Late nights at the office has become a signature of the IT industry in India.
Trying to analyse the various reasons why an employee would extend his/her office hours way past the 9 to 5 watermark, I came up with the following list:
1. Most often, it is the guy in office who wants to climb the corporate ladder fast is the one putting in extra hours.
2. The inefficient employee who does not manage to get his work done on time.
3. IT companies which do not actively promote teamwork may have employees slogging alone into the wee hours of the night.
4. Outstation employees who stay on long after their work is over to enjoy the high speed internet access and the free dinner(A general norm in the IT sector is to provide free lunch and car drop to employees working late)
Whichever may be the reason, staying long hours at the office spoils the basic work culture of a company. The senior management must investigate the reasons prompting employees to stay back. If a particular project has people staying back, the number of resources can be pumped up to meet the deadline. If a particular person is habitually staying late, a one-on-one discussion can solve the issue.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
The Sari as an Uniform
The sari is special for the Indian woman.
I have noticed the sari as an uniform in flight crews, hospital receptionists and hospitality industry professionals. Usually, a severe bun or a french twist is seen as an accompaniment to a sari uniform.
Can a sari be worn in the corporate arena? The answer is a forceful affirmative.
Recently, I read about a professional who wears saris to all her formal presentations abroad. This resoundingly states her nationality as well as the fact that she is proud of it.
A sari can look as professional as a business suit given the following pointers:
1. Wear an 'airhostess' blouse with the sari.
2. Stick to saris with thin borders.
3. Save the chiffon, georgette and crepes for the outings. Give preference to handloom, cotton, silk and tussar for officewear.
4. Steer clear of elaborate floral patterns and bold graphic designs(a la Satya Paul).
5. Try to avoid very loud colours - say a muted green is permissible where an electric fuschia is not.
6. Pin up the pallav - all the way down. Pin the sari pallav just below the back of your shoulder. Put pins every foot or so down the pallav. This will keep the pallav uniformly thick and neat.
7. If the sari material permits, pin up the pleats in front of the sari as well.
8. Try to pin up the sari with the blouse where the sari crosses your back. This will ensure that no part of your back is exposed.
9. Keep the pallav a little wide. This way, your tummy will not show.
You might end up feeling like a pin-cushion. But that is a small price to pay for looking gorgeously professional and keeping the peeping-toms at bay at the same time.
Some other hints for the corporate woman who picks the sari in favour of western formals:
1. Keep the accessories limited. The sari in itself is an eyecatcher.
2. Get a few blouses tailor made in neutral colours - these can be worn with any of the saris and can make rummaging through the wardrobe a thing of the past.
3. Petticoats should never, ever show in the office space. Trim the petticoat hemline so that it falls about 10-15 cms short of the sari width.
I have noticed the sari as an uniform in flight crews, hospital receptionists and hospitality industry professionals. Usually, a severe bun or a french twist is seen as an accompaniment to a sari uniform.
Can a sari be worn in the corporate arena? The answer is a forceful affirmative.
Recently, I read about a professional who wears saris to all her formal presentations abroad. This resoundingly states her nationality as well as the fact that she is proud of it.
A sari can look as professional as a business suit given the following pointers:
1. Wear an 'airhostess' blouse with the sari.
2. Stick to saris with thin borders.
3. Save the chiffon, georgette and crepes for the outings. Give preference to handloom, cotton, silk and tussar for officewear.
4. Steer clear of elaborate floral patterns and bold graphic designs(a la Satya Paul).
5. Try to avoid very loud colours - say a muted green is permissible where an electric fuschia is not.
6. Pin up the pallav - all the way down. Pin the sari pallav just below the back of your shoulder. Put pins every foot or so down the pallav. This will keep the pallav uniformly thick and neat.
7. If the sari material permits, pin up the pleats in front of the sari as well.
8. Try to pin up the sari with the blouse where the sari crosses your back. This will ensure that no part of your back is exposed.
9. Keep the pallav a little wide. This way, your tummy will not show.
You might end up feeling like a pin-cushion. But that is a small price to pay for looking gorgeously professional and keeping the peeping-toms at bay at the same time.
