Nooromave is quite a small place. It's more like a village. Of course now it has improved very much as there are few good developments that has happened over the years.
Nooromave is explained a little more in Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anicadu
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Sumod_Sunny
Here are some Nooromave videos:
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
SECOND COMING OF JESUS & GLOBAL WARMING- The Future!!
This is an explanation on a topic which I wrote in one of my previous blogs. Here is the previous entry which is followed by its explanation:
SECOND COMING & GLOBAL WARMING!
Jesus is coming again to take with Him first, those who died believing in Him followed by the believers who are living at the time. The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, The reign of Anti-Christ and the Beast will take place just as it was prophesized thousands of years ago and recorded in the Bible. Famines, earthquakes, broken relationships, hatred, filth, unrighteousness, wars, climatic changes, and so on are all happening just as prophesized. The world is running around and formulating new world rules and regulations on reducing Global Warming. Go on do what you have to do for God says ‘....let the world do what it has to do but My Word will come to pass...I will destroy the world with fire from Heaven....Those who belong to Me I will save!’. The world now knows how hot the Earth is becoming and that too at a faster pace. You may be recycling, reducing your road and air travels, using eco friendly bulbs and machines. But no matter what you do the truth is the Earth is getting hotter and hotter as it is getting ready to be heated up and be destroyed by fire very soon, because God has spoken He will destroy it with fire from Heaven and that is exactly what is gonna happen!
Global Warming and Second Coming of Jesus
I earlier wrote a few lines on how global warming will continue even stronger no matter how hard we try to stop or reduce it because it is God's word that the world will be destroyed with fire and that is exactly what is going to happen. One of my friends read the blog and he was laughing at me. He jokingly said that I declared that Global Warming will destroy the earth when Jesus returns the 2nd time. I told him that's not what I said and he's got it all mixed up. I tried to explain but as always, once someone has had their chance to mock at the Word that is shared to them, or as soon as they finish speaking their views about a believer, they don't stop to listen to its clarification. They just finish their part and say that the conversation has ended and not to speak anymore about it. Even if you try to add one word about the whole topic, they immediately say they understood (for the sake of stopping the talk) and not to add any more and waste time. And you end up getting the look from them which says "I have said all that I want on your face but now I don't want to hear any reply from your mouth. Shut up!!" Sheesh man, how much more can you can ask when you allow someone to shoot all his arrows at you expecting that in the end you will get your chance to clarify or share something, but they just walk away without even bothering to give you your chance to speak at least as a matter of courtesy.
Sin is the reason!
Anyway, that's not the point here. The fact is that no matter how much you try you cannot end the Global Warming phenomenon! It's good to try and of course we have to do what we should but how much harder you try the quicker GW (Global Warming) is spreading itself around the world. The reason is simple: It's God's word that as per His plan, the earth will be destroyed with fire.
What God made was good, but His most favourite creation Human Beings- you and me, have fallen away from Him- through Sin! He sent His son Jesus for our redemption from sin and giving us salvation, by His sacrificial blood, but yet man has not opened their hearts to seek the Lord. Jesus was crucified and buried. But He rose again on the 3rd day and has now got full authority over Heaven and Hell. He has put Satan under His feet where Satan lies defeated. Very soon Jesus will return in the clouds to take away His faithful church and the remaining will be left on earth where they will see the reign of the Anti Christ, then the false prophet along with the Beast. And that is when the world will realise that they had been deceived all that while by the Anti Christ. But by then it would be too late for them to turn away for those who say no and refuse to join hands with the Beast, they will be tortured and persecuted. Some will finally join with the Beast, but those who still stay on their ground despite the pain and sufferings; they will be slayed on earth. They too will be saved on the day of judgement because they were slain for their faith in Christ.
Armageddon
Then after few years of the Anti Christ and Beast's rule on earth, which by now is completely being ruled by Satan and his army of deceived souls and fallen heavenly bodies, Jesus will come again the third time, but now He is coming with His beloved Church and a war will take place where the Glory of the Lord will be manifested and Satan and his army will be defeated on earth. It is during this war- Armageddon, that almost the entire Earth will be destroyed as a result of the devastating war. This war will witness most of the nations, who have always opposed Christ and His followers, use their most deadly weapons of destruction which is the nuclear weapons which they have been keeping aside for a long time now.
Victory belongs to the Lord!
When the victory of Jesus and His Church has been announced, there will be rejoicing in Heaven and then God will command His Word and fire will come down from Heaven and devour the entire world. After the destruction of this world, God will command again and a new world will come from Heaven, which is called as the New Jerusalem in the Bible and God's people will live in harmony amidst the glory of God.
