Pet Parenting Story
My Name is Sherry Childhood Memories of a Doberman X Girl
Monday, November 29, 2010
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Vikram Karve - Books, Fiction, Musings, Writing: Appetite for a Stroll Food for the Soul
Vikram Karve - Books, Fiction, Musings, Writing: Appetite for a Stroll Food for the Soul:
"APPETITE FOR A STROLL Food for the Soul Book Review Here is a Review of my Book APPETITE FOR A STROLLAppetite For A Stroll Food For The So..."
"APPETITE FOR A STROLL Food for the Soul Book Review Here is a Review of my Book APPETITE FOR A STROLLAppetite For A Stroll Food For The So..."
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mysore Sandal Soap - A TANTALIZING BATH and A LINGERING FRAGRANCE
A TANTALIZING BATH and A LINGERING FRAGRANCE
Mysore Sandal Soap
By
VIKRAM KARVE
I am feeling good. It is a sultry hot morning, yet I am feeling good. I’ve just had a bath with Mysore Sandal Soap. I feel clean, refreshed and smell nice with the lingering spicy smell of Sandalwood.
I clearly remember my first tryst with Mysore Sandal Soap. Way back in the 1960s, we used to travel twice a year from the “upcountry” to Pune for our vacations. There were no direct trains to Pune then and we had to travel via Mumbai. So we came down from the upcountry by famous trains, like the Frontier Mail, the Howrah Mail, the Calcutta Mail or the Punjab Mail, feeling all scruffy and weary, covered with coal dust, got off Dadar in the morning and went to my grand-aunt’s house in Hindu Colony nearby.
The old-style house had a huge spotlessly clean tiled bathroom and it was there that I first discovered Mysore Sandal Soap.
It was a leisurely relaxed bathing experience, the soothing lather of Mysore Sandal Soap softening my skin, and I would emerge fully refreshed exuding the tantalizing yet subtle lingering fragrance of sandalwood.
Then, after a sumptuous breakfast, we would board a bus from Dadar TT or a local from the station to South Mumbai, spend the day loafing, window shopping, browsing books, a movie and a meal and then head to CST [then known as Bombay VT] to catch the Deccan Queen to Pune.
Since then Mysore Sandal Soap is my all time favourite and I truly enjoy the luxurious bathing experience every morning, and in the evenings too. Being an “old timer” I prefer the subtle lingering natural fragrance of sandalwood rather than the overpowering synthetic scent of present day deodorants. Those days the focus was on cleanliness and hygiene rather than masking your body odour by spraying your body copiously with strong smelling deodorants.
A nice soothing bath, skin feeling soft and nourished, feeling clean, refreshed, smelling natural, gently exuding the lingering gentle comforting fresh fragrance of sandalwood…that’s what makes me feel good…rather than the present day practice of profusely deodorizing one’s body till one reeks of artificial overpowering standardized perfume all day.
If you haven’t, try it out, have a tantalizing bathing experience with Mysore Sandal Soap, especially on a hot summer day, and tell us how you liked it…
You’ll feel good…you can take my word for it.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. © vikram karve., all rights reserved.
VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Saturday, July 31, 2010
A PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACH TO LIFE - THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING
THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING
A Happy and Carefree Philosophy of Life
By
VIKRAM KARVE
There is one book you will never find in my bookcase – you will always find it by my bedside near my pillow. At night, just before I go to sleep, I open this book to any random page, and read on till I drift off to blissful idyllic sleep.
The name of this book, which has had a profound defining effect on me, maybe even subconsciously shaped my philosophy of life, is called: The Importance of Living written in 1937 by the Chinese philosopher Lin Yutang.
But first, let me tell you a story, maybe apocryphal, about a scholar who had thoroughly studied the Bhagavad Gita for many years, and who considered himself an expert, and traveled far and wide delivering discourses on the teachings of the Gita and was widely acknowledged as an authority on the subject.
The scholar's ultimate desire was to deliver a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita atBenares , which was the sanctum sanctorum of learning.
The scholar's ultimate desire was to deliver a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita at
So he went to Benares , and impressed by the scholar’s erudition and fame, the King of Benares invited the scholar to deliver a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita in his court.
All the wise men ofBenares assembled to hear the Scholar, but just as he began to speak the King interrupted him and told him to read the Bhagavad Gita one more time in the evening and deliver his discourse the next day.
The Scholar was furious but he had no choice but to comply with the king’s wishes.
All the wise men of
The Scholar was furious but he had no choice but to comply with the king’s wishes.
As he read the Bhagavad Gita with full concentration in the evening, he realized some new meanings and updated his speech accordingly.
Next day the same thing happened – the moment the scholar began to speak the King interrupted him and told him to read the Gita once more and then come the next day to give his lecture.
And again as the Scholar read the Gita he comprehended some new wisdom – something he hadn’t perceived before. So he incorporated his new findings and proceeded to deliver his talk.
Next day the same thing happened – the moment the scholar began to speak the King interrupted him and told him to read the Gita once more and then come the next day to give his lecture.
