Lets "Call it a Day"

How often do we postpone an activity in our personal life. Be it  vacation, purchase of a car, purchase of a house, pursuing a hobby, going to a gym, stop drinking etc. We normally tend to postpone it to the future. Instead what do we do, continue to slog like a donkey, chase money and stock them or grow them (if you are wise & lucky), burn yourself out and miss out of all the pleasures in life. You also end up neglecting your family, not being with your children when they need most, burn up and neglect your health and end up a vegetable.

Suddenly you wake up one day and say to your self “What am I doing, where am I going !!!”. Its too late and when you are ready to enjoy the fruits of labor, you realize you cant really enjoy. You don't have the energy, you don't have the health (hypertension, diabetes, acidity, fatigue, arthritis, anxiety, depression etc), your children have grown up and wont have time for you, you have emotionally moved a long distance from your spouse and lost out the ability to relax, sit back and enjoy life.

We assume that we are all going to live upto 90 years and healthy and a happy one. We take our life for granted or in our anxiety to save for the retired life we miss out on enjoying our productive part of life. We rarely live for today. We generally live for tomorrow.

A colleague of mine was living a normal life and attending to work till about a couple of months ago. Suddenly he disappeared from office and were told that he is sick. He had developed persistent fever and later on diagnosed with blood cancer. In a span of 8 weeks he died. The sad part of it, he was only 37 years old. I remember he used to slog it out in office, sitting late, working 6 days a week and hardly on leave. All of a sudden he is no more.

Recently another colleague of mine who was Heading a very noble Function, aged around 42 years was attending a Training program and collapsed during the program. He was rushed to the Hospital but of no use. He passed away leaving behind a home maker and wonderful daughter.

Another friend of mine is around 40 years old and is heading a Business Unit of a large Multinational Company in India, earning a huge salary, globe trotting and in a enviable position (in the eyes of the society). He used to slog day and night, Saturdays and really stretched himself far to reach this position. When he is ready to enjoy the fruits of labor, he is restricted because he has developed diabetes, acidity, starting to grow bald, diminishing eyesight, showing signs of arthritis and living a life full of restrictions. He is a typical example of

When I have the TIME, I don’t have the MONEY

When I have the MONEY, I don’t have the TIME

When I have MONEY & TIME, I don’t have HEALTH to enjoy

Hence it is important that we learn to balance the need for a life in the future and life in the present. How long do we chase success, chase money only to add more ZERO’s in your bank balance, how much more are you going to amass wealth for your children because for most people they will not be able to reap the fruits of their labour.

Its easier said than done. When do we put a full stop, when do we pull the string, when do we say “its time” before it becomes “time up”.

Managing HR during uncertain times

The world is a “Global Village” and no one is insulated from the ripples in the Global Economy. It is often said that “if America sneezes, the rest of the world will catch a cold”. Much of   HR professionals in the APAC & Middle East region must be aligned to the Global economy and keep their eyes and ears open to whats happening around Global Economies. Offcourse there will be more focus on the new and emerging economies viz. BRIC countries and HR will have to play a major role in these economies to help capitalize the potential and global interests being shown. An international exposure to get an international perspective will help these HR professionals. Keeping in constant touch with their counterparts in other countries will help. Understanding the diversity and culture in other countries is a must to be successful in this era.

Its often said, that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Will HR turn out be tough.

Well HR plays a pivotal role in helping companies cope up with the downturn. While the top line is stagnant or moving downwards, companies have started tightening their belt and reducing their bottomline or Operating Expenditure. It is here that HR plays a pivotal role in helping containing costs of operations. HR needs to understand the Business dynamics, the Business levers that drive Profit & Loss and initiate strategies in line with the resilience program. We can no longer feign ignorance about business. HR professionals need to have “business acumen” and actively participate in business strategies.

I think this time around HR professionals are more experienced to manage such downturns. The challenge would be how do we predict such downturns and proactively initiate HR programs to minimize such shocks in future. Now that it is well known that the Global Economy goes thro a business cycle lasting about 8-10yrs (highs & lows), we need to be better prepared for the future downturns.

Dave Ulrich has defined the role of HR professionals :

             Strategic Business partner

             Employee Champion

             Expert Administrator

             Change Agent

HR professionals will have to don all these coats and effectively play these roles in any situations.

