Calendar changes...

Coming out  of the sheer disappointment that we all missed the Doomsday, I guess every one of you are ready for the New Year's day here at these last hours of this wonderful(!?!?!) year ...

Its not been so great year if I have to speak being political and proper citizen of this country. We have seen the worst scams ever, bloody ahs coming up and dethroned,jailed and yet safe. We are in a situation where justice and injustice is a matter of Parliament Control but not at all pertained to the welfare of the people nor future of this nation.
God knows, where it goes... !  The country has gone to dogs, I felt it when a girl had been tortured and lead to death in the very own capital city...
Nothing to be boastful, its absolute shameful.

33% of World youngsters are from India which is world #1, as per the current census.Wishing that these youngsters... would really make a difference in this year at least... by electing rather than selecting again a dummy Mummy..

But its been a good year if I say being selfish. Its been satisfactory start in my career as well, where I fulfilled one of my wishes and came back to my very own employer, who thankfully recognized and rewarded the efforts, there by making me a satisfied employee for them;) Some how over came the attachment with Vellore and VIT friends. This is very memorable for me..jus like you guys.Thank you all because you have taught me at least a bit.
I believe in- "Every Thing counts, and there's some thing to learn from every one"

I guess, for every one its been quite memorable and learning year.I wish one and all, memorable and meaningful times ahead. (Bcz I dont blv 'Happiness,Love and Luck' alone teach a man-everything :) )
Here's a small note I would Love to share with my friends..its U..

Never ask God for free fruits, ask your self if you have put efforts to earn that FRUIT !
Never expect free money from any one. Remember your parents made u Self Sufficient and Efficient !!
Never demand more money with out knowing your skills and value. Estimate properly !
Never poke the incidents gone,people left and memories buried. Its absolute waste of time !!

Be in the beautiful present and plan for a trouble less future. Remember one thing...

Excelling in career,earning hand full of money, managing finance and being with good friends is not everything. There's one more LEVEL to say you are SUCCESSFUL..it is the proper relation with your family members.Its not only earning and giving parents/partner/children-the money and things.
This not sufficient, rather you are just being responsible. But do that one more thing..
Care for every one of your loved ones, spend some time with every one in the family, notice the small changes of your loved ones, ask them how they do,
how their day goes, what the dreams and aims of younger ones, ask mom for suggestions, ask dad how he manages the fiscal, ask sister about her family and kids, enquire grand parents abouth their health and be sensible with people, act according to the situation, be prompt.
These doesn't even ask your money, except the little time you watch TV, or the replay of age old cricket match 38th time, or the time it takes to listen the fav music track 45th time.  The day you do these I am double sure you'll b admired ! People would love you more, they would love being with you and you will definitely receive more and this is nothing but L-I-F-E.. Love is the only thing that makes u complete man ! (of course the rest do assist)
Think abt this if u think, you have never thought this.
Ignore this if u already r Complete.. :)

I pray the almighty that your wishes come true...if at all you worked hard !

Sorry for taking advantage of saying all this. Knowing that you will definitely read my post and assuming this is the only time I can share something valuable and of this sort :)

Happy new calendar...

always the same..
Satya Prakash

Dear freshers of corporate..

Thanks for all the earlier reads..to one and all ...

No one teaches you everything, its just time and yourself one learns many things out of experiences.But Satya will definitely teach you, though you never thought of this aspect of your life.

This excerpt of my life, I pen down here, for you !

Today’s post is about assignments you choose. This is more applicable to corporate jobs and more relevant to IT sector.

Wonderful are the moments, when you see your name against the “Final list of selected candidates”, but we never know how the future is going to be. In fact people on the other side think they are unlucky but who knows,few years down the line they may be in the best assignment!

Gone are the days, when people assume you are a lucky because you got a job. But I should re-frame that saying. Its not lucky if you just get a job, unless you are in to a useful assignment. And I would add, he is lucky, who is working in a technology which rules near future. (shall elaborate..)

