Advisor on Project Management

01/11/2022

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEACH SELF AND COMPANY FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FROM 6TH STANDARD OF INDIAN SCHOOLS
The entire education is taken up to create wealth but most even highly qualified have very little knowledge of various
1. Investment opportunities.
2. Income Tax rules
3. Management of company finance
Most importantly
Management of self finance

15/11/2020

Covid19 was a big opportunity for Project Managers to create new safe work and transportation modules. It appears they have not made significant progress

15/05/2020

Management Lessons from the Mahabharata: Arjun's Vow (Part 1 of 4)

On the thirteenth day of the Mahabharata war, Krishna and Arjuna returned to their camp to find everyone sad and depressed. Arjun immediately thought that something might have happened to Yudhishtira, but he saw that his elder brother was fine. "What is the reason for everyone's sorrow?", he asked but got no answers. Then he was informed that his son Abhimanyu had been killed in battle. Arjun was inconsolable and wanted to know how his dear son was killed when he was under the protection of such strong and capable elders.

He was explained the arrangement of the Chakravyuha and the plan that Abhimanyu would enter the Chakravyuha first as he alone could do it, with the others following him. However, after Abhimanyu entered the Chakravyuha, nobody could enter after him as Jayadratha had blocked the way which nobody could break.

An enraged Arjuna took a vow that he shall kill Jayadratha by evening next day else he would commit su***de by climbing the fire pyre. As the news reached the Kauravas, Jayadratha became very scared and wanted to run away. To pacify and assure him, the Kaurava clan went to Guru Drona, who was the commander to seek his advice. "I think the war will be over tomorrow", said Duryodhana, "because with our strength Arjuna will fail complete his vow and will have to commit su***de. Am I right Gurudev?"

Instead Duryodhana was stunned when he heard Guru Drona say that he thought most probably Jayadratha shall be killed. "What? With great warriors such as yourself, Karna, Ashwathama, myself, Bhagadatta, Bhurishrawa, Shalya and Kripacharya how can Arjuna succeed? Just as he is your disciple, so are we, then how could he be stronger than all of us?"

What Guru Drona then said is of great importance.

Guru said, "You people stopped at what you learnt from me, but not Arjuna. He learned over and above what I taught, using both the hands with same proficiency, shooting arrows accurately even in absolute darkness, he went to Krishna and learnt from him, seeked blessings and acquired weapons and knowledge from Lord Shiva and Lord Indra. He quest for excellence is honest and true and he is blessed by Narayan. He cannot lose."

This is true for all of us; there is no end to learning. We should always seek to learn form our teachers, seniors, juniors, colleagues, books, tutorials, training camps etc. The quest for knowledge shall ensure that we are always on the top of our game. He who has true knowledge and skill is respected even by his opponents and can never lose.

15/05/2020

The malls and shops may start as part of reopening of Lockdown
For malls atleat I suggest entry charge of Rs 100 per person. Non refundable The mall shall provide masks, gloves and sanitizer
Malls shall run all systems for 3 days and clean and clean before arrival of customers
There must be slots of 1 Hr booked in advance.
For peak they may charge
Unless this is made safe then costly unnecessary loitering habits may be difficult to curb

06/04/2020

The work has to go on. The world cannot stop because of Covid19
The new Covid 19 situation may change the working relationships and work place. May be companies across the world would need protective atmosphere and new working apparels.
Situation normalization may take at least two years.
A Vaccine needs development , testing, made affordable. It is to be given to everyone given by Government intervention .
Following may become essential
1. Temperature and health check at entry point
2. Continued sanitization of work place and individuals
3. Social Distancing
4. Maximum use of video conferencing
5. For India becoming self sufficient in home Management by use of equipment
6. Crating new employment avenues

02/04/2020

There is need for every entrepreneur and management to think and devise ways for way forward after Lockdown.
How to work staggered and less working hours initially. Use least peak travel time or eliminate peak travel.
Create social distancing at work place. Better medical and sanitation facilities
Most importantly
Improve productivity, cut red tape . Everyone should be able to in 4 hours nearly 8 hours work
Huge scope for those who want innovative ideas

01/11/2019

11/08/2019

Project Management Productivity linked to Transport of Labour.
At most project sites I found construction labour has to spend considerable time in commuting to site.
Instead of being fresh and energetic they are tired and take some time before putting the work as priority
They need breakfast and tea
My experience at Al-Khobar in 1980/81 was different. The work would start at appointed time of 6. 30 AM or 7 AM This was possible due to excellence in transporting the workers to site by all agencies.

