Hans in TED

Look how we could analyze the data and miracle happens:

Hans on TED

goodreads

I just love the site http://www.goodreads.com/

Setting priorities.

I think the biggest challenge in life is setting priorities. The second one is trading-off short term gain for a long term one. That's probably something to do with emotional IQ.

Focus

Sometimes it is hard to focus. Really? Sometimes?

Okay, most of the time. At least for me, it is most of the time. And from my experience I can say that many people suffers from similar problem.

Didn't someone in the Brand Forum said, "Branding is sacrificing."? In other words branding means focusing to a single space to your customer's mind. Same principle holds true for personal branding.

I played a lot with my life, and I don't recommend others do the same. But when you don't have enough information to reach to the right decision, you choose the option you think is the best. There are people who can stick to their path and make that right. I wasn't very good at it.

To put it in euphemisms: there are other set of people who are bold enough to spot the wrong decision, acknowledge that, and moves away to a better option. These people take risk, embrace change and challenge status quo. I dare to say, I am one of them. Is it too much of euphemism?

Using friends

Recently a few of my friends defected from rest of us. They rebelled saying that they do not want to be used anymore. They said that we had been using them, and they do not want to be treated that way anymore. They cited a series of exemplary events as evidence of their demand. They sounded like proletariat (have not's) and we were portrayed as aristocrat (have's). I found this kind of rivalry among siblings (well-off and not so well-off ones) before.

My views?

Although I proudly denied before, now I sadly agree that it is nearly impossible to carry on a sustainable friendship (and relationship, too?) among two persons from different economic classes.  

My message to them and us: what is the essence of friendship left without the opportunities of using (to get help from) others and being used by (helping) them. After all a friend in need is a friend in deed. Isn't it so?

Boss loves options

Even if you know the obvious one, always offer your boss options. In most cases your boss will love to decide. Overdoing of this may show you are incompetent or unconfident to take trivial decisions. 

For critical business decisions you must consult your supervisor. Even for some trivial issues boss should be consulted. Different persons have interest or perceived expertise on different issues. So, give your boss options to decide on his/her interest and/or expertise area.

Striking the balance and doing this right is very critical for your career and for your life. If you don't understand why, think harder.

Ask four questions before you choose a career

Four things are important while choosing your career.

1. Is this the career that you cherish?

Look at and talk to the people who have built their career in the path that you are considering. Do you want to be like him/her in future? Would you like others finding you as one of them? Would you like to live rest of your life as one of them?

2. Do you have interest in the process?

Well, you would love to be a banker, you envy the respect and money the top level bankers enjoy. So, should you jump to be a banker? Sure, but ask yourself a couple of questions before you do so. Would you love to do, that a typical banker does in everyday and in his career? Talk to one of them. Ask them what it takes to be a successful banker? Ask yourself if you would take interest in the process, not only in the result.
Living a highflying corporate life, earning a handsome amount of money, riding company's car, owning apartment in condo are the results. The process includes earning degrees like FCA, CFA or MBA. Loving numbers and loving accounting. Loving to analyze in closed door in limited time and often under pressure. These aren't as bad as it sounds. There are people who love those. Ask yourself whether you are one of them.

3. Do you have required strengths?

I love the lives of lawyers. I love to read law, too. But I am not as fast reader as a successful lawyer should be. Or, I do not have strengths in reading a lot, remembering and summarizing them and presenting them in very convincing manner. That is why I did not choose to be a lawyer.

The third question you should ask yourself whether you have strengths those are required to be successful in the career you are considering. After all you don't want be a failed lawyer or not so good banker, do you?

4. Is there adequate demand in the market to absorb new professionals?

You, as a potential product, should consider the market demand, too. You may consider in a local or a global perspective. Whatever your perspective is, make sure there is enough demand for a new professional like you. In a market where there are many unemployed law graduates it would be more difficult to earn a modest living hood than in a market where acute demand is prevalent.


Probably you won't get a strong yes while answering each of four questions. But, choose the best combination. If any question answers a strong no or simple no, don't go for it.

Train is whistling, Bangladesh get up

Recently I had the opportunity to attain the BASIS SoftExpo 2009. I was there at the fair stalls, attained quite a few seminars and finally the CEO Night sponsored by the main sponsor Grameenphone. Everywhere I found a mood of 'Yes we can' feeling. One might argue -- well, that's the whole point of organizing seminars or expositions. But I had a feeling it had more than that.

With the global financial crisis hanging around, with developed countries looking for cheaper options, with GOB pledging for digital Bangladesh by 2021, with simultaneous change of regime in US and Bangladesh -- both heavily emphasizing on technology, and with recent trend of NRBs and US SMEs acquiring Bangladeshi IT & ITES firms -- can we say that train is coming, and we need to bundle ourselves up? Some (e.g. KJ of InterNext) say that it's the last train. A think there's always a next, but we don't know when is that next. I won't enjoy watching my grandkids availing my dreamt train leaving me on the platform forever. Will you?

Moving from a large organization to a startup

Yeah! You need to be a risk taker, first. You got to love challenges, adrenaline rush, and dealing with unknown. 

If you feel bored with your current job, not because the job isn't paying you enough hard cash, but because it's not giving you enough challenges, scope to prove your potential, and opportunity to learn and fast forward your career growth, this piece of blog might worth your time.

To establish some credibility, first, I need to define myself, I guess. I am a marine officer turned corporate manager who did his MBA from the best school in my country. I took my job in my second career in advertising first, then in a telecommunication company -- again the largest corporate house in the country. In between my 5 years of (second) career I bagged two decent promotions, to join to a IT startup as the Head of Operation and Sales which promised to grow as a CEO. I don't want to sound it like bragging, but so much so for establishing the credibility of the blogger :)

The Downside

1. you would miss many back patting. Especially your friends, your relatives will not look proud to introduce you to others. You will suddenly stop receiving many calls, birthday wishes, new years, and other season greetings.

2. Stratups will offer you fewer fringe benefits. No fancy cars, no escorts -- in anywhere of the country , or world, no health insurance, no children education cost, no unlimited sick leaves etc. Well sometimes you might find many of the benefits are never used, but for some it may be essentials.

3. People with need will stop calling you, rather you may have to start calling to people for your needs. As you know small firms run after the large corporate houses, and its never the opposit, no matter who is vendor here. :)

The Upside

1. You will suddenly start enjoying your work. Ahem! is that not worth facing all the stated downsides? Well, of course, I only guarantee you job satisfaction if, one: you are my type i.e. the the type as stated at the first couple of lines of the blog. Second, the employer should not be bitch type!!    

Tips

1. Maintain a mental preparation to move to startups or SMEs. Don't get to too used to flamboyant life of large corporate houses.

2. Be prepared to do-it-yourself when you join a startup. While for large organizations each job is segmented, and there are dedicated persons or vendors assigned for each miniscule piece of work, in startup even being a CEO, you probably have to do it all. It might sound scary for some, but for me it was complete fun.

3. Keep your networks alive. Rekindle your connections. While in giant organizations there were many people, vendors, colleagues used to call you just to keep a warm and fruitful relationship with you, now it is your turn. so, prepared to do that and keep it rolling even before you switch.