The new Customer Relationship Manager from Kotak Bank, Hyderabad called me. I was lucky to hear his voice second time. During the first conversation I requested him to suggest some measures to make up my huge loss.
He continues the call like this "Sir, market is very bad. Share prices have come down heavily. You have almost lost 65% of your worth, so we are not suggesting you to invest in any equity. It is very risky now and we have some good schemes around FD, etc. Pl. stay away from investment and we will review this once SENSEX reaches 15000 by mid 2009." I asked "what do you mean by not to invest". I patiently heard again his same logic. I just wondered and asked "my dear, think of a situation that I have cancer and went to a Doctor for advice. The Doctor says you have Cancer and any way you are going to Die so just sit back and enjoy. What would you say if this is the answer. I am coming to you for a specific answer that how can I make up the losses through some structured investment plan. What I want is some suggestion to invest in various instruments like FD, SIP, Govt securities etc for different intervals so that I am clear when I can make up the losses and in what period. I also go through Economic Times daily and understand little about the market. Please don't say that anyway I am going to die so just don't pursue any medicine" I do not know; he never expected this kind of question and could not answer anything convincingly.
What is the role of a Bank and the logic in treating customers with tag 'Gold Customer' etc? What is the role of Customer Relationship Manager who never calls a customer for months together? What is the role of Relationship Manager who has no clue how an ailing customer could be helped out with some tips to recover his losses? I am completely disappointed....
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Criticality of Job Description
I was surprised to see a mail from our HR Director in Hyderabad Unit to a Vendor directly for submitting some resumes to a Hiring Manager in Mumbai for a niche requirement we had. Usually I need to approve the vendor usage and this process is being handled only by Recruitment Team that directly report to me. I enquired with my Senior Manager, Mahesh as to what is happening. He too was surprised to see the action. Later, the Delivery Head called me to inform that Mahesh and Team are working on this requirement for the last couple of weeks but nothing seems to be moving hence he approached the HR Director at the Unit. I advised Mahesh to meet the Delivery Head to know as to why this helplessness at the Unit.
As per Mahesh this requirement came only on 21st and it is for a niche skill - Custody (part of Banking) with Java. His team submitted profiles immediately but not found suitable. The Hiring Manager sits in Mumbai whereas Mahesh sits in Hyderabad. I advised Mahesh to first get the proper Job Description. He told that Job Description has already been given. When I reviewed, it was only with few words like, Experience : 4 -5 years, Skill: Custody, Java, etc. I could sense some communication gap and advised the Mumbai Recruitment Lead, Sunil to go and meet the Hiring Manager personally. Sunil could gather the "untold" part of the Job Description and published the expectation to Mahesh. Mahesh is very aggressive and capable of meeting any tough target.
I feel, when any business requirement comes, it is very necessary a constructive dialogue happens between the Recruiter and Hiring Manager. This should follow with publishing a Minutes of Meeting to all stake holders. During this meeting one should keep in mind following needs:
1. Understanding the business need - as to why the customer is identifying candidates
2. Role of the candidate to be recruited
3. Experience level and location
4. Domain expertise needed - including the sub modules
5. Expectation at the customer/project site - dynamics, environment, etc.
6. Preferences of the final interviewer against skill level, complexity, etc
7. Project status - what stage OR which part of SDLC - Requirement Gathering, Build, Test, UAT, Go Live or Support
8. The need is for an application development OR for support - what percentage of enhancement/configuration involved OR it is a Level 1, 2, 3 OR 4 Support project.
9. Soft issues - like working in the night, requirement of 24/7 on the call support, travelling, etc.
I have seen Recruiters just jump to any requirement that is being raised by a Hiring Manager and then submit profiles which ultimately get rejected. Utter wastage of productivity. Until and unless we are clear as to what the Business needs, niche and critical requirements can hardly be closed easily.
As per Mahesh this requirement came only on 21st and it is for a niche skill - Custody (part of Banking) with Java. His team submitted profiles immediately but not found suitable. The Hiring Manager sits in Mumbai whereas Mahesh sits in Hyderabad. I advised Mahesh to first get the proper Job Description. He told that Job Description has already been given. When I reviewed, it was only with few words like, Experience : 4 -5 years, Skill: Custody, Java, etc. I could sense some communication gap and advised the Mumbai Recruitment Lead, Sunil to go and meet the Hiring Manager personally. Sunil could gather the "untold" part of the Job Description and published the expectation to Mahesh. Mahesh is very aggressive and capable of meeting any tough target.
