Sunday, October 11, 2009

EMBRACING THE CHANGE DURING VOLATILITY

Today’s world is full of fickle. There is no point to confide on consistency. Since the situational constraints are so pervasive that it is a volatile world and change management and theories support this system should not be construed as platitudes. People, who are optimistic and always in search of the opportunities even in scarcity, will embrace the change.

They will put their all manhood to that extent that even graves yawned and they will dig out all changes. The whole objective behind this approach is that they want to reap the benefits because of these changes. At present, the whole world is under the influence of economic turmoil and a gale of recession makes the condition tumultuous. So, it is prudent for anyone to seek changes rather than only resort to worries to the constant flux of socio-economic downtrend. This is very true particularly during attrition, lay off and job loss because financial crunch as faced by industries prompt them to advocate for above decisions. It is next to impossible to handle a situation arises out of losing a job. And this alone is the toughest change to manage and cope up with. Under these circumstances most of the people inhibit to accept the ground reality, curse their luck or accuse others for these predictable changes. These were imminent, but only thing they could not foresee in advance.

In this process, they get stressed and become worried. But, there are proactive people who boldly accept this change in their lives and they become inveterate to overcome these perplexities and engage themselves to trace out new opportunities. They ensure not wasting anytime but to make use of most of the changing and difficult times. They do not sink in the slough of indolence and strive very hard to search for any opportunity and to utilize the same in the right perspective.

When a job is lost or such a mishap looks imminent, it is quite natural that one get engrossed by severe grief and despondency. The cloud of fears smears on their faces as if they slither down the slope in their professional career. It is true that searching for a new job and get unlocked into the same on immediate basis is a daunting task because of the uncertainty and ambiguity of the current situation. But without bringing much despair, one has to embrace the change management scenario effectively and search for a job with a grit of determination and dedication. Some of the following manifestations may be helpful to summon some extra courage to dawdle in right direction.
Use discretionary power to change the career profile:
Generally, people stick to the same kind of job, role or even industry. But during changing time which is confronted with recession, you must widen your profile to help the search engine. For example, at present IT sector is undergoing a downturn, and every now and then, these industries are facing a jolt. So, if you are a victim and under the destination of job loss, then instead of trying for this sector alone, the searches must be little broader i.e. to seek employment opportunities in related fields say ITES, BPO, call centers. In some cases, there should be a reshuffle in the thought process and you must try for the openings in service industries, hospitality sectors; who knows this may increase the opportunities of employability quickly.

This is the first major change one must take in right spirit and distract his attention from the conventional and stereo type searching pattern. You must do introspection and also to ponder on the ground reality. You have to thoroughly examine your strength and passions and give concentrated thoughts on the outcome of the same. You have to identify which other role or industries you could put your strengths to use. At this point of time, you have to be very practical and also pragmatic. You have to probably frame a questionnaire for yourself asking whether you would like to change roles in the same industry or you would like to change the industry. Are you going to follow the pursuit of existing profession say in sales or you wanted to try your hand in some related profession like sales administration? Further, do you want to change the role say presently you are in HR and you lose the job and now would you like to take a role of a trainer in an HR consulting company? Once, one is able to fix up these issues then one can take the next step.

Knowledge base is to be widened
The most common pitfall is that people do not increase the knowledge base. When their present job is lost, people are so much mortified that most of the time, they feel sullen. Instead of that, they have to continuously search for openings in existing as well as in the new fields and for that matter, they have to acquire new knowledge. If not, it is possible to pursue university degree, one must enroll in the crash courses. Further, if you aspire to groom yourself for a new role of job opening, you have to know the nitty-gritty of that role. For example, you were in sales in an IT company, and now you want to change your role and plunge into marketing of engineering goods, you have to first know the details involved with the marketing function of engineering goods. Read and enrich your knowledge and information about this new trade, its pattern of functions, current market trend, skill required for this function. You need to speak to the professionals and experts who belong to this sector to increase your basic knowledge of this job function. By attending seminars, talks delivered by experts, you can gather more detailed information. You may also use internet for online learning. After completing these theoretical exercises, you need to acquire practical exposure of the trade before fully plunge to search jobs for this new role. Practical exposure is possible to obtain by assisting someone who is in the trade for a considerable period. To start with, you can opt for a small assignment on contract basis with a small company or with a consultancy firm. All these will make you agile and confident to appear for a job interview for a new role.

