Minds Building

What's new in Windows 8.1 update?

2013-05-24T06:23:00.001+05:30

What's new in Windows 8.1 update?

Microsoft announced a new update Windows 8.1 (formerly known as Windows Blue) and confirmed the release of its preview on 26^th June 2013. They are going to preview the new features in the MS Build developer conference in June. The update was previously announced for a price of $40 but now they have advisably revised as free to download from its website, windows store. It is expected to get announced some new Windows Blue hardware.

They have an announcement in blogs.windows.com but you cannot see any useful information on feature updates. There are some bruits available in many websites, however all really futile.

The chief marketing officer Tamy Reller confirmed this again and said that this update will provide added options for business (that is their vision and exhibited in Windows 8 version also), providing more choices for work and play. All what we heard from him is usual, regular and minor updates because MS already has >72,000 windows 8 Metro apps in store and going to add more.

The small number of Windows RT users may cherish by they also will get the Windows 8.1 update but not much. The official name could be changed or just Windows 8 with updates. I expect they will definitely provide some name like Apple does because they are apparently following them.

What’s new in updated windows 8 apps?

It is adding a feature a new Snap Views where one could share his/her screen 50/50 between two applications, now it is 70/30 including throughout more than one monitor.

The users may boot straight to the desktop instead of the existing booting into apps screen and then to desktop.

Additional features can be synchronised between PCs.

It was told that Windows Core Experience Team would be further developing the new Windows UI with newer application life cycle, personalisation and start screen as well.

It may provide visual enhancements (of course perceptible) and bestow some tweaks under the bonnet.

The update will be extended to W8 mobiles, Sky Drive and Outlook as well.

However, let me interpret that some little visual enhancements and adding more applications are on the card for sure. All the above said points are just bruiting and do not expect a shifting from the existing not so good experience with Windows 8. Microsoft has to travel a long way to bring in much more speedy and easy to do Windows 8. Let me download and experience the preview on 26^th June.

Please post your comments and what do you know about Windows 8.1 / Windows Blue.

World's First ‘Multi Profile Android Phone' - XOLO Q700

2013-05-19T02:51:00.005+05:30

Yet another android smart phone with 'multi profile' from XOLO named Q700 has been released last week and available in all leading online stores. Though it is successor of Q800, it has additional advantages. The company claims that this the first multi profile Android phone in the world.

The phone comes with ‘Android 4.2 Jelly bean’ out of the box and this is also the first of its kind. This phone has few superior features than Q800 such as Jellybean 4.2, 4GB internal storage and huge 2400mAh battery may give 17-18 hours talk time and 380-400 hours of standby time in 2G and 14-15 hours talk time and 340 hours standby in 3G. It is inferior to Q800 only in camera which is, 5MP primary and 0.3 MP in front whereas in Q800 it is 8MP and 1 MP. Both have 1 GB RAM. The other interesting thing is 'it comes only in brown and blue colours' against the traditional white and black.It is powered with 1.2GHZ Mediatek Quad-core processor and has powerVRSGX54 GPU. The screen size is 4,5”qHD IPS display with 245 ppi. Dual SIM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth are as usual.

What is interesting in multi profile as the company boasts that it is the first of its kind?

It has XOLO switch application by which we can create four separate profiles as personal and work, Kids mode. It is loaded with different lock screens and wall papers and thus this phone is a fantasy one for sure. Even two people can create separate user profiles like PC. All can be done in one click. It surprises us with another one that is ‘XOLO Secure’ Application. It provides facility to remotely lock the phone and wipe the data and has cloud backup for call logs, messages and notes.

Are you concerned about power consumption what smartphones used to do? There is an answer in this phone. ‘XOLO Power’ is provided mainly to optimise power usage with options like usual night mode, and able to automatically detect and kill background applications in a click. What else you want and can expect from a smart phone with the very cost effective 10K range. Now it is priced Rs. 9999/- in many online stores and you may get for little less price sooner, unlike Micromax did.

