Showing posts with label Life Mysteries. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life Mysteries. Show all posts
Sunday, October 19, 2008
On a dark and foggy night, a small figure lay huddled on the railway tracks leading to the Chennai station. At once I was held back to see someone in that position during midnight with no one around. With curiosity taking the front seat, I went near the body and tried to investigate it. There was blood all over the body which was lying face down. It seemed that a ruthless blow by the last train could have caused the end of this body which seemed to be that of a guy of around my age. Amidst the gory blood flow, I could see a folded white envelope which was fluttering in the midnight wind. Carefully I took the blood stained envelope and was surprised to see the phrase "appraisal letter" on it. With curiosity rising every moment, I wasted no time in opening the envelope to see if I can find some details about the dead guy. The tag around the body's neck and the jazzy appraisal cover gave me the hint that he might be a software engineer.
I opened the envelope to find a shining paper on which the appraisal details where typed in flying colors. Thunders broke into my ears and lightening struck my heart when I saw the appraisal amount of the dead guy!!!!!
My God, it was not even, as much as the cost of the letter on which the appraisal details were printed.... My heart poured out for the guy and huge calls were heard inside my mind saying "no wonder, this guy died such a miserable death"... As a fellow worker in the same industry, I thought I should mourn for him for the sake of respect and stood there with a heavy heart thinking of the shock that he would have experienced when his manager had placed the appraisal letter in his hand. I am sure his heart would have stopped and eyes would have gone blank for few seconds looking at the near to nothing increment in his salary.
While I mourned for him, for a second my hands froze to see the employee's name in the appraisal letter...hey, what a strange co-incidence, this guy's name is same as mine, including the initials. This was interesting. With some mental strength, I turned the body upside down and found myself fainted for a second. The guy not only had my name, but also looked exactly like me. Same looks, same built, same name.... it was me who was dead there!!!!!!!! While I was lost in that shock, I felt someone patting on my shoulders. My heart stopped completely, I could not breathe and sprung in fear to see who was behind......... Splash!!!
Went the glass of water on my laptop screen as, I came out of my wild dream to see my manager standing behind my chair patting on my shoulder saying, "Wake up man! Come to meeting room umber two. I have your appraisal letter ready".
I opened the envelope to find a shining paper on which the appraisal details where typed in flying colors. Thunders broke into my ears and lightening struck my heart when I saw the appraisal amount of the dead guy!!!!!
My God, it was not even, as much as the cost of the letter on which the appraisal details were printed.... My heart poured out for the guy and huge calls were heard inside my mind saying "no wonder, this guy died such a miserable death"... As a fellow worker in the same industry, I thought I should mourn for him for the sake of respect and stood there with a heavy heart thinking of the shock that he would have experienced when his manager had placed the appraisal letter in his hand. I am sure his heart would have stopped and eyes would have gone blank for few seconds looking at the near to nothing increment in his salary.
While I mourned for him, for a second my hands froze to see the employee's name in the appraisal letter...hey, what a strange co-incidence, this guy's name is same as mine, including the initials. This was interesting. With some mental strength, I turned the body upside down and found myself fainted for a second. The guy not only had my name, but also looked exactly like me. Same looks, same built, same name.... it was me who was dead there!!!!!!!! While I was lost in that shock, I felt someone patting on my shoulders. My heart stopped completely, I could not breathe and sprung in fear to see who was behind......... Splash!!!
Went the glass of water on my laptop screen as, I came out of my wild dream to see my manager standing behind my chair patting on my shoulder saying, "Wake up man! Come to meeting room umber two. I have your appraisal letter ready".
Labels: Appraisal in Life, Life Mysteries, The Reality
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Slow Down", Those who dont have time to read this; it'll definitely do you good.
0 comments Posted by Bloggers World at 12:47 AMFrom an Indian in Sweden:
*An interesting reflection: Slow Down Culture*
It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience.
Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule. Globalized processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results.
Therefore, we have come to possess a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.
The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, 'Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot.' To which he replied, 'Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think? Imagine my face.
Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.
Basically, the movement questions the sense of 'hurry' and 'craziness' generated by globalization, fuelled by the desire of 'having in quantity'(life status) versus 'having with quality', 'life quality' or the 'quality of being'. French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%.This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the 'do it now!' In India its around 45 hrs workweek.
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means re-establishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the 'now', present and concrete, versus the 'global', undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit. In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where the blind Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, 'I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now'. To which Al responds, 'A life is lived in an instant'. Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans'.
*Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.*
*An interesting reflection: Slow Down Culture*
It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience.
Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule. Globalized processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results.
Therefore, we have come to possess a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Escania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.
The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, 'Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot.' To which he replied, 'Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think? Imagine my face.
Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.
Basically, the movement questions the sense of 'hurry' and 'craziness' generated by globalization, fuelled by the desire of 'having in quantity'(life status) versus 'having with quality', 'life quality' or the 'quality of being'. French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%.This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the 'do it now!' In India its around 45 hrs workweek.
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means re-establishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the 'now', present and concrete, versus the 'global', undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit. In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where the blind Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, 'I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now'. To which Al responds, 'A life is lived in an instant'. Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, 'Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans'.
*Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.*
Seven Deadly Sins You should avoid.
Wealth without work
This refers to getting something for nothing - manipulating markets assets so you do not have to work or produce added value. The share scams - Harshad Mehta, Enron, network marketing /pyramid marketing all are examples of this. Remember these do not carry on for long. It is against the natural law to get returns without paying for it. There is nothing called as free meal. It always strikes back and when it strikes back the person is doomed.
Pleasure without conscience
When somebody becomes greedy and excessively selfish only seeking his/her pleasure without worrying for the consequences it is time for doom. The nature strikes back. While cheating the spouses or neglecting the family and children to seek the pleasures is always going to rebound back. The aids, lifestyle diseases, pollutions, natural disasters are all the result of our excessive pleasure seeking without any care for others.
Knowledge without character
o A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but more dangerous is much knowledge without the strong principle character. This is all about our value system. Many a brilliant knowledgeable people have bitten dust because of this. The latest is Dr. A. Q. Khan - a brilliant nuclear scientist who hawked the nuclear bomb to the various countries like Iran without worrying about the implications. It is really a sad thing to see that a knowledgeable person is using his/her knowledge or learnings for ulterior motive. There are lot of examples of the brilliant people who have there reputation tarnished because of this. Starting from Bill Clinton to Hanse Cronje to Nick Leeson .. all were guilty and ultimately paid the price.
Commerce (business without morality)
The sole purpose of the commercial entity is not to make profit. o Today all the big corporate are much hated figures whether it is a Microsoft or Walmart. People feel something sinister about them. That is why companies which are perceived as conscious, possessing moral principles are much rewarded both by the customers and stakeholders. The companies like Wipro, Infosys or Google have a much higher market capitalization and Price to earning ratio than the similar corporations whose only business objective is profit maximization.
Science without Humanity
If the science become all technique and technology, it quickly degenerates into man against humanity. The development of all these advanced weapons instead of the resources being spent on fighting the disease, environment pollution or increasing the agricultural production to feed the millions…. Are all examples of this.
Political without principle
What a great nation has been reduced to - George Bush just played politics without any principle resulting. Similarly if anything can stop India from becoming a superpower it will be our politicians who will go out to any length to win elections or remain in the government or to spite rivals. " Religion without sacrifice o Religion calls for sacrifice and not the war cries. Take any religion while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Christianity all of them have been built on the bedrock of sacrifices. You cannot claim yourself to be servant of God and go on fighting/beating killing people on the name of religion.
Reference:
Adapted from the book " The Principled Centre Leadership" by Stephen Covey.
Wealth without work
This refers to getting something for nothing - manipulating markets assets so you do not have to work or produce added value. The share scams - Harshad Mehta, Enron, network marketing /pyramid marketing all are examples of this. Remember these do not carry on for long. It is against the natural law to get returns without paying for it. There is nothing called as free meal. It always strikes back and when it strikes back the person is doomed.
Pleasure without conscience
When somebody becomes greedy and excessively selfish only seeking his/her pleasure without worrying for the consequences it is time for doom. The nature strikes back. While cheating the spouses or neglecting the family and children to seek the pleasures is always going to rebound back. The aids, lifestyle diseases, pollutions, natural disasters are all the result of our excessive pleasure seeking without any care for others.
Knowledge without character
o A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but more dangerous is much knowledge without the strong principle character. This is all about our value system. Many a brilliant knowledgeable people have bitten dust because of this. The latest is Dr. A. Q. Khan - a brilliant nuclear scientist who hawked the nuclear bomb to the various countries like Iran without worrying about the implications. It is really a sad thing to see that a knowledgeable person is using his/her knowledge or learnings for ulterior motive. There are lot of examples of the brilliant people who have there reputation tarnished because of this. Starting from Bill Clinton to Hanse Cronje to Nick Leeson .. all were guilty and ultimately paid the price.
Commerce (business without morality)
The sole purpose of the commercial entity is not to make profit. o Today all the big corporate are much hated figures whether it is a Microsoft or Walmart. People feel something sinister about them. That is why companies which are perceived as conscious, possessing moral principles are much rewarded both by the customers and stakeholders. The companies like Wipro, Infosys or Google have a much higher market capitalization and Price to earning ratio than the similar corporations whose only business objective is profit maximization.
Science without Humanity
If the science become all technique and technology, it quickly degenerates into man against humanity. The development of all these advanced weapons instead of the resources being spent on fighting the disease, environment pollution or increasing the agricultural production to feed the millions…. Are all examples of this.
Political without principle
What a great nation has been reduced to - George Bush just played politics without any principle resulting. Similarly if anything can stop India from becoming a superpower it will be our politicians who will go out to any length to win elections or remain in the government or to spite rivals. " Religion without sacrifice o Religion calls for sacrifice and not the war cries. Take any religion while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Christianity all of them have been built on the bedrock of sacrifices. You cannot claim yourself to be servant of God and go on fighting/beating killing people on the name of religion.
