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Contents

1. Moderator's Space

2. The Power of Recognition - by Joan Marques

3. Tomato Soup for the Soul - sent by Ambar Nanavaty

4. New Members

Ajit Limaye, V.Uma Maheswara Rao, Saravjot Kaur, R Viswanathan

5. Readers' Forum

Help needed on Format for Deputation - BB Bhattacharya.

6. Quotation Corner: Wisdom of the Soul - sent by Neeraj Narang

7. Inspirational Story: What is Peace? - Sent by Ramakrishna Rao

8. More from Members and Our Website

9. HR Training Programs (India)

10. Best HR Jobs (India)

1. Moderator's Space

Dear Friends,

Best wishes for a Happy Holi.

warm regards

Alka Bhatnagar

2. The Power of Recognition - by Joan Marques

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." (Francois Marie Arouet Voltaire, 1694-1778)

It is a generally known fact, that you can achieve almost anything if you give recognition to the people you collaborate with. Recognition may be the most important string you have if you want to pull out a winner!

Although this doesn't only pertain to the workplace - we all know too well how important feedback is at home - this article will be limited to the professional environment.

Understanding Diversity of Gifts & Recognizing Them

"Recognition in the workplace begins with an understanding of the diversity of people's gifts, talents and skills (Schermerhorn, 2002, p. 336)." Every true leader is aware of that. Leadership, in this context, is "the process of inspiring others to work hard and to accomplish important tasks (Schermerhorn, p. 336)." And "No person can be a great leader unless he takes genuine joy in the successes of those under him. (W. A. Nance)." Schermerhorn (2002) therefore rightfully states, "When we recognize the unique qualities in others we become less inclined to believe that we alone know what is best. (p. 336)" Conclusion: if you want to call yourself a leader, you better start mastering the skill of recognition.

Not for Money Alone!

In the April edition of New Zealand Management, great emphasis is laid on the growing search for recognition in the workplace. It seems that "more senior managers are more aggressively looking for personal recognition rather than monetary compensation." The article warns that this is a trend that transcends continents, and further asserts, "People are carefully analyzing how they feel about their work and sometimes making dramatic career decisions." So, if the job is not meaningful to them, they're out!

According to this article, some of these departing "dedicated professionals have no other jobs to go to. They are just quitting, with the assumption that the right opportunity will come along." Even more interesting is the notation that the need for meaningful work is so eminent, that the state of the national economy is not even considered. "If their work is not appreciated, they will leave rather than continue in an environment that is inconsistent with what they believe in."

With this significant trend in mind, let's analyze what kind of interaction is exactly taking place when recognition is brought into play?

What You Do:

You redefine "leadership." You fit Newell's (2001) description of a "Leader [who] need[s] a drive to excel and to challenge the status quo, be excited by that challenge and committed to achieving results." Newell asserts further, "To do that you have to be fairly innovative in your thinking. That means focusing on continuous improvement (p. 15)." Within this leadership style, "You have to let your people solve their problems and let them feel they matter (p. 17)." If you truly hold on to this approach, you'll find yourself agreeing with Harry S. Truman: "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

What You Give:

Meaningful work: As a leader you will have to make sure that you provide your employees the chance to excel in areas where they can. People only excel when they enjoy doing what they're doing. "Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." (Aristotle)

Motivation: Through the recognition you give, you also inspire your co-workers. They will feel stimulated to reach farther inside their pool of skills than they ever did before, for "motivation will almost always beat mere talent." (Norman R. Augustine)

Opportunities through challenge: Any job that is too easy will sooner or later lead to boredom and carelessness within the employee performing it. The ultimate consequence may even be: burnout. Don't let that happen. People love puzzling things out. It gives them a sense of importance. Make it a little more challenging every time, and convey the brilliant message, that "in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." (Albert Einstein)

What You Get:

Encouraged by your strategy, which will surely not go by unrecognized, your subordinates, then, will not disappoint you and most likely will provide you an even better output that you initially anticipated.

