tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2690378207094827132024-03-05T13:33:59.860+05:30 POWER OF PUBLIC RELATIONS - SPINNING MORE THAN A YARN!Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.comBlogger129125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-4521865625062136432018-06-26T00:15:00.000+05:302018-08-14T00:16:44.274+05:30Consumers vs. Social Media What and when to rant on Facebook, Twitter, TripAdvisor, LinkedIn!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNvYyM8IBPaTFcThNKaPLA_lEeyVbGiVkw78CIhFIm37H7MfF1hSHx0Xd91Pi5sIBmEEkG51m2mfxdmyUhDwLH6Yqzucr-83oiPI3Gf7p7ZBz1zsATuDEcav9CCWQBHYex5-udOJPwNnB/s1600/Social+media+complaining+-+Huffpost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="628" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNvYyM8IBPaTFcThNKaPLA_lEeyVbGiVkw78CIhFIm37H7MfF1hSHx0Xd91Pi5sIBmEEkG51m2mfxdmyUhDwLH6Yqzucr-83oiPI3Gf7p7ZBz1zsATuDEcav9CCWQBHYex5-udOJPwNnB/s640/Social+media+complaining+-+Huffpost.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Picture courtesy - Huffpost</b></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I think in the ever-evolving, overly technocratic yet exceedingly humanized world, the best thing that happened to us was, undoubtedly, the birth of Internet i</span><span style="font-size: large;">n the early 90s. It shrunk the world, blurred the boundaries and brought everything closer home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The second best thing to have happened to the increasingly consumerized world was the advent of Social Media about a little more than a decade later. With the appearance of Facebook, we all became kings and queens of our personal fiefdoms. With Twitter, our levels of temptation went right back to the level that began it all at the Garden of Eden. With little thought or concern, we are gnawingly biting into the apple (pun intended) in our hand. And with WhatsApp, we have the perspicacity and penchant to drive our noses in every business – ours or others – wherever a two inch and a quarter apparatus will wedge in.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have two visions when I think of Social Media vis-à-vis us. In the hands of wise common folk, thought leaders, opinion makers, influencers it is all good and hopefully sane. However, when we hit the realm of the unwise and not so prudent, mature and stable, I feel the beatific and wondrous social media in our hands is like a big bunch of bananas in the hands of a monkey – too much of a good thing that will do terrible things to our tummy. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The other vision I increasingly get, seeing all the temper, rage, tantrum, ego, power play flash across the various forums is that of a monkey with a wrench. If the monkey is trained and composed, he will get some good work done. If not, then he will simply play dangerously with the wrench chucking it high up in the air, catching it sometimes but mostly having it land perilously on his crown to much pain and discomfort.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And that pretty much surmises how a lot of us mishandle social media. Of particular concern is our mismanagement of this wonderful tool in relation to our equation with brands and the purveyors of those brands.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPzGouLCYZ0eUCY3pxKK1HkYfWIheqzXwgMOIj4KPdFhym8VetJ_NwxBZUJvL_-4fHkCgHESQAEcs8P0HMpXnU5zz6NC-VvObxmAN8NadEPLt317Uf6qB8Wtjj8yYsnpxV3k4st7sf2c1/s1600/Complaining+on+Social+Media.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="420" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPzGouLCYZ0eUCY3pxKK1HkYfWIheqzXwgMOIj4KPdFhym8VetJ_NwxBZUJvL_-4fHkCgHESQAEcs8P0HMpXnU5zz6NC-VvObxmAN8NadEPLt317Uf6qB8Wtjj8yYsnpxV3k4st7sf2c1/s640/Complaining+on+Social+Media.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Picture courtesy - Google Images</b></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I hail from the hospitality industry – an industry that is of the people, by the people and for the people like no other. With the emergence of platforms such as TripAdvisor, the guests - as consumers are traditionally called – are taking to the medium with a vengeance. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A Facebook friend, Sanjay Austa runs a lovely resorty cottage called Meena Bagh in Shimla, which he lovingly built brick by brick and opened a year and a half back. It is a rather beautiful place that transports you to the La La Land. Recently, a Delhi family of nine, together with their ill-mannered and badly behaved brood stayed at the Cottage, running amuck and trashing the place in unimaginably deplorable ways. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They even decided to walk away with some knick-knacks and ornamental items from the Cottage. Now, I am no stranger to such guest behaviour. Once while with The Imperial, we were regaled about an East European guest who stuffed his suitcases with bespoke, expensive cut glass and crystal vases and bowls from his suite on his departure. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Housekeeping obviously found out, tip-toed around the issue, alarmed the Duty Manager who alerted and enlisted the support of the Senior Management at hand. The guest was confronted as courteously as possible given the situation and requested to check out without decamping with the loot. The guest, who had been caught red-handed, in turn, mumbled something incoherent to escape the embarrassing event and beat a hasty retreat. Social media had not quite set in then.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Going back to the Meena Bagh story, when confronted, the “leading” lady kept dangling the INR 45000 price tag attached to their two-night stay for everything – from stealing stuff from the property to intimidating the caretaker and other gentle hill staff to damaging the place that has been carefully maintained. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because an exposé of sorts had happened on the ground (and the staff had enough proof to support their complaint and claim), the lady of the pack felt humiliated and disrespected and initially refused to pay up. Upon insistence from the Manager, the bills were settled but the lady found her ego so badly bruised that she decided to take out her ire on social media. She wrote a scathing review on that holy grail-ish review aggregator TripAdvisor! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Owner of the cottage felt that he and his hill home had been wronged and decided to call out the guest and her false review. Austa steeled himself up, given that he is in the business of hospitality, but responded to the review point by point describing in detail just how rapaciously his cottage had been ruined, also letting the guest know that pictures had been taken to chronicle exactly what they had done. And he countered, with wit and a sense of repartee, on the same public platform leaving no scope for conjecture and shady comebacks.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I spoke to Sanjay about dealing with such guests from hell and about the role of Social Media in this. To the first, he said he was saddened to see that some guests were using social media as a terror tactic. ‘If you do not let us be or if you do not offer us a discount or if you do not meet our unrealistic demand, then we will give you a bad rating or write an unfavourable review,’ seems to be the threat loomed out. Thankfully brands and brand owners are wisening up to this and ill-intentioned customers will not be able to engage in this dirty trick, for long.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The other laudable thing that came out in this incident was that TripAdvisor weighed both sides of the story and decided to bring down the negative review since it lacked authenticity and only stemmed out of a personal grouse.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>THE MEENA BAGH, SHIMLA CASE STUDY</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplVz-cTpBoPu1SaoVKM9BHjIXKRsCqEi6zLWaRBhGDlF3kynSf5jr_1sB8HWnaECjczT4dfLlM9FsSBg35L6hhIS81xemYldPMtouMYRTJzl45ieblFiWC-AsfzRaqZqcFRxY8hUZaGfP/s1600/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1371" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplVz-cTpBoPu1SaoVKM9BHjIXKRsCqEi6zLWaRBhGDlF3kynSf5jr_1sB8HWnaECjczT4dfLlM9FsSBg35L6hhIS81xemYldPMtouMYRTJzl45ieblFiWC-AsfzRaqZqcFRxY8hUZaGfP/s640/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-1.jpg" width="548" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ32qXQHo5OVYivuwfU4WONuCtueGBvMQ0wwk-ku6Nst3vawBWIeJ729wJ4VKFL043YILjO5m4SmGJs_P_s6j5_WR8sSAZLtJOaF5yQrUVkPHMIBxW2awbqqsApvb-XawCmrj8jwqCqdl/s1600/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ32qXQHo5OVYivuwfU4WONuCtueGBvMQ0wwk-ku6Nst3vawBWIeJ729wJ4VKFL043YILjO5m4SmGJs_P_s6j5_WR8sSAZLtJOaF5yQrUVkPHMIBxW2awbqqsApvb-XawCmrj8jwqCqdl/s640/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-2.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLRL5um152nKTx2RELG5JMFqvQnCYnmayb7Y4llDt3LpPZaIVcqAEAKNWyNFobDnRmJxP4X1IfymLHUFKN66bpJk37UjqnZlhOKqnwZNepZZ4Roghq3lTI2F7lgCnavsGr-pIFR_AilHM/s1600/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1403" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTLRL5um152nKTx2RELG5JMFqvQnCYnmayb7Y4llDt3LpPZaIVcqAEAKNWyNFobDnRmJxP4X1IfymLHUFKN66bpJk37UjqnZlhOKqnwZNepZZ4Roghq3lTI2F7lgCnavsGr-pIFR_AilHM/s640/The+Meena+Bagh+Shimla+Case+Study-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Because we can easily air our opinions on Social Media, because we can approach just that right person sitting in the headquarters without much effort unlike earlier times, because we can shoot and upload videos and photos to be viewed by the world at large, because we get our fragile egos easily battered and can set out with so much ease to seek revenge using Twitter or TripAdvisor or Zomato to ruin painstakingly built reputations, we, as customers, are losing a sense of fairness and balance. Remember that monkey with the wrench! Many times he gets it right and employs the wrench effectively but several other times, he ends up either hurting others or getting a bump on his own head.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">No brand worth its salt and backing of a strong brand reputation built on customer trust and gained over years of existence will want to destroy it by offering bad products and shoddy service. Yes, glitches happen. Sometimes more than what should be permissible. Yet no brand – be it a can of Cola, or a shoemaker or a safety pin company, a hotel, a swish eating out place, heck even a local Dhaba, a pharma firm, Country’s leading Atta maker, a Toilet Roll manufacturer or any other product manufacturer or service provider – will want to dish out faulty products and poor service. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">For companies it means a double loss – first in manufacturing or in service delivery, then in the ad spends and marketing budgets – if they get the main crux wrong and platter out the wrong deal to the customer.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With Social Media becoming the new age Consumer Courts, but much more efficient and timely and consumer-centric than what the CC’s ever were, the brands hang by a thin thread lest they be crucified on YouTube or roasted on Twitter.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes issues get kicked up into a huge storm and attract a large number of eyeballs and reactions. Remember the case of Mr. Katyal vs. Indigo Airlines that happened towards the end of last year? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here’s that episode - <a href="https://www.dailyo.in/voices/indigo-airlines-assault-civil-aviation-hospitality-industry-service-providers/story/1/20488.html">https://www.dailyo.in/voices/indigo-airlines-assault-civil-aviation-hospitality-industry-service-providers/story/1/20488.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The flyer felt affronted upon being corrected by a lowly staff member, put others and his own self in jeopardy by being careless on the tarmac, slapped and shoved the Airline staff only to get pinned down by the ill-trained handlers, told them to FO and then went on to divide the society along the class lines.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">We all sat on the judgment in our Social Media gravatars, pronouncing punishments, seeking for heads to roll, tsk-tsking about what the world had come to be. Some of us, in class affinity with Katyal, felt we could be next to face such rowdy ruthless treatment by an Airline, despite no fault of ours. After all, we from certain strata of society have the privilege of throwing an expletive on those below us or treating them as s*** and getting away with our ways because you know, as the saying goes in Delhi and large parts of North India, “Do you know who I am?”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Only a really tiny percentage of sensible, educated people who couldn’t care less about TRPs and a populist vote spoke about how wrong Katyal was in standing close to a Plane’s wing and in throwing a tantrum on the tarmac – something that could have brought in grave tragedy which is what the unfortunately boorish staff was more maniacal about, to begin with.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, after the identified slacker and instigator from the Airline staff was terminated and the Indigo honcho gave an apology, the dust settled over our Social media universe and peace returned to our personal worlds till the time we were ready for the next virtual battle.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Another Hotel friend tells me how guests threaten to write a bad review on Social Media to wangle a discount or an additional service or even a complimentary stay. There are Zomato stories of low ratings to get a free pizza or a meal comped off. Earlier the customer was considered king, but with the opportunity of being seen and heard on social media, he is threatening to be Emperor Royal, demanding his word to be the last.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Having said that, Social media and its role in offering redressal is a boon in cases of App-based businesses that run on and through social media. Hotel and restaurant booking sites, transportation companies like Ola and Uber come to mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Still, success is not easy to beget. The resident enfant terrible cum niece uses the two cab services for her daily commute to work and comes back with strangely harrowing tales of how unresponsive, careless and untrained the Ola or Uber support hubs or Twitter handle managers or backhand Navigating teams are. They will stubbornly not respond to even genuine complaints, if they do come back then it is with the standard, silly, scripted response that may have no bearing to the complaint and when they do offer a quick fix, it is so ludicrously paltry and inconsequentially unapologetic that it puts off the customer even more.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But given all the parameters, Social media is still one hell of a great tool to draw attention to issues and causes and get a solution for them. Swapan Seth, an owner of an Advertising Agency was exasperated with Urban Ladder – the online Furniture company. He unsubscribed himself unsuccessfully about 17 times from their mailing list but the plight of spamming continued. He then took to Twitter to send an acerbic message, in English and in Swahili to drive the sarcasm home, asking them to get their act together. He got a response almost immediately promising him action.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-7IPlIguvAIBlAkHeWkd14zwnojAR_kDJ6mqT3rbl0OMhz3S0Xuak91SQ0mVZdfPS6jq00RDBKpAQeb_0V7L95p0qj-CldcGVmwcIh7G3ibnC5ACu6pntCwZD2qdu_G1zKLXJofyG94u/s1600/Seth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="326" data-original-width="568" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-7IPlIguvAIBlAkHeWkd14zwnojAR_kDJ6mqT3rbl0OMhz3S0Xuak91SQ0mVZdfPS6jq00RDBKpAQeb_0V7L95p0qj-CldcGVmwcIh7G3ibnC5ACu6pntCwZD2qdu_G1zKLXJofyG94u/s640/Seth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In another case, a friend has sought out help with Hitachi’s poor service and mashed up job, by putting up her grievance on Facebook. Help in terms of advice, contact names and numbers are pouring in from real and virtual pals.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">A journalist friend opined that with consumers running to the Social media to complain in a free-wheeling manner – both in the right and wrong instances – it would cause a lot of public-shaming for the brands. Professional Outfits such as ReviewPro are offering tutorials to companies on how to handle negative reviews and productively manage their online ratings and reputation. And rightly so!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yet, in a laughably landmark episode in 2014, the Blackpool, UK based Broadway Hotel charged Tony and Jan Jenkinson, a TripAdvisor reviewing couple from Cumbria £100 as fine for the bad review. Apparently, the hotel had a printed policy on the matter, which it flashed to the guests as a diktat. While the fine was later refunded, I think, a precedent, however preposterous it may sound now, has been set. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Read more about the Blackpool case here - <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/19/tripadvisor-couple-bad-hotel-review-charged-blackpool-broadway">https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/nov/19/tripadvisor-couple-bad-hotel-review-charged-blackpool-broadway</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In another example, and as a nightmare to what ReviewPro exhorts, Paul Chatwin, the owner of Royal Clarence Hotel in Burnham-on-Sea, a 3 star establishment in Somerset, has taken to responding to each bad review on TripAdvisor with his characteristically hilarious rude replies. In a surprise move, the guests who like his hotel – and it is a higher percentage than those who do not – commend his honesty and find it an appreciable trait. Still, as a brand owner doing a Chatwin on your detractors is only for the brave hearts who can take it on the chin each time. But I would not recommend it at all as a normal practice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Read about Paul Chatwin’s rude replies here - <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/frustrated-hotel-owner-hits-back-11628576">https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/frustrated-hotel-owner-hits-back-11628576</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Social media excesses of a consumer cannot be dealt with in a similar manner. At least one party must be more mature, meditated, calm and collected, and judicious in its approach. And more often than not, that must be the brand and the brand owner.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Himmat Anand, the Founder of the handpicked jewel-like Tree of Life Resorts & Hotels, puts it very succinctly when he says, “What we see happening today is only the beginning of the use / misuse of social media. Traditional platforms like TripAdvisor will have to change their model soon or face extinction because every traveller considers himself/herself an expert and unlike earlier, has multiple platforms to express his appreciation or frustration. The good thing is that with an explosion of posts and opinions, memory is short. What a guest writes today is forgotten tomorrow. So unless a hotel messes up day after day, I doubt that the occasional negative post has any major impact on brand positioning.” </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJAXmo9tFCbpcgC1rXMZuU7gF4dCCzfPiZgf-sEdiVW1aNH0fTp-_y1F6vodCEBoxgVz_rlLkvKDGmWlNAiSLf0bcb8X228Je7ATlI4KqKQCTyNF7bB-DC5YfLe6wOvo4z5UYrWPK4zIz/s1600/Slacktivism+-+Pinterest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="582" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJAXmo9tFCbpcgC1rXMZuU7gF4dCCzfPiZgf-sEdiVW1aNH0fTp-_y1F6vodCEBoxgVz_rlLkvKDGmWlNAiSLf0bcb8X228Je7ATlI4KqKQCTyNF7bB-DC5YfLe6wOvo4z5UYrWPK4zIz/s640/Slacktivism+-+Pinterest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>Picture courtesy - Pinterest</b></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While majoring in Psychology, we were taught how Power, Leadership and Control were the three bases on which every kind of human behaviour rested and sprung from. With Social media platforms available to us to voice out, put our asked for or unsolicited opinion on, rant at large; we feel a sense of unmitigated power and unhinged control over things that affect us or even those that are of no concern but we must still jump in with our two cents. Somewhere down the line, we are losing the grip on equivalence and justness.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">But you know what; we are painting a Dirty Picture for ourselves. As not just consumer of brands but of society at large, we are messing it up in real and on Social media.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The most recent incident involving Film Actor Anushka Sharma and Indian Cricketer Virat Kohli shaming an affluent bloke travelling in a luxury sedan yet shamelessly littering the Mumbai streets is a sharp case in point. To add insult to injury, the unrepentant, brazen fella calls the star and the cricketer ugly names when pulled up publicly for his uncouth act. He then, even more outrageously, goes out to play an uglier match on the Social media.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Anushka Sharma and the Littering Lout Social Media Wrangle - <a href="https://scroll.in/video/882950/mumbai-man-who-littered-versus-anushka-sharma-who-shamed-him-its-a-feud-now-watch">https://scroll.in/video/882950/mumbai-man-who-littered-versus-anushka-sharma-who-shamed-him-its-a-feud-now-watch</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And that is us today, in a nutshell. The war is on. Go check your Social media feeds! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">SOURCE – DAILY O - <a href="https://www.dailyo.in/voices/worst-review-ever-on-social-media-hotels-whatsapp/story/1/25109.html">https://www.dailyo.in/voices/worst-review-ever-on-social-media-hotels-whatsapp/story/1/25109.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">******</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-73396981963577972132018-06-07T16:52:00.000+05:302018-06-26T16:53:36.112+05:30Association of Emerging Leaders’ Dialogues (AELD) appoints L. Aruna Dhir as its Board Member!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-VzcEprO9jQHVrMkgEcmzQavza2i__uNhU9WvxbLjW51XPaNmVTegoInktI3lkKs1et0aTGcS1fBk9qh1sQKrPYnicRTDkIrnhDKTAtxFmJwizAi6Ezem1hyphenhyphen52CphN_OaUcurCCUKx9w/s1600/L.+Aruna+Dhir+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="404" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-VzcEprO9jQHVrMkgEcmzQavza2i__uNhU9WvxbLjW51XPaNmVTegoInktI3lkKs1et0aTGcS1fBk9qh1sQKrPYnicRTDkIrnhDKTAtxFmJwizAi6Ezem1hyphenhyphen52CphN_OaUcurCCUKx9w/s640/L.+Aruna+Dhir+15.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
