Table For One?!

“Thirty things you must do before you turn 30”, “Must haves in your bucket list”, “Be a traveller not a tourist” and many more similar articles, blogs and books have talked about this one thing repeatedly, ” Solo Trip”.These two words themselves  have some free spirited energy in them. Well, something that has inspired almost entire of our generation across the world, how can it escape me?. So here I am, adding my penny to the treasure of wisdom already shared on this topic. What different should you expect from this blog than what has already not been said, written or shown? Well, let’s just say, I attempt to give a real scoop behind the reel life of this glorious animal “Solo Trip”. 

The first and foremost thing you need, is one such article to inspire you. Check. Second and the most important thing; Beg your manager for ten days leave. Start by bringing up “how badly I need a break” in the coffee conversations with your manager. I am sure every one has their own trick rolled up their sleeves. But remember this is the most critical step of embarking on your journey. Now once that is checked, it is time to pick a location. Make a list of all the locations you always fancied going to since childhood or saw in the movies or read on social media. Remove the ones which are off season for your dates of travel, ones which have serious safety concerns and the ones which cannot be covered in the limited duration of your vacation. Now open Trivago or Makemytrip and get the idea of airfare, this will further reduce your list. Now pick one from the small list which is left. You would be surprised how the final destination you select might not sound as fancy to talk about as  Croatia, Peru or Jordan sort of a place. But remember this is about experience and not just about place. So now you are all set to make further itinerary. But before you get ahead of yourselves, you still have one more critical task left, “informing about this solo trip plan at home”. Now if you are thinking , “What lame? Who informs at home?” then you are not one of us my friend. Close the browser window and move on. If your folks are super cool then this task is quite easy and can be done on the day of the journey as a "FYI phone cal". If your folks are average chill, then just get that conversation done with. You do not want  any last minute mood offs with “You should have told us before” comments. But if your folks are normal Indian parents, then get ready for some amusing conversation. “ Solo? Why do you want to go alone? Is it safe? Why are your other friends not coming with you?  That’s why we tell you to get married.At least you will have some companion for travel.Your manager gave so much leave? Then come home. Stay with us. You waste too much money, learn to save. You are not taking care of your health.” So on and so forth. The conversation will end with both the parties agreeing to disagree. ( I really want to talk to those travel enthusiasts  or characters from Bollywood movies on how they manage such conversations with their parents). Now finally you are totally set for that glorious, adventurous  and total brag material trip of your life. 

 Let us skip to the day you arrive at your destination. Really there is no different preparation required between planning and actually getting there. It is as simple as “leave the guns, pack the canoe” kind of preparation. So getting back to the day one at the destination. Now on day one, you can experience two very different kind of feelings: 'A torch bearer of the experience seeking generation of gypsies that we are' or 'shit, it was a mistake, look at these happy people travelling with their friends or family'. My advise, get over both the feelings. As only after that the real coveted feeling sets in: Freedom. Absolute freedom to plan your day, eat, sleep, wear whatever you want, just do what you feel like doing. It doesn’t have to be mingling with locals, or going crazy or trekking on the path unexplored ( Read, advised by some one on Trip Advisor). It can be as simple as lazying around at the beach on a hammock with a good novel or sipping Old Monk looking at snow capped mountains. The important thing is keep no pre expectations if you really wish to enjoy. It sounds good on paper to say, “ I don’t want to be a tourist but a traveller.” But in reality, you are just a solo traveller not a lone wolf. If you see other tourists renting a bicycle and roaming around, just do that. Travelling on your own doesn’t mean you do the opposite or simply unheard activities. It just means you do everything your own way. Now everyone talks about all the positives, the shimmering side of the rainbow. Let me also tell you about some disadvantages. Yes, there are a few. You can’t try that interesting looking local dish without wasting it a little  because now you don’t have that one friend who finishes the left portions.Your slippers and bag have to be now left under the watch of a kind fellow tourist sunbathing or a coast guard or left to  fate when you go in for a swim. There is nobody to take that awesome sunset snap for your social media hashtag post. Again you are at the mercy of a fellow traveller you just made friends with a few hours back. If you are buying that local costume  or a  souvenir, your fashion advisor friend is missing to decide which colour looks better. You will end up buying whatever the shop keeper says looks good on you and which will be practically every thing in his shop. If you are hoping to talk to a cute girl sitting across the bar table or a smart looking guy sitting next to you at  a campfire, you do not have your wingman by the side. You really are going solo here. But then again on the  plus side, since no one is there, nobody has to see how that conversation actually went or that scared look on your face when you bungee jumped or how you made fool of yourself because you did not understand the local accent. Now you can pick and choose the stories you want to tell or not to tell when you go back.  More than that much talked about journey of finding your inner self, it is more about stories you created for yourself. It is quite a feeling I must say when asked “ Any solo rider?” at the roller coaster ride and you walk ahead cutting the queue with head held high. You do get a little more perspective about your life when a soccer mom at the side seat says while putting her child to sleep , “I miss  those days when I just backpacked  across Europe. Make the most of this time in your life”.  There is a certain joy in meeting a fellow solo traveller or a group of backpackers and listening to their stories. It’s like a lost animal returning to its herd and your heart screams, “ I belong here. These strangers understand me so well.”  In nut shell this much hyped “solo trip” is nothing but having that time and space which is not  the middle ground of a discussion  but is completely and truly yours. 