This is why, I say that GW, though a result of man's own doings, is clearly now a part of God's plan which is why He let it happen and now it is happening at a faster pace- you know what that means don't you?... Yes, the Lord's second coming is not far away, it is just around the corner. Watch and be prepared. GW will not burn up the Earth. It is only heating up the Earth so that it will burst into flames at one go, when fire from Heaven is lighted onto it.
SECOND COMING & GLOBAL WARMING!
Jesus is coming again to take with Him first, those who died believing in Him followed by the believers who are living at the time. The 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, The reign of Anti-Christ and the Beast will take place just as it was prophesized thousands of years ago and recorded in the Bible. Famines, earthquakes, broken relationships, hatred, filth, unrighteousness, wars, climatic changes, and so on are all happening just as prophesized. The world is running around and formulating new world rules and regulations on reducing Global Warming. Go on do what you have to do for God says ‘....let the world do what it has to do but My Word will come to pass...I will destroy the world with fire from Heaven....Those who belong to Me I will save!’. The world now knows how hot the Earth is becoming and that too at a faster pace. You may be recycling, reducing your road and air travels, using eco friendly bulbs and machines. But no matter what you do the truth is the Earth is getting hotter and hotter as it is getting ready to be heated up and be destroyed by fire very soon, because God has spoken He will destroy it with fire from Heaven and that is exactly what is gonna happen!
Global Warming and Second Coming of Jesus
I earlier wrote a few lines on how global warming will continue even stronger no matter how hard we try to stop or reduce it because it is God's word that the world will be destroyed with fire and that is exactly what is going to happen. One of my friends read the blog and he was laughing at me. He jokingly said that I declared that Global Warming will destroy the earth when Jesus returns the 2nd time. I told him that's not what I said and he's got it all mixed up. I tried to explain but as always, once someone has had their chance to mock at the Word that is shared to them, or as soon as they finish speaking their views about a believer, they don't stop to listen to its clarification. They just finish their part and say that the conversation has ended and not to speak anymore about it. Even if you try to add one word about the whole topic, they immediately say they understood (for the sake of stopping the talk) and not to add any more and waste time. And you end up getting the look from them which says "I have said all that I want on your face but now I don't want to hear any reply from your mouth. Shut up!!" Sheesh man, how much more can you can ask when you allow someone to shoot all his arrows at you expecting that in the end you will get your chance to clarify or share something, but they just walk away without even bothering to give you your chance to speak at least as a matter of courtesy.
Sin is the reason!
Anyway, that's not the point here. The fact is that no matter how much you try you cannot end the Global Warming phenomenon! It's good to try and of course we have to do what we should but how much harder you try the quicker GW (Global Warming) is spreading itself around the world. The reason is simple: It's God's word that as per His plan, the earth will be destroyed with fire.
What God made was good, but His most favourite creation Human Beings- you and me, have fallen away from Him- through Sin! He sent His son Jesus for our redemption from sin and giving us salvation, by His sacrificial blood, but yet man has not opened their hearts to seek the Lord. Jesus was crucified and buried. But He rose again on the 3rd day and has now got full authority over Heaven and Hell. He has put Satan under His feet where Satan lies defeated. Very soon Jesus will return in the clouds to take away His faithful church and the remaining will be left on earth where they will see the reign of the Anti Christ, then the false prophet along with the Beast. And that is when the world will realise that they had been deceived all that while by the Anti Christ. But by then it would be too late for them to turn away for those who say no and refuse to join hands with the Beast, they will be tortured and persecuted. Some will finally join with the Beast, but those who still stay on their ground despite the pain and sufferings; they will be slayed on earth. They too will be saved on the day of judgement because they were slain for their faith in Christ.
Armageddon
Then after few years of the Anti Christ and Beast's rule on earth, which by now is completely being ruled by Satan and his army of deceived souls and fallen heavenly bodies, Jesus will come again the third time, but now He is coming with His beloved Church and a war will take place where the Glory of the Lord will be manifested and Satan and his army will be defeated on earth. It is during this war- Armageddon, that almost the entire Earth will be destroyed as a result of the devastating war. This war will witness most of the nations, who have always opposed Christ and His followers, use their most deadly weapons of destruction which is the nuclear weapons which they have been keeping aside for a long time now.
Victory belongs to the Lord!
When the victory of Jesus and His Church has been announced, there will be rejoicing in Heaven and then God will command His Word and fire will come down from Heaven and devour the entire world. After the destruction of this world, God will command again and a new world will come from Heaven, which is called as the New Jerusalem in the Bible and God's people will live in harmony amidst the glory of God.
