Indra Nooyi's Interview

I liked the honest interview by Indra Nooyi and hence copying it for my reference.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Women-cannot-have-it-all-PepsiCo-CEO-Indra-Nooyi-says/articleshow/37689157.cms

D-Day Tomorrow

After a real long wait, the D-Day has finally arrived. Just in less than 24 hours, it will be crystal clear if NAMO becomes the Prime minister of India or will be confined to his Chief Minister Chair in Gujrat.

I am following Modi for last 6 months and like me there are many. The hopes are high and so do  the expectations.

So many questions?

Will he or wont he? will he cross 272 mark? Pessimist thought on other hand tells what if its only 150. (2004, 2009 exit polls proved inaccurate)

Tremendous anxiety and sort of nervousness. Time will only tell and I need to wait for another 24 hours.

World Cup 2011 - India ???

Before I hurt anyone's sentiments, let me clarify that I am as patriotic as you all are and I also seriously want India to win the world cup 2011. But...

I am bit practical here and not sounding emotional or pessimist. In my opinion, India can't win the world cup. Those who saw yesterday's England - India match will support me.

We are watching not only India, but other cricketing teams and their performance for past few months.

England what an Unit!!! England seems to be the most transformed teams in recent times. Australia still looks very balanced and can pose threat to any team on any given day. The chokers Soth African's are as competetive as ever.

South Africa, Australia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka all sound very balanced and charged up teams.

While Indian Batting has improved a lot over last few years, so is the case with other teams as well.

We made 338 with 9 wickets, England could do it with 8 wickets.Bangladesh, the 8th raking team, almost came close to making 300 runs against us.

We indians are too dependent on our in consistent, out of form, blind hitters and (re)tired playes like Yuvaraj, Sehwag, Yusuf and Sachin in that order. When you have 9 such players in the team out of 11, with even 50% probabiliy the odds are that 4 of them will fire and you can easily cruise beyond 280 - 320.

But how about defending the same. Looks like Mr. Cool Dhoni seems to have forgotten the basic fact that the score needs to be defended as well.

As far as the bowling is concerned, we are the most pathetic lot.

Netherlands, the 12th ranked team made the Brits to weat to get the 292 till 49th over.

Pakistan - restricted to 275+ by lankans, SriLanka can't make 270 odd against pakistan. Australia struggled to move past 270.

Mr Dhoni and company, you get paid 2 m USD in IPL for hard hitting and entertaining us. But not in world cup.

It's not too late still. Bring some basic discipline in the million dollar bowlers and fielders.

Else the dream chase will continue for another 4 years...

PM of the Nation ???

I quite often tell my project managers that PM is quite a powerful role. Don’t act like post masters. Add some value to the job and the role what you play.
As a captain of the ship you need to steer the ship, give directions. Ensure project is delivered in time, within budget keeping the customers satisfied.
If mistakes happen, always have a backup plan, take corrective measures. Quickly get into act, perform the root cause analysis and fix the problem.
I guess these are the principles taught to every Project Manager before he gets ready for the role and moves into the assignment.

But the very basic principle seems to be violated when it comes to the PM of my own nation.

Yesterday's Media Conference was very disappointing. Till date I had high regards for the PM's Chair. But he has made mockery of the role. The PM of the world's largest democracy can't be so lame.
1> PM doesn’t seem to be in a position to run the country effectively. He can’t work with his team.
2> IN last 2 years I have hardly seen any discussions about new projects, investments or execution strategy. Rather it's one scam after another.
3> There seems to be no accountability, no responsibility and no responsibility.

He is still covering up the wrong doings of the ministers? Why? He doesn’t want to take responsibility. Blaming others for what had happened. He is not fixing the problems and he doesn’t want to step down also.

And we all including me seem to be quite helpless looking at the state of the conuntry. If Egypt could overthrow the dictator who ruled for 30 years, why can't I make the difference?

Corporate Life best Described

Flash Slideshow

My Predictions - Soccer 2010

The Soccer World cup has reached the penultimate stage. There are quite few shockers. Previous two champions knocked out at the group stage itself.

My favorites France, Italy are out. :-(

'Argentina' are my new favorites to win the world cup. Spain and Brazil are also strong teams.

This is how I feel matches will progress.

Anything can happen. Just keeping the fingers crossed.

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This is why Tata is a Respected name in India - MUST READ

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October 10, 2009

Meeting with H N Srinivas – Senior Executive Vice President, Taj Group of Hotels

Last evening, I had a dinner meeting with HNS in Goa (I was there for a National Institute of Personnel Management conference – as a speaker).He narrated the 26th November 2008 terror attack on Taj Mumbai and there were some important points.

A. Terrorist entry

1. They entered from the Leopold Colaba hotel entrance and also from the northern entrance – spraying indiscriminate bullets on the Taj security personnel and guests in general.

2. Though Taj had a reasonable security – they were surely not equipped to deal with terrorists who were spraying 6 bullets per trigger.

3. The strategy of the terrorists was to throw chunks of RDX in an open area that will explode and burn – creating chaos so that the guests and staff run helter skelter so that the terrorists could kill them. The idea was to create maximum casualties.

