The 4 Smartest Things You Can Do Every Morning | | The New OPEN ForumThe New OPEN Forum

Interesting thoughts -  practical and very useful.

But I would rather re-shuffle the same in the following order: 

1. Do something for yourself (#2 as per author). Here, I would stress the need to spend some time on meditation, surely. Meditation has to be a must-do, for all. 
2. Have a Routine (#3 ): Body is more comfortable to a routine. The example of Prez Obama, very true. Makes sense to cut off the unnecessary things in our daily routine.  
3. Check to-do list (#1): This is a great practice. I prefer writing down. Back with with digital diary to ensure meetings are scheduled properly.
4. Start with something, big/small (no change): It does not matter, big or small, important or urgent. Just start... go, as per your heart or even head. But have a plan and stick to it.

What not to do, is to switch on TV for news or even newspapers. No need to start the day with all the negativity in our media. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin, can wait too. Better to read something useful or inspiring. 

The idea is to treat the body with respect (not abuse) and time, with more respect ! All are interconnected. Once we are aware & accept, our approach will be holistic and fulfilling.

Blissfully!

The 4 Smartest Things You Can Do Every Morning | | The New OPEN ForumThe New OPEN Forum

Ek garam chai ki pyaali ho :) | ibelivetoday

Ek garam chai ki pyaali ho :) | ibelivetoday

"Wonder why all romantic movies are about falling in love!! Why aren't they about staying or continuing being in love? " I have often wondered about this too...

But then, is it actually, 'Cuz that's the aspect we all love ?'

Yesterday, I was traveling. Got some time to relax. Was not carrying anything to read. Was checking on few local channels, which had an overdose of typical Indian tv soaps!. Incidentally, more so-called romantic ones. I wondered, is it not all these worldly/earthly love only on screen/books & other forms of art ? Is it not just a figment of human imagination. Just imagination ?!

Perhaps true love is Divine Love, alone !

Karma of Customer Service : Automated Mail Responses and Delayed Action at TataSky and Club Mahindra

22 May 2013:   #Karma of Customer Service.

I am an unlucky customer, I guess. I had three problems, shall share on last-in-first-out basis:

1. TataSky has gone dead. I logged on to their website and lodged a complaint. I get a an 'Auto Response' with the service request reference number, as the subject. The concluding line of the mail says, 'This is an auto generated mail. Our representative will get in touch with you within 2 working days'.  

• There is a saying in our villages, 'a mild change in weather, and you catch a cold'. TataSky is still worse. At the slightest change in weather, the signals goes dead. Of course, once in a while, 'NO TV' at home is very "positive" vibration!
• But my problem is entirely different. Why an "auto" response at all. Anything "auto" is mechanical.
• For something as 'important' as television services, how can the company 'take' by force "two working days" !!And, why working days, it should be irrespective of working or holiday, day or nightm, faster. Is that not a global benchmark in services ?!

2. Club Mahindra Holidays: I am a proud member of this leading time-share holidays. But when I want to reach out them, it is a nightmare

• Have been trying to reach out at call center. IVR gets activated after some 10+ rings !! That must be a one of the worst
• Then I am guided with simple options. When I try to reach a representative, no chance!
• Over the years, we have learnt to 'keep trying'. So, tried couple of times over last couple of days. Finally got them this evening. Was on hold for over 5 minutes, after selection of option to talk to a representative.
• The call center rep was frank enough to tell me 'the number of calls are more in the afternoon compared to mornings' and 'the sheer load has gone up, being the holiday season'!!
• As a customer, is it not my prerogative to call at a time of my convenience? And, should they not be more prepared to handle the higher load? Most important, is it going to be the quality of service in future in other areas...
• Even when I sent a mail in response to their mailer today, the response comes with subject ' 'MHRIL=005-454-072'

#3 was a different story. Had an issue with Linkedin. Put an on-line request, they were prompt to give me solution, for my confirmation. Got a quick response to my tweet too, from LinkedinIndia. No 'auto' replies, or 'two working days'. Just quick resolution. 

Why is that not the usual practice across all brands?!
I hope brands like IKEA will take the customer service to a new level. Just for that reason, I would like to see 'Amazon.com' of the world come to India. 

I was briefly on air this morning on FM Radio

Was on a long drive with son, this morning. Monday, late morning,  not to office/work! 
Was listening to the interesting discussion on 'how to handle monday-morning-blues'(Sunday/Saturday morning blues for friends in Middle East) on FM Radio 104/Bangalore.  
When this question was posed on-air and sought feedback, I pulled the car aside and quickly text-ed: Stick to the weekly time schedule. Get extra physical exercise. And, Meditate...

