Bill Gate's 11 Rules of Life

Bill Gate's 11 Rules of Life

Rule 1: Life is not fair � get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem.
The world will expect You to accomplish something
BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of
high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car
phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till
you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity.
Your Grandparents had a different word for burger
flipping � they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault,
so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as
boring as they are now. They got that way from paying
your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you
talk about how cool you thought you are. So before you
save the rain forest from the parasites of your
parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your
own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners
and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they
have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as
MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This
doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in
real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't
get summers off and Very few employers are interested
in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your Own
time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life
people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go
to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up
working for one.

7 ways to stay motivated

You know what it's like. You set yourself a goal,
something you want to achieve. You are excited and
ready to take on the world, and then a few months
later you can't even be bothered to spend 10 minutes
working towards achieving it. Well welcome to being
human! It is so easy to go from excitement to complete
apathy but there are things you can do to ensure you
stay motivated towards your goal and following are
seven great ones!

1. Is Your Reason WHY Large Enough?

When I wanted to lose weight setting a goal to look
great in clothes was not big enough, what didn't help
was the fact that I loved who I was and what I looked
like, but my health had begun to show signs of being
affected by my excess weight and this is the WHY I
used to ensure I stayed on track. I started with 6
weeks of no diary, no wheat and red meat only once a
week. Do you think I needed a big why to stay
committed to such a regime??!! I knew that health is
my true wealth. Having been unwell for 6 months and
hardly able to walk had taught me that without my
health my goals were useless. So maintaining a healthy
body that would allow me to enjoy the fulfillment of
my goals was the big WHY that kept me on track.

Stop and think about your reason WHY? What reason is
big enough to keep you motivated at times when you
want to give up and/or give in?

2. Create a visual and emotional image of what you
want

Writing your goals down is an essential tool but not
always enough to keep focused. Writing your goals down
and having a visual image of you completing that goal
adds fuel to the motivational fire. Writing goals
down, having a visual image of your completed goal AND
connecting this image with your emotions is the power
of 3 that will ensure your motivation remains high. At
any point during the day, or at any time when you are
feeling in need of encouragement, you can simply stop,
close your eyes, see your goal and evoke all the
emotions achieving that goal holds for you. Nothing is
more powerful!

3. Questions to ask before, during and after!

It is important to know not only why you are doing
something but also WHAT. What achieving this goal will
provide for yourself and your family. It is easy to
believe that what you want is to make a million, but
for many it is the lifestyle and the time freedom that
this money has the potential to provide that will be
the real motivation.

Spend time asking yourself questions that will help
you identify what achieving your goal will provide.
Questions such as:

•What will it bring me?

•What will it do for me, my family, and/or friends?

•What kind of lifestyle will I be able to have?

•What sacrifices will I need to make?

•What will be the impact on my current routine?

•What will be the impact on my family?

•What outcome do I want to achieve?

•What contributions will I be able to make

Motivation and staying motivated is easy when you know
what the achievement of your goal will provide for you
and we only really lose motivation when we lose sight
of our goal or end result.

4. Creating a visual representation of what you want

Keep the motivational fires burning by creating a
collage with the family of what your end result will
look like, or paint a picture, write a poem, sing a
song, or whatever creative endeavor excites you enough
to complete it.

Whatever you create keep it in a place where you can
see it constantly, I remember listening to someone
talk about sticking a poster of making their first
100,000 on their ceiling so that as they woke up it
was the first thing they saw each morning, and the
last image in their mind before falling asleep.

Leave yourself reminders on your fridge door, on your
bathroom mirror, in your car. The more places you are
able to leave yourself little notes and reminders
about what you want to achieve the better. Doing this
will help your unconscious mind bring you the results
you desire, whilst also supporting you in staying
focused and motivated towards achieving your goal.

5.Get Support from people around you

Support from family and friends is important but also
consider what other support is available to you.
Books, mentoring, work colleagues, life coaching,
forums – these are all things that can support you as
you work towards achieving your goal. Also think about
WHO can support you in staying motivated, can you
buddy up with someone, do you have a boss or lecturer
who will be happy to help you keep accountable.

One thing I recommend is that you tell as many people
as you know about what you want to achieve, this has
the effect of keeping you motivated to complete your
goal because you have told so many people. However, a
word of caution is needed here because it is easy for
people to trample your dreams and fail to support you.
You must first pick and choose carefully those people
you know will want to support you, but also you must
gain enough inner personal strength to be able to
continue no matter what negative comments may come
your way.

6.Develop Inner Personal Strength

Ultimately, the person who will determine whether you
stay motivated and achieve your goal will be you. Your
thoughts will determine your behavior which determines
your results. Developing a strong inner personal
strength about your ability to achieve and your
ability to motivate yourself when you are in an
unproductive state of mind is essential. Being able to
see setbacks and failures as opportunities for
continued growth and upset and emotional turmoil as
opportunities to discover what you want and need, will
determine how you view life. One of the best ways to
inner personal strength is to read and listen to
audios that inspire and motivate you. Continued
learning is an essential part of being able to stay
motivated.

7. Support from Continued Learning

If you are going to need to learn new skills to ensure
you complete your goal then you it is a good idea to
identify what learning you will need to undertake as
early as possible. If you have planned out how you
will achieve your outcome then you will already be
aware of any areas where you need to strengthen your
skills or out source to others who will be able to
fulfill what you need.

There is nothing worse than getting halfway towards
the completion of a goal and to be stopped because you
are not able to complete something because of lack of
knowledge and/or skills. This is a surefire way of
dampening your excitement and your motivation.

Make a list of what you can and can't do and who might
be able to help you. Knowing this in advance can help
you avoid getting frustrated because things aren't
getting done. If you are serious about developing your
personal and professional life then I recommend
getting yourself a Mentor or Life Coach, to ensure you
stay on track.

You should also look at continued learning as it
relates to your own personal development, continuing
with your own personal development will ensure you are
able to work through set backs quickly and stay
motivated.

Staying motivated when you are looking to achieve your
goals is essential for ultimate success. I have
provided you with seven practical ways to achieve
continued motivation and I recommend you use them all.
Some of them such as creating a collage will be
activities you perform occasionally, but others, such
as continuing your personal development will be a
continuous learning process. There is not one single
thing that will determine your success in staying
motivated but a combination of many, finding the
combination that is right for you will change from
goal to goal and will be an ongoing (fun filled)
exploration.

The new face of SOA

Here is the link

http://www.gantthead.com/content/articles/235440.cfm

BTW, this is a very good site to size up your technology skills.

What is the best way to compensate IT folks?

What is the best way to compensate IT folks? (Indian Context and can be extrapolated to other countries)

Before I suggest... think about this...

Lots of people talk of ESOPs and the value it generates, while fixing the IT salary package for a new hire.

Recently I had a nice chat with on HR guy, who was explaining that the notional gain is also included on the ESOPs provided over the vesting year in the annual salary.

The logic does not hold good at all.

Say for example the option is provided at Rs 40 and the current market price is 200, the notional gain is Rs 160, looks nice that after one year you are sure to get it. But think this, the market is in a high and taking example of HFCL dropping from Rs 2000 to Rs 20 in 3 months, you should not include.

Nothing is guaranteed other than the real salary!


Suggestions

So here are the thumb rules of an IT package.. say the take home first, annual benefit next.

Includes

Basic
HRA (plus any housing benefit)
City Compensatory Allowance
Special Allowance
Transport Allowance (Max as per tax benefits 800 without vehicle & 2000 with vehicle)
Variable Bonus (and any other form of Org Bonus, and mention the minimum guarantee sum on acceptable performance - written in clear terms, and whether payable Bi-Annual)
Retirals (PF, Guaranteed Superannuation irrespective of no of years of service)

Dont include----

Gratuity = as this notional, can be written back in books, if a person leaves before 5 years.
Lunch and transport subsidy == as you might have the company in a far of place, and this is to motivate
Annual Gift - upto Rs 5000/- is allowed as expense, not FBT'ed.
ESOPs = notional gains are not guaranteed, what if the stock falls/nosedives? (Imagine this, Microsoft gave more options (doubled) once their stocks fell in 2001)
Annual vacation - this is the benefit of hard work and helps recharge
Sick Leave = unknown (family issues)
Personal Leave = urgent matters.

