Things I Saw at Israel’s “Internet of Things” Conference | Insight Fuel

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Things I Saw at Israel’s “Internet of Things” Conference | Insight Fuel by Arye Zacks

Legacy Lessons from Life of Nelson Mandela

Legacy Lessons from Life of Nelson Mandela
My Creation...

Management Lessons from Life of Sachin Tendulkar, A Tribute by Sanjay Ishwarlal Up...

Last month has been a emotional roller-coster for any Cricket Fan.

It marked the end of incredible journey of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

Here is my small tribute to the God of Cricket ...

The Economics Of Seinfeld: What's the right Gift to give; cash?

What do you think?
The holiday season is on..
Will you give Cash?

Try not to have misty eyes after watching this

Try not to have misty eyes after watching this « Pune School Reviews

I love Google.

Thanks Madhurie Singh  for Sharing it first....

Happy Telecom Diwali, and an Amazing New Year Ahead

Happy Telecom Diwali, and an Amazing New Year Ahead

 

Its pre-Diwali and the atmosphere is electric and joyous as usual. Also many of our projects have delivery surrounding this date, so is hectic too.

 

Last week-end, following the usual tradition, I was dragged to an open market to buy decorative things for home.

 

We started with traditional Rangoli and then moved towards lights. Here is where the fun started:

We started the selection process, 

Some LED lights for me that blinked brighter than camera flash,

Some sober ones for my parents place.

My father being from old school wanted warranty for each item bought.

How much ever expensive or beautiful the light was, none of them offered any guarantee for durability and service. 

On pondering we learn that almost 90% of the lights were "Made in China" and hence no warranty.

 

The warranty incident reminded me of what the Vodafone India CTO had said in the Leaders-2-Leaders talk at Amdocs.

When asked about the 1 paise/second competition, he mentioned few operators were able to do it due to cheap Chinese network equipment and had raised concerns on quality, security and warranty.

 

This Diwali and many operators are offering plans and offer in the similar price range due to the Chinese advantage.

The Chinese advantage is not only for network equipment but also for handsets

It’s raining Bumper offers for subscribers even prepaid as even high-end data services are offered to them at marginal cost.

 

However, the Ban by government on Chinese equipment is not lifted yet.

Ø  Will the market innovators of Chinese Phones find a bureaucratic work around?

Ø  Will other operators also jump the Band-wagon and buy Chinese equipment later to reduce cost?

Ø  Will the Chinese equipment detoriate the overall QoS of the operators?

Ø  These are the few Chinese ;-) questions which will haunt the Telecom Operators this Diwali.

Do share your views on this trend as well.  

 

Till then, wish you a

"Very Happy Diwali and an Amazing New Year Ahead"

N'joi the Festival of Lights... Chinese or Otherwise :-D

 

 

Person in Focus…

Person in Focus…

Being the editor of “CDU India Newsletter” has its perks, since I was handling the “Person in Focus” section; it always gave me an opportunity to look into the mindset of people.

Ø  What do they think?

Ø  How do they think?

Ø  What inspires them?

Ø  How do they feel in the CDU?

Ø  …

However, what used to amaze me is why people take so much time, sometimes about 3 weeks to answer, such simple questions about themselves? Don’t they have the self-realization to answer what is needed?

One of the perks I enjoyed is evading not having to answer these questions for 2 years straight. But was caught after the 2^nd anniversary edition, where other editors realized that I had not filled in for some time now. So I started filling the questions.

I must admit, I WAS WRONG!!!

The questions although they seem simple have a quest to dive into your conscience and inner self to find what holds for you… It took a solid two week-ends of pondering to come to final set of answers… It’s a tough task and taught me not to rush people filling in “Person in Focus”.

Below are my answers, have a look.