Besides, you will not only enjoy, but also be complimented on, the unique and rich, diverse work environment you created.

References:

Anonymous. (2002). Executives opting out. New Zealand Management, 49(3), 8.

Aristotle. (Unknown). Quotations about Inspiration, [On-line]. Available:
http://www.aphids.com/cgi-bin/quotes.pl?act=ShowListingsForSub&Subject=S47 [2002, July 6].

Einstein, A. (Unknown). Albert Einstein Quotes (03/14/1879-1955), [On-Line]. Available: http://home.att.net/~wbaustin/einstein.html [2002, July 6]

John R. Schermerhorn, J. (2002). Management (Seventh ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Nance, W. A. (Unknown). Famous Quotes, [On-line]. Available: http://www.gunnar.cc/quotes.html [2002, July 6].

Newell, E. (2001). CEOs talk. Canadian HR Reporter, 14(17), 15-17.

Truman, H. (Unknown) Recognition, [On-Line]. Available:
http://www.quotationreference.com/quotefinder.php [2002, July 6]

Unknown (2002). "Famous Quotes" on Quotes Famous Quotations about Quotations Famous Sayings on Quotations, [On-line]. Available: http://home.att.net/~quotations/ [2002, July 6].

Voltaire, Francois, Marie, Arouet. (1694-1778) Recognition, [On-Line].
Available: http://www.quotationreference.com/quotefinder.php [2002, July 6]

Contributed by Joan Marques

Joan is based in Burbank, California. She has done her MBA and is presently a Doctoral Student. Visit her website at http://www.joanmarques.com

3. Tomato Soup for the Soul - sent by Ambar Nanavaty

With Apologies to Banta

Santa bought a new car. Next day he was driving it to the office. On the way he stopped at a traffic signal and suddenly opened the door to get down. He went to the Traffic Police and asked him, 'How much should I pay to take a right turn?'

The policeman Police man was astonished and asked, 'But why on earth are you asking such a weird question?'

Santa showed him the sign board in the corner of the road that read: 'Free Left Turn'

David & Goliath

There was this little guy sitting in a bar, drinking his beer, minding his own business when all of a sudden this great big dude comes in and -- WHACK!! -- knocks him off the bar stool and onto the floor. The big dude says, "That was a karate chop from Korea."

The little guy thinks "GEEZ," but he gets back up on the stool and starts drinking again when all of a sudden -- WHACK!! -- the big dude knocks him down AGAIN and says, "That was a judo chop from Japan."

So the little guy has had enough of this... He gets up, brushes himself off and quietly leaves. The little guy is gone for an hour or so when he returned. Without saying a word, he walks up behind the big dude and -- WHAM!!!" -- knocks the big dude off his stool, knocking him out cold!!! The little guy looks at the bartender and says, "When he gets up, tell him that's a crowbar from Sears.

Sent by Ambar Nanavaty

Larsen & Toubro Limited, Ahmedabad, Email: ambar_nana@yahoo.com

4. New Members

Ajit Limaye, Chief Information Officer, bMatrix Integrated Services, Hyderabad

Dear Rajeev,

I am very much happy to see the site as well, sure you are doing a great job. Let me know how I would be helpful to you and other HR professionals.

Kind Regards, Ajit

Ajit has done MBA (Systems) from ICFAI, MBA(HR)from NMIMS, Mumbai; and finally an Advanced Diploma in Systems Dynamics from MIT- USA. He is also a certified NLP Practioner/Trainer

Currently he heads the Learning Consultancy Division at bMatrix, Hyderabad
(http://www.b-matrix.com). He has also worked in Human Resources, Information Systems, Policy and Process Design, Solution Design and other related divisions.

Before joining at bMatrix, he was contributing to Digital Think, (http://www.digitalthink.com ) the second largest e-learning company in the world in its strategic services group. His last assignment development of training needs analysis system across value chain for 19 industry sectors.