=====================================================================

So if you are offering someone from a fresher to a Senior level person, please ensure that the best take home salary in a month is provided. (including the relocation benefits fully - house shifting costs, with 2 trips with family to see house and then to move with stuff, 3-4 weeks hotel stay with food (cut HRA, if need be), school donations if any = can be added into joining bonus)

So make a spreadsheet comparing one item of the current salary got to what you can provide, and the industry norm is 30% hike easily on the monthly take home (after taxes). Also if you have "not used a IT service provider/consultant" to hire (direct from a jobsite) that person, then that 10% package benefit to be added on to this. Also if you feel that person is the "right fit", you can add 10% more... all after tax only.

Also the very important factor, "Joining bonus", a person might use his vacation to serve notice... so rather than just paying that, give a handsome joining bonus, equal to 2 - 3 months salary. (initial expenses are always big, you know, when you shift to a new place)

The annual package can be played around a bit, showing additional guaranteed benefits at the "Met Expectations level". Here both parties should agree on what they expect from each other. (if a small company expects the turnaround of a bigger co. in terms of technology and process, it goes hand in hand with clients, will not suit well, with a typical IT work time 9 to 9 on weekdays, and on call on weekends).

You can also mention based on the performance of the company, and the growth, the ESOPs (if provided) are to grow to a certain level, but not guaranteed!

Note, a person might feel very comfortable to join and all are happy.

But what if things don't work out, like he had actually replaced someone in the job, and the shortfalls by that person was not listed, being very vague, so an "exit option" also to be provided (HR folks know well about this card - putting the fear of fear of loosing a job in one person). Like 3 months notice, either side, after the first 6 months review/probation. Serious efforts to be made by both sides for first 6 months to fit well on the job. So a person will have had the chance to accustom to the job, and try to fit well in that time, with periodic reviews. Both have invested well enough, so make sure, all parties are happy. No hasty decisions, as it will affect both. 6 to 9 months would be a reasonable time, but may not look good on the resume of the candidate. So it is imperative that the employer helps him to succeed.

This stops jumping.... the decisions are made from family side, and trouble should not be given in any form. It is always the family first principle.

What is AJAX?

What is Ajax?

Ajax is a set of technologies being used together, just as "LAMP" is a shorthand referring to Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP. But back to Ajax!

Ajax, which stands for Asynchronous Javascript And XML, is comprised of the following technologies:

* HTML + CSS for presenting information
* JavaScript for dynamically interacting with the information presented
* XML, XSLT and the puzzlingly-named XMLHttpRequest object to manipulate data asynchronously with the Web server.

That sure doesn't make much sense to me, since HTML + CSS + JavaScript, at least, have been around since forever -- they're even the basis of my popular book Creating Cool Web Sites with HTML, XHTML and CSS.

The difference therefore is with the XML, eXtensible Markup Language, side of things, so let's focus on that. But first, if you've checked out and marveled at the drag-and-pan capabilities of Google Maps or the speedy self-contained table sorting capabilities of Gmail, you've seen Ajax in action.

So. So XML is the eXtensible Markup Language, an environment for consistently tagging and identifying information buried within Web pages, XSLT is basically a version of XML that's intended for transforming XML documents in-place (e.g., through database-type queries), and XMLHttpRequestor is the gracefully named set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow Web applications to transfer data with a Web server using the standard HTTP protocol. In a nutshell, this alphabet soup works together to allow JavaScript scripts to send data requests to the server and receive responses, all without having to load or reload a page. It's as if there's a hidden web browser / server interaction going on behind the scenes on a Web page you're viewing.

Want to learn more? Check out Ajax Matters, which is one of the primary reference sites for this rethinking of how users interact with Web sites.

My two cents on Ajax? The name may be rather goofy, but the result of applying the methodology is a quantum leap in Web interactivity. If you're a serious Web developer, Ajax is well worth studying and learning.

Different position in different companies

Different position in different companies, the social designation always varies.

The country head of IBM is called VP & GM

HSBC has a GM for this region

That doesnt mean the CEO designation is not equivalent to that job = it matters locally - equally and above.

In IT smaller the company, bigger the designation

I moved from a MNC in Bangalore to a small startup in Hyderabad, at two levels above, and was to become the CTO later.

Then I become the CEO of my own company Sharon Software Systems (My wife just with a DEEE was the Chairperson, gave very good presentations than me for the VC's), when I shut shop, I joined back as a PM only, to take the opportunity that came along, but I started paying the role of an Account Manager.

Even in the latest company, the designation might be looking simple, but it is equivalent to VP level of most of the small size IT co's. ( less than 300).

Most of my friends working abroad, have designation of Development Manager, thats it. But when they come to India, they can sure get a VP designation, should be the right fit, with the 15+ years of experience with onsite exposure. (but within the same company designation might be different). Also when I moved from USA, they just matched the designation, as SSA, which prompted me to quit in 6 months, while seeing 1 or 2 years juniors, at one level above...

Yardstick, the number of people handled, along with the social designation, with the right take home pay after taxes, plus the usual very good annual bonus and the best stock options are important.... I will discuss on compensation later on how to provide etc.

Sure, at times designation does matter....... (with the right pay)

All About Devanga Chettiars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devanga

Still to be explored, the connection to Jews and customs. One sect has been (Padamsalis/Telugu Devanga) found to contain the traces of Jews relocated to South India while the North Indian settlers have been identified. This is 900 years history!

Rich folks do not help poor (I know even the gold medal to honour 12th Std prize winners were taken back in 1986 at Tirupur), Willful neglect of Vegetarianism, mingling with the Dravidian community for marraige, even though claiming to be close knit (I am not against it at all!) etc.. are the current issues.

It's a Girl's World..

It's a Girl's World..

If he is late for class,he's told,
"Time and Tide wait for none".
If she is late,then the bus was late.
If a girl is dressed as a boy,she is modern,says the
world.
But if a boy is dressed as a girl,"Has he escaped from
the Zoo?"
:This is really coolman:
If a boy talks with a girl,"I think he is trying for
her"
But if a girl talks with a boy,then she is trying to
be friendly.
When a girl cries,the world is convinced of her
But when a boy cries,"Come on man:Don't be a girl".
:This is really coolman:
If a girl meets with an accident,then it's the mistake
of others.
And if a boy meets with an accident,"I think you
should learn to drive".
If a boy sits in front of a city bus,he is mannerless
and cultureless brute.
But if a girl sits in the back seat,"Try to respect
ladies,man!".
If a boy gets a big rank in an entrance exam,"You've
to work hard".
But if a girl gets a big rank,... still got 33!
Reservation.
If there are girls in a class,the professor gives an
interesting lecture,
And if there are no girls,he says,there is no class
today.
:This is really coolman:
If a girl does not answer,during a viva,then atleast
'smile' says the examiner.
But when a boy does not answer,"better luck next
time".

If a girl doesn't answer in an Interview , the
interviewer writes the answer for her and selects her

But when a boy does answer all questions , he gets
rejected due to over qualification

The List goes on...................... L L

Billionaires and how they grow!

Here is the link

Enjoy knowing about billionaires.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/BUSINESS/03/08/forbes.billionaires.reut/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Life is not easy as you think.

Happiness

Happiness

Happiness is the "magic ingredient" people desire. Almost everyone I've met over the past few years can answer "Yes" to some or all of these questions:

• Do you want to change your limiting beliefs?

• Would you like to see yourself getting control of your life?

• Have you tried to let go of negative thoughts & behaviours ?

• Would you like to feel good, more & more of the time?

• Are you ready to get what you want, fast?

• Do you long for a sense of peace and fulfilment ?

• Do you wish you could have better, more satisfying relationships ?

• Are you ready to stop worrying and really start enjoying life ?

• Are you ready to stop putting it off, and be happy now?

While we all know intellectually that the trappings of success can't bring us the happiness we desire, most people still act as though their happiness is dependant on getting what they want. But here's the thing:
 

When people say "I'll be happy when I get the (car / money / partner / skills / etc)", it almost never works!
 

In fact, in the years that I've been studying the links between happiness & success, I've discovered something that completely blew my mind:
 

It works the other way around: You're much more likely to get what you want when you're happy!
 

As the multi-millionaire financial expert, Robert Kiyosaki says, "If you are not happy while getting rich, chances are that you will not be happy when you do get rich." 
 

