Friends

We all are passing thru challenging times. New definitions and words have become buzz words these days. Recession, Depression, Global meltdown, slow down etc. etc. are being used in most of the conversations. Surprisingly every one also agrees that the boom was excessive and they know it is going to happen. No one agrees it is unexpected.

This is the real test for all of us and once the test is over, those who would survive this will grow faster and those who do not learn the lesson would have to go through one more recession. In my view the recesion period is just like an annual examination which is must for elevation to next class. If you pass, it is great , if not then again cyclical recession would be there soon . We learn, grow, earn, build teams, net workings, relationship during boom time. It is always fun to have all in that time and then the cycle comes to the recession and every thing is put to test. All business principles, friends, teams, relationships have to pass thru this test.

The result teaches many lessons and helps in correcting ourself and move further. This is the time when you again prepare your self to enjoy the coming boom time.

My point to share with you is that recession is must for our consolidation and growth and we shall accept it as part of the business cycle. It is like bitter medicine needed for a sick body after lot of enjoyment, parties and fun.

And once this cycle is over, we will gain get chance of enjoying boom time. So enjoy and cheer up. This time is not going to come soon.

cpjain

The Ten Commandments for Business Failure

Friends

Just finished a nice book "Ten Commandments for Business Failure" by Mr. Donald Keough (ex President Coca Cola). He has rich experience of about 60 years in business and has concluded that sure shot guarantee of failure in business are following 11 commandments:

1. Quit Taking Risks

2. Be Inflexible

3. Isolate yourself

4. Assume infallibility

5. Play the game close to the foul line

6. Don't Take time to think

7. Put all your faith in experts & outside consultants

8. Love your bureaucracy

9. Send mixed messages

10. Be afraid of the future

11. Loose your passion for work- for life

A great book, so compact that a person of such a high stature telling the crux of his life experience. I would say it is a great gift by Don to the world present and future.

cpjain

Price of Failure: Much Higher than the cost of Success

Friends
Whenever we pass through the market of a city, we notice lot many people sitting on roadside waiting for job. To be specific there are points in every city where the daily wage earners gather in flocks and as soon as some one come to offer work they surround him and hardly one or two of them gets job and the rest wait for another such customer. It happens every day in every city of our country. Almost 60% get job and the rest go back to their homes after finishing their tiffins or may be with tiffin still filled up. Their spouse prepare the tiffin in early morning so they reach to the point in time and then try for the job. I believe out of 30 days, they get job only for 18-20 days.
Similarly, whenever we pass through the streets of any city, lot many people sleep on road side in all weather. They dont have good clothes or household equipments. May be they struggle whole day for their bread and sleep late night. They woke up early too and never dream any thing. Their kids inherit the same or even worst situation and life goes on. It is touching more in rainy and winter season.
Also, Whenever we go to temples lot of beggers await for some donation. They use every trick of earnign money but rarely are able to earn comfortable bread for them and family. These days we can find such people outside the restaurants, theaters, shopping mall and railway stations.
My point to discuss is what price they are paying for failure? Isnt it the price of failure which not only they paying but also forcing their kids and future generations too? Isnt this price too much as compared to the price of success which is only some efforts on the part of education, some days of poverty or may be some days of avoiding bad habits?
In my view the price of failure is much higher as compared to the cost of success. However initially cost of success looks much higher than the price of failure. Sometimes we give more preference to the social obligations then the study of kids or give excess love so the kids avoid study. The ultimate result: A huge price of failure.
cpjain

Political System: Does it need to be changed?

Friends
The atmosphere around our country is quite uneasy. people are not comfortable with the happenings in last couple of weeks or rather in last one year. Politicians are quite smart to guage the mood of the public as they know how to tame us, and hence just doing some adjustments to show the public that they are acting for our benefit. Probably we know and understand too but our memory is not long lasting and that is what they misuse. Soon we would forget and move closer to politicians for petty individual benefits.
I strongly feel that the existing electoral system needs to be revamped as per the prevailing situation. It can be like the USA where the head of state is elected by public and not by the MPs we elect. In present system the regional parties are too strong and the whole nation dance to the tune set by them. If we are really serious to save our self, our country and ofcourse the coming generations, we need to seriously looked into this issue and urgently. Let there be open discussion on this topic. I know there would be strong resistence, particularly by those who are masters of manipulative and short sighted politics, but still it should be definitely debated.
Present political system lures towards manipulations, corruption, short sightedness and irresponsibility in politicians.
cpjain