Corporate Culture

Happy Teacher's Day

On account of Teacher's Day; 
A remembrance to my Father-my First Teacher,my guru in Mathematics

My dad was one of the best teacher in Algebra and Arithmetic when I was in school. Thanks to the lady teacher in 8th standard who was a soft spoken lady who could not be much help to school kids in teaching maths. I failed for the first time in 8th std school test in mathematics. My mom was summoned to school for parents-teachers meeting and she had to listen to the teachers woes for my bad performance.

My mom being a good parent to kids, fought with my dad complaining that he is not taking care of his kid due to his busy schedule in govt.office. So both were horrified of my failure ,though they knew that i was an intelligent kid in school in other subjects. 

So, Dad straight from his office after office hours at 6 PM started home tuitions for me in Algebra and Arithmetic. It started from simple equation to simultaneous equations. Today if I am well versed and fond of mathematics it is becoz of my dad who made me sit hours and hours work on my basic maths till I passed with distinction in Maths. Did i know one day becoz of maths ability I would score highest and pass my degree and compete in Maths olympiad!!!

Also, he was a champion in playing 'Rummy cards' due to his ability in numbers.I had an opportunity to be his student during diwali festival and played and played till i dropped all my cash.
He was a pro in the game and i had to shelve all my money and he was always the winner.

Thanks and fond rememberance for the great teacher I was gifted by God. Dad wherever you are, your daughter always miss you and the love of a parent you bestowed on me.

-Daddy's little girl

7 Qualities Of A Truly Loyal Employee

First things first: Where employees are concerned, loyalty has nothing to do with blind obedience, or unthinking devotion, or length of tenure.

Surprised? Think of it this way. Which employee displays greater loyalty?

1. The employee who has been with you for ten years and in that time has learned to do just enough to fly, unseen, under the performance issues radar, or

2. The employee who has been with you for 18 months and believes in where you’re going, how you want to get there – and proves it every day by her actions

Of course experience is important, but given the choice I'll take the employee behind door #2 every time.

At HubSpot we’re fortunate to have hundreds of extremely loyal employees. We're working hard to create a culture that recognizes and rewards true loyalty. We still have a long ways to go, but you can see our "work in progress" in our Culture Code slide deck.

Truly loyal employees are not just committed to helping their companies succeed; their loyalty is also displayed in other ways, some of them surprising.

1. They display loyalty through integrity.

Many people assume loyalty is proven through obedience: Often unthinking and unquestioning, even when a request or directive falls into a gray area or, worse, is unethical or illegal.

An employee who consistently seeks to do the right thing is not just following a personal credo – she’s also looking out for your long-term interests. You may see her as disloyal today… but in time you’ll realize that she displayed the highest form of loyalty by helping you avoid missing the “do the right thing” forest for the “do it right now” trees.

2. They generate discussions others will not.

Many employees hesitate to voice their opinions or feelings in a group setting. Some even hesitate to voice their opinions in private.

An employee once asked me a question about a new initiative. After the meeting I pulled him aside and said, “Why did you ask about our new pricing strategy? You know what we’re doing – you were part of the planning.” He said, “I do, but a lot of other people don't, and they’re hesitant to ask since they aren’t directly affected. I thought it would help if they could hear what you’re thinking and what we’re planning.”

Loyal employees have a great feel for the issues and concerns of the people around them, and they ask the questions or raise the important issues when others won’t. They know, for the company to succeed, that you need to know what employees are thinking… and that employees need to know what you are thinking.

3. They praise their peers.

Truly loyal employees care: About the company, about its customers, about its mission… they feel they’re working for something greater than just themselves. So they appreciate when another employee does something great because that means the company is fulfilling its mission.

Employees that praise and recognize others, especially when it’s not their job to do so, don’t just display great interpersonal skills. (When you do something well, praise from your boss feels great… but it’s also, at least generally speaking, expected. At least it should be. Praise from a peer feels awesome, especially when you respect that person.)

