tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-321485207584037502024-03-13T05:56:18.276+05:30life and all thingssimple thoughts to enrich life and add the much needed spice.Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-85519288111833486812017-12-06T14:17:00.002+05:302017-12-06T14:17:34.969+05:30Governments need to crowd source Actionable Insights<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Indian Cities are beginning to crowd source Actionable Information! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Road Transport Department (Govt of India) is asking Citizens to take and upload photos of traffic offenders/ wrong parking, for which they get rewarded.
BBMP (Bengaluru Civic Agency) has tied up with a FM Station, asking Citizens to report on the non-functioning street lights and are attending to it in a few hours' time. Incredible.
Hyderabad City Traffic Police is now crowd sourcing videos of traffic offenders and while the Offenders' Licenses get suspended, the Citizen Journalists get Cash rewards for the information. Too cool.
We bash up the Government and the Bureaucracy at the slightest provocation usually. It's only fair that we applaud when they do good work.
Want more. Need more.</span></div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-50078552701839825262017-12-06T14:13:00.003+05:302017-12-06T14:13:34.817+05:30Life changes post Starting up: Entrepreneurship<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">My ex-colleague who has recently started his own business, had dropped by recently, and we spoke about how Entrepreneurship is different from being employed.
He spoke about how life has changed and the adjustments he's made at home, to ensure he continues chasing his dream.
Couldn't agree more with him. There are so many things that change when you become an Entrepreneur/ startup your company.
Risks that you take, Challenges you face and the Mental Battles you go through, which are different from the days you were employed.
Offered to listen to him every time he feels stressed or anxious, coz there are times and instances in an Entrepreneur's life that even his spouse won't relate to, while a fellow Entrepreneur may.
If you're an Entrepreneur, make friends with other fellow Entrepreneurs. And if you've made it to the top, please drop the rope for someone else.
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Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-38505639357760832412017-12-06T14:09:00.002+05:302017-12-06T14:09:47.346+05:30Data Privacy Fears - well founded?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, we allow Google to track our location. Apparently, Google does track when we don't allow as well.
Google knows what we're looking for, and keeps track, so "it can personalize". But it can also use the data in a zillion other ways.
We voluntarily give away so much personal data on Facebook, that anyone who wants to peep into our lives, doesn't have to work hard.
And now, we have invited strangers over, who're slowly becoming "Family" - Siri, Alexa, Jarvis & Ok Google.
What's the chance that they're listening in on conversations, WITHOUT the 'wake word/ gesture'?
What's the chance we're living in the Big Brother/ Big Boss home, and just don't know it yet? The Truman Show, anyone?
And we will have more guests over, soon - In living rooms, in cars, in Offices and in bedrooms; who understand gestures, recognise facial emotions and may actually walk about home.
This apart, various Intelligence agencies can snoop in, at the snap of a finger, pretty much.
Hackers can hack their way into what they please.
If you're a believer, God may be watching over us too :)
And we fret over Privacy!
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Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-28173296432921983792017-12-06T14:07:00.000+05:302017-12-06T14:07:13.099+05:30Entrepreneur's musings<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">An Entrepreneur has many things on her mind. Always. Simultaneously.
It's good to not have anything on mind, sometimes.
It's good to not control and let it flow, sometimes.
It's good to unwind and let it be, sometimes.
It's good to skip work and just play, sometimes.
It's good to spend time with family, and not just money on them, whenever possible.
This nothingness would then inspire moments of brilliance. And that would be good, most times.</span></div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-74672371593797331472017-12-06T14:04:00.001+05:302017-12-06T14:04:53.462+05:30Unique Unemployment Problem in India<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.7); font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "hiragino kaku gothic pro" , "meiryo" , "hiragino sans gb w3" , "noto naskh arabic" , "droid arabic naskh" , "geeza pro" , "simplified arabic" , "noto sans thai" , "thonburi" , "dokchampa" , "droid sans thai" , "droid sans fallback" , , ".sfnsdisplay-regular" , "heiti sc" , "microsoft yahei" , "segoe ui"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is an uniqueness to the Unemployment problem in India -
1. Open roles don't get filled on time, due to lack of Tech skill, Communication or other reasons.
2. On the other hand, there is a eligible and skill-ready population - including Senior Citizens, Home makers and College kids, who may be willing to work part-time/ flexi hours but don't find relevant opportunities.
While there are some platforms coming up, to connect this Talent with Opportunities, it's still not enough and not mainstream yet.
How can we do more to plug this gap? </span></div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-85783025442613471942017-12-02T13:58:00.002+05:302017-12-02T13:58:49.715+05:30Give more than you'd expect back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); font-family: "Source Sans Pro", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Hiragino Kaku Gothic Pro", Meiryo, "Hiragino Sans GB W3", "Noto Naskh Arabic", "Droid Arabic Naskh", "Geeza Pro", "Simplified Arabic", "Noto Sans Thai", Thonburi, Dokchampa, "Droid Sans Thai", "Droid Sans Fallback", -apple-system, ".SFNSDisplay-Regular", "Heiti SC", "Microsoft Yahei", "Segoe UI"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Give more of the good stuff than you'd expect back.