“ Miss, your table is ready”.  I close my laptop and get inside the restaurant. “So, table for one?” He asks with a confused smile. “Table for one!”  I respond proudly while smiling from my heart. 

The inglorious battles…

Did you ever stand in front of the dragon with a shining blade in your hand? Were you ever terrorised with the fear of extinction of the human life? Was there ever a time when you took a magic wand in hand and decided to fight the battle for the cause larger than your life? I believe, none of us are fortunate enough to face such situations apart from some vicarious dreams perhaps. This doesn’t mean we never faced any fear, or were never confronted with any life altering situations or stayed out of battles. We fight some or the other battle everyday…it’s just, our battles aren’t glorious enough. 

“It’s only when you face the death, you learn how to live” some famous person has said this in some famous context. This all might sound so abso-ridiculously morbidly philosophical. But isn’t it worth thinking? We all have our monsters hiding under the bed. But they are not green eyed or extra terrestrial or evil wizards. They are just fears…fear of failing, losing some one, losing something, loneliness, dejection, jealousy, greed…We fight with them in our own ways, without legendary rings giving us the armour of shadow, without a magic wand, without guarding angels or ultra advanced gadgets. We do win these battles many a times. But we are never scared enough to know the importance of courage, we never care enough to understand pain of letting go…we never live enough, die enough in the battles to understand importance of life. I think its unfortunate that we never find a cause worth dying for and never find a passion worth living for. 

We all get up in the morning with the hope of changing the world. At least most of us do.  That one twitt against major tragedy, one digital sign on public petition to change the system, an opinion posted on Facebook, raising voice against a wrong we see around.These are the acts which give us that flickering hope that we are a part of a bigger fight,fight that matters and counts. But at the end of the day we realise it’s not enough.Some of us take that bold step, venture out and find their larger battle. They set out to light bulbs in the darker areas, put a book in child’s hand, give a voice to untold stories through their pen or art, make their ideas tangible. Then these brave souls become our batons.But for most of us life still remains ordinary. The search for glory continues.

If we really want to live that greater life then it really is a matter of that first step,how much ever small, believing that it will lead to a bigger cause one day. There are so many battles and fights around us, glorious battles, which are not yet finished, most not even started...waiting for us to begin.  It’s just the matter of a choice, deciding which battle we want to fight. We all want change, victory, better place to live in, better jobs, better system…but we are waiting…waiting for our Gandalf The White to come and guide us…waiting for our Dark Knight to rise...