This is why, I say that GW, though a result of man's own doings, is clearly now a part of God's plan which is why He let it happen and now it is happening at a faster pace- you know what that means don't you?... Yes, the Lord's second coming is not far away, it is just around the corner. Watch and be prepared. GW will not burn up the Earth. It is only heating up the Earth so that it will burst into flames at one go, when fire from Heaven is lighted onto it.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
English to Malayalam Translator
This game was one of the games played during ‘Happy Hour’. I have already mentioned about ‘Happy Hour’ in my previous blog post. So let me explain to you about this game. The Cultural Committee had requested me to host this game which I happily agreed to. Of course I did ask them to make sure someone was standing along with me just in case I needed help. So I had a co host with me on one side and a time keeper at the other side. Well, I was happy to host this game at the beginning, but as the game slowly progressed I regretted my decision to host it. Because the game was such a hit and huge fun to play, that had I not been the host, I too would have certainly participated in it whether I would win or lose.
The game was really so fun that apart from the participants, almost everyone in the audience had their say in it. In fact at the end of the game, they all even made me participate but as I was the host I was not eligible for the prize. Yet I played it because it was such an interesting and fun game. Literally everyone present in the cafeteria was laughing their lungs out! In the end we had two winners and they were given instant prizes.
Objective
The objective of the game is to translate or reply, to questions asked in English, back only in Malayalam. For those of you who are aliens, Malayalam is the language of Kerala, a southern state of India whose inhabitants are known as ‘Malayalees’ or ‘Keralites’ or more popularly as ‘Mallus’. Anyway, as per this game, I would ask the participants certain questions starting from their personal background to topics such as sports and pollution. The reply is to be given only in complete Malayalam sentences without even one English word. If they utter a word in English then they are out of the game and the next participant comes in.
The time limit given for each contestant is 2 minutes. Of course this is too little time to actually bring a real competitive game but as this event is taking place during working hours we have to stick to the time limits so that the game is over within the stipulated time and we can get back to our work. Coming back to the game, when a question is put forward, the reply must not have a delay of more than 2 seconds. Also, no replies will be accepted if it is given in one word answers. And that is where the challenge lies. You must reply to every question in full sentences only.
It’s a fact!
Generally, even though we belong to Kerala, most of us always speak in Malayalam with at least one word in English. And we are so used to it now that it has become widely accepted among almost every youth in Kerala. What happens is that the more we speak in this manner, the more we tend to actually forget how the word is really spoken in Malayalam. It’s true that nowadays, it is compulsory to speak in English in schools and at workplaces especially in MNC’s as we do most of the business in international standards and with foreigners. So such problems can be marginally highlighted when these kind of fun games are played. It’s not that we don’t like to speak these words in Malayalam, but our lifestyle has now compelled us to stop speaking 100 % fluently in Malayalam while relying on English for some words, a situation which, alarmingly, will slowly be renaming the Malayalam language to ‘Manglish’- a combination of both Malayalam and English.
8 Enthusiastic Participants
Anyway, this game had 8 participants who were very active and enthusiastic to win. The first winner was a highly explosive and ready-to-fire male whose farewell was just given to him as he was leaving from the company. The second winner was a female who was as polite as she could be and as smart as we couldn’t even imagine. However, there was another contestant who was on the verge of winning and that with such a brilliant performance but in the end she committed one tiny error and that too just 2 seconds before the time limit. Otherwise she it would have really been a convincing win for her.
You deserve it Audience!!!
But most of all, it was the audience who also deserve equal appreciation because the whole time it was the joy and excitement on their faces that really filled the entire atmosphere. An encouraging force! They were so much into the game that the thrill of the entire event was evident on their faces. Many of them also gave their feedback saying that they would love to see such interactive games/sessions being conducted in future. “So Cultural Committee, we are keeping our fingers crossed..... :)”
The Time Keeper
And in the end some of my colleagues persuaded me to take the challenge as well. I agreed. My Co host started shooting questions at me to which I answered in Malayalam. Then all of a sudden questions started coming to me from the audience as well. Again I was replying in Malayalam itself. In the middle I understood that my 2 minutes were up and in fact the game was still continuing on. I asked the time keeper and she said that there was no time limit for me. This means that they would stop only when I lose. Man, how mad I was with her- Bad Time Keeper!! So the game went on and I just wasn’t giving up.
‘Sameyam ayennu’ kutty pareyunnu: ‘Time’s up’ says the girl!
Finally a popular colleague in our office stood up and said that it’s enough and times up as we all had to get back to work. So I translated that sentence too and the game was over and I won. Unfortunately I was not eligible for the prize as I was the host for the game. So the prizes were awarded to the winners and everyone went on their way with big smiles on their faces and many funny moments to cherish.
You can view the video which our special cameraman captured in my mob cam during the event. Enjoy!
