Ravi's World

Jivdani temple - Virar

2011-07-25T14:14:00.001+05:30

Jivdani temple is the most famous temple across Vasai Virar belt. Nearest train station to reach there is Virar. As you get off the train, proceed to East side exit. As you come out of the station, shared autos ply to the foothills where temple is located. They charge Rs. 7/- (as of July 2011) per head and carry four passengers (three in the back and one along with the driver; sometimes can also accommodate two passengers on either side along with driver). There is also ample space for parking if somebody choose to come via own conveyance.

There are two options to reach the temple – one is you may take stairs. I heard they are 1,100 in number (not verified). Another way is that they have a lift (udan khatola) that charges Rs. 150/- per head. There is temple shoe stand on the foothills itself. You may choose to deposit your footwear there if you are concerned with security. However, if you are taking steps then you may deposit the footwear in any shop while you climb (in return you have to buy prasad from them).

I took the stair route. Temple authority has made good arrangements. Steps are properly maintained and comfortable even if you are climbing barefoot. They are sheds covering them at frequent intervals thereby saves from direct sunlight and rains. Also, pavements are built on either side so that people can sit and relax while climbing. You get a nice scenic view of entire Virar stretch once you climb up. Total climb time would approx take 45 to 60 minutes for an average individual.

On reaching top, temple is maintained in very good shape. Queuing, waiting areas etc are proper laid in concrete. Darbaar of Jivdani mata is really marvelous. You may also choose to climb further up which takes 5 minutes. There is a flat big platform to sit, relax and take view of both sides of mountains. Also, there are couple of small temples (kali mata etc). There are some basic light refreshment available (popcorns, local ice cream, cucumber etc).

Return journey is easy. It takes just 20-25 minutes to descend. Then for return you can take the share auto from the rickshaw stand.

Czars of Indian Stock Market

2011-07-20T19:04:00.000+05:30

http://business.in.com/article/work-in-progress/the-invisible-czars/4692/1

Beggars Beggars everywhere

2011-05-26T12:29:00.000+05:30

I often wonder why are there so many beggars in Mumbai. Any stations you step on - especially Andheri and Bandra are notorious. There is no dearth of NGOs working in Mumbai and most of them have large focus only in MMR area as they want to show activities to the donors close to their home. Anyways, daily I find couple of ladies with baby in lap crying loudly to help them sustain and feed their baby. This is their daily routine and they set their shop in midst of already jam packed pedestrian bridge. Some people do offer them some doses but I being influeced by so many stories running around in media like movie Traffic Signal that this is a part of racket and ultimately money does not go to these people and rather flow to their grand fathers who master mind this business.

- I think we cannnot oust them out - they have links. I am damn sure that railways (employees) get their share too.
- Howsoever, we may donate they won't leave this lucrative business. Donate more - more they will stick there.
- They do not like to rehabilitate or live respectable life out of beggary. They love being there - minimum effort - tax free income.

I think in any place if you have will, one can find work. Especially in a place like Mumbai you can easily work as domestic help. There is huge dearth there. Similarly there is no lack of avenues like being an electrician, plumbers etc. They can earn decent amount there.

But, with beggars all these are turn aways. They love their profession. Well, as a normal person how can we deal with this.

- If you urge to help, do not offer them cash. They cry to help feed their children. Offer them food, clothes etc. There are chances they might sell them for money but conversion is not that easy. You will also be satisfied that you helped solve the real need.
- If any person comes to your house and shows identity card from any NGO and ask for help. Pay by crossed cheque.
- If you encounter stranded pity family with old man, mother and small children complaining that they lost everything and wanted to go to Shirdi or Nasik. Help them by taking to police station or rather than offering cash get them a ticket to the place.

Basic point is do not give cash rather help them satisfy their need. I hope this would satisfy both donor and real needy.

Mumbai - Is the land really scarce justifying high property prices

2011-04-25T14:15:00.002+05:30

Compare property prices among all big cities in India. You will find Mumbai outpaces all of them by a huge margin. Then the pertinent question is why are they so high?
General argument is land. Mumbai is an island and there is no supply. This city cannot expand and hence general rule of economics apply - pressurizing demand and limited supply keep pulling up prices.

Now, I ask a question if a person is earning a salary income 15L pa. I think that is among the high strata. But with that one cannot afford to have a flat in Mumbai. An okie 2BHK flat in suburbs at Kandivali East would cost Rs. 12000 psf *1000 sf = Rs. 1.2 crore. I don't think any one earning 15L would think of going this high. And this I was talking about Kandivali. If one is travelling towards hub - Nariman point etc., travelling this far is pain - at least 1.5-2 hrs each side. This means at current rates even a decent earning figure cannot afford to have own flat.

As per me, if one just steps out of periphery of Mumbai - Borivali on the western side, Thane on the central side and Nerul on the harbour side. You can see huge empty patches of land. I dont think with these you can cry there is scarcity of land. I think land is there but there should also be planning. Why not develop Mumbai on these places. Like Noida and Gurgaon came up and took out total load of Delhi. Same should be done with these. And how that can be done, here is a simple solution.

1. No more SEZ/ STPI/ huge commercial complexes within Mumbai region. Example - an IT company employs 5,000 employees and has its office set up in SEZ in the heart of Mumbai in Hiranandani (Powai), Nirlon (Goregaon) or any place in Mumbai. These entities do not pay any taxes while employ people in huge numbers. I think just shift all these entities outside Mumbai to those empty patches. They will create whole new eco system there. Plan out offices, residences, open space etc like the way planned in CBD in Navi Mumbai. As far as Navi Mum goes all this is done half heartedly. Who will go to Navi Mumbai when you give everything within Mumbai - thanks to the nexus of builders, babus and politicians.

2. Proper regional development - Have anyone wondered why so many people keep coming to this city despite quality of living. Answer is job. No where else in the country you have such vibrant job creation. Mumbai has it all. Reason is head offices of all almost all companies, financial/ banking/ stock market. I think if we attack these two - there could be regional development. In this cyber age, what is the logic of having head office in high cost location of Mumbai. Central govt can ask all PSU banks to shift head offices to different parts of the country leading to all round development, shift NSE.. see brokers and subsi group also moving out. I dont want to demean Mumbai but my concern why all institutions only in big cities. Let smaller cities to have a share and let job creation happen. Then the youth would not require to come out. Some people say you don't get quality people in every where. Ask anyone living in Mumbai. Given an option they would love to move to their native at half the current pay provided the opportunity. This I am talking of majority of migrants that make this city. Look at Chennai, people from outside states are reluctant to move due to language barrier. Still it has a nice share of economy of its own. Tamilians refuse to move outside. They love being there. My answer is - create opportunities you will get right people. Both of them work together.

I think everything here is just due to lack of proper planning.
Shift the companies - people will follow - business will follow.

Argument for investing in Vasai Virar

2011-04-25T13:14:00.001+05:30

Have a look at population growth over a decade in MMR.

Khargar - Against all hype of new airport, one can see frenzy of construction all around and property rates have crossed 5000 psf. But, on the other side look at the population growth - based on percentage, this is the best, highlighted in red and talked about the most in media but at the same time look it at the numbers in absolute. Total population of 73k. This is just minuscule. It means property rates there is just speculation, people are not actually living there. I think if any builder has a huge inventory in this region and is facing cash strain, I would possibly looking at shorting his stock.

Navi Mumbai - Population jumped up from 7L to 10.4L.. sweet jump, I think more of better comfort and offices coming up there. I wont term this is growth.

Panvel, Ulhasnagar, Badlapur - I dont think any average person can take pain of daily travelling those limits.

Mira-Bhayandar - 5.2 to 7.8 - Again, I would term it as normal rate of growth.

Thane - Nice jump from 12.6 to 18. As far as my experience goes, this is one of the best place to live. Good connectivity to both Central and Harbour line. But rates have jumped quite high.

Best affordable investable areas beyond 2011:

For an average person if travelling by train daily, he has to go by western and central line.

Kalyan - On the central line, I think this is the best. Population jump from 10L to 15L signifying nice influx of people. Rates are still under 4k.

Vasai-Virar - On the western line, look at population growth from 3.7L to 12L. Huge jump. I guess people are willing to travel that far. Rates are still under 4k.

In my view, if I have to think from business point of view. Wherever there is population growth there is demand. In both the places, still there are no proper malls, hotels, branded showrooms. So there is scope for everything.

From housing side - I hear an argument saying that people from lower income group stays there. As per me, if a person makes Rs. 50k a month. This is quite decent from Indian standard but still he wont be able to afford a bare min. 2BHK house for a family of two + kid (+ parents) in suburbs. I can't think of living in 1BHK pigeon hole with family - for time being yes it could be adjustment. To keep things in budget, one has to travel this far. I have recently bought a 3BHK flat in Vasai - bought peace and space against hectic travel via train. I think there is a compromise - it all depends upon individual which side of equation he takes. I suggest if number of people travelling to city from a household are more, settle in on rent in Mumbai (still fetching a 2-3% rental yield - I see limited capital upside from here with rates from andheri east to borivali quoting at 12k psf). Otherwise, if one is single travelling, go in for these places.

Stock Market Rules of Rakesh jhunjhunwala

2011-01-31T14:38:00.000+05:30

On basis of his interviews to media

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is known as Bigg Bull in Indian Stock markets

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala also known as RJ is very Popular among Investors.

Which Rules RJ Follow?

These rules are on basis of His interviews

1.Like wives markets are always right. With wives you can argue but with markets you can’t.

Meaning of this rule is that never try to fight with market.if market has fallen 5 percent and you are bullish.if market falls again do not add to your bullish position to fight with market and vice versa

2.Markets make excesses but those excesses come to an end.You have to judge how long will that excess last and when will it end.We will try and make money both ways

3.vadhere vadhare levanu vadhare vadhare beichavanu’-: buy as the market is rising sell as the market is falling

4.As a rule in trading never ever average.

5.Always know what to stake and when to take a loss.

6.Make the investment when the stock is not popular

7.The prettiest part of the stock is that it has to be cheap – the entry point.

8.Do not invest in Those cheap stock which will give huge returns when your children are grown up.think about a reasonable time also

9. hold on to a stock only if will give returns and not become emotionally attached to it.

10.in the market you have to be like a chameleon, always changing your colours and going with the trend. You’re lost if try to go against it.

11.See the world as it is, rather than what you would like it to be

12.Dont look for companies that would give profits but understand factors that help in creating profits.

13.When opportunities come, they can come through technology, marketing, brands, value protections, capital, etc. You need to be able to spot those

14.Invest in the smallcaps, which will be the largecaps. The biggest challenge of investing is that you should recognise whether organization has the ability to scale.

15.Never get carried away by aberrations, recognize and respect them but do remember that the market corrects its aberration though it takes time

His take on stock market topics :

banking sector growth prospects :Still, we don’t have as many bank accounts as the number of mobile phones.

Sensex:I am very much bullish on Indian companies and Indian stock bourses. Currently, 5,500-5,550 levels on Nifty are a strong support. Sensex is at 21,000 and we are expecting a 30% to 40% growth in the earnings. With this kind of earnings, the bull-run will continue. But in my view, Sensex will reach 25,000 and also 1 lakh. But I don’t know when,

Sectors with potential :domestic consumption story, banking, retail, infrastructure, power, FMCG, pharma and healthcare, etc.

Experiences in Indian F&O and cash trading

2010-07-15T23:43:00.000+05:30

I found names 'F&O' and 'Trading' fascinating over the years but I didn't had guts to enter into it. Though I have gone through deep academic understanding about the concepts. Here are some of my experiences while entering into the segment:

Futures:

Futures may not replicate cash market entirely or vice versa. Thus trading into futures with the expectation that if cash price is going in any direction, same would be replicated in future price as well and to the same extent. The fact is more than 99% of scripts trade in the future market at either discount or premium to the cash market. Any future trading at a discount to cash market does not mean that you are smart and have discovered an arbitrage opportunity. Rather in case cash price goes up, discount in future may go up and you may not find the same synchronization happening in future.

Futures especially stock futures are less liquid than the cash market. You may see high open interest but if you want to enter or exit a position, your order may not execute for days altogether thereby daily ripping you with mark to market margin calls.

The margin you need to maintain is not only the daily volatility mentioned on the NSE website, rather you need to maintain almost ~30% of the total lot in your account. Thus if a lot is of 500 and price of share is Rs. 1000. Lot value is Rs. 5 lakh, you will need almost Rs. 1.5 lac in your account. This amount too is debited in the beginning of the day. Again it is supposed to be credited back after MTM adjustments at the end of the day. But sometimes that does not happen and again next day margin is required at the beginning of the day while the margin that was debited the day earlier would be credited the second day. Reason would be mentioned as technical problems in settlement either at broker or exchange end. This effectively means maintaining double margin in your account - funding your broker's working capital.

Can we trade on the basis of how other markets are performing:

Of late, I heard a lot that Indian stock market is now global and is now driven by FII and thus what ever happens else where in the world affects Indian market too and impact is more severe. Didn't that happen in 2008 when market nose dived? Problem was in US but India bore the pain. I thought it is better to track other markets and same would happen in India. Especially I can see just few minutes before market open what happened yesterday in world markets, same should happen in India too.
But, here I found that as market opens, the effect of earlier day world news is already discounted. Thus market will accordingly open at discount or premium of yesterday's closing price. This erodes the opportunity to trade by looking at world markets.

Long term Investing

2010-07-03T20:51:00.001+05:30

Interesting Article - Got a forward from friend.

After obtaining a Master’s degree in Commerce, I took up a one year Entrepreneurial Management course at a leading college in Mumbai in 1978. This course was first of its kind. It trained students to become entrepreneurs and helped them to set up their own businesses (small to medium scale industries). I did my project on setting up a plant to manufacture plastic collapsible tubes which would replace the conventional aluminum tubes. I was the only one who failed. My project was unviable to the professor whose reason was: tooth paste was sweet and if stored in plastic tubes it could be eaten up by rats. However in 1984 Essel Packaging hit the market with a similar project and it became a stock market favorite. Till today it has created a lot of wealth for its shareholders.

This experience was the turning point in my life. My father’s friend Mr. Chandrakant Sampat advised me that if I had such vision and I could make a study on businesses, I should enter the stock markets. There existed a great opportunity for such business analysts. Moreover why subject myself to the whims of the government officials, bureaucrats etc. for power, raw materials, labor problems, municipal laws etc. If a good study on a business was made, one could enter by buying the stock and exit by selling the same. No hassles. Thus came my entry in to the stock markets and I was one of the very few to do research on various businesses and identify good investment stocks.

Having grown up in a very conservative family my initial grooming was orthodox and based on certain universal principles which were not time bound. One of them was the law of the farm. You cannot sow something today and reap tomorrow. This taught me that there are no short cuts in life. This was so true in the stock markets also. Thus my style concentrated on the long term approach. This also helped me not to get swayed away by the short term temptations the markets offer from time to time. This helped me with self discipline and I was able to keep my greed and fear under control. This also helped me to look at businesses with a long term view. This long term view gave me the patience to wait for the businesses to be available at bargain prices. Enter Value Investing. This approach was challenged in 1999/2000 during the tech boom. I went through tough times. A client would come up to me and ask about a particular tech stock. I would recommend him to sell. He will go and come back after a week to inform me that he was happy as he had not acted on my recommendation and the stock had doubled. I would insist that he was lucky but the valuations are far too stretched with the doubling of the stock price and he must sell now. Three months later he would come back happy as he had not sold. This led me in to a depressive state. I started wondering if I was out of synch with the fast changing world. What did I need to do? My inner compass told me that these were temporary crazy times and sanity would prevail. How could you have tech stocks quoting in triple digit PE’s? It was against any valuation parameters. Utterly confused by the ways of the market I was going through a turbulent period.

One day I was reading the Economist and I came across an advertisement on a program at the Harvard University, “Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance”. I enrolled myself and proceeded to Boston to attend the program. That was another deflection point in my career. I realized that if I were to be a successful investor then knowledge of Behavioral Finance was utmost necessary. I pursued my research and study in the field and with every passing day my confidence as an investor increased and so did my knowledge of understanding the markets. I have authored two books “Stocks to Riches: Insights in to Investor Behavior” and “Value Investing and Behavioral Finance: Insights in to Stock Market Realities”. Both the books portray the common sense approach to investing.

Investing is no rocket science. It’s all about common sense. An MBA degree does not guarantee investment expertise, but humility does. Experience teaches you over time. So one must always be prepared for continuous learning. And what could be our best teachers? Failures and setbacks. Learn from every mistake and keep the following in mind.

1. Be fearful when others are greedy and be greedy when others are fearful.

2. Buy low and sell high.

3. There are no short cuts in life.

4. Opportunities don’t come every day. “LUCK” is preparedness for an opportunity.

5. Never chase a fancy for you end up paying a fancy price and suffer a fancy loss when the fancy ends.

6. “Intelligence and Brilliance carries the day but it is the Wisdom that endures”. Peter Drucker

7. One is always learning so have the courage and humility to always ask “WHY”.

Waiting for another deflection point. Knowing full well that it will teach me something more and make me better and wiser and move forward

Speech by Chetan Bhagat at Symbiosis ...

