There’s no place like home, except grandma’s…

Whoever first wrote this really understood that grandmothers hold a special place in our hearts. Even in our busy lives we find ourselves, especially during New Year family gatherings, recalling our grandmothers with fondness and sometimes with a hint of reverence. Whereas we only have one mother we usually get two of granny and often each has their own distinct personality. It is said that they are mothers with a little bit of extra frosting and that they never run out of hugs and cookies! Granny’s home was a place which stayed with children’s memories and grew over the years. The smell, (always something cooking), the furniture, (built traditionally to last), and the ornaments, (each holding memories), were a treasure trove of something different for young and eager eyes to explore.

The first thing I recall about my grannies was their different homes each having distinctive characters. One was a terraced house where everything was cramped in, but with such skill, that nothing was ever lost. There was no electric supply, only gas, so everything was illuminated by either gas light or the glow from the fire, which also served as the main cooking oven. I still get the feeling of “warm and cosy” whenever I think about it.  My other granny’s home was a large detached house with not only spare rooms but also an attic, where things were stored, “just in case” they were needed.  Dressing-up was the order of the day for all young family members and nothing seemed out of bounds. We could roar and shout but I must confess that “The Attic” – that mysterious unused store room at the top of granny’s home – always had a special air of mystery. Surely someone must live here and they were hiding from us? I suppose this is why I still find the word “attic” somewhat spooky even today.

It is usually granny’s cooking, advice and stories about our heritage that stick in our minds. Often forgotten for a while, it is amazing how their words suddenly thrust themselves into our conscious minds years later. Some make us laugh and other make us pause for thought. Grandmothers’ sayings, dos and don’ts, may trigger a New Year chuckle with you and perhaps cause you to remember some of your own granny moments.So what rates in grandma’s top ten of advice and tips, with a couple of mine thrown in for good luck?

GRANDMA’S WORDS OF WISDOM:-

1)     You have freedom of choice but not freedom of the consequences.
2)     Don’t be sorry, be careful.
3)     Stop minding our people’s business.

GRANDMA’S COOKERY TIPS:-

As grandma seemed to be constantly baking to ensure she always had a plentiful supply of tempting goodies for her grandchildren to eat, cookery tips were plentiful.

1)     Grate the coconut on weekends and keep it in freezer, in a closed container, as it will last longer.
2)     To keep fish really tasty and fresh if you want to store it for more than a day, first clean it; rub it with salt, turmeric, and then freeze.
3)     Forget about the kitchen mess, enjoy cooking and have fun because things can be cleaned afterwards.

GRANDMA’S HEALTH TIPS:-

I recall, whenever I had an upset tummy, my granny use to make me a mixture of boiled milk and pepper to drink slowly. It should not have worked but maybe it was the way granny made me drink it, because it soothed and cured.

1)     Always make-up a first-aid box and keep it in your kitchen, you never know when it will come in handy.
2)     Bite on a clove or rub clove oil onto the tooth to ease a toothache.
3)     An apple a day keeps the doctor away and the patient regular !

Here’s one of granny’s tips, useful during holidays, if you find yourself having to go away from home with no one to look after your plants. Place three or four thick towels in the bathtub and cover them with two inches of cold water. Place all your plants in their pots on the towels and they will keep healthy for at least two weeks. However I have saved the most famous of granny sayings till the last. Given her choice granny would no doubt advise that one’s New Year’s resolutions should be: Start as you mean to go on and never forget to wear clean underwear when you go out, as who knows what will happen next !

I don’t know about you, but even as I think of this I can hear my gran’s voice chuckling in my ear, “Happy New Year”.

Social Media – Friend or For ?

Did you hear about a school-teacher who, four years ago, featured in the international press because she lost her job over pictures she had posted on FaceBook? She had the privacy settings set to high and only allowed friends to view. However, someone forwarded them to her school superintendent.  The pictures were pretty innocuous of her drinking beer at a Guinness brewery in Dublin.  The school ruled that if students saw them it would appear that drinking alcohol was being promoted by one of their school-teachers.  So she had to resign!

Earlier this year, when it seemed like everyone was joining in on YouTube, doing a version of “The Harlem Shake” dance, a group of Australian miners joined-in the craze which was sweeping social media.  At one stage some 4,000 variations of “Harlem Shake” were being uploaded daily. Their employers were not pleased when the miners’ dance videosurfaced. The company determined that the miners’ antics compromised its “core values of safety, integrity and excellence”.  The miners lost their jobs!