(For the full video of the Happy Hour Game Show including the joint 1st prize winners, visit http://sumod-sunny-joseph.blogspot.com/ )
...Watch how Sanjoy Alexander, the Auto and Movie Critic cum Journalist, first gets out with the very first word he says, 'Definitely', in English itself instead of Malayalam, but then on the 2nd attempt makes an amazing return by translating every English sentences and words into Malayalam with a 'Stand Tall and Deliver' performance and attitude claiming the 1st prize in the 'English to Malayalam Translator' Game Show! Superb!! :) This game was part of the Healthy Lifestyle & Stress-Free games which was a good break and performance booster for all the employees!
The game was really so fun that apart from the participants, almost everyone in the audience had their say in it. In fact at the end of the game, they all even made me participate but as I was the host I was not eligible for the prize. Yet I played it because it was such an interesting and fun game. Literally everyone present in the cafeteria was laughing their lungs out! In the end we had two winners and they were given instant prizes.
Objective
The objective of the game is to translate or reply, to questions asked in English, back only in Malayalam. For those of you who are aliens, Malayalam is the language of Kerala, a southern state of India whose inhabitants are known as ‘Malayalees’ or ‘Keralites’ or more popularly as ‘Mallus’. Anyway, as per this game, I would ask the participants certain questions starting from their personal background to topics such as sports and pollution. The reply is to be given only in complete Malayalam sentences without even one English word. If they utter a word in English then they are out of the game and the next participant comes in.
The time limit given for each contestant is 2 minutes. Of course this is too little time to actually bring a real competitive game but as this event is taking place during working hours we have to stick to the time limits so that the game is over within the stipulated time and we can get back to our work. Coming back to the game, when a question is put forward, the reply must not have a delay of more than 2 seconds. Also, no replies will be accepted if it is given in one word answers. And that is where the challenge lies. You must reply to every question in full sentences only.
It’s a fact!
Generally, even though we belong to Kerala, most of us always speak in Malayalam with at least one word in English. And we are so used to it now that it has become widely accepted among almost every youth in Kerala. What happens is that the more we speak in this manner, the more we tend to actually forget how the word is really spoken in Malayalam. It’s true that nowadays, it is compulsory to speak in English in schools and at workplaces especially in MNC’s as we do most of the business in international standards and with foreigners. So such problems can be marginally highlighted when these kind of fun games are played. It’s not that we don’t like to speak these words in Malayalam, but our lifestyle has now compelled us to stop speaking 100 % fluently in Malayalam while relying on English for some words, a situation which, alarmingly, will slowly be renaming the Malayalam language to ‘Manglish’- a combination of both Malayalam and English.
8 Enthusiastic Participants
Anyway, this game had 8 participants who were very active and enthusiastic to win. The first winner was a highly explosive and ready-to-fire male whose farewell was just given to him as he was leaving from the company. The second winner was a female who was as polite as she could be and as smart as we couldn’t even imagine. However, there was another contestant who was on the verge of winning and that with such a brilliant performance but in the end she committed one tiny error and that too just 2 seconds before the time limit. Otherwise she it would have really been a convincing win for her.
You deserve it Audience!!!
But most of all, it was the audience who also deserve equal appreciation because the whole time it was the joy and excitement on their faces that really filled the entire atmosphere. An encouraging force! They were so much into the game that the thrill of the entire event was evident on their faces. Many of them also gave their feedback saying that they would love to see such interactive games/sessions being conducted in future. “So Cultural Committee, we are keeping our fingers crossed..... :)”
The Time Keeper
And in the end some of my colleagues persuaded me to take the challenge as well. I agreed. My Co host started shooting questions at me to which I answered in Malayalam. Then all of a sudden questions started coming to me from the audience as well. Again I was replying in Malayalam itself. In the middle I understood that my 2 minutes were up and in fact the game was still continuing on. I asked the time keeper and she said that there was no time limit for me. This means that they would stop only when I lose. Man, how mad I was with her- Bad Time Keeper!! So the game went on and I just wasn’t giving up.
‘Sameyam ayennu’ kutty pareyunnu: ‘Time’s up’ says the girl!
Finally a popular colleague in our office stood up and said that it’s enough and times up as we all had to get back to work. So I translated that sentence too and the game was over and I won. Unfortunately I was not eligible for the prize as I was the host for the game. So the prizes were awarded to the winners and everyone went on their way with big smiles on their faces and many funny moments to cherish.
You can view the video which our special cameraman captured in my mob cam during the event. Enjoy!
(For the full video of the Happy Hour Game Show including the joint 1st prize winners, visit http://sumod-sunny-joseph.blogspot.com/ )
...Watch how Sanjoy Alexander, the Auto and Movie Critic cum Journalist, first gets out with the very first word he says, 'Definitely', in English itself instead of Malayalam, but then on the 2nd attempt makes an amazing return by translating every English sentences and words into Malayalam with a 'Stand Tall and Deliver' performance and attitude claiming the 1st prize in the 'English to Malayalam Translator' Game Show! Superb!! :) This game was part of the Healthy Lifestyle & Stress-Free games which was a good break and performance booster for all the employees!
