Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Change Management

Recently I met a friend who mentioned that he'd attended a three day 'Change Management' training at his office, which got me thinking for a while. I was wondering why would you need a three day training on Change Management? Personally I felt that 3 days was ridiculously high and it's a sad thing that professionals at senior levels still fall of gimmics like this.

Change Management is no big deal, I can teach Change Management in less than 10 minutes and that too in just 5 steps! Don't believe me? If you are interested in learning world class 'Change Management,' read on....

1. Gather all the change you have in one common place (see picture below).
Tip:
+ Check all the pockets of the shirts, trousers, jackets, suites you recently wore.
+ Check all the bags that you recently used.
+ Check all the draws in your house, check under the couch and / or bed.



2. Arrange the change in stacks by denomination (see picture below). This technique is currency independend and will work with all currencies.
Tip:
+ Arranging the stacks in ascending order based on their denominations makes it easier.

In the above pic, from left to right: 0.25 /- INR, 0.50 /- INR, 1/- INR, 2/- INR and 5/- INR


3. Get empty boxes and put each stack in one box (see pic below).
Tip:
+ The number of empty boxes should be equal to the number of stacks.
+ If more denominations are added to the collection, additional empty boxes should be used as per the above mentioned ratio.



4. Cover the box with the lid and label each box with the denomination of currency it contains. (See picture below).
Tip:
+ Use the standard / universal formats for labelling.
+ If the collection contains more than one type of currency, then a bigger box for each currency type can be used inside which the individual denomination boxes can be kept. 
+ It is advisable that both the box and the label is named so that interchanging of labels can be identified before it causes confusion.



5. Store the boxes in a place that is safe, easy to access and difficult to forget.

This completes the 5 step change management course. If you want to learn Advanced Change Management, read on....

This course will teach you some advanced techniques that will enable you to not only efficiently manage change but also keep track of and reconcile change on a regular basis. This can also help you maintain an automated inventory! We have brought together the best of affordable technology to accomplish this.

1. Attach sensors to each box (that contains change in different denominations) that can track, record and report the weight in kilograms of each box at all times.

2. This data can then be fed to a computer or a microprocessor chip attached to a digital display that will diplay the overall weight of each box at any given point of time.

3. Write a program in the computer or the microprocessor that will calculate the total number of coins in each box at any point of time. Caution: The weight in kilograms for a single coin per denomination must be fed into the program in order for the program to evaluate the number of coins.

4. Optionally additional programming can be done that will enable keeping repository of historical change data, change inventory, generate reports, etc.


You have now mastered the art of Change Management and Advanced Change Management. You don't need to thank me for enlightening you, I was just doing my duty!

You Know You've been watching tamil movies if...

If you see characters wearing sneakers and walking on grass but you hear foot steps of that of boots on a concrete floor.

If any one is hit on their head with a wooden log or any similar material faints immediately.

If all the wooden logs that are used to make people faint are of the same type and dimensions.

If any character in the movie forgets everything after a head injury.

If the same character regains his / her memory after a consecutive head injury (which is by accident in most of the cases).

If the lead actor is not a cop then all other cop characters are portrayed as criminals, cheats and people without values or ethics.

If they show a guy getting beaten up all through the movie without suffering any serious injuries and call it comedy.

If all supporting actors (in most cases the lead actors too) have excess make up on them in order to change their skin color from brown to white.

If all the female lead actors have the same voice (if you have watched multiple movies).

If in a stunt scene when the lead actor kicks / punches a guy and the guy who got punched flies for more than a meter from where he or she originally stood.

If anyone trying to attack the lead characters always make an “aaaiii” sound prior to attacking.

If there is only one person attacking the lead actor at any given point of time in a stunt sequence though there are many who are waiting to beat the shit out of the lead actor. These guys will only come one at a time to fight the lead actor as the others will be recovering from the previous punch or kick.

If the lead actor keeps repeating a line thoughout the movie or if the lead actor utters similar phrases not because its making sense but simply because its rhyming.

If the lead actor speaks in English and the same is portrayed as the next best thing that has happened to mankind after the invention of wheel!

If the lead actor's name is shown with some some B grade graphics sequences before the name of the movie and if the lead actor's name has an adjective and or followed by 'star' before the actual name.

If all the terrorists shown in the movies are Pakistani's and if all the terrorist's names are the same - Wasim Khan! (This was declared as the official Pakistani Terrorst's name ever since Maniratnam's Roja become a super duper hit).

Regardless of which state or country the story is happening, one or more of that state's or country's native people speak tamil!

If characters from other states or countries in the movie have their first name as the name of their state / country and the last name as a popular surname in their state / country. Eg: Punjab Singh, Kerala Nair, Kerala Chechi, Dubai Sheikh, Bombay Bhai, Hindikaran' which means hindi man - anyone who speaks hindi, etc.

If the lead character is portrayed as vegetable seller, welder, mechanic or any other similar profession during the first half of the movie and then if they reveal that the lead actor is actually an Assistant Comissioner of Police who was on an undercover operations all this while.