HR activities could be broadly divided into two:

             Transactional

             Strategic

We will have to master the Transactional activities, bring in greater efficiency, speed of delivery, reliability and at a lower cost to ultimately drive Employee Delight and enable Business to meet its stated objectives. This is key to survival during down turn.

Strategic activities are key to driving competitive advantage. As CK Prahalad and Gary Hamel have said, that “its people who fuel the journey of success”, they are the biggest competitive advantage any company will have. It is therefore imperative that we continue to focus on developing the competency of our people and build Organisational Capabilities that will not only sustain competition but will also help to beat Competition.

I believe that there is an opportunity in every calamity and its up to our hands to seize this opportunity and showcase the true value that HR can add to business and help organizations surmount any challenge.

Tenets of Life - my Fathers advise to me

Well we have all heard of Polonious advice to his son. Here is my father late Dr. Rajagopal’s Tenets of Life advise to me……

    1.  Wake up, Its already morning

    2.  Have your bath & come quick

    3.  Take your breakfast. It is ready

    4.  Time for school. Hurry up. Don’t run for the bus be careful 

    5.  If the school is closed come back quicker, don’t waste your time there

    6.  Play for a while in the evening

   7.  Its time for German class. You must get ready

   8.  If its difficult to get back by bus, come walking. Walking saves time

   9.  Supper is ready. It is served by eight o clock

   10.           Don’t make too many friends. Have a few trusted and good friends, who are studious

   11.           There is no excuse for idleness

   12.           Don’t engage in gossip & spreading rumours

   13.           Work hard, success is assured

   14.           God be with you always.

Ive tried to follow as much as possible. What ever my success today or what ever I am, its because of having followed these Tenets of Life from my father. So very true and valid even for today and in this generation. Timeless advise, worth the weight in gold………

India HR Live show on "The role of Analytics in HR"

It was great to be hosted on the India HR Live show on "The role of Analytics in HR" by Nisha Raghavan. It was a privilege to be hosted on the show alongside with other leading HR luminaries. For those who missed it, you can follow on this link......

Storify-on-the-role-of-analytics-in-hr

Welcoming 1st year students of BE at New Horizon College of Engineering

Was honoured to be invited by New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore to be the Guest of Honour to welcome & induct their 1st year BE Students on 8th Aug 2014. It was a great feeling to be back amongst students and be addressing about 550 (+ their parents) of them at their impressive campus on Outer Ring road. Brings back nostalgic memories of our tryst with college campus. Here are some glimpses and also the recording of my address to the students & parents........

My address to students 

Campus to Corporate-Jul14.pdf

What is LOVE

What is LOVE. Love is a variety of different feelings, states, and attitudes that ranges from interpersonal affection to pleasure. Its the most oft quoted word in history of mankind. Its one of the most sought after across all generations. But do we truly understand what LOVE is about. Well here is a beautiful expression of what LOVE is about. Hear on........

What is LOVE

Amir - was this warranted.......

It was a shocker to see the advertisement of PK, featuring a full page Amir Khan posing in the nude. It was least expected from an actor of Amir’s stature. An actor of repute, finesse, poise and apolitical. An actor who acted in Laagan, Three Idiots, Ghajini, Rang De Basanti etc. seems to have resorted to the oft repeated strategy of shedding clothes to regain attention and stardom.

Offcourse the Director, Producer, Writer and even Amir will say that it was necessary, the plot required it, the character being portrayed required it, the situation required it etc.  Assuming that we are convinced that this scene was required either because of the plot, situation, character etc., where was the need to publish it on the promo and release full page advertisements. Given that many celebrities, Hollywood actors have posed nudes in many a films but that scene doesn’t become the promotional material or they become poster boys posing nude.

Whats happening with Amir. With this one brash stroke he has lowered his stature to another attention /publicity seeking Bollywood actor. He has become the butt of joke online on Social Media and is being compared to Poonam Pande & Sunnly Leone. In what way is he different from them. If women can be booked for nudity (even wearing skimpy clothes), why not Amir - no wonder a PIL has been filed against him in the Court.

Has he become insecure with rising stars, the patching up of Sharukh & Salman or is he going thro the mid career blues. Is he trying to prove a point or is he competing on body building with Hrithik, Salman, John Abraham, Ranveer etc. He must realise that even Rajanikant and his son-in-law Dhanush can build & flaunt 6 packs - so its no great shakes to pose a chisled body with 6/8 packs. 

