Once upon a time...!!

Part 1:

Who cares, it’s not my problem, were the statements made by Dharma as he was reviewing a proposed construction plan and some locals warned him that it was a lake and not safe.  

It was one of the largest project in this growing metropolis city. Every inch had value and each options of encroaching nearby vacant places was rampant.  The proposed site of this project was also a lake bed once up a time and in mysterious way the water flow stopped, leaving small patches of water bodies.

Dharma, always eyed this prime land. Many nearby people used to collect fodder for their animals and it was kind of lung space for neighborhood with variety of birds flocking there.

He came from a rich family and wanted to own something big in this city which will be his launch pad to become a well-known person.

With his influences and nexus, he was able to grab it and decided to build residential and commercial properties. Pledged all his other assets, made huge loans and started investing on this project. He also planned for a palatial house, for himself.

Construction started by dumping elsewhere demolished building materials to the lake and killing the remaining water springs.

Part 2:

I hate this city. Small rains will clog the entire area, this is not what I expected when I moved here, Karna exclaimed. He had studied in a tier 2 city and had relocated for a job here and found himself in one of the office space in this Work Zone from past few years.

He was working in an MNC’s India branch, which was in to giving solutions to various cities across the world on issues like pollution control, water harvesting, green transportation etc. and he was expert in debris management.

He was well organized, loved his work cubicle, where he spent more time than his home, kept lot of memoirs on his desk and aspiration to grow fast, in money but cynicism towards social happenings nor connected with larger set of people.  He enjoyed being critical of everything.

What Karna didn’t know was his building was on a lake and water had no place to seep in to its natural stream, hence chaos. He was not aware how systematically it was killed and later converted in to his office space on top of debris.

 Part 3:

As heavy rain continued, people working in this premises were asked to vacate and on a terrible night water seeped in to the buildings and the basement became weak and tilting.

People residing had to rush out in middle of the night, same with Dharma. Without time to collect valuables, documents, he started running from his penthouse and by the time he reached ground floor, had few fractures, falling due to panic attack.

Emergency services were called in and after thorough inspection, they declared, all the buildings in this premises were to be uninhabited immediate and can’t enter again, as it might collapse anytime.

Part 4:

Dharma resting in hospital, had no clue how to solve this issue. He had lost all his valuables, pledged properties and now had to take care of demolishing his damaged buildings and negotiate with his tenants and customers.

Karna finally realized, it’s not the city to be blamed and felt miserable for his thoughts. An expert giving ideas worldwide, little did he realized, on his work place.

Meanwhile, someone gave Karna’s contact number to Dharma, for debris management.  

Disclaimer: All the incidents, characters, names are fictitious and any resemblance to anyone or events is pure coincidence.

Back to Office - The Work Place Challenges

The corporate world seems to be getting back to normalcy, after spending two years in an unprecedented era in modern history. Unless any unexpected variants are back to haunt the business and people, most of the organizations have started planning their strategies on employee work models and communications.

As mentioned in my earlier blog,The Next Wave , one of the biggest challenge, management should be ready is with millennial as the future work force and ways to manage. Nevertheless, there is one bigger challenge which also should be dealt with – the Current Work Force.

Yes, while we may need to think about the future work force, are we ready with the task in hand now, the present employees of the organization, the very pillar on which companies need to run. This blog is not about the great exoduses happening, which was already covered in one of my earlier posts in August 2021 The Great Exodus

Till Feb 2020, companies had built their own process, procedures, culture and employees had amalgamated themselves by accepting the way the system and job works.  However, the pandemic made companies to scramble its resources to ensure business continuity and employees had got adjusted to this ‘new normalcy’.

While the experts in the industry are predicting the hybrid model is here to stay (at least for some more time), even calling people back to office for two to three days will have its own tests, especially from people management.

Below are the few challenges Managers need to be ready:

1. Integrate of New Joiners - One of the biggest test will be to integrate the (new) joiners to the organization, in person.  Most of the companies have hired huge workforce in past two years and they were working remotely with limited in person contacts.

With back to office, those who have virtually interacted but not completely merged with organization way of working, will need attention and support on various issues which might arise when the new set of associates starts meeting those who had seen the organization  before pandemic.  

