Make a difference

4 Steps to turn Career Dissatisfaction at work to work for you!

Posted by in Career, Personal Effectiveness

 

 

image

Courtesy: www.dilbert.com

Recent Gallup results from a poll conducted over 102 countries, showed that less than 20% of the people replied that they are not stressed.  

Dr. Deepak Chopra, believes stress in modern society occurs from a few key areas –

    • Career Dissatisfaction

    • Financial Concerns

    • Lack of Social Engagement

    • Lack of exercise

    • Poor Sleep

    • Poor Diet

    • Lack of Spiritual Fulfillment.

  • It is well accepted that career dissatisfaction is one of the main reasons why people get stressed. If you look at the list above, it is also the only one- which you don’t control directly – but is controlled by people outside (your boss, his/her boss, other colleagues etc.).

Like the Dilbert cartoon, many people create a mental image of what they should be doing. They also tend to compare themselves with people who have “made it” (read, got promoted) – and in many cases, instead of picking on the things that worked for the more successful folks, focus on the negatives- which creates a downward spiral.

image

Here are some tips on how you could possibly lower your stress level based on career dissatisfaction and convert it to a list of to-do’s that will help you ramp up & become more successful.

1.       Vision – this is something that we all are advised to do – take any leader, and they will ask you to set goals & set a BIG BOLD VISION & GOAL statement for yourself.  This is absolutely required and I am suggesting the same. Just ensure that this is a goal that is achievable- and something that you COMPLETELY believe in- and are willing to stake everything to achieve it.

2.       Do a SWOT analysis on yourself.  This is a very good exercise to figure out development areas that you need to focus on.  This will also ensure that you will be able to focus on areas that are critical for your success.  Doing a honest SWOT analysis, will ensure that you identify specific strengths to leverage on – and building a plan ground up. 

3.       People who have done well in your organization – but you don’t think they should be there! – This is a tough one.  One truth in EVERY organization – there are always people who grow into senior positions that You (and possibly others) DO not believe deserve that place.  In 20% of the cases, possibly that is very true.  However, all said and done, they still did grow- and it is going to worth your while to sit down & plan WHY and HOW they got there.  Instead of spending time badmouthing them- and thereby building stress on yourself – sit down and do a quick analysis on what worked for them.  List out their strengths- and rather than focus your energy on the negatives, focus on the positive!  Identify only Positive points – 2-3 of them – and identify traits that you need to BUILD.

4.       Now build a Plan – use any plan you are comfortable with, to build a step by step, time based, quantifiable plan.   Identify on these key parameters –

a.        Things/ Skills you want to learn in the next 12 months

                                                               i.      Tip: Focus on Learning – and identify specific SKILLS that are unique and those that you will not learn otherwise.

                                                              ii.      Work within your job area- and still look at things you can go deeper on.

                                                            iii.      When you feel low- READ through your vision statement & identify the one thing you can do immediately to get back your energy.

b.       Things/ activities you will achieve in the next 6 months

                                                               i.      Specific- that feeds into your long term goal.

c.        Specific activities I am going to do on a Monthly basis

                                                               i.      List out

                                                              ii.      Identify people to work with – and support you need.

d.       Things I will do today to make it happen.

Share
7

Buying your PC in Retail?

Posted by in Retail

In a recent article, I had spoken about the Retail experience and what I thought a Store Owner should do, to ensure that the customer walk in & buy the products the store is selling.

In parallel, I put up a quick query on LinkedIn to check on what some of my contacts (there are a few), thought about buying in Retail and what they looked for.

Here is a quick summary- and frankly, this feedback to me was slightly different from my perspective. But here it is anyways-

clip_image002

1. It appears that Feature & Configuration play a key part. My reading is that most customers who buy in a Retail Store- already do their ground work & plan on the feature sets & the configuration that they will go with.

2. The 2nd important criteria is Price!

Other factors like Brand, Sales People knowledge, Store reputation were highlighted, but not the primary criteria.

In my personal opinion, the customers who buy in Retail, would look have decided on a configuration that they want to buy, and then scout around for the best offers that come closest to their requirement. If you have a good ecosystem, to get the customer in- and offer him the product he requires, he will buy. If you are a little more expensive than the shop next door- then you better have an option that helps to build that premium – great support, visibility in the market and great sales people who sell value.

Interesting learning this!

Share
0

Apple iPad vs. Netbooks- Round 1

Posted by in Netbook, Technology

Yet another debate out in the market!

 

 

 

Click below for the launch speech from Steve Jobs.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/video/2010/jan/27/apple-ipad-launch

Of course, typical of his launches, this one too, was intense & driven brilliantly. Add to it the aura that Apple builds for these type of Launches, people were already expecting to see something out of the world, and they get what they are asking for. (check out the look in the faces of the audience).

However, in this case, did they get the product that they were hoping for?

Content, in my opinion is key. Having a sexy product, but without the right content/ features, does not make the product automatically successful. It could get people fired up, and get them to go and buy it- but the proof of the success comes from the sustained growth it can generate.

Unlike the iPods & the iPhones, which touched a chord, and offered something, that was VERY different from what the market was seeing, the iPad is offering something similar to what people already get today. Agreed, the marketing may not be as snazzy as the Apple Launch (but then, whose is?)- But the features a customer gets are far superior to what the current version of the iPad offers.

