Two different reports

A manager of a multinational IT company hired two graduates from a top management institute. Let’s call them A and B. Now A was a person who had the airs of achievement about him and always looked as impeccable as ever. B on the other-hand was the casual, friendly type – who began to make friends, right from the office-boy to the top guns who shared the occasional elevator ride.

After a long, solid internship, the manager called A and asked him to go to a chicken farm, on the outskirts of the city, and find if any IT work was possible for them. A set out on this very prestigious journey, only to find that his Honda, had to be stopped at-least two kilometers before the venue. Having finished his work, A returned. (Kind of smelly and with traces of feathers)

The next day, the same assignment was given to B.(only to another chicken farm) Now B went in a bus, to get a feel of the ride and returned back with a few chickens, grinning at the experience. (With many anecdotes to share)

Both submitted reports.

A’s report summary:
The chicken farm is chicken feed for an organization like ours. It’s a place where education is neither respected nor sought-after. IT will definitely not have a role to play there.

B’s report summary:
A different experience altogether! Enjoyed the ride, warmth of the people, and the fellowship! Learnt about the simplicity and passion in work! A little IT would definitely help them. And all these chicken farms are inter-related. (Business sense) If we make one project for them, then we can duplicate the same for a thousand others (with minimal customization). They would need a kiosk with a PC and the same can be used in the evening to teach the kids in that area. (Social investment) It will be a challenge to develop VERY user-friendly software, but then that is our challenge. (Creativity) By the way, they have the money (my free chickens go to only prove that). I am ready to do an intense project feasibility study on this wonderful opportunity.

Guess what happened next?
One of them stayed there, while the other left – can you identity who and why?

Creating valuable discussions in the workplace
Ashley Chris J P

Trusting the Customer Service

Today I went shopping to a large clothing store with floors of stuff! I was very specific in what I wanted to purchase. And I took my 3yr (can’t be quiet for a minute) son Kevin, for the purchase was for him. We went in and started to inquire for hooded jackets, but could not get a proper response. So we began to hunt on our own. The senior customer service personnel appeared to help, but were definitely not enthusiastic about it. With Kevin running away every other minute or so, I was beginning to get really irritated.

It was then that this junior customer service girl came along, and brought along some worthless pieces! Then she began to talk with Kevin and Kevin started to run away again. So I asked if she could hold the pieces for me but she ran and caught Kevin and brought him back lovingly. So I simply looked into her eyes and said ‘thank you so much’. And then I said some more…”I am trying to find some hooded jackets, and I trust you to get me some good ones” That’s it! She began to do the running around and more…she kept bringing back my son from his various hiding places and took over the job of checking out the different jackets on him. It took over a mind-boggling 45min in all before we got the ‘best’ ones. She stood by our side and even walked us to the billing counter with my son playing ’slide’ all the way.

What prompted her? I would never know. But one thing I believe, that kept her going was the trust I had placed on her. I did not just mention it, but believed that she would be able to help us out. And she did exactly that and more.

So when you walk into a big store the next time, start to trust the customer service personnel with words and belief and who knows what blessings you may get.

Trusting people, one at a time
Ashley Chris Vinil J P

Beach Ball

Today, I got my 3yr old son a beach ball and we had a wonderful time blowing air into it. Then we started playing – volleyball, basketball, cricket, football with that one beach ball! Oh! we also had those moments when the air got deflated, and we had to blow it up again. Overall we had one great time.

Just imagine, you and I are like that beach ball. We get filled up with our learnings and then we are ready for a whole lot of multi-tasks. The learning inside us, is a combination of feelings, experience, opinions, facts, baggages, desires, needs etc. As we go about our daily tasks, we allow a whole lot of combos to add in. We also prevent stuff we don’t want from entering in. When we face pressure or stress, we do get deflated to some extent. We also voluntarily deflate ourselves, in-order to let go of our baggages and ‘wrong’ learning. Then the various encouragement, motivation, and ‘right’ learning helps us get in shape again. So we continue our life as a beach ball.

But one thing we tend to forget in our busyness – our purpose. Even as we roll, bounce and do many things – are they all contributing to our life purpose? So keep that in mind, as you go about each day.

Happy playing
Ashley Chris Vinil J P

Standing firm on your Beliefs

One of the most needed things today, is the determination to stand firm on your beliefs. We find most people around us, swaying to the winds of opinions and pressure. But a few do make a stand. (The result may not be sweet from other’s point of view).