New Delhi: Australia registered Commonwealth Body, the Association of Emerging Leaders' Dialogues (AELD) has appointed L. Aruna Dhir to its Board. Aruna is the second Indian representative and the only woman leader to be appointed as a Board Member from India.<br />
<br />
The Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogues (AELD) is the peak coordinating body for Commonwealth Study Conferences (CSC) and Emerging Leaders’ Dialogues (ELD) internationally. It is a legal entity under Australian legislation and is accredited by the Commonwealth Secretariat, London. HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, is the Founder and Patron of CSC, which he and a small group of other UK dignitaries founded in 1956. Today, AELD has HRH Princess Royal, Princess Anne as its international President.<br />
<br />
The Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogues, via CSCs and ELDs, exposes 'leaders and influencers of tomorrow' to economic, social, political, environmental, educational and leadership initiatives through conferences and learning experiences with global stalwarts and an “in field” intellectually challenging study tour of a range of countries and communities.<br />
<br />
The AELD is a forum for sharing ideas and achievements. It is aimed at future leaders, drawn from the sectors of business, government, trade unions, education, military and community service bodies including NGO’s, who are assessed as being most likely to assume positions of senior-level leadership and influence within their countries.<br />
<br />
L. Aruna Dhir is a national-poll winning Corporate Communications Specialist & PR Strategist and an internationally-recognized Writer. Currently, Aruna is a Feature Writer and Columnist for some of the world’s top-ranked Hospitality publications, viz. ehotelier.com, HospitalityNet.org, 4Hoteliers.com and Bizcatalyst360.com.<br />
<br />
Her industry writings are used as references in case studies and hotel schools. Aruna runs an exclusive channel on Bizcatalyst 360 called “Hospitality Matters” based on her hospitality industry watch, insights and commentary.<br />
<br />
As a career PR Practioner and Hotelier, Aruna has been at the forefront of Australia-India New Horizons, Australia's largest country promotion and has been associated with legendary hotels such as The Oberoi, The Imperial and Hyatt Regency. Aruna, as part of the core Change Agent Team, helped relaunch The Imperial as one of the finest hotels in Asia and the World. Her brand management portfolio has also included launching Djinns - India's first ever multi-concept Night Club at Hyatt Regency, reviving old and launching new restaurants, unveiling the Oberoi Vilases and leading media strategy for Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Australian Foreign Minister, Australian Education Minister and a clutch of Australian celebrities from different walks of life introducing their work to India and cementing Australia-India business and cultural ties.<br />
<br />
As an industry expert and All-India level PR Topper, Aruna has launched brands, developed training modules, created standardization dockets on business communication and written manuals. L. Aruna Dhir is a Life Member of the Public Relations Society of India.<br />
<br />
Aruna has worked on Radio and Indian Television and has been India's first and only Creative Writer with the Indian Greetings Cards giant, ARCHIES G&G Ltd.<br />
<br />
L. Aruna Dhir has represented India to a select group of opinion-makers in the United States, as a Cultural Ambassador under the aegis of Rotary International and has also participated in the IXth Commonwealth Study Conference held in Australia and chaired by HRH Princess Anne.<br />
<br />
In her official and personal capacity L. Aruna Dhir has and continues to work on several social awareness projects – People for Animals, Earthquake Relief, National Blind Association, PETA, WSPA, Change.org, Friendicoes to name a few.<br />
<br />
L. Aruna Dhir looks forward to bringing together her unique and eclectic professional background to actualize AELD's mandate in the Subcontinent with the vision to pave the path for a productive, inclusive and meaningful leadership of tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<br />
For more information –<br />
<br />
Please write to – arunadhir@hotmail.com<br />
<br />
And Visit - http://csc-alumni.org/<br />
<br />
www.larunadhir.blogspot.in<br />
<br />
This Press Release has appeared on -<br />
<br />
Hospitality Net - https://www.hospitalitynet.org/appointment/79016255.html<br />
<br />
Bizcatalyst360 - https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/great-leadership-always-rises-to-the-top/<br />
<br />
eHotelier - https://insights.ehotelier.com/people/2018/06/14/l-aruna-dhir-appointed-board-member-association-emerging-leaders-dialogues/<br />
<br />
HOSPMG - https://www.hospmg.com/blog/2018/6/14/5t6whae63p1drg6x3uqwswun0ca2fh-5r3z9?rq=L.%20Aruna%20Dhir<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-83021820523470201412018-06-03T17:57:00.000+05:302018-06-26T17:58:56.177+05:30FOCUS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EMWkgOjND9rxIajyuIyxjof01BGJPZiG0RPCf3FHt8H4fj9-GBPZceKrhpT2qSyJ9qqukzvul5e69Xk4xA6YC6-kQDlTW8BkM4dIjAwHv3pXcNiLo5bk1pf4PRPezJyzDjeceLL39gP_/s1600/Focus+on+what%2527s+right.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EMWkgOjND9rxIajyuIyxjof01BGJPZiG0RPCf3FHt8H4fj9-GBPZceKrhpT2qSyJ9qqukzvul5e69Xk4xA6YC6-kQDlTW8BkM4dIjAwHv3pXcNiLo5bk1pf4PRPezJyzDjeceLL39gP_/s640/Focus+on+what%2527s+right.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-76887088568569498842018-05-30T01:34:00.000+05:302018-05-30T01:34:17.169+05:30Announcing the introduction of 7 S's of Brand Management!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="657" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flaruna.dhir%2Fvideos%2F10156547989064459%2F&show_text=1&width=267" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="267"></iframe>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-10210117468165161572018-03-22T21:34:00.000+05:302018-06-07T01:27:32.181+05:30The Extraordinary Life of an Extraordinary Leader!<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I am very delighted and humbled to share my interview with Eileen Bild - the illustrious Life Coach and Creator of "Core Thinking for High Achievers."</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Eileen has interviewed me for her 'Step into their Shoes' Success Interviews Series that appears on </span>Bizcatalyst<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> 360, one of the finest platforms globally for knowledge sharing and thought leadership.</span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">The interview follows - </span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtuwpIPC62Xqwqw6GntOZk3giivIozUB5FBwsde1PmRhOHcsJoHchCMjWgQjg6xhKHNveLAmYARNnZq-EM8GTDG2nFBYzUZ6Ylf57DdlBb35qEUDbYk2HloqQ2ACslhre2BSDUNYBf3DE/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdtuwpIPC62Xqwqw6GntOZk3giivIozUB5FBwsde1PmRhOHcsJoHchCMjWgQjg6xhKHNveLAmYARNnZq-EM8GTDG2nFBYzUZ6Ylf57DdlBb35qEUDbYk2HloqQ2ACslhre2BSDUNYBf3DE/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-001.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
In my interview with L. Aruna Dhir, I find a unique person of integrity, wisdom, and strength that goes beyond the norm. Her perseverance through hardships and a determination to be the best version of herself has lead L. Aruna Dhir down a path that has raised her to the top of her profession. It is apparent that her mindset about herself and life has been integral in the unfolding of her success as a writer, mentor, communications expert, hotelier, and leader. When you read this article, you will be inspired by the choices she has made giving her the opportunities to achieve the milestones set as a child.<br />
<br />
L. Aruna Dhir shares her passion for writing and how she followed the golden nuggets set before her, taking each stepping stone with grace and empowerment for maximizing her performance. I hope you enjoy reading about the journey one may take, with unforeseen potential, guiding you up a road of trials, tribulations, joys, and happiness.<br />
<br />
1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You have quite an extensive and varied background in education, public relations,<br />
writing, marketing and communications. Share with me how they have all culminated together to assist you in becoming who you are today as a consultant, author, and hospitality & features writer.<br />
<br />
I began my career as a Freelance Journalist and Correspondent for a Regional Newspaper, focusing on social, contemporary, developmental issues. This began while I was studying for my Post Graduation and Masters in Philosophy, helping me to consolidate the time at hand and channelize it into the professional arena while still acquiring my educational degrees.<br />
<br />
My penchant for writing began at a very early age, as early as Eight or Nine when I wrote my first poem. While in Middle School, my essays always stood apart so much that my English Teacher – Ms. Hemalini Masih - loaned me one of the most comprehensive biographies on English poets from Alexander Pope to WB Yeats. The Red cloth bound Hardcover turned out to be a cornerstone book for me, nudging my spirit and my core towards writing, with leaves from the lives of famous poets as the guiding gauge.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPjqwkiUrKw0-oyO6f5KUJO9zN6ZMdq1_qw3unwcCu4VZ5grNtpCucj2Mstq0loBrbMR4m7KOaro5ft1QEpKuioKTJMnH2eBempM3Qioi0TfKEVQL21yzIqiajxNdqroSJMJ0EHN0n91/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJlPjqwkiUrKw0-oyO6f5KUJO9zN6ZMdq1_qw3unwcCu4VZ5grNtpCucj2Mstq0loBrbMR4m7KOaro5ft1QEpKuioKTJMnH2eBempM3Qioi0TfKEVQL21yzIqiajxNdqroSJMJ0EHN0n91/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-002.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
From the beginning, I had eclectic interests, from animals to nature, gardening to geography, socio-anthropology to psychology and Public Relations. This, perhaps, paved the way for me to chart a course in different genres of writing from features to poetry to business writing and then the several tributaries within the realm of business writing itself.<br />
<br />
The other two shaping chisels that helped me assimilate, integrate and contribute knowledge-based thought leadership have been - firstly, an innate “pursuit of excellence” that I have doggedly followed and secondly, the “benchmarked, best places” I have had the privilege to work in, that allowed blossoming of talent, creative freedom and an opportunity to present innovative thought and strategy amalgamated with the larger brand ethos.<br />
<br />
Then, there has been this discernible DNA to learn, create and pass on that has always egged me to ideate, build and proffer knowledge and expertise amongst teams, peers and protégés; first as an award-winning Manager and then as a globally read Writer. <br />
<br />
<br />
2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You are considered one of the finest and highly followed international Hospitality writerswith columns running in best ranked global hospitality publications ehotelier, Hospitality Net, Bizcatalyst 360, 4hoteliers, CFO Connect. Where does your writing inspiration come from and how do the connections impact you as a leader?<br />
<br />
The inspiration truly comes from the eagerness to create a webbed world of knowledge sharing, outstanding merit, a bank of thought and experience-based treasure that is available to many in an environment of intellectual brilliance.<br />
<br />
It is a two-way street. The more you share your knowledge, the more you learn via interactions of the highest caliber and with intersections of highly experienced thoughts and comments.<br />
<br />
Who is really a Leader? It is someone who pursues excellence in work, perpetuates acuity, inspires and inculcates talent, encourages merit and allows for a suitably fertile ground for growth and creativity to blossom in an equalitarian environment.<br />
<br />
As people, who may have reached a certain station in our levels of expertness, we owe it to others to build such a healthy, mindful and mentally enhancing milieu.<br />
<br />
<br />
3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When you were young, what did you want to be when you became an adult? Has yourcareer path aligned with this vision you had as a child? Looking back, do you feel your intentions set at an early age have impacted who you have become?<br />
<br />
Even as a child, my favourite pastimes were reading and writing; far more than games and other forms of entertainment. Then; as a young adult, my choice for moonlighting and summer jobs was working with Regional Newspapers and becoming the City Correspondent for National Magazines.<br />
<br />
From being a Keats fan to a Wordsworth acolyte and then becoming an ardent disciple of Sun Tzu, Freud, Jung, Maslow and Adler to following the writing styles of Bach, Kafka, Hemingway, Kotler and Carlzon; the realization came fast and quick that I wanted to be able to coach, mentor and guide through the influence and impact of the written word.<br />
<br />
After the initial toddler temptations with toy needles and stethoscope and the games around playing Doctor, I began to understand my fascination with words and the interest in people – their mind, their intellect, their behaviour and the uniqueness we as a people bring to the world. Hence, it indeed was a natural veering towards first Psychology, then Public Relations and finally Hospitality – the quintessential business which is of the people, by the people and for the people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdwNouQDYK7aOthWFLN9ioBoipfqD2os9Pd8AJZRstXxBx-iliblAyD2TtO3o3y1tLimZb7vm_n_WNqaXaYXCK3CaCgGqsv1tSVtmFaUFYGnkcTjg7VlgxvIL9qdlZYI53-IFmjujRK-s/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzdwNouQDYK7aOthWFLN9ioBoipfqD2os9Pd8AJZRstXxBx-iliblAyD2TtO3o3y1tLimZb7vm_n_WNqaXaYXCK3CaCgGqsv1tSVtmFaUFYGnkcTjg7VlgxvIL9qdlZYI53-IFmjujRK-s/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+1-page-003.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
So, it is safe to say that I always wanted to be a Writer and wished to create a professional playfield where I could create, communicate, share, stimulate and encourage insight and produce know-how that can have a lasting value.<br />
<br />
4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Business communication is key for success. Please share what you believe are the top qualitiesof communication every business should be practicing. Why are they so important?<br />
<br />
Communications is the single most important key to your Brand positioning, Brand awareness, Brand recognition and Brand association.<br />
<br />
Whatever you may do – from providing medical care to creating an aspirational lifestyle; whatever you may wish to sell from air travel to Z-plus security, it must be communicated to your target audience. That is what Business Communications is all about - building and cementing relationships with your clientele and strategizing to deliver your Company message to them in the best possible and relatable ways.<br />
<br />
When in doubt about how to devise the most effective communication capsules, always remember to adhere to the 7 Cs of Communication – Be Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete and Courteous. With this simple maxim, you can never go wrong in ensuring maximum reach, frequency and penetration of your messages to the target audience.<br />
<br />
With the advent of new Communication channels that are easily searchable, play round the clock and have the propensity for information to be dug out of the archives with just a mere click, it becomes imperative that the Communications professional and all the other Company spokespeople are cautious, clear, honest, conscientious and with a global outlook in the way they communicate, not only professionally but also personally. <br />
<br />
If Communication has the power to build a brand and keep it on top of the mind recall level, it also has the proclivity to break the brand and create reverse value in the minds of the publics.<br />
<br />
The best Communications Strategy for any Company would involve the following essential aspects – It bears value for the Brand and its products, carries the promise of service delivery, is coherent and customer-engaging, reliable and realistic and is delivered in a timely fashion.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT23aFU2kTI1_P63pZxuRK0C_aEQMQz6NH-ISXmlBXERW0ZXUs64fFWyGY94TBNhzX9ciB58knR_HFEKL8X4pykc28JbKXncwvyYOjCzRAV5mwjCVSaG3G_1E_kXZyPscRvxjE8XERmpC/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyT23aFU2kTI1_P63pZxuRK0C_aEQMQz6NH-ISXmlBXERW0ZXUs64fFWyGY94TBNhzX9ciB58knR_HFEKL8X4pykc28JbKXncwvyYOjCzRAV5mwjCVSaG3G_1E_kXZyPscRvxjE8XERmpC/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-001.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You have been a Cultural Ambassador under the aegis of Rotary International. Tell memore about this prestigious position.<br />
<br />
In the summer of 2001, I was selected as a delegate under the prestigious Group Study Exchange (GSE) Program of Rotary International. The role entailed representing India to a select group of opinion-makers in the United States, as a Cultural Ambassador under the aegis of Rotary International.<br />
<br />
We travelled through the designated regions of Washington DC and the State of Maryland and interacted with industry leaders, City Opinion makers, State Decision makers, experts, trade professionals and luminaries in their respective fields to introduce the philosophy and essence of India as a Country of huge global significance. The Fellowship was also about learning the American business, professional and personal best practices and community initiatives and to exchange ideas on business, social, cultural, educational and youth engagements between the two countries. <br />
<br />
And in 2003, I participated in the IXth Commonwealth Study Conference held in Australia that was chaired by Princess Anne. The theme of this Conference was ‘People first in the global community.’ It put the individual in the center of the flux of globalization and endeavoured to understand the relationship and integration between the citizen and the community, corporation and nation-state the citizen exists and thrives in.<br />
<br />
Both these international experiences have been defining interfaces in shaping thought and helping me to become a more aware, compassionate and significantly contributing Global Citizen.<br />
<br />
As of November 2017, I have been inducted as a Board Member into AELD – the Association of Emerging Leaders Dialogues, a Commonwealth Forum for sharing ideas and achievement and presided over by HRH Princess Royal, Princess Anne.<br />
<br />
6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What has been some of your most valuable struggles as you have worked your way towardsthe success you have achieved. How have they inspired you to be the best version of yourself?<br />
<br />
The most potent struggle that I have faced has been at a personal level. From growing up in a much feted and fawned upon environment as a daughter of a very senior Government Official to falling into a life of anonymity and dejection when my father passed away when I was only Nine, the contrast of the two existences was sharp, rude, harsh, strongly impressionable and with lasting lessons. As we all know, in our primarily patriarchal society, a fatherless world for a child is rugged and unrelenting. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9WlxOqgOSYVt9sx3JfYxYpjUF5LJYzZuS8967zUtA6VpEnc-cPdMahgJ02iv1rrvHbhBna8DR1_zj_Q3y2FXJhWWNX6huB6mZZjpvgHrxgq46FwLJf2KTjanIuv3vU1cZz1bJy9Rlhrq/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9WlxOqgOSYVt9sx3JfYxYpjUF5LJYzZuS8967zUtA6VpEnc-cPdMahgJ02iv1rrvHbhBna8DR1_zj_Q3y2FXJhWWNX6huB6mZZjpvgHrxgq46FwLJf2KTjanIuv3vU1cZz1bJy9Rlhrq/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-002.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
I had to learn fast to gather all the strewn up bits – psychological, physical, emotional, social – around me and learn to create my own identity in such a manner that I could manage to stand above and outside the crowd. At that age, it was not only an ambitious exercise but one that allowed for survival and brought in the aspect of a social standing.<br />
<br />
The second struggle has been the aspect of reaching milestones after milestones in the absence of any Godfather or Benefactor. But growing and developing on one’s own steam brings in satisfaction of the highest order – one that is matchless and has a level of permanence to it.<br />
<br />
From being India’s first–ever Creative Writer for the Indian greeting cards giant – ARCHIES Greetings and Gifts Ltd. and coming out with several series of cards sold by my byline – an unprecedented feat that has not been repeated since to being voted as one of the finest Hospitality PR professionals nationally to finally gaining a following of readers for one’s industry writings – the fact that it was effort based and not via external push or endorsement gives one the eternal hope that one can not only dream and aspire but also endeavour to attain.<br />
<br />
The third struggle was woven around the battle one had to fight with one’s own self. I had to overcome my own shyness, introversion, fear and insecurities to come out on top of whatever I began to dabble in – whether it was working in the very public and visual mediums of radio and television, or combating my own low confidence levels to try and become a good public speaker and to push myself from being a wallflower and a desk warrior to go out in the open and win my own race in the very glamorous, very ‘in-the-public-eye,’ very exposure-laden industry of Five Star hotels.<br />
