These are days of specializations.
Students take up a particular branch of study with the hope of getting a job in that field. Experience tells us that not many are that lucky. They study one subject but have to work in a different subject otherwise remain without a job for a long and uncomforable period.
The IT pays well and thank God there are jobs in that field whatever the degree.
Starting to work late in life has its own disadvantages. Of facing one's classmates having more work experience. If the delay is due to going in for higher education then its worth the wait.
Getting a job, getting a good job, getting a very good job are all such relative terms.
Getting is one thing and proving oneself is quite another.
It is an art to stay put in one job throughout one's career span. That is possible in government jobs where the perks far outweigh the salary.
These days salaries in government departments are not too bad either.
The feeling of permanance, regular annual increments, housing, good schooling for kids, the numerous 'offs' one can enjoy are all part of these perks.
Private jobs means to feel the pinch of insecurity from time to time.
Many in government jobs have switched over to the private sector later for higher pay which come with its own responsibilities, demands on time, apprehensions and effort.
When one is sure of his/her subject and knowledge (s)he will not be afraid of taking risks at some point in time.
There are some who are born entrepreneurs and want to be their own bosses. Right from the humble farmer working in his fields to the owners of big buck enterprises all over the world.
It is what we want out of a job or an enterprise.
Planning should ideally be done before hand and persued at God speed.
Personally I have always felt that one should take up a job in his or her line. Put in a good number of years as experience in that job.
First jobs should always be treated as learn-while-you-earn.
There will be many hurdles and temptations to chuck off jobs when an angry boss is upset at non-performance, partiality, not getting promoted, not getting expected hikes in pay, etc.
After an initial period of about 3 or 4 years in one job, one should switch over to a better paying job in the same or a related line. Unless there are compelling reasons for not shifting one should look for better opportunities as the present employer may take the employee for granted and 'forget' all about us.
A portion of this 'better pay' should be ploughed into some fixed asset like a flat or a house somewhere.
After working for about 10 to 12 more years one can afford to take a call and retire to pursue what we always wanted to but could not.
But again there should not be any debt burdens or other responsibilities for which one has to keep working to repay. This is one of the many reasons why many work beyond their retirement age.
Hobbies, interests or just pottering around house can be pursued when one is nearing between 45-50 years. At times hobbies can be expensive. Interests like travelling, etc can be both financially and physically taxing.
If the needs are simple and the mind has no hang-ups about not having this or that then with whatever one has made or has had, life can be led in a simple and uncomplicated way.
Having less things to worry about could mean more peace of mind unless one is the compulsive worrying type.
Cheers!
Mahalakshmi
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Saving Energy At Home
Energy saved is energy produced.
Ensure you have in place only quality branded products with the ISI seal (be it switches, boards, bulbs, gadgets, wires) than go in for cheap gadgets and keep paying heavily for maintenance, replacements or end up paying for lot more energy consumption. Invest in quality gadgets as they are all one-time affairs.
These are days of new designs and new construction activity.
* The house plan should be such that proper ventilation and lighting is given top priority.
* During daytime one should not be forced to switch on lights due to lack of natural lighting inside.
* My husband always suggests to go in for lighter shades of wall paint as that alone can reflect light (both natural as well as aritifical). The dark shades will always absorb more energy and will end up heating the room.
* One can plan each and everything in advance with help from a good architect. Select one well and wisely.
* Put down a list of all gadgets that you wish to use in your new home ahead of the construction of your new premises. Provide a place and electrical points for all gadgets.
* A well-organized house or flat not only looks good but also saves great amount of energy.
* These are the days of solar panels. Though capital intensive they could pay back in the long run, provided there are no maintainence hassles after installing. For instance, solar panels for various uses are now getting popular. In a city like Chennai, where most times, sun shines down harshly, we could put that to great use. Don't forget, the energy comes free of cost too!
