Sharing Ideas

Dec 25, 2009 was the day when I visited the Central Jail in Ahmedabad and met the prisoners and the Officers there. This visit was planned to complete the class project on Jail Bhaijiya Van which is the brainchild of the DIG of Ahmedabad. Early morning we reached the DIG's office though it was a holiday but we were given good attention by the staff in the Control Room and with their suggestion we followed the road towards the Central Jail, the feeling was so good. There we saw many prisoners working as carpenters, working for the construction of the wall. I felt very happy after all this the Government is helping to learn and prove themselves to be of good behaviour and also mainly allowing them to kill their time. Further, after informing the security we went inside and met the IPS who had a small discussion with us and understood our purpose of visiting the Jail. He was so helpful that he called his Deputy Superintendent (DS) and suggested him to help us in any manner they could....

After every night there is a bright day as after every start there is a finish; same happened with the game we were playing in office on the occassion of Christmas. The game ended with nice gifts and love for everyone. Some of the gifts were cute flowers; letters, chocolates, accessories, fruits, good luck charms, tea and other such small small surprises. But the most interesting gifts were a piggy bank, green chilly, a plant, which were given to a child after he solved couple of puzzles and win the gift and the cutest of all: There was a fruit basket as well for a cute child: The office was decorated with Christmas theme everywhere: Everyone was in their red colored clothes resembling Santa Claus:) spreading smiles and happiness everywhere and wishing Merry Christmas to all...

Secret Santa!!! It’s a nice feeling to spread smile on some one’s face…..there is no such good time other than Christmas when Santa’s main aim is to spread smiles everywhere along with gifts. To continue with this loving spirit; we also have started this game within our department; which have gone thru nice twists and turns with lots of gifts and happiness. The spirit of Christmas is getting live and happening; every hour we are waiting for a gift from the Secret Santa and curiosity is shooting higher and higher. Everyone is receiving nice gifts and loving them... Thank you Santa for all the gifts and love….. Merry Christmas to all the readers...

Today when the world is recollecting the memories of the terror attack on Mumbai a year back, still the havoc is live there in everyone’s mind. The natural calamity like earthquake, flood, storm and any other such happenings across the world can be overlooked in front of any attack like this one. Mumbai, may be cause it’s considered as the financial capital of India has been targeted n- number of times which resulted into loss of 100s, 1000s of innocent citizens. From the bomb-blast in 1993 till attacks last year, Mumbai has been the main target of the attackers always. Irrespective of the reasons of the attacks the Financial Capital was the Attackers Capital in most of the attacks in India. Today, Indians are at their rage to step together and beat the heat of the attacks and attackers. It is rightly said if the Government can’t take a step; the citizens step forward to find out their own answers. We salute the soldiers and the officers who have lost their lives in the mayhem on 26/11...

Recently while browsing through the book shelf in library, I came across a book written by Khushwant Singh and after going through the synopsis I immediately got the book issued. It talks about how the protagonist loved being with women throughout his life. From the time he joined college for the entire life he enjoyed the company of women. As the name suggests “The Company of Women” this book speaks about the lust and life of the protagonist; Mohan Kumar. As per his words he says he is not a sex-maniac but I don’t agree with the same as it was clearly shown in the way he lead his life all the time. I wonder how one can be a womanizer throughout his life and sleep with number of women for his pleasure. A quite good lad from a poor family, with excellent education flies off to America with a scholarship to complete his studies. He was welcomed with all the warmth shown by his fellow classmates and in-turn he also gave much to the country in many forms. The very first time he slept with ...

