How to handle someone who thinks u did a worse job then them?

Ok here's something new- I have been accused of changing the whole presentation a team member made and because of that our presentation flopped.

Reality-

1. I am the only strong player in my team
2. My team in not even the remotest way how to analyse and collect relevant data
3. My team are my friends so I stick to them
4. I did not work on the presentation
5. I did a last minute job of 'saving the day' by trying to get together a couple of slides (including those done by the grudging player
6. We flopped terribly

Result- I get blamed by just the grudging player who made a few slides that since I changed it, we failed

Reports- Calls of distress to other members over 45 minutes lamenting what I thought of myself

Latest- High avoidance and mistrust

Solution - Let me think about it.

Solved- I went and talked to her and cleared the air. Told her she should say frankly if she is not happy about how the slides are and besides, it was a last minute thing so we couldn't have expected a great show. She understood and was like 'No-no, I didn't mean like that..." Well good. Things back to normal.

Lessons-

1. Make the slides 2 days before the presentation
2. Accept the fact that I have HAVE have to train my group members
3. before I do that, I have to train myself

Should I be someone else?

"Should I be someone else?"

This is a question I am sure many of us have asked at least once every year. Today I am not really asking the question because, Alhamdullilah (Praise to God) I'm quite content with who I am (Apart from the constant fight with time management and infinite others).

However, when you come across someone who speaks at a higher tone that yours and is so full of opnions as to how people should be, should live, should dress and talk, you start comparing yourself with their set of criteria and then Screeech! Hello, this person is probably one of the most insecure person hiding behind the face of 'Attitude' and why am I listening??!!

I have noticed that there are a lot of such people and the best way to handle them is 'Cool indifference'. You give them the feeling that you are least interested in what they think and do, they stop bothering you with their 'Opinions'. Indifference is a very strong tool. It's neither a rude nor a 'walk-over-me' response. It just tells the person that look, here is a person who is interested in something else. What I do and think is not her problem.

I do agree that there are times when I feel I should be more outgoing, more outspoken, if someone tries to be cheeky with me -> I be triple cheeky ;) but then what will I get? A momentary victory that 'Hey, buddy don't think you can get smart with me' while inevitably I would have hurt his/her feelings. God help me coz I end up feeling bad if I have demeaned a person or brought him down to earth from his hi5 thoughts. So not for his peace, but rather for mine, I leave them alone. Of course some of them think, this girl has no fighting spirit - You are right. I don't want to fight with your satan. I am struggling enough with mine.

My resolution - I am happy to be who I am. I hope to make improvements coz I'm anyways my own worse critic. I don't like the way I write, I don't like the way I study, I don't like the way I pray and .... At each point I say 'This is not you, you can do better. Or this is terrible. Shame on you. Or what the hell is wrong with you!" What more could you want from a poor soul like me :)

Project Planning

Prepare a project execution plan using the above inputs. The project should not be more than three months.

Change Management - One of the most valuable lessons MBA has taught me

One of the most valuable lessons I have learn in my MBA is Change Management. In brief, without any stories, these are golden points one needs to remember while going through change or being the cause of change.

Change could be as simple as changing over to another toothpaste, home, city, job, work schedule or marriage!!

The phases of change

1. Initiation - The change

• Frustration (Why is this happening?)
• Fear/ Shock (This can't be happening!)
• Indifference (Who cares)
• Enthusiasm (Cool!)
• Hopefulness (May be things will become better)

2. Disorientation - The unknown

• Training/ discussions ( Would you mind telling me what for?)
• Lack of trust (I don't know what he will say next)
• Rebellion/ Sabortage (You can go by yourself, don't expect me to come)
• Caution (Wait, hmmm, watch)
• Uncertainity (I don't know...)
• Blind acceptance ( Whatever he says is the Gospel)
• Denial (This is not happening and I'm going to wake up!)

3. Reorientation - The adjustment

• Unskilled (I don't know how to do it)
• In control (Ok, we can do this and then this and than that and this and that and this and...)

4. Integration - The new 'Norm'

• Accepting the change ( Alright)
• Ready to change (' I do' ..lol)

HOW YOU HANDLE THE CHANGE (Especially if you are the change maker)

• Stay patient
• Stay positive
• Believe
• Stay open to ideas
• Look for answers
• Ask...&...verify
• Avoid assumption

The World Bank

Summarised from Wikipedia

World Bank Group was established in 1945

Function

Provides low or no interest loans and grants to countries with little or no access to international credit markets

World Bank consists of:

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
( Interest rate between 0.5 – 1% for a standard Bank loan)

The International Development Association (IDA)
IDA’s loans are interest free

1947 First and largest loan to FRANCE for $250 million for post-war reconstruction

185 member countries, shareholders, represented by a Board of Governors, the ultimate policy makers of the Bank.

