Promotion,Increment and responsibility -A paradigmshift

In our professional life, these are the buzz words anyone would go through every day. The bosses would use these terms conveniently to get the work done. Your clients would strategically use these terminologies to make things happen by hook or crook.What more to say, you and your peers (we all :-) ) would use these to convince ourselves to the reality that we are always underpaid and always underperformed against the targets.

Yet , all are unhappy and disappointed (perhaps most) when the annual salary increments and appraisal results announced. Recently, when I had an opportunity to travel with one of the top guns of a company, was telling me that the system should be fair and Just to most.Exceptional cases are always addressed. I am very much with his thought of being Just and Fair, else an organisation of such large scale cannot survive in this highly complex -competitive world.

The fact is, companies are trying new ways and methods to attract talent, so forced to pay more when they join. However, once they joined , further improvements, promotions, career upliftment etc are just a secondary activity for the HR . (Nowadays HR team is working like a sales department with full fledged targets to meet monthly!!!)

Every company has their own appraisal system where in it will make you, as embarassed as possible and will convince you " Not fit for an increment" every year. May be this is one way of doing revenge to the person who negotiated highly and join with an uncomparable salary with the peers. He has to undergo a series of mental torture , when he completes one full cycle of evaluation. In IT industry, the disparity on salary and increment is very high. Unlike other industries like banking., the uniformity in similar grade is clearly missing, which is resulting very high dissatisfaction among the peers.

Another interesting fact is , the person negotiated high and average ones, is not much differentiating on his/her work. Perhaps the average person would show more commitment on his work as he has a target to chase the higher salary :-)

Certain companies have a peculiar progression system, wherein you may demand for more work and present your facts to a group of panelists. If they accept your case, your may be eligible to move upwards. Even if you may not get progressions or increment, this would guarentee you,higher responibilities matching your level that you attained.

What a strategy sirji !!!!!. Getting more jobs, without paying anything extra!!!

So, according to me, the present system of evaluation, salary structure, increment schemes and career advancement etc are inadequate to nurture and retain the real talent in every organisation. As long as the think-tanks are not taking an open minded -bold steps , the free flow will continue and look for greener pasteurs.

And ofcourse, the other side is always greener !!!!!!

Cheers !!!

Rejuvaneting Trips

Recently, I have done two travels, one to North east part of Karnataka and the other one to the extreme south of TamilNadu. Both are two different extremes. The culture, people, tropical conditions and the geography all are extremely different and shows the diversified culture of India. But I could find one thing in common.The influence of Malayalam and malayalis are pretty much in both the places, though two classical languages - Kannada and Tamil rule the world here.

I went to Kasargodu-Neeleswaram to attend my class mate's wedding. It was indeed a nostalgic and refreshing experience. The stay in Nalanda Resorts, House boat expeditions,Viju's house -wedding reception, I was looking back to 4 years where my wedding took place....running through my mind.... though the bus journey was strenous, return trip through Bakkel fort, beach etc was too kool to be cherished.

Last two days , I had another trip to Nagercoil, purely for a business purpose. My Friend took a resort in Kanyakumar, exactly in the beach , was a beautiful one to stay. He showed me different places in an around Nagercoil, Valliyoor, Tirunelveli, the places he acquired recently to develop his real estate business. All the places are very flat, premitive stage, although the roads are amazing. Proximity to Nangunery SEZ, NH-007 (Golden Quadrilateral-corridor) and Innumerable educational institutions etc gives an exponontial potential to his target locations. I was impressed all the locations especially , the one near to the hill area. He recently registered a nine acre land near to a hill which can provide amazing brand name for his projects. I felt so impressed , just about to tell him, could u give me a villa here ???
Anyway, the preliminary objectives are met, and now need to talk to my friend for a good deal :-) Let me also try my luck in this looming business !!!

Indeed my last two trips were highly rejuvenating and rewarding !!!

Are you a sellable commodity in the job market ?

After the great recessional years in 2008-2010, the jobs are available in the market again. Companies started their hiring plan again. Bonus are declared with increment in salary. Some even declaring this with arrears.