And again as the Scholar read the Gita he comprehended some new wisdom – something he hadn’t perceived before. So he incorporated his new findings and proceeded to deliver his talk.
Once again the same thing happened – the king interrupted him and told him to read the Gita once more before he gave his discourse. And again the scholar discovered some new wisdom in the Gita.
This cycle went on for days and days till the scholar realized how ignorant he was and how much more there was to learn from the Bhagavad Gita that he gave up the idea of delivering the discourse and decided to totally devote his entire efforts to the study of the Bhagavad Gita.
This cycle went on for days and days till the scholar realized how ignorant he was and how much more there was to learn from the Bhagavad Gita that he gave up the idea of delivering the discourse and decided to totally devote his entire efforts to the study of the Bhagavad Gita.
Days passed, and suddenly one morning, when the scholar was deeply immersed in his study, the King went to the scholar’s house, sat before him with folded hands and requested the scholar to enlighten him about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
It’s the same with any great book.
Every time you read it, something new emerges, and you realize you have so much more to learn from it.
Every time you read it, something new emerges, and you realize you have so much more to learn from it.
Now let me tell you about The Importance of Living, my favourite book, a philosophical treatise that enriched my life and taught me the Art of Living.
Title: THE IMPORTANCE OF LIVING
Author: LIN YUTANG
Published: 1937 (New York , USA
ISBN: 81-7224-829
I have read The Importance of Living innumerable times, again and again, with renewed pleasure, and every time I read it I imbibe a special different philosophical flavor, and grasp new wisdom, which delves on all aspects of the art of living, and I have realized that there is more significance and value in Lin Yutang’s magnum opus than I am capable of appreciating.
So let me not be as presumptuous as to attempt to evaluate this classic treatise – I’ll just try to gently pilot you along in random vignettes to give you a flavor of this delightful philosophical gem.
Let’s open this delightful book to a few random pages, read some lines to give you glimpse into the wisdom on the art of living contained in this masterpiece.
In the section on Leisure and Friendship are these words: “Only those who take leisurely what the people of the world are busy about can be busy about what the people of the world take leisurely”.
Reflect on this, let these words perambulate in your mind for some time. There is nothing that man enjoys more than leisure.
The highest value of time is when you are doing what you love and want to do. During leisure you are free to choose what you want to do and enjoy doing.
Leisure enables you to realize the highest value of your time!
In the section on Leisure and Friendship are these words: “Only those who take leisurely what the people of the world are busy about can be busy about what the people of the world take leisurely”.
Reflect on this, let these words perambulate in your mind for some time. There is nothing that man enjoys more than leisure.
The highest value of time is when you are doing what you love and want to do. During leisure you are free to choose what you want to do and enjoy doing.
Leisure enables you to realize the highest value of your time!
Tell me, why do you work?
Is it for job satisfaction, "on the job"?
Or is it to earn money "on the job" so that you can enjoy satisfaction "off the job", to enhance the quality of your free time?
In fact, most of us work for our leisure, because there is nothing we enjoy more than leisure.
Elaborating on a theory of leisure the book says: “Time is useful because it is not being used. Leisure is like unoccupied floor space in a room…it is that unoccupied space which makes a room habitable, as it is our leisure hours which make our life endurable”.
Is it for job satisfaction, "on the job"?
Or is it to earn money "on the job" so that you can enjoy satisfaction "off the job", to enhance the quality of your free time?
In fact, most of us work for our leisure, because there is nothing we enjoy more than leisure.
Elaborating on a theory of leisure the book says: “Time is useful because it is not being used. Leisure is like unoccupied floor space in a room…it is that unoccupied space which makes a room habitable, as it is our leisure hours which make our life endurable”.
Those who are wise won’t be busy, and those who are too busy can’t be wise.
Enunciating the distinction between Buddhism and Taoism: “The goal of the Buddhist is that he shall not want anything, while the goal of the Taoist is that he shall not be wanted at all”, the author describes the tremendous advantages of obscurity, and deduces that only he who is not wanted by the public can be a carefree individual.
It is true isn’t it – only he who is a carefree individual can be a happy human being?
Lin Yutang deliberates delightfully on his philosophical view: “Nothing matters to a man who says nothing matters”.
It is true isn’t it – only he who is a carefree individual can be a happy human being?
Lin Yutang deliberates delightfully on his philosophical view: “Nothing matters to a man who says nothing matters”.
“How are we to live? How shall we enjoy life, and who can best enjoy life?”
The feast of life is before us; the only question is what appetite we have for it.
The feast of life is before us; the only question is what appetite we have for it.
The appetite is vital, not the feast.
This delightful treatise gives us insights on how to develop, enhance and refine our appetites in order to enjoy various facets of living.
The capacity for true enjoyment comes from an inner richness in a man who loves the simple ways of life.
There is always plenty of life to enjoy for a man who is determined to enjoy it.
This delightful treatise gives us insights on how to develop, enhance and refine our appetites in order to enjoy various facets of living.
The capacity for true enjoyment comes from an inner richness in a man who loves the simple ways of life.