Walked Away…

I looked up and met his eyes. He had that same confused, childish yet pensive look on his face. That same look which drove me crazy once, same look which irritated me and like any other typical  love story, that same look which made me fall for him. But today it was this very look that was hurting me. I wanted to yell at him, “Say something. At least, let me know what you are thinking.” But ironically enough I already knew what he was thinking. I could feel his thoughts. I just wanted him to voice them out for once, at least today, because I knew that, if not today then it’d be never. I was holding his hands, looking at him searching for answers. But he…he was just giving me that look, not hiding away, but meeting my eyes with a confidence of an ignorant child. It was as if this was just another night, as if there was no significance of that moment for him, as if he was completely oblivious to the situation, to all that was there between us. I was holding his hands tightly; hopelessly and desperately hung up on may be not him but the idea of him. And then just as easily as one shrugs the leaves off one’s shoulder, he released himself, turned around and started walking away…

I was looking at him going away from me, distance increasing every second. He was walking away on that same road on which we took many walks together; I, trying to figure out the mystery that he was and he, fighting the internal conflicts as always. This road which brought us closer, today was taking us apart. If this was some “me too novel “by an IITian or an Ashton Kutcher rom-com movie, there would have been an “If you look me in the eye” types background score, a quiet breeze and he would have turned around after taking few steps…he would have turned back, would have come running towards me, a passionate hug and a happy ending of a love story. But sadly this was a real life. No one here simply acts on impulse or follows his heart just like that. Even though I wanted to, I didn't stop him or told him that he meant more than a friend to me. Both of us were weighing consequences; practicality, logic and rationale were withholding the heart from doing something impulsive.

To my disappointment, there were no tears rolling down my cheeks nor did I feel somebody wrecking my heart. In fact, I felt angry, sad, hopeless and silly at the same time. And that’s when this strange thing happened. YOUR thought crossed my mind. Out of the blue, after years…just like we stumble upon something long forgotten while looking for something else, your thought appeared in my mind. I was perplexed for seconds and then I understood the cruel joke fate had played. It was the similar setting, wasn’t it? You were looking at me walking away. I wanted to but I didn’t turn back. I could feel your eyes on me, even for a moment thought you were saying, the SRK fame “palat.palat.palat”. But I didn’t. I told myself, I am doing this because I wanted us to be friends and not complicate things. But the truth was, I was scared. I was too logical and practical at that time to even feel “the feelings” or to even realise the gravity of yours. And I walked away. 

Life came to me in full circles. Now I knew how you must have felt that day. I was guilty of your pain and broken heart; today I have paid for it. But when I walked away from you, I walked away from a dear friend who never came back. Today, when he was walking away from me, I was going away from a guy who taught me to express things even though he never did, a guy who made me listen to my heart though he always had the most logical view towards everything around. He himself remained inside his cocoon but brought down the walls I had built around myself. I thought for a brief moment, that I am at a loss again. This thought was terrifying. And just when I thought I am entering a rabbit hole, this epiphany happened. When he was walking away, I felt all those feelings which I never thought I would, which I always considered very cheesy or “not my thing”. I thought feelings and tears make me weak and I always refused to accept that I am an emotional person. But today I found that balance. This surge of feelings gave me a new strength. I felt my heart and all that crap they write about in novels and show in movies. And strangely it felt good. I felt alive. I will endure this moment of him walking away and come out strong, just like I am sure you must have. I will remember this not because someone I loved walked away but because I met this mysterious love, because I met “me” hidden behind false fears, because I also got one story to tell… And it is all because…he walked away… 

Alter Ego...

“You look familiar. I have seen you somewhere. But I don’t remember where?”

“How can you not remember? I was your playmate…we were just in primary school. We used to play all day long in the backyard. Climbing on the trees and pretend treks to find the treasure. But we never wandered out of your backyard or threw stones at the kittens because Mother told us not to do so…”

“Oh…yes…Now I do...Happy days. Probably the best…Honestly I was scared back then with the idea of real treasure hunt in the outside world. But you made me feel safe. What happened then? Where did you go?”

“You seriously don’t remember anything?...You grew up. Your games changed. But I was right there when you started riding bicycle. I was right there when you for the first time drove two-wheeler to the college. I was riding alongside.”

“I thought I had become responsible and bold person now that I can drive. Silly I was. Hadn’t seen the world much."

“Yup. You were silly. Your dreams were naïve…I loved the day you learnt how to drive a car. Your first drive alone…confident, independent you…”

“Oh…yes..I remember vaguely...you were with me when I fought with Dad to take the car to the graduation farewell. I was angry when he denied. But you held my hand and told me that’s the sign of growing up…generation gap or something.