1.    Your current role in Amdocs

·         Integration Manager handling the Sprint -- Turbo Charging Development

 

2.    What is your lifetime target

·         To be on “Board of Directors” of Reliance Industries, India’s top Fortune 500 company

 

3.    Your opinion on larger than life aspects of life <This is also w.r.t. your philanthropic activities>

·         Only one motto: “Life is Beautiful”

·         You govern your own happiness and no one else….

·         So Smile and the whole world will Smile with You J

 

4.    Favorite Recipe/food

·         Szechuan Tofu

 

5.    Favorite song

·         “Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas” .. Kishore Kumar classic.

·         "Top Gun Anthem" by Steve Stevens

 

6.    Favorite movie/show

·         Movie: Matrix Trilogy

·         Shows: “Highway on my Plate”  and “Big Bang Theory”– Can relate to both so much J

 

7.    Most memorable moment of life

·         When my held my son in my hands for the 1^st time…

 

8.    Your experience in and with CDU

·         CDU feels like home now J After 4 years in the CDU, I can confidently say that CDU is the Best Business School anyone can get in Amdocs.

Not only it teaches you nuances of program management, it also allows you to thrive in an evolving complex environment.

 

How would you answer to questions below?

Write in the comments of the blog.

 

Our smartphones are disconnecting us from each other

 

“Our smartphones are disconnecting us from each other”. So you don’t believe in what I just said:

Watch this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OINa46HeWg8

If you can relate to even 10% of what is shown, you ARE a smart-phone addict. And let’s not be ashamed to admit it, I’m an addict too. To a large extent to Black-berry and mails. Let’s try for once to be human again and regain the touch.

I’m experimenting of some time off without a smart phone in my schedule. It’s and experiment, let me see how it goes and I’ll let you know.

Do you have a plan to remove the smart phone addiction?

Let me know of it too J

Reporting Code and its Human traits: CDU perspective

Reporting Code and its Human traits: CDU perspective

You have enjoyed the CC Perspective in my last Blog,

Having seen both sides of the coin, this is the CDU perspective :-)

Any resemblance to CCs you have worked in is purely imaginary :-D

“It takes Eons to create a Reporting Code; But just seconds to use it”

Many of us in the CDU would concur with the above, considering the amount of time we spend controlling the RC and hence the profitability,

The time spent by me last week to correct the incorrect RC usage projections, instigated inside me the resentment that I decided to put the form of this article. I hope you’ll enjoy the read.

Depending upon the type of competencies (CCs) and applications we deal with, I have classified the applications on their human traits on RC consumption.

Please note that any resemblance to competencies/applications and people is purely coincidental.  :-D

The Perfectionist:

Very few mature applications fall under this category.  Known for their systematic way of working, the planning and HRMS update for the application is done months in advance. The reporting codes are also requested weeks before the actual work starts. They are the best when it comes to reporting codes.

The Confused:

The new PMO procedure of restricting RCs by name have made many applications fall under this category.  It is like shooting in the dark for them as they are not able to identify exactly for whom all the RC needs to be opened. However, the PMOs are really nice and they know the issue they face and change names as requested. In most cases, the final list of people using the RC does not have even a single name from the initial list J

The Chronic Over shooters:

This elite title goes to the support groups. The people in this group seem have this never ending habit of over-shooting RCs for all their tasks. And the request for RC comes a week before dead-line and the CDM has no option but to give-in on their demands

The Self Deciders:

The name says it all. These new applications will put people for support tasks on what they feel is correct, irrespective of what the account has requested from them. The very new set of applications in Amdocs belongs to this category. I’m sure you will be able to point out some in your projects too ;-)

Selective Amnesiacs:

Sadly we find this type of applications too. They forget that they needed the RC for the task when done and come later. Sometimes the request after the P&L of the version is closed and 2^nd version is about to enter UAT. Later ensues a fierce fight to get their things done.

The Penny Pinchers:

These applications would not even lift up a pen if you do not give them RC. Every little task is accounted for and the request for a 30 minutes status call once a week is also followed with a RC mail.