Verdict:

Yet another quad core medatek phone with qHD display fully loaded with features and fantasy. It is Excellent and worth more than what we spend in this period. There may be better phones available but the cost is at least two times higher and I am choosing by features, quality and price and never am ready to pay for ‘just for brand name’.

Please write your experience of using this phone for further reviews.

Is IPL a sport or Game of Gambling?

2013-05-18T20:59:00.000+05:30

Is IPL a sport or Game of Gambling?

I personally believe Cricket is not a sport but a game always vulnerable to gambling, politics, huge money (ours) and swiping the chances of other real sports like hockey, football, badminton etc. Cricket is a game played by not the players but by politicians, businessmen, bookies etc. Furthermore IPL has taken away our young peoples' precious time and minds for months together. BCCI has started dominating the international cricket because the cricket business is very successful in India due to the invasion of bookies from Pakistan and other countries. We are shameless to consistently watch and promote the game even after many veterans like Manoj Prabhakar, Azharuddin, Ajay Jadeja and others were proven guilty and Lalit Modi issues.

The whole IPL games might have been fixed within the teams. Who knows the truth? God alone could save the cricket fanatics. There are plenty of arguments are coming across whether to ban the IPL. What do you think?

Visit our facebook page and vote in the Poll CLICK HERE

Travelling experience and Photos of Pattadakkal, North Karnataka

2013-05-14T19:31:00.001+05:30

Travelling experience and Photos of Pattadakkal, North Karnataka

I was travelling through North and Northeast Karnataka on my profession that enriched me with great experiences of visiting historical places and the culture of that province. My laziness prevented me to write a book on my experiences there. So, I have decided to post some information and photos I have clicked with my Canon 220HS.

First, my impression on the whole region is a symphonic cultural blend of northern and southern India. The varieties of food I have experienced testified this. I met folks from Maharashtra, MP, Andhra and Tamil Nadu and they didn’t look like / feel like migrants but they belong to the lands.

I will share my anthropological views in other posts/articles. First Let me share my visit Pattadakkal, represents the prominent great art in the 7th and 8th centuries under the Chalukya dynasty. This is one of the best blends of architectural classes of northern and southern India. You could see nine Hindu temples, as well as a Jain sanctuary in Pattadakkal.

Queen Lokamahadevi built Virupaksha temple, which is the nicest one built in 740 to immortalise her husband's victory. He defeated the Kings from south India.

I would add many more pictures and tiny videos of Badami caves and Pattadakkal in next posts. I am just trying to add a photo gallery into the site. If anyone knows how to do this, please suggest me.

Photo Gallery:

Is Xolo Q800 better than Micomax HD A116?

2013-03-30T07:57:00.000+05:30

Is 'Xolo Q800' better than 'Micomax HD A116'?

In our previous reviews we praised ‘Micromax A116’ and appreciated the way Indian company has penetrated into high end android smart phones with cheaper price tag. Now the entire scenario has been changed by Micromax with its foul play. Allegedly it stopped the supply and asked the sellers to stop selling both A110 and A116 to create a demand. Now it increased the price of both phones by rupees 2000 and 3500 respectively. Finally Micromax lost its darling status through this foul play. Now, XOLO is winning the race with its specifications in ‘XOLO Q800’ same as HD A116 with little more advantages.

Comparison:

Features	Micromax HD A116	Xolo Q800
Display	5”, HD, 1280 x 720 Pixels	4.5”, qHD, 960 x 540 Pixels
OS	Android Jelly bean v4.1	Android Jelly bean v4.1
Processor	Quad-Core 1.2 GHz	Quad-Core 1.2 GHz MTK ARM Cortex-A7 MPCore TM
RAM	1 GB	1 GB
Storage	1.77 GB (internal) + 4GB Nand, expandable upto 32GB – sd card	2 GB, expandable upto 32GB SD card
Music	Music player, video player, FM radio, Audio formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR, WB-AMR, MIDI, OGG, PCM	Music player, video player, FM radio, Audio formats: MP3, MIDI, WAV, AAC, AAC+, WMA, AMR-NB
Camera	8 MP Primary camera, 2 MP secondary camera, digital zoom with LED Flash, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264	8 MP Primary Camera, 1 MP secondary camera, digital zoom with LED Flash, MPEG4, H.263, H.264, Divx
Connectivity	3G data: HSDPA upto 21 Mbps; HSUPA upto 11 Mbps Dual-band GSM 900/ 1800 MHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth v4.0	3G data: HSDPA upto 21 Mbps, HSUPA upto 5.7 Mbps Quad-band GSM 850 /900 /1800 /1900 MHz Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Bluetooth v4.0
GPS	AGPS	AGPS
Battery	2000 mAh,	2100 mAh

