smartData

The 7 habits of highly effective people

2009-06-28T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, first published in 1989, is a self-help book written by Stephen R. Covey. Here is the main crux of the book, which summarizes the habits one must try to inculcate in self. Thanks to Anu mam for sharing this with us:

Habit 1: Be Proactive

•Take initiative
•Manage change
•Respond proactively
•Keep commitments
•Take responsibility and have accountability
•Have a positive influence on results

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

•Define vision and values
•Create a mission statement
•Set measurable team and personal goals
•Start projects successfully
•Align goals to priorities
•Focus on desired outcomes

Habit 3: Put First Things First

•Execute strategy
•Apply effective delegation skills
•Focus on important activities
•Apply effective planning and prioritization skills
•Balance key priorities
•Eliminate low priorities and time wasters
•Use planning tools effectively
•Use effective time-management skills

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

•Build high-trust relationships
•Build effective teams
•Apply successful negotiation skills
•Use effective collaboration
•Build productive business relationships

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

•Apply effective interpersonal communication
•Overcome communication pitfalls
•Apply effective listening skills
•Understand others
•Reach mutual understanding
•Communicate viewpoints effectively
•Apply productive input and feedback
•Apply effective persuasion techniques

Habit 6: Synergize

•Leveraging diversity
•Apply effective problem solving
•Apply collaborative decision making
•Value differences
•Build on divergent strengths
•Leverage creative collaboration
•Embrace and leverage innovation

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

•Achieve life balance
•Apply continuous improvement
•Seek continuous learning

Let them Go

2009-06-24T20:04:00.000-07:00

This is one of the many interesting writings by our respected CEO sir and it was circulated as a mail few months ago. But to get this more engraved in the thoughts of everyone at smartData, I am posting this over the blog. Thank you sir for the inspirational message here.

----

I often hear that “I can’t be better than what I am” from people around me. Very often we use this excuse or hear such excuses like “Time nahin mil rahan..for exercise etc” or I can’t do this or this is right since I have done it…or because it’s too scary/too hard/impractical. Isn’t it so human to fight for “your” excuses. And the more we fight for them, the more they will own you. Don’t feed what you don’t want….Let them go!

“We have forty million reasons for failure- but not a single Excuse” : Rudyard Kipling.

Successful people don’t make excuses, they create results. No great life was ever build on the foundation of excuses. So stop making them. Most of them are self created delusions, designed to help us avoid doing things we are afraid to do.

Yes, beneath every excuse lives a fear. A fear of change. A fear of unknown. A fear of failure. A fear of success.

So shun them off today, make today the day to burn your bridges that lead to your excuses, to set up the possibilities that lies just off the beaten path of your life and access your great self, what you really are.

(By: Ajay Sir)
---

My first 365 days at smartData

2008-08-18T22:49:00.000-07:00

Stan Smith said: “Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.”

When I joined smartData in the end week of June 2007, I had the experience but lacked a bit in confidence. I still remember the HR person thinking of my friend as the candidate (thanks to my ill dressing sense). That day I was like any other youth looking for a better opportunity.

That time when I was told to join from the very same day, I was a bit hesitant but assured the HR of joining the next day. Next day I got beard cleaned up, a cool looking hair cut and was better dressed. I don’t know if they knew I was the same person whom they had interviewed.

I joined the team and till date I say that was the best programming experience in my career. The learning experience, the confidence, the managerial experience (and even salary); everything has seen an upward graph since then. That time I had no idea that it would be such a wonderful experience.

Today as I complete one year with Team smartData, I look back and realize I am not the same person. I have matured in my professional as well as personnel thinking. (Not to mention I have improved on my dressing style too).

There have been up and downs (this is what I call life) but there have been people to hold me up and guide me through. There have been moments with the seniors where I have realized I was wrong or they have appreciated that I was right (few have been argumentative moments also). But I do not regret these unwanted moments too as this way they have thought me how to be more efficient in discussion without confrontation.

