Flirting For Benefits

There is this company that I know pretty well. I know several people who have worked over there or are currently employed with the company. It is a global company with offices in several countries (more than 40) across the globe. Though it has a decent name in the industry it operates in, I have heard there are several internal issues. Some people have all the power and they are running the company as a family run business. Well, that is not the reason why I wrote this blog.

I have heard that some key people in the management are known to flirt with women and they shower certain women employees with benefits. These benefits include promotions, increments, opportunities to travel abroad and so on. I have also heard that some women employees have had a unbelievably fast growth trajectory. There is a particular female in the India office; as per some of the people in senior leadership, she has slept her way to an important position in the organization. All this is widely discussed - I am surprised that it neither bothers those people in the top management nor those women employees!! It is extremely unethical and for an old school person like me, it is absolutely disgusting. Well, that is ALSO not the reason why I wrote this blog.

I came to know that one woman employee - who is widely believed to have benefited from these practices - recently acknowledged it. Apparently, she told 2 other employees that it is the fastest way to grow in the company. As per her, the management is full of old lustful men and one can get several benefits by flirting with them or giving them 'some freedom'!!! One of the other female employees - who was part of the conversation - acknowledged it and called her boss a disgusting pervert. For some reason, this brought a smile on my face. I am certainly not under any kind of delusion that it would change such men - at least in that company. May be I smiled because more people came to know about the disgusting practices. May be I smiled because at least these women know what they are doing. May be I smiled because no matter what these men think of themselves, most employees think of them as old, sleazy, lustful, perverted men. And this is the reason why I wrote this blog!!!

Closed Chapter; Now A New One

Ended a long chapter of my life. The journey was mostly enjoyable. Nothing special but for the most part, it was fulfilling. Made some poor decisions. Or may be I am being hard on myself. Lets just say that I went against my own principles on one occasion. It was not a stupid mistake. Like always, choices were there and neither were absolutely clear. I chose to play it 'safe'. Did not know the pitfalls. Things started taking a bad turn. Its all behind me now. Chose to move on.

The new chapter should be interesting as well as challenging. Have mixed feelings about it. But I am determined to do whatever it takes. Lets see. 

Trust???

When he put down his papers, the HR told him that the company would hold to 1.5 months salary, "as per company policy". When pointed that the policy is for 1 month, the HR representative asked to "trust the company". 

You are holding on to salary, you have held back variable component, you have blocked sites like Gmail, LinkedIn etc., you have blocked USB drives and you are asking about trust!!!???!!! Hilarious!!!

Frost and Sullivan Days

Corporate Lessons from 'Titanic'

Situation - There is this company, which is not in a very healthy state. Most of the senior leadership acknowledges that without significant efforts and infusion of capital, the company would be in "big trouble". Employees are worried.

Advise to employees from someone in the Senior Management (lets call this person 'Victor Victor') -

1. Titanic (i.e., the Company) has hit an iceberg. It cannot be fixed by people (i.e., employees) on board
2. There are few options available to passengers and crew members (i.e., employees)
3. Option 1: Wait for someone knowledgeable and resourceful (i.e., investor) to come and fix the ship
4. Option 2: Wait for a big ship (i.e., a large firm in the same domain) and rescue (i.e., hire) you
5. Option 3: Wait for a small boat (i.e., a small firm in the same domain) and rescue (i.e., hire) you
6. Option 4: You have the option of jumping in the water (i.e., leave without a job or leave for a company that does not do justice to your experience, profile etc.). Don't jump in water!!!

Great analogy and all very good suggestions from 'Victor Victor'.

But don't forget.....the ship is still sinking!!! 

Don't wait for too long. Find that threshold beyond which jumping in water and trying to stay afloat is a better option. Else the ship would sink and will take you down with it.

When employees no longer trust their management

Employees leave organizations for various reasons. It could be for better compensation, better opportunities, lack of recognition, personal reasons, for not getting along with an individual/team etc. 

For a good/valuable employee, organizations can make changes to ensure that the employee reconsiders the decision.

However, if employee is leaving because "they have lost faith in the immediately as well as top management", it is worrisome. And if several employees leave for the same reason and others are looking for a job, it requires immediate action. 

Trouble is who will take those actions and who would try and convince the employees....the very same people who the employees no longer trust?

Bahut Yaraana Lagta Hai!!!

There is this girl in the office. She started in a different team but - owing to insufficient work in that team - she was transferred to our team. Not sure if the move was purely due to insufficient work or it performance issue also played a part. In our team, she started with another reporting manager and continued for ~1 year. Later, I was asked to manage her efforts. I could detect some performance issues but more importantly, I spotted serious issues with attitude, behavior and discipline. I let the concerned people know about the issues. I was feeling that - after already trying to  accommodate her in multiple teams  - they would probably outcounsel her. However, to my surprise, they are prepared to try her in another team! I asked a colleague why such a long rope is being extended in this case. As per the colleague, there are other - unofficial & unprofessional - reasons involved.