Happy Hour- An Employee Recreation Program
We have a monthly employee recreation event called ‘Happy Hour’ which is conducted on Fridays by the Cultural Committee. Though our company provides other employee recreation activities, this particular event is a unique one. ‘Happy Hour’ is an activity where games are conducted and the winners are awarded instant prizes. The event starts at 4:30pm and is held at the cafeteria. Most of the employees come to the cafe by 4pm to have their usual tea/coffee/hot chocolate/milk along with biscuits/fruits. This is all free you know :). But during Happy Hours, apart from the biscuits/fruits, we also get some additional snacks like Pazham Puri (Banana fry) or Uzhanu Vada (a round donut) with chutney. Mmmmm....it’s really tasty and more filling. So you can now see why most of the employees are happy at that moment.
As soon as the snacks are consumed, a Cultural Committee member or a non member selected by the Cultural Committee welcomes everyone through the mic and grabs everyone’s attention. He or She greets the crowd and starts a conversation until everyone is settled down. During this time some may leave the cafe, while those interested to know what game is gonna be played that day, would remain stuck to their seats, giving their best smiles, waiting for any moment they get so they can laugh their heart out and cheer up themselves.
Once everyone is settled, the host is introduced accompanied by one or two Cultural Committee members/helpers. The host then announces the name of the game and its rules. The games played are sometimes popular games and at times innovative. The rules are simple but tricky so that it encourages maximum participation from the employees and at the same time it creates so many thrills and fun that not only the participants, but also the audience get to enjoy it and have a great time watching it.
Few examples of the games that have been played are Musical Chair, Passing the message, Throwing the ball into the box, English to Malayalam translator, and so on. I was a host for the game ‘English to Malayalam translator’. I shall explain about this game in my next blog post. Check it out.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Root Step 10- Final decision on Staff Requirement:
The crucial decision for any organisation is always regarding the cutting of jobs. But here, I have given this the last priority because if the above steps are followed as mentioned, then by the time you reach the 9th step your door to a smooth business operation in this crisis situation is wide open and you need not even think of making this kind of a decision. You still have your employee family with you. But one in ten, if you still happen to find yourself in a situation where you have to go forward with this decision, then please do it with utmost respect.
Like I said earlier, unless not in a one day emergency, first give a 6 months’ notice period to the staff in those positions which you feel has to be removed from the company. No biased decisions please. Conduct a performance appraisal based on the actual performance of the employees, announce the entire process and then make the decision. But as you do this, please give them your full support that they will be given offers again as soon as the company pulls up its socks. Also you can use your influence and refer them to various Human Resource Consultancies so that it will be an encouraging factor for the employees.
And while this happens you run the risk of creating insecurity in the minds of the rest of the employees. Once again, I urge you to explain the entire reason behind this move but also tell them the truth that it’s fine if the remaining is willing to stay back even though they just witnessed what happened, but there is very little possibility of a huge salary hike during this period. At the same time, if the company comes up, then a salary hike with the dues and perks should be assured to those remaining.
Let’s face it, the majority of the remaining staff are bound to leave despite the promises because the times are uncertain and to them a recovery may not be possible at all, especially after seeing their colleagues being shown the door, and even if there is a recovery it may take a long time which is a very long wait for them. No one can be blamed here. Neither the management nor the staff. But don’t fret, because even if they leave you can always hire freshers who are ready to work for entry level salaries. So in this way, staffing problem can also be solved. But this is a decision only to be taken in the worst of the worst times.
Conclusion:
To conclude, this is an opportunity for the beginners and small time folks to make it big. Open your eyes and study the environment you are in. You have got everything to gain right now. It is all in your hands. Take the plunge. Remember the Lord and go forward in what you do. Nothing is too late for you to do anything about it if you are doing something about it right NOW!
Like I said earlier, unless not in a one day emergency, first give a 6 months’ notice period to the staff in those positions which you feel has to be removed from the company. No biased decisions please. Conduct a performance appraisal based on the actual performance of the employees, announce the entire process and then make the decision. But as you do this, please give them your full support that they will be given offers again as soon as the company pulls up its socks. Also you can use your influence and refer them to various Human Resource Consultancies so that it will be an encouraging factor for the employees.
And while this happens you run the risk of creating insecurity in the minds of the rest of the employees. Once again, I urge you to explain the entire reason behind this move but also tell them the truth that it’s fine if the remaining is willing to stay back even though they just witnessed what happened, but there is very little possibility of a huge salary hike during this period. At the same time, if the company comes up, then a salary hike with the dues and perks should be assured to those remaining.