Accept change in rank
You may have to rat-tat to your sensualism and take bold steps to accept a job even in lower rank. During crucial period, one has to forego the vanity of the position and power. Suppose you were holding a post of manager and you lose the job because of market slump. And in this situation, if you get a job in your own field but in one rank below the position you were holding, it is very much wise and prudent on your part to accept the same. This is nothing to do with your ability but because of market slowdown, you are compelled to satiate with the lower rank of offering from the new employer. It is very true that many employees do not like to go down because of statusco symbol but it will be foolery on one’s part to refute the appointment since when market is squeezed, job offers also will be limited. So, by turning down this type of offer, you may develop severe despondency and sometimes this may cause enormous stress and health breakdown. It is best to be patient and do the work at hand well. Apparently, this change in position may seem disappointing and disdainful but it may open a new door for you to learn and build skills, increase information base and gain knowledge of the workings of the particular company and the industry as a whole. And when the market condition is improved upon and clouds of recession scattered hitherto inducing the fear psychology with menacing growl is over, who knows you may be elevated in the hierarchy because of your perseverance and hard work. But one thing is sure, in your new role and lesser position, you have to acclimatize yourself with your full energy and vigour so as to learn the product, company’s working pattern, system and culture to get the fruit when the time comes.

It is very much advisable during the current time of recession to get prepared for any unprecedented incidence, particularly, with regard to loss of employment. However, in case of job loss, one should accept and explore job opportunities even in the fields where he does not have good hands. For this, one should widen the knowledge about the functions of the new job. Or otherwise, he may stick to the same portfolio in some other company where he is offered a step below rank. He has to be courageous enough to adjust to this situation and wait for good times to come. So, one should be flexible; and should adjust sails according to direction of winds in the current situation of economic meltdown.

Belated Honeymoon induces demulcent love

Somu, who is a top executive of a multinational firm at Kolkata mumbles the above dialogue to his better half Sunayana, nickname Su. She resists “since you have not taken me for honeymoon after marriage, you try to find escape route. People who are delinquent, they only preach all types of excuses.”

Somu is workaholic and also pernickety. Every strategical decision of his sales department needs to be verified by him where he is working. His early morning leaving and late evening coming to house induces Su’s anger management. She is enraged, till today, to miss the honeymoon when they planned for the same to visit Darjeeling. Because of tremendous work pressure, Sonu had to reluctantly cancel the said trip at the last moment. Even after eight years of her marriage, she is unable to erase that feeling from her mind. Further, she becomes dreary when she is fed with the information of her bosom friend’s marriage and enjoying honeymoon immediately thereafter. It is not that she is avaricious for this particular ceremony, but she being a graduate in Philosophy, confers tremendous weightage for every work at its own time. Otherwise also, she is very methodical and stickler because of her born and brought up in the environment of United Kingdom. She is a tremendous believer of disciplined life of British and she send her only child of six years to her parents over there for study purpose.

Contrarily, Somu is extrovert, vivacious and somewhat materialistic. At this age of 40, he possesses posh flat at an up market place at Kolkata with an imported car. His main criterion is to earn money considerably so as to maintain the same standard of life even after retirement. He has seen the hardship of his parents and uncles and so he does not want to spoil time for trivial issues even at the cost of worriment of Su. But, now Somu realizes and wants to be benignant to take Su for a sight seeing visit to Darjeeling under the wrapper of belated honeymoon.

His surreptitious plan is licked to Su by one of his close colleagues. Su does not belief only to say “when I will board the flight, then only I will accept this as a fact.” Somu takes leaves for the entire week and both of them board a flight to Bagdogra. From there, they take a car to reach to Darjeeling. The car passes through greeneries, mountainous pass, and sharp bends. They enjoy the beauty of tea gardens at both the sides of the hilly roads. Seeing the depth of these valleys from the top, Su screams, “oh my god, if something happens to the car, what will be the outcome?”

