Drawing Lines ? August 19, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Thoughts, World of Cubes.Tags: Thoughts, Workplace
4 comments
“S” was very happy.
Some background : “S” is my female collegue and married. “D” is another work associated sitting in another part of the globe. From a different culture and married.
She shares fairly good relationship with “D”. I mean once in while they speak about family life and all. ( Conversations like how is your husband/wife/kids etc . etc)
One Day , the conversation between us
“S” - Know what today “D” complemented me. 
Me - Really ? What did he say ?
“S” - He saw my pic on Gtalk and said I have a great figure. * Blush Blush *
Me - What ? Did you take that ?
“S” - “What’s wrong with that ? He said whatever he felt !! I think I should not take him so seriously”
Me - Hummm…probably you are right . It is just may be the cultural difference.
It got me thinking. Is it really ethical to pass on such a comment to your workplace associate ; especially of the opposite gender. I agree it depends on individual relationships you develop with each other. But when a relationship is more work related than a personal one ; isn’t it necessary to draw the boundaries ?
Or may be I am just being too old fashioned who thinks this is not a professional behavior. Or may be the value system that has been embedded deep inside me that says you should respect your married or unmarried lady colleagues.
Take your Pick July 26, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Rantings, World of Cubes.Tags: Rantings, Workplace
4 comments
Which one is your favorite jargon ? To climb that corporate ladder faster and smoother. Take your pick.
- Hard work : It works (everybody says so !! ) ..well most of the time. It is different than sitting late in office or working on weekends. The quality of work speaks…but it is not loud and not audible at times !! or people tend to act deaf eared.
- Chamachagiri/Mascofying : The easiest way to climb up. But mind you it is a skill. People need to acquire it. Ignore those nasty looks. They are plain jealous of you because it is not their cup of tea.
- Self Marketing : Self Marketing is MUST. It does not matter even if the task is carried out by someone else. You should be capable to market yourself so that people should notice your importance. Every one sentence among 3 should say how and what you are good at.
- Talking Puppet : Talk , Talk and just Talk. Numbers,figures,jargons,news and everything else other than actual work done. A super duper communication skill. You said Work ? Aha that you can get it done !! Right ?
- Hide in the Cave : You have got the knowledge ? Hide it !! Don’t ever let out anything easily. Don’t be easy approachable. Keep that dependency going on strong. If people get it out from you they will fix the issue on their own , you will lose your importance. No ?
- Networking : Don’t ever miss that round of coffee or evening snack with Managers. Never throw excuses for that late night drink party. All the corporate decisions are aired at such places. Be in the pictures next to those powerful people always. Know the exact routes to reach there. Just keep your ears open all the time.
- Misfit : You have a low profile; all you do is let your work speak ? You don’t contribute to office politics ? Nobody invites you to that evening coffee ? You have difficulty to talk about your strengths ? You don’t know ‘Who’s who” ? People take you granted because you are approachable ? I pity you poor fellow. You are not made for this CORPORATE WORLD. Forget climbing up the ladder and promotions. You are in wrong lane Boss !!
Sirji July 11, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Memories, World of Cubes.Tags: Cubicles, Office
3 comments
“M” or “Sirji ” as I used call him left the organization. Well all will do the same sooner or later. He was one of the great manager I got to work with. The way excelled in his career in the span of six years was really commendable.
I really liked him for his straight forward , upfront attitude and dynamic style of management. The exact same set of reasons for which people hated him. They could not stand his no nonsense behavior.
He successfully built the teams from scratch , in fact he was exampled for that. We had huge huge arguments when we worked together. At the end of which we landed up respecting each other even more.
He has moved on. He will go great as any organizations will happy to have him.
People are busy to find his replacement. Right now they think it is not possible to manage the kingdom he built without him.
Things will change; thoughts will dilute. Life will move on.
Why are we like this ? March 27, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Perceptions of Life, World of Cubes.Tags: Perceptions, Workplace
2 comments
Conversation with M …
M : ” Know what “P” , “T” too got the promo this time !!”
Me : “Good hai yaar !! “
M : ” But “T” has being very wicked”
Me : “How? “
M : ” He did not do anything in the project. I did the whole work. Still he managed to get the promo !! “
Me: ” C’mon Mgr would have know what he did and unless he thinks that “T” deserves the promo he would not have considered it “
M : ” Nahi , Sacchi I am telling you ; he did not do anything !! He just have good relations with Mgr”
Me : “Humm”
M : ” Hardwork does not count after all 
“
Me : “Yaaar you too got the promo for all you did right ? then why crib ? “
M : ” Not cribbing re but you know “T” did not deserve this :|”
Me : ” Leave him aside yaar. Let those people think about it. Why we bother and get worked up ? “
M : “humm..”
