Manhandling a Jacket, Allen Solly way

Till this time “mishandling” and “yours truly” never featured in the same sentence. Last week an attempt has been made to tarnish the reputation built over years by representatives of Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, the company that owns the brand Allen Solly.  I have been accused of mishandling a jacket, for Christ’s sake! By this post I shall make others aware and caution others to be careful as this could happen to anyone. I could approach them as I purchased from a physical store in a high end mall, I shudder to imagine how desperate who purchases online would be.

We used to buy Allen Solly products as it is an Indian brand and in the same time lending support to the Make in India initiative in our own way. A premium brand is distinguishable by its willingness to accept its deficiencies and addressing those to ensure total value to their customer. Little did we know that Allen Solly in its dealing with us will demonstrate none of these characteristics while pretended to be one.

The shocker came in the form of my Allen Solly Jacket which I had worn sparingly for 3 odd months.  A casual jacket is seldom worn and more so when one resides in the Middle east where the opportunity to use worm clothes comes once in a blue moon.  After using it on a few occasions, I noticed the collar of the jacket having a defect of peeling.  Following winter, I took it back to the store in Kolkata. The staffs were visibly embarrassed and decided to send it to Bangalore for replacement, verbally assuring us that it was a manufacturing defect and the company would compensate.

A month later the store informed that the quality team has sent the jacket back and I received a letter stating that it was neither a defect of the fabric nor that of manufacturing. On a follow-up email they informed that based on comprehensive analysis by “Quality Care Cell” they concluded that the damage is noticed due to mishandling of the product. 

How does one mishandle the collar of a jacket that it starts peeling off?  Obviously, they did not accept the product is of substandard material and shied off from their responsibility of replacing the faulty product. At the very least they could have rendered an apology for selling substandard material to a customer in the garb of premier product.

I have made my decision not to purchase their products again and would caution people to learn from my experience and be prudent while making the next purchase decision. It’s another reminder for, “all that glitters are most certainly not gold”.

I am reproducing the mail that they had sent 

Our old teacher

Myanmar is under the spotlight as Ann Suu Kyi is finally set to have a say on her country’s affairs. She made big sacrifices to ensure democratic rights for common people and in the process becoming an inspiration for countless young people around the world. Myanmar has been under international scanner in the past decades but this time it brought back one childhood memory.

The only time we had a private tutor coming to our home was when I was in grade 3 and my elder sibling was in the 4th. He was an old man in his sixties with balding head, thick eyebrows and a hardened face that bore marks of tough journey his life has endured. Our association lasted less than a year but I still have some memory from those early days. His primarily role when I think back was to help with our homework and engage us in some routine activities. As a consequence we were disciplined about our afternoon study sessions, something that continued all through our student life. 

For us he was irritatingly punctual, never missing to turn up at the correct time every afternoon. My sister once demonstrated how easily ink from her pen got soaked into his khadi kurta. I thought it was a sweet revenge but her argument was that she was verifying if he washes his clothes.

At times he shared some of his life experiences and the one that I remember vividly was his escape from Rangoon on foot. In 1941 when Japan was planning to attack British administration in Burma, he told us the law and order situation in Rangoon worsened rapidly. Indians with the scars of Burmese riots of the past decade still fresh, panicked and prepared to leave. The Japanese air raids on Rangoon in December that year created chaos. The perception of people was that the British would withdraw leaving behind the Burmese mob to plunder the Indians. A mass exodus started.

The British administration restricted the exit through waterway to British and Anglo Indians only. With the railroads bombed, they were left with no other choice but walk on foot. Even the shorter road known as the “White path” were reserved for army and other government personnel. They were forced to take the long and perilous path called the “black route”. It was a long trek through the mountains and forests in the north. They were clearly not prepared for such a journey. The transit camps along the route were running above capacity. Rainwater trapped in the layers of banana plants once saved his life inside a dense forest and many a times they improvised in order to filter stagnant water.