There is always plenty of life to enjoy for a man who is determined to enjoy it.
You may find some of the author’s views a bit passé – “mere relationship between man and woman is not sufficient; the relationship must result in babies, or it is incomplete” or “woman reaches her noblest status only as a mother, and that wife who by choice refuses to become a mother… loses a great part of her dignity…and stands in danger of becoming a plaything” or “a natural man loves his children, but a cultured man loves his parents” or “The art of attaining happiness consists in keeping your pleasures mild” or “It is against the will of God to eat delicate food hastily, to pass gorgeous views hurriedly, to express deep sentiments superficially, to pass a beautiful day steeped in food and drink, and to enjoy your wealth steeped in luxuries” – think about it, reflect a bit, and you may detect a iota of authenticity in these nuggets.
The book has fourteen chapters, embellished with epigrams, teaching stories, ancient wisdom and wit, on various aspects of the importance and enjoyment of living and once you start reading it this book is indeed so engrossing that it is truly unputdownable.
The Importance of Loafing, The Enjoyment of the Home, Nature, Travel, Culture, The Arts of Thinking, Eating,Reading
The Importance of Loafing, The Enjoyment of the Home, Nature, Travel, Culture, The Arts of Thinking, Eating,
“He who is afraid to use an ‘I’ in his writing will never make a good writer” and “anyone who reads a book with a sense of obligation does not understand the art of reading… to be thoroughly enjoyed, reading must be entirely spontaneous…you can leave the books that you don’t like alone, and let other people read them!”
The best way to read The Importance of Living is to open any page and browse whatever appeals to you, randomly, in an unstructured and haphazard manner.
Think of yourself as a traveler in the philosophical or spiritual domain.
The essence of travel is to have no destination.
A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to; a perfect traveler does not know where he came from!
A true traveler is always a vagabond – he travels to see nothing, to see nobody, with plenty of time and leisure, with the true motive to become lost and unknown.
Think of yourself as a traveler in the philosophical or spiritual domain.
The essence of travel is to have no destination.
A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to; a perfect traveler does not know where he came from!
A true traveler is always a vagabond – he travels to see nothing, to see nobody, with plenty of time and leisure, with the true motive to become lost and unknown.
Are you the ambitious competitive go-getter obsessed with an overpowering desire for achieving quick success – craving for power, wealth, fame, and the status and money-oriented aspects of life?
Do you value material possessions more than peace of mind?
Is external achievement more important than inner tranquility?
Do you value material possessions more than peace of mind?
Is external achievement more important than inner tranquility?
If your answer to any of the questions is “Yes”, then please don’t bother to read this book now, as you may be too “busy” in your own competitive rat race of your own making and probably you don’t have any time to “waste” on anything that doesn’t give you something tangible in return – a solid material ROI (Return on Investment) for investing your valuable time and effort reading this book.
But please don’t forget to read The Importance of Living after you’ve burned out, had a heart attack or suffered a nervous breakdown – when you’ll have plenty of time and, perhaps, the inclination, to reflect, contemplate, and delve more deeply upon the more intangible philosophical aspects of life – and ruminate on how you could have obviated that stressful burn-out, agonizing heart attack or traumatic nervous breakdown.
Here’s Lin Yutang’s take: “Those who are wise won’t be busy, and those who are too busy can’t be wise.”
But please don’t forget to read The Importance of Living after you’ve burned out, had a heart attack or suffered a nervous breakdown – when you’ll have plenty of time and, perhaps, the inclination, to reflect, contemplate, and delve more deeply upon the more intangible philosophical aspects of life – and ruminate on how you could have obviated that stressful burn-out, agonizing heart attack or traumatic nervous breakdown.
Here’s Lin Yutang’s take: “Those who are wise won’t be busy, and those who are too busy can’t be wise.”
If you are happy here and now, wherever you are, in whatever state you are, and you are truly content with what you have, you place living above thinking, and are interested in savoring the feast of life and its joys, then this witty philosophical treatise on the art of living in its entirety is the book for you.
The Importance of Living presents an uncomplicated approach to living life to its fullest in today's rapidly changing, fast paced, competitive, ambition dominated, money and status oriented, commercialized world, enabling each one of us to enjoy inner peace and happiness.
Sometimes, it is a great pity to read a good book too early in life.
The first impression is the one that counts.
Young people should be careful in their reading, as old people in eating their food. They should not eat too much. They should chew it well.
Like you should eat gourmet food only when you are ready for it, you should read a good book only when you are ready for it.
Mature wisdom cannot be appreciated until one becomes mature.
Young people should be careful in their reading, as old people in eating their food. They should not eat too much. They should chew it well.
Like you should eat gourmet food only when you are ready for it, you should read a good book only when you are ready for it.
Mature wisdom cannot be appreciated until one becomes mature.
But The Importance of Living is a book for all ages.
Of 1937 vintage, an ancestor and precursor of modern "self-help" books, it is a delightful philosophical treatise, which advocates a humorous and vagabond attitude towards life and deals with a variety of topics encompassing the art of living.
Is such a happy and carefree philosophy of life relevant today?