Now that I think of it, through all my graduation… I was tempted to give in to peer pressure…My fashion sense changed; lingos changed; bigger dreams. There was a time when I though I had found “new me” and no matter what Mother said this “new me” sounded better. But you talked sense into me…how can I forget that…??!”

“But you left me behind. You moved out of house for a job, higer education…you went to the bigger cities. You visited home for a brief period, mostly in Diwali. I saw you from the distance and admired you. Your newly found confidence, toughness to take on the world, your rebel spirit and maturity &  wise thoughts drawn out of exposure to the real world.”

“  Really? You admired me?...wait…You could see the change in me? I never realized I had…But I am sorry.I never really missed you…let alone I never thought of you. It is like you never existed. Why is it so? How can I be so ungrateful? And …why are  you are here today?”

“You look far more different today. You have been pretty much on the transformation curve. I am happy for you. And don’t be sorry or be hard on your self. If you would have hold on to me, you wouldn’t have been the kind of person you are today. You wouldn’t have found your true self. You have found your true self ...right?”

“ I guess so. But now…when I go back home…I have to pretend to be old me, cause that’s what they all expect from me. When I am here…I don’t have to put in efforts. I am “me”. Is it wrong? This pretention? To live with alter egos? Do I have to see a shrink??”

“Hell no. This is not “shrink type” of case. Don’t be silly. It is just…you have grown up, moved on,you are following your dreams. You are discovering new aspects of life and your self. Back home, they still see you though my shadow. They compare you with me and hence the expectations. I feel its really nice of you try to fit in to their expectations.”

“But do I have to continue like this for ever? It takes an effort and it’s frustrating at times. It is like I don’t know who I am any longer. I am fooling everyone and myself. Why can’t they just accept this “new me”…?”

“Well, that’s a hard question to answer. You just have to work around their expectations.”

“Why are they comparing me with you? Is that why you are here? To tell me all this? I am about to enter into another important phase of life…and I can’t carry on with this self-conflict. Is it a good coincidence that you came here to meet me today…the day I am fighting this melee?”

“You still don’t get it. Do you? I didn’t come looking for you. You came. You came searching for what you left behind. You are seeing me today because you want to know how much you have changed. You are trying to understand what folks back home are expecting out of you.”

“No…I don’t like where it’s going. I don’t like this tone of yours. You are making me feel guilty. May be it’s a nostalgia…”

“May be. But it is more driven by the fact that you feel  you have to make a choice going ahead. A catch 22 really…To stand up to your own individualistic principles or give in to the more socially accepted  and emotionally driven expectations of your folks. It is a tough one I must agree. And, sadly I don’t have any answers for you. I can only show you who you were and who you are today. You have to draw your own inference and make your own choice…”

“ But does it have to be a choice? Can both of us not co -exist? Can you not be little more like me and I change back to little like you? This way all are happy.”

“Ahh! The golden mean… But has anyone ever found it? Maybe you can be the first…”

“You do sound hopeful. But then, I can’t give up who I am. Can I? What’s the point if I give in to everyone’s expectations? What kind of life that will be? I will loose myself and I am scared I will never find myself again…wait…where are you going? We just met after a long time and you have to get me out of this …"

“I believe in you. And I know you will find your answers…but I am your past to be cherished and not the baggage to be carried. You have already found what you were looking for. Now the question is, what you do with it? Whether you embrace the reality or keep on avoiding it?

Can you find a way to be “you” without loosing yourself? Every one has an alter ego. But  should it be a be the conflict creator, somebody you hide behind? Or a friend, a strength to fight conflicts with?”

Aarz kiya hai...

Adhuri si dastan ki adhuri si ye baat hai,

Alfaz hai kai hawaon me na lafzo ka sath hai.

Har koi hai wakif is se ye jo tera mera raz hai

Par khwaisho ki is kahani se hakikat ko aitraz hai.

Do suro me sameti hui ye mere chahat ki bandish hai

Dil ko deti hai dosti ka wasta ye to kismant ki sajish hai.

Ae dil-e nadan ye to zindagi ki shuruwat hai….