“The graves will be yawning in the midst of this 6000 feet below to kiss both you and me.”, Somu replied.

After a drive of nearly 3 hours covering a distance of 90 Kms. they reach to Darjeeling to abode in a star hotel “Sinclairs Resort”. As soon as Su ushers in the room, she gets excited with the enchanting beauty of the city of Darjeeling at one side and the mountain Kanchanjhanga at the other side. Somu tries to coax and hug her but she just snubs him with a squint for his effrontery because the hotel bell boy follows them to dump the luggage in their room. After arranging the luggage sequentially in the cupboard, Su makes herself comfortable in evening attire and orders for a special Darjeeling pot tea. As per regular habit, Somu finishes his evening bath and then enjoys the warmth of hot tea. It is not as per the reputed world class flavour of Darjeeling tea. Su also advocates the same opinion.

“If we do not get the quality flavoured tea in Darjeeling, world class quality chocolates in Switzerland, what is the use of tasting those particular things in that particular place”, Su cried.

“This is the eternal truth and bliss of life, Madam.”

Su starts enjoying the scenic beauty of this place from the balcony of the hotel room without much fiddling. Suddenly, her face is hovered with cloud since the weather gets beclouded. The thick blackish all over the sky pours water in her enjoyment of taking the ambrosia of the Kanchanjhanga Mountain from the hotel room itself. Seeing her gloomy face, Somu cajoles her by planting a kiss on her forehead and force her to come out from the confinement of the room. From the outside, the hotel looks to be more as an ancient building encapsulated with architectural work and greeneries. The ambience of this hotel is appealing and so as their staff members who seem to be very deferential types. The only drawback which is observed by Somu that the hotel though belongs to three star category has not ameliorated enough to attract high profile overseas tourists. Moreover, the location of the hotel is in cul-de-sac so that unless you know, you may not be in a position to locate so easily.

Somu ambulates towards the main road leads to mall followed by Su. After a long stroll, both of them become little tired because they are not accustomed to walk through hilly roads. By the time, they decide to back to the hotel, drizzling starts and suddenly strong wind and thunder shower amazedly surrounds them. They run towards the direction of the hotel but fail to save them and get drenched completely.

Seeing the water clogged sari draped over her vivacious body, Somu’s excitement increases and he coddles her and this time Su accepts with mirth and hugs him. They enjoy the situational advantage because here no one is entering in their privacy.

After freshen up, they proceed to the dinning hall for a buffet dinner. They eat non-vegetarian dishes mainly fish fries because of their superb quality. In fact, they devour fish fry and then taste the mutton biryani to their satisfaction.

After a luscious dinner, they laze in the adjoining garden of the restaurant and enjoy the night of Darjeeling. By the time, the sky is again clear. After sometimes, they start yawning and they go to the room and fall asleep. Next day, they get up early. Su as usual start looking to the mountainous beauty of Darjeeling from the balcony. In the meantime, Somu finishes his morning rituals and makes a phone call to the room service for special tea. Without any utterances, they keep watching the evolving sun slowly like an effulgent round metallic dish, from their balcony.

Sue cries “what an eternal beauty! Is it possible to enjoy such beauty from our home at Kolkata?”

Somu replies “It is possible, but not so distinctly, because now, you are watching the sun from an elevated place of nearly 5000 feet.”

“I don’t understand all this logic, but these beauties have definitely enamoured me.”

Thereafter, they drink special tea and somehow the quality is not that bad like yesterday. Within another one hour, they usher into a car to visit five different places for sight seeing. They visit first to a ropeway only to find the same is under repairing because of recent land slide. Darjeeling city is placed in zigzag fashion and the toy train line is criss crossed in the same way. To their bad luck, they are not able to see the train in motion because of disruption of their services, again because of land slide.

Then they visit a tea garden / tea estate. All round the tea state, short heighted tea plants are only visible. From the top, if one looks, he will feel like standing on a green rock to watch green path. Su shows her extra courage to slide down a bit on the narrow make shift road in the tea estate. But, local supervisor admonished not to venture, because it is a risky proposition. Thereafter both they enquire about some nitty-gritty of tea producing, its manufacturing process, drying, blending and then forwarding the same to wholesalers to merchandize. Finishing this spot, they further move to the zoological park and the Himalaya Mountain Training Institute. The beauty of this zoo is that it is situated at an elevation of nearly 6000 feet.