As an Entrepreneur, give more value than the price you're asking.
As an Employer, give more empowerment than the results you'd expect.
As an Employee, give more results than the benefits you'd expect.
As a Person, give more love and kindness than the reciprocation you'd expect.
And as the Holiday season is nearing, give more gifts than you'd expect :)</span></div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-2869779303563696232017-12-01T14:28:00.003+05:302017-12-06T14:05:18.440+05:30Learning precedes Earning<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.7); font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif , "hiragino kaku gothic pro" , "meiryo" , "hiragino sans gb w3" , "noto naskh arabic" , "droid arabic naskh" , "geeza pro" , "simplified arabic" , "noto sans thai" , "thonburi" , "dokchampa" , "droid sans thai" , "droid sans fallback" , , ".sfnsdisplay-regular" , "heiti sc" , "microsoft yahei" , "segoe ui"; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learning precedes Earning.
Anyone who's started their career in the 90's would have seen this metamorphic transformation happening in front of their eyes, from a 'labour driven' economy to a 'knowledge driven' one.
Data is the new Oil. Information is the new Soil. Analysis and Actionable Insights are Latest Testaments.
Anyone who focusses on Learning, will have plenty of Earning, as a by-product.
Someone who is after the Earning, will find himself, off track many times in their career.
With technology changing faster than ever in history, stagnation may be devastating.
Keep Learning to Earn, as the only place Earning comes before Learning, is in the Dictionary.
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Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-23345167463843126872013-02-21T21:39:00.006+05:302013-02-21T21:39:56.144+05:305 Entrepreneurial lessons learnt from starting up WeOwn.in<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://www.successstories.co.in/5-entrepreneurial-lessons-i-learnt-from-starting-up-weown-in/">Source: Successstories.co.in</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRIkct3wZMLQPzdxG2S9b_wa1Hx1ezV9T8iNqVJ0FQ1fB-vq29QDxKJ615ivaGBu4iOD9EAv8PiNyIc2739eDE7JjBuW8Qb0Vb-Bs7iiTvYEE4OHLEKq7D-VQ0nVJTTENUPT6_8dCOI/s1600/Niranjan-Rao-250x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRIkct3wZMLQPzdxG2S9b_wa1Hx1ezV9T8iNqVJ0FQ1fB-vq29QDxKJ615ivaGBu4iOD9EAv8PiNyIc2739eDE7JjBuW8Qb0Vb-Bs7iiTvYEE4OHLEKq7D-VQ0nVJTTENUPT6_8dCOI/s1600/Niranjan-Rao-250x300.jpg" /></a><br />
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Think of this for a minute: We were a good looking team, on paper at least. Our founding team had 3 professionals with 15 years experience, each from different domains – Marketing & Strategy, Operations & Finance and Technology. We knew each other before co-founding <a href="http://www.weown.in/" style="border: 0px; color: #337295; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">WeOwn.in</a> and the roles were established. The concept was agreed upon and the plan made ready. Here begins our story really…and what we’ve learnt so far (given, there is so much more to learn and do).</div>
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<b>Lesson #1: Prepare yourself and family for the long haul</b></div>
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There could be a few exceptions to the rule, who could hit it in the first few months. But largely, to get the product/ service right, to be noticed, liked and more importantly used by customers it takes time. In most of the cases it exceeds a year or so. The revenue flow, break even and profitability could take a further while.<br />This needs serious planning, commitment and unwavering faith in your ability – by you and your family. Prepare and plan.</div>
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<b>Lesson #2: Anything takes longer to build than expected (a home, reputation or a website), and sucks in more cash than what is in your wallet.</b></div>
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This maybe a known fact, which we inadvertently missed when we made the plan. Our objective was clear – hit the highway ASAP. The plan didn’t work, things were all rushed up and the <b>‘free online platform for buying together and sharing’</b> that we wanted to build was not even 20% ready on the D-day!<br />Apart from the frustration it brought in, we were also spending over our budget by then. This took us a while to realize that we may have had very ambitious goals to begin with, and didn’t build in enough contingency. It took us a full 6 months more to get the site in a shape that we wanted; we however, started beta testing it in the meanwhile to save time.</div>
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<b>Lesson #3: Do enough customer surveys and build in customer voice</b></div>
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This we did – but little. Not enough and not across all segments. We had to do more elaborate interviews and discussion forums to figure how the target segments were receiving it (we continue to do that) later on, but it worked because we had the prototype ready by then. So, people could now SEE what we meant.</div>
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<b>Lesson #4: Collaborate more and share costs, where possible</b></div>
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We were doing too many things by ourselves at the beginning and as a result were over-stretched. Things began falling through the cracks. At times, we noticed we just had to ask and there were good Samaritans willing to help.<br />So, do ask and take help from other entrepreneurs, startup companies, industry associations, evangelists, mentors and friends. Also, join groups of entrepreneurs like the TiE, which are amazing support to an early startup or a <a href="http://www.successstories.co.in/young-entrepreneurs/" style="border: 0px; color: #337295; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">young entrepreneur</a>. <a href="http://www.weown.in/" style="border: 0px; color: #337295; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">WeOwn.in</a> has collaborated with TiE & the Startup Festival Bangalore and received its share of visibility apart from making long term relationships with great people. Also, where we collaborated with our affiliates, they were willing to share costs on joint marketing exercises, bringing our cost of promotions down.</div>
