AIMKAAM THE MOTIVATOR - Creating success for you!

JOBS IN BPOs

2012-01-02T03:55:00.000-08:00

Job Title: Executive - Semi Voice - InboundJob Description

* Semi Voice - Inbound
* Any Degree - Only freshers need to apply.
* B.A., B.Com, B.Sc., BBA or any other degree
* Vacancies in world class global BPOs/KPOs
* Joining bonus
* Cab pick up and drop
* Registration required which is valid for three months or possible
extension till you grab a job with your talent
* Free training in technical and HR interview skills before sending for interview
* ONLY HYDERABAD CANDIDATES NEED TO APPLY.

APPLY IN CONFIDENCE AND SEND YOUR CV TO : aim@aimkaam.com

Sri Poornanandam Bhajamyaham Slideshow Slideshow

2011-12-26T05:14:00.000-08:00

Sri Poornanandam Bhajamyaham Slideshow Slideshow: TripAdvisor™ TripWow ★ Sri Poornanandam Bhajamyaham Slideshow Slideshow ★ to Hyderabad. Stunning free travel slideshows on TripAdvisor

Challa S.S.J. Ram Phani's Expert Author Email Alerts

EzineArticles.com

aimkaam students achievements!

2011-10-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

Our students got offer letters from TCS and Accenture

Hearty congratulations from aimkaam!

Students participating in the Aptitude Test

Challa S.S.J.Ram Phani, CEO, aimkaam consultrainers explaining about Group Discussion

Campus Recruitment Training from aimkaam is highly result oriented!

10 students out of 36 students of Sri Sathya Sai Study Circle are recruited TCS And Also, 2 students among the remaining 26 are selected by ACCENTURE

Group discussion is elimination round; not elevation round!

Sri Sathya Sai Study Circle organized monthly program in Campus Recruitment Training and the topic of the week is ‘Group Discussion’. Students participated were divided into two groups and they have practiced group discussion which is the basis of all Campus Recruitment drives. Students from Bhoj Reddy Engineering College for Women, CMR Engineering College, MVSR Engineering College participated in the group discussions and enjoyed the session. Students got the salient features of GD and understood the points about how to initiate, participate and conclude the group discussions. Mr.Phani revealed the secret of group discussions to the students and made them feel the key points by creating the environment of group discussion with related topics like ‘Participation of Youth in Politics’ and ‘Higher Education in India is not up to the mark’. And followed by a “Mock Test” for developing the aptitude skills with in the individuals which was the main criteria for all the Campus Recruitment Programs.
Mr.P.V.Sastry, Convener, Koti Seva Samiti facilitated the program.The next program will be conducted on 14th August Sunday at 10 AM.
For further details contact Mr.P.V.Sastry : 9440409410
These programs with in a short period of time left a great impact in imparting knowledge into the students and show a great progress in the success graph.
1.The Campus selection drive was conducted in their respective colleges on 24th -26th August 2011 by Tata Consultancy Services
2. 2nd -3rd September 2011 by Accenture.
So far ,488 students have appeared for the written test out of which 108 students are finally recruited by Tata Consultancy and among them 10 students out of 36 students of Sri Sathya Sai Study Circle are recruited. And Also, 2 students among the remaining 26 are selected by Accenture.

We hope and pray to Swamy that all the other students will be recruited in the forth coming Campus Recruitment drives by MNC’s like Mahindra Satyam who will be conducting the drive on 15th Sept,2011, HCL etc.

My articles on Soft Skills referred as Lessons in USA

2010-09-01T21:14:00.000-07:00

I am happy to inform you that my articles on Soft Skills published online by rediff.com got incredible appreciation from colleges and Universities across the world and they are used as references by many colleges, among which the prominent is Elgin Community College, Elgin, Illinois, USA. My sincere thanks to Beverly Augustine and Michael Segreto of Elgin Community College, Elgin,IL for their initiative and excellent research on soft skills.

The following will take you to the content in which they referred my link to the articles on soft skills (P.13).

http://www.slideshare.net/ramphani/technology-soft-skills
http://www.box.net/shared/7gz5vvochv
http://www.entrepreneurship.co.in/2010/07/my-professional-journey-challa-ssjram.html

Your feedback is highly appreciated.

A Professional Degree Can Not Guarantee A Plum Job

2010-07-29T00:25:00.000-07:00

If you are a student in an engineering or MBA institute that is not among the top 100 in the country, there are chances that you might not get a placement or might have to settle for a very average pay. This is irrespective of the economic scenario and the hiring plans of companies. A survey covering 200 engineering colleges and 200 MBA institutes beyond the top 100 reveals that, on an average, only 15-20% engineering students, and about only 30-40% management students get placed. Moreover, the average salaries for the engineering passouts range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000 per month, while for MBA graduates, they are between the Rs 12,000-15,000 band. The survey by Elements Akademia, a talent and training company, covered 20 cities including Kanpur, Bhopal, Indore, Coimbatore, Madurai and Ahmedabad over two years from 2008. It evaluated placements and salaries of the last three years.

Become Trainer to beat recession!

2009-07-17T00:54:00.000-07:00

Dear friend,
Are you HR Professional with less exposure to Training and Development? Became an arm chair philosopher or enjoying life in recession or struggling to find out yourself to become a brand in the recession hit market? This is right time to become full fledged Soft Skills/Corporate Trainer.
Join aimkaam's specially designed online course in T&D to learn the nuances of Training and to become result oriented effective Triner. Courseware is of global standards to make you understand the intricacies of training and 24 hours online support to clear your doubts related to the modules.
A Certificate will be awarded after completion of the course to enhance your confidence and help grab training assignments in your field of expertise.
Mail me back @ cramaphani@yahoo.com for further details. Limited seats only for effective interaction.
Looking forward to train you and open new doors of opportunities exclusively for you.
Sincerely,
Challa S.S.J.Ram Phani
CTF, CAMI, USA
9247431892My articles: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Challa_S.S.J._Ram_Phani
My slideshare : http://www.slideshare.net/ramphani
My blog: http://aimkaam-the-motivator.blogspot.com/
On rediff.com: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm
On rediff.com: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/09soft.htm
On linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/phani4aimkaam
On TRCB:http://www.trcb.com/a/cramaphani.htm
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On Twitter: http://twitter.com/cramaphani
Face me on Facebook : facebook.com/challa.ssj.ram.phani.
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My layoff story

2009-03-05T23:39:00.000-08:00

I wish to share my layoff story with my fellow Netizens across the globe. It is really sad that I rushed madly to run after opportunities and landed innocently in this middle class landmine called ‘recession’, which is the result of greediness of IT industry bigwigs and globalization! It is funny that Indian Government is giving statements that there is no recession in India . With great perseverance, only to catch up with the nexgen at the age of 40+ and with a curiosity for first hand information to know the inside great stories of affluence, I got into the IT industry in October, 2007 and my CMD got the smell of ‘recession’ by October 2008 and asked me to issue pink slips. At first we stopped increments and finding ways to identify non-performers. I have finished the task with great pain and felt that they are cursing me and I may lose my job. To my utter amazement, finally, the compass of ‘layoff’ started pointing out towards me. I came out gently and struggled for four months. Sometimes paying bills of all sorts and sometimes at a time with my multi tasking skills, I could pay two installments. Till now, I could not grab a job to suit my experience and competence even after four months. I enjoyed the ‘recession gap’ with my kids for one month and afterwards got the heat of that with the bills piling up day-by-day. Finally, just last month, I could convince myself soulfully, that I must grab a job even with a pay cut. Just two weeks ago I joined as Senior Manager – HR and Admin in a Company with 40% pay and using my other skills like soft skills training to fill the gap in my wallet. Many of my friends and students call me daily ‘Sir, are there any vacancies’! A gloomy silence is only my reply. I am happy for not getting any phones from Banks pursuing for credit cards and loans. Now, I am learning on how to face future with this mismatch of designation and pay and also struggling to find out training assignments to meet the minimum needs. I request my fellow victims to divert their attention from the pain of this unexpected loss and involve in the most lovable activity they like with all the passion it demands. Then only you can see this phase pass without much pain. This is just another phase my friends! Just pray for your friends to overcome this unexpected challenge and help others if you can. Amen!

My articles: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Challa_S.S.J.Ram_Phani
On rediff.com: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm
On rediff.com: http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/09soft.htm
On linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/phani4aimkaam
On ecademy: http://www.ecademy.com/account.php?id=140810
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Chiranjeevi's soft Skills in India's hard politics

2008-09-15T23:17:00.000-07:00

Dear friend,
I just want to understand how popular is our Chiranjeevi globally, who is giving sleepless nights to the politicians of Andhra Pradesh, whom the politicians of different oppositions are trying to woo and extending their supporting hand and inspired Rajnikanth also to spell his political plans.
Here is my article for you to read and enjoy on our own Chiranjeevi on the american website of articles http://www.ezinearticles.com/
Click on the below link to read and do not forget to add your comments:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Chiranjeevis-Soft-Skills-in-Indias-Hard-Politics!&id=1458428
hope you will enjoy reading !
Click on the links below to read my articles and to become member in my groups.
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Challa_S.S.J.Ram_Phani
http://aimkaam-the%20motivator.blogspot.com/
/http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm
http://www.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/09soft.htm
http://www.linkedin.com/in/phani4aimkaam
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1 Millionth Human Reviewed Article Accepted

2008-06-12T06:52:00.000-07:00

There is a new comment on the post "1 Millionth Human Reviewed Article Accepted". http://blog.ezinearticles.com/2008/06/1-millionth-human-reviewed-article-accepted.html Trina Roach said: Congratulations to you and the folks at ezinearticles.com, Chris! It's a great honor for my work to be recognized in this way. This site offers professionals like myself an amazing opportunity to write about the things we are passionate about, and share our knowledge with people everywhere. It's humbling to be a part of a group so eager and willing to support others in their quest for personal and professional. This is a wonderful resource of which I am very proud to be a part!
All the best!
Trina

My experiences with Stevia! My ambrosia for healthy living!