Xolo advantages:

4.5”display convenient to handle with one hand many of finds it easier, whereas A116 requires both the hands to operate and tend to slip.

The battery is 2100mAh in xolo is higher than A116’s 2000 mAh. The qHD display makes no different from full HD and uses less power.

The 8MP camera is same as HD 116 but the image quality and burst mode is better than A116. The front camera is 2MP better in HD A116 and 1MP in Xolo Q800 but the usage of front camera is meant only for video calling and chatting, so we are least bothered about it.

Finally the price tag is about Rs 3500/- less than A116 at current level. Xolo Q800 is available at Rs.12,299 in www.mirchimart.com and 11,735 in www.shopping.indiatimes.com against the A116’s current price level varies from Rs. 16,000 to 16,990. So, Xolo Q800 is much 'cheaper' than

The suggestion:

If you are not crazy about 5.00”display and HD quality, looking for longer battery life and concerned about the money, can happily go for XOLO Q800.

Apple iPhone 5 cheaper version for Rs. 17,000 in India Soon!

2013-03-03T23:11:00.001+05:30

Apple iPhone 5 cheaper version for Rs. 17,000 in India Soon!

Despite the existence of plenty of Mid-range Android phones available from popular brands like Samsung, Sony, recently emerging in the market, Micromax etc. Still many of us like the interface of Windows 8 phones. All the above said phones are available between INR14,000 to 25,000. However the some people’s love on Apple is irresistible.

There is hearsay in techworld that there could be a launch of cheaper version of iPhone 5 in India and China as well, reported by ‘Macotakara’ a website in Japan. The cost may be around $300, approximately 17,000. At present the price of Apple iPhone 5 costs about 42000-45000 for its 16GB version. This is the first time apple thinks of budget phones for keeping India and China and I really take this as a revolutionary step that is not apple’s style of business. This may take big hit Indian mobile market because the India and China are the biggest mobile market in size.

The website also reported the releases of Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 6 in June 2013 and first quarter of 2014 respectively.

Let’s wait for the release of cheaper version of Apple iPhone 5 and look at the response by other big players like Samsung and Sony in Android market.

Latest News on Micromax A116 and A110

2013-02-19T10:34:00.001+05:30

Latest News on Micromax A116 and A110

We have discussed about the high end specifications of A116 and it's unbelievable pricing in the last post. Micromax keeps its words "Our Strategy focuses on innovating, designing and using the latest technologies to develop products at affordable prices". It has been launched on February 14th 2013 and really stirred the Android market by an immense demand for purchase online. Micromax seems to have a tie up only with snapdeal.com and it showed 'sold out' in just a day after listed. And it still is on and off for booking. I tried booking three times frivolously and missed.

The more interesting story of micromax is the predecessor of A116, A110 has completely been swept from the mobile dealers of Tamilnadu and it's only available online in ebay.in priced at least 2,500 bucks higher than the cost it was available for.

If you are lucky you can book Micromax Canvas 2 A116 for Rs.13,990 by clicking HERE but you have to do several times a day.

What an awesome sales not by tricks but by really innovations. We wish the Indian Micromax to come up and we could feel the chances of beating 'International Brands'. Well done! Really "Nothing Like Anything", Micromax!

Will Micromax A116 make a stir In Indian Android Market?