I have been in a close association with seniors who excel in their respective fields, and I have had the opportunity to work with them thereby learn new things. The learning experience has been such that I have a different and a positive approach towards every situation. The seniors have guided me in every way. There have been times when I have been scolded by my seniors for my mistakes and I would not call it being scolded by seniors but they tried to make me realize my mistakes. As Oscar Wilde has said, “Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”

It’s been a tremendous year and I thank everyone (specially the one who criticized me for joining smartData). Without them this one year here would not have been a fun filled experience. I have grown one year older since I joined smartData but this one year has brought up very different, unexpected, pleasant, unpleasant moments. And I truly appreciate everyone in shaping me up the way I am today (and I am still learning a lot). I have seen my company (I think this is better) grow every day and I feel excited and proud to be a part of this growth.

I don’t remember if this is from Picasso or Pascal but I must quote: ”Our achievements of today are but the sum total of our thoughts of yesterday. You are today where the thoughts of yesterday have brought you and you will be tomorrow where the thoughts of today take you.”

- Rohit Verma

Cognitive Fitness

2008-06-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Cognitive Fitness
By
Roderick Gilkey and Clint Kilts

The Idea
What do Alan Greenspan, Warren Buffett, and Sumner Redstone have in common? They’re still at the peak of their intellectual powers despite their advanced ages, defying the widespread belief that our mental capacity inevitably deteriorates as we get older.
Leaders who are as sharp at 60 as they were at 25 constantly hone their cognitive fitness: their ability to reason, remember, learn, plan, and adapt. According to Gilkey and Kilts, such executives practice specific techniques to stimulate development of new brain cells and neural networks: They use indirect experiences such as observation or simulations to form new neural pathways, regularly engage in play, search for patterns in seemingly unrelated fields of endeavor, and seek novel experiences.
But the best leaders do more than just enhance their own cognitive fitness. They also promote “brain-positive” cultures in their organizations by encouraging colleagues and employees to apply these four practices as well.

The Idea in Practice
Gilkey and Kilts recommend these practices for achieving cognitive fitness:
Use Experiences to Grow Your Brain
While direct experience is key to enhancing mental capacity, your brain also has specialized nerve cells that enable you to form new neural networks through indirect experiences such as observation, simulations, and case studies. These indirect experiences accelerate your learning and present you with fresh perspectives valuable for informed decision making. It’s like watching a golf pro demonstrate the correct stance and swing: You learn from his experience by gaining a mental image of the correct actions to take.

Work Hard at Play
Play engages the prefrontal cortex, responsible for your highest-level cognitive functions—including self-knowledge, memory, mental imagery, and incentive and reward processing. To get the most out of play, participate in games and activities involving risk. Risk alerts the brain and activates your reason and imagination capacities. Activities like bridge, chess, sudoku, role-playing games, and challenging crossword puzzles all provide rigorous neural workouts. Encourage structured play environments in your organization, such as the Zen dens, play spaces, and chat chambers at a host of various Silicon Valley companies.

Search for Patterns
Pattern recognition is crucial for executives trying to make sense of a rapidly changing business environment. Through pattern recognition, you scan the environment, create meaning from large amounts of seemingly unrelated data, and rapidly assess situations so you can take quick, appropriate action.
To cultivate pattern recognition in your brain, challenge and expand your existing mind-set, experiencing new places (for example, visiting a museum and talking with locals during business trips), and listening to different viewpoints. Identify patterns in what you’re seeing to generate innovative business ideas.

Seek Novelty
Novel experiences stimulate your brain to generate the new knowledge needed for pattern recognition. To give your brain the novelty it needs, engage in challenging activities such as studying a new language, learning to paint, trying your hand at new technologies, or taking lessons on a musical instrument you’ve never played before

On Behalf of the CEO

SPL

2008-06-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends,

Check the latest updates of smartData Premiere League on the following:

SPL News

Regards
People Department

Latest news on SPL

2008-06-23T02:10:00.000-07:00

Hi!!

For the latest updates on SPL (smartData Premiere leage), check the following link:

http://smartdatapremierleague.blogspot.com/2008/06/spl-cricket-matches-schedule-and-rules.html

Enjoy!

Regards
People Department

smartData Premiere league

2008-06-23T02:00:00.001-07:00

Top Sports News

Team Rock v/s Monsters cricket match at 6:30 AM tomorrow

By The Management, Mohali (smartData) 20-06-2008

Rocks will play 8-8 (not 20-20) against Monsters for kick starting the first match of the SPL league 2008 with a vision to reach the finals. The match will be inaugurated by SPL Chairman, Brig D.C Misra. All designated officials will be present in the match.