<br />
The fourth significant struggle came via the opportunity to work in diversified industries – from Social Expressions to Journalism to Education to Diplomatic to Hospitality to finally Writing. When you work in different industries, you must be prepared to unlearn, learn and relearn; which no doubt is a magnificent teacher but one that brings with it a huge amount of challenges. But if you allow the seed of “excellence” to germinate and grow and if you stoke the fire of “being the best in what you do” then success begins to walk by your side despite the struggles and trials and tribulations. <br />
<br />
7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Tell me three power thoughts you feel have been instrumental in the strength of yourachievements, leading to all the various projects you are involved in, the columns you write for and the high-profile positions you hold. <br />
<br />
<br />
Dream<br />
Define<br />
Be Discernible<br />
<br />
These three definitely have been the personal motivators.<br />
<br />
<br />
Dream Big. Dream beyond one’s Zone. Dream outside one’s comfort level.<br />
<br />
Define one’s personality as distinctive in one’s profession. Define one’s genre that helps stand you apart. Define your style. Define your personal statement. Define your personal mission and Vision.<br />
<br />
Finally, cut off from the cookie-cutter conveyor belt and be discernible. Be Different. Present a body of work that is distinct and singularly special. Be distinguishable. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2agiLTgjLd8mf7jPRFhptOgklio4hP8F-a8O6GMJGJUfZkAdwvM3tIQjSaOz70TqKaXco5GRGYe1IdvSgpyKylN-Smi9iYaYQ_tEXzxfrlG5gAckgvt7pIiBzO92qUia0T6QfsGDoiVG/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq2agiLTgjLd8mf7jPRFhptOgklio4hP8F-a8O6GMJGJUfZkAdwvM3tIQjSaOz70TqKaXco5GRGYe1IdvSgpyKylN-Smi9iYaYQ_tEXzxfrlG5gAckgvt7pIiBzO92qUia0T6QfsGDoiVG/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-003.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>What is your favorite quote?<br />
<br />
In fact, I have two. And they are –<br />
<br />
“Lives of great men all remind us<br />
We can make our lives sublime,<br />
And, departing, leave behind us<br />
Footprints on the sands of time.”<br />
<br />
-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br />
<br />
“The heights by great men<br />
Reached and kept<br />
Were not attained by sudden flight,<br />
But they, while their companions slept,<br />
Were toiling upward in the night.”<br />
<br />
-<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Henry Wadsworth Longfellow<br />
<br />
<br />
9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>For anyone reading this interview, please share what you believe sets you apart,<br />
giving you the ability to reach a level of success enabling you to be a leader, mentor and highly respected professional.<br />
<br />
To be hopefully individualistic, keep myself motivated and not lose sight of my intended targets for life, I have devised a set of two formulae – there is a “G” formula and then there is an “E” formula.<br />
<br />
“G” formula comprises of Gratitude, Goals and Gumption.<br />
<br />
The foremost thing that I wish to bear in mind is Gratitude. In almost all my endeavours I resolve that I must “pay it back” and “pay it forward.”<br />
<br />
None of us grow up as islands. Neither do we gain, learn and attain while being in a world of one. In our personal voyage, we gather so much obligation and debt along the way – of the world, of our family, of our teachers, of our mentors, even of our detractors and critics and finally of the Almighty. Hence, it becomes imperative to pay back to the world and the Universe what we have so richly reaped from it.<br />
<br />
Also, having achieved a certain position, having gathered a bank of knowledge, having accumulated experience of meaningful value, it becomes our moral commitment to pay it forward to those who are our co-travellers in this journey of life.<br />
<br />
The second thing is Goals. There are milestones to be crossed, destinations to be reached; flags to be posted on personal Summits that one has garnered ambition for.<br />
<br />
The third is Gumption and Grit. One just has to be courageous in the face of all adversity. One must persevere and be consistent in one’s efforts. One must foster a zeal within that is both zestful and full of enthusiasm a zillion times over. That is what keeps you going and prods you on to carve a unique passage through this incarnation. <br />
<br />
The “E” formula helps me define and differentiate my enterprise. I see it as a five-point credo and aim to infuse the following five integral aspects into any work that I take on, be it a project, an assignment or a piece of writing –<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Exciting – it should stimulate interest in the reader/end user.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Engaging – it must inculcate participation and free-flowing exchange of ideas.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Exceptional – it should offer a unique value and must be of high merit.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Empowering – it should equip the reader/end user with knowledge, insight and acumen.<br />
<br />
<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Enlightening – it must have a vision, it must impart wisdom, it must bear a “Wow” factor and encourage excellence. <br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6w3P1VbLVTc78ARMuBZwAkewxq51C59wnRSwNLWOXQbnFmX36IaxSYup9FBNacIHbvqeXQbjNWTNQv4vtbZSQ4UF3N5qxO8WDkd-CiyTJM9yLTGU5iWqeC_yjIytky8fk_K-tM4gYzPb/s1600/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1237" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6w3P1VbLVTc78ARMuBZwAkewxq51C59wnRSwNLWOXQbnFmX36IaxSYup9FBNacIHbvqeXQbjNWTNQv4vtbZSQ4UF3N5qxO8WDkd-CiyTJM9yLTGU5iWqeC_yjIytky8fk_K-tM4gYzPb/s640/The+Extraordinary+Life+Of+An+Extraordinary+Leader+-+BIZCATALYST+360+-+Page+2-page-004.jpg" title="" width="494" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>We all have a story and your journey has been blessed with many extraordinary experiences. Along the way, you have gained some wisdom regarding choices, mindset, communication and public relations. What words of wisdom would you like to pass along to inspire others to believe in themselves and reach their highest potential? </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">As a keen observer of people from different walks of life and their behaviour, I have come to the conclusion that success is not only the life-force of an Identity but that it is also subjective. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">While each of us may dance to a different music, beat our own course on a virgin path, look at possibilities with our unique pair of eyes and give distinct shapes to our professional destiny moulding the clay of nous and effort in our separate ways; the bottom line for measuring success remains universally the same. You ought to be the best in what you do, deliver to the best of your ability and strive for greater excellence at all times; it is then that you are truly successful. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The most important quality to be successful remains the age-old one of hard work. If you need to get somewhere you will have to burn the midnight oil to get there. There are no shortcuts or quick fixes. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The second quality would be persistence, perseverance and a consistent internal push. We would not have had light bulbs or telephones or planes or the revolutionizing concepts of relativity and </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Archimedes principle, to cite a few examples, had it not been for the never-say-die spirit of these zealous, determined folk.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The third most important quality is, undoubtedly, passion. That definitely is the main driver in your path to success. If you don’t let that little light within you extinguish or quell the inner voice that pushes you on and if you keep the fire in your belly alive and stoked then it is the passion that does it for you. It is the passion that keeps you motivated in the face of flak, failure or fear.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Fervour, ardour, enthusiasm, craze, drive - call it by any name but it is the passion that is your undying spirit which keeps your dreams alive and brings you a step closer to your coveted calling.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">It is important to maintain a slick intellect, razor-sharp mind and well-oiled mental faculties; regardless of the stressful environment we work in and the exigencies we face day in and day out. In fact, application of intelligence, astuteness, quick-wittedness and mental alacrity differentiate the tough from the beaten, the winners from losers.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Also, develop an affinity with the three Cs of attitude – </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Be Confident in yourself and in all that your qualifications and experience have richly treasured up in you. Be confident to learn, change and adapt. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Be Courageous. Hone your courage to meet biggest challenges, toughest professional terrains and the harshest of winds that may blow against you.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Be Compassionate. It is imperative to see things from the other’s point of view, treat them kindly and be empathetic in team-work; the last being the prerequisite to ensure that the ship sails smoothly in the same direction with no parts of it divided or torn apart by strife and discordance.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Finally, always strive to be a Professional in whatever you do! And here’s how I would define a Professional – Be a mentor, be positive, make mistakes and learn from them, make no compromises, always deliver, always take charge, be a perpetual learner, be a visionary and always see the Big Picture!</span></span><br />
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
Web link - https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/the-extraordinary-life-of-an-extraordinary-leader/</div>
<div style="color: #1d2129; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-41545140256207502942018-03-12T17:13:00.000+05:302018-03-12T19:48:01.765+05:30The Shiva Slaps!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUDh4MtzSWPzhy2_zgRNOmsJ3PNJ0adVkOdBtFbQZbqGtF7J7Je0VcWkteLQG1QksZr2XuT9vt0cFgFg3wL6r42dJM0lBTm14egbpGqZjIOi5hOuQj_fCuy0KS0f5PlA1sABeu5ulTf3O/s1600/Shiva+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="482" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUDh4MtzSWPzhy2_zgRNOmsJ3PNJ0adVkOdBtFbQZbqGtF7J7Je0VcWkteLQG1QksZr2XuT9vt0cFgFg3wL6r42dJM0lBTm14egbpGqZjIOi5hOuQj_fCuy0KS0f5PlA1sABeu5ulTf3O/s640/Shiva+1.jpg" width="596" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Since I am a Shivaite, I call these the Shiva slaps.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">They happen a lot with me. Each time I let the two-horned, arrow-tailed, spear-holding monster linger on my left shoulder for a somewhat long time, I get whacked by Lord Shiva in His strange ways with a simple, subliminal message that puts me back on track.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">2017 was a good year for my writing work. I was productive, prolific and wrote with flourish and proclivity. The Writer's Block remained at bay and I wrote all kinds of things - business writing, poetry, blogs and fed regularly into some of my manuscripts. I wrote at all times with ease, whether it was the dead of the night or wee hours of the morning or the middle of the day.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But 2018 began on a somewhat slow note. I was low and downbeat, given to low energy, feeble enthusiasm and weak will.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And then I get a string of those Shiva slaps delivered across my right on a single day.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">First, Andy Alpine, a LinkedIn connection, invited me to write for his rather nice website - https://boomersbucketlisttravel.com/</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And then Qrius (previously The Indian Economist) sent me the following note.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">To say the least, I am impressed with Qrius and their line up of writers. I am also chuffed about the fact that they syndicate to World Economic Forum and Harvard Economics Review.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Yes, I will be writing for both!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">And then there has been AELD (The Association of Emerging Leaders' Dialogues) extending their hand and inducting me on their Board.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">A US-based Life Coach interviews me for her series of interviews of global professional leaders and calls mine an 'Extraordinary Life of a Leader.'</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">One of the highest ranked hospitality e-magazines offers me to design their PR Course.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">The Shiva slaps keep coming, making it difficult for me to find excuses for shirking my work and not putting in my one hundred percent.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Lord Shiva will just not allow that in my case, it seems!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXj5kHPRolHogatNRIrXP5UQ0MUoq2Zkn8NWdOK3OhRfFSh8E5akS9S13iDwOH9h194fW5dEyLY4zWrx1WECx5vACeadSFxitCuSOtHI4sSTyfYjUL4zoyqrzDN-xj5fM5MzcwQlcDRd8/s1600/Shiva+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="671" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXj5kHPRolHogatNRIrXP5UQ0MUoq2Zkn8NWdOK3OhRfFSh8E5akS9S13iDwOH9h194fW5dEyLY4zWrx1WECx5vACeadSFxitCuSOtHI4sSTyfYjUL4zoyqrzDN-xj5fM5MzcwQlcDRd8/s640/Shiva+2.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Picture courtesy - Google Images</span></span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-15034444799944959282018-03-08T19:26:00.000+05:302018-03-12T19:46:01.926+05:30The luxury and the agony of working from Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SY1PSph7aBUXhDPgQ0VmhAAizZqSL1u0cT9pooea_BaDTORwS62S2OoJOIj95hWfnmPWB5snFrr9Lw1zxcDZXoo3IybT_vxgkB60dOcteW78PmkK2bEnYirYMfGK_hn9oIDJtepGJJJr/s1600/SOHO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="710" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0SY1PSph7aBUXhDPgQ0VmhAAizZqSL1u0cT9pooea_BaDTORwS62S2OoJOIj95hWfnmPWB5snFrr9Lw1zxcDZXoo3IybT_vxgkB60dOcteW78PmkK2bEnYirYMfGK_hn9oIDJtepGJJJr/s640/SOHO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For years, I held a demanding hotel job that saw me clock in time from 8 AM to 10 PM on most days. If I left office at 7 PM, I would have my Boss joke that I was taking a half day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, one day I got onto the other side of the fence and became my own Boss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As full-time hoteliers, we go through a grueling schedule. But now, as a full-time Hospitality Industry Watcher and Writer, I feel that my schedule is no less grinding. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only difference is that a part of my home turf is also my office space. Is that an easy peasy work life or do we still walk the tightrope? Let’s take a look.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just the other day, I got off from late night binge television viewing, shut off the Idiot Box and walked over to the designated area, switched on the PC and began working at 4 o’clock in the morning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are days when still donned in my PJs, I will work through the night, and wrap up work at say about eight in the morning, only to sneak under the sheets and sleep till midday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can take a day off on Wednesday or any other day of my choice, right in the middle of the week. Or, to finish some steep deadlines, I may have to push myself to work long, stretched hours over the weekend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daily commute to work entails, walking from one area of the house to another with a mug of coffee in hand. Welcome to the pleasures and privileges of working from SOHO (Small Office, Home Office)!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But not everything is a walk around the park, smelling roses and sniffing the hot brew to stimulate the already relaxed senses!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Working from home brings its own bandwagon of battles. There are a trillion dragons to slay when you are your own boss. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You need to keep yourself in the reckoning in face of old and new competition, you have to run at double speed just to stay stable in the same place, and you have to learn to wade smoothly and calmly through the choppy waters of insecure and uncertain finances (with no security blanket of a guaranteed monthly paycheck) just to keep your ship afloat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>So, is it easy or tough to work from home?</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is an extremely tough decision to decide to leave one's place in the corporate matrix and go on one's own. A lot of things are at stake - your position on the corporate ladder, your movement up on the ladder to get closer to the Corner Office, the perquisites that come with your position and the host of privileges.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, there is the two-pronged matter of the financials. As most people who have bitten the bait of being their own bosses will tell you, one must be very open to the eventuality that you will be earning far less than when you worked for a Company. There are no bonuses, travel or entertainment allowances, HRA, Mediclaim and the like.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The second part is that when you decide to go on your own, you will have to make the initial investment for setting up a Home Office, complete with a tiny staff, should your work demand so.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you are working with a Corporate, your designation there, plus the profile of the Company makes it easier for you to establish stronger business relationships and wider networks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you decide to work from home, you need to start all over again and build that network from ground zero.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this ‘you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours, world,’ you will soon realize that a clutch of erstwhile business “friends” or “great contacts” were actually closer to the brand you represented than you and will let you know </span>their<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> leaning fast enough.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the flip side, you have the opportunity to deliver more, pack so much more in your day. You also have the advantage of not being pulled into office politics and shenanigans and pointless meetings, therefore you can keep a positive and more productive milieu around yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Working from home, if you do not mind a smaller pay packet (until the time your work has begun generating a steady income), brings in the best work-life balance. From small kids to pet children to aging parents, you get to be hands-on for them much more than if you worked for somebody else. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, since you work from home and save the time on commuting and can carry on the work in a limitless way into the wee hours or turnaround your schedule to say, even start a work day at 3 AM when the pressures build up; you have a lot more time on your hands to follow your other passions and pursuits bringing in greater pleasure and satisfaction to your life. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>There are, however, some basics that you must keep in mind while working from home!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a). Earmark a sacrosanct area that draws a boundary for your workspace - it could be one section of the house or an offsite area that you visit every day or even a part of your room replete with your desk and all the necessary paraphernalia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">b). Draw up a timeline on how you want to intertwine your house responsibilities with your professional work. Since you work from home, the lines are bound to get blurred and it is up to you to demarcate and set internal checks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">c). While you have the luxury of working even in your night clothes, but it makes sense to take the trouble of dressing and showing up at your desk. It helps channelize your mindset, keeping it more professional and less lackadaisical.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d). When you work from home and get into the seamless time zone, remind yourself to adhere to a schedule, do not eat at your desk, do not shortchange your exercise regimen, do not cut down on your outside meetings as and when your work demands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e). Invest in things/technology that will help you deliver in the most efficient manner. Do not scrounge on that.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f). Work out a good Profit Protection Plan to ensure healthier returns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">g) Do not compromise on your work ethics or your expectation of your own self. Sound self-esteem plays a big part in binding your Brand value.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">h). Do not let prospective clients ride roughshod over you, disregard your experience and expertise and try to get away by paying you little or not paying you at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you don't have a Corporate Umbrella over you, many people think they are doing a favour by giving an assignment or project to a self-employed person. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Follow the following simple tips to make your SOHO decision a Success!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a). When you begin working from home, do not treat it as an extension of a hobby. Accord it the same respect and value you would to a Corporate job.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">b). Plan ahead for a revenue model. It is a JOB that you are professionally trained for and are engaged in. It must pay your bills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">c). Working from home brings in the biggest facet of Flexi hours, but you must learn to bring a sense of decorum and discipline. Stick to a schedule, start your work day early, minimize interference from extraneous factors including family members.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">d). Endeavour to deliver your 100% each day. Without the nudges of HR or team competition or Appraisals, it is all up to you now to ensure that you do not drop the ball of optimal deliverability and quality of work.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e). Put enough thought into Brand Identity aspects - make sure that your business card, brochure, letterheads, website etc. represent your Brand Philosophy in the best way possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">f). Build up on your equity by doing a great job for existing clients so that they would become your reference with ease and willingness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you too work from a Home Office, do share your tips and trials for minimizing setbacks and compounding gains!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the clock on the computer reads 4:06 AM. I am calling it a day, after a productive night of some research work, some light reading and one important feature piece finished off to satisfaction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*******</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyATlAAnu2iexsY3nh0JrBYi1dXWmEd_c9CBLVpmvK1sX_GwU5C05b3rrA5Y31H5_POoKU4mva9Stbxbv4JoBDN-cXzvgRMdksKN6H64wZDj733sUZLc6g0iXwvirCiYdtvKJjmTPo55RW/s1600/Home+Office+-+Decoist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="990" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyATlAAnu2iexsY3nh0JrBYi1dXWmEd_c9CBLVpmvK1sX_GwU5C05b3rrA5Y31H5_POoKU4mva9Stbxbv4JoBDN-cXzvgRMdksKN6H64wZDj733sUZLc6g0iXwvirCiYdtvKJjmTPo55RW/s640/Home+Office+-+Decoist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Picture Courtesy - Google Images / Pottery Barn / Decoist.</span><br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-52118237269820098712018-02-09T21:12:00.000+05:302018-02-19T21:19:32.092+05:30Compliments are key to team productivity and talent retention!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjmrn0-YHfMe4XqMJeC9yPt-Mx268yQDO8N23SX9VVFLRTtFwd0jtpgIbwjj_akKPrzEwR4l7OjW3sxuO5OjspN9Bfg7q4kPpfh1fX1RdmC4nsBwNfjC01SkGk6SjxY82b4xxis_QySCt/s1600/compliments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="852" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjmrn0-YHfMe4XqMJeC9yPt-Mx268yQDO8N23SX9VVFLRTtFwd0jtpgIbwjj_akKPrzEwR4l7OjW3sxuO5OjspN9Bfg7q4kPpfh1fX1RdmC4nsBwNfjC01SkGk6SjxY82b4xxis_QySCt/s640/compliments.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There is this nice, feel-good video that has gone viral on social media. It shows Chris Ulmer, a young teacher at Mainspring Academy in Jacksonville, Florida – a School for Special Children, beckoning his wards one by one every morning. The teacher says to the first boy, “You’re an amazing student. I love having you in my class. I think everyone in here loves you.” And to the second, “You’re funny. You’re athletic. You’re a great soccer player. You’re very smart. You’ve been doing a great job reading.” And so on, one after another to every special boy in his class before sending them off with a high five.<br />
<br />
Chris opines that this simple practice helps shape his students’ world view turning them into better human beings. “If they have a mean, jaded teacher, they will think the world is mean and jaded. But if a teacher displays love, harmony and peace, that will become their norm. After a few weeks of this practice, my students started complementing one another consistently. They praise each other for accomplishments as if it was their own,” Chris shares in his video.<br />
<br />
You can see the body language of each student change from the time Ulmer calls for them to the moment he High Fives the little tots.<br />
<br />
And therein lays a master class in management best practice and one of the finest strategies for talent retention.<b><i> Sincere words of praise from people of authority</i></b> – Super bosses, direct reporting, team leads, managers and<b><i> people of significance</i></b> – Top management, mentors, industry bigwigs, even prominent peers, are known to <b><i>have a lasting impression on the recipient.</i></b><br />
<br />
Several studies have shown that many a times, <b><i>well-deserved compliments </i></b>that are truly and well-delivered by the management – conveying acknowledgement of good work, recognition of the value the employee brings and appreciation of his talent –<b><i> rate higher than even salary and job perks. </i></b>Moreover, using a public platform or a larger audience to express admiration of a great worker and his admirable output creates stronger bonds, reinforces mutual trust and respect, motivates other team members and instills a higher drive in the recipient.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments and acknowledgements can take varied forms</span></b><br />
<br />
They can be verbal pats on the back in official forums; they can be written affirmation on those formal appraisals; they can also be very visible endorsements of your special talent put up as showpieces for all to see and emulate from.<br />
<br />
I was in a closed door once with my General Manager, the Company CFO and the irrepressible Mr. Oberoi, owner of the eponymously named chain of hotels, easily considered one of the finest in the world. We were discussing PR budgets, decision-making autonomy, our media engagements and some hairy issues when Mr. O’s eyes rested on the latest issue of Chronicle, the hotel newsletter. He quizzed me about how much we spent on it and right away got on the hotline to another hotel GM in his chain. Without batting an eyelid, he told the gent how ‘our’ Chronicle was the finest in the chain and produced at a lower cost too. Of course, our GM’s chest swelled with pride but Mr. O won a lifelong fan in me and an employee who would be a brand ambassador of his fine company whether she continued working for him or not. To this day I remain an Oberoi loyalist.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments or recognition must be genuine and sincere</span></b><br />
<br />
If they are not, then it is just meaningless fluff that gets blown away easily without having the desired effect. And it should not always be premeditated, practiced and pro forma. <b><i>Truthful, honest praise comes straight from the heart and is an instant reaction </i></b>to a job that has been done well and beyond the brief.<br />
<br />
During Australia India New Horizons 1996-97, Australia’s biggest country promotion thus far, I was on the media team of Alexander Downer, the then Hon’ble Foreign Minister of Australia. At one of the national press conferences held at FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry), the Minister was very pleased with the success of the press meet and the huge number of press folk from prominent media that had gathered there.<br />
<br />
At the end of the conference, the Minister turned towards Gai Brodtmann, the Counsellor Public Affairs, who was my immediate boss and also the Head of PR & Publicity at the Australian High Commission in India, to congratulate her for one of the best media interfaces he had ever experienced.<br />
<br />
Gai, true to her form and character, got up, turned towards me and told the Minister that she “had nothing to do with it. That it was all my hard work;” in full attendance of the Australian and Indian Government officials and the Mission staff.<br />
<br />
With that profound gesture, my mentor-for-life, left behind some indelible management lessons for me and all others who were present – lessons in leadership, being secure in one’s own role and position, being proud of one’s team, giving credit where it is due at the right time in the right forum, best techniques in employee motivation and instilling the highest form of accountability in her team mates.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments need not be direct</span></b><br />
<br />
Sometimes, a fine word let out by your significant others at work that travels back to you is the finest and most promising music that you need to hear to put your best foot forward at all times.<br />
<br />
I was meeting a journalist friend for lunch and during the course of our conversation she recounted that she had met my boss at an art exhibition the previous Sunday and how they got talking about me and how he had such great things to say about the kind of work I did. The fact that I remember the conversation to this day and that what the boss had to say about me still motivates me even when I have had several experiences under my belt since, shows the importance one can attach to such wonderfully inspiring feedback. Fair words of commendation not only serve to be great pick-ups when you are feeling low, but also always serve to maintain your confidence in yourself.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments need not always be verbalized</span></b><br />
<br />
Often times, actions do speak louder than words and leave a stronger mark. I had just joined this hotel as part of the Change Agent team with the mandate to turnaround and present the hotel with a completely new brand image and positioning. Before I joined the place, the owner and the VP & GM had contracted all PR, communications, publicity and advertising work to two agencies – a PR & image consultancy and an advertising agency. In my introductory briefing session, Pierre Jochem, the VP & GM (who I call my second mentor) thought aloud, “We will keep the agencies for three months. That should allow you enough time to warm up and begin earnest work on the PR roadmap.”<br />
<br />
We had a catching up meeting on the fourth day in his lovely, glass-walled, mezzanine floor corner office. Monsieur Jochem, carrying the Guest Services Directory mock-up I had given to him for his review, was happy to note the media coverage that had started to happen (with luck on my side one had got the hotel covered every single day of those first four days). And this is what he uttered to me, “You seem to have achieved what these folks had collectively done in three months. I guess we will just terminate their contracts and let them go. I think this way you will get more work done.”<br />
<br />
Yes, this decision went into his report to the owners. After the initial sense of high and euphoria it brought in a higher sense of responsibility in me. Such trust and conviction must always be proved right.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments are the vocal and visible endorsement of an employee’s good performance that is laudable and to be encouraged</span></b><br />
<br />
Such validation of commendable work ensures that the employee continues to feel motivated, accountable and responsible. He/she becomes more result-oriented and holds a stronger level of ownership for his role and responsibility; endeavouring to maximize the wins and diminish the fails towards his/her goals achievement.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Compliments are, indeed, one of the finest strategies for retaining good talent</span></b><br />
<br />
Sincere commendation inspires and also helps reshape average work into stellar feats. Use it often, but judiciously. Compliment your team profusely at every given opportunity but with sincerity and deservingly!<br />
<br />
So how have compliments helped you perform better and exceed targets? Tell me in your comments.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
*****</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Picture courtesy - Google Images</div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-65344825053634282792018-01-17T20:55:00.000+05:302018-02-19T21:22:21.923+05:30Red Flags to watch out for to save your Business and Reputation!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ST8MzYFzqb93N-qmMcRRdT_7O6_-BAdscZKvfujKt6eg5bkFDM-SZqB6YjJBwOE2rUDFget2x4pYT_X2ETaeNDyvXufAifrTzHLlWqKUHuERD7eHySdhSJ7oSyTih9pFG69UNoq9B8rc/s1600/reputation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ST8MzYFzqb93N-qmMcRRdT_7O6_-BAdscZKvfujKt6eg5bkFDM-SZqB6YjJBwOE2rUDFget2x4pYT_X2ETaeNDyvXufAifrTzHLlWqKUHuERD7eHySdhSJ7oSyTih9pFG69UNoq9B8rc/s640/reputation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Business is built on trust inculcated in the customer for the products the businesses sell. The success factor of any business depends on the brand value that the Business promises to deliver to the guest. This value is always defined from the perspective of the guest. The smooth running and profitability of any business is based on the efficient, hitch-free movement of the supply chain taken care of by capable and diligent employees who own their roles and embody the essence of the brand principles. It is employees, who aim to raise their own standard of work and attitude to the level of an exemplary Brand Ambassador, that are the treasured lot upholding the Brand reputation and ensuring a healthy bottom-line.<br />
<br />
When these Brand Ambassadors do not uphold the brand flag and become less than competent and conscientious, the Brand value of the business, the Brand promise to the guest, Brand loyalty from the guests and Brand reputation in the minds of all stakeholders take a nosedive.<br />
<br />
So what are the prime factors that are bound to put you on a downward escalator making the climb back even more arduous and painful than when you started out!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nonchalant Staff that is ill-trained and lacks service orientation</b></span><br />
<br />
When we go out to work – in any job or industry – we cannot afford to be uncaring, perfunctory and uninvolved. <b><i>It is a moral binding that we bring ourselves fully to our positions regardless of internal irritants that exist or imagined issues that we wrestle with.</i></b><br />
<br />
And when we are in the hospitality industry – a show business of providing experiential service to guests who come and spend their top dollar with us - such dismal disregard is completely inappropriate and unbecoming.<br />
<br />
In the Front of the House areas, I find Reception Desks, Mise-en-place stations and Micros centres to be such terrible breeding grounds for overly germ-y behaviour that I dread being seated anywhere close to those.<br />
<br />
We recently went out for Dinner to a popular Italian Restaurant run by a celebrated City Chef. Unfortunately, the layout of this restaurant was perhaps such that you were always at an arm's length from those chit-chat coves. This evening, we had staff joking around, gossiping and doing anything but work at those hubs in a near empty restaurant.<br />
<br />
This behaviour pattern is such a dead giveaway for bad training, lack of interest in one's job and lack of respect both for the Company and the guests. The smirking and the smart alec-y attitude does more long-term harm than can be envisaged and undone.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Missing 'Attention to detail'</b></span><br />
<br />
Paying attention to detail is a valuable trait in any profession. But in the hospitality industry, it assumes far greater significance because there are so many levels of product and sub-product presentations and so many strata of service delivery opportunities.<br />
<br />
Dropping the ball even in the smallest of tasks in any section of the hotel can have a direct repercussion on the guest experience or an indirect one in terms of Brand delivery and reputation.<br />
<br />
When we walked into the above-mentioned spiffy restaurant, we were shown to a table that was not clean. Even a Fast Food restaurant with a packed house, pick-eat-go nature of service and fast turnaround cannot afford to seat guests at tables that have not been wiped; this place certainly had no excuse for that.<br />
<br />
We were seated at a table that was not ready - missing napkins and sundry other things. Soiled mats is never a good way of showcasing a restaurant and you do make matters worse when simple additions of EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar are missing from the table of an Italian restaurant.<br />
<br />
The lighting of the place was abysmally low making it difficult to read the menu. Poor lighting is an oft-repeated mistake committed the world over, in the name of ambience and mood.<br />
<br />
How can restaurants miss the basics while planning the structure? Hotels and restaurants have to have a 360-degree view of issues: – light – natural and artificial, temperature control, noise, location, pollution, traffic, accessibility amongst a host of other pertinent aspects.<br />
<br />
My biggest woe, however, at any restaurant is their complete negligence of cleanliness – telling-tales in the tines of forks, stain marks on glassware, napkins with stubborn reminders of rather sharp gravy, staff uniforms that bear the stench of climate and callousness.<br />
<br />
There are scores of restaurants – stand-alone and those in the confines of glitzy Five Stars – that kill guest satisfaction with their indifferent service and sub-standard offerings.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Technologically challenged Staff, also not in step with the latest advents</b></span><br />
<br />
Technology, as is the human need, is evolving every nanosecond. A new gizmo is being invented or an old gadget updated at lightning speed for our ease, efficiency and convenience. So it is in our own interest that we stay on top of it, unlearn and relearn so as to give our optimal output.<br />
<br />
Many chains and independent hotels and restaurants invest sizeable energy and budget to systems and devices upgradation and to training their workforce in it. At a Bistro in a well-known hotel, a steward thrust a Tablet in front of me for feedback, not knowing how to operate it himself. When asked to return to a previous page he said resignedly in Hindi "woh toh chale gaya. Ab nahin milega. (The page is gone. I cannot retrieve it)."<br />
<br />
The steward erred grossly on two counts – first, he resorted to colloquial language while conversing with a guest when he should have stuck to the formal language of communication. Secondly, he or his establishment had failed to provide him with the requisite training. I felt like leaving the same sentence and sentiment as our comment on the contraption!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Heart of the Matter is not in its place</b></span><br />
<br />
At places with ill-trained staff, the food and atmosphere can be a great saviour. Suffice it to say that at our ill-fated outing at this 'all shine – no substance' Italian place we were denied even that. The pizza was most ordinary. Domino's does far better. The little accoutrements were missing, the breads were far from fresh - yes all three, the Parmesan was floor dust massed-up in little balls and not freshly grated. And the tomato and basil spaghetti from the eponymous restaurant left a lot to be desired - the sauce was a thick, over stirred mass, overly salty and robbing the pasta of any taste or flavour, the spaghetti was not quite al dente. <b><i>If you get your two basic dishes so wrong, how would you instil confidence in the customer to try out your trumped up menu that is heavy on the design value and comes out as a piece of literary fiction because your heart is not in its place!</i></b><br />
<br />
I once had this well-established and feared food critic share her exasperation on how the Doormen made her feel small each time she came to the hotel in a tuk-tuk/auto rickshaw. The disdainful behaviour of one team member made her feel spiteful of the hotel at large.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I fondly recall the spotlessly liveried Doorman of The Pierre (a Four Seasons Hotel at the time of my visit) who was such a joy to have the first interface with as I got down from a public transport that was carrying me from around Newark Airport to the heart of Manhattan. The wise, well-behaved, thoroughly groomed Gent set the tone for one of the best hotel stays in my life.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>When up-selling leads to short-selling</b></span><br />
<br />
Spaghetti Kitchen, the Italian Restaurant, we have been talking about in this article messed up so badly on staff that were not only ill-trained but also wrongly trained.<br />
<br />
Now, we know that all hotel staff is tutored to upsell – from the Sales & Marketing representatives and Front Office folks to the Food & Beverage personnel. <b><i>But up-selling is an art form and a fine-tuned strategy. Its art lies in making subliminal suggestions to the guests who then think that it is either their own choice or have been done a favour by being sold a higher priced service/product.</i></b><br />
<br />
The good fellas at Spaghetti Kitchen were appallingly trained to be pushy and aggressive about all that up-selling they unleashed on us and other guests – from pushing heavily taxed bottled water to diners who do not drink water with their meals, to openly snickering at our small two-course order for the late, late-night quick meal we went for, to pushing desserts to a table that was disinclined towards them, to at least try to shove overrated coffee to the couple that wished to finish the meal with a simple tiramisu – these Brand Anti-Ambassadors managed to short sell their reputation and image, pushing the guests even farther from their brand.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Failing to close the loop on a Guest Issue</b></span><br />
<br />
Hotels and restaurants, since they are a people-centric industry – by the people and for the people – fall open to a multitude of issues and crises that revolve around the troika of human ability, attitude and emotion. <b><i>Nobody likes to be short-changed in their service expectation and product usage. </i></b>In technological things, one can still blame the science or physics but in the service industry, it is thinking, rational and able people who are at the centre of it and cannot get away by saying that the hardware malfunctioned or there was a systems error.<br />