Reference:
Adapted from the book " The Principled Centre Leadership" by Stephen Covey.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Seven Deadly Sins You should avoid.
Wealth without work
This refers to getting something for nothing - manipulating markets assets so you do not have to work or produce added value. The share scams - Harshad Mehta, Enron, network marketing /pyramid marketing all are examples of this. Remember these do not carry on for long. It is against the natural law to get returns without paying for it. There is nothing called as free meal. It always strikes back and when it strikes back the person is doomed.
Pleasure without conscience
When somebody becomes greedy and excessively selfish only seeking his/her pleasure without worrying for the consequences it is time for doom. The nature strikes back. While cheating the spouses or neglecting the family and children to seek the pleasures is always going to rebound back. The aids, lifestyle diseases, pollutions, natural disasters are all the result of our excessive pleasure seeking without any care for others.
Knowledge without character
o A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but more dangerous is much knowledge without the strong principle character. This is all about our value system. Many a brilliant knowledgeable people have bitten dust because of this. The latest is Dr. A. Q. Khan - a brilliant nuclear scientist who hawked the nuclear bomb to the various countries like Iran without worrying about the implications. It is really a sad thing to see that a knowledgeable person is using his/her knowledge or learnings for ulterior motive. There are lot of examples of the brilliant people who have there reputation tarnished because of this. Starting from Bill Clinton to Hanse Cronje to Nick Leeson .. all were guilty and ultimately paid the price.
Commerce (business without morality)
The sole purpose of the commercial entity is not to make profit. o Today all the big corporate are much hated figures whether it is a Microsoft or Walmart. People feel something sinister about them. That is why companies which are perceived as conscious, possessing moral principles are much rewarded both by the customers and stakeholders. The companies like Wipro, Infosys or Google have a much higher market capitalization and Price to earning ratio than the similar corporations whose only business objective is profit maximization.
Science without Humanity
If the science become all technique and technology, it quickly degenerates into man against humanity. The development of all these advanced weapons instead of the resources being spent on fighting the disease, environment pollution or increasing the agricultural production to feed the millions…. Are all examples of this.
Political without principle
What a great nation has been reduced to - George Bush just played politics without any principle resulting. Similarly if anything can stop India from becoming a superpower it will be our politicians who will go out to any length to win elections or remain in the government or to spite rivals. " Religion without sacrifice o Religion calls for sacrifice and not the war cries. Take any religion while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Christianity all of them have been built on the bedrock of sacrifices. You cannot claim yourself to be servant of God and go on fighting/beating killing people on the name of religion.
Reference:
Adapted from the book " The Principled Centre Leadership" by Stephen Covey.
Wealth without work
This refers to getting something for nothing - manipulating markets assets so you do not have to work or produce added value. The share scams - Harshad Mehta, Enron, network marketing /pyramid marketing all are examples of this. Remember these do not carry on for long. It is against the natural law to get returns without paying for it. There is nothing called as free meal. It always strikes back and when it strikes back the person is doomed.
Pleasure without conscience
When somebody becomes greedy and excessively selfish only seeking his/her pleasure without worrying for the consequences it is time for doom. The nature strikes back. While cheating the spouses or neglecting the family and children to seek the pleasures is always going to rebound back. The aids, lifestyle diseases, pollutions, natural disasters are all the result of our excessive pleasure seeking without any care for others.
Knowledge without character
o A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but more dangerous is much knowledge without the strong principle character. This is all about our value system. Many a brilliant knowledgeable people have bitten dust because of this. The latest is Dr. A. Q. Khan - a brilliant nuclear scientist who hawked the nuclear bomb to the various countries like Iran without worrying about the implications. It is really a sad thing to see that a knowledgeable person is using his/her knowledge or learnings for ulterior motive. There are lot of examples of the brilliant people who have there reputation tarnished because of this. Starting from Bill Clinton to Hanse Cronje to Nick Leeson .. all were guilty and ultimately paid the price.
Commerce (business without morality)
The sole purpose of the commercial entity is not to make profit. o Today all the big corporate are much hated figures whether it is a Microsoft or Walmart. People feel something sinister about them. That is why companies which are perceived as conscious, possessing moral principles are much rewarded both by the customers and stakeholders. The companies like Wipro, Infosys or Google have a much higher market capitalization and Price to earning ratio than the similar corporations whose only business objective is profit maximization.
Science without Humanity
If the science become all technique and technology, it quickly degenerates into man against humanity. The development of all these advanced weapons instead of the resources being spent on fighting the disease, environment pollution or increasing the agricultural production to feed the millions…. Are all examples of this.
Political without principle
What a great nation has been reduced to - George Bush just played politics without any principle resulting. Similarly if anything can stop India from becoming a superpower it will be our politicians who will go out to any length to win elections or remain in the government or to spite rivals. " Religion without sacrifice o Religion calls for sacrifice and not the war cries. Take any religion while Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam or Christianity all of them have been built on the bedrock of sacrifices. You cannot claim yourself to be servant of God and go on fighting/beating killing people on the name of religion.
Reference:
Adapted from the book " The Principled Centre Leadership" by Stephen Covey.
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