Besides, a periodic check for the not so new homes should be made to ensure that you dont pay more for unnecessary use of precious power:
The checklist:
· To see whether all bulb holders/plug points are in proper working condition and not damaged, burnt or broken.
· All electrical and electronic gadgets are in proper working condition. To dust and clean them regularly.
Kitchen tips:
· Interiors and exteriors of the fridge should be defrosted and cleaned periodically. By bringing hot dishes to room temperature before storing them inside the fridge.
· By taking out the vegetable tub instead of taking out vegetables one by one. Prevents warm air from entering fridge often. To plan menu, ready everything before starting the process of cooking.
. By investing in a microwave and use it to pre-cook before cooking in the conventional stoves.
Rooms:
· By turning off lights, fans and ACs while leaving the room.
· Instead of blaming or arguing with other family members (especially, the forgetful elderly) enlist everyone’s support in turning off lights, fans and ACs whenever there’s no one in the room irrespective of who put it ‘on’ or who ‘forgot’ to switch it off . (Previously there would be so much heartburn among us 3 family members. Soon I found out a better way to deal with this ego issues. I explained to others that it is not to criticise someone's action or inaction but to cut unnecessary power consumption that we have to switch off lights and fans if no is in the room. We do that for each other. This way there are no hard feelings due to the forgetfulness of anyone now. It is more peaceful this way! {:-)
· Unplug the TV/DVD when not in use as current does leak in ‘off’ mode at times. Also sudden thunder storms could damage computers or TV sets even when switch is in ‘off’ mode.
· Having a switch with an indicator light (usually red light) helps to detect whether any gadget is in ‘on’ or ‘off’ mode.
· Having ‘two-way’ switches fixed within easy reach helps (like a switch panel near the bedside table, etc.).
· The iron box, water heater, hair dryer, ACs, grinder, motor pump and mixie are all power guzzlers. Such activities need our undivided attention. (We do spend dedicated hours before our PCs and TV screens)! Move on to other jobs only when one is done with that particular activity (or set an alarm to remind you that its time to switch it off). Again do not forget to switch off and unplug the gadget from the plug point for safety reasons.
· Ensure wires of any gadget are not wound up in tight rolls as the thin metal wires inside could cut/break. This will not only result in the gadget working on and off when the switch is on but also could render that gadget useless after a while.
· For west facing (naturally hot) rooms the AC or fan takes longer time and more energy to cool. One can use ‘blackouts’ as drapes for windows/doors. These are heavy duty curtains (now easily available in all leading furnishing stores) which act as insulation and cut out daylight/heat.
· Even if, after following all the above, the current charges you pay are high and abnormal, then its time to turn your attention to physically verify your ‘electricity meter’ and the units marked on your EB card. (For domestic consumers the rates are pegged according to units consumed within a range of slabs in Tamil Nadu - like 1 – 50 units, 51 – 100 units, 101 – 200 units, 201 – 600 and above 600 units.
The difference up to consumption of 100 units is quite nominal. From 101 units onwards the jump is quite high (at an additional 0.65ps per unit and so on).
There could be two possibilities here
(a) either your meter could be faulty or
(b) the EB staff delayed in recording the EB reading well beyond the stipulated date so that your consumption falls into the next higher slab.
You end up paying more even though all your saving ideas are in place. In which case ensure that the readings are taken on time every two months.
Vigilance is the bye-word for saving energy and it should begin at home.
If every home could do something about energy saving, our country would not face blackouts every now and then nor would we spend public money on manufacturing power.
Waste not want not.
Cheers.
Mahalakshmi
Ensure you have in place only quality branded products with the ISI seal (be it switches, boards, bulbs, gadgets, wires) than go in for cheap gadgets and keep paying heavily for maintenance, replacements or end up paying for lot more energy consumption. Invest in quality gadgets as they are all one-time affairs.
These are days of new designs and new construction activity.
* The house plan should be such that proper ventilation and lighting is given top priority.