24 on-site Executive Directors

The five largest shareholders;

1. France
2. Germany
3. Japan
4. United Kingdom
5. United States
   

The President (currently Robert Zoellick, five-year term) is, by tradition, a US citizen nominated by the United States; the bank’s largest shareholder.

The World Bank’s activities are focused on

Reduction of global poverty
Implementation of sustainable development
Developing an environment for investment and jobs
Investment in and empowerment of the poor
Analytical and advisory services
Educating members

The four key factors necessary for economic growth and the creation of a business environment

Capacity Building – Strengthening governments and educating government officials

Infrastructure creation – implementation of legal and judicial systems for the encouragement of business, the protection of individual and property rights and the honoring of contracts

Development of Financial Systems – the establishment of strong systems capable of supporting endeavors from micro credit to the financing of larger corporate ventures

Combating corruption – Eradicating corruption to ensure optimal effect of actions

The Bank obtains funding for its operations primarily through the IBRD’s sale of AAA-rated bonds in the world’s financial markets.

The IDA obtains the majority of its funds from forty donor countries who replenish the bank’s funds every three years, and from loan repayments, which then become available for re-lending.

Types of loans

1. Investment loans
   For the support of economic and social development projects
2. Development policy loans.
   Quick finance to support countries’ policy and institutional reforms.
3. Grants
   The Bank also distributes grants for the facilitation of development projects through the encouragement of innovation, cooperation between organizations and the participation of local stakeholders in projects.

Role of IMF

Source

What the IMF Does

The work of the IMF is of three main types.

Surveillance involves the monitoring of economic and financial developments, and

the provision of policy advice, aimed especially at crisis-prevention.

The IMF also lends to countries with balance of payments difficulties, to provide temporary financing and to support policies aimed at correcting the underlying problems; loans to low-income countries are also aimed especially at poverty reduction.

Third, the IMF provides countries with technical assistance and training in its areas of expertise.

Supporting all three of these activities is IMF work in economic research and statistics.

In recent years, as part of its efforts to strengthen the international financial system, and to enhance its effectiveness at preventing and resolving crises, the IMF has applied both its surveillance and technical assistance work to the development of standards and codes of good practice in its areas of responsibility, and to the strengthening of financial sectors.

The IMF also plays an important role in the fight against money-laundering and terrorism

Strengthening the International Financial System
Transparency
Standards and Codes

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Data Standards Established to guide countries in the provision of their economic and financial data to the public

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Fiscal Transparency Facilitates surveillance of economic policies by country authorities, financial markets, and international institutions.

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Transparency in Monetary & Financial Policies Principles related to transparency for monetary and financial policies that central banks and financial agencies should seek to achieve

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Financial Sector
Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP)

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Assessments of Offshore Financial Centers (OFCs)

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Anti-Money Laundering

Crisis Resolution

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What kind of stress is this?

We had a presentation on stress management. we exceeded our limit by 100% and according to my friends, had ended up presenting a whole PhD thesis on stress, different kinds, symptoms, solutions etc.

It get's me thinking that what kind of stress am I in? It's definitely not acute or chronic. May be distress or hypo stress - where I am underchallenged and bored. Not that I have any reason not to be challenged. I have plenty but it's the initiative to take up the challenge. Someone must do a research on that! Knowing you have the skills and ability to do a task, yet you have no initiative!!

Careless, irresponsible, lazy is the only 'unprogressive' words that come to my mind when we think of how everything today has been given fancy funda's and major theories. Theory of laughter (It's now no longer so easy to laugh. you need to study how to do that). I read a caption earlier "Science has progressed far. What was once an itch and now an allergy!" Same to management my dear, same to management.

At times I feel, sitting in a class, learning how to plan, learning how to sell, learning how to handle people is really just the icing on the cake. No one buys a cake for it's icing. It's the cake, the substance beneath that holds the show. The icing is used to just attract - Hey, look at me, I'm the best, delicious cake you can have.

However, at the end of the day, you get the work done (forget effective and efficient!! -uhhh those words are like monsters for MBA students) and you're wanted. You don't meet the target, you can't handle your boss or the office politics, you can't handle your emotions (Stress!), off you go maam, out of the door.

Next time anyone of you meet some MBA, feel pity for him. His common sense has just been reprogrammed into theories and principles. God help his soul.