He has personal interests in community development, online facilitation, organizational learning, systems dynamics and neuro linguistic programming.

Contact: An avid yahoogroup/messenger user, he can be contacted at businessajit@yahoo.com for any queries related to system design for HR function. His networking site is http://www.ryze.com/view.php?who=businessajit

V.Uma Maheswara Rao, Magus Customer Dialog Pvt. Ltd., Rajahmundry

Mahesh has done B Sc, PGD in Computer Applications, and Diploma in Management. Currently he is doing MBA (HR) from IGNOU.

He leads a team of 3 members and is administering SBIdeas software in GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Health Care Ltd. The objective of this project is to explore the people's potential & motivate the people with innovation for Continuous Improvement. Additionally he manage the Training Management Software (TMS) for factory with 765 staff members. Mahesh is obviously computer friendly - including networking & hardware aspects.

Contact: mahesh_vangapandu@rediffmail.com

Saravjot Kaur, Assistant Manager HR, World Wide Group Of Companies, Chandigarh.

Saravjot has a PG Degree in Management (specialization in HR) from National Institute of Management, Kolkatta, India.

She has over 3 years, rich experience in human resources function for all levels and positions. It includes hands on experience of deleoping recruitment policies, performance management systems, 360 degree appraisal systems, conducted training workshops on topics like, Business Ethics, Time Management, Soft Skills and Business Etiquettes.

Contact: saravmar@sify.com

R Viswanathan, Lucas TVS limited, Chennai

Hello,

I would like to introduce myself as a new entrant tyo HR field - just for one year after a service of 14 years in some other department in the same company. I am pusuing an evening course leading to PGD in PM&IR from MSSW, Chennai. I am interested to know & explore every corner of this profession. I hope I will get therequired stuff through this forum.

Thanks a Lot, R Viswanathan.

Contact: ramvisu2003@yahoo.co.uk

5. Readers' Forum

[Please email your replies to the person asking, with a copy to us at Alka@HREra.com for publication. Email new questions to us.]

Help on Format for Deputation - BB Bhattacharya.

Dear All,

As I am the active member of this group, I need help from you all.

I need the format / proforma, which is needed for keeping the candidates in our payroll and would work in other corporates.

Please help me by giving that draft.

Regards,

Bhakti Brata Bhattacharya.
bhaktibrata@rediffmail.com

6. Quotation Corner: Wisdom of the Soul - sent by Neeraj Narang

When things go wrong.....don't go with them.

A friend is someone who reaches for your hand but touches your heart.

Our eyes are placed in front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back.

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

A person who asks a question might be a fool for five minutes, but a person who doesn't ask, is a fool forever.

Sent by Neeraj Narang

Human Resources Department, NEPZ, Tata Infotech Limited
Contact: neeraj.narang@tatainfotech.com Ph: 95120-2567622-24 Ext: 557

7. Inspirational Story: What is Peace? - sent by Ramakrishna Rao

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried.

The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest... perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture.

Do you know why?

"Because," explained the King, "Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

Sent by Ramakrsihna Rao

People Excellence, Tata Telecom Limited, Gandhinagar.
E-mail : rthallam@tatatelecom.com , Tele : 079 - 3221773 / 3246467 Extn. No. 290

8. More from Members and Our Website

Presentation on Change Management , Tarkesh Gupta

This is a link to a presentation on change process, which I have recently developed. It consist a broad framework on change management i.e. change problems, basic strategies for change, skills required and how to manage changes.

I have also worked out some tips on how to transform the change process, find out the gaps between problem state to solved state, how to reduce the gaps, how to keep motivated your staff in change and complete problem solving process, which off course also very interesting, vital & important aspects of change process.

However, I would like to have invaluable inputs from the esteemed members of HR Era.