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<b>Lesson #5: Hiring good guys is a challenge. Be smart about it.</b></div>
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Even for big companies and brands, hiring continues to be a challenge. It only gets bigger when you attract great talent and have very little in terms of money, perks, brand and even infrastructure.</div>
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All the people we hired till date have been through referrals and that’s probably the best way to hire for a start-up. We did try campus recruitment, spreading the word around on social media and the like, but didn’t get beyond interviews. The guys we did not favour showed interest in joining us and the ones we liked weren’t interested. While we should keep all options open, try referral hiring initially.</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px;"><br /><br />Read more: <a href="http://www.successstories.co.in/5-entrepreneurial-lessons-i-learnt-from-starting-up-weown-in/#ixzz2LYB4ke3x" style="border: 0px; color: #003399; cursor: pointer; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: initial;">http://www.successstories.co.in/5-entrepreneurial-lessons-i-learnt-from-starting-up-weown-in/#ixzz2LYB4ke3x</a></span></div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-61115692294481002512013-02-05T09:52:00.000+05:302013-02-05T10:08:25.788+05:30How to put UP, when you're DOWN!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We always put up with life; it's ups and downs. Didn't want this to be a gospel or the "how to series", instead quick 3 simple tips that really help you put UP, when you're down.<br />
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HOW TO PUT 'UP', WHEN YOU'RE "DOWN". Here goes...<br />
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1. <strong><em>Dress UP</em></strong> - There are so many days, that we dress up for friends, bosses, colleagues, the special ones, spouses, kids, business, media or others, in general. The days you got to dress UP for yourself should the ones when you're down. Try it...wear your favourite shirt or your lucky t-shirt (or your fav perfume), dress a couple of notches up than your normal day. It can instantly change your mood and help you put UP, when you're down.<br />
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2. <em><strong>Talk with 2 friends </strong></em>who you haven't kept in touch with lately - and don't raise your concern if you think not. Instead just catch up; 2 or 3 things could happen...He/ she could tell you something that you cheer you up, like what happened with other friends, the latest movie release, the restaurant he/ she's been to and the <em>banter</em>. He/ she could talk about why they're feeling down right now (which you could empathize with or do something about - and lo, you get your mojo back). OR nothing could happen, but a GOOD nothing - you would've caught up with a friend.<br />
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3. <strong><em>Watch a comedy</em></strong> (needn't be a film if you don't have the time) - A short video downloaded/ streamed from the internet would suffice. Whoever said laughing makes you happy, didn't perhaps know HOW right he/ she was and how this could help you put up, when you're down.<br />
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And here's the bonus (coz you read through :) - SMILE WITHOUT A REASON! It not just makes your day, but the day of others around you and you would've shown others how to put UP when you're DOWN.</div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-2147458663593574502013-01-27T22:17:00.000+05:302013-01-27T22:17:24.279+05:30Convert adversity into OPPORTUNITY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A certain amount of opposition is of great help to a man. Kites rise against, not with the wind - <strong>John Neal.</strong><br />
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Adversity or difficult times are often feared, dreaded; the mere mention of it gets people worried. We're most comfortable when things happen as per OUR plan, coz we think we know what's best for us. May not be the truth always.<br />
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Adversity needn't be that phobia inducing circumstance, if you change the lens you view it with.<br />
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How many times haven't we turned back to look at adversity, our difficult times (yes, and all of us have been through them) and thought that definitely has taught something. I'm better off today since I went through that period of adversity.<br />
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We've also heard of inspiring stories: JK Rowling lived on welfare with a dependent child before creating the Harry Potter franchise. Before founding Walmart, Sam Walton milked cows and sold newspaper subscriptions. Henry Ford was broke 5 times before he started Ford Motor Company. We would never have heard of 'Honda', if Soichiro Honda had got the job he wanted, of an engineer at Toyota. And remember, India wouldn't be a free nation, if Mahatma Gandhi thought it is difficult to convince half a billion Indians then, to fight for independence, but through non-violence in the face of severe oppression.<br />
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So, if and when, you're going through rough waters, look at what is going on FROM A DISTANCE. Take yourself out of the picture. See what you can do about it, what you can learn from it. And more importantly, Opportunity often comes disguised as Adversity. Look deep & look hard to find yours.<br />
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Adversity is like waves in the sea and need to be taken in the same spirit, like a surfer doesn't worry about them and uses them to keep surfing, to go higher, farther, faster.<br />
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Adversity is the gift that's not packed properly, but what's in it is invaluable. OPPORTUNITY!</div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-6398831088279568172013-01-26T21:43:00.001+05:302013-01-26T21:45:23.635+05:30Why not co-own? Co-Ownership is Shared Ownership!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Co-ownership or shared ownership of assets is not a new idea at all! Infact co-consumption of services is also practised within friend and family networks. Co-ownership or shared ownership clearly has value and its place and here's an invitation to look at what it means to you.<br />