The Noble Ones:

They are my personal favorites. The RC is open all year round,, however, these very rare breeds of applications, use exactly the amount of RC they need. Till now, I have known only one application group, the technical writers who belong to this category. (If you know more let me know too)

We all have gone thru’ the pain for reporting code, so

·         Let’s ask applications to report as soon as they have the RC, esp. when it’s for past weeks

and

·         Never miss a chance to remind them of RC closure dates

Seeing the points above, you would feel that I’m suggesting that you become an “Opportunist”. Well when it comes to RC and profitability I see no vices in becoming an Opportunist ;-)

In real life, is it good to be an “Opportunist” too? Why not? 

Seems like a good topic to ponder on. Maybe next time … Maybe I’ll write about it when I get an opportunity on some lazy Rainy Day

 

Face to face with Randi Zuckerberg (yes, THAT Zuckerberg) at Amdocs InTouch: 10 social media trends to keep your eye on | Amdocs Voices

Face to face with Randi Zuckerberg (yes, THAT Zuckerberg) at Amdocs InTouch: 10 social media trends to keep your eye on | Amdocs Voices

Reporting Code and its Human traits

Reporting Code and its Human traits:

This is CC Perspective, Having seen both sides of the coin, I’ll write the CDU perspective as well soon :-)

“It takes Eons to get a Reporting Code; But just seconds to use it”

The above actual words are of an OGS manager for which we work on a sporadic (!!!) basis. (For the uninitiated, Sporadic is the term commonly used by teams to get the support on time without giving a RC). Sadly the statement above is true especially when he gave us the requested RC of 5 days after 5 weeks due to 10 reminders and 5 escalations to all sorts of delivery managers.

Actually we ended up spending more time getting the RC than actual work done for that RC. :-D

So this beautiful (!!) experience instigated inside me the resentment that I decided to put the form of this article. I hope you’ll enjoy the read.

Depending upon the type of account, I have classified the RCs on their human traits. Please note that any resemblance to accounts and people is purely coincidental.  :-D

The Perfectionist:

Most “Big” accounts fall under this category.  Known for their systematic way of working, all the planning and HRMS update for the account is done months in advance. The reporting codes are also opened weeks before the actual work starts. They are the best when it comes to reporting codes.

The Conservatives:

The recession hit accounts fall under this category.  They inherent all traits of “Perfectionist” but have a very bugging trait of closeness. We need to identify exactly for whom all the RC needs to be opened 3 weeks before work starts. It’s just like shooting in the dark as most of the time we do not have visibility, who will work on those tasks. However, the PMOs are really sweet and they know the issue we face and changes names as we request. In many cases, the final list of people using the RC does not have even a single name from the initial list J

The Philanthropist:

This elite title goes to the LGT group. The people in LGT seem have this never ending supply of RCs for all tasks. They are free to pursue their goals without ever bothering about the RC

The Misers:

The name says it all. These accounts give just 25% reporting code for a person and expect the person to be on call 24X7. Also they want a dedicated GL (of course without RC) to track all their tasks too. It’s a management nightmare and more often than not, the GL/PM shed their own RC for the person to complete his reporting.

The Serial Defaulters:

These are the accounts we spoke about in the starting of the article. The accounts come on sporadic basis with requests for work and after that we have to run behind them for weeks to get the RC for the work done. The accounts are so immune to request for RC, that they come back with more work request before even paying for last one.

The Free Seekers:

Sadly we find this type of accounts too. They appeal to noble cause and get the work done and are never seen after that. Request for reply to RFPs and providing estimations are main tasks. Also includes solving issue for some production system delivered decades ago to a long forgotten customer.

The Lion Hearts:

They are my personal favorites. These very rare breeds of accounts have the RC open for us throughout the year. We use the RC as an when we need it. Some months we don’t use this RC at all. Currently only one West European account gets this title.

So by now, you would have of course realized the pain we have to go thru’ to get reporting code for all of us. Some main tips to ensure that we do not let this efforts go waste:

·         Always report your actual hours.