4. There were several critical gatherings and functions happening in the hotel on that day – a Bohra wedding, global meet of Unilever CEOs and Board members and 2 other corporate meetings were being held in the hotel – besides the usual crowd.

5. The firing and chaos began at about 8.30 p.m. and the staff including employees on casual and contract basis displayed exemplary presence of mind, courage and sacrifice to protect the guests who were in various halls and conference rooms.

B. Stories of Staff Heroics

1. A young lady guest relation executive with the HLL gathering stopped any of the members going out and volunteered 3 times to go out and get stuff such as ice cubes for whiskey of the guests when the situation outside the hall was very explosives and she could have been easily the target of the bullets

2. Thomas George a captain escorted 54 guests from a backdoor staircase and when he was going down last he was shot by the terrorists

3. There were 500 emails from various guests narrating heroics of the staff and thanking them for saving their lives

4. In a subsequent function, Ratan Tata broke down in full public view and sobbed saying – “the company belongs to these people”. The wife of Thomas George who laid his life saving others said, she and the kids were proud of the man and that she did not know that for 25 years she lived with a man who was so courageous and brave

5. The episode happened on 26th November, a significant part of the hotel was burnt down and destroyed – the hotel was re-opened on 21st December and all the employees of the hotel were paraded in front of the guests

6. It was clearly a saga of extra-ordinary heroics by ordinary people for their organisation and in a way for their country. The sense of duty and service was unprecedented

7. The young lady who protected and looked after the HLL guests was a management trainee and we often speak of juniority and seniority in the organisation. She had no instructions from any supervisor to do what she dida. She took just 3 minutes to rescue the entire team through the kitchenb. Cars were organised outside the hotel as per seniority of the membersc. In the peak of the crisis, she stepped out and got the right wine glass for the guest

8. People who exhibited courage included janitors, waiters, directors, artisans and captains – all level of people

C. The Tata Gesture

1. All category of employees including those who had completed even 1 day as casuals were treated on duty during the time the hotel was closed

2. Relief and assistance to all those who were injured and killed

3. The relief and assistance was extended to all those who died at the railway station, surroundings including the “Pav-Bhaji” vendor and the pan shop owners

4. During the time the hotel was closed, the salaries were sent my money order

5. A psychiatric cell was established in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences to counsel those who needed such help

6. The thoughts and anxieties going on people’s mind was constantly tracked and where needed psychological help provided

7. Employee outreach centers were opened where all help, food, water, sanitation, first aid and counseling was provided. 1600 employees were covered by this facility

8. Every employee was assigned to one mentor and it was that person’s responsibility to act as a “single window” clearance for any help that the person required

9. Ratan Tata personally visited the families of all the 80 employees who in some manner – either through injury or getting killed – were affected.

10. The dependents of the employees were flown from outside Mumbai to Mumbai and taken care off in terms of ensuring mental assurance and peace. They were all accommodated in Hotel President for 3 weeks

11. Ratan Tata himself asked the families and dependents – as to what they wanted him to do. 12. In a record time of 20 days, a new trust was created by the Tatas for the purpose of relief of employees.

13. What is unique is that even the other people, the railway employees, the police staff, the pedestrians who had nothing to do with Tatas were covered by compensation. Each one of them was provided subsistence allowance of Rs. 10,000 per month for all these people for 6 months. 14. A 4 year old granddaughter of a vendor got 4 bullets in her and only one was removed in the Government hospital. She was taken to Bombay hospital and several lacs were spent by the Tatas on her to fully recover her

15. New hand carts were provided to several vendors who lost their carts

16. Tata will take responsibility of life education of 46 children of the victims of the terror

17. This was the most trying period in the life of the organisation. Senior managers including Ratan Tata were visiting funeral to funeral over the 3 days that were most horrible

18. The settlement for every deceased member ranged from Rs. 36 to 85 lacs in addition to the following benefits:

a. Full last salary for life for the family and dependents

b. Complete responsibility of education of children and dependents – anywhere in the world

c. Full Medical facility for the whole family and dependents for rest of their life

d. All loans and advances were waived off – irrespective of the amount

e. Counselor for life for each person

D. Epilogue

1. How was such passion created among the employees? How and why did they behave the way they did?

2. The organisation is clear that it is not something that someone can take credit for. It is not some training and development that created such behaviour. If someone suggests that – everyone laughs

3. It has to do with the DNA of the organisation, with the way Tata culture exists and above all with the situation that prevailed that time. The organisation has always been telling that customers and guests are #1 priority

4. The hotel business was started by Jamshedji Tata when he was insulted in one of the British hotels and not allowed to stay there.

5. He created several institutions which later became icons of progress, culture and modernity. IISc is one such institute. He was told by the rulers that time that he can acquire land for IISc to the extent he could fence the same. He could afford fencing only 400 acres.

6. When the HR function hesitatingly made a very rich proposal to Ratan – he said – do you think we are doing enough?

7. The whole approach was that the organisation would spend several hundred crore in re-building the property – why not spend equally on the employees who gave their life?