One man pooled in his money and opened a restaurant, but was firm that he will not open the restaurant on Sunday – because he wanted to go to church and give full time for God. His new managers and employees got really scared on hearing that and his friends practically laughed at him. In his mind, he was firm and with a lot of prayers and trust, he went ahead. Business was average and though he launched quite a few innovations – he got the usual opinion from customers, “Hey, why are you closed on Sunday?”, “We came, but you were shut. What happened?”. His employees struggled with his mindset and many began to talk behind his back, and some even started to look out! This man prayed and then worked out a ad, which simply said, “Everywhere, best food comes out only on Sunday. Here, the best food only on weekdays – Come, give your taste-buds a break this weekday”. He published the ad using low cost but effective medias and soon it was a trickle, then a rush, then it became a hit! Office goers thronged his place for lunch and families filled his place for dinner, much to his own amazement. Oh! By the way, the restaurant still closes on Sunday.

Fear of failure, fear of what will other’s think may cause us to cave in to popularity. Victories take time to come, but only after some ‘learning’ failures. So stick to your beliefs and make the stand. The day is near for the victory to come.

Stand firm
Ashley Chris Vinil J P

Breaking the day

We are all used to working very hard. Now working on a single task from morn to eve (read ‘night’) leads you to boredom. Slowly the tasks you enjoyed stretching out on, becomes less exciting. So how do we escape from this boredom, that creeps even into tasks that we are passionate about?

Simple. Break the day! How?

Insert needed breaks (not your regular tea, gossip or lunch break) for your mind. Plan the day before, as to what activities you can include in your job, which will add on to your growth. Some breaks I enjoy are reading (books, articles, motivations, devotions etc), brain-teasers, writing, learning (that’s one wide area), drawing, idea-generation (new methods, troubleshooting, creative patterns etc).

Now, the big question is: are they not time-wasters? Definitely not! You see, scientists have established that the brain gets sharper, when it is subjected to variety. And that is exactly what breaks do for you. But the breaks have to be of the mind-variety, not the physical. (as we are so used to!)

So, go on, create your own mind-stimulating breaks and break the day! (with some caffeine, if you like it!)

Ashley Chris Vinil J P

Facts and Opinions

All of us are exposed to facts as we go about our lives. From these facts arise questions that lead us towards choices. The problem with this simple routine is this: Are the questions that arise facts or opinions?

Suppose there is a fact – your boss is not pleased with your work. Then out of that fact you tend to generate questions. They could be:
1. My boss does not like me
2. My boss will always create problems for me
3. This place is not the right place for me to work
4. I am doing my best, but I am not recognized
etc

Now we need to stop for a big moment and ask another question – how many among the above are real facts? Well, do you have an answer?

The truth is all of the questions are opinions, because they came out of the predicament (disappoinment, anger, frustration, sadness, feeling down etc) you are going through at that point in time. Unfortunately you make the choices based on any one or a combination of the above. The result is a wrong step in the immediate future.

So what is the right thing to do? Simple. Have a genuine talk with your boss!

Fix an appointment with him, clearly stating the purpose. Then open out your real feelings with the efforts you had put in, on the ‘displeased’ work. Then in that same open mode, ask in what ways you did not reach the mark and what was expected. Go on further, and ask for guidelines to achieve a ‘pleasing’ work. Every person, has within him a desire to input into others from their ‘wisdom’, so your boss will definitely give you a whole lot of tips. And you also draw closer to him by having this real talk!

Now during the conversation, you may find out that one of your opinions was right, then you still go through the ‘real’ talk and then make choices.

So, is it not time for you to have the real talk? Go on, put aside your opinions that become baggages and drive forward towards success.

Ashley Chris Vinil J P
Based on ‘Level Next’ by Bert Cherian

Before you sleep

Thinking of a positive thought before you sleep, really gives you a restful sleep. Re-living the blessings you received that day can really prepare you for a great day tomorrow.

I always had the habit of worrying about the bad events that took place and then tossed about in my sleep. The morning alarm sound was something I hated. (One in my top 10 list) Then the whole day was one leftover from the yesterdays. And it was bad! Then I started to sing songs of worship and pray – then I dwelt on the good parts of my day, as I lay on my bed and soon I was sleeping soundly and getting up to a great day.

I have now begun to pray and then think of God’s goodness to me and that gives me a real, restful sleep with a happy awakening. What about you?