Book Review - Outliers

Outliers - Book by Social Behaviour expert, Malcom Gladwell; an amazing read to understand how situations add to the potential of a person to become extraordinarily successful.

The author analyses data from various walks of life on successes in different fields and builds a common thread to pull out hidden principles involved in making them a success. And at times it is astonishing!!

Eg. Whats common between Bill Gates & Beatles. Both are connected by a common principle of 10,000 Hrs of practice. Bill gates becuase of the circumstances spent 10,000 Hrs in programming during his school and college and by the time he finished school/or dropped out, he had already clocked 10,000 hrs of programming on computers in that time of mainframe computers. Situations helped him in doing that - he went to not the best college but a college where he could crack a password to a mainframe computer so that he can work on the same 24 hrs!! His house was near to college so literally he spent 24 hrs in the computer room. Becuase of the same, he was hired by a company which gave assignment to kids to do something.  - Result: he went on to become the person he is!

Same goes with Beatles. Beatles when they werent 'Beatles' were looking for work very badly; so badly that they agreed to go to a different country where they had to perform 8-10 Hrs straight & live in night clubs! And for 100 days continuosly. They did it for money and then crowd started loving them and by the time they finished the stint; they have toghether clocked 10,000 hrs of proactise which big guns take a lifetime to do. And the rest is history.

And more such hidden principles will keep you glued to the book. Eg. Most of the successful Basket Ball players were born in Jan-March. Most of the successful guys in Hockey were born in Sep-Oct in a different country? Why? Find out yourself.

And how far IQ is involved in Success? And how much 'Practical Knowledge' is additionally needed to help a 'Super IQ' guy to be a success? And what is the impact of going to 'THE BEST School' and next best school? All that and more in the book.

Current read - Ziglar on Selling & In Search of Excellence.
-nits

Current Read - Corporate Chanakya

Just grabbed recently from an Airport shop; this book is amongst many books being based on ChanakyaNiti by a revered strategist/mastermind/Kingmaker - Chanakya/Kautilya. The book is not a straight read; but a very comfortable read whenever you get time. I have been reading this during my flights.

The book is being written in such a way that it covers various topics around leader - leadership, business, power, knowledge, actions etc. And the best thing is that unlike various other authors which try to say that Indian Concepts are THE BEST and rest of the world is all bakwaas; this author says both concepts complement each other. And additionally, it also brings in examples from History & Mythology(Ramayana, Mahabharata), Indian Business (JRD, Murthy..),Global Businesses (Jack Welch..) and even movies (Troy, Gladiator..).

A very simple, light on mind, enjoyable book for people interested in management, running businesses and especially wherever there is a need of leading people..

~nits

New perspective to life - Inspiring movies!

Watched 2 english movies a few days ago after a loooong time!

Bucket List
Seven Pounds

And i can tell you that these movies have given me a fresh breath of air in life. Bucket List being a movie talking about living life to the fullest (2 near to death oldies Morgan Freeman & Jack Nicholson; go through a list of things to do before they die (including Skydiving, Car racing, Himalayas and what not). And the dialogues and chemistry is simply awesome. Its a must watch on IMDB also.

On the other hand, Seven Pounds is again another awesome Will Smith movie after Pursuit of Happiness...and wow what a finish; astounding drama unfolding into one of the greatest finishes like my best movie - Shawshank Redemption. Movie again talking about value of human life and helping ppl in trouble.

Had awesome time watching them on my laptap! Just like college days - with maggie, namkeen & Chai!!

Watch these movies and i am sure you gonna get a new perspective if you are wading thru the same job post MBA for last 4 years and are into your mid-lives :)

~nits

Relationships!!!

Munh ki baat sune har koi...dil ke dard ko jaane kaun...aawazon ke baazaro mein khamoshi pehchane kaun??

Marketing Principles @ Home

This post is going to throw a lot of insight into our households; the most neglected parts of all our marketers/sales guys who are outside in field or in offices making strategies to wow our consumers. We can rather learn a lot and apply most of consumer behavior/marketing principles at home only! This post is going to be a revelation of sorts..

Consumer is the King  - Be it your wife or your kid; this is a golden principle for them. Thou shall not follow it shall run great risks. Be it a trip to market or watching a particular channel; your wife and kids are like 'the consumer' and shall be treated like kings and be followed all times for better household hours :)


Customer Service is the key to success and peace - For couple who have just turned parents; they will agree to this principle with respect to their new-borns! Your kid, if not given service at 24 by 7; it will give you nightmares even during the days. Whether having food in the wee hours of the night or trying every trick to entertain the chap is what tells all newly become parents - that Supreme Customer Service for their kids is a MUST.


Customer is always right! - I am sure, all married men shall agree that this principle is the golden principle of marriage. Wife is always right. Thou shall not follow it shall suffer!

More will follow soon...watch this space.

Jagjit Singh remembered...

Apne aankhon ke samunder mein utar jaane de.
Tera mujrim hoon mujhe doob ke mer jaane de.

Few line from one of the ghazals of immortal Jagjit Singh; they now pose a new meaning!!

Missing jagjit at such odd hours. One more..

Gham ka khazana tera bhi hai mera bhi
Yeh afsaana tera bhi hai mera bhi

~nits

2012 - Happy New Year!

On this day, every year; which is actually 1st day of the year; there seems to be unnecessary excitement around people. And thats it!

I have received at least 35-40 SMS today wishing me a happy new year. And to say the truth i havent read any of them. The calls have been replaced by sms; the get-togethers by Facebook pics..and so on.

It all feels so artificial these days! Though, i am not a 'real' well wisher as well. Have not wished a good year today to many myself..

Anyways...another year to move forward to.

And its 2012. I still remember; i think on the same blog i have once written about my pic on business today's cover in 2015 :) How childish i was...playing the flagbearer of marketing in my IIMI days.

But reality is far from functional fights...life is missing. But 'marketing' was life earlier...again how childish at 27 i was..indeed!

Anyways..for ppl who are reading this blog...I Wish you all the happiness, life, success and whatever you desire; out of this planet! Happy new year.

~nits