The recent book penned by Chetan Bhagat have made a grand entry in the market and since then I was eager to read the same. Last week only I completed reading this piece of work from his shelf and must say that it gives a light and soothing effect at the end and an insight on the two cultures which are opposite not only in the map but in every aspect of life. The 2 distict cultures North and South ; when meet together creates a beautiful bonding and life becomes as beautiful as a rainbow with all its lovely colors and a dancing peacock with his fully opened wings with his loved ones, gives a feeling as 'Love is in the air'. The story went through certain ups and downs as the life of the protagonist from the day he falls for her and till their marriage day. It is more of the turns, twists and trials they faced to convince their parents for their ultimate bonding. It is more of how the protagonist and his girl friend sees the world out of their communities' rigidness and that...

With the advent of technology, innovations are always there in any medium of communication and knowledge sharing. Since last few years Twitter is hitting the list on the top slot. Couple of days back I and our ED were having a discussion about the popularity of Twitter; and that how it is having a very high valuation; he shared his views that a person can tweet for long hours or read tweets from around 3 hours a day and do nothing. We were astonished on this point that even if the writing bar does not give you the option to write more than a specific number of words but then also it is famous. I do tweet sometime but cannot sit and tweet regularly as some of my friends do, and I believe this in-turn is based on the user’s interest also. Apart from professional information what knowledge I am getting after reading the tweets? But then also it is like a favorite time-pass of people now and if they don’t have anything to do they Tweet or read others tweets. I have not come across any twe...

October 27th...is b'day of one of my good friend...this day was special for her for couple of reasons....it was her last b'day before her marriage....it was on tues...which is her fast day...shes on special fruit diet...and we also tried to make this b'day a special one and made her cut this: indeed this was a surprise for her and we specially made her cut the fruit: and offcourse the cake...that was for us:) her work area was decorated with flowers the day was very much exciting for us....n the celebration ends with a gift for her we always try to make the b'day a special day for special people in our life be it anyone...either in off or outside...n i believe people are always special in anyway they are...whether close to you or not....whether happy to see you or not...but everyone is special in their own unique qualities and nature. I have couple of special people in my life....in and outside office for which i always try to make the b'day special...rather everyda...

Alas, so we are back to work after 2 holidays...but I must say the holidays were good and refreshing and now as I wrote we are back with a bang!!! Diwali is one festival which is celebrated by everyone with full zeal and enthusiasm; our office was also decorated with colors and flowers; here are some of the pics: last but not the least: We were happy with the approaching holidays and to celebrate this we called for a party and ordered delicious, yummy food... Finished the day with happiness and relaxed mood, we all went back home with gifts in our hands. Overall a nice holiday and now again back in action with more work and some new projects in the kitty:) so i m lovin it...

Wishing everyone a very Happy Diwali and Prosperous New Year...

Last night I saw "The Reader" movie which was one of the Oscar nomiated movies this year. This movie is worth nominating for these awards; the plot summary is this way: THE READER opens in post-WWII Germany when teenager Michael Berg becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from "The Odyssey," "Huck Finn" and "The Lady with the Little Dog." Despite their intense bond, Hanna mysteriously disappears one day and Michael is left confused and heartbroken. Eight years later, while Michael is a law student observing the Nazi war crime trials, he is stunned to find Hanna back in his life - this time as a defendant in the courtroom. As Hanna's past is revealed,...

After a week's mourning; I spared my time for the International Conference organized by my office in association with the best management institute of the state... The conference was for 1.5 days (during the weekend); and these days helped me to learn many things again for Team Building, Time and People Management, helped me to gel well with people...so on and so forth... Friday evening we went to the venue and helped the team members to prepare the kits for the delegates, the badges and other plans.....who will do what and how...that was a good time we spent together barring the interruptions by few unwanted people in the group. And now here arrives the first day of the conference...I must say I really enjoyed the whole day...when we were about to arrange our welcome desk...people started coming in and registering themselves...we dint had breakfast:( and my adorable friend from office brought pastries especially for me n my colleague (thanx dear) and that time we had our breakfast...