2010-04-28T00:09:00.003+05:30

Don't just have career or academic goals. Set goals to give you a balanced, successful life. I use the word balanced before successful since 'Balanced' means ensuring your health, relationships, mental peace are all in that good order.
There is no point of getting a promotion on the day of your breakup. There is no fun in driving a car if your back hurts. Shopping is not enjoyable if your mind is full of tensions.

"Life is one of those races in nursery school where you have to run with a marble in a spoon kept in your mouth. If the marble falls, there is no point coming first. Same is with life where health and relationships are the marble. Your striving is only worth it if there is harmony in your life. Else, you may achieve the success, but this spark, this feeling of being excited and alive, will start to die.

One thing about nurturing the spark - don't take life seriously. Life is not meant to be taken seriously, as we are really temporary here. We are like a pre-paid card with limited validity. If we are lucky, we may last another 50 years. And 50 years is just 2,500 weekends. Do we really need to get so worked up?

It's ok, bunk a few classes, scoring low in couple of papers, goof up a few interviews, take leave from work, fall in love, little fights with your spouse. We are people, not programmed devices.

"Don't be serious, be sincere."!

Bhandara - Is it for all?

2010-04-20T18:17:00.002+05:30

Recently a bhandara (a free public feast) was organized by a temple close to my home on the occasion of murti staphna (setting up new statues). I had visited that temple earlier. I wonder where they have space to put the new ones. As far as I remember it was already stuffed with different Hindu Gods. Earlier I remember temples use to specialize for one particular God. For those who do not know – in Hindu religion there are lots and lots of Gods running into multi millions. But, now temples are also addressing to different strata - as a one shop concept they are now begun to have all Gods under a single temple. This means regular visit by worshipper (client) in all festivals, thereby a regular donation (income) to the temple.

Well not getting deep into this area, let us focus on bhandara. As this was free event, I expected a huge turnout especially I was anxious to see if people from all religions participate in that or not. As a basic I must highlight, Mumbai is truly a cosmo city where people from all religions stay together in a single area especially the middle class. I guess this is not by choice but by compulsion.

After coming to Mumbai, I was missing the marriages I used to attend in north. I felt like getting ready for a feast. In the evening we (my wife and I) reached the venue. As we entered the venue, there were big tables with banners on the either side urging people for donation. I felt as if I have come for a paid buffet. As we entered inside, there is something that shook me. As an attendant handed over the plate, he said ‘hari om’. I was expected to reply the same. I stared at him for a second. He again said the same. I repeated and moved. Those who do not know the meaning it is same as praising a God as ‘Jesus is great’ or ‘allah o akbar’. Further as we went to each counter, we had to utter the same word again and again.

I had the meal but I didn’t enjoy the bhandara. I thought if ever by chance I am made to visit a festival of other religion – will I promote the religion. I think as far as I am concerned I go to Church, mosque, temple or gurudwara to see and feel the culture, hospitality etc. I may praise the place or religion only if I feel from inside or I may admire it. But if I am forced I may never visit the place. I felt the same happening in front of me. I knew this is a good tactic to keep people from other religions out. It was also evident as there was no representation from the people from other religions. I got the link - anyways they would not donate. Also, organizers made a point that only target audience enters the venue. Mumbai is known for a sizeable population of slums. It should have been a feast for them. But, having those big donation tables in front and security was performing the filtering task well.

Question that prompted me: Bhandara – Is it for all?

Unemployment - Do we lack avenues to work?

2010-03-31T16:52:00.005+05:30

We speak a lot about high unemployment rate in India. I wonder where those unemployed people are. Basic characteristic of these people is that they should be poor and idle. But hardly do we read about anybody dying of lack of food or we see somebody just loitering for the whole day that he does not have a work.

Instead I think there is a serious shortage of semi-skilled man power in India. To give an example, recently I had to hire an electrician and a plumber to have a small task done at my apartment.
But to my utter dismay identifying people for this task became a nightmare for me. As this is an unorganized sector, in India we do not find these people having proper shops etc. We have to approach any hardware or electric store and request them to send a one. After making several visits to our neighborhood store we discovered that these people are too busy and can only meet only in early mornings or in late evenings. After being sick of visiting the store numerous times, I finally identified an electrician at a pandal which was getting erected. I saw basic rule of economics – demand and supply at work. Finally I was able to get the work done though that costed me a booty.
After all this I wonder if there is any lack of avenues to work. In my view, service at all levels (plumbing, electric, electronic, laundry, real estate broker etc) are their historic lows. There is ample opportunity, just we need manpower. The problem of the cities is we have educated unemployed people. They would not do these tasks. It is a low level work and social stigma attached too. But where are the so called uneducated. We should have them in tons. But I am not able to locate any..

I feel we should open training institutes helping individuals in these professions. I pray that our great government and herd of NGOs see and equip people to fish than give them fish.

'The Goal' by Eliyahu M Goldratt - Summary

2010-03-16T15:34:00.006+05:30

Of late, I have been missing my bachelor days when I used to read so many books gaining knowledge about things outside my immediate environment. Gladly I found a small library in GMC. I am never a vocal of reading something academic in nature. Therefore I always pick books which are different as related to stocks, experience shared by others, self-improvement sorts. Some people call them boring but I like those. I saw a book titled ‘The Goal’ by Eliyahu M Goldratt in the library shelf. I thought it should be related to setting your goals clearly and implementing those. To admit, I have been trying to make some for me for last three years. Though I succeed in some aspects but this exercise always looks incomplete.

As I started to read the preface, I found it seems quite different as it relates to some manufacturing environment. Though preface looks quite boring to me and I felt it going above my head. I jumped on to first chapter just to have a preview. I found it quite interesting. I started to read and it continued. I think author’s style – writing in first person and in a form of story really ticks a chord. I can feel the mental agony, distress, pride, enthusiasm as he undergoes during the course of his journey especially lessons that I learnt over the time.

The book starts with a story of Alex (author) who is a plant manager and who finds himself do a fire fighting every day to meet his orders. His plant is in messy state with one issue or the other popping up and shipments being delayed by months altogether. Every time they were giving up to pressure exercised by outsiders (head office/ sales) and thus delivering shipments. This disturbed their whole schedule and thus things were out of control. Thus he had to spend more time in the plant to take care of things. This was ruining his personal life as well. He got transferred to the current plant six months back and it was in a town where he grew up. His wife Julie and children Dave and Sharon accompanied him. Julie quite did not like the place and was bore. He daily made promises about going for outing etc., but at the end they were always broke.

While in one of the review meeting Alex recollected a day while on the way to deliver a lecture on robots, he met Jonah, his professor in college days. He enthusiastically told him about the efficiency robots have brought in his plant. But Jonah came as a critic. He asked him if he could explain what improvement he got. Alex said he got 36% improvement. Jonah asked him if he found any reduction in operating cost, inventory or if they helped improve sales. Alex said he was not sure and has to check. Then Jonah said in his view Alex is into a great problem and he is not running an efficient plant. Hesitantly Alex admitted that. Jonah asked him if he knows what his problem is. Alex said he needs to gain more efficiency to remain competitive. Jonah said this is not about efficiency, it is about goal. Then he left Alex with a question to find out what his real goal is.

Alex contemplated a lot and finally asked himself this question about his plant/ company. He came with answers as production (what if products not sold and they lay as inventory), economical purchasing, supplying jobs (of late layoffs), quality (Rolls Royce went bankrupt despite best quality), efficiency, low cost production, technology, sales, communication, customer service etc. He thought dipper and negated all of them. Finally he zeroed onto money. Any action that takes him closer to this goal is productive and alternatively non-productive. He realized over the last one year his plant is continuously moving farther from this goal.

With these thoughts in mind he went to his plant. He discovered three daily workers sitting idle. He was furious that plant is losing money and these guys are idle. Then he thought in his mind that there is a difference between being productive and working. Even if he makes them work full time, it doesn’t mean they are contributing to goal. By making them work full he is meeting standards as labour variance, per unit cost etc. He contemplated this and discussed with his manager. Finally, they agreed upon three measures: Net profit, ROI and cash flow as indicative of the goal i.e. money.
Meanwhile, he got an ultimatum from regional office that they have three months to improve else their plant is off. Alex shared the story with Julie. She suggested him find a new job. Instead Alex contacted Jonah to take his advice on the matter. He suggested him measurements for his goal are: Throughput (rate at which system generates money through sales), Inventory (all money that the system has invested in purchasing things which it intends to sell) and operational expense (all money that the system spends to turn inventory into throughput).

Alex looked at robots from this new perspective. He found that after their introduction sales has gone down, inventory has increased (to have efficiency robots are made to work at a particular level irrespective of that product is required or not) and operational expenses too increased (higher dep). All this means robots really do not make any money for them. He again decided to take guidance from Jonah. Jonah told him to balance the production level based on the outside world than producing in isolation. Also he asked him to focus on ‘dependent events’ (series of events must take place before other begin and subsequent event is dependent on the one prior to it) and ‘statistical fluctuations’ (information that cannot be precisely predicted).

Next morning Alex accompanied his son Dave for a hike. He asked all the boys to move in a line and he ordered the first one to maintain an average pace. Soon he discovered that sometimes he is walking fast then slow. He thought this is statistical fluctuation. But over the long run these should average down to mid. But then he discovered the line is getting fragmented and now getting expanded. He found a reason for this. As anyone in the line takes a break or slow down it passes on to the end of line and it expands. This effectively means that speed of one resource depends upon the speed in front of him irrespective of what his own speed is. He cannot move speedier than the one in front else he would bump. This is a set of dependent events. This it was not averaging of fluctuations but accumulation of fluctuations. He compared this with manufacturing situation. Time the last person to complete a distance is throughput, length of the line is inventory and energy required to walk is operational expense. Alex found the slowest boy. He was affecting the speed not only his but of total line. Alex decided to tackle this. He asked all the boys to join hands and move and also asked the slowest boy to lead. But soon others were desperate with the slow speed. In order to tackle this they must make the boy move. They decided to share his load and thus all of them were able to walk fast.

Alex took these learning to his plant. They identified bottlenecks i.e. slow machines and accordingly found out measures to improve their output: realigned the process as per these machines’ capacity thus to make full use of them. They also stopped production just to gain efficiency. Instead were happy keeping labour idle and produce only as required by sales. Soon they introduced other measures as putting QC team before parts going to bottlenecks thus saving time worked upon rejected parts. They also got their old machines work to help boost production. They realigned working hours of workers to make these machines work full hours. This immediately helped them to reduce inventory and improve deliveries. So much as that he asked sales to give him new orders. For delivery also, he jumped to batch level than one go. This helped to service customer as well as reduce inventory and operating expenses.

All this rewarded him as a CEO of a customer visited his plant. Alex decided to use these new measures to measure performance than earlier based on accounting. At last he faced fire from his superiors in a review meeting regarding efficiency. But at the end while having discussion with regional manager he put his point forth. And ultimately he was promoted to the regional office.

Now, Alex has another thing to worry about. How to take care of region? He did not want to go in old fashioned way of visiting plant and people and thereby gather data. Then he finalized to ask these questions on his new role: ‘what to change?’, ‘what to change to?’ and ‘how to cause a change?’.

TM Humourous Speech Contest - Second Life

2009-08-31T11:39:00.004+05:30

As contest chair announced my topic, I see a smile on some of friend’s faces. No, No it is not second wife.. I can understand your emotions, but for now it is second life..
Contest chair, fellow Toastmasters and distinguished guests, to me ‘second life’ is transition from bachelorhood to married life.

Now, the reason for which I am terming this transition as ‘second life’ is coz on one hand – sweet, bubbly, irresponsible and exciting bachelor life comes to an end, on the other hand we step on supposed to be serious n responsible family life.

Today I am going to present some insights of this transition – some which may confuse, some of you might refuse, yet we will make an attempt to diffuse.

First, interesting insight is – whether it is necessary at all to get married? I can see Abraham immediately bumping up. Plz hold on. You are married. Now, nothing can be done. To me bachelorhood was like enjoying the essence of life i.e. variety. But, marriage looks like a one way road, with no parallels and U turns.

Another point to dwell upon is whether you urslf carry out this transition or let the transition happen to you. In simple words – whether you should opt for love marriage or an arranged.
As per my experience, in quotes “which I have gained from observation” –Talking about love is good for ur health only till the time it remains a theory. As soon as you try to conduct a practical, u will find everything going haywire..

To be on the safe side, I decided to let this transition happen to me.

The process of arrange marriage starts with scouting for an ideal match. I must say as working in finance, this is like merger and acquisition. Both sides look for options where they have maximum synergy benefits.

I was asked what kind of girl I want. I hope all my bachelor friends will agree – ‘when by chance we get a rare opportunity of meeting any girl, do we put any filter as this kind of girl I would like to meet or have friendship with”. General bachelor philosophy is – Incoming is free i.e. let every one come, then we will see.As like any other bachelor I was confused. I decided to leave this matter to the intelligent beings.

My parents were able to identify some possible acquisition targets. Now was the turn to see the girl. She walked inside the room – scared and nervous, yet trying to be confident (looked like an interviewee). All experienced eyes immediately froze on her trying to dissect the total physical being – across her length and breadth, color, make up, heels etc. As she was asked to take a seat, all interrogators were ready with their arsenal of questions.

This scene immediately reminded me of a project of ACB manual, where as a manager we have to tackle media on any labor issue. I knew only u r a TM, you are able to handle this kind of situation. I immediately developed sympathy for the girl.

Finally, after everyone is thru, I was given an opportunity to talk to her. I felt the same as I stood for my first table topic speech – blank and speechless. Couple of seconds passed, I said to myself – Ravi, you are a TM. You have to break the ice and get to the point.

I mustered full courage despite bubbling butterflies and dry throat, and asked – “Is kavita your name”, then talks followed.

Now, I was asked my opinion. I was again confused. As a bachelor, we always divided girls into two categories – good girl and a very good girl.

I sought the help of my mother, and asked – ‘mom how can I decide about any girl – whom I hv nvr seen, nvr talked, I don’t knw abt her nature, her aspirations, n finally I don’t hav a single clue – if both of us together would go fine or nt’

To this my mom looked at me, smiled n uttered golden words – ‘love happens after marriage’. My eyes were just stuck. It was as if a poor innocent disciple was given a sacred mantra by a great saint. I got married and started my second life.

Finally, one suggestion for my bachelor frnz – never form any opinion based upon your initial meeting. Every girl will sound sweet, simple n cute while u talk initially. U will come to knw the reality only when u start living. This holds true for both the sides.
And one word of caution – Beware!! Marriage is a one way journey.

Despite all this, if at all u happen to embark ur second life, whatever ur experience be – I hope all my married frnz will agree, it not the plz bring your wife along - one this is for sure – sacred mantra holds true - ‘love does happen’.

Present Financial System - Is it real?

2009-08-20T17:40:00.005+05:30

A contrarian study
This is a pertinent question that hovered my brain since the time I got an initial exposure to our financial system (stock market) through TV channels. As I went for higher studies, this question rather than being answered became more profound. Today earning my livelihood from working in the same field, again this question comes to mind – if stock market is real.

Let us examine the same.

If we go back to the basics - behind the history of evolution of stock market, it is termed as a tool that enables a small individual to own a pie in a big corporate. In other words, stock market gives a platform to a small investor to buy and sell securities listed on that exchange with ease. It does serve large investors but to a very limited way, as they being specialist in the field have one to one dealing or private desks available to them.

Now, we would examine whether this concept holds true in reality and the consequences that stock market has on the society at large.

Activity and Income
We traditionally believe that in order to earn any income we must carry out any activity. In other words, activities are the base of deriving income.

Stock market in general does not carry out any economic activity. It is same as haat (market place) in rural areas, where buyer and seller comes to carry out an exchange. But against haat, there is no physical product here that are exchanged and that are required by humans for physical well being. Here we have notional paper (now a day some figures) which does not have any meaning for human survival.

In a haat as any exchange takes place, income flows through the whole value chain. For example if you purchase a packet of ghee, it serves as a income for retailer. This in turn acts as income for owner of cow, company which procures milk – its workers, agents, and wholesalers too earns a pie. These people again use this earning to purchase their necessities. This creates a ripple effect throughout the economy and thus whole economic engine starts running.

On the other hand, on a wholesome basis, in stock market one person gain is another person loss. Various renowned economists claim that health of stock market – in terms of percentage of GDP and individual participation indicates the health of economy and maturity of the financial system in large. But, I would like to differ. It does indicate – only the greed and easy going attitude that people develop.

Individuals:

Innocent retail investors (as they are termed in the stock market parlance) have little knowledge about the stock market. They are lured from the multiplier effect that stock market offers. Stock market is seen as a way to earn easy money. In majority of the cases, individuals work with brokers whose immediate purpose is to engage them into trading. Rapid mushrooming of broking houses at every nook and corner of the country are testimony to this. These so called investors invests (bets), sitting whole day at the broker’s terminal in the anticipation to make money. Same is the gaze for IPO, which instead of being a mechanism to raise money for the company, is now taken as an opportunity to make quick money on the day of listing.

