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Category: Ideas & Wisdom

  • The Netlfix Culture Document – A Must Read !

    I came across the “Netflix Culture: Freedom & Responsibility” document on Sunday evening. It was a good revisit of the Netflix values and philosophy of excellence.

    Sheryl Sandberg even called it “the most important document ever to come out of the Valley.”

    It’s a living set of “behaviors and skills” that the Netflix management team updated continuously and fastidiously. And it drives toward a single point: a company is like a pro sports team, where good managers are good coaches, and the goal is to field stars in every position.

    There are lot of good insights:
    1. Like the expense policy – Act In Netflix’s Best Interest !
    2. Highly Aligned, Loosely Coupled – Makes sense
    3. Pay top performers the top salaries – no bell curves or standard increment
    4. Honesty and top severance packages

    A Must Read for sure !

    [slideshare id=1798664&doc=culture9-090801103430-phpapp02]

    Source: First Round

    Also Read Harvard Document on Netflix – How Netflix Reinvented HR by Patty McCord

  • Happy Guru Purnima

    Happy Guru Purnima

    Happy Guru Purnima

    Thanks to the wonderful teachers and mentors for shaping my life.

    Their faith in me was solid.
    Their belief in me was legendary. I wondered and I pushed myself harder to never let down on that belief.
    Their confidence in me was supreme.
    They inspired me by their acts of selflessness and humility.
    Their look of disapproval stopped me from being content with mediocrity.
    They educated me on the pros and cons of the choices I made. But they always supported in the every choice I made.

    Their love and concern was and is unconditional.

    Their is only one explanation for the love and care I received from my mentors – I may have been lucky. But they are divine souls who spread their happiness in the environment and touch every soul that comes their way.

    Words cannot express the gratitude I owe. I can only promise to carry forward the legacy and give back to my environment in the same way !

    Thank you !

    Happy Guru Purnima !

  • Indian Public Servants’ Vulgar Use Of Red Beacons

    Indian Public Servants’ Vulgar Use Of Red Beacons

    His Highness Respected Judge

    Hi ! Good Morning !

    You may not know me. But I know you a bit. We are “Roadies”

    Atleast 2-3 times a week, I drive the car myself at 9 am. And I get your company from Commerce Cross Roads To Thaltej Circle on Drive-In Road every morning. I reach office every early when I am following your car. My family thinks that I am still driving crazily. Actually, the secret is something different.

    I follow your car. Your car has the “Lal Batti” or the “Red Beacon”. Your driver keep its ON for 50% of the time. At every traffic signal, he goes all blazing and adds the “Sarkari Sound” as well. As you know our traffic police are still serving Government Servants first and then citizens, so they allow your car to pass and the whole traffic goes for a toss. But it definitely ensures that we have a cake walk.

    But I do not know why – but I do get upset. Now my CEO Rutesh Shah who also happens to be my mentor told me: “ Ashok – You are a good human being and a strong leader. But please understand that you cannot solve the world’s hunger problem. Please accept 10% inefficiency in the system and focus on the job at hand”. So I usually try to not challenge and question the “Sarkari” and “Self-Proclaimed” leaders everywhere around me.

    But this thrice a week disregard for common public and vulgar display of power has finally hit me. I would have done RTI, posted your car picture with registration number (I have the car pictures!) etc etc. But another IT veteran and a mentor wrote in his book and I follow – “Not all wars are worth fighting for”.

    Alcoholics Anonymous said “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.”

    But can a dog forget to wag his tail? No – I have to register my protest. And this is the mildest protest. I am writing this on my blog and putting it on my network.

    India got independence in 1947. The-good-doctor-turned-scapegoat-PM gave us Economic Independence in 1991. Our ‘Nayak’ Kejriwal and TsuNamo Modi has changed the standard of expected behavior. Please change. You know the rules of using those privileges. So please do not embarrass yourself. Let me paste the link for you:

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Red-beacon-only-for-high-office-not-for-MPs-MLAs/articleshow/27198073.cms

    Please do not use the “Red Light” and stop those blazing sounds. Remember, I have the pictures!

    Finally, I appreciate one fact about of many good things that you possess. You are out of home at 9 am everyday ! Punctuality is the first sign of an organized individual. So I am sure you would like to continue and work on your strengths.

