Engaged minds

This video was conceived and animated by Shruti Shah in 9th grade.   It shows a different perspective of learning maths.   Math can be boring but how a cartoon can make it lively and interesting is what is in this video.  Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxu7rHQGVC0&li.   

Everyone wants to hire the best talent but there is hardly a correlation between hiring the best (perceived) talent and a successful hire.  For most jobs, except technical and professional, good grades, GPA’s, past performance, pedigree, analytical and diagnostic tests, and experience do not guarantee a successful hire. However, there is high degree of correlation in technical jobs as skills, education and past experience can be easily matched with job requirements.  The probability of success of a hire increases when the manager empowers, provides challenging and responsible job assignments, nurtures, nudges and coaches, and fuels passion. Success of a new hire (and employees) is highly driven by the team, manager, leader(s) and organisation culture which includes good process, systems, leadership attitude and approach that allows people to think differently and engage. Meritocratic, growth and performance oriented compensation plan that ensures equal and fair opportu...

Successful teams are always feared for their performance but what makes them tick and exceed performance are some of the values that they imbibe from their coach.  Team players may change however values and culture remain steadfast.   Both l eaders and teams needs to recognize these values to succeed as teams and as individuals; the expectations and responsibilities from leaders and teams are equal. After the leader creates and perpetuates the right environment and behaviours, the teams overwhelms the leader.  Championing of vision, goals and execution by one and all. All in sync to score a common goal and vision. One team one goal: united we score and win, divided we fall.   Customer and market focus, people oriented, innovative and insightful, high performance ensures a thriving and profitable business. Co-operation and collaboration.  Staying together until the last mile and helping each other is one mantra. When one member derails (or...

There are compelling anecdotes (and stories)  that I have learnt and experienced in my professional life so far that has captivated my mind and also effectively captured a business situation.  These anecdotes have provided a strong and sustainable foundation for an on the job experiential learning and its application for  high performance,  critical decision-making, problem solving, to communicate and mentor and build sustainable business and teams. Innovation: Innovate or perish! Innovation creates a finite annuity. Multiple annuity creates sustainability. As a rule of thumb, 30% of annual revenues must come from innovations.  Re-engineering a copy leads to innovation. Most innovations are either improvisation or variations or modifications of the original piece; very few are originals.  Customers, people of the ground, and competitor provide best clues and feedback for innovations and improvisations. Listening a...

There are compelling anecdotes (and stories)  that I have learnt and experienced in my professional life so far that has captivated my mind and also effectively captured a business situation.  These anecdotes have provided a strong and sustainable foundation for an on the job experiential learning and its application for  high performance,  critical decision-making, problem solving, to communicate and mentor and build sustainable business and teams. People:  We are in people business! All business is all about people; people are the multiplier or de-railers. Match people’s passions to company goals!  Your ego, my money! You don't necessarily get both so make the choice.  Nothing is personal; it is business as usual and it's all in the game.  There is first time and a 2nd chance for everything. Even babies listen, trip, and blabber for over a year before they speak and walk. You need a good mentor and need to be shamele...

There are compelling anecdotes (and stories)  that I have learnt and experienced in my professional life so far that has captivated my mind and also effectively captured a business situation.  These anecdotes have provided a strong and sustainable foundation for an on the job experiential learning and its application for  high performance,  critical decision-making, problem solving, to communicate and mentor and build sustainable business and teams. Investing and origination: Only invest or originate in what you understand and at the right price for right value and risk. Information and insight is money. There is too much information, insight and wisdom makes the difference.  Be opportunistic, focus on a sustainable income annuity and pinch pennies. Buy at the point of maximum pessimism; sell at the point of maximum optimism. Buy low, sell high. Buy the facts, sell rumour.  A bird in hand is worth more than a...

There are compelling anecdotes (and stories) that I have learnt and experienced in my professional life so far that has captivated my mind and also effectively captured a business situation.  These anecdotes have provided a strong and sustainable foundation for an on the job experiential learning and its application for  high performance,  critical decision-making, problem solving, to communicate and mentor and build sustainable business and teams. Structuring: The sum of parts is more than sum of whole. A dead elephant is worth more than a live; clear the clutter and the rot. Analyse, re-engineer, learn and unlearn, create and re-create. Attention to detail, commercial viability, foresight and risk analysis precedes a successful structure. Smart deals go beyond numbers! What matter is the synergy, risk management, customer needs, commercial considerations, market insights, reputation and reliability, humility, culture and people...

We will be completing our 20th year of a successful alliance;  a fulfilling journey, enjoying every moment and looking forward to more fun.   Looking back down memory lane, I fondly recall (with  limited memory) my journey to the wedding venue. Squeezed between my grandmother and my best friend, in the back seat of the car, the only way to beat the anxiety and joy was to listen to my grandmother’s  sternly delivered   sermons on living through a successful and blissful marriage. T hese sermons is a reflection of the wisdom that has has been passed on for generations and a reflection of her personal experiences and her story.  Though her journey, experience and circumstances were different, many of her sermons aren't redundant and still encouraging; many of these find application in managing business, building effective personal relationships, employee engagement and retention.  Beauty is just not skin deep; look beyond the façade. Ma...

Somewhere in the wilderness of Serengeti...a Lion pondered on his life journey so far successful and accomplished life!!   While he looked at his reflection in the water, he realized and muttered to himself " W ow!  I made  it,   I thrived, enjoyed and had fun!  after all those jibes, hurts, scars and bruises, a fter all of those trials, tribulations and triumph, not only I made it through I did very well for myself and also others.  Not only did I survive what was supposed to kill me but I thrived. I build a pack which hunted well and did good for themselves and their families. The best is yet to be.  Now I must straig hten my crown, wait for my next opportunity  in the wilderness like a lion king !!   A Lion is always a lion! In the company of lions, a lion is the lion. In a company of jackals, the lion trains and makes all jackals fight like a lion ! "