What do I mean by happy success?

• Getting what you want AND feeling good about it.

• Doing the job of your dreams AND loving going to work each day.

• Getting the car / house / holiday you've always wanted AND feeling great every time you think about it.

• Being in a relationship with someone you're incredibly attracted to AND feeling great about it every day.

• Living a life that's your vision of success AND feeling fantastic about yourself every day. 
  

Dekoh the new Web2.0 Platform (Controlled Sharing from Desktop)

Here is the link

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/03/06/stories/2007030602640400.htm

Dekoh, is going to be the next Web2.0 in thing by Pramiti Technologies.

This provides  (Controlled Sharing from Desktop) - so all your friends can Dekoh (Hindi meaning "See") your platform independent applications.

Nice try!

The Logic of the Stock Price

The Logic of the Stock Price

A stock price has many definitions. One of the most sophisticated definitions is that it values the forecasted free cash flows of a company. There are many financial models that try to capture this conceptual definition (e.g. EV/EBIDTA, EPSxP-E, Cash EPSxCash P-E). The most popular among them is the discounted (free) cash flow (DCF) valuation. Mainly popularized by Mckinsey and some other strategic consultants, it sought to value 'free cash flows' (operating margins, net of investment in working capital and routine capex, after adjusting for the tax benefits of leverage) over the visible period (also called the explicit period). Mckinsey also imputed a terminal value, which assumes a steady growth rate going to infinity. This perpetually growing cash flow often created a terminal value, which accounted for up to 90 per cent of the enterprise value (EV) in a fast growing company There are problems with this model. It often arrives at valuations that are considered 'theoretical' by markets. My understanding is that the 'strategic' valuation that the DCF is prone to recommend (5 to 8 years) is simply too long for the market. The real reason why the market often undervalues a given cash flow is that it is simply too myopic. That seems to have been the disconnect in the Tata-Corus deal. Phrases like 'winner's curse, 'arrogant acquisition' 'overpayment' and 'value destroying' have been used. The difference in perspective, I think, is purely over the visible forecasted period. Tata Steel's strategists are valuing the free cash flow over a longer competitive advantage period. This goes back to the Buffetian argument that the valuation of the stock should take into account not only the size and growth rate of a cash flow but also the competitive advantage period. This articulates a long-standing disagreement between the steel industry and the stock markets. The steel industry is a long gestation industry. The typical project (concept to free cash flow) is set up over most of the typical business (or interest rate/liquidity) cycle. Hence any steel company has to ride out a period of high liquidity and a cash crunch every time it sets up a greenfield capacity. Steelmen, therefore, are used to thinking in terms of a gestation period of 8 to 12 years. They simply have longer visibility than the financial markets. On the flip side, they also know that an embedded player has a huge advantage. Sometimes you make extra money simply because you are sitting there. The Tatas have possibly projected a certain free cash flow grown at certain rate over a longer competitive advantage period than the markets are used to defining. So who is right? Financial market players (my mental stereotype is of the Ketan Parekhs, Harshad Mehtas and the hedge funds of the world) or the steel industrialists? Are these market players any richer than the Tatas? Long-term investors don't necessarily do worse than spectacular wealth creators, found so commonly in the financial markets. You just have to decide what you want to be. When Warren Buffet said, "Buy the business, not the scrip", this was what he meant. Let me explain this in detail. I don't think too many people, bar the most cynical, are arguing that the Tata-Corus deal is going to reduce the total free cash flow (FCF) of the combined entity. Yes, there is a certain view that if the steel cycle turns, the FCF being projected will drop, but will it turn negative? And if it doesn't, then the payback will happen. Only the rate at which the payback will happen might get extended. That would increase the number of years taken to digest the acquisition. This is what a value investor should seek. Whenever Mr Market turns apoplectic, but you find long-term, 'strategic' players who want to 'buy the business, not the scrip' on your side; go ahead, jump. This is the Buffet model. Once you know where the market stands, you should stand apart from the market. At this point in time, the broader market is definitely morose about Tata Steel. Yet, nobody is arguing with Mr Ratan Tata on his claims of "long-term value". The difference of opinion is only about the investment horizon. Most of my regular readers would know that I am usually bearish, skeptical, 'negative'. This is especially true of the last couple of years, when I have been negative, even as I have myself joined the large mass of India's nouveau riche. Well, here is my recommendation - buy Tata Steel, and keep trading in the stock for five years (which is the payback period estimated by many analysts on current cash flows of the combined entity). How do you trade? As you find the short-term (Mr. Market) marketmen get out, pace yourself and get in. Just like you buy a systematic investment plan (SIP), keep buying this stock on declines. Every time the stock recovers back to its previous high, sell what you bought at lower levels; then buy back the stock as it declines. This way, target to keep your average holding cost lower than the prevailing stock price. The stock will make a long, saucer-like pattern. Your average holding cost should track the falling price of the stock. As your average price drops, keep adding to your total holding. In other words, take your trading profits in the form of stock, not cash. I will not speculate on how long the coming (down cycle?) will continue. The RBI has just hiked CRR rates again, clearly telling the country that they are determined to squeeze out liquidity till inflation slows down. As interest rates rise, the cost of capital in the markets will rise much more. That should bring temperance to the stock markets (and real estate, but that is a different story). If you don't know how to trade, then you must buy and hold. That is a more difficult way to earn money, but Warren Buffet has proved that it can be equally profitable. For buy-and-hold investors, this would still count as a 'Buffet event', i.e., a sharp, apparently disastrous incident that looks spectacular, but does not impact the long-term prospects of the company. That is a cue for value investors to go bottom-fishing.

 

Asian Stocks (Must Read Article)

Asian Stocks

Of "Asian" flus and global cues…

With no "bottom" after the 10% decline over the past fortnight, the Indian markets are at it again – down 3.2% as we write! Indian equities are seemingly having a case of the Asian flu: benchmark indices in Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Taiwan have just closed in the red (see graph below). These markets, in turn, are taking the "global" cue from a 1% decline witnessed in the US markets on Friday.

Fears of an economic slowdown in the US, China's proposed leash on speculative domestic capital and the realisation that the Indian economy is in an 'overheated' mode, have seemingly shaken investors belief whether the Indian stockmarkets, after a 4-year dream run, are actually a pretty 'risky' place!

A slowing economy….
We shall reiterate what we have been saying with respect to the economy overheating and the hanging sword of rising capital costs globally (and in India). We believe that there is a high probability that the Indian economy will slow down as the RBI is (correctly) determined to keep inflation under control by increasing interest rates and slowing demand.

…does not change our view.
Well, we are not surprised by the attempts by the RBI to slow the economy! We continue to believe that the Indian economy will grow at a rate of 7% to 7.5% per annum on a long-term sustainable basis. We continue to believe that earnings of India Inc. will grow at 15% per annum on a long-term sustainable basis. So do not get confused about the noise that will be created over a slower growth rate in the US economy or by the selling of FIIs that may cause the market to decline shaprly (as it did in May June 2006).

Focus on your portfolio, and your ability to take risks
The effect of a slowing economy will vary by sector: capital goods companies will possibly see a slowdown in orders; but technology companies may not be affected. However, the global decline in stock markets may see a further sell-off in Indian share markets. But do not let these near-term swings and "bull" and "bear" markets rattle you. There is a way to be immune to all the noise about the Asian flu and global cues. The smartest and most successful investors in the world tend to ignore such volatility and always invest with a long-term perspective – they are never concerned about the daily movements in stock prices

The events of the past week should have given you ample reason to reassess your portfolio exposure. The specific stocks you own (click to read our view on large-cap and mid-cap stocks) or the mutual funds you own ( meet a Personalfn representative ) must have a risk-return profile that suits your financial goals and your risk-taking ability. Never gamble in stocks and mutual funds, always invest rationally.


 
 
 
Markets: You are not alone!

"It's only when the tide goes out that you learn who's been swimming naked." - Warren Buffett
Did your stocks survive last two week's plunge? No? Well, you were not alone to have taken the hit! Data compiled for CNX Nifty stocks show that, during the period from 2nd February 2007 to 2nd March 2007 (28 days), all 50 of them lost ground, with the Nifty itself losing 11% during this period. What more, 23 of these (or 46% of the pack) are down on a yearly basis as well! As for the BSE-Sensex, all 30 stocks ended the 28-day period in the red.