    Regards
    Ash

    Lal Batti

  • Key Lessons From Indian Election Results 2014

    Key Lessons From Indian Election Results 2014

    Hope Wins, Corruption Defeated!

    The World’s Biggest Election’s Results Are Out ! Narendra Modi Has Catapulted BJP To Power With Its Best Ever Performance.

    The Key Lessons !

    1. The Power Of Clear Vision, Strong Leadership, Positive Message And Relentless Focus On The Larger Goals.

    2. Lead From Front : Modi Led From Front. He Accepted All Weapons On Himself. He Took Full Charge of Campaign – Did Massive Rallies, Decided Key Strategies. If He Failed, He Would Have Been Packed Off Forever, But He Took The Risk.

    3. Importance Of Trusted Team & Strategies: Modi Has Created A Strong Team of People For Him. Amit Shah Is The First Name That Emerges. The UP Strategy Was A Masterpiece And Cornerstone Of His Success. Even Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Strategies Delivered.

    4. Preparation & Ground Work: Team BJP Worked On Creating Massive Plans For Offline And Online Marketing. Dedicated Team Works On It. Mission 272+, Chai Pe Charcha, Varanasi Thrust, Etc. Were Key Examples. It Was A Strong Ground Work And Lot Of Hard Work.

    5. The Importance Of Track Record – Narendra Modi Had Delivered A Strong Government, With Development And Progress. He Was Clearly Seen As A Very Decisive Person Who Powered Bureaucracy And Demanded Results. India Wanted The Same.

    6. Accept Reality – Congress Failed To Accept That India Wants Progress, Prosperity. It Wants To Be Match Developed Nations. What Congress Gave Was Same Old Messages And Rhetoric.

    7. Nautanki Does Not Work – Delhi And India Gave A Strong Chance To APP In Delhi Government. What Did Delhi And India Get? Nautanki? Nautanki Does Not Work. Visibility, Slogans Are Good – But Vision Is More Important.

    8. Sycophancy Sucks – All Major UPA Leaders Have Failed. All People Who Claim To Fame Was Sycophancy Have Lost Elections. Closeness To A Particular Leader & Family Cannot Compensate For Lack of Real Ground Work.

    Observations:

    1. India Has Rejected Corruption, Inaction and Dynasty.
    2. India Has Rejected Party That Never Communicated And Took It For Granted
    3. Congress Worst Ever Performance
    4. BJP’s Strongest Independent Performance
    5. BJP’s Strongest NDA Performance – Better Than Vajapayee As Well
    6. Even Good People Like Nandan Nilekani, Gul Panag, Priya Dutt Lost – Big Losses – Shows What India Is Thinking !

    What Next?
    1. Lots Of Pressure For Modi To Deliver. First 100 Days Will Count
    2. Expect Quick Market Reforms. Expect Lot Of Decisions & FDI Inflows
    3. Pragmatism And Intelligence From Modi To Win 2019 – Means Deliver Promises And Empower Whole Of India
    4. Expect Growth Of BJP As A Party – In Bihar, Uttarakhand, Etc. Biggest Surprise Was Opening In Assam
    5. Expect BJP Government In Delhi, Maharashtra.
    6. Barack Obama To Invite Modi To USA !
    7. Expect Congress & Rahul To See Reality & Focus On Putting Best People For Best Jobs ! Priyanka May Not Be The Solution!

    Cheers To Election Commission
    Cheers To Security Forces
    Cheers To Indian Citizens

    Let Us Hope For A Better India !

  • Collaboration Is Nothing Without a Shared Purpose

    Collaboration Is Nothing Without a Shared Purpose

    I Recently Came Across Wonderful Note From Vineet Nayar In HBR Called – A Shared Purpose Drives Collaboration

    In an effort to improve collaboration, and to make it seem less forced and unnatural, companies spend a lot of money on new technology and training. But this approach doesn’t get at the heart of great team work: a shared purpose. Collaboration can’t be “processed” into being. It only works when leaders articulate the problem — along with the challenges and the goals. This is why the team at NASA worked so well together after the Apollo 13 crisis. Ditto on the Federal Aviation Authority during 9/11. When leaders express the problem, the challenges, and the goal in clear, direct, and motivational language, great collaboration will result.