Audience: You are all invited to be there and cheer up all the participants.

Venue: Govt. Model Sr. Secondary School, Phase: 3 B1, Mohali. (Near Dominos Pizzas). Map attached.

Regards
Anu

Anuradha Chawla
Executive Assistant to CEO
smartData Enterprises (I) Ltd.
V: 091-172-509-0944/F:091-172-509-0945
www.smartdatainc.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Anu Chawla [mailto:anuc@smartdatainc.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:53 PM
To: 'Employees'
Subject: RE: smartData Premier League

Following are the team members:

#
Pistons
Bulls
Hawks
Monsters
Rock
Power Rangers

1
Gurdev
Vivek Sharma
Ajay Tewari
Deepak Sharma
Rakesh Pant
Rocky

2
Shailendra
Abhishek Maheshwari
Amandeep Singh
Madhur Kumaria
Vishal Sagar
Piyush

3
Pralayankar Singh
Sony John
Rohit Verma
Maninder Shanker
Neeraj Thakur
Haider Hayaat Hussain

4
Chandan Srivastava
Munish Kumar Singla
Raman Verma
Sanjeev Ranjan
Rakesh Garg
Raman Behl

5
Krishan Murari
Sumeet Narang
Vikas Monocha
Roopesh Khosla
Vikas Moga
Saurabh Attri

6
Ankur Goyal
Samir Sood
Sudhir Dowal
Alok Kumar Singh
Tarun Sood
Jatin Joshi

7
Arun Singh
Hira Singh Nayal
Gurinder Singh
Jatin Purba
Vikram Vimal
Madan Mohan

8
Sushil Kumar
Jaideep Thakural
Bharat Bhushan
Manoj Kumar
Atul Sood
Saurabh Chandra

9
Vinay Narula
Krishan Dutt
Jasveer Singh
Arvind Thakur
Naresh Kumar
Balwinder Singh

10
Amit Chawla
Amarbir Singh
Saurabh Kumar Singh
Zubair Ahmed
Vineet Sharma
Sunny Goyal

Regards
Anu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Anu Chawla [mailto:anuc@smartdatainc.net]
Sent: Thursday, June 19, 2008 4:19 PM
To: 'Employees'
Subject: smartData Premier League

Hello Everybody,

Finally we are going ahead with the match. Following will be the schedule for the matches and the rules of the game:

Match Schedule
21-Jun-08
Rocks
Vs
Monsters
6:30

22-Jun-08
Power Rangers
Vs
Hawks
6:30

25-Jun-08
Pistons
Vs
Bulls
6:30

Rules of the Game

Both Side will have 8 players on their side.

Each Side will need to ball 8 over in 45 Mins. Extra time at the umpire discretion

In case the team bowls less than 8 over, they will only get the similar no. of over to play with, however a penalty of 1 run per no of balls bowled less than the stipulated 8 overs. The opposition team will get to play the entire quota of 8 overs.

Only one bowler/team will be allowed to bowl 3 overs, the remaining bowler shall not exceed a quota of 2 overs each.

If scores are level, the match decision will be taken by ball-out method.

Match abandoned due to inclement weather or other reasons, 2 Points will be awarded to each team.

Match winner will be awarded 4 Points.

Team coming late on schedule by 15 mins (all 8 players) will only be allowed to play with the players reported within this time, however a minimum of 5 players have to be there in the team for the match to continue or else the other team will be declared the winner

Decisions of the umpires shall be final and dispute has to be reported to the disciplinary committee within 24 hours of the dispute arising. The decision of the disciplinary committee shall be binding on all.

Incase a team looses a member due to injury or unforeseen circumstances, team will be allowed to pick up player of their choice from the remaining lot (no bidding or remaining SDEI’tes).This should be done in consultations with all the owners and done amicably.

NOTE: We will send the final information of the venue tomorrow.

