27th November, 2018, accompanied my wife to Koomchang TE ME School, (https://goo.gl/maps/f4tNTTPD3fE2) around 4 kms from Kakapathar, Tinsukia district, Assam, India on her duty as external evaluator for Gunotsav.
(Gunotsav is a quality enhancement initiative of the State for bringing about improvement in learning level of students at Elementary level, http://gunotsavassam.org/).
These 4 kms through the tea garden was a difficult drive and the dry season only made it possible. Wonder, how the people commute in the rainy season.
School and Campus – So Clean
The school was so clean both inside and outside that it stands as an example. One specific observation, after chewing the betel nut, a person went outside the campus to spit in the drain. Truly unbelievable. 99.99% students are from the tea community and naturally the SMC members also belong to the same community. The cleanliness speaks of the inherent feeling for the same among the students, teachers and the community. The nearby football field was so clean that no litter was seen. Garbage were dumped in a specific dump. It was somewhat unexpected. On the flip side, the roof blown away by the devastating thunderstorm of 2012 is still missing in spite of the efforts made. The visit around with the Gaonburah ( a young energetic youth) was another experience to be cherished for days to come….
Mrs Mausumi Baruah, External Evaluator interacting with the Teachers and Students in the school field…So CLEAN
The people living in such a remote corner of the country are so much aware about the need for a clean surrounding and environment. In spite of the shortcomings, like, a minimum travel of at least 7 kms in such deplorable road to reach a market coupling with the fear of attack by wild animals is truly outstanding and commendable.
These are TRUE UNSUNG HEROES who have made this planet a beautiful place to live in…
The first question in most of the interviews is “Tell us / me about yourself?” Everyone going to appear in an interview is aware beforehand that this is the most likely question. On the other side the Interviewer (s) also expects that the process shall make a good start if this question is asked. The answer sets the path fort the next stage of the interview and as going by the common saying “Morning shows the day”, the mark is made at the beginning with an answer to this question. However, to the utmost surprise, most of the candidates are unprepared for this simple yet very important question. Neither is the introduction structured nor proper with all the information desired. Why?????? Simple reason is the lack of preparedness. It is an inherent feeling of human being that one knows about oneself the most; hence no need to prepare for answer to such a question. But, in practical life preparation is the key, it makes the difference. To run a 100 meters race in a world level completion that lasts no more than 10-11 seconds in single run, an athlete spends hours daily in the track preparing. Then only in the competition, the athlete is able to perform up to the best of capabilities. “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” is what Zig Ziglar said, and so true in every aspect of our life.
So, the key to success to this ice-breaking yet important question is preparing. The right sequence of putting up of things is very important. Start with, name and from where you are. Touch on about your parents and siblings, and then move on to your educational qualification starting with the latest one, indication your rank and name of the institution. Then slowly move on to hobbies, extra-curricular activities and any other information that may add value to the process. Finally, sum with your strengths and weaknesses. Such a sequence makes the interviewers satisfied and the chances of supplementary questions are mostly reduced. Further, the interviewer does not need to probe any further as most of the desired information is obtained. The smooth path to the next stage is already created. Remember, only continuous preparation shall make it worth listening for the interviewer.
The sequence is Effective for any position, whether fresher or experience. The only addition in case of appearing for an experienced position is the proper detailing about the experience covering all the achievements.
‘Tips for appearing in interviews’, ‘How do I prepare for interview?’ etc. are some of the very frequent questions that I encountered from various persons, mostly prospective job seekers. If one surfs the internet then there are hundreds of sites, blogs offering various techniques, suggestions about how to prepare for interviews. However, due to my current position these questions come up very frequently as people want to know about the practical aspects. This has encouraged me to pen down some of the already known aspects of preparation for appearing in an interview, but from a practical stand point; based on real life examples.
Let us start with the wonderful quote of Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, international bestselling author and Certified Hypnosis Practitioner who said “Life is ten percent what you experience and ninety percent how you respond to it.”