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How many times haven't we bought things that we don't use optimally (not counting the ones we sell disappointedly) or just wouldn't need regularly? If you're saying Yes, the answer is too many times and if you're saying 'Maybe', the answer is still, too many times (to remember).<br />
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So, why not co-own or co-consume the things which we'd like having, but not that regularly. Fancy having a farm house, but scared of the rocketing prices OR dream of driving around in a SUV, but concerned that it won't help you drive through the traffic on city roads everyday? Well, consider co-ownership or shared ownership for a minute <span style="font-size: x-small;">(If you're possessive of the thing you're going to buy OR use it too frequently to be able to share usage, co-ownership or shared ownership may not just work though)</span><span style="font-size: small;">.</span><br />
<br />
You not only split the price of possessing one, but also the cost of running (maintenance) it. Now that is Cost Divided and Joy Multiplied!<br />
<br />
With HOW MANY would you share ownership and WHO exactly, are perhaps the next questions to figure.<br />
<br />
Now, let's see: A good set of questions to ask are:<br />
1. Will I be able to share usage? Will I be able to better utilize or have more fun when I share ownership? Does it help me get closer to my aspirations if I co-own/ share ownership? Could I invest together with others?<br />
2. How frequently do I need this and how many people can I share this with?<br />
3. What is the value of co-ownership/ shared ownership in terms of cost? <br />
4. Who amongst my friends or family would be interested to share this with me? Can I check with colleagues or neighbours also?<br />
<br />
As long as there are reasons to pursue shared ownership, there is a platform: WeOwn.in (<a href="http://www.weown.in/">www.weown.in</a>), to help you deal with questions like "how do I check with people if they're interested too"; "who will do the paperwork" OR just "how will we track expenses or issues". They simplify the entire process, hand hold you through the process and even help you negotiate prices. The best part is, it won't cost you anything.<br />
<br />
So, whatever it is that you're buying next - a car, home, going on a vacation or just about anything, create a post on <a href="http://www.weown.in/">www.weown.in</a> and join others who're now comfortable with co-ownership and shared ownership. Co-ownership or shared ownership could just be the smarter path to your goals!</div>
Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-39407577193422647892012-01-26T14:18:00.000+05:302012-01-26T14:18:24.335+05:30This ain't no good-bye!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 20pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This ain’t no good-bye!<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<em>Good-bye, I wouldn't bid</em><br />
<em>Lest, I be outbid.</em><br />
<em>Ain't certain about Hasta pronto,</em><br />
<em>although we could.</em><br />
<br />
<em>Fare-well, touchwood;</em><br />
<em>Howbeit, I leave for good.</em><br />
<em>On the road to my destiny,</em><br />
<em>As one always should.</em><br />
<br />
<em>My parting parlance ain't set;</em><br />
<em>Now now, not yet;</em><br />
<em>For, we may meet again,</em><br />
<em>I can almost bet.</em><br />
<br />
<em>If our paths should cross through;</em><br />
<em>and I sure hope they do,</em><br />
<em>I deem you want to meet a wiser me.</em><br />
<em>I wish to meet a newer you.</em><br />
<br />
<em>I'd bow, my Namaste perfect;</em><br />
<em>And with that, a lot of respect,</em><br />
<em>million thanks and a load of wishes;</em><br />
<em>To my peer and prefect.</em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em><strong>- Niranjan Rao</strong></em></span><br />
<br />
<br />
PUBLISH OR POST THIS ARTICLE<br />Feel free to publish this article as long as the credits are given, and no changes are made to the article. Would appreciate if you could share a copy of your publication or provide the link where it is posted.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-12715748600160176762012-01-25T22:01:00.000+05:302012-01-25T22:01:36.311+05:30Talk more. Talk less.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Talk more with the person(s) that matters most; talk less with everyone else. Easier said than done, as most often, we reverse the order. Let's take a closer look.<br />
<br />
When was the last time you had a 'heart to heart' talk with yourself? Appraised yourself, re-evaluated priorities, looked at your life from a distance, set up goals and directions, confessed, appreciated, encouraged or just spent time with the one person that can benefit you most - YOU!<br />
<br />
Also, how often do you describe 'what you feel' to the ones that matter most in your life - show your love, talk about what bothers, appreciate and console? If you don't have confident answers here, perhaps it is <em>time to start talking more</em>, and more often.<br />
<br />
Now, if you're a working professional, a student, a busy teenager, a parent or just about anybody who's got to talk for a living, chances are that you are expected to speak a lot; your opinions and thoughts, ideas and suggestions, solutions, your strengths and perhaps other's draw backs. Ofcourse, a little bit of gossip doesn't hurt too. <em>Time to stop that urge and talk less.</em> Ofcourse, you're the best judge to figure how much less, to not hurt your social life.<br />
<br />
What else does having 2 ears and 1 mouth signify? Talk less with others. Talk more with yourself.<br />
<br />
<em>I'll stop right here. Time to talk with 'me'.</em></div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-56536133724034285572012-01-14T18:14:00.000+05:302012-01-14T18:16:45.342+05:30White tiger, Black Swan and the honest politician<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Swans were only believed to be "white" in colour, until the first black swan was spotted. Now, we know they exist, though one does not see them even once in a lifetime. White tigers though, not that rare, are still a rarity in most parts of the world and inspire awe at the first sight.<br />
