Personal Branding

The more I think, read and talk about this topic, it fascinates me with new ideas...
Linkedin
Facebook
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Blogging (at work, as well as Blogger.com)
so.... what is the connect? How this is to help me in my career?
come along..

Thriving in turbulence

In the last few months of my life, I have been a mute spectator of all the happenings around me. I went on a solo journey to visit places of importance in South India including Kanyakumari, Madurai Meenakshi Amma Temple, Trichy etc. This trip gave me time to reflect and ponder over my next move.

I think I have some clarity on what I should be doing next. Thanks to my wife, who is patient with me and allowing my space. There are few things I should have done by the end of this month, including submission of paper for ISPI, writing an article on Virtual Teams (Tools and Techniques) and getting certified as a Coach for basic skills.

I want to invest my time in growing Hyderabad Professional Coaches Association (HPCA) across the twin cities.

9th February - a big day!

Today is a big day for me!

My Coach's (Rohan's) Birthday today!

Lavanya's first day at Dr. Reddy's.... Yes, she is joining Corporate Finance team from today!

An evening with Dr. Prasad Kaipa at Hyderabad Professional Coaching Association - (HPCA)

Dr. Prasad Kaipa is a strategic advisor and coach to CEOs, board members and senior executives a visiting professor at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad and is a professor at the Saybrook Graduate School.

I happened to participate in the monthly event of Hyderabad Professional Coaches Association (HPCA) on Wednesday, Feb 4th between 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The special highlight of the meeting was a talk by Dr. Prasad Kaipa from Indian School of Business on ‘Coaching through Recession : When the Going gets Tough’.

Today is our 5th wedding anniversary!

Manasvini cuts the cake and shares the joy with all of us!!!

Time flies!!!

A meditation on hope

Hope and Change -- Sherwin Nuland, at TED 2003, spoke of the relationship between "hope" and "change". You can't really have the former without the latter, and probably won't bother with the latter without some amount of the former.

Surgeon and writer Sherwin Nuland meditates on the idea of hope -- the desire to become our better selves and make a better world. In a thoughtful 12 minutes, he explores the connection between "hope" and "change" -- a fitting talk to end this week full of both. (Recorded February 2003 in Monterey, California. Duration: 12:37.)

White collar work in the future

This one suggests what white collar (office jobs) might look like in the future today. Thanks for the laugh!

7th January 2009

This date on my calendar could have been just another day in my life... but it happens to be the day of shock and unfolding of unbelievable stories... yes, I am talking about Ramalinga Raju's confession to SEBI about inflated financials of the company.

I have chosen to speak to my friends about what goes on inside our organization as I have got so many calls from my friends and family enquiring about my well being and that of my family.. I feel responsible to share this with you all. However I am not in a position to share any of my knowledge on this fiasco of this huge scale. So bear with me...

I still remember the scene... I was in an internal meeting with my taskforce team, passionately explaning my strategy to improve 'Employee Satisfaction' (We call this as Associate Delight Index - ADI). Suddenly one of the members stepped out for a minute or so only to return back that there is a news on TV that our chairman has resigned.

We all rushed to the common room where TV is played... to my utter shock and disbelief.. the story slowly unfolded in front of us... the stock price is dropping quickly by the minute... in a span of few minutes the price nearly halved.. Even then the entire story did'nt sink into me.. I immediately called my wife to update her and told her not to panic if someone calls her for clarification and I would'nt be able to confirm or deny any news either.

The next thing I realized is I am in the middle of an ad-hoc meeting at Labrynth with some senior colleagues... all huddling to digest what we saw in the media for the last hour and half.. the same thing was being repeated with more drama..

The meeting was more informal, we had the audacity to crack jokes (I guess that is a natural reaction to calm yourself from the stress you are going through) and thankfully the leaders handled the situation very well..

After a small huddle, we dispersed only to gather back in small groups to further carry out our discussions... the common questions (Not in the same order)I could hear in the aisle and hallways:-
1. How is this possible?
2. How can he do this?
3. What should we do now?
4. What will happen if the Share Price goes to 'Zero'?
5. Will we get our Salary this month?
6. How will our customers react?
7. Why are they using words like 'Fraud'; 'Scam'; 'Enron of India' etc?
8. How can one individual bring us down?
9. Are there other leaders involved in this? What was CFO doing all this while? Where is he now?
10. Whom should we believe / not?

Many senior colleagues who have spent more than 5 years (Loyalists) were very much emotionally disturbed... I have no words to comfort them..

The day was longer for all of us... I found myself hanging around till 8 pm at office with my team members..

I will talk more about what happens inside an organization (Emotions and Stress levels of associates) that is going through such a massive crisis.