There are many more examples of how what we do in social media influences what happens in our business and equally, vice-versa, in our social lives. It is easy to get carried away, when we think we are only chatting with friends, because in our enthusiasm we forget others may see and read what we are posting. Social Media is INSTANT and it is important to keep the word INSTANT in capitals whenever you post, tweet or blog.  What personal checks you have in place, before you press the send key, determines whether social media is your friend or foe because once you have pressed it there is no turning back!

Many work colleagues share our social media contacts.  Examples of co-workers having, either inadvertently or deliberately, caused problems for their social media friends are well known. However private you think postings may be, they are not. It only takes one person to copy and paste your posting, somewhere else, and the “cat is out of the bag”. We need to realise that today our private lives are no longer so private. Many still believe that an individual has a right to control the information they consider private, but this has become an impossible aspiration.  The overall view is that we are not losing control; we are simply giving it away. Posting pictures on social networks or just sending an email may make public – private information. We are turning what should be a friend into a foe by not observing some basic rules.

1. Never forget anything can leak outPictures of you posted on-line, drunk at a party, can ruin your professional reputation. What you do on-line affects your off-line persona.




2. If you have nothing good to say, don’t say it!If you are trying to build a positive image of yourself, imagine what an employer might think if all they hear is that you only ever complain.Having a bad day, frustration at work, headache – then go to the gym or chat directly to a friend but DO NOT post your irritations and grievances on-line.




3. Do not promote or post too much Many businesses have grown on the strength of social media as work and home life are intertwined on social networks. However if all you do is promote yourself and your company rather than concentrate on building on-line relationships, others will soon get fed-up with you. The dangers of # “hash tag” twitter have caused many a tumble!




4. Stir well clear of posting anything– which you consider a joke because some might find it offensive. Similarly do not post anything which is religious, political, sexual or graphic in content. The social media world is a very big place and it is easy, even innocently, to upset others.




5. Never argue on social networksThis is one of the most important aspects to remember. You will never win an argument on social networks because there will always be someone else waiting to enter a counter viewpoint. Stay positive and polite, remember you can always “de-friend” them.  As for taking legal action about something which offends is, without doubt, the last resort. It is not true that all publicity is good publicity and legal action could well promote the very thing you want kept private as well as costing a fortune.

These rules may seem simple but if you were to ask the 500 million people on FaceBook or the 100 million on MySpace if they are concerned about their privacy you would find that the greater majority really don’t care. Just like in real life, most believe that on social media, “accidents and bad things” only happen to other people. Social media – friend or foe – it’s your choice !

‘PIN’ The Hacker Down

What do the following conventions all have in common?

16thBlack Hat-Las Vegas, Hacker Halted-Reykayvik/Kuala Lumpur,2ndTHC 2013-Delhi and Def Con-Boston USA? You have probably guessed that they are all concerned with Internet hacking, on-line surveillance and the security of personal information. However there are others who hold an opposing view saying that some attending are actually trying to keep up to date on how to steal data. Governments watch what happens at these conferences whilst those attending, no doubt, watch the governments.

But where do such activities leave you and me?

Well the bottom line is that we should all take responsibility for keeping our information safe. Sir Francis Bacon, an English statesman and philosopher, is attributed in 1597 with the expression “ipsa scientia potestas est” (“knowledge itself is power”). In modern day parlance this has been expanded to mean, “information is knowledge and knowledge is power”. New technology and the Internet mean that information, your information, is everywhere. It was back in the sixties that the use of computers and your personal identification number, “PIN”, were first mooted with banks wanting to facilitate the automated teller machine – “ATM”.

Interestingly the inventor of the PIN didn’t make any significant money from his idea. It was only earlier this year that James Goodfellow, the Scot who invented the PIN in 1965, was internationally honoured at an awards ceremony at Harvard University, Massachusetts, USA.Now 75 years old, he only received £10 ($15.50) for his invention because he had signed over patent rights to a company which shortly afterwards laid him off due to “redundancy”. Your PIN still remains a prime target for unscrupulous hackers. In the battle to keep your PIN secure, gadgets which clone your number are one thing but another consideration is the predictability of people!

