A Story on how to manage your career & your expectations by R.Gopalakrishnan

There is a Thai saying that experience is a comb, which Nature gives to man after he is bald. As I grow bald, I would like to share my comb with your people, about their career ahead.

1. Seek out grassroots level experience
I studied Physics and Engineering at University. A few months before graduation, I appeared for an HLL interview for Computer Traineeship. When asked whether I would consider Marketing instead of Computers, I responded negatively: an engineer to visit grocery shops to sell Dalda or Lifebuoy? Gosh, no way. After I joined the Company and a couple of comfortable weeks in the swanky Head Office, I was given a train ticket to go to Nasik. Would I please meet Mr. Kelkar to whom I would be attached for the next two months? He would teach me to work as a salesman in his territory, which included staying in Kopargaon and Pimpalgaon among other small towns. I was most upset. In a town called Ozhar, I was moving around from shop to shop with a bullock cart full of products and a salesman's folder in my hand. Imagine my embarrassment when an IIT friend appeared in front of me in Ozhar, believe it or not and exclaimed, "Gopal, I thought you joined as a Management Trainee in Computers". I could have died a thousand deaths. After this leveling experience, I was less embarrassed to work as a Dispatch Clerk in the Company Depot and an Invoice Clerk in the Accounts
Department. Several years later, I realized the value of such grassroots level experience. It is fantastic. I would advise young people to seek out nail dirtying, collar-soiling, shoe-wearing tasks. That is how you learn about organizations, about the true nature of work, and the dignity of the many, many tasks that go into building great enterprises.


2. Deserve before you desire
At one stage, I was appointed as the Brand Manager for Lifebuoy and Pears soap, the company's most popular-priced and most premium soaps. And what was a Brand Manager? "A mini-businessman, responsible for the production, sales and profits of the brand, accountable for its long-term growth, etc., etc. I had read those statements, I believed them and here I was, at 27,"in charge of everything". But very soon, I found I could not move a pin without checking with my seniors. One evening, after turning the Facit machine handle through various calculations, I sat in front of the Marketing Director. I expressed my frustration and gently asked whether I could not be given total charge. He smiled benignly and said, "The perception and reality are both right. You will get total charge when you know more about the brand than anyone else in this company about its formulation, the raw materials, the production costs, the consumer's perception, the distribution and so on. How long do you think that it will take?" "Maybe, ten years", I replied, "and I don't expect to be the Lifebuoy and Pears Brand Manager for so long"! And then suddenly, the lesson was clear. I was desiring total control, long before I deserved it.
This happens to us all the time - in terms of responsibilities, in terms of postings and promotions, it happens all the time that there is a gap between our perception of what we deserve and the reality of what we get. It helps to deserve before we desire.

3 Play to win but win with fairness
Life is competitive and of course, you play to win. But think about the balance. Will you do anything, to win? Perhaps not. Think deeply about how and where you draw the line. Each person draws it differently, and in doing so, it helps to think about values. Winning without values provides dubious fulfillment. The leaders who have contributed the most are the ones with a set of universal values Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King for example. Napoleon inspired a ragged, mutinous and half-starved army to fight and seize power. This brought him name and fame for twenty years. But all the while, he was driven forward by a selfish and evil ambition, and not in pursuit of a great ideal. He finally fell because of his selfish ambition. I am fond of referring to the Pierre de Coubertin Fair Play Trophy. The founder of the modern Olympic games instituted it in 1964 and here are two examples of winners. A Hungarian tennis player who pleaded with the umpire to give his opponent some more time to recover from a cramp. A British kayak team who were trailing the Danish kayaks team. They then stopped to help the Danish team whose boat was stuck. The Danes went on to beat the British by one second in a three-hour event! What wonderful examples of sportsmanship! Play to Win, but with Fairness.

4 Enjoy whatever you do
Sir Thomas Lipton is credited with the statement, "There is no greater fun than hard work". You usually excel in fields, which you truly enjoy. Ask any person what it is that interferes with his enjoyment of existence. He will say, "The struggle for life". What he probably means is the struggle for success. Unless a person has learnt what to do with success after getting it, the very achievement of it must lead him to unhappiness. Aristotle wrote, "Humans seek happiness as an end in itself, not as a means to something else". But if you think about it, we should not work for happiness. We should work as happy people. In organizational life, people get busy doing something to be happy. The more you try to be happy, the unhappier you can get. Your work and career is all about your reaching your full potential. Working at one's full potential, whether it is the office boy or the Chairman, leads to enjoyment and fulfillment. A last point about enjoyment. Keep a sense of humor about yourself. Too many people are in danger of taking themselves far too seriously. As General Joe Stilwell is reported to have said, "Keep smiling. The higher the monkey climbs, the more you can see of his backside".