2. Cultural Assimilation - Every company will have its own defined and few undefined cultural aspects. People were working in office, spent time in person and over a period of time an air of culture and way of working would’ve got built. This is also one of the core essence on which employees get connected with their organizations

The virtual work has changed the demand, time lines, people interactions etc. This change in culture will be required to re-calibrate to the earlier values / established values. This is not only for new joiners but also for everyone working.

   3. Policy Readiness – Although the virtual working made companies to change its policies, the hybrid work model will need a whole new thought process of defining the organization policies, encompassing life cycle of an employee, to avoid any ambiguity  leading to employee issues and conflicts in understanding the process.

4. Benefits – How do you define the benefits given to employee who prefers to work partly in office vs. someone needs to work daily in the same office due to the nature of the role? Will organization be ready to differentiate the benefits and support, given to its own set of people? This will be a larger issue leading to change in the enter work model, forcing all to come to office or introducing different policies / models for each set of people.

    5. Employee Well-being – Most of the people managers may need to become counselors addressing the employee issues, work life balance topics, coming to office, managing commitments, apprehensions on meeting people etc. Companies need to train and develop the Managers on making them empathetic without losing focus on business, which will a big challenge.

Also, companies need to redefine its well-being programs like yoga, motivation talks, and hobby clubs covering hybrid work models since not all employees are available in one platform now.

 6. Workplace Support – Past two years didn’t have much challenges on the physical work place requirements. With people back in their campuses, companies will have to start reinventing on the application systems, seats, breakout areas, transportation, food etc. With the headcount of most of the companies grown unprecedented, they need to be ready with this infrastructure, accommodating all of them.

 7. Managerial Development Programs – one of the greatest challenges will be on the people management, especially millennial and trainees who have joined organizations in past two years and didn’t work with larger team in office premises, thanks to virtual world. Those who have become managers to handle people for first time in this past two years will also need managerial programs, to manage employees.  

 8. Redefine the Work Expectations – One of the most debated topic in this two years was on the extended working hours and productivity levels during WFH. With team members back to office or on hybrid model, managers need to reset their expectations and outputs, considering the working hours. Leaves will also increase, since employees will not be able to manage minor household issues from office and will start applying leave (like pre-covid era). Thus it becomes a much required activity for all managers to reorganize their project plans and timelines.

 9. Recreating the Vibrancy at Work Place - Activities on Floor, Traditional Events, and Fun Fridays etc. will need a reconsideration and checks, if those activities are still valued in new normalcy. How do we engage people who are in different sets of work mode – complete WFH, Hybrid, and Complete WFO?

Though the list may be still long and looks tough to handle, every challenge will also come with an opportunity to explore, to create unique ideas. Organizations have evolved from the unanticipated historical event and grown multi-fold times becoming stronger and bigger in past few years. In such situation even this will be addressed successfully.  

How it will be addressed? It will be yet another important paradigm shift in Human Resources Management, which we will be witnessing, soon.

Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussion in various forums, interaction with people managers, reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain. 

Coming Soon - The Next Wave for Corporate

With the world wide pandemic entering the second year now, organizations across the globe has transformed the way of working. Companies which can afford remote working has defined new rules and definition which is new for work environment – Hybrid Model, Remote Working, WFX etc.

Organization in manufacturing,FMCG and related processing industries are also redefining their workforce and related policies, process since they can’t afford the remote working considering their business.

Last two years has been a big roller-coaster for many enterprises, while some like in digital,  transformation , online business, tech related goods and services making good advantage of the transformations, there are few like travel, tourism, hospitality, transport , retail etc. are trying to survive  or innovate themselves in new domains.

Amid all these changes and waves after waves of pandemic which is making business to be on the edge, there is one big thing which is gradually happening with possible impact forever, which needs deeper focus, renovation of the current practices by every organization.

This is not about the ongoing covid pandemic impact, but larger issue which will have major impact across the industries – The Entry of Generation Z in to the workforce.

Yes, with the Gen Z born ( between late 1990’s to early 2000’s) getting graduated and entering to the work arena, are we ready to face the new gen aspirations, thoughts and process to align them to our business requirements.