2008-05-11T22:23:00.000-07:00

Being a corporate trainer in Soft Skills, I have to stand and deliver lectures and training sessions for two to three hours continuously. Suddenly one fine day, I have discovered that I got this deadly but sweet disease called ‘Diabetes’! Naturally, like anybody else, I was panic in the beginning. When I visited my home city Hyderabad, I heard about this wonder herbal controller of Diabetes ‘Stevia’.
‘Stevia’ is well known worldwide as three hundred percent more sweeter herb than sugar. Now, people discovered that most of our diseases caused due to the volume of sugar use in day-to-day life.
To carry on with my professional life and to fulfill my dreams and ambitions, I have switched to ‘Stevia’, which has become my companion for cheerful life for the past six years. Amazing, it was it has become a part of my family life and my wife has endorsed the product in a local TV channel as she also enjoyed the benefit of using ‘Stevia’ and got rid of her painful units of using insulin, three times a day.
Unknowingly and enthusiastically, to spread the holy message of the benefits of using this wonder herb called ‘Stevia’, our family has become its brand ambassador voluntarily for the service of the community in which we are living.
People were very much impressed with the diabetes controlling abilities of ‘Stevia’, and we have become very popular among our network of friends and family members. Now, we made the propagation of this ‘Stevia’ as our life mission to help build a diabetes free society. I strongly recommend Stevia for a stress free and healthy living.
History of Stevia
If you've ever tasted Stevia, you know it's extremely sweet. In fact, this remarkable no caloric herb, native to Paraguay, has been used as a sweetener and flavor enhancer for centuries. But this innocuous-looking plant has also been a focal point of intrigue in the United States in recent years because of actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has handled the subject of searches and seizures, trade complaints and embargoes on importation, stevia at times as if it were an illegal drug.

Since the passage of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), Stevia can be sold legally in the United States, but only as a "dietary supplement." Even so, it can be found in many forms in most health-food stores, and is also incorporated into drinks, teas and other items (all labeled as "dietary supplements"). It cannot, however, be called a "sweetener" or even referred to as "sweet." To do so would render the product "adulterated," according to the FDA, and make it again subject to seizure.
Stevia in India
Stevia was recently introduced in India, and is still not so popular and very few people are introduced to this wonder herbal plant. A nature’s gift – The only internationally recognized zero calorie, having medicinal values and safest herbal sweetener.It can be used for many ailments like: Ø ObesityØ High Blood pressureØ Dental / ThroatØ Skin care / Anti-wrinkleØ ProstateØ DigestionØ AddictionØ Cold / FluSTEVIA is a substitute to cane sugar/aspartame/saccharine in various preparations like coffee, tea, cool drinks, sweets etc., available in the form of leaf, powder and liquid. It is 25-30 times sweeter than cane sugar.STEVIA is being used extensively in all major countries like America, Japan, China, Brazil etc., with the recognition of their respective Governments. Now, being cultivated in Hyderabad (first time in India) for the benefit of Diabetic patients.STEVIA is rich with nutritional values and hence, can be used by children to old aged, healthy or unhealthy, for remedial as well as prevention.I request my entire fellow Diabetes worldwide to try Stevia and stay healthy for the rest of your life.
If you wish to know more details and availability of Stevia in India, for your healthy and holistic living mail me at ramphani@gmail.com
(Part of the information used in this article is collected from www.stevia.net and a book titled Stevia – A miracle plant for Human Health by R.K.Maiti and S.S.Purohit assisted by K.V.Ramana Rao, CMD, Trisakthi Farms, Hyderabad)

An exclusive article by Ira Chaleff for aimkaam !

2007-03-31T00:12:00.000-07:00

Dear friends,

I am extremely happy to inform you that Mr.Ira Chaleff has sent an exclusive article for the benefit of our aimkaam group and hope it will enhance our learning experience to face new professional challenges ahead.

On behalf of aimkaam group and our fellow netizens, I appreciate and express my gratitude to Mr.Ira Chaleff, award winning writer of the book 'Courageous follower' which is highly relevant in these days of attrition and unproductive employee relations in the workplace.

The following is the letter from Ira Chaleff, followed by his article, appreciating the efforts of aimkom which strives to reach out people from all walks of life and committed to serve Society to empower youth through Soft Skills training and development.
____________________________________________________________________________________

My Dear Rama Phani,

I appreciate the fine work you are doing. If you would care to make this article available to your students, clients or readers please feel free to share it. It is good that there are voices like your introducing these concepts in the evolving India culture.

Respectfully,

Ira Chaleff
President
Executive Coaching & Consulting Associates
513 Capital Court NE
Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002

T: 202 544 0097
E. ira.chaleff@exe-coach.com
W. www.exe-coach.com

Author of the award winning book The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders, Berrett-Koehler, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ASKING THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION, LISTENING TO THE CHALLENGING ANSWERS

One of the most important skills of the effective executive is the ability to ask powerful questions. Powerful questions are those that cause people to examine their assumptions and opinions, their methods of arriving at conclusions and their unexamined predispositions that limit their awareness of options. One powerful question can lead to reinventing an entire business or, for that matter, a life. More mundanely, it can create the conditions for project success, client satisfaction, or a problem’s solution.

But it is not just the executive who should be free to ask powerful questions. If those around the executive are also encouraged to develop this faculty, an executive team becomes both a source of continuous breakthroughs and a self-correcting organism.

Regardless of who asks the powerful question, those involved in the conversation must be willing to hear powerful answers. Powerful answers often challenge the assumptions of the question itself and, by extension, the assumptions of the questioner. Their value, therefore, is only as great as the questioner’s capacity to hear answers implicitly challenging their paradigm. In the case of the senior executive, his or her strategy or very vision may come into question. It requires a confident and balanced leader to allow questioning that probes to this depth.

Instinctively, the leader may react to defend the foundation of the strategy or vision. Whether these should or shouldn’t be defended, the effect of the leader’s defensive response can shut off further powerful exploration of the most important issues the organization faces. Therefore, the senior executive must occasionally use the most powerful question in his or her arsenal:

• “Is there anything I do that discourages giving me your fully candid views on the most important issues facing us?”

Over time, that question must be varied to retain its power. The following may not sound like the same question but they serve the same purpose of discovering blockages to critical dialogue.

• “What, in your view, are my strengths? Do they ever get in the way of examining deeply enough what we are doing?”
• Is there anything you have tried telling me recently that I don’t seem willing to hear or don’t fully get?
• Is there anything everyone is convinced I will never change my mind about?
• How can I help create the conditions for more healthy robust disagreement in our dialogue?
• Is there anything I would probably consider heresy that we should talk about anyway?

It’s a truism that we usually can’t see past our current paradigm, or way of viewing the world. There is a natural tendency to dismiss, discount or disapprove of questions or ideas that seem ignorant or flaunting of our paradigm, of how we think the world works. Yet these may be the most important questions or ideas for us to hear.

Our instinctive defense of our paradigm, combined with the power of our position, dissuades others from questioning too hard or answering too forthrightly. And thus we are left with blind spots that are larger and more dangerous than they need be.

Occasionally turning the searchlight of powerful questions onto ourselves can illuminate that which is unseen and on which dialogue, innovation and self correction all stumble. Ask a few of these questions and be very disciplined about listening to the answers. See what you learn. Then ask new powerful questions.

Ira Chaleff
President Executive Coaching & Consulting Associates
Author: The Courageous Follower: Standing Up To and For Our Leaders, 2nd edition, Berrett-Koehler, 2003

My articles on ezinearticles.com

2007-02-07T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hi,

I am extremely happy to inform you that after rediff.com, ezinearticles.com has uploaded two of my articles and given me the expert author status after due assessment.

The following is the link to the articles :

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Challa_S.S.J.Ram_Phani

Awaiting your valuable feedback.

Wish to join aimkom : Click on this link : aimkom-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

My articles on rediff.com

2007-01-15T20:25:00.000-08:00

Hello friend,

I am happy to inform you that my articles on 'soft skills' (dealing with basics of soft skills) have been uploaded on 8th and 9th January, 2007. You may see the mixed response on the articles and they were well received by the netizens all over the world. The articles were under the most popular category for nearly five days. Your feedback will help me to write more such articles which would strengthen my mission - 'Serving Society through Soft Skills'!

Click on the links below to read the articles:

http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/08soft.htm
http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2007/jan/09soft.htm

My opinion on Workplace behaviour in 4 Ps !

2007-01-04T03:22:00.000-08:00

Here is an interesting article published in 4 Ps, a mag from Planman group, an associate concern of IIPM.

Incidentally, they took my opinion while compiling this article. You can find the same in the article.

Click on the link, read, enjoy and naturally expecting feedback/discussion from your side. How do you feel about this in your workplace and ur experiences?!

http://www.4psbusinessandmarketing.com/storyd.asp?sid=121&pageno=1

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007 FROM AIMKOM !

2006-12-30T03:39:00.000-08:00

WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS AND EVENTFUL NEW YEAR 2007 !

Encouraging feedback for the efforts of aimkom!

2006-10-07T03:19:00.000-07:00

Respected Phani...

Nice to be be member of your group.
How are you? Hope u are doing well...Its nice to c ur mail in our group...
I am an active member of MTHRGLOBAL...
Basically from Bangalore, running IT Consulting
I like your articles - Your articles are thought provoking

I like your blog...
http://aimkom- the-motivator. blogspot. com

Hope we stay in touch.....
Take care
With Warm Regards
Sharan
Head-Operations
CTC HR Solutions Bangalore India
Telecom Application Embedded HardwareMob:-9845925075 Direct:-080-65764611 www.ctc-hr.in sharan@ctc-hr.in
WORK...Keep Digging Your Well. Don't Think About Getting Off From Work!.. Water Is There Somewhere...

Icebreakers infinite !

2006-09-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

I could not resist but to link these two links to my blog. You will find these links highly resourceful, exciting and interesting. You have no choice but to agree with me after clicking and going through the user friendly contents.

Click and enjoy :

http://goldstarservice.typepad.com/trainingtools

http://www.icebreakersfortraining.com

Manager's Mental Health

2006-08-25T01:55:00.000-07:00

Sound mental health is the very goal of any human activity more so management. An expert describes sound mental health as that state of mind which can maintain a calm, positive poise or regain it when unsettled in the midst of all the external vagaries of work life and social existence. Internal constancy and peace are the pre- requisites for a healthy stress-free mind.
Some of the impediments to sound mental health are :
* Greed -for power, position, prestige and money.
* Envy -regarding others' achievements, success, rewards.
* Egotism -about one's own accomplishments.
* Suspicion, anger and frustration.
* Anguish through comparisons.

