Spelunker

Do you know what a 'Spelunker' is? I didn't. So when I came across the word while reading a novel recently (it was mentioned in the author's profile!), I turned to the Internet. And Wiki says that it means - one who explores wild cave systems. And if it is to be believed, there was a video game of the same name in 1983.

Wow!

Turnaround delivered, focus on succession at Ford

Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black.

I have always been amused by this comment from Henry Ford. But that was not why I read the article about the turnaround at Ford - Turnaround delivered, focus on succession at Ford. I guess in this day and age, where companies are struggling to keep costs low and increase their market share, such news is rare.

When I read about the 5 steps crucial to the turnaround, I wasn't surprised. Right there, at the top was the single-most important thing - PEOPLE. Yes, people who come to work every day and spend a better part of the day at office. People, who sweep aside their personal worries and sorrows to concentrate on job at hand. People, who take pride in what they do and try to do it a little better every day. Well, if not all the people in the company, then at least a sizable chunk of them. Or else the recruitment process is so flawed that there is no point in talking about the turnaround.

And yet, sadly, in my career so far, I have seen people being pushed to the bottom of the ladder of priorities. This, despite the fact, that it is hard to find good, dedicated, honest people who know how to do their job. No wonder so many companies get into trouble.

No.2 and 3 are vision and strategy. Oh yes, the trio of VMS. Wonder what happened to the Mission bit. :-)

No. 4 is implementation. No two opinions about that. A project implemented efficiently, on time and with impeccable quality simply cannot be beaten as the best form of advertisement. And yet that's the area we continue to falter in.

Finally, step No. 5 - culture. I don't even want to go there. Seriously.

So my takeaway from this article - people and implementation. As a project manager, if I can keep my eyes glued on the two, I should be fine.

R.I.P. telegram

I don't remember sending or receiving any telegram, ever. During my childhood, even landline phones hadn't been a necessity. I remember going to my grandparents' place for a summer vacation and wait anxiously for dad's STD call announcing exam results.

Yet, I felt sad upon learning that come 15th July, BSNL will be halting the Telegram service, forever. Here's an article about the same - R.I.P. telegram.

The hunt is on for dumped E.T.

Recently, I came across an interesting article about dumping of unsold video game cartridges by Atari back in 1983. It was titled 'The hunt is on for dumped E.T.' I was looking for the online link of that Mint article but was unable to find it.

Instead, I found this Wiki link. Should be a good assignment for Agents Scully and Mulder. What say?The truth might still be 'Out There'. :-)

Indigo Deli, Bandra West

Salads have always been my weak point. Take for example the Russian Salad. I know, I know, many people don't consider it a salad at all. But green pearls of peas, along with chunks of potatoes and juicy pineapple, dripping with creamy mayonnaise are enough to make me forget about those people. :-) So there was no way I could have passed up the chance to have lunch at Indigo. I was informed that they serve a mean Caesar's Salad.

Ordering a salad is always a gamble, in more ways than one. More often than not, you are not sure whether it will taste the same as what you like. A little less or a little more of the dressing is enough to spoil the whole effect. The lettuce leaves might not be crisp. And sometimes (heaven forbid!) the croutons are missing-in-action. What further complicates matters is that you cannot guess the portion size. Will just salad be enough for everyone or do we need to order some appetizers as well? In the past, I have suffered because of both - a salad that was huge compared to my appetite and a salad that left me hungry.

So I decided to play it safe this time and ordered onion rings along with Caesar's Salad. The waiter apologetically informed me that they had run out of Iceberg lettuce and asked if it would be okay to serve it with Romaine lettuce instead. I suspected that this would change the taste for sure. But I really didn't have it in me to go to another restaurant while it was raining so heavily. So I nodded and then sat back watching the rain as it continued to fall in thick sheets - but kept my fingers crossed at all times.

I guess my prayers were answered because when the waiter arrived the salad looked every bit as tempting as I was told it would be - chunks of perfectly seasoned chicken, crisp lettuce leaves, thick pieces of croutons, transparent little sheets of cheese and a tasty salad that perfectly enveloped each piece. I could happily have it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, if I could help it. The salad was perfectly portioned leaving little room for the onion rings. But true to the Indian tradition of never wasting even a morsel of food, we soon polished off the crispy golden rings. A perfect lunch for the rainy reason!

I am already thinking about when I can visit the place next. :-)