No better time than NOW.
May 18th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Couple of years back I would regularly join my friend Atul for early morning walk. We would walk for around 30 minutes and return. I always wondered what would it be like taking the full circle of Sharjah corniche a 7 km+ walk? Last year I took that step to walk the complete Sharjah corniche circle. Sooner I began wondering what would it be like taking TWO full circles of Sharjah Corniche ? Every night I would go to bed with a resolve to take two complete rounds. But the early hours turned my resolve into perhaps tomorrow. And you guessed it right; tomorrow never comes.
Wrong; this morning Tomorrow did come and I began on the quest to complete two full rounds of the Sharjah corniche. And would like to share my experience during the walk.
- Sense of Achievement: It’s a tremendous relief when you achieve an assumed arduous task. And this relief is high octane fuel for your next goal. Lesson: I should have carried a bottle of water.
- What Next: Now you begin wondering what next. And I was wondering when Sharjah to Al Ain?
- Ripple Effect: Change in one area of your life impacts others areas in your life and when you are stretching the impact is positive in others of your life. My friend commented you look great and sound uplifting today.
- Sharpen Obervation: Sense of achievement sharpens your sense of observation. And somehow your observation is positive and optimistic. And this morning I spotted numerous pairs of birds.
- Belief in Yourself: You become positive and resolve your belief in yourself. I will win the Mashreq Millionaire – just kidding.
- Burn the Bridges: When you begin an arduous journey begin with the toughest step. In this case even if you want to turn back, you are restricted by the toughest route back. I started the walk crossing the Sharjah bridges first that I presumed to be the toughest.
- Just do it: My last message is just do it; because there is never a better moment than NOW. I was waiting for the right conditions and am glad I stopped looking for the right conditions and began my journey.
Fellow readers if you have been procrastinating an arduous goal; understand there is no better time than NOW.
My Super Hero
May 15th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Is it difficult to crack Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains? Mr Anand believes not because “When the student is ready TEACHER will appear” said Greek philosopher Socrates. And the teacher is Mr Anand who has been interviewing multitude of students from the poorest of the poorest but talented students in Bihar and selecting 30 out of them to coach. He calls them Super 30. The 30 IIT aspirants are coached free of cost by state’s math wizard Anand Kumar and his team every year. In 2003, 18 of the 30 students came out with flying colours while the number of successful candidates went up to 22 the next year. In 2005, 26 of the Super-30 students made it to IITs while 28 each got through the exam in 2006 and 2007. In 2008 to 2010 all 30 students made it to the list of successful candidates. Last year, 27 of the 30 students were selected for IITs. And this year all 30 students aced the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Mains 2013 and are preparing for taking the advance level examination scheduled on June 2.
I have Observed “7” Elements that contributes towards fantabulous success of Super 30.
- TALENT: Students are talented and hard working.
- REALIZATION: They come from the poorest background and realize the value of fantabulous opportunity.
- MENTOR: Anand is not only a coach but a mentor who has defined road signs for their journey. Without the mentor Talent would have been lost.
- PASSION: Students have the interest whereas Anand has the passion and the skills to transfer that passion. And this is one element which contributes 50% towards success of the program.
- CURRICULUM: Anand knows what do students need the most? And that is the confidence. He feeds them confidence to begin believing in themselves 200%.
- VALUES: Anand instills right values in super 30 students and persistently feeds them.
- BELIEF: Students identify with Anand and his struggle to come so far. And this makes them a team; a committed team that must succeed.
Anand is a hero to his students and his selfless services has made him a Super Hero of the global world. Visit super 30 web site for enthralling insight into Anand and Super 30.
Never a dull moment
May 7th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Last week while driving down to Al Ain I was tuned on to MP3 listening to keynote by world renowned motivational speaker Jim Rohn. The keynote gave me a roller coaster ride of ups and down but never a dull moment. I was mesmerized by his 60 minutes keynote that felt like few minutes. I realized the power of CHOICEST words
- “Engagement is not an engagement without a Diamond ring” ..… De Beers made us see that.