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Khamoshi bhi yaha kitna kuch kah jati hai

Har pal hai ek dasta jo hawaome rah jati hai

Milo faili tanahi aur dil ki ye gahrai, kuch bat hai chedti

Kuch mujse, kuch gujarte lamho se, alfaz hai ye magnti

Neeli si fizaone ab mere hi labjo ka hai saj le liya

Bas mai aur meri dhadkan, jaise apne hone pe aaj yakeen aa gaya...

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Akela nahi hai dil tu jo gumrah rahon pe chalta hai,

Maja to safar me hai, fir faslon se kyu darta hai.

Khawab bhi hai tere, betabiya bhi teri,

Gam bhi tera hai aur muskurahate bhi teri.

Hai jo har lamha bas tere khatir, 

to duniya ki fikar kyu karta hai.

Khwaishonko tere udne de jara,

Baate unkahi si kahne de jara

Tere hone ka matlab hi to zindagi hai,

Ab zindagi ko khud se jee le ne de jara…

Shade of grey...!

We grew up with the stories in which “right” fought with “wrong” and triumphed at the end. Our stories had evils torturing people and angels rising to finish the evil to restore peace. Our films had a villain who did bad things but our hero would set things right. That’s how all our stories were… and that’s what they are…stories. As we grew up and understood the reality behind the myth of tooth fairy, Santa Clause, rabbit on the moon, one more myth was busted wide open. Myth of right & wrong; we were told to speak truth and never lie. But no one told us about this third animal-“perspective”. Now our movies no longer have hero and villains. Stories are not Ramayana but Game of Thrones. No battle is fought with good and bad on two sides of the line. No battle ends with clear win. You don’t know which side to take, what you can take is only perspective. As we grew up, world was no longer white and black. It is colorful indeed, but all colors emerge and submerge into only one single shade- Shade of grey.

We have known this all along. Much has been written and said about this “grey shade”, then why this epiphany today?  Lets just say today I decided to wonder on the most philosophical yet practical question- what are we doing to our world? And most importantly, what the hell am I doing with my life?

So we study about ethics and morals in management classes and it is expected from us to save the world from future Enrons and Satyams. But the moment we enter in this corporate world, these ethics are redefined, rewritten and presented before us under the grey cover. I guess Marketers have now successfully earned the crown, of “most hated & criticized” species. They say we sell lies and broken hopes, we manipulate people for our business. We marketers (not sure if I am proud to include myself in that “we”) claim that everything is fair in the business. We don’t hold people at gunpoint and ask them to buy, people need these products and we give them. This is how business works, this is how economy works and we all are part of it. We tell boys that they need some awesome deodorant to win hearts. Everyday we uncover some new insecurity of women & offer them “solutions”; Our products make them strong & independent women of today and not their own will and talent. We sponsor biased clinical research, play with legal loopholes and launch the products which will cause more harm than good but we promote them playing on your emotions. But what do you do? You discuss these cheap tricks under the fancy name of “insights”, effective communication strategies and positioning. You praise us, applaud us, make case studies out of us, and buy our products. And the moment you feel cheated you blame us.

And why am I taking the side of these “marketers”? Because I am about to become one of them; because our companies swear by “their top and bottom lines” that they are concerned about society and they follow ethical practices. But my question here is whose ethics? How do you really define these ethics? You paint it in capitalists’ colors and you really can’t show any black or white here. At the end of the day you find yourself standing in that grey area. But as a management student being exposed to ethics and values day in day out, as a youth with aspiring dreams to make this world a better place, do I really want to stand in this grey area? Or most importantly, do I really have an option?

The debate over ethics is never ending. But I am sure there are many souls like me who are chasing their corporate dreams and are struggling to get the right perspective, struggling to decide at which side of the line they want to stand. For all those who advise the souls like us not to think too much or not to get into corporate world at all; well, avoiding the conflict or running away from it is definitely not an answer. This is one color, which is so integrated with every aspect of our lives, there is really no getting away from it.

Till the time I find my rationale, logical, universal code of values to follow and find my line of ethics, I claim in the words used by the author of Virtue of Selfishness:

“ I refuse to be wholly good and please do not regard me as complete evil.”

Not so "Social".Media.

