Loud Thinking

Archive for June, 2014

“What’s money? A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and goes to bed at night and in between does what he wants to do.”

— Bob Dylan

“Freedom, morality, and the human dignity of the individual consists precisely in this; that he does good not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it.”

—Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1876);
Philosopher

An urgent appeal to the PM Pakistan

For the glory and projection of Pakistan’s soft image, kindly issue immediate necessary orders, for display of banners in the entire Brazil (particularly airports) and at all football stadiums, saying “Made in Pakistan footballs welcomes you to the World Cup”.

Such opportunities to build the image of our motherland only comes in decades and must not be missed.

Moreover, Pakistani coloured shirts which should have written (Pakistan the bronze medal winners of the street children football World Cup2014) should also be distributed free in Brazil.

3 Fears Good Delegators Get Over

Despite the benefits (and the necessity) of delegating, managers often feel uneasy about it. But as you hone your skills, you’ll see your fears dissipate and your staff gain confidence and grow more capable. Overcome these common concerns:
“It will just be faster to do it myself.” The amount of time spent planning to delegate will be worth it. As employees’ sense of ownership grows, they’ll accept more responsibility and take it off your hands.
“What if I’m left out of the loop?” Moving from specialist to generalist is tough, and it can be hard to give up tasks you excelled at (and which got you promoted). Use your expertise to guide staff members. You’ll still be involved, but in a more overarching way.
“But they won’t do it the right way!” Instead of trying to control how the task is done, communicate your quality standards. And be open to different approaches; an employee might have a different method to get the same job done.

Adapted by HBR from Delegating Work (20-Minute Manager Series).

American lobbying group changes its stand over India

A TOI report of June 5, 2014.

WASHINGTON: A top American lobbying group which represents the strong manufacturing sector in the US has changed its anti-India stand stating the Narendra Modi-led government offers hope and optimism for India-US ties.

“Manufacturers in the US are optimistic that we have before us an important opportunity to put the US-India economic relationship back on track,” Jay Timmons, president and CEO, National Association of Manufacturers said.

Calling for a dialogue with India, he said, manufacturers throughout the US want to see a stronger and more robust Indian economy and to work with businesses in India on a range of issues, from growing innovation and skills to improving participation in global supply chains.

“By working together on trade, investment and other issues, we can grow both our economies in a fast-paced and globally connected world economy,” he told a Washington audience.

“NAM stands ready to work together with the Indian government and the Indian business community to share its experiences and best practices, as well as work with the US Congress and trade representatives”, he added.

“We also recognise we can learn from India. But for this partnership to succeed, India needs to be prepared to embrace this opportunity for constructive dialogue and develop a business climate that promotes competitiveness and innovation,” Timmons said, adding that the coming weeks and months will be pivotal to India’s path and the direction of our bilateral relationship.

NAM along with the US Chamber of Commerce last year had launched an Alliance for Fair Trade with India and was instrumental in more than 200 lawmakers including powerful Senators and Congressmen from both the parties , writing to the US President, against Indian trade policies.

It had gone to the extent of describing India as an “outlier in the international” community and as late as February, March this years had urged the US Trade Representatives to declare designate India a Priority Foreign Country, a status reserved for those nations that are the most egregious violators of IP rights and have the most negative impact on US competitiveness abroad.

However, yesterday NAM refuted allegations that its actions last year were anti-India.

“This (AITF) was not and is not an anti-India group,” Linda Dempsey, co-chair of AITF and NAM vice president of international affairs, said.

“To the contrary, the NAM and our members created AFTI to push for the development of a stronger and more robust business and economic relationship with India.

To do so, as Timmons’s and my remarks has reinforced that the two countries must talk about key trade and investment issues and work together to solve them,” Dempsey said.

In his address to a Washington audience, Timmons said while manufacturers in the United States, Europe and elsewhere have participated in the global economy, unfortunately, India has increasingly moved away from engagement.

A letter titled “A bastion of peace” published the daily “The Nation”

Link:-http://www.nation.com.pk/letters/27-Sep-2013/a-bastion-of-peace

My letter titled “Together through thick and thin” published by the daily “The Nation”.
Link:- http://www.nation.com.pk/letters/30-May-2014/together-through-thick-and-thin

“Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.”

— Robert A. Heinlein

Chasing the American Dream

Who’s Left Behind, How Do They Get Ahead?

Barriers to achieving the American Dream have become more visible than success stories. More than four years after the Great Recession officially ended, 10.5 million people are out of work – and millions more struggle to make their paychecks stretch as far as their needs. One out of every 34 Americans is either behind bars, on probation, or on parole, relegating them to the margins of society, the economy, and even democracy.

“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”

—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968);
Minister, Civil Rights Activist