Minuted by Dileep Ranjekar------------------------------------------------------ (R.Kini)

Indian General Election 2009 - My Predictions

The 15th general elections will be finally over tomorrow.
Elections, campaigning and most importantly fooling around with the voters will be over by 13th May. The parties will get into some serious business. Yeah real serious, horse trading.

Here go my predictions on what can happen on 16th May.
1> BJP will emerge as the single largest party. But they will not be able to or rather allowed to form the government. Because they are not secular.
2> The so called (Pseudo) secular forces will join hands.
3> This election will bring few surprises. One of them is Mr. Lalu's RJD will be almost wiped out. Lalu may lose his Chapra seat. So Lalu becomes almost invisible force and shouldn't be taken seriously.
4> Another surprise in waiting is Left will be routed from West Bengal. (Hope they don't resort to rigging at least this time). I feel LEFT parties are the most confused parties in India. They themselves do not know what they want, which direction they want to go. And what they really want in life. (Other than stopping BJP from coming to power).
5> Left will forget all ideologies. (Doubt if they have any). They will extend the Olive branch to Congress. Sweet excuse will be to keep the communal forces out of power.
6> Mayawati will garner somewhere around 30 seats. Yes, Elephant will grow bigger this time.
7> Samajwadi Party will get somewhere around 25 seats. Rampur will be lost to Congress for sure.
8> Jayalalitha is the dark horse in this election. Once the results are out Jaya will be the most sought after political leader. She will have around 30 seats with her.
9> Mr. Sharad Pawar who can utter few words such as 'Marathi Manoos', 'PM', 'Pantpradhan', 'Prime Minister' will have to continue daydreaming for a real long long time.
10>TDP will gain inroads to Andhra, but will fall short of stopping the congress from coming to Power in Andhra.
I feel UPA will garner all the required support, but it will have to give it’s claim on the PM Gaddi.
It sounds completely weird that SP and Maya will share the platform.
Left and TMC will be part of the same government,
Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi part of the same government,
Left supporting the same congress, whose support was withdrawn merely 6 months ago.

But appears like this is what is called politics. Yaha kuch bhi ho sakata hai.

The UPA numbers will somewhat look like the one given below.

Congress - 160
SP - 25
RJD - 5
DMK - 10
AIDMK - 30
BJD - 7
NCP - 11
TDP - 18
BSP - 30
Left - 30
TMC - 6
UPA - 332
NDA - 211

Other Interesting predictions

1> Manmohan will have to vacate the 7th Race course residence. I strongly feel Jayalalitha will become the PM.
2> Mr. Advani will have to retire from active politics as promised. Sorry, sir. PM chair was never meant for you.
3> Azam Khan will be expelled from SP.
4> Lalu prasad will be reduced to rabbles, back to his cow yard, so that he can spend more time with cows/buffalos.
5> and more importantly the government will not complete its full 5 year term. They somehow managed last time, but no one will have that much patience.

The Great Election Tamasha

It's election time. With 2 phases already down, almost 50% fates have already been sealed.
From the overall mood, doesn't look like any political party will have a clear majority this time as well. Obviously with 30+ regional/national parties, doesn't look like ever in future we will have a government formed by a single party. I guess those days are history.
In this election, I haven’t seen any single and concrete national issue. Barring few allegations here and there, there is no concrete issue on which the elections are being fought.

It's not that we do not have any issue. But I feel the problem is that we have plenty of them.
We have seen enough of terrorist attacks during last 4 years. We are going through severe recession. The economy is not doing great at all. Unemployment is rising. But we are still stuck with 1984 Sikh Riots, 2002 Gujarat riots. These issues are at centre stage. People are busy blaming each others for what happened in 1993 Babri Demolition. Parties are busy making statements against each other communities. And system is busy monitoring who has said what and then applying NSA for these statements. (ha ha ha - really funny to see Varun Gandi getting booked for hate speech, but Mr. Kasab is busy proving his age and may be innocence, NSA on Kasab???)

It's surprising to see that National security, internal security is not an issue a tall. No body talks about improving the overall standard of leavings. Development doesn't seem to be on anybody's agenda. People still take pride in distributing 2 kg rice and free television sets. And they are asking Votes for making a dalit’s beti as a prime minister of India, and the reason – to take UP and India to the global map.

Sri Lanka, a totally different country which is fighting with LTTE for well being of their own country and their own internal issues. But looks like we are concerned a. We seems to be worrying more about situation of their people than our own who are suffering right here in India. No one cares about the people who are suffering because of militancy.

Not even a single party has a concrete plan about economy revival (Just heard few hours about Dr. Manmohan Singh Talking about doing some magic in 100 days). No one talks about safeguarding our industries to overcome and pass through the worst economic crisis, employment creation, agricultural improvement etc. I didn't hear anyone talking about improving our education system and taking it to the next level. No vision of taking India from developing to Developed countries. May be I am expecting too much here. But Sixty years have already passed discussing the same issues. Will India ever improve? I really wonder, will we ever reach to that stage?

Now I really think. Whom shall I vote? And what shall I vote for?