By praising others, they show they care.

Caring forms the basis of loyalty.

4. They dissent and disagree

Every great company fosters debate and disagreement. Every great leader wants employees to question, to deliberate, and to push back. Weighing the positives and negatives of a decision, sharing conflicting opinions, playing devil's advocate… disagreement is healthy. It’s stimulating. It leads to better decisions.

Loyal employees share their opinions, even when they know you may not initially appreciate those opinions, because they want the company to be better tomorrow than it is today. And they’ll occasionally take stands against a point of view or decision.

5. They support in public.

After a decision is made, loyal employees get behind that decision even if they privately disagree. And they don’t just pay the decision lip service; they support the decision as if it were their own – because when you’re loyal, every decision is, ultimately, your own.

When they disagree, some employees (the not so loyal ones), whether passively or actively, try to show that a decision they disagreed with was in fact wrong.

A truly loyal employee puts aside his feelings and actively tries to make every decision the right decision – instead of willing it to fail so they can prove themselves right.

6. They tell you what you least want to hear.

The Inverse Rule of Candor states that the greater the difference in “rank,” the less likely an employee will be to openly take a different position: An entry-level employee is fairly likely to tell his direct supervisor that he disagrees with that supervisor’s decision, but he is almost totally unlikely to tell his boss’s boss’s boss that he disagrees with his decision.

If you’re the CEO, that means your direct reports may pull you aside for an open, forthright chat… but few other employees ever will.

Truly loyal employees know that what you least want to hear may be what you – and by extension your company – most need to hear: That an initiative won’t work, that a decision-making process is flawed, that a mistake has been made… truly loyal employees realize that while you may not like what you hear, ultimately you want to hear it because what matters most is doing what is best for your employees, your customers, and your company.

Well-intended silence can be a good sign of loyalty; speaking up, especially when it’s awkward or even painful to do so, can be the best sign.

7. They leave when they need to leave.

If you can’t tell by now, a truly loyal employee is almost always a sensational employee. Often, they’re your best employees – so the last thing you want is for them to leave.

Yet sometimes they do: For a different lifestyle, for a better opportunity, for a chance to move to a different industry, or simply to take what they’ve learned and start their own company.

When it’s time, they tell you it’s time to leave – and they help you prepare to fill the hole they create.

You? You’re disappointed but you wish them well. For a time, even if only for a few years, they put your company’s interests ahead of their own…

…and now it’s your turn to do the same for them. Of course, you can always make your most convincing arguments to encourage them to stay (hey, you’re loyal too!) – but if it doesn’t work out, the right thing to do is to return their loyalty, wish them well and help them continue to stay awesome.

Dharmesh Shah is founder/CTO at HubSpot .

7 Dos and Don'ts in Negotiating

Each and every day, we negotiate when we want something - be it help, advice, money, or better behavior - from someone else - our partner, our nanny, our employees, and our children. The easiest way to become comfortable in these less risky negotiations, says negotiation guru, Linda Swindling, is to watch powerful negotiators in action. She explains, "Influencers and decision makers ask questions and make decisions no matter how big or small the encounter. The best negotiators are professional and comfortable with everyone they meet from the front line to CEOs." 

As with many things, preparation also is key. Here are seven dos and don'ts for preparing to tackle negotiations, whether of the low-stakes, "little n," or high-stakes, "big N," variety:

1. Ask "Is this worth it?" You are busy and your time is valuable. Knowing in advance what you want is the first step in articulating it and achieving it. Before beginning any negotiation, big or small, ask yourself: "What do I want - and why?" Or, "What are the good business reasons I'm making this request?" And, "Is this direction worth my time and effort?"