Nifty: Top 10 losers
  02-Feb-07 02-Mar-07 Change 52-Week H/L
VSNL  505  360  -28.8% 516 / 300 
Grasim 2,811  2,097  -25.4% 2,940 / 1,455 
Hindalco 184  138  -25.2% 251 / 133 
Jet Airways 786  600  - 23.6% 1,058 / 475 
Guj. Ambuja 143  110  -23.1% 153 / 70 
OBC 219  174  -20.5% 280 / 139 
MTNL  169  135  -20.1% 229 / 123 
ACC 1,041  854  -17.9% 1,195 / 601 
PNB  517  427  -17.4% 582 / 300 
BHEL  2,502  2,098  - 16.1% 2,666 / 1,533 

The weakness in Indian equities over the past few sessions has been due to a combination of factors - most of them actually impacting the whole of global equity markets. China was simply the trigger, but the fears of slowdown in the US has an equal part to play if not more. And you know what, despite being the 'trigger' for the global 'collapse', China was the only one among the major global indices to end the stated period (2nd February 2007 to 2nd March 2007) in the positive!

Global equities: India 'leads' the pack!
Index Country 02-Feb-07 02-Mar-07 Change
BSE-Sensex India 14,404  12,886  -10.5%
Bovespa Brazil 44,998  42,370  -5.8%
Hang Seng Hong Kong 20,564  19,442  - 5.5%
CAC France 5,677  5,425  -4.4%
Straits Times Singapore 3,218  3,079  -4.3%
Dow Jones US 12,653  12,114  -4.3%
DAX Germany 6,886  6,603  -4.1%
NASDAQ US-Tech 1,798  1,726  -4.0%
FTSE UK 6,311  6,116  - 3.1%
Nikkei Japan 17,547  17,218  -1.9%
Shanghai Comp. China 2,673  2,832  5.9%

Source: Yahoo Finance
After the significant volatility witnessed in equities over the last two weeks, you must be wondering whether this is a sign of things to come. And why not! Following four strong years of stock market gains and sky rocketing valuations across sectors, it would not be out of doubt to believe that the markets may enter a prolonged period of selling (or correction). Whatever the case may be, recent events are certainly a reminder that there is, in fact, 'risk' in equity investing.

"Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing." - Warren Buffett

So, what are the lessons learned?
The past few weeks must have provided you with a great time to reassess your risk exposure. However, it would be folly to blindly sell off your stocks based solely on the recent events. While the latest market plunge might serve you a wake-up call, it should not be seen as a forecast that 'all' stocks are headed downward. In fact, now is a great time to make sure that you are invested in financially sound companies with strong business models and reasonable valuations.

Where to from here?
As we had mentioned in our view on the market after the Wednesday (February 28, 2007) fall, the recent decline should be taken as an opportunity to invest and build a long-term equity portfolio. Needless to say that the equity component of the overall asset allocation should be in line with one's risk-return profile. Overall, you, as a retail investor, should not shy away from equities given the recent decline in the stock market. Invest in good companies with strong business models ( i.e., ability to ride through cycles) from a three to five year perspective and do not worry about the day-to-day market movements.

Parting note (From Warren Buffett's Letter to Shareholders, 2000)
"The line separating investment and speculation, which is never bright and clear, becomes blurred still further when most market participants have recently enjoyed triumphs. Nothing sedates rationality like large doses of effortless money. After a heady experience of that kind, normally sensible people drift into behavior akin to that of Cinderella at the ball. They know that overstaying the festivities -- that is, continuing to speculate in companies that have gigantic valuations relative to the cash they are likely to generate in the future -- will eventually bring on pumpkins and mice. But they nevertheless hate to miss a single minute of what is one helluva party. Therefore, the giddy participants all plan to leave just seconds before midnight. There's a problem, though: They are dancing in a room in which the clocks have no hands."

If you are bored at work!

If you find it very boring in the office...


1. Form a detective agency to find out who is quitting next.
2. Make blank calls to your Boss.
3. Send mails from lotus notes (outlook) to your internet mail (and
Immediately get to the internet and see who reaches
first, you or your Mail?) And read them there, and note down the time they
take to reach There. Then do vice versa.....!!
4. Rearrange the furniture, i.e. flick someone else\'s chair just to
Irritate him/her.
5. Count your fingers (and toes if you still get bored).
6. Watch other people changing their facial ex-press ions while working and
try changing your ex-press ions also.
7. Try to stretch status meetings as longer as possible, just by asking
Silly doubts.
8. Make faces at strangers in office.
9. Have a two hour lunch; it\'s a big social occasion.
10. Learn to whistle.
11. Revise last week\'s newspaper.
12. Hold "How fast my computer boots" competitions.
13. Practice aiming the coffee cup into the dustbin.
14. Compile "How to waste your day"
15. Pick up phone and dial non-existing nos.
16. Have work breaks in between tea.
17. Count maximum no of applications your computer can open at time.
18. For Win NT/95 users....Move things to Recycle bin and restore Them. Then
repeat this process.
19. Look at someone & try to imagine how(s) he might have looked when(s) he
Was 5 years old.
20. Read jokes and send jokes.
21. Make full use of the comfortable chair and table provided and take a
Nap.

And if you are still getting
bored.........................then
22. Fwd this mail to everyone u know....

rating from sitescore

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This report tested 5 pages of http://vijayashankar.blogspot.com (using Sitescore v1.8.2)

Marketing How well marketed, and popular the website is. 2.7
Design How well designed and built the website is. 9.6
Accessibility How accessible the website is, particularly to those with disabilities. 6.2
Experience How satisfying the website is likely to be. 7.7
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Good / bad points
Warning point No websites appear to link to this website, making it extremely hard to find (more detail)
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Warning point This website makes no apparent use of interactivity throughout (more detail)
Warning point This website appears to be in violation of the British Disability Discrimination Act (more detail)
Excellent point This website is very quick to respond (more detail)
Excellent point Design makes proper use of modern technology (no table-based layout) (more detail)

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Rating summary (0.0 / 10) Popularity on Google Based on your webpage title, we guessed that your website / company name is "Vijay's space of thoughts". In the text on your homepage, these appear to be the most significant phrases:

1. vs
2. rs
3. links
4. vijay
5. super
6. post
7. posted
8. comments
9. comments links
10. park

We took the top 3 phrases and searched for them in Google, along with your website/company name.

No matches on Google were found at all.

The includes searches for Vijay's space of thoughts, links, rs, vs.

Question mark Recommendations: If your website is more than a month old, you should always aim to score within the top 10 results for a search for your website or company name, at least. Firstly, make sure your website is properly programmed, and makes proper use of title, heading and meta-tags - in particular your homepage. Ensure that your website contains text-based content that is relevant to those searching for your website. Then submit your website to all the search engines and applicable free directories you can.
Rating summary (0.0 / 10) Popularity ranking Your website appears to be visited so rarely that there is not accurate popularity information available - i.e. it is not in the top 10 million or so websites. This may not be the case if your website is only a few months old.

Question mark Recommendations: You can usually increase repeat visitors, by offering useful services or valuable content on your website (e.g. login area, downloads, forums). Ensure that your website is well linked to by others, and that you have submitted it effectively to all the relevant search engines. You should also ensure that your website is effectively designed to be promoted online - e.g. it makes proper use of titles, meta tags etc.
Rating summary (1.5 / 10) British legal requirements All pages were found in violation of the current W3C Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

This website may be unlawful in Britain. The British Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against a disabled person by refusing to provide any service provided to members of the public - including websites.

Show error details (1386 errors found over 5 pages)Hide error details

Webpage http://vijayashankar.blogspot.com
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Webpage http://vijayashankar.blogspot.com/search/label/on%20making%20money
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Webpage http://vijayashankar.blogspot.com/search/label/power%20of%20internet
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Webpage http://vijayashankar.blogspot.com/2007/03/fun-with-internet.html
88 errors found - only displaying first 10 (see all results)
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Validation services courtesy of W3C Validator.

Question mark Recommendations: Pages should be redesigned to meet the W3C standards.
Rating summary (2.4 / 10) Links to No other websites were found linking to this website. (0 quality links, out of 0). (Note: If the website is less than a month old, this information may be inaccurate).

Question mark Recommendations: We suggest a minimum of 40 links to any given website, to ensure it is listed effectively by Google and other major search engines.