Of 1937 vintage, an ancestor and precursor of modern "self-help" books, it is a delightful philosophical treatise, which advocates a humorous and vagabond attitude towards life and deals with a variety of topics encompassing the art of living.
Is such a happy and carefree philosophy of life relevant today?
Why don’t you give it a try and see for yourself.
Slowly, unhurriedly, relaxingly, thoroughly, do peruse this classic masterpiece, absorb the witty wisdom, reflect, try out, practice and incorporate whatever appeals to you in your daily life, ruminate, experiment, enjoy yourself, have a laugh, change your lifestyle, enhance your quality of life, elevate your plane of living, and maybe your entire way of life may change forever.
Slowly, unhurriedly, relaxingly, thoroughly, do peruse this classic masterpiece, absorb the witty wisdom, reflect, try out, practice and incorporate whatever appeals to you in your daily life, ruminate, experiment, enjoy yourself, have a laugh, change your lifestyle, enhance your quality of life, elevate your plane of living, and maybe your entire way of life may change forever.
Dear Reader, I commend this delightfully illuminating book.
Though enunciated with a touch of humor, the thoughts are profound.
Do get a copy of The Importance of Living and read it leisurely.
I’m sure you will find a copy at your nearest bookstore or in your library.
And don’t forget to tell us how you liked it, and whether it changed your way of life for the better.
Though enunciated with a touch of humor, the thoughts are profound.
Do get a copy of The Importance of Living and read it leisurely.
I’m sure you will find a copy at your nearest bookstore or in your library.
And don’t forget to tell us how you liked it, and whether it changed your way of life for the better.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com
Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com © vikram karve., all rights reserved.
ART OF BLOGGING
Characteristics of a Good Blog
FREQUENCY of posts
BREVITY of writing
PERSONALITY of the blogger / blog
FREQUENCY of posts
BREVITY of writing
PERSONALITY of the blogger / blog
Sunday, July 18, 2010
THE PETER PRESCRIPTION Prescriptions on How To Remain Creative and Competent
THE PETER PRESCRIPTION
Prescriptions on How To Remain Creative and Competent
Prescriptions on How To Remain Creative and Competent
Book Review
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Title: The Peter Prescription
Author: Dr. Laurence J. Peter
Published: 1972 (William Morrow)
The hot weather in Pune gives me the golden opportunity to dust off my favourite books from my bookshelves, sit in cool comfort and re-read these lovely books sipping chilled ice-cool lemonade.
I have realized that re-reading good books gives me even greater pleasure.
So that’s what I’m going to do for the next few days – browse my bookshelves, re-read some of my favourite books, and tell you about them.
So that’s what I’m going to do for the next few days – browse my bookshelves, re-read some of my favourite books, and tell you about them.
During my college days, in the 1970’s, I read three non-fiction books which had a lasting impact on me.
The first was Parkinson’s Law (written in 1958) based on the author’s study of the British Civil Service and Admiralty.
The other two books were written by Dr. Laurence J. Peter – The Peter Principle (1969) and The Peter Prescription (1972).
These three Management Classics are a must for the bookshelves of every manager.
The first was Parkinson’s Law (written in 1958) based on the author’s study of the British Civil Service and Admiralty.
The other two books were written by Dr. Laurence J. Peter – The Peter Principle (1969) and The Peter Prescription (1972).
These three Management Classics are a must for the bookshelves of every manager.
Written with incisive wit, Parkinson’s Law is a seminal book on the workings of bureaucracy which is essential reading for any student of Management. It is consummate management classic, a masterpiece, which is a “must read” for every manager and management student.
The Peter Principle, a delightful read, provides a superb insight and intriguing study of hierarchiology.
If The Peter Principle is Dr. Peter’s seminal pioneering work, then The Peter Prescription is his definitive book, a wondeful all-time management classic.
If The Peter Principle is Dr. Peter’s seminal pioneering work, then The Peter Prescription is his definitive book, a wondeful all-time management classic.
If you have not read ‘The Peter Principle’, do read my review of the book, the previous post in my weblog right here.
Understanding ‘The Peter Principle’ is sine qua non, essential prerequisite reading, before you embark upon ‘The Peter Prescription’.
Whereas both Parkinson’s Law and The Peter Principle formulate and substantiate their respective theories, The Peter Prescription is a philosophical self-help treatise on how to achieve happiness in all aspects of life.
Written in his same hilarious inimitable style, Dr. Peter exhorts us to be creative, confident and competent by replacing mindless escalation with life-quality improvement. The message of the book is in congruence with eastern philosophies which focus on inward enhancement rather than outward escalation.
Written in his same hilarious inimitable style, Dr. Peter exhorts us to be creative, confident and competent by replacing mindless escalation with life-quality improvement. The message of the book is in congruence with eastern philosophies which focus on inward enhancement rather than outward escalation.
In his introduction Dr. Peter states: “Many authors offer answers before they understand the questions…….. I understand the operation of the Peter Principle, and the remedies offered are the product of years of research……… prescriptions will lead to great personal fulfillment and joy of real accomplishment.”