·         Report as soon as you have the RC, esp. when it’s for past weeks

·         Inform your GL when you do not have the RC or you did not get the RC for your tasks

·         Ask!!! No activity should be done free.  Always ask for an RC for tasks done for OGS.

Seeing the points above, you would feel that I’m suggesting that you become an “Opportunist”. Well when it comes to RC I see no vices in becoming an Opportunist.

In real life, is it good to be an “Opportunist” too, I think? Why not? 

Seems like a good topic to ponder on. Maybe next time … Maybe I’ll write about it when I get an opportunity ;-) on some lazy Summer Sunday afternoon …

ARK --> Act of Random Kindness

ARK à Act of Random Kindness:

       Last lazy Sunday I was watching the movie Evan Almighty… It’s not a new movie, been released in 2007, but it had all sort of animals so my son wanted to watch it.

I started watching it with no specific interest and then the fun started.

God (Morgan Freeman) contacts Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) and tells him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood. It’s an amazing movie made by two of my very favorite actors…. It’s a simple movie, where God asks (rather Forces) Evan to make the Ark which in turn saves the neighborhood. My son enjoyed it due to all the animals and I enjoyed it for the message.

What struck me is the end when God (Morgan Freeman), describes the meaning of the Ark used to save,

A à Act of

R à Random

K à Kindness

What a beautiful message in a comic movie with no major impact. I’m sure the movie passed without any awards or even recognition, But the message must not be let to pass. Why not have an ARK – Act of Random Kindness every-day.

And the ARK need not be major; it could be as simple as:

·         A smile to someone who works with you regularly

·         A compliment to someone

·         A good work completed diligently

·         Providing way for someone who is getting late

·         Helping someone stuck in work

·         Helping Out at Blossom

And I’m sure this small Acts of Kindness à ARKs will go a long way in making this world a better place to be in J

20 Second Reading...

20 Second Reading:

In the current fast paced life, we rarely have anytime for ourselves, let alone read.

We don’t read, we scan through news, Facebook posts and for that matter even mails J

Let me introduce you to an interesting concept of 20 Second Reading

NO, I’m not referring to the advertising Blitzkrieg that would numb your senses.

I’m talking about meaningful reading that would change the way you think/act.

Let me assure you it’s not a prank, please read the below 20 Second story:

The stone:

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream.

The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food.

The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him.

She did so without hesitation.

The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime.

But, a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said. “I know how valuable this stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious.

“Teach me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone.”

Impressive, isn’t it…

Even I was in awe of what could be communicated in 20 seconds and found its best done by stories…

One of the few authors, who does it regularly is  Paulo Coelho.

Interested, search for 20 Second Reading in Google for more stories or better still click this link à Searched 20 Second Read

N’joi…

Share the dubba lunch...

Ever been to a poor area around your posh colonies and seen how hungry children are?
Ever seen the faces of the parents who have to tell their children, sleep tight no food tonight?
Now you can too do your bit by sharing a bite.
Spread this to as many people you can.

http://www.madhuriesingh.com/superindiankid/index.php/2013/share-the-dabba-lunch-once/

Hats-off to Madhurie Singh for the initial Share...

Will the 'Real' New Year Stand Up Please?

Will the 'Real' New Year Stand Up Please?

We just passed the Financial New Year on 1st April 2013.Ironic isn’t it that the Financial New Year starts on April fool’s day.  J

But such a new year in the middle of the year instigated in me a question... Which is the actual New Year?