Or is it all for money. Dhoom 3 raked in 400 crores (if media is to be believed) and he needs to generate much more than that for PK. No doubt he is setting high standards in terms of performance and ROI, but he also needs to set Moral/Ethical standards while trying to do better than the previous one. After all he has taken the moral high ground with his Satyava Me Jayate and generally seen as a Celebrity of high morals and Ethics. 

He (may be his Producers) has just about pulled off with his sensational - strategy as he is back in the centre of news/attention (he as missing from news & action) and has managed to create an excitement & buzz, which is sure to pull crowds to his film being released in December. He is sure to rake more money than he did in Dhoom 3. But for a man of his stature to stoop so low to pull crowds for his film is a big betrayal to his educated fans……because "means to an end is as important as the end itself"

A trip down memory lane - DB Converge - A global reunion of Don Bosco Egmore past pupils

It all started off by a surprise connect with Lakshminarayan (Lachu) my classmate of mine at school - Don Bosco Egmore, Chennai-  a year back. I had spent the formative years of my life at Don Bosco between 1972-1980. Immediately he was kind enough to include me in the DB80 Yahoo group and I was suddenly travelling through the corridors of the time machine. Again when I checked my mails a few months back, I recieved a communication about the proposed DB Coverge - a Global reunion program being organised.

I quickly jumped on to it and soon I registered for it. It was held on July 25/26th at Don Bosco Egmore and ITC Grand Chola, Chennai. It was held in grand style at the ITC Grand Chola and had registered 300 delegates for the Celebrity Conclave and 1000+ past pupils had come for the DB Converge at the School. 

YG at his humourous best and true to a comedian proving a point with his DHOTI, Arvind Swami was all poise and a rare example of an Actor turned sucessful Corporate Entrepreneur. But Vijay really stole the thunder. Can never forget his 5 D (Desire, Dedication, Determination, Discipline & Divine Influence). Great to see all of them pulling the teachers and sharing their nostalgic memories of DB and how it shaped their lives & careers..... was worth attending the event and will cherish for a long time to come....

After a sumptuous lunch we drove to our alma mater school- Don Bosco and what a great feeling it was, stepping into the Temple of Learning after a gap of 34 years. There were a lot of changes but still we could recognise the school, the nooks & corners, the assembly hall, the library, the knocked down canteen, the water hole, the cricket nets, the basket ball courts, Princi room etc. It was really nostalgic to revisit the place that we had inhabited for nearly a decade. It certainly was a proud moment and the school gave us a warm welcome.

The assembly hall was used to hold a exhibition taking us down memory lane. A collection of all vintage photographs contributed by the Past Pupils beautifully laid out was a treat to watch and reminiscent of  our lives at Don Bosco.

The biggest experience was going back to the school. We were treated to a 45 minute class from our old teachers and I was fortunate to attend the Biology class taken by Jerome Rajan. He also used to teach us German and it was  treat to be back in his class. The class room was packed with eager but unruly students as we listened in awe his teaching on Bio Technology. It was certainly a great feeling to be a student again. 

It was also a nostalgic moment when we all went thro a PT class and went thro the routine drill of our PT Master Mr. Charles. Dressed in a impeccable suit & tie, he took us through the oft famous routine drill of stretch & bend on the parched grounds of Don Bosco. It was a rare sight of an old  Suited PT Master conducting the PT drills of an equally aged Past Pupils. It was the ultimate fun that we had and took us back down the memory lane of the love-hate relationship we had with the PT class in our school days.

After that in the evening it was party time to dance to the tunes of DB School of Rock. We were treated to some great old numbers of Ventures, Shadow, Illaya Raja by none other than a group led by the legendary YG Mahendran. He was from our 1965 batch and around 64 years and he was drumming away like a school kid and also whistling the Shadow numbers in all his youthfull earnestness. An amazing talented character. A renowned Actor/Comedian, theatre artist, accomplished cricketer, a musician, drummer, an Engineering qualification and a accomplished student. Truly a versatile talented person that Don Bosco is proud to have had.

Another surprise was catching up with another talented and illustrious classmate of mine Dr. JS Rajkumar who is a renowned Doctor is Chennai (son of late Dr. JR Shankaran) who specialises in Bariatric Surgery and is a famous Endocrinologist & Gastro doctor. He and his brother treated us to some old songs(incl. Bryan Adams-Summer of 69, Deep Purple-Smoke on the water)  and we truly enjoyed the evening.

Raj, never knew you & your brother Anand were talented singers. Liked your numbers especially Summer of 69 and Smoke on the Water. Also Anands inauguration with Ilayraja's old tamil numbers were stupendous. All in all a talented family eh....