             “Man is a social animal. You know what does that mean? We all need friends. It is fun to interact with people, you get to learn new things…” No, No. This is not some dialogue from “me too” novel of undergrad kid. I was in second standard when my parents got a complaint that I stay aloof and do not mix with other students. After the above little pep talk, well, I decided to make an effort to be a “people person”. And, guess what now I just enjoy talking to people (even if they don’t feel the same). I have 738 friends on Facebook and 25 followers on twitter. Wait, this is not how I was supposed to tell this story.

                               So, the story begins in 2005. I was in junior college, and someone told me about Orkut. Till then my internet usage was limited to surfing Wikipedia (yah, right!), and sending email to cousins in US (asking for Harry Potter original copy & I love NYC T shirts). But now I was able to “script” with my friends whom I practically met everyday. “Orkutting” was the new term I had learnt. For me it was the coolest thing until…until Facebook happened. Now it was all about “Liking” and “posting”. “Social networking site” was the buzzword. Though I didn’t understand the purpose of networking with the friends I already knew or random profiles raising apprehensions. Still… C’mon, now I could just update my status and let people know "I was watching movie" or  "I am feeling blue",  I could collect points in Farmville, take “Which Friends character are you?” quizzes, I could brag about new haircut or make others jealous by updating status like “ With the coolest gang @ most happening place”. I mean seriously how else would I have learnt all these things if not for Facebook. People were also bragging about twitter handles, but this was a small bunch then and nobody really knew what purpose twitter solved apart from the fact that it was “cool” to have a twitter handle. Now they were trimming their FB status messages and twitting.

            It was until I started working when I was exposed to this complete spectrum of social networking sites, Linkedin, Blogspot, Youtube, forums. Facebook also had new improved functionality; using free time in office (strictly avoiding the word wasting or killing) and catching up with long lost friends(who were working in the same city). Also I started writing my poems and short stories on a blog and hoped that some random stranger would stumble upon this link and read. (It is definitely less desperate than begging your friends to read and appreciate your writing)     

                          By this time I thought I knew all that is to be known about this “social media” until marketing @spjimr (#spjimr?) happened.Connecting with admissions committee for queries and getting to know your batch mates before joining; these online forums and my dear old friend Facebook showed their true power.  And then one fine day…bam! Lightning struck. I have started studying subjects like Integrated Marketing communication and Social Media Marketing. Believe me, my “e-world” is completely changing now. I can, not only Google something but also find out its search trend over the years across geographies. There are statistical parameters to measure Facebook activity. Right from helping me select a cup of coffee (Consumer behavior analysis though tweets and likes) to conveying my random thoughts to the random e-world out there, Twitter can do it all! This social media is like this powerful tool or like a completely new world of immense possibilities. Google is coming up with “Glass” device. You can look at a person through this glass and you can literally get a “social media print” of a person and know everything about him/her. They claim this will make conversations with strangers interesting. (Yah, right?! Like we are always hoping to talk to random people on the street about their pet dog or a latest fashion purchase). Now that I think about this whole “social media” journey, I think it also in a way  has practically shaped the “social behavior” of our generation. Liking, preferences, lingos, the way we interact with people, everything. And this is THE next big thing, a way forward.             

                                      But I personally feel at times that I am standing at the cross roads, more like a highway and a small lane you can say. The highway, where I  am learning all about the power of social media, how it’s turning the business model, how it is becoming a critical part of IMC…in short how it is changing the whole world, as we know it. On the other side there is this “people ...actual people lover” me standing in the lane, lane connecting to the past, to much simpler world of my childhood. I know, that farther I will go on the highway, more I will be disconnected from this simpler, “real” world, I will miss interacting with people personally, the whole thrill in the mystery of not knowing about certain people you see or coloring stories for fun about people you meet will be lost. I will miss observing human behavior, interacting and finding new things about people, I will miss normal hangouts with friends where “uploading pictures on FB” and “checking in “ is not the purpose of the meet. I will probably be one of those few carrying a hard cover paper book walking alongside kindles. But then, this highway is THE road to future. Choice is easy. Glass there is more than half full.

And who knows one day, I will pass on the wisdom to the next generation, “ Man is social (media) animal”

Ushering in People-archy!