    Very true !

    Indeed, I have always believed and quoted – Purpose Is Bigger Than Processes. Share Values Are Bigger Than Strategies.

    I recollected the movie screening and discussion around Apollo 13. The central point was that crisis brought everyone together – everyone was working for the same goal. So whether it is crisis or a football match, collaboration is automatic when there is a shared purpose. And then everyone trusts each other, there is openness and communication is clearer. Leaders have to drive the vision and create the purpose for the organization.

  • Culture Trumps Strategy

    Culture Trumps Strategy

    For a company to succeed, strategy is important, but a great culture is paramount. It’s the one distinguishing feature that a competitor can’t duplicate. So how does one go about planting the seeds of a great culture? First, leaders must surround themselves with the best and the brightest — people with extensive experience and high emotional intelligence. Second, leaders must be compassionate. People are the most engaged, the most passionate, and the most productive when they’re listened to, and when they’re encouraged to grow and learn new skills.

    SOURCE: Creating a Culture of Unconditional Love by Claudio Fernández-Aráoz via Harvard Business Review

  • The World Is Changing – 2014 Thoughts !

    The World Is Changing – 2014 Thoughts !

    1. The business world is getting dynamic with each passing day. Winners are created in a short span of time and old reputations shattered in even shorter span of time. Samsung and Blackberry are good examples.
    2. Winners are created in shorter span of time. Also, winner takes it all ! Samsung and Apple control the profits of the entire industry.
    3. No Innovation – No Respect.
    No World-Class Offerings – No Admission In Business World.

    4. Mobile and cloud are now integral to enterprises. There are no fence-sitters now!
    5. Big Data Analytics indeed seems to be the next billion dollar opportunity.
    6. Wearable Devices are the next big thing. Smart Shoes, Smart Accessories. Hopefully human beings will be more smarter as well !

    7. As always, money is still not the prime motivator of people. As always, designation does not determine the leader. It is always the purpose, vision, challenging work and respect that drives people !
    8. Digital Detox is gaining currency ! Slow Movement will fasten !

    9. AAP is transforming and influencing Indian Political thinking. India’s Jasmine Revolution is beyond the social media now.
    10. Youth are driving the change across Sports, Movies and Businesses.

  • Are You Ready For 2014?

    Are You Ready For 2014?

    The end of the year ! Time to review. Time to redefine.

    2013 will soon be history. I am sure we will say “GoodBye” to 2013 by remembering its highs and lows. More importantly, enriching ourselves by the lessons it taught us.

    2014 is in front of us. Let us look ahead.

    How do we want 2014 to be?

    What do we want to be in 2014?

    And in 2015? And further ahead. It is important to set those right priorities for ourselves. It is important to set clear goals. Once that is done, there is tremendous clarity of thought. All things fall in place.

    The most important things after having clear goals is discipline and commitment. Nobody won a nobel prize for their plans. Nobody got a promotion for their thoughts. Everyone got ahead because of results and actions, which only happen after execution and discipline. Let us act. Let us fight that cynical voice. Stay away from negative thoughts and persons.

    Things may not go as per the script. But we still have to face reality. Take adversity by the horns. Accept challenge and prepare a new approach, if things do not right. It is always important to have Plan B.

    Always be positive. Always manage time well. Google Maps cannot guide our lives. Nor can anyone else. We are our own architects. It is convenient to find problems outside of us. Difficult people will fall in line eventually.

    Finally pursue excellence. It helps you become expert. It helps you to leave your mark. It helps the world to help you !

    How does this translate into workplace? Let us have clear goals for ourselves. Let us have clear KRAs. If we have some challenges, be pro-active and clear it. Review self. At a high level, if we see our work or anything that we do as job or task, we have one approach. But if we see our work and other activities as mission, our perspective changes. We get lot of power and energy from within. HR Performance Appraisals, Punctuality, Attendance, Follow-Ups, Reminders, Stress – all go out of our lexicon. Leadership becomes our mantra. Making it happen becomes our mantra.

    Time flies. 2013 is gone. 2014 will also be soon gone. Focus on only 3 goals for 2014. These goals can cut across work, family, self. No more. No less.

