Happy Diwali

It is that time of the year when lights are lit and the colourful display of lights and fire begins all around. Yes, it is Diwali time, the Hindu festival of lights.

To my friends from MBA, I hope they remember the celebrations we had last year during the course of study to celebrate this festival. Wishing all my readers and visitors and everyone a very Happy Diwali and a prosperous new year.

McKinsey survey - Business and Web 2.0. What is social networking?

I was going through the McKinsey survey about usage of Web 2.0 by businesses all around. Few things that struck me were

1. Blogs and Social Networking are highly preferred medium of both customers and employees in the value chain of the business.

2. Videos are extensively used for providing training and customer support.

3. Social Networking and blogs are used extensively by large set of businesses for almost everything.

The usage of social networking and blogs raises an interesting thought. Is social networking (Facebook, linkedin, myspace) really helping businesses do better. Blogs are interesting medium to share, interact and engage with the audience (partners, customers, employers and other stakeholders) but as I understand social networking, which despite being important to individuals and also to companies, consumes lot of productive time of the enterprise. The loss may be argued as an investment by companies but there does not seem to any conclusive study on the benefits of such an investment.

Is social networking hype? How have businesses embraced social networking that provides value. Is this an investment by companies to remain blue eyed within its value chain or is it an investment in anticipation of something better in future?

I don't know the answer and I may be shooting in air. Despite being fan of linkedin which allows personal benefit of connecting with various individuals and facebook which again allows interaction among friends and acquaintances. I am keen to understand the economic value derived by using such 2.0 networking sites by the enterprise.

What next..MBA is done?

MBA is now over. In the first week of September I finished my dissertation, couriered it off to Lancaster and then moved on. Last month has been very relaxed in terms of work pressure and there has hardly been any pressure from any quarter. Relaxed and worry-free, I have spent last few weeks meeting and spending time with kids, family, attending functions and spending lot of nights in the train travelling across four cities in India.

So far, it has been really easy and I haven't found time yet for myself. My colleagues from Lancaster, of whom I learn are sailing in the same boat, have been spending time relaxing and unwinding from a gruelling long year. While the change in the lifestyle has been more than welcome, the uncertainity ahead is worrisome. The job market seems to be non-responsive. Though there are talks about recovery and new jobs being created, the situation still requires planning.

When I think back about the month that has gone by, I think I have procrastinated long enough to give a serious thought about what and where I want to move. My procrastination was the reason was no post on this blog for quite some time as I could not think and hence could not reflect but now as I sit and try to reflect, I feel that I need a bit more time to plan and then move. Someone, on my previous post over this blog commented anonymously, if I have screwed my carrer? Knowing myself, I am certain that I haven't. It is not in the defense of my MBA I say so, but because I am certain that I will get whatI aspire to, what is missing is the execution plan. Next few days should help me plan for the same.

Changes to this blog

I have been mulling changing the theme of this blog to a bit more sedate and a serious tone where I can share my thoughts on not just MBA but about the business world, in the way I see it. I have been observing in the recent past that much of the traffic on this blog is from my colleagues at Lancaster and from few other quarters as well that include my family, friends and thier family. While, I see no reason that people who have followed me over the year will stop following me but these changes to the blog, I believe will enable me to put things in a different perspective.

My MBA is coming to an end. As soon as my electives term got over, I came over to Delhi to start with my internship. The experience of working in a new industry and in a different role has proved to be a blessing so far. It has enabled me to broaden my thinking, come out of silos of older experience, think new and think critically . Moreover, the MBA has done two things - confused me and also given me the clarity as to what I want to do at the same time.

The changes to the blog will refer to the duality. I intend to portray my mind about the vision I have and secondly, the foggyness over my vision will be cleared as this blog will allow me to crytallise my thinking.

Lancaster MBA is about to be over and I still have to chronicle my internship experience. Career 2.0 is about to begin. Wish me luck.

My Delhi darshan (Delhi sightseeing tour)

Ever since I landed here, two weeks ago, I have always wanted to explore Delhi. I stayed at Delhi long time ago (10 years to be precise) but never visited any place worth mention. Like it happens to all residents who are well aware of the city they stay in but never bother to venture out and explore, I never explored Delhi when I stayed here.

This time, I have decided to make mends to my approach. I decided that I will visit places that are well mentioned and hence made a small resolution to visit few places. At my workplace, I asked a friend who willing agreed to take me around. So we decided that Saturday afternoon will be the right time to start the Delhi Darshan project.

Cometh Saturday afternoon, the Surya Devta (Sun God) didn't seem very happy. The mercury scaled the peak of around 44°C and there was no need for a sauna bath. The sweat bath was equally good on the day. Freshly baked and wet, I boarded the famed New Delhi public transport (a.k.a Bus) and started towards Connaught place where I was supposed to meet my friend. This friend of mine is a proper Delhite unlike me and knew places. So after the travel time of 1 hr and 10 min in the bus and another 20 minutes of paidal (on foot) walk I met this very generous and kind friend of mine. The first place to visit was local bhaiya (vendor) on the street who was selling cool refreshments. First price hike experience and no signs of economic recession. Against the maximum retail price of Rs. 20, the drinks costed us Rs. 25. Why? Because the guy had served us the 'cool' drinks and not 'hot' drinks and the difference was his service charge for the 'cool' drink. Two drinks down, now it was the turn to do some shopping.

Shopping in Delhi is altogether a unique experience (and so is in India). The 'High Streets' are frequented by both, the road side vendor who have small shops selling from ladies fashion garments to ultra modern fashion jewellery on one hand to Bose, Armani and Gucci brand shops on the other. All co-exists peacefully and do a brisque business. No one complains and the life goes on.

After the small shopping spree, which was interspersed by a short visit to an ATM, a visit to a book store, we decided to cool down a bit at a Chinese restaurant - 'Tao'. The restaurant reminded me of Mung Mee at Lancaster where the Thai food is delicious and this place offered me similar variety. The restaurant was a typical high street restaurant that I could expect in Cannaught Place. The food was enjoyable and palatable. As long as I was inside, I felt really nice but the moment I walked out I felt as if I was thrown in the burning amber.

As I walked out, I decided to explore the famous footpath market alongside Janpath (an area made famous because it hosts the address of one of the most powerful ladies in the world - Sonia Gandhi). The market typically hosts clothing and fashion accessories shops and since my friend is a shopaholic, I also went along and guess what, I pampered myself with handsome sunglasses - brand Armani (ofcourse the fake ones). That's the fun part of shopping in India. You get whatever you want at the price you are willing to pay.

Our next destination was Dilli Hat (a open air market mainly for handicraft items from all around the country, a cultural melting pot). It was one of those places about which I had heard a lot but never chanced to visit it. This time I didn't wanted to miss the opportunity so boarded the first train err.. the Delhi Metro and began a nice ride. The Delhi Metro is a marvel. The trains are wide, seating comfortable, platforms clean, security all around. To get into the station the security is like airport security with armed guards wielding body scanners and there is also a baggage scanner. Believe me, I was impressed. One of the best things is there is no paper ticket. Once I buy a journey, I am given a plastic token that is valid for the journey and the machine recognises the token and allows me to board the train and even takes it back when the journey is over and I walk out of the station. Good 'green' thinking.

Once at Dilli Hat, I enjoyed the food options. Felt that the prices were a bit on the higher side but I didn't mind. It was authentic and tasty.

When I started back home, again the irony of India struck me on the face. Metro, the engineering marvel, on one side, and crowded, overbearing buses and pathetic state of public transport system on the other. India is indeed a developing country but for all its faults it is an amazing place, place that I love.