Small Things can Do Wonders in your Business

The common belief doing the rounds of organization,is that we are the best in the class, not because we have set in the best benchmarks, but because we boast of the the unique human capital mix, which many of our competitors may not possess.However, one need to go behind the scene activities and observe each and every move with a magnifier and hear the sounds with an amplifier to know whether the statements are only lip-service or reality.It has been observed that in spite of having the best employees, most of the organizations, care a damn for their most important resource, namely the human capital.Ironically these practices are often found in knowledge driven sectors, where human resources are supposed to form the fulcrum of every activity.Short term myopic approaches often reflects the endeavours of the management, thereby reducing the confidence of the employees on the organization and its ability to protect their well-being.Protecting the well-being of the employees are not restricted to doling out an attractive pay packet with some perks and fringe benefits, here and there, it calls for that human touch from the employer towards their professional and personal issues, giving them that confidence, that the organization is standing rock solid behind them even during the moments of crisis.The small deeds so as to make that permanent mark in the mind and soul of the employees can result in with that birthday wish or by complimenting him on his new house or car or even greeting during the anniversary.All these does not cost much in true sense for an organization, but it's the absence of that culture of showing that we care which results in employee morale dwindling, affecting the productivity over a period of time.Did anyone say employee turnover and erosion of talents can also be attributed to this factor, big time, especially in knowledge driven companies.

First Mover Advantage for Employees

First mover advantage is known to be a strategic advantage for the marketers so as corner market shares from their rivals. The same holds true for individual employees working in an organization, since inception or since the initial few years.The personal experience of yours truly, along with the experiences observed in some of the colleagues in other organizations revealed so.The employees joining during the formative years of the company gets into the corporate nerve and understand all the processes and systems to an extend that they become indispensible for the higher ups.In such cases two of the following consequences were noted by yours truly-One the top notch performers elevated to the top rung to manage the show once the enterprise expands and two some of the other peers, sans the leadership skills are given more prestige, honour and value especially by the new staff as the latter thinks the former would be instrumental in the career progression of the new staff, owing to his/her alleigiance to the top bosses, mainly due to his/her seniority in the company.In such cases if the company does not have a good working culture, the seniority and issues related to their experience in that company goes into their head and they start to show off their hegemonistic attitude and designs, thereby throwing tantrums to the new joiners. These so called old pros are retaining their seat mainly because they are now the proverbial jacks, with an all around ability to work across functions in the organization.However, when it comes to grooming the new joiners on the same lines, they generally show a lackasidiacal approach fearing lossoing their grip in the organization.They will generally avoid or dislike any newcomers moving up the learning curve fast and therefore try all methods possible to bring them down, culminating in maintaining their status-quo and firm grip on the decision makers.

Managing Hidden and Well Disguised Animosity

People often complaint about hidden undercurrents and animosity which are often invisible to a rank outsider and one who is unwilling to involve and immerse self in the nuances of the human relations.This is bound to happen in the personal and professional sphere and therfore such happenings at the workplace are no exceptions, rather they are routine. It depends upon the individual as to how he/she can manage these challenges without vitiating the environment and more importantly going unscathed.The first important thing to keep in mind during these trying situations is to shed even the slighest amount of ego one may have and then allow one to imbibe maximum learning from every encounters, so that he is richer with experiences.Keeping a neutral stance and open attitude not only helps maintaining the relationships, but also contributes in a very big way towards the developmental curve of the individual concerned, not to mention the positive impact on the working environment.It is however, easier said than done as many people during these trying situations takes up fights, clashes or simply surrenders meekly by giving way to the undercurrents.For such individual, either it is the sense of false ego or the absence of managing relationships which act as a dampner.
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Caterpillars in an Organization!

Are there caterpillars in an organization?Caterpillar is one which crawls and feed on leaves, insects etc. till they reach the next stage of their life-cycle. Organizational caterpillars are little different and have characteristics, which includes genotypic and phenotypic traits of a chameleon, a squirrel, a fox, apart from certain features of the caterpillar itself. They would always crawl in the organization, i.e. present a slow and low attitude, often adding sugar coated approach, be it presenting their opinion or take any stance. They would often be too courteous in presenting themselves amongst their peers, would be the ideal candidate to don the role of the organizational mole,changes colours like they change their clothes, would try to crawl to the closest level possible...as far as the relationship with the senior is concerned,go out of the way to gather information, spice up and present customized stuffs which are soothing to the superior's ears.They exude fake confidence to the superior,as they know, 'Yes to everything' approach pays very well as the right impression is created on the next person's mind.They however, lack the balancing approach needed and often heavily towards the superior. The crawling nature, keeps them in abeyance and protects them getting caught by their peers!They will always present a broad smile, often talk to a person by coming in close proximity, would extend small helps when a person is in dire need, gain their confidence so that they can dissiminate information crucial for his role and survival.Unlike caterpillars, they dont feed on leaves and insects, their staple diet consists of organziation's scoop which are then tailor made by the caterpillar himself/herself. They would present the information often in a sly manner, so that the person to whom it is presented do not realize that its a complaint and more than that he/she makes the right platform to leverage the same in future.