A large number of web directories, news and affiliate websites can be encouraged to link to you for free. Over time any reasonably successful website should pick up additional links as a matter of course.
Rating summary (2.5 / 10) Use of forms No forms were found in this website.

Forms are used to provide interactivity to a website, including search, login and subscription facilities. Although not required, they usually signify that a website is achieving more interactivity, and not simply displaying plain content on their pages.

Question mark Recommendations: Consider adding more interactive forms to the website. For example, a login area, a contact form, a request to join a mailing list.
Rating summary (6.2 / 10) Features The following feature was specifically identified: News. Generally, our analysis detected an average selection of text and features.
Rating summary (6.5 / 10) Use of page titles Some of your webpages share the same title.

Google and other search engines will not be able to easily determine the content within your different pages, and may mark you down accordingly.

Unique titles also help promote your website better for keywords you specify inside them.

We found the following unique page titles:

Page title No of times used
Vijay's space of thoughts 3 times
Vijay's space of thoughts: On Making Money! 1 times
Vijay's space of thoughts: fun with internet 1 times


Question mark Recommendations: Make sure that each of your webpages has a different title where appropriate. If your website is properly content managed this process can be automated.
Rating summary (7.1 / 10) Size of pages Webpages are reasonably sized and should display at a respectable speed.
Rating summary (8.6 / 10) Speed Your website responded in 0.39 seconds, and your homepage downloaded in 1.09 seconds. This is very fast and suggests your website is running on a sufficiently powerful web server.
Rating summary (10.0 / 10) Website icon This website includes a favourite icon. This is a nice touch.
Rating summary (10.0 / 10) Use of Interactive Elements Your website does not appear to include any advert keywords in your source files and therefore displays correctly to the user with a spam blocker enabled.

Rate your blog and see!

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Nice comments.

I told you so?

I told you so?

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/05/technology/05daylight.html?ex=1330750800&en=089dc0000f845570&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss

On Making Money!

On Making Money

You should know how you spend the money, everyday, on what.... The simple logic, you will know exactly where the money goes, then it also motivates your to earn more, which is very much needed as you would contemplate on you paycheck always isnt it?

I have been doing it since I returned from USA, and I was doing it here too! That is where I learnt it. During 1994, after I reached USA, in Planville CT, I found a free flyer in the Kroger store called "Penny Pincher", which was listing all the local business and tips and ideas to save money. Very rarely some coupons. I did get a blazer fixed free with a coupon!

Second advantage of noting your daily expenses, minute management, would be that you will know exactly how the inflation stands. This is also going to serve you with data about the FMCG, Auto, Retail sector, in a larger way. The more money you spend on such categories, will clearly tell about how much you should invest in a particular stock. As Warren Buffet says, dont invest in what you dont understand.

But even with my limited understanding of IT the dotcom boom bit me, and I did loose more than a lakh in the 2000-01 days in investing alone, other than blowing away 25 lakhs in my own money, running my won company (in Stealth Mode now - planning to revive soon).

There are three headings you should note down your incomes from - salary, retirals and bonus. Enough.

You can see the growth chart year over year. Also the month over month expense, will give a clear idea non what you are saving every month. Irrespective of the family size, your rate of increase should be at 10%. Thumb Rule.

This will give a cushion effect to take risks in investments or rainy days, for more money and to do things that you would love to do.

Also make sure, you enjoy once a while, other than the Beluga Caviar or your own private jet.

fun with internet

At least people have understood again the power of internet.

Lots of things can be done over net.

web2.0 is the king now.

World Cup 2007 Schedule

event date / time venue
West Indies vs Pakistan Tuesday
March 13, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Australia vs Scotland Wednesday
March 14, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Kenya vs Canada Wednesday
March 14, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
Sri Lanka vs Bermuda Thursday
March 15, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
Zimbabwe vs Ireland Thursday
March 15, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
South Africa vs Holland Friday
March 16, 2007/00:00 Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis)
England vs New Zealand Friday
March 16, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
India vs Bangladesh Saturday
March 17, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
Pakistan vs Ireland Saturday
March 17, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Australia vs Holland Sunday
March 18, 2007/00:00 Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis)
England vs Canada Sunday
March 18, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
India vs Bermuda Monday
March 19, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
West Indies vs Zimbabwe Monday
March 19, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
South Africa vs Scotland Tuesday
March 20, 2007/00:00 Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis)
New Zealand vs Kenya Tuesday
March 20, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh Wednesday
March 21, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
Zimbabwe vs Pakistan Wednesday
March 21, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Scotland vs Holland Thursday
March 22, 2007/00:00 Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis)
New Zealand vs Canada Thursday
March 22, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
India vs Sri Lanka Friday
March 23, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
West Indies vs Ireland Friday
March 23, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Australia vs South Africa Saturday
March 24, 2007/00:00 Warner Park Stadium (St. Kitts and Nevis)
England vs Kenya Saturday
March 24, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
Bermuda vs Bangladesh Sunday
March 25, 2007/00:00 Queens Park Oval (Trinidad and Tobago)
D2 vs A1 (Super Eight) Tuesday
March 27, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
A2 vs B1 (Super Eight) Wednesday
March 28, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
D2 vs C1 (Super Eight) Thursday
March 29, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
D1 vs C2 (Super Eight) Friday
March 30, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
A1 vs B2 (Super Eight) Saturday
March 31, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
D2 vs B1 (Super Eight) Sunday
April 01, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
B2 vs C1 (Super Eight) Monday
April 02, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
D1 vs A2 (Super Eight) Tuesday
April 03, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
C2 vs B1 (Super Eight) Wednesday
April 04, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
B2 vs A2 (Super Eight) Saturday
April 07, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
A1 vs C2 (Super Eight) Sunday
April 08, 2007/00:00 Sir Vivian Richards Stadium (Antigua and Barbuda)
D1 vs C1 (Super Eight) Monday
April 09, 2007/00:00 Providence Stadium (Guyana)
D2 vs A2 (Super Eight) Tuesday
April 10, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
C2 vs B2 (Super Eight) Wednesday
April 11, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
B1 vs C1 (Super Eight) Thursday
April 12, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
A1 vs D1 (Super Eight) Friday
April 13, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
A2 vs C1 (Super Eight) Saturday
April 14, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
B2 vs D1 (Super Eight) Sunday
April 15, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
A1 vs B1 (Super Eight) Monday
April 16, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
A2 vs C2 (Super Eight) Tuesday
April 17, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
D1 vs B1 (Super Eight) Wednesday
April 18, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
D2 vs B2 (Super Eight) Thursday
April 19, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
A1 vs C1 (Super Eight) Friday
April 20, 2007/00:00 Queens Park (Grenada)
D2 vs C2 (Super Eight) Saturday
April 21, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)
Semi Final 1: 2 vs 3 (Semi Finals) Tuesday
April 24, 2007/00:00 Sabina Park (Jamaica)
Semi Final 2: 1 vs 4 (Semi Finals) Wednesday
April 25, 2007/00:00 Beausejour Stadium (St. Lucia)
FINAL Saturday
April 28, 2007/00:00 Kensington Oval (Barbados)

Internet online business

Internet online business

This is the in thing for the Web2.0

Those who were lucky, started earlier... mostly matrimonial services... today you can find variants.

Otherwise, the costs are high.

How much should you get paid? (Correctly for serious workers)

How much should you get paid? (Correctly for serious workers)

Here is the link

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/03/technology/03money.html?ex=1330578000&en=c1a30630cc357c86&ei=5089&partner=rssyahoo&emc=rss

Enjoy!

If you make more money, send me some! (to give to poor of course!) ;-)

Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky

I recently read on a blog that, Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky are the key words searched and more web hits......

I wonder whether it is due to Hillary Clinton, running for the Prez post?

I bet my blog would get the same hits! ;-)

Suggested MF Portfolio

Suggested MF Portfolio for a 3 to 5 year Horizon to invest at your own risk.