* During daytime one should not be forced to switch on lights due to lack of natural lighting inside.
* My husband always suggests to go in for lighter shades of wall paint as that alone can reflect light (both natural as well as aritifical). The dark shades will always absorb more energy and will end up heating the room.
* One can plan each and everything in advance with help from a good architect. Select one well and wisely.
* Put down a list of all gadgets that you wish to use in your new home ahead of the construction of your new premises. Provide a place and electrical points for all gadgets.
* A well-organized house or flat not only looks good but also saves great amount of energy.
* These are the days of solar panels. Though capital intensive they could pay back in the long run, provided there are no maintainence hassles after installing. For instance, solar panels for various uses are now getting popular. In a city like Chennai, where most times, sun shines down harshly, we could put that to great use. Don't forget, the energy comes free of cost too!
Besides, a periodic check for the not so new homes should be made to ensure that you dont pay more for unnecessary use of precious power:
The checklist:
· To see whether all bulb holders/plug points are in proper working condition and not damaged, burnt or broken.
· All electrical and electronic gadgets are in proper working condition. To dust and clean them regularly.
Kitchen tips:
· Interiors and exteriors of the fridge should be defrosted and cleaned periodically. By bringing hot dishes to room temperature before storing them inside the fridge.
· By taking out the vegetable tub instead of taking out vegetables one by one. Prevents warm air from entering fridge often. To plan menu, ready everything before starting the process of cooking.
. By investing in a microwave and use it to pre-cook before cooking in the conventional stoves.
Rooms:
· By turning off lights, fans and ACs while leaving the room.
· Instead of blaming or arguing with other family members (especially, the forgetful elderly) enlist everyone’s support in turning off lights, fans and ACs whenever there’s no one in the room irrespective of who put it ‘on’ or who ‘forgot’ to switch it off . (Previously there would be so much heartburn among us 3 family members. Soon I found out a better way to deal with this ego issues. I explained to others that it is not to criticise someone's action or inaction but to cut unnecessary power consumption that we have to switch off lights and fans if no is in the room. We do that for each other. This way there are no hard feelings due to the forgetfulness of anyone now. It is more peaceful this way! {:-)
· Unplug the TV/DVD when not in use as current does leak in ‘off’ mode at times. Also sudden thunder storms could damage computers or TV sets even when switch is in ‘off’ mode.
· Having a switch with an indicator light (usually red light) helps to detect whether any gadget is in ‘on’ or ‘off’ mode.
· Having ‘two-way’ switches fixed within easy reach helps (like a switch panel near the bedside table, etc.).
· The iron box, water heater, hair dryer, ACs, grinder, motor pump and mixie are all power guzzlers. Such activities need our undivided attention. (We do spend dedicated hours before our PCs and TV screens)! Move on to other jobs only when one is done with that particular activity (or set an alarm to remind you that its time to switch it off). Again do not forget to switch off and unplug the gadget from the plug point for safety reasons.
· Ensure wires of any gadget are not wound up in tight rolls as the thin metal wires inside could cut/break. This will not only result in the gadget working on and off when the switch is on but also could render that gadget useless after a while.
· For west facing (naturally hot) rooms the AC or fan takes longer time and more energy to cool. One can use ‘blackouts’ as drapes for windows/doors. These are heavy duty curtains (now easily available in all leading furnishing stores) which act as insulation and cut out daylight/heat.
· Even if, after following all the above, the current charges you pay are high and abnormal, then its time to turn your attention to physically verify your ‘electricity meter’ and the units marked on your EB card. (For domestic consumers the rates are pegged according to units consumed within a range of slabs in Tamil Nadu - like 1 – 50 units, 51 – 100 units, 101 – 200 units, 201 – 600 and above 600 units.
The difference up to consumption of 100 units is quite nominal. From 101 units onwards the jump is quite high (at an additional 0.65ps per unit and so on).
