The trend clearly showed the dominance of the Engineers and there was also a gender skew with male students beating the fairer sex for a change( Girls have been beating boys in CBSE XII exams for last twelve years- Ref http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/CBSE-Class-XII-results-Girls-outshine-boys-for-12th-time/articleshow/5960327.cms).

 The debate vered around whether the admission process is a comprehensive one or not, or rather it is too dependent on the age old format, and not considering the non-academic aspects of students. Or are the premier institutes also becoming the den of certain stereotypes, with complete disregard to students with other skill sets. Another question which popped up was that do these colleges look at the personality fitment of students in a rigorous manner? Or the future of the entrants hangs primarily upon the 2-3 hour window in which they take the test.. Another key point raised was as what is the percentage success rate of Enginners compared to other stream students? And also, talking within that cut-off percentile range, what is the percentage of engineers compared to the entire set? Then, there is always a discussion about meritocracy versus democracy. In former, the brain rules, while in the second, by the design itself, there is something for every one.

Coming to foreign universities, who typically look into more aspects for selecting a candidate, the B-School crowd is as diverse as possible. Chances of you rubbing shoulders with senior BBC editor, or a business tycoon heir or may be a NGO volunteer as well are much higher compared to Indian colleges. But a recent book PRICE OF ADMISSION by Wall Street Journal deputy Bureau chief Golden threatens to tarnish this repute to a great extent. (http://www.amazon.com/Price-Admission-Americas-Colleges-Outside/dp/1400097975/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276075009&sr=8-1) .  The book dwells on the endowment leagcy of colleges, and tries to reveal how some of them have been using/misusing the same for wealthy families . A hard hitting one, the book even names the colleges and in some cases, name of beneficiary students as well.

So, which of the two is better? The forum is open to deliberate and decide

Cheers

N.B. You may follow some of my education blogs at www.careerlaunchersec62.wordpress.com

What adds to the place is that it is cheaper than many of the exotic national locations, and a full value for money destination. The travellers come with varied motives and am sure, not many of them return disappointed, whether it is after the under sea walk in mid sea, or banana boat ride at coral island, or parasailing in mid sea, or enjoying beach side massage, or a mid-night excursion at Walking Street.

Another good thing about the country- No visa formalities, no waits. Visa is easily granted, and visa on arrival is not much of a problem either. Just carry 500 US dollars ( 340 is the figure the CATHAY PACIFIC check- in clerk gave, but better be safe), and if asked show the same.

Thailand can also be described as the land of extremes- Bangkok known for its Buddhist heritage, and malls and markets,  and Pattaya for its beaches, natural beauty and sex trade. Both the towns appear to be two different worlds, amazing given the fact that you can hop from one to other in just two hours.

Water sports in Patayya are amazing, and much more professionally managed than Goa, and so is their capacity to handle huge number of tourists simultaneously. Thai currency Bhat exchange rate is Rs. 1.4 on an average, so you can enjoy the water sports without shelling out a fortune.  Don’t miss spreading yourself in a beachside shack and go for foot massage or pedicure or full body massage. The evenings can be best booked for Alcazar show, and don’t fall for any of the ladies there. They are all transgenders ( Lady boys as they are locally called). Gem and jwellery exhibition is another big draw, and promises stones and jwellery at economic prices. 

All during the day, you can sense an emptiness in Pataya, but as the sun starts setting down, the new face of Pataya emerges. There is no pick up joint, as there need not be one. Every 10 meters, you can bump into one of the girls, and in Walking street, the distance does not exist. There are good bars and some discotheques as well, but its hard to locate one. Strip clubs are also just round the corner, and in case, you are fond of some European skin, B-52 is a famous Russian strip joint. Another popular of these is Pee Pee massage parlour, where you get everything except massage. Please check for license before you finalise one, and take care of your belongings lest you repent afterwards.