One of the very basic aspects is preparation – preparing about self and the job
It reminds me of what Arthur Ashe, renowned American tennis player. “One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key to self-confidence is preparation.” He showed us with his action by becoming the only black man ever to win the singles title at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the Australian Open
In most of the cases may be around 90% of the people who appear are not fully aware of the job they are applying for. This is true even if the job role is clearly specified in the advertisement. So, what happens! Naturally the one who is able to speak about the job is in an edge above the others. This is a very unfortunate and unbelievable aspect, but sadly true. It pains a lot and makes me wonder and I do not get the answer to my question
‘Why?’ , ‘Why so?’. A majority of such a population are there genuinely for the job. And the end result, to return empty handed. Who is to be blamed, no one else then self.
Another surprising aspect is that a sizeable amount of the population seeking a job mostly comes either overdressed or shabbily dressed for the occasion. It neither helps them nor the interviewer. The interviewee is not at all comfortable due to the dress, maybe wearing such for the first time and hence not at all comfortable, leaving the interviewer unimpressed. Only in a few rare of the rarest cases amongst such categories, only few can overcome and express themselves and are able to win over the situation. The old saying of ‘First impression is the last impression’ is known to all of us and even then we are causal. In this context it is worth remembering that “Dressing is a way of Life”, as very meaningfully quoted by Yves Saint Laurent, the famous French fashion designer.
The most shocking situation is when a candidate is asked about one of the most common question in any kind of interview for any kind of job i.e. ‘Describe yourself’, ‘Tell something about yourself’. Astonishingly, most of the candidates flatter in giving a good introduction. Surprise! Surprise! Only the select few who are able to sell themselves in this very first step makes the atmosphere conducive for them, and are able to reap on the benefits.
Other notable lacunae are poor body language, lack of communication skills which encompasses mostly the drawback of proper listening and unable to express oneself due to lack of confidence.
Appearing in an interview is an unknown territory where the chance of coming out victorious depends on proper planning i.e. preparation and execution. Self-confidence is the key. Attempt shall be made to elaborate on the important aspects as mentioned above with some sharing of expenses which may be beneficial for some.
I happen to visit this book store for finding out a reference book which was not readily available for my kid. This book store is the main epitome of books in the city and if you are unable to find it here, the chances of finding it any of the large number of bookstores is very bleak. This is the place from where books are dispatched to other bookstores in bulk.
In spite of their very hectic schedule running from 10 am in the morning to 8 pm in the evening, with also erratic customers, the sales people are extremely courteous. In my few visits, I have observed that this behaviour might have been due to the amicable nature of the owner. From continuously writing bills, recording the sales and also effectively handling customers, the person is an “Effective” one. Moreover, during the very few interactions, observing him, I have found to be a person of good heart; his genuine attempt has always been to help the people mostly the students. These were only perceptions till the other day.
I happen to visit to visit the bookstore at around 7:45 pm and the crowd was less. As I handed over the money, I asked the timings of their job to which the salesperson replied that it is from 10 am to 8 pm. My immediate remark was intended to the owner with the phrase, “It might be so taxing for you every day.”
The owner remarked, “I just sit, but these boys have to run here and there and they even do not get time for lunch at the right time. Their job is very strenuous.”
I was taken aback; this person who is the owner is so much concerned for his employees. Oh!!! What a gem of a person. I could not resist saying to the employees, “You are lucky to work under such a good person.” They immediately acknowledged.
I felt like saying something to the owner and said “Sir, since you sit for so long every day, may you please go for a walk in the evening. It will be beneficial for you.”
He replied, “Yes, I have to, but have been unable to manage.”
I continued, “Just a casual walk for 30 minutes, releasing all the tensions / stress generated in the day. I follow this routine as my job also involves working at a stretch for long hours.”
He looked at me for some time and the remarked, his voice low and filled with emotion, “Till date nobody has spoken to me like this, so caring. I do not know you, but I take you as my younger brother and assure you that I will start what you have advised; a sincere advice from a younger brother.”
The happiness I felt was just unbelievable…. This is LIFE.
Location: Book Corner, Panbazar, Guwahati, Assam, India.
During a workshop on Balanced Score Card at Chicago, USA, the faculty member explained with a beautiful example of the thin line of difference between “Doing the Right Thing” and “Doing Things Right”.