When you prepare, identify what constitutes a "win" for you and have reasons to support your position. Your answers to these questions will help you determine your "must haves," or essentials, know when it is time to celebrate, and signal when you should walk away from a deal. Also, have a good idea of how the other side(s) would answer the "Is this worth it" questions. 2. Ask outrageously. One of the main reasons for not achieving a successful outcome is that people don't ask for what they want.  Get into the habit of asking for more than you think you deserve or ask someone to take less than they first propose. 
Start by asking outrageously in "safe places." For instance, ask a long-term vendor if you can have free shipping or a discount. If you don't feel comfortable asking at work, go practice at a yard sale or flea market. Ignore what your mom taught you about not being greedy or asking for seconds and go ask outrageously with strangers.
3. Be comfortable with silence. Ask and then give others time to answer. People need time to think and percolate on ideas. Don't fill that silence with nervous chatter. And don't withdraw your offer before you have an answer.  Silence can seem like forever. Count to ten if you have to or remind yourself that it isn't respectful to talk while someone else is pondering a response. 
4. Get comfortable with the word "no." What is the worst that can happen? If you ask respectfully, you might hear "no" or "not at this time." You'll be surprised at how many times people will say yes or give you additional information. As long as you are professional, your position won't be harmed. In fact, if you are not hearing "no," you are probably not asking for enough. 

5. Don't attempt to be a mind reader or know all the answers. Decision makers can spot someone who is pretending or stalling. Instead, prepare to the extent you can and stay curious. Ask others what they want. Here are a few safe questions, "If you could wave a magic wand and get everything you wanted, what outcome would you want to see happen?" or "I have my ideas of what you might want, but I'd really like to hear your desired outcomes. What are you looking for here?" 

6. Stop dwelling on past mistakes. Dwelling on past mistakes takes you off course and diminishes your effectiveness. You aren't perfect and you will make mistakes. Most mistakes are fixable. Don't suffer from "paralysis by analysis" which causes you to lose the power of timing that is critical in negotiating. You do not have the luxury of beating yourself up. Review what worked and what didn't and move on. 

7. Don't deal with people who can't make decisions.  Practice now with the small stuff. Start watching for people who can say "yes." The ones who can only say "no" do not have the power to move things forward. A hint to spotting them: the powerless stall with unreasonable processes and continually ask for more information but can't tell you when a decision will be made.

Source:About Linda is President and CEO of Women & Co., a service of Citi that brings women relevant financial content and thoughtful commentary.  She is the recipient of a 2011 Luminary Award from Womensphere® and was the New York recipient of the 2009 Corporate w2wlink Ascendancy Award.

White lion cubs from Japan!

Success is a State of Mind!

This weeks blog is not discussion on a topic, But an Incredible poem about success.

This has been taken from a book that was originally published in 1926...YES 1926.

"If you think you are beaten, you are;

If you think you dare not, you don't;

If you'd like to win, but you think you can't;

It's almost a cinch you won't;

If you think you'll lose, you've lost,

For out in the world you'll find,

Success begins with a fellow's will,

It's all in the state of mind.

Full many a race is lost,

Before even a race is run,

And many a cowards fail,

Before even his work's begun.

Think big, and your deeds will grow,

Think small and you fall behind,

Think that you can, and you will,

It's all in the state of mind.

If you think you are outclassed, you are,

You've got to think high to rise,

You've got to be sure of yourself before,

You can ever win a prize.

Life's battle doesn't always go,

To the stronger or faster man,

But sooner or later, the man who wins,

Is the fellow who thinks he can."

 Now if you can image that this kind of positive mind mentality was around in the late 1920's, Just imagine what is possible for you Now!

Source:SiliconDD

What is Confidence?

First things first: Confidence is not bravado, or swagger, or an overt pretense of bravery. Confidence is not some bold or brash air of self-belief directed at others.

Confidence is quiet: It’s a natural expression of ability, expertise, and self-regard.

I’m fortunate to know a number of truly confident people. Many work with me at HubSpot, others are fellow founders of their own startups some of whom I've met through my angel investment activity. But the majority are people I’ve met through my career and who work in a variety of industries and professions.