A recent survey shows that many of us still choose obvious numbers for our PIN. An analysis of over 3 million four digit PIN numbers showed that nearly 28% can be guessed using just 20 combinations.  The least used combination was also identified, along with the cautionary note that hackers could read it as well. Consequently this least used number is now unlikely to remain so – 8068. Popular are single number combinations which include 5555, 7777 and 9999 and the James Bond number 0007. The most common numbers are: 1234, 1111, 0000 and 1212.

What about the future? Well just as these “hackers” conventions are worldwide international events, for exchanging ideas, equally so are the reports of new ways of obtaining information. Have you ever looked at “Google Maps – Street View” for your own area? I was surprised to see a picture of my home with a red car parked in my drive. As I have never, in the past ten years, owned at red carit took me ages to work out to whom it belonged. Anyone worldwide may view yours and mine home. So much for my telling others I live in a mansion with landscaped gardens!

The latest news is that it is now possible to access the microphones in Android phones and record conversations. Furthermore it is also conceivable to access your laptop and PCs in a similar way. Expert “hackers” are being courted by governments trying to turn “poachers into gamekeepers”. Spyware is also being developed to monitor your Internet usage. Governments are not the only ones wanting to keep tabs on you. The truth is that businesses, advertisers, scammers and hackers are all hoping to get information from you which will help make them money. Tablets, Smartphones, Smart TVs, Smart Meters, Cable Boxes and Gaming Consoles all provide potential for stealing information about you.

Were you aware that if you inadvertently install a “TouchLogger” app onto your tablet it could provide scammers with enough information to create chaos for you?

When it comes to “Smart” technology last year German researchers, by hacking into a “so-called” secure electricity company’s Wi-Fi network, were able to access customers’ private information. As for Smart TVs, you expect to watch TV but some smart TVs are vulnerable to hackers who can spy on you whilst you are watching your TV.

With all this in mind it is perhaps not that surprising to read that one intelligence service is reverting to using old fashioned type-writers to record highly confidential reports. Firstly type-writers cannot be hacked and secondly each has an individual type face which easily identifies them.  Which brings us back to my earlier question: “Where do such activities leave you and me?” Well if you recognise any of the numbers in this article,as one of yours, you had better change it! Because in order to keep our information safe we must remember never to do the obvious and always keep our wits about us so we may “PIN” the hacker down.

A Magical Mystery Tour

It’s just over 45 years since a 55 minute long film featuring “the Beatles” was broadcast on BBC TV. The magical mystery tour went out on Boxing Day, the day after Christmas day, in 1967.  About a quarter of the British population, some 14 million people, gathered around their televisions to watch.  However when it finished, the howls of disappointment were almost tangible, so much so, that the movie virtually vanished and has remained more or less hidden until recently. Many of the younger 60’s generation were nervous about even admitting that the might have liked the film. The soundtrack songs, when released on vinyl, became hits and included “the fool on the hill”, “hello, goodbye”, “strawberry fields” and “all you need is love”. The magical mystery tour album reached number 1 in America and stayed there for 8 weeks. But what was the film all about?

On Monday 11th September 1967, a 43-seater coach carrying the Beatles, actors, friends and crew set off from London for a jaunt around the English West Country ending up in the quintessential tourist resort of new quay in Cornwall. With the addition of some other filming taken in an airfield in Kent; the finished edit appeared, to the greater majority of viewers, to be a strange unexplained mixture of unrelated scenes and events. It was a confusing visual cacophony which was difficult to follow or understand. The title “the magical mystery tour” was prophetic because it was a real mystery. Only the UK’s guardian newspaper reviewer offered any positive encouragement when it printed that the film was “an inspired freewheeling achievement….a kind of fantasy morality play about the grossness, warmth and stupidity of the (Beatles’) audience”.

So what, if anything, went wrong with this Beatles venture? With the passage of time a re-evaluation of the film has been made. Judging by today’s criteria it may be seen as a challenging viewing experience, which contemptuously rejects the convention of story-telling needing a flowing plot. The result is now regarded as proof of the Beatles creative acumen and their ability to confront cultural stereotypes. The internationally acclaimed film director, Martin Scorsese, supports this view. He says that for him the freedom of the picture was very important.

Significantly the magical mystery tour highlights a saying which probably has meaning to us all.

“A right idea, before it’s time, is a wrong idea”!