28/07/2019

Heavenly life and management advise written in our books which should be taught from young age.
Quote from Shivalilamruta 7th Adhyaya
1. विचार केल्यावाचुन सहसा न करावी आण क्रिया.
Simple meaning
Do not act without giving deep though to your action.
How many times and perhaps most time we act or speak on impulse without giving any thought to repercussions for everyone connected.
This creates huge distress and regrets many times.
Giving time to react is most vital element for success is very rarely taught

26/07/2019

There is need from employers to spend on skill development rather than looking for new hiring.
Equally essential are substantial efforts with own time and money by employees to ensure
1. Sustainable Career development
2. Future Opportunities
3. Not being left behind by technology development
4. Avoid stress and depression
The skill development should be specific not general management

12/07/2019

MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM MAHABHARATA IV

LEADERSHIP- Partha and Parthasarathi

On 13th day evening when Arjuna took the vow to kill Jayadratha Lord Shri Krishna dressed wounds of Arjuna and horses and later after discussion and planning for tomorrow everybody went for sleep and rest. Shri Krishna was thinking of tomorrow, he clearly knew that this was a very difficult task as mighty Kaurava’s warriors would make all attempts to ensure that Arjuna does not reach Jayadratha and even if he reaches he would not be allowed to kill Jayadratha.

The battle would be no holds barred and he summoned Daruka his Charioteer and told him -. Daruka tomorrow is the most crucial day of war, my beloved Arjuna is going to fight the most critical battle of his life and he may need help. Please follow me invisibly with my chariot and all my arms.

Daruka said but Lord you are not fighting the war. Lord replied anything is possible and if Arjuna is not able to kill Jayadratha then that would be victory of evil over good .Then I need to take some action. Arjuna and the cause are very dear to me and If he is not able to complete his vow then I shall take up the arm and destroy the enemy.

Daruka followed Arjuna wherever he went –while Arjuna did not use this chariot and arms inside but both were used by Satyaki after Arjuna killed Jayadratha. When highly angered and agitated Kaurava’s lead by Karna and Drona came to attack Arjuna , they were stopped by Satyaki but he had lost his Chariot. Arjuna wanted to help Satyaki

But Shri Krishna knew that Arjuna was totally tired and exhausted after fighting war from morning and specially after killing of Jayadratha.

Meanwhile Krishna sounded his conchshell on the Rishava note. This was the signal that Daruka should bring Lord Krishna's chariot. Daruka quickly appeared on the scene and waited "Take Satyaki on this chariot," Lord Krishna ordered, "and help him in his rivalry against Karna."

Daruka quickly went to the spot where Satyaki was engaged in combat. Satyaki
ascended Lord Krishna's chariot and waited as Karna came rushing towards him. Karna was incensed that Jayadratha had been killed, and he wanted revenge. He attacked Satyaki and fought with all his prowess, but in the end his horses and his chariot driver were killed. To save him from death Ashvatthama, Salya and
Vrishasena encircled Satyaki and covered him with a curtain of arrows. Karna then quickly ascended Duryodhana's chariot. Satyaki quickly defeated Ashvatthama, Salya and Vrishasena, but refrained from killing Duryodhana's brothers remembering Bhima's vow. Satyaki's expertise in combat was unequaled
amongst the Kuru warriors. He had defeated Drona, Karna and killed Jalasandha and Bhurishravas. Everyone on the battlefield considered that after Lord Krishna and Arjuna there was only one great bowman and that was Satyaki.
Together on that single day, Arjuna, Satyaki and Bhima had destroyed eight
akshauhini division of troops.

The management lessons that emerge out of the story are-

1) The leader must have complete knowledge of the forthcoming risks and their mitigation plan.

2) The one who is fighting a severe battle tends to get engrossed in his work and may not be able to strategize, this is leader’s task.

3) The leader must be capable of taking the battle or war to a finite conclusion with his strength.

4) The leader must organise optimum and competent strength to meet challenges.

5) The leader must know enemy strength and its elimination and use different team members for different tasks

6) There must be maximum loss to enemy and our strength preserved.

01/05/2019

Chief Joy Officer (CJO) / Chief Heart Officer (CHO) - innovative new roles in HR industry

According to McKinsey, by 2030 roughly 14 percent of the global workforce may need to switch occupational categories, because of the disruption to work due to digitization, automation and advances in artificial intelligence. There's also the trend toward people searching for more meaning and purpose in their jobs, especially millennials ... so, clearly, industry is on the cusp of a pivotal moment.

How do companies prepare to better support their employees? Amongst the new roles suggested, first and most important is :

Chief Joy Officer (CJO) / Chief Heart Officer (CHO)

To dispel any myth at the very onset, the chief joy / heart officer’s role isn’t to spread happiness through fun activities and free massages; rather this person's role is to ensure that employees feel fulfilled in their roles, that their work is valued and that their opinions are taken into account.

For example, VaynerMedia’s Claude Silver's role, Forbes has written, is to support the CEO in putting people first. Her approach is to move away from the very pragmatic-sounding “HR” and get closer to culture and experience through empathy.

Consider Max Hunter, chief joy officer for Loylogic. Like Claude, his role is to listen to employees to get a feeling for what they need and help the company make those expressed needs a reality. His mission, he says, is “to make sure people wake up on a Monday morning looking forward to going to work."

With roles like these, companies can ensure that they focus on developing and supporting people’s careers, which is a crucial component of employee retention.

...Adapted from Stephen Maier's article