It comes as no surprise they all share a number of qualities:

1. They take a stand not because they think they are always right… but because they are not afraid to be wrong.

Cocky and conceited people tend to take a position and then proclaim, bluster, and totally disregard differing opinions or points of view. They know they’re right – and they want (actually they need) you to know it too.

Their behavior isn’t a sign of confidence, though; it’s the hallmark of an intellectual bully.

Truly confident people don’t mind being proven wrong. They feel finding out what is right is a lot more important than being right. And when they’re wrong, they’re secure enough to back down graciously.Truly confident people often admit they’re wrong or don’t have all the answers; intellectual bullies never do.

2. They listen ten times more than they speak.

Bragging is a mask for insecurity. Truly confident people are quiet and unassuming. They already know what they think; they want to know what you think.

So they ask open-ended questions that give other people the freedom to be thoughtful and introspective: They ask what you do, how you do it, what you like about it, what you learned from it… and what they should do if they find themselves in a similar situation.

Truly confident people realize they know a lot, but they wish they knew more… and they know the only way to learn more is to listen more.

3. They duck the spotlight so it shines on others.

Perhaps it’s true they did the bulk of the work. Perhaps they really did overcome the major obstacles. Perhaps it’s true they turned a collection of disparate individuals into an incredibly high performance team.

Truly confident people don’t care – at least they don’t show it. (Inside they’re proud, as well they should be.) Truly confident people don’t need the glory; they know what they’ve achieved.

They don’t need the validation of others, because true validation comes from within.

So they stand back and celebrate their accomplishments through others. They stand back and let others shine – a confidence boost that helps those people become truly confident, too.

4. They freely ask for help.

Many people feel asking for help is a sign of weakness; implicit in the request is a lack of knowledge, skill, or experience.

Confident people are secure enough to admit a weakness. So they often ask others for help, not only because they are secure enough to admit they need help but also because they know that when they seek help they pay the person they ask a huge compliment.

Saying, “Can you help me?” shows tremendous respect for that individual’s expertise and judgment. Otherwise you wouldn't ask.

5. They think, “Why not me?”

Many people feel they have to wait: To be promoted, to be hired, to be selected, to be chosen... like the old Hollywood cliché, to somehow be discovered.

Truly confident people know that access is almost universal. They can connect with almost anyone through social media. (Everyone you know knows someone you should know.) They know they can attract their own funding, create their own products, build their own relationships and networks, choose their own path – they can choose to follow whatever course they wish.

And very quietly, without calling attention to themselves, they go out and do it.

6. They don't put down other people.

Generally speaking, the people who like to gossip, who like to speak badly of others, do so because they hope by comparison to make themselves look better.

The only comparison a truly confident person makes is to the person she was yesterday – and to the person she hopes to someday become.

7. They aren’t afraid to look silly…

Running around in your underwear is certainly taking it to extremes… but when you’re truly confident, you don’t mind occasionally being in a situation where you aren't at your best.

(And oddly enough, people tend to respect you more when you do – not less.)

8. … And they own their mistakes.

Insecurity tends to breed artificiality; confidence breeds sincerity and honesty.

That’s why truly confident people admit their mistakes. They dine out on their screw-ups. They don’t mind serving as a cautionary tale. They don’t mind being a source of laughter – for others and for themselves.

When you’re truly confident, you don’t mind occasionally “looking bad.” You realize that when you’re genuine and unpretentious, people don’t laugh at you.They laugh with you.

9. They only seek approval from the people who really matter.

You say you have 10k Twitter followers? Swell. 20k Facebook friends? Cool. A professional and social network of hundreds or even thousands? That’s great.

But that also pales in comparison to earning the trust and respect of the few people in your life that truly matter.

When we earn their trust and respect, no matter where we go or what we try, we do it with true confidence – because we know the people who truly matter the most are truly behind us.

Dharmesh Shah is founder/CTO at HubSpot