With most of the students studying online/ hybrid from past two years the new graduates will need focus to handhold them in their initial work days. The post graduates would have spent most of their course time in lock-down, they will need greater support and companies can’t expect the same output like from the previous batches.

The ambitions and the fast-track life style will also make project managers to realign their thoughts while managing their new team members. They can’t expect the strict, time bound work schedules which they underwent 10-15 years ago.

The average tenure at work will further get reduced as the job changing will happen quickly if the current role is not matching their interest and will not wait for the natural 3-4 years period we had for any role change as part of career progression. They will quit quicker than earlier batches, so brace for impact!!

This will make companies to make the IJP’s more attractive, time bounded, inclusive, cross skilling. Even the simple policies like leave, attendance will require a relook in this regard.

Employee engagement may need new definition. In addition to the conservative approach we have, innovative ideas, resulted oriented, tech based initiatives will be required to keep employees engaged.

The HR analysis of data will also to be done keeping this age group in mind. The general way of breaking down the information and arriving at some suggestions will have to done in different levels, specially addressing this set of employees.

With only Gen Z will be joining the organization henceforth, its high time companies get ready for the next wave which has already hit the workforce. In this VUCA world, with curiosity embedded employees, they will need a new workplace. The existing employees will see a brand new work culture evolving in front of them, which is here to last for many decades to come.

Closing note – Gen Z Workforce will also join with different thoughts, alternative ideas, quick actions, which can bring positive additions to our existing process and work-styles, however, how we adopt to them will make the difference for the growth of the organizations.

Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussion in various forums, interaction with people managers, reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain. 

WFH – a different narrative

When we had severe drought at our native, a remote part in India, only option we had was to migrate to a bigger town, leaving our house and land.

My parents were not highly educated, and they had been working in farmland all these years and we were not sure how we will survive in the city with less education but the confidence we had was on our hard work, sincerity and willpower.

When we moved into this city, Bengaluru, all of us in family were shocked for few days on the size of the city and bustling crowd. We were confident of finding some way of livelihood here and started looking for options.

One of the most recommended was to search for jobs in and around IT parks.

With that, my journey around IT parks started several yeas ago. It’s a world which is not observed by many, including those who work inside it.

This is not only journey of mine but lakhs of people who made the IT parks as their source of living.

Whenever a new company starts its office in city it’s not only gives direct labor and indirect supply chain of people and logistics but also there are other economic developments sprouted around it.

I am not sure if you have observed, there are several tiny eateries, mostly serving meals of various forms – North Karnataka Rotti , Andhra Meals, Kerala Paratha or simple Rice & Sambar etc. We also started one such small hotel which was extension of our home. We were cooking in our kitchen, converted the living room for serving purpose and thus lead to good earning to take care of our basic needs.

We had several professionals visiting our hotel for lunch. Many of them would like to have change from   routine office canteen or their home food and they wanted to taste different food. We were good in preparing it and thus, it was mutual benefit.

I was always curious to know what work they do inside the IT parks, a forbidden place for people like me. I was overhearing their conversations and understood, they work on some “projects”, they work with some clients and all of them have some managers.

Like me there were several places surviving on such IT people having their food, snacks. There were many homes which were demolished near such parks and converted to PG’s and service apartments, thus creating more employment for people like us.

We also had, many cab drivers from my native depending for their livelihood and so as pubs and restaurants which was a Friday must for the many workers inside IT parks.

When everything was going well, we heard news about a new fever which spreads like wildfire. Though initially it didn’t bother much, eventually it hit general public and government announced several measures to control the spread of virus.

All those professionals in the IT parks were asked to work from their homes. Thousands migrated to their natives with their systems to work and the ever-bustling IT parks got deserted.

Within span of few months, most of the rented premises, especially the hotels got vacated due to rent   and lack of business.

My eatery was extended home, and I was in need to survive without business. For days I was jobless and survived on the donations received from various organizations.

Whenever I saw videos and images of people enjoying their work from home, I was thinking about me, struggling here, to work for home.