Some other hints for the corporate woman who picks the sari in favour of western formals:
1. Keep the accessories limited. The sari in itself is an eyecatcher.
2. Get a few blouses tailor made in neutral colours - these can be worn with any of the saris and can make rummaging through the wardrobe a thing of the past.
3. Petticoats should never, ever show in the office space. Trim the petticoat hemline so that it falls about 10-15 cms short of the sari width.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Appraisal Aftermath
That time of the year is here.
It's like waiting for your annual results.
And as with any exam, there are casualties.
The right things to do if you are one:
1. Display a sportsman spirit (You may be seething in your heart for all it's worth - put up a similing face to the world). Congratulate your peers who have done well. Sympathize (not gossip) with others who share your lot.
2. Schedule an appointment with your reporting manager. Talk to him/her. Express your dissapointment - but do not stop there. Ask him/her how you can do better. Try not to adopt a negative tone in the conversation. Show enthusiasm and your zeal to do more, to do better. Give yourself a week or more after the appraisal results to get yourself in the right frame of mind.
3. Analyze the conversation with your manager. Some of it must ring true for you to be able to rebuild your motivation and carry on with the organization.
4. Once you have decided to give yourself (and the organization) some more time, it is time to act. Set short-term goals and proactively seek feedback every 3 months. This way you would not stray from your long-term goals.
A preventive action to save yourself appraisal blues is to get into a company that has an objective appraisal system.
Your rating, increment and incentive should depend on how well you have performed given your scope of the job. Do not keep feeding on the crap served out yearly by the higher management.
Some of the worst reasons for a bad appraisal result that I have heard across the years:
1. You have not been with the organization long enough.
Counter-argument: That I have been hired by this organization should be reason enough to believe in my abilities. Otherwise, you must re-evaluate the resource acquisition team. My appraisal result should be based objectively on my performance for the year and not on how many years I have put in. There is always going to be someone more senior to me in my project and/or organization. This excuse would limit me to perform better in the coming years.
2. You do not belong from XYZ school/college.
Counter-argument: This is lobbyism at it's worst. My work should speak for me and not where I completed my pre-school. (This argument works best if you are a lateral resource. The foundations for hiring you were your skills and experience and definitely not your academics)
3. You could not build up a rapport with the client.
Counter-argument: The scope of my work in this project did not include interfacing with the client. My team leader used to handle all of the client interaction. I cannot be accused of not doing something that I was not supposed to.
Hope this helps to make your appraisal woes bearable.
It's like waiting for your annual results.
And as with any exam, there are casualties.
The right things to do if you are one:
1. Display a sportsman spirit (You may be seething in your heart for all it's worth - put up a similing face to the world). Congratulate your peers who have done well. Sympathize (not gossip) with others who share your lot.
2. Schedule an appointment with your reporting manager. Talk to him/her. Express your dissapointment - but do not stop there. Ask him/her how you can do better. Try not to adopt a negative tone in the conversation. Show enthusiasm and your zeal to do more, to do better. Give yourself a week or more after the appraisal results to get yourself in the right frame of mind.
3. Analyze the conversation with your manager. Some of it must ring true for you to be able to rebuild your motivation and carry on with the organization.
4. Once you have decided to give yourself (and the organization) some more time, it is time to act. Set short-term goals and proactively seek feedback every 3 months. This way you would not stray from your long-term goals.
A preventive action to save yourself appraisal blues is to get into a company that has an objective appraisal system.
Your rating, increment and incentive should depend on how well you have performed given your scope of the job. Do not keep feeding on the crap served out yearly by the higher management.
Some of the worst reasons for a bad appraisal result that I have heard across the years:
1. You have not been with the organization long enough.
Counter-argument: That I have been hired by this organization should be reason enough to believe in my abilities. Otherwise, you must re-evaluate the resource acquisition team. My appraisal result should be based objectively on my performance for the year and not on how many years I have put in. There is always going to be someone more senior to me in my project and/or organization. This excuse would limit me to perform better in the coming years.