Already delayed due to overnight heavy snow leading to a few minutes of cosy sleep, the person finds his car covered under snow. Immediately the person cleans the snow out of the windscreen and hurriedly presses the key to unlock the car. To utter surprise, the person finds that the lights blinked on a different car just at the back. Oh! All the effort went in vain and the job has to be repeated again. A classic case of efficiency vis-a-vis effectiveness. The person, efficient person, did the right thing and might have completed the job, maybe faster than others, but at the end the result was not the desired one.
What would an effective person have done in this situation? The person would have first pressed the key to unlock the right car and then would have stated removing the snow. This is what is called “Doing the Right Thing”.
Definitions available in various sources define an Effective Person as one who is adequate to accomplish a purpose, i.e. one who can produce the intended or expected result. On the other hand an Efficient Person is the one who performs or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort.
The thin line of difference is these two types is that an effective person always do the right things, whereas an efficient person does the things right. So, in case of an efficient person the job is done right but the job may not be the right one to be done. In simple terms it may be said as doing a wrong thing perfectly.
Again, if the available definitions are considered then, Effectiveness is about doing or using the right things — things that yield positive results and Efficiency is simply about doing things right — i.e., completing a task cheaper or faster.
In our day-to-day life this thin line of difference makes a huge difference in terms of Task Accomplishment, Productivity and indirectly in our own happiness. Doing the Right Thing gives us mental peace…
Plastic production across the globe is in an upward trend, whereas the recovery, recycling and disposal are mostly insufficient with millions of tons of plastics ending up in landfills and oceans each year. Invented in the 1860s, it developed as an industry in the 1920s, and has become one of the fastest-growing global industries. From 1950 to 2012, plastics growth averaged 8.7 % per year, booming from 1.7 million tons to the nearly 300 million tons of today. Plastics replaced materials like paper, glass and metal as packaging materials and in today plastic packaging accounts for more than 30 percent of packaging sales. It is estimated that about 4 percent of the petroleum consumed worldwide each year is used to make plastic, and another 4 percent is used to power plastic manufacturing processes. According to the United Nations, it takes 12 million barrels of oil to manufacture the 102 billion plastic bags that Americans use annually. The average annual consumption of plastic by a person in North America is 139 kg, Western Europe 136 kg, Latin America 32 kg and Asia 36 kg. However, the increase in rate of consumption for the period 2005-2015 for these countries are North America 33 percent, Western Europe 37.4 percent, Latin America 52 percent and Asia 80 percent, which is a matter of deep concern. In India the plastic consumption rate is growing at 10 percent per year. Moreover, the disturbing fact is that around 56 percent of plastic waste from Western Europe and North America lands in China which is then again distributed mostly across the Asian countries in some for or the other. Data of United Nations Environmental Program reveals that around 43 percent of the plastic used worldwide is disposed of in landfills. Further, around 10 million tons of plastic end up in the oceans each year. A recent study has conservatively estimated that 5.25 trillion plastic particles weighing a total of 268,940 tons are currently floating in the world’s oceans. The plethora of plastic comes from bags, bottle caps, and plastic fibres from synthetic clothes that have washed out into the ocean from urban rivers, sewers, and waste deposits. It takes around 600 plus years for a plastic product to degrade. Marine vertebrates including many species of sea birds are particularly susceptible to plastics in the marine environment. They mistaken the small pieces of plastic floating in the ocean as food and ingest it, leading to lethal and sub-lethal consequences. Researchers have established that sea birds are excellent indicators of ecosystem health. What is alarming today is that, a recent study published in the ‘Proceeding of the National Academy of Sciences’ (31 August, 2015), estimates that 90 percent of individual sea birds alive today have consumed plastic. Analysis by researchers have revealed that in 1960, plastic was found in the stomachs of less than 5 percent of sea birds by 2015 that figure had risen to 90 percent and based on current trends, plastic ingestion will affect 99 percent of the world’s sea bird species by 2050. This plastic debris results in an estimated $13 billion a year in losses from damage to marine ecosystems, including financial losses to fisheries and tourism as well as time spent cleaning beaches.
