A lot can happen over 'Tea'

Take my word guys, this is no advertisement. Rather its an experience... (and its kind of philosophy, no thrilling stories). It was just another wednesday morning when i started getting ready for office,(with a speed that can beat the fastest tropical cockroach ). As i made my way to the bus stop , a tea stall at "Mataji mess" caught my eyes. The mess is regulared by IT folks for meals, and it was no surprise for me to see the mess guys wrapped in 'Shawls' preparing tea over gas stoves. Realising that i still had time to catch another bus to office , i decided to have a quick sip.
The morning was colder than usual , with thin fog still blanketing the buildings around the place.Its a common site in my locality to find all IT guys, well groomed , heading for their offices at this time of day. I waved one of the mess guys from a distance indicating him to prepare one cup for me. I quickly zeroed down at the stall and grabbed my cup. Its so comforting to hold something hot with chilled hands!!!
I just took first sip when i was able to make out the taste of over cooked tea, notwithstanding it still tasted awesome. Guess what, it was then when i realised that tea is such a thing which tastes different in different conditions . A tea in cold morning tastes differently than the one in your air conditioned offices. A tea after breakfast is by no means same as having one after you get up from a nap on a lazy sunday noon.
But there was one more thing special about the tea, it helped me to come out of my daily chores for a moment, gave me some time to reflect on my own self, helped me observe and appreciate the natural beauty around , that i had neglected all these days and all this for just Rs.3.
An irritating horn pulled me out of my dreams and helped me realise that i had already missed a couple of buses. I quickly got over with what was left and rushed towards the stop, thanking the 'TEA' for giving me a break from my regular schedule.
One more thing worth mentioning here is that i really avoid going to the stall daily.... Lest it becomes a routine task...

Book Review : One Night at the call center

Book review:
One night at the call center!!!
Though the name may suggest that the book relates only to a class of people working in IT/ITES sector ; i bet there is much more to it!!!
The book is about a night in the life of 6 employees of a BPO company. Shyam who appears to be the lead character (is actually one) is potrayed as a loser waiting for destiny to get things right for him. Then there are other characters who relate and represent the indian youths and their aspirations. The book also highlights the flare of patriotism in toady's youth and the corporate culture (Only the dark side).

The differentiating feature of the book is authors Middle Class background which is reflected heavily in this book.The book also has chapters on Shyam's personal dating with Priyanka,(Which at times does get boring).

The humour in the book is amicable especially the line... "Men live in constant hope" was the best in book. Hey watch out for one more thing... The issue of faith in God. The book brings in light the most important issue that our generation has almost ignored.
I think this book is one of the best of its type... do go for it,
SIMPLY UNPUTDOWNABLE

Book Review: It happened in India, By kishore Biyani

To me it is more than mere inspiration. As an aspiring entrepreneur, the book comes to me as a cookbook for success (Though thats nearly imposssible!!!).
Yes i am talking about "It happened in india", A book by Kishore Biyani(KB), CEO of Future group (The pioneer of organised retail and as of now the largest retail chain in India). What makes that book extraordinary is the way the book connects to people of india.You get a first hand insight into how organized retail is to be carried out.
What was most amazing experience for me was realizing the fact that there is someone who knows us so well. Who understands us and our needs equally well. He is someone who knows where we are uncomfortable , what makes us feel alienated at some places… Yes he is a retailer!!! Your local retailer or any successful retail chain owner. The book gives us an insight how important a customer is to a retailer.
The book is primarily an autobiography where KB , a rebel during his childhood days , goes ahead to create a massive business of his own, breaking away from family business. He starts off selling stone wash fabrics and the rest was history!!! Today future group reaches almost every Indian with shops like Big Baazar, Central mall, pantaloon retail. But this empire was not built in a day.
That’s where I feel the book becomes inspiring, I mean the way KB talks about how he fought all odds to reach to the height. The book is no collection of pious thoughts, but a collection a real life struggle of a real man.
The book however may not taste well to all. Especially people looking for thrill (No movie story out here). The book however does well to tell you that in case you want a career in retail what are the do’s and don’ts. In case you want to be an entrepreneur what is a must quality required of you, and of course the book does well to tell you that how you can “Retain values and rewrite rules!!!”

Chase it hard-THE 'E' of Entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is a fighter who braves all odds!

The first one being coming out of comfort zone !!! You may be a settled employee enjoying a fat fixed pay per month. But is it all that you want? Working below someone all your life and not being recognized for your efforts. Shed it buddy!!!
Next you need to decide what you actually want out of your life? is it only money? Or a lifestyle where you are recognized by millions. Ofcourse that kind of lifestyle doesn't come easy.
Having fixed a goal at an abstract level you need to fix a feasible goal rather a goal that can be achieved. The chracterstics of smart goal setting is:
1. It must be measureble
2. It should be specific. No beating about bush. It could be a mansion that you want to buy in a fix time span or the revenue of your company.
3. Watch out i mentioned a fixed time span above. Thats a must!
4. After setting a goal ask yourself Will be able to achieve it. Does your planning have contingency plans to reach your goal even when things dont turn out as u planned it?
5. No COMPROMISE!!!! Dont adjust for anything less than what you have actually aimed for. You should keep competing with your expectation every time !!!
Suggested reading:
1.Harvard bussiness review on Entrepreneurship
2. It happened in India. By Kishore biyani