Part of this community which is somewhat aware goes for medium to long term investing (betting). But, on the whole each one anticipates making quick buck.

Now, we will see how this stock market revolution affects the individuals. First rather than conducting any economic activity, these people sit for the whole day on the terminal looking at price movements just to make a killing. At the end, they may earn or loose. But the question is – an individual may earn or loose, does it add anything to the real economy? Of course, we have whole range of brokers, stock market professionals and yes the biggest – government to gain (taxes and stamp duty). But, at the end stock market only creates a bunch of greedy couch potatoes.

Company

First basic thing we must understand that the company and stock market are different. Of course, security listed on the exchange pertains to the company and performance of the company drives its’ security price on the exchange. However, movements in stock price no where affects the company.

Once the company raises capital from public, investors who invest into its stock becomes an owner. Now, in stock market these owners buy and sell their ownership title. It does not add or remove anything from the company. This is same as having a bearer cheque that is drawn on XYZ bank. The cheque may change hands (owners), but from this bank is not affected.

Do we require FII?

Over the past few years, this word has gained immense coverage. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) as they are termed are big sharks on the so called developed world. They have bagful of money and are looking for opportunities to multiply their wealth. Whenever they enter any emerging market, there movements (buying and selling) drive that total market. This is because of the low quantum of domestic money in the stock market. Likely movements of these sharks then just become the hot news that is sought after. As per the current regulations, FIIs can come and exit anytime. Thus taking the total market into fizzy. Overall, domestic players especially individuals are left in the state of lurch.
Before discussing whether we require FII or not, we should first see how they are different from FDI.

FII or FDI

FDI stands for foreign direct investment. They are different from FII in terms of objective. FDI invests into real economy, may be through setting up companies bringing new technology, new products to the market, employ people. Of late infrastructure and telecom are there favorites. They come up with a long term objective, buy an equity stake and sit here to earn. On the other hand, FII invests in the market with the objective to earn handsome buck. They do not have binding or loyalty to real economy.

Now, the question arises what FII brings to our country. As it is clear, they bring money in loads and take them out in loads. If they earn, it is not difficult to guess who is at the loosing end. It is domestic investor.

In my view, we should promote more of FDI than FII and impose restrictions on FIIs movement in terms of period of investment – in years. If foreign investors are really serious and believe in our economy – they will come and stay.

Complex products – Short, Future and Options

Over the period of time, newer and complex instruments have found their way to the financial markets. Now we have complex programs to carry out trading. For example – Candle stick charts, MACD, Rate of Change, daily price and volume movement charts, averages etc. In addition, we are bombarded with newer complex products as shorting, future and options. Now apart from paper, we are seeing products in commodities. These are nothing but further tools to encourage speculation in the market. They do not add anything to the real economy, but takes away time of a herd of people by providing them new tools to speculate.

Conclusion

In my view, we should first get to the basics. The very objective for having a stock market in place is to act as a platform for buying and selling stocks. Our objective is to let an individual have an opportunity to own a pie of a big corporate house and reap the benefits as it grows as an owner. If we look at the owner, he believes in his company and as a captain of ship steers it through storms. In return he earns for his hard work. In order to inculcate this psyche, we must encourage people first to think as owner and then to invest for long term.

First, we should do away from this short term or day trading and from the complex financial jugglery of F&Os, shorts etc. These do not serve anyone but only few so called finance professionals. These do not put any thing in the plate of any body and are instrumental in bringing up urban-rural divide.

Having only delivery based trading with some minimum lock-in period should be specified. For the lock-in period, we should talk in terms of years (may be three years). All the great investors – Warren Buffet, Graham always advocated about long term investing. Long term investing will enable individuals to carry an economic activity rather than just being glued to the screen to earn handsome bucks. These measures will enable him to become a true investor, form proper insight about the company, learn fundamentals and earn as the company progresses.
In this way, stock market can act as a mechanism of inclusion and become a part and parcel of real economy.

TM CC-10 Speaking is Winning

2009-05-26T12:11:00.001+05:30

And the winner is ….
Do you remember the times when U WERE THE WINNER…

The first ride in the cycle without falling down,
the first time u scored the highest marks in a subject,
you got into a college of your choice,
most awaited career, and
being proposed by a girl or boy you always dreamt of
winning a ribbon in Toastmasters …
some examples of the time when u were a winner!!!

Winning makes us happy, excited, boosts our morale and we are on the top of the world…

So what is the background story which makes us winners…?

Toastmaster of the Day, Fellow toastmasters and distinguished guests…

Let me narrate to you the story of a boy who worked on the key skills that make a winner…

The story of Persistence, patience and perseverance….

Rajiv – a small town boy, studied in one of the town’s best schools. He was good in acads and was always among the topper in the class. His excellence in academics made him crave for more, and he wanted to be a management professional. With the consent of his parents, he moved to Chennai for preparation for MBA entrance exams.

He was confident that being academically strong, he would definitely beat the crowd.
He worked hard, prepared well and improved his performance in mock CAT sessions And finally the D-day dawned.

With a pounding heart, he knew that he was near his goal, and did his paper to the best of his ability…. He was very nervous about the outcome as CAT had negative marking for wrong answers…

The day of the results dawned bright and sunny. With trembling hands, he entered his hall ticket number in the website. He screamed with joy when he saw the results.

He got 96 percentile, way beyond he had ever imagined. He was a winner. He felt like shouting, crying, jumping, screaming and what not.

And soon calls from the top institutes for admission process started to pour in. Each letter made him dream that he was a part of that particular campus. He dreamed life is going to be on a roller skater…

THEN CAME THE SHOCKERS…

He attended the first GROUP DISCUSSION.

He knew the topics, he had the right answers…. YET COULD NOT UTTER A SINGLE WORD…
He wanted to participate… argue… but nothing effective came out…
He thought this might be because of the first experience in GD… but, when the trend continued in all other institutes….

HIS CONFIDENCE WAS TOTALLY SHAKEN….

He felt his ambition, career plans, and dreams crash like a pack of cards….

He was a person with a positive attitude… he made a checklist of his shortcomings… and started practicing to speak… his perseverance and determination earned him a seat finally…

If you think that life became a bed of roses from then… NO….

Life was not easy… he had the knowledge and intelligence to reach the top in the institute, but when it came to project assignments and presentations, he was not matching his peers… so he had to be happy with just average marks…

The two years in the management institute went by like a whiff of the wind… and then, it was time for placements…

Rajiv had a good number of certificates to prove his academic credentials… he arranged them neatly, and felt that he had the competitive edge…

So… he was again shocked when he was not even short listed in the preliminary rounds… Every organization was looking at candidates who could present themselves well…

Companies came and companies went… all his friends were being placed… again Rajiv worked hard and made a presentation based on other’s feedback on interview questions finally got a decent job….

Rajiv was hoping that his official career would have the type of kick start that he wanted… but again, it was not to be…

Rajiv sat back… and introspected the way his academic career and official career was ever since he got through the CAT exams…
He realized that the mediocre ones in academics – when compared to his levels, were doing much better due to their presentation and leadership skills…

His colleagues in office who were successful were the ones who had good communication and leadership skills… he realized that his education was not complete and he would never be a winner unless…. He could speak and communicate….

He realized that knowledge was useless unless it could be effectively shared and communicated to the world… speaking the right thing at a right time makes us winners…

Friends, how many of us are Rajivs in this forum… we have all the qualifications, subject knowledge and the characteristics that is needed to be a winner… but without crucial skills like listening, persuading, negotiating, impressing, and inspiring people… there is no way that we can be winners in this competitive world… the edge is in good communication…

Any area of life – relationship with teachers and fellow students in school; parents, siblings, spouse and children at home; colleagues and superiors at work place; customers, friends in the social environment – winning rests on how we interact with them.

How do we develop good speaking skills… to learn swimming, jump into the water… to survive start swimming… same way… be part of forums that encourage you to speak, know your shortcomings, work on the same… and emerge as winners.

How does one come to know about the shortcomings… feedback… may not always be constructive, but take it and work on it….
In real world, everyone around us will try make us feel good. They won’t tell us where we are wrong. To counter that, join forums where you can get feedback. True feedback is what enables us to take lessons, improve and move forward.

Toastmaster is one of those forums. It enables us to get feedback – both positive and areas we need to improve upon. There are no negatives here – only improvement points. Soon, you consciously work on those areas and began to sharpen your speaking skills as well as take up leadership skills day by day. These are the very skills that enable us to be winner in the real world.

Rajiv made a few changes in his life… spent time on weekends and Sundays, worked on CC projects, took up different roles … and then… after about six months, he saw a dramatic change in his overall approach and attitude… and emerged a winner!!! Rajiv has reached the heights that he aimed for, and found that Speaking is winning!!!

Do you think I gave you a fictitious story to convey my message… this is my story with some changes…

I realized the importance of developing good communication skills, and I learnt that to win in this competitive world, the edge that I need is communication…

I found the right place… Toastmasters… and today I am a winner… I can present my view point clearly to colleagues, friends, relatives, superiors, or strangers…

Friends, don’t you all want to be winners…

Join Toastmasters… where “Speaking is winning”

Bull Dog

2009-03-22T01:02:00.000+05:30

Finance made easy: Bonds/ Fixed Income

2009-03-01T21:01:00.000+05:30

If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to contact me at ravi.singal@gmail.com

Let's help each other grow.

Finance made easy: Future & Options (F&O) and Real Estate

2009-02-01T20:50:00.000+05:30

If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to contact me at ravi.singal@gmail.com

Let's help each other grow.

Quotes

2009-01-11T15:23:00.000+05:30

Time is the only resource that life has to offer to us. Beware of where we spend our time or else others will eat it. Spend it in a best possible manner.

Do not wait till the iron is hot. But strike and make the iron hot. Don’t wait for the opportunities but take action and create opportunities.

Your immediate circle is like a flour mill. Whatsoever you do, you still will eat flour. Always be in good company.

Finance made easy: Risk and Return

2009-01-01T20:57:00.000+05:30

If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to contact me at ravi.singal@gmail.com

Let's help each other grow.

Finance made easy: Equity Market

2009-01-01T20:53:00.000+05:30

If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to contact me at ravi.singal@gmail.com

Let's help each other grow.

Outsourcing Industry

2008-12-29T21:30:00.000+05:30

We all take up these jobs only for money. Call centers pay more, only coz exchange rate is in favor of Americans. It seems a lot in rupees. But jobs that pay less could be better. There could be jobs that define me, make me learn, help my country. Progress is in building something lasting for the future. We are capable of doing many good things.

Work on what I really want? What I need to change in my life to make that happen?

Inspired from – one night @ call center by Chetan Bhagat

Pulling Your Own Strings - Dr. Wayne W Dyer

2008-12-29T21:21:00.003+05:30

To live your life the way I choose, I have to be rebellious. I have to be willing to stand up for myself. Not let others do your thinking.

I can rarely be victimized unless I allow it to happen. I do that coz most of the times I think other person is smart.

“No one is handed freedom on platter. I must make my own freedom.”

I always have a choice. Exercise my choice. Whether I want to breathe the air I want at location of my choice, without worrying how everyone else thinks about my choices.

First step to freedom: Never give control of my life to anyone but myself. Trust me in any situation. Believe in my capabilities:

Physical capability: I can do anything I believe in.
Mental capability: I am a genius. I can do anything.
Emotional capability: I am what I expect I be.
Social capability: I am socially acceptable. I belong to high class, have high power. I am not mediocre or middle class. I am the best.

Some things I must control:

Family – I make my own life. If I want freedom, they will eventually accept it. They like who takes their own decision, one who is rebellious and believe in him. Rather than straight forward. Example – Arjit. He is accepted the way he is. I too should live my life on my terms.

Job
Professionals - Doctors, lawyers, accountants etc. These people try to bully on the basis of their reputation or profession. I try to flatter them, and am afraid of asking for fees etc upfront. Though they matter to me a lot. I must understand I am their customer. I can change them if I am not satisfied or there is a mis-match. Everyone is equal and I am a master. I someone doesn’t suit me, just I can change them. “Give respect to others, but don’t make them super human”.
Bureaucrats - Government officials
Clerks - Operational people in any organization. There job is to enforce standards all across. But their supervisors have the authority to differ and make exceptions. I can reach out to them to make that exception. And that is possible everywhere.
I myself - If I do the things which I do not like.

Career: I still carry out the things which I decided long ago. I did CA. But if I don’t like, I must change the course and do things I like. What is the harm in it?
History: Marriage, Family etc. That was a decision at that point of time. Now if I don’t feel like, I must chart my own way.
Ethics and Value: I can change them as per the needs now.
Body
Self portrait

Always operate from my strength area – situation which I like and which empowers me, rather than starting from back foot.

Learn to say “NO” – Excessive loads of work by employer, social commitments by family, favors by friends etc. I do them if I like, not by being forced.
Express my feelings if I am down – why afraid my real feelings to anyone? Why keep them with myself? I should let others know so that next time they take care and as well I take care of theirs
Why be afraid when my view point doesn’t match – with employer or family member etc. Confront them. We are equal.
I am not happy with something – Cut that. Whether that is phone call to/ from someone, job.
Don’t be afraid. If it is genuine, ask for your right – Promotion in job etc
Don’t be a scape goat – Taking assignments, family responsibilities.

My worth comes with myself. It is not if others say so. But coz of what I have accomplished, and my achievements. I should not look to others to acknowledge that. I am what I am. And I am happy the way I did the thing. That was the best I would have done under those circumstances. If someone has a problem, it is their opinion. At the best I can take is the lesson, which I can use henceforth.

If I have self confidence, then pleasing myself is enough. If I lack self esteem, I look to others for verification. Ex – telling stories to friends, relatives about accomplishments. Why do I? Am I not content and happy with what I did and got?

Fear: No where in the world it exists. It is there only in my mind. Whatever I am afraid of – just do it. It will be bust. Example – public speaking, saying No, Express feeling etc.

Think – what worst can happen if I do this? Ex – job interview, proposing any girl, starting a business. What do I stand to loose? I already don’t have it. If I try there are chances I will have it. Otherwise I am at the same position.

Whatever situation I am in today is coz I made it and I let it happen. I am responsible for it and only I can change it. Ex – my family, seniors, subordinates behave in a way I want them.

Always treat others as equal. Call them by the first name. Practice – with doctors, lawyers, accountants etc. Treat their as well my time as precious. My time is not free.

I will get respect only when I work from my strength.

Some dialogues to operate from my strength:

Stop asking from anyone’s permission to speak –

“Would you mind if I ask you a question?” – I would like to know…I am bringing this to you coz I am dissatisfied….

“Would it be alright, if I go out for an hour” – I am going out for an hour. Is there anything I can do for you?

Only slaves ask for permission. We all are equal and should respect each other.

Look in the eyes of person I talk to
Assume a posture and body language that communicates self confidence and personal strength. Walk fast. Sit straight.
Become an effective communicator.
Learn to say straightforward “NO”. Rather than building stories or finding excuse. Otherwise I will find myself always a victim.
Call all the people by their first name. Do that with lawyers, doctors etc.
If I cannot bear anything. Stand up and say. “I would appreciate if you do not smoke now”. Not “Please if you don’t mind, don’t smoke”.
Never be afraid to approach someone’s heads for my resolution. They have the power to make exceptions.
Don’t worry about what others say. Do what empowers me.
Refuse to pay for poor service or poor quality as a rule. Ex – Telephone bill etc
Progress and growth are impossible if I do the things the way I have always done things.
Don’t worry about the past, that is already over. The present is what I have. Learn from my past, bury it and take lesson. Don’t get fixed in it.
Don’t worry about the things I don’t have any control upon. Example – weather, time, taxes, age, other people opinions, nature – flies, mosquitoes, history, your physical appearance, height, illness, death etc.
If somebody says:
“you should have…”, “Why do u do it this way…”, “If only you had consulted me first…”. These things are just to demean me.

Ask them – “are you asking me to go back in time and do what you claim as what I should have done or can we talk what we can do right now..”

Do not compare me with anyone. I am unique and is bouquet of my set of qualities. It cannot be compared with anyone. Comparison is meant only for standardized products. We all are different and unique in our sense.

If somebody compares, refuse to get in. Just ignore it.

Regree Game

2008-12-28T15:28:00.001+05:30

Life Academy

It is an excellent game to test our ethics and emotional character. We were divided into four teams. Each team had to choose between red and green (Regree comes from there). Based on the set combination, each team earns points. If we take the safest way, each team loose 100 points. While taking risk means each one has a potential of loosing 400.

After two rounds, instructor asked if team captains want to discuss and formulate any strategy they are free to do so. The crux of game was if we compete all of the teams’ loose money. They can get positive points only when they collaborate and let other win.

There were ten rounds. Exciting point was if anyone ditches at any point, he had a reward of almost 4 times. While with collaboration each one earns 100 points. If one of them ditches, others three will loose 100 each, ditching team will get 400. It was a complete test on our ethics.

