Monday, June 22, 2009

A sense of urgency by John P Kotter



I being an avid follower of Kotter's principle will appreciate this book even if it leaves the reader High and Dry. Kotter tends to reiterate the point about how the company's operational strategy makes it big or bad.

If you take the example of any company; its strategy to win is Volatile in the fast changing technologies and Competition. But how much volatility a company can sustain, is a question. If you can survive, it's because there is a sense of urgency to achieve big and Achieve faster. Though at times , a sense of urgency can go wrong. It might create a panic situation in the teams. There are confusions and anger and frustrations. And then the whole system collapses. You might not notice, because the fall is very slow. It might be a day like GM or a year or so like Yahoo. But surely, people at the bottom never appreciated as to why company was rushing through and what was that strategy or the reason for blood rush.

In any case it's not only important to have a strategy, but also create good will at the bottom of the ladder. Because, if they are not happy working on it, you will have a free fall. And that fall will be very dangerous in volatile situations like IT businesses. Remember, neither will you notice that nor will anybody else. It's gradual. And you are busy executing a strategy with a false sense of urgency .

And keep an eye on your company! Is it happening? Is there frustration and anger mixed with Urgency? Then I guess it's time we re-look at why the strategy is causing this.

Kotter also mentions, a true sense of urgency is something which is a feel good factor for most of the people inside the company . No doubt we may not understand everything that has been said by the CEO but there is a sense of belonging to that strategy though it makes little sense. He terms such a kind of act as "Heart - Mind" strategy.

Frankly I did not enjoy this book as much as his other book "Our IceBerg Is Melting". But Kotter has a point to prove and it's common sense that we all agree. "Unless our heart does not sense it, we will not "accomplish" the strategy but "Complete" it '...

Overall, a good read if you can relate the points to the cases that have happened in the industry.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Friends !




Friends are important. I personally believe there is one special relationship people have to maintain outside thier marriage. That relation will last long if it is sincere and honest . They will cherish this for ever ! . Not that people tend to lose interest in a marriage but its rather a different dimension we should set in life. That helps us to see the problem ,if any from outside in. In marriage we tend to seee the problem from Inside out and end up doing things which are stupid and crazy. Take for ex : ria and rian are happily married for 8 years and personally I felt they do not have any issues . I feel they are on the top of the world
Both have a flyin carrier and they are contented ...but they tend to fight for many reasons but they do patch up early. But this gets into a bigger problem of fightin for everyhting. It is in this situation that "One special" person in your life can bring in a fresh perspective in life. He / she will see and feel for your problem and understand what best suit for you to move ahead. If you have found that "Special person"...you are lucky and you can rest assured ,there is always an angel watching you and making you happy :).....but pls dnt spoil that relation. Because , in marriage there is always a buyin and bonding and you can always come back. But if you miss that special person , he/ she will never come back. SO next time you think you found him / her , you know you are very lucky.......if you call that love so it be :)

Kathihar to Kennedy - The Road Less Travelled by Sanjay Kumar

It’s a cliche when I read this book and reflect some of my own beliefs about having a purpose-driven life. This book amazed me for 2 reaso...