Funds % Allocation
DSPML Opportunities-G 5.40
DSPML T.I.G.E.R.-G 4.12
Franklin India Bluechip-G 5.66
Franklin India Flexi Cap-G 5.89
Franklin India Prima-G 6.30
HDFC Equity-G 14.08
HSBC Equity-G 9.30
Kotak 30-G 6.00
Kotak Mid-Cap-G 2.46
Reliance Diversified Power Sector-G 3.37
Reliance Equity-G 3.44
Reliance Growth-G 15.59
Reliance Tax Saver-G 6.38
Reliance Vision-G 12.01
Total 100

Please note that the above MF Portfolio for a 3 to 5 year Horizon to invest, is at your own risk.

My FP's joke = if you make more than what you expect, then give me 25% of it please! If not , I dont know you!

Lunch with Chidambaram on NDTV Profit

Today I watched a program on NDTV Profit during lunch with FM P Chidambaram.

He did mean that the dog food is a joke, and talked about after life....

He did admit that unemployment ratio was well balanced during 1999-2004 (BJP rule) at around 3%, and this UPA government is also maintaining that but with better growth!

He was beating around the bush on bringing the pulses cost.... but with limited option of imports = meaning, self sustained country is the answer. Grow More and do less Commodity Trading!

The Dividend Distribution Tax DDT, is the best bet for long term investments...

Also 25% DDT is tough on Liquid Funds. With the current rate around 7.5%, the effective yield after expenses at 0.5% would be only 5.25%, less than the easy fixed deposits of 6 months rate at 7.5% (taxable at 33.99% is effective 4.95%)...not bad... only 0.3% more than earlier rate of 6.06%, with the given 3 days to pay, it works out OK.

Also he did explain that the MAT on 10 A/B co's (IT) without sops, with low hardware prices etc... would be spending little more than 1.5% of annual turnover, that is nothing! (with a rate of 11.33%).

But ESOP is still being worked out. Might become law in Sept. The explanation, who pays that tax? It would be at 33.99% and already TCS, Wipro and Satyam have issued statements by HR Heads, that it would be borne by the employee.

I am fascinated on becoming the FM one day. I really want to do good to people.

Beyond AJAX

Here is the link for the article. Very well written. (c) knownow.com

http://www.knownow.com/products/docs/whitepapers/KN-Beyond-AJAX.pdf

Found on the Net! What the heck on IT?

Now what is a budget? If you are in a majority and thus an aam aadmi, to you budget (read monthly budget) would be something like this:

Roti (Ration/ pani) : Rs. 5 - 7000/-
Makan (rental etc.) : Rs. 7 - 9000/-
Bijli ( water telephone) : Rs. 3 - 4000/-
Dawai (medical) : Rs. 1 - 2000/-
Padai (education cost for two): Rs. 5 - 7000/-
Sadak (tranportation) : Rs. 2 - 3000/-

Total (monthly) budget : Rs. 23000/- to Rs. 32000/-)

This is what are compulsory and minimum expenses. Now even if you are to leave out the optionals (of minimum Rs. 5000/- monthly expenses on clothing/ outings/ holidays / car maintenance etc.), then you are still left with an annual budget of Rs. 2,50,000/- at the minimum and that with a family of four only!

Thereafter, to repeat, if you an aam aadmi, are you left with anything to pay??? Then, is there any point in taxing someone with an income >Rs.2,50,000/- p.a.??!! Chidambaram must consider this as well! Sometimes, atleast!!

New Budget Tax Implication for Salaried

Well if you are making 2.4 lakhs as salary (forget the IT Fresher is making 3.6 Lakhs....) you will end up saving a cool amount of Rs 1030 or 0.43% (in case of IT Fresher it is 0.29%) extra from FY 2007-08 onwards! Great PC work!

Salary		240000		360000
PF	At 12%	11520		17280
Medical		15000		15000
Transport		9600		9600
Tax Deductions/Savings		100000		100000
Total Deductions		136120		141880
Taxable Income		103880		218120
Exemption		110000		100000
1.1 to 1.5 Lakhs at 10%	40000	4000		4000
1.5 to 2.5 Lakhs at 20%	53880	10776		33624
Above 2.5 Lakhs at 30%	0	0		0
Cess and Or Surcharge	3.00%	443.28		1128.72
Total Tax		15219.28	6.34%	38752.72	10.76%
Reduction
Take Home		213260.7		303967.3
Monthly		17771.73		25330.61
Extra Annual
Extra Month
Retirals (PF Deposit)		11520		17280
Extra Retirals
Old Tax FY 2006-07		16249.28	6.77%	39782.72	11.05%
Extra Savings		1030	0.43%	1030	0.29%

What Budget? BS?

Now what is a budget? If you are in a majority and thus an aam aadmi, to you budget (read monthly budget) would be something like this:

Roti (Ration/ pani) : Rs. 5 - 7000/-
Makan (rental etc.) : Rs. 7 - 9000/-
Bijli ( water telephone) : Rs. 3 - 4000/-
Dawai (medical) : Rs. 1 - 2000/-
Padai (education cost for two): Rs. 5 - 7000/-
Sadak (tranportation) : Rs. 2 - 3000/-

Total (monthly) budget : Rs. 23000/- to Rs. 32000/-)

This is what are compulsory and minimum expenses. Now even if you are to leave out the optionals (of minimum Rs. 5000/- monthly expenses on clothing/ outings/ holidays / car maintenance etc.), then you are still left with an annual budget of Rs. 2,50,000/- at the minimum and that with a family of four only!

Thereafter, to repeat, if you an aam aadmi, are you left with anything to pay??? Then, is there any point in taxing someone with an income >Rs.2,50,000/- p.a.??!! Chidambaram must consider this as well! Sometimes, atleast!!

What to expect in our National Budget 2007?

What to expect in our National Budget 2007?

To make thing simple, remove the surcharge.... for the super charged economy..

Hike the PF contribution to 15%, while allocating 5% to social security.

This social security should pay 18 months salary, till the person finds another job, for equal or greater pay. Later at reduced proportions, to ensure people are getting trained for a new job, limiting to 50%.

Medicare should be governed by government fund, for the poor.

Increase the pension and mediclaim exemptions.... to 50 K from the current 15 K.

Increase the transport exemption allowance from Rs 800 a month to atleast Rs 1500 a month.

Altenate minimum tax including the software companies to 15% revising to 17% in next year!

I propose 4 different tax structures (for individuals and corporates).
(1) Upto 1.5 lakhs nil ( For Senior Citizens and Women at 2 Lakhs )
(2) 1.5 Lakhs to 2.5 Lakhs @ 20%
(3) 2.5 Lakhs to 4 Lakhs @ 25% and
(4) Above 4 Lakhs @ 30%

Remove FBT and add it to max tax rate at 2% extra.

Family based exemption for people, to tune up the standard deduction. This should be inflation based. (Casino effect)

May be the 2% cess can be removed too, right now giving about 5000 crores, which can be mopped up easily.

Found on the net.... (author unknown)

VDIS. Make a law that IT officers are non abusive with their power, by restricting to the onus of honesty exhibited by tax payers, ensuring only last 5 previous years of income shall be accounted and the rest taxed at 40% minus any tax paid. As an example, if a persons current net cash asset is worth Rs 1 crore and the current FY income is 20 lakhs, for the rest of 80 lakhs, make him pay 40% at 32 lakhs minus any TDS. For salaried, a leniency for the act of non filing can be given, with a small penalty, but with existing tax rates for those FYs. I can dream that our entire trillions deficit will be wiped out.

Super Railway Budget

The Railway Minister, has doen a very great job! hats off Laluji!

Super Railway Budget!

Fare cuts, to cut inflation...

Petrol & Diesel co's and the transporters can get a 5% cut...

AC fares cheaper by about 3 to 6% and Slepeer class fares cut by 4%, really economy is booming....

Are you looking for a US $100K job?

Are you looking for a $100K job? The only catch is you should be making $ 75K and above now! (All figures in USD)

http://hr.theladders.com/reg/ppcladder?pl=gt-hr&cr=gchr111&source=gopaid

Daylight Saving Time

Note that the Daylight Saving Time, is going to give more money for Indian Software companies. Thanks Mr Bush on behalf of India! There should be more H1B numbers in the offing soon! (Spring session!)

Here is the list of the new DST for USA.

How it works? At 2 am in the morning USA, changes the clock forward.... by 1 hour. From 2007 onwards 3 weeks early starting by March 3rd week Sunday and ending on 1st week on November, to save energy it seems! (giving more time for people at home!)