Let’s face it, the majority of the remaining staff are bound to leave despite the promises because the times are uncertain and to them a recovery may not be possible at all, especially after seeing their colleagues being shown the door, and even if there is a recovery it may take a long time which is a very long wait for them. No one can be blamed here. Neither the management nor the staff. But don’t fret, because even if they leave you can always hire freshers who are ready to work for entry level salaries. So in this way, staffing problem can also be solved. But this is a decision only to be taken in the worst of the worst times.
Conclusion:
To conclude, this is an opportunity for the beginners and small time folks to make it big. Open your eyes and study the environment you are in. You have got everything to gain right now. It is all in your hands. Take the plunge. Remember the Lord and go forward in what you do. Nothing is too late for you to do anything about it if you are doing something about it right NOW!
Root Step 8- Adopt ONLY necessary Cost Cutting measures:
Having decided on the business model and chosen appropriate distribution channels, the next step would be to list down the day to day necessary activities or purchases and their expenses, and then cross out the less necessary keeping the most necessary activities back on the paper. In other words, eliminate the entire extra and un necessary activities happening in the office which was costing you all this time.
If you have 3 telephones in the reception, remove the one which is being the least used so you don’t need to pay the extra monthly rentals. Replace the high voltage bulbs with latest energy saving bulbs. You not only reduce your bills but your contribution to Global Warming will be even lesser. Issue strict orders to the staff not to keep the lights or systems switched on when no one is in the room. Provide only limited stationery items and charge them a nominal amount if they go over the limit. This will bring a discipline and also act as a reminder to everyone that there are only limited funds for stationery as well and so they must use it rationally.
Company sponsored parties can be limited to once in 6 months rather than on a monthly basis. These steps may sound silly but if you can explain the seriousness to your staff as explained earlier, then they will wholeheartedly accept these new decisions and see to it that the company runs strong even during the stormy times.
Root Step 9- Devise Tactical and Trust Building Discounts and Offers:
A major step towards saving your neck in these battle zones, including taking a big risk of cutting down on the prices of your products. You can also go back to traditional methods and provide samples or freebies in order to promote your product. Special offers and discounts will definitely attract the public who are fed up of seeing price rise headlines everywhere they go. This is a big risk but the odds are towards you and the public will surely respond with a huge sigh of relief which will be something of a new fad in this economic hit crisis situation. This is why I still say it is a time of opportunity for the small guys to come up!
If you have 3 telephones in the reception, remove the one which is being the least used so you don’t need to pay the extra monthly rentals. Replace the high voltage bulbs with latest energy saving bulbs. You not only reduce your bills but your contribution to Global Warming will be even lesser. Issue strict orders to the staff not to keep the lights or systems switched on when no one is in the room. Provide only limited stationery items and charge them a nominal amount if they go over the limit. This will bring a discipline and also act as a reminder to everyone that there are only limited funds for stationery as well and so they must use it rationally.
Company sponsored parties can be limited to once in 6 months rather than on a monthly basis. These steps may sound silly but if you can explain the seriousness to your staff as explained earlier, then they will wholeheartedly accept these new decisions and see to it that the company runs strong even during the stormy times.
Root Step 9- Devise Tactical and Trust Building Discounts and Offers:
A major step towards saving your neck in these battle zones, including taking a big risk of cutting down on the prices of your products. You can also go back to traditional methods and provide samples or freebies in order to promote your product. Special offers and discounts will definitely attract the public who are fed up of seeing price rise headlines everywhere they go. This is a big risk but the odds are towards you and the public will surely respond with a huge sigh of relief which will be something of a new fad in this economic hit crisis situation. This is why I still say it is a time of opportunity for the small guys to come up!
Root Step 3- Research & Analysis:
Get your research team to conduct a detailed analysis of the entire country where you operate in. Research and find out which locations have the economic crisis hit hard, do the company have any operations in those areas, If so, or not, what may be the secondary reason as to why the products are not selling, find out also which areas the products are still doing good business, what category of people still use these products, what more do they expect at this point of time, how much cost is incurred in distributing the products to areas where demand has diminished, what is the transportation cost being incurred, and so on. This report can be submitted and discussed with all the key board members or working committee.
Root Step 4- Segregate the problematic areas to the Strategic Management:
Once the research is looked upon and the various issues and problems and probable solutions have been analysed, it can now be broken up based on the company’s portfolio and each division can be passed on to the respective Strategic Management heads who can take on from there. Each of them can be responsible for the division they work in. They can further probe into the problem concerning their department and come out with different ideas so as to solve the problems they are facing. Maybe there may not be a solution but at least strategies to minimise the issues can be found out. This is where they can use their experience and expertise to come out of the box with some really creative and innovative thinking to see that the ship sails smoothly during the raging storms and not abandoning it.