The book, interspersed liberally with quotations and case studies, comprises three parts.
The first, titled Incompetence Treadmill explores why conventional solutions not only fail to alleviate the effects of the Peter Principle but may actually serve to escalate the problems.
His analysis of ‘marital incompetence’ is hilarious. A bachelor is a man who looks before he leaps – and then does not leaphe concludes.
With the flattening of hierarchies, I wonder whether, in today's world, there still exist any Professional Processionary Puppets – the organization-men.
It would be worthwhile to look dispassionately, from a distance, into your own organization for similarities to prototypes adorning bureaucracies of yesteryear in order to ascertain whether your own organisation is a modern state-of-the-art progressive one or a rigid hierarchy bound archaic organization heading for decay.
The first, titled Incompetence Treadmill explores why conventional solutions not only fail to alleviate the effects of the Peter Principle but may actually serve to escalate the problems.
His analysis of ‘marital incompetence’ is hilarious. A bachelor is a man who looks before he leaps – and then does not leaphe concludes.
With the flattening of hierarchies, I wonder whether, in today's world, there still exist any Professional Processionary Puppets – the organization-men.
It would be worthwhile to look dispassionately, from a distance, into your own organization for similarities to prototypes adorning bureaucracies of yesteryear in order to ascertain whether your own organisation is a modern state-of-the-art progressive one or a rigid hierarchy bound archaic organization heading for decay.
The meat of the book is in Part Two, titled ‘Protect your Competence’ which elucidate a total of 25 “prescriptions” on how to remain creative and competent throughout your working and personal life.
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that to enjoy it.
The prescriptions, which are condensed wisdom of the ages, guide us on how to achieve this cardinal aim of life.
“The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness” Dr. Peter quotes with elan in this delightful book.
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and after that to enjoy it.
The prescriptions, which are condensed wisdom of the ages, guide us on how to achieve this cardinal aim of life.
“The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness” Dr. Peter quotes with elan in this delightful book.
Competence is a system-governed factor – your competence is as viewed by your bosses (like beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, your competence lies in the eyes of your boss!) and thus the yardsticks of competence are governed by the HR policies in your organization.
Why is everyone around you so competitive...?
Do the HR policies in your organization encourage competition, rat race and reward escalationary behaviour, and if so, what can you do about it...?
Maybe you can find some answers by exploring the prescriptions.
Do the HR policies in your organization encourage competition, rat race and reward escalationary behaviour, and if so, what can you do about it...?
Maybe you can find some answers by exploring the prescriptions.
Let’s have a look at Peter Prescription 3 – The Peter Panorama – which I have used to great effect, which comprises listing your satisfying activities, joyful experiences, pleasant reminiscences, and after introspection make a second list of those which are feasible to do regularly and then make sure you do them whenever feasible.
Enjoyable events begin to crowd out the unpleasant and you feel happy. And, in the extreme, there are prescriptions like utter irrelevance – hilariously effective.
Enjoyable events begin to crowd out the unpleasant and you feel happy. And, in the extreme, there are prescriptions like utter irrelevance – hilariously effective.
Do read, experiment, and try to imbibe the prescriptions in your professional and personal life, and experience the results for yourself.
Introspect, evolve a philosophy of life, fine tune the art of living, concentrate your efforts within your area of competence, and have an improved quality of life consisting of abiding competence and contentment.
If you cannot be happy here and now, you can never be happy.
Introspect, evolve a philosophy of life, fine tune the art of living, concentrate your efforts within your area of competence, and have an improved quality of life consisting of abiding competence and contentment.
If you cannot be happy here and now, you can never be happy.
Part Three of the book is written from the management perspective giving 42 “prescriptions” to Managers to contain and mitigate the effects of The Peter Principle in their domains and manage for competence.
It views The Peter Principle from a manager’s point of view, and assuming the manager himself is not a victim of the Peter Principle, offers valuable tips in the HR Management, particularly recruitment, promotion and selection.
Obviously, outsourcing wasn’t that prevalent way back then in the sixties and seventies, otherwise organizations may even have ‘outsourced’ incompetence.
Isn’t it a brilliant idea to outsource incompetence...?
In the outsourcing jargon, let's call it IPO - Incompetence Process Outsourcing...!!!
Maybe some are doing it already...!
As stated in the introduction, the purpose of The Peter Prescription is to help you explore how you yourself can mitigate the effects of The Peter Principle by avoiding the final placement syndrome, and as a manager, it tells you how to keep your employees at their appropriate competence levels so that they remain happy and productive and help achieve mutual optimal benefit.
First read and understand The Peter Principle.
And then apply to your own life The Peter Prescription and experience genuine personal fulfillment and joy of real accomplishment.
Book Review of The Peter Prescription
by
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this Book Review.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Tuesday, June 08, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
INDUCTION TRAINING Tips for the Trainer
Art of Induction Training
Part 1
WHAT IS INDUCTION TRAINING
Tips for the Induction Trainer
By
VIKRAM KARVE
Are you a dog lover?
Do you have a pet dog?