The driving forces in today's rat-race are speed and greed as well as ambition and competition. The natural fallout from these forces is erosion of one's ethico-moral fibre which supersedes the value system as a means in the entrepreneurial path like tax evasion, undercutting, spreading canards against the competitors, entrepreneurial spying, instigating industrial strife in the business rivals' establishments etc. Although these practices are taken as normal business hazards for achieving progress, they always end up as a pursuit of mirage -the more the needs the more the disappointments. This phenomenon may be called as yayati-syndrome.

In Mahabharata we come across a king called Yayati who, in order to revel in the endless enjoyment of flesh exchanged his old age with the youth of his obliging youngest son for a mythical thousand years. However, he lost himself in the pursuit of sensual enjoyments and felt penitent. He came back to his son pleading to take back his youth. This yayati syndrome shows the conflict between externally directed acquisitions, motivations and inner reasoning, emotions and conscience.

Gita tells us how to get out of this universal phenomenon by prescribing the following capsules.
Cultivate sound philosophy of life.

* Identify with inner core of self-sufficiency
* Get out of the habitual mindset towards the pairs of opposites.
* Strive for excellence through work is worship.
* Build up an internal integrated reference point to face contrary impulses, and emotions
* Pursue ethico-moral rectitude.
* Cultivating this understanding by a manager would lead him to emancipation from falsifying ego-conscious state of confusion and distortion, to a state of pure and free mind i.e. universal, supreme consciousness wherefrom he can prove his effectiveness in discharging whatever duties that have fallen to his domain.

Bhagawan's advice is relevant here :
* "tasmaat sarveshu kaaleshu mamanusmarah yuddha cha"
* 'Therefore under all circumstances remember Me and then fight' (Fight means perform your duties)
* Management Needs those Who Practise what they Preach

Whatever the excellent and best ones do, the commoners follow, so says Sri Krishna in the Gita. This is the leadership quality prescribed in the Gita. The visionary leader must also be a missionary, extremely practical, intensively dynamic and capable of translating dreams into reality. This dynamism and strength of a true leader flows from an inspired and spontaneous motivation to help others. "I am the strength of those who are devoid of personal desire and attachment. O Arjuna, I am the legitimate desire in those, who are not opposed to righteousness" says Sri Krishna in the 10th Chapter of the Gita.

Greats on Gita !

2006-08-25T01:46:00.000-07:00

"No work in all Indian literature is more quoted, because none is better loved, in the West, than the Bhagavad-gita. Translation of such a work demands not only knowledge of Sanskrit, but an inward sympathy with the theme and a verbal artistry. For the poem is a symphony in which God is seen in all things....The Swami does a real service for students by investing the beloved Indian epic with fresh meaning. Whatever our outlook may be, we should all be grateful for the labor that has lead to this illuminating work."
- Dr. Geddes MacGregor, Emeritus Distinguished Professor of PhilosophyUniversity of Southern California

"The Gita can be seen as the main literary support for the great religious civilization of India, the oldest surviving culture in the world. The present translation and commentary is another manifestation of the permanent living importance of the Gita."
- Thomas Merton,Theologian

"I am most impressed with A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's scholarly and authoritative edition of Bhagavad-gita. It is a most valuable work for the scholar as well as the layman and is of great utility as a reference book as well as a textbook. I promptly recommend this edition to my students. It is a beautifully done book."
- Dr. Samuel D. AtkinsProfessor of Sanskrit, Princeton University

"...As a successor in direct line from Caitanya, the author of Bhagavad-gita As It Is is entitled, according to Indian custom, to the majestic title of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The great interest that his reading of the Bhagavad-gita holds for us is that it offers us an authorized interpretation according to the principles of the Caitanya tradition."
- Olivier LacombeProfessor of Sanskrit and Indology, Sorbonne University, Paris

"I have had the opportunity of examining several volumes published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust and have found them to be of excellent quality and of great value for use in college classes on Indian religions. This is particularly true of the BBT edition and translation of the Bhagavad-gita."
- Dr. Frederick B. UnderwoodProfessor of Religion, Columbia University

"...If truth is what works, as Pierce and the pragmatists insist, there must be a kind of truth in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is, since those who follow its teachings display a joyous serenity usually missing in the bleak and strident lives of contemporary people."
Dr. Elwin H. PowellProfessor of SociologyState University of New York, Buffalo

"There is little question that this edition is one of the best books available on the Gita and devotion. Prabhupada's translation is an ideal blend of literal accuracy and religious insight."
- Dr. Thomas J. HopkinsProfessor of Religion, Franklin and Marshall College

"The Bhagavad-gita, one of the great spiritual texts, is not as yet a common part of our cultural milieu. This is probably less because it is alien per se than because we have lacked just the kind of close interpretative commentary upon it that Swami Bhaktivedanta has here provided, a commentary written from not only a scholar's but a practitioner's, a dedicated lifelong devotee's point of view."
- Denise Levertov,Poet

"The increasing numbers of Western readers interested in classical Vedic thought have been done a service by Swami Bhaktivedanta. By bringing us a new and living interpretation of a text already known to many, he has increased our understanding manyfold."
- Dr. Edward C Dimock, Jr.Department of South Asian Languages and CivilizationUniversity of Chicago

"The scholarly world is again indebted to A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Although Bhagavad-gita has been translated many times, Prabhupada adds a translation of singular importance with his commentary...."
- Dr. J. Stillson Judah,Professor of the History of Religions and Director of LibrariesGraduate Theological Union, Berkeley, California

"Srila Prabhupada's edition thus fills a sensitive gap in France, where many hope to become familiar with traditional Indian thought, beyond the commercial East-West hodgepodge that has arisen since the time Europeans first penetrated India."Whether the reader be an adept of Indian spiritualism or not, a reading of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is will be extremely profitable. For many this will be the first contact with the true India, the ancient India, the eternal India."
Francois Chenique, Professor of Religious SciencesInstitute of Political Studies, Paris, France

"As a native of India now living in the West, it has given me much grief to see so many of my fellow countrymen coming to the West in the role of gurus and spiritual leaders. For this reason, I am very excited to see the publication of Bhagavad-gita As It Is by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. It will help to stop the terrible cheating of false and unauthorized 'gurus' and 'yogis' and will give an opportunity to all people to understand the actual meaning of Oriental culture."
- Dr. Kailash Vajpeye, Director of Indian StudiesCenter for Oriental Studies, The University of Mexico

"...It is a deeply felt, powerfully conceived and beautifully explained work. I don't know whether to praise more this translation of the Bhagavad-gita, its daring method of explanation, or the endless fertility of its ideas. I have never seen any other work on the Gita with such an important voice and style....It will occupy a significant place in the intellectual and ethical life of modern man for a long time to come."
- Dr. Shaligram ShuklaProfessor of Linguistics, Georgetown University

"I can say that in the Bhagavad-gita As It Is I have found explanations and answers to questions I had always posed regarding the interpretations of this sacred work, whose spiritual discipline I greatly admire. If the aesceticism and ideal of the apostles which form the message of the Bhagavad-gita As It Is were more widespread and more respected, the world in which we live would be transformed into a better, more fraternal place."
-Dr. Paul Lesourd, AuthorProfesseur Honoraire, Catholic University of Paris

When I read the Bhagavad-Gita and reflect about how God created this universe everything else seems so superfluous.
-Albert Einstein

When doubts haunt me, when disappointments stare me in the face, and I see not one ray of hope on the horizon, I turn to Bhagavad-gita and find a verse to comfort me; and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming sorrow. Those who meditate on the Gita will derive fresh joy and new meanings from it every day.
- Mahatma Gandhi

In the morning I bathe my intellect in the stupendous and cosmogonal philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita, in comparison with which our modern world and its literature seem puny and trivial.
- Henry David Thoreau

The Bhagavad-Gita has a profound influence on the spirit of mankind by its devotion to God which is manifested by actions.
- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

The Bhagavad-Gita is a true scripture of the human race a living creation rather than a book, with a new message for every age and a new meaning for every civilization.
-Sri Aurobindo

The idea that man is like unto an inverted tree seems to have been current in by gone ages. The link with Vedic conceptions is provided by Plato in his Timaeus in which it states..." behold we are not an earthly but a heavenly plant." This correlation can be discerned by what Krishna expresses in chapter 15 of Bhagavad-Gita.
- Carl Jung

The Bhagavad-Gita deals essentially with the spiritual foundation of human existence. It is a call of action to meet the obligations and duties of life; yet keeping in view the spiritual nature and grander purpose of the universe.
- Jawaharlal Nehru

The marvel of the Bhagavad-Gita is its truly beautiful revelation of life's wisdom which enables philosophy to blossom into religion.
- Herman Hesse

I owed a magnificent day to the Bhagavad-gita. It was the first of books; it was as if an empire spoke to us, nothing small or unworthy, but large, serene, consistent, the voice of an old intelligence which in another age and climate had pondered and thus disposed of the same questions which exercise us.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

In order to approach a creation as sublime as the Bhagavad-Gita with full understanding it is necessary to attune our soul to it.
-Rudolph Steiner

From a clear knowledge of the Bhagavad-Gita all the goals of human existence become fulfilled. Bhagavad-Gita is the manifest quintessence of all the teachings of the Vedic scriptures.
- Adi Shankara
The Bhagavad-Gita is the most systematic statement of spiritual evolution of endowing value to mankind. It is one of the most clear and comprehensive summaries of perennial philosophy ever revealed; hence its enduring value is subject not only to India but to all of humanity.
- Aldous Huxley

The Bhagavad-Gita was spoken by Lord Krishna to reveal the science of devotion to God which is the essence of all spiritual knowledge. The Supreme Lord Krishna's primary purpose for descending and incarnating is relieve the world of any demoniac and negative, undesirable influences that are opposed to spiritual development, yet simultaneously it is His incomparable intention to be perpetually within reach of all humanity.
- Ramanuja

The Bhagavad-Gita is not seperate from the Vaishnava philosophy and the Srimad Bhagavatam fully reveals the true import of this doctrine which is transmigation of the soul. On perusal of the first chapter of Bhagavad-Gita one may think that they are advised to engage in warfare. When the second chapter has been read it can be clearly understood that knowledge and the soul is the ultimate goal to be attained. On studying the third chapter it is apparent that acts of righteousness are also of high priority. If we continue and patiently take the time to complete the Bhagavad-Gita and try to ascertain the truth of its closing chapter we can see that the ultimate conclusion is to relinquish all the conceptualized ideas of religion which we possess and fully surrender directly unto the Supreme Lord.
- Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati

The Mahabharata has all the essential ingredients necessary to evolve and protect humanity and that within it the Bhagavad-Gita is the epitome of the Mahabharata just as ghee is the essence of milk and pollen is the essence of flowers.
-Madhvacarya

Serving Society through Soft Skills !

