Are you a brand?

"Brand - Have you thought about it? Why is a Titan revered so much more than, say a certain HMT. Why people go gaga over Nike tees, when probably you can get the same sort of tee at 1/4th the price? Well, the difference lies in creating a brand value. These were mere materials. But these can well apply to professionals as well. Making a brand out of yourself truly matters. No two human beings look alike. But there are 'n' number of professionals who work in similar fashion day in and day out. So, give it a thought. What is it that makes you different from other peers in our experience level? Is there a difference? If there is, then work on it. If there is not, then work on it even more. In the process create a brand out of yourself. You should be known, not by your looks, your mannerisms or by your etiquette. Of course they go a long way in shaping up the brand. But they represent the 'look and feel' of a TITAN. The MAIN differentiating factor has to be in your longing for perfection, in your drive towards excellence, in consistency, in venturing in areas which others are afraid of. Then, my dear friend, you will be able to create a positive difference for yourself as well as the organization."

"Again, it all lies in the basics. Jot down your strong and weak points. Sharpen your strong points. Work on your weak points. Stay focused, committed towards creating value. A great way to stay motivated is to dream, to view yourself as the most successful professional you have ever seen. To create an imagery out for oneself is a big step forward towards really achieving the oh-so-dreamy dream!"

I told myself all of these in the morning today. Knowing what to do is one thing and doing it actually is a separate story altogether. What do you think, friends?

Thorough professionalism?

What does a person do when he feels down and out?

There are probably a hundred things or even more:

• Hum a song
• Listen to music
• Confide in others
• Write a diary
• Start self introspection
• Pretend to be happy and forget everything
• Dance
• Watch television
• Resort to vodka or rum
• Play video games
• Poke nose in others' affairs
• Sleep
• Pretend to sleep
• Immerse in work
• Immerse in a pool
• Go golfing
• Or may be a picnic
• Start a new hobby
• Play cricket
• Think philosophically
• Curse whoever is at sight
• Pat dogs or cats
• Feed birds
• Get involved in photography
• Catch a movie
• etc etc etc....................

What do I do? I simply blog! :D

Yes, today is another day when I am feeling down and out. Trying to cope with it and find out what is the reason behind it. Oh.. forget it! I know, don't I? Pretension is not exactly necessary here. Let life be as it is!

But yes, being morally correct and impartial takes its toll, as it is taking on me at the moment. Being a thorough professional in one's work life is not very easy. There are always a few people who would not like the progress you make and there would be others who had forever been endowed with praise. And they find it difficult to take in when there's a flak waiting for them. Now now, how can one praise someone always! Flaws have to be pointed out. Come on! Everyone has flaws, even I have. So what the heck!

Once I decide I am gonna be impartial and true to my conscience, it hardly matters who is a friend and who is a foe. For a true professional, friendship and professionalism are two separate levels and never should both of these intermingle! Alas! Few people in the industry understand this.

I shall end this post with the following example:

Raju and Mahesh are friends since the school days. As destiny would have it, they find themselves in the same industry as well. By luck or my chance (or Luck by chance), Raju get placed up higher up in the hierarchy and has Mahesh working in his team. Now there is a certain incident that gets escalated and Raju has the tough task of making this clear to Mahesh. He does it, but that results in their friendship getting affected. Now, sample two scenarios here:

Case 1: Mahesh takes it deep in his heart and that affects their friendship. Even Raju feels, it's time to play the tough task master. Here personal and professional standpoints get intermingled and results in a strife.

Case 2: Mahesh understands it from a professional standpoint, but does not let this impact their personal terms. Still, they hang out together in pubs and catch a movie together on weekends. But while at work, Mahesh is now extra cautious, so as not to make the same mistake repeatedly. Even Raju can breathe a sigh of relief, now that everything is in place as before.

Tell me friends, which case do you like more and why?

I would go with Case 2. As they say, "Never mingle professional and personal relations".

Hello! Is someone listening? (or reading this?)

Image courtesy: www.fotosearch.com

The pledge

Standing tall amidst ruins,
Strong amongst the weak,
Island in a sea,
A lone sugar cube in a cup of tea.

I hereby pledge:
Not to turn into a ruin,
Not to become weak,
Not to be submerged by the arrogant waves,
Not to melt in heat or get frozen by cold

Whatever be the adversity,
Whatever be the calamity,
I WILL face everything with a brave heart,
Show the world that living is an art,
Canvas is the same for all,
Colors are the same for all,
Whether I sketch grief or sorrow,
Whether I paint happiness or gratification,
It all depends on me...