<br />
In the case of the Italian Restaurant we have been referring to, we let our displeasure known several times during the evening. Our complaints seemed to be falling on uncaring, unwilling ears. It was only when we let the strange people at Spaghetti Kitchen know that we were "industry folk," that some sense of respect was brought forward and the erring waiter quickly replaced by the Manager and the Maitre'd. This sort of knee-jerk reaction leaves a lot to be desired and robs the guest of any confidence he may have in your brand.<br />
<br />
Since there were a plethora of issues we faced on that fateful "so-called" fine-dining dinner, we scaled up the matter to the Company's Image managers. The PR Reps., who call themselves PR Pundits, picked up our rant on the Food Forum and came back with too little, too late and too dispassionately. I gave the PR lady a reminder (reminders are sacrilege in the PR world of work); she gave me a passing apology perhaps only to go back to write her nth note to the restaurant management. The Management eventually wrote to me with the standard invite to 'come try them again "on the house"' without realizing that <b><i>faith is never won with a free meal.</i></b><br />
<br />
<b><i>In our line of business, there are warning signs that flag out much before they become crises for the guests. </i></b>We must learn to read them in time and draw out our plan of action to keep our SOPs well-oiled much before we are coerced to get into the battle zone to do the damage control.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
******</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Picture courtesy - Google Images</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-6644728177185567622018-01-15T19:00:00.000+05:302018-01-15T19:00:42.725+05:30Goals!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e4ODjfYBkX-D8zUgGACXd00jY0SwcsMTIE5LSgMVZKvBOKSsnxB4pywEuym52Sb8fqNqpQkwYLnMbEItPiSyybiWDH1PPHu0Bod4Egvpl0HnmYvgXD8U0m2b7yFZO9grcEsJq6b7L3-I/s1600/Goals%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e4ODjfYBkX-D8zUgGACXd00jY0SwcsMTIE5LSgMVZKvBOKSsnxB4pywEuym52Sb8fqNqpQkwYLnMbEItPiSyybiWDH1PPHu0Bod4Egvpl0HnmYvgXD8U0m2b7yFZO9grcEsJq6b7L3-I/s640/Goals%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-22205210366534039252018-01-02T19:30:00.000+05:302018-01-02T19:31:07.721+05:30At the start of 2018, follow these 11 essential Mantras and NEVER see yourself or your business fail!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHF69fFvgy6lSQEUdZcMixqUXDpwX0bLfEU2tX66vUQ6WYA0Fwr8vthVjMJoGtFDILmN-BWL0ROeCciuWRqY_ZXhfjWhGR2ZqC3qVW1Eiepm6ubAcS-PQvpJ6V0GV4eTXA5CdeIh3icXk/s1600/Winning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHF69fFvgy6lSQEUdZcMixqUXDpwX0bLfEU2tX66vUQ6WYA0Fwr8vthVjMJoGtFDILmN-BWL0ROeCciuWRqY_ZXhfjWhGR2ZqC3qVW1Eiepm6ubAcS-PQvpJ6V0GV4eTXA5CdeIh3icXk/s640/Winning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Companies and individuals that succeed as market leaders are those that </span><span class="" style="font-size: large;">fine-tune</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> the smallest aspects and fit them well and cohesively into their Big Picture. It could be such a small thing as flowers placed straight in a vase on a guest table, or maintaining the right temperature of the </span><span class="gr-progress" style="font-size: large;">hot/cold</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> towels in the Hotel limousine or making sure that the steward is well-trained in serving at just the right angle, without letting his livery brush against the guest or the dish he is serving from.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Strung together, these small things shape up to become service standards that guide the brand ethos and strive for Brand Excellence!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Market Leaders know that they need to be flag bearers of their Brand essence and must never drop the ball, while continually raising the bar with their unmatched standards, both in service and their trained team of stellar performers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here follow 11 essential Business Mantras to ensure that you never let yourself or your Brand fail –<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Attention to detail<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the trade of Hoteliering, there is no space or scope for tardiness and lack of attention to the tiniest detail at all the multitudinous levels we function in. <b><i>At least here, we must sweat the small stuff in order to present our best selves forward to the guests.<o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">From arrival to departure<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A memorable stay or dining indulgence starts at the entrance of the hotel/restaurant and ends at the exit. Well! let me take it a bit further and state that it begins from the very first interaction, yes, the time the booking was made – by whatever mode – and ends with the hotel/restaurant acknowledging the feedback the guest leaves on a comment card or on TripAdvisor, with a personal response sent to the guest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That is the ‘full cycle’ of the guest-brand interface we must bear in mind and ensure immaculate experiential and service delivery to. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Matchless Service Standards <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For a Market Leader, there is just no other way. Service has to be outstanding, with delivery standards benchmarked to the best there exist globally, and delivery processes fine-tuned to faultless levels of precision and delightedness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Astral or botched up service and winning or erring attitudes can decide what part of the memory – good or bad - the experience rests in. <b><i>Sadly, bad memories tend to linger on and resurface easily!</i></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Synching Staff with Brand Ethos and Brand Value<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The staff which is not trained to be brand proud and customer-oriented, Staff that lacks passion and commitment and is there to do just a job but fails even to do that, completely destroys the brand value and ruins the reputation of the Company for good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Work on the Core <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Every business has its core area and in some cases, ancillary interests. The company’s Vision and Mission, the blueprint for future growth, existing R&D, all training initiatives and service delivery standards are brought into a fine, strategic interplay of cohesive and conducive thrust to ensure that the core of the Company is always geared towards performing optimally for the end user.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">For instance, much before experience, ambience, aspirational value and lifestyle statements, restaurants are about food. To present the finest of its core essence, restaurants go the long stretch to hire specialty chefs and specialized supplementary team members such as the distinguished sommelier or a Barista. They make huge investments in F&B training, menu creation, planning and execution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sourcing of exotic and exceptional ingredients, importing of fabulous flatware, appointing of renowned entertainers who are believed to stimulate the appetite and stir up the spirit by their pulsating music – all this is brought into a grand performance to present the main act, the act that defines the raison d’être of restaurateuring. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The same goes for rooms, spas and the kind of hotel business you are in – business or leisure or MICE or resort or destination or wellness and so on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The core of existence for the Brand and its sub-products must, therefore, be strongly moored and kept in focus while carrying out business, both in a day-to-day setting and while working on long-term goals.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">6.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Guests – the centre of your Universe<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The central gravitational force for the business of hotels is, unarguably, the guests. It is the chief reason why mega monies were paid to renowned architects and builders to create those magnificent edifices. Bundles of bucks are put into defining and plattering out the perfect branding. Pretty pennies are paid to hire the right mix of staff. All kinds of material are brought in – from Italian marble to mood lighting, expensive crystal to aromatherapy candles, special ingredients to spa treatments – and many man hours put into presenting eclectic experiences under the single parent fold. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In today’s times, when the guests are spoiled for choice with the hotel/restaurant business having bloomed so much as to bring in the best to even one’s doorstep, it is professional hara-</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">kiri for staff and establishments to assess guests from the front desks or make small talk about diners at different tables and generally be offensive in their attitude towards the guests.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">It is the guests that are at the heart of hoteliering.</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> It is the guests we put out our services to, who come and spend their income with us, ensuring that we keep our bottom-line healthy and stay afloat in the marketplace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">7.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Polish the right Attitude <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Five Star hotels, all over, have such a chip on their shoulder. I have seen hotel staff size up guests on the basis of clothes or jewellery they wear, the cars they alight from, the kind of luggage they carry, the choice of food and beverage they order and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of people working in starred hotels, up the hierarchy, thrive on such affectations. But at the bottom of the day, it is actually a training thing and a decision made by the mandarins early enough on what the ethos of their brand philosophy should be and how should it be breathed out by one and all. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Underlining what I state above, there are these two distinct anecdotes I love to share as <b><i>tall examples of both kinds of attitudes – guest attentive and respecting on one end and not even self-respecting on the other!</i></b><i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the first example, I was, on one trip. alighting at The Pierre in New York from a ram shackled public transport with unbranded luggage yet the Doorman - in cahoots with the Concierge - helped me disembark, greeted me enthusiastically and ushered me with great showmanship into the gilded precincts of the iconic hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the second case, I had a very senior Food Critic cry hoarse about the despicable behavior of the majestically attired Doorman, at one of New Delhi / India’s finest hotels, who refused to allow her auto rickshaw to enter the hotel gate. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rules being rules, the Doorman should have been taught how to handle such cases with respect and sensitivity, without letting the guest feel cheap and disgusted which this hotel employee ended up doing. Several man hours were wasted in salvaging the situation with me as their Director of PR and the General Manager getting into the crisis-handling mode to win the guest back. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A lot of heartache and bad blood could have been avoided had the hotel concentrated on training the Doorman well and teaching him how to employ good reason, rational thinking and deft delicateness in handling different kinds of guests.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">8.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Learn the New Rules of exposure in these times of Social Media <o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With the surge of the Social Media, every guest is a potential hotel or food critic, with the power to put out a good vibe on the web or destroy a brand with an acerbic comment that has the propensity to snowball into a major issue.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While, earlier, making a complaint in print would have required a huge amount of time and energy investment with major follow-ups; today you can create news or a buzz right there with just a few touches on the screen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And what’s scary is that; that little piece of news or complaint put compactly in as little as 140 or 280 characters can reach all corners of the world at the same time. Moreover, since bad news travels faster, a juicy piece of negative publicity of an established brand can easily go viral and keep returning with every comment and share to bite the Brand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, if you do your job well and present the finest facet of your Brand to maximum guest satisfaction, you stand to gain from the same principles of Social Media, garnering all that free publicity and goodwill for your Brand and its myriad points of sale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">9.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Bite back the urge to Up-sell<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Up-sell by all means but first and foremost understand what the guest really wants and then move around that parameter; scooping in and pulling out with finesse, élan and refinement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And drop the hard sell like the proverbial hot potato; it is known to dispel guests far, far away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The business of hotels and restaurateuring has to be about grace and decorum, subtle hints and subliminal suggestions; leaving the guest as the main orchestrator of the experience that you double up to deliver on a silver platter of fine food and finer service.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">10.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></i></b><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><u>Bring the spotlight back on Guest Focus<o:p></o:p></u></span></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In the present times when the written word has the power to travel all over the globe with just a click of a button and the guest feedback can garner quite a momentum in the virtual world with strong repercussions in real life, <b><i>guest focus and guest orientation are paramount like never before! <o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">But more importantly, you must learn to be earnest in your service to guests for your Company’s good and for your own sake! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The true touchstone of a great place is how it treats and behaves with only five guests who do not run up a big bill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Great places do not put their sparkle on only for that big table ordering the most expensive items on the menu or the costliest bottle of Champagne. They treat the low spenders in the same way they would the high spending ones; with sincerity in service, respect for their own brand and pronounced guest attention being supreme in their scheme of things.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is not only the correct Brand Philosophy but also a win-win scenario, both for the Brand and the guests.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next time those five guests want to recommend a great place to their contacts or wish to spend mega bucks on a special evening, guess who will they recommend and where will they make their reservation!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">11.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"><u>T</u></span></span></i></b><b><i><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">he Golden Rule of Hospitality<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Regardless of the Draconian sword of the social media / traditional media,<i> the <b>service industry has a moral obligation to serve the guests with honesty, respect and enthusiasm.</b> </i>Otherwise, they are definitely in the wrong game.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">I remember ordering only Spaghetti sans any wine or a side dish at a rather fine restaurant run by an immigrant Italian in the heart of Engelberg, the tiny sleepy town in Switzerland. We were accorded </span>as<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"> much respect and attention as they would have given to someone ordering a six-course meal, with the Owner stopping by to ask after us. Now that is what is called impeccable attitude and perfect training.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The ambience, the attitude, the food, the concentration on guests was such that we returned the next evening and the next to try out their menu. They had made quite an impression on us with their complete package of good food and hospitality standards of the highest order. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The best part is; they were really not trying hard to impress. All they were doing was carrying on with their job and presenting their brand in the best way possible, and with integrity, passion and guest orientation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In most cases, that is all that you are required to do!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">***********</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-53627565143787618532017-12-21T03:39:00.001+05:302017-12-21T03:39:36.220+05:30Magnificence of Social Media!<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>This is what I call the good, bankable power of Social Media - inviting stimulating engagement, furthering knowledge, endorsing professional nous and acknowledging interaction.</i></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Well played LinkedIn! Now to see Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, youTube, Pinterest take the game of healthy interaction up a few notches and pave it soundly for 2018!</i></span><br />
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHRLZ5luuVvIzee80CK6Ichf-1oze_ErtYRD3p2IAjXYCjEgiGFtvrAQQ7HonWUzlt2EE6_5WBtGOCKmUBlaKY_JOwifyijoQlZhbv9cUM1c82MtCUQ12UkD_Wtn7Q5w2-4As2w0LYhkx/s1600/LinkedIn%2527s+year+end+note+to+me+-+Dec+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="557" data-original-width="556" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHRLZ5luuVvIzee80CK6Ichf-1oze_ErtYRD3p2IAjXYCjEgiGFtvrAQQ7HonWUzlt2EE6_5WBtGOCKmUBlaKY_JOwifyijoQlZhbv9cUM1c82MtCUQ12UkD_Wtn7Q5w2-4As2w0LYhkx/s640/LinkedIn%2527s+year+end+note+to+me+-+Dec+2017.jpg" width="638" /></a></div>
<div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-89365549227473287772017-12-20T03:27:00.000+05:302018-03-12T17:09:01.161+05:30We brazen, unabashed Millennial folk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28E7C9On9ldh0rbrBwGvaV7hqwthuRK5glCFrJ7ntWFjCye58zT0cSXC1I3H0rnPQlynSN1EW2y8zNfcf-u5FSAKHZongEcq_9h0pFohVKmDRAXIQlsSIHW3UAQK0n3mLdGuJYHHyfTez/s1600/Chanakya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28E7C9On9ldh0rbrBwGvaV7hqwthuRK5glCFrJ7ntWFjCye58zT0cSXC1I3H0rnPQlynSN1EW2y8zNfcf-u5FSAKHZongEcq_9h0pFohVKmDRAXIQlsSIHW3UAQK0n3mLdGuJYHHyfTez/s640/Chanakya.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>We have become a shameless, self-aggrandizing, self-promoting global society.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Otherwise, how do you explain that we, unabashedly, confer such lofty titles on ourselves - Visionary, Clairvoyant, Maven, Global Leader, Evangelist and so on!</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">Up until now when the millennials are beginning to ride over, it was up to others to call us thus!</i><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I am waiting for the time, when we will begin to label ourselves as Moses, Noah, Jesus, Lord Krishna, Lord Ganesha of Business, the Chanakya of Strategy!!</i><br />
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">What do you think?</i></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span>
</span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i>Picture courtesy - Google Images</i></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">
