"The Setback"

                When I made my mind to write for my blog today, the first thing which struck me was Steve Jobs video which I saw very recently. It was delivered to the students of Stanford University in the year of 2005. After watching that video, I was so obsessed with his thoughts and started reading about him. But that is not the one I am going to share about. I carefully noticed one phenomenon that every leader comes across – ‘The Setback’.

                

            When you try to plot a xy graph, with life on x-axis and time on y-axis, the slope of the curve traced will not always be positive. And the negative ones are called depressions. So does every graph have negative slope or is there anyone only with the rising curve? To prove it more colorfully, Cinemas give a brighter insight into the truth. Almost every hero, presumably 99.9999% experience hardships exactly at the half time and score a goal at the last minute by knocking the villain down. Trust me, figuratively and vividly, it is so true!

                

            One thing which you must always remember is that they do not come with prior notifications. They are not anticipated, just one more example of a beautiful idiom- bolt from the blue. Please do not try to control them and end up yourself in a land of frustration. Take a business model for example, whenever a product is launched, they also mark it with the period of decline so that they reinvent themselves. And why don’t we do it? Well, if you want to cite the reasons- we are very scared and we are not sure of getting back into the track. Hiding yourself in those periods is definitely a wrong action.

                

            But ironically, you need to live yourself in those drastic times; be your best at every second and make your confidence grow high. “Do what you like “says Jobs, He was thrown out of Apple once and he is not a failure, instead he is called as ‘Henry Ford of the modern period’. Imagine you are fired from the company you started, that is the most dreadful dream one could surpass. But Jobs lived it and that too in a more passionate way – he started another company which suited his interest and grasped his passion. Not just in the case of Jobs, but also almost every successful person was definitely once a victim of this natural phenomenon. By the way, I call it as natural because it is mandatory for everyone; everyone around us is an example. So what is the difference between you and Jobs?

                

            Most of them say it as ‘the rejuvenation’, to put it simple it is ‘the bounce back’ and technically it is ‘the resilience’. The bounce back must be big; both in terms of size and confidence, and the work out must be hard for it to happen. When there is a setback, there is always a lesson for us to read. The lesson of enlightenment, it may be cracked down by analyzing how the setback happened. But just don’t go straight to seek a lesson, you cannot obviously. Because you will be suffering from a weak heart and it will not be ready to cope up with your mind. So make your heart strong and bold and the only way to do so is doing things which you would like to. May be for hours, days or weeks, the time really doesn't matter.

               

           Then just hook up to basics, find what went wrong and make sure that you never repeat it. Take time to plan the near future, flexibly strong and you will come out with a power that you have never seen. It is a fresh idea, a fresh world, a fresh beginning and eventually you will be fresh too. When days pass on, you will realize that the setback (along with the bounce back) made you more tougher, more stronger and more happier.

               

           Now in contrary to the graph which we first plotted, now plot a graph with power on y-axis and time on x-axis. What would I wish to see in your graph is a positive slope straight line and yes, you will also love it!!!

The Mitrans

Power of synergy

In Sanskrit Mitra means friend. I cannot call them just as friends because they are more than that; they are a power packed team with high ambition and goals in front of them. And no doubt, they will march steady to attain them. I met them at Chennai, Young Entrepreneur’s Convention and it began; the connection with Mitrans. The convention addressing aspiring young entrepreneurs was organised by Jobsutsav.com, another portal of the Mitrans. Oh! I did not say about their main portal: Mitrastudios.com.  It is the vision of young souls who spend time together in a productive way to make their dreams come true.

Why should I post about them in my blog? What is so special about Mitrans?

To organise such an event, was not an impossible task, but it was surely a challenging task. Challenge of targeting the perfect audience for the convention, challenge of bringing the right people to encourage those young hearts and challenge of making the event useful. They had three big things to work on and they cleared all the three hurdles with an ease. That was evident from the way the convention went.

i) Targeting the perfect audience:

They got sponsors from websites which attracted youths mainly. And as the administrators of Jobsutsav.com, they clearly outlined the fact that relying on job opportunities are not just the only thing young minds can expect but also mastering them in their own way- so called ‘entrepreneurship’. They emphasized on entrepreneurship throughout the convention, no where they spent time on jobs and no where they spent time on publicize their job seeking portal. That was their first success; they kept the audience close to the program with individual attention for everyone.

 ii) Targeting the right guests:

I always wondered, after attending the convention, about the network they have developed. Whenever my Facebook profile reports “Bharathiraja Thangapalam is now friends with 10 other people”, I am so curious to know the people with whom he is connected. Because the network they have established is just so awesome. And so finding guests with such a big network wouldn’t trouble them, though bringing the right people to that special place was an important task to be considered. They did that in a splendid way. Guests who can help guide, warn, encourage and motivate the participants were present. That’s the second success.

 iii) Event Organisation:

There were many guests and for the first time I witnessed the phenomenon of ‘short talks’. When I saw the agenda for the day, I was not sure about the way it was going to be conducted. But later, when the event started I found the advantages of short talks. No boredom; Crispier; Easy to listen & assimilate. With these three things, they made a big day to rejoice forever.