<br />
Honest politicians, the world over are being reported to go extinct or are the endangered species (of course, there are a few in each country who keep things going, thankfully). <br />
Well, there are protection laws in place in most parts of the world to help the endangered species survive this madness. Makes one wonder, how we protect our honest politicians and help the society breed more of this kind. How could you separate the eligibility and success criteria from the one that is prevalent today?<br />
<br />
While most nations give their citizens a right to exercise their franchise, the motivation for the right kind of people to join local politics and make it a career, needs to be worked upon. The limited talent pool is serenaded by the big multinationals and the bureaucracy, with politics perhaps not even being considered as an option for the young and dynamic. The process of joining a political party in itself should be boiled down to radically simple steps (equivalent to web registrations to set up an email) and a 'sense of pride' needs to be created. Easier said than done.<br />
<br />
Given the age of Internet, social media and digital technology that we live in, it would not be too far a shot, to say candidates who contest polls from within a party be chosen basis how "likeable" a person is (sans the big tours and public show of strength). <br />
<br />
There could be days of parties without 'offices' (remember the recent Arab spring) and permanent members; politics will win, so will the nation and its people. Over to the black swans now.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-46136360957699336832012-01-09T21:39:00.000+05:302012-01-09T21:39:31.669+05:30What if this wasn't the case?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"What if this wasn't the case?", is a pretty handy question to ask at most situations, if not all. Depending on when you ask this, and who you ask this to (yourself or others), it could work in various ways, for instance, it could either motivate you to do something or could instantly bring in humility. It is a great leveller, and works everytime.<br />
<br />
Let's just say, you won a million bucks from sweep stakes; or achieved that dream of yours and ask yourself this question. It could work as a great reality check and ensure you don't get carried away in the moment. Now, let's flip the scenario and say, you're depressed or have failed at something important. Asking yourself this question"what if this wasn't the case?", suddenly changes the focus from failure to "next steps" or solution. Also, you could get inspired by visualizing scenarios of how you can be successful and pretty much be planning to take another shot, having learnt from the failure.<br />
<br />
If you'd ask the question when you're brain storming to come up with cheaper and better ways of doing things, it could just open up possibilities by challenging status-quo with all might. A seemingly simple question "what if this wasn't the case?" could turn the situation on its head, and hence of great use for change or innovation. It could particularly prove useful in testing of hypotheses, until all possible scenarios are identified.<br />
<br />
Ofcourse, you could overuse and keep asking yourself the question a lot of times, which would then lead you away from the situation at hand and perhaps induce long spells of day dreaming (:-), which is what one needs to watch out for. Because, like all good tools it could only help if used in the intended manner. What if this wasn't the case? <br />
<br />
It could also plant in feelings of gratitude and happiness, if asked once every morning. A great start to each day, indeed. Now, what if this wasn't the case?<br />
<br />
</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-14808378916391631992012-01-07T00:03:00.000+05:302012-01-08T21:41:27.033+05:30What we need now is more than a CEO - a PEO!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
With due respects to the great women and men who adorned this role and brought new meaning to the title with their inspirational leadership, could a CEO do more, adding to the ever expanding paradigm? Because, what we really need now, is more than a CEO.<br />
<br />
True, that we expect the CEO of today to set the vision for the company, build the right culture, assign resources, create and manage the structure, direct effort, mobilize and optimally utilize funds, be the (much visible) face of the organization and keep a lot of stake holders happy, all while focusing on the top and bottom lines in the process. This is like juggling a lot of balls while jumping on a trampoline! Thankfully, she also builds a capable leadership team around her to help orchestrate the effort.<br />
<br />
Amidst all of these ever rising expectations from others and self, there is a good chance that the CEO loses touch with ground reality, gets over enthusiastic about appeasing the share holding population (including herself), focuses exclusively on business results with the over bearing quarter on quarter pressure; and not realize (or even ignore) the impact on her other stake holders - employees and their families, partners and vendors, society, and the world at large. We've seen these instances more often in the last 5 years, than perhaps in the previous 50! Having seen 'larger than life' CEOs, it's time for more than a CEO.<br />
<br />
A few exceptional CEOs do care, in deed, about these things too and those are the ones we really look up to and read books about. They are extra-ordinary not (only) because they had the best brains in the business, but because they did things they were never rewarded to do. We need more of them, who are more than a CEO.<br />
<br />
Hence the proposition of a Prime Executive Officer (PEO), who'd be expected to be CEO++, à la<strong> </strong>the Prime Minister being responsible for more, than a Chief Minister, in a parliamentary form of democracy. The PEO is the new normal, the revised (post recession) expectation which should be measurable and the PEO accountable to a larger section of society than she is today. The PEO has more skin in the game and her pay and emoluments perhaps would also be linked to audit results (business, financial, safety, health, environment and societal impact) and satisfaction scores from stake holders, to begin with.<br />