If the lead character is playing the role of a cop, he / she (she is very unlikely) is always an Assistant Comissioner of Police.

Here are some of the Do's and Dont's to save yourself....

Dont's:

If you ever happen to watch any tamil movie in which the following actors are playing the lead role please don't. If God has gifted you with immense patience and you want to just have a good laugh then go on. None of these actors have done full and full comedy movies but if you watch their serious movies you'll laugh your guts out especially the first 3 and the last 2 shown below. If you don't have the parience to watch a whole movie then search on youtube.com with these stars names and what you will find is an array of hillarious videos....



Do's:

At your own risk, you have 50% chances of watching a good movie if the movie features any of the actors shown below...

You have 80% chance of watching a good movie if its from one of the two shown below....

And finally here are a couple of directors who make good movies in Tamil.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

God's Own Country

Last month I'd been to Wayanad, Kerala on a short vacation. Calling Kerala 'God's Own Country' is an understatement.

Technically this is my fourth visit to Kerala and this is the first time I actually got to see the real Kerala. First time was when I was a kid, I'd been to Malampuzha with my family. Second time I almost made it the border with some friends and the guy who was supposed to arrange accomodation screwed up so ended up going to Mudumalai instead. In the third attempt I stayed in a hotel in the middle of a town and eat in the hotel's restraunt and came back (Thanks to a great ass who was in my team who supposedly knew every nook and corner in Wayanad).

Finally on my fourth visit to Kerala, I was able to experience the REAL KERALA. We found an amazing home stay accomodation (luxurious at the same time affordable and had a great host Mr. Saji Chaco - http://www.tropicalforrest.in/) and drove down for the weekend. The home stay was situated on top of a small hill in the outskirts of this small town called Lakkidi. When we got closer to the town we called the host and asked him for directions, he said "Keep coming straight, when you find mist on the road, just stop and give me a call. I'll come there and take you to the homestay. That's one of the weirdest landmarks I've heard of (besides 'you'll see a cow eating grass, take a left after that') but you know with that landmark you can never miss that place. We witnessed mist only in that area over the next two days we spent there. Amazing!



We took up an entire villa (build in accordance with the authentic Kerala architectural style), the villa and the locality was so good that we didn't want to go out anywhere. When you drive down to Kerala from either Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, you can feel the difference the moment you cross the border and enter God's Own Country! When you drive down, you'll see dry masses of lands, one or two trees here and there, horrible roads, garbage dumps, etc and then as you enter Kerala all of that will change!

You'll know you've entered Kerala,
  • The moment everthing around you turns completely green.
  • The roads get narrower but better than anyother road you would have driven on.
  • When you feel the cold breeze.
  • When you hear birds chirping.
  • When you hear leaves brusing against each other due to the wind.
  • If you see football posters or flags of countries that play football.
  • Small tea stalls that also serve beef and toddy.
  • Men with lungi's.
  • = / > 15 people in a jeep.

Wayanad is filled with stunningly beautiful landscapes, some nice places to visit, great roads to drive on and amazing food. Talking about the food, you should try out the traditional beef fry, if you ever get a chance to stop by in a small road side hotel that serves Kerala - go for it and most of all you have to have to try the buttermilk from a roadside shop. I don't know how they manage to make everything so delicious but you must never miss these things when you are in Kerala. Don't plan on visitng 100 places during your vacation but a select few and enjoy the drive and the mesmerising beauty of God's Own Country!


Some of the places I'll personally recommend: Banasura Sagar Dam, Edakkal Caves, Chembara Peak, Kuruva Island and Soochippara Waterfall. Especially the drive us the coffe estates to Chembara Peak is amazing! Here are some of the pictures of God's Own Country from my recent visit. I'll leave the rest for you to experience when you go there.....





Below are the pictures taken during our drive up to Chembara Peak.





And the Legendary Jeep rides of Kerala....


All in all you'll thoroughly enjoy Kerala if you stay and roam around in the right places. You'll only wish it wasn't as humid as it was else you'll not have any complaints.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Just look at''em


Looks like Gopi is very angry. Got this from a menu card in Wayanad Kerala. Guess this dish was named after Suresh Gopi


From the same menu card as above. Non-Vegitable???




There is no limit to how many people can be transported in a jeep at the same time in Kerala!

Another Sample...


I don't think anyone spoke to the cow before declaring its happy about this whole deal.




May be they should try working withouit yelling for once.


Sorry what was I supposed to do / not do again?


Sign board outside Forum shopping mall, wonder how many times they proof read this before publishing..

Kabbe Holidays

A great holiday destination in Coorg, this place boasts of world class accomodation at really affordable cost, amazing food and most of all great hospitality that always makes you feel at home. Kabbe Holidays is the place to be if you need a perfet holiday. Dilip & Vidhya, the people who run this place are real sweet hearts and they always make you feel as part of their family.


