Loud Thinking

Author Archive

Want the Job? Do a Project

No matter how well you interview, more and more hiring organizations will ask you to participate in a real-world project before they extend an offer.

They want to test your ability to do the job, whether you’re redesigning a social media campaign, documenting a tricky bit of software, or editing a keynote presentation.

Proceed with caution when offered such an assignment: Sometimes firms use them to pit two or three candidates against each other, and they usually pay below-market rates for the work.

But don’t turn down the opportunity. A project gives you the chance to shine — and win credibility — in advance: If you get the job, people in the organization will know you’ve already delivered something above and beyond a decent track record.

It’s also a good chance for you to learn about what it’s like to work with your future boss and colleagues.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is
no path and leave a trail.”

— Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Proposal to Stem the Economic Rot

@geonews_urdu @ShaihryarSpeaks

PMLN should ask IMF for moratorium on loan payments else US should pay IMF directly our overdue payments.

PHIR NA KAHNA HAMEIN KHABAR NA HUI

An Open Letter Dated 04 October, 2011 to the then PM Pakistan

H’able Makhdoom Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani Sb.

A.O.A.

You may be aware that the electricity load shedding has brought the country to the brink of abyss. The writing on the wall is there for every body to read and take immediate, repeat immediate, drastic and emergent steps, before the situation explodes to a point of no return. In fact, the country has now reached a defining moment.

In this regard, now as all powerful Prime Minister, it is high time that you may take personal charge of the looming crisis.

For your consideration, I take this opportunity to submit the following proposals to stem the rot of the current electricity crisis of Pakistan.

1. Impose total country-wide ban on use of air-conditioners in all official, public and private offices and residences ( which includes the offices and residences of the President, P.M, Governors, C.M’s and state guest houses with no exceptions, even for the foreign guests). We should not forget that in 60’s Indian government imposed a nation-wide ban on serving of dinner, to meet the severe food shortage.

2. Order, closure (strictly) of all shops and offices after 6 P.M. Remember, every Watt saved is Watt generated.

3. Order prohibition of every type of decorative lighting in the country.

4. All TV channel transmissions and cable services must be ordered to be closed at 9 P.M. through out the country.

5. The services of Police, Rangers, F.C and Armed Forces may be acquired to detect and permanently disconnect, the electricity connection of all those premises, who are getting electricity through illegal means. These premises, under no circumstances, be allowed electricity connection in future. Remember, there is more than 30% (latest NEPRA losses figures are at 40%) electricity theft in the country and civilian agencies can never overcome this problem.

6. Order, immediate one hour advancement of clocks and five days working in a week.

7. Order, immediate maximum facilitation to all and sundry, installing and using Solar energy at their premises, like as in India, bank loans are given for Solar energy at 4% interest rates. Our customs department charge tax on one pretex or other, on Solar energy equipments, although the government has declared it as tax free. This matter should be resolved once for ever.

Wishing you all the success, in your endeavours to serve the country, in a manner to be remembered in the annuls of the history.

Na Samgho Gay To Mit Jao Gay Aay PPP Walo,

Tumharey Datan Tak Na Ho Gy Dastano mein.

Vision is the ability to think ahead with imagination or wisdom.

“It’s seizing the day and accepting responsibility for your future. It’s seeing what other people don’t see, and pursuing that vision no matter who tells you not to.”

Howard Schultz (born 1953);
businessman, entrepreneur

Don’t Schedule That Meeting

Some people get trigger-happy when it comes to scheduling meetings. Have information to share? Need to get the team’s input? Better get something on the calendar. But half the time, these gatherings are a waste of time. Here are three rules for being respectful of other people’s time:

Only use meetings for discussions and decisions that must happen with a team, in real time. Don’t use the time for FYI items that you can communicate via e-mail.

Send a clear agenda with the meeting invitation — not two minutes before — so it’s easier for everyone to tell whether they need to attend.

Designate someone to take thorough notes. Circulate those to anyone who might need to be in the loop, but doesn’t need to come to the meeting.

Today’s Management Tip was adapted from “Break Your Addiction to Meetings” by Elizabeth Grace Saunders.

“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.