<br />
Why change the name? Well, without arguing a lot with Shakespeare, the theory is that PEO could be "old wine, new bottle"; but without this, everything is still the same old!</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-16161768705340244422012-01-04T15:21:00.000+05:302012-01-04T19:54:55.070+05:30Thank God, it's a Wednesday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u><strong>WEDNESDAY, Ahoy!</strong></u></span> </span></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">W</b>eek after week,
it happens.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E</b>very Monday goes
looking back more than ahead;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">D</b>ay that follows,
goes in planning for the week that is.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">N</b>ext comes Wednesday,
when you live (in) the present.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">E</b>nding Thursday,
I plan for the week next;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">S</b>aturday is for
friends and family, Friday goes planning for this.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">D</b>on’t disturb me
on Sunday, coz it’s “me-time”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A</b>ll week goes by,
before one could spell “Wednesday”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Y</b>ou then wait for
what’s coming up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A</b>nd then, I
realize</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">h</b>ow, when I’m
at the top of my game,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">o</b>n a song, do
more and get closer to my goal;</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">y</span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">es, it’s always a Wednesday!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Notes:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. Research proves that people are most productive during the middle of the week. Wednesday, in particular has that special aura around it, it's the exact middle of the week, when one doesn't look back too much and doesn't plan future a lot. Wednesday is about living in the present, executing the plan, with the re-assurance that there is still a good part of the week left to finish what one has begun. It's the closest one can get to Nirvana/a neutral mindframe in the week long madness, that engulfs a lot of us these days. Thank God, it's a Wednesday. Enjoy your Wednesday!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. An acrostic is a poem which spells out a word or idea (in this case, WEDNESDAY Ahoy!).</span></div>
</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-43379805667702784032011-12-28T15:42:00.000+05:302012-01-04T20:25:54.443+05:30Bouncing back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When life drops you; it only wants to see you bounce back, higher. Bouncing back each time one gets dropped is what separates 'winners' from the rest.<br />
<br />
While there are quite a few factors to achieve success, in whatever it is that you're after, the 'one' that is most important is - perseverance. Bouncing back and keeping at it, when you're NOT at your best, is what has gotten results to each one, every single time that (s)he has yearned for anything.<br />
<br />
Life could get rough, real tough at times and the goal you've set could appear distant. When that happens, don't waste time procrastinating or cursing your luck, because that is what it really is - waste of time. Instead, start bouncing back from that very moment you fall (or fail), to get the headstart and gain momentum. There will be better times to rest. Now's the time to be bouncing back.<br />
<br />
Collect all you've got, analyze the situation and by all means, make course corrections where warranted, and bounce back. Take advice from friends, learn from your experience and others', think and be positive, work harder and you're sure to be bouncing back. Sounds simple, but not easy without your perseverance, that is.<br />
<br />
Be a leader. Lead your life to the greatness it deserves. Bouncing back, each time you fall.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-58361942068733390522011-12-23T21:09:00.000+05:302011-12-27T10:56:29.574+05:30The power of SMALL teams<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The real power and potential of SMALL teams.<br />
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead.<br />
<br />
We've often heard about the virtue of 'BIG' and 'LARGE' and it has its rightful place in the world. There are distinctive advantages of a large operation or team, but let's examine what being 'small' truly means and the potential of a small organization or team.<br />
<br />
Small teams yield power, sometimes beyond their imagination, however counter intuitive it may sound. Smaller teams means being nimble, flexible and hungrier, which help them to be more customer oriented than larger teams and organizations. Small and stable teams over a period of time, develop the togetherness and bonding which large teams can seldom replicate.<br />
<br />
Smaller teams have lesser decision lags, act faster, are quicker to change and provide a good breeding ground for innovation. Its easier for the smaller teams to look in 'one' direction and communicate effectively than it is for any large group. Also, there's less of pointing fingers, no working in 'silos' and 'escapism', given the small size of the team, which brings in more accountability and ownership. All of this produce more value to the customers, better profitability for the organization and more purpose for the people involved.<br />
<br />
We will all do ourselves a favor by recognizing the "power of small teams" and leveraging that wisely. Large organizations could be well served by a cluster of 'small teams', but the biggest benefactor of this fact should be the "small organizations". Internet and digital media have anyway levelled the play ground to a very large extent already. It is now for the smaller teams and organizations to believe in their power and themselves. <br />
<br />
Finally, it is the larger trees that fall hardest in a storm; the smaller ones withstand it better.<br />