I feel, when any business requirement comes, it is very necessary a constructive dialogue happens between the Recruiter and Hiring Manager. This should follow with publishing a Minutes of Meeting to all stake holders. During this meeting one should keep in mind following needs:
1. Understanding the business need - as to why the customer is identifying candidates
2. Role of the candidate to be recruited
3. Experience level and location
4. Domain expertise needed - including the sub modules
5. Expectation at the customer/project site - dynamics, environment, etc.
6. Preferences of the final interviewer against skill level, complexity, etc
7. Project status - what stage OR which part of SDLC - Requirement Gathering, Build, Test, UAT, Go Live or Support
8. The need is for an application development OR for support - what percentage of enhancement/configuration involved OR it is a Level 1, 2, 3 OR 4 Support project.
9. Soft issues - like working in the night, requirement of 24/7 on the call support, travelling, etc.
I have seen Recruiters just jump to any requirement that is being raised by a Hiring Manager and then submit profiles which ultimately get rejected. Utter wastage of productivity. Until and unless we are clear as to what the Business needs, niche and critical requirements can hardly be closed easily.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Surfing in Chennai
Ever since one of my colleagues, who became close friend had three massive heart attacks recently, we have been discussing "health" at home. I and Beena have been arguing what to eat, how to take care of health, where and when to walk, etc. and it usually end up in unnecessary arguments. However, today I thought being in Thiruvanmiyur , that also just seven minutes away from the Beach and not go for a walk, what will "people" think about my laziness. I therefore decided to have a morning walk today. It was around 9.30am and Beena started telling that only "MAD" will go for a walk at this time. However, I have seen people jogging at 1.30pm in New Jersey that too summer days. So, I felt it is Okay.
The road opposite to my apartment takes me to the Beach. I started walking and in the middle I felt there is no road as it was full of water. Mind you, Chennai is experiencing rains. Flash of a second, to my mind, the scene in an Adoor Gopalakrishnan's movie Elipathayam appeared, wherein, Karamana starts walking and stopped in between because the passer by vehicle spoiled his white dhoti and returned home. I can not be that lazy and struggled to pass through the pavement and reached the Beach. It was very cloudy and I was feeling good.
All of a sudden I saw a foreigner coming with a surf boat in Hyundai Sonata. I curiously observed what is happening. I also saw then an American family coming there. He took almost fifteen minutes to remove the boat and then started walking towards the sea. I also went behind him.....and there were ten other people to follow him. He started swimming. I tried to inter act with the family who came along with him. I enquired how safe it is..........they told me it is very safe. They mentioned that they are not seeing much surfing in India. They were also wondering whether Indians know swimming. I also learnt today that it is not the breadth and height of the wave that matters for surfing but the quality of continuous wave. The guy who in the water was struggling to stand up on the boat and we could see his expertise just for seconds. They enquired where I belong to. I introduced myself and told them that I belong to Kerala but settled in AP, that too in Hyderabad. They were knowing the places well and aware of Vizag and Kerala.
I have seen boat and kite surfing only in New Jersey and also in Malibu beach. To see such a scene in Chennai was a great surprise and nice experience.
Therefore my morning walk was a good one today though I did not burn lot of calories......... instead of walking, I was chatting with the family.
The road opposite to my apartment takes me to the Beach. I started walking and in the middle I felt there is no road as it was full of water. Mind you, Chennai is experiencing rains. Flash of a second, to my mind, the scene in an Adoor Gopalakrishnan's movie Elipathayam appeared, wherein, Karamana starts walking and stopped in between because the passer by vehicle spoiled his white dhoti and returned home. I can not be that lazy and struggled to pass through the pavement and reached the Beach. It was very cloudy and I was feeling good.
All of a sudden I saw a foreigner coming with a surf boat in Hyundai Sonata. I curiously observed what is happening. I also saw then an American family coming there. He took almost fifteen minutes to remove the boat and then started walking towards the sea. I also went behind him.....and there were ten other people to follow him. He started swimming. I tried to inter act with the family who came along with him. I enquired how safe it is..........they told me it is very safe. They mentioned that they are not seeing much surfing in India. They were also wondering whether Indians know swimming. I also learnt today that it is not the breadth and height of the wave that matters for surfing but the quality of continuous wave. The guy who in the water was struggling to stand up on the boat and we could see his expertise just for seconds. They enquired where I belong to. I introduced myself and told them that I belong to Kerala but settled in AP, that too in Hyderabad. They were knowing the places well and aware of Vizag and Kerala.