Me : ” See you got whatever you wanted. Then why worry what “T” got or “P” got ?”
M : ” Guess you are right. I think I should be happy about the reward I got. “
Me : “In the process of thinking why they got what they got; you will land up losing the happiness of your reward; which is not worth in my opinion. “
M : ” Yup it makes sense “
M is a streotype like many of us. We tend to lose our happiness so easily after viewing something that does not appeal to our thoughts. Don’t we ? We bother so much about why someone is getting that something; which we don’t have instead of looking at what we have got !!
Ever thought why are we like this ?
Cost-Cutting March 21, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in World of Cubes.Tags: Cafeteria, Cost Cutting, Workplace
2 comments
“Cost-Cutting” seems to be the buzz world
in the corporate galore these days.
Everybody, each department is adding their two cents to this movement.
How come the cafeteria folks will stay behind?
I find that these people have very innovative ideas of cost – cutting.
Come over have a look!!
Six months ago:
The cafeteria folks provided the sugar coated and mint flavored Saunf (Fennel Seed). A soothing thing that would make you crib less about the tasteless food you just had !!
Sigh ! This lasted only for a month or so. The cafeteria folks decided that people should not get habitual to this luxury (?).
Five Months Back:
They replace the mint flavored Saunf with plain sugar coated Saunf. Now choice is yours do you want to have those extra empty calories?
If NO, please skip these tiny tid-bits!! Still it was fine ; people did not seem to get affected by those extra kgs. These folks who claim they take care of your health ( by providing deep fried snacks 
) got to do something about it .
Fourth Month:
They started mixing normal non roasted green saunf along with the sweetened saunf. It means in the bowl full of normal Saunf you will find those white colored sweet saunf seeds laying here and there. (Call it mixing if you can 
)
Okay they don’t want people to eat too much of sweet. But people seem to pick up only white Saunf from the bowl leaving the rest then and there.
Oops !! That idea was such a failure. The cafeteria manager would have thought of firing the guy who gave this idea.
Three months ago:
Alright; let’s kill the root cause. Stop adding those white sweet saunf.
“ Naa rahega Baans ; Naa Bajegi Baansuri” !!
Instead think of something which is really not expensive. Use your brains Damn it !!
One month back:
Now we have Saunf added with Crystal Sugar/Mishari!!
Now this is what I call being real creative in the dead area of Cost Cutting !! 
Now:
Mishari is missing…sweet Saunf is seen nowhere. The Saunf is available only during lunch. Not at other times.
You said quality of the Saunf? Less said is better about it!! Saunf is free after all ..when we are not suppose to question about the quality of the food you pay for how can you question quality of the Saunf?
Future:
It won’t come as surprise if free Saunf becomes a thing of past; or we land up paying for the Saunf.
One thing is for sure; the cafeteria guys are real creative and they exactly know where to do cost-cutting. They are expert in it. But you talk about improving the food quality the creativity disappears as if it never existed. Hats Off !!
Not on a Sunday Morning March 16, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Random Scribbles, Rantings, World of Cubes.Tags: Sunday, Workplace
1 comment so far
- You are enjoying the sugary sweet sleep on the lazy Sunday Morning.
- You have totally forgotten; there is event happening at work front
and you were supposed to be online and logged in. - You forget work related things especially on Sunday
- The thing happens which you are not expecting.
- You get a call from Hot Seat Guy stating there is an issue and it needs your attention.
- You half alseep; take few moments to understand what he is talking about.
- Still you tell him ; you will have a look.
- Running around to put the laptop on and get onto the mails and other stuff.
- The sleep is not seen anywhere near by.
- Issue resolved and closed. ( Thank GOD !! )
- This is how your Sunday gets screwed up !!
Sucess is Situational March 14, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Cheerios, Dreams and Desires, World of Cubes.Tags: Happiness, Workplace
7 comments
Yesterday I got mail from “K”. She was bubbling with enthusiasm
and happiness. Relocated to Chennai and got a better opportunity
and better prospects and more than anything else She is “Happy”.
I guess that matters most at the end of the day.
It has not been too long. I still remember the day when “K” got laid off. I was shocked and shivering when I saw the HR making her walk off the floor. When I talked to her on a later date; she was inconsolable. It was one of the situation when what ever positive words you try telling they tend to lose their meaning.
But God was kind enough. Within months time she got the job into another MNC. Well it does come with cons attached but at times one needs to decide on priorities. After all “Kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai”
The good part is she got the technology she wanted to work into. She got promoted to next role. She is loving the work given to her. She is getting to work with one of the prestigious client. Life has moved on.