    I hope everyone of us have more achievements and more celebrations in 2014. Dreams do come true.

  • Book Review – The Difficulty Of Being Good

    Book Review – The Difficulty Of Being Good

    Gurcharan Das is one of the favorite Indian writers. I loved his India Unbound and I follow his columns as well. I read his book ‘The Difficulty Of Being Good’ this week.

    ‘The Difficulty Of Being Good’ explores the subtle art of Dharma. The book revisits the story of Mahabharata and presents it from the perspective of different traits of its characters. Envy, Courage, Revenge, Dharma, Remorse etc. are explored. The author also adds recents anecdotes of Satyam, Reliance and other events to give it a contemporary linkage.

    The central theme is discussions around Dharma. Draupadi questions Yudhistir on what did he achieve after following Dharma? He got only grief and pain. She asks – Why be good? Yudhistira says – I act because I must. That is the central definition. Right Action itself is the reward.

    Mahabharat concludes that wealth and pleasure follow Dharma yet Dharma is not pursued. Dharma means praying for well-being of others. Through thoughts, actions and speech, if we can do good for others, it is Dharma.

    The common problem is that we would feel bad if we act according to Dharma and yet the other one is unjust. Or worse our opponent / rival, exploit our goodness. The response is again the same – Following Dharma itself is a reward. Of course, one should try to be smart. Mahabharata does not following Gandhian principle of offering the other cheek. (The book says that Gandhi succeeded because the opponent was Britain. British are rational and logical and workable. But it we had toxic terrorist regimes as opponents, Gandhi may not have succeeded. Who knows?)

    Dharma in everyday life is doing one’s best. Living life with compassion and equanimity is vital. One could live life like a twig of tree and respond to the currents of life water appropriately.

    The other interesting points are:
    1. Mahabharat is ‘A series of precisely stated problems imprecisely resolved’ !
    2. Time cooks us all. (Remember the opening of B R Chopra’s Mahabharat – Main Samay Hoon). Time cooks beings. Why would the war happen otherwise?
    3. Mahabharata is a story of deception. Deception happens on both side. It might have been difficult for Pandavas to emerge victorious without breaking many rules. Killing of Drona, Karna and gunning down Bhishama were not according to the war rules. Krishna would term as strategic moves.
    4. It is not easy to classify Kauravas and Pandavas as bad and good. The better word would be to state that Pandavas are the preferred side.
    5. The claim of Pandavas to throne was never a clean one due to ambiguity of lineage. Strictly speaking, King Pandu had no sons.
    6. Kauravas had deep envy of Pandvas. Author gives example of Ambani brothers. Envy kills !
    7. Disrobing of Draupadi had many questions. How could a king who has lost himself wager his wife?
    8. Action always beats inaction. Action is fruit in itself.
    9. Yudhistira cursed that women will not be able to keep the secrets – that is where it started 🙂
    He was not happy that his mother did not tell him about Karna.
    10. Yudhistira has once to choose to save only his one brother from four brothers who are dead. He choses Nakula so that each of his two mothers have only surviving son. His sense of justice is exemplary.

    I found it is as a different and interesting read. It reinforces the belief in doing our best and not worrying about results. It tells about pursuing the right path of Dharma. Krishna tells that it does not matter if you bend the rules for the righteous victory – I do not agree to this though ! The path is sometimes as important as the goal. Difficult in today’s times !

    Though I believe Bhagwad Gita is the best management book. The central theme is Action ! Read my Bhagwad Gita review.

    ‘The Difficulty Of Being Good’ is worth reading for sure !

  • Nobel Prize For Innovation

    I came across an interesting email from Harvard Business Review today – Nobel Prize For Innovation!

    Picture the year 2050. Has innovation improved the world in a substantial way? Has it solved our most pressing issues — healthcare, poverty, climate change, income inequality? Or have our best and brightest used their smarts to create even more social-media platforms? Let’s hope for the former. But how can we help make that happen? Awarding a Nobel Prize for innovation could help. The prestige and magnitude of such an award could encourage inventors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to reach for world-changing ideas.

    SOURCE: Getting Beyond the Narcissism/Advertising Complex by Scott Anthony