Have you ever trained dogs?
Yes…?
Then I am sure you know the Art of Induction Training…!
Just as you welcome a new dog into your home, help him adapt, acclimatize, socialize, feel comfortable, settle in and integrate into your family, in the same way, induction training comprises acclimatizing new employees into the organization with the objective of integrating individuals into an effective whole.
While a puppy usually settles in very quickly and adapts to the new environment quite easily, an adult dog often takes longer to acclimatize and may experience adjustment problems.
Similarly there is a difference between the attitudes of “freshers” recruited directly from college campuses and lateral inductees at senior levels who already have work experience in other organizations and may have to “unlearn” some of their earlier ways before learning the new.
There are two facets to training dogs – obedience training and behavioural training – one pertaining to logical “left half” of the brain and the other facet relating to the intuitive “right half” of the brain.
Similarly induction training too has two aspects:
- The “hard” left-brain domain specific training with the objective of identifying and eliminating knowledge and skill gaps by inculcating in the trainee the required domain specific knowledge and specialized skill sets and proficiencies to make good gaps in domain knowledge and cover up specialized skill deficiencies in order to bridge the knowledge, skill and performance gaps to enable the inductee to fit into his role and efficiently perform his designated tasks in the organization, and
- The “soft” right-brain value based training to facilitate seamless integration of newly inducted employees into an organization by achieving harmony and a sense of alignment between individual values and organizational values by reducing value mismatches and encouraging value congruencies.
To put it succinctly the aim of induction training is to add value to the trainee in order to enable the trainee to add value to the organization.
As regards the “hard” part of induction training is concerned, it can be designed using structured training design methodology incorporating need analysis, requirements formulation approach and implemented and evaluated systematically.
Like I drew the analogy with dog training, this “hard” aspect of induction training is akin to formal obedience training for dogs. Now you will train the dog depending on the role you intend for the dog – guard dog, watch dog, guide dog, sniffer dog, detection dog, police dog, search and rescue dog, working dog, shepherd ( livestock guardian ) dog, family dog, companion, therapy dog, lap dog etc – and you can clearly assess the trainee and evaluate the efficacy of the training.
Of course, you must remember that no two dogs are the same and there are breed-specific traits too…!
The objective of the “soft” aspect of induction training is to facilitate seamless integration of newly inducted employees into an organization by achieving harmony and a sense of alignment between individual values and organizational values.
Learning comprises two pedagogic processes:
Getting knowledge that is inside to move out, and
Getting knowledge that is outside to move in.
Thus the approach to induction training must be two pronged:
Encourage and mentor the trainees to look inwards, introspect, ruminate and discover their own personal values [inside -- out], and
Clearly acquaint, apprise, educate, edify, enlighten the trainees about organizational values [outside -- in] and try to inculcate organizational values in the inductees.
This will enable the trainer and trainees to identify the degree of value congruence ( harmony ) and value dissonance ( mismatches ) between individual and organizational values and then by suitably employing techniques like Force Field Analysis we can mutually achieve strengthening of value congruencies whilst mitigating value dissonance thereby enabling harmonious induction of the new employee into the organization.
Thus, induction training will make it easy for the new employee to seamlessly blend into the corporate culture of the organization.
Organizational Values may be categorized into:
1. Stated Values
2. Visible Values
3. Invisible Values
Stated Organizational Values can be ascertained by studying various documents, HR, Quality and Operating Procedures, service rules and regulations, vision and mission statements pertaining to the organization.
For example, Organizational Ethical Values will be enshrined in the Code of Conduct.
If the organization values punctuality there will exist laid down penalties for late-coming and absenteeism and, maybe, certain positive incentives for regularity in attendance and timely completion of work. What constitutes misconduct and proper workplace demeanour will be clearly stated where discipline is valued.
Visible Organizational Values are evident from visible manifestations like Dress Code ( Formal, Informal, Functional, Uniform ), Titles and Job Descriptions, Organizational Structure ( Flat versus Hierarchical ), Work Culture ( traditional, line-staff, bureaucratic, functional, process, time-based, network, matrix, scientific temper, family ), Salary, Perks and Compensation Structure, Workplace Environment ( interpersonal relationships, feedback, grievance redressal mechanism implementation, gender sensitivity, encouraging environment for innovation, creativity and feedback, and a positive happy friendly workplace atmosphere )
Invisible Organizational Values can be sensed as “vibes” and can be derived from intangibles like morale, undercurrents, office politics, private conversations, an atmosphere of intrigue, secrecy and rumours, an air of complacency, attitudinal issues, or even positive manifestations like “feel good factor”.
It is important for the induction trainee to explore all three manifestations of organizational values – Stated, Visible and Invisible – and discover congruencies and mismatches.
For example, a Stated Organizational Value may be “People are our most important asset” but Visible and Invisible indicators may be otherwise…
Personal Values comprise:
1. Instrumental Values, and
2. Terminal Values
Instrumental Values are core values, permanent in nature, comprise personal characteristics and character traits.