2006-08-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had the opportunity of a life time to impart language skills and soft skills to the children of labourers who are working in a construction site. We had a formal meeting with the teenagers, degree holders, B.Eds and with everybody who wish to improve their language skills and ready to groom themselves to invite success into their lives at any cost. Here it is free of cost as the pioneers of this social initiative are a brand in the filed of education i.e. ICFAI.

ICFAI Republic School (A social initiative of ICFAI Group) doing yeomen service to the poor by establishing schools to impart result-oriented education, resulting in grabbing the opportunities for a better tomorrow. They are providing free education, free clothing, free meals and free books to the needy and doing their bit to eradicate illiteracy from India.

After the successful establishment of ICFAI Republic School at Fatehnagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India, ( http://www.icfai.org/irs ) they started a School in the huge campus of ICFAI to provide education to the children of construction workers.

My self, along with my Team leader Ms.Subhodaya visited the place and identified students to groom and to impart language skills. This mission called ‘Education for all by 2020’ will be strengthened by many individuals and organisations like ICFAI.

It is my dream to join such like minded people and organisations which was fulfilled in this way.

The big question is what about you? Are you ready to join me in this mission to educate the needy for their better tomorrow?

As a soft skills trainer, I wish to give back the society and share my little knowledge with the needy. I got my clarion call to help the youth to groom themselves and to grab opportunities of their choice. I am here to coach, mentor the ‘not so privileged’ who are deprived and cannot afford to join corporate educational institutions where ‘soft skills’ were taught with the help of hi-tech audio visual aids, which would ultimately result in less learning and more promoting in style.

You want to help your friends from your tiny town to train in soft skills.
You cannot afford style and can identify substance to improve your life skills.
Can you arrange a ‘LECDEM” of Soft Skills in your Alma Mater? If you can…

Your search for success ends here. Please identify group of people and mail me/call me for a ‘Soft Skills Awareness Program’ which forms part of my campaign to propagate the importance of skills to grab a job of your choice and enjoy life with ease.

Visit my website: http://www.aimkom.com Choice of Achievers

Hate Your Job? 10 Ways to Cope

2006-08-03T03:33:00.000-07:00

By Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com

Having a job you just hate is never an easy thing to deal with, but sometimes you just need to grin and bear it until another good opportunity comes along. Whether you're currently stuck because you just have to pay the bills or are holding out for the next great job, here are some things you can do to help you get through the day.

1. Set weekly goals for yourself. Sometimes it is easier to get through the day when you can keep your eye on the prize. Even if you hate your job now, there is something out there that will make you happy. Make weekly goals to help you find that golden opportunity. One week you might strive to send out five resumes or attend one networking event. Setting these goals will give you something to work towards.

2. Do one thing each day to help you reach your goals. You don't need to cross all your goals off your list every day, but you can chip away at it. When wake up, set a daily objective for yourself and make sure you achieve it. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you feeling good about your progress.

3. Give yourself "me time" before work. Going into a job you hate will be worse if you get to the office feeling rushed, stressed and frazzled. Set aside some moments of solitude each morning. Develop a positive morning ritual. Treat yourself to a latte, get up early enough to read the paper, or just set your alarm to play upbeat music when you wake up. Improving your mornings can do wonders for your afternoons.

4. Create a diversion for yourself in the office. Does being in your office make you yearn for the outdoors? Are the incessant ringing phones driving you batty? Do something to brighten your mood while you're at work. Take in a tropical picture and use it as your screensaver. Buy yourself a "joke of the day" desk calendar. Plug headphones into your computer or bring your iPod to work. Go out for lunch.

5. Use your time to develop your skills. Hating your job doesn't mean you can't learn new skills. Use your time to make yourself a better candidate down the road. If your company offers training courses, take advantage of them. Use downtime to learn something new on your computer. Pick up a management development book and read it at lunch. Turn this job into an opportunity for self improvement.

6. Blow off some steam. Most people have an activity that helps them unwind and get rid of tension. Go for a run after work, go swimming on your lunch hour, or take a nice long walk. Put this time on your schedule so you will have something to look forward to every day.

7. Treat yourself. To make up for your office misery, find little ways of treating yourself. Buy a good book to read. Treat yourself to ice cream. Buy some flowers. Shop for a new interview suit. Plan your next vacation. Find out what makes you feel better inside, no matter what is going on outside.

8. Maintain your performance. It is important to continue to do your work and do it well, regardless of your current situation. Set personal performance goals. Then use the accomplishments in future interviews.

9. Keep your bridges intact. It really is a small world, and you never know when you will run into co-workers from your past. Don't burn any bridges at your company because you are unhappy. Maintain your contacts and keep your relationships on a positive note. You might just need a reference or a good word from one of your colleagues in the future.

10. Realize that this too shall pass. Right now, it might seem like you will be stuck in this job forever. Keep your chin up and remind yourself that you are in charge of your destiny. Search internal postings for new positions. Start your search for a new job externally. Kate Lorenz is the author of the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues.

Three Tips for Coping With a Nightmare Boss

2006-08-03T03:29:00.000-07:00

By Andrea Coombes Provided by CareerJournal.com

Meryl Streep's cold-hearted character in The Devil Wears Prada has nothing on real-life bosses gone bad. Consider the boss who gave an employee a written reprimand for "leaving work without permission"--after she passed out in the bathroom and was whisked by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
Or the school principal who forced a teacher to work through the day even after the teacher said her arm was throbbing after slipping on ice outside the school. "He decided there was no way I could have broken my arm, probably just bruised it," the teacher wrote in an e-mail to MarketWatch.
"During first period, my arm hurt horribly, but I continued teaching. But when I reached for chalk, and my fingers would not move, I did go [to the hospital] where my broken arm was set."
Those are just two of the "bad boss" stories MarketWatch readers e-mailed in. But does your demanding boss really fall into the category of a bully?
That depends, said Dr. Gary Namie, a psychologist and senior consultant at The Work Doctor, a consulting firm that helps companies deal with workplace bullying.
Bullying is "repeated, health-harming mistreatment," Namie said, and it usually includes "verbal abuse, behavior that's threatening, intimidating or humiliating, or work interference."
When the behavior perpetrates the boss's own agenda at the expense of the company's goals, you've got a boss who's going too far, Namie said.
It's likely the sales manager who encourages her workers by firing a stun gun behind their heads as they enter a weekly sales meeting would qualify as a workplace bully.
"The crackle of a stun gun firing still crackling in our minds, we sat there mutely staring at our boss as she launched happily into her meeting. The next meeting she tossed candy at us, literally, and told us she was trying a different way to help us make sales," the worker wrote.
That's just one of the horror stories posted at WorkingAmerica.org, a worker advocacy group that is running a "bad boss" contest. Workers e-mail their stories for the chance to win a vacation.
Working America is running the contest because, in its door-to-door membership drives, "we heard the most astonishing stories about what's going on in workplaces," said Karen Nussbaum, the group's executive director. "That inspired us to say we need to get this out in the open."
Working America is not verifying the stories it receives, but "you couldn't make up this stuff," Nussbaum said.
At least one in four firmsHow pervasive is workplace bullying? That's hard to pin down.
About 24 percent of companies said workplace bullying had occurred "within the past year," according to a survey of 516 firms in 2004 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). In that survey, bullying is "repeated intimidation, slandering, social isolation, or humiliation by one or more persons against another." It includes workers who bully other workers.
But that's a survey of managers, so it's likely an understatement. The survey respondents "may not be aware of what is going on, or they might want to present the company in a positive light," said Paula Grubb, a research psychologist with NIOSH and researcher on the study. "If they're managers, they tend to identify with management."
Between 10 percent and 16 percent of workers say they are currently experiencing "regular bullying" by their supervisor according to a separate series of studies focusing solely on supervisors who bully subordinates (rather than workers who bully their colleagues), said Bennett Tepper, in an e-mail message. Tepper is a professor of managerial sciences at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
When you ask workers to look back in time, however, that figure skyrockets: 50 percent of workers say they've had an abusive boss at some point in their working career, Tepper said.
Meanwhile, a separate survey finds that workers' top pet peeves hint at some forms of bullying: 44 percent said "condescending tones" are the most annoying workplace situation, followed by 37 percent who said public reprimands are the top pet peeve, according to a survey of 2,318 U.S. adults in February by Harris Interactive for Randstad USA, the staffing firm.
The revenge-seekersWorkplace bullies might want to take note that workers who feel abused don't always take it lying down.
"About six out of ten people who are abused by their bosses plan revenge," said Harvey Hornstein, professor emeritus of psychology at Columbia University and author of Brutal Bosses and their Prey. Hornstein bases that estimate on interviews with workers who say they've suffered with an abusive boss. He's working on a book about workplace revenge.
Workers' revenge ranges from the minor, such as not sending an e-mail when told, to the major, such as calling the boss's spouse to divulge the boss's extramarital affair, Hornstein said.
Wide variety of problem bossesMarketWatch readers shared a variety of bad boss tales, including managers who constantly yell, consistently ignore just one worker, or those who waste hours by micromanaging.
One of the most haunting stories came from a former auto-parts plant manager who said that, years ago, a fire broke out in a restaurant near the factory. "I received a panicky phone call that one of my employee's wives was trapped in the burning building," the former manager wrote in an e-mail.
"That employee ran out of the plant to get to the fire. My boss wanted me to write him up for 1) leaving the plant without proper approval, 2) running through the plant, and 3) running through the plant without his safety glasses on (he left his safety glasses on his machine and took off running as soon as I gave him the message)."
The worker's wife died in the fire. Yet, "after the funeral, my boss put a letter in my file because I failed to take action against an employee who violated work rules," the manager wrote.
Steps to takeIn that situation, most workers would probably just want to quit. But workers who face an abusive boss should consider taking three steps before they quit, Namie said.