When I first heard of this place I was told that they treat you like a king, I thought that is just for the sake of marketing, like other holiday desitnations advertise, but after vistng this place is when I realised how true that statement was. I have been to this place thrice between 2007 & 2009 (those are the only times we made it to Kabbe Holidays, if you count the number of times we've attempted but did not get booking is probably > 10) and everytime I go there it feels like going back home.

All the friends I have taken to Kabbe Holidays so far have gone back for another vacation sooner or later and they always have great things to say about this place and of course Dilip & Vidhya. Some of my friends even call me the Columbus of Kabbe Holidays coz I found the place first amongst all of us.

One thing you must never miss when you go there is to walk up the hill with Dilip, the view is fantastic and you can actually see Kerala while your foot is firmly rested in Karnataka. Probably you can also go up his cofee estate by evening and wakdown after sunset. There are a couple of places where Dilip can take you for some adventure sports. If you are into adventure sports you can try kayaking, rock climbing, raffling, paint balling, quadra bike, etc.

It is highly recomended that you ask Vidya to prepare the traditional pork fry and the dessert that is made with bread (not sure what its called but one thing for sure is that you can't stop eating it once you start). If it aint raining you can have a good time at the campfire, Vidya now has a new game that she plays in camp fires called "Jab We Met." I woulnd't want to reveal much details about this game here, you should get there and see it for yourself. I've always wondered how Vidhya manages to come up with so many different varieties of food, some of the things I've eaten / drank in Kabbe Holidays are things that you don't find anywhere else.

Everytime we plan for a trip with friends or everytime a good friend is asking for suggestions on a holiday spot the first place we think of is Kabbe Holidays. Not just because of the great place it is, but also because of the great bonding we share with Dilip & Vidya.

If you are looking for a peaceful, fun filled vacation Kabe Holidays is the place to be. But be sure you book the place well in advance so that you are not disappointed (I'd suggest for Christmas and New Year's you'll need to make a booking atleast a year in advance). Here are some of the pictures from my memorable trips to this place, alternatively you can know more details about this place in their website http://www.kabbeholidays.com/


The peak you see is actually half way to the hill top.






Dilip's coffee estate


One of the places where you can involve is some adventure sports



Below are some of the feebacks we wrote on the vistor's book whenever we had been there (There are more of the first impression comments and I haven't updated all the comments we put up in our consecutive visits).

3rd & 4th November 2006 (I came here with my team):

We took the wrong route and had a tiring and long journey. The best thing was none of had a clue about how this place is. We all were kind of getting skeptical as to how the place is going to be. When we reached here the very first interaction we had with Mr & Mrs Dilip was great. We felt like home after seeing the place. Then the food best of its kind, the way the food was served was also great / personalised service. The places we vsted around this place were the best, especially the treking part gave us an experience of a lifetime. This was one of the best refreshing vacations we've had. The only thing that bothered me was the leeches. In a nutshell this place is the "best of the best."


April 2007 (This was when I got my best friends to Kabe Holidays)

This is my second visit to Kabbe Holidays, the previous visit was in November 2006. This time it was much better (greater) that the previous visit because we stayed here for two days. Dilip is a star, he took us to his estate and let us walk back in the dark which was the most adventrous trek I've done in life. The next day Dlip took us to Kayaking and pushed me into the water inspte of me being extremely 'hydrophobic.' I don't know if that expeience was exciting but it was refreshing for sure. We then had a great time at the campfire with some antakshari, some toddy and lots of fun.

The food was exceptionally good and I'm gonna miss this food when I go back. The way the two new cottages were built is remarkable and I don't have words to express the hospitality of Dilip, Vidya & Dev. Now I feel that I'm a part of Dilip's family. What made me very happy was that I brought my best friends here for the frirst time and all of them really loved and enjoyed it to a great extent. I'm looking forward for many more excitng, enjoyable and adventrous trip back to Kabbe Holidays. I want to et my family here once and 'm sure they will love it. I call myself as 'Columbus' among my friends circle beause I discovered this wonderful place!

April 2007 (This is what Leeni wrote on their book)

Its a given this place is beautful, heaven on earth, but what has made our stay memorable were the wonderful people. Vidya is a sweetheart, best hostess I have ever met. Dilip going that extra mile to make memories for us (Late Night Jungle Safari). Dev, smart and full of life and an excellent sot and dancer.
Thank You doesn't exactly say it :-). We will be back.

April 2007 (This is what Amith wrote on their book)

Forget It!!! I never visited a resort I felt like I visted my relative's place and honestly never felt like I am new here. Excellent food (considering that I don't eat) Awesome hospitality. (Dilip, Vdya, Dev you rock).
Thanks for this wonderful experience. Many more visits to come.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

My Short Stories

I have all my short stories in .pdf format and have been breaking my head in figuring out a way to upload the pdf files onto my blog. With no light at the end of the tunnel, I figured out the best way to put them up is by converting them into image files and uploading them. So here are a couple of my personal best short stories...