2. You do not belong from XYZ school/college.
Counter-argument: This is lobbyism at it's worst. My work should speak for me and not where I completed my pre-school. (This argument works best if you are a lateral resource. The foundations for hiring you were your skills and experience and definitely not your academics)
3. You could not build up a rapport with the client.
Counter-argument: The scope of my work in this project did not include interfacing with the client. My team leader used to handle all of the client interaction. I cannot be accused of not doing something that I was not supposed to.
Hope this helps to make your appraisal woes bearable.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Being Approachable
Being approachable is the most important quality in a manager.
The grass root concerns of the junior most employees and issues of middle management can be identifies faster and ascertained better if the seniormost manager is easy to talk to.
Generally, the concerns of a new joinee or a junior employee goes unheard in bureaucratic organizations. This leads to frustration in the lower and middle management levels.
A good manager should always encourage his reportees and non-reportees to walk in through his cabin door and talk to him.
However, being approachable should not be confused with fraternising with colleagues who report to you. If you are a manager, do not let your reportees get overtly friendly with you. Rest assured that most of the time they have some vested interest when they get too chummy with you. I have seen lots of my colleagues get their way with their managers by being friends with them. It is extremely unethical and unprofessional to fraternise with junior colleagues. Your reportees would respect you for maintaining a professional distance with them. Resist the temptation for that one drink after work. Trust me, you will be thankful in the long run.
The grass root concerns of the junior most employees and issues of middle management can be identifies faster and ascertained better if the seniormost manager is easy to talk to.
Generally, the concerns of a new joinee or a junior employee goes unheard in bureaucratic organizations. This leads to frustration in the lower and middle management levels.
A good manager should always encourage his reportees and non-reportees to walk in through his cabin door and talk to him.
However, being approachable should not be confused with fraternising with colleagues who report to you. If you are a manager, do not let your reportees get overtly friendly with you. Rest assured that most of the time they have some vested interest when they get too chummy with you. I have seen lots of my colleagues get their way with their managers by being friends with them. It is extremely unethical and unprofessional to fraternise with junior colleagues. Your reportees would respect you for maintaining a professional distance with them. Resist the temptation for that one drink after work. Trust me, you will be thankful in the long run.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Bitter Employee
My years in the industry has taught me a golden rule - never try to retain an embittered employee.
I have observed my colleagues and also myself to fugure out that once an employee gets disillusioned about his/her career in any organization for any reason, it is hard to win them back. They will complain about reason X, then once that gets satisfied will move on to reason Y and further onto reason Z. The company will go out of it's way to satisfy the bitter employee's whimsies only to end up losing him/her at a later date and at a greater cost to company.
However, the first thing to do is to differentiate the chaff from the grain. There are 2 kinds of 'whiners':
1. The kind who whine and never mean it - This is the comparatively harmless variety. If they are otherwise good employees, it makes sense to just lend a patient ear and reward them on and off as an acknowledgement of their performance.
2. The kind who whine and mean it - Unless they are exemplary performers, dispose of these employees with no mercy. Their productivity will plummet to zero in no time and if left long in the organization they will probably influence other non-whiners negatively. The company might end up losing 10 people instead of 1.
I have observed my colleagues and also myself to fugure out that once an employee gets disillusioned about his/her career in any organization for any reason, it is hard to win them back. They will complain about reason X, then once that gets satisfied will move on to reason Y and further onto reason Z. The company will go out of it's way to satisfy the bitter employee's whimsies only to end up losing him/her at a later date and at a greater cost to company.
However, the first thing to do is to differentiate the chaff from the grain. There are 2 kinds of 'whiners':
1. The kind who whine and never mean it - This is the comparatively harmless variety. If they are otherwise good employees, it makes sense to just lend a patient ear and reward them on and off as an acknowledgement of their performance.
2. The kind who whine and mean it - Unless they are exemplary performers, dispose of these employees with no mercy. Their productivity will plummet to zero in no time and if left long in the organization they will probably influence other non-whiners negatively. The company might end up losing 10 people instead of 1.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
The Perfect Trouser
Trousers are a staple of the modern urban working woman's wardrobe.
The salient features to be considered while purchasing a trouser meant for the workplace are as follows:
1. The fit
2. The length
3. The material
4. The colour
1. The Fit
The most helpful tip to select the perfect fit is courtesy TLC channel's show 'What Not To Wear'.