1. Acknowledge the problem. "If you name it, you externalize the problem and reduce self-blame," Namie said.
Hornstein agreed, noting that workers should talk about the problem with trusted family and friends. "Don't pretend to be thick-skinned about it," Hornstein said.
Hornstein finds that people who say, "Oh, I can take it" fare much worse over time than those who talk to friends and family. Those who talk are "much less likely to be anxious and depressed, and much more likely to look sensibly for a new position," Hornstein said.
"It allows you to start to come up with ways of managing the problem, rather than holding it in and finally exploding."

2. Take time off if your health is at risk. "Make sure you don't slide into anxiety, panic attacks, depression," Namie said. Get a physical, he suggests, and then start looking into company policies that might offer a solution.
"See if you have any recourse within the company based on laws and internal policies. The antiviolence policy may apply," Namie said.
While you've got time off, gather any data on how your boss's behavior is hurting the company's bottom line, such as turnover rates and absenteeism, he said. That generally requires calling fellow workers to find how long they've been on the job and how often they call in sick.

3. Present your case to the company. Once you've gathered some data, take your case to a higher-up not connected to your boss. "Don't go to the bully's boss. That's the one that supports him or for years has done nothing," Namie said.
That might mean quitting if you work at a small or family-owned firm where everyone is likely to support your supervisor. At a larger firm, he said, "you can make a rational, cost-based argument that this person is a threat to the bottom line."

Hanuman – The Communicator par excellence

2006-06-14T04:53:00.000-07:00

Post Globalisation, the word ‘Management’ is heard every where and its demand is growing in leaps and bounds. Communication skill i.e. ‘the power of talk’ is essential to succeed in any function of ‘Management’.
Communication – the divine weapon
Long ago, Mahakavi Kalidasa wrote in ‘Raghu Vamsa’, a great play: ‘Vaagartha Viva Sampruktau; Vaagartha Pratipattaye; Jagatah Pitarau Vande; Parvati Parameswarau’ ‘I salute Parvati and Parameswara, Parents of the Unvierse, To bless me with Expression and Meaning, For they are so united.’ Thus, Kalidasa knew that in communication, word and meaning should be closely blended. It is necessary to say or write what exactly we mean. Expression of feelings is the only differentiator, which separates human beings from other living beings. Communication is like divine weapon. If you misuse, it may become destructive weapon in the hands of a fool. There are people who enjoy felicitations with the power of their ‘speech’! There are people who invite wars due to lack of proper communication! You can take back the slip of your leg and can get healed, but you can not reverse the slip of a tongue!
Hanuman – the expert in communication!
The importance of the power of communication is illustrated in the Valmiki’s epic Ramayana. General public always feel that Human is just a person always chanting Ram bhajan. He is the expert in Vedas, expert in all sciences, a man of action, a noble minister, an efficient ambassador, an eminent leader and an obedient servant. What ever position he held, he always followed his dharma as an ideal idol to others.
How is this possible?
His expertise in communication enabled him to dawn various roles efficiently and effectively. The new age managers can learn many things and take tips from Hanuman, the expert in communication, as hailed by Lord Rama himself.
How to communicate?
Hanuman is expert in scientific communication, i.e. he always speaks the way it should be. How Hanuman speaks is analysed by Rama in Kishkindha Kaanda as told by Valmiki. When Hanuman meets Rama for the first time on the outskirts of Kishkindha as Sugreeva’s messenger, Rama was charmed by Hanuman’s communication style and art of speaking. He tells his brother Lakshmana: ‘see how excellently Hanuman has spoken. He did not utter a single word without relevance and significance. He has not wasted a single word. Nor did he omit an appropriate word. He has not taken more time than it was strictly necessary to express what he wanted to say. Every word that he spoke can never be forgotten. Such a voice promotes general welfare and remains forever in the hearts and minds of generations to come’. Isn’t it a brief statement of the fundamentals and essentials of how speech should be?
Again when Hanuman sees Sita in the Ashoka Grove in Lanka of Ravana, the Demon King, he exclaims, ‘to find Sita here is just like listening to a person who is lacking in word culture – who tries to say some thing but actually says something else!’ A mismatch between what one says and what one means.
According to Francis T.Bergin, A well-known expert in communication, the seven C’s are the essentials of communication. It should be ‘correct’, ‘clear’, ‘complete’, ‘concise’, ‘concrete’, ‘candid’ and ‘courteous’. Don’t these tally with the advice of Valmiki who wrote centuries ago in his timeless epic?
Hanuman on how to speak!
Clarity in content, No negative words should be used.
There should not be any mistakes in the sentences. No grammatical errors in the sentences
Body language must be perfect. There should not be any ill feelings expressed on face, eyes, forehead and eye brows. Proper Body language is the sign of effective communication.
One should not speak, which is not related to the subject
There should not be any ambiguity in communication
Clarity in communication must be always given top priority.
There should not be many pauses
Communication must appeal to heart and mind.
One must speak in middle octave
Words must be mesmerizing to the listeners. Even the hardest enemy must become silent with folded hands.
Anybody, who can practice like Hanuman can achieve success in any of his or her chosen field.
To quote one more instance from Ramayana, which illustrates the effective communication skills of Hanuman, let us follow this scene. Hanuman, having found Sita in the Asoka Garden of Ravana, returned to his fellow monkeys, who are waiting anxiously to know the news. On seeing their anxious faces, in the presence of Rama, Hanuman cried ‘Drushta Sita’ and this released not only the tension of Rama but of all the monkeys also.
‘Seen Sita!’ – what an apt communication in the given context! Had Hanuman started his communication about finding Sita with anything other than ‘Drushta’, say with a pronouncement such as Sita, it could have only aroused the monkeys’ as well as Rama’s anxieties to further heights, by raising innumerable questions such as – ‘Sita, what happened to her?’ ‘Is she alive?’ ‘Could Hanuman see her?’ etc., even before Hanuman could complete the rest of his statement. And here lies the greatness of Valmiki in making Hanuman pay attention to the state of mind of his fellow monkeys and Rama and convey exactly what they were anxiously waiting to hear.
How and how much to speak?
This is one of the dilemmas, which we all face, in day-to-day life. Moral values, rules and regulations will not go deep into heart, if one just say with lose words. To understand the importance of the message, one should illustrate it with a small story or an interesting anecdote. Hanuman demonstrated in Ramayana on many an occasion about how and how much to speak.
As an Emissary and Representative
How to speak while chatting with family? How to speak when you are discharging your professional duties? How to speak when you are in business? How to speak when you are solving a problem? How to speak when you are trying to build relations? How to speak when you are a middleman or representative?
Hanuman observed Sita while she was trying to commit suicide. He has to stop her from committing that grave mistake. He has to inform her about the arrival of Rama. First, he has to win her trust that he is the Emissary of Rama. To make his task successful, he thought carefully and uttered only one sentence ‘Dasaratha is the King of Ayodhya’. Then he started narrating the story sitting on the branches of the tree. Sita stopped her efforts of strangling herself to death after listening to the word ‘Dasaratha’ in Lanka, where Rama is only familiar with the demon population. She felt that her close aides have come to Lanka. Then, Hanuman appeared in front of Sita and explained all the happenings of happiness that Rama is coming to Lanka to release her from the clutches of Ravana to console and to give courage. He didn’t utter a single word about his adventures while crossing the sea.
Sita has to live till Rama reaches Lanka. What to do to achieve this objective? By just informing her about the arrival of Rama, He can stop Sita from sacrificing her life. There is no need to narrate his adventures on sea and boasting about his greatness. That’s why Hanuman always speaks what is necessary according to the situation.
How to communicate with friends?
Hanuman, after meeting Sita, burnt Lanka, cautioned Ravana and came backcrossing the sea to meet his anxiously awaiting monkey army on the other shore. He informed about Sita’s welfare and consoled them. After hearing this good news from Hanuman, they started asking him about his adventures on sea. How you could cross the hundreds of miles sea? How you could enter the incredibly guarded Lanka? How you could find Sita in that huge City Lanka? We wish to hear all about your victorious journey to Lanka? The monkey army has posed Hanuman with all enthusiasm and anxiety. Hanuman explained all his trials and turbulences during his journey to Lanka and enthralled them with his experiences on the sea. They are his friends and moreover eager to listen his adventures. He narrated his entire journey to Lanka like travelogue. He told them all about his adventures, but didn’t tell them the two words told by Sita to Rama. Those details are for Rama only. They should not be informed to his friends. Those words are for Rama. Friends are Friends and Boss is Boss. Personal messages are to be delivered to particular person only.
How to communicate with Boss and the King
After coming back to Kishkindha, the whole monkey army dancing with joy that they have seen Sita. Rama asked those to come forward who has seen Sita, till then Hanuman was standing back humbly. After due request from Rama, Hanuman explained the sad plight of Sita in Lanka. He told the two words to Rama as said by Sita. Hanuman handed over the ornament given by Sita to Rama. That’s all! He didn’t utter a single word about his adventures, trials and tribulations during the journey to Lanka.
Rama is the King. Hanuman is Servant. One has to obey his Boss and complete the task efficiently. That’s all!
One has to emulate the task-oriented behaviour, proactive nature and power of speech of Hanuman to succeed in any of their chosen field.
Ramayana and Mahabharata must be read not in the last phase of life (Old age), but in the first two phases. One has to read the epics during childhood and follow them during their youth to become pride for parents and proud sons of the soil.