I have seen boat and kite surfing only in New Jersey and also in Malibu beach. To see such a scene in Chennai was a great surprise and nice experience.
Therefore my morning walk was a good one today though I did not burn lot of calories......... instead of walking, I was chatting with the family.
Friday, November 21, 2008
20/20 MALAYALAM MOVIE......lucky day.
We wanted to see Twenty Twenty (20/20) the highly publicised malayalam movie no sooner it is released in Chennai. First I and Beena started debating whether our son Unni will also like to come for this or not. My son Vishnu (Unni) is studying in SRM Engineering College and stays in the Hostel. I was for "yes" but she was not convinced. Anyway, I reserved three tickets through my friend in the office for an evening show at 7.45pm in Mayajaal. I reached home little early to get ready. Unni had Computer exam today from 2pm to 5pm. Beena was busy in preparing the dinner for my Papa. I tried Unni and informed him that we are going for this movie and to our surprise he told that he also want to see this. It was already 6pm and I told him, though we have three tickets, he may not be able to reach Thiruvanmiyur to make it. Unni boards local train from Potheri, gets down at Guindy and then takes an Auto to Thiruvanmiyur. It will atleast take 1 hour 45 minutes. On reaching Mayajaal, we could see lot of youngsters ready to enter into the Screen no. 6 and shouting slogan "Mamu Ka zindabad" and "Lalettan Zindabad" outside. It was a high pitched competition with two groups. This itself was a great enjoyment before the movie started.
The movie started and the entire hall was with full of shouting and whistling with slogans of Mamootty and Mohanlal. It is a three hour movie engaging all the stars you can think of. Mamootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dilip leading from the front. We counted around 64 of them I felt it to be a very good movie with a good grip - though the story line is weak. The editing, photography and direction is superb. Joshy has shown his experience. Joshy could knit the scenes so well that you will not lose and get bored at all in three hours. I and Beena felt that Suresh Gopi has done a very good job. I have never seen any Suresh Gopi movie till now as I dont like his movies. I also felt that he has played the role in such way that is beating down the importance of Mohanlal and Mamooty. Overall it is worth watching movie. The only negative part - Songs and Dance scenes are not great and what all we can expect in a movie.
It was a lucky day for us....
The movie started and the entire hall was with full of shouting and whistling with slogans of Mamootty and Mohanlal. It is a three hour movie engaging all the stars you can think of. Mamootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, Jayaram and Dilip leading from the front. We counted around 64 of them I felt it to be a very good movie with a good grip - though the story line is weak. The editing, photography and direction is superb. Joshy has shown his experience. Joshy could knit the scenes so well that you will not lose and get bored at all in three hours. I and Beena felt that Suresh Gopi has done a very good job. I have never seen any Suresh Gopi movie till now as I dont like his movies. I also felt that he has played the role in such way that is beating down the importance of Mohanlal and Mamooty. Overall it is worth watching movie. The only negative part - Songs and Dance scenes are not great and what all we can expect in a movie.
It was a lucky day for us....
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Offer to Joining
The title term pertains to Recruitment area and it is used as one of the important metric to measure the effectiveness of the recruitment. Lot of effort put in each step from sourcing profiles through various means to selection to offer stage hence any offer rejection amounts to wastage of effort by Recruitment and concerned Hiring Team. Some time, it also results in to loss of revenue OR opportunities. I have been observing the pattern of higher offer rejections from 2006. The situation was very bad and the industry average was at 50% i.e. if we give ten offer letters, only five will join. whereas with lot of my initiative and support from my Team, we could always maintain an offer to joining ratio of 70%. This was a hot topic in all our review meetings. The main reason was demand supply gap in the market at that point in time.
However, currently the market is so down and hardly any recruitment happening. My Boss and all Senior Managers think that lot of IT candidates are available in the market. Ironically, today also there is no change in the behaviour pattern of this community and they will not turn up on the day of joining.
Candidates give various reasons like - death in the family, accident OR disability all of a sudden, skin allergy, difference of opinion with wife OR husband, location problem, food problem, high traffic jam, stays in the West part of a city whereas the opportunity is in the East, wants to work only in development project, needs only on site assignment, existing company is offering better package, inability to leave the current Project Manager, climate is not suitable for the Puppy, and any reason you can think of. There are also a section of candidates who accept offer and they will have no major reason but do not want to move and this intuition comes just when they go to bed on the previous day.