The global community has united to address the issue of marine litter through legislation, enforcement of international agreements, provision of reception facilities for ship-generated wastes, adoption of improved practices for the disposal of waste on land, and support for extensive beach clean-up activities, as well as information, education and public awareness programs (UNEP 2005). Despite these efforts, the situation has not improved, rather the quantity of plastic waste in the world’s oceans are growing. So, legislation, law enforcement and technical solutions only shall not be able to address the problem. The most important approach to tackle this problem would be to analyse and act on it from the cultural angle, where emphasis has to be on changing the attitude, behaviour of the masses through transparent and effective management approaches.
The major chemical ingredients of plastics are Bisphenol A (BPA) and Phthalates. BPA is mostly used in plastic water bottles, baby bottles, plastic wraps, food packaging and phthalates in flexible plastic, vinyl toys, shower curtains, wallpaper, vinyl miniblinds, food packaging, plastic utensils, cosmetics, personal care products and plastic wrap etc. Studies have revealed that these chemical ingredients are capable of disrupting the delicate human endocrine system, leading to developmental problems. Thus, the usage of these plastic products may lead to health hazards along with environmental hazard. Today, it is impossible to think of life without plastic today and so the only way out for us is to reduce the usage of plastics in our day to day life. One of the most simple and easiest ways that we can initiate immediately is to replace our plastic water bottles, utensils, plates and bowls with that of glass, steel or bell metal plates, which have been used for generations by our elders. We can also reduce our use of disposable plastic products like cups, glass etc., and switch over to such items made form paper, reduce usage of disposable polythene bags by using Jute/ Cloth bags for shopping of grocery and other items. Other small steps which we can also immediately start are stop using of disposable razors, minimize use of disposable diaper by switching over to cloths, using thermos in place of plastic water bottles in office, stop buying bottled water as much as possible, reduce dependence on processed and packaged foods, use BPA free water bottles, store in steel, glass or ceramic containers, stop using straws and chewing gum etc. According to data available, the bottled water growth is highest in Asian countries; Indonesia 24 percent, China 18 percent, India 16 percent, whereas the growth in USA is only 3 percent along with France and Germany where it is only 2 percent. So, bottled water shall be a menace for us in the years to come. Thus these small steps by us will go in a long way in making our planet environment friendly for all the living beings to survive.
Governments must regulate the plastic industry and encourage recycling. Incentives may be offered to industries producing environment friendly bio-degradable plastics. Government must also initiate measures to raise public awareness about the perils of plastics and the damage it causes to the environment. In order to prevent littering of plastic on land and sea, proper waste management programs are to be developed. Further, research studies must be encouraged to develop environment friendly and bio-degradable packaging alternatives that can live up to the expectations. This is a long journey and will take time to bear fruits. But one low hanging fruit in this area may be an attempt for reducing unnecessary plastic consumption and proper waste management through recycling. The developed nations have already initiated measures to control the health and environmental hazards caused by plastics with favourable results. Now, the need is a whole hearted effort by the global community with specific thrust on and by the developing countries as these countries consumption of plastics are going increase exponentially in the years to come due to their huge population. This will pose a serious threat to our environment and eco-system.
To make a visible impact the five/four star hotels/resorts across the globe may start doing away with the present process of providing plastic bottled drinking water in the rooms and disposable toiletries like disposable razor, comb, tooth brush etc. Drinking water may be served in glass or steel jars and the toiletries may be provided on request. They may put up with information that this small step of theirs will be indeed become a giant leap and request cooperation from the guests.
Multinationals like Coca Cola, Pepsi may think of regulating the production of plastic bottles for soft drinks as about 2.4 million tons of this plastic (Polyethylene Terephthalate -PET) is discarded annually, with 75 percent going straight to the landfill and 25 percent landing up in the oceans. They may switch over to BPA free plastic bottles and as an innovative idea; these MNCs may come out with an incentive scheme, wherein the plastic bottle depositor is offered a concession in price if the bottle is returned. This will reduce the disposal of plastic soft drinks bottles into the landfill and the sea. No, doubt it will be a direct hit in their profit margin, but such an idea or any other out of the box thinking or innovative idea shall definitely contribute in making our earth a better place to live in.