I was affected too by what was happening to me and around me... after so many days, I have chosen to come out and post these thoughts of mine now, just because I feel I m in control of the situation than the otherway around...

watch out for more...

Cheating – 12 steps to cure…

On the Oracle Certification team blog, one of the most thought provoking post has been the seven part series on the topic of cheating. If you did not get a chance to read them, here are the links:

Cheating Part 1: Who Benefits from Cheating?
Cheating Part 2: Cheating Hurts The Cheater
Cheating Part 3: Cheating Hurts Present and Future Employers
Cheating Part 4: Cheating Hurts Legitimate Certification Holders
Cheating Part 5: Cheating Hurts the Oracle Certification Program
Cheating Part 6: "The Lone Beneficiary" (And It's Not You)
Cheating Part 7: What Can You and I Do About Cheating?

 

The word first reminded me of high school memories of pranks of the past similar to those portrayed in a hilarious comedy that you can watch on DVD - Cheats. However, the issue is more serious when it pervades the world of professional certification where the 'test of purity' of the gems for an Oracle jewel is doubted as there are hundreds of 'fake' ones available for 'sale'.

 

For those who are 'addicted' to this habit, allow me to propose a twelve step method to get a cure. The twelve step method is inspired from a highly successful program followed by Alcoholics Anonymous to rid themselves of their love for the bottle.

 

Step 1: The initial feeling - "I can't pass the exam without it"
For those who have adopted the bad habit of looking at help kits that promise 'guaranteed' questions and answers among other cash-back promises, the intital feeling of failure is justified. One has to recognize this fear and look towards people and institutions who can help them follow the righteous methods.

 

 

Step 2: Recognize that somebody else can help you
There are dozens of individuals who are regulars on Oracle Certification forums, blogs like this one and your peers who can guide oneself to the most effective methods of Oracle certification exam preparation.

 

 

 

Step 3: Welcome others to help you

"No man is an island, entire of itself". Introduce oneself to the experts as well as peers who have taken the certification exam. Express your fears and shortcomings to them. If someone comes forward to help, allow them to start the healing process instead of insulating oneself against them.

 

Step 4: Take inventory of your skills and knowledge level

Having decided on taking a certification exam, scan the exam content and take an inventory of your knowledge level. You may be surprised how many topics you know quite well and maybe fewer where additional study is needed. The more practice and hours that you spend of preparing for the exam, the better are your chances of performing after the exam - that is on the job. Knowledge never goes waste. You may not be applying it immediately but sooner than later there would be opportunities to utilize it.

Step 5: Share your knowledge and experiences

Knowledge is an unique resource that increases when you share with others. Sharing exam preparation experiences, study notes and tips from those who have taken the exam are all priceless. Share your doubts and questions of Metalink/OTN forums and see how dozens of members are ready to help you with the answer.


Step 6: Show your willingness to change

It is indeed a difficult path at first on the road to change. For those who are fighting a battle against their bulge, remember the first time giving up your favorite dessert when dieting or going to the gym on a regular basis. It is a change in lifestyle to say the least. It all starts with a willingness to change like getting a gym membership.

Step 7: Work towards removing your shortcomings

The Seven Wonders of the modern world like the Great Pyramid and the Taj Mahal were not built overnight. Thousands of skilled workers worked decades to build them. To achieve the wonders of Oracle certification, work on your areas of deficiency for days, if not weeks. No mountain is high enough for a determined climber.


Step 8: Identify those you have harmed

It may not be difficult to identify those you harmed because of your habit. Some of these have been discussed in the Oracle Certification Team blog posts. The person who has been harmed most is yourself as you have missed a great opportunity to be evaluated sincerely and be recognized as one the best.

Step 9: Make amends
Each individual has one's own way to make amends. Would leave the thought here for individuals to think of their own positive action to make amends for their past deeds.

 

Step 10: Daily or weekly review

Review your addiction on a daily or weekly basis. Soon you would not even require a 'nicotine' patch to overcome the 'withdrawal symptoms' because none would be there!

 

Step 11: Grow out, grow yourself

Within a few weeks, you would be more confident about your skills, your own self and your work and communication would show this difference. Last but not the least, the joy of achieving success in the certification exam would not be clouded by any doubt of your capabilities or colored with unfair means of the past.

Step 12: Carry this message to others

Spread the word about your success. Spread the message that one can succeed without the 'addiction'. Forward this blog post - "12 Steps to a Cure" to those who are 'addicted' and are suffering. It is our dream to have this menace eradicated and elevate Oracle Certification (and your self) to the high pedestal that is richly deserved.

This blog post has been inspired from the best-seller "Understanding the Twelve Steps" by Terence T.Gorkni, Prentice Hall-Parkside Publications

Happy New Year - 2009