The lead guitarist - sorry I dont remember his name- on the left was awsome. His rendering of Hotel California, Smoke on the Water and We dont need no education was a master piece. Great show guys. You really rocked .

On the last day the grand finale was the felicitation of our teachers and awarding some cash awards as our token of love & appreciation. And the biggest roar of thunder & clap was for our old Head Master - Mr. Selvadorai. Now past his prime and above 70yrs he was there with his son - frail and weak but still maintaining his poise & charm. He was swarmed by the old students at all times and waiting to click a picture with him. What a proud moment for him and also to the students. Every celebrity Vijay, YG Mahendra, Arvind Swami, Sanjay Pinto etc. and students recollected their tryst with Mr.Selvadorai and fondly remembered him, though he was strict person and terror in our school days. However the discipline that he inculcated in us and also the English that he polished in us truly held us in good stead for the rest of our life. 

And to cap it off, we were treated to a musical feat from our very own Grammy Award winner Vikku Vinayakram and his family. It was a blend & fusion of Indian & Western classical music. After all the shaking of legs the previous night, it was all shaking of the head with Vikku and his entourage. His entourage was none other than his son and grand son.

What a family and a rare sight - Father, Grand Father & Grand son all masters on their own. No wonder the Grand Father was the first South Indian musician to win a Grammy Award. Was truly a memorable icing on the cake....

All in all it was a great trip down memory lane, catching up with my School, the Teachers and my classmates. Thank you guys at the DB Converge team. It was a great initiative, well organised and well attended. Great to be reunited with my classmates of 1980 batch and our teachers and visiting the Temple of Learning. It was a nostalgic reunion of all sorts. Congrats to the team for a great job well done.

We also ought to repay our debt & gratitude to the teachers - Mr. Selvadorai, Lourdraj, Vincent, Stephen, Manuel, Jerome, Adaikalam, Raja Pandi, Charles & others who toiled hard to shape us Body, Mind & Soul and laid a strong foundation to our life & careers. What ever we are today is to a large extent because of Don Bosco & the teachers at large.

 Last but not the least this Global re-union, rekindled the pride of being a Don Bosco student, reminiscent of our pride in our school days and living by the values of Don Bosco - Virtuous in Arduous....... and truly my trip to Chennai on July 25-26th 2014,   were one of the best days of my life and what better way to remember than listening to the song....... 

DB Converge on Facebook

the DB 80 batch

Baffles why you dont play your best allrounder (Ashwin) ...........

For a man who became the fastest Indian to take 100 Test wickets, who averages 40 as a lower-order batsman, and who has time and again fronted up under pressure in many forms, he has been managed dreadfully.  R Ashwin's hundred and a match haul of five wickets in the first Test against West Indies in Nov 2013,  lifted him to the top of the ICC's rankings for Test allrounders, the first time he has reached No. 1. In 19 Tests he has scored 788 runs with an average of 39.4 and a  highest score of 124. In bowling has taken 104 wickets with 9 – 5wicket haul and 2 10wicket haul.

Compare that with Jadeja who in 9 Tests has taken 36 wickets with 2 – 5wicket haul and has scored 243 runs with a highest score of 43 at an average of 28.5.

It is highly inexplicable that India’s best all rounder is a mere spectator and someone half his ability is persisted despite his repeated failures. Ashwin has single handedly won Tests for India in the past. Not sure if Jadeja has won any Test for India so far.

It smacks of Dhoni’s inexplicable decisions and his arrogance on sticking stubbornly to his decision with out any rhyme or reason. He keeps persisting with his cronies - Suresh Raina, who can forget RP Singh and now Jadeja. He has gotten away with luck many a times but has been seriously exposed in trying circumstances especially abroad where he has an enviable record of 12 losses in 13 tests. Wonder how he still retains his captaincy.

Its time Dhoni & the selectors bring Ashwin back into the team and repose faith in his ability and give him a decent run to settle down and win matches for India. Please remember that there are 5-6 left handers in the English side and Off-spin is any day better than the left arm spin of Jadeja. Also the variety that Ashwin brings (offspin, doosra, carom ball etc) will be more than effective than the treadmill approach of Jadeja.

May be they can trade Jadeja for a Binny or vice-versa and certainly not play with Ashwin.

Hope better sense prevails or the selectors instill some sense into Dhoni……….