Regards,

Tarkesh Gupta

Beyond the Line, Tarkesh Gupta

With great pleasure, I announce the release of “TG’s Series # 3: Beyond the Line”, an informative journey of Creativity (beyond the Line). This book could be very useful in coaching & training sessions on Creativity, Negotiation, Motivation, Communication and Leadership etc.

I am sure; most of you will find it interesting, informative & useful. Your invaluable feedback has always been a great source of inspiration for me. Therefore, I request you all to must send your feedback.

With best of learning,

Tarkesh Gupta

9. HR Training Programs

[Free Service: Training Institutions & Trainers can email their Programs to Alka@HREra.com . We reach them to 1500 HR professionals for free.]

Workplace Communication Skills, March 22 and 23, Bangalore.

Dear HR Professionals,

La Hoya Business Accelerators (‘La Hoya’ meaning the ‘Jewel’ in Spanish) will be conducting a two-day workshop on "Workplace Communication Skills" on March 22 and 23.

Venue: Hotel Bangalore International, Crescent Road, Near Shivananda Circle, Kumara Park Bangalore.

Contents : Communicating at work: The Process; Barriers and how to overcome them. How to get rid of fear and nervousness and communicate with confidence. Perception: What you see is what you get. Importance of Body language and listening skills. Teamwork: How to be an effective team player – Trust building exercise – Participatory Decision Making. Thinking on your feet – Confidence-building exercises. Interpersonal Skills – Managing difficult behaviour – Understanding personality types. Audience focused communication – Peer to peer communication, communication with superiors and communication with subordinates. Presentation Skills: How to organize How to deliver How to handle Q & A. Creating ownership at the workplace. Vision exercise.

Faculty:

Dr. DVR Seshadri B.Tech (IIT Madras, M.S. Univ. of California and Ph.D in Management IIM Ahmedabad), and Visiting faculty at IIM Bangalore will conduct the session on "Ownership" and the Vision exercise.

Mr. T Chendil Kumar, a renowned trainer and communicator will be the course director. He has over 15 years experience in marketing and training. He has conducted several programs for corporates and educational institutions.

Methodology: This is a learn-by-doing workshop with interactive exercises, presentations, and group discussions. Relevant video clippings and movies will enhance the learning process.

Clients: Some of our esteemed clients include- Honeywell Technology Solutions, SAP Labs India Limited, Subex Systems, John Crane Sealol (I) Limited, Ingersoll – Rand (India) Limited, Rane Brake Linings, Chennai.

Commercial Terms: Rs. 5, 000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) per participant. If an organization nominates three or more candidates, a discount of Rs. 500/- per person will be allowed.

For more information, please contact : Ms. Padmaja, Training Manager, La Hoya Business Accelerators Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore

Phone: 658 7312 / 13 / 14. E-mail: Padmaja@lahoyaindia.com

10. Best HR Jobs

[Free Service: Employers & Consultants can email their job vacancies to Alka@HREra.com . We reach them to 1500 HR professionals for free]

Three Positions in Bangalore

The following URGENT positions are available with a leading Company located at Bangalore, to be filled in on priority basis:

RESOURCE MANAGER :

Qualification : B.E with MBA OR an MBA / Post-Graduate Diploma in HR

Experience : around 8 years in IT Resourcing.

Compensation : Rs. 9 – 10 lakhs per annum.

RECRUITMENT EXECUTIVES (2 vacancies):

(i) Qualification : Graduate / Post-Graduate
Experience : around 6 years in IT recruitment
Compensation : Rs. 6 - 7 lakhs per annum.

(ii) Qualification : Graduate / Post-Graduate
Experience : around 4 years in IT recruitment
Compensation : around Rs. 4.5 lakhs per annum.

If you are looking for a change / know someone who is, please do send in your resumes / ask them to rush their resumes in Word format immediately to:

anandconsultancy@rediffmail.com

Thanks and Regards,

G. Anand