Life is a big big party,
Let us all enjoy it before it ends,
Do not stand there in the corner and feel shy,
Come, take the floor, try and fly...
You never know...

Because...

A bird never knows...
...until it tries to fly

Meaningful... Isn't it?

No pain, no gain.

Future would be fruitful only when we learn to accept the pain.

=================

Source: Forwarded article from Abhijit Das

Random thoughts

The life of a person is solely dependent on the kinds of work he does and the attitude he keeps. Believe it or not, we tend to find those we look for. If we look for success, we would find success. If we look for failure, we would find failure.

So it becomes highly necessary for us to maintain a positive attitude throughout our life, no matter whatever we might go through. Only a positive attitude can help ensure that we stay grounded on the hard soil, we do not fall down.

But being mere human beings of flesh and blood, sometimes it really becomes diffficult to maintain poise. However nothing good can ever be easy. Only hardships bear fruits.

Keeping a focus can be extremely helpful in the long run.

If we take a look at all the great men in the world we would find that all of them at some point of time had to face tremendous hardships and pain through which they came out with flying colours because they had their strong focus on what they wanted to achieve.

This drive for success helped them become whatever they became.

There is a well known saying... "Life is not a bed of roses"

Truly so, but that is where all the enjoyment is. Until and unless there are thorns, how can one enjoy the beauty of a rose.

Only a wild sea makes out a skillful sailor.

And when we go down and down and down... at one point we would definitely reach the bottom from where we can go in only one direction... UP !

So why worry, enjoy life as it comes... say to yourself "You are going through this only because you have the capability to go through this". Let us face all challenges with a smile and win them over.

In case you can't, at least you can say to yourself... "I tried my best !" :)))

Golden Rules for Career Success by Richard Moran

Golden Rules for Career Success

Richard Moran

WORKING as a business consultant all over the world, I have discovered some basic career-related rules that everyone should know—but many don’t.

Business is made up of ambiguous victories and nebulous defeats. Claim them all as victories.

Keep track of what you do; someone is sure to ask.

Be comfortable around senior managers, or learn to fake it.

Never bring your boss a problem without some solution. You are getting paid to think, not to whine.

Long hours don’t mean anything; results count, not effort.

Write down ideas; they get lost, like good pens.

Always arrive at work 30 minutes before your boss.

Help other people network for jobs. You never know when your turn will come.

Don’t take days off sick—unless you are.

Assume no one can/will keep a secret.

Know when you do your best—morning, night, under pressure, relaxed; schedule and prioritize your work accordingly.

Treat everyone who works in the organization with respect and dignity, whether it be the cleaner or the managing director. Don’t ever be patronizing.

Never appear stressed in front of a client, a customer or your boss. Take a deep breath and ask yourself: In the course of human events, how important is this?

If you get the entrepreneurial urge, visit someone who has his own business. It may cure you.

Acknowledging someone else’s contribution will repay you doubly.

Career planning is an oxymoron. The most exciting opportunities tend to be unplanned.

Always choose to do what you’ll remember ten years from now.

The size of your office is not as important as the size of your pay cheque.

Understand what finished work looks like and deliver your work only when it is finished.

The person who spends all of his or her time is not hard-working; he or she is boring.

Know how to write business letters—including thank-you notes as well as proposals.

Never confuse a memo with reality. Most memos from the top are political fantasy.

Eliminate guilt. Don’t fiddle expenses, taxes or benefits, and don’t cheat colleagues.

Reorganizations mean that someone will lose his or her job. Get on the committee that will make the recommendations.

Job security does not exist.

Always have an answer to the question, “What would I do if I lost my job tomorrow?”

Go to the company Christmas party.

Don’t get drunk at the company Christmas party.

Avoid working at weekends. Work longer during the week if you have to.

The most successful people in business are interesting.

Sometimes you’ll be on a winning streak and everything will click; take maximum advantage. When the opposite is true, hold steady and wait it out.

Never in your life say, “It’s not my job.”

Be loyal to your career, your interests and yourself.

Understand the skills and abilities that set you apart. Use them whenever you have an opportunity.

People remember the end of the project. As they say in boxing, “Always finish stronger than you start.”