* * *

References:
1. Ushasri, Hanumantudu, Publisher Unknown.
2. I.V.Chalapati Rao, Culture Capsules – Art of Living, Sri Yabaluri Raghavaiah Memorial Trust, Hyderabad (India), December, 2002
3. GRK Murty, Soft Skills for Success, ICFAI BOOKS, THE ICFAI UNIVERSITY PRESS, 2004

Soft Skills Training for Job Readiness

2006-05-25T04:03:00.000-07:00

Low-income individuals with limited exposure to the world of work may lack the "soft skills" needed to get a job, stay employed, and advance. Soft skills are the non technical skills, abilities, and traits that workers need to function in a specific employment environment. They include four sets of workplace competencies: problem-solving and other cognitive skills, oral communication skills, personal qualities and work ethic, and interpersonal and teamwork skills.

Surveys of employers who hire entry-level workers reveal how important it is for job candidates to have soft skills. In Job Prospects for Welfare Recipients: Employers Speak Out, researchers found that a positive attitude and reliability are the two qualities that employers identify as most important when hiring someone for entry-level work (Regenstein et al., July 1998). Problems with interpersonal and other soft skills are a major barrier to employment that employers do not believe they can address on their own (Welfare to Work Partnership, 2000).There are different ways to provide soft skills training to individuals moving into the workforce. A job readiness curriculum that emphasizes employability skills is one approach. Soft skills training can also be incorporated into vocational training and other program activities. Agencies that provide employment-related services can structure programs to simulate the workplace. In addition, post-employment activities, such as case management, support groups, mentoring, and job coaching, provide opportunities to work on soft skills based on clients’ work-related experiences. One challenge for agencies is to assess and document soft skills. Agencies can market their soft skills training to employers and work with local employers to develop standards for job readiness. There is not a large body of research on soft skills and disadvantaged individuals, so readers interested in learning more about soft skills training are encouraged to follow up with the program contacts.

Lord Krishna : The Apostle of Life Skills

2006-05-23T03:39:00.000-07:00

Published in MBA Review, June 2006

Lord Krishna is one of the greatest Management Gurus, whom we can emulate without second thought. He is the Mentor of Mentors, Coach of Coaches and Guru of all Motivational Gurus. He is the greatest life skills expert and demonstrated every skill in the court of Dhritharashtra during his diplomatic tour to Hasthinapuri (now Delhi), which was taken up only to avoid war between Kauravas and Pandavas.

His communication skills are evident in every word expressed in the Court of Kauravas. Lord Krishna during his Negotiations, to avoid war between Kauravas and Pandavas demonstrated perfect communication skills. As he doesn’t want to avoid war between them, he manipulated his words with diplomatic jargon and tried to instigate fear motivation in Duryodhana by way of illustrating the greatness of Pandavas on and off the field of war.

Life-skills have been defined by the World Health Organisation as 'abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life' (WHO 1993). We can see this ability abundant to face challenges of everyday life in Lord Krishna and this article is intended to analyse the same.

Happiness is the aim and ambition of any individual in this world. Whatever a person takes up in his life, it is to attain one and only objective – Happiness; says Sigmund Freud, the Father of Psychology. All religions and philosophies aim is to achieve happiness for mankind. Character only can give that kind of total happiness for mankind. Lord Krishna proved this in his life by becoming ideal personality. The preacher of Gita, Lord Krishna’s life is an example, which reflected the power of character.

Lord Krishna is God for faithful devotees. He is a magician for non-believers. He is a romantic Hero for some and a great manipulator for many. He is the greatest Philosopher who has given Gita to the mankind. For some, he is just a character in the Mahabharat of Sage Vyasa. Irrespective of any kind of faith and devotion, He is the Great Guru for Psychoanalysts and Psychologists. He is the first counseling psychologist.
He is a complete man. If we observe his life critically from all angles, we can have glimpses of this kind of characteristics in the life of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna is not so taller and handsome like Lord Rama. He is not having beautiful, expressive eyes. He is black in complexion. He faced many problems during his life. He never felt depressed. He has never given up. He always faced problems and got them solved. He faced problems with cheerful attitude. He stood beside his people like rock. Reason – His total personality.

Some may argue that Sri Krishna is just another character in the epic Mahabharat, written by Sage Vyasa. Then, why this balanced approach towards life is not seen in the avatars of Rama, Parasurama and Vamana. Why Sage Vyasa didn’t create the characters of Brahma and Siva also in this mould? There may not be answer for this kind of questions. We may get the answer by thinking that every character will have its own characteristics. Whether Lord Krishna is there or not in the history of mankind, or he is just a character in Mahabharat, certainly he is the example of a complete man.

A true disciple to a great Guru!
Lord Krishna is the disciple of Sage Sandipani. After the completion of his education, he came to know that the young son of his Guru Sandipani has met with an untimely death. Lord Krishna fought with Yama, the God of Death and brought back life to his Guru’s son and presented him as Guru Dakshina. How many disciples of this age are paying just fees for the survival of their Guru’s family? These are the days where people expect freebies even in education!

Eight wives and infinite problems
Many feel that Lord Krishna means eight wives and his romance with them. He mesmerized people with his cheerful presence and playful attitude. His life started with problems. He was born in the prison. He was separated from his mother immediately after his birth. He suffered with ‘separation anxiety’ since his birth. He has spent his life in Brindavan with cowherds’ families, instead of enjoying pampered life in Madhura on the lap of his grand father Ugrasena. He never had great education also. His uncle Kamsa hatched many plans to kill Krishna in his childhood. Kamsa has sent demons every year to kill Krishna. Krishna, the kid could over come all these troubles with his determination. Due to deadly problems arising every moment, his friends also might have faced traumatic stress disorders. Many parents might have stopped their kids playing with Krishna, as it is dangerous. Krishna never bothered with this kind of problems. He has learnt many lessons of life playing on the shores of river Kalindi along with his friends. He has spent his childhood playing divine flute and doing mischief with his friends.
A friend in need
Lord Krishna is a friend for needy indeed. He has helped his friend Kuchela (Sudama) to overcome his penury. He also helped Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas, who has immense faith in Krishna.
A politician par excellence but compassionate
Krishna fought with his uncle Kamsa and crowned his grand father as King. He got his parents released from prison and fulfilled his responsibility as Son. Though he has able army, he never tried to invade other kingdoms. But he never showed any compassion towards Kings like Jarasandha who declared war against him. He fled from the war field to avoid unnecessary loss of lives, and killed enemy without loss of single life.
Personified love
Love is natural at a particular age. Many may dare to do anything to achieve their love. Krishna resorted to fight battle, to achieve his love Rukmini and became ideal for the world of lovers. Though there are legends that Lord Krishna has 16,000 Gopikas, he never tried to woo a single woman. He attracted them with his talkative talent. Nobody ever branded him as womanizer. He was always regarded as personification of love and affection.
Emotionally intelligent
He was not at all an arrogant and adamant husband. He was having highly adaptable and adjusting nature. Though Satyabhama kicked him with her leg, Krishna never got angry
with her. Moreover, he took her feet in his hands and mellowed her down by saying whether hitting him injured her feet. He always stood as ideal husband and tried to balance his family life.
A real leader
Great physique is not the real asset for anybody. Character is the true asset for any individual. Krishna’s kingdom is very small in size and so his army. But King Duryodhana came down to ask for his help in the royal battle of Kurukshetra. Though Krishna said that the whole army is one side, and I will be helping one side, Arjuna selected Krishna, only because of his character. A leader is not the one who walks, but the one who leads walking ahead of others.
A great warrior
He never fought. He is not having any powerful position. Even then everybody knows that Krishna lead the army of Pandavas. Just by having army, no one can win the battle. One needs to have war strategies and intelligence to assess the power of enemy. A leader of army has to plan ahead of others and win battle with minimum loss of human life. Krishna succeeded in fulfilling this responsibility with all the ability it demands. That’s why he is the real and great leader.

A great communicator
When Krishna went to Hasthinapuri as an ambassador of Pandavas to express their piece of mind to King Dhritarashtra, his communication skills reached pinnacle as an avoider of war but not as an instigator of destruction. He pursued Kauravas to avoid war with Pandavas and urged them to do so by just giving them five towns to rule. When Kauravas refused to do so, he has analysed the strengths, opportunities of Pandavas, weaknesses and threats for Kauravas if they didn’t avoid war in the first place. Krishna always took responsibility for his acts, and helped Pandavas to overcome their problems and ultimately to win the war of Kurukshetra.
Small vices in great characters
It is natural that great characters will always flourish with small vices. Even Krishna is also not an exception to this rule. Krishna thrown bait to Karna to join Pandavas and marry Draupadi. He only knows on why he did like this. Karna refused politely to budge at the behest of Krishna. Even then, Krishna may have tried to expose the greatness of Karna to the world.

When Arjuna was jumping with joy after killing Karna, Krishna warned him on behaving in such a manner. This shows his respect towards a great warrior and ideal friend like Karna. If Karna is personified charity, though he is with his enemy, Krishna realized the greatness of Karna, and treated him with high regard. That is the greatness of Krishna and this reflects his unique character.

Nobody is perfect, even Lord Krishna. He also acted like human being in many situations. To help and uplift mankind without any selfish motive, one can lie here and there and can manipulate if the situation demands. Krishna took some decisions only to prove this point. That is why Lord Krishna is complete man and an apostle of life skills.

To succeed in professional or personal life, one has to learn and try to emulate Lord Krishna to become complete man.

- Challa S.S.J.Ram Phani

* * *

Diabetis ? Don't worry ! Be happy with Stevia !

2006-05-01T23:36:00.000-07:00

STAY HEALTHY WITH STEVIA !

TRISAKTI’S S T E V I A

A nature’s gift – The only internationally recognized zero calorie, having medicinal values and safest herbal sweetener

The only safest remedy for D I A B E T E S ! And also widely proven solution for :

Ø Obesity
Ø High Blood pressure
Ø Dental / Throat
Ø Skin care / Anti-wrinkle
Ø Prostate
Ø Digestion
Ø Addiction
Ø Cold / Flu

STEVIA is a substitute to cane sugar/aspartame/saccharine in various preparations like coffee, tea, cool drinks, sweets etc., available in the form of leaf, powder and liquid. It is 25-30 times sweeter than cane sugar.

STEVIA is being used extensively in all major countries like America, Japan, China, Brazil etc., with the recognition of their respective Governments. Now, being cultivated in Hyderabad (first time in India) for the benefit of Diabetic patients.

STEVIA is rich with nutritional values and hence, can be used by children to old aged, healthy or unhealthy, for remedial as well as prevention.