Su arouses a bore by clapping her hands which the animal does not like. It changes its posture and flatly lies down fall asleep. They observe some different types of birds, leopards and dears. From there, they proceed to the mountain training institute. Basically, it is a museum. It shows various kinds of accessories, implements which are generally used to climb rocks and mountains. The institute also depicts the pictures of Tenging Norgaw, Sir Edmond Hillary who are all famous to conquer the irresistible Mount Everest.

Then they visit the mall for the second consecutive day to watch the qualities of cloths and other goods namely electronic gadgets. As usual, Su starts dickering after selecting some woolen cloths. From a distant place, Somu enjoys the haggling between Su and the seller. Ultimately, the shopkeeper surrenders uttering some unpleasant dialects in her own language which is beyond Su’s reach. But, she feels happy because she wins in the bargain.

“Why are you laughing”, Su enquires staring to Somu.
“Nothing”
“You male fools are damn weak in bargaining,” she murmurs. From mall, hotel is at a walking distance and so they bid adieu to the driver only to inform him to visit next day for further sight seeing.

At 4.00 A.M. in the morning, they make themselves ready to watch the rising sun from the peak of Tiger Hill. When they reach there, the place is already crowded. Somehow, Su manages to stand in the front now. The beauty of Kanchanjhanga is far away but distinctly clear from the height of 8000 feet. The sky is clear and the last phase of the night disappears and the sun start evolves. At 5 A.M., it appears slightly. Slowly and slowly, it becomes glowing and at 5.30 A.M. it emerges like a bright yellow round metallic dish. From all round the corner, only “click” sounds erupt. Somu is also busy in capturing all these scenic beauties in his Sony digital camera. Su is enchanted and speechless for a while.

From there, they visit Batasia loop, a circular toy train garden, of course the engine is standing silently. The narrow railways lines are surrounded by flowers, small trees and the place has its own beauty. Then they visit a Tibetian monastery to watch minutely how the Buddhist performs their daily religious activities. Many teenagers are found to take instructions from their seniors about the teachings of Buddhism.

After reaching to the hotel, Su feels discomfort and feverish. With a cup of tea, she manages to regain her vigour but not much of use. Somu suggests for calling a doctor but Su declines. They retire to bed with a plan to rise early in the next day morning to visit the Tiger Hills once again to observe vivacious beauty of diamond ring of the Sun. But, because of indisposition of Su, the sight seeing visit of the next day is postponed. Su is just confined to the bed throughout the day. Somu passes the day by scribbling his various thoughts and studying some scientific Journals.

Next day, that is fifth day of the trip, Su tries to come out from the shackles of indisposition but her procrastination does not yield any result. Somu calls now hotel reception and advises to send a doctor. After thorough examination, doctor suspects cold influenza fever but cautions not to venture out from hotel. By taking full rest supplemented by medicines, Su is all right on the sixth day and visits only to the mall just to get rid of four walls obtrusive environment of the hotel room. When they return after two hours of evening stroll, Su seems to be again agile and energetic. Then, they start discussing about the plan of return journey.

Somu questions, “Su, how do you like this belated honeymoon?”

“No comments”.

“Why?”

Seeing her reluctance, Somu further advocates, “I feel if we were coming before eight years just after the nuptial stage, we would have not been able to share the thoughts in current scenarios, because now we are more matured.”

“I am not able to digest.” Su retorts.

“Simple, after a passage of eight years of our lives, we are more seasoned and experienced of happiness and distress. Today, we are much more capable to visualize with our experience of conjugal life of past eight years. Was it possible at that time?” Somu further narrates.

“I know your volubility and I am also aware that once you start, you are indomitable, but ensure that it does not create my prolix”, Su answers.

“Neither I am giving any formidable array of alibis nor do I confute about your belief that every ceremony must be time oriented but I only like to emphasize that all these are human’s creation. One can very well enjoy the eternal and spiritual beauties and devotions at any time provided there is a strong desire to do so.” Somu stares to Su for her opinion.