The right fit is when the trouser falls straight from the widest part of the leg.
2. The Length
The trouser should be long enough to not show skin above the ankles when one is sitting. So, while altering a trouser, the length should be till the anatomical heel and not the ankle. This way, the hosiery does not show up when one is sitting cross-legged.
3. The Material
A cotton blend or a linen blend has better fall as compared to synthetic blend trousers. If the trouser incorporates lycra the fit is even better. A dark denim might be worn as business casual only if the company policy allows it.
4. The Colour
Stick to black, gray, beige, navy blue and brown for the office. One might get away with a bright coloured top or shirt if the trouser is of a muted shade.
The salient features to be considered while purchasing a trouser meant for the workplace are as follows:
1. The fit
2. The length
3. The material
4. The colour
1. The Fit
The most helpful tip to select the perfect fit is courtesy TLC channel's show 'What Not To Wear'.
The right fit is when the trouser falls straight from the widest part of the leg.
2. The Length
The trouser should be long enough to not show skin above the ankles when one is sitting. So, while altering a trouser, the length should be till the anatomical heel and not the ankle. This way, the hosiery does not show up when one is sitting cross-legged.
3. The Material
A cotton blend or a linen blend has better fall as compared to synthetic blend trousers. If the trouser incorporates lycra the fit is even better. A dark denim might be worn as business casual only if the company policy allows it.
4. The Colour
Stick to black, gray, beige, navy blue and brown for the office. One might get away with a bright coloured top or shirt if the trouser is of a muted shade.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Goodies
Somebody just made my day by treating us all to Cadbury Easter eggs.
While on my tours in both East and West Coast USA, I have observed this trend of bringing goodies especially baked stuff like cakes, cookies in the office before, during and after a festive season. It is a particularly endearing trait of the work culture in the States.
Back home in India, this is a trend that is yet to catch on. We do treat all our friends and families to sweets during special occasions or festivities. Why not do the same for all your colleagues? After all, the workplace is the second home for most of the professionals these days.
I remember having carried chocolates to work - once before New Year and another time when Italy won the World Cup in 2006. Both times I was heckled by my colleagues on suspicion that I was not disclosing the actual reason for treating them to sweets :)
Taking home-baked goods/chocolates for colleagues generates a warm fellow feeling which is fast disappearing in today's cut-throat corporate world.
One word of caution: try not to bring fast perishing goods like non-vegetarian food. Stick to chocolates, baked desserts, fresh (uncut) fruits and you will never go wrong. Bon appetit!
While on my tours in both East and West Coast USA, I have observed this trend of bringing goodies especially baked stuff like cakes, cookies in the office before, during and after a festive season. It is a particularly endearing trait of the work culture in the States.
Back home in India, this is a trend that is yet to catch on. We do treat all our friends and families to sweets during special occasions or festivities. Why not do the same for all your colleagues? After all, the workplace is the second home for most of the professionals these days.
I remember having carried chocolates to work - once before New Year and another time when Italy won the World Cup in 2006. Both times I was heckled by my colleagues on suspicion that I was not disclosing the actual reason for treating them to sweets :)
Taking home-baked goods/chocolates for colleagues generates a warm fellow feeling which is fast disappearing in today's cut-throat corporate world.
One word of caution: try not to bring fast perishing goods like non-vegetarian food. Stick to chocolates, baked desserts, fresh (uncut) fruits and you will never go wrong. Bon appetit!
Compliments and Flattery
Paying compliments in the workplace helps to keep the amiable vibe flowing. Receiving an unexpected compliment can brighten up an otherwise dull day.
One should be aware of the scope of the compliment. It is not a good idea to get too personal while paying compliments. While a female co-worker can compliment her female peer on her clothes or hair-do, it is best not to go that way for a male co-worker. When one is not sure it is better to keep it a little vague like 'You are looking good today'.
However, it is imperative to determine the thin line between paying compliments and flattery.
There's a saying which goes like 'Flattery corrupts both the giver and the receiver'. Do not pay a compliment just for the heck of it. Say something good only if you really mean it.