There could be two possibilities here
(a) either your meter could be faulty or
(b) the EB staff delayed in recording the EB reading well beyond the stipulated date so that your consumption falls into the next higher slab.
You end up paying more even though all your saving ideas are in place. In which case ensure that the readings are taken on time every two months.
Vigilance is the bye-word for saving energy and it should begin at home.
If every home could do something about energy saving, our country would not face blackouts every now and then nor would we spend public money on manufacturing power.
Waste not want not.
Cheers.
Mahalakshmi
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A Successful Manager
What makes for a successful Manager?
An MBA degree from a recognized university?
Good presentation skills?
Good personality?
Good and consistent academic performance with high marks in school and college?
Good with statistics and numbers?
Good inter-personal skills?
Good interaction with other team members?
A manager is never born. (S)He is made! Even this does not gaurantee success, I mean when they are 'made' managers.
What does produce good and successful managers could be the following:
their understanding and applying knowledge to their projects,
their passion for their projects,
giving this passion some shape,
listening with patience to the dissident voices as well as those who agree with them,
to have the understanding that each and every idea will take time to work,
to set a time limit for work completion,
to have the time and patience to allow it to work,
to work and monitor work,
to have the courage to stop work for quality checks instead of waiting till all the work gets over and then start complaining,
to pull up people and bring them to give their best,
to pat those who perform well,
to give credit where it is due,
to refrain from thinking all others are useless and it's like suffering idiots, while (s)he is the only exception to this rule,
to avoid pitfalls of being partial to some and harsh to others in the team,
to encourage the team to ponder over how to solve problems instead of having meetings just to thrash out only the problems' part of any project,
to give both the financials as well as operations side equal weightage, if weak in one then not to shy away from listening to those who know
and
to appreciate and thank each member of the team when the project is successfully completed.
These come being in touch with ground realities and never got by sitting in a cabin and watching others work.
Certainly education, good degrees with good marks will come in handy to land a job but there are things beyond which nothing except one's own commitment, passion, having a team spirit, positive knowledge, having an open mind to learn further and being an optimist certainly helps.
May we never stop learning ever for the day we think we know everything and we are the only perfect souls around, it is sure to lead us into deeper pits where getting back to ground level might be next to impossible.
Mahalakshmi.
An MBA degree from a recognized university?
Good presentation skills?
Good personality?
Good and consistent academic performance with high marks in school and college?
Good with statistics and numbers?
Good inter-personal skills?
Good interaction with other team members?
A manager is never born. (S)He is made! Even this does not gaurantee success, I mean when they are 'made' managers.
What does produce good and successful managers could be the following:
their understanding and applying knowledge to their projects,
their passion for their projects,
giving this passion some shape,
listening with patience to the dissident voices as well as those who agree with them,
to have the understanding that each and every idea will take time to work,
to set a time limit for work completion,
to have the time and patience to allow it to work,
to work and monitor work,
to have the courage to stop work for quality checks instead of waiting till all the work gets over and then start complaining,
to pull up people and bring them to give their best,
to pat those who perform well,
to give credit where it is due,
to refrain from thinking all others are useless and it's like suffering idiots, while (s)he is the only exception to this rule,
to avoid pitfalls of being partial to some and harsh to others in the team,
to encourage the team to ponder over how to solve problems instead of having meetings just to thrash out only the problems' part of any project,
to give both the financials as well as operations side equal weightage, if weak in one then not to shy away from listening to those who know
and
to appreciate and thank each member of the team when the project is successfully completed.
These come being in touch with ground realities and never got by sitting in a cabin and watching others work.
Certainly education, good degrees with good marks will come in handy to land a job but there are things beyond which nothing except one's own commitment, passion, having a team spirit, positive knowledge, having an open mind to learn further and being an optimist certainly helps.
May we never stop learning ever for the day we think we know everything and we are the only perfect souls around, it is sure to lead us into deeper pits where getting back to ground level might be next to impossible.
Mahalakshmi.
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