Dear Blog Readers, I will be off from blog till Oct 02, 2009 coz of mourning in our family as we have lost one of our member from our family tree today. Regards

Wow...it sounds great...."...And the Winner for today's dance program is Reports TEAM." These were the words from one of the loveliest and darling persons from my office who was playing the part of esteemed judge for the Garba Dance competition in our office today. Garba, is a dance form which is performed during 9 nights (Navratri) with full zeal and enthusiasm adding the charm of worshiping Goddess Amba. Its been 9+ years I am in Ahmedabad and have seen the Garba fever in people here barring the other bad happenings after couple of months;) they enjoy these nights to its fullest and pay homage to the Goddess. Now coming back to the TEAM activity happened in our office...we all in our office always try to enjoy our time, make friends, chat, love and what not...and yes work as well:). To club all together the office cultural committee was formed and every time we have some or the other team activity where everyone of us can take part and enjoy together with each other. Tw...

Courtesy: http://www.custombusinesslogos.com/color_company_logos_on_dvd.jpg Courtesy: Brand Equity Will soon share some of my thoughts about LOGOs...

Some random rants of my good old days spent during language class… Gone are the days when I use to study something other than English…it was French. The language with love in it, a language which is easy to grasp but I found the grammar part VERY difficult. But on the whole I loved to learn the beginners’ course of this sweet and loving language. The most interesting part was when apart from our class notes we use to find the BAD words in the dictionary which helped us to use some code language in the class . We started talking in French in and out, and loved making notes in French the NEW language for us. The small role plays were very much interesting and helpful for us. Then we had our exams approaching…the usual exam fever was eating us up but it made us woke up and that we should learn something GOOD about this language. We gave a mock-test to our other classmates; the oral viva test was very interesting when our use of language, our pronunciation and the use of different words o...

The word 'F*!#$' is one word which I believe is the most used in everyday life of the GenNext. Not only the F word but there are many other words which were trapped in a thick dictionary with few synonyms of the same earlier. But now the scenario is such that all these so-called censored words irrespective of their language are used as a kind of jewel in the language of today's youth. The sentences seem to be plain vanilla without these cherries on the top. As per a latest article in The Economic Times: Brand Equity the usage of the F word and other words is termed as the "Cuss Culture". This kind of culture prevails nowadays everywhere we go. This is the word handling which proves to be pain in the *## for the editor or the person who adds a beep sound in reality shows in place of these cuss words. But on the contrary; these barred words are very much acceptable in the western culture where there are many songs using these kinda words and are hitting the top list...

Dil Titli sa ud ke....... This is the theme song of the latest tv ad of Airtel Digital TV featuring Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. Airtel has always been innovative in selecting the themes for their ads like the one with a scheme for Special 5: This ad shows the love and belonging within 5 special friends whether they share the birth of chickens together or make a paper boat and sail it in rain water or help one friend to write on the school black board....and what not. A special bond is shown in this cute ad featuring cute little kids. But, the recent ad of one of the Airtel's product shows a disloyalty between the childhood friends; how contrast is this ad with the earlier mentioned Special 5 ad. Two childhood friends, live together always and spend the lovely years of their lives together with love, friendship, loyalty together and suddenly when one friend had to go off to the other town the ole memories are still fresh in their mind about one special childhood friend. Time p...

Few months back one of my friend recommended to read the book THE GOAL written by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox and since then I was searching the same so that I can read this and learn something nice out of this piece of fiction. It contains a serious message for all managers in industry and explains the ideas which underlie the Theory of Constraints. And to my surprise I just saw this book on a road side book stall today and immediately bought it. I am so excited to start reading this and will soon post my review on the same. Till then Happy Reading to me:) and Happy Blogging to all of you:) image source: http://www.kaizenshop.com/webimages/goal.jpg

Believe in your Dreams.... This is the crux of the book "Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish" written by Rashmi Bansal where she has shared the stories of 25 IIM graduates who chose the path of entrepreneurship after leaving behind their hefty packaged jobs. This book seeks to encourage the Gen Next to create and lead the path of their own self; with their heart in it. Recently I read this book and I must say that the author has justified of what all she has written in the book. She has unfolded the history pages of how Naukri.com, Subhiksha, makemytrip.com, Mphasis and many more giants were built with the heart and soul of the entrepreneurs those who decided to follow their dreams. I would recommend every one to read this book and construct a road to follow their dream; if not today then may be tomorrow and with the blessing of their loved ones be it their love of life; their family or their loving friends. Wishing you all the very best to chase your dreams and live life king size.