People moved in closed groups of trustworthy companions and mostly within their tribes. The worst sufferers were women, children and many perished on the way. There were no one to remove the corpses as people left behind their deceased. Some even walked off to save their life without completing the cremation of their own children. Their state of the mind was such that no one even bothered to remove the gold ornaments from their dead before marching away.

It was too difficult for young minds to reason such miseries inflicted by human on fellow beings. There were lessons to be learned from the story our father had explained, “You need to believe in yourself and have determination to successfully make a journey of such magnitude. When one is struck between a rock and a hard place with no alternatives, one gets enormous strength to fight for survival”, he told us.

Unfortunately, people around the world continue to push others to make such perilous journeys and they continue to perish in large numbers.

Checklists & Construction Success

This was first published in LinkedIn

I have been a proponent of checklist all through my construction management days and I usually practice what I champion. The checklists has been part and parcel of construction process and procedures for years. Other high risk industries like Aviation, or ship building too uses this as missing a step could result into expensive losses of time, money and sometimes human lives. The Hedge fund managers too have their own checklists.

In our industry it is mandatory to attach a checklist while submitting “method statements” or ITP (Inspection and Testing Protocol) for consultant’s review. These are equally important while conducting a Risk Assessment before commencing a fresh construction activity at sites.

It is difficult to apprehend why there should be such resistance in implementing a powerful tool like this one in their day to day work activities. It would be interesting if a research was carried out to find out if the reason behind this reticence is ignorance, over confidence, the “I don’t need it, I know it all” state of mind or a combination of many such factors.

As a matter of fact, Checklist are tools to make an expert perform better. Human memory and attention often fails when it comes to routine matters and important aspects can be easily overlooked. Checklist can solve our dilemma about when to follow the protocol and when one’s own instincts. It also comes handy when faced with a situation requiring us to process high volume of information.

Aviation pilots uses one before takeoff and landing and someone once explained that is not a recipe for how to fly a plane but a reminder of key things that often get forgotten or missed if not checked. Since then when I notice the aircrew making the routine checks before takeoff, I get reassured.

The organizations that practically implement these processes are few and far in-between. This results in high volume of avoidable rework and frequent incidents leading to life changing losses to humans. The direct impact on the project is invariably low quality, higher cost and delayed completion.

It was a shot in the arm listening to Dr. Atul Gawande, a Boston based surgeon highlighting the advantages of using Checklists in his TED talk. His narration about collaborating with WHO to develop a universal “surgical checklist” and making significant difference to the world was very intense. He admitted that the idea of checklist was borrowed from high risk industries such as aviation and skyscraper construction. Interestingly enough it was a team from Boeing who provided him assistance while preparing the first checklist for medical field.

Checklist can be categorized into two distinct types. The first one is “Do-Compare” checklist for general routine tasks which one does out of memory and compare against the list. The second one is “Read-Do” checklist are like recipe and mainly for events that are very new for the users.

I wish we play our part to use this powerful tools more extensively to improve the KPI (key performance indicators) as well as make our construction project sites a safer place to work.

Six Practical Hints to be a Successful Presenter

Sometime back, I happened to buy a gadget called Apple TV, probably one of the cheapest from the apple product range. I was introduced to an amazing new world of connectivity. I could not only mirror my iPhone or iPad on the TV but I could also watch the YouTube.

Although there are plenty more features in that thingy, the feature I liked most is TED (an acronym for technology, entertainment, and design) talks. The site features presentations that they consider “ideas worth spreading”. Watching the presenters got me pondering about how to improve my personal presentation skills and be a better speaker.

After all our professional life encompass presentation, presentation and presentation. Our personal life is no different either. Only people with good communication skills can dream of being successful in life.

I have shortlisted some of the aspects that intrigued me and thought to be useful. I would much appreciate different opinions.

Design

The first part obviously is to Design or compose what has to be presented. The second part is to deliver it to have the maximum impact. Life is fast and therefore it is important to develop effective opening. An equally effective closing will leave a lasting impression.