My Nature: Give others a chance once to see if everyone else is collaborating. If anyone ditches, we too will. Basically tit for tat.

Result: If I am a man of character, I will do what I say. Even if I win by cheating others, others will look down at me with disgustful eyes. The worth of that winning is over. Winning has its value when everyone wins and it is supported by everybody. Even in my eyes, I will not be able to enjoy this win. If I make other win, I can be a part of that winning. I can enjoy that even though I lost.

Action points:

Share what I have: Whatever I posses will become junk after some point. Share it and make a full use of it. I am going to share ppts I have create on finance subjects. If they remain with me and I guard them at every point, they are of no use. I am putting them on blog so that people can read and give me suggestions to improve. All of us will grow. I don’t want to be a copier, this will help to innovate and grow.

Trust is prima facie. Maintain trust with others. It will take me up in a long run.

Finance made easy: Mutual Funds

2008-12-26T20:47:00.002+05:30

If you have any question or suggestion, feel free to contact me at ravi.singal@gmail.com

Let's help each other grow.

Inculcating Investing in children

2008-12-19T23:03:00.002+05:30

An early action to teach your kid about money and savings are a good idea to give better money management ideas when they grow. Using simple methods depends on there age, you can easily bring them getting good understanding on money and can grow a habit of savings.

Below are some practical methods a parent can use to teach there kid about money and savings. Have a look:

Age group 1 to 7 – Give her a piggy bank and let her collect and deposit coins to that box. Regularly give coins to your kid for her piggy bank. This approach build a habit of small savings in the early ages.

When the piggy bank is full, open a savings bank account in kids/parents name and deposit the amount to that account. Small drops can form a sea in the future.

Someone I know starts this habit at the age of 2 and still he following at his present age of 43. The account his father opens for him still alive with enormous amount from his small deposits for long term and now he planned to teach this habit to his daughter and present this account to her.

Age group 7 to 10 – Give her awareness about savings bank account, how adding and removing money from savings accounts, how the money growing in it with interests etc… teaching her about interest calculations will do magic at this stage.

Take her to bank with you and let her learn how dealings are happening there. Give ideas to know more about bank transactions.

Age group 10 to 15 – Start a recurring deposit. Instruct to add a small fixed amount in each month. She can easily collect this amount from her pocket money and gifts. You can also give small amounts as gifts on there good work like helping neighbours, helping mother and father, cleaning house, gardening etc. Let her build very good awareness about systematic savings well as the hardworking nature to get awarded promptly.

Teach her on compound interest and the magic of compounding. It is very good in this age to know how compound interest works and how the amount increasing by its power.

Give practical knowledge on banking services like using ATM, cheque book, internet banking facilities etc.

Age group 15 to 18 – Give directions to get knowledge on various investment instruments available in the market like stocks,real estate,gold. Teach her about mutual funds and how it is working, fixed deposits etc. Let her get awareness about various investment products and the difference of returns from these products and different risk levels related to each products.

-Article by Sherin Devassy

Practical time saving techniques

2008-12-01T17:49:00.001+05:30

These are just some simple ideas that can save you time and help you work more effectively. You can implement many of these ideas quickly and easily.

1. Write things down

A common time management mistake is to try to use your memory to keep track of too many details leading to information overload. Using a to-do list to write things down is a great way to take control of your projects and tasks and keep yourself organized.

2. Prioritize your list

Prioritizing your to-do list helps you focus and spend more of your time on the things that really matter to you. Rate your tasks into categories using the ABCD prioritization system described in the time management course.

3. Plan your week

Spend some time at the beginning of each week to plan your schedule. Taking the extra time to do this will help increase your productivity and balance your important long-term projects with your more urgent tasks. All you need is fifteen to thirty minutes each week for your planning session.

4. Carry a notebook

You never know when you are going to have a great idea or brilliant insight. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go so you can capture your thoughts. If you wait too long to write them down you could forget. Another option is to use a digital recorder.

5. Learn to say no

Many people become overloaded with too much work because they overcommit; they say yes when they really should be saying no. Learn to say no to low priority requests and you will free up time to spend on things that are more important.

6. Think before acting

How many times have you said yes to something you later regretted? Before committing to a new task, stop to think about it before you give your answer. This will prevent you from taking on too much work.

7. Continuously improve yourself

Make time in your schedule to learn new things and develop your natural talents and abilities. For example, you could take a class, attend a training program, or read a book. Continuously improving your knowledge and skills increases your marketability, can help boost your career, and is the most reliable path to financial independence.

8. Think about what you are giving up to do your regular activities

It is a good idea to evaluate regularly how you are spending your time. In some cases, the best thing you can do is to stop doing an activity that is no longer serving you so you can spend the time doing something more valuable. Consider what you are giving up in order to maintain your current activities.

9. Use a personal productivity system

Using a personal productivity system can help you keep track of everything that you need to do, organize and prioritize your work, and develop sound plans to complete it. An integrated system is like glue that holds all the best time management practices together.

10. Identify bad habits

Make a list of bad habits that are stealing your time, sabotaging your goals, and blocking your success. After you do, work on them one at a time and systematically eliminate them from your life. Remember that the easiest way to eliminate a bad habit, it to replace it with a better habit.

11. Don’t do other people’s work

Are you in the habit of doing other people’s work because or a ‘hero’ mentality? Doing this takes up time that you may not have. Instead, focus on your own projects and goals, learn to delegate effectively, and teach others how to do their own work.

12. Keep a goal journal

Schedule time to set and evaluate your goals. Start a journal and write down your progress for each goal. Go through your goal journal each week to make sure you are on the right track.

Keeping a journal on your computer has never been easier!

More than just a simple diary, this personal journaling software can help you take control of your life. If you've ever wanted to start a journal or keep a diary, take this opportunity to get started today with a free 45 day trial!

Visit: http://www.timethoughts.com/resources/journal.htm

13. Don’t be a perfectionist

Some tasks don’t require your best effort. Sending a short email to a colleague, for example, shouldn’t take any more than a few minutes. Learn to distinguish between tasks that deserve to be done excellently and tasks that just need to be done.

14. Beware of “filler”tasks

When you have a to-do list filled with important tasks, be careful not to get distracted by “filler”tasks. Things such as organizing your bookcase or filing papers can wait until you tackle the items that have the highest priority.

15. Avoid “efficiency traps”

Being efficient doesn’t necessarily mean that you are being productive. Avoid taking on tasks that you can do with efficiency that don’t need to be done at all. Just because you are busy and getting things done doesn’t mean you are actually accomplishing anything significant.

16. Utilize “productive procrastination”

Procrastination doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad thing if you use it to delay working on low priority tasks that may not need to be done at all. Wait until a task becomes important enough to deserve your time before you work on it.

17. Ask questions

Asking questions can be an effective tool to help keep you on track. Whenever you are unsure of what to do next, just ask yourself “What is the most valuable use of my time right now?”

18. Apply the 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule states that 20% of your tasks account for 80% of the value in your to-do list. Some tasks have a much greater return on your investment of time and energy than others. Use prioritization to identify and focus your time on these high payoff tasks.

19. Avoid attempting to do too much

While it is good to balance important long-term projects with urgent tasks, you can take this too far. If you spread your time and energy over too many different projects, you may not be able to make meaningful progress on any of them. Good time management often requires that you focus your time on a smaller set of objectives.

20. Use your energy cycles

We all have times in our day when we feel productive and other times when we feel sluggish. Use these highs and lows to your advantage. Get complex and mentally challenging tasks done during your energy highs. During the lows, take care of low priority, routine, or non-challenging tasks.

Achieve Planner time management software helps you get organized, set and achieve your important goals, and take control of your projects and tasks. You can use the time charts feature to identify your energy cycles and map out what your ideal week looks like.

21. Avoid saving too much stuff in your files

Experts estimate that between 60 and 80 percent of items that people file they never look at again. Learning what to save and what to throw out is the first step in creating an effective filing system.

22. Urgent vs. Important tasks

A key principle in time management is that important things are not always urgent, and urgent things are not always important. Learning to distinguish between the two is essential for effective time management. Weekly planning helps you maintain a balance between projects with long-term importance and your more pressing matters.

23. Make time for important projects

Schedule regular time each week to work on important long-term projects. If a project is important and not urgent, you run the risk of neglecting it unless you make regular time for it.

24. Clean your desk

When you have too many things on your desk, it can be distracting. Only keep things on your desk that are necessary. When you eliminate unnecessary distractions, you will find that you use your time more wisely.

25. Learn to relax

Working hard is important, but you also need to take time off to relax and enjoy yourself. When you do, you will find that you use your time more wisely while you are at work. The extra time off renews your energy and gives your brain much needed rest.

26. Avoid wishful thinking

Wishful thinking can ruin any well-laid plan. Avoid this by identifying risks and learning how to place realistic expectations on your projects. Make sure to schedule room for error and unexpected problems when creating a timeline.

27. Don’t over schedule

When you over schedule your days, it can cause unnecessary stress. When creating your weekly plan and scheduling appointments, always create room for error.

28. Learn to group your tasks

In order to use your time wisely, try to perform certain tasks in batches. For example, sort out the papers on your desk and file at the same time, or process several emails in your Inbox at the same time. Related tasks don’t take as long when you do them all at once.

29. Don’t automate email

Some email programs have a timer so your email gets checked on a certain schedule. Turn this feature off. Handling emails as they come in as a distraction and it wastes time. Depending on your needs, use 3 to 5 predefined times during the day to check your email.

30. Don’t file an item that still requires an action on your part

Avoid filing an item that still needs your attention before you record it in your time management system. Otherwise, you might easily forget about that item and the associated work that you still need to do. The same rule applies to emails and paper documents.

31. Balance your time

When you have a lot of different types of activities, you can create a better sense of balance by giving each week a specific focus. For example, you can focus one week on your finances and your home, and the next week on relaxation and fun.

32. Weekly planning routine

Setting up a weekly planning routine will help you manage your time better. Make time to write and prioritize your pending projects and tasks, reconnect to your mission and goals, and create a plan for the upcoming week.

33. Practice easy-reach filing

Trying to find frequently used files in a complex filing system can be frustrating and time consuming. Instead of filing them far away, keep them organized within easy reach. The filing drawers in your desk are a great place to keep frequently used items.

34. File folders and labels

Keeping a supply of file folders and labels nearby can help encourage organization. Instead of keeping papers in piles on top of your desk, you can immediately create an appropriate file for them.

35. Record your favorite shows

Are you addicted to certain television programs? Instead of making your schedule revolve around them, record them so you can view them at your convenience.

36. Learn to speed read

Speed reading is a valuable skill, especially if you spend most of your day reading documents. You can take a class, watch a how-to program, or read a book on the subject.

37. Backup your work

How often do you back up your work? You never know when you will have computer problems. Back up your files frequently to prevent unnecessary stress later.

38. Schedule according to your energy

When do you have the most energy? Learning when you are most energetic will help you use your time more effectively. Perform tasks that require a lot of energy when you have the most of it.

39. Give each item a “home”

One of the key principles in organization is to make sure each item has a home where it naturally belongs. This alone can dramatically increase the organization in your home and office.

40. Sort your magazines and toss out the ones you don’t need

To help reduce clutter, throw away any old magazines and newspapers you no longer read. This will help free up space for other items and will help you stay organized.

41. Make checklists for repeat tasks

Are there tasks you need to complete on a routine basis? Making a checklist is an easy way to make sure you finish the task without forgetting anything important.

42. Baby steps to time management

Learning how to manage your time is an art. Make one small change at a time to foster lasting change. Remember that it takes at least a few weeks to form a new habit.

43. Write in a journal

Keeping both a personal and professional journal can help you grow. Use it as a way to review your days and weeks. Think about what you did right, what you would have changed, and how you could have done better.

44. Goals in small steps

Effective goal planning includes a list of smaller tasks that will help you achieve it. When you create a plan of action and take smaller steps, you increase your chances of success.

45. Find a role model

Is there someone who has achieved the same goal as you? Make this person your role model or mentor and follow in their steps. A role model can inspire you and boost your morale when it is low.

46. Just begin!

When you have a goal to achieve or a task to complete, just begin. Once you start, you can use the momentum you develop to help you finish what you start.

47. Organize your workspace

When your workspace is disorganized, it can distract you and make you less productive.

48. Get active

An active body leads to a sharper mind. Develop a consistent exercise routine to help you stay in shape and increase your mental capacity. If you don’t have a lot of time to spend, take a few ten minute activity breaks throughout your day.

49. Get enough sleep

If your mind is well rested, you will be more productive. Make sure you get enough sleep every night. When you are over tired, it becomes nearly impossible to perform your best.

50. Have fun

What is life without a little fun? Make time to spend with your friends and loved ones. Having fun will help you feel more satisfied with both life and your job.

10 Ways To Raise Your Energy

2008-11-28T17:18:00.002+05:30

1. DON'T give away your power to people. Take responsibility for your life. If things aren't going as hoped in your life, re-examine your deepest beliefs. Swap limiting beliefs for empowering ones.

2. DO get a pet! According to Power vs Force, a purring cat vibrates at 500 ...my pet dog Cass must vibrate at least 800 with her loving licks and devotion! (She is nicknamed 'Licky' by my friends!)

3. DON'T watch movies that drag you down. According to Power vs Force, this is most films. Watch movies that will make you feel good. Listen to music that fills you with positive emotions. Read books that empower you. (Control the input to your brain, and you'll control your output).

4. DO focus on what you want in your life, not what you don't want - remember the law of attraction... You have the power to create the life of your dreams - even if the world around you seems messed up, don't lose focus...

5. DO imagine that what you dream of is in your life now, and feel grateful for it now ...and after that think of 10 more things to be grateful for.

6. DO have fun. Life is about being happy. Don't wait until you have this, or that... Don't put off happiness. Live now. Enjoy now.

7. DO seek to discover the truth about the meaning of your life. The answers are there if you look for them. Awareness and peace of mind are high vibrations.

8. DO use tools and strategies to help you achieve higher levels of consciousness, such as meditation.

9. DON'T watch the news on television. It is filled with negativity which lowers your vibrations. (Why is 95% of all news all the time focused on bad news...). If you want to keep abreast of current affairs search the internet for independent, unbiased news. Seek the truth. Trust your intuition. This will also help you give you a much more balanced view of reality. There's lots of good news out there if you're looking for it...

10. DO help other people. Join activist sites like Avaaz.org that collect petitions to help humanity. Forgiveness, compassion and understanding are good vibrations. Maybe even learn to spread love and heal people from a distance with the power of your mind...

A Letter to Every Indian - APJ

2008-11-17T18:05:00.002+05:30

The Ex-President of India DR. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam's Speech in Hyderabad:

Why is the media here so negative?

Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements?

We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production.

We are number one in Remote sensing satellites..

We are the second largest producer of wheat.We are the second largest producer of rice.

Look at Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit.

There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime.. Why are we so NEGATIVE?

Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign TVs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?

I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India . You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

YOU say that our government is inefficient.YOU say that our laws are too old.YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination. YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits.

YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore. Give him a name - 'YOURS'. Give him a face - 'YOURS'. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best.

In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity… In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU?

YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai .

YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah.

YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else.

'YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.

'YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand .

Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo?

Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston???

We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU who can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels?In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan.Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right.

We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility.We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick a up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms.We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.This applies even to the staff who is known not to pass on the service to the public.

When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child! and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse? 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system?What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbours, other households, other cities, other communities and the government. But definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for a Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England .. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government.

Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too…. I am echoing J. F. Kennedy's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians…..

'ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY'

Lets do what India needs from us.

A Winning Stock Picking Strategy

2008-11-17T11:49:00.001+05:30

When fundamental and technical factors coincide in a hot sector, the demand for the stock increases exponentially.

Checking the following criteria for each stock pick is one of the most important steps in the stock-picking service.

Earning Per Share
Cash Flow
Annual Growth
Relative Price Strength
Profitability
Industry Leader
Financial Health
Debt
Management
P/E Ratio
Competitive Advantage
Institutional Sponsorship
Direction of the Market Averages
Insiders trading
Industry/Sector
Psychology of Trading
Technical Indicators: Support & Resistance

*Earning Per Share (EPS): *Current quarterly earning per share. Earning per share is calculated by dividing a company's total after-tax profit by the number of common shares outstanding. The percentage change in earning per share is one of the most important factors in stock selection. The higher the percentage increase, the better. Always compare a company's earning per share to the same quarter a year earlier not to the prior quarter, to avoid any misrepresentation due to seasonality. Earning Per Share alone can not be the true measure of a company's financial performance. For a number of reasons, accounting-based earnings per share can be made to say just about whatever a company's management wants them to, but there are other valuation data that are much harder to swindle with. Cash Flow: The amount of cash a company generates and uses during a time period. Cash flow is calculated by adding non-cash charges to the net income after taxes. Cash flow can be used as an indication of a company's financial strength. Cash flow is critical to companies, having plenty of cash available will guarantee that employees, creditors, and others can get paid on time.