- Nike would not have been Nike without “just do it”
- “A bird in hand is worth two in bush”… a proverb encapsulate wisdom
- “Think big, think fast and think ahead” …words of Dhirubhai Ambani encapsulate years of experience
- Coca Cola has stayed in the business because it was “The Real Thing”
- Apple made us “Think Different”
Words have the power to challenge, communicate and create. Words have the power to hurt, heed and heal. Words are the powerhouse that can change lives. Enjoy watching the power of CHOICEST words……
Script your rejection list
May 6th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Last week I overheard a conversation wherein a lady remarked to her colleague “I am told by my ex-boss that our industry has an unhealthy reputation for ladies.” The following day during a conversation with a lady friend, she received a call on her cell phone. Following the call she was upset and agitated. I enquired what happened? She remarked I told this customer that I am not interested and he says that he is in the vicinity and would like to take me out for lunch. How do I handle such situations ?
UAE has a wide diversity of culture wherein every culture has their own values. Hence no one solution fits all. Having said that I believe a beginning has to be made. And the best possible solution is to work on things under your CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE to put a FENCE around such harassment. And draw out your REJECTION list.
- Communication you will reject
- Gifts you will reject and
- Invitations you will reject
And finally make this rejection list LOUD and EMPHATIC and I mean LOUD and EMPHATIC so that it is received by the recipient and recipient is not only the THIRD PARTY but your INTELLECT and EMOTION.
Posted in LifeStyle, Self Development, Strategy, things to do | 
Tags: discrimnation, Workplace harrasment | 
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Flying High and Low
April 30th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
I believe there are around 20,000 students appearing for the entrance test and out of 20,000, 10,000 do not have a clue why they are appearing for the entrance test. Out of the rest 10,000, 5,000 have not prepared; out of the balance 5,000, I know 2,000 participants and I can beat them. So my real competition is with 3,000 candidates. I was speechless when I heard the analysis of one bright aspirant for Law Entrance Test.
We all are blessed with a super powerful computer but 35% of us misuse it for thinking unconsciously and I call that DAY DREAMING whereas 60% of them use it on an AUTO PILOT mode that is being driven by the circumstances during our early years and driven by our employers when we take up the job. Only 5% use it to think proactively and build, create and live their Life. Right or wrong they take accountability for their decisions. And this 5% make the difference in their lives and the lives of others.
It’s a powerful observation “MAKING TIME TO THINK PROACTIVELY”. I wish our education system includes THINKING as one of the subject as part of the curriculum and we will see a PROFOUND PROGRESSIVE POSITIVE change in our younger generation.
On a lighter note; fortnight early I was flying to New Delhi and while landing I shot a short video from the plane. Watch it and enjoy. I believe it reflects our life; early on in life we have a HELICOPTER view “PLENTIFUL OPPORTUNITIES TO CHOOSE FROM” but if we don’t take time out to THINK and make DECISIONS; you get a BIG JOLT and see such opportunities pass by just the way reflected in the video while landing at New Delhi Airport.
My message to share is take out 30 minutes of your time every day to THINK and be your THINK TANK.
My first Blog post from Gurgaon.
April 26th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Currently I am on a short trip to India – Haryana - Gurgaon. I had planned to achieve many and packed my daily agenda with numerous dream activities; right from reading 2 books in a week to conducting 4 business meetings in the day. Having said that PLANNING IS GOOD BUT PLANNING WITHOUT ACTION IS FUTILE.
Now this is where the learning begins.
Learning # 1 : Change brings discomfort: I was excited with the prospect of activities filled week ahead but sooner I landed at New Delhi Airport and reached home; the enthusiasm went up for a toss. The room was different, change room was different, my computer table was different; rather ambiance was different. I was no more on AUTO PILOT for even mundane chores. For every activity I was making conscious decisions and sooner my planned activities went UP FOR A TOSS.