                          It was a time and not long ago when “business of business was to do business, when money was the only driving factor and margins were sacred, when dept of hierarchy was worshiped and an employee thinking out of the box was ignored,when company was the supreme entity and customer was just a source of income. And then, in this era of “pure business”, few rebellions were born. They broke all the dogmas and talked about values. They uttered the taboo words-“worshiping the customers". They talked about not just technical but people skills. Business world was going through a new paradigm shift where values and organization culture was given a due credit of success.

Enterprise today has entered into this new era centred on “people”, “idea” and “values”. From experiential retailing to participative decision making, from customers’ feelings to employees’ breakthrough ideas, it’s all about people. This path breaking transition is still in progress. This decade has seen an authority ladders going down and organizations becoming flatter. “Innovation” is the new key to success and “People first” is the new mantra. With so much changing so fast, what does tomorrow hold for us?  How will tomorrow’s enterprise be run? 

                              I guess the future lies in understanding the true definition of business; it is not about money making by the sole owner or an entity, it is about profit or gain for each and every internal and external stake holder connected to that business. And this gain need not be just monetary always. To achieve this wider objective, enterprise should include all the stake holders in the organizational process. And equally encourage them to contribute towards this objective. Well, the evolving leadership and governance styles and company policies today are very well doing that. Then what is that we expect from tomorrow?  We expect this “people” focus to become more intense, the aspect of culture and organizational values to become much stronger, binding the employees and customers together with this non tangible entity called enterprise.

                             With creating a free and fun work environment to facilitate genesis of new ideas, doing away with formal cubical structures and bringing in bean bag culture, giving employees’ power to choose their carrier path, profile and working style, companies like Google has already started the dawn of this tomorrow.

                        Why do start ups take an accelerating growth path under favourable conditions? Why a person works more passionately for a work which incorporates his/her own opinions and ideas? It’s the sense of ownership, the sense that “I care for this organization and its mine” which drives people to work passionately rather than any monitory, power or carrier growth rewards.

          Giving employees a participation in organizational process to much higher extent, grooming them and assigning a mentor if required, transparency  and aligning individual values to organizational culture as a whole can very well be some of the ways of future “best business governance” practices.

                       Future of management is right here, in our hands. We know our theories and frameworks. We have laid enough structures and designed strategies. It is time to put all these basics into a whole new dimension...dimension of incorporating this very important “human” factor, which will run and direct the future of enterprises. Organizations’ destination might be the monitory objectives and the headlights leading there may be all the strategies but the wheels driving till there are “the people”.

People- archy is here!

Rise Again...

Some of us walk on thrones with a wronged destiny

Flowers they see on our abode but only we laugh at irony.

Some nights are darker with no hope for a day to start

What we fondly created, seems to be  falling apart.

When tougher is such time, awaken that spirit in you

Rooted on strong ground, you are one of those few.

Don’t take all the blame, share some with universe

Higher are your spirits don’t lose it to fate’s curse.

Not alone you are, fellow traveler; together we will fight

For every wrong we got, our strength will make it right.

Dreams shall be rebuilt, not all good shall go in vain

From the purest of our tears, smiles shall rise again.

With heart I think...

Confusion at heart with clear mind,

Choices I make and regret I take,

With  heart I think or for mind’s sake?!

I go ahead with impulse of heart,

But second thought this mind throws.

I ponder then “if only, to convince when doubt grows.

Behind that light when shadows hide,

Reflection seems so true, not projection of mine.

Darkness becomes soul mate of eternal sunshine.

Questions too many, answers I search

In the mellee of hopes n facts, now as I sail distances far

That light at the distant coast becomes the guding star.

When your dream calls...

Life is not always a battle; it’s not even always a melody.

Sometimes it is just a phase between action and steady.

You try hard for “self revelation” only to find who you want to be

Standing in front of the mirror, are you really that person you see?

You seek that passion to drive you, something to stand up and die for

Still caught up in being ordinary, that foolishness seems near, yet so far.

This order and set path is not good enough; chaos is more exciting,

You hope it will be larger than life; a greater cause of your being.

Defy logic, go with impulse and take the plunge when your dream calls.

Go with the flow till then and you will get to choose your triumphs and falls.