From all the endless lists one song which I love is: Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai mere liye Ki jaise tujhko banaya gaya hai mere liye Tu abse pehle sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin Tu abse pehle sitaaron mein bas rahi thi kahin Tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye Tujhe zameen pe bulaya gaya hai mere liye Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai Ki ye badan ye nigaahein meri amaanat hain Ki ye badan ye nigaahein meri amaanat hain Ye gesuon ki ghani chhaon hain meri khatir Ye honth aur ye baahein meri amaanat hain Ye honth aur ye baahein meri amaanat hain Kabhi kabhi mere dil mein khayaal aata hai Ki jaise bajti hain shehnaaiyaan si raahon mein Ki jaise bajti hain shehnaaiyaan si raahon mein Suhaag raat hain ghoonghat utha raha hoon main Suhaag raat hain ghoonghat utha raha hoon main Simat rahi hai tu sharma ke apni baahon mein Simat rahi hai tu sharma ke apni baahon mein Kabhi kabhi mere dil...

Gone are the days when people use to have "Pain" in using the "Pen". It has been rightly said that "Pen is mighter than sword" but I think now a days it is the power of keys; keys of your keyboard; keys which changes your luck. Now you must be wondering why I am showing my concern of not using Pen; yes it happened today that I uttered these words to one of my colleague (few lines) "...so you don't feel the pain of using a pen ..." As per him since ages he has stopped using a pen and only thing he has used to write down something is his laptop. I wonder how one can rely so badly on a system made by human; how you can be surely become a paperless person. I look back to the days when my dad use to send me hand written letters during his long tours and then would expect us to reply him back soon. He always tells me the good things happens that every time we write our handwriting would be more crisp and it will also give a strong recall to what w...

Couple of days I was off from my blog and was in some introspection (would love to share with my readers soon)....and I hope now I can continue Sharing my Ideas with my readers with an open mind... Here comes my new post after a short gap... Happy Blogging...

I will be off from my blog for some days; will be back soon...

Imagine a situation where two school going kids are having competition to score well in exams and excel from each other. Same is happening in the ‘Brand’ world; after many brands in line majorly the Pepsi-Cola War where Sprite is also in-line saying ‘……..baaki sab bakwas’ and now it’s the Chocolate War. Munch has taken up on the Cadbury’s ‘Pehli taarikh’ campaign recently and has come out in full force. Let’s take a glimpse of the ad in words; it goes as…. a guy is sitting with a chocolate in his hands and thinking what to do. One friend comes and tell him what you are waiting for, you don’t have to wait for any day or any time to eat chocolate; you can have it anytime any day not only on first; you don’t have to wait for first. Some time back only we were murmuring the pehli taarikh song all the day long and here comes another funda of having chocolate anytime any day. Nestle has taken such a giant step against Cadbury with a big bang in their ‘brand wars’. But, if we ask can these ki...

Ever wondered after reaching to the top of the ladder you are alone or there is someone with you; someone close to you. Whether or not you are at the right place but my knowledge says that more top you are less nears and dears you have. Reaching at the top is dream of each and every individual. The scenario nowadays is such everyone at home is busy with their own life and house is a synonym of hotel now where you come in evening and leave in morning with your so called second family ‘Your Office’. And there you have some close friends; few enemies and very few with whom you are free and may be at ease to talk anything under this sun. But isn’t it true that office friendship is sometimes limited to office threshold only; moment you leave office you are out of touch. It may happen the very next day you meet that person or not; one day he will probably join somewhere else and will be with some other colleagues. People in your life other than your family are there any one else who is happy...

