Trouble in Eden !

There was once a magical land named Eden where the Demi-gods lived, where dreams came true, it was a place where wishes came true and for little efforts, rewards were huge. The Demi-Gods were kind and admitted the mortals freely and for devotion, mortals were rewarded with gold, plush houses.

The mortals from earth could come visit Eden and live for a few years, earn huge fortunes and go back to their land much wealthier and influential. The Demi-Gods just wanted the mortals to make statues and to glorify them.

As the story of the mortal artisans making the trips to Eden became more and more well known, the mortals realized this was an easy ticket to ride. Several schools to train and deploy artisans began to spring up. Other trades began to be ignored, the sole motive of mortals was securing a gateway to Eden.

Like all good things, the good times at Eden also had to come to an end. By the curse of the sages, Eden was struck by a series of natural calamities like quakes and storms. Suddenly the demi gods no longer had the luxury of entertaining the mortals.  Suddenly the demi-gods wanted the mortals out, they began to see the mortals as parasites feeding on their great society.

The mortals were concerned, and once the gateways to Eden began to close, politics and opportunism began to take over, it was no longer easy for people to reach Eden. The journey to the promised land of Eden has just become a nightmare, with thousands and thousands of mortal artisans waiting for their turn to enter Eden, life just got tougher.

As you might have guess, this story was a thinly veiled reference of the Indian IT services industry and the situation in the Western World. India was fortunate to have an army of English speaking programmers who could take on the Y2K problem. Any one who was lucky enough or smart enough to catch the IT wave became quite successful, however the same cannot be said for the young engineering graduate passing out of college today as circumstances have become much more challenging.

Personal Branding in Public Life

All of us in India and the NRI diaspora witnessed the Anna Hazare phenomenon and in spite of a few detractors but Anna has gathered a cult following and a credibility not shared by his contemporaries in activism Do names like T.N Seshan (Former Chief Election Commissioner )  or G.R Khairnar ( Former Mumbai Municipal Commissioner)  even ring a bell now. 

If you think about it what differentiates an Abdul Kalam from K. Kasturiragan (ISRO), Nehru from Sadar Patel, Manmohan Singh from Pranab Mukerjee or an Atal Bihari Vajpayee from Narsimha Rao. It is the role of personal branding, showcasing an unique eccentricity or quality which differentiates an individual from the other.

Single Status

A person who chooses to stay un-married in political life always seems to have an upper hand in public life and greater acceptability may it be Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Narendra Modi, Anna Hazare or the lady brigade of Jaya, Mamta and Maya.

A distinct Look/Accessory

Be it Manmohan Singh's blue turban, Gandhi's Dhoti, Anna's Topi or Dr APJ Abdul Kalam's funky hair-do or Hilter's Chaplinesqe moustache, having a distinct look creates a lasting image in the minds of the people.

An Armed forces Background

I am sure in all the forwards which glorified Anna Hazare all of them began with the line “Anna Hazare was a solider in the Indian Army ( he was a driver but that's besides the point). George Bush also had a military background which he leveraged well in political campaigns. 

The notion of sacrificing one's life for the country instantly improves the personal brand quotient.

Catchy Slogans/Simple Messaging

The problem with intellectuals like P.V Narsimha Rao, T.N Seshan they speak too long and don't simplify  the message. People do not like to be burdened with the complexity of life, they want a quick fix which is easily understandable. 

• Anna Hazare – Jan lok pal, Anti Corruption
• Obama – Yes we can
• Sonia Gandhi – Aam Aadmi
• Narendra Modi – Gujrat Astima, Vibrant Gujrat

Every one loves an underdog - “Not so priveleged background”

People who come from a tough / poverty stricken or a socially disadvantaged background gain a lot from the sympathy. Any message from a leader from this category automatically gains more credibility vis-a-vis a candidate from a more affluent background.

The debate is already skewed toward the street smart vis-a-vis the Ivy League or the IITian from a middle or upper middle class background. 

Inheritance of a grand legacy

It is also helpful if you can lay claim to an illustrious legacy, the easiest way is off course being born into one like Rahul Gandhi or Omar Abdullah. But the smarter individuals are those who can appropriate them directly from another individual. 