5 Be Passionate about your health
Of course, as you get older, you would have a slight paunch, graying of hair or loss of it and so on. But it is in the first 5 - 7 years after the working career begins that the greatest neglect of youthful health occurs. Sportsmen stop playing sports, non drinkers drink alcohol, light smokers smoke more, active people sit on chairs, starving inmates of hostels eat rich food in good hotels and so on. These are the years to watch. Do not, I repeat do not, convince yourself that you are too busy, or that you do not have access to facilities, or worst of all, that you do this to relieve the stresses of a professional career.

A professional career is indeed very stressful. There is only one person who can help you to cope with the tension, avoid the doctor's scalpel, and to feel good each morning - and that is yourself. God has given us as good a health as He has, a bit like a credit balance in the bank. Grow it, maintain it, but do not allow its value destruction. The penalty is very high in later years.


6 Direction is more important than distance
Every golfer tries to drive the ball to a very long distance. In the process, all sorts of mistakes occur because the game involves the masterly co-ordination of several movements simultaneously. The golf coach always advises that direction is more important than distance. So it is with life. Despite ones best attempts, there will be ups and downs. It is relationships and friendships that enable a person to navigate the choppy waters that the ship of life will encounter. When I was young, there was a memorable film by Frank Capra, starring James Stewart and Dona Reed, and named IT'S A
WONDERFUL LIFE. It is about a man who is about to commit suicide because he thinks he is a failure. An angel is sent to rescue him.

The bottom line of the film is that "No Man is a Failure Who Has Friends". Conclusion my generation will never be twenty again, but when you are older, you can and should be different from my generation. Ours is a great and wonderful country, and realizing her true potential in the global arena depends ever so much on the quality and persistence of our young people. Good luck in your journey, my young friends, and God be with you and our beloved Nation.

=====
"As a well-spent day brings happy sleep, so life well used brings happy death."
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 - 1519)

Puneet Gaharana

SUMMER TRAINING AT KARVY CONSULTANTS LTD, PUNE
(20th April – 20th June 2003)
- Designed and suggested Portfolio for Corporate and Individual investors of Karvy.
-Designed a model in MS-Excel to aid the Investor Advisory Services department to identify risk profiles of the investors.
-Identifying Potential market, customers and business avenues for Karvy in Equities, Mutual Funds, Insurance, investment banking.
- Daily reporting and co-ordination with the head office in Hyderabad.
- Handling customer/ client queries,

Some thoughts about the summer training
First exposure to working in an organization. No stipend received. Realized that the organizations are inefficient. Began to appreciate HR as a tool for internal integration and competitive edge. The realization was through the absence of HR practices in the organization.

Feedback from customers and colleagues about my work was motivating. The A/c, free telephone and Internet connection were NOT! Understood the importance of relationships in business. Worked with wonderful people. I wish I could be as simple as them!!

Viewed day to day stock market operations. Gained knowledge about several new instruments in the market. Direct exposure to selling of Mutual funds and other securities. Interacting with customers and trying to gauge his requirements were the real learning.

Projects Undertaken
Credit Monitoring Assessment - Analysed and projected the financial figures of Punjab National Bank and LML Ltd. for two years after studying the trends, present & past performance.

Helped me in
- Understanding the details of a real balance sheet.
- Utilized my analytical skills
- Seeing the business in a holistic manner rather than from a function point of view.
- Introduced me to tools of financial analysis.


Organised and conducted a 4-day seminar cum workshop “Finalysis” at IMDR. The workshop introduced the participants to aspects of corporate finance, investment analysis and organisation of the Indian financial system.

Helped me in
- Consolidating my own understanding and learning in finance.
- Seeing the complete picture of ‘financial services’ and systems rather than a particular service in isolation.
- Experience of group dynamics and team working.


One of the many projects done during engineering included one on design, coding and implementation of ‘FIR Filter designer,’ a DSP based C language software for designing Finite Impulse Response Filters using a variety of window functions.