Looking back it is easy to see that the Beatles, on this occasion, were well ahead of their time. Nevertheless the viewers wailing did not stop them going on to produce even more memorable music and hit songs.

Psychologists now agree that everyone enjoys having our inner feelings stirred but there has to be a sequence of events which sit comfortably with our emotions. Anything which does not do this, we tend to dislike. Creativity though usually demands the unexpected, looking at things from new angles. Hence the quandary!

We may have great ideas but, like the Beatles, it maybe the wrong time. In contrast, I can already hear the wailing of some who will decry the association of creativity with any type of magical mystery tour. Such a concept, to them, is unacceptable because it implies that creativity must have some sort of magical, incoherent or mystical aspect. Along with this comes the notion that the end result is either impossible, or crazy and therefore difficult to quantify.

Yet we all have access to our own personal mystery tours and how magical we make them is up to us. Where, you may well ask? Well recent studies show that the use of face book, far from being detrimental, may actually help lift your mood. Do you like looking at your old face book pictures? Just like the Beatles film, with the passage of time, things take on a different meaning. Old photos, postings and videos can, for example, comfort users who are stressed. This new assessment contrasts with previous research which said face book may be bad for you. The power is in your hands, as you can put the “magic and mystery” into things by using face book, and other social networking sites, to connect with your past self, when your present self needs reassurance. Who knows, you may end-up with a Beatles’ mind-set and gain a fresh confidence which spurs you on so you will recognise when it’s the right idea at the right time.

Why are Brilliant Ideas Rejected?

If you would like to play the game, try to work out the answer to the following question before carrying on to read the answer.

What have the following books and authors got in common?

“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” – J.K. Rowling.
“Watership Down” – Richard Adams.
“The Jungle Book” – Rudyard Kipling.
“The Hunt for Red October”- Tom Clancy.

The answer:- All the books and authors were rejected by publishers, not once, but several times. Harry Potter went unrecognised by numerous publishers including Penguin, who also initially turned down Richard Adam’s classic along with some 13 other publishers. Likewise Rudyard Kipling and Tom Clancy initially suffered the same fate.

Brilliant ideas are often rejected in all walks of life. Some of the reasons for being turned down, with the benefit of hindsight, give us all an opportunity to laugh at what appears to be ridiculously naïve assessments of the ideas.

A United Kingdom Member of Parliament, Mr. Scott-Montague MP, is on the record in 1903 as saying; “I do not believe the introduction of motor-cars will ever affect the riding of horses.”

Just as funny is Western Union’s internal memo in 1876; “This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”

No doubt music lovers will like this one? “Guitar music is finished, it will not last.” – Dick Rowe, talent head at Decca Records UK, turning down “The Beatles” though to his credit he later signed up “The Rolling Stones”.

So why is it innovative ideas are thrown aside? The first thing to consider is where the person was when the idea originated. Usually ones, that are initially rejected, start their life with a lone creator. Maybe, like many others, you find your favourite place to have new ideas is when taking a shower. Albert Einstein said that he had his best ideas when either shaving or washing. The second consideration is what causes ideas to spring into our minds. With showering it is said that it’s the ritual of cleansing, flushing away grime, and the fact that showering wakes you up so spurring our creativity. Add to this mix a popular opinion, that it is the noise of the water flowing which stimulates your mind, and it becomes easy to understand why showering turns out to be the most favoured place for ideas. The more scientific amongst our readers may prefer the explanation that it is a dopamine high, relaxed state and distracted mind which a shower generates which makes for our great ideas originating in the shower.

However this very popular location has one quality which is both an advantage and also a draw-back. You are on your own. As a creator you are free to think without interruptions but also you are not able to share your thoughts with others until later. It seems that most ideas, which are initially rejected, are not presented as part of a team effort. With the aid of a team, one is able to present and focus a body of opinion when presenting the idea. Equally one has to make sure that your presentation is aimed at someone who understands what you are talking about. This is not as easy as it sounds especially in today’s culture of specialisation. A new idea often “breaks the mold” so someone, who has a specialised focus, may not be able to comprehend what to you, as the inventor, seems obvious.

So to increase your chances of having your idea recognised:

1) Try and convince your team – get them on your side.
2) Target and know to whom you are making your pitch.
3)  Keep it simple.
4) Have an unmoveable belief in yourself.