Regards
Anu

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: Anu Chawla [mailto:anuc@smartdatainc.net]
Sent: Friday, June 13, 2008 12:14 PM
To: 'Employees'
Subject: AUCTION: smartData Premier League

Hello Friends,

After the selection of the players, we have the much awaited final auction for SPL today sponsored by smartData Enterprises (I) Ltd. All players are requested to be available at the venue 10 minutes in advance (Attached list)

Venue: Vision Floor

Time: 5:30 PM sharp

Following are the Owners and the Teams:

HAWKS: Ajay Sir and Amandeep Singh (Brand Ambassador: Anuradha Chawla)
ROCK: Rakesh Pant and Vishal Sagar (Brand Ambassador: Gurvinder Kaur)
PISTONS: Gurdev Singh and Shailendra Kumar (Brand Ambassador: Rajwant Gupta)
BULLS: Abhishek Maheshwari and Vivek Sharma (Brand Ambassador: Manu Sandhu)
MONSTERS: Deepak Sharma and Madhur Kumaria (Brand Ambassador: Ranjeet Kaur)
POWER RANGERS: Rocky Uppal and Piyush Gajrani (Brand Ambassador: Shaveta Karol)

We would like to thank the following sponsors who are contributing to this tournament:

v Chairman SPL League: Brig Misra Sir

v Fund Managers: Accounts department.

v Official Networking partner: IS Team

v Discplinary Committee or Conflict Resolution : Team of one owner rep Each + Vinay Tewari under Chairman SPL

So please join us for the interesting auction session on Vision Floor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Everybody,

All, those who could not participate in the last Saturday selection process of SPL (smartData Premiere League) can come for the final selection round tomorrow. After this, we will have an auction on the best players.

Venue: Sector: 49, opposite Ryan Public school

Time: 5:45 AM tomorrow

Please enroll your name again with Rocky Uppal, Vivek Sharma, Abhijeet Shahi, and Amandeep Singh.

Regards
Anu

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Friends,

The Cricket Mania Continues!!!!!!!!!!!!

We have smartData Premier League (SPL) on the cards with lots of fun and a serious game where money is involved. Whether the BULLS will make it BIG, the HAWKS will Dive on the Cup or the other teams steal the show!!!! Lets be evidence ourselves.

The interest shown by the employees has encouraged the initiation of the SDEI Premier League. The Team Names and Owners have been decided who will make the final bid in the Auction to be held in first week of June 08 to select their Stars. All players who intend to be part of these teams will go through a selection process to be held shortly.

Through this survey we intend to close on the prospective stars making it to the Final List of probable. You are all requested to highlight your strengths in the following survey. This survey is open till tomorrow 2 PM only (i.e. 23rd May).

Components SPL

1. Teams – 6

2. Players each team – 8

3. Over – 8 a side

4. Money involved – 50 K

5. Man Of Series

Please enter your choice in this URL: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=SRQ66_2bjk63V1i9d4d7avxA_3d_3d

Regards
Anu

Young Bosses and Older Direct Reports

2008-06-12T00:38:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

Has any of you been in the position of managing people significantly older or reporting to someone significantly younger? How have you developed the relationships? What advice would you share? Please share your thoughts on the blog on the following interesting topic by Tammy Erickson

One of my early mentors used the word “approbation” frequently. I don’t hear it much these days, but he spoke often of having “approbation” for colleagues, particularly young people whom he “had time for,” whose views he valued enough to consider thoughtfully. The dictionary defines “approbation” as “an expression of warm approval” and emphasizes that it is usually used in official relationships.

Approbation is the key to forging a strong relationship between people of significantly different ages – those either reporting to someone who is significantly younger or managing someone significantly older. Over the years ahead, as the proportion of the workforce over age 50 increases, this relationship will become more and more prevalent.

Although these “May-December” work relationships are not always awkward, there can be a number of complications. If the older worker is stepping down from a leadership position or feels in competition with the younger boss, that's obviously tough. Boomers, in particular, tend to be (as a generation) fairly competitive. They often appear to have a harder time ceding leadership than those from other generations do. And, as I’ve discussed before, if two individuals are from different generations, it’s always easy to misinterpret the other's actions based on different generational perceptions.

What can an older executive do to ease such a transition and work effectively with a younger boss? Here are two key tips:

1. Figure out how the other likes to communicate and do your best to adapt. Keep in mind that the younger the employee (in general) the more frequently he/she is accustomed to interacting. Older workers therefore should not interpret frequent messages from the younger boss as a sign that he/she doesn't trust the older worker, but rather just as a difference in communication style and habit. Similarly, workers of different ages may use different approaches for communicating -- older workers may find that the younger boss uses much less face-to-face communication than an older boss would have. Again, don't interpret these differences as personal – it’s a generational difference.