It’s been eighteen months now and with the possibility of the normalcy sets in and hope of people coming back to office, If you happen to visit such IT parks, do checkout the surrounding areas. You will for sure find to-let boards, locked shops, broken glass panels.

I can’t blame anyone here, it’s their life and fortune they are able to survive this onslaught working from wherever they want and its our fate, to keep waiting for the offices to reopen so that we can do some business for our basic livelihood.

While you may still look for work from home, I am here waiting along with all others like me, depending on the IT Park, to work for home….!!

 Disclaimer:  this is an attempt to write a soliloquy of an imaginary character and any resemblance to any person, place or incident is coincidence.

The Great Exodus of 2021

In one of my blogs, written in 2020, “Indian Workforce Management - Challenges and Opportunities” (https://sharathgkashyap.blogspot.com/2020/06/  Also can refer in Archive Section – June 2020)  one of the key challenges foreseen for organizations in the new working norm was talent retention and attrition.

Now in 2021, we are witnessing a major shift of people across spectrum. Most of the industries have got impacted and implementing counter measures to tackle it. Nevertheless, what lead to this situation, which we can call it as Great Exodus of 2021, will it be remembered in future like other similar historical events?

2020 also saw larger number of appeals and requests from job seekers. Open the social networking sites and it was very common to find “comment for better reach”, it was a scene which we never witnessed till then, people supporting each other to find jobs and flow of empathy.

While such posts have waned now, in contrast, 2021 is seeing job posts been made viral with “comment for better reach “. There are large number of job openings and employers are sharing it all over asking people to join them.

So what led to this drastic change, which is also making headlines in many Medias?

Remember, large number of changes among people in any organization, can also lead to fundamental changes in its culture, market perception, knowledge bank which can impact in long run.

Here is a snapshot of possible reasons leading to this high attrition, collated from different sources across different segments of industry.

Backlog of Resignations, exploding now: Its normal every year for people to exit and every company had its own % of attrition. In 2020 there was a dip in % of exits due to various reasons. People who wanted to quit had held back their resignations and now resigning. Thus in 2021, the previous year’s pending cases + the current year exit % has created double impact.

Peer Influence and References: one of the biggest influencers for individuals is their friends and colleagues. When they see their peers resigning for better reasons, it’s natural to get influenced and also they can get referred by their friends in new companies. Even those passive job seekers are getting pulled away.

How I was treated Vs Other Company treated them: did employees feel connected to the organization? Did they perceive they were treated with fairness? How was company promoted in the world of business network? What are the differential factors of the people management between their company and competitors? What are the benefits and perks given, all such factors of 2020 are bearing fruits now and may stimulus the thought process.

Change in Priority of People: Covid has influenced people in various ways. We can see change in priorities in their life. It’s not only job anymore. While some have moved spiritual way, few have opted to change their work domain and many relocated to their native villages / towns to be with family. Nevertheless there is big set of people who are also inclined towards making more money   and opting for such opportunities. All this changed perception, post pandemic is fueling exits.

War for Talent: working from any part of the country as given the flexibility for companies to attract talent, virtually. Companies are doing everything to ensure they have best resources since the order booking of their projects and business are full and need to ensure on time delivery of projects and services. This spike in demand has benefited the candidates to shop multiple offers and counter offers.  If a candidate is having three offers that means in two companies there will be increase in offer decline % as candidate can finally opt one.

If all, why not me: it’s also a psychological impact, like mass hysteria when everyone surrounding is trying something new, why not me. This emotion is also leading the passive / inactive employees to try on what is there in market.

 Like every wave, even this will subside, however what impact this exodus will be making on the organizations is something time to reveal, which will lead to a new article, for some other day.

 Disclaimer:  None of the above points are related to any particular organization. This write up is based on authors understanding through discussions in various industry forums, talking to people in different domains,  reading of articles on evolving situations and experience gained in people management domain.

Memoir of a Masala Dosa

As you enter the premises, you find a big arena for people to stand and sip their coffees or spend time with friends. Though the actual sitting area is deep inside, the aroma of the masala dosa hits your nostrils along with bustling sounds of cups and tumblers been tossed around to serve pooris, pakodas, and coffee to the never-ending crowd of customers and occasional brass bell rings, to remind people who have not collected their second order yet.

