Negotiating hard !!

Corporate works in its own mysterious way.  Number crunching, strategy, networking(official and social) , numerous illogical jargon and many more aspects which culminates to the objective of profits. However, one moment which always is interesting is the target discussion. Well, when it comes to target, you will find all bosses are of same religion,creed and caste. The question is should you perform exceptionally ? well the irony is,if you do, you are setting the expectation for your next target and if you don't,you will be pushed to achieve the higher target.

Last week, I sat for one such discussion. Well you need to agree, even if presumptuously, that your boss knows the business. Although he might ask you details making you graciously feel knowledgeable and apparently smart, however in his deepest thoughts he mockingly smiles at your endeavour to differentiate yourself among the rest. Its like the the jockey knows how long the horse can run !!

 

I corroborated all data to justify my understanding as to why my numbers are right. The presentation went on for good twenty minutes. My confidence was soaring high with every passing minutes and at the end of presentation when I saw my reporting manager and BU head nodding to my logic. I prematurely celebrated in my mind. Ah! at last I could convince that this set of numbers are good. Aakhir variable bonus ka sawal hai !!  What I missed is that its their turn to speak and when my BU head spoke, I could hear the lights getting fused in my head. He broke each brick on which I built my case and eventually threw the set of numbers which was pre-determined. I protested  meekly that  "market condition is not right" (I have heard that sentence in TV). He did lower his expectation after sharing information about market and economy which made no sense to me (I thank the Indian government million time for their policy paralysis). Eventually, the trauma ended. I came out and met my colleague who was waiting for his meeting to start. He asked "How did it go buddy ?"

" I negotiated Hard" was my gyan to him !!

Moment of truth !!

Today morning I read this article by Vir Sanghvi and I was overwhelmed by it.
http://rivr.sulekha.com/what-pujo-means-to-a-bengali_368667_blog
Personally, Durga pujo has always been an exciting , happy and moment of truth for me. Not because its a celebration time but for the sheer magic of the concept of it. My sweet memories of Durga pujo goes back to my childhood when my friends and I were charged up to celebrate the home coming of Ma Durga. The celebration which started with mahalaya went on for Ten days. The loud noise of crackers, The new designs of kurtas and saris , the mind blowing smell of shiuli flowers , the loud noise of the dhaak brings out the message that mother has arrived. Its not only a festival of joy but signifies the epitome of faith. When the last day arrives, everyone with tear filled eyes immerse the godess with the hope of seeing her again next year.

As I grew older, The true meaning of the puja dawns on me. Its makes the celebration more relevant to today's world. Durga puja signifies the eradication of evil and the victory of good. It shows the presence of the energy which we call god and the it strengthens the faith of mankind. In the world today, where trust, honesty and good intent are vitues becoming scarce, the idea of Durga puja,Navaratri helps in perpetuating the goodness in mankind. The responsibility is on us to carry the message hiding behind the joyous celebration so that the roots of the mankind be preserved.

Happy Durga puja to all of you !!

Back from long hiatus !!!

This lazy afternoon, I was busily thinking how to keep myself busy. Normally a delicious sunday lunch calls for a nap (yes, i am a bengali afterall). however, today I was feeling restless and while browsing I visited my blog. Boy, its being 6 long yrs since my last post. I suddenly felt immense urge to get back to blogging. I missed pouring out my thoughts which might be or might not be  useful but nevertheless those are thoughts !!!

There has been huge changes in this past 6 yrs. I completed B-school(don't ask me how) , got a job and got promoted. yes promoted, apparently my boss thinks I am smart unfortunately her daughter thinks otherwise. The world too changed a lot and so is society, which makes me wonder have i changed too. Yes there are changes in me .Beside the change in sizes of my wardrobe to plus, my understanding of the world changed immensely.

I hope I am able to continue this  journey of blogging for a long time before the world and I change anymore.