2. Go out of your way to signal that you recognize and respect what the younger person brings to the party. Our research shows that lack of respect and a patronizing attitude are the two most annoying and destructive (and unfortunately common) behaviors when older workers interact with younger bosses. While the older worker may well have more experience in the specific industry or function than the younger boss, the younger boss may have some new perspectives that will improve the way things have "always" been done. Be open to learning new tricks and, most importantly, bring a spirit of approbation – warm approval – to the dialogue.

Younger executives who are put in the position of managing executives who are perhaps their parents’ age can also feel awkward. In general, I find that Gen Y's (those under 28) tend to like Boomers (those over 44) – and usually work well together. There's often a bit more tension with some Gen X'ers -- in some cases, they resent the Boomers, whom they perceive as having grabbed a disproportionate share of the opportunities over the past decade. Regardless of the generation, here are some tips for younger managers:

1. Ask lots of questions. The new boss needs to avoid coming in with preconceived notions. It’s critically important to ask lots of questions, holding off on offering your own option until you’ve listened carefully to the views of those in your new group.

2. Go out of your way to signal that you recognize and respect the positive elements of “the way it has been done so far.” Avoid implying that the old way has no value. It may need to change -- but it’s worth understanding why intelligent people have made the choices they have in the past. Approach any change from the perspective that you will be adding to the strengths of the past, rather than repudiating the group's previous approaches.

In both cases, don’t worry about “convincing” the other guy that you have the necessary skills and experience – demonstrate that you do. And, as you demonstrate your work strengths, develop the interpersonal relationship through a spirit of mutual approbation. Our research shows that many “across the ages” relationships work extremely well. It can work with any two people who approach the relationship with a spirit of mutual respect and shared learning.

We look forward to your inputs on the above topic.

Regards
People Department
www.smartdatainc.net

Sharing and Caring Fund (SCF)

2008-05-29T05:08:00.000-07:00

We are receiving requests from new joinees regarding the SCF Committe. I would request People Deaprtment to add it in their induction as well. Following are the Committe members and have helped few collegues as well followed by a brief history of SCF (Sharing and Caring Fund)on how it started...

1.Shashi Shekhar
2. Vivek Sharma
3. Piyush Gajrani
4. Jatinder Behl
5. Rocky Uppal
6. Anuradha Chawla
7. Suresh Kumar
8. Shalini

**********
Hello Everybody,

People Dept wants to pick your brains for a noble cause.

We are thinking of a corpus to help all Sdeites in the time of need or emergencies. This can happen with a small token of contribution by all Sdeites to start a fund. This amount will be used only incase of sickness/accident/family member’s need or some personal problem and not for vehicle loans or any such purpose.

Good News is that for every Rupee added Management will match the same amount to double the kitty.

We can have a contribution of more than One lack, even if we make a small contribution of Rs. 500 each every year. The amount collected can be deposited in an account to be managed by a committee comprising of one nominated nominee from each unit. This committee can decide the genuineness of the need and the amount to be given in each such situation.

Oldies will remember; we did a similar contribution in case of Bhaiji which helped him in his father's treatment and gave us an idea to work further on it.

I am sure as is the trend of this Organization we all will come forward as always for this generous cause. We will be conducting a small survey following this mail to get the pulse. If you approve of the idea please click Yes and No if you don’t subscribe to the idea

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=XWYfZ0cEiVgRnwB3hye6Aw_3d_3d

Please note one of us is actually in need of help for his family member who is seriously ill right now.

Regards

People’s Department

SDEI team at Mohali Cricket Stadium...

2008-05-29T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

Our friends in Recurring account had been to Mohali Cricket Stadium to watch the match on 28th May played between the Royal Rajasthan and Kings Eleven Punjab. The stadium was flooded with Lights and Cheers of the young at hearts. There was a massive support from sdeites that eventually bore results with the Kings Eleven scoring over the opponents.

The spouses of most of the team members made there presence which added to the spirits and made the event a great success besides the Fun filled evening that it was.

All the team members participated in this event with great enthusiasm and exhibited Team Work.