The driver was an aged person who came to pick me up from the airport. It was already late, as my scheduled had changed due to weather conditions and I landed at Mumbai Airport around 4 hours late in the night only a few moments away remaining for a new day to start. The road leading to my place of stay was conducive for me to start a conversation with him. I came to know from him that he was person who has been thriving to earn a living by honest means. The journey was short and I released him after signing the duty slip and paying him some pocket money. The next morning as I had to travel again, he came on time to drop me and on way to the airport he spoke about the problems created by outsiders in Mumbai. I was quite impressed by his observations and honest speak, and so, to continue with the discussions, I requested him to be with me during my return stay at Mumbai, which was five days away. As he dropped me at the airport, I offered him some pocket money, to which he mildly declined by saying that I had already given me yesterday. But, on my insistence, he finally accepted. I was looking forward to continue the talking with him and it happened. It was during the journey to Thane, where he spoke in minute details about his observations.
According to him, the people who have crowded Mumbai for various opportunities have created problems for the local people resulting in the recent turmoil. The outsiders work for various jobs like drivers, security guards etc., for a minimal wage such that it becomes difficult for a local person to work at such wage. The reason is that most of these people live together for which their rent of accommodation and food bill is considerably less. Further, they are always ready to work the extra hour. This is a win-win situation for both the owner and the worker. But, in case of a local person, the expenses includes family accommodation, kids school fees etc. etc. So, they are unable to survive with such a mere wage. This has resulted in less jobs for the local people and more import of such people from the other states. So, the local people have no other option but to revolt/ agitate against these outsiders only to survive i.e. to earn and live.
He was also very much concerned about the caste division prevailing among the people from northern India, as even they are staying in Mumbai, the upper caste people always derive respect from the lower caste people. When, he inquired, he was told that if they do not do, the adverse effect will be in their families who have stayed back. There, he highlighted the role of Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, in successful eradication of the caste system in rural Maharashtra and also the positive effects of Buddhism.
Dr BR Ambedkar illustrated the distinction between Ethics and Economics very nicely when he said, “History shows that where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics. Vested interests have never been known to have willingly divested themselves unless there was sufficient force to compel them.”
Finally, he spoke about one of his friend, who was an auto-rickshaw driver and always indulged in unethical activities. His friend was enjoying his life and was always in debt. No advice could make him change his habits. As his debts grew, he had no other option, but to flee from Mumbai and disappeared for about a year. Then he came back in his new role, as a priest, with long beards and hair, vermilion on his forehead. Since, he was from the family of priest; he went back to his village and started his new role. Now, he has come back and within a month he has been able to make a mark as a priest. His earnings have also increased and also confided that it is the easiest way to make money.
He told me that in-spite of all the hardship; he has never tried to do anything unethical. He always believes that ‘Good deeds bring good results and as a human being, we must never try to harm, cheat others as these are temporary and causes more pain to self then others in the long run.’
I was taken aback by his philosophy of life, his analytic ability and practical approach to face the real situation of life. These were invaluable learning’s for me and will always remain grateful to him.
It reminded me again of a simple quote of Potter Stewart, “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
I salute him through my blog and pray to the Almighty to bless him to be his self always and attain his wish of making his son and daughter true educated citizens.
Be a child. A child says about his birthday to others as “Today is my Happy Birthday.”
Before speaking the child make his / her birthday a happy one. How many of us can speak about our actions, events as a happy one from within. The child speaks out of his intuition. But, as adults we just stop, scan around for all those ‘ifs and buts’. Just speaking one’s heart out works most of the time in life. Again my golden principal, which is in line with the quote attributed to Epictetus, a Greek philosopher
“God has created us with two ears and one mouth.”
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
Preparedness for this question will enable a candidate to answer effectively in line with the employer’s greatest needs and desires. Thus the appropriate answer to this question may tilt the balance favourable. Any fumble will just put fast forward to undesirable end.
What are your outside interests / hobby?
Here the interviewer wants to know about your extra-curricular activities with the idea to know how effectively you will utilize your spare time. In a tricky way, the interviewer also wants to ascertain that your weighted outside interests / hobbies shall not come in the way of your performance. So, preparation is very much essential to answer in such a way that it strikes a right balance between work and leisure.
What good books have you read lately?