Let me take the contrast from the typical way how Indian software companies, play !

They rush to the campuses and select fresh and young minds, and give them joining dates after an year of selection. Because most of the students are selected during their Final yr first semester. After a long wait to join the organization, though they might have never dreamt of the same Org but, for which they have been waiting for, they would be given a training which is for a very short duration, which is to the surprise of new joiners that Engineering doesn't need 4years if courses(C, C++, java, Main frames, SAP FICO and SD for MBA freshers etc) are completed at this pace :P 

Following all these there is another brief wait for assignment and this is where your talent lies. Of course I should not blame students because not every body go forward to take/give the advice.

A person who waits for long time to join the work company, hardly knows the differences in work. Its then when he starts working and comparing with his friends, he gets to know that you have various kinds of work. Lemme explain you..

Scene 1:

Organizations like TCS, Infosys, IBM Global Services (not IDC), CTS, HCL and blah blah all companies, depend on the work provided by others. So, we either do 3kinds of things to survive. Development, Maintenance and Support. Not all but mostly projects are from one area of this cycle. 

A fresher, especially UG fresher is often put in to an assignment where he can immediately use his physical strength than application of brain. Which means working a lot, preparation of documents, test-cases, executing database scripts, monitoring daily jobs, observing the code work with sr.developer etc etc.

So a fresher would be given an opportunity of attending an interview wrt already chosen account/client. The Higher authorities already decide what kind of work we have and where we put these guys,, yet you have a formal interview. You will be selected easily in to that. And you feel victorious. But lemme say, 95% of the freshers do not know that they can say NO.Only 5% of the freshers dare (which is not really impossible task) to ask back few questions:

• Whats the job profile & Where am I heading to?
• Where will I be put up? 
• What are the expectations of TL from me? 
• Where can I see myself, after working for 1 year, in this role? 
• What kind of transition will you provide me after this assignment?

These are simple and straight questions, which the TL/PL could assess that you are a worthy guy and not to be ignored.If not they just might assume/treat you as another resource. Trust me, do this and let them know you're not just another chap !  -- Remember dude,"if you don't have Voice, you don't have Choice"

Scene 2:

We very well know the companies step in campus and take away the above average and best cream of the university, and surprisingly every one work hard or at least from now..Because only thing elders at home say is,"work hard and get GOODDD impression from TL. They give good ratings thus good salary", which is not quiet true.. hehe.. Trust me !

So the point is, you start working hard.. No.. sorry, you will definitely do that. Ok. Lemme put it this way..

While you are working hard, see your selves every 3 months, where you are. You might be in prestigious account and working with best client, but see that you have your CV prepared. Not for a switch to another company, but to keep yourself measured. You can always see your physical appearance in mirror, but not knowledge. So CV helps you so. Start making a CV. And revise it, add to it every 2 months. Mention every small thing you learnt. I mean every new tool and technology, every certification you have prepared for, every journal you write to and every useful thing !

Many freshers have approached me asking about job profile as Tester. Lemme say you.., there’s nothing wrong if you work in a in testing team, but its unwise if you do not build our resume properly, while staying there. The catch point here is, maintain a good relationship with…not team mates…but the technology you are working with. Yes. 50% of the people doesn't do this. They imagine they are 'purely working for testing team and why should I bother which technology I work with!'  That’s quiet fine as long as you see yourself as a tester till retirement. But what if you feel you have to grow in life and wanna become a Business Analyst or some other crap!?! Or what if you one day feel, I have tested enough, why can’t I start working as developer or for some new application myself !?! This happens in .NET and SAP. A quiet few interesting technologies, user friendly applications, would impress you to learn and work more, just if you pay attention for a week.

We are living in a world where to buy a mobile we see 100's of websites and go for new technology, then don’t you think employer who pays us for our food, wont he !?! So take away here is, correlate what you are working. And whatever you are working.  Because industry no more needs a standalone player, forget multi-tasking, but needs a mixed fruit bowl ! And make sure its you. And YOU !!