Also do remember to demarcate between compliments and praises. Praises are mandatory whereas compliments are a bonus. I will write on appreciation and praises in a later post.
We all know the irritating co-workers who 'butter' their way to the boss's good books. While there are some who do it all too blatantly there are the others who do it more subtly.
I have always believed doing your work well, behaving in a professional manner and being a good team player is all that you need to be successful in a job. While this might be a little slower method of making it to the top, it is most certainly a more satisfying one.
One should be aware of the scope of the compliment. It is not a good idea to get too personal while paying compliments. While a female co-worker can compliment her female peer on her clothes or hair-do, it is best not to go that way for a male co-worker. When one is not sure it is better to keep it a little vague like 'You are looking good today'.
However, it is imperative to determine the thin line between paying compliments and flattery.
There's a saying which goes like 'Flattery corrupts both the giver and the receiver'. Do not pay a compliment just for the heck of it. Say something good only if you really mean it.
Also do remember to demarcate between compliments and praises. Praises are mandatory whereas compliments are a bonus. I will write on appreciation and praises in a later post.
We all know the irritating co-workers who 'butter' their way to the boss's good books. While there are some who do it all too blatantly there are the others who do it more subtly.
I have always believed doing your work well, behaving in a professional manner and being a good team player is all that you need to be successful in a job. While this might be a little slower method of making it to the top, it is most certainly a more satisfying one.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Basics in a Mix-and-Match Wardrobe
This post would list the basic items for a mix-and-match office wardrobe for the modern woman:
1. A black/gray pencil skirt which hits at or below the knee. It should not be long enough to touch the ankles though.
2. One or two pairs of black trousers.
3. A pair of gray trousers.
4. One each of a black and a gray formal jacket.
5. Closed toe shoes in black and brown. You can wear either flats or heels.
6. Sheath dresses to be teamed with jackets.
7. Multiple tops/shirts to be worn alongwith the business suits
1. A black/gray pencil skirt which hits at or below the knee. It should not be long enough to touch the ankles though.
2. One or two pairs of black trousers.
3. A pair of gray trousers.
4. One each of a black and a gray formal jacket.
5. Closed toe shoes in black and brown. You can wear either flats or heels.
6. Sheath dresses to be teamed with jackets.
7. Multiple tops/shirts to be worn alongwith the business suits
Business Attire Made Fun
I will jot down some tips to incorporate some colour and fun in standard business attire:
1. Keep the basic palette neutral eg. a pant-suit or a skirt-suit in black, gray, beige or navy and bring in the pop of colour with the shirt/top. This advice is for women only. Men are better off sticking to a neutral shirt. They would also need to wear a tie if formal dressing is the order of the office.
2. Do not do dark on dark. If the shirt is maroon, go with a gray/beige suit. If the shirt is light blue, then go with a black/navy blue suit.
3. Semi-official colours include teal, brown, maroon, olive etc.
4. A shoe in a bright colour can break the monotony of a standard business suit. This again is applicable to women.
5. A dress can work as office wear when teamed with dress shoes and a slim belt.
6. A suit jacket or a blazer can be added to a skirt-top combo or a dress to make it formal wear. Men who can carry it off can try a white shirt - blue jeans combo with a jacket or a blazer.
7. While picking out a dress for office, avoid busy prints.
8. Accessorise your business outfit - but avoid overdoing. A simple string of pearls around the neck or simple pearl earrings look elegant. Chunky (not shiny) jewellery can work only if every other piece is of a neutral shade. Try a white shirt - gray trouser combo with a black slim belt, black pumps and a black bag with a multiple strands of multicoloured beads. Make sure the beads are not insanely colourful. A combination of green, blue and turqouise beads would look nice against a white shirt.
Men would do better to go easy on the accessories. Stick to nice shoes, an interesting watch and an expensive tie to do all the talking.
1. Keep the basic palette neutral eg. a pant-suit or a skirt-suit in black, gray, beige or navy and bring in the pop of colour with the shirt/top. This advice is for women only. Men are better off sticking to a neutral shirt. They would also need to wear a tie if formal dressing is the order of the office.