I just received this SMS and it strike me to key in my views on the same. The sms goes as: "Do u know...in 1935 USA Govt. killed a man on 1st Saturday of August and next day his best friend committed suicide in his memory. So, USA Govt. decided and declared 1st Saturday of every August as Friendship Day...on this 72nd Friendship Day I wish you to send this story to all your friends. Happy Friendship Day in advance" (Its on August 02, 2009) I just wonder why the friend had committed suicide; he may even take care of his friend's family in his absence; or he should have thought of his own family. The story is from the year 1935 but are there any friends now in the year 2009 who can commit suicide for their friend like this? And my answer for this would be NO. Nowadays who will leave their own responsibilities, own house behind? Or we can say that the friendship is so superficial so artificial that the friends are just for the name sake. Now there are no more friends like J...

Hey Mark; how are you today? How was your weekend? These kind of statements move around any office on a Monday morning. Now imagine; Good morning Sir, how are you?; similar phrase but in different locations...in abroad and in India, respectively. The difference lies in the way of addressing your colleagues in the office; either senior or junior to you. Now a days the companies in India have also adopted the way Americans use to address their colleagues be it an old man sitting in the chair of a CEO or Head of any Department or a small cadre executive. Everyone is called by their First name . On the contrary; the culture of taking the first name of the superiors in the office in India has become an issue for everyone; they think that it comes as an insult for them. But now many Companies have started using this kind of system mainly in call centers to get accustomed with the new trend of addressing your superiors. At this juncture; many questions come in my mind: do we address as Sir or...

This is the second half of the newly launched advertisement of Dairy Milk chocolate, which says as " Din hai suhana aaj pehli taarikh hai; meetha hai khana aaj pehli taarikh hai". The concept matches with the age old tradition of getting the salary at your desk by the babu of your Company or receiving pocket money from father or taking your wife out for a movie and the common link between all these incidents is the "pehli taarikh" and a chocolate bar of Dairy Milk. Recently I read somewhere that the concept of giving a chocolate bar with paycheck is given to the employees on the first day of month at their desks; which helps in spreading smiles on their faces. This is a very nice concept; which is attached with the emotional value of distributing chocolates within the Company and the value of the pay check received every month. Nowadays with materialistic and fast life the salary is directly deposited in the bank and immediately you have a big list of paying off che...

Sales Promotion or term it as Sales and Promotion; together makes ONE. ‘Sales’ as a word in itself is self-explanatory and this along with ‘Promotion’ is how one promotes the product to sell. Promotion in itself is not expenditure; it is an investment; which can pay rich dividends. Objectives of Sales Promotion: There are different objectives Sales Promotion deals into. Some of them are: Increase the market share of the product, simultaneously how mone can create the brand image. With any kind of promotion; it is easy to establish and maintain communication with large market segment. As the product with be popular the demand will increase. To fulfill the objectives of Sales Promotion; there are some devices and tools for the promotion of the product. Some of the devices/ tools at Consumer level are: a) Samples- which are given which may be pre-launch activity or launching activity. b) Coupons- these can be easily redeemable by the Company. c) Price-Off- A small part of amount is discou...

A question in everyone’s mind……While working on one task are we performing multi-tasking or not or something else? When we say multi-tasking what comes in mind: Multi-tasking is neither reality nor it is efficient. The lack of effectiveness has everything to do with multi-tasking. In an everyday routine, one should note down all the task(s) and the interruptions occurred during the day’s happening; which in turn helps in conclude that are you performing your one and only one task or multi-task or are you doing switch-tasking. It has been rightly said that brain cannot effectively do two things at once. The brain is lot like a computer you may have several screens open on your desktop, but you are able to think about only one at a time. A concept in Economics about switching cost usually refers to the cost of switching from one supplier to another. Switching costs results when people must go back and review what they have done before they can resume work o n a task. The...