Redefining Horizons

“Chaaaye ….Chaaaye ….Garam Chaaaye”, the loud and peculiarly coarse call, of a vendor trying to sell tea, woke me up from my deep slumber. I was surprised, that he could get himself heard beyond the toughened double window glasses and a closed compartment of the Rajdhani. Annoyed at being woken up, at an unearthly hour, I got out of my berth and went out onto the platform. It was then, that I realised, he was selling tea to passengers in the train, docked at the next platform. Ever noticed the Chaiwala’s call?   Ever thought why, irrespective of the place or region, they all seem to sell tea in the same tone and tune? Kashmir to Kanyakumari, wherever there is a railway platform, tea is sold by vendors with the same call “Chaaaye ….Chaaaye ….Garam Chaaaye”. Pondered why? Well, it may turn out to be a study in human physiology, psychology as well as, “Survival and Sustenance business mantra” all put together. Can you imagine the effort, the tea vendor has to ma...

There is something very sinister about brand image. The permanency associated with brand image has just about vanished. Products, services and individuals associated with a brand image have to be consistent as well as persistent at labouring to improve brand value. Status quo spells disaster.  Branding was initially associated with domesticated herd animals. In order to differentiate an animal owned by one individual from another, early humans initiated the custom of branding. The process, painful to the animal, mostly confined to establishing ownership, was a ritual undertaken with due deliberation. The prominent and permanent marking on the animal, said a lot about the brand owner and his clout in the society. Modern-day branding is an intricate and costly corporate activity. Initially products were branded, then services were included. We recognised them by the unique brand logos and catchy slogans. Celebrities were paid huge sums to be associated with the brand. Now, with...

He’s a bad boy. He’s a bad student. These are statements that we heard as we grew up. Often used and heard in schools, these are statements that typecast an individual and templated stimuli and responses. At the workplace, it was “Oh, he doesn’t fit into the team” or “he is a bad worker”. Though profound in its content, intent and impact these are not sparingly used.   What makes a person say this? Why should a person be branded as bad? What leads to such a branding? Understanding the causes leading to the statement from both sides can unlock major issues in human resource management.   Does anyone really want to be bad?  Nobody deliberately tries to become bad. Self-esteem and the need to be recognised and appreciated is inherent to human existence. Said, unsaid, each and every person wants to be the best in whatever situation he or she is in. It is a different fact that he or she may not make such a statement or indicate such an intent, but deep within every ind...

Equality is a fallacy. Nothing was created equal. The concept of equality is propagated by those who have no idea of the efficiency equation. Neither God nor man has found means adequate enough to equalise input and output. Newton’s third law of motion notwithstanding, equality exists only in theory. HR practitioners who advocate treating the workforce with the yardstick of equality is involved in something that actually does not exist and pursuing something detrimental to the growth and health of the organisation. Consider two individuals holding similar positions, with the same job description and responsibility in the same organisation. The organisation expects both the individuals to put in equal work, with the same expected level of dedication. Since equality of labour and compensation is an accepted norm, both the individuals have to be compensated equally for holding similar job titles or positions. Despite what each individual may contribute, both would end up being rem...

What next? This is the question that I am confronted with, on a daily basis ever since I have received my retirement order. Each and every person I meet or who has known me for some time, comes up with this question as soon as they come to know that I am retiring. In the beginning, my reply was always, that I haven’t decided. To the very close ones I replied that, I am working on it. When it all began, it was just a question, like any other. As time pass by, the frequency seems to increase and the sincerity with which it is asked is also evident. This matter has assumed serious proportions and needs to be addressed with all the seriousness it deserves. Once this question is posed, it is not uncommon for my well-wishers to offer their advice without waiting for my answer. I am often advised to search for new jobs that fit my status and standing, or those jobs which give me a high on my esteem front. They somehow feel that I must continue to work. I have been instructed to w...

  It is often said that a movie is a reflection of the society. The narrative of a movie normally reflects the society’s beliefs, thoughts and practices. Thus the storyteller picks up something from the society and weaves it into a story, the limiting factors being the narrator’s skills and imagination. Each piece of the story, its characters and narrative along with all that is integral to it is picked up from the society. This helps every person at the movie hall, generally relate all characters to someone he or she knows. Those movies set in planes alien to the society were either science fiction movies or horror movies. But normally all movies told stories that were set in contemporary society and could easily be related to.      Movies are great catalysts for change. Trivial or worthy, films played a major role in shaping the opinion of the society. There are films that espoused nationalism and patriotism. There were movies that espoused faith to ove...

The phone rang as it does always. As always I picked up the mobile and mechanically accepted the call. As soon as I heard the name on the other side, everything changed. On the other side was my classmate from college telling me that they were planning a get together for the classmates. He wanted to know if I could make it convenient to attend. It took me no time to decide and I told him come what may, I shall attend the function dead or alive. It was an occasion that I  looked forward to. I was eager to meet my old friends, catch up with lost times and re-experience those beautiful moments of my youth, I had spend at the college in Kollam.  I was eager to be back, where I actually belonged to. It was with a great sense of gratitude and happiness I confirmed my attendance at the function proposed to be organized by my classmates. Glory to the Almighty, wherever He or She be, by whatever name He, She or It be called for any divine assistance rendered. My gratitude to thos...