This forth requirement is the most important attribute to have, which is why I have left it to the last, as it underpins everything else. “Belief” is an inherent characteristic which is clearly demonstrated by everyone who eventually succeeds after rejection. They have a belief in themselves and their invention which means that they NEVER give up. It is a sacrosanct requisite that everyone with an idea, who wishes to “hit the jackpot”, must never waver from having total belief in themselves, a belief which transcends all obstacles. A rejection is just another step on the road to success.
This brings to mind that I have just written a book about the adventures of a magical talking elephant, “The enchanting adventures of Abul Kandula.” I have not sent it to anyone yet. Shall I send it to you to be rejected? –

An Arty Party Kochi – Muziris Biennale

Kochi opened its window to the world of contemporary art and colours on the 12.12.12 with the commencement of the first ever Biennale in India.

This is the largest Contemporary art festival in the country to be held every other year. Collaborating closely with the Muziris Heritage Project, the Biennale celebrates Kerala’s rich heritage in arts. World renowned contemporary artists are participating in this festival which is expected to give a grand boost to the ongoing tourism season as well.

Out of the total 80 artists participating, 40 are from abroad, 22 from Kerala and the rest from other parts of the country, Fort Kochi is abuzz with activity.

Even the venues selected have their relevance in the culture of the state. Durbar Hall will be one such for all the paintings and sculptures. Built in the 1850s, it was the royal court of the rulers of Kochi.

Another is David Hall, built around 1695 by the Dutch East India Company and was the office of the Dutch Governor-General. The hall takes the name of David Koder, a Jewish businessman who later resided there with his family. Cochin Club by its side was an exclusive British Gentlemen’s Club, and will have biennale art and sculpture installations.

Aspinwall House set up during the 1850s by the English trader John H. Aspinwall is another important venue for Biennale.  Yet another venue Pepper House was a warehouse by the waterfront.

The Kochi-Muziris Biennale seeks to invoke the historic cosmopolitan legacy of Kochi and its predecessor, the ancient port of Muziris. Muziris is thought to have been involved in the spice trade as early as the third century B.C., trading with Romans, Greeks, Chinese, Jews and Arabs.  It is said to have been wiped out in 1341, when the Periyar River flooded, after which the town of Cochin, 20 miles to the south, rose to commercial prominence.

The exhibition is set in spaces across Kochi, Muziris and surrounding islands. There are shows in existing galleries and halls, and site-specific installations in public spaces, heritage buildings and neglected structures.

Indian and international artists are exhibiting artworks across a variety of mediums including film, installation, painting, sculpture, new media and performance art.

Alongside the exhibition the Biennale offers a rich and thoughtful schedule of talks, seminars, screenings, music, workshops and educational activities for school children and students of all ages.

For India, the event is a huge step forward with regard to heritage management. Surrounding structures have been given a facelift, and art has been freed from the bondage of galleries and museums.

The country’s first ever Biennale is expected to attract more than 5 lakh visitors from across the globe. Nearly 80 artists from 35 countries are taking part in this art festival.

The three-month-long biennale, will be an extravaganza of art and culture with a nod to the mystical, the wrought-iron gates of Aspinwall House, a sea-facing colonial-era spice house that is one of the main venues, was thrown open to the public.

Light – Fingered Economics

Do you know the connection between the following items:- towels, cushions, bathrobes, Christmas balls, a suit or armour, wooden ducks, clothes hangers and low energy bulbs? They all feature in the lists of items “borrowed” by hotel guests. It appears that worldwide, because of the economic problems, there’s an increase in the inclination to “borrow” things which will not be missed. Everyday parlance is to call such guests, along with others who have taken to petty pilfering, as being “Light-fingered” and they exist in all walks of life whether in sports clubs and schools, shops, stores and the workplace.

A new book by Dan Ariely called “The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty” came to conclusion that nearly everyone cheats in such ways, but usually only a little. However I am reminded of the proverbial rhyme:

For want of a nail the shoe was lost.
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.
For want of a horse the rider was lost.
For want of a rider the message was lost.
For want of a message the battle was lost.
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Although this proverb is centuries old it demonstrates how a seemingly insignificant event can grow into something dramatically disastrous. It’s easy for “light-fingers” to justify that their actions, believing that pinching little things, have no consequences. In an atmosphere where others are doing the same why not say, “Everyone else is doing it…so why shouldn’t I?” The adverse impact this attitude has on trust within a team, workplace, college and even one’s own family is overlooked. This is why I consideration of the horseshoe nail proverb is so relevant because it prompts ones imagination to consider the logical consequences of any action. Petty pilfering an office pen might seem irrelevant, until you cannot find one to write an important note during telephone conversation. Between the time taken looking for a pen and trying to call the client back you may lose the order but who knows what you may then subsequently miss out on?