Lal Bagh Flower Show - 7th to 15th August

Chennai - "People makth a place"

Chennai is one of the metropolitan cities of India. How huge it is, I have no idea. (Google search anyone :-) Just Kidding) I have begun to fairly get a sense of direction about what is where. It's amazing how places don't matter when you have people you love around you.

Few years back, Chennai was a place I was not so happy to go to. I had eyes judging me and watching my every move. I was filled with fear and apprehension when I left for Chennai and when I used to come back - of guilt. Guilt that I was probably not a good person, guilt built on people's expectations and wants and demands. Nope Chennai was hot, sticky and not at all friendly.

Well thankfully, that era ended and this time round I have actually begun to like Chennai. Catching an overnight train with an airbag, getting my cousin to chauffer us around the city (This is so far the city with the largest number of bill boards I've ever seen), attending a wedding where we got to eat four bowls of ice creams! It was an amazing feast. Main thing was the welcome that my aunt and uncle give us.

Well coming to what we did- drove around for almost three hours, attended the wedding lunch, caught a rickshaw to Gandhi beach and sat there for sometime. RBI (Reserve Bank of India) employees were doing a worthy cause on the Independence day of India by collecting all the rubbish they could find on the beach. They were wearing white caps with the RBI logo on the front. They had turned up with their friends and family and it great that they took out one of their precious free days to do a community service. Keep it up RBI!

Nisreen and I then decided to go for a walk till the shore and on the way passed the baloon shooter. We decided to play a game. The last time I had played was with my late friend A.Rahman. He had taught me how to shoot the baloons. This time, I hit all 12 on 12 including the flying one's. Nisreen managed 10 on 12 which means we girls are not bad shooters, eh?

After that we did the usual rounds at the malls - City Center, Spencers and Reebok. The mall culture is there in every city. What amazes me is the different kinds of goods we get. The best part was I bought books! Lots and lots and lots of books. I got "The Kite Runner" at Rs. 60 vs Rs. 350 at Landmark. I also bought a copy of "A thousand splendid suns" for my 'Boss' under whom I did my internship. I got Sidney's and Chicken soups and a puzzel book for my cousin (She is those left-brained people who hate reading and love numbers) I think it's after buying books that I feel wonderful. I now have books for the next one month and I'm looking forward to my reading :-)

Rushing back, we got ready in a frenzy for the night function. We went to the Dulah's home, saw him being wished well by his family, his sehra (face veil) being tied and finally the mount on the horse (one last chance to run away hehehe). We followed in the car and as family got V.I.P treatment. All flowers on us and being welcomed etc. Food was excellent.

At 10.30 pm, we left for the station, caught our train and had a pretty good sleep coz we were frazzeled out. Touched Bangalore by 6.00 am and home by 6.30 am on my good old scooty (Poor baby had to carry us two and our two bags!) It was a good ride coz we got no traffic and the morning breeze is amazing.

All in all, an amazing trip :)

The neighbours grass

It's strange how the grass is always greener at that other end. Yesterday I was invited for Iftar at Munira ben's place. I go to her home for my afternoon prayers as her home is just a few minutes distance from my Institute. At times when I have to stay back in college for some extra studies I also pray my evening prayers at her home. God bless her.

Well so yesterday as we sat for iftar, she with her two kids, her sister's kids and I. I listened to the conversation between her and the children. They were discussing about science and optional subjects. Munira ben was scolding her nephew that he should come and take his elder brother's books, she did not tell him. A choke rose my throat as I realised that I didn't have this kind of family. I didn't have tiny feet pattering around my home or watch me cook or fight over bringing the dishes to the table.

At twenty five, I had as a child dreamt I would have at least three kids. I am very happy for what I am today and what I have, it's when you see something you don't have that you feel that tug in your heart. I had the strangest dream the other night where I saw my daughter. I was carrying her in my arms. She was a copy of me as a child..lol.. yet I still remember the feeling so well of holding her and she looking up to me. Tell that to my comedian friend Devendra and he said "First dream about your husband and then your child!"

All in good time I hope. :-)

I wrote it!

Well I finally got down to submit my essay on an environmental cause. I choose to write on Global warming and Prof. Raj liked it! I guess it was worth spending four hours on it even though that meant loss of two classes! :(

You can read the essay on my stories blog here

I just realised that I cannot write any technical articles. I freeze when someone asks me to use jargons and fundas. I started reading 'Blue Ocean Strategy' and was actually getting mad! I just could not understand the technical language. I told Prof. Sunil about it and he told me "You have to come to the level where you can understand it". He was so kind that he took a whole lecture on Blue ocean strategy to give an outline about what the book was proposing. He's a big fan of the book and says it's something totally new.