It may be a probing one to the above question or a simple question to know about your true knowledge. Here, advance preparedness will help you to reply and make it more in favour of you. The answer to such questions is an additional opportunity to win in the situation and make gains for future questions sealing the outcome favourable. The best way to prepare is to read a few good books which may include a recent bestseller.
Another, probing question may be,
What are the areas you want to improve?
This is the same question as of weakness but attired in a different manner. Only advanced preparedness will help one to answer it properly without any mismatch to the earlier answer. So, it is always advisable to prepare for such questions.
In case of any shortcoming that may be highlighted by the interviewer, it is better to be open and straightforward in admitting the shortcoming, nothing to hide attitude. The most common mistake made in such cases is unnecessary apologies and further trying to explain / justify the reasons of the shortcoming. The motto here is to show optimism, attitude for changing self and come out of the adverse situation with flying colours.
To tackle hypothetical questions, where a problem or a difficult situation is put up, the interviewee without preparedness will find the situation more difficult than the one who has made advance preparations. Even though, it is impossible to prepare in advance for such questions, a study of literature on the subject may help a lot. The adept procedure to be followed in such a situation is to listen carefully, analyze it in mind and give inputs, but never ever give any conclusions. Again a rule of thumb in such ‘what would you do?’ questions is that the answer should be to describe one’s own working methods or processes, which demonstrates qualities like leadership skills, initiative, managerial skill, persuasiveness, courage, persistence, intelligence, etc. but sparing conclusions.
Finally remember,
“Success is where preparation and opportunity meet” Bobby Unser.
Preparedness is the key and so with words of Abraham Lincoln,
“If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I would spend six sharpening my axe”,
In simple terms, preparedness for an interview involves a meticulous planning for the event well in advance. The best way to start with is to think and try to uncover your interviewer’s greatest need, want, problem or goal. It starts with a preliminary research of the job one is applying for and the company or organization. Basic pre-hand knowledge of the job and the company is warmly received and creates a favourable atmosphere into the interview process. Also, to a candidate it generates confidence. Most of the interviewers are generally more interested or gives more weightages to the behavioural competencies of an interviewee as compared to the technical aspects. This is the thin line of demarcation of winning or missing out. A selection process is carried out with a long lasting relationship in mind for which generally the onus is more on the behavioural aspects. There are certain sure shots for which advance preparation can be made. These are known to all but in real sense, these are very tricky, literally a trap. Let us deliberate of a few such questions:
Why do you want to work at our company? Or what do you know about our Company?
The interviewer just wants to know whether you’ve done any homework about the firm. If you have, you win and you win it big and if you haven’t, you simply lose. It gives you an opportunity to sell with the in-depth prior research undertaken about the company. A tip here, look for the company’s annual reports, advertisements, articles published etc. you may further get in touch with someone from the company to get a first-hand information.
What are your greatest strengths?
A very soft and simple one and if you had not prepared in advance you are most likely to fumble. Before facing an interview, you should prepare a list of your greatest strengths. If you can prepare a specific example or two, to illustrate/ elaborate your each strength it will work wonders. Remember that the example chosen should be from your most recent and most impressive achievements. A few desirable traits may be: Task Accomplishment, Honest and Integrity, Good Communication ability, Enthusiasm and Passion, Dedication, Confidence, Team Player, Planning and Time Management.
What are your greatest weaknesses?
This is much more difficult question that the words in it are. It is some sort of an eliminating question where an honest admission to a weakness will earn you respect and applaud but elimination for the job. The best answer to this question is a tricky one and the most common approach is to disguise strength as a weakness. Take a pause, speak about and try to add a principle or habit you practice regularly for healthy human relations. In such a situation, an unprepared candidate confesses, admit and try to unburden self of guilt of personal or professional life or career, which is nothing but self-elimination. Further, an experienced interviewer will create an atmosphere of ‘Silence’, no questions, no remarks, just staring at the candidate in a deafening silence just after the candidate has answered. An unprepared candidate in such a situation tries to come out of the situation by speaking out more of which most are unnecessary. It’s like a situation of digging one’s own grave.
Always keep in mind what Steven Cyros had said,
“Remember: When disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed”.
