Invention, Innovation, Creativity, Passion, Attrition, Aspiration, Services, Products, Bench, Research, Grass, Billings, Profits – All are cordially invited to join me relate these! This is the beauty of relationships. Touch one and the other either blossoms or sleeps.
Indian IT Industry, a magnet for young graduates few years back now seems to be a rusted Iron. 4 years in same company sends strong signals to peers about ones in competency in the Market. Employees feel drained, more by seeing their peers switch jobs and move up the ladder than by actually disliking their present jobs. This is the beauty of relationships.
The grass is always greener on the other side. A services lad aspires to work for an esteemed products company. While a Product guy is lured by an exciting, dynamic Services career. They both see value at each others place. This is the beauty of relationships.
“On Bench” – a word with different meanings for different people. To some, it means Frustration. To others, it is a paid vacation. Some use it to enhance their skills by engaging themselves in various Certifications while others motivate themselves to intentionally remain On Bench to prepare for an upcoming Post Graduate entrance exam! Indeed, a versatile word “On Bench” – it overwhelms me with its variety of effects on one and all.
Attrition, a word so common now that it can be added to the Indian vernacular dictionaries, is found to be in a complicated relationship with all that is said above. “On Bench” period and experiences play a major role in employees either leaving company or getting fired. Recently 500 associates getting fired from TCS made headlines in all leading dailies. A majority of them were either “On Bench” during that period or recently allocated after a long “On Bench” experience. “On Bench” is a point of disengagement of an employee from his Organisation. It is the most critical time for both. Let us make the most of this moment of truth.
Now, let us interestingly combine all these and think from the perspective of a Services Company with the sole intention of making its employees believe that the Grass is actually greener on their side. At any given point of time, the largest project in any IT Services company is that of “On Bench”. I propose to use this huge talent pool as a strength rather than a weakness. Let us harness the tremendous strength of “On Bench” employees by making them work on In-House Products. Let us get rid of this term “On Bench” from the IT Industry. Lets begin today by calling this pool of talent as “On Products” instead of “On Bench”. This shall cater to the needs of numerous employees to work for a Products company. This shall give the bright minds Time & Space to Innovate and Invent. This shall pave way for a normal Services company to establish a strong Research & Development centre. This shall be the beginning of the numerous Products from an otherwise Services company and who knows that in future “On Products” becomes the leading revenue generator for the same.
“On Products” is certainly a non billable project but so was “On Bench”. The benefits of “On Products” can be reaped in the long run when the products are created and ready to be customized for different clients. I have a model in mind of how to implement this proposal. Most importantly “On Products” is a low risk initiative and different models can be experimented in the beginning.
In the present scenario, all leading IT companies are focusing on attracting new talent with little or no focus at all on retaining existing talent. Organisation and employee goals are getting segregated. HR, instead of working to amalgamate these goals, are forced to meet Organisational goals at the expense of employee’s goals. This is the moment of truth for HR only if they could revive the Synergy of the employees and the organisation!
Innovation is the answer.
Believe me, there is no shortage of talent. It is just getting transferred from one organisation to another or getting wasted somewhere. Big companies are surviving the flow of talent by virtue of their well established processes which makes the flow smooth and clears the passage of any blockages. But is surviving the only Intention? Small/Medium size companies are more keen to develop a pool rather than a flow for you can deep dive in a pool to find a hidden treasure somewhere which is just not possible in a flow.
We Invent to create a new world and we Innovate to make our existing world better. Let us all say that I shall Invent one day, let me start by Innovating today!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
A day with the Founder - Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman NASSCOM & CEO Zensar Technologies
Believe me or not, something unheard is happening at ZCBI. I could feel it right from day one. It kept on growing in volume and intensity with each passing day. It started with the breath of few individuals, soon it turned into the air of Innovation and now it is no longer a mild breeze, it is a strong Wind. Yes! The Wind of Transformation has begun! It is a Wind which both the ZCBIians and the Corporates have felt alike. They have begun to experience it, enjoy it and sail with it.
Call it the first destination or the beginning of a journey, on 10 June 2008, ZCBIians were enriched and enlightened by none other but the founder of this Concept ZCBI, the Mastermind behind this Epitome of Innovation, Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman NASSCOM & CEO, Zensar Technologies.
Fun at heart, follower of intuitions and passionate about enjoying every moment at work, Dr Natarajan believes in listening to his heart. He is a sailor in this sea of life and hates wasting fuel going against the stream. Probably, he is a strong believer of the ‘Law of least Efforts’ which says that you achieve utmost success when you seem to apply the least efforts, the enjoyment in the journey is so extreme that it overwhelms the burden of the efforts!