2013-01-23T05:19:00.001+05:30

Will Micromax Canvas A116 make a stir In Indian Android Market?

In the recent past, revolutionariness of MIcromax towards piercing into mobile/phablet market is obtrusive and evident with its latest Canvas A110 and now it has announced a super successor ‘Micromax A116 HD’. Micromax A116 Canvas HD comes with 5”screen with dual-sim Android Jelly Bean 4.0.1 and to updated to version 4.0.2 for sure. The 5”screen has 720p. The best part of it is quad core Cortex A7 processor the one could be found only in high end Android phones like Samsung SIII and Galaxy Note II but less than half of the price.

Though people argue the brand value but none could neglect this model with its high end specifications at this cost.

There are many to wonder about this model other than its price expected to be around Rs. 15000/-, the chipset is a great one for Micromax, the MediaTek MT6589.

We can ladder a list of advantages of this phone and nothing wrong to compare this phone with Samsung Galaxy SIII and Note II based in terms of processor, RAM and screen. The galaxies definitely stay top with Amoled and scratch resistant screen and battery capacity of around 3000mAh. However, quad core 1.2 GHz Cortex A7 CPU, 1GB RAM and the Power VR Series 5XT GPU. It has an advantage of dual-sim capacity also that we many Indians love to have.

It is packed with 8 MP rear facing camera and 2.0 MP front camera which is not very much at par with Galaxy models but how many of us are interested in snapping a self portrait and very much concerned on quality image in video calling? It has comparatively less 4GB of built-in storage but could be expanded up to 32 GB through card slot. The other specs are Wi-Fi b/g/n, 3G GSM and a 2G GSM, GPS and the battery capacity is 2,100mAh.

Micromax A116 will be launched by the next month for the price of around 15,000/- and certainly going to stir the perceived brand values and the android market when the Samsung Galaxy models are priced about 33,000 – 37,000. Already the Canvas A 110 has gat good impressions among people and the sales must have been better than company’s any other android phones. If the value for money is your concern and don’t feel very much to settle for a less speed processor, don’t mind the front camera resolution, nominal battery power (but not a very low power and the when the battery capacity increases the size and change the weight of the phone). The IPS Display of the Canvas A116 gives high brightness, effective viewing position, sharp and better readability. The look is also more than discernible.

It is really good value for money phone with high end specifications and worth buying. I am going to switch to this as soon as released and write an article with hands on experience using it. It is also said that Micromax has planned to thunder with much better models with its own pricing style. If you are not in a hurry to change your phone can wait and see. Now this mobile is widely compared with Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos and all the reviews show a positive note towards Micronax A 116 Canvas HD both in terms of price and specs.

Consumer Court Ordered SBI To Pay Compensation for Deficiency of Services

2013-01-09T21:54:00.001+05:30

Consumer Court Ordered SBI To Pay Compensation for Deficiency of Services

In my earlier post I mentioned about justice in consumer court has been delayed for a very long time. However, I have won the case with an order directing the State Bank of India to pay compensation for deficiency of services but the quantum is poorly judged as less than 25% of my nominal claim. It is an unforgettable event in my lifetime and I have spent almost 6 years by visiting the court every two months once to get the orders by missing some of my consultancy payment. I am an independent consultant working for State AIDS Control Societies of three states.

I have claimed Rs. 30000/- for my mental agony of inability to use my hard earned money that I earn after a year gap in my career and the expenses towards my case expenses. The opposite party called me for out of court settlement but I refused. Furthermore they indicated that they would drag the case for more than three years but they have managed to do to the extent of 5 years and 9 months. My common sense didn’t accept the fact that they could realise the money immediately after receiving the court notice but they didn’t do so when I was begging them for four months. This shows the complete negligence of State Bank of India, Velachery Branch in delivering the basic services to the customer. The way they follow to drag is simply reopen the case by providing an application even after the case was reserved orders. In these five years and 9 months I was agonised much more than that I had undergone during the 4 months negligence on realising the cheque.