Instrumental Values refer to preferable modes of behaviour and include values like honesty, sincerity, ambition, independence, obedience, imaginativeness, courageousness, competitiveness, and also some negative traits too.
Instrumental Values are difficult to change.
Terminal Values are those things that we can work towards or we think are most important and we feel are most desirable – terminal values are desirable states of existence. Terminal Values include things like happiness, self respect, family security, recognition, freedom, inner harmony, comfortable life, professional excellence, etc
In a nutshell, Terminal Values signify the objectives of the life of a person – the ultimate things the person wants to achieve through his or her behaviour ( the destination he wants to reach in life ) whereas Instrumental Values indicate the methods an individual would like to adopt for achieving his life’s aim ( the path he would like to take to reach his destination ).
The aim of induction training is to create an alignment between personal values and organizational values.
As an induction trainer you cannot "set" organizational values, you can only help the trainees discover them.
Also you cannot "install" new core instrumental values into people – but you can surely through proper induction training instil desirable terminal values in the trainees.
Creating alignment is a two-part process:
The first is identifying and correcting misalignments, and
The second is creating new alignments.
The aim of value based induction training is to reinforce mutually desirable instrumental values and instil appropriate terminal values to strengthen the harmony between individual and organizational values in order to facilitate seamless integration of the new employee into the organization. Induction training will also help the trainee and the trainer identify rare cases where there exists an irreconcilable disconnect between organizational values and personal instrumental values, which cannot be resolved, and in such cases help facilitate amicable exit of the trainee from the organization at the earliest stage before the trainee begins his career as this will be mutually beneficial and in the interest of both the organization and the trainee.
To be Continued…
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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Art of Leadership
A Soldier’s Story by Omar N. Bradley
Reviewed by Vikram Karve
I love reading autobiographies, as there is nothing more inspiring and authentic than learning about the life, times, thoughts and views of a great person in his own words.
It’s a lazy hot Sunday afternoon.
I browse through my bookshelves and pick out A Soldier’s Story by General Omar Nelson Bradley, one of my favourite autobiographies, and certainly my all time favourite military autobiography. Come Dear Reader, sit with me for a while, and let’s leaf through and peruse this fascinating book.
General Bradley (1893-1981) known for his calm and resolute leadership and affectionately called the “Soldier’s General” commanded the largest American combat force in history and rose to be the first Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
This is a story, not of my life, but of a campaign…I have sought... to tell a story of how generals live and work at their chosen profession the author says at the beginning of his memoirs which focus on his participation in World War II.
Candidly written with remarkable humility in beautiful expressive language it is a wonderful memoir embellished with interesting episodes and lucid characterizations of many renowned military personalities.
In the preface General Bradley says: “In this book I have tried to achieve one purpose: To explain how war is waged on the field from the field command post… To tell a story of how and why we chose to do what we did, no one can ignore the personalities and characteristics of those individuals engaged in making decisions…..Where there are people, there is pride and ambition, prejudice and conflict. In generals, as in all other men, capabilities cannot always obscure weaknesses, nor can talents hide faults…I could not conscientiously expurgate this book to make it more palatable…if this story is to be told, it must be told honestly and candidly…”
The author writes in a wonderfully readable storytelling style and starts his riveting narrative on September 2, 1943, driving to Messina along the north coast of Sicily when, suddenly, General Eisenhower summoned him to tell him that he had been selected to command the American Army in the biggest invasion of the war – the liberation of Europe from the Germans. He then goes back in time and starts his story with vignettes from his early formative days of soldiering.
General Bradley vividly describes how, from General Marshall, he learnt the rudiments of effective command which he himself applied throughout the war: “When an officer performed as I expected him to, I gave him a free hand. When he hesitated, I tried to help him. And when he failed, I relieved him” - isn’t this leadership lesson valid even on today’s IT driven world where delegation seems to be taking a back- seat and excessive monitoring, interference and intervention seem to be on the rise.
Rather than encourage yes-men, ego-massage, sycophancy and groupthink, General Marshal sought contrary opinions: “When you carry a paper in here, I want you to give me every reason you can think of why I should not approve it. If, in spite of your objections, my decision is to still go ahead, then I’ll know I’m right”.
When it was suggested to General Marshall that a corps commander who had an arthritic disability in the knee be sent home rather than be given command of a corps in the field in war, he opined: “I would rather have a man with arthritis in the knee than one with arthritis in the head. Keep him there”.
“For the first time in 32 years as a soldier, I was off to a war” he writes on his assignment overseas in February 1943 to act as Eisenhower’s “eyes and ears” among American troops on the Tunisian front in
He vividly describes the chaos after the American defeat at Kasserine, the arrival of Patton on the scene who growled “I’m not going to have any goddam spies running around in my headquarters” and appointed Bradley as his deputy, a defining moment which was the first step of Bradley’s illustrious combat career.
This is easily the best book on Patton’s stellar role in World War II, complementing General Patton’s Memoirs War As I Knew It and Patton: Ordeal and Triumph by Ladislas Farago. Though his admiration for Patton is evident, General Bradley writes about his long association with Patton with fairness and honesty and reveals unique and remarkable facets of Patton’s leadership style and character.