</span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-85006592902854303902017-12-18T03:22:00.000+05:302017-12-21T03:23:27.964+05:30How to Become a PR Wizard! PR 101 (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUgzshf7tdUTRkYLz9M1TXyNM9db0JQE-rU2VZl9bVv-xzaykMU1ZwrYtwrmo2Edd-x6SrLklbHfD2g0SW8ijmxJK-g8IPW6U38FVSylOdN7hRjnhUeIxXKEe_vAvMqU1vXVJjn7K5cUB/s1600/PR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="558" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiUgzshf7tdUTRkYLz9M1TXyNM9db0JQE-rU2VZl9bVv-xzaykMU1ZwrYtwrmo2Edd-x6SrLklbHfD2g0SW8ijmxJK-g8IPW6U38FVSylOdN7hRjnhUeIxXKEe_vAvMqU1vXVJjn7K5cUB/s640/PR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">As the PR Head of your Organization, </span><span style="font-size: large;">you have to learn to be a master juggler, adept at handling a large assemblage of roles. You must be skilled at walking the tight rope b</span><span style="font-size: large;">etween all the relevant publics through which you must deftly manoeuvre </span><span style="font-size: large;">your brand message. You must deliver the optimal performance on each of the multitudinous functions that are the subsets of your larger responsibility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">You have to be a fine and respected Spokesperson for your Brand and know how to handle a crisis situation with utmost attention and finesse. The role of a PR professional is cross-dimensional, multifarious and with new challenges springing up all in a day’s work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">In Part 1 of this theme, we looked at fifteen of the essential skills that you must equip yourself with in order to be a top-notch PR player. Let us look at the remaining significant traits in the second Part -</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">1. Do not be a fish in the pond, be a whale in an ocean.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Grow your horizon beyond the local and national and benchmark your work and yourself internationally. Better still, be Glocal with local sensibilities and a global perspective.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">2. Develop healthy and productive relationships. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Develop sound and meaningful relationships with a wide array of publics – ranging from Government representatives, diplomats, artists and performers to Travel & Tourism industry folk, eminent community people and hotel guests, the last being the most important.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nurture an outstanding rapport with your colleagues – a lot of them end up being your media talent and ably assist you in excellent Reputation Management and in the successful representation of the Brand Identity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">3. Stay keen, curious, excited and hungry for knowledge and information.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">A piqued interest in anything new or offbeat or out of the ordinary makes you a fascinating story-teller and a dynamic PR professional who is always loaded with rich nuggets to share.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">It could be the exquisite lobby flower arrangement, the uniquely artisanal products at the Spa, the enchanting towel origami in the rooms, the bespoke wine bottled specially for the hotel, range of patisserie inimitably offered by your Pastry Shop, the Christmas decorations that set you apart, the distinctive and latest fleet of limousines – the options are endless and exciting. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">4. You must develop a keen inclination towards Travel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">It offers education like no other and is one of finest teachers of all. It makes you a global professional who can fit into international and multicultural work milieu with ease.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">It exposes you to the fascinating cultures and people from around the world. You get to see and learn firsthand a lot of practices that your international hotel adheres to. Finally, Travel turns you into an interesting person and a great conversationalist.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">5. Read up on issues of General importance.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">You should have a cultivated interest in a wide range of topics and must make a habit of reading up on them. One of my favourite bosses, and the second mentor in my corporate career, used to nudge us to read extensively. He himself would begin his day by giving a long glance to the finance and business sections of the morning papers and then proceed to read hospitality newsletters as and when his time would permit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">One morning, he told us, he had kept busy reading up on the automobile industry and the latest developments in that sector. At lunch, that afternoon, with the Managing Director of an auto major, he managed to build a good connection by showing up as an interested, informed and intelligent hotelier who was on the same page as the important guest and could identify with the guest’s focus and demands with ease.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">6. The business of Entertaining.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Half of your work time will be spent in entertaining. Half of the other half will go in working closely with the F&B department. Hence, it will make a lot of sense to develop a strong affinity for food as a stream of work along with the appreciation </span><span style="font-size: large;">of good food and wine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">This will help you hold your own at Menu launches and Wine dinners, be a knowledgeable conduit between the F&B colleagues and the media, not look like a greenhorn or a misfit and bring high value to those PR, Sales and Brand management strategies that revolve around food and beverage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">7. </span><span style="font-size: large;">You must hone your skill in Public Speaking.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a PR representative of your Company, there will be zillion platforms where you will have to wield the mike and come out looking like a Pro.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">From internal meetings and PR presentations to charity balls, community events and webinars; there will be so many occasions for you to get on the podium and speak, that it will do you well to practice public speaking on a regular basis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">8. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Develop an expertise in Event Management.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a Hotel PR person, this chunk of responsibility falls into your lap. The fun and exciting part is that you get to handle a big bag of events ranging from fashion shows, art exhibitions, supper theatre to piano concerts, symphony orchestra and sporting tournaments.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">9. Work and web well with the Significant Others at Work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">You must work with the General Manager’s Office and the HR Department to develop a strong strategy based on Corporate Social Responsibility.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Companies have been known to endorse Government-led projects in earmarked villages, sponsor environment-focussed activities, offer a scholarship to children with special needs, support a community developed around sustainability and green belt model.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a lot you can do, as payback to the Society and you must partake of this privilege. After all, a Company’s real worth, value and success is truly measured by what it contributes to the Society in which it thrives.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">10. Crisis Management.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">The role of a hotel PR is extremely pertinent and influential for the eclectic range of crises you are called to handle.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Crisis Handling and Issues Management are the two extremely important areas of responsibility in your strategic role.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">At hotels it could range from a simple bad review of a food festival to the dramatic unnatural death on the premises; from the repercussions of a bad speech made by the head honcho to a run-in with the law on account of a questionable activity of a suspicious guest. The gamut is wide and could come with no precedent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Therefore, you must really learn the ropes of handling different kinds of crises, with tutored calm and maturity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">11. Communicating with Internal Publics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pay a lot of heed to Internal communications because the internal publics are an immensely significant set of publics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Make sure that you are as focussed on sharing the Company news with the employee base as you are with the media.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Work hand in glove with HR on employee events and workshops. Step out and provide media training to an extended set of people, thereby developing an army of skillful </span><span style="font-size: large;">and well-versed brand ambassadors.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">12. Diversity in Daily Work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">With such diversity in your daily duties and a rich mixed plate of responsibilities, there are a set of personal qualities and attributes that will help you get head and stay on top of your game.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the important ones are - attention to detail, promptness in responses, capacity to handle stress, ability to deliver on short notice, a talent for genuinely liking people and building relationships, being likable yourself and easy to get along with a varied set of people, multi-tasking, keeping calm under pressure and being passionate about what you do.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you develop each of the above skills/traits, then you will have less to rely on sham, superficiality and spin; all of which that have given PR a bad name.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;">A truly qualified PR professional brings respect to their own self, their organization and their area of competence; founding their career on a bedrock of sound PR fundamentals, performance best practices and work ethics.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">*******</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRPrAJkMhau96FqO4WesAMvQw0T50pZpdt7YGO-xiFTGuflHBRSrp2GeCxfQwfEvAzR3u5VtBQrLLz6jNGkMKSYpULlZJd3A5kJ6wW056JuIAToaliKIO-K_uSlRtOvgP5tnc63bCF_EK/s1600/PR+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRPrAJkMhau96FqO4WesAMvQw0T50pZpdt7YGO-xiFTGuflHBRSrp2GeCxfQwfEvAzR3u5VtBQrLLz6jNGkMKSYpULlZJd3A5kJ6wW056JuIAToaliKIO-K_uSlRtOvgP5tnc63bCF_EK/s640/PR+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;">Picture courtesy - Google Images</span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-40292354073688216862017-12-16T02:56:00.000+05:302017-12-21T02:56:26.542+05:30Control your mind!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTZNHig4NZBO1YQoaE8ztTTdP2Ruit7f8D7pFOYzmgztd8K8KyXJAZKfTLcGLQkPOKa6IMHz0QU67k7LMXe4UWr3RRIHZ_tFKafyj_aiUbosMXUWuPY2yBre3flQljILQ57fwW0VWQn85/s1600/Control+your+Mind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbTZNHig4NZBO1YQoaE8ztTTdP2Ruit7f8D7pFOYzmgztd8K8KyXJAZKfTLcGLQkPOKa6IMHz0QU67k7LMXe4UWr3RRIHZ_tFKafyj_aiUbosMXUWuPY2yBre3flQljILQ57fwW0VWQn85/s640/Control+your+Mind.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-8628916317713651532017-12-14T19:58:00.001+05:302017-12-14T19:58:08.017+05:30So, who's complimenting you? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OOFMYzkszv1ZEPB69eqn51DgJpbgceiXllIpN1eoILoDhdBbqZ3TO_S3I1ytj9iajJsUm4JQaWfzyp395qbULMxu0VrqEtnQjzyD0JDcyiQHzn_o9D4plGh0wXplM7_4W72UE5tD3Qb4/s1600/Compliments%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="798" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OOFMYzkszv1ZEPB69eqn51DgJpbgceiXllIpN1eoILoDhdBbqZ3TO_S3I1ytj9iajJsUm4JQaWfzyp395qbULMxu0VrqEtnQjzyD0JDcyiQHzn_o9D4plGh0wXplM7_4W72UE5tD3Qb4/s640/Compliments%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-49232596121316541142017-12-13T03:15:00.000+05:302017-12-22T03:24:16.913+05:30Five Simple Strategies to beat the Competition in 2018 and beyond!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29d8zbNHMdqnm0ZmgL174imUvyM6nDXkcJZbhSZuTVkG2NTyM94m925ycgItGF43gZh8nbuWFxMDjGecJTqs_Op218S4DGE025fFyI5eHx1Aixohyphenhyphenw4GDcY446mUhik2PC-ChP1wYybcO/s1600/Excellence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="290" data-original-width="599" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29d8zbNHMdqnm0ZmgL174imUvyM6nDXkcJZbhSZuTVkG2NTyM94m925ycgItGF43gZh8nbuWFxMDjGecJTqs_Op218S4DGE025fFyI5eHx1Aixohyphenhyphenw4GDcY446mUhik2PC-ChP1wYybcO/s640/Excellence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hospitality is a dynamic business that runs double speed just to stay firmly in place. It is, forever, under the influence of forces that urge it to embrace change more frequently than most other industries. First of all, it is the customer base that demands change or </span><span style="font-size: large;">updation </span><span style="font-size: large;">continually; then the other hotels in the region or elsewhere that push you to look within and finally the times that tend to get dated faster than you can plan and implement.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Bottom line is almost always the plank from which business strategies spring up and from where Company Vision gets its focus. And to keep a healthy bottom line, hotel companies must always endeavour to retain their leading position (if they are market leaders; otherwise aspire to be one), increase their market share and always stay ahead of their Competition.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">With 2018 close on our heels, a lot of the industry mavens and trend forecasters are working overtime to predict what will be the new developments, what will last and what will be thrown into the relics of history. Yet, it is a given that the virtues that have stood the test of time continue to guide brand growth and brand relevance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Below follow five basic and essential steps to keep you ahead of your game, regardless of your geopolitical, cultural, time-driven coercions – </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>TQC - Total Quality Control</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what separates the grain from the chaff. Your quality consciousness is one singularly important facet that puts you on top of the heap, regardless of your size, location, features or specialty.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am completely swept off by hotels that do not drop the ball in the faultless crustiness and chewiness of breads in the morning baskets, in the perfect grainy texture of their mustard, the freshness of ALL fruits and cheese and cold cuts on the vast buffets, the crispness of their fresh smelling, spotless linen, the perfect point on which their temperature control rests, the poise and the pleasant disposition of the immaculately trained staff, the little thoughtful gestures exhibited at welcome and turndown. I appreciate these much more than the design, the period or modern furniture, the art deco objets d’art, the number of awards showed off in their press gallery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am of the strong contention that if hotels and the big guns that run them can ensure quality control in the tiniest of facets then they have definitely got the big picture right. Those who aim for the surface sheen, the outwardly, the meatier in-your-eye things and skim over the finer aspects are quite missing the point.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Competition Check</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Those of us in Public Relations and Sales & Marketing have the privilege of enjoying a great perk at least on the upside; until it comes down to hard work and serious study that is tagged to it. Great because it entails wining and dining at competition hotels! The somewhat downside because it involves checking out the menu, the ambience, the rest of the accoutrements that form part of fine dining (this does take away the gay abandon with which we’d rather like to wine and dine), a kind of studious approach that the exercise lends to an evening we would wish to be carefree and the serious report that we must fill in and submit the next morning. Like us, our brethren from the Food & Beverage and Kitchens brigade are also extended ample opportunity within the month to dine several times at the fabulous places housed in other hotels in the city.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then there is the new hotel FAM that we go for to familiarize ourselves with the latest in town that will fight tooth and nail with us for the share of business our geographical location attracts.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember on a sabbatical to the United States while working with a hotel chain, that was a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, I was encouraged by my boss to approach the other member hotels in the cities I was visiting across the east and west coast and seek a stay in order to check out their brand and product.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Like with most other products – durable, FMCG, experiential, ethereal – it will always be imperative to know what and how well the Competition is doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Brand Benchmarking</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In these tough times of economic recession, lack of guest loyalty, availability of too many options, the advent of newer chains that come attached with the strings of their unique features and discerning facets, it makes a whole lot of sense to continually benchmark internally and raise the bar amidst the other players in the industry.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Guests will stay with you for the overall goodness of your product and will return only when they see a different value for themselves from the rest of the pack that hounds and courts them and solicits their business.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Eye for Innovation</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">There is always an opportunity to better your best; to present an idea in a more superior way than the next good guy in town. And that is where your inclination for innovation comes in. Faster Wi-Fi, more well-stocked minibar, a much more improved in-house laundry, greater hassle-free check-in and check-out, far more efficient in-room and butler services, more refined ease of conducting business affairs while still in the Limo, a stellar guest history software that remembers every tiny detail about the guest – the penchant to reinvent yourselves and keep your R&D skills razor sharp will always stand you in good stead.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trending in Technology</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While with a lot of other things we can set our own rank (think permutations in infrastructure, preferences in design, choice of services’ routine and template), with technology we can only follow what has been devised by the denizens of the Silicon Valley and madly copied and distributed in tech labs and IT firms.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">From Apple founded by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne down to Zuckerberg’s Facebook, the A to Z of tech wizards are stumbling over each other to present the next big and better craze.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">While many other things are in our hands, technology is in the hands of those who dive deep into the sea of innovation and swim back with one magnificent creation after another. With technology making the world smaller and hospitality always endeavouring to bring the world closer, it makes sense to keep up with the latest offering in personal and business technology, especially when the competition has just reworked and jazzed up their tech menu and offerings for the guests. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The five above will always guarantee to keep your Brand alive and kicking, your think tank busy, your creative teams satiated, your employee base motivated and above all, your guests happy.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">When caught in the jargon of business theories and the loop spun by the new age witchdoctors; do reflect on these basic tenets and see how your business continues to thrive and outperform.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have a successful and satisfying 2018!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkY0-xchDQ0CCGuyBHe2BBos1bCDES-ZxyiGfVXhRaR9tbcDDDQXki8CJQsck4YACg9IOvTA1M6lDjzwa7k6ZWETmEw8h8CBBo45rtmvmkmgyfy0uu9-AS3EfmzNJi2-DXWpIlOb2JbUM/s1600/Success.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkY0-xchDQ0CCGuyBHe2BBos1bCDES-ZxyiGfVXhRaR9tbcDDDQXki8CJQsck4YACg9IOvTA1M6lDjzwa7k6ZWETmEw8h8CBBo45rtmvmkmgyfy0uu9-AS3EfmzNJi2-DXWpIlOb2JbUM/s640/Success.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<i>Pictures courtesy - Google Images </i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-88310109512062932872017-12-06T01:08:00.000+05:302017-12-07T01:24:24.191+05:30Superb Writers 2017!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2vpnu" data-offset-key="2lo7p-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0WwPLxaiJNR8EO570ndwkiw-zF6vgVicGvxiD_CS1NvKeMD_5jAFCvlBcIOyUyROLXK9HRW5t1V2-HhV05-4DJk8tTfCP9u0MzDB6IBD5N4Pyw-M1G6GHZCfesi9DZ_qHm9FocKNr8uU/s1600/Vin+Clancy+adds+L.+Aruna+Dhir+to+Superb+Writers+2017+list+on+6th+December+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1216" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0WwPLxaiJNR8EO570ndwkiw-zF6vgVicGvxiD_CS1NvKeMD_5jAFCvlBcIOyUyROLXK9HRW5t1V2-HhV05-4DJk8tTfCP9u0MzDB6IBD5N4Pyw-M1G6GHZCfesi9DZ_qHm9FocKNr8uU/s640/Vin+Clancy+adds+L.+Aruna+Dhir+to+Superb+Writers+2017+list+on+6th+December+2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpbAHV8NW0iWvZjS9gPW7xxvNnt9MqGruVCMc40FneqZ41xxiB-dZUpQNqfUgDOJe1E36itJtT2PjeGKTU6E6uLnpOcmZDLB9iNKVXBZYbx-ssr0iVe-V4NRpoSkhoCg9oJWAQG40RiRH/s1600/Superb+Writers+2017+list+by+Vin+Clancy+on+Twitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="199" data-original-width="295" height="429" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkpbAHV8NW0iWvZjS9gPW7xxvNnt9MqGruVCMc40FneqZ41xxiB-dZUpQNqfUgDOJe1E36itJtT2PjeGKTU6E6uLnpOcmZDLB9iNKVXBZYbx-ssr0iVe-V4NRpoSkhoCg9oJWAQG40RiRH/s640/Superb+Writers+2017+list+by+Vin+Clancy+on+Twitter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="2lo7p-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2vpnu" data-offset-key="6cshj-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6cshj-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Today I was added to the list of Superb Writers 2017 by Vin Clancy.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2vpnu" data-offset-key="4d8rp-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4d8rp-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">
Vin Clancy, a noted Twitterati, is a UK based Award-winning public speaker specializing in growth hacking, internet marketing, and personal branding.