Shortly after the economic downturn started, a UK national newspaper article focused on the amount of petty pilfering that was taking place, especially in the work environment. “Light-fingered economics” was rising in popularity! It seems that four out of five people thought it was acceptable to pilfer things from work. This similar lax attitude to the value of what is yours and what is not included illegally downloading music and shoplifting. The facts also showed that the notion of honesty varies considerably from one person to another.

But is anyone or anything to blame for the apparently increasing pilfering?

Certainly an article about millionairess Britney Spears, appearing to have taken to petty pilfering, does not help. She was photographed leaving a petrol station store in Los Angeles, holding a disposable lighter; when it was pointed out that she had not paid for it. It was reported that Britney Spears seemed quite proud of herself retorting to the paparazzi: “I stole something. Oh, I’m bad. Ohhhhh!”

A completely different outcome springs to mind, told by my headmaster at my school assembly in the 1960’s.  He related the story of the son of a very rich father who, when it came to his final day before leaving at the age of 18, said he wished to confess that he had been petty pilfering small items for several terms. When the items were returned what had been the headmaster’s response? It would have been very easy for the student to have said nothing as no one had been aware that he had been responsible for the items disappearing. The headmaster realised that the student, who was due to start at university, had put his “head on the chopping block”. But the headmaster  said, “You started here as a boy, and what you have done today demanded considerable courage and an acceptance of the need to go through life upholding ethics which are honest and true, not only to yourself but also to others. By returning all these items…..you may hold your head high and leave our school as a MAN!” The student went on to become very successful, known as a person who was steadfastly trustworthy.

So it’s worth remembering that the next time you see someone who is “light-fingered” they may well be “borrowing” something which, whilst only small, ends up losing you a winning opportunity. This is why, if I ever feel the urge to participate in “light-fingered” economics, I make sure I keep my hands firmly in my own pockets! I would hate for someone to miss out simply because someone light-fingered had “borrowed” a horseshoe nail!

Are You Green At Heart?

Words often take on different meanings depending on how, when and where they are used. I am reminded of the adjective “good”. Since my youth, “wicked”, and “bad” have all been used to mean good. Recently, on YouTube, I saw an international old time pop hit by Irish singer Feargal Sharkey entitled “A good heart these days is hard to find” and I wondered how I would update this song title. “Bad” or “Wicked” did not seem to fit the bill. However my answer soon sprung to mind. No longer should it be “a good heart” it should be “a green heart”.


All of us have been prompted to think and discuss green but do we do anything about it or do we just pay lip-service to it?


We take green for granted in the same way it is easy to take the good gestures of others for granted. But we ignore them at our peril because once we stop seeing good and green we have ceased to grow.


Green quotations are uplifting. For example ponder on these: –


“As long as you are green you are growing, as soon as you are ripe you are past your prime”. (Ray Kroc).


“For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver”. (Martin Luther).


Green obviously symbolizes, fertility, richness, cool and clear surroundings, where we are at one with nature. But where should we start this Green revolution drive?


If somebody asks me this question my answer would be… from the heart itself.


Our true good green hearts will have a beneficial impact both at work and at home. “Green fingers are an extension of a verdant heart”. (Russell Page).


In this positive sense, within our workplace environment, it means that you have brought in with you an aura of buoyant and cheerful energy. This is happening because you are glowing with the green shoots of life in your core – your heart. If you do not have this “green joy of life” in you then you will have a negative impact on all your colleagues. This is why, if we all think green, we will help motivate each other when we have occasional down days. This approach, even in hard times, gives us steadfast courage to look forward to the spring.


“The forest pine stays green in winter displaying wisdom in hardship”. (Norman Douglas).


In middle management a green heart mentality will bring stability, balance and optimism.
Transparency, openness, care, compassion and emotional control are all qualities which are focused within a green culture.


