The Hindu Business Line : Resolutions for the New Year

Would you believe it? You’ve been reading ‘Sid Says’ for almost two whole years! Which means for nearly two years, I’ve been sitting up all night, once every two weeks, pulling out my hair and downing several cups of coffee while working hard at using Google to search for columns by other business humorists.

There have been almost 50 editions of ‘Sid Says’ full of regular attempts at wit, cynicism and playful, harmless digs at The Life Corporate. Also, a few regular, spiteful digs at human resources. (Both the department and the philosophy overall.)

And as luck would have it, the last day of 2007 comes with a little ‘Sid Says’ tidbit. But in the spirit of the occasion, ‘out with the old - on with the new’ and all that, I am going to depart a little bit from the usual agenda. With your permission of course! Never take the reader for granted is a motto in these parts.

So instead of the usual tongue-in-cheek comments, this time let’s chat about a few things that really matter. No wait! Don’t turn the page mid-column! I promise I won’t get all preachy and whiny. All light-hearted interaction it will be.

Of course, if you are the type who actually follows the advice I dole out every fortnight, then you will be delighted. This stuff here might actually work for a change!

And being the day that it is, December 31, we will exchange these thoughts in the form of annual resolutions that you could add to the already long list of revolutionary personal targets you are already committed to.

Ha, that’s one joke already! You just can’t keep the humour out of the column can you? (That question is rhetorical. But feel free to say it out aloud: “Of course not!”)

Make this the year you balance the equation: Know what your job means to you. It could be money, security, intellectual challenge or even just plain excitement. Also, understand what your job expects from you. Your time, energy, commitment and mental bandwidth are some things. Occasional food poisoning from the canteen also happens. Once you know these two things, make sure they maintain a stable equilibrium over the medium-term at least. That you get out at least as much as you put in.

This may seem greedy and self-centred. It isn’t. When the equation crumbles for someone, not only do they become unhappy, but also do their jobs badly. So rework that equation a bit if you can. Or find a place were it works better. But beware: Your equation must make sense AND balance…

Make this the year you talk: And I don’t mean at the water cooler about the pretty new management trainee. I mean talking to your boss, who’s driving you mad; the subordinate who won’t listen to you; and the team mate who won’t cooperate. Basically, anybody who is currently the reason for those full-bodied, hearty end-of-day cribs or anonymous blogs.

Talking helps you know. A mildly inconvenient conversation can sometimes solve a bucket load of problems. If it doesn’t, then there is always that anonymous blog where you can post pictures of the boss pinning the tail on the CFO at the New Year party.

Make this the year you network: If you are a systems administrator, then you are thinking of exactly the wrong meaning of the word ‘network’.

I am referring to the merry old activity of meeting new people at work, interacting with them over coffee or lunch and generally expanding the friends circle. Sure, it can be painful and you often run into people from that department. (Clue: Shares initials with Himesh Reshamiyya.) But it makes great career sense. If you are doing a good job, more people deserve to know. And it also builds great PR for you. So when the CEO needs a new man in London, top-of-mind recall can help big time. Though one note of caution: Don’t get all schmoozy and sticky. Most people hate the clingy types. I abhor them and format their laptops every chance I get.

Make this the year you get realistic: “No problem boss. I’ll have it on your desk first thing on Monday!” A promise like that usually means working all weekend, ticking off the missus who wants a candlelit dinner on Saturday night and several cups of instant coffee. It also means that ‘first thing Monday’ stretches up to midday on Tuesday.

Why not give realistic commitments a shot? Sure, all the other young managers are e-mailing commitments that seem super-human and worthy of Param Vir Chakras on the spot. But perfect delivery also has its merits. Helps the equation mentioned in Resolution 1 plenty too.

Make this the year you crack PowerPoint: And not just slideshows, but presentations in general.

Most young managers are great at getting the data, crunching the numbers and deriving the insights. But they can’t present or report it to save their lives. After a terrible presentation they wonder why nobody gets their point.

“… And that is why we need to work on our cash flows every quarter… Sir… Sir… Wake up ... you are drooling all over the projector Sir… It could cause a short-circuit Sir…”

Make 2008 the year of the articulate presentation.

So there. I could go on forever. After all, a young manager, even one who writes little humour pieces for a living, is never short of ideas no? Who knows? Maybe 2008 will be the year of the bonus, the Skoda in the parking lot and long drives with that attractive management trainee!

Wow. I actually managed to get some sense into my column! Do enjoy the New Year festivities and throw back a drink for me will you? Normal service resumes next week. Beware all ye in support functions! Bye-bye and party responsibly!

(The writer, an alumnus of IIM-A, was a management consultant before quitting to work as a freelance writer, author and general handyman. He blogs at www.whatay.com)

More Stories on : Management | Human Resources | Sid Says

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Will employees be happy in 2008?

Will the growth story go on?

Resolutions for the New Year

Retailers’ body to offer course in management

Brand India takes the global stage

Patterns of successful change management