Root Step 5- Prepare fresh Business Models based on your probing and findings:
With the findings of the strategic management, you can now prepare some new and fresh business models. When I say new and fresh, what I mean is that your product can still be the same, but prepare models keeping in mind the present economic scenario. They should be tailor made to survive presently, so as to ensure that you will not worry anymore about your ‘once fully bloomed business not doing good anymore’ but you may accept it as though you are a fresher starting your first business all over again.
Root Step 6- Select the Best Model:
Come together with the Board, Managers and functional heads and discuss the pros and cons of each business model provided by the Strategic Management. At this point of time it won’t hurt to even invite key performers of your company and hear their opinions as well. If they feel that you are giving them equal importance as to the amount of hard work they put in, they may think twice before leaving you. That’s why they are the key and high performing employees of your company. Set practical examples for each of them and forecast on the sales and compare them one by one. Accordingly select the best model ensuring that majority of the forum has vouched for it.
Root Step 7- Formulate ‘Need of the hour’ Distribution Channels and Transport Routes:
The statisticians and analysts should formulate the best distribution channels for your products to go out. The best channels are those where the demand is high or still maintaining the balanced mix. Don’t go anywhere near the demand diminishing areas unless you have a well prepared strategy for them. Once the distribution channels are fixed, the transportation routes must be coordinated in such a manner that the products reach their destinations with the least minimum cost. The Admin department can be reeled in for this purpose as they are the ones who always perform these kinds of tasks and so the transport routes are known to them just like the back of their mind.
Root Step 4- Segregate the problematic areas to the Strategic Management:
Once the research is looked upon and the various issues and problems and probable solutions have been analysed, it can now be broken up based on the company’s portfolio and each division can be passed on to the respective Strategic Management heads who can take on from there. Each of them can be responsible for the division they work in. They can further probe into the problem concerning their department and come out with different ideas so as to solve the problems they are facing. Maybe there may not be a solution but at least strategies to minimise the issues can be found out. This is where they can use their experience and expertise to come out of the box with some really creative and innovative thinking to see that the ship sails smoothly during the raging storms and not abandoning it.
Root Step 5- Prepare fresh Business Models based on your probing and findings:
With the findings of the strategic management, you can now prepare some new and fresh business models. When I say new and fresh, what I mean is that your product can still be the same, but prepare models keeping in mind the present economic scenario. They should be tailor made to survive presently, so as to ensure that you will not worry anymore about your ‘once fully bloomed business not doing good anymore’ but you may accept it as though you are a fresher starting your first business all over again.
Root Step 6- Select the Best Model:
Come together with the Board, Managers and functional heads and discuss the pros and cons of each business model provided by the Strategic Management. At this point of time it won’t hurt to even invite key performers of your company and hear their opinions as well. If they feel that you are giving them equal importance as to the amount of hard work they put in, they may think twice before leaving you. That’s why they are the key and high performing employees of your company. Set practical examples for each of them and forecast on the sales and compare them one by one. Accordingly select the best model ensuring that majority of the forum has vouched for it.
Root Step 7- Formulate ‘Need of the hour’ Distribution Channels and Transport Routes:
The statisticians and analysts should formulate the best distribution channels for your products to go out. The best channels are those where the demand is high or still maintaining the balanced mix. Don’t go anywhere near the demand diminishing areas unless you have a well prepared strategy for them. Once the distribution channels are fixed, the transportation routes must be coordinated in such a manner that the products reach their destinations with the least minimum cost. The Admin department can be reeled in for this purpose as they are the ones who always perform these kinds of tasks and so the transport routes are known to them just like the back of their mind.
Root Step 2- Meet and own up to your Employee Family:
Okay now you are thinking fresh and you have decided to make some changes in your firm. But before you make the next step please don’t forget the next most important asset in your company. That’s right; I’m talking about your employees. If you think that this crisis period has affected you, then please remember that it has simultaneously affected the people who are working for you as well. Why? Because it’s these people you made your company and you are here in your position today partly because of them too. You owe them the time to make a choice. If in an emergency, then of course a day’s time is all they have but if you have time to strategise for your company, then you have to give them this time too so they can also strategise about their future.
The point I’m trying to say is this: As per your new strategy, it may be imperative to stop certain positions and so the staff must be aware of this well in advance and not at the last minute. If you tell them well in advance, they may be agitated, but because they now have a couple of month’s time at their disposal, they will definitely look for a better opportunity and move out smoothly. If that happens, they will sit in their new office with a better salary and actually be grateful that you had given them the time to move on. And that shows your loyalty towards your employee family which they will never forget.