Now the people who are stagnant in their current companies also started thinking, why can't I try in the market so that I can improve my earnings substantially.

Even I have received couple of resumes whom wanted to cash in this opportunity.

However unlike previous year maddening recruitment spree, now a days companies are lil more cautious in recruiting. They are willing to spend like anything (any extreem) for the niche skilled/ quality resources. Where as the average and non sellable resources are treated with average or No Pay. And the monitoring policies are even more stringent inorder to filter the unwanted elements.

That is why I put a Question: Are u sellable in the Job market !!! if you dont upgrade your skills, with the supportings of certifications, or some thing else, you may be disappointed.

Hence I am preparing my first ever certification course for the year... A journey just begins....

Mobile "fone"- Greatest revolution of the century

Why have I chosen this subject to talk now!! Yes, I strongly believe, Mobile
Pf)hone is the greatest revolution in this century. Not that some other stuffs like revolution in automobile, agriculture, banking etc are forgotten, but this has given a huge value addition to our day to day life.

I still remember during 95-96 period, BPL launched their premium pre-paid services in Kerala by introducing a very heavy mobile instrument. So as Escotel (Now acquired by Idea I think!)
Those days, an Incoming call would cost you in the range of Rs 18- 25 per minute. Forget about the outgoing call costs as it would be even more costly. Hence owning a Pre-Paid mobile was considered as very pride for the people and it is a thing for the Niche market ONLY.

This trend continued till 2000, (I think so) and later, mobile companies are forced to revamp their tariff rate with the launch of multinationals, TRAI influence and Govt of India's measures.

While we are in 2010, I don’t need to explain the revelations.......Incoming is completely free. Even with roaming, the rates are drastically reduced. ISD rates are coming down. Gone are the days of heavy mobiles, a wide range of beautiful handsets are in the market. What more, to replace the Laptop market, there are blackberrys,
I phones and Google Phones are available.

Now let me share a live example, how it is revolutionalising the common man's daily life and how it becomes the greatest (in my opinion atleast) revolution.

Last time when I went to my native place, a small village in Kollam District, Kerala, I was travelling in a private bus. Suddenly I saw the cleaner of the bus(That’s considered as an esteemed post as far as kids, students and girls concerned due to many Skill sets which a Cleaner requires to !!! ) got a phone call (the music was awesome !). He took a sophisticated Nokia mobile and started talking. He was fixing a business deal for the same bus on the next Sunday for a wedding party. He gave me a smirk on his face after ending the call as if it is BAU(Business As Usual) for him !!

I was lil' embarrassed (rather amused) on the whole episode but the shock of the life yet to come!.

Suddenly an old lady (probably older than my mother who is at 60 now) picked up her cute looking Samsung mobile fone from her bag (it was also ringing with melodic music!) and started giving direction to someone. She handled the entire conversation so efficiently and ended the call with a "Thank You”. By looking at my amusement, She also gave me a smile and told , "Am very relaxed as am able to give exact direction to my Son and also told me , this is a boon to people like me at this old age....

Look at the change done to the Bus Cleaner and an average old lady on their day to day life!!!!!

The whole night I was thinking about that , and finally I decided to declare this tp the world; "Mobile fone is surely the greatest revolution of the century!!!"

Do you agree ????

Year 2010- Actions and responsibilities

Last year, i wrote 2009 would be the year of new hope . This year it would be the year of actions and more responsibilities.

I have taken some commitments (as many do !!!) for this year for my personal and professional improvements. I would spend more quality time with the family and would try to attain some certifications for my professional improvement.

Many would take such commitments in the beginning of every year. Let me see how many commitments would be able to achieve by the end of this year 2010 !!!!

Its Advent season !!!

How fast the life is flying !!!! thats the statement I want to make about me and my life...I remember the last 2 Xmas. 2007 , me and my wife were in Singapore. Last year in Bangalore , with my Sweet Daughter ... the new entry to our life. This year.... I may be with my Parents... hoping to be with them.... I am really sad to remember that , last 4 years... almost all important occassions, celebrations ,,, I was not with my parents... I was fully involved in self made schedules...