• Jayalalitha – MGR legacy
• Anna Hazare – The Gandhian Way
• Mayawati – The Kanchi Ram/Lower Caste Mobilization
• Abdul Kalam – Success of the Pokhran Nuclear Tests

Intellectuals lose out because they look too much like PLU ( people like us)

Inherently people of India or people in general appreciate a mystical quality and a persona which is not common, so speaking slowly or dressing up in suits / formal clothing will never make the cut. 

Although we may not admit it but its all about the branding. 

The travails of the 21st Century workplace

Even though, a young professional of 25-26 years of age earns more than what his/her parent draws as a monthly salary, there is little to suggest there is more happiness or prosperity in today’s life. Just got me wondering in spite of increased salaries and better facilities and a 2 day weekend, what is going so awry?

Longer Work hours

Then: In the old days, it was about punching in 8 hours a day. Come in at 9 am and leave by 5 pm dropping everything in hand.

Now:we have flexi timings – you can come in when you want but cannot leave till your manager wants :P sounds lot like Hotel California.

Competitive Workplace and Title Race

Then: Parents worked years at the same role and looked up to becoming an assistant manage or DGM. Time bound promotions was the norm with no critical appraisals. The title held a lot of respect and honor and it took years to achieve it.

Now: you have 6 monthly appraisals and all your achievements are brushed off and you are told you barely meet expectations and made to fight for your rightful compensation. Funnily titles/ designations are thrown a plenty. How 25-26 years become senior consultants / AVPs are beyond me. 

Where are the perks/benefits really ?

Then: Even if the take home salary in a govt. job, life time pension, job security, access to medical care/insurance and affordable living quarters ensured a higher quality of life.

Now: Although the monthly pay-packet may seem bigger, paying for medical care and financial planning post retirement are big questions which need to be addressed.

Traffic and long commutes

Now: the explosion in traffic and infrastructure projects means it takes longer to commute to and fro. Believe me getting struck in traffic for hours adds to the daily misery after a long day at work.

Financial independence is now taken for granted – since jobs a plenty

Then: Getting a job was tougher, also the Indian economy was growing lot slower and in a license raj driven environment, career advancement was very slow and steady. People were genuinely grateful to be employed.

Now: With job hops and campus placements, people today haven't really seen struggle in their life, financial independence has become much easier;

How to reclaim the happiness and avoid work related stress ?

Increasingly people are turning to alcohol, binge eating, insane partying and shopping to cope with the emptiness in life. A few sensible ones turn to spirituality or new age gurus like Sri Sri and the Art of Living. There is an acknowledgement there needs to more than just professional life in a person's life.

It is important to re view relationships with family, spouse and friends which is losing prominence in 21^st work life culture and make amends. Its ironic when some one is unhappy, he/she stops doing what they love best. Anyway its never too late to re-claim your life.

Pick up again on your hobby, call that old friend and relive the fun times. Take the vacation, learn to worry less, leave office early for a change. Remember money is important but not everything in life. Opt for work from home when possible. Watch movies, read books go for a romantic date, hit a gym, do something for the society. Do solid financial planning and retire soon.

There are 100 different dimensions to you outside to your professional life. Learn to embrace it and set yourself free.

Don't measure everything in terms of Return on Investment but learn to take decisions based on Return on Life - ( Quote reference – Jamal/Quebin)

P.S : I confess I am yet to reach this stage but let today be the first day in my new life.

Lessons from Iaccocca one of America's most respected business professional

After a long time, I decided to read Iaccoca’s autobiography again as several years ago when I was an aspirant to do my MBA, somebody told me this book was a good start. It did make some sense back then but it had even more sense now. Clearly reading the book the second time, you do realize the man has a very large ego and most of the book is written in first person, it takes pot shots at opponents and glosses over personal failures. Although it is an engaging book, it is not very objective and projects as Iaccoca as a superman. In my mind, the most objective business book written by a corporate manager must be ‘Who says Elephants cannot Dance?’ by Louis Gernster the CEO of IBM who oversaw the reinvention of the IBM business strategy in the late 90’s.

Who is Lee Iaccoca

Iaccoca was the son of an Italian migrant who went on to become the president at the Ford motor company, he was subsequently fired from his job at the age of 54 as a result of differences with the CEO and owner Henry Ford Jr. Instead of going home and enjoying retirement, he took over the reins of a financially struggling company Chrysler by taking a loan bailout from the US government and made it up and running again. This bailout package which has become so common in today’s economic scenario was extremely controversial in the early 80’s. One ironic fact, when Iaccoca testified before congress for a bailout, one of the staunch opponents was then chief executive of Lehman Brothers on the basis that a bailout was against the principles of free market economy. It is amazing indeed how times change so quickly.