They did not stop there; they are trying to incorporate ‘Arise Awake Cell’ regionally to post the passion of entrepreneurship within students; dealing with media giants, as I heard, with their Mitra Studios and even serving to the society with their ‘I am your Mitran’ campaign. How else can I say about them? Just few more... Go, Mitrans Go!!! 

Jump On Zara: Preface

1947, June 27

St Etienne Cathedral, Bourges, France

                [Breathing heavily] I cannot live or end my life without making myself, my heart, though it is not with me, my soul accede the purpose for me being born in this world. Maria did prove herself with an ever fading love that she always gave me. Even Sade did. Well, What if they are not with me now? Everywhere they left memories to cherish; to bring a small curve over my cheeks and suffice this thirsty heart. They will be around me now wondering how I am going to accoutre myself after losing them.

                [Boots’ Sound] Now I could hear it. I am also going to prove myself. Give meaning to my life. Just few more moments away from attaining eternal happiness. I am sure that Maria and Sade will be happy for it. I went near the edge of the last small dome where the shiny light from outside glared at my eyes. I did not let myself out, just my eyes. They rolled and peeped finally caught what they have to. The boots, staring it for more than a moment and the rifle he had in his hand. I know it is fully loaded and ready to taste my flesh.

               

                He just came close to the end and my acumen increased as he was about to turn around. My eyes were following his big boots as usual. I felt my heart is empty and I had no worry, no more things to ponder on. Only 11 yards that will be the final destination for me and it is vividly available in my mind. Suddenly I felt my muscles getting ready. I was waiting patiently and taking a deep breath for a last time.

               Now I just looked at her. Zara, she had trust in me and was ready for it. Before I looked at the boots again, I just made myself sure that I am not going to let Zara down. Back to the boots, he turned around and I waited for him to take five more steps from there. My eyes went to the other guard on the opposite side that at least he has to cover 10 more steps to face me.

           
                 1..2..3.. counted my mind. I ran in such a way that I saved my energy all my life for this moment. I was holding Zara in my hand, close to me, as if I am not going to leave her ever, but that was not destined to happen. My heart thundered as I heard the guard scream. He was rushing towards me. I felt my heartbeats matched the pace of Zara’s heart too. I never listened to his words as my focus was on the destination.

             
                By this time he would have pointed the gun at me and will be aiming to shoot me. I did not know as I ever turned back. I abridged the destination by running faster. Now he would be looking through the sight of his gun, ready to fire at me. Now nothing could trouble me as I was in the destination itself. I let Zara off my hand to a safe place, better than my heart and my family. I heard the gun shot but that was not enough to bring me down. May be he was ready with the second one, I just looked deeply at those tiny, round and restless eyes of my sweet little Zara which were worried about me and said thanks to her.

[Gunshots continuously]

SUCCESS STORY: 1

Interview with Ms. Saranya who got placed in TELCON


[I just asked her to walk into the class after finishing her work and she came in quietly. She was very surprised that she was going to be interviewed]


Drafted, Edited and Interviewed by Surya Shanmugasundaram


It’s the first time that a student of KEC got placed in TELCON and fortunately you started the count for the college. How does it feel to create history?
[Didn’t come out of the shock of being interviewed and giggling]
I never felt proud of being selected in TELCON. I was always happy that my hard work gave me a fruitful result. I believed the way I worked and definitely its worth that result. I am so happy with it.

What do you think as the most successful element that kept you always on the track of achieving?
The clear goal which I had in my mind and sharp focus upon the goal are the real elements that everyone should possess. Even though you are engaged with other works in college or any other place, for that case, you should spend a considerable amount of time on the goal.

If I ask you to rate your performance out of 5, how much will you give and why?
I will definitely give 5 for me. I am very sure of my performance; it satisfied not only me but also others who expected a lot from me. I strongly believe 5 is very much desperate for my performance.

It’s time to let secrets out! How did you prepare yourself for the big one?
For placements…. [Gives a pause] The most important thing which you have to stick into is BASICS. I covered all the subjects in the syllabus. I gave a time of 2days per subject and at the end of second week I felt that I covered the most needed subjects. I did not read the way as I usually read for exams. I studied them clearly and deeply. Of course, there is a lot of difference b/w studying and reading. One should understand them better to master the recruitment drive.

What is your goal after joining TELCON and what was your goal before two years? Any conflicts?
I had no conflicts with my goals, just a little change of thoughts.
Before two years I decided that I will look for a good company to continue my career. Last year, I felt very bad when no from our department cracked TELCON written test. I then made my mind to crack TELCON myself.