Interestingly the next line of Feargal Sharkey’s song underscores our need, even with green hearts, to understand we have to cherish our abilities in order to achieve success. Each of us is special. Each of us is unique. No two green buds on any plant are identical. This is why even with my new song title, I would still finish as the original was sung.


“A green heart these days is hard to find, so please be gentle with this heart of mine”.


I am sure if we are green, good and gentle we will be so much the better for it. Remember, “Nature’s first green is worth more than gold as it is the beginning of life”.

Projects Skidding

During the first week of January 2011 the Projects, Oil and Energy Division of Consolidated Shipping Services successfully handled the import – clearance and delivery of 5 transformers each one weighing 100 Tons to Fujairah – RIFFA / MASAFI / GURFA substation sites. The shipment from Hamburg arrived at Jebel Ali port as two separate shipments and CSS was responsible for directly arranging the clearance and delivery including installation of these units onto the plinths. Since this was a delicate process a survey was conducted by CSS prior to the shipment arrival to assess the site conditions. The access roads were not favoring transport of such heavy pieces due to the mountainous nature at the site locations. The access roads to the sites were transformed to ensure safe transport of the over dimensional heavy transformers. The shipments were transported on Multi Axle Hydraulic trailers to the respective site and to install onto the final foundation by means of jacking & skidding method. In order to ensure this was carried out smoothly a detailed method statement was submitted for the client’s approval including suggestions to make the site conditions favorable for such a transport. CSS staff were coordinating closely with the client at every point of the projects cycle in order to ensure site access roads and facilities were done properly while closely coordinating with the vessel agents, heavylift operator and customer to ensure smooth operation. All the transformers were delivered & installed on site as per schedule while ensuring maximum client satisfaction.

A day in a life or a life in a day

Cock a doodle doo – no sorry, we live in Mumbai and the wake up call is the milkman or the newspaper vendor – with a “ting tong” bell at 6 am and there goes our sleep out of the window and enter the saga that is about to begin. Depending on your age and disease – you start the day – with the most ancient to the most modern form of exercises. Ya ok I know you are a rich man so please do not show off by telling you have a heart disease and that you do not eat sweets after your meals because you made a few millions in the last few years and developed blood sugar in the bargain. And if you are still healthy and have nothing of the above, I am sorry I do not speak to paupers – move on …

Like all good men, you hopefully bathe after your exercise and are ready to take the next step forward. For a moment you feel like you are watching Boss’s day out on NDTV, covering your days schedule but its ok please relax – we will crack jokes later. Some do and some do not – eat breakfast – but all are for sure in a morning rush – the battle to reach office has begun – the cars are out , the buses are packed , the trains overflowing and autos and taxis on full throttle

Time starts –^*( *%^%S***^&%(^&*&**^^#@$*&F^^^^*())MC8776%&( %$^&* – about 2 hours – Time ends – office arrived. Look at the mirror – ouch – who is it? Touch myself – it’s me – thank god!

Welcome to Windows XP – welcome to desktop (oh the exciting picture of the sultry actress) – start Microsoft outlook – send receive – downloading 1 of 176 – “tapak tapak” – issue 1 in inbox – tapak tapak – issue 2 in inbox – tapak tapak tapak – download completes – 37 issues in inbox – 18 spam emails making my nights longer – 111 emails (one ex cricket umpire can be seen jumping) which make some sense and rest can be ignored coz they are from your boss – like the diaper – full of shit and always on your ass.

Time starts – @$%66F**%%&*(BC%^^%^**(S**^%())*&$#@^&* – 8 – 9 – 10 hours – Time ends – pack up – no option – no energy – no reasoning – just take me back – start travel back home – F$^*&^&*()*^&$S^&(*&*(*)(0MCBC %&^*(&(*)*_)* – 2 hours –  reached home.

Parents, wife, children, chores – sleep. And then the dream – that you and me all had – the Alice in wonderland world – the oxygen in the air, the colour of the flowers, the scent of the grass , the touch of the cool wind, the sight of the rainbow, the echoing sound of the waterfall, the flow of energy in your spine – the high of life.

Good night, sweet dreams –
you have a few hours remaining before it is again 6!

The World Is Thinking… Go Green

The cell phone charger that stays plugged in, the DVD player that waits for the occasional playing, the TV that sits on standby all night and the laptop which pretends to sleep … Are these the simple things that need a little attention in your daily life?