Let’s take an example of Amdocs:

We have following New Years:

ü 1st January – Gregorian New Year

ü 1st April – India Financial New Year

ü 2nd Week of September – Israel New Year

ü 1st October – Amdocs Financial New Year

ü Multiple Days – Indian New Year. **

I mentioned two ** because in India we have so many different states that each one has its own new year as under:

1)    Ugadi -- New Year's Day in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

2)    Gudi Padwa -- New Year's Day in Maharashtra

3)    Maha vishuva Sankranti -- Oriya New Year

4)    Puthandu -- New Year's Day in Tamil Nadu

5)    Vishu -- New Year's Day in Kerala

6)    Cheiraoba -- New Year's Day in Manipur

7)    Navreh -- New Year's Day in Kashmir.

8)    Bestu Varas -- New Year's Day for Gujaratis

9)    Cheti Chand -- New Year's Day by Sindhis

10)           Chaitti and Basoa/Bishu -- New Year Day in Himachal Pradesh.

11)           Pohela Boishakh/Juir-Sheetal -- New Year Day in  West Bengal

12)           Baisakhi -- New Year Day in Punjab and Haryana.

13)           Chaitra Pratipada -- New Year's Day  in Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh

Confusing isn’t it to see 13 new years and it becomes all the more interesting when people from one part of the country work in a different part.Not that we are complaining!!! Not only is it a chance to explore a different culture it’s an extra holiday too. J

 It’s the unity in diversity which makes us enjoy each of the above festivals in the states respectively and celebrate the biggest of them all in Diwali with the festival of Light.

About the various festivals we have in India... we have one every two week and is a new topic altogether… Maybe I’ll write about it too on a lazy summer afternoon J

Embrace Work-Life Imbalance

Why is everybody so concerned about work-life balance?​

Why do we run behind thing which is not achievable?

Isn't this the fact we accepted when we joined the highly stressed IT industry?

A subject close to my heart... and very nicely covered in this month's Harward Business Review...

http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2013/02/embrace_work-life_imbalan.html

By Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London (UCL)

My favorite Paragraph:

Technology has not ruined your work-life balance; it has simply exposed how boring your work and your life used to be. Did you ever try to figure out why it is so hard to stop checking your smartphone, even when you are having dinner with a friend you haven't seen in ages, celebrating your anniversary, watching a movie, or out on a first date? It's really quite simple: None of those things are as interesting as the constant hum of your e-mail, Facebook, or Twitter account. Reality is over-rated, especially compared to cyberspace. Technology has not only eliminated the boundaries between work and life, but also improved both areas.

N'joi the read of full article... its amazing insight into our own life!!!

In search for the Kingfisher Calendar -- The Telecom way

Last week I was searching for the Kingfisher Calendar 2013 for obvious reasons ;-)

Before you get any ideas, I'm a big fan of Atul Kasbekar’s photographs esp. the sunset ones. Check it out yourself at:

http://www.kingfishercalendar.com/2010/

 

 

My search started at small stationary shops and went on till Crosswords in Pune.

I even went to Kingfisher Goodtimes Mall in Mumbai, but could not find the Calendar.

This got me thinking, Why would someone market a product that is not available easily in the market?

Was the hype(remember NDTV's hunt for Calendar series)really for the product or was there a bigger game at play?

 

A bit of pondering brought me to the conclusion that: 

Kingfisher Calendar was a cover-up for the Kingfisher Beer which cannot be marketed openly in India.

 

A widely known fact some would say… However this got me thinking about our new Telecom space in India.

Look at the new operators in the market:

Ø  Datacom - Videocon

Ø  Idea - UnitechAditya Birla Group

Ø  Tata-Docomo - Tatas

Ø  RIL waiting to invest

 

Are this companies here only to cash-in for the telecom growth in India, or do they have ulterior motives?

 

I feel the real motives is much more than of course to make money in the existing telecom market.

It is to have a customer base that can be tapped and maketted at a fraction of a cost than an actual advertising campaign.

Sending promotional SMS to your subscriber base will cost close to nothing.

With the advent of 3G and the exponential growth of data usage in India, I see it as a great business growth strategy.

 

What do you feel?

Do you agree/ disagree?

Fell free to comment or send me an e-mail.

Better still, let's talk over coffee J