From now on, I'll call her Arun Jaitley!!

Recognition is a Magic Potion

Presidents Club Award (2nd year in row) and Long Service Award

Bitter Taste in the Mouth

Sometimes, one just loses the motivation. Isn't it? 

In my career, I have come across multiple working styles and dedication levels. Most people put in the minimum effort required. Out of those, most feel bad when increments and incentives are announced. In my opinion, they do not deserve to crib. Others, who master the art of licking asses, get good increments, incentives and promotions. That, even after putting in minimum effort. Not that, they are outstanding or they get things done smartly. They are just good lickers.

Then there are people, who are driven. Driven by the want to excel, driven by the recognition, driven by monetary benefits, driven by resume-value. The driver could be anything. These people put in a lot of smart as well as hardwork. Such people should be recognized and it is the job of their managers to keep such people motivated. Unfortunately, that does not happen most of the time. 

If you are subordinating and screwing your family time and health for your work, you hate it when your efforts are not recognized. There are some qualitative recognitions. "You are a perfectionist". "You are the best consultant that we have".  That is all good. But when it does not translate into something meaningful, you feel bad. You do not necessarily feel jealous with others who got better deals but you do feel bitter. That is exactly what I am going through. I am feeling bitter, I am feeling cheated and I am feel demotivated. I hope this is a passing phase. I do not like this phase as I seldom feel demotivated about work. I hope that I would be able to come out of this state of mind very soon. Till then, *&^%$#@

Learnt a lesson today.

Never tell a client that you are ready to meet ANYTIME.

I need to have a discussion with a client today. Yesterday, I reached out to the client asking for the time and venue. He indicated that he is not available today and indicated that he can meet tomorrow. Now, I am flying out tomorrow and my day is jam-packed. However, the meeting is important as well. So, I wrote to the client that it would be great if we can meet today and ANYTIME is fine with me!!!

He has asked me to come to a resort at 9 PM!!! The meeting would last for few hours!!!

So, I will be getting ready in the evening and will go to meet a client in a resort. I am feeling like a HOOKER!!! But at least the resort is a premium one. So at least I am a A-League hooker. 

:(

I get paid in SORRYs

I wish I could encash all the 'Sorry' that I have collected here. I would have probably become a millionaire!!!

Straight from the heart....

Have not picked up the camera in a long time. Everything is so disorganized. A lens is lying in the living room. Another one is in a drawer!!! One more is in a safe place but I cannot recall the location of that safe place. I am usually not like this. At least not with the camera equipment. If the camera and lenses are lying diaorganized, it bothers me a great deal. However, I am not finding time to get bothered!!!

In the past few weeks, I have not spent much time with the family either. I leave in the morning and come back late. And then work from home till the wee hours.

Things have been super-crazy. Deliverables, proposals, meetings and lots of worries. Official and personal worries.

What do I get out of this? Am screwing my health, not getting enough sleep and not getting anything in return!!! Body clock has gone for a toss. Even if work finishes at (comparatively) sane hours, I am unable to sleep till 2-3 AM. Sometimes it is difficult to lose the momentum and on other times, there are too many things bothering me.

Will I try and change this? Well.....May be.

Not that I am confused. Just that I have made such resolutions so many times that now I am embarrassed to even make such resolutions. 

One thing is for sure though. I have firmly realized that 'it is not worth it'. I do need to manage my time slightly better but more importantly, I need to stop the charity by 'donating' additional hours and weekends. Those are not investments as they do not fetch me any returns. That is plain and simple charity which must be stopped. Had they been fetching any awards/rewards, I would have still been motivated. No more.

I just hope that a matter that has been long pending gets resolved and soon. It wont help the resolution but it will help in getting back the motivation. It will surely do.

Minutes of Various Meetings

BANJO, YEH WEEK SAALA KHATAM KAB HOGA!!!

Another Whole Nighter

Aur isi ke saath aaj ka Maata Ka Jagraata sampann hua!!!

5 baj gaye!!!

Hmmmph!!!

A deliverable of a project that I am working on is staring at me and; 

• I do not have a single slide to show so far
• I am helping someone to prepare a deck for someone else's speaking engagement
• I am helping someone in creating a market sizing and forecasting model for a project that I am not supposed to work on. Only my guidance is required but it is going way beyond that
• I will not be able to start work on the deliverable till Sunday morning. Afterwards, Sunday and Monday (a public holiday) would be spent on preparing the deliverable
• I was up till 3 am staring into decks and spreadsheets for other projects
• I am feeling really really REALLY tired
• I am writing this blog in hope that it will freshen me up

I hate this.