The order received from the district consumer redressal forum, Chennai (South)

In the result, the complaint is allowed. The opposite party is directed to pay Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) towards mental agony and Rs.2,000/- (Rupees Two Thousand only) towards cost of the complaint to the complainant. The amount shall be payable within six weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this order, failing which the amount shall carry interest at the rate of 9% per annum till the date of payment.

However it is a victory for my struggle to get the justice. Hereafter I will recommend a person to approach consumer court, if they are ready to struggle for years together. I am in a dilemma for an appeal further and I fear this may cost some more years of my precious lifetime, money and agony.

Please read my previous article to know the complete content of the complaint by clicking Here

To view the full content of the court order against SBI, clik here

Post your suggestions and comments

Will Google’s new Nexus series tablets take on Apple ipad 3?

2012-10-22T15:10:00.000+05:30

Will Google’s new nexus series tablets take on Apple ipad 3?

We will have a look at two new nexus series tablets by Google in association with Asus and Samsung. Will they compete with apple’s ipad? There are galvanic announcements of Google Nexus 7 32 GB and galaxy Nexus 10.

Nexus Tablets

As the Nexus 7 8GB is very much available in Indian markets, the much-awaited Google’s all-new tablet in collaboration with Asus, Nexus 7 with 32 GB storage will be available by October 29^th 2012 in the US and UK markets. Some information available to read as it is powered with a quad core processor, corning glass display, Android Jelly Bean, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC. In India? It may be available in a couple of months after the release for sure. This is an initiative of introducing more models of affordable tablets but with high-end specifications.

Nexus 7 released soon

Google Nexus 10

The greatest news is Google Nexus 10 working with Samsung: With 10.1-inch screen, higher than apple ipad 3 in terms of pixel density that is 2,560x1,600 and PPI of about 299 reported by an analyst of NPD display research, Richard Shim. We know the best Apple ipad is 9.7 inches retina display, 264 DPI and 2048 x 1536.

However if all these apodictic news are going to be actualized and available sooner, then this will change the whole prospect of tablet markets and usage. This may shatter the Apple’s market as well we envisage. No information is available on its date of release officially. Any way, we will have to get ready to see some changes and an occurrence like these is quite natural in the competitive tablet market. Let us wait and see how all these will be successful and winning the customers. I will not be surprised if we get some kind of better news on modifications or newer product from Microsoft’s Windows 8 tablet wing.

Is Justice Delayed or Denied in India?

2012-10-20T09:35:00.000+05:30

Is Justice Delayed or Denied in India?

Consumer courts are handling and closing the cases much faster than civil courts is a history. India has celebrated silver jubilee of lawmaking of 'Consumer Protection Act', 1986 during 'World Consumer Day', our official consumer protection setup suffers from critical cracks in deliverance of justice to consumers at least complained to the consumer forums in the country.

This may be due to substantial deficits in deployment and lack of human resources in state and district level consumer courts in India. This has messed up more than 3, 40, 000 'pending cases' all over India. I have an awful experience with South Chennai District Consumer Court. I have filed a complaint in the court on 02.02.2007 and still the hearings are going on. Three times, it was ordered by the Hon’ble Judges and reopened the same. I completed three oral arguments but the opposite party is dragging the case. Being a social worker, I used to suggest many others to approach consumer forums for their problems but now I am sick of following my case for five years and do not know when I will get the order, I will never ever recommend others to do so.

I had a problem in realization of a check deposited on 05/10/2006 in State Bank of India, Velachery, Chennai and waited for more than 3 months with consistently following the branch manager and chief accountant but no use. The accountant was kind enough to complain this to Deputy General Manager of State bank Of India who said that it was not possible because one of the key staffs was refusing to discharge his duties in the branch where the check has to be honoured. I complained Consumer Online Resource and Empowerment Centre and a copy of my complaint was sent to Branch manager, but he did not respond to that too. I felt it was a total failure of the industry and decided to move to the court but still no justice rendered. The next day of my complaint filed the manager came to my home, said the check has been realised and asked me to withdraw the case, and offered some compensation from his pocket. The question is how was it possible to realize immediately after receiving the notice? It shows a complete negligence. I asserted that I would move the court. Then the counsel of the opposite party came into the scene and threatened me to withdraw or they could drag the case to 3-4 years and now it is more than five years.

