How to avoid being overlooked at your job

Have you ever come across a situation when you were overlooked by your boss while at your job ?

Try out the following which could prove worthwhile:

• Simply ignore certain things : When you ignore certain things you do not want, such an approach constitutes your self-respect.
• Learn to say 'No' : This is a skill you ought to develop. Be polite, yet firm to say 'No' to things you wish to avoid as this helps to conserve your energy for things you desire to do.
• Keep you temper on ice : Never allow your temper to fly. In other words, always be composed as it enhances your interpersonal relationship with others.
• Be resourceful : Organizations love to have employees who can make things happen. This will increase your 'visibility'.
• Set priorities : Avoid running into a stage of over-stress and 'burnout'. Yet do a little extra which others might not. This would enable you to get noticed.
• Emerge as a leader: Creativity and innovation would help on this front. Ingenuity matters.
• Concentrate on key issues: Do not let the trivial bother you. Once you focus on right things, you will eventually become conspicuous.
• Remember the 'P-O' fit: Success results when P(for Preparation) meets O(for Opportunity). So, do not get bogged down with failuresHone you skills : Expanding your expertise makes you 'wanted'.
• Learn the art of co-determination : This means to imbibe the habit of collective problem-solving.

Happy Working !!!

Contributed By:
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

Culture is the King

In today’s context, Culture of an Organization is the prime differentiator between a good and not so good company, however it is the only differentiator between a good and GREAT company!!!

The reason for this is as follows:

• All performance is driven by Culture
• Competitors can copy Product/Services/Branding but cannot copy CULTURE (Sustainable Competitive advantage)
• Convey right perspective to all Stakeholders
• Help to imbibe Organizational Pride which is critical to hold on to the talents
• Trust & Commitment
• Loyalty & Passion
• Emotional Bonding
• Contribution to Success
• Ability to reach out to clients
• High Performance
• Creativity to think differently
• Sense of ownership

The best way to develop Culture in a Company is through the 4 way approach -

1. Awareness & Reflection – Some of the tools for doing so are as follows
   • Employee Survey
   • Trust Index/Trust Audits
   • Benchmark Cultural Practices
   • Study Missions/Awareness Workshops
   • Action Planning Workshops
   • Communication – Communication - Communication
   • Ownership Building Events
   • Stakeholders Feedback
2. Capability Building – can be managed through the following initiatives
   • Leadership Training & Coaching
   • Training of the Line Manager
   • Coaching & Mentoring Skills
   • HR (Gurukul/Sherpa Approach)
   • People Leadership Assessment
   • Incubation approach
   • Rituals & Programs
   • Repetition & Sustenance
3. Promotion & Engagement – this is important and can be facilitated through the following measures
   • Vision/Mission/Core Values (Review periodically)
   • Culture Alignment
   • Internal Branding
   • External Branding
   • Leveraging Unique Attributes
   • Aligning EVP with Customer Value Proposition
   • EVP to Attract & Retain
   • Innovation@Workplace
4. Institutionalization – last but not the least this approach creates sustainability and scalability
• Design of People Systems & Processes
• Implementation & Support
• Create High Performance Culture which facilitates to execute Strategy
• Align Total Reward Strategy to Business Outcomes
• Establish Emerging People Paradigm – Employee as an Investor
• Aligning Leadership to Culture Building

Contributed By:
Mr. Ranjan Sarkar
Senior Vice President - HR & Corporate Communication,
Acclaris Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

An Obituary printed in the London Times

Interesting and sadly rather true.

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: -

• Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
• Why the early bird gets the worm;
• Life isn't always fair;
• and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

Source: The London Times

The 5S of house-keeping

This is a Japanese concept which denotes seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.

The English versions are sorting, straightening, systematic cleaning, standardizing, and sustaining. At times, another S. safety is included.

Briefly, the implications are:

• Sorting: Eliminate things which are non-essential. Keep only those things which are necessary.
• Straightening: Set things in order in such a way that it is easily accessible.
• Systematic cleaning: Tidiness, cleanliness are the rules of the game.
• Standardizing: Consistency should be maintained so everyone observes the first 3S's through awareness of responsibilities.
• Sustaining: Prevent rollback to old ways;even think of better ways

The sixth S refers to workplace safety.

5S principle is observed by companies through signs and posters which help to educate employees on the 5S's.

Contributed By:
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

Cardinal Principles of Discipline

Discipline is the key to success in whatever a person does. Here are five cardinal principles of discipline:

• Showing respect to seniors: Talent itself will lead nowhere unless an individual is disciplined in this area. This improves one's acceptance and trustworthiness.
• Commitment to work: Involvement in one's work and attention to details 'without looking at the watch for an early close' pays off phenomenally.
• Punctuality: Meeting cut-off dates and setting priorities right is the rule of the game. Distinguishing between things urgent and things important is essential.
• Being cooperative: Teamwork matters. It generates synergy and fosters a sense of togetherness which is necessary for mutual charm.
• Ethicality in action: Rectitude 'keeps the house in order'. The voice of conscience should be listened to.This generates an atmosphere of sanctity and piousness.

Contributed By:
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

New Public Management

The public sector has always been at the vortex of controversy and debate as regards its style of functioning. A management philosophy,by way of modernisation, which is used by governments throughout the world is referred to as New Public Management(NPM). The key to NPM is more market orientation in the public sector. This will lead to greater cost efficiency in governments while being devoid of other deleterious effects resulting from such an approach. Bureaucracy is less and personal characteristics of employees are more customer-friendly. Hierarchy gives rise to networkedness and political influences in decision-making are minimal.

Contributed By:
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)

Organizational Citizenship Behaviour

One of the contemporary areas in the field of Organizational Behaviour and Development is Organizational Citizenship Behaviour under the acronym OCB.

OCB is unique in that it is non-traditional and out of the clutches of a formal reward system. Though it is beneficial to the organization,it is purely under the volition of the individual who indulges in behaviour triggered by personal choice and is non-mandatory in that it does not fetch any punishment lest such behviour is not displayed.OCB enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of an organization and enhances its productivity.Two specific examples in point would include an employee who is apolitical by nature at domestic or social life will also act likewise in her/his professional work in the organization.;alternately,an employee who voluntarily takes part in collective decision-making process will tend to be more involved in work and perform better than those who are indifferent when it comes to joint-decision-making.

Contributed By:
Prof. D. P. Chattopadhyay
(Globsyn Business School)