Sample this – Precisely at 7 Patton boomed in to breakfast. His vigour was always infectious, his wit barbed, his conversation a mixture of obscenity and good humour. He was at once stimulating and overbearing. George was a magnificent soldier. Can there be a better description of General Patton...?
Bradley vividly describes how Patton transformed the slovenly and demoralized II Corps into a fighting fit formation. “The news of Patton’s coming fell like a bombshell on Djebel Kouif. With sirens shrieking Patton’s arrival, a procession of armoured scout cars and half-tracks wheeled into the dingy square opposite the schoolhouse headquarters of II Corps…In the lead car Patton stood like a charioteer…scowling into the wind and his jaw strained against the web strap of a two-starred steel helmet.”
General Bradley writes superbly, as he describes how Patton stamped his personality upon his men and by his outstanding charismatic leadership rejuvenated the jaded, slovenly, worn-out, defeated and demoralized II Corps and transformed it into a vibrant, disciplined, fighting fit organization that never looked back and went on winning victory after victory in most difficult circumstances and against all odds.
There are bits of delightful humour in this book. Commenting on the ingenuity and improvisation abilities of Patton’s staff, the author writes: “…Indeed had Patton been named an Admiral in the Turkish Navy, his aides could probably dipped into their haversacks and come up with the appropriate badges of rank…” Though, at times, the author appears to be in awe of and enamoured by Patton’s larger than life charisma, he is candid, dispassionate and, at times, critical when he describes how he was bewildered by the contradictions in Patton’s character and concludes: “At times I felt that Patton, however successful he was as a corps commander, had not yet learned how to command himself.”
Their techniques of command varied with their contrasting personalities. While the soft-spoken unassuming Bradley preferred to lead by suggestion and example, the flamboyant Patton chose to drive his subordinates by bombast and threats, employing imperious mannerisms and profane expletives with startling originality; and both achieved spectacular results.
Many of us are at a loss for words when asked to qualitatively appraise our subordinates. See how easily General Bradley lucidly evaluates his division commanders, bringing out their salient qualities, in so few words with elegant simplicity and succinctness: “…To command a corps of four divisions, toughness alone is not enough. The corps commander must know his division commanders, he must thoroughly understand their problems, respect their judgment, and be tolerant of their limitations…among the division commanders in
Throughout the book, we find honest, frank and incisive appraisals of characters in this story – superiors, peers and subordinates – most of them renowned and famous personalities. He writes with candour about the problems of command during the planning of the invasion of
From then on the story gathers speed and moves so captivatingly that one is spellbound as one reads the author fluently narrate the events of the campaign with remarkable preciseness and detail, one realizes what an engaging and compelling book this is – it’s simply unputdownable!
All important events, turning points, and personalities are vividly described with the aid of maps, charts, pictures and appendices; from D Day (the Normandy Invasion) to the surrender of the German forces. Towards the end of his memoirs General Bradley reflects “Only five years before…as a lieutenant colonel in civilian clothes, I had ridden a bus down Connecticut Avenue to my desk in old Munitions Building… I opened the mapboard and smoothed out the tabs of the 43 US divisions now under my command…stretched across a 640-mile front of the 12th Army Group...I wrote in the new date: D plus 335…outside the sun was climbing in the sky. The war in
While this autobiography is a “must read” for military men and students of military history, I am sure it will benefit management students and professionals for it is an incisive treatise on Soft Skills encompassing aspects of Leadership, Communications, and most importantly, the Art of Human Relations Management in the extremely complex and highly stressful scenario of War where achievement of success (victory) is inescapably paramount. It is a primer, a treasury of distilled wisdom, on all aspects of management, especially human resource management. One can learn many motivational and management lessons from this book.
Nothing can surpass the experience of learning history first hand from a man who lived and created it rather than a historian who merely records it.
The Art of Leadership is better learnt from studying Leaders, their lives, their writings, rather than reading management textbooks pontificating on the subject and giving how-to-do laundry lists.
The Art and Science of Management owe its genesis and evolution to the military. Modern Management theories, concepts, techniques and practices emerged from the experiences and lessons learnt during World War II [particularly in The United States of America].
It’s ironic isn’t it that the reverse is happening today?
It was the military that gave modern management principles to the civilian corporate world, and today we see military men running to civilian management institutes to “learn” management and acquire the coveted MBA which is the sine qua non and all important passport for entry into the corporate world.
I love reading stories, all kinds of stories, fiction, fantasy, parables, fables, slice of life. I like Life Stories, biographies, particularly autobiographies, as there is nothing more credible, convincing and stimulating than learning about the life, times and thoughts of a great person from his own writings. It’s called verisimilitude, I think.
A Soldier’s Story is a magnificent book...a unique masterpiece... a true classic...!
This autobiography is enjoyable, engrossing, illuminating and inspiring.
Dear Reader... I enthusiastically commend this superb book.
Do read it... I am sure you will feel inspired when you read this book and imbibe some fascinating concepts on the art of leadership.
VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this review.
http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
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