“But, Su does not reply only to laugh.”

Seeing the mood, Somu tries to canoodle and embrace her and strongly put his lips on her and fondle each other as if they enjoy their honeymoon. Nearly one hour, they devour each other and Somu guzzles each and every organ of Su’s body. After sometime, they lay awake, savour their throbbing energy only to comprehend the fantasies of their wedding day.

Su starts to organize the suitcases and bags for their return journey and then proceed to dining hall. After a light dinner, they retire to bed so that they can get up early on the next day.

On the last day of the journey, they complete their morning rituals, finish breakfast and then usher in the waiting car to be dropped to the airport to catch the flight to Kolkata. After a journey of total three hours, they are back to their home with a sigh from Su’s mouth “yes, belated honeymoon is joyous provided the original one is in its place.”

Someone says correctly that “woman’s mind is the most mystic and imponderable”, Somu slouches into the bathroom gleefully.

Enhancing concentration power for professional success

Many people find it extremely difficult to keep concentration for a particular task for a reasonable period of time. It is the perennial problem being encountered in today’s business environment. Peer’s pressure, shortfall of target in terms of outstanding collection and sales volume, maintaining deadline are common syndrome which distract you easily from your focused attention and compel to whirl and swirl you from your concentration level. Ultimately, it leads to the summation of committing mistakes, not achieving the deadline, unable to fulfill the target and all these make your life parlous and pathetic. This distraction of concentration level engulfs you more and more as there is no magic wind to overcome this, unless you are self disciplined.

You should consider the followings as the best practices to enhance your concentration power.

Prioritize the list of works: Make a “To do list” with heading of priority, semi-priority and non-priority. Now, focus the attention on the task number one in the priority list and maintain the sequence. This list will help you to accomplish the job systematically and methodically. Non-priority task can be simply passed on to the lower rank with a clear cut understanding what is being sought for from them. If you have to attend a vital business meeting, a small note pad is essential to carry with you to jot down the central points. Depending on the urgency of these points, the priority list can be reshuffled. But, while changing the priority in the “to do list”, the focus should not be diluted to the sequential importance of the list of the tasks. Otherwise, again concentration will be diverted and divested in between too many priorities which will yield far less than desired productive output.
One at a time: In today’s business world, it is expected to carry out multi tasking. To keep pace with fast growth, it sometimes becomes inevitable. But, you may have to develop skill to concentrate only on one task at a time. Human brain is systematically wired to concentrate attention on a single issue at any given point of time; otherwise yield of the productive results will be naught.
Search of quiet place: It will be prudent on your part to have a secluded sitting arrangement to focus attention. The more it is focused; the power of the concentration will be intensified. Distraction of attention by phone calls, disturbance created by intruders, colleagues visiting your cabin at equal interval will definitely dilute your concentration level. To avoid all these hassles, you need a calm and quiet place to work with full concentration. This atmosphere will also help you to ruminate so as to delve to the work with the fullest concentration.
Clarity of the objectives: Many a time, it has been seen that people have not understood the objectives of the tasks being assigned to them. They pretend that they have the grasp of the task. Their procrastination will only drift them away from the concentration level required to be given for the task, since it is beyond their level of understanding. Under this scenario, you have to first “drill down” the task in three categories; for example, “most difficult”, “somewhat difficult” and “less difficult” categories. Then by adopting “fish bone analysis”, you have to concentrate to complete the task by attempting the toughest (the most difficult) one first and then for the others.

By this analytical method, you will be able to endeavour your concentration to the job and complete the same even though whose objective will not be that clear to you initially.

Take break: You have to take a break periodically because this is best suited to enhance the level of concentration. Primarily, it varies from person to person but as a customary guideline, three minutes break from every thirty minutes of work with concentration will not only enliven you but also enhance the gravity of the process. A stressed mind will diminish the level of concentration and once that is curtailed, then the decision for the task being envisaged from you, will be foolhardy.
Apart from above tips, maintaining good health with controlled diet supplemented by physical fitness, will zoom up your concentration level. The task of above tips is not so arduous and by regular practice and perseverance, the level of concentration will exuberate which will lead you to the professional success.