Helped me in
- Understanding a completely new subject “Digital Signal Processing”
- Initiated in me the drive for self-teaching, learning and independence.
- Gave me the first experience of working in and leading a group.

Co-curricular Activities
Raised funds worth Rs.100, 000 for SMILE, WWF and Concern India Foundation. Wherein learned the dynamics of working in a group – conflict, role, integration of opinions, motivation etc.

Group Leader, National Himalayan Trekking Expedition June 2002, at Sar Pass, Himachal Pradesh. Helped me to understand the importance in working in teams and prepare for any adverse situation.

Wrote a dissertation on "Managing Financial risks for Competitive advantage" for IBAT, Bhubaneshwar

Secretary, EDT student's Society (GENESIS) at RKNEC, Nagpur for the year 2000 – 01

Computer Skills
Strong PC skills, Financial Modeling, Proficient in Spreadsheets & other MS-Office applications, MS-Access.

Programming in C, Assembly Language Programming

Interests
Reading books on varied topics, with special interest in Indian fiction.
Everybody Loves a Good Drought – P sainath
God of small things- Arundhati Roy
Freedom at midnight- Dominique Lapiere
City of joy - Dominique Lapiere
India: A Million Mutinies Now – VS NAIPAUL
Geetanjali – Rabindranath Tagore
Beyond the last blue mountain: A life of JRD TATA – RM Lala
Maverick – Ricardo Semler
Small is Beautiful. Economics as if People Mattered. - EF Schumacher
One Straw revolution - Masanobu Fukuoka
Free Lunch: David Smith

· Working on computers,
Financial modeling – created a ‘NPV CALCULATOR’ in MS EXCEL
Working on a Binomial Options pricing model using MS EXCEL.
Created and designed my personal site/blog: www.puneet.blogdrive.com


· Writing articles.
Poems and short stories published in local newspapers and school magazines.
Presently, articles and papers on current financial scenario.

· Movies
Fascination for old Hindi movies and movies from parallel cinema. Given me the ability to appreciate human characters in different lights.

· Trekking and traveling.

Treks -
Treks in and around Pune.
Explored central India.
Participated in the National Himalayan Trekking expedition 2002 at Sar pass (14000 ft) and 2001 at chanderkhani pass (12500 ft)

Traveling – Widely traveled north and central India, Mumbai and Kokata. Perspective – to appreciate the place in its socio – cultural – historical – geographical context.


Self-Profile:
- High Self control
- Analytical skills
- Patience
- Sets High personal standards
- High self-development orientation.


A person with high self-control and analytical skills, who respects others concern and at the same time set high personal standards.