While you are busy buying the food tokens or waiting for your turn to be served, it was a normal thing to find so many known faces in the restaurant. Your teachers, local shop owners, neighbors, classmates and their family members, budding politicians, all busy, in relishing their reddish colored dosa, with a smile at you, which says yeah, even I am here …!!

There was no mobile phone craze yet and a symbol of that, there were boards all over – Please do not read newspaper here (indirectly asking people to vacate the place once done, allowing others to sit)

Now, if you can close your eyes for a second and recall this scenes, you can imagine a normal hotel with crowd being served with good food, however if you are from the old Bengaluru, like me, mostly you will end up in your imagination in Malabar restaurant, in Balepete area for sure.  

While watching numerous food vlogs in social media and while being locked up inside, famished for some different foods, memory took back to this nostalgic era which is difficult to put in words, but let me try – this is about a restaurant which had become a part of life in various occasions .

In early years of my memory, I can recall a tiny hotel, with Mangalore red tiles roof, self-serving, south Indian food and occasions of visiting it with family and later it got transformed to a proper restaurant, yet without losing the attraction.

Those who have lived in Bengaluru from many decades will recall the charm of the city, its people, traffic less roads and the relationship we had built with numerous people and iconic places.

This is one such place which served as multiple reasons.

This was not only a place for serving food, but also meeting for many friends for morning coffee, youngsters to exchange ideas, shoppers to fill their hungry stomach after walking around in the bustling roads of chickpet.  It was also a place where many shop owners take their visiting friends or loyal customers for lunch or snacks.

The cashier at counter had become a familiar persona, we used to have instant smile seeing him. He enquires about elders at home and convey his wishes, which is the bonding of interacting for years with generations of same family. Same goes with people serving food at counters.

When you enter the serving area (it was self-service mode – take your food, find your place) it was a sure bet to see at least one or two familiar faces and it was never an -eat alone situation.

Though they had various food items, the reddish color roasted crispy Masala Dosa embedded with red garlic chutney inside, along with potato stuffing and married to green chutney was the most selling food item and a must have. The uniqueness was the distinctive combination of its look, taste and aroma, which I am not trying to explain, since can’t find words matching it.

There were numerous sign boards indirectly asking people to relish the food and not to overspend time. I used to wonder how they can instruct customers like this, but it did serve a purpose - Eat & let others eat.. !!

Whenever we had close relatives visiting Bengaluru, it was on their personal agenda to ensure to visit this place at least once before going back and same with all those friends to have lunch after busy shopping in chickpet and avenue road.

This is not only a story of a dosa or malabar hotel, but how a place had woven the entire neighborhood as a common reason.  

After serving for 73 years, this good old eatery was closed few years ago, yet another iconic place we lost.

Sitting at home in this new era which is forcing people to go on isolation and learning new norms called social distancing, imagining this past glory brings back those golden days memoir which created social friendliness, recording it in this blog, treasuring for future.

Closing Note:  for some of the readers, from the old Bengaluru neighborhood, in place of Malabar, you can replace with Udupi Krishna Bhavan, Megha Darshini, Ramakrishna Lunch Room, Gokul etc.,  I am sure the story may remain same, and thankfully some have survived still.

Samosa Treat

 Part 1

Obviously, I will not miss this time…!! This Saturday is my treat for sure, I declared with confidence. Every week it was a practice we had followed – one of us will treat the gang with samosa and everyone will take turns to sponsor it.

In 90’s , this is what the high school kids could afford when the pocket money (normally in single digit) was considered as luxury.

As we were ending our tenth grade, it was a practice we had adopted to make our school life memorable (and to get some free food in that context). For many weeks I had enjoyed this free samosa from our school canteen shop and this week It was my turn to spend and treat others.

Afterall It was testing time to ensure I adhere to the commitment, otherwise friends would have tagged me, since I had ensured to enjoy free food without fail from all. I was also considered one who does not spend money but ensured to join for free food, every time, hence I wanted to avoid that comment again. 