Lessons for Professionals

Need for a good boss – It is very important to have a good boss to look up to. A good boss not only helps you to get the best of your professional capabilities and also helps the organization to be more profitable and sharper to handle competition.

Data is important but avoid analysis paralysis - Iaccoca is a believer in having good data and research work but it is not a great idea to wait endlessly for some small piece of data when you have more than 80% facts already.

Need for strong corporate governance - During his Ford days, Iaccoca talks about how the management regularly misused the company resources for personal use. The directors on the board often have collusions with the company executives which lead them to ignore excesses in financial planning. The problems faced by Chrysler highlights this fact. This point is pertinent as Iaccoca pointed this out in 1984 long before the Enron and Arthur Andersen scandals which shocked the world.

Lessons for Politicians and Economists

America is investing too much in paper money – Iaccoca in his closing remarks mentions that America is slowly moving away from a manufacturing and export driven nation to an import driven economy in many key sectors. An obsession with paper money was creating assets on paper instead on direct investment in the American economy. This point is well made as America has plunged into the subprime crisis and secondly the FIIs have been fuelling the economies of developing countries like India, China, and Brazil instead of strengthening the job market in the US. (Not that I am complaining about it, the IT industry boom has helped several professionals including myself to make a living and put India on the global map)

The debate about capitalism versus communism is dead- In the 80’s when Chrysler Corporation, the third largest American automobile company went to the government for a bailout package; it was severely criticized in the media and financial circles that it is a bad precedent. Now after the failure of the USSR in the later 80’s and the American economy meltdown in 2008 now question of taking extreme stands on capitalism versus communism is futile. You need free markets and competition but it has to be coupled with checks and balances in form of an industry regulator.

End Note

In the book it is mentioned, in 1980 when Chrysler was undergoing the financial crisis and was in line for a government bailout, the stand-up comedian Bill Cosby made a joke on the company's financial condition. "A guy was so mean... so mean that he called up Chrysler and asked them how is business?”

Two days back, Conan O Brien on the tonight show said“You know why Chrysler’s cars are the safest in the world, because most of them don’t leave the dealer’s store anyway”

The greatest lesson from history is that it repeats itself because men do not learn lessons from it.

The Enemy Within

The Warriors of Amesopotia

The warriors of Amesopotia were the most feared in the medieval world, they were known far and wide for their valor and the can do attitude. They had won several wars for their king and were willing to lay down their lives for the empire. The conquests made the king avaricious and he ensured more and more of the young lads in the kingdom were recruited to become warriors. Since the plunder ensured there was enough gold in the treasury, to train and pay salaries for these fine warriors.

One winter, he led the army to an improbable mission to defeat the kingdom of Nardua which was considered a tough nation to beat in ordinary circumstances itself, the winter could have posed a greater risk which was ignored by the advisors and generals. There were optimistic scenarios plotted, songs of glory were sung and a wild frenzy which ensured blinded all people of any rational reasoning.

So the army marched in, the biggest enemies was the environment itself, with food reserves running out , the king doubted if the army could make it to the end of the winter. Some bumbling accountants calculated mere 40% of the standing army could defeat the Narduan forces. The king ordered the execution of the remaining Amespotian warriors for the greater good of the kingdom. The rest waited for the winter to end. The king was expecting the war to end soon. It did but not in his favour. He was routed, his warriors scattered, defeated and most of them retreated.

War is not an arithmetic, people have memories, they carry scars for life. In time of optitism, generals end up raising large armies without looking at the costs involved. In a time of glory, the advisors ignore obvious signs of decay and ruin, and make outrageous plans. Unfortunately when things go wrong, the heads roll not at the top but of the foot soldiers. The decisions which the few make impact a vast majority and when the time comes for the army to perform, it is morale of the soldier on the ground which matters !

Does the above story ring a bell in today's world. Whatever be the odds and the adversity at hand, it is enemy within who undermines the organization.

In this recession hit era, most companies are under the impression that cost cutting and layoffs are the only choices to solve problems, although I agree that it is difficult to come to a quicker solution but there are better strategies in the areas of recruitment, utilization of employees and targeting new markets/segments to overcome economic difficulties. But blind cost cutting is not the answer although it is a very tempting tool which shows immediate results. The test of a organization is not how it treats its employees in the good times but it handles the work force in tougher times.  The recession will end one day, and so will the credit crunch, but the hit on the employee pysche cannot be restored magically over night. 