Puneet Gaharana SUMMER TRAINING AT KARVY CONSULTANTS LTD, PUNE (20th April – 20th June 2003) - Designed and suggested Portfolio for Corporate and Individual investors of Karvy. -Designed a model in MS-Excel to aid the Investor Advisory Services department to identify risk profiles of the investors. -Identifying Potential market, customers and business avenues for Karvy in Equities, Mutual Funds, Insurance, investment banking. - Daily reporting and co-ordination with the head office in Hyderabad. - Handling customer/ client queries, Some thoughts about the summer training First exposure to working in an organization. No stipend received. Realized that the organizations are inefficient. Began to appreciate HR as a tool for internal integration and competitive edge. The realization was through the absence of HR practices in the organization. Feedback from customers and colleagues about my work was motivating. The A/c, free telephone and Internet connection were NOT! Understood the importance of relationships in business. Worked with wonderful people. I wish I could be as simple as them!! Viewed day to day stock market operations. Gained knowledge about several new instruments in the market. Direct exposure to selling of Mutual funds and other securities. Interacting with customers and trying to gauge his requirements were the real learning. Projects Undertaken Credit Monitoring Assessment - Analysed and projected the financial figures of Punjab National Bank and LML Ltd. for two years after studying the trends, present & past performance. Helped me in - Understanding the details of a real balance sheet. - Utilized my analytical skills - Seeing the business in a holistic manner rather than from a function point of view. - Introduced me to tools of financial analysis. Organised and conducted a 4-day seminar cum workshop “Finalysis” at IMDR. The workshop introduced the participants to aspects of corporate finance, investment analysis and organisation of the Indian financial system. Helped me in - Consolidating my own understanding and learning in finance. - Seeing the complete picture of ‘financial services’ and systems rather than a particular service in isolation. - Experience of group dynamics and team working. One of the many projects done during engineering included one on design, coding and implementation of ‘FIR Filter designer,’ a DSP based C language software for designing Finite Impulse Response Filters using a variety of window functions. Helped me in - Understanding a completely new subject “Digital Signal Processing” - Initiated in me the drive for self-teaching, learning and independence. - Gave me the first experience of working in and leading a group. Co-curricular Activities Raised funds worth Rs.100, 000 for SMILE, WWF and Concern India Foundation. Wherein learned the dynamics of working in a group – conflict, role, integration of opinions, motivation etc. Group Leader, National Himalayan Trekking Expedition June 2002, at Sar Pass, Himachal Pradesh. Helped me to understand the importance in working in teams and prepare for any adverse situation. Wrote a dissertation on "Managing Financial risks for Competitive advantage" for IBAT, Bhubaneshwar Secretary, EDT student's Society (GENESIS) at RKNEC, Nagpur for the year 2000 – 01 Computer Skills Strong PC skills, Financial Modeling, Proficient in Spreadsheets & other MS-Office applications, MS-Access. Programming in C, Assembly Language Programming Interests Reading books on varied topics, with special interest in Indian fiction. Everybody Loves a Good Drought – P sainath God of small things- Arundhati Roy Freedom at midnight- Dominique Lapiere City of joy - Dominique Lapiere India: A Million Mutinies Now – VS NAIPAUL Geetanjali – Rabindranath Tagore Beyond the last blue mountain: A life of JRD TATA – RM Lala Maverick – Ricardo Semler Small is Beautiful. Economics as if People Mattered. - EF Schumacher One Straw revolution - Masanobu Fukuoka Free Lunch: David Smith · Working on computers, Financial modeling – created a ‘NPV CALCULATOR’ in MS EXCEL Working on a Binomial Options pricing model using MS EXCEL. Created and designed my personal site/blog: www.puneet.blogdrive.com · Writing articles. Poems and short stories published in local newspapers and school magazines. Presently, articles and papers on current financial scenario. · Movies Fascination for old Hindi movies and movies from parallel cinema. Given me the ability to appreciate human characters in different lights. · Trekking and traveling. Treks - Treks in and around Pune. Explored central India. Participated in the National Himalayan Trekking expedition 2002 at Sar pass (14000 ft) and 2001 at chanderkhani pass (12500 ft) Traveling – Widely traveled north and central India, Mumbai and Kokata. Perspective – to appreciate the place in its socio – cultural – historical – geographical context. Self-Profile: - High Self control - Analytical skills - Patience - Sets High personal standards - High self-development orientation. A person with high self-control and analytical skills, who respects others concern and at the same time set high personal standards.

covering letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

With reference to the vacancy posted at your site for the post of , please find attached my resume for consideration.

I am pursuing my Post Graduation in Management in Finance from the Institute of Management Development & Research, Pune and my curriculum ends this April.

I have consistently done live projects and assignments to keep up with the practicalities of the subjects being taught in the management curriculum. These I believe have given me an edge over others to contribute more to your organization that I aspire to work in. My summer internship in Karvy Consultants Ltd, Pune has given me a vast knowledge of the financial markets.

Although I have no prior experience in this field, I am confident that I will perform to the fullest. My conduct in the IMDR has been exemplary and my experience in working in the different committees has helped me to work better in a team keeping up to every demands.

I trust my resume will fit your requirements.

Regards
Puneet Gaharana





covering letter

Dear Sir / Madam,

Please find attached my resume for a suitable opening in your organisation.

I am pursuing my Post Graduation in Management in Finance from the Institute of Management Development & Research, Pune and my curriculum ends this April.

I have consistently done live projects and assignments to keep up with the practicalities of the subjects being taught in the management curriculum. These I believe have given me an edge over others to contribute more to your organization that I aspire to work in. My summer internship in Karvy Consultants Ltd, Pune has given me a vast knowledge of the financial markets.

Although I have no prior experience in this field, I am confident that I will perform to the fullest. My conduct in the IMDR has been exemplary and my experience in working in the different committees has helped me to work better in a team keeping up to every demands.

I trust my resume will fit your requirements.

Regards
Puneet Gaharana

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Date: Thu, 27 May 2004 20:12:44 +0530
From: M. S. Swaminathan [add to address book] [protect or block sender]
Subject: Requesting Your Detailed CV
To:



Text Size: S M L XL



Dear Sir,

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