The Achievers

Today I had organizational behavior class in college. Madam was to teach about team work. Generally madam gives an exercise to class and on that exercise, she explains particular topic.

Today she did the same. The entire class was divided into teams of 10 people. The exercise was common to all teams. First task was "Scavenger-Hunt". Each team had to first search for 12 objects in campus itself. Madam had already given check-list of all objects. They were Matchbox, Photos of each member, Book of Quotation, a stationary having University logo, A picture of any car, Cloth Duster, A string, a briefcase, a calculator, a CD, a bubble gum, previous year calendar.

Second task was "New Product Launch" where each team was required to select a product, give a name, create a logo, create a tag line, and prepare strategies to launch. A transparency was given to each team and we needed to make presentation of the product launch on it. Each team was allocated 30 minutes time to complete both the task. Whichever team completes Scavenger-Hunt first, had to present the product launch first.

I was the part of team formed on left wing of classroom. We were 10 members in the beginning. But two members joined as they were late in class. We initially started with gathering all objects which were with us in the classroom. We almost collected CD, calculator, string, photos, calendar on first go. Two team members rushed to library and collected Book of quotation, a magazine having advertisement of a car, and pamphlet having University logo. They collected a matchbox from security boy while returning. Other two members went to canteen to buy a bubble gum and they bought a cloth duster that generally boys keep in vehicles. We collected 11 items in approximately 10-15 minutes. The problem was briefcase. The most senior member of our team went outside the class and did some magic tricks (as it is confidential how he did it) and brought the briefcase. We completed our first part and showed all objects to madam within 20 minutes. Our team was the first to complete this task hence we were in advantage.

Around six members of team had engaged themselves in searching all those objects. The rest including me had already started second task. We decided submersible pumps as our product. We used “Jaldhara” as product name. Two of these six members started preparing logo accordingly and others started making strategies. Tag line, we preferred “Bina Barasaat, Pani Hi Pani’ (Hindi). We made two advertisement lines for it:

“Jab Unchai Pe Pahochana Ho Pani, Aur Bijli Bhi Ho Bachani,
Jaldhara Pumps Hi Hai Sab Ki zubani”

and

“Pump Se Hogi Kheto Ki Samrudhdhi, Kheto Se Hogi Desh Ki Samrudhdhi”

When we jotted down enough strategies, around 3 minutes were left. We were all happy with our efforts and entire team went for presentation. Presentation was also superb as we had good orators in our team. When a team presented their work, other teams needed to rate product launch with four criteria: Product name, Logo, Tag line and strategies.

We did one mistake in entire exercise. Madam gave us a red marker to write on transparency. We wrote and draw using that marker only rather than asking other team to share markers of different color. Hence our logo did not appear that much impressive.

But lady luck was with us and we received highest rating in product launch. Moreover we completed the task before other teams; our team was announced as Winner.

“The Achievers proved their name."

The learning from this was how mutually team members coordinated without any leader or supervisor and every member was accountable for both of the activities. That is the main difference between a group and team…

A Salute to Woman

Yesterday I went to a coffee shop which I often visit when I have a plan to study for late hours. Just the moment I ordered a coffee, I saw a lady who was my colleague. I knew her by name only but I still wished to chat with her. I went to her and started talking with a smiley “Hi”. I misjudged her personality when I had worked with her; but as soon we started conversation, I was almost influenced by her nature. Suddenly conversation diverted to post marriage relationships of a woman (I don’t prefer use of word girl here). All of a sudden, I don't remember why but she advised me something “A woman who is just married is like wet clay. She is moulded in whatever shape you expect her to do. Please don’t blame what she has then become”. I raised my eyebrows with a surprise. I did not understand context of her advice still I nodded my head agreeing her point.

After returning my room, I spent few hours to study as I planned and then I went to my bed. Somehow I recalled that sentence and I was very curious to understand it. As I thought about it more and more I was agree with her by heart; she was absolutely right except subjected women. I will say, not only a woman who is just married tries to mould her; perhaps every woman in this world does the same. Every female in a male’s life sacrifices a lot and tries to be at her beloved’s expectations whether she may be in any form; a mother, a sister, a wife or sometimes being just a friend. And in return she receives only disappointments and frustrations. I saw many of my friends dominating their wives or fiancé. Why we men are all alike? Why do we not understand what will happen on a person who almost sacrificed everything to us happy? It must be killing her but what makes a difference to us?

Every mother sacrifices all of happiness to see her child happy as my mother did for me. But I remained busy in developing my career. I never get time to go back to her and say her how much I am thankful of her that she grew me so well. I wanted to go back and say her how much I love her. Not only my mother but all females including my sister supported me and gave me the warmth that someone is with me which one of my friends or brother did. Even though I never go back to them and say thanks for all the things they did for me.

More I thought of that sentence, more I regretted myself for not understanding this for so many years. I broke into tears and asked me why I was so hard. I heard a lot of times that a woman can not be understood. I refuse it; we don’t try to understand her. We don’t respect scarification she makes.