I get surprised to see enthusiasm of my Team members when they get to see a matching resume with some good content against a burning business need. The Recruiter will immediately run with the resume to the Delivery Manager and then both of them get on to a call to start selling the opportunity, company, role, designation, salary, perks, location, training, canteen facility available, etc.etc. The sales guy will be singing the same tune besides with Gucci goggle in hand wearing a Tissot that we must get this candidate as it is for opening a BIG DOOR at customer site. End of the day all go happily thinking that they zeroed in a candidate. The Recruiter will then be maintaining close touch with the candidate only to realise on the day of joining it is an Offer Decline.
I have been trying various creative ideas but there is no end to this menace. There was a classic example before two weeks. My Senior Manager was in touch with a candidate who has very niche skill. The Manager was very confident that the candidate will definitely join. He ensured the previous night of joining day that the candidate is comfortable to take a morning flight but came to know that he already reached the location and all set to join. The Manager was so happy and gone for a dinner party with his close friend. He again called the candidate in the morning and came to know he has boarded the right bus at 7am. At around 11am, Manager gets a call from the Delivery Manager to ascertain whereabouts of the GREAT expert. All confusion!!! The Manager started checking whether there is a bomb explosion or any major accident en route. He started calling the mobile found it is switched off. The mobile not switched on after that. We can solve a murder after sixteen years in India and arrest the suspects but can not solve the cases of offer decline candidates.
I have no idea why candidate waste their precious time in taking interviews and discussions. I have no idea what fun they get in emotional cheating. The IT community is considered to be best talented class in India and to maintain this tag, it is high time qualified candidates change their mind set.
However, currently the market is so down and hardly any recruitment happening. My Boss and all Senior Managers think that lot of IT candidates are available in the market. Ironically, today also there is no change in the behaviour pattern of this community and they will not turn up on the day of joining.
Candidates give various reasons like - death in the family, accident OR disability all of a sudden, skin allergy, difference of opinion with wife OR husband, location problem, food problem, high traffic jam, stays in the West part of a city whereas the opportunity is in the East, wants to work only in development project, needs only on site assignment, existing company is offering better package, inability to leave the current Project Manager, climate is not suitable for the Puppy, and any reason you can think of. There are also a section of candidates who accept offer and they will have no major reason but do not want to move and this intuition comes just when they go to bed on the previous day.
I get surprised to see enthusiasm of my Team members when they get to see a matching resume with some good content against a burning business need. The Recruiter will immediately run with the resume to the Delivery Manager and then both of them get on to a call to start selling the opportunity, company, role, designation, salary, perks, location, training, canteen facility available, etc.etc. The sales guy will be singing the same tune besides with Gucci goggle in hand wearing a Tissot that we must get this candidate as it is for opening a BIG DOOR at customer site. End of the day all go happily thinking that they zeroed in a candidate. The Recruiter will then be maintaining close touch with the candidate only to realise on the day of joining it is an Offer Decline.
I have been trying various creative ideas but there is no end to this menace. There was a classic example before two weeks. My Senior Manager was in touch with a candidate who has very niche skill. The Manager was very confident that the candidate will definitely join. He ensured the previous night of joining day that the candidate is comfortable to take a morning flight but came to know that he already reached the location and all set to join. The Manager was so happy and gone for a dinner party with his close friend. He again called the candidate in the morning and came to know he has boarded the right bus at 7am. At around 11am, Manager gets a call from the Delivery Manager to ascertain whereabouts of the GREAT expert. All confusion!!! The Manager started checking whether there is a bomb explosion or any major accident en route. He started calling the mobile found it is switched off. The mobile not switched on after that. We can solve a murder after sixteen years in India and arrest the suspects but can not solve the cases of offer decline candidates.
I have no idea why candidate waste their precious time in taking interviews and discussions. I have no idea what fun they get in emotional cheating. The IT community is considered to be best talented class in India and to maintain this tag, it is high time qualified candidates change their mind set.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Risk awareness
From the day I have relocated to Chennai, I am struggling to converse with local junta with local language i.e. Tamil. Since I am from Palakkad, Kerala, I can understand Tamil little bit but can not speak. It was after one year I found an Autowala who knows Hindi. His name is Jamil. He is very sincere to me and has been giving me ride back home every day.