Changing the game, the paradigm, is difficult, and Apple, to their credit, has proven its critics wrong many times over. So, one respects the company for doing things totally OUT of the box, and making a success of it. However, some products need more than just a “look” differentiation.

iPad, in my opinion, is not it.

Why?

Because the stuff it lets people do, people already have devices that they can already do with- in many cases cheaper- and without having to worry about buying extra gear separately.

If reading eBooks is the criteria, I think a Kindle does it very well – and provides much better value for money for that. If browning the net etc, then the Netbook (however Jobs maligns it) still offers the bang for the buck and value that the customer can appreciate.

Maybe it is ver. 2.0 or later of the iPad that will take into account the customer requirements- would be the game-changer that Steve Jobs is looking for. Till then, my expectation – this will sell well, it will taper off- and Apple will launch the second version of this product- which will do slightly better.

Here is a quick take on the comparison between a Apple iPad and a Netbook.

Configuration

Apple iPad

Netbook

Toss up

Disk

16GB SSD

2.5” HDD – Upto 320GB

Most users have pictures, video and other stuff, that unfortunately occupies ‘space’. A bigger disk space definitely works.

Processor

Apple 1GHz A4 (not tried)

Intel Atom 1.6GHz

Intel Atom is tested and has proven itself. Apple will have to do this. No position as yet- though will side with the Intel Atom.

OS

iPhone OS 3.2

Either XP Home or Win 7

No question – Win 7 or a xP home vs. a Phone platform! Not withstanding, the pedigree, I prefer the staid platform that I can use for multitasking and the works.

Screen

9.7” display

10.1”+

Options available with the netbooks.

Ports

No USB. Dock connector

USB!

No buying options that cause more spend of money!

Navigation

Multitouch

Trackpad

Touch works! Apple wins here.

To me, the way things look; Netbooks is still the way to go.

But Apple being what they are – expect a major improvement in the works that will throw the current concepts out of the door. Intel & the other Hardware vendors have a short window- and should maximize the time to create as much as gap as possible.

And while at it – also start differentiating- not all Netbooks need be equal! Take a page out of Sony’s strategy – and create positioning that is unique – and not based only on price!

Share
28

Smartphones Share

Posted by in Microsoft

 

Saw this graph with a startling view of the share of Smartphones & how Microsoft has been sliding down since middle of 2008.  (need to check if this is indeed the truth, or some other way of “selectively” reading data).

However, with the announcement of the Windows Phone 7 Platform, which has generated RAVE REVIEWS, I am looking forward to this slide turning the other way round. 

It will be back on top- Soon.

It is rare to see critics give Microsoft any points for innovation, notwithstanding all the unique work that has been done by Microsoft. But with Windows 7 Mobile – it seems to be unanimous.

Way to go, Microsoft.

Now- this is definitely worth my while to wait & buy when it hits the market.

Here is a good link to read up on Windows Phone 7- http://gizmodo.com/5471805/windows-phone-7-series-everything-is-different-now?skyline=true&s=i

Share
0

Retail 101

Posted by in India, Retail

IT Retail is in its infancy in India. Though over the last few years, it has made rapid strides, it still offers an immense opportunity to the players (and potential ones too). In the same way, the IT industry sales to consumers is rapidly gaining ground, and with the potential that is India, it is a goldmine for those retailers who are able to provide the right building blocks for the customers.

The Million dollar question however- what does a customer really want? Many of our retailers believe in getting the customer through the door and hold on to them and make a sale – most often than not, using the price discussion. The Indian customer also seems to be price driven- but lately, branding, and some other elements are beginning to be reasons that are considered by them before making the all-important sale.

What are these other “elements”?

image

I am sure there are more, but these come to my mind now.

For an IT retailer to be successful (especially in India or emerging markets), it important to identify the areas they want to focus on.

1. Identify which primary factor you want to be known for: Price Leader, Best Support Centre, Most brand options, etc.

2. Who are your customers- be very clear of the target audience (at least the primary ones). If near a college or a mall, the trendy, young, college going or yuppies could be your target audience. It helps you to decide the kind of “look and feel” you want to provide to your primary target audience.

3. Create the “Right Awareness” – Think of marketing tools to drive the right audience to the shop- be it advertising, focused advertising through Colleges, schools or the papers – anything that works to help give a perspective of your offerings –will create awareness & over a period of time will improve the footfalls to your shop.

4. Set the right “Ambience” for the store- so that when a customer walks in- he sees the “overall message” you want to share than just brochures/posters & PC’s everywhere.

5. Understand their requirement- this can be done ONLY if you have great sales people in your store- who are willing to question the customer and then “LISTEN” to their wants.

6. Help the customer make the RIGHT choice – This is SUPER important. Don’t sell what you have- but sell what the customer needs. In the long run the customer will come back to you- and more importantly, the word of mouth it will generate will drive more customers to your shop.

7. Focus on “educating” the customer- be it hardware, software, etc. Educate the customer, and he will be thankful for the knowledge- and will buy something definitely.

8. Avoid “Hard Sales”- though it may be required at times. Drive “value” to your customers- let them walk around and make their choice. Be honest with your inputs- and they will come back to you. Don’t try to “hold” them to your shop- and desell other brands.

These are just some thoughts on building the right retail messaging- which though logical, is not exactly common in most malls.

The ones that get it, will be those who will survive and thrive in the next few years.

Share
0