United States European Union
Starts/Ends at 2 a.m. Starts/Ends 1 a.m. UT
Year DST DST Summertime Summertime
2003 6-Apr 26-Oct 30-Mar 26-Oct
2004 4-Apr 31-Oct 28-Mar 31-Oct
2005 3-Apr 30-Oct 27-Mar 30-Oct
2006 2-Apr 29-Oct 26-Mar 29-Oct
2007 11-Mar 4-Nov 25-Mar 28-Oct
2008 9-Mar 2-Nov 30-Mar 26-Oct
2009 8-Mar 1-Nov 29-Mar 25-Oct
2010 14-Mar 7-Nov 28-Mar 31-Oct

ITS CALLED FAITH

ITS CALLED FAITH

There was a young man who went overseas to study for
quite a long time. When he returned, he asked his
parents to find him a religious scholar or any
expert who could answer his 3 Questions. Finally,
his parents were able to find a Muslim scholar.

Young man: Who are you? Can you answer my questions?

Scholar: I am one of Allah (SubHana Wa At`Ala )'S
slaves and Insha-Allah (God willing), I will be able
to answer your questions.

Young man: Are you sure? A lot of Professors and
experts were not able to answer my questions.

Scholar: I will try my best, with the help of
Allah(SubHana Wa At`Ala).

Young Man: I have 3 questions:

1. Does God exist? If so, show me His shape.

2. What is thaqdir (fate)?

3. If shaitan (Devil) was created from the fire, why
at the end he will be thrown to hell that is also
created from fire. It certainly will not hurt
him at all, since Shaitan (Devil) and the hell were
created from fire. Did God not think of it this far?

Suddenly, the Scholar slapped the young man's face
very hard.

Young Man (feeling pain): Why do you get angry at
me?

Scholar: I am not angry. The slap is my answer to
your three questions.

Young Man: I really don't understand.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: Of course, I felt the pain.

Scholar: So do you believe that pain exists?

Young Man: Yes.

Scholar: Show me the shape of the pain!

Young Man: I cannot.

Scholar: That is my first answer. All of us feel
God's existence without being able to see His
shape... Last night, did you dream that you will be
slapped by me?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: Did you ever think that you will get a slap
from me, today?

Young Man: No.

Scholar: That is takdir (fate) my second
answer........ My hand that I used to slap you, what
is it created from?

Young Man: It is created from flesh.

Scholar: How about your face, what is it created
from?

Young Man: Flesh.

Scholar: How do you feel after I slapped you?

Young Man: In pain.

Scholar: That's it. This is my third answer, Even
though Shaitan (Devil) and also the hell were created
from the fire, if Allah wants, insha-Allah (God
willing), the hell will become a very painful place
for Shaitan

Microsoft Changes Daylight Savings time

Here is the update from Microsoft on Daylight Savings time....

lots of programming changes in the offing for Dot Net users/coders.

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/vstudio/bb264729.aspx

Power of Blogging! Please Help Prabhu!

You can read about, how a blog by a person Kiruba http://www.kiruba.com , has helped the medicare expenses (collecting from fellow bloggers) of an 18 year old Engineering Student, who fell from 3rd Floor by Mistake... (Please dont ask me whether that was ragging or any mischief.... I am told not...)

Here is the link http://helpprabhu.pbwiki.com/

I challenge my fellow blog readers to ensure the expenses are taken care, the balance of Rs 6.6 lakhs needed, as Rs 1.9 lakhs was collected. A drop by drop helps!

Also please look at this...

http://www.srmuniv.ac.in/applying_to_srm/contact_details.html

The SRM University has international tie-ups and great links. So students and faculty of SRM along with the owners, please help Prabhu! (I know only Rs 103,000 was given).

Microsoft and Linux

Microsoft and Linux at LinuxWorld, good for Open source!

I hope the world gets less cost software (probably charging yearly! - give more features)

Some news to use

This article has fun news!

http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/feb/20perfin.htm

Sensex down 149.52 pts, Your Networth?

Market tanks again. Expect the see-saw ride till first week of March (atleast 2 to 3 days after budget). I have to confirm it with KP Hororary.

http://moneycontrol.com has a decent portfolio manager at http://portfolio.moneycontrol.com

I also look at http://www.outlookmoney.com a decent site!

Is Dharavi in Mumbai a real slum?

http://balabharathi.blogspot.com/2007/02/blog-post_18.html

Is Dharavi in Mumbai a real slum? No say the above article. (Tamil)

make money using Google Adsense

http://surveysan.blogspot.com/2006/12/blog-post.html

Talks about how to make money using Google Adsense. (Tamil). Nice post.

Koffee with Anu (Prakash Rai and Prithviraj)

Anu was cool as ever. No jokes this time...

Prakash Rai was playing an Othello, with an Oedipus Complex.... I have been reading about his life in Ananda Vikatan and he was repeating teh same - except the poem from Vairamuthu... I fondly call Diamond Pearl. I t was gross when he said he wanted to marry his mother itself, and was refering to her as Ava Ava, without respect. He might be few years elder to me, but I have the right to say this ... please respect elders ( being a fellow Kannadiga and I dont have any bashai's too, even though I am quite comfortable with English, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Dutch, Spanish, German and French.) Call me back Sir! (I need to talk about that story!)

Prithivraj at 24 was cool as ever, based on the movies I have seen Parijatham and Kanaa Kandaen. But nutty though. Praising all the time on Prakash Rai.

My rating 5 on 10.

Generalised worker types in the software industry

Generalised note on different set of people types I worked with.

Well what can I say of the reverse culture shock....

to begin with, let me tell a note of few contrasting work cultures -

USA = value for time and money, family first principle. There is always fear of the fear of pink slip, so you are not as good as you think, until you have the job next day!
UK = value for money, time and family. Get paid for 8 hours, working for 10 hours.
UAE = value for good food, nice clothes etc., work, family and money. Work for 4 days and get paid for 6 days with special yearly vacations, but low salaries.
India = value for money (=time! suck them more!), family last... Job security is getting diluted as good as US, with pittance as salary. (personal experience, with inflation adjustments)

Noteworthy in the above is USA and India, to compare with my own experiences.

First in India, (I will not tell the company names for the sake of confidentiality of their nuances)

Stickler for times - Sundararaman, my senior was very keen on punctuality etc. One day I was late by 5 minutes to work, and he was rampant with his huge body, with strict time measures and work ethics. I said sorry and continued my work on supporting few lakhs worth software order (3 persons effort). The office timing was 9 AM to 5.30 PM, with 30 minutes break (official!). So when the clock struck 5.35PM, I looked my watch in front of S, and made my move to home. Nothing come's extra to work. At 7 in the evening, i had an unexpected guest in the house, even with his huge body, S had climbed up 3 flights of stairs and had come to meet me. I thought I was in joepardy (even though I had few offers in hand, but waiting on the bonus). He didnt say anything, he just asked me to come out for a dinner (chat). The dinner went fine, and when I was about to hire the auto back to home, he said - I am sorry, you proved a point and handed me a letter. With a smile on his face he said, you are promoted, so please stay back.

Party mongers - It so happens that in those days, with a salary of Rs 3000/-, having about 300 to 400 rs in the purse was princely sum. my friends, knew all the time and made me pay, and even though they are obligated to pay for/share for what they eat, it used to be on me and I never used to go back around to collect. I remember one guy telling me, " I just had one roti and little kurma, why should I pay!". In fact one other guy even shouted back to me, I am not going to run away giving back your money, while he was actually packing to leave abroad the very next day! Oxymorons. what they owed me those days would have been 10% of their networth, and today I would expect them to part with me 10% of their current networth!

Work life love interests - (This is not mine) There was this nice eyed, buck toothed girl, who was so interested in a guy, of the exceptional model qualities. She came with an idea, out of the blue moon and walked to this fellow and says, "Look my family is looking for alliance, but I like you, so if you are keen, do talk to my Dad!". The guy was bamboozled, and didnt know what to do, he cant complain, of the reverse discrimination, nor, tell anyone about it (except me, of course :-) ). He started crying! The girl was startled and ran away, never to return back to work. I am told she was helped by another colleague of mine, to get married to a US based person later. I did see a picture of her later, with a good smile! (nice dentist work, I think so!).

