It's been 18 years since I joined Volvo, a Swedish company. Working for them has proven to be an interesting experience. Any project here takes 2 years to be finalized, even if the idea is simple and brilliant. It's a rule.
Globalize processes have caused in us (all over the world) a general sense of searching for immediate results. Therefore, we have come to posses a need to see immediate results. This contrasts greatly with the slow movements of the Swedish. They, on the other hand, debate, debate, debate, hold x quantity of meetings and work with a slowdown scheme. At the end, this always yields better results.
Said in another words:
1. Sweden is about the size of San Pablo, a state in Brazil.
2. Sweden has 2 million inhabitants.
3. Stockholm, has 500,000 people.
4. Volvo, Scania, Ericsson, Electrolux, Nokia are some of its renowned companies. Volvo supplies the NASA.
The first time I was in Sweden, one of my colleagues picked me up at the hotel every morning. It was September, bit cold and snowy. We would arrive early at the company and he would park far away from the entrance (2000 employees drive their car to work). The first day, I didn't say anything, either the second or third. One morning I asked, "Do you have a fixed parking space? I've noticed we park far from the entrance even when there are no other cars in the lot." To which he replied, "Since we're here early we'll have time to walk, and whoever gets in late will be late and need a place closer to the door. Don't you think? Imagine my face.
Nowadays, there's a movement in Europe name Slow Food. This movement establishes that people should eat and drink slowly, with enough time to taste their food, spend time with the family, friends, without rushing. Slow Food is against its counterpart: the spirit of Fast Food and what it stands for as a lifestyle. Slow Food is the basis for a bigger movement called Slow Europe, as mentioned by Business Week.
Basically, the movement questions the sense of "hurry" and "craziness" generated by globalization, fuelled by the desire of "having in quantity" (life status) versus "having with quality", "life quality" or the "quality of being". French people, even though they work 35 hours per week, are more productive than Americans or British. Germans have established 28.8 hour workweeks and have seen their productivity been driven up by 20%. This slow attitude has brought forth the US's attention, pupils of the fast and the "do it now!".
This no-rush attitude doesn't represent doing less or having a lower productivity. It means working and doing things with greater quality, productivity, perfection, with attention to detail and less stress. It means re-establishing family values, friends, free and leisure time. Taking the "now", present and concrete, versus the "global", undefined and anonymous. It means taking humans' essential values, the simplicity of living.
It stands for a less coercive work environment, more happy, lighter and more productive where humans enjoy doing what they know best how to do. It's time to stop and think on how companies need to develop serious quality with no-rush that will increase productivity and the quality of products and services, without losing the essence of spirit.
In the movie, Scent of a Woman, there's a scene where Al Pacino asks a girl to dance and she replies, "I can't, my boyfriend will be here any minute now". To which Al responds, "A life is lived in an instant". Then they dance to a tango.
Many of us live our lives running behind time, but we only reach it when we die of a heart attack or in a car accident rushing to be on time. Others are so anxious of living the future that they forget to live the present, which is the only time that truly exists. We all have equal time throughout the world. No one has more or less. The difference lies in how each one of us does with our time. We need to live each moment. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans".
Congratulations for reading till the end of this message. There are many who will have stopped in the middle so as not to waste time in this globalized world.
[Disclaimer : The blog text are contents as received in forwarded mails. Its nothing to do with my view or concerns]
Friday, April 27, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
US slowdown may hit Indian IT cos
The slowdown in the US economy along with domestic factors may impact revenues and earning growth rates of all major IT companies of India, including Infosys, Satyam, TCS and Wipro.
The domestic factors could be like service tax on leased and rented premises and imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT).
According to a report by HSBC Securities along with Capital Markets (India) projects that revenue and net profit growth rates for eight IT majors will decline in the range of 500-1,500 basis points in 2007-08 since the US remains the largest market for Indian IT services companies, accounting for 60-70 per cent of exports.
In the year 2006, Technology and IT spending was only 11 per cent higher than in 2000, with contribution from computer and software services increasing to 40 per cent in 2006 from 36 per cent in 2000 (implying lower volatility).
The report suggests that the share of hardware and communications declined, reducing contribution from volatile sectors. The report also maintains that offshore vendors are growing at a considerably faster pace than their global peers and are gaining market share from incumbents.
The report also warned that service tax is the next dampener. An Emkay Research states the 12.5 per cent service tax on leased and rented premises could have a negative impact of 50-100 basis points on the IT majors.
The impact of MAT on earnings of IT companies could range from 1-6 per cent, taking into account a company's exposure to offshore revenues, which account for 40-70 per cent of the total revenues.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/us-slowdown-may-hit-indian-it-cos/top/38045-7.html
The domestic factors could be like service tax on leased and rented premises and imposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT).
According to a report by HSBC Securities along with Capital Markets (India) projects that revenue and net profit growth rates for eight IT majors will decline in the range of 500-1,500 basis points in 2007-08 since the US remains the largest market for Indian IT services companies, accounting for 60-70 per cent of exports.
In the year 2006, Technology and IT spending was only 11 per cent higher than in 2000, with contribution from computer and software services increasing to 40 per cent in 2006 from 36 per cent in 2000 (implying lower volatility).
The report suggests that the share of hardware and communications declined, reducing contribution from volatile sectors. The report also maintains that offshore vendors are growing at a considerably faster pace than their global peers and are gaining market share from incumbents.
The report also warned that service tax is the next dampener. An Emkay Research states the 12.5 per cent service tax on leased and rented premises could have a negative impact of 50-100 basis points on the IT majors.
The impact of MAT on earnings of IT companies could range from 1-6 per cent, taking into account a company's exposure to offshore revenues, which account for 40-70 per cent of the total revenues.
http://www.ibnlive.com/news/us-slowdown-may-hit-indian-it-cos/top/38045-7.html
Lessons in Logic
| Lessons in Logic |
Dont worry ....Be Happy
This is one of the most wonderful mails I have ever come across...
In d pic, jus look at their condition.. no place to sleep, still they have made some space for d cat n d dog... water poring from the roof but still each 1 of them have a peaceful smile on their face..simply amazing!!!!!
The happiest people in the world are not those who have no problems,
but those who learn to live with things that are less than perfect.
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