For further details contact :
K.V.Ramana Rao
Managing Director
TRISAKTHI FARMS
16, Vikaspuri,
S.R.Nagar (Post)
HYDERABAD – 500 038 (A.P.)
Phone : 040-31157340, 23811220

Apart from the above u may visit : http://www.diabeticdietsecrets.com

Treasure of Tongue Twisters !

2006-04-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

Hi folks!

click on this link and lo ! u'll get the best of tongue twisters to tease and practice !

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/8136/tonguetwisters.html

Partner to spread peace and harmony !

2006-04-21T04:26:00.000-07:00

Please visit www.annamayya.org to have peace and bliss.

Attitude and My best Boss I have ever seen !

2006-04-07T23:23:00.000-07:00

If the boss is not behaving with you properly, if the boss denies you promotion, we all go ga... gaa... and become incredibly emotional. At the same time, why don't we promote or propagate about great bosses we meet during our course of professional life. This is the idea behind this little thought provoking write up.

Now.... on attitude .... I don't know how ? this magic word 'Attitude' always haunts me. Just by hearing the word 'Attitude', I get motivated to do anything in this world, where I can contribute positively for a better society, either at work place or out of work place.

Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude. - Zig Ziglar

Life is too short to spend your precious time trying to convince a person who wants to live in gloom and doom otherwise. Give lifting that person your best shot, but don't hang around long enough for his or her bad attitude to pull you down. Instead, surround yourself with optimistic people. - Zig Ziglar

These quotes by Zig Ziglar motivated me to rebuild my Attitude from scratch, which resulted in positive, proactive and productive attitude. Thanks to my Boss Shri V.R.K.Mohan Rao, Director Technical, Emmellen Biotech Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mumbai/Mahad. You may visit http://www.embio.co.in/ to know more about this dynamic organisation.

I strongly feel that every individual must possess this kind of Attitude, to enjoy success in professional as well as personal life. I was very self-destructive till 1999. Once I realised (self-awareness) that I am self-destructive and could not enjoy any kind of progress in life, every thing started falling in line. The Almighty has helped me to change my Attitude when I read this quotation for the first time, through my boss during my previous employment. He has helped me to overcome my problems, and permitted me to carry on with my passion i.e. educating myself not just to enhance my qualifications. He coached me, he mentored me, he guided me towards those goals which I never dreamt of. We shared every hobby and interest of each other. He likes music. I like music. He likes Philosophy. I like Philosophy. Of course, he helped me to recreate my philosophy of life. He helped me to understand people in a better manner. He has taught me why people behave differently, in different situations. Behaviour is situational. Don't judge people by way of their behaviour. Never, ever imagine about people. Imagination is the longest distance of understanding between two people. Understanding is the shortest distance. He made my world in which I am living now ! It may not be intentional, but it is his natural trait ! He is a leader whom I wish to emulate !

Hats off to my Boss ! Hats off to his Attitude ! Hats off to his commitment and loyalty !

Salutations to Almighty who blessed me with that kind of Boss !

May God bless Him and His family with all the wealth of happiness in this world !

SOFT SKILLS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

2006-04-06T22:29:00.000-07:00

To enhance my learning experience through share and care, I am conducting free Soft Skills Awareness Campaign. At present, some NGOs, Lions Club, Youth Clubs are helping me in this mission. This is all about :

* To spread awareness about soft skills/Life Skills among the general public
* To help students, future managers and middle class parents to understand the vital role of soft skills in grabbing a job
* How to grab a job by mastering soft skills ?
* Free career counselling
* Free career guidance
* Placement assistance

** Soft Skills in India, World Skills in Australia, accepted by many professionals as Global Skills, are inevitable to excel in professional as well as personal life. Life Skills and social skills are also synonyms for soft skills.

What are soft skills ?

Skills needed to perform jobs where job requirements are defined in terms of expected outcomes, but the process(es) to achieve the outcomes may vary widely. Usually, an area of performance that does not have a definite beginning and end (i.e., counseling, supervising, and managing).

Life-skills have been defined by the World Health Organisation as 'abilities for adaptive and positive behaviour that enable individuals to deal effectively with the demands and challenges of everyday life' (WHO 1993)

Please spread this message to your friends in Hyderabad, India, so that they can be benefitted by attending these classes. I wish to carry this campaign to all districts of Andhra Pradesh, through Schools and Colleges. If anybody interested and enthusiastic to become partner in progress, please mail me.

For further information you can aim me at aimkom2003@yahoo.com

‘Management can be done with nobility’ – Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam, President of India

2006-04-04T04:15:00.000-07:00

Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam is a household name since the launching of SLV-3. It has become a global synonym to missile worldwide, after the successful completion of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). He was a Project Manager. He was a Project Leader. He was a Technocrat. He was one of the greatest Rocket Scientist of our times. He collaborated with hundreds of Organizations. He managed thousands of People. He networked with every possible source to make the Missile Making Mission Impossible, a possible mission to be welcomed with millions of smiles, which made Him reach the highest seat of power in one of the biggest democratic countries in the world with great ease and with his patented simple style. Now He is the First Citizen of India. Prime Ministers, Defence Ministers trusted him to the core for his scientific, technical and above all his managerial abilities. He believes in Nobility in Management. Dr.Kalam once said that "Management can be done with nobility. The failure should be absolved by the Chief of the Mission and the success should accrue to the team." He managed many a elite groups of Scientists as a Leader of various missions he successfully completed to the satisfaction of the entire nation. His experience in managing human resources will come in handy for aspiring HR Managers and established HR experts. Recruitment, Training and Development, RelationshipManagement, Compensation and Benefits, Performance Appraisals - what not, you name it - he handled every function of HRM with great ease to make his mission possible through sheer guts and vision. He is a great Visionary with inimitable missionary zeal. Above all, He is one of the greatest motivator of our times. He is a National motivator with global vision. His life’s mission is to make India a ‘developed nation’ through motivation. To realise his vision, he is gearing up to make the Rashtrapati Bhavan, a national hub of communication with all modern facilities to propogate his dreams across the Nation. As per Dr. Kalam, Nation is also like an Organisation. India must have a vision and a mission statement to lead its talented youth towards realising the dream of transforming it into a developed nation. Being a President of the biggest democracy in the World, Dr.Kalam set his goal to do the ground work to help India become a developed nation. May his mission inspire a million and their tribe may increase a trillion !

This article is intended to explore the experiences of our beloved President of India Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam as one of the greatest HRM experts of our times. Let us delve into his experiences and valuable opinions on Human Resources Management and related functions.

On Indian Organizations and Leadership

What makes life in Indian Organizations difficult is the widespread prevalence of this very contemptuous pride. It stops us from listening to our juniors, subordinates and people down the line. You cannot expect a person to deliver results if you humiliate him, nor can you expect him to be creative if you abuse him or despise him. The line between firmness and harshness, between strong leadership and bullying, between discipline and vindictiveness is very fine, but it has to be drawn. Unfortunately, the only line prominently drawn in our country today is between the ‘heroes’ and the ‘zeros’. On one side are a few hundred ‘heroes’ keeping nine hundred and fifty million people down on the other side. This situation has to be changed.

On staffing and Leadership traits

What makes a productive Leader ? In my opinion, a productive leader must be very competent in staffing. He should continually introduce new blood into the organization. He must be adept at dealing with problems and new concepts. The problems encountered by an R&D Organization typically involve trade-offs among a wide variety of known and unknown parameters. Skill in handling these complex entities is important in achieving high productivity. The leader must be capable of instilling enthusiasm in his team. He should give appropriate credit where it is due; praise publicly, but criticize privately.

On Leaders’ style

Different leaders accommodate concern for workers while getting work done, in their own personal ways. Some shed all concern for workers in order to get results. they use people merely as instruments to reach goals. Some give less importance to the work, and make an effort to gain the warmth and approval of people working with them. On working style and personnel functionsInvolvement, participation and commitment were the key words to functioning. A basic aspect of a person’s working style is how he plans and organizes tasks. At one extreme is the cautious planner, who carefully spells out each step before making any move. With a sharp eye for what can possibly go wrong, he tries to cover all contingencies. At the other end is the fast mover, who weaves and dodges without a plan. Inspired by an idea, the fast mover is always ready for action.Another aspect of person’s working style is control - the energy and attention devoted to ensuring that things happen in a certain way. At one extreme is the tight controller, a strict administrator with frequent checkpoints. Rules and policies are to be followed with religious fervour. At the opposite end are those who move with freedom and flexibility. They have little patience for bureaucracy. They delegate easily and give their subordinates wide latitude for movement. I wanted leaders who tread the middle path, those who could control without stifling dissent or being rigid. I wanted men (as project leaders) who had the capability to grow with possibilities, with the patience to explore all possible alternatives, with the wisdom to apply old principles to new situations; people with the skill to negotiate their way forward. I wanted them to be accommodating, to be willing to share their power with others and work in teams, delegating good jobs, assimilating fresh opinions, respecting intelligent people, and listening to wise counsel. They would have to be able to sort out things amicably, and take responsibility for slip-ups. Above all, they should be able to take failure in their stride and share in both success and failure.

On Indian Management techniques

We had our home-grown, but effective, management techniques. One such technique was concerned with follow-up of project activities. It basically consisted of analysing the technical as well as procedural applicability of a possible solution, testing it with the wok centres, discussing it with the general body of associates and implementing it after enlisting everybody’s support. A large number of original ideas sprung up from the grass root level of participating work centers. If you were to ask me to indicate the single most important managerial tactic in this successful program (i.e.IGMDP), I would point to the proactive follow-up.

On listening skills

I listened carefully and it was indeed a great education for me. Ironically, all through school, we were taught to read, write and speak, but never to listen, and the situation remains much the same today. Traditionally, Indian scientists have been very good speakers, but have inadequately developed listening skills.