I enjoyed today's ride totally. Paisa vasool. As soon as we started the ride, he mentions "sir market is very much down". I told "yes things are pretty bad and prices of everything is falling except vegetables". Today, any vegetable in Chennai costs minimum Rs. 40/- per KG. Jamil continues "yes sir, you know in Mumbai and Delhi, if you buy one flat you will get another free of cost"....I was surprised as to how this guy knows all this......hmmm.......he continues......"sir there is bank called HEFC.......(I corrected him ...may be HDFC)...han.....han........HDFC......it has 500 branches and it is reducing branches and staff. I told "Oh is it....I am not aware but I heard Citibank is reducing staff"........Jamil says "What sir, why are you talking about Citibank, you know its share price".......I asked him what "Rs. 4/-".........I told him it is not Rs. 4/-, may be $4......and he says "yeah may be in dollars but things are pretty bad and you know sir.....it is a great time for people who have money......they can invest in shares and make big gains"........I kept mum for a long time and got involved with usual chore of taking calls from my team members.
Both points must be wrong but I was amazed to know the market updates of Jamil. Also on the seriousness of risk awareness even at the lowest ebb of society.
I enjoyed today's ride totally. Paisa vasool. As soon as we started the ride, he mentions "sir market is very much down". I told "yes things are pretty bad and prices of everything is falling except vegetables". Today, any vegetable in Chennai costs minimum Rs. 40/- per KG. Jamil continues "yes sir, you know in Mumbai and Delhi, if you buy one flat you will get another free of cost"....I was surprised as to how this guy knows all this......hmmm.......he continues......"sir there is bank called HEFC.......(I corrected him ...may be HDFC)...han.....han........HDFC......it has 500 branches and it is reducing branches and staff. I told "Oh is it....I am not aware but I heard Citibank is reducing staff"........Jamil says "What sir, why are you talking about Citibank, you know its share price".......I asked him what "Rs. 4/-".........I told him it is not Rs. 4/-, may be $4......and he says "yeah may be in dollars but things are pretty bad and you know sir.....it is a great time for people who have money......they can invest in shares and make big gains"........I kept mum for a long time and got involved with usual chore of taking calls from my team members.
Both points must be wrong but I was amazed to know the market updates of Jamil. Also on the seriousness of risk awareness even at the lowest ebb of society.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Risk
I have been thinking of creating a blog for some time. Today was a hectic day but wanted to create this blog at any cost. The inspiration comes from the risk I am going through.
My friends used to call me and update how they invested in a three bed room flat or in a better and bigger land piece. However, everything looks to be risky all of a sudden. Till recently, I was thinking of various better options in my life - purchasing a car, a better home, entering share market big time - but today everything seems to be different. Today, I am only hearing bad and sad news or encountering chaos all over. I lost considerable money in mutual fund and thought of exiting from my investment kept with Kotak Bank. I called my relationship executive and suddenly a new voice comes on line and updates me that the person who was handling my portfolio. No information or hand shake. This new guy wants to study and then meet me and by then today the SENSEX shed another 350+ points.
Bad news continues...... A close colleague of mine had three heart-attacks all of a sudden, one other colleague met with an accident, wife of my ex-boss is going through a bad phase, my close friend's brother aged 40 died all of a sudden in sleep, family of my friend met with a serious accident on the way to Tirupati leaving only one person alive. I am not sure, why I am hearing only this kind of news.
Bad news continues............my profession is into recruitment of software professionals. It is always challenging but now most of the candidates are giving my a Team a big blow by not joining in the last minute. This happens even after maintaning a close touch with them for weeks together.
I may be lucky tomorrow to get some great news. Till then bye.
My friends used to call me and update how they invested in a three bed room flat or in a better and bigger land piece. However, everything looks to be risky all of a sudden. Till recently, I was thinking of various better options in my life - purchasing a car, a better home, entering share market big time - but today everything seems to be different. Today, I am only hearing bad and sad news or encountering chaos all over. I lost considerable money in mutual fund and thought of exiting from my investment kept with Kotak Bank. I called my relationship executive and suddenly a new voice comes on line and updates me that the person who was handling my portfolio. No information or hand shake. This new guy wants to study and then meet me and by then today the SENSEX shed another 350+ points.
Bad news continues...... A close colleague of mine had three heart-attacks all of a sudden, one other colleague met with an accident, wife of my ex-boss is going through a bad phase, my close friend's brother aged 40 died all of a sudden in sleep, family of my friend met with a serious accident on the way to Tirupati leaving only one person alive. I am not sure, why I am hearing only this kind of news.
Bad news continues............my profession is into recruitment of software professionals. It is always challenging but now most of the candidates are giving my a Team a big blow by not joining in the last minute. This happens even after maintaning a close touch with them for weeks together.
I may be lucky tomorrow to get some great news. Till then bye.
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