“Build Unshakable Self Confidence”

Need to develop greater self-belief in one self and his ability. This will help to communicate with so much conviction that the listeners shall get convinced.

Know your audience

It is very important to identify what the audience needs to know, be it an individual or a group. It is prudent to adjust the presentation to suit the liking and disliking of the audience.

Professional speakers use survey to know the audience before preparing the presentation. It is quite common to witness the speaker mixing with the crowd and having a chat before going up on the dais. This allows the speaker to get a pulse of the audience allowing for some last minute tweaking.

“Be at ease” while making a presentation

The effective opening is the first milestone achieved and without doubt “well begun, is half done”. To complete the remaining half, one has to continue while remaining interesting and flexible. He of she has to be at ease all through presentation and the best way to achieve that is by maintaining the true self. Many a time we try to be someone else and stay more focused on attaining that persona rather than the presentation.

“Think clearly under pressure”

Difficult or pointed questions will be thrown out by the audience. Appropriate response during uncomfortable circumstances will demonstrate confidence and distinguish the special from the ordinary. Clarity of thought will only come with thorough knowledge.

 “Win others over” to your way of thinking

The purpose of presentation invariably is to win other over to our way of thinking. While the obvious prerequisite is demonstration of the depth of subject knowledge, this also requires greater energy and enthusiasm while trying to persuade and influence the audience.

The Blog Awakens

As the world has been taken over by the Star war mania, I too could not help but soar in that spirit. Till this time I realized that I was not doing enough of anything about anything, the Office works being the only natural exception. Without dithering any further I got working on my list of 2015 winter solstice day resolution. A ritual somewhat similar to the New Year day resolution practiced in some galaxies around the Universe. Topping that list was to awaking my blog.

Construction, the place I live is a tough field and definitely not for those feeble hearted. The awful feeling about all the insanity around today’s world has now coupled with that leaving very little room for one to maneuver. It appears the dark forces are gaining foothold in our planet.

But this is set to change as the force is going to be with me now. The force unleashed by the new HP Star Wars^TM special edition notebook that will let the imagination run wild and allow to #AwakenYourForce.

Over the years, I have learnt that there are only two types of people in this universe. One half of them are diehard fans of star war series having watched those countless times, while another half has only watched couple of times and the remaining …. If there is an odd one left have probably not heard of star wars. I can confess that, I did not like it the first few times but then things changed.

Today I am all set to awaken my own positive force and unlock the prowess of a fan that nestled inside for so long oblivion of its true potential. That way I shall reach for the stars to be part of the great adventure, whilst I stay grounded in my desk chair in a galaxy far far away.

There are no reasons to believe that there are no life outside our planet as life is stranger than we can imagine or would like to believe. Life exists in the coldest of places frozen inside blocks of ice or within concentrated acid and withstanding the pressure at the bottom of the deepest oceans. We should not therefore be surprised if we have a strange looking visitor resembling R2D2 comes knocking at our front door tomorrow.

I would rather advocate that we be prepared for that day and this is where the HP notebook will become handy to create magic. In this world magic does happen and together we shall get creative to have part of our home remodeled to welcome such guests when they arrive. It could be a spaceship inspired floating chandelier, a Darth Vader table lamp or maybe have entire walls of the room resemble a spacecraft.

In essence we could make our home and offices look a little more like what is alien to us. Just in case they invade us we shall make them feel at home. After all as per ancient Hindu scripture, we do believe in “Atithi Devo Bhava” (अतिथिदेवो भव in Sanskrit), a "code of conduct" for Hindu society. In Simple English words "The Guest is Equivalent to God". Notwithstanding the fact that the appearance of the God still remains an unsolved mystery. How about some water bottles inspired by the stars.

And if they fail to find my address, who is going to complain anyways for dwelling in an environment that will constantly make them part of the Star Wars saga. By the way, the new HP Star Wars^TM special edition notebook will be a perfect match in that set up.This post links to www.hpshopping.in/starwars  

hpshopping

Disabilities & all of us

International Day of persons with Disabilities

3 December 2015 is observed as International Day of Persons with Disabilities. I was a bit disappointed this morning when I found Google did not utilize this opportunity to raise awareness with a doodle.  

