Simplicity in Complexity

What are  you reading sir? My office boy ask me as he entered my cabin with evening tea. I looked at him and my eye leads droop down, it took me few second to come on the conclusion weather to tell him what i was reading or else how can i show him that its something really great. I was reading the book called Eat that Frog by Brain Tracy, the book on time management. I was sure that if i tell him, i am reading the book on time management the sure thing he will laugh on me (not on my face but atlist in his mind) and will wonder what a Branch manager i am. Time management books are meant to be read and learn during school days and initial days of careers. At age of 28 my Manager is reading about time Management. As i was about to complete the book and was impressed by the methods explained in it, i was completely under the influence of those small techniques which if practice will create and have created wonders.

That's when the thought arise... all the big things, important things, the basic fundamentals in our life are really very simple..It is so simple that we  feel shy to talk about them. It is the simplicity that we don't care about it. Then i observe closely as like time management there are many other fundamental values of our life which are very simple yet we dont follow them and make our lives complex. Today we feel that the life is very complex, there is competition on every front, survival has become the biggest achievement. In all this complexity here are  few fundamental values of life which are very simple in nature and which when practice will solve the complexity of life.

 Time management:- Although sounds very school and graduate level topic for me to write about, and for you to read. This values is very simple and have profound benefit in life. I am not here to tell about the techniques, I just wanted you to realize how simple technique are and how big difference they make for e.g Time management starts with waking up early in morning, so simple thing and logical which when follow will create wonders. My point is to highlight how simple things creates wonders.

Meditation:-  I am aware that you all know the benefit of meditation and i am not here to tell you that. I just wanted to focus on the point that only by seating at one place closing eyes for 20 minutes you can rejuvenate your self, regain energy, reduce stress and be more creative and skill full. Just by closing your eyes and seating at one place. How simple the act is and how beneficial.

Be Happy:- Money or relationship is not the real source of ever lasting happiness, if you really wanted to be happy which is the fundamental right of every individual, the only small act you have to perform.. JUST BE IN PRESENT. be in present moment means, forget the past don't worry about the future. You will realize the source of ever lasting happiness is you yourself.

Earning Livelihood :- This is bear minimum thing that we humans and all the living creature on the earth has to do. Each one has to earn at list which is required for his stomach and to his family members. Growing reach is not bad but the question is of basic needs, just to fulfill ours and our family needs. If you closely observe the natures law you will realize that GOD (nature) had created/produced the basic need of your food before you are even born, what i mean to say is, before the cow gives birth to the calf her breast is full of milk which is required for the young calf to survive in his initial days..This is the natures responsibility if it has brought you on the earth it has to make a option ready for your survival. The only thing is you have to find the one. See how simple it is, just to find our options.

Concluding i would like to say that all the great things in life are very simple we are making life very complex..Now that we have realize this, lets make complex simplex..

Rail Fair Hike:- Justified

                                          Humshakals  earns Rs 25 cr in the first 2 days.
          If Indians can pay for this, surely no need for the hue and cry over 14% train fare hike.


Maharashtra State Transport buses (Popularly known as ST Mahamandal) charge me 280/- for journey between Mumbai to Pune, whereas i am ready to pay 600/- for Shivneri Volvo bus for the same distance (although it is of same ST Mahamandal) i don't have to justify the fare difference here even to a small kid or illiterate person, because the reason is obvious and we all know. Its the facility, luxury and comfort for which i am being charge higher. This may be very common reason and no rocket science behind it.
Perhaps, this is not the only reason for hike in fare and i am not justifying simply on the basis of the above illustration. What make me justify the move is as given below.

Loss Making Railway:-  After giving in salaries (a big share of expenditure, the Railways Ministry is one of the country's biggest employers), fuel costs (again, a big chunk for reasons that need no explanation), wear and tear and repairs, what's left is hardly enough for creating more infrastructure. "only 6 per cent of the allocations go for creating more infrastructure. We need to find a solution to cut costs and priorities. There are ongoing projects worth Rs 5 lakh crores and we are able to allocate just Rs 25 to 30,000 crores sometimes for these. You just calculate, is it possible? I'm sorry to say, some projects may even need 40 years for completion at the rate at which we allocate funds. Mind that the hike was obvious because it was schedule by the UPA government in the month of May which they thought after election result. The only difference is it been implemented in NDA regime.

Fuel charges:-  "A stitch in time save nine" this phrase in known to all of us. With whats happening at international level more specifically middle east oil crises is definitely going to hike the prices of the oil at international market. If i talk about the expenses on fuel charges more than 50% of the engines are running on Fuel (Diesel) engine which is going to increase the burden. This hike is going to absorb the future heat as well.

Infrastructure Development:- We all are fascinated by the railways scene on platform at foreign countries, may be its the love making, Family departure, carrying luggage, waiting lounge. we all wish to have it in India. Then the question comes who is going to pay for the infrastructure investment? off course the government has to, but ultimately it will go from your pocket. Till date it was taken via the route of Tax, now this time it has taken directly in terms of hike in prices..I am of the view this direct method is beneficial then regular. As in budget allocation method it take more time and no accountability. Now with the direct method of fare rise there will be rise in the income and the profit will be directly put for development. Believe me BJP has the track record of transport development. Last time they initiated highway development project during Atalji government, this time is for Rail development.

Common Mans Apathy:- If i am justifying the hike in fare doesn't mean that i am unaware of the burden it will put on common mans pocket, i know this because i am a common man. But to gain something you have to bare something, after all its we all common man going to reap the benefit of the highly effective and comfortable rail transport system. Increase in fare is but natural with the time duration lets open our mind and broaden our views to embrace this decision, lets just digest this pill for our benefit.

