilty to actually purchasing them and reading them so far, without remembering the previous story. I also admit to being annoyed each time. But, now I treat each of them as a different novel. But you know what? That has taken away half the fun of the story. Because, each book of the series came after a considerable gap and I have forgotten the sequence of the story as also the characterisations of each of the actors in the story.

So, half the fun is gone as I cannot relate to the nuances of the characters and their mannerisms, which the author so carefully built. I think the author and the publishing house has missed the point. If only they would devote but a few pages to the story so far. They could very well have released a new book each time. Actually, why don't they?

Movie sequels which release after a gap are equally scary :D ......Never really get the point of those.

Ayes in favour of sequels anyone? I say a Nay. That's my point of a strong view.

Freedom....shall we??

We celebrated India's 70th Independence Day yesterday. We have been free from foreign rule for 70 years now.  Glory to our motherland.

I contemplate...Are we free in our minds, spirits and deeds? Are we free from all bondage? Are we really?

We need to see Independence in light of where we are and where we are going. Are we free from caste ties....Are we free from man-made boundaries in the name of religion.....Are our women free to speak their minds and do as they wish to.....Are we free to work.....Are we free to eat.....Are we free to possess.....Are we free to study....Are we free from filth.....Are we free from a false sense of pride....Are we free from corruption....Are we free and open in thoughts....Do our minds and hearts really embrace the world ......??

We need honest answers. Once we have them and then move on to change for our betterment, we shall be truly free. For, we can be truly independent only when we honestly accept our shortcomings and strengths and work on them productively. This will lead us to wealth, both of the mind and the material kind.

So, shall we...???

Selfie or medals....

A remark by a leading Indian writer and a social celebrity has kicked up a storm....blaming Indian athletes only of clicking selfies and not performing, rather not wanting to perform....

Unfair?? She's entitled to her opinion. Even to voicing it in all forums she knows. But, even our athletes are doing well in the adverse circumstances they have to work in. The sheer determination and grit on display in most of them is worthy of more than one mention. With bare minimum facilities, no money even to buy shoes....some of them have traversed the tough road to the Olympics. Only because they want to. Difficult, very difficult. They are competing against the best.

Yes, we need more medals and more of them on pedestals. But, are they only to be blamed? Or the people who ensure they get the facilities they get??

We all have a right to vent our opinion. So, we can't really blame her for venturing hers. As much a right as the people castigating her for her comment.

But, a thought for the brave people out there who are there only because of themselves, is definitely warranted.

A shout out for the athletes....they need the encouragement.

In awe.....

Just as I was updating my CV, I started thinking of the times I had interacted with youngsters in my school, as a member of the School Alumni Association . Always an interesting experience.

I have met confident youngsters who know what they want to be in life and are looking for some pointers to guide them up the right path to a fruitful career. I have spoken to curious minds who get excited on discovering new career avenues which strengthen their own dreams of taking the less trodden path. They want to explore, test their abilities to walk ahead of or even away from the typical Indian middle class dreams of Engineering / Medical / Law / CA / Sales / Government jobs....They want to and some of them also want to know how to convince their parents to let them be.

I met a parent who told me of the so called unconventional careers his daughter and her classmates had chosen and how they knew all about the courses and the money involved, even their earning graph. The new world order with many more avenues available, has of course helped. This is an entire generation which appreciates what it takes to achieve their dreams. And, achieve them they will. The mathematics is all in place.

Many of them have their own enterprises in some conventional, some unconventional careers and are already employing people while they are still in their twenties.

I am in awe of these younger generations which are uber cool, technologically updated, confident, know where they are headed and a sheer pleasure to interact with.

We must give them their space and definitely their due. Parents and teachers have started understanding that they don't need to guide the young ones, instead they need to work out the best path to walk with them. 'With' being the keyword here....

It's always a pleasure being witness to change. Which all of us will always be.

Indian mythology is happening these days. You see a new emphasis on mythology in print and visual media. It is a good phase. 

We are getting to see, read and understand what we were and the differences and similarities in our thought processes, then and now. Mahabharata, an eternal favourite, is an epic study (literally and metaphorically) in human behaviour and management. We get to see all kind  and aspects of human behaviour . 

I like to watch the serialisation of the epic. The recent production on Mahabharata was excellently put together and gave so much insight into the epic. Fascinating. Never missed an episode. The explanations given for the actions of the characters was what made the difference in understanding the characters and events. Also fascinating and eye-opening were the tenets of the Indian way of life as it was. Very clearly put across by Krishna. Where did we lose the thread to sense and became what we have become? The religious tenets followed down the centuries is different from what it originally was. 

Read 'Jaya' and you would know more. And, be surprised. Such was the expanse of mindsets and thought process in those times that we look small hearted in many ways today. 

Time to wake up. And, study our past and take many a cues from there. Some good, some bad....it was all there. We can definitely adapt to some good practices. Mix them with the good practices of across the world. Of course the cocktail would need to be in sync with the current times and thought processes. It will be one awesome cocktail and give the right amount of kick to life and minds of today.