Cut to Bangkok, and the famous Buddhist temples are a treat to watch especially the long Buddha statue. There are some good malls as well, and famous Indira market, in case you are missing Chandni Chowk. Electronic items are also cheaper compared to India rates, and you may as well get something for yourself. The evening can be devoted to Thai cultural show, which holds world record for highest stage. And you can not afford to miss the safari world, and the nice games of sea gulls and dolphins.

Just hope, you don’t reach Bangkok on red-shirt versus yellow-shirt demonstration day, lest the traffic can be extremely painful . Else, a perfect economic gateway..

1) ” Plan to change the game”.

2)  Dynamism is what you can bring.

3) Fresh blood with fresh perspective is what you take to corporate world.

4) Numbers are at best indicative. Remember how Maruti launched more models in one year, than what they did in last ten years.

5) Recession ” What are your views on Lipstick syndrome”? So, don’t get bogged down.

6) Formats are at best redundant. Ideas make the difference.

Cut to Corporate world and the reality..

1) Please ensure the attached format is filled and sent 2 days before the planning meet. And it takes donkey years to fill the same.

2) Please understand, we are all but a player in market and can not change things and market behavior overnight.

3) Good growth figures but what about the 2 year CAGR? And what about 3 year CAGR?

4) How do you relate the same to GDP growth expected over the year? How have we behaved historically in this regard?

5) Can customer sentiments be changed just because of wishful thinking?

And then the questions, whom no one even thinks of. Coming at 2 am does not make it easy either.

1) When is Diwali and Durga Puja? So, does this mean an extended season for us?

2) What can be the short-term and long term strategy? Lets look at the same from directional, operational and developmental point of view.

3) How are our allied industries doing? What does this imply for us? And what about the sentiments of the market? So, is the market service class driven or economy dependent?

4) Plans for the year look ok, but how can we look at micro picture? And nano picture? The size can get smaller and smaller till the time you say “I GIVE UP”

Many can know, where I am coming from. But long live Planning Presentations..

Month-end, the most looked forward to day in Sales, for reasons different to different people, and for different reasons for different months for same set of people. The bottom line is simple ” HIT HIGH OR HIT HIGHER”. No third option exists.

The volume target has already been achieved, but what about the focus product achievement? Don’t you think we can push a little further. Also, with predictions not so nice for coming months, it will help us build some buffer.

We are way off the volume target and everyone knows, it is a lost battle. But the brave soldiers go down fighting, and not surrender meekly. We will fight till the last minute and till last bill, unless the system declares date change. Some enterprsing lot have also mastered the art of back dated billing. Also, with peak season coming up, we will get the boost, but only if the deficit for the month is not too huge.

Month-end, the day when most innovative ideas come into market. The day, when negotiations are at their best. The day, where everyone waits for the other one to blink. It becomes war of nerves, and the party blinking first is the loser.

I recall a nice story narrated by one of my friends. The subordinates came to his cabin lamenting as to how the stock problem was causing problems in billing. The running SKUs were out of stock. A quick report summary showed, that there was 450 kl material still in depot. He shot back “ Sell this 450 kl and then we discuss, what next? Company manufactures all products for sale, and not just certain SKUs.”  We may find it funny, but the message was driven.. Sales reached a crescendo that month-end.

And what about the distributor, who had a family marriage, and hence wants benefits of scheme concluded on 23rd as well. But there was a genuine reason, argues the subordinate. It is a stupid and age old reason, retorts the senior. Both are smiling within themselves, waiting for other to blink. Few minutes or hours later, the subordinate returns with a bigger order, and shows it enthusiastically. But he is not still picking up slow moving SKUs. Ask him to bill Rs. 2 lakh of that, and we may consider. The veteran subordinate could hardly suppress a smile as he already had Rs. 5 lakh more order in his shirt pocket. Sounds interesting, does it not?

But he does not stock Coke, reasons one.That does not mean, he has bought over Pepsi is the reply. So, time for another negoatiation.

Towards the evening, calls are more frequent. What about my long lost money is how it generally starts. Forget it says the other.. But we are interested in working together, reasons first person. And so are we, the second one replies. So, lets chart out a mutual beneficial curve. The deal is done.