I realized change brings in discomfort and it discourages you to perform to your capacity. The only resolution to change is to extract extra dose of ENERGISER from your mental faculty and “JUST DO IT” the NIKE way. But if ever you dilly-dally in the beginning, you will continue procrastinating and sooner it would be time to return.
Learning # 2: Age is no barrier because wisdom comes from experience. I came out of shower and my daughter entered the wash room. She quickly came out and asked “papa why have you not left water in the bucket ? I asked what for? She replied I keep little water in the bucket in case we run out of water; at least she can wash her hands. I realized the wisdom in her words. Gurgaon faces water and electricity shortage and especially during summer time, there is less water and more demand. And you must account for such situation. Hence the wise thing my daughter would do was maintain half a bucketful of water and in the eventuality of no water in the storage tank she could at least wash her hands with that bucket water and not wait for next few hours. Lesson is; age is no barrier because wisdom comes from experience.
My message to you is next time when you are on vacation anticipate change and prepare your mind for the extra dose of ENERGIZER. And remember wisdom comes from experience because age is no barrier.
Posted in Self Development, Strategy, Success |
Tags: barriers, Change, changed, Gurgaon |
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Why invest in your CONFIDENCE
April 14th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Are you confident, can you deliver the systems before April 30 asked my CIO. And I stuttered for a response and said why not ? I am doubtful, if my answer convinced my CIO because the assignment was assigned to my colleague who is junior to me.
The statement is ……….. You can practice Job X with confidence or without confidence; play tennis or talk to your colleagues with confidence or without confidence. The difference is reflected in the results between the two which is primarily the difference between winning and not wining. So how important is the confidence? I would say “Confidence is as important as learning to swim when you are pushed into the deep waters.” My second question is can you develop confidence? My resounding answer is YES.
I will share few tips and your time begins now to focus on developing your confidence every week, every day and every hour of your life. And the tips to develop confidence are
- BEGIN WITH THE BEST FUEL: Begin your day investing first two hours with the BEST FUEL; healthy breakfast, positive people, and best ambiance.
- BODY LANGUAGE: Be a consummate student of body language. SIT STRAIGHT, WALK TALL AND SHAKE HAND FIRM. Practice skipping and Surya Namaskar. Read “Body Language” by Allan Pease and Barbara Pease
- B + : Learn and practice positive words. Brilliant, Superb, Exciting, Gorgeous….use your imagination. Invest in the book called “WORDS THAT SELL”
- COMPLIMENTS: Learn and practice giving compliments. Find good in your social contact and give them compliments.
- DRESS SMART : Dress smart and clean. Invest in good suit and shoes.
- IMPORTANT TASK: Habit to priorities important task first thing in the morning.
- LEARN YOUR CRAFT: Spend an extra hour a day perfecting your craft. Visit YouTube and download videos on your craft. Follow the gurus in your field.
- PLAN: Plan your day in advance; you don’t want surprises eating up your time. Maintain a daily journal scripting you next day’s agenda and your achievements for the day.
- PRACTICE: Practice important tasks at least 24 hours in advance. Practice separates the fear from the confidence. Practice your speech; practice your request for promotion.
- PRACTICE SPEAKING SLOWLY, CLEARLY and LOUDLY till you master the language. Experiment reading story books. Invest in a good MP4 and record your voice. Be your best critic.
- SMILE: Learn to smile more and wide.
- And finally fake it till you make it.
Finally remember in the world of living “Confidence is half of victory.”
Inside Story of McDonalds
April 9th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
I have read somewhere that successful enterprise organizes tours for their prospects, customers around their premises. I always wondered why do so? Does it not impact the workers’ productivity? Does it not require extra resource to address the non-revenue based activity? What if something goes wrong? Well many questions would pop-up in my mind whenever I read such story.