Word of mouth goes out about your loyalty, people start wondering if such caring bosses still exist in today’s mean world, they start hunting you down, they become your customers, and once your shares start shooting up, you will find your former experienced staff coming back to work for you with more dedication and commitment. What happens if you use them till the last minute and then chuck them out with little or no time left? You not only lose out on all the above mentioned jewels, but you will tend to lose much more than you can imagine. Ponder on this when you have time.
And so, arrange a meeting with the staff and explain the current market scenario and the dangerous position of the company and let them know that as per the new strategies, some of them may be asked to leave but only within 6 or 12 months and not earlier. Make them feel that they are part of the company and will be requested to adjust with the times. But let the truth out to them before it’s too late for them.
The point I’m trying to say is this: As per your new strategy, it may be imperative to stop certain positions and so the staff must be aware of this well in advance and not at the last minute. If you tell them well in advance, they may be agitated, but because they now have a couple of month’s time at their disposal, they will definitely look for a better opportunity and move out smoothly. If that happens, they will sit in their new office with a better salary and actually be grateful that you had given them the time to move on. And that shows your loyalty towards your employee family which they will never forget.
Word of mouth goes out about your loyalty, people start wondering if such caring bosses still exist in today’s mean world, they start hunting you down, they become your customers, and once your shares start shooting up, you will find your former experienced staff coming back to work for you with more dedication and commitment. What happens if you use them till the last minute and then chuck them out with little or no time left? You not only lose out on all the above mentioned jewels, but you will tend to lose much more than you can imagine. Ponder on this when you have time.
And so, arrange a meeting with the staff and explain the current market scenario and the dangerous position of the company and let them know that as per the new strategies, some of them may be asked to leave but only within 6 or 12 months and not earlier. Make them feel that they are part of the company and will be requested to adjust with the times. But let the truth out to them before it’s too late for them.
What you can do as a Small Business Firm- get back to your Root Steps
Root Step 1- Change your mindset- See the market situation as an opportunity from a fresher’s eye:
Leave your office for a moment and drive away to your favourite place. It could be a restaurant, a park, your bedroom, whatever. But just go away from your office and sit down in a place where you don’t have anyone to disturb you so you can think peacefully, and see the entire world system revolving around you, from a whole new perspective. Close your eyes and forget that you are the CEO or Manager or Director. Start imagining yourself as a fresh college graduate who wants to make his/her mark in the business world.
You’re fresh, the world is old and the events are new. What are you going to do now? How to start a new business? Which product would you like to invest in? Where are you going to find lenders? Which area do you have in mind? Do you think it would be wise to start an ice cream parlour just because you love ice cream? Or would you open a financial consultancy firm so you can sell your financial wisdom to the investors who are worried sick during this crisis time? Or perhaps you may want to start an agricultural farm because you know how the prices for vegetables are soaring each day and maybe you can be the person who sells it at subsidised rates thereby ensuring daily customers.
It’s your call. Which industry is booming now? Which is slumping? What do consumers want? Which product is required most at which area? You think about it and take the decision. There’s no point looking back and worrying now. But look back if you want to take something useful like the courage you had the first time when you stepped out to do something new, to take the venture into something which you never did and to take the risk when you knew that you were still inexperienced- a fresher. Start thinking like a fresher and you will be surprised at the fresh ideas that come into your mind.
Leave your office for a moment and drive away to your favourite place. It could be a restaurant, a park, your bedroom, whatever. But just go away from your office and sit down in a place where you don’t have anyone to disturb you so you can think peacefully, and see the entire world system revolving around you, from a whole new perspective. Close your eyes and forget that you are the CEO or Manager or Director. Start imagining yourself as a fresh college graduate who wants to make his/her mark in the business world.
You’re fresh, the world is old and the events are new. What are you going to do now? How to start a new business? Which product would you like to invest in? Where are you going to find lenders? Which area do you have in mind? Do you think it would be wise to start an ice cream parlour just because you love ice cream? Or would you open a financial consultancy firm so you can sell your financial wisdom to the investors who are worried sick during this crisis time? Or perhaps you may want to start an agricultural farm because you know how the prices for vegetables are soaring each day and maybe you can be the person who sells it at subsidised rates thereby ensuring daily customers.
It’s your call. Which industry is booming now? Which is slumping? What do consumers want? Which product is required most at which area? You think about it and take the decision. There’s no point looking back and worrying now. But look back if you want to take something useful like the courage you had the first time when you stepped out to do something new, to take the venture into something which you never did and to take the risk when you knew that you were still inexperienced- a fresher. Start thinking like a fresher and you will be surprised at the fresh ideas that come into your mind.
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