Scene 3:

Some more freshers also asked a similar doubt. I would say, there’s no harm in working for a support project but make sure what you are working for. Any job is interesting for the first 8-10 weeks, and if you start feeling monotonous it’s the time you need to rethink. If you think this can be done by a robot, then:

• go speak to your lead. Tell them you need a better work. 
• Learn or understand the business functionality, or technical details of what you are working on. 
• Or the every work flow. 

But for God sake, don’t just do the work though you don’t like. If you feel, ‘I know what I am doing, and How I am doing but I don't know Why I am doing’, then it’s the high time that your sickness reached its peaks. Stop working and get to know the details.

The only enemies in our life are Fear & Hesitation, for nothing. When it comes to work, you should speak.  Just speak out. Else, you will land up in trouble.
You continue to get your salary,and hanging out with friends on weekends, movies, parties, marriage, kids. But that pinch of pain in your mind and heart, always dodge you..‘I wish you dared to speak for improvement of work rather than feeling contended at this job’ Please don’t let this happen to you. 
Ask your self. Speak to your self. Question yourself. Show the guts to stand infront of mirror to ask this bloody important question !
Spend an hour, just one hour in an entire month in a lonely place, switch off the mobile, stand by the nature's side..like hills, river,sea, or one fine early morning, to understand what you're.  You decide what you want for your self. Industry is no more a school and doesn't spoon feed you ! So speak out and make a proper way.  

Once again I tell you.. “If you don’t have voice, you don’t have a choice” – (by myself)

This is just a gist and drop of what can CHANGE your LIFE. If you don’t believe this, just try being so and read the same blog after 3 years of IT life.. ! 

I bet, you would come in search of me …!

Thanks to you for the time..

Satya Prakash

18 Sutras by SATYA about 'How to become a good TL'

Leadership is an art. but not at the cost others cant learn it. Its not rocket science not its a lesson.
One can be excellent leader by practicing genuinely.

I have formulated 18 Sutras that can make you The Best among your peers, the Best for your sub-ordinates and The most prospective Manager !

1.       Accountability is needed. Here we are not simply quoting a management jargon. Understand it how it matters to the entire team/project and then the employer and client.

2.       A TL has to make note of every 1 of his/her TM (team member). Address by name and let them feel ‘Yes, my TL knows me’.

3.       Feel ready and free to give an appreciation even it’s a small one. Let the higher officials like Manager and Project lead know these appreciations, keeping them in CC when you email.

4.       Don’t blame in written manner or in public. Make a habit of calling in a discussion room when you have many issues to be burst out.

5.    Don’t point out in public, it hurts one’s ego especially the beginners are so tender. Don’t pin point the TMs any time but speak gently.

6.       Enquire the casual health issues and advise the TM to go for an off if its severe. Let them feel my TL cares if we’re not healthy.(This improves productivity in Long run;))

7.       Don’t behave like a kanjoos(miser) when TM asks for leave but you come up with an idea of wise adjustment. A Win-Win situation.

8.       When the higher officials or clients blame your team, don’t add fuel to it. Defend your team but later you call your team in to discussion room and explain why it is so.

9.       Always ensure that your team knows what they are doing rather than being another machine.

10.   Spend some work time with every TM to know what is his/her daily activity is. Then the TM respects you more because they can communicate better henceforth.

11.   Encourage the TMs to put their ideas, and tell them ‘let’s see if possible to implement those’.

12.   Know the complete processes so that you won’t seem stupid to your sub ordinate.

13.   Don’t bring any unsatisfactory issues you have with PM/PL, infront of TMs; either group wise or individually.

14.   Let the team enjoy the freedom at the sametime obeying your words.

15.   Don’t micro manage the TMs unless they’re new to the task. It’s insulting them If you do so.

16.   And don’t advice the guy who has been doing the work since quite a long time. Remember… Never advice an expert

17.   Give the team a practical scenario of how his/her negligence of an issue might worth loss of business, be it to the client or the employer who pays you.