Cheers to All. Watch them on the following links

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV0F7Lttkss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd3SmyV5dGs

Also, all of you are more than welcome to leave your own comments on the blog on all/any postings

Regards
Anuradha

www.smartdatainc.net

Living life

2008-05-23T03:58:00.000-07:00

Posting by Jatin Joshi

So, what are you here doing on earth? Is it that you were supposed to and thus you are here? No friends, each one here on this earth is for some or the other purpose. God created human as a being who has the power to think, express, feel and to do the same for others. We humans are much more superior to other beings on this earth. But some times we are making self so mean that we make ourselves worthless to live. And why is this so? Have you ever given a thought on this? Well, it is our way of thinking that makes us so.

Thinking makes man. All of you must have heard a saying “Simple living high thinking”. No doubt all are not able to work out as per that, but at least we can make our thinking good and positive.

Always try to look on the brighter side of the life. A feeling is one factor that is attached to the word thinking. This is just because, the things you feel around you makes your thinking. So, try to feel the positive vibes. No doubt there are ups and downs in the life, but one must not stop to think in the positive directions. We speak a lot negative sometimes in the air around us, but have we ever thought where this is taking our direction to. Think of future prospects and what you are heading towards in life. Just speaking about the negatives makes the living of the person as a negative one and he/she doesn’t look towards the positive benefits of the life. Don’t let the train of life to pass from near you. You need to board it and enjoy the life’s journey to the fullest. God has given us life not just to take it for granted or just live because we have taken birth on this earth. Life is not forever… we need to live it passionately. You must not miss the moment even to live life. Thinking about the negatives will just depreciate your passion for life and for the surroundings. With passion towards life with positive thinking generates the circulation of joy in your life, gives body an immense pleasure of well being and gives more happiness to live with duties that you must take care of. A true passionate life is the one that doesn’t confines you to your narrow achievements rather it inspires to contribute more to the all beings. Guys who lack passion for the life they just ruin the meaning of life. It is passion for life only that determines your extent of thinking to live life.

We say that smoking a cigarette reduces the life by an hour. But my friends an hour spend by you on something without any willingness proves this statement wrong as this unwillingness nature has already lessened one hour from your life. So, my dear friends live life with passion which will inculcate a positive vibe in and around you and you will be having a more understanding and a generous life ahead.

Regards
Jatin Joshi

www.smartdatainc.net

Mulla (money) is not the criteria anymore!!!!!!!!!

2008-05-19T03:27:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody,

There was a time, when IT professionals were happy to wallow into much higher than prevailing salary packet, and more increment was deciding factor, as to where they chose to work. Offer extra money, and they would climb over one another to be poached. Ethics and principles were given a go by... Money was all that was cared for…NO LONGER!!!!!!!!!!

WORK-LIFE equation now rules. Work alone now is a total bore, anathema. Now IT people have become choosy, finicky, discerning and discriminating. They look for work all right, but invariably they look for more, indeed much more... Smart Corporate houses are now vying to make their outfit more beckoning and attractive with necessities and imaginative perks rolled in.

smartData has covered a great deal of ground in this sphere. There are multifarious activities and events which keep the interest and initiative of employees, where they get professionally fulfilled and materially eased, offputting work environs.

Provisions have been made to change the sheer drudgery of heavy working to something imaginative and happy mix of play, digression and work that goes a long way in enhanced creativity, productivity and job satisfaction. This leads to a win-win situation for the Organization, both the management and workers. This reflects in our lower than the average industry attrition rates. With highly polished mechanism smartData encourages proactive and sympathetic dialogues between employees and the management.

No wonder, why smartData? The response gets the industry loud affirmatives. Yes, smartData, all the way!!!

Regards
People Department

www.smartdatainc.net

Contrasts of the New India

2008-05-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Congratulations to People Dept and thanks to individual effort of Shivlee Aggarwal.I hope that we will make this a useful forum to ensure that our Intellectual vitality is well nourished. To start the dialog's here is an excerpt from a mail I received from my friend in US who is a very senior management person. I would love to see your thoughts on the questions asked by the gentlemen to me?