It is strange right ? At one workplace; success seem so distant. At another place you taste success at every step you take. Don’t know what it is. Success is situational probably. What makes this change ? People, vibes , probably the change itself. The best part is when you think you have reached at the dead end of life ; you see light at the end of the tunnel leading to the whole new world of dreams. Not giving up is the mantra.
Life is fun. The night ends and day follows. Being happy about what life has offered you is important. It is the survival instinct. Happy for you “K”
Preferences ?? March 11, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in World of Cubes.Tags: Boss, Work
7 comments
Will you prefer a lady being your boss? Do you think gender contribute to being a good or bad boss?
I know we cannot have generic answers to these questions. Being Good boss or bad one will be person dependent. We have many ladies ruling the world. Forbes list of most powerful ladies proves that.
But let’s leave them aside for a while. What does your experience say? I don’t want to talk about these powerful ladies who are leading at high positions. I am referring to that one who is probably your immediate boss?
Are women bosses seem to treat other women subordinates rudely? Are they less empathetic when it comes to understand problems of other female colleagues?
When it comes to behaving with other women; do the jealousy, looks, money rule over other leadership values? Are they the last one to look up to when you need someone’s help? Are they the first one when it comes to sack the other female reportees?
When it comes to selecting the team; do they give preference to boys; because they tend to have fewer problems?
When “G” was given the pink slip; her immediate manager and HRG both were ladies. It could be more of coincidence. I have had good and bad both kinds of female bosses. Both bosses showcased the typical female characteristics like jealousy, politics etc. I don’t happen to see this mess up when the boss is male. Probably because we tend to mingle too much with lady boss as compared to a male boss. It nowhere means having a male boss is rose colored picture perfect scene.
Another lady boss told me it is pretty easy for ladies to become good managers because we are used to handle too many people. We survive through home politics; hence office politics becomes a cake walk. Interesting thoughts I would say even though I would refrain myself indulging into such stuff.
What would be your preference any day given a chance?
Out of the List… March 6, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Low Tides, Perceptions of Life, World of Cubes.Tags: Work, Cubes
1 comment so far
Today I had to knock out another person’s name from my communicator contacts list. It hurts …
It has been the trend from past few months. Some resigned; some got the pink slip. No matter what ever been the reason the names are going down and down. It hurts more when people go for a wrong reason.
Wondering how much it would have been painful for them who actually went through it. I can never understand what it takes to ask people leave; then and there without even glancing back at your cube/desk.
Does it hurt ? or it is mere part of your job? or the more you take it part of your job; it hurts less. Don’t know how it is and what is the logic behind.
Any ways having said one needs to move on. End of one job is not the end of life right ? Need to keep that brave face up and look for more open doors. I am sure sooner or later they would have got / they will get it ; may be better than the current one. Who knows?
P.S. Communicator is the kind of chatting software which is used in local area network ; within the intranet.
Of Networking etc etc. March 3, 2008
Posted by BlueMist in Rantings, World of Cubes.Tags: Office, Rants
6 comments
I am more of a private person. I seriously don’t like people crossing their limits when talking about others personal stuff. Don’t know about others; but I am very catious when I talk to other people and draw the line no matter how close is the person. We all have to issues/topics/feelings/emotions we don’t want to talk about and I respect that.
But unfortunately I have come across very few people who realize this. Those people who are great at networking; I have found that they are great at gossip as well. Tell them one news and with in minutes; it is talk of the town. I don’t understand the fun in it and there is no concern that it might hurt the sentiments of the people involved into the news.
Frankly I find it very cheap. I would skip such kind of networking and prefer being alone. I fail to understand why people want to know things like
“If it is love marriage or arrange marriage ? “
“Does she earn more than her spouse ? “
“You are married for so and so years then still why you don’t have kids ? “
“You are a vegetarian and your spouse is not. Probably because you have love marriage ? “
“What does that so and so managers wife does ?Does she work ? “
” X and Y are always together. Are they seeing each other ? “
“Oh her husband is not with her. Guess they have some issues. ”
Total crap. Man , go and get a life. There is so much to worry about your own life; why bother about what is happening in other’s personal life ? Give a break and see how best you can do for yourself.
Many of them are aware that they are collecting gossip information and they are cool about it. They tell clearly “I am asking you because I can not ask the person involved directly “. Whoa what guts I must say !!
I have no words to tell them; and it is not of use. They better learn to keep the distance otherwise they will definitely get back. Oh yes ; they deserve that !!
P.S: If you feel the post is sounding strong; forgive me; these people really get onto my nerves.