*The Statement of cash flows* records all the cash that comes into a company and all that goes out. It can yield a ton of information about the true health of a business, and you can spot a lot of blowups relative to earnings. For example, if operating cash flow declines or disappears even as earnings grow, it's likely that something is not right.

The cash flow statement is divided into three elements: cash flows from operating activities, from investing activities, and from financing activities. Annual Growth: Annual earning increase of a company. The growth of earning in the past few years confirms the financial strength and stability of a company. The higher the growth, the better. When you compare two different companies the company with higher growth percentage and lower P/E ratio would be a better selection.

Concentrate on *stocks with established records of considerable earnings growth in each of the recent years plus strong quarterly progress*. Remember to find out what is the source of the growth. You can't just look at a chain of past growth rates and believe that they'll predict the future. If investing were that easy, money managers would be paid much less. There are four sources that cause healthy growth for a company: selling more products or services, raising prices, selling new products or services, and buying another company.

*Relative Price Strength:* Relative price strength is a benchmark in which you can compare the price performance of different stocks. In order for a stock to be a leader in a particular industry its price action should outperform other stocks in that industry. When selecting a stock as a momentum play you should look for companies with high relative price strength. The absolute number one market leader is not the biggest company or the one with the most known brand name; it's the one with the best quarterly and annual growth and price action. In a bull market, strong stocks with higher RS usually decline the least in the market corrections.

*Profitability:* profitability is theamount of profit that a company is generating relative to the amount of money invested in the business. This is the best way of separating great companies from average ones. Return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) are two tools that can be used to asses how efficient a company is.

*Industry Leader:* The top two or three stocks in a strong industry group can have incredible growth, while others in the group may barely move. You should buy the best companies, the ones that lead their sectors and are number one in their particular field. The number one market leader is not the biggest one. It is the one with the highest annual growth, earning per share, and price relative strength. It's a company that has competitive advantage over its competitors. A company that is offering the best product.

*Financial Health (Company's Debt):* Once you figure out how fast a company is growing and how profitable it is then you need to find out about its financial health. The bottom line about a company's financial health is its debt. If the company's debt is increasing and company is growing fast at the same time, the extremely high earning of the company is high enough to cover the fixed cost of debt repayments. When business is bad, however, the cost of debt pushes earnings even lower.
You should asses the financial health of a company before buying its stock especially if the interest rate is increasing. Financial statements of a company provide the information about the amount of company's in comparison with the earlier quarters/years.

*Management:* Great management can make a difference between an average business and an extraordinary one. Your goal as an investor is to find management teams that think like shareholders; executives who treat the company as if they own a piece of it. One way to find out about the management and how much they really care about share holders is to check the top executive's compensation plans. We review the compensation detail in a document called proxy statement. Big bonuses are always better than big base salaries. Bonuses mean a chunk of the income is always at risk and depends on the performance of the management.

*P/E Ratio (Price/Earning):* Most popular valuation ratio, which can take you pretty far as long as you're aware of its boundaries. An easy way to use P/E is to compare it with a benchmark, like another company in the same industry, the entire sector, or the same company at a different point in time. A company that is trading at a lower P/E than its industry peers could be a good value, but remember that even companies in the same industry can have very different money structures, risk levels, and growth rates, all of which affect the P/E ratio.
If a company has a P/E higher than the market or industry average, this means the market big expectation from the company over the next few months or years. A company with a high P/E ratio will eventually have to live up to the high rating by considerably increasing its earnings, or the stock price will need to fall.

*Competitive Advantage:* Success attracts competition and eventually laggard companies come into competition and cause the stock price of a company that has been a leader for a while to drop. Generally, there are different ways that a company can create sustainable competitive advantage:

1. Creating a real different product (Apple iPod)
2. Creating a strong brand (Tiffany)
3. Keeping costs down (Dell)
4. Lockingin customers by creating high switching cost (Cisco)
5. Locking out competitors (Using patent for drug companies)

*Institutional Sponsorship:* The key to know about the institutional sponsorship is the number of financial institutions that have bought or sold the stock in the recent months. Technically, it considered to be a good sign if a company has increasing number of institutional owners over several recent months. Financial institutions can not hide since they usually trade huge number of shares. By following the buy and sell volume in a daily chart you can notice if mutual funds and banks are buying a stock.

*Market Trend:* Detecting the current trend of the market is the first and most important part of our stock pick system. More than 75% of your trades will end up in a loss if you fight the trend. As part of our stock pick strategy we constantly review the conditions of the market averages.

*Insiders Trading:* It is always good if you monitor insider's transaction when you are picking a stock. You don't want to buy a stock when insiders of the company are selling a significant amount of the company's stocks. Insiders usually sell their shares for various reasons but when the number of shares and the frequency of unloading them are unusual you should be more careful. On the other hand, there can be only one reason when they buy their company's shares, they want to make money. Insider trading is a term that most investors have heard and usually relate with unlawful conduct. But the term actually includes both legal and illegal conduct. The legal version is when corporate insiders such asofficers, directors, and employees buy and sell stocks in their own companies. When corporate insiders trade in their own securities, they must report their trades to the SEC.
Since insider trading weakens investor confidence in the fairness and integrity of the stock markets, the SEC has treated the detection and prosecution of insider trading violations as one of its enforcement priorities.

*Industry: *Industry is a grouping used to describe a company's main business activity. It is generally determined by the major source of a company's income. A hot sector is a sector of the economy experiencing a higher than regular growth rate. If companies across an industry show solid earnings and revenue figures, that industry may be showing signs that it is in its growth phase. Our goal is to select securities that are a leader in a hot industry. (Sector's graphs)

*Psychology of Trading:* By studying the psychology of the individual, as well as the psychology of the group, we can understand how educated traders can profit by investing against the crowd or by not following the crowd. A visionary trader should also look for a number of psychological reasons that can pushthe price of a stock higher in the future prior to buying it. Support Resistance: The price action of a stock over a period of time will create strength at certain price levels. These levels are recognized as resistance at the top and support at the bottom end of the trading range. This trading range may develop different time frames; it can take from weeks to years or a support and resistance level to develop.

As the price of a stock breaks through the resistance level and moves to a higher level, the level of resistance now becomes the level of support. A new level of resistance will then be formed at some point in the future. On the other hand, as the price range falls below the support level, that level then becomes the new resistance level.

Understanding P/E Ratio and its significance

2008-11-17T11:16:00.003+05:30

The most commonly used valuation metric by investors is the price to earnings ratio or commonly referred to as the P/E ratio. Though commonly used, it is also misunderstood for various reasons. Here is an attempt to simplify this valuation metric.

*How is P/E calculated?*

It is calculated by dividing market price of a stock by EPS (earnings per share). EPS in turn is calculated by dividing the net profit of the company by the number of shares outstanding.

*Having calculated the P/E, what does it stand for? *

Lets assume a stock is trading at Rs 100 and its EPS is Rs 20. The P/E multiple is 5 (100 upon 20). Assuming that the company's EPS is likely to be Rs 20 each year, it will take 5 years for the investor to realize Rs 100. Of course, the assumption here is that the company's EPS is not growing at all.

Now taking the example of commonly traded stocks like Infosys and Tisco. While the former trades at a P/E multiple of 25 times, the latter trades at 7 times. Why is it so? It is believed that the stock price of a company tracks its long-term earnings growth potential. In an economy, some companies (or sectors) are likely to grow at a faster (like say software or pharma) rate. So, the P/E multiple of companies from these sectors are likely to be higher and vice versa.

Depending upon growth expectations, the P/E multiple could vary.

There is one crucial factor here i.e. expectations. Though Infosys may be trading at 25 times earnings, if EPS is expected to grow by 25% per annum, the investor could realize the money in four years.

*P/E – Is it a discount or a multiple? *

There are two ways of quoting P/E valuations:

1. Tisco is currently trading at Rs 350 *discounting* its earnings by 5.5 times
2. Tisco is currently trading at Rs 350 at a P/E *multiple* of 5.5 times

Which is right? The answer to this lies in the formula for calculating P/E itself.

P/E is Market price divided by EPS. If we were to reverse the formula,

Market price = P/E *multiplied* by EPS. Stock prices reflect future earnings potential and not past performance. Discounting the current price with historical EPS is not a right way to analyse companies.

Take a hypothetical case. If Tisco's EPS for the next year is expected at Rs 50 and the growth in EPS is around 15%, the market price is calculated by multiplying Rs 50 with 15 times i.e. Rs 750. When determining the stock price, one does not discount earnings but multiply earnings.

*What is the 'right' P/E multiple for a stock? *

The answer to this question is not easy. In the previous example, we have assigned a P/E multiple of 15 times because EPS is expected to grow by 15% in the immediate year. Is this the right way? Not necessarily. Here, it is important to understand industry characteristics of the company.

For a commodity stock like Tisco, EPS tends to grow at a faster rate when steel prices are recovering or are at the peak and the EPS is likely to decline at a faster rate during downturns. To qualify this statement, if we look at EPS growth of Tisco from 1994 to 2004, the compounded growth in earnings is 17%. However, the CAGR growth in the last three years was 193% (the recovery phase). So, if one believes that steel demand is likely to trace long-term economic growth and that 15% growth is unsustainable, the P/E multiple should be ideally much lower than 15 times. Similarly, the long-term growth prospects for software companies could be much higher than commodities. So, the P/E multiple for software stocks could be at a premium.

Determining the P/E multiple for a stock/sector also depends on:

1. *Historical performance* – Why does Infosys trade at a higher P/E multiple compared to Satyam? By historical performance, we mean, focus of the management (without unrelated diversifications), ability to outperform competitors in downturn/upturns and promise vs performance. This can be gauged if one looks at the last three to five year annual reports of a company.

2. *The sector characteristics* – Margin profile, whether it is asset intensive and intensity of competition. Less asset intensive sectors (say, FMCG) are considered defensive and therefore, could trade a premium to the overall market.

3. And more importantly, *expectations*. Take the case of textile stocks. Expectations of significant growth opportunities post the 2005 quote regime phase out has resulted in upgradation of P/E multiple of the textile sector.

*When is P/E not useful? *

1. *Economic cycles *- In FY02, Tisco was trading at a P/E multiple of 20.5 times its FY02 earnings. Was it expensive? Based on FY05 expected earnings, Tisco is trading at a P/E multiple of 5 times its earnings (at Rs 250). Is it cheap? If one ignored Tisco in FY02 on the basis that it was 'expensive' on the P/E multiple in FY02, the opportunity loss is as much as 350%. Businesses operate in cycles. During downturn, EPS will be low but P/E will be inflated and vice versa. At the same time, during expansionary phase, corporates invest in capacities. In this case, high depreciation costs suppress earnings. P/E, in this context, may mislead investors.

2. *Not actively tracked* – There are number of companies in the Indian stock market that are not actively tracked by investors, analyst and institutions. For example, Infosys' average price was Rs 2 in FY94 and the P/E multiple was 17 times. At times, P/E multiple may be lower because some sectors/stocks are not in the limelight.

3. *Expectations* – On the downside, some stocks may be trading at a significant premium because earnings expectations are higher. High P/E also does not mean a good stock to buy. What if the expectations are unrealistic? One needs to exercise caution to this extent.

4. *Means little as a standalone number* – P/E, as a standalone number, means little. Besides P/E, it is also important to look at margins, return on net worth, cash generating ability and consistency in performance over the years to assign a value to a stock.

5. *Market sentiment *– During bear phases or when interest in stocks is low, valuations could be depressed. Since equities are considered less attractive during these periods, valuations are likely to be below historical average or below earnings growth prospects.

*When is P/E useful? *

*A powerful metric* – Unlike metrics like discounted cash flow method and so on, P/E is relatively a simple and at the same time, a powerful metric from a retail investor perspective. Though the factors behind determining the 'right' P/E multiple are important, a historical perspective of a stock's P/E could make this exercise less complex.

To conclude, valuation of stocks involves subjectivity. A person X may assign a higher P/E multiple to the stock as compared to a person Y depending on the risk profile and growth expectations. In the end, it all boils down to how the company is likely to perform.
It is not that stock market is always right when it comes to valuing a stock! As Mr. Benjamin Graham puts it "in the short term, the market is a 'voting' machine whereon countless individuals register choices that are product partly of reason and partly of emotion. However, in the long-term, the market is a 'weighing' machine on which the value of each issue (business) is recorded by an exact and impersonal mechanism". Watch the earnings!

Interpreting P/E Ratio

0 – 10: Either the stock is undervalued or earnings are expected to decline. Or there is a serious question mark on the credibility of the management or reported earnings. (Ex – Teledata)
10 – 20: May be considered a fair value.
21 – 30: Stocks is overvalued or company’s earnings are expected to increase.
30+: Company has exceptionally rosy future or it is a speculative bubble.

We must do more research if we are looking at stock that falls except zone 2.

Concept of Work Culture

2008-11-17T10:58:00.003+05:30

One evening a scholar was addressing the participants on the concept of work culture. One of the participants asked the following question :

"I am a senior manager of Materials Department and I joined an organization 25 years ago as an Engineer Trainee and over the last 25 years I have gone through every experience in the organization. During the initial part of my career, the job was very challenging and interesting. However, all those exciting days are gone since I do not find my joy any more interesting because there is nothing new in my job. I am now feeling bored because I am doing a routine job. However, Sir, I am living in the same house for over forty years, I am the son for the same parents for over forty five years, I am the father for the same children for the past ten years and the husband for the same lady for the past twenty years !( the toughest job!) In these personal roles I do not feel bored Please tell me why I am bored of the routine in the office and not in the house?"

The response from Scholar was very interesting and convincing. He asked the executive the question:

"Please tell me for whom does your Mother cook ?"

The executive replied that obviously the mother cooks for others.

Then the Scholar said that the mother "Serves" others and because of this service mindedness, she is not feeling tired or bored. But in an office,we "Work" and not "Serve". Anything we consider, as service will not make us feel bored. That is difference between Serving and Working.
He asked the executive to consider his work as service and not merely a work !! This was a very interesting analysis!! Whenever you put a larger context around your work and see a broader meaning for your work, you will take interest in your work and it will make a very big difference in your internal energy.

Attitude Matters !!!

If you think you are working for the organization you will get frustrated. If you feel you are doing a service and getting some service charges you will feel happy. After all -doing what you like is freedom But liking what you do is happiness!

Amway Business - 6 Hats

2008-11-11T10:39:00.002+05:30

I have frequently getting exposed to Amway from one source or another. Earlier it were local and now it has gone global. To evaluate Amway - I have to think of this as a business. Having my own business vs. this business. I have to see things:

Stability
Income potential
Start up cost
Toil required
Competency

White/ Yellow Hat:

Low entry cost - Joining cost is Rs. 995/-. Most of the businesses, I have to take agency or distributorship which runs into lakhs.
No inventory buildup - Best thing is I dont require to maintain much inventory. It works on JIT principle. Those who require - order and get it from the company.
Networking - Enables me to be in the company of people who are successful. Outside Amway I am in a world of unlimited unsuccessful people. Inside Amway I am in the company of unlimited successful people. Association makes the difference.
Meet people - People skills is most important. It enables me to meet people of varied backgrounds - not only in my city, but throughout India and world.
Presentation skill - I have to give presentation to my prospective business partners and thereafter share it to grow others as well.
Enhance personality: This business gives an opportunity to each of us to become extrovert. It helps us to come out of shell and gain the crucial skill of persuation.
Stable business - Effort is required only one time. Thereafter my team will work and grow. Its like multiplying my time and effort. My business will always run irrespective of I being there or not.
Financial freedom - This business has a potential to give me financial freedom.
Limited downside risk - If it doesn't work out. I am only going to loose my intial 995/-. Rest I have used the products and enjoyed and learnt from the company of people around.
Quality products - Products seems to be of best quality. Recommended by WHO and have no side effects. All products are manufactured my Amway itself. There is no question of compromising on quality.
FMCG - These products will be used irrespective of state of economy.
Support system - Birtt worldwide is there to support. It shares successful stories and guide us how to proceed and make the best.
Peace - Amway works on the principle of share and grow. There is no competition. Whole organization grows together. I help other grow, others will help me.
Complementary to my dreams - It will help me to achieve my dream as a trainer and achieve financial freedom.