Herald the power of the small teams. Small is indeed BIG!</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-53660727646948869952011-12-23T00:21:00.000+05:302011-12-26T01:26:30.224+05:30Being happy is a choice!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You could be glad, mad or sad at anything or anyone at anytime. Choose to be happy because being happy is a choice you make, it is a state of mind. <br />
<br />
Most often we think of happiness as the "prize" we win after achieving a goal, conquering the enemy, accomplishing that big project, meeting that deadline and so on; while happiness is actually the fuel in your vehicle that takes you to these successes. It may seem like a paradox, but you don't get happiness when you succeed,, being happy helps you succeed. In other words, happiness preceeds success always. If that's not the case, it is just an accident and accidents don't happen all the time (thankfully).<br />
<br />
Happy people make the most of their time and life, can be more determined, are more respectful of others, show gratitude and appreciate, celebrate and share, and are generally more optimistic of results and hence, they do more and expect nicer things. Now, that sounds like the recipe of success itself.<br />
<br />
You don't need to be trained in psychology to figure a happy person when you see one. He or she radiates that feeling and guess what, it is infectious too. You'd like to hang around with these guys more often that not, coz they make you happy also.<br />
<br />
It must've been said a zillion times earlier that life is about choices. The biggest choice anyone needs to make on how they lead their lives though, seems to be between being happy or not, more dependent on you than the situation. And the choice we make can take us on totally different paths which don't seem to cross, unless ofcourse we change course mid-way, in our minds that is. <br />
<br />
Every situation, any day and each moment presents you with the choice. Choose to be happy! <br />
Now and always.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-78464204096422711092011-12-17T20:24:00.000+05:302011-12-19T20:25:07.580+05:30Fifties is the new thirties!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Fifties definitely seem to be the new thirties. Look at all the movie stars, the "young CEO's" and the like; chances are quite a few of them are nearing their fifties, with a few on the wrong side of it too. Increased self-awareness, the interest to keep oneself in top shape and ofcourse, medical advances are clearly helping the determined lot, to look and feel good. <br />
<br />
This is great news because people are leading more active lifestyles than before, exploring outdoors more frequently, finding hobbies and doing the things that they've always wanted to do. Atleast when you look at cities in the world (the rural landscapes in the emerging and under-developed economies may tell a different story though). Not just are these folks delaying the ageing process but are finding more meaning, given they're accomplishing more with the same time in hand. Fifties hurrah!<br />
<br />
While fifties may be the new thirties, the reverse may also be true. Thirties is indeed (and fast) becoming the new fifties from a healthcare perspective, rather unfortunately. The number of people who're suffering strokes in their thirties just seems to increase by the day, a lot more people in their thirties complain of stress and anxiety related to it, and other lifestyle diseases. <br />
<br />
In a way, the new divide between people seems to be "healthy" and the "not-so"; and this gap seems to widen each passing year.<br />
<br />
For the cricket fans amongst us, the new format of the game (read T20) actually records the number of times a batsman scores a "30", instead of "50" as recorded all this while in more traditional formats of the game.<br />
<br />Well, then; herald the new equation: <br />
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Fifties is the new thirties. Thirties is the new fifties.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-80664247734287465042011-12-13T21:07:00.000+05:302011-12-16T12:43:39.902+05:30Building a culture through right incentives<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What you incentivize, positively or negatively, over a period of time, becomes your culture.<br />
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Incentives are the real key to understand human behaviour, whether in isolation or in a society. Incentives work for kids in a big way (ask the parents and teachers), while they are equally effective for large organizations and countries.<br />
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Incentives, both positive and negative, could come in a variety of shapes and sizes; also, one size may not fit all. Some could be in the form of an admiring glance, a gentle nod of the head or a Nobel prize; could also be a mild reprimand or the threat of a full-blown war, and in each case, incentives could motivate behaviour change. What makes this change long-lasting and a culture, is the commitment and consistency. Incentivizing the behaviour or act, over and over again until it is internalized and becomes a 'way of life' could be the most effective way of "building" or "changing" a culture. <br />
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While small adjustments in the culture may require simple incentives, big change calls for an "incentive environment" with a good mix of positive and negative incentives disbursed at regular intervals. While this seems simple and common sensical, this could perhaps be the biggest challenge of world leaders, CEO's, NGO's and any other change agent.<br />
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So much so that, designing and implementing incentives for the group could perhaps be one of the most important tasks of a leader. A great plan without the proper incentives could well mean the results not meeting expectations, and could leave a lot of us wondering why things don't work as per plan.<br />
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Finally, change doesn't happen overnight and one can't rush it either. But the surest way to make it happen and help it last, is through placing the right incentive. <br />
Now, what was the change you were dying to see...<br />
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<br /></div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-56687606542518005932011-12-05T15:38:00.001+05:302011-12-05T18:37:07.429+05:30An ode to team spirit!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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PUBLISH OR POST THIS ARTICLE</div>