So this advent season is a rememberance to me that , being with Parents is also very important like being with Wife and Child.... Hope I can make their life more happy and better with my presence.....

Life at Passport office

Only after my Visa application got rejected , i realised that my passport is getting expired very shortly. My boss bombarded with questions and i flee to Passport process immediately. On the very next day morning 9 itself i reached at RPO, Bangalore, near Koramangala. I could see a long queue already , people came there with prior appointments, wanted passports through tatkal, or normal process, or mere corrections, etc . I was quick enough to be part of a queue to take the token for meeting the official. Though not aware of most of the procesess inside, i was also part of the discussions happened there. Many unknown geeks started talking and giggling each other as if they were chuddy-less dosth !!!!, me too provided my own consultation to those who needed :-)

Suddenly one guy, (a middle aged) was very aggressive and shouting against govt of India and its ridiculous processess. You know whats the reason ? He is an X-NRI, returned recently, survived his wife and a Son. Poor man went to an internet Caffe , and they rejected him to browse, since he does not have any local ID !! He did not have any ID than his passport which the booth owner rejected, and he did not know how to create a local ID. So me and my neighbour gave a good lecture to create a local ID and Bank account, with procedure :-)

By that time, we went near to token counter, and the guy helped to gave me a token, numbered as 95 !. Imagine 94 people came earlier than me in the morning itself. Number of people for Tatkal app were more than the Normal applicants.

By 11.30, my turn came, by the time I have seen many shoutings, explanations, pleading etc infrnt of the counter. Have seen I man was arguing for re-issuing his passport though his expiry date is 2015 !!!! and He did it !!(Dont know the reason but!!!)

Another couple, wanted their name in their passport (each other ) but they are not legally married.They have been in the counter for last three days continously still persuading the officer to accept their request. Dont know their fate as well !!

Finally my turn came !! I was half mad and tired by the time... my counter part officer was full mad already !!!

She started inspecting my papers, asked original , in seconds, .. i was so tensed, suddenly she declared with a half smile that my papers are clear, so let me fetch your details from Trivandrum office where my previous passport held.

I was asked to wait and it took another 20 minutes for her to call me again,and I saw a clear status passport file frm TVm attached in my sheet. Suddenly on my shock she asked my PP form (Police verification form), I feel like spinning my head and completely lost. It is not the form that was my problem, but the police verification..... if i undergo a verification process, i may not be able to travel in the next week and the entire process may get delayed further.

With a very weak voice, i pleaded her mercy and told her it may not require !!! (What a stupid idiot i am, trying to teach the POPE - Holy Qurban ....!!!) She shouted at me mercilessly, "bring the form, then talk Geek " !!

It was 12.40 by that time, i rushed my bag and took that form (Thank God, i had those forms), filled, and collected a covering schedule from the sippayi and rushed back to the counter. Then she said, i have to attach the address proof copy again.

I ran again to Xerox shop, and got the copies and rushed back to the counter once again, the time was 12.55. With a good smile in her beautiful cheek, the lady wrote in my application that , to meet the Asst, Passport Officer in the first floor.(Then I realised, the very purpose of Tatkal itself should be justified infront of that authority !!!) I ran to APO office in First floor, and immediately understood that the APO is a Lady , that too malayali !!!!

With all innocent and tiring face (was actually tired due to all these sufferings !!),I gave my app to her. on a first look itself, madam wrote that ,it would be delivered with in 3 w.days and please pay Rs2500 to the counter. I was very very happy, still to confirm doubly ,I asked shamelessly , "Madam is there any police verification ? " The answer was firm and Quick "No"

I could not control my happiness ,and no time I thanked her and reached the counter. After an hour or so, my turn came and I paid Rs2500.I assured I should get the new passport on 21st Oct by post. Mercilessly he cancelled my passport with big Chappa. I was feeling bad... an identity which was part of my personal and professional life.... is ended on that day infront of my eyes.
I paid homage with all respect and saluted in my mind. An identity which helped me to see 3 countries.. A document which proudly presented to officials, documents and different uses.

All are over. now need to wait another baby passport with a new number, new photograph with my wife's name included !!!

Let me wait for the new born on 21st October 2009 !!!!!