Black Hat:

Costly products: Product price is almost 3-4 times of the normal products available in the market. Despite cutting down whole distribution chain (which these people claim to consume 65-70% of total product price in the normal market), products are still expensive. Effectively it means - normal manufacturing cost of a soap is Rs. 3. It is being sold in market for Rs. 10. In Amway Rs. 3 soap (lets give Rs. 1 more for quality) - it is being sold in the market for Rs. 25+. What is the justification?? Except for product price Amway advisors are ready to talk about everything. They start with dreams and try to pitch the concept. But ground reality is what I am buying and for how much? Whether that gives any benefit to me?
Not so useful products: Though I may be using some of the products. But majority are the ones which I am not using anyways. And for the ones I am using - what is the point to pay 3-4 times of that price. I looked at the portfolio of products being offered in India. They claim 100+ products. But I use only 3-4 of them. Does this make sense to start using product only because Amway is selling it?
Quantity target: To qualify for level 1 discount I have to buy products worth atleast Rs. 4500 or $100. I do not use these products anyways. Only to meet this quota I am buying rubbish and then trying to use. Ultimately who is benefitting - company and the whole team. And when each of them start doing it, it creates something called in next point.
Fools paradise - This is what I see it. Group of fools making more and more fools. Each fool is trying to make one more fool. Here I pay Rs. 4500 as a minimum lot. Otherwise I would have just spent Rs. 500. Out of extra Rs. 4000, some portion is returned to feed the whole chain. Company is smart - this is how able to grow business despite not so useful products.
Choice of products - All these products are claimed to be of high quality and hence deserves premium pricing. In that case why not bring normal market quality products. Then these products should be atleast 50% of market price (even after distribution of bonus, royalties etc). Example - In India they have done tie-up to sell Insurance. Insurance is itself a high margin products (advisors usually get 60% of first year premium as commission, 7.5% in each subsequent years). If the intention is to sell financial planning solutions- why not Mutual Funds? Only because margins are not as high!!!
Loosing choice - Currently I enjoy my choice to pickup any product. I can visit malls, shopping complexes and decide upon the things I wish to buy. I can try out different things. It gives me choice and diversity. It gives me emotional happieness. But with this business my choice is completely gone.
Ruining relationships - Almost everytime I have found these schemes kill relationships. Here our target is to spread the concept to people around. Who are the people around - my family, relatives, friends, colleagues etc. It I take this concept to them, it creates resistance in our relationship. I have personally experienced that. Take example - Sarveep (tried to pitch RCM concept - I avoided him for 2 years), - Subu (tried to pitch Amway concept - I dont like to talk to him, attend phone or meet him - Everytime he will meet will ask about this and try to change my mind), Pradeep (working for Insurance and try to sell everytime he meets).

Green Hat:

Conclusion:

For any business - 4Ps are crucial. Here this is a very good concept and has the potential to grow. Amway is able to command premium and sell shit to others only because of this pyramid scheme. If it has to come to market and compete - it will be definately doomed. But looking at benefits - meeting people, helping to become extrovert (coming out of shell) are some of the good points. I feel I should join with the objective to learn rather than with the objective to earn. I think if i pursue the first, second should follow.

Most importantly whatever shortcomings I have found are pointed towards pricing per se. There is nothing against the concept and benefits in the business definately scores over the shortcomings. Even if I don't do business, I have ample chances to improve myself. And plz don't engage near and dear ones if I want them to be with me. Though here I am giving others too an opportunity to earn, this business is bound to create friction.

Well from investor angle if this would have been a public company, I would have put all my money in this stock. No chances of going down. Good dividend paying stock. No pressure on the management to cut cost. Should be maintaining decent EBITDA margin and EPS. This should be one of the best stable counter in long run.

Tips to Reduce Stress

2008-11-10T10:13:00.004+05:30

Get a weekly massage. I?d recommend getting one on a Friday after work so that you are all relaxed and ready to enjoy the weekend, but whatever fits into your schedule is fine. Book a block of massages in advance so you can put them in your schedule. It is cheaper and more efficient this way. Even if you don?t continue with them into the New Year, at least you?ll have them for this stressful, busy time of the year. Can?t afford it? Try going to a massage school where students need the hours or share massage times with your partner.

Take a break from the news. With the political campaign news and the negative economy news, it is a real downer reading the paper and watching the news these days. Declare a one or two month holiday from the news, cancel your paper delivery; that is one less thing to do and one less source of negativity in your life.

Take a hot bath in the evening to relax. This is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to relax. Add some lavender oil or bubbles and take a good soak. If you?ve been dealing with negative people, put some Epsom salts in the tub as well.

Check your email and voice mail only twice daily. Try 11am and 4pm and resist the temptation to check your mail throughout the day. This will reduce the number of emails you get so you have fewer to respond to and it will increase your focus and concentration so you can get some real work done. Determine the most important thing to get done today and do that first. Then and only then, check your mail.

Identify the biggest cause of stress in your life and handle it. Is it the big mortgage you really can?t afford? A relationship that isn?t working? Credit card debt? A job you hate? All these things are very fixable. Work with a life coach if you feel stuck and can?t make the changes you know you should.

Hire a house cleaner to come once a week. Even if you enjoy cleaning your home and normally don?t have a cleaner, try it just for the busy holiday months ahead so that you can relax and entertain family and friends without worrying about having to clean the house. Some cleaning services offer a discount for hiring a house cleaner on a Monday as it is the least busy day of the week.

Take things off your to-do list. Cancel unnecessary commitments or postpone them to a later date. Every time I?ve been super busy and called a friend to ask if we could bump our luncheon to another week, they?ve always said it worked out better for them as well. Never say ?yes? right away. Say you?ll get back to them once you?ve checked with your partner or your calendar. This gives you time to decide if it is something you really would enjoy or not.

Do nothing at least one day a week. We book our weekends away and even if they are fun things, we need a real day of rest with no commitments once a week to relax and hang about. Give yourself permission to do nothing and you?ll be much more efficient and energetic the rest of the week.

Take advantage of the time change to go to bed one hour earlier. Studies indicate that most people don?t get enough sleep. And if you are stressed, then the extra sleep will make a huge difference. Even if you don?t fall asleep, curl up with a good book and get in bed to rest or write a bit in your journal.

Take your daily vitamins! When stressed we need more B Vitamins and more Vitamin C. Take a good multivitamin with all the B?s and 1000 mg of Vitamin C every day. Easy to do and good insurance during the cold and flu season. Check with your doctor first.

Bonus tip: Stop drinking caffeine (colas, coffee, black teas) for 30 days and see how you feel. Every client who has done this reports feeling more energized, getting deeper and sounder sleep, and feeling less irritable.

Power of Values

2008-10-29T18:37:00.001+05:30

Ashraf, Life Academy

Nothing is right or wrong. It depends upon circumstances.

For example - son hitting father with legs. Though it may look bad on face but it could be that son is 1 year old. We have a tendency to brand anything right or wrong in the first go. Dont' ever categorize by looks. We must look into the holistic picture. Come out of the filter with what we see the world, then only we can enjoy it. We need to have open mind and must evaluate everything before jumping.

We must learn to set priorities. Everything may seem important but we have to see what is important on bigger scale, thereby we can be slightly relaxed on other slightly important ones.

Have values - Just ask yourself will I stand this value in all the situations. Be aware of what is happening and how I am responding to it. And most important whether I am in sync with my value.

For any value - ask yourself - Is it life enhancing? Addiction to religion, caste, color, country, veg, non veg, drinking etc. - are these fulfilling any purpose? We must be open for anything. God has made us free. He didn't made any distinction.

For solving any inner conflict - Meditate and get into peace. Ask yourself bigger ques - where I am heading with this?

We want everyone to be our clone. Infact respect others value. This helps us to see other side of the coin and make us aware of new possibilities and expands our horizon.

Types of Values:

1. Pre conventional values - Doing whatever is told without applying my own judgement. Eg- child getting instructions from parents, teachers etc.

2. Conventional values - Going by what is prevalent. Saying that its a norm. Eg- Drinking, smoking etc. These values come into being when we start over writing our pre conventional values based on our experiences.

3. Post conventional values - Value that we finally pursue. These come into being after through introspection and makes our character. Eg- Gandhi, Robert Kayosaki etc.

Six hats

2008-10-29T18:11:00.010+05:30

Shiva Subramaniyam - TCS (IIT Madras)

Whenever we start to think of anything, our mind run into different directions. It gets influenced by other's views and many a times we end up arguing with each other. Six thinking hats is a concept which helps us to:

Organize our thinking
Conduct a constructive meeting with no arguments.
Get collaborative views
Don't categorize ppl as +ve or -ve. Rather than force each of them to contribute and offer different solution. We have a tendency to brand any person. We think even before meeting - this person is useless. We must understand that every person has an unique potential and it has to be harnessed by proper means.

Six thinking hats:

White hat: It talks about information about the matter.

What I know about the thing?
What I need to know about the thing?

For example - for a mineral water bottle.

I know: it is made up of plastic, it carries water, its capacity is 1 ltr
I need to know: purity of water, manufacturer, expiry date, temperature.

Yellow hat: It talks about positive aspects (benefits)

It is portable, quenches thirst, disposable, pure

Black hat: It talks about negative aspects (problems, risks, caution)

It may leak, contaminated, expired, plastic - non biodegrable, pirated, expensive

Green hat: It talks about creative solutions (generate ideas based on problems identified in black hat one by one)

Have belt to attach bottle on side (no need to carry)
Have holograms (piracy)
Colour changing to blue on expiry

Red hat: It talks about feelings/ intuitions:

I like particular brand (its just a feeling, there is no rationale)
Falling into love

Blue hat: It talks about control (umpire)

Focus the thinking of group as per the desired hat
Decide about the timing of particular hat

It depends upon the outcome required out of thinking - which hat to be wore.

Process:

For any thought process (meeting or alone), first set a moderator who will wear the blue hat and decide how long particular discussion has to go on (particular hat be wore).
Ask all people to wear any particular colour and synergise energies to gather views in a particular direction rather than haywire.
Proceed one by one to arrive at different views.

Example: Application of Six Hats on Irevna:

White and Yellow Hat:

Flexible timings
5 days a week - time to pursue other things
Interaction with foreign clients
Best people to connect (All CAs and MBAs)
Hires only the best
It is an example of entrepreneurship (No legacy)
Located in Chennai - quiet and green
Chance to visit foreign countries
Pay well - good bonus
Young crowd
Informal culture
If given commitment - can reach new heights
Depends upon individual - how much he wants to learn
Clear and transparent environment
Easy access to top mgt
Le conceirge services/HR/Admin/IT - very helpful and fast
Take care of personal commitments
Hitech - concalls etc
Access to public sites

Black hat:

Routine/ repititive work
Number crunching
No interpersonal skills
One desk is my world
Chennai - Different culture, food habits, conservative, no girls
Adverse sex ratio
No strong top mgt
Post Crisil - apprehension will loose its culture and go down

Green hat:

Routine/ Number crunching/ Inter personal:

Join other avenues - Toastmasters
Make groups and discuss about sector performances
Increase knowldege about finanical market - Chennai Investors club
Make presentation about role/sector and present
Frequent interaction with client
Discuss about the company/sector
Share views on future performance
Prizes/gift vouchers per quarter - best innovator, employee, team, appreciation etc

Attract girls:

Promote industrial training
Promote city culture - safe for women, less nostaligc
Company care about women - cabs with security guards, help in finding homes etc

Not strong top mgt:

Communication
Share future plans
Engage people in strategic planning

How to Thrive During Economic Uncertainty

2008-10-22T10:10:00.004+05:30

- By Alex Goumakos

If you?ve been following the news over the last couple of weeks, you?ll know that there?s been quite a stir happening on Wall Street. We?ve heard about collapses, bailouts and the possibility of more to come. On September 30 the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell nearly 778 points, the largest single point drop in history. Thankfully, a few days later, it had the 3rd HIGHEST point gain on record. No question, the financial markets are definitely unstable. Whether the situation quickly improves or gets worse before it gets better, remains to be seen.

BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE?

The road to abundance and prosperity starts in your own mind.

Many people believe that a new government will help them to succeed.
Many feel that lower food and gas prices will make things better.
Still others blame the economy, taxes, the war in Iraq and countless other factors which are beyond the control of most people.
While all of these issues do have an impact on our collective abundance and prosperity, they are all inconsequential compared to the most important factor of all?
Your focus?

Energy flows to where attention goes.

What you focus on has the greatest impact on your abundance and prosperity.
Now more than ever, it?s important to realize that YOU and YOU ALONE hold the keys to your financial success.
In the grand scheme of things, it doesn?t really matter what happens on Wall Street or any place else.
The only thing that matters is what happens inside of YOU?
?All personal achievement starts within the mind of the individual.? ~ W. Clement Stone
The fact is, you can still make money and enjoy a wonderful lifestyle regardless of what?s happening in the economy.
All it takes is focus, simple knowledge, and realizing how powerful you really are.
Sadly, many people relinquish their personal power by inadvertently giving it to other people, institutions and the government.
Personal power is also dissipated when we listen to the news, especially economic news, most of which has been terrible lately.
Now, I?m not saying to ignore economic and financial news. That would be irresponsible.
But what I am saying is to not let it sour your entire outlook on what is and isn?t possible financially.
?99.99% of what happens is not on the news.? ~ Loesje
For many people, bad economic news is a self-fulfilling prophesy.
It gives them an excuse to complain and be negative instead of being positive and focusing on opportunities to succeed.
Please keep the following in mind?
Aside from the cold, hard statistical facts, most of the financial pundits you hear on the TV and radio are discussing opinion, not gospel.
And opinion doesn?t turn into prophesy unless you let it.

The reality is, opportunities are endless and everywhere.

?We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.? ~ Charles R. Swindoll
The fact is, you are ONE IDEA away from your greatest opportunity, regardless of the economic climate.
You are one idea away from solving any one of your problems, whether it?s personal, financial or anything else.
One idea. That?s all it takes.
?Ideas are the beginning points of all fortunes.? ~ Napoleon Hill
Circumstances may ?appear? tougher during uncertain economic times, but in reality, opportunities to succeed are still all over the place. They just may not be in the same place you originally thought.

The Law of Cycles and Why Money is Still Really Everywhere

There is a natural, rhythmic order of things.
Everything you can see, hear or touch, everything you can sense is subject to the natural law of cycles.
If you observe closely, you?ll notice that many events tend to recur in cycles at regular intervals; the four seasons, the rise and fall of the tides, optimum agricultural plantings, animal populations, and yes ? even economic activity.
If you carefully observe your own life, you?ll probably notice that you too experience natural rhythms of moods, circumstances and energy levels.
In a recent article, The Secret to Money is Having Some, I discussed the fact that the flow of money is governed by physical and natural laws.
The fact is, the entire universe is subject to the law of cycles and money is no exception.
But since money is merely a shadow of the value we place in goods and services, there?s really no change in its flow.
Instead, there?s only a natural shift in the opportunities required to create it.
?Resources are unlimited because our minds are unlimited.? ~ Paul Zane Pilzer
In other words, if you want a constant flow of money in your life, you need to focus on two things:
1) You must properly structure your financial life so no matter which phase of a cycle you?re in, money continues to flow, and?
2) You need to be aware of and act on any new opportunities presented to you.
Despite the bad news about the economy, some people are still making a lot of money.
There?s no reason why you can?t be one of them.

==Tips for Thriving During Economic Uncertainty==

#1 - Start Your Own Business
I?ve been urging and showing people how to start their own businesses for a very long time.
If one of your goals in life is to achieve material wealth and financial independence, one of the quickest and surest ways to achieve those results is through owning a business of your own. Period.
Owning a thriving and profitable business beats investing in the stock market, speculating in real estate and other money-making ventures.
Believe it or not, but a recession can actually be a wonderful time to start a new business venture.
Having been a business adviser for nearly 25 years, I can tell you that some great businesses were started during a recession.
The owners simply addressed a need during an economic downturn which continued to be successful even when the economy rebounded.
?Starting a business in a recession is like vacationing in the off-season. It?s a little less crowded, and everything starts going on sale.? ~ an entrepreneur
During a recession, entrepreneurs have to be resourceful with their money in order to succeed.
A recession forces you to be smarter with your cash than you might be otherwise.
It teaches patience and money wisdom; two qualities needed to make a fortune.
If you already have a business, make it better by engaging in strategic thinking.
Strategic thinking, or planning your business?s future, often takes a back-seat during boom times because business owners are too busy working in their business instead of on it.
By taking advantage of downtime to think strategically, you can spot new opportunities you didn?t think you had.
This includes tapping new markets, launching new products, streamlining operations and countless other growth-oriented maneuvers.

#2 - Pay Close Attention to What You Think and Say
During tough times, it?s easy to get into the habit of thinking negative thoughts and making negative comments, especially when the mass media makes it easy for you to do so.
Constantly thinking and talking about the bad stuff will only serve to bring you ? and anyone around you ? down.
Before you know it, you?ll end up in one of those self-fulfilling prophecies we talked about earlier.
Stay informed, but don?t keep repeating what you hear on the news. Remember, energy flows to where attention goes.
Monitor your thoughts and speech (including self-talk) at all costs.
?Watch your thoughts, for they become words.Watch your words, for they become ctions.Watch your actions, for they become habits.Watch your habits, for they become character.Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.? ~ Frank Outlaw
By focusing on the positive, you?ll also do wonders for your creative thinking.
Creative thinking allows you to come up with solutions to your problems.
It also allows you to see new opportunities.
One of the biggest downsides to being in a negative frame of mind is that it blinds you to opportunities.