So well I will read it now, hopefully understanding the book. At the same time, I am now going to try my hand in writing technical papers. You never know, I might one day just write a management book! InshaAllah!

Musings

I'm facing the writer's block!!

I have to write an article for environmental cause and I simply am not able to! Prof. Raj is expecting it today and just look at me! I am not able to write even a bit. This is what happens to me during a deadline. I just hate when there is a fixed time limit to anything.. whether it's exams or assignments or submissions.

This trimester... trust me I have improved loads!! I had a 'disorder' of late submission of at least 3/10 and this trim, it's cut down to 0. Zero because I simply couldn't complete one so I did submit an unfinished assigment for which I may get just a mark.

As for last trim, I was late for all my three projects and you know what happened to my internship report!

The same happens with exams. Though thanks to my dad, I'm reading a this how to study book and getting to know a lot of tips and smarter ways of time management and completing the course ware before time etc.

Now you are wondering how I manage to do well in exams, right? lol.. if I can't submit my assignments on time and I can't study under pressure, then how in this world do I manage to get through??

That's where I have always believed in the dua, the prayers, of my family and friends. It's their love and their prayers for me that have always gotten me through.

When I was in Christ College, someone asked me how I managed to get 93% (O.K. I do study well but I still am not happy as to how I study!) I told them it's all because of God. I strongly believe that it's My Lord who gets me through. I sometimes feel I don't deserve what I get. I get far more than I ever expected... but for it I am always always thankful.

Well these are just thoughts off my head... Am writing something to get myself to write. I do have this wonderful story in my mind and I suppose I don't need to worry... I just need to write. Once that is done, then revise my draft, email it to my prof and that's as good as done right? :-)

So off I go...

A stare, a friend and three ice creams!

Yesterday was an upsetting day that turned quite pleasant.

I am on a cleaning spree especially for my cupboards because

a) There are too many clothes that I don't need

b) I don't like the way they are arranged

c) Too many books

d) Too many papers

so for nearly three hours I sat and filed the papers and removed two bags of junk.. envelops and outdated documents. I filed the papers in different files and realised why I liked administration. I'm not the neat psycho that my sister is. ( You keep your jacket on the bed and she shouts at you to hang it behind the door!) However, I do love neat people and neat homes so I'm going to be conscious. My wardrobe is currently haywire and I intend to wire it up may be tomorrow.. yeah.. Saturday is a good day for arranging ;)

Well, after my cleaning spree I went to college and on the staircase I met one of my professors for whom I have great regard. I don't know why and what, but he didn't want to greet me! Imagine the hurt of this little heart. I told him "Good morning Sir" and he stared at me! Stared! And trust me there was enough time to give a response but nope.

I went to class and my Macroeconomics Prof. was teaching us Inflation half of which went off my head as I was thinking what wrong I had done to get that kind of a cold stare... well it was not a 'cold stare', just a stare that made me so cold. I told Dev and he is laughed it off. Told me I was being silly just bcoz a prof didn't say 'Hello', I told my sis and she said, "He must be having a bad day, don't think soooooo much"

Therefore, I hope he had a bad day. My sis also advised me that I should have high regard for my professors but not get too attached to them that such tiny things start mattering. Well I can't help it. If I like someone, I like them all the way! Like Prof. Narayan Swamy... I think he is the coolest and he always gives us a smile when we greet him.

Well I was OK by the second lecture and enjoyed my classes. In the evening I went for prayers and met up a student from Tanzania. He is going to start his MBA at Mysore University and it's always fun to talk to people from home. The way we speak, joke, and pull each other's leg reminds you of home sweet home. May be I should go back to my dear East Africa.

And yeah.. after a long time.. I had three ice creams :-)

1st Rank - Figure that!

Good news after a nail-biting period and terror of failing a paper - I get 1st rank in my 2nd trimester!!

When I got the marks card I was like 'What??!!" and quickly checked my marks for Operations Research II coz I was so scared about the paper. I was 'pleasantly' if not 'shockingly' surprised to have got 87%. I think it were subjects like Executive Communication, Web designing and ERP that saved me. I achieved a 89% and 95% respectively.

Alhamdullilah (Praise be to God!)

I have one month to go before my 4th trimester exams and with all this project management techniques we've been learning in class, I hope to do a better job this time :-)