The Big day started with the celebrations of the first 50 days of ZCBI. ZCBIians presented the journey so far to Dr Natarajan who was highly impressed by the ‘Ehsaas’ Social initiative and the advent of ZCBI into Secondlife, an online Virtual World, as well!
There is something at ZCBI which compels its visitors to follow the Mantra of Success – Doing things differently and Dr Natarajan was no exception. To everyone’s surprise Chairman of NASSCOM started his lecture not by speaking about IT, US, Europe or Asia-Pacific but by speaking about Rural India. He asked us that how many have spent a decent part of their life in small towns of Rural India. To Dr Natarajan’s surprise there were many of us who had absorbed the Purity of Rural India in our childhood. This was something unique we shared with Dr Natarajan, himself coming from a small town of Bihar and an introvert in the early days of his life, we were overwhelmed by his strong connection with his roots.
Dr Natarajan now fired a question at us ‘What is NASSCOM and its purpose of existence’. Multiple answers soared from all corners of the classroom and each covered just some aspects of this huge body. Dr Natarajan explained that the prime purpose of any big coalition is to share and comprehend the best practices with each other and NASSCOM does the same. It is a platform for the IT & BPO Industries to Learn, Share, Enrich and Grow together. He went on to ask the reason behind the success story of Indian IT industry during its early days. There were many answers and someone popped up with the Y2k solution but Dr Natarajan wanted an answer that would appeal to his ‘that sense’ which all of us have in plenty but tend to use it least because we feel it is common, yes indeed it is common but didn’t Abraham Lincoln once said ‘God loves common people, that is why he makes so many of them’. Yes! Dr Natarajan appealed to us to use the immense strength of our common sense and trust the wonders it can create. He went on that during 1980’s a strong trend began when students from IITs and other premium institutions went abroad, particularly to the US for higher studies and work. Strong presence of Indians in US and other foreign countries helped the IT industry to grow exponentially. This is the power of Collaboration and indeed it is much common than solving the mighty Y2k problem!
Dr Natarajan went on to apprise us about the company he currently heads, Zensar Technologies. He said that in order to achieve success it is extremely important to be Original and Differentiate yourself from the crowd. Zensar Technologies differentiates itself from the rest by believing in Constant Innovation, ZCBI being a classical example. Dr Natarajan informed that Zensar Technologies focuses on Process and Business Model Innovation. He added that the Business Models keep on evolving and need Constant Innovation. It started with TCS’ Onsite Offshore Model, followed by Infosys’ state of the art facilities in India better called the Global Development Centres and currently Zensar Technologies latest Business Model is a revolution in itself for the industry. Dr Natarajan informed about the Innovative practices that Zensar Technologies follows in People Management as well. Encouraging Women Leaders, Zensar Technologies is indeed a People Oriented Organisation.
However, one needs two hands to clap. Let one hand be that of the Associates & other of the Organisation and Zensar Technologies shall never stop Clapping. The essence of this was pointed out by Dr Natarajan saying that even if on one morning you feel not going to Zensar, you better quit!
Indeed the ‘Law of Least Efforts’ shall be followed by all Zensarians - Amen!
Call it the first destination or the beginning of a journey, on 10 June 2008, ZCBIians were enriched and enlightened by none other but the founder of this Concept ZCBI, the Mastermind behind this Epitome of Innovation, Dr Ganesh Natarajan, Chairman NASSCOM & CEO, Zensar Technologies.
Fun at heart, follower of intuitions and passionate about enjoying every moment at work, Dr Natarajan believes in listening to his heart. He is a sailor in this sea of life and hates wasting fuel going against the stream. Probably, he is a strong believer of the ‘Law of least Efforts’ which says that you achieve utmost success when you seem to apply the least efforts, the enjoyment in the journey is so extreme that it overwhelms the burden of the efforts!
The Big day started with the celebrations of the first 50 days of ZCBI. ZCBIians presented the journey so far to Dr Natarajan who was highly impressed by the ‘Ehsaas’ Social initiative and the advent of ZCBI into Secondlife, an online Virtual World, as well!
There is something at ZCBI which compels its visitors to follow the Mantra of Success – Doing things differently and Dr Natarajan was no exception. To everyone’s surprise Chairman of NASSCOM started his lecture not by speaking about IT, US, Europe or Asia-Pacific but by speaking about Rural India. He asked us that how many have spent a decent part of their life in small towns of Rural India. To Dr Natarajan’s surprise there were many of us who had absorbed the Purity of Rural India in our childhood. This was something unique we shared with Dr Natarajan, himself coming from a small town of Bihar and an introvert in the early days of his life, we were overwhelmed by his strong connection with his roots.