#3 - Take a Sharp Axe to Expenses
Not too many people like to talk about this, but if you want to thrive during uncertain economic times, it may be the perfect time to take a serious look at every single one of your personal expenditures.
Actually, this is good practice at ANY time, regardless of how much or how little money you have.
?Do not confuse needs with wants. All are burdened with more desires than they can gratify.? ~ George S. Clason
Despite what many prosperity teachers claim, reducing your expenses does not send out the wrong message to the universe that you don?t have enough money, and therefore you?ll just get more of the same.
On the contrary; I believe it tells the universe that you are smart enough to handle more money.
Simple truth: the better you are at managing money, the more of it you end up having.

#4 - Count Your Blessings Not Your Problems
If you really take stock of all the things you do have in your life, I bet you will be amazed.
Too often people focus on what?s missing in their lives and as a result, they ignore the riches they do have; like a great family, a loving spouse, wonderful children, fantastic pets, loyal friends, and the freedom to be or do whatever they want.
Every so often someone will write to me and tell me how desperate things are for them. Since I?ve been there myself at one time, I can surely sympathize.
But I always point out the same thing?
How bad can it really be?
I mean, how bad can it really be if you are still alive and reaching out to others?
Many people around the world haven?t had a bite to eat in days?.
How bad can it really be if you are sitting at a computer and writing emails?
Some people around the world don?t even have electricity or running water.
Ask yourself: how bad is it really?
Focusing on your blessings will cause you to feel grateful.
?Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.?~ Charles Dickens
And when you feel grateful, you create a shift in your thinking from the negative to the positive.
Being positive opens the doorway to your mind. Only when its open, can opportunity can jump in.

Your Financial Destiny is in Your Own Hands

Remember, the road to abundance and prosperity begins in your own mind.
Money is unlimited because your mind is unlimited.
Stay focused on opportunity and learn to take full control over your personal finances.
Because at the end of the day, it?s not the bankers or politicians who are ultimately responsible for your financial situation, it?s you and you alone.

Courtesy: S. Ravichandran

TM CC-8 Get comfortable with Visual Aids - Theory of Freedom

2008-10-20T20:10:00.000+05:30

I want freedom. I want freedom. Do you want the same?

Freedom from what? Day to day worries.. tensions.. there are number of ways to pronounce it.

Where does these worries/tensions crop up? Worries are the direct product of our bad emotional state, which in turn is a result of dissatisfaction. There are various areas in our life where we tend to be dissatisfied:

1. Financial - I am not able to give the kind of life style I wish to give to my family. I dont have money.

2. Time - I dont have time for my family, friends and most important for me. I am too busy.

These two together can be termed as basic necessities.

Beyond it there is an another cause of dissatisfaction. This is feeling to create something, to give back to the world. This if not met we feel dissatisfied.

Today I am going to give my perspective on how to tackle these worries and be free. The theory of freedom.

Refer to the figure below, each of us has a starting point in our life. May be in 20s. Suppose we start our life at 25. We have high dreams about how our life is going to be: in terms of money, time, our objective of life. But what we do in real life. We take a step that is the easiest and average.

For example - I have a dream that I will have a bungalow in Anna Nagar, a Mercedes car and my children will go to best world school. But what I do in reality. I go and join any corporate. Obviously it takes me in a direction. But is that in the direction of my dream? The answer is big NO.

We keep on moving on that path and time flies. We are in 60s and still struggling for finance and time and our dream remained an illusion. There is an another mean which we can use to achieve our freedom. This is create your own way. Obviously in beginning there is nothing you can bank on. You struggle through wilderness, but soon you find a field, then a kutcha road, then a concrete road and finally you find a super express highway which leads you towards your dream.

To illustrate, think you have a super car. This car can run at a speed of 1000 km/hr. But would you be able to run it at this speed. It depends upon two things:

1. Road on which you are travelling

2. Traffic conditions

Taking the job route is like travelling of a Mount Road. 3 by 3 highway, well lit, good road. But problem is everybody moves on it. And you cant run your car at more that 50-60 km/hr. Your speed will be determined by not you but by others (traffic). Frequently you will have promotions in form of flyovers and hiccups in the form of speed breakers but overall you will live an average life.

Lets see the other way. You start your car and take it to the mid of jungle; afterall you have to create your way. What is the first thing bound to happen? Puncture and car will get scratches. The good thing about this super car is: more it get puncturered and more it get scratches, it gets more resistant. Your car intially moves at 2km/hr, but soon it finds a way where it moves at 20, then 100, then 500 and finally find its super highway where it runs at 1000. This is an exclusive highway that you have made for yourself and you have all the luxury to move.

In our life, all of us have this super car. Guess!! Its our mind. Now it depends upon us which road we want our mind to travel. To move on second road only thing we require is to keep our eyes and ear open. Accept mistakes, take lessons and move forward.

How can we start? Its a small process:

1. Introspect - What is that you want out of your life? Find your place.

2. Visualize - Visualize your end state. In terms of finance, life style, spending time etc.

3. Commit - Take all actions that take you towards your dream.

Now you know how to achieve freedom. So all of us are ready to take the first step to achieve our dream. Remember we have to take a free fall.

Fear!!! Let me assure you friends: Have faith in yourselves. You wont die of hunger. It's like a pain that a mother experience at the time of delivery. But at the end you will have a wonderful product - future in you hands that only you have created.

Don't go where the path may lead, go where there is no path and leave a trail.

TM CC-7 Research Your Topic - Electricity : The light of life

2008-08-23T20:17:00.003+05:30

Toastmasters Project 7 - Research Your Topic

Topic - Electricity: The light of life

Today is a very auspicious day. We are going to meet one special person today. We are in the outskirts of Chennai in front of a small little hut. Here is that special person - Selvi. Selvi is a 16 yr old girl. Her father is daily labourer. Despite all odds, he sent his daughter to school. Selvi has always made her father proud. She always stood first in the class. Tomorrow her board exams are starting. She has prepared for her exams well. Only thing she wants is to revise the important topics before going to sleep. Her mother is busy preparing - payesam, Selvi's favourite dish.

Suddently everything went dark. Its black everywhere. Its an electric cut. Mother started with mission candle search. Soon she was able to locate the one. She lit the only candle in hut. Still every eye was on the little bulb with the anticipation that very next moment it may lit up and bring brightness in everybody's life.

Electricity has assumed an important part in our day to day life. Without electricity, our life comes to a halt.
Imagine an emergency ward in a hospital and electricity goes off.
Imagine the plight of a business owner. He has committed an urgent consignment and product line stops because of power failure.
Look at ourselves. What if electricity in this room goes off? Imagine this room without light, AC, fan.

Have we ever thought why this electricity shortage is? Its a common sense - if something has a demand, supply must follow. Then why is that we dont have power plants mushrooming to produce more and more power. Let's understand the dynamics.

In India there is a demand supply mismatch between 8-12%. That means at any given point of time somewhere or the other, there is an electricity cut going on. And the situation gets more grim as we move further away from metros. Thats why hear that in villages power is not there for 14-18 hours a day. Our demand is projected to increase by 7-9% in the coming years. While on supply side there are no significant plans. Whatever government plans, it gets into delay mode and private participation is negligible. That means power situation is going to get more grim in the years to come.

So why dont we setup power plants? Lets look at the supply angle:
We generate power primarily from four sources:

1. Coal
2. Hydro
3. Solar/Wind
4. Neuclear

Out of these coal and neuclear are most reliable as we can operate them 24*7. Rest Hydro, solar and wind are dependent on the mercy of nature. In India, our 65% of energy need is met by coal, 25% by hydro and rest by others. Our cost of producing an electricity is about Rs. 2.60 per unit.

Now lets look at the demand side. Power is mainly consumed by three segments:

1. Industiral or commerical
2. Residential
3. Agriculture

Out of these, industry consumes 41% of total energy. 25% by residential and another 24% by agriculture. Now it is interesting to note our charging mechanism- industry pays the market rate. To residents we have slab rates and it is subsidized. While agriculture - guess!! Its free. Therefore at the end, we get on an average Rs 2.20 per unit by selling. Therefore for every unit sold we incur a loss of Rs. 0.40.
In India energy is supplied by state electricity boards and most of them are in the verge of collapse and require frequent bail out from the government. Therefore they make frequent default in the payment to power generating units.

This was the macro economic picture. But how we - as sensible citizens and Toastmasters can help. We must understand every unit of electricity saved is electricity produced.
We can take small steps to reduce the electricity usage:

1. Replace bulbs with CFL. They consume almost 10% of electricity consumed by bulbs.
2. Most of us use AC. ACs are there to make your body feel comfortable. It isnot let us enjoy Himalayan winters in our room. As per a study, maintaining a temp of 24 degree is comfortable for humans.
3. While washing machines, dont use dryer. Instead hang your clothes in sun. It doesnt take much time. And clothes get less wrinkles and have longer life. we can save upon time in ironing too.
4. Make use of natural light where ever possible.

Practice these things not only at our home, but also wherever we are:

In office, while leaving put your PC off. While going for a short break, put monitor off.
While in public, if you see street light on in a day. Just inform the utility office.

These small measures will not only save electricity and cost, but will help to bring brightness in the life of thousands of Selvi's around us.

Thank U..

TM CC-6 Vocal Variety - How not to spend exam holidays

2008-07-21T12:39:00.007+05:30

Toastmasters Project 6 - Vocal Variety

Title - How not to spend exam holidays

Hurray!!! Holidays

It was a week prior to my class XII board examinations, my school declared holidays with the intention to let the students prepare for their exams at home. I was quite anxious about my exams, still official holidays were fascinating me. I knew I had a big course to revise, holidays seemed as if a caged bird is set free.

I made a perfect plan to revise all my subjects during the course of week and put the alarm for 6'0 clock next morning. Next day, at 6 my alarm rang, I searched for the alarm and put that off. After half an hour, my mumma came to wake me - "Ravi!!!".

I said "uuuhh... 5 mins".

Another 15 minutes passed, I heard somewhat bitter voice - "Ravi!!!"

It was my dad, I said - "Yaaa!!! Getting up"

Again after 15 minutes, I now heard some more loud voice - "Ravi!!!"

It was my dad. I jumped from my bed and struggled to walk. I came outside and grabbed the news paper. I went through each and every section of the newspaper with full concentration. It seemed as if I have got the secret news that my exams are going to come out of that newspaper.

I got ready and switched on the TV. Hardly 5 mins has passed, my dad came. He said "Is this is what your school has given holidays for?. At my time, I used to wake up at 4'0 clock in the morning and used to study under lantern".

Reluctantly, I went to my room and opened my book. I thought - Oh! I have to prepare for exams. I took a stock of how many pens do I have. Then I checked whether each one of them writes. Thereafter I opened each of them to see the level of ink. Then I arranged pencil, eraser, scale, card board etc. I passed another half an hour reading the instructions on the back of admit card.

Then I heard sound of an engine. It was my dad. He has gone out. I also came out of my room, and took a round of home and again settled down in front of TV. I was enjoying the movie, my mom came -"Enough!! Now go to your room and study". I said - "Mumma!! this is just the first day of my holidays. I still have a whole week to go. Infact I have already prepared for the exams. I just need to revise. I also have lot of holidays in between the exams. You dont worry".

At 2, I heard our door bell rang. I peeped out from the window, pulling the curtain aside. It was my dad. Within a fraction of a second, I changed the channel to the news channel that my dad was seeing in morning, switched off the TV and went to my room. I took a book in hand and pretended as if I am dead tired reading for the whole day. Dad was very happy to see his son study. I too came out as he came in and joined him enjoying the news.

In afternoon, I had a good time chit chatting and playing with my younger bros. At evening, I told my mumma - "Mumma!! for the whole day, I was at home. Now I need some refreshment. I am going out to meet my friends". I spend the whole evening.

At night after having dinner, I joined my family to enjoy the daily TV soaps. After some time, I saw my younger bro staring at me. Before I could sense anything, he said in a very soft voice - "Ravi! Why dont you go and study. Your exams are just a week away". I looked at him with angry eyes and said to myself - "Let your exams come, I wont even let you come out of your room". I saw my dad and mom staring at me. I went to my room and closed the door with bang. I yelled from inside - "Reduce the volume. I am studying now". I took a book.

Hardly 15 mins has passed, I looked at my watch and remembered what my teacher said - "All of you must have good sleep". and then I remembered the quote - "Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and rise". With the full willingness to get up at 6'o clock, I again put the alarm at 6. Good night..

TM CC-5 Your Body Speaks - A Holy Tour

2008-06-25T19:00:00.005+05:30

Toastmasters Project 5 - Your Body Speaks

Title - A Holy Tour

In the painful heat of summer, this May I got an opportunity to avail a part of my annual leave. I wanted to take a break and follow my passion of exploring hills. And then the idea of visiting Vaishnodevi struck my mind. I had heard about a long climb to reach the temple. Only hitch in my mind was that it is situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Any sensible person would like to avoid this as much as possible. Anyways I shared my thought with my dad and to my surprise, he was more than happy. (I guess that was coz for the first time I was asking him to go on a religious tour). But he termed it as "Finally mata has given us a call".

In order to enjoy the maxium, I convinced my dad that we will go via driving our own car. Our journey started from Haryana, passing through Punjab, hilly terrain of Himachal and finally we entered J&K. The composition of vehicles on road now has changed. Almost half the vehicles moving were of military. I saw a big board on the highway written "NH 1A". The name sounded quite fimiliar; repeated every few days in news, but only for wrong reasons. We carried on our journey and reached Katra.

From Katra, Vaishnodevi is 14kms climb. 90% of ppl cover this distance walking. Facility of availing horse and palki is also available. Our sheer enthusiasm spoke of itself and we decided to climb on foot. We started at 10 in the night and reached the top at about 6 in the morning. After darshan, we decided to move to Bhairav temple, another 9 kms climb from Vaishnodevi and while returning, we decided to take an another way so that we can skip coming back to Vaishnodevi and enjoy the other side of the hills. This route was comparatively less crowded. We were enjoying our downward journey and had covered 3-4 kms, then the fun started.

Suddenly I saw the black clouds gathering around the sky and intensity of wind increasing. Before we could understand, it started to rain and we found ourselves in the mid of thunderstorm. We stick ourselves with the rocks on the side of road, making a futile attempt to save ourselves from the rain. Nobody was speaking anything and we were looking at each other with reassuring eyes. Then I read the message written on the rock "Be away from rocks, they may slide". Now my heart started to pound with each thunder. And then I heard something rolling and piece of rock landed just in front of us. For the moment I was froze. We decided to move ahead and take shelter under a shed. Throughout the route, temple trust has made shed (at a distance of half to one kms) to help the pilgrims take rest. And soon we could see a ray of hope. I can see a shed at some distance. We rushed towards it to find, it was partially damaged. A rock has fallen over it. We waited there till the rain slowed and then proceeded.

Now it grew dark and electricity was going on and off with wind. I suggested that better we take a horse to descend further or take rest in any rest house on the way. My dad wanted to complete the total journey on foot and didnt want to waste an another day. In this scenario, I knew how to handle. I convinced my mom and then dad didn't had any option. We decided to hire horses. Now fantasy of riding a horse for another 11 kms was making my heart bounce. But to my utter surprise, all horsewala turn by turn loaded every member of my family except me. Then no body was coming forward to take me. I then realized for the first time and said to myself- "Is it coz of my weight?". My dad handled the situation well. He said "Either all or none will go". Horsewalas discussed among themselves and then one guy came forward with his horse.

I looked at the poor creature (ofcourse horse) and thought whether it will be able to carry me. Horsewala asked me to climb on the horse. I looked at him with the questioning eye -"Does he meant me climb on a horse which is equal to my height". He understood me and asked me to climb on the sidewall of the road and climb. I looked at the sidewall but my eyes went further ahead to see the tinkling lights down the hill. I said - "All daring adventures seems to be happen today only". I mustered courage and finally sat on the horse. We started moving but soon I realized two kind of feelings inside me. My top half of the body was very excited moving on the horse but I could feel some pain in the bottom half as horse moved. Soon I found my horse moved extra slow and all my family members surpassed me. Then I noticed the peculiar feature of my horse - it only moved on the right side of the road. I said to myself "Has no body taught it which side of the road to move?". Horsewala was just following us; seemed just interested to take money at the end.

Now the lights went off and I had to take the charge to become a horn of my vehicle. I started yell "side-side" as we moved forward. Still many people unknowingly got kissed by my horse. Then I saw a group of girls coming. They were busy chit-chatting among themselves, unaware of what was coming from front. As usual I yelled "side-side", they screamed to see the horse in front and held each other hands tightly. They made a human chain and next moment I found, my horse moving forward and the group of three girls on either side of my horse walking backwards. Still they held the hands and then one group ran backwards to join the other three. They took a sigh of relief. I said to myself, what shall I term this - "Unity or foolishness". Finally I reached the foothills and got down. Now I found I am not in a position to stand, nor to move and not even to sit. I said to myself - "Who took more pain - Was that horse or me?"