2. Do not do dark on dark. If the shirt is maroon, go with a gray/beige suit. If the shirt is light blue, then go with a black/navy blue suit.
3. Semi-official colours include teal, brown, maroon, olive etc.
4. A shoe in a bright colour can break the monotony of a standard business suit. This again is applicable to women.
5. A dress can work as office wear when teamed with dress shoes and a slim belt.
6. A suit jacket or a blazer can be added to a skirt-top combo or a dress to make it formal wear. Men who can carry it off can try a white shirt - blue jeans combo with a jacket or a blazer.
7. While picking out a dress for office, avoid busy prints.
8. Accessorise your business outfit - but avoid overdoing. A simple string of pearls around the neck or simple pearl earrings look elegant. Chunky (not shiny) jewellery can work only if every other piece is of a neutral shade. Try a white shirt - gray trouser combo with a black slim belt, black pumps and a black bag with a multiple strands of multicoloured beads. Make sure the beads are not insanely colourful. A combination of green, blue and turqouise beads would look nice against a white shirt.
Men would do better to go easy on the accessories. Stick to nice shoes, an interesting watch and an expensive tie to do all the talking.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Email Etiquette
I will not go over the email basics like avoiding capital letters and bold font in official mail.
I will mention few other pointers which one needs to keep in mind when dealing with email.
1. Never delete official email. Archive them when your inbox is overloaded. Pay special attention to Sent email. You might have to fish out certain emails for future reference.
2. Always put a subject line in your emails. If you are sending the mail to any one person, do mention his/her name after the initial Hi/Hello. This shows respect towards the person whom you are sending the mail to.
3. When sending an email to a senior, use 'Hello'. To peers, use 'Hi'.
4. Always answer official correspondence. Even if it is a simple thank you note, make sure you answer it. Not answering official email equals impoliteness.
5. Be aware of the email escalation hierarchy in your organization. Consider yourself fortunate if your company has one. Make full use of this. This ensures email truants are brought to the book and also helps to expedite office work.
6. Try to refrain using your official email address for mails from friends or promotional email.
7. Be extremely careful about the language, tone and content of your official emails. Remember - it is the written word and can be used against you.
I will mention few other pointers which one needs to keep in mind when dealing with email.
1. Never delete official email. Archive them when your inbox is overloaded. Pay special attention to Sent email. You might have to fish out certain emails for future reference.
2. Always put a subject line in your emails. If you are sending the mail to any one person, do mention his/her name after the initial Hi/Hello. This shows respect towards the person whom you are sending the mail to.
3. When sending an email to a senior, use 'Hello'. To peers, use 'Hi'.
4. Always answer official correspondence. Even if it is a simple thank you note, make sure you answer it. Not answering official email equals impoliteness.
5. Be aware of the email escalation hierarchy in your organization. Consider yourself fortunate if your company has one. Make full use of this. This ensures email truants are brought to the book and also helps to expedite office work.
6. Try to refrain using your official email address for mails from friends or promotional email.
7. Be extremely careful about the language, tone and content of your official emails. Remember - it is the written word and can be used against you.
Monday, March 29, 2010
What this blog is all about
I surfed the internet for a web repertoire of corporate etiquette and was surprised to find there was no one website which provides comprehensive information on Corporate Etiquette and Grooming. There are sites which deal with how one should dress in the workplace and others that provide very generic HR advice. There is hardly anything that a start-up employee or one who is slowly reaching middle management can relate to.
I am a computer engineering graduate who has worked for an IT major for 3 years before joining the IT team of a blue-collar audit firm where I am working for the past 3 years. My job has taken me to different countries thus providing me with multicultural exposure at the workplace. In this blog, I plan to post workplace etiquette basics, some easy to don business attires and also general tips on how to make yourself heard, how to improve yourself professionally and how to determine when to move on.
I am a computer engineering graduate who has worked for an IT major for 3 years before joining the IT team of a blue-collar audit firm where I am working for the past 3 years. My job has taken me to different countries thus providing me with multicultural exposure at the workplace. In this blog, I plan to post workplace etiquette basics, some easy to don business attires and also general tips on how to make yourself heard, how to improve yourself professionally and how to determine when to move on.
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