18.   Last but not the least, A TL job is much similar to mother. S(h)e need to manage children(TMs), Husband (PM), In-Laws (Client-who is hardly satisfied whatever you do). So handle every thing/one with patience and presence of mind. So keep yourself sound and fit.

Hope every reader gets the essence out of this. I have formulated these based on my experiences, my observations and from bad leaders (from whom I understood what they should not have done)!

PS: SUTRAS is a sanskrit word. In English you call it Principles

Always the same..

Satya Prakash.M

We're not.....

Yes! We're not yet developed. Still living like humans of early age  in this modern age !!

Using Hi-end mobile in the place of age old landline;
or using FORD car inplace of age old OX Cart;
or using computer inplace of type writer cant be claimed as India has developed !
When it comes to empowerment of women, we Indians,still are paused at 'ages ago' kind of nature..!!
Its the culture how we grow and where we go, depicts what is  meant by DEVELOPING !!
And women empowerment is one among those and very important one, if you ask me !!  Dont wonder if I sound like a politician but its true.

A nation like India is developed only when it starts from with in..i.e., from home, its when women are given proper freedom and encouragement. A society needs/makes a man to be self sufficient to earn the bread and honey for his livelihood but what about women? Why should they be dedicated to home? Some times restircted !! What should such housewife do when that 'caretaker' is no more? or what in the case of a helpless situation? Can she lead her life on her own !?! NO !

Thou we are in 21st century we still can see many women, might be from our own families who hardly knows how to operate a mobile phone, to play a dvd player, to switch on her child's desktop,to click a camera,who can go out on their own or who dont know anything other than the tv!! Have you ever wondered a girl who works hard and studies like hell at the school and college days , go blank after couple of years of marriage !?!  Its just because of the idleness of THAT grey matter of the brain. We keep ignoring her skills, no wonder she herself forgets that she possessed the skill in the past ! Strange but true...
A woman has to be encouraged, a partner who decides to put her under restrictions.., gonna see all the troubles down the line. She has to give her best to the society and family, just like males does the both !!

Shocked at the worst mindset of morons of Haryana village KHAP Panchayat! This is hardly 60 kms from the National Capital cum the cosmopolitan city. When Delhi itself cant show any impact on these kind of panchayats, then there's no wonder in saying still the above mentioned kind of women are amongst our families. I mean to say, we are developed but we are not bothered about the same people around us.Need not wonder even if you or your brother may redo the same mistake in future! A women who is interested in working doesnt mean she has no clue/care about/for her family. Infact she does and cares more than herself being idle at home!! She can see her self better. She can visualize things better for her kids and family. Lets make them selfsustained. Let her open her mouth and speak.. Lets stop deciding whats best for her.

We need not take a sprint to empower entire region's, but educate them (who are in ur scope) Dont discourage them from any career pursuits. Give them a hope... give them that Strength ! Every woman might not be interested in working but remember they are not dumb just because they sit at home. Give her the same exposure to the world what you get everyday. Never ignore her in anything at any age she is at..

If any 1 says 'a women cant do things at her best, apart from home... ', then I dont think Indra nooyi or Sushma swaraj or Chanda kochar would have come up in the very same country !!

PS: This is not about the privileged but about the barely bold woman, this is not about insisting women to work but insisting men about recognising her identity, some times her own ability. No offence. Thanks for the read (red) !!

Urs..
Prakash, for many;
Satya, for many more... !

Namasthe

Fool is the one who learns only from his own experiences,
But Wise is the one who ALSO learns from others' experiences too !!

As said by one of my college friends ages ago ;)

Here I start with my new blog, with all ur support and best wishes u always wished me !!

I jus created hence made no customization. It wud give u a look of prototype ;) Wil make the look n feel better, in next weeks !

Not gonna brag about anything in this, but jus want to share wat I usually do :) But this wud be less frequent as the time ahead is really tough for me. Would start with a good post, in the next post , and shall remain now..


Always the same,
Satya Prakash.M