Regards
Ajay

************************************************************************
"I am a frequent visitor to India. On my last trip, I was struck by the dramatic contrasts between people and places that exist side by side.
In the cities, I saw a longing for extreme opulence -- countless ads with rich people living lavish lives -- next to the reality of extreme poverty -- countless shanties with poor people living harsh lives.
In the colleges, I saw a longing for advanced education -- and the justified pride that comes with a degree from IIT or ISB -- next to a longing for wisdom -- with the justified pride that comes from being heir to a centuries-old quest for knowledge about life that is so deeply ingrained here.
In the faces of professionals, I saw the new West -- focused on money, constantly working, leaving their extended families, doing whatever it takes to get ahead, eating meat, and drinking wine. In the faces of worshipers at the temple, I saw the old East –--focused on life, staying with their extended families, doing whatever it takes to stay alive, eating vegetables, and drinking tea.
With gain comes loss. With moving forward comes going backward.
There are obvious benefits that come with "progress" -- advanced education is a blessing, poverty is painful, and material possessions certainly make life more comfortable.

There are also obvious costs.
I don’t have answers, just questions:
1. What is being gained in the "new" India? What is being lost?
2. How can today’s Indian professionals achieve the material success of the West without losing the wisdom of the East?

What is your experience of professionals from the West? What can you learn from them?

As always, any thoughts or reflections are appreciated.

Newcomers in our Library

2008-05-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

As part of continuous improvement we are updating our office library. We are thankful to Amit Prasad (Future Account) for his initiative in upgrading the library. His inclination towards books led the Management to give him this responsibility. He had been proactive in procurement for the library.

Some new additions to our library are:

Microsoft Visual C# 2008 step by step by John Sharp.
Professional Search Engine Optimization in ASp.Net by Wrox
Introduction Microsoft Silverlight 1.0 by Laurence Moroney
Professional LINQ by Wrox

These books are open for issue from the reception. There are more to come for which we welcome suggestions from all.

Regards
People Department

Why smartData?

2008-05-06T23:52:00.000-07:00

'Right place for Right people' this punch line describes everything in itself..
There are numerous reasons for why people choose where they prefer to work. Geography, family, career choice, career stage, recreation—all are legitimate justification for the professional decisions an individual might choose to make.Your first job should be a platform for your future career.

Why smartData??
1) At smartData we are focused on your career progression. We base our performance management and professional development strictly on merit.
2) smartData's work culture and constant progress has ensured that we remain on the career radar of Generation Next-the powerhouse for growth.
3) Challenges we face at smartData are exciting and the perks of working here are wonderful.
4) The pace at which we work and the size and variety of projects that we work on create a truly dynamic environment.
5) You may find yourself leading and managing teams of people from almost allover India.
6) It's a company with a conscience.
7) smartData gives unlimited opportunities to explore the unexplored.

smartData gives you so many reasons to work with, please comment 'Why you works for smartData?'.

Working with smartData

2008-04-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

What do the Software Outsourcing employees look for, apart from their work schedules and attractive incentives?

Software Outsourcing employee staffs look for a creative and energetic climate which is attractive and appealing for them. They know that they spend their more than half of the day in programming, in projects and so contribute their energy and devotion to the development firm they are associated with. Some employees prefer to have additional assignments for more experience on freelance scale. And there are other factors which contribute like the development of the high-tech industry and rise in competitiveness between the outsourcing companies. Workers demand for industrial policy to safeguard their hard-earned saving and Software Outsourcing sees to that these demands are fulfilled to impart its contribution for economic development.

Events that feel us different from others:

1) Fun at work.
2) English speaking days .
3) Quiz's like IT Quiz and movie quiz.
4) Session with expertise dietician.
5) Training sessions.
6) Birthdays and anniversary celebrations.
7) Change in office timings according to climatic conditons.
8) Repository of Books and DVDs to share knowledge.
9) Coffee with our respected CEO.
10) Different sort of games and competition like rangoli competition, cricket, tug a war, caption contest, poster making etc and prizes to the winners.
11) Pronunciation sessions.
12) SCF Committee.
13) Motivating management appreciations that feel us real good.
14) Joining hands for a noble cause like blood donation for a needy amongest us.
15) Leaving at time on Monday and Wednesday i.e very hard to implement for a software company.

We hope a great growth for smartData and wishes to be the top leaders in world in every field.
Please contribute by giving comments on the same..