There is one number whose call are the most unwanted one for the day. One, who can do nothing, and he knows it. Still he will try to come across as God, who has seen it all, and done it all. Guess, some more billing is on the way, when you were just about to call him saying its done for the day.

“By the way, before you leave for the day, please send me the plans and proposals for the next month”.

And the journey begins again…

So, what did you think, burning the midnight oil in the campus for the next day Branding case study was all about? And what about the 4Ps of marketing, which Kotler and our profs tried so hard to push down our throat. Sales and distribution management was always a favorite subject and for many, solving a case study successfully was enough to give them an orgasm.  Cometh placements, and figures were rattled to such a great depth, that sometimes one would have the entire Board to shame. Location was never a constraint, and getting the hands dirty seemed to be the in-thing during the interviews.  After all, when you are eyeing a plum Marketing profile, why be so eager to disclose it at first opportunity. A fat cheque also swayed the emotions and preferences, and the GD was always a Mini Mahabharat( As Sales people, you need to show you are aggressive)

Cometh the day of joining, and seems half the battle is won. But, the posting envelope dents the spirit of half, the other quarter start cribbing, and the victorious ones( Who have got Metros/hometowns/ fiance’s locations) try their best to look concerned. But one who said Looks can be deceptive was never more correct.

A new term” Management Trainee” seems to be the flavor. His Job Description can be summed up in just one line- “ DO THE TASK WHICH NO ONE ELSE IS READY TO DO, OR ONE WHICH THREE TRAINEES HAVE ALREADY TRIED ( IN VAIN) AND THATS HOW GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY” . I personally know of a friend, who was given a task to work with influencers, and after three months, he was still trying to define the word” INFLUENCER”  and whose boss was perpetually busy in some key decision making processes.

Comes the confirmation, and you think this is the moment, and man, I am all out to show what the real gem of ideas do I have. Three m0nth ends and 1 quarter end later, all this euphoria vaporises, and the reasons are best known to you. Some bosses say, This is how this has been done and it has worked, so why change it know. Others appreciate your thinking prowess, and then tell you why this can not work. Others are blunt to point and tell you 10 reasons why it can not work, while another kind of species give you the go ahead with minute changes( As aptly told by a senior member, this 5% change takes away 95% of your ideas).

So, what did you think you would be doing? Defnitely not the following things-

1) Writing letters of appreciation and recommendation letters for son/nephew of your premium distributor/ dealer, as he has applied for a travel management diploma in Algreia, and some good reco will help.

2) Booking flight tickets at 9 pm in the night for your dealer( as he has to go to embassy next day for visa process of an upcoming international incentive tour, and at 8: 59 pm, you have been told there is some problem with his visa.

3) Filling in the same data for god saken number of times, because some one ( read your boss) is too busy to cull it out from system, and needs it fast and urgent.

4) Attending endless number of marriages, funerals, booze and god forsaken parties( just to ensure you are CONNECTED to the market and HAVE A PULSE of the same).

5) As to how within 5 minutes, you are supposed to change the entire USP of a product, and how this has become slightly obsolete and how differently it can be pitched as more suited to curren needs and demands.

6) Trying your level best to convey How the other person is fully right, but yet completely wrong. ( Solve this puzzle).

7) Saying no to your kids and spouse for a movie and going for the same movie, same show with your favorite dealer/distributor.

8) Your same town relationship looks like LAC( Love across Country) given the frequency with which you meet your beloved.

But trust me, it all goes in a whiff, you leave it all behind, the cheer is back to your face, when one solid deal proplels you ahead of everyone else. When one good month end suddenly sees figures in red turning to golden…  You need to see the faces what a HIGH really means.

May be Sales people are eternally hopeful..May be they are hopeful to the extent of foolishness, but then thats why Sales is IS NOT FOR WEAK HEARTED.