Who do you think will make BOSCH dreams come true?
When I think of Bosch, Shivaraj is the first one who comes into my mind. I feel that he is so passionate about electronics and his passion will drive him towards BOSCH.
Next, Saranarayanan . He is working really hard and I have heard about him and his hard work in hostel. They even say that he never sleeps. I hope he also has a bright chance.
Rajesh is thorough in all basics; he will prove himself in Bosch recruitment.
Raj said that he still did not prepare electrical papers. I know that he can very well prepare in the available time and make it into Bosch.
And I forgot to say about JP and Java, both have a very vast knowledge in electronics.
Sorry if I had not mentioned others in the class, because I know only about these guys. I pray that everyone who prepares well should get into Bosch.

Suppose if it was not you for TELCON, then whom it would have favored?
If it was not me, it would have been… [Creating a moment of surprise] Rajkumar or Nivethan. Because they narrowly missed it in the written test. Actually we were selected on basis of section wise cut-off and hence they missed it. They had very little time to spare for aptitude questions, or else they would have also made it.

How many girls were there with you? Do you think it’s time that girls start leading boys?
5 girls totally came to attend the written test. Boys were many. I was the only girl in the second round. But also, I never think that girls can lead boys. That time will never come. Whatever the condition of world may be, today or tomorrow, I think men are superior.

If you want to share some part of your achievement with college, how much will you share and why?
50% of the credit goes to the college. Because I just learnt a lot from college apart from the academics right from the year I joined. Behavior, Confidence and mainly Human nature are the essentials that I learned from the college. Even in TELCON interview panel the way I responded mattered much than what I responded. They look for things in you which will make you interact with outside world. I got them in KEC only.

Ya, the most asked one. Do you just read text books alone all the time?
No, not like that. I read a lot of novels…Tamil novels. And my favorite is ‘Oru Kavaeriyai Pola’ by Rajesh Kumar.

You have still a lot of days in college. What will be your role in guiding your friend to placement?
I will just try to induce my principle into them. Think about success first and then plan for your success and finally execute the drawn plans. I am ready to spend my time with them even after the class hours so that I share ideas and tips. I look forward that everyone will get placed soon.

That raises a question. Do you think with the strength increased to 120, it would be difficult to achieve the maximum placement?
I don’t find any other difficulties in front of me, other than the lack of preparation. Numbers are not going to be a big problem, because there are other departments which had 120 students even in the time of recession. We are not new, we are matured, we know about risks and we can face it boldly. Only thing that is needed is the momentum, it will automatically jump in.

So how was this interview?
Very unexpected! I thought you would give me some work regarding the placement meeting held yesterday. But I hope that this will be helpful for everyone.

Saranya feels that it will help everyone, what do you feel? Post your comments below!!

China, All the way!!

Apart from the existing Cold war with China, India has to look in its own way to learn a lot from it. And yes, it is indeed the right period to do so. In the economical break down, the Americans and the Europeans are struggling to make their existence worthy in the global market, but it is a different scene in China.

          (This essay is inspired by reading continuously about China in many editorials & magazines)

         

A long way back in 1970, China had its worst economy ever, it was very much low when compared to the other developing countries. But no one ever thought that they would reach 2^nd position in Global economy and 1^st position in overall trade.

          In 1970’s they did not concern to privatise every business within the country but they concentrated where they have to – ‘the weaker section’. Formation of SEZ’s (Special Economic Zones) throughout the country made them adherent to the interest of FDI (Foreign Direct Investments). Linda Yueh, a researcher did an alluring work on the China and published a book and rest will deal about her book only.

          To brief her research, China’s economic development was divided into three categories such as rural reforms, urban reforms and opening to global economy.

          As Gandhi said that the development must start from the bottom to make its root strong, China concentrated on agricultural reforms straight away to help their farmers in early 70’s. They were backed by the support from local government & central government in a very well acclaimed manner, so that they went to 15% of total National Income by 1984. The reason behind it was the development of households. Government took certain amount of cultivation and gave back the rest to farmers. They used them to develop wealth which was then used to run many small scale businesses such as toy making etc.,   This major breakdown helped them to form TVE’s (Township & Village Enterprises) which in turn developed to a position of contributing one third of the total industrial output in China. The numbers involved were very huge and they had the potential to overcome economic abases.

          To start with the fact, it is anticipated, that China will have more cities in the near future than any other country in this world. It means urban reforms have a strong impact from a very long time.

          Decentralisation policy was adopted to make China an adept in urban revolution. Every state was allocated a certain budget to be spent on state owned enterprises. Thereby giving them immense confidence & backing to operate, sometimes, even as an independent body. They were allowed to take loans directly from banks & other financial institutions around the world. It had its chances when WTO included China under its belt and hence even Global Bank even become accessible.

          This also helped china to make their entry into global market. In 1978, open –door policy of china enabled the foreign investment & the facilities offered in SEZ become more fascinating for the foreign player to drive with. In this they carefully adopted a principle of testing their strategy in one area and evaluating its success before making the policy nationwide.

         The masterpiece of their economic plan to encourage export was to decrease the rate of imports (mainly the products needed to manufacture exports) and hence made a profound profit out of it. 16.9% growth in their overall trade was a remarkable achievement and hence they march on to reach the no.1 position in economy.