Best Luck!!!

SOCIAL BUSINESS

SOCIAL BUSINESS

Although both this term are different and will not make much sense when put together. Social is something related to philanthropy and Business is related to profit making. Both this terms are contradiction to one another. Social is giving and Business is taking. The Magic is how it will work if we put it together.  I am not the first one to discover this term so don't want to interpret that its something new or innovative concept. Although the concept is there from long time and if any one has to be credited for this is the noble literate Muhhamad Yunus. The term may be old but has more of its demand and magic to show in current senario.

In country like India where poverty is deep rooted. Neither Government, nor the NGO nor the Multilateral units like UNO/World bank are going to serve the purpose. Whenever the question of irradication or control measures regarding the poverty is raise we point our figure to the Government and pass the common comment that the government is not capable to help and its sole responsibility of the government. But does it really make sense to blame the government is the question to introspect. In country like India where there is huge population, unemployment poverty is bound to show its effect.

Business is all about profit maximisation and that's not illegal, we all do busineses to earn profit. The term social business is also about making profit, here the profit may not compulsorly of monetory but may include the benifit for society, people working and for people using the products and services, or benitift even to the environment. Let me explain it in brief. Social business model is same like the regular business the only difference is the profit through manufacturing the byproducts which is the social need of the human being and also available at cheaper rate. In nut shell its all about providing the services which have social benefit.
Nature of business:- Public or private ltd, Investors come together invest their money in the business model. On earning profit the money is paid back to the investor as per their investment till the breakeven point
No Dividend:-  Once the break event point is achieved and all investors get their invested amount, the amount further earn will not be divided among the investors as a dividend but will be keep with the company to further make the expansion plans or make the products and services more standard and at cheaper price.
Quality and Pricing:- As the aim of the business is social the products and services will be of good quality. keeping the social cause in mind the prices are also lower as compare to other products. Price can be lower because no marketing is done and being the advantage of social business people buy this product to help grow this kind of business.
Targeted Products and Services:- As per the name the product and services has to have social benefit in mind specially targeting the BPL population which cant afford the normal available products and services provided by profit making units.
Competitive advantage:- This business model has huge competitive advantage because being social people have more simpthy toward the products and the quality and price has also advantage over other profit making business.

Eg:- One such example which i am looking forward to start is Skill development program. The social thing is employment generation and the business model is about Training and Skill development. Basically the Skill Development Program (SDK) target the BPL population to help them generate the employment by imparting them some skills required at entry level job. Broadly speaking the skill included are vocational like, ITI, Computer/Laptop/Printer/TV/Mobile repairing and maintenance, Mechanical diploma in repairing the motorcycle and four wheeler, Civil diploma in civil working skills, Fine arts, Home maid products for the married women and many more.
By setting up of SKD at District and Taluka level we can generate the employment and reduce poverty.

Perhaps this may be very small initiative but will defiantly have large impact in reducing poverty. Lets do business Socially..or a Social Business i hope now this two word don't contradict and can go hand in hand.

DREAM JOB:- Breaking Mental barriers

DREAM JOB:- Breaking Mental barriers  

The other day late night i was hanging out with one of my close friend, the topics were floating out haphazardly. The discussion turn out interesting when it reach to a topic unemployment. My Friend being a operational and sales head for one of the IT company was the right person for me to continue the conversation. He shoot one sentence, which was exactly contradictory to unemployment. For me my study says skills and trained manpower is the issue and the one of strong reason for unemployment. That night one more dimension opened, that there is something beyond skills and opportunists, and that is Mentality. At the outset i was not clear about what he wanted to say by that, and how the mental barer is responsible for the unemployment. The discussion which started from cigarette continued on tea and end on cold drinks. So here goes the details about the discussion and the mental barriers.

We are the Gen Y, popularly known for our talent and skills. Then how come the question of skill development will add to unemployment?? The point is valid but then what is the point in Mentality???
Today will all have something called as DREAM JOB the concept which is created bymind in our imagination and subdues in mind after facing the reality of professional life. There is no harm in having dream about the job, harm is to get stuck to it or wait for it years and years. I tell you of all the dream jobs 90% has nothing to do with the work. Dream job is about the Dream company the brand, the infrastructure the MNC/Corporate environment, the dressing, the facilities and the perks, but in all this parameters where is the work? the job roles and responsibility. Surely roles and responsibility has taken the back seat and what lies in head is the illusion.
Majority of IT population fall prey to this DREAM JOB concept and need attention to break their mental barrier. The passout IT fresher wanted their first job in MNC like Persistence, Cogni, Wipro, Accenture, below this they feel no point in working its like working at labor market for them. Only 20% of the freshers get absorb by this giant, then what about the rest 80% which contribute around 5 lakhs of population more here and there for the dream job. According to IDC data every year 7.5L engineering graduate pass-out  of which only 2L are been placed and 5.5L are at mercy. Now the point of breaking mental barrier is for this 5.5L candidates. The number can be reduce to 3L if they break their mental barrier and start working on whatever they get.
Students keep on waiting for  campus drive, Pool campuses, Walk-in drive, Megha Job feast and loos the precious one year. As their waiting period prolongs their skills and upgradation is challenged in the market because they are no more freshers now. Many of the students which are economically challenged join the NON-IT sector like KPO and BPO which again is illusion world.
My observation says get the technical job no matter how small or big the organisation is, as far as you are the part of system you are growing. The days you are out of system and waiting for your MNC dream job is killing your technical skills.
The choice is yours.