On creating good working environment

We had gone through an elaborate exercise of goal-setting and enthused the young scientists about these goals. At the review meetings, I would insist that the youngest scientists present their team’s work. That would help them in visualising the whole system. Gradually, an atmosphere of confidence grew. Young scientists started questioning senior colleagues on solid technical issues. Nothing daunted them, because they feared nothing. If there were doubts, they rose above them. they soon became persons of power. A person with belief never grovels before anyone, whining and whimpering that it’s all too much, that he lacks support, that he is being treated unfairly. Instead, such a person tackles problems head on and then affirms, ‘As a child of God, I am greater than anything that can happen to me’. I tried to keep the work environment lively with a good blend of the experience of the older scientists mixed with the skills of their younger colleagues. This positive dependence between youth and experience had created a very productive work culture at DRDL.

On dreams, growth and career path

I am aware that one of the most constant and powerful urge I experienced was my desire to be more than what I was at that moment. I desired to feel more, learn more, express more. I desired to grow, improve, purify, expand. I never used any outside influence to advance my career. all I had was the inner urge to seek more within myself. The key to my motivation has always been to look at how far I had still to go rather than how far I had come. After all, what is life but a mixture of unsolved problems, ambiguous victories, and ambiguous victories, and amorphous defeats?

On motivation and change management

To motivate people to enhance their performance and deal with depression is always a challenge for a leader. I have observed an analogy between a force field equilibrium and resistance to change in organisations. Let us imagine change to be a coiled spring in a field of opposing forces, such that some forces support change and others resist it. By increasing the supportive forces such as supervisory pressure, prospects of career growth and monetary benefits or decreasing the resisting forces such as group norms, social rewards, and work avoidancethe situation can be directed towards the desired result - but for a short time only, and that too only to a certain extent. After a while the resisting forces push back with greater force as they are compressed even more tightly. Therefore, a better approach would be to decrease the resisting force in such a manner that there is no concommittant increase in the supporting forces. In this way, less energy will be needed to bring about and maintain change.

The result of the forces I mentioned above, is motive. It is a force which is internal to the individual and forms the basis of his behaviour in the work environment. In my experience, most people possess a strong inner drive for growth, competence, and self-actualization. The problem, however, has been the lack of a work environment that stimulates and permits them to give full ex-pression to this drive. Leaders can create a high productivity level by providing the appropriate organizational structure and job design, and by acknowledging and appreciating hard work.

On motivational inventory

The motivational inventory of a leader is made up of three types of understanding: an understanding of the needs that people expect to satisfy in their jobs, an understanding of the effect that job design has on motivation, and an understanding of the power of positive reinforcement in influencing people’s behaviour.

On needs and satisfaction

People seek to satisfy their social, egoistic, and self-actualization needs at their workplaces. A good leader must identify two different sets of environmental features. One, which satisfies a person’s needs and the other, which creates dissatisfaction with his work. We have already observed that people look for those characteristics in their work that relate to the values and goals which they consider important as giving meaning to their lives. If a job meets the employees’ need for achievement, recognition, responsibility, growth and advancement, they will work hard to achieve goals. Once the work is satisfying, a person then looks at the environment and circumstances in the workplace. He observes the policies of the administration, qualities of his leader, security, status and working conditions. Then, he correlates these factors to the interpersonal realtions he has with his peers and examines his personal life in the light of these factors. It is the agglomerate of all these aspects that decides the degree and quality of a person’s effort and performance.

On team building and team spirit

In their formative stages, teams are much like children in spirit. they are as excitable, full of vitality, enthusiasm, curiosity and the desire to please and excel. As with children, however, these positive attributes can be destroyed by the behaviour of misguided parents. For teams to be successful, the environment must offer scope for innovation. I always ensured for my teams an environment which allowed innovation and risk-taking. When you work as a project team, you need to develop a complex view of the success criteria. There are always multiple and often conflicting sets of expectations that exist about a team’s performance. Then, quite often, the project teams are virtually torn apart in their attempt to accommodate the needs and constraints of sub-contractors outside the organisation and specialist departments within the organisation. Good project teams are able to identify quickly the key person or people with whom negotiations of the success criteria must take place. A crucial aspect of the team leader’s role is to influence and negotiate with these key people for their requirements, and to ensure that the dialogue continues on a regular basis as the situation develops or changes. If there is one thing outsiders dislike, it is unpleasant surprises. Good teams ensure that there are none. A project team member must in fact act like a detective. He should probe for clues as to how the project is proceeding, and then put together different bits of evidence to build up a clear, comprehensive and deep understanding of the project’s needs and requirements.

On Management

The concept of Technology Management has its roots in the Developmental Management models which originated in the early Sixties out of a conflict between harmony-seeking and output oriented management structures. There are basically two types of management orientations: primal, which values an economic employee, and rational , which values an organisational employee. My concept of management is woven around an employee who is a technology person. While the primal management school recognises people for their independence, and rational management acknowledges them for their dependability, I value them for their interdependence. Whereas the primal manager champions independent enterprise and the rational manager serves cooperation. I moot interdependent joint ventures, getting the forces together, networking people, resources, time schedules, costs, and so on. Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam has become a legend in his life time for his inimitable and towering achievements in the field of technology. He walks his talk. He conquered the past, motivates the present and continues to inspire the generations of future. May his tribe increase manifold to take us towards a developed India!

(Excerpts from His Excellency Dr.Kalam's book 'Wings of Fire')

Lord Krishna – The Apostle of Life Skills

2006-04-04T03:13:00.000-07:00

Lord Krishna is the disciple of Sage Sandipani. After the completion of his education, he came to know that the young son of his Guru Sandipani has met with an untimely death. Lord Krishna fought with Yama, the God of Death and brought back life to his Guru’s son and presented him as Guru Dakshina. How many disciples of this age are paying just fees for the survival of their Guru’s family? These are the days where people expect freebies even in education!

Eight wives and infinite problems !

Many feel that Lord Krishna means eight wives and his romance with them. He mesmerized people with his cheerful presence and playful attitude. His life started with problems. He was born in the prison. He was separated from his mother immediately after his birth. He suffered with ‘separation anxiety’ since his birth. He has spent his life in Brindavan with cowherds’ families, instead of enjoying pampered life in Madhura on the lap of his grand father Ugrasena. He never had great education also. His uncle Kamsa hatched many plans to kill Krishna in his childhood. Kamsa has sent demons every year to kill Krishna. Krishna, the kid could over come all these troubles with his determination. Due to deadly problems arising every moment, his friends also might have faced traumatic stress disorders. Many parents might have stopped their kids playing with Krishna, as it is dangerous. Krishna never bothered with this kind of problems. He has learnt many lessons of life playing on the shores of river Kalindi along with his friends. He has spent his childhood playing divine flute and doing mischief with his friends.

A friend in need !

Lord Krishna is a friend for needy indeed. He has helped his friend Kuchela (Sudama) to overcome his penury. He also helped Draupadi, the wife of Pandavas, who has immense faith in Krishna.

A politician par excellence but compassionate !

Krishna fought with his uncle Kamsa and crowned his grand father as King. He got his parents released from prison and fulfilled his responsibility as Son. Though he has able army, he never tried to invade other kingdoms. But he never showed any compassion towards Kings like Jarasandha who declared war against him. He fled from the war field to avoid unnecessary loss of lives, and killed enemy without loss of single life.

Personified love

Love is natural at a particular age. Many may dare to do anything to achieve their love. Krishna resorted to fight battle, to achieve his love Rukmini and became ideal for the world of lovers. Though there are legends that Lord Krishna has 16,000 Gopikas, he never tried to woo a single woman. He attracted them with his talkative talent. Nobody ever branded him as womanizer. He was always regarded as personification of love and affection.

Emotionally intelligent

He was not at all an arrogant and adamant husband. He was having highly adaptable and adjusting nature. Though Satyabhama kicked him with her leg, Krishna never got angry
with her. Moreover, he took her feet in his hands and mellowed her down by saying whether hitting him injured her feet. He always stood as ideal husband and tried to balance his family life.

A real leader!

Great physique is not the real asset for anybody. Character is the true asset for any individual. Krishna’s kingdom is very small in size and so his army. But King Duryodhana came down to ask for his help in the royal battle of Kurukshetra. Though Krishna said that the whole army is one side, and I will be helping one side, Arjuna selected Krishna, only because of his character. A leader is not the one who walks, but the one who leads walking ahead of others.

A great warrior !

He never fought. He is not having any powerful position. Even then everybody knows that Krishna lead the army of Pandavas. Just by having army, no one can win the battle. One needs to have war strategies and intelligence to assess the power of enemy. A leader of army has to plan ahead of others and win battle with minimum loss of human life. Krishna succeeded in fulfilling this responsibility with all the ability it demands. That’s why he is the real and great leader.

A great communicator !

When Krishna went to Hasthinapuri as an ambassador of Pandavas to express their piece of mind to King Dhritarashtra, his communication skills reached pinnacle as an avoider of war but not as an instigator of destruction. He pursued Kauravas to avoid war with Pandavas and urged them to do so by just giving them five towns to rule. When Kauravas refused to do so, he has analysed the strengths, opportunities of Pandavas, weaknesses and threats for Kauravas if they didn’t avoid war in the first place. Krishna always took responsibility for his acts, and helped Pandavas to overcome their problems and ultimately to win the war of Kurukshetra.

Small vices in great characters

It is natural that great characters will always flourish with small vices. Even Krishna is also not an exception to this rule. Krishna thrown bait to Karna to join Pandavas and marry Draupadi. He only knows on why he did like this. Karna refused politely to budge at the behest of Krishna. Even then, Krishna may have tried to expose the greatness of Karna to the world.

When Arjuna was jumping with joy after killing Karna, Krishna warned him on behaving in such a manner. This shows his respect towards a great warrior and ideal friend like Karna. If Karna is personified charity, though he is with his enemy, Krishna realized the greatness of Karna, and treated him with high regard. That is the greatness of Krishna and this reflects his unique character.

Nobody is perfect, even Lord Krishna. He also acted like human being in many situations. To help and uplift mankind without any selfish motive, one can lie here and there and can manipulate if the situation demands. Krishna took some decisions only to prove this point. That is why Lord Krishna is complete man and an apostle of life skills.

To succeed in professional or personal life, one has to learn and try to emulate Lord Krishna to become complete man.

- Challa S.S.J.Ram Phani

* * *

Welcome folks !

2006-04-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

Hi folks worldwide,

This is Phani from Hyderabad, The Attitude City of India.

This is my first post in this blog and I look forward to share more and care more.

Take care.

Phani