I thanked that lady for explaining me what I had never understood, and turned on my laptop and started writing my feelings. It is hard to accept but I don’t want you to follow the same path. Go to your beloved and tell her how much important she is in your life and how much you love her.

Ego - Let It Go

Before starting, I would confess that I am an egoist to a certain extent; and perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I am writing this article. I recently joined MBA study and very first lecture was on eliminating ego and open one’s mind to learn new things.

On very next day, I went to have tea with my friend. Suddenly we met one of my colleagues at the tea stall. As we continued chatting with her, she mentioned about her experience about ego. She was one of the committee members in selecting candidates in recruitment process. She came across a person used to say “I know” through out his interview. She suggested not selecting that person. Due to his extra ordinary records that guy managed to get the job in his hand. On joining the corporate, that guy was put in a training to have understanding of application he needed to work upon. But again his ego played a negative role. His trainers faced a lot of problems to train him; and in the end, they raised their hands. She concluded with a nice statement that I can never forget in my life “Until and unless you open your mind to learn, you can’t be a trainable material.”

I observed in my class where I sit among managers of various companies specialized in several sectors. I found a “Superiority Complex” in few of them. That thing may lead them to achieve success in their fields; but eventually prevents them to be liked. A “Bossy” behavior comes out as a result. Sometimes I myself act very rigidly due to my ego. There are cases where I involved in a tussle with my senior as I never tried to understand his suggestions that opposed my approaches. I later on feel that he was right; but my ego did not let me understand that.

Ego leads to a mental condition where you assume others to take all you say as granted. And that creates a distance between you and others who are closed to you. I learned only one principle - “I” is always capital and alone.

Micro Labs

Today was my second day in Nirma Campus. As per schedule I had a “Micro Labs” session. I was confused by its name itself. What does an MBA candidate do in a lab? And that also a micro lab; it is a strange name of labs I have ever heard.

All candidates were gathered in a hall with chairs available for each one. We were instructed to sit in a circle. As soon Prof Muncherji entered the hall, she asked to put our bags and books on chair and stand up and come into centre. We had a plenty of rounds of innovative games to be played.

In first round we asked to form two circles in a way that candidates stood face to face. Inner circle had to rotate in counter clockwise and outer one had to rotate in clockwise direction. We needed to stop in front of every candidate in other circle and give him a smile, shake hand and introduce each other.

In second round, we were asked to fly like birds; mean we needed to move our hands in air like birds move their wings. But condition was that we could not stay at one place; we had to move. Third round was again an introductory round. We needed to form groups of four persons and give our introduction.

In fourth round we asked to drive vehicle that we generally use to drive. We had to make noise as vehicles do. And Yaps!! We needed to horn if needed. Fifth round was again an introductory round where we needed to form group of three persons who must not have formed a group with you before. And we needed to discuss our goals and ambitions with group member.

Sixth round was more terrific round than other rounds where we asked to jump like a frog. Again a condition was put that if someone stops, he or she has to be “Murga” in front of all. Seventh round was again an introductory round where we needed to form group of five persons with previous condition applied. We needed to discuss person who influenced you the most and how.

In eighth round we were asked to walk by closing both eyes. Ninth round was also an introductory round. And in tenth and last round we were asked to move in backward direction without turning back.

This all things look awkward with straight perspective. But it removed fear from our hearts; I can interact any of my classmate without any fear what he or she will think. I can jump like a frog in front of my classmates. This is what makes MBA program different than others and what makes a good institute different.

Inauguration Ceremony

Today I had to attend Registration Day at Nirma University. Upto this point Institute has communicated very well. I thought I would register in around 1 hr and come back. But when I reached there I came to know first we needed to attend “Introduction Ceremony”. After that, Inauguration ceremony was held.

Mr Palia (from board of directors, Tata Steel) and Mr. Iyer were chief guests. The audience were addressed by chairman of each management program offered by Institute of Management.

Mr Dhar started the ceremony with a great speech. With the start, he mentioned few figures related to Indian economy and its growth. Being a technical person, I hardly understand a single sentence related to economics. But once it was over, Mr Dhar explained why candidates join MBA. According to him, it can be two reasons first candidate wants a job, or he expects a higher position in current company. But MBA does not guarantee any of them. As per his point of view, MBA teaches you those aspects of life which are not only needed in corporate but also helps in living a better life. And finally when he concluded his speech with a great quote “Honest is still the best policy.”

Then came Mr. Danak’s turn; chairman of Doctoral Program. He started speech with a question “Why does doctoral program come after conventional MBA program both in real life and in Inauguration ceremony?” The answer lies in difference of graining knowledge. Conventional MBA is meant for Knowledge Determination while Doctoral program is meant for Knowledge Creation.

Last was Mr Gupta chairman of part time MBA program. His speech included a good poem on trusting oneself. I just repeat few lines I remember “Do trust yourself otherwise who is going to trust you.” And more “Trust does not mean you are perfect, but you have a perfect willing to understand life.”

These were snippets of what chairman delivered in their speech. I will continue with speech of chief guests afterwards.