chaotic moments

Last few weeks the running gov has given some stupid examples of a really needed action. Triggered by two of much respected ministers using their pvt assets to live their way, the austerity drive has resulted in actions which are nothing but laughing stock. Some of them are worth making note of … like the cattle class journey of RG creating real hassle for the cattle of the country … the hassle created by the security personnel limiting passengers to even move around (which is a much required activity in a sitting journey) … the cattle class debate on the holy cow …

I think it’s a needed step but requires little more than just travelling economy. I am sure the fin min must have dug out on expenses list of mins … and travel, phone, electricity/ utilities, etc. bills would have been very high … which could have resulted in some strictness. Little planning in execution of such kind of actions would result in better response.

For example travel …

• Pvt / charter copters are absolutely not required for politicians (barring emergencies) …
• Personal phone bills limited per month … use of telephone (with ISD barred) … would also result in ministers be in office for some time.
• Reduction in personal security levels … they are elected by people… what are they scared of!
• Use of smaller / desi cars for commutation (like maruti and tata) … why so many SUVs (that too international brands) … and even of SUV is required … why the expensive ones …
• Limited expenditure on political travel … no extra reimbursements on supporting staff… like food and drinks bill …
• Residential access… to be vacated timely by the ex-ministers so those incoming ministers do not waste on their out of ordinary stays …
• Penalties to be laid on non-follow up of norms …
• Accountability of every penny earned and spent …

I firmly believe some of these actions would certainly result in more transparency and reduction in extravagant atrocities …

Note: Gyan

A man asked a consultant what’s time … the consultant took the man’s watch told him it’s 5 AM by the man’s watch.

There is popular perception on consultants just playing around with jargons and making noise with empty thoughts …

In the above case, I think the consultant is not wrong … it’s the question by the man is wrong. Consultants are intelligent and mean … (I don’t see any reason why they should not) … if the question comes what’s the time by your (consultant’s) watch … he would have response would have been more reasonable …

Another aspect came across while I was attending a training o strategy … it was that most of the consultant would provide info on problems and possible solutions … but they are not likely to be part of execution / delivery of the solution … and that’s where the gap lies … wrong execution of any idea would result in failure … because execution failed, the assumption goes that the strategy/ solution is wrong… however, I have different thoughts on that … most often, the delivery / execution team (which does not includes the consultant who provided the solution) do not understand the perspective/ thoughts behind the solution … they miss out the problem all together and fix up the symptoms and not the problem.

So how to bridge the gap … it’s actually simple … let the consultant lead the delivery from the thought leadership perspective … which would result in consultant working harder as he has to save his bottom … (after all he has given the solution) …

Note: Gyan


We are always selling something – product, services, our expertise … here’s a quick tip – I learned through others experience …

Most of our sales can be based on 3 key pillars or points of a triangle – and out of these you let the customer control 2… the third is on your hand … if you give away all the three – you don’t win.

First to most of the customers, requirements start from “what” – what product / service and at what quality or scope (size). Quality is something none of the customers would compromise on. The restricted budget usually constraints the size or scope of product or project. Good part is the scope is normally negotiable, if not the quality.

Then, the Cost factor (or budget) – most of the customers have this constraints … here is when our financial modeling or pricing strategy comes in play – discounts, split/ staggered pricing helps …

And last but not the least, time to market – chances are this is one thing most of the customers won’t give up. They have their stakeholders too …

It’s a realistic triangle, and needs some control at your hand too to survive. One needs to have at least one flexible point to deliver. So best is to ask your customer to “Pick any 2! – Good – Quick – Cheap”.