Dr Natarajan now fired a question at us ‘What is NASSCOM and its purpose of existence’. Multiple answers soared from all corners of the classroom and each covered just some aspects of this huge body. Dr Natarajan explained that the prime purpose of any big coalition is to share and comprehend the best practices with each other and NASSCOM does the same. It is a platform for the IT & BPO Industries to Learn, Share, Enrich and Grow together. He went on to ask the reason behind the success story of Indian IT industry during its early days. There were many answers and someone popped up with the Y2k solution but Dr Natarajan wanted an answer that would appeal to his ‘that sense’ which all of us have in plenty but tend to use it least because we feel it is common, yes indeed it is common but didn’t Abraham Lincoln once said ‘God loves common people, that is why he makes so many of them’. Yes! Dr Natarajan appealed to us to use the immense strength of our common sense and trust the wonders it can create. He went on that during 1980’s a strong trend began when students from IITs and other premium institutions went abroad, particularly to the US for higher studies and work. Strong presence of Indians in US and other foreign countries helped the IT industry to grow exponentially. This is the power of Collaboration and indeed it is much common than solving the mighty Y2k problem!
Dr Natarajan went on to apprise us about the company he currently heads, Zensar Technologies. He said that in order to achieve success it is extremely important to be Original and Differentiate yourself from the crowd. Zensar Technologies differentiates itself from the rest by believing in Constant Innovation, ZCBI being a classical example. Dr Natarajan informed that Zensar Technologies focuses on Process and Business Model Innovation. He added that the Business Models keep on evolving and need Constant Innovation. It started with TCS’ Onsite Offshore Model, followed by Infosys’ state of the art facilities in India better called the Global Development Centres and currently Zensar Technologies latest Business Model is a revolution in itself for the industry. Dr Natarajan informed about the Innovative practices that Zensar Technologies follows in People Management as well. Encouraging Women Leaders, Zensar Technologies is indeed a People Oriented Organisation.
However, one needs two hands to clap. Let one hand be that of the Associates & other of the Organisation and Zensar Technologies shall never stop Clapping. The essence of this was pointed out by Dr Natarajan saying that even if on one morning you feel not going to Zensar, you better quit!
Indeed the ‘Law of Least Efforts’ shall be followed by all Zensarians - Amen!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Guest Lecture: Mr. Bala, CFO Zensar Technologies
Just a few days old or would you like to call it a few days new…. conventions are something not meant for the ZCBIians! It has the most unusual classroom I have been a part of so far. It is a classroom without any walls, boundaries and limits. It is filled by the most unusual people I have met so far. They know how to dream with open eyes. They breathe the air of Innovation and one cannot stop thinking that they were born to Transform!
An MBA designed for the Industry, ZCBIians had there second talk with Mr Bala, CFO Zensar Technologies on 26 May, 2008. The first being at the time of admissions when the applicants were scrutinized by Mr Bala along with other leading industrialists, executives and academicians from institutions like IIM. Compromise is something unheard at the ZCBI. We believe in having a batch of 80 strong rather than 100 on compromise of quality.
Be ready for surprises at ZCBI or where else would you find a CFO talking for 2 hours and not a single word on finance! He shared with us something much above the curriculum, course and finance. He shared with us his experiments with life. How he reached the top of the corporate ladder without a formal MBA degree speaks a lot for him.
The session started at 5:30 pm after the daily lectures. It was not pre-planned and we all received a mail at ZLCMS at 3:00 pm. We expected it to be a finance/IT centric lecture, because that is what conventions say and Mr Bala, not having studied at ZCBI, should follow these conventions. However, as you enter the campus of ZCBI you can feel the urge to break free and let your creative, energetic, passionate and true side unfold and blossom into a flower never seen before. Probably Mr Bala had experienced similar urge that he started with the most unusual introduction.
He randomly picked candidates and asked them to name the city they belong to while he guessed the state. Mind you, he missed no single candidate but his knowledge of geography was put to a tough test as we have candidates from all over India, right from Jammu to Kerala at ZCBI. Next, was a question left open by Mr Bala “Define a Manager” and we had all possible definitions from all corners of the classroom. Mr Bala refused to accept any one of them. He then moved on to fire another question on us. “Define Love”. The class was all out to answer this question which was so close to its heart. Again Mr Bala refused to accept any one of them. He reasoned that Love has no distinct definition and so does a Manager. He winded up the definition by saying “A true manager is the one who performs the most daunting tasks with limited available resources and most importantly without complaining”
Next was a session on the significance of money in one’s life. All had different views on this. Mr Bala then suddenly asked “How many of you drink Tea” All hands were up. Now he asked “How much sugar do you add to it”. Promptly came the reply that enough sugar to enjoy the cup of tea. Now he added “The same goes for money as well. You should have enough to enjoy the cup of life!” He explained that money should not be the sole and primary motivating factor to work. He went on to give examples of some great men he met when he was in Kolkata. They worked for Mother Teresa. He asked us that what made them work so hard. It was a cause, a mission they had in life. So strong should be our cause and mission that other motivations become just like the sugar in a cup of tea. This is the beginning of the path of success.