1) Friendship is the cooperative and supportive relationship between people, or animals ( Wikipedia definition)

2) Friendship is a personal relationship shared between two individuals for the welfare of other, in other words, it is the relationship of trust, faith and concern for each other feelings.( http://ezinearticles.com/?Definition-of-Friendship—A-Few-Facts&id=1267049)

3) Looking slightly philosophically, Friendship is the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring all right out just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful friendly hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping and, with a breath of comfort, blow the rest away.( http://www.xenodochy.org/ex/quotes/friendship.html)

4) Looking at some of the responses of a newspaper contest( http://www.successnet.org/scards/friendship.htm)

a) One who multiplies joys, divides grief and whose honesty is inviolable.”

b) One who understands our silence

c) A volume of sympathy bound in cloth,

AND THE WINNER WAS

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

But as they say, all that is bookish ( or webbish now a days) seems so boring and out of fashion. So, what about some unique, out of the box definitions, more relevant in today’s world..

1) A friend is one, who is permanent guest in all your functions and many a times without functions, some times leading to suspicions on even your orientation.

2) A friend is one, who either does not drink in a pub, because he has to carry you back or drinks the most, as he knows you are there to carry him back.

3) A friend is one, who sits on the terrace braving the Delhi cold at 11 in the night to talk to you, because in one room, while TV is switched on in full volume and in drawing-room, the spouse/mother is waiting and shouting for dinner.

4) A friend is one, who always teases the girl next seat, knowing either his charm will work or you will escort him to safety.

5) A friend is one, who asks stupid questions during examinations, so that prof’s attention is diverted and you can cheat comfortably.

6) A friend is one, who goes to the red light area with you, and stops you from entering a brothel, because his love could not say no earlier and his concern will not let you do wrong eventually.

7) A friend is one, whose car you can borrow at any time of day, and then finally call him to say, as to how it has been badly smashed and he needs to come and arrange to transport it, as you are getting late.

The list is endless, but that is what friendship is all about as Aristotle said- “What is a friend? A single soul, dwelling in two bodies”

More definitions are solicited.

The question dying to be asked and I refer to Pritish Nandy’s article in TOI is that” If Shahrukh Khan was so concerned about the Pakistani players, then he being the owner of one of the IPL teams, why did he not bid for them?”  To which, I gently add my small question. “If there was a pressure on him not to bid, then why did he not oppose it then, or disclose it afterwards?”   And who mounted the pressure? Wat it BCCI, or was it Central government, or was it some other element. Truth shall come out.

The answers are simple my friend… Every one was out there to prove a point. Some one wanted a good overseas opening for the film, some one wanted to show that days of some people calling the shots in Mumbai are over, some wanted to show they still can not be written off, the others were almost feeling suffocated being out of news for these days.. So, every one had an agenda, no one was a saint, and all were prophessing themselves as the true saviour of humanity/minority/ Indianness and all other things possible under the sun.

Some points to be looked into—

1) Where was Mr. Chavan, when North Indians were beaten mercilessly, and what stopped him to take any action then?

2) Why did Mr Chavan give an evasive answer to Rajdeep Sardesai when asked ” Will he react equally, if what is happening to SRK today, happens to a poor taxi driver tomorrow?”

3) Needless to say, when will people understand that divisive and politics of hatred can catapult you once( History is witness to the same and so we need to respect it), but to stay there, you need much more. The words have to be followed by action( The actions need not be riots and rampage  all the time)…

Before signing off, strong protests were made all over, and question of fundamental and human rights and all those legal questions were asked about the protest. The most unfortunate part was ” THE INTELLIGENSIA ALSO GOT CARRIED AWAY IN THIS STREAM”. To condemn the wrong, they perhpas went too far.. Else, how can you justify the 5 star and 4.5 star rating by known review columnists. Many of the cine goers defnitely did not echo the same. ( Refer http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/feb/15/mnik-after-grand-opening-comes-slump.htm).  So, guess you are equally responsible for misleading the public, and a more mature behavior from you would have been more appreciated.

Just a small question to all of you.. WHICH OF THE FOUR OVERWEIGHED THE OTHER IN THIS EPISODE?