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons was proclaimed in 1992, by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. The aim of this observance is to promote an awareness of issues related to disability and mobilize forces in their support so that persons with disabilities can live a life of dignity and none of their rights are compromised. It also seeks to promote the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. 

Our cities unfortunately, are not disable friendly and this does not need any elaboration. We do not have our public spaces such as malls, cinemas, stadiums and parks equipped with wheel chair access ramp, special toilets or safe walks ways for a person with any kind of disability. The offices and homes are no different. On the contrary in developed countries every public parks have special elevators so that differently able people could also lead an independent life with dignity. 

However there is a hidden truth to all these which we all seem to ignore till the reality bites. Human beings are a aging population that degenerates too. Today we may be fit as a fiddle but a few years on the story might go for a twist to evolve as a completely different story. Some of us will develop visual impairment while some other might have physical disability or partial memory loss. 

Have a quick trailer of the future by closing both eyes for a few minutes or walking with the room lights switched off. Alternatively try negotiating steps with one leg tied. Switching the television to an unknown language will help us understand how important sound waves are to our life. 

Let's pledge together to make our cities and homes friendly for people with disabilities. By making the world livable for all, we shall also ensure that we continue to live a life of dignity tomorrow.

An ordinary man's Sunday chronicles

Herge

Sunday they say, has been derived from the Egyptian astrology as the might of the Sun was honored by associating its name with the first day of a week. After its association with the resurrection of Christ, this day evolved as the day for rest, worship and socializing. 

It’s a fantastic idea to have rest on the first day of the week and then start work. Somewhere in the middle this idea went for a tailspin and Sunday ended up being the weekend. Luckily for us with more people, less work and even lesser natural resources, Saturday too joined as another day of rest... But who’s complaining!

Sunday, nevertheless has brought joy in my life since time immemorial. During my early days, I remember Sunday was fun as our parents did not have to go to work and we could spend time together.
Then came the school, teachers and homework. While I am yet to meet a student who doesn’t appreciate a Sunday, I was ready to trade in any thing for a extra Sunday. But not once, I was given that option. The principle of dealing with holiday then was basic but robust. Complete all school works as early as possible and unlock the pleasure time.

Then came the college days packaged with the hostel life and absolute self-dependence. The line between study and entertainment got increasingly blurred till it was totally invisible. That was not because study was entertaining but because with little or no supervision each day turned out to be a Sunday.
The reality check stepped in as we went out for professional training during our final year at the college. Working 8 hours for 5 days every week, we realized was not our cup of tea. We only could pull along since we knew those days were numbered and we had the weekends.
That stint in Delhi not only taught us how to talk Hindi but also introduced us to the real meaning of the phrase “Thank God It’s Friday”. The weekends were so amazing as compared to those work days that showed very little sign of ending made us wonder if all days counted up to 24 hours. The day to night and back to day day transition during the weekends were seamless and joyful until we  found ourselves on the verge of tears on the Sunday evenings.

The acceptance of this torture after graduation came after lot of resistance taking long breaks from work between changing jobs. Slowly responsibilities increased and men are expected to act responsibly without taking breaks from jobs every now and then. Rolling stone gathers no moss and collecting moss soon become a requirement. At some stage of our life, the living like a king has to end.

Now as I maneuver through the midlife crisis, I am faced with the dilemma of choosing the appropriate of the two contradicting approaches to deal with my much coveted weekly holidays. Should I sleep late and laze around all day doing nothing serious because it’s my time or opt for the option to wake up early to do everything I so desperately want to do during the weekdays.

Which one I have selected, you might curiously wonder.

Well I am fortunate to be blessed with a third alternative. I have the luxury to let my daughter and wife to decide what I should I do or where should I take them on that particular day or any other holiday for that matter.

I know I am not the only one. I am sure someday others will join us …… Happy Holiday Buddies.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.