Feel free to publish this article as long as the tagline (above) with links is included, and no changes are made to the article. <br />
Would appreciate if you could share a copy of your publication or provide the link where it is posted.</div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com1Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.594562712.724026199999999 77.2787057 13.2191712 77.910419699999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-47745251474326746972011-12-02T21:14:00.001+05:302011-12-27T10:58:43.294+05:30Fail well. Fail successfully.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Failing is inevitable, every once in a while. Fail well. Fail successfully!<br />
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Success is kind of over rated in our society; we are trained to succeed, we are expected and paid to succeed. Yet, one can't win "all" and remain sane. Spare a moment for the less-celebrated twin. Imagine if there is no failure interspersed, consistent success would create monsters, out of otherwise nice people. Success is a transitionary phase on the path which more often than not presents failure, yet another transitionary phase in itself. So, if failure is inevitable, we'd rather fail well.<br />
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Failure is an unintended outcome of a process merely, and not necessarily a "bad" outcome always. In fact, some unintended or accidental results of experiments (read failures) have resulted in phenomenal success either instantly or at a different time. Penicillin, plastic, our beloved Coca cola, this tiny engineering marvel which beats like the heart (pacemaker) are all results of failed experiments. Thank god for those failures (which failed well).<br />
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While at it, let's not look forward to failing. By all means, let's expect everything we do to succeed, but be more tolerant and respective of failure, when that happens; more importantly, not be afraid of it. Let's be a sport and take it in our stride (remember when you're playing against worthy opponents, like you do when you take on life, fate, your dreams or other people, the probability of success is not 100% ever). Fail often. Fail well. Keep failing until you succeed.<br />
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The best ofcourse is to remain neutral to, and stay unaffected by success or failure, but alas, only the best amongst men (as in people) can do that. Hence, let's take the easier alternative of <strong>embracing failure</strong>, accepting the fact that things don't necessarily pan out the way we intended (always) and make peace with the situation, and may I say - celebrate failure! For what is failing well, if we can't enjoy being taught by the best teacher there is, take a deep breath, introspect (as to what could've been done differently) and carry on the journey. And, round the corner lies success, waiting for you take the next bend on the road. (Hurray! I failed). Fail well. Fail successfully.<br />
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<br /></div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32148520758403750.post-8041677801926752902011-11-28T17:24:00.001+05:302011-12-26T01:25:05.711+05:30I am with you!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Neither ahead nor behind<br />
Not higher up or down below<br />
but WITH you! I am with you.<br />
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Walking alongside on your journey, holding you when you need help, being there when something goes wrong, pulling you up when the chips are down, nudging you to be better than you already are, caring for you, sharing with you the joys and laughter, smiling and showing that little gesture to say "You really are special" and "I am with you"<br />
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Now, who wouldn't want people like that around (or should I say WITH) us. It's only when we get into these shoes that we see how difficult this 'seemingly simple' thing to do actually is. It's easy to give an opinion, pass a judgement, form a bias, comment and criticise than being WITH people.<br />
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Most of us are so lost in being ahead or above each other, that we don't actually be WITH each other. There is this mad race, the one upmanship, the ego wars, the personality clashes, the power struggles, the "what's in it for me?", jealousy, indifference, the desire to win 'at any cost'; that clouds judgement and blurs the vision of 'purpose in life'. <br />
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Whenever someone is WITH their friend, their spouse, their neighbour, their leader or for that matter, anyone; the results have been phenomenal, beyond logic or math, and can show how people come together to make forces much beyond the arithmetic sum of all constituents. Efficiencies multiply, productivity increases dramatically, the belief system is in place and NO goal beyond reach. I am with you.<br />
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The world would just magically transform itself to a different and better place if most of us think and do like that. Consider, I'm not suggesting all of us being like that always with everyone; it may not be possible. Also, consider, people are different from each other, sometimes very much so in how they think and live. Your values and belief systems should allow you for this to happen, but let's agree to be WITH the ones we can be WITH. I am with you.<br />
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Starting with you and me, how many people can we be WITH? Let's challenge ourselves to be WITH ten people each (a number that we can count on our fingers and yet something that would take a special effort). No hurry, as long as we can stand and walk with them in our lifetime. Not for feeling good, not for the hope that someday they will repay, not with any deal or condition, but, just like that - I AM WITH YOU, come what may!<br />
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<br /></div>Niranjan Rao Reddyshettyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04585943993160783751noreply@blogger.com3