He says, "I help people use the internet to improve their lives."
He is also a "Listerateur," or a master craftsman of lists if you please, pooling together great talent into cohesive, easy to follow and easier to reap lists.
Vin has created a reservoir of great creative minds and Thought Leaders by drawing up an awe-inspiring bunch of 69 lists on Twitter.
About Superb Writers 2017, Vin Clancy has this to say - "These lot are going somewhere :) follow them!"</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="2vpnu" data-offset-key="em467-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="em467-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="em467-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAQ0-_q9xVwWup5SbrINehQ7LAEZ9vmnHW6lL-iQInR_SMmxjZqwBmYHTjG_QPFdFEFrGzNpA00AFIK0Y5r-8ibL4nbAd67W5tdGUKNOu7mkkvT7E4-82iRtSMZnMJe8GunUhSiPTE59S/s1600/Who+is+Vin+Clancy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="1338" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAQ0-_q9xVwWup5SbrINehQ7LAEZ9vmnHW6lL-iQInR_SMmxjZqwBmYHTjG_QPFdFEFrGzNpA00AFIK0Y5r-8ibL4nbAd67W5tdGUKNOu7mkkvT7E4-82iRtSMZnMJe8GunUhSiPTE59S/s640/Who+is+Vin+Clancy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="em467-0-0" style="direction: ltr; font-family: inherit; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="em467-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-16777895558726354932017-12-04T22:38:00.000+05:302017-12-06T22:43:09.311+05:30Top 20 of all time!<span style="font-size: large;">I note it with immense joy and gratitude that two of my articles are amongst the 20 best of all time on Bizcatalyst 360. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">In fact, they appear at Numbers 1 and 3.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is Manna for any Writer, and certainly a spot of divine motivation!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9W6UXIU3Nck3ePLAba_laPjMfKr1AJUao_1Xfck0T2r6gtSKKqcHQ8TnR3Y3ZAVuvTJsBTGNK67B81zAQeH6cE8hmrWs40sxvcjNKK_5wPIJxQY-71CNj2JkObmBB1szP7O6eWDyvxxBU/s1600/Bizcatalyst+TOP+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1109" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9W6UXIU3Nck3ePLAba_laPjMfKr1AJUao_1Xfck0T2r6gtSKKqcHQ8TnR3Y3ZAVuvTJsBTGNK67B81zAQeH6cE8hmrWs40sxvcjNKK_5wPIJxQY-71CNj2JkObmBB1szP7O6eWDyvxxBU/s640/Bizcatalyst+TOP+20.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-90516381831992938452017-11-30T18:06:00.000+05:302017-12-01T18:08:07.661+05:30Common Communication mistakes that show us in bad light! (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhZH0TxIEmkyBgY5SciOEGvOXJcVFvrGQir6QY1Ik_oxecLtRRWw3i8Z_qbWDbdz6lWKNPEuuTghiGCUrlKgJfWkZ_sEcN37i_0asGARTSetMD3zxkKEtVrzHxmoTMB_PjfBvrz0jVegk/s1600/Bloopers+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhZH0TxIEmkyBgY5SciOEGvOXJcVFvrGQir6QY1Ik_oxecLtRRWw3i8Z_qbWDbdz6lWKNPEuuTghiGCUrlKgJfWkZ_sEcN37i_0asGARTSetMD3zxkKEtVrzHxmoTMB_PjfBvrz0jVegk/s640/Bloopers+1.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Communication, any form, is the bedrock that helps you define your Brand and reinforce your Brand Image. It helps you convey your Brand Story to the intended publics</span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">. Communication helps you seal Sales deals, build up your reputation, break down misconceptions and make strong relationships with your clients. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More often than not, emails are the first interface with a potential client or a probable business prospect. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So why do we cut detestable corners while communicating – both verbally and via the written word! In trying to save time we end up dispensing more in damage control.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here follow the remaining five mistakes we continue to make, despite our good intentions - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>1. Going around in circles </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Instead of addressing the issue at hand or bringing a closure to the discussion; why do we like to engage in preambles, introductions and corollaried explanations? We often tend to engage in </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Over-the-top business writing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Research shows that to-the-point text carries more weight and delivers more than the superfluous assemblage of words simply adding weight to the body copy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Be brief. Brevity is indeed a virtue. It helps you capture the reader’s attention span for just the requisite amount of time and convey your piece with force and conviction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Also, break your text into paras for an effortless read. And do adhere to that middle school diktat of Introduction – Body – Conclusion in most of your communication for easy comprehension and takeaways by the recipients. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. Being Grammar-ly handicapped </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am of the strong belief that no matter how less time we have with us, how small our gadgets become and in whatever part of the world we work in, Grammar will always be our guardian angel in effective communication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grammar sets apart a pro from a tyro, a zealous worker from a careless one, a professional who takes pride in his handiwork from one who is merely passing time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Usage of proper grammar uplifts the document making it engaging, easy on the eye and a pleasure to read.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Lack of good grammar and its improper use can alter the meaning of what you wish to convey, and sometimes in acute cases put your text in the grey zone of libel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Grammar is no longer as stringent in dictating terms. The rules that applied, say in the 60s, have been relaxed. It is alright to write in an easier, fluent, conversational style. Yet the basic boundaries that bring shape to your syntax and coherence to your content must be observed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A fabulous writing/editing web resource, Freestyle Editorial, corroborates the point by stating, “The most engaging, persuasive business writing is also the most conversational. So that means you can, and often should violate some stuffy grammatical rules. Which means; you can end sentences with a proposition, split the occasional infinitive, and begin sentences with a conjunction. After all, that is how we speak. However, breaking other grammatical rules can make you look…well…dumb. They can hurt your organization’s credibility and affect the conscious and unconscious purchasing decisions of your customers. According to a 2009 Survey, 94 percent of business service buyers report that grammar, punctuation, and spelling affect their purchasing decisions to some extent.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are a million grammar minefields that you should try and avoid at all costs. It’s vs. Its; There, Their, They’re; Stationary vs. Stationery; Principle vs. Principal; Who vs. Whom; Affect vs. Effect; That vs. Which are some of the most common goof-ups we make.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Communication is a craft; please hone it and practise it well. Many a reputation and businesses have been broken on the wheel of weak Grammar and slip-shod structure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. Leaning towards emoticons and Smileys</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I am surely one of the biggest culprits of using the smiley face rampantly. To me, no communication is complete until I have sent a smiley back to close the conversation; and close a conversation one must. It is the closest to smiling back at a person; easily the nicest element in our non-verbal personality indicators and body language. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I get away with it, in my formal dialogue with my editors, publishers and fellow professionals I meet and interact with on the Web. But in a more sacrosanct, corporate workspace I would flinch if I did it more than the rare few times I could indulge myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Emoting with the Emojis in your social media exchanges and with a certain set of people is absolutely fine. Go ahead and give that Thumbs up or send that snoozing fat kitten.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But, at large, and in most of your formal communication, please refrain from looking perplexed or agitated or elated or walloped, the last depicted by that copiously weeping round face. Also, even when you are bursting at your seams with mirth, there is no place for a ‘Ha Ha Ha’ in official content.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Emoticons have their place in our messaging systems but a business communication text is not one of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. Being poor in punctuation </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Why do we have a penchant for over usage of exclamation marks and under usage of spacing options??? See, I did it right there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Can you please send it to me ASAP??????</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Waiting for the report!!!!!!!!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I called your office to discuss the important matter at hand. I have been waiting for a call back?!?!?!?!?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do these look familiar? I know, there are a gazillion instances that make us feel exasperated, push us to the end of the tether and make us hit our heads against the wall. Our corporate avatars are constantly barraged by issues and situations through the day that try our patience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But exhibiting that vexation, on the formal platform, through the crutch of excessively used exclamation marks is certainly not a proper outlet. Everything has its place; don’t overuse it. That is why the chair and standing office exercises and 2-minute meditation techniques were invented.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">One of my personal peeves is when people do not use the readily available Spacing Options intelligently and allow their text to tumble down their hill of overflowing thoughts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Please use correct pauses in your clauses. Use indentations and line spacing to divide your copy and demarcate contexts and sub-contexts. This is not an embellishment of text; it is de rigueur in developing your communication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. Ignoring Culture sensitivity</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the case of the simple, irritating, highly commonly used LOL, what is Laugh out Loud for the Goose may be Lots of Love for the Gander.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">WTF, that ubiquitous, highly appropriate, extremely profane Americanism can stand for World Trade Fair (in business), What the Fish (a polite form of ‘that’ profanity), Walk to Freedom (US Army), Wire Transfer Form (in Money Matters), Weapons Tactics Force (in gaming), Work Time Fun (PSP game) or Wikileaks Task Force (US CIA).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Please remember, my COB could be your EOD! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In today’s livewire world of Social media and its 24X7 connectivity, people across the world are taking umbrage for just about anything. Now, it is not okay to write ‘He could make a difference to the role.’ To be politically correct, you must write ‘He or she could make a difference to the role,’ lest risk being labelled a sexist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the same vein avoid using old-practice generic words such as chairman, businessman, forefather, layman, mankind, manpower, spokesman and the like; switching them with the more unbiased, non-controversial and definitely proper alternatives viz., chairperson, businessperson, ancestor, layperson, humankind or human race, workforce, representative and so on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It is not just the term ‘Black’ which is off limits. People prefer Asian from Oriental or the more specific Indian, Chinese, Korean, Pakistani (never the offensive Paki), Alaska Native or even Inuit-Yupik over Eskimo, Aboriginal people over Aborigines.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Remember, in a conscious effort to be more sensitive and inclusive, we no longer use crippled and disabled; replacing them with more respectful ‘special,’ or ‘differently abled.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Do you recall the case of Justine Sacco, the Communications Director (no less) of New York-based internet empire InterActive Corp, who was roasted on slow fire for her tactless and thoughtless holiday tweet, “Going to Africa. Hope I don’t get AIDS. Just kidding. I’m White!” The mindless, heartless, insensitive communiqué not only set trolls on her back, but it also discredited any good work she may have done, brought her infamy and made her resign from her enviable position.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Finally, one of the dirtiest acts in the case of communications is not keeping your house clean and letting emails gather and collect dust. In spite of CCleaner, digital organizer and other organizing tools we still fail to de-clutter our inbox; inviting more trouble and stress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I urge you to make your work and life easy by making your communication work for you. Become more effective, save time and heartache by imbibing some of the above-mentioned strategies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">After all, Y.O.L.O; err......You Only Live Once!</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">*******</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JTVXsPiAsk7FNAI9RWVosMeuk_Tk7saqbZe6Gq4RsyIDggH8b1sqJkzIivghX-sCoxAzeS7GdenzmP-KAM7khR_g-bMkt0O7Y9GFc3tD0bslL_05T2RyF9mnfP47m5t11h2rj4yYAl0M/s1600/Bloopers+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="597" data-original-width="605" height="630" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JTVXsPiAsk7FNAI9RWVosMeuk_Tk7saqbZe6Gq4RsyIDggH8b1sqJkzIivghX-sCoxAzeS7GdenzmP-KAM7khR_g-bMkt0O7Y9GFc3tD0bslL_05T2RyF9mnfP47m5t11h2rj4yYAl0M/s640/Bloopers+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Picture courtesy - Google Images</i></span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-5831936440914422412017-11-18T01:29:00.000+05:302017-12-02T01:31:05.984+05:30God is not dwelling in the details anymore!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbWBbY5KG6qxlMqEP4v_5a4fNt-nQmHCjPbt9zW4GPr4xLhdXNi1QyNh9udG8G2URwxcXjgvKWOsvahmbNNgf4OxDWrabYpEeuBmQsNvsqv2tEL1NIIFzQWyZLXYU206c10p5HOBsZxze/s1600/G1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="400" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbWBbY5KG6qxlMqEP4v_5a4fNt-nQmHCjPbt9zW4GPr4xLhdXNi1QyNh9udG8G2URwxcXjgvKWOsvahmbNNgf4OxDWrabYpEeuBmQsNvsqv2tEL1NIIFzQWyZLXYU206c10p5HOBsZxze/s640/G1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A Wine Dinner mailer from The Leela Hotels spelt 'culinary' as culinery.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A formal note of felicitation from the top brass at ITC Hotels finished the note with "Thanks once for your support" instead of 'Thanks once again.....'</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A very officious Background Paper of a prestigious Commonwealth Body has one of the sentences read as -</span></div>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px;">
"Today, more 6000 alumni that have been generated by these conferences held in Australia, NZ, the Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, India, Malaysia and the UK."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Has the God deserted his dwelling in the details?</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
The more gadgets and Apps we have at our disposal, the more we are turning into dunces! </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
I rest my case.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gp_VCJiq-31LXcWF316F-qM-qBmGZKu3x0-4MMtxyo7ZxyE_iUgdv5t0mElSXP7NacpGLKYN90t4mWPqbna6KuKPxLoDJ0MyQqzUhU1bKHHJRgypTx7mzdemv6vGZv7eBKA4eCllTqCU/s1600/G2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="800" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gp_VCJiq-31LXcWF316F-qM-qBmGZKu3x0-4MMtxyo7ZxyE_iUgdv5t0mElSXP7NacpGLKYN90t4mWPqbna6KuKPxLoDJ0MyQqzUhU1bKHHJRgypTx7mzdemv6vGZv7eBKA4eCllTqCU/s640/G2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
Picture courtesy - Google Images</div>
</span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-50702192477875405422017-11-05T19:01:00.000+05:302017-11-15T19:04:55.861+05:30May I blow my Cornet please!!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fl9gn" data-offset-key="8ck3v-0-0" style="background-color: white;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8ck3v-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Gloat Alert!
I would like to share a pleasant note and "blow my own Cornet." A lovely endorsement of one of my pieces by Jordan Hollander, the Co-founder of Hotel Tech Report.
I wanted to blow the Trumpet but then it would have been too big for the moment.
I thought of blowing a whistle, but then I could be called a whistle-blower.
Blowing a conch would have religious undertones.
Blowing a Bugle will have military/wartime shades.
So let's settle down with a cornet, for now.