When the only tool you have is a hammer, then you tend to see every problem as a nail – Abraham Maslow

A sloppy Job(s) when the enemy was at the Gates

This post is the result of me watching the movie Pirates of the Silicon Valley – a not so well known made for TV movie which tracks the rise and fall of Steve Jobs and the rise and rise of Bill Gates with the backdrop of how the computer industry was revolutionized by the duo.

Before I go into more details of this topic, I would like to digress a bit regarding why this genre of two powerful men battling it out excites me. One of my favourite books is the Fourth Estate by Jeffery Archer which is the battle between two competing media barons. The struggle between Karunanidhi and MGR was also nicely captured in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar for the chief minstership in Tamil Nadu. In a way, even the Mahabharata boiled down to a battle of wits between Lord Krishna and Duryodhana's tactics. The seemingly two protagonists ( The grey shades in both the characters makes it difficult to pick an antagonist in cases) who keep pushing their way forward initially unaware of each other's existence hurling towards their shared destiny. The intriguing part when they come face to face and the chess game which is played out later makes for interesting reading/viewing in most cases.

Initial Days - Gates and Jobs

Gates and Jobs dropped out of college in order to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Gates from Harvard and Jobs from Reeds College. Gates had a friend Paul Allen who had a steady job in Honeywell and completed education. Jobs had Steve Wozniak as friend working for HP. The friendship forged early on took them ahead on the road of entrepreneurship.

Jobs had audited a course in calligraphy and design which he claims later was the inspiration for fonts in graphical user interface, Gates had taken a infamous maths 55 class which he struggled through which made him realize there are far more intelligent people than him in this world. These two being really significant lessons which history would later come to tell.

Sleeping Giants who let the upstarts in – HP,IBM and Xerox

One of the interesting sub plots in the rapid ascent of the duo was the lack of interest shown by the leading industry players towards the personal computer market. As Wozniak was working for HP initially, the company had the first rights to apply for patents to his work but decided against it as they did not see the reason why ordinary folks would need a personal computer.

Similarly when Bill Gates did not sell the DOS operating system but chose to license it to IBM. IBM did not realize the implications of the power Microsoft would gain in the future over the hardware players including IBM.

The pioneer inventor of modern GUI and the mouse, Xerox research scientists could not convince their top management for a chance to commercialize the products, instead the management allowed access to Steve Jobs and his team to understand the system in exchange for shares of Apple Computers.

These costly mistakes which the big corporations let these two entrepreneurs to dig in deeper and create their personal empires.

Management Styles

Jobs was more an arrogant idealist who believed he was an artist and his products needed to change the world around. In contrast, Bill Gates realized the need to be indispensable and to create a need and do a vendor lock in, so that the customer cannot opt out.

Jobs ran his company in a fanatical fashion which tore the company into two, the team working on Macintosh as the chosen ones and rest as nobodies which led to great discomfort. This finally led to Steve Wozniak to quit Apple and own eventual ouster from Apple 3 months after his 30^th birthday by John Sculley whom Jobs had bought in from Pepsi Cola.

In contrast, Gates knew how to keep his friends close and enemies even closer. He was always aided by Paul Allen who actually managed to buy the DOS operating system from Seattle Computer Company for a mere $50,000 which shaped Microsoft's destiny and off course current chief executive Steve Ballamer who have always stood by Gates.

Why Jobs lost out to Gates

• Jobs was too arrogant and did not see that his arrogance alienated him from those closest to him

• Market realities are more important than mere idealism, which Gates realized much more quickly

• The enemy is seldom the big Goliath but lurking close by, ironically the way Apple blindsided IBM, HP in the first race, in the second contest Microsoft got the better of Apple.

• The lesson of humility that there are more people smarter than him, let Gates be more careful and calculative

  
  

Epilogue

Bill Gates is still of the most richest men in the world but Microsoft is struggling with Google in the battle for services in the Internet space. Steve Jobs has made a come back of sorts with the Ipod / Iphone revolution, so I guess there are no permanent losers and winners in business or life.

An apt quote which was used in the movie Pirates of the Silicon Valley to end the piece.

"Good artists copy. Great artists steal" by Picasso.

Jobs was a good artist however love him or hate him Gates was the great artist in the operating systems wars.