With aim of Saturday treat, I started collecting all my available savings (normally,coins given away as tip when brought household materials) and had fallen short of another 20 rupees. It was matter of prestige since I had already declared and did not want to be teased by friends.

Any middle-class boy would have felt his heart while asking for money and it was considered big culpability to put burden on parents for such things however, I didn’t have option hence ended up pleading parents asking for 20 rupees.

With great beseeching, somehow, I got it and was overwhelmed with the fact that I will ensure to keep my commitment with friends.

 

Part 2

Saturday early morning, in the winter, I started towards school, ensuring I have kept the money and felt richer. Since I did not have cycle to pedal, it was routine to walk down in the neighborhoods and reach school.

As I was walking down, found this young student, residing few streets away, sitting in a park shivering in cold. I had seen this jovial, ever smiling boy whenever crossed paths, however today I felt he had not slept previous night and was looking worried. With concern and curious to know, enquired him what happened. He was uncomfortable to speak to me, however I persuaded him.

I am in trouble, he said. Since my parents could not afford for my schooling, I was admitted to a Government Hostel in neighboring district which provides free education and accommodation. I was supposed to be there by today, but I am still here wondering what to do.

I did not understand the context, asked him what is the issue? With tears in his eyes, he said – my parents are daily coolies and in lot of financial debt, that is why they have put me in free hostel.  I was given 50 rupees to reach that place and I know even for that; they took loan from a neighbor.

Unfortunately, when I reached bus stand, someone pick-pocketed it and now I am not sure what to do. I feel guilt to go back home and put them under more debts. I will also get beaten up surely, but I do not have options. I had walked back from bus stand and stayed in this park, wondering what next.

I felt remorse for his situation, felt empathic for him and did not know what to say, realizing I had 50 rupees in my pocket. I knew this money can give him lot of comfort but same time If do not treat, friends will make fun of me.  With great dilemma, I gave away that money and asked him to reach his hostel on time and continue his studies.

When I reached my friends, I told them I had given away the money for a good purpose without revealing the details of that neighborhood kid. However, most of them felt I was lying to avoid spending money on them. Though few appreciated, others mocked me, called names, and asked not to enjoy free food always. I was humiliated, hence reacted, words led to severe arguments and my relationship with them ended thereafter since I could not treat them with a humble samosa.

Life moved on…..

 

Part 3

 

In 2020, I was working as supervisor in a resort, leading a simple life with family. As the hospitality industry went down, due to the pandemic, I lost job.

I tried approaching all my contacts, friends but it was difficult time for all. When reached some old contacts, they didn’t even pick calls. I also uploaded my resume in social media and spending days searching and updating my status which was liked by many and commented for better reach, yet no luck. 

On a fruitful day, I got a call to attend an interview in online mode. I was not able to recall the application for this company nor aware of any contacts working.

As I joined the video call, a bright young executive spoke to me. He asked basic details and checked if I am interested to work in his company’s guest relation wing as Head. I was surprised, though I am from hospitality industry, offering Head position in this tough time, could not believe my luck.

I instantly agreed to it and next few days I was back in job with handsome salary and life was on track. However, I was always curious to know what made this company to select me for this salary and job and was waiting for the opportunity to clear the doubts.

In months, the situation was normal, and we resumed our work in office premises. Met many people and the young executive who took my interview. After initial pleasantries and work updates, I dared to check – Sir, may I know how you decided I am in suitable for this job, although I do not recall applying in this company...?

He had a laugh and continued with a smile – when you have helped me in the crucial phase on my life, without knowing me, I knew I can trust you, when I know you.

This puzzled me further, he clarified – I am the boy whom you helped to reach hostel to continue my education. Just because you gave those 50 rupees, I joined on time and completed my education through those free hostels and scholarships, got into a company, and eventually became an entrepreneur.

When your profile was shared in social media for better reach, I could recognize you and felt this is the opportunity for me to say - Thank You!!

Life is not a white paper allowing YOU to canvas it, as you wish. It is always associated with people painting it with different emotions, feelings, and colors, mostly treating us in unexpected time and circumstances . isn’t it?

 

Disclaimer – all characters & situations in this story are imaginary and if any resemblance, it is just coincidence.