According to ‘Chaos Theory’ the flap of a butterfly’s wings here can create a tornado half way across the world…So let us make it a commitment that we do our part.

Now poking into a broader concept: ‘Green Logistics’ ensures a natural way of doing profitable business. Corporate Social Responsibility has gained crucial significance in the business world during these years. Environmental aspects have gained importance as the global companies are now well aware of ‘greening’ their business. Greening in business will add to measurable financial business benefits like reduced cost due to lower energy consumption, green alliances and support from governments by giving rebates and subsidies.

According to recent research by Aberdeen Group more than 50% of companies indicate ‘reducing overall business cost’ as one of the main drivers in pursuing ‘green’ initiatives. The cost and environmental impact of the supply chain can be attributed to two basic areas: Warehousing and Transportation and the latter one in terms of carbon foot-print (a measure of the impact of our activities on environment) accounts for two thirds of supply chain’s overall energy consumption. The conceptual design of the warehouse has to be done with a clear understanding of the interconnections between the transportation and the warehouse. As always, warehouses are busy places where goods are constantly on move, both inbound and outbound. Businesses always focus on maximizing the returns of each dollar spent by focusing on reducing costs whilst increasing the Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. The three ‘R’s of reducing costs which is inline with the environmental focus are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

In warehousing there are many areas which needs attention where businesses can ‘R’educe consumption whether it is consumption of energy or resources. Packaging is a major attribute of warehousing. By reducing the packaging and also by the use of advance packing materials the weight can be reduced and also it increases efficiency. By reducing the weight we not only save shipping costs but also save energy for the movement of packed materials inside the warehouse. Biodegradable packaging is another advanced method to make sure that customers are not liable for disposing environmentally harmful packing.

‘R’eusing packaging is a traditional method which is followed in most warehouses globally. Pallets, cartons and boxes are examined and reused if appropriate. For certain products the packaging is expensive and each time the manufacturer will lose it once goods are sold out. Increasing the quality can increase the life of the packaging whereby the manufacturers can reuse and reduce the amount spent on packing material.The recent financial turmoil had opened the eyes of many businesses where we are forced to reduce the costs. This created more importance in ‘R’ecycle of many materials in warehouses.

However, despite the investment a company makes in order to improve its Corporate Social Responsibility, the employees need to change their work habits and follow new procedures that combined will help the environment and in turn help the company’s bottom line.

Joy in the workplace

You may have not realised that the average person, from starting their first job until they retire, spends nearly 25% of their time at work. This means, if you do not enjoy your work, you are spending 25% of your life being unhappy. Doctors, film stars, lawyers, nurses and teachers are united by one common motivational theme. In their chosen profession, they are not in it for the money alone; they are in it because they love their work. They thrive on the joy it brings.
It is often overlooked that similarly every worker needs to experience joy at work. Sometimes we need a pat on the back, a simple smile from a colleague. However these cannot replace our own inner enjoyment from achieving goals. It is easy for an actor to respond to the adulation of fans but they have to call on inner emotions when performing in front of a camera. It is only their inner joy which confirms their success. What is it in our work environment which brings us inner joy? Building on our joy will stimulate job satisfaction and achievements. This will benefit not only ourselves but also bring a smile to those around us.
Here are some points which may help you enjoy your work and work place.
Understand where you are and what you are
Consciousness about your profile and the surroundings can reduce mistakes of your job. Think about the job only, when you are into it.
Work comfortably
Do your work in a comfortable pace, keeping the deadlines in mind. Be practical when you take up an assignment. Avoid unnecessary haste meant only to satisfy your bosses. You will not be able to complete your job in a perfect manner.
Give priorities to your work
List out the jobs in hand and do the necessary one first. Prioritising the jobs can make them easier to complete.
Be involved
Involvement is a major factor for a successful job completion. You can never expect to see wonders, unless and until you are not involved in your job.
Develop routines
Creating routines can help you work resourcefully. You may have clear thoughts in the morning. Keep aside this time for reports and planning. Then move on to letters and mails which require lesser creativity.
Interact during breaks
Discuss about general matters with your colleagues. Avoid discussing official things during your breaks. Talk about your favourite sport, film or music and make the surroundings lively.
Appreciate your colleagues
Appreciate your colleagues for their accomplishments. Ignoring the success of your fellowmen for the sake of own glory can weaken the team effort.