The topic was a personal favourite and hence could not resist temptation to text.  Hence, this post too...

In less that 15 minutes the RJ was on phone!!! I was surprised & my son was delighted! He asked me what do I do, put me on hold and went-on-air immediately.   

When I mentioned, ' Executive Coaching & Corporate Training', he asked, 'what was Exe Coaching'. I knew there was no time to explain, hence quickly mentioned, 'just as you have a coach in sports, you have a coach for executives and others in corporate world'. 

 Then he asked for my thoughts on the topic. My response was:

• We tend to over-eat, over-sleep and mis-manage our time over week-ends. 
• The best way is to stick to the usual schedule to wake up early, use the extra time to jog/exercise, do things we love to do (spending time with family, friends, etc). And of course, spend extra moments with the self, Meditate !
• Would have loved to add, 'Spiritualise Week-ends'..

I have often seen, lot of friends in corporate world live from week-end to week-end. We tend to mis-manage week-end time and return to work, reluctantly. 

It was during my stint at Middle East, I got this great 'insight' to stick to the same time to wake up (and often sleep too). My alarm clock is thus permanently fixed at the same time. It has been a great experience. You wake up early on a week-end and suddenly you have a lot of time in your hands to do all those things you always wanted to... Try out & see for yourself.. Initially it may be difficult to shift, but once you & family get used to it, the experience can be not only healthy, but very fulfillling!

I have always been an early to bed/early to rise type. (Quite boring, right ?!) Partly blame it on the Fauji upbringing. But, no regrets at all... 

'Time is God' (kaalaya namaha) according to Indian belief. I guess, it is true, across all beliefs and cultures. Every moment is precious. Hence, it is called 'Present', truly a gift. 

If we make a small shift to manage our time better during week-ends, we could see the difference. Worth trying!

Blissfully!
The Coach 

PS:  I did not start, 'Good Morning Bluru....', Munna-bai style. Of course the discussion was good. He then played my favourite singer, Sri Jagjit Singhji's song... 'Hoshwalon...' !

Be A True Business Leader

--> I have not been blogging much, of late… Was busy with other things. Surely, less with work....! 

For me, writing/blogging is a matter of ‘mood’! Moreover, I did not come across topics that were 'blog-worthy', from my (limited) perspective and (narrow) interests! :)

Recently came across a thought I felt compelled to share… Hence, glad to be back, blogging!!  

Executive Remuneration… 

Had blogged  last year, on 25^th Dec to be precise, The Maya of Career !

1. Came across this interesting post, Executive Remuneration: Time to rein in the rewards, on Linkedin. There was not much info in the article, per se. But the headline was thought-provoking. Also, this topic was debated extensively in Middle East, at the height of the financial crisis, my karma-bhoomi then. There was a fear of this cap on exe remuneration in G20 countries!

I have seen, more often, we chase money, instead of a fulfilling career. Even if aware of the fact, we just drag on...hang on!

The frequently-aired SBI Home Loans TVC during IPL reminded me of how most of corporate executives end up ‘hand-to-mouth’ living. The lady in the ad said, 'there was no money for vacation after paying EMI', till the protagonist shifted his H/L to SBI! Of course, the lady of the house looked low on nutrition, may be due to cost cutting at home! 

Even as urban living becomes riskier by the day (pollution of water, air, noise, etc), difficult (commuting) and expensive (cost of living, rent vs own home), we still continue to move to cities in search of professional ‘greener’ pastures! At what cost?! 

2. Came across another interesting article, ‘Lord of The Rings’, in ET - Corporate Dossier.  
Prof Sushanta Kumar Bhattacharyya was part of the team to select successor to Mr Ratan Tata. 

He shared in the article, what clinched the decision in favour of Mr Cyrus Mistry, over ‘candidates from both sides of Atlantic’:   
‘he’s got passion, he’s intellectually very bright and he doesn’t need the money’.
Interesting, is n't ? 

‘Passion’ is a no-brainer! But was surprised by ‘intellectual mind and being wealthy’. For Tata group head, surely intellectual bend of mind should be a key leadership skill. Being rich, is quite relative. Rich have shown only more desire for more wealth. But then, theoretically a good set of parameters to select the head of one of most respected business groups, not only in India, but world-wide…

Sharing with friends, many of whom are aspiring CEO’s. Don't want to be judgmental here. But worthwhile to pause and do some professional & personal introspection. Taking the liberty to say this, also based on my recent coaching sessions.

Be Blissful!

Biblio!

• The Maya of Career:  http://mecarblog.blogspot.in/2012/12/the-maya-of-career.html
• Executive Remuneration: Time to rein in the rewards: http://www.iias.in/specialreport.aspx

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