Friends - friendship and parties apart, there was none to help out in terms of career. Of course people were very keen on getting the short cut to go abroad. A friend of mine, who never told anyone, that his visa was processed and he was moving abroad, but used to take help of others and learn as much as he can and also pass certain comments like "I hate working abroad" etc. When the chance came, he was the first to take a flight. He is living with his family in his palatial house at upstate New York.

I also remember swollen faces and hangovers, but good careers of certain friends. Hardly I can comprehend how they pulled it off! Something was always worked on the backend.

There was a friend of mine, who liked to stay alone and zip-zap in a bike, but was never a contender for a girl in the work place. One fine day, she was to leave for her Masters away, so this guy, goes and hands over a card. She started crying.... Atleast, they liked that time, and when the train was moving she and she proposed, and they were married - one year after she finished the course. Now they live happily in Michigan.

There is a friend of mine, who was so worried that even with being 4 years elder and also with 2.5 years work experience, he was making only Rs 20/- more per month, in basic salary. What logic? (he didnt get the idea that performance pays!)

Rotten minds - a colleague of mine, lately I saw him in the streets of Chennai, with dirty unkempt clothes and looks, un-combed .... begging on the street very recently. Probably he was out of his mind for want of money. He had joined the job with fake provisional certificate. Companies do hire without check those days unlike now. He got caught into bad friends, drink and drug stuff I think and being the only son of the widowed mother, he had his says in life. Best clothes, parties, fun, girls etc. He couldnt clear one paper, and never got his degree. He went and joined another co., and never made it. I saw him in the central station, 8 years ago, sleeping on the lengthy cement chairs (now replaced). He saw me, recognised me and didnt know what to do. My brother was with me then. He walked to me and asked my brother," do you have matches!". My brother doesnt smoke, so he said, "sorry, dont have.". So he went back and slept again. To make this stroy short. If he had had the stable mind he could have made it!

Friends who Steal Ideas. I was bitten twice. (If "you" read and get offended, I dont care!). When I made up my mind to return to India, I was very keen on starting something of my own. So I was talking to this friend of mine, about a certain idea, where his experience would suit and pull something off together and go the venture way. We met in India, and I delayed taking my fulltime job,. to earn little more, till I get a VC. I set him with a friend of mine, who had a SW co. and got him space. Nothing was in writing. I used to meet quite often once in a month and give more ideas etc. One day, another friend of his comes into the picture, who had a VC commitment, and walked away with this idea and my friend. He was sold. I ended up with nothing for the hard effort (on the side though!). The same friend fell out of terms with the other guy, and he walks out with the sell of share (few milions I guess!). I met him later, by chance, while he was struggling to start something on his own, without any ideas. I was feverishly making picthes this time, to different VC on my 'Voice, Click and Send" Voice SMS product idea (created by my wife), after my first venture failed and I was back in mainstream. He spoke to me, at one such VC place, and I fell for his guile again. One bitten twice shy, did not strike me. Nor did i ask about the failed previous venture idea, where he walked away. I explained him my new venture, and once again talked of my wife taking an active role than me, as I had to earn little more as I had flunked in another venture of my own (I will write about it separately). He agreed to give 50% stake, in the new venture and left. The idea, was gone (I slipped again!) 18 months later, I see the same idea, as a Malaysian funded VC co. and now in news again with a product. Few millions in the drain for me. Third strike, You are out, they say in USA (baseball terminlogy). I am going to go back with a vengeance in the third time, if he tries to trick me again. Now I am working on the mobile blogging idea, and let me see how that works out. (where I dont see a penny coming along).

There was another friend of mine, who wanted to start something for his brother, in India, and I helped in getting space in the SEZ park. The verbal agreement, was, my wife would be a stakeholder. Nothing signed with friends, and you are not expected to do it. They were also looking for alliance for the brother. So I work with a product idea of catalogs, and presented. I was in India, my buddy was in US, and his brother in India. His brother came to me and sort of begged, as the investment was "few lakhs only" (not realising the venture returns), he would like to show this co. as his own, to get a good healthy dowry and match. My parents were are spoken to on this and they forced me, and I being bitten twice earlier, had to give away the few lakhs opportunity for the want of a stable income. Down in drains, 2 million USD again. Now that brother, a non engineer, is a product development manager, in the co acquired that acquired them in 2 years.

There is another friend of mine, in the same city where am now, whom I had helped with ideas of running a software co., now works for his manager in the other co. That manager, cannot go back to gulf, as his boss, as he claims, that he was forced to borrow 100 K AED from a UAE bank, for business and never returned and ran-off as his boss closed shop. So this manager, joins another software co., after floundering the co. of my friend and did a deed of hiring him. On the personal front, my friend had lost family wealth owing to fire, even though his father is a rags to riches story couldnt save for him.

Ugly bosses (mind though!) - there was one manager of mine, always keen on talking about investments (he knows that I have decent chunk in the market), and so he used to always pull and push me to give him ideas. One day he walked to me and asked to come in to a conf room. I was worried, as I had just started with a new project and didnt get the hang of it, due to very good co-operation of the team. He sort of told me in a hush hush tone, "look, I know your team problems - I can solve it, but you have to help me (pause) fix my investments for better returns, or else...". I walked to the HR manager, the same evening and pulled some strings and next day onwards I never worked with him again. I cannot take black-mailers as bosses.

In the USA, I always had great fun with workers, mostly being a contractor. You cannot lie in work, and they expect trustworthiness.

Friendly boss - I was stunned, to find out, a deal was worked out with another analyst, to keep him on the project, with a promise that, he could move to another consulting co, which was charging about 20% less rate, than the current co. supplier. Never I heard of it in USA. The deal, he saves 20% cost, and keeps the same person on board, flouting ethics... still both are employed there fulltime.

There was also another boss, who was making contractors to work, promising to give compensatory time off, and never stood by his words. I lost 3 weeks of pricely vacation!

Differentiation is the key

Differentiation is the key to get hired, retain talent. The HR guys typically tell about the soap story (why so many varieties but the same function)

I have come across, far-fetching, mouth-balling co's who promise a lot.

There is one company who claims to be one of the best employers in the world, couldnt afford to pay the living allowance more than $800 a month with a commune apt acco provided, for the people visiting from India to USA (for all levels) $30 per day actual, but $100 deducted over a month for the food-stuff provided at work - compared to a previous employer I worked with who could pay $120 per day other than acco...

There is one company who always hires the person one level below and just try to match the salary, and never revise, but instead dole out only ESOPs - cash crunch?

Recently a company was in touch with me to hire me at a CTO level, and they were proceeding as if I was the one for them. One particular day, I was to meet them, tix were not booked, but had to delay by a day owing to my Dental pain. They couldnt wait. No calls to date. Imagine, If I had joined them, what would happen to my personal works etc?

So employees take the family first route and employers the employee first route. It may not go well, if this is not followed and troubled waters in terms of referral etc would happen.

How do Indian Software companies cheat clients?

Well for the beginning, it is going to be double billing... (of the hard-workers) Definitely not done by any of the ISO or CMM certified companies.

Don't think that they will create names... but, if the clients insists on

(1) provide with roll no's
(2) surprise conf calls
(3) resume delivered
(4) training charged
(5) testing team is always another project team from a different client, without much ado

Thats why they are hiring in truckloads from campus...

Only time they might get caught is, when they are screwing up two clients, and they both ending up merging and checkout on outsourcing candidates....

Also some companies, might give tests and get half the work done (if they dont, they say you are unfit for company, even though they selected in first place - 13.5% is the hit rate in this mode), while 10% of people, slog out to finish the work for client. The rest of 70% other than 20% trainees, and take away another 30% for HR, Admin, other staff, giving you about 40% as the number (10% Senior Mgmt - Maaman, Machchan, Thaatha and Paati's) would be really slacking 9 to 5. I bet those 10% are stuck for life there.

while
others (slackers) sit in meetings
to setup other meetings
the feared work hard to bring in mocha
end

Desert

(with a banana topping)

The HR team (with recruiters/consultants) might (LOL!) end up hiring paid trainees and later sack them after they run out of the money paid as salaries minus the costs of space/pc-time/etc.,

I just remembered how CNN IBN exposed about people walking into big companies paying money. I heard 2 such incident personally from friends, but the guy's were better than the best recruited by the company, so the party goes on, with no increments and low salary.... with fear in mind.

Disclaimer

The above had not happened in any of the companies I have worked with, nor the one I ran (run).