And here's what Jordan wrote :-) :-) </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="fl9gn" data-offset-key="293ej-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XefXfvq5DdDoWHMMHhDDV381g4z-mXjHAxg_cYfHz2xwfXA8VQFp1Cpflrbg_eBi0wHdH_TyXHmVc_r5IA2Ydwl2kWF4XYeD5EC0S9WZyMH9UJGb73a_s4ANdO00rAc2TkJo5odhYaj7/s1600/Jordan+Hollander%2527s+mail+on+one+of+my+articles+-+1.11.2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="610" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0XefXfvq5DdDoWHMMHhDDV381g4z-mXjHAxg_cYfHz2xwfXA8VQFp1Cpflrbg_eBi0wHdH_TyXHmVc_r5IA2Ydwl2kWF4XYeD5EC0S9WZyMH9UJGb73a_s4ANdO00rAc2TkJo5odhYaj7/s640/Jordan+Hollander%2527s+mail+on+one+of+my+articles+-+1.11.2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="293ej-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="293ej-0-0"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-56812422754683566862017-11-01T19:49:00.000+05:302017-11-14T19:53:17.591+05:30How to Become a PR Wizard! PR 101 (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01WuIdYF7JYH1f_MoSg0g6RUhzAlMId95IoKQqdllbv0mhBJuHnY-b4VRpRibHqVnL1a6jINiq4EarndHtTilzRtK4eIvisvFAy2FnDtixZQiycDpRJGzPR7OR27Dy57TNAL2t_KAZi3r/s1600/PR+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="352" data-original-width="351" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01WuIdYF7JYH1f_MoSg0g6RUhzAlMId95IoKQqdllbv0mhBJuHnY-b4VRpRibHqVnL1a6jINiq4EarndHtTilzRtK4eIvisvFAy2FnDtixZQiycDpRJGzPR7OR27Dy57TNAL2t_KAZi3r/s640/PR+1.jpg" width="634" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Just yesterday, a well-established Travel and Food Writer in the Subcontinent raised a pertinent virtual dialogue about how she misses good, honest PR of yore. She rued the fact that a lot of people getting into hospitality PR do not come with the right skills and more significantly, with the right mindset. There is more chaff than grain, she lamented, stating that the PR world has become superficial, messy and mediocre with too many untrained cooks spoiling the publicity broth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Many young people get into the world of Hospitality Public Relations wearing rose-tinted glasses and thinking that it is going to be a joy ride. They think working in a hotel is going to be a one-big never-ending party with hours spent in wining and dining, a fun affair with the most important factor being that you look your pretty/handsome best.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So where are we going wrong? Let’s review the characteristics that we should come to be identified with and look at traits that should form an integral part of our personal toolkit; not just in the world of hospitality but in any other industry.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Know your field well. You are the master of the PR Universe in your Company. Hence, be adept at every rule in the book, current practices and upcoming<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> trends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Know everything about your Hotel there is to know – from Corporate Mission & Vision and Brand Philosophy to the Company bottom line.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Know about the functioning of each department, from the fancy food & beverage to the gritty housekeeping. You never know where a good story, <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>promotional idea or media talent is lurking to help you get a peg or build a campaign. Besides, you are THE news generator for all the impressive things<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> done by your compatriots in different departments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Endeavour to learn whatever there is about your Competition – their outstanding facets, USP, what they do differently from you, their new product/feature<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> launches, where do they fit in your competition analysis. It helps you differentiate your product and add more muscle to your PR efforts. Plus, <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>all the added knowledge arms you to the teeth to handle your portfolio like a virtuoso.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stay on top of all your visibility platforms – from slide presentations on in-house television, media packs, FAM backgrounders to mobile or tablet interfaces<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> and the Company website. Any dead wood floating around is bad news and shows you, the most, in a very poor light.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">6.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Do not make the mistake of treating media merely as a vehicle that carries forward your communication capsules. You wouldn’t be farther from the reality<span style="white-space: pre;"></span>, if you thought and acted thus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">7.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Media is an ally; in fact, your strongest that helps people measure your worth as a PR practitioner and gets you a high-performance rating on your appraisal<span style="white-space: pre;"></span>. This is true. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Many organizations still think that the single most important role of a PR person is to get visibility in the media. Often, a PR Agency’s work on your Company account is rated on the basis of the extent of coverage it gets. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">8.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Like a good friend, media must be treated with respect, trust and genuine liking; with sincere efforts made to meet the common goals. You must develop<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> good information for them, share exciting newsworthy items with ample thought about which media likes what, when you must embargo your<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> news piece and when you must adhere to the exclusivity demands.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You must pay heed to how best you balance your rapport with different representatives and media houses. You must, non-negotiably, react to the media<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> requests in a timely fashion, get out of your comfort zone to develop real relationships and deliver in the best way possible nine times out of ten<span style="white-space: pre;"></span>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You must also learn to withhold the virtues and brand guidelines of your Company in a happy, result-oriented, productive confluence with what the media<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> seeks without having to bow down to unrealistic pressure. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Nobody said it would be easy. It was never meant to be, nevertheless, efforts made to seal a mutually beneficial pact and a mutually respecting relationship<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> with the media is easily your biggest feat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">9.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Develop a fondness for words and a skill for writing – from professional to flowery and rigorously formal to rhetorical content. More times than not, <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>you are the in-house Content Writer for your hotel for a variety of things ranging from a guest letter and newsletter text to due diligence report or brochure<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> copy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">10.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Know a thing or two about database management. As a PR person, there will be a wide spectrum of lists that you will handle. It will come in handy if you<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> know exactly how to build, store and mine the data. Also, at all costs, keep the data dynamic devoid of any dreg and debris.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">11.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stoke your creative side. As the PR expert you are the Chief-in-charge or via media or the bridging factor for all the demiurgic initiatives, be it advertising<span style="white-space: pre;"></span>, stock photography, website and marketing collateral, press kit presentations, food & beverage and general events conceptualization.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">12.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Cultivate the left side of your brain too and develop an affinity for figures. It pays to understand the Company balance sheet, understand fiscal issues, make balanced and pragmatic marketing & PR budgets and work towards profit protection.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">13.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Foster a penchant for Printing techniques and design basics. I enjoy getting to learn the various stages of printing and diving into the magnificent world<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> of fonts and designs. I get a sense of immense satisfaction from creating beautiful collateral. In any case, whether you like it or not; mastering this<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> territory will help you deliver great results as this line of activity falls within your purview.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">14.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Catch up with the evolving times and get abreast of the latest trends in marketing and PR – be it digital marketing, social media deluge, new presentation<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> techniques using most modern gadgetry, photo and file share internet tools and sundry technological innovations in the field of PR and its<span style="white-space: pre;"></span> allied services. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">15.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You must attempt to become proficient in a wide range of Computer related skills from Word to Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, CorelDraw; <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>whatever assists you in becoming an exceptional worker. From Adobe to Video conferencing with a picturesque stop-over at Picasa or Google <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Images, you must endeavour to learn as many IT tools and techniques as you can.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the second part of this piece, we will talk about more qualities that will help you stand apart from the commoners and transport you into the top 1 % of the exceptionally qualified Royalty. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCsF_mPi8vEaUo94bG-ipwPa2LM0KGftG_QGWsG6XRdmyXlFsLKrKI5WbyLcqvFDg2ugzgxkKPOxuP2chNfY7SNPNNTTF3NEqKXT351EVTaMcImwmdYimQEyDDu4oau8w8WDCYOHXuDI8/s1600/PR+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCsF_mPi8vEaUo94bG-ipwPa2LM0KGftG_QGWsG6XRdmyXlFsLKrKI5WbyLcqvFDg2ugzgxkKPOxuP2chNfY7SNPNNTTF3NEqKXT351EVTaMcImwmdYimQEyDDu4oau8w8WDCYOHXuDI8/s640/PR+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Picture courtesy - Google Images</span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-89696393855669532582017-10-31T19:41:00.000+05:302017-11-14T19:41:51.102+05:30Common Communication mistakes that show us in bad light! (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTDvM7wDwQOVX7S_bhj56giNufNB0lWg4ckXkllL98vfeqIQF3PDHS3qDBdbbpLMo3WB-SOTnrSek7EXwBXkYVpqTa3tK5mlItq8XS-zoYBHkukCoZZvOpNy-ykgV1hyphenhyphenHVW26im8Gvx5O/s1600/communication+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTDvM7wDwQOVX7S_bhj56giNufNB0lWg4ckXkllL98vfeqIQF3PDHS3qDBdbbpLMo3WB-SOTnrSek7EXwBXkYVpqTa3tK5mlItq8XS-zoYBHkukCoZZvOpNy-ykgV1hyphenhyphenHVW26im8Gvx5O/s640/communication+1.jpg" width="614" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Given the constant onslaught on our senses – with task lists at work having grown bigger and responsibilities at home unceasing - putting time into writing coherent, cogent, consciously thought out emails is really not on top of our prioritized heap. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Hence, the quick-fixes and shortcuts we have begun to adopt, without realizing that we dig a deep hole for our professional avatars when paying disregard to how we communicate in our business roles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Here follow five of the ten seemingly simple communication rules that we get wrong most of the time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It would help – both how we project our personas and how we are perceived by others - if we attempted to avoid the following bloopers when we hit the keypad:– </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>1.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Not getting the salutation or form of addressing right </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">You have to believe it when I tell you how ridiculously I was called out by a telemarketer recently. When I picked up the call she asked to speak to “Dhir L. Aruna”. I asked her why was she addressing me in such an outlandish fashion and she said, without the virtual batting of an eyelid, “That is how it is written in the document I have in my hand.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">There are different ways to address people with different designations ranging from Mr., Ms. (helps to avoid Miss or Mrs. saving you from making more goof-ups. Further, in business matters, Ms. is more unequivocal, formal and professional than either Miss or Mrs.), Dr., Your Excellency, The Honourable and so on. We have set out guidelines available to us in each case. Please use them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Also, when you are writing to a neutral sounding name do a background check on what gender the person belongs to and address them correctly. Though not any less in others, this becomes quite important in the service industry where you have a direct relationship with a customer/guest.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I once addressed a certain Blaise M as “Ms. M” because I had encountered a female Blaise in the past but here I was dealing with a male Managing Director. I was pretty embarrassed about the faux pas, which could have been easily avoided. Andrea, Alex, Jordan, Jamie, Morgan, Taylor, Chandra, Kiran, Jyoti, Shashi....the world is full of people with unisex names. Do a little research on the relevant recipient in order to get your salutation right.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Then there follows the next thing after the salutation. What is the best form of addressing a business associate? If you are an American or Australian it may be OK to get on to Peter, Katherine or Edward or even to Pete, Kate or Ed in the second mail itself. Even in the case of these nationalities, please wait for the addressee to give you that leeway. The world, it seems, is filled with too many people who are eager to cross the bar and jump into the area of over-familiarity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">But do that with Europeans, Asians, Far East Asians and you are walking on thin ice that could quickly snap and sink you into the cold shoulder reservoir.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I don’t understand the recent practice of e-retailers who work on an algorithm that automatically picks up the first name. I find it quite atrocious and unprofessional bordering on rude to be addressed as Aruna by the virtual (nameless, faceless) book vendor, furniture supplier, banker, grocer, credit card rep and the like. Since their system is based on a pre-written code why can’t they get their salutation right and stick to the tried and tested, old-fashioned way of writing to a Mr. or Ms. so and so?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Again, in the service industry – be it hotels, banks, hospitals, insurance..... - it is safe to stick to the conservative Mr. or Mrs. Smith to set the ball of official communication rolling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>2.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Using SMS language or other Acronyms</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We are surely and quite dreadfully becoming the generation that communicates in ‘textese.’ </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As if ASAP, BTW, THX, FYI, Ha Ha were not already pretty bad, we are now resorting to C U, IMHO, GR8, MSG, IDK in our emails. The latest inductee in the Communication Hall of Shame to get the Oxford Dictionary recognition is NBD. But in business communication, this matter is a Big Deal!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">With modes of our daily communication getting smaller, the case of us using them to communicate officially is increasing. For a lot of practical reasons, the first casualty – which seems superfluous in the times of the tablet – to be crucified is punctuation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We commit this error, even if it puts us in the category of cheats and felons. Sample this – </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let’s eat Grandpa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Let’s eat, Grandpa</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Using textese in official communication shows you in a bad light, makes you appear lazy and worst of all, threatens to change the import of your communication capsule.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Similarly, acronyms are extremely contextual and country-specific. On my first trip to the US, when I failed to comprehend a colloquialism, a cousin scoffed saying I was F.O.B. The joke was lost on me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Officially recognized acronyms such as UNICEF, NATO, WTO, AIDS are universally accepted and understood. So, there is no problem in using them. Even CRM, DM, B2B, B2C, CPC, DNS, GA, HTML, KPI are an integral part of our Business lingo, easy to comprehend and relate to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">What causes a problem is the usage of the informal ones, even if you must send in a reply or submit a report ASAP. Definitely steer clear of OMG, IMHO, NSFW, WYSIWYG, LOL, TTYL and some of the other new world language croppers that, IMO, take the essence and flow away from the text.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Be mindful about dipping into the overused FYI, FYA, BTW, B4, BRB, PLZ, CU, the abominable K, the illiterate UR and the incoherent TY.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Increasing and widespread usage of SMSese or chatspeak has, indeed, corrupted our language, affected our comprehension and limited our linguistic skills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>3.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Sending too many attachments</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Attachments can be hugely irksome; especially on hand-held devices.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A leading news website I wish to write for, gives specific instructions while inviting a writer pitch. “Please do not send attachements,” it says categorically. “Cut and paste or write into the body of the email all the responses we seek to our queries,” it adds.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Unless specifically asked for or when really important to the matter at hand – for instance attaching a CV to the job application, sending a report document, a brochure design PDF – desist from adding weight to your mail by needlessly pinning attachments to it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Attachments are, often, invited by the recipient or offered by the sender when you are in your second or third stage of dialogue. Also, send only the requisite amount, even when you must upsell yourself or your product.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>4.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Getting too familiar in our tone </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">It could be because we have too much on our plate, or because we wish to save time for our other pursuits or diddle away precious time on our social media activities so much that we are in a maniacal frenzy to get the important work done. We may also feel that appearing close to a professional contact or a figure of authority will bring us some benefit. Whatever is our excuse, some of us are getting too familiar with the way we communicate officially.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I, recently, received a formal note from a junior colleague who wished to enlist my help in writing/editing with a “Hello, there.” No, it was not a SPAM or a lottery scam from Nigeria. The person was from my industry, was writing to seek formal help and was attempting to create an impression.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Some obnoxious notes end with a callously casual, “Do call me,” which is not only grammatically incorrect but also makes the sender come across as pompously presumptuous. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">More often than not, our disembodied voice and the content of our message conveyed over the phone or a business letter we send ahead of establishing a formal connection, are the first impressions we leave on the mind of the recipient. Then, why do we risk our reputation by doing a shoddy job when even that first instance can be used to our benefit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Becoming too friendly instead of staying professionally warm makes you cross the line of decorum making you appear as a pushover and an eager-beaver.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>5.<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Trusting the Autocorrect blindly / not using spell check</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">At my first hotel job with the Hyatt Group, I was sending a note to the General Manager and I missed the crucial “l” in my designation as a terrible typographical error. Though, in hindsight, it seemed like a comical caper, at the time I was hugely embarrassed and had a tough time facing the boss for days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Autocorrect has been seen changing Goldman Sachs to Goddamn Sachs, Public to Pubic, Dear to Dead, Party to Patty and the always hilarious ‘meeting with clients’ to ‘mating with clients.’</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Autocorrect has a brain of its own and is known to put not only your job in danger but destroy your painfully built reputation too. The web is filled with ‘Damn You Autocorrect’ sites that can help you kill time on a lazy Sunday afternoon but do not let the Computer fed, algorithmically driven Net mind to make you lose your own. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In Part 2 of this article, we will look at the remaining five mistakes we commit, intentionally or inadvertently, in our communication.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">********</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXNWuxwcPgsSUbRAZvY279sh3Jt6fnf4hnKQy2ddV1HqrpKsKgSThhUnzJ0mlhWdN5MTJeOXWVe-9fRGzNFzM445e0IlMh-r7ENW8P5xEbuBfIvDNtH1RhlRM9Z3izLmbJKKXpZODQMVt/s1600/Communication+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="610" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxXNWuxwcPgsSUbRAZvY279sh3Jt6fnf4hnKQy2ddV1HqrpKsKgSThhUnzJ0mlhWdN5MTJeOXWVe-9fRGzNFzM445e0IlMh-r7ENW8P5xEbuBfIvDNtH1RhlRM9Z3izLmbJKKXpZODQMVt/s640/Communication+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cartoons courtesy - Google Images</span></div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-269037820709482713.post-37878379988938043102017-10-05T19:08:00.000+05:302017-10-05T19:13:55.211+05:30Time for a little gloat!<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="cqgso" data-offset-key="4hftt-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="4hftt-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="4hftt-0-0"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b>My mini, mini 'Oscar' moment!</b></span></span><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A million thank yous for all the goodwill you send my way. I am truly indebted.</span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I hope in my own ways I pay back and forward just a little. </span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="cqgso" data-offset-key="1ptio-0-0" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1ptio-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1ptio-0-0"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8AkDA9QTovCoEO_yoYFT3BKTgs5j_S1IYSdIhqFK99-uD8KfjSOObfFzMYwwkzs_HfsrGYvQ1gOeLDqLyQwgeaOwKqTiEE8OkUHEcWTjZVv6mBIs4-MN6JB3T54dNLP9k0DWE1dVTe-d/s1600/Bizcatalyst360+October+2017+Recognition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="566" data-original-width="957" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8AkDA9QTovCoEO_yoYFT3BKTgs5j_S1IYSdIhqFK99-uD8KfjSOObfFzMYwwkzs_HfsrGYvQ1gOeLDqLyQwgeaOwKqTiEE8OkUHEcWTjZVv6mBIs4-MN6JB3T54dNLP9k0DWE1dVTe-d/s640/Bizcatalyst360+October+2017+Recognition.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="1ptio-0-0" style="direction: ltr; position: relative;">
<span data-offset-key="1ptio-0-0"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
</div>
Aruna Dhirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08894709217463766917noreply@blogger.com0