Until this afternoon while visiting McDonalds at Al Bustan center I happened to notice a board which said “If you want to take a tour of our kitchen please contact our duty Manager between 3:30pm through 5:30pm.” I promptly asked the front office sales person “How many have utilized this offer? Prompt came the response; many and would you like to take the tour?” And I promptly said yes.
Thus began my tour that lasted 20 minutes – considering this was a space as small as two bedroom apartment. The questions was not the space; the cream was what went inside the two bedroom spaced kitchen/store area. Now this opened up my mind to how much care and attentions is paid to the food being served to the customers. I noticed Read the rest of this entry »
- You begin the day by washing your hands; employees are expected to sanitize and wash their hands every hour and bell rings to remind them.
- Non-veg and veg Food stuff is procured from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Milk for AED 1 /- ice-cream comes from Saudia Arabia and Fresh Salad from UAE
- Cooked food such as patties and French fries are not stored beyond certain time period and beyond time limit they are disposed. Hence food taste and quality is maintained but there is wastage.
- Pepsi is prepared locally at the restaurant wherein concentrate is mixed with tap water filtered locally.
- There is separate set of cooking oil and containers for veg/non-veg and French fries and it is filtered and cleaned depending on number of times oil has been used.
- Employees work 9 hours including an for break and beyond they are paid over time.
Overall what looked simply making French fries and burgers is preceded by numerous complicated processes with utmost care for the customers taste.
My lessons from the exercise was businesses are created with seed money but great businesses are created with meticulous planning, processes and utmost care for the customers. And great business should be proud of sharing them. Because sharing brings confidence and reflects confidence.
After completing my 20 minutes education trip I was gifted with an ice-cream and a McDonald’s mug. Thank you McDonalds
Posted in Business, Strategy, Success, Uncategorized |
Tags: Busines Process, Planning, Strategy |
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What is common between Leaders and Entrepreneur?
April 6th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
If you don’t have followers or customers you are neither a LEADER nor an ENTREPRENEUR.. Having said that there is stark similarity between the values and principles of Leaders and Entrepreneurs.
- VISION: They see further than others.
- PASSION: They possess insurmountable passion in their believes
- INVEST: They think investing and not spending.
- DELEGATE: They delegate and believe in sharing the limelight.
- STRATEGY: They think strategy and leverage it to achieve the results faster.
- REMINDER: They continue reminding the Goals.
- FOLLOWERS/Customers: They have followers/customers and they think and act with their interest in mind.
Having said that there is one drawback in the LEADERS and ENTREPRENEUR…. they have big EGOS. Ego is the basis of business empires splits; ego is the foundations for being branded Dictators; egos are the foundation for losing best employees who refuse to endorse leaders or entrepreneur in their future transactions. Having said that you must channel your egos to fruitful activities else it could be the foundations for your downfall or the stumbling blocks towards success.
Posted in Self Development, Strategy, Success, things to do |
Tags: Egos, Strategy, Vision, what is leadership |
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When you should not be sorry.
April 5th, 2013 | Author: Vinod Mehra
Sorry is an apology word, sorry is a regret expression. Sorry is not a healthy word unless you are admitting a mistake. And if you have not committed a mistake, Sorry is unwarranted. And I am not sorry expressing my perception of the word sorry.
But many a time I hear people say
- I am sorry can I ask you a favour? I would rather request a favour and say Thank you once the favour has been done or thank in advance.
- I am sorry to interrupt? I would rather request help and say thank you once help is rendered.
- Sorry can you guide me to Burj Khalifa? I would rather request guidance and say thank you because I find Thank you a better and a sincere expression instead.
On the flip side people commit mistakes, error of judgment or hurt others and then hide behind a cloak of not answering your calls or responding to your emails, SMS. The correct response would be to promptly admit your mistake, error of judgment and inability to accede to your commitment and say SORRY.
In conclusion I would reiterate I find thank you a better expression when requesting for a favour or once the favour has been done but SORRY when you sincerely believe you have committed a mistake, error of judgment or inability to accede to your commitment.