Loud Thinking

Archive for May, 2013

“Character is the ability to carry out a good resolution long
after the excitement of the moment has passed.”

— Cavett Robert

Lessons of Life

A Chinese story……

(This is the English Translation)

There was this robbery in Guangzhou, the robber shouted to everyone: “All don’t move, money belongs to the state, life belongs to you”.

Everyone in the bank laid down quietly.

This is called “Mind Changing Concept –> Changing the conventional way of thinking”.

One lady lay on the table provocatively, the robber shouted at her “Please be civilised! This is a robbery and not a rape!”

This is called “Being Professional –> Focus only on what you are trained to do!”

When the robbers got back, the younger robber (MBA trained) told the older robber (who in only primary school educated), “Big bro, let’s count how much we got”, the older robber rebutted and said, “You very stupid, so much money, how to count, tonight TV will tell us how much we robbed from the bank!” This is called

“Experience –> nowadays experience is more important than paper qualifications!”

After the robbers left, the bank manager told the bank supervisor to call the police quickly. The supervisor says “Wait, wait wait, let’s put the 5 million RMB we embezzled into the amount the robbers robbed”.

This is called “Swim with the tide –> converting an unfavorable situation to your advantage!”

The supervisor says “It will be good if there is a robbery every month”.

This is called “Killing Boredom –> Happiness is most important.”

The next day, TV news reported that 100 million RMB was taken from the bank. The robbers counted and counted and counted, but they could only count 20 million RMB. The robbers were very angry and complained “We risked our lives and only took 20 million RMB, the bank manager took 80 million RMB with a snap of his fingers. It looks like it is better to be educated to be a thief!”

This is called “Knowledge is worth as much as gold !”

The bank manager was smiling and happy because his loss in the CINOPEC shares are now covered by this robbery.

This is called “Seizing the opportunity –> daring to take risks!”

(End of translation)
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THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH AND SELF REALISATION EXISTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF LIFE.

Why Strategy for Business?

Trying to succeed in business without a sound strategy is a lot like trying to navigate rush-hour traffic wearing a blindfold — the chances of coming out in one piece are very slim indeed. That’s because if you truly want to know not simply where your business is going, but how to get it there using the safest, most direct route possible, you need an effective business strategy.

(Courtesy Harvard Business Review).

Spread-Your-Wings is enjoying new experiences outside of your comfort zone.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

Anaïs Nin (1903-1977);
author, diarist

ISLAMABAD: The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday ordered the recounting of and verification of thumb impressions on votes polled in two National Assembly, including NA-125 Lahore-VIII, and seven Punjab Assembly seats. After allegations of rigging on PP-39 (Khushab-I), PP-43 (Mianwali-I), PP-205 (Multan-XII), PP-9 (Rawalpindi-IX), PP-257 (Muzaffargarh-VII), PP-155 (Lahore-XIX) and PP-156 (Lahore-XX) as well as two National Assembly seats, including NA-125 (Lahore-VIII), the commission ordered the recounting and thumb impressions’ verification.It is pertinent to note that activists of the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf (PTI) had alleged rigging during the election for NA-125 and had staged a sit-in to register their protest over the result from the said constituency.Earlier, Khawaja Saad Rafique of the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) was said to have won from the seat securing over 120,000 votes and defeating PTI’s Hamid Khan (83,000). After which, Khan had requested the ECP for a vote recount on NA-125, which the commission had reportedly rejected at the time.

Link:- http://dawn.com/2013/05/29/ecp-orders-recount-thumb-impression-verification-on-two-na-seven-pa-seats/

“I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost
unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful.”

— Bob Hope

Choose Connection Over Conflict

It feels good to win an argument. But in every fight there’s a loser too, and your counterpart may leave the discussion feeling discouraged and disengaged. Instead of combating, try connecting:

Set rules of engagement. If you’re heading into a meeting that could get testy, outline rules to make it a productive, inclusive conversation. For example, make sure everyone has enough time to explain ideas without being interrupted.

Listen with empathy. Make a conscious effort to speak less and listen more. The more you learn about other peoples’ perspectives, the more empathy you’ll feel.

Plan who speaks. In situations when you know one person is likely to dominate (that may be you!), make sure everyone is able to speak. Identify who in the room has important information or perspectives to share. List them on a flip chart and use that as your agenda.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from “Your Brain Is Hooked on Being Right” by Judith E. Glaser.

Tariq Fatemi Sahab, don’t make Musharraf of Mian Nawaz Sharif Sahab

Dear Mr. Tariq Fatemi, your article titled “Though inadequate, a welcome step” published today in the daily “The Express Tribune” link :- http://tribune.com.pk/story/555573/though-inadequate-a-welcome-step/#comment-1506220
has really disappointed the nation; and gives the impression that your foreign policy mind set, will never take Pakistan, out of the jinx of the US slavery, specially when PMLN has got a fresh cast iron mandate from the nation and it will not be a weak coalition government. And icing on the cake is, that the PTI, PPP and other opposition parties will always stand in unison, with PMLN on this issue of highest national importance, more so for a nuclear nation. And, if you want to know the importance of even a very weak nuclear nation, just look at the way North Korea, which was virtually alone in the world, played its nuclear cards, in the recent stand off, versus the most powerful super power of the world.

Foreign and defence policy key personnel have to be an expert in brinkmanship. And, in this regard, how can we forget the excellent brinkmanship performance by our COAS, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani Sahab, after the 26/11 Mumbai attack?

There are many non violent methods of taking on the USA, on the drone attacks, if the GOP don’t want to shoot them down. Please inform us, which heavens fell on Iran, when it plucked LIVE, a US drone from the air?

Fatemi Sahab, have a heart and be a true representative of the LION. What stops Pakistan taking this matter (drone attacks) of severe violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty to the UN? What stops Pakistan taking this most severe illegal & human rights violation of its population, to the ICC? Are you afraid, US will stop our financial assistance? By the way, what financial assistance US is giving to Pakistan? Don’t you know at this time of withdrawal from Afghanistan, US needs Pakistan’s cooperation more than we need them. What stops Pakistan, making conditional, any cooperation in war on terror (WOT), with respect to the adherence by the US, of all international laws Viz. a Viz. Pakistan & respect of its integrity?

If you will start your innings on back foot, you will always be dependent on the mercy of US.

Fatemi Sahab, don’t make Musharraf of Mian Nawaz Sharif Sahab. Remember, a timid person can be a ruler but he can never be a leader. It’s the duty of the advisors to never leave the PM or the President, in a state, where he is forced to make decisions, under the influence of fear. This can only be done if the advisor informs the leader, all the strong and weak points, in a balanced manner.

Fatemi Sahab, there was nothing in President Obama’s speech regarding respect of Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Hope you remember, Ex-President Bill Clinton, apologised to PM Nawaz Sharif, when one of their missiles aimed at Afghanistan, fell on Pakistan. So be positive, think positive and act positive; and remember, never ever in the history, a super power has been so dependent on a small nation, than the US is upon Pakistan, till December, 2014.

Moreover, any military strategist knows very well, that it is most difficult and pain full, to withdraw from the war theatre, while hostilities are on. The foremost requirement for a safe retreat, is peace and peace alone.

If Pakistan will not cash this opportunity of the century, the history will never forgive us for floundering this golden chance.