TM CC-4 How to Say It - My Dream Home

2008-06-02T15:26:00.009+05:30

Toastmasters Project 4 - How to say It

Title - My Dream Home

Time : A summer afternoon
Place : In the midst of jungle, on the top of a tree

In the cosy lap of nature, a small creature was struggling to come out the shell of an egg in which it lay. It made enormous effort and it finally succeeded. The shell broke and little bird peeped its head outside to see its new home. It was amazed to see the bigger space - encircled from all sides. It lay there comfortably. But within weeks, it realized that there is something beyond its so called home. It again made an effort to walk. And the day came when it spread its wings and flew in the sky. It was overwhelmed to see its new home which had no beginnings no end. It can go anywhere it wanted. It flew from jungle to jungle, tree to tree exploring places and enjoy life.

Somewhere else in the same summer afternoon, another creature was about to be born. It was me who took birth. Soon I found myself in a structure which I called my home. It was covered from all sides to protect me from the outside world. Soon if not within weeks, within months I realized that there is something beyond my so called home. I made an effort and began to crawl to discover my new home. I was amazed to see the beautiful surroundings. But I realized that I am not free to explore my home the way I wanted. I was sent to school and at the same time shown the path which I needed to follow. And I was not allowed to take any deviation from it. In school I learnt that my home is divided into various continents and further into various countries, states, cities etc. In order to move around at different corners of my home, I required to have an identity and verification to be done as we call it passport and visa.

One day early morning, I was sitting in the varandah. I saw a bird chirping. I said to myself, how different is the same home for each of us. For that little bird, a banyan tree whether in India, Pakistan, US or the UK - its the same banyan tree and it is free to sit anywhere it wanted. But for me, a human being it is not the case. We human beings are considered to be thinking being and as wise as an owl. Then how come such intelligent being make such a grave mistake of dividing its home.

Like a weaver, I started to weave my dream home. I dreamt there are no countries, no boundaries. Each individual is free to explore its home as God has created for it. I saw as we have current ring road passing through entire city, we have a ring rail network. This network connected the continents of Asia, Africa and Europe as it is a single land mass. The train moved at 1000 miles per hour and passed through myraid peaks of China, holy cities of India, sand dunes of Arabic world, wilderness of Africa, acient cities of Europe, snow ridden Russia. There were no races, it were only humans and all were equal. There was only single currency that ruled the world. All the areas specialized as per the terrain and there was free movement of goods and services. There were no rich and poor. Food and water - the basic necessities of life were freely available. I saw everyone healthy. There was world government that took care of the needs of its people. Projects were taken on large scale keeping in view its impact on ecology. Life seemed so peaceful and simple.

Suddenly some noise struck my ears and I opened my eyes. It was newspaper vendor. I opened the newspaper to see what is happening in my real world. I saw fresh clashes between India and Pakistan, Chinese making bunkers on the mighty Himalayan ranges, Osama flashing a fresh warning to the world, US criticizing China of dumping, India accused of taking away jobs from west, people dying of hunger and at the same time food stocks in FCI godowns getting rotten, group of people fighting over reservations, communal problem in the other part.
My heart sank. I moved ahead to the business section. Inflation at new high, rupee getting devaluated, rising crude, job losses etc etc.

I thought how complex we have made our simple world. I laughed at myself, where is so called intelligent being spending its time and resources. "Only to survive in the midst of fear from each other". I again closed my eyes to go back to my dream home with the hope that it become a reality one day!!!

Toastmaster Debate - Modernity is making India loose its Culture

2008-04-14T18:16:00.005+05:30

Mr. Moderator, my friends against the topic and dear frnz. I am here to speak for the topic i.e. Yes modernity is making India loose its culture.

As I got this topic, I googled out to find the meaning of culture. I got few interesting definitions:
A system of shared beliefs, values, custom, behavior and artifacts that the members of society use to cope up with their world with one another and that are transmitted from one generatiion to another. To put it simply: Culture refers to the perspective, practice and product of a social group.

Going by this def, I have to speak about India as a culture. It is itself a fabric interwoven by varied culture that differs as we move just 200 kms in any direction from a given point. But still there is one common thread that runs through all these culture and forms the basis of Indian culture. That common thread is our belief system that we are able to preserve while absorbing new custom, tradition and ideas brought in by immigrants and invaders over the centuries.

Now coming to modernity - I ran my mind to find out what do we consider modern?
- Is it clothes I am wearing. Jeans or T Shirt or so called brands.
- having a swanky latest gazette in hand. May be the ipod, palm top etc
- riding the best of car. May be merc, mercedes, audi etc
- living in a high rise premium apartment
- hvng a dozen of credit cards in the wallet

Now somebody may ask - Modernity is enabling me enjoy all these luxuries of life. so why should I be wary of it? To answer this - understand the impact of modernity on our belief system that we follow:

1. Transition from spiritualism to consumerism: We are the culture to which world looks at for peace, non voilence and way to achieve self actualization. But we are moving towards materialistic pleasures which are short lived. Just think - what will last long. Happiness derived by having a Mercedes or helping a poor child to study (thereby taking him and his family out of the clutches of poverty).

2. Transition from living in harmony with nature to conquest on nature: There is a saying in our epics - "If you create imbalance in the system in which the nature works, nature knows how to balance itself back". Therefore we have something called pralay that symbolises predominance of nature. We have a culture rooting from ancient times to live in harmony. "Mohan jo daro" and "Harappa" were the examples of systems in alliance with nature. But now what are we doing? Extracting maximum for short term benefits. Cutting down trees, extracting mines, oil etc leading to global warming, shrinking of glaciers, rising sea level, emergence of new breed of diseases and coming to very own India - shrinking rivers, chaning climate.

3. Collectivism to Individualism There is an old saying "Unity is strength". Collectivism is something which is inherent within us. In our family, we have a culture of living together as a group where old are taken care of by the youth. We always stand together to fight common odd. Same principle was used by Gandhiji. We stood together collectively which forced great force as Britishers to put their knees down.
But now we are moving towards individualism. Separate family - isolated from family members, society and community. Just imagine its impact on our coming generation. Who are their role models: Earlier it used to be their grand parents sharing their experiences in the form of stories. Now its batsman, spiderman. Children dont know why grand parents exists and feel terribly bore if asked to visit them and not to mention about respect. And now we have started to talk about old age homes.

4. Sharing to accumulation: We have a culture of sharing with others so that all of us prosper. Now it is to accumulate more and more in individual hands. Its impact - rich poor divide is getting big day by day. 20% of people control 80% of wealth.

Now the question is - "Is by following modernity are we propering?"
Sure! It is definately benefiting. but only some but ruining many. And those who consider themselves on the beneficiary side should think - What are the benefiting?
Yes ofcourse Income but at the same time what they lost:
- Loose health, social life by working in night shifts.
- Make other rich by doing low end back office work. Its like doing labor for a manufacturer.
- Posing urslf as one which are not you. By doing this - what is the respect we are giving to ourself.
- Drug addiction, drinking, late night parties and clubs and at the same time saying - we dont have time for myself or family.

Atlast modernity is instead of widening our choices is forcing all of us to follow the same culture of consumerism having same appetite for food, clothes, thinking. Try to imagine - any where u go, u find same set of shops, same layout, same kind of clothes, food.

Jst think - "Do you want that???"

Thank You

TM CC-3 Get to the Point - Hiring an Auto

2008-04-12T23:50:00.005+05:30

Toastmasters Project 3 - Get to the Point

Title - Hiring an Auto

I think all of you would be puzzled what this topic is about. Infact I was also puzzled when thought of this topic came in mind. Auto, an indispensible part of our daily urban life and all of us have to take recourse to this medium at one point or the other. Today I am going to share my views on benefits and strategies to hire an auto at reasonable price.

Think of an auto for a while. What comes to ur mind? A big fat man, unwittingly ill natured and ever non negotiable. Today I will gv u some ideas abt hw to tame this guy. But first think of an auto. A perfect shape, round curves, a small lamp in the front like a bindi on the forehead and covering itself with the black colour dupatta. Auto possesses the sweet feminine look that attracks towards it from a distance.

I think riding an auto is the best gift that you can give to urslf. Why I am saying so:

1. You feel like a king: In olden days kings used to travel in chariot driven by horses and controlled by a person called sarthi. Now compare the structure of an auto with chariot. Same two rear wheels and king sits on the back and in place of sarthi driven by auto driver.
Daily I take an auto to commute to my office and daily it enables me to experience the luxury of king. I sit there comfortably and waving my hands on the back seat.

2. Relief from stress: All of you will agree about the traffic condition getting horrible day by day. As you move out from your home, you encounter frequent honking, making ur way thru the mess on road and cribbing about the next red signal on the road.
But in an auto, I am like a saint enjoying the beauty of interiors and sprawlling buildings on the either side of the road. And guess it also enables me not to miss any hoarding featuring the new saaree showroom or the jewellery mart. Infact my trip to office becomes a pleasurable trip altogether.

3. Independence: Availability of auto is like a blessing. I dont need to hv my own vehicle. Having own vehicle is a big headache altogher. Timely refill, servicing, daily scouting for parking space, insurance and if its a two wheeler - putting on and off that cumbersome helmet and most importantly alwys hvng a fear of encountering the traffic police man even if I have all your papers.
Now with auto, I am a free soul. I hire and pay and enjoy other arguning with police on so called negotiation on bribe amt.

4. Understanding human behavior: If you have an interest in human behavior, riding an auto is the best opportunity. Everyday I encounter a new individual. I examine his style of talking, arguing, negotiation and his driving style. I enjoy interacting with them as some of them will become a tourist guide, some a news channel and some a singer altogether.

5. Perfecting ur negotiation skills: Auto especially in Chennai is abt negotiation. Daily if offers me an opportunity to negotiate n I alwys make a point that I Have to win. I learn from mistakes and practice. Few weeks back I was in Mumbai and I took an auto. I felt terrible of hiring an auto without negotiation.

Now coming to another crucial aspect of strategies to hire an auto at reasonable price. Well through my experience of daily hiring an auto, I have devised two techniques which you can use:

1. Soft approach: As auto stops, politely tell the driver the place you want to go. Proactively tell the route urslf (this gives an impression to the driver that you are not new to the place) and most importantly before he says anything declare the price you want to pay. As customery, driver will tell you Rs. 10 extra but then tell him you daily go there at the price and give him a broad smile and get in. 80% success

2. Aggressive approach: As auto stops, get inside. Make urslf comfortable and occupy as much space as possible. Wave ur hands on the back seat and in the wild voice tell the place and amount. 50% of auto will start there itslf as auto drivers find it difficult to ask the passenger to get out. And those who argue, give him a look as if you have seen an alien and in a surpise look tell him - he is the first person you have encounterd who is asking like this. You daily go there at this price. Auto will start.

Some points that you should keep in mind before hiring an auto are:

1. Be calm and give respect to auto driver: Auto is the property of auto driver and he has every right to demand whatever price he thinks is reasonable. Dont get irritated if someone doesnt suit ur budget. Next auto will definately come.

2. Never show ur eagerness: Alwys behave as if you have lot of time in hand. Even if you are getting late, dont show ur eagerness. Give him an impression that you can wait for the next one.

3. Stand on a busy place: Best place to catch an auto is near a busy signal or where traffic police stands. Auto driver wont negotiate much.

Wish all you a happy riding.

Thank You.

TM CC-2 Organize your speech - Journey to Financial Freedom

2008-04-11T00:00:00.005+05:30

Toastmasters Project 2 - Organize your speech

Topic - Journey to Financial Freedom

Financial freedom - two small simple words but encompasses while life time for most of us.

Now what do I mean by financial freedom? Freedom from finances. Freedom from money. Its a freedom from psyche of running after money. Here I would like to put one example from our day to day life. We all want our children to go to school and get the best grades. Here is small conversation between a mother and child:

Child: Why should I go to school?
Mother: So that you get good marks
Child: What will happen if I get good marks?
Mother: You will get into the best of the institues may be IIT or IIM.
Child: What will happen if I get there?
Mother: You will get best of job.
Child: What will I have if I have best job?
Mother: You will earn money.

In this process what we are doing? Child start going to the school with objective to become employee and get marks. Our whole education system is formulated to create employees. Now the question arises - do by getting the best job, would I be financially free?

Lets see how cash moves in case of salaried class person.
Salary comes at the begining of month. First line of expenses for a salaried person is the tax he pays to the govt. Irony is salaried person even doesnt get to see the total money he has earned. Tax is deducted and then salary is paid to him. Second expenses for him is the EMI payment (for house, vehicle, laptop etc etc which are called as necessities). Then whatever amount is left that is for his expenses and savings.

At this pt, salaried emp tell himself - I must work hard to get better pay, better profile or better job. And so does it happen. He gets an increment. But what essentially happens:
Salary goes up. So does the taxes and at the same time as per our system rate of taxes grow more than our growth in salary. You got a new job, so you celebrate. Take a vacation, get yourself a new house, a new laptop, mobile n ur second line of expenses i.e. EMI also increases. Hence finally whatever u r left with is essentially the same as u were earlier.

Thus by working hard who gets rich. Ofcourse it was nt u. bt all others surrounding you. Your empoloyer (they share just 10-20% of what extra you earn for them through hard work. 80-90% goes to their pocket), Your Bank (new EMIs) and Your Government (more taxes).
Thus it becomes a vicious circle and you end up spending whole life running in this circle.

Here I would like to introduce one concept: Wealth. How do we define wealth?
Is it in terms of money? But it cant be standard then. the best definition I came across abt wealth is in terms of time - if i stop working today. maintaining the same std of living, how long i will be able to survive.

Thus to come our of the vicious circle. You need to create something that is called as passive income. It is the income that comes to you even if you are not working. Surprised!!! Is it possible? Yes
Invest in house property. You get monthly rent even if you work or not.
Invest in bonds. You get interest even if you work or not.
Invest in shares or business. You get your share of profit even if you work or not.

In financial terms, all these are terms as assets. But it is important to note that these are productive assets. Your house that you live in. Your computer, car, laptop. These are also termed as asset but these are unproductive assets.

Thus we should always concentrate on increasing our productive assets.

Finally to conclude. I would like to give some points to follow:

1. Focus on learning rather than money.
2. Invest in urslf - read self help books, meet ppl.
3. Mind your own business - increase your productive assets
4. Never say urslf - You cant afford it. Instead ask urslf hw u can afford it?
5. Before purchasing anything, create Cash flow to fund it else it will alwys pinch u.

Thank You.

TM CC-1 The Ice Breaker Speech - About Me

2008-04-10T23:37:00.005+05:30

Toastmasters Project 1 - The Ice Breaker

Title - About Me

It was the second half of the month of December in the plains of Haryana. Under the umbrella of thick fog and chilly winter, first child in form of me came on this planet. My father was eldest in my family. I guess at the time of my birth I would have been surrounded by my chacha n bua anxious to see and enjoy the little movements I then made. I was named 'Ravi' meaning sun and I think that was coz people in North long for the sun during the foggy weather of winters.

I had a happy childhood. Soon I was accompanied by two younger brothers and we had a nice time fighting n taking my mom on toes. We got everything at the right time. I still remember the day I got my first bicycle. Its irony was as I sat on it, my legs didnt reach the ground. Thanks to my chacha that at the age of 5-6, I knew how to take care of handle of bicycle or the scooter. From home - I needed some body to push and i am in the air till somebody comes on the way and I had to jump and come back home on foot with cursing the person. I lost the count, how many times I would have hit one or the other. That was a wonderful childhood and ofcourse with lot of warnings each time.

I went to the best English medium school. I was a mediocre student. I was reserved and the best part of my group was that we all had one motto "Be away from girls, they are the separate specie altogehter". As a ladder I climbed up the classes. Suddenly I realized I am in class X and after the exams there would not be any default class to go. I had to decide the stream. Then the clouds of uncertainity engulfed me and I started looking at my classmates. Whole lot of advices start rolling on my head with the underlying theme of "interest". But where did I had interest? That even I didnt know. I started with the best decision making process ever devised by mankind -"Process of elimination".

Bio was something I always wanted to say a bye; chemistry was a distant mystery. I decided to stick to my family tradition of money and got into commerce. Still I had an interest in computer and physics which I missed a lot. I was good in accounts, maths and stats. I got myself enrolled for CA while doing B.Com. As my college days were about to be over, I had a feeling that I am not enjoying life and something is missing somewhere. At that moment, I said to myself if I remain there I would be a passe.

With the storng reason to do MBA, I convinced my parents to send me to Delhi. English was my weakest but thinking of vocab made me yawn. I liked logic and maths and thats how my CAT score reflected. I got into LBSIM (one among the so called top 20). As almost any other CA, I was a book worm by that time.

MBA coupled with living outside home brought the sense of responsibility, managing finances n most important realize the importance of family and mom whom we always take forgranted. Then new world with high dreams was awaiting us and finally with some struggle I got my first job. Things got very different : frnz, late night assignments, parties, girls were suddenly missing. But that was a step to a new journey. I have always been knowledge hungry and I am thankful to almighty to give me everything I desiered to the best. One of them is avenue called Toastmasters.

I would like to leave all of you with one thought "Smooth roads never make a good driver. Probelm free life never makes a strong person. Never ask life - Why me? instead challege and say - Try Me!!!".

Thank You.