He then went on to share with us something very close to him. His personal experience in corporates and how he went on to become a CFO without any formal MBA degree. He has worked with multiple RPG group companies and was instrumental in getting them out of crisis situations. It is during these crisis times when people either perish or leaders are born. Unlike other associates, who shied away from immense risk and effort, he stood strong and ensured that these companies make profits again. Mr. Bala apprised us that Patience, Excellent Communication skills, Passion, Self Motivation, Dedication and Commitment are essential to achieve success. He then quickly fired a question asking which quality it is that enables a successful person sustain his success? It is the mighty “H” which stands for Humbleness which is as essential as the rest in order to give sustainability, respect, meaning and truth to our success in life.
Now we know exactly what makes Mr Bala what he is today!
An MBA designed for the Industry, ZCBIians had there second talk with Mr Bala, CFO Zensar Technologies on 26 May, 2008. The first being at the time of admissions when the applicants were scrutinized by Mr Bala along with other leading industrialists, executives and academicians from institutions like IIM. Compromise is something unheard at the ZCBI. We believe in having a batch of 80 strong rather than 100 on compromise of quality.
Be ready for surprises at ZCBI or where else would you find a CFO talking for 2 hours and not a single word on finance! He shared with us something much above the curriculum, course and finance. He shared with us his experiments with life. How he reached the top of the corporate ladder without a formal MBA degree speaks a lot for him.
The session started at 5:30 pm after the daily lectures. It was not pre-planned and we all received a mail at ZLCMS at 3:00 pm. We expected it to be a finance/IT centric lecture, because that is what conventions say and Mr Bala, not having studied at ZCBI, should follow these conventions. However, as you enter the campus of ZCBI you can feel the urge to break free and let your creative, energetic, passionate and true side unfold and blossom into a flower never seen before. Probably Mr Bala had experienced similar urge that he started with the most unusual introduction.
He randomly picked candidates and asked them to name the city they belong to while he guessed the state. Mind you, he missed no single candidate but his knowledge of geography was put to a tough test as we have candidates from all over India, right from Jammu to Kerala at ZCBI. Next, was a question left open by Mr Bala “Define a Manager” and we had all possible definitions from all corners of the classroom. Mr Bala refused to accept any one of them. He then moved on to fire another question on us. “Define Love”. The class was all out to answer this question which was so close to its heart. Again Mr Bala refused to accept any one of them. He reasoned that Love has no distinct definition and so does a Manager. He winded up the definition by saying “A true manager is the one who performs the most daunting tasks with limited available resources and most importantly without complaining”
Next was a session on the significance of money in one’s life. All had different views on this. Mr Bala then suddenly asked “How many of you drink Tea” All hands were up. Now he asked “How much sugar do you add to it”. Promptly came the reply that enough sugar to enjoy the cup of tea. Now he added “The same goes for money as well. You should have enough to enjoy the cup of life!” He explained that money should not be the sole and primary motivating factor to work. He went on to give examples of some great men he met when he was in Kolkata. They worked for Mother Teresa. He asked us that what made them work so hard. It was a cause, a mission they had in life. So strong should be our cause and mission that other motivations become just like the sugar in a cup of tea. This is the beginning of the path of success.
He then went on to share with us something very close to him. His personal experience in corporates and how he went on to become a CFO without any formal MBA degree. He has worked with multiple RPG group companies and was instrumental in getting them out of crisis situations. It is during these crisis times when people either perish or leaders are born. Unlike other associates, who shied away from immense risk and effort, he stood strong and ensured that these companies make profits again. Mr. Bala apprised us that Patience, Excellent Communication skills, Passion, Self Motivation, Dedication and Commitment are essential to achieve success. He then quickly fired a question asking which quality it is that enables a successful person sustain his success? It is the mighty “H” which stands for Humbleness which is as essential as the rest in order to give sustainability, respect, meaning and truth to our success in life.
Now we know exactly what makes Mr Bala what he is today!
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