1) Show of strength

2) Sensational Publicity

3) Last Ditch effort

4) Intellectual bias

Or do you feel, all these together were a defeat for all of us. Comments welcome.

But, if your definition of a weekend gateway means loads of idle time with your near and dear ones( it can be your better half/ would be better half/ gang of friends), wherein you are running against time, wherein there is no one around to peep into your lives, or some or other vendor trying their express selling skills, guess Harihareshwar is calling you.

Located on Mumbai-Goa highway, around 200 km away from Mumbai, to reach here, you need to take a right turn from Manegaon. The road there onwards is not a delight, and till you hit the place, you will be forced to think that are we heading for a hill or a beach.. But the first sight of the sea, and trust me, all your cribs/complains/ exertion goes for a toss. If there were something called Private beach in India, then my friends, its here for you and that too free of cost… For stay options, there is nothing better than MTDC resort, but in case you are unlucky, you may try Rohan Resort, the only other option available through internet booking.

The itenary can be short and sweet.. Rather its you and you alone for the entire time. Enjoy the stay at the Konkani bamboo rooms of the resort, devour the Malwani food, and go to dive, swim, laze around in the beach… Chances are high that you may be alone in the entire stretch, or may be joined by 3-4 more people. Pack your drinks in advance as getting your brand there can be a problem. Also, don’t depend on your other requirements there. It is advisable to carry all your stuff along. Also, Setting sun is a delight, you can’t afford to miss…

 Go to the near by Harihareshwar temple, and if time permits, go for the Parikrama around the temple. Srivardhan is another place 15 km away, and worth a watch as well. 

So, next time you are in Mumbai on a weekend, pack the bags, and explore the virgin territory.

As the title says, it almost succeeded.. The story is of a spoilt brat (Ranbir) of a rich dad(Anupam Kher), who never takes the world seriously, unless he is forced to by certain incidents.. And who better to hold his hand through this.. Our own Aisha(Konkana).Their first meeting was an accident, but they soon became used to each other..(or should i say Made for each other).. The songs are different.. O RE MANWA definitely leaves its impression.. Konakan is brilliant in her acting..Ranbir too leaves her mark.. A character not used to the fullest is Sonia , but i wonder what more could she have been used for.. At times, the story looks lost, sometimes, the confusion looks little too much to fathom, but then that is what adds to its beauty as well.. Mumbai monsoons conclude the movies, which is as abrupt as it could get.

All in all a good watch, first half being a little slow, but as the time passes, the story picks up as well..

Now, for an average cine goer(there will always be off the normal curve people), the expectation is pretty clear: Time pass for three hours, something to relax themselves, somethings to laugh over, something to enjoy their popcorns with… This is where DIL BOLE HADIPPA fits the bill perfectly.

Minutes into the movie, and you can guess it to be a Chak De remake in new avataar, but thats only the beginning. Its about a girl living here dreams, and of particular mention is the dialogue: You may stop me from doing something, but how will you stop me from dreaming?  The story is of a village girl, who had a dream, and will go to any extent to fulfill it.She is as desi as you can think of, as pure at heart as you can imagine. The story is about a broken family, who is not shattered yet, as still there are threads of relationships between them. The story is about a Miss Chandigarh, who seems alergic to wearing clothes. The story is about a dance party, which belts real jazzy numbers. The story is about some efforts to promote harmony between India and Pakistan, and the story is about knowing that only thing that matters is victory, and rest all can wait.

Rani Mukherjee has lost loads of weight for the movie, and it is apparent. Guess Rakhi would have been paid extra money, as she uttered hardly three lines in entire movie, and danced really well. Shahid is looking really dashing, and many a dames would drool at his new looks. Sherlyn has serious allergy to clothes, and is apparent.

There is a pinch of over dramatic climax, but then Bollywood junta can always be ignored for the same. The music is foot tapping, and songs are picturised really well.

In all, a must watch. 4.5/5 says the scoreboard.