Please read the following excerpts of my complaint and suggest what I should do in this condition if you are a lawyer or consumer activist or you know the legal provisions.

I submit that I have savings bank account No. 10561067778 with the Velachery Branch of State Bank of India. I state that I deposited a cheque no. 762458 for Rs.8000/- on 05.10.2006 drawn on Karur Vysya Bank at Aundipatty in my account for collection.

I state that my cheque was not realized till 02.02.2007 and I filed a complaint before this forum on the same date. I state that I several times approached the bank and pleaded for realization of the cheque, they tried the Aundipatty branch of SBI and could not be able to realize it.

I state that I had no intention of filing this complaint and I tried through a Consumer Online Resource Empowerment center which has sent a letter to Velachery Branch. After all my ways of approaches failed, I filed this complaint before this forum.

I state that to my surprise, the amount was realized and credited on 02.03.2007 immediately after receiving the copy of the complaint from this forum. I wonder, had it not been sent, it would not have been realized and there may be further delay. I state that this is sheer negligence, carelessness and lethargy of the State Bank of India Industrial system. The opposite party agreed that despite of all measures they have taken, they miserably failed to get my problem solved.

I state that though this delay was not due to the opposite party, he is morally accountable and responsible for proper service and a customer cannot go to the branch where the real problem is. In spite of their excuses of migration of staff in a branch and technical snag for the amount not credited, I was the sufferer of denied service, which was redressed only after the court notice.

I state that Rs.8000/- is not simple money for me as a freelancer and not getting any regular payment or income. I was in a delegate situation to manage my regular expenses.

I state that the whole money credited to my account is not only my income but also borrowed money from my relatives and friends to clear my debts. The opposite party claimed to refer my A/c statement to know I have not suffered mental agony and I wish to clarify that “Is there any yardstick to measure mental agony? And can denial of proper services to a client be justified if the client has enough balance and good transactions?”.

I state that I suffered a mental agony due to the denial of payment for 4 months. I strongly object the words used by the opposite party in their affidavit such as ‘the complainant not suffered mental agony, speculative nature and greediness’ against the punitive claim of Rs.30,000/-. This shows the OP is badly judgmental towards a client suffered and negligence of human value.

In the above facts and circumstances, it is respectfully prayed that this Hon’ble Forum may be pleased to allow the complaint as prayed and thus render justice.

‘Misleading Advertisements’ in India

2012-10-18T10:38:00.000+05:30

‘Misleading advertisements’ in India

The consumer world lives on ‘advertisements’ and the companies live them. The wisdom of personal choice, analyzing and purchasing habit has deceased many decades ago. The advertisements steered towards ‘women and children’ manifestly who are the decision makers in purchasing products for themselves. These ads target the middle and lower middle-income groups who spend considerable time on watching televisions.

The MNCs started spending most of their income to advertisements by pouring brains to create cleverest advertisements. An MNC claims that they spend around 90% of their profit to this. The automobiles and electronic sectors are less damaging because they are not pinching the pockets of our groups and less possibilities to influence people preposterously. The most funny and ridiculous advertisements are from ‘consumer durables, children and women specific products, fashion, health and energy drinks’ (they call them like this) and insect repellents.

They show that people will be forced into ‘life threatening’ conditions if they do not purchase them and their products alone are completely responsible for their healthy living.

An MNC created a status symbol of having their product at every part of people’s life from kitchen to hospitals and from children to elderly people for 7 decades and the powder produced from some cereal malt and little milk. Now it has labeled and flavored their product for all age group and sexes; 1-3 age, women, diabetic etc. and it the funny part is there is a regular one for everybody. If someone does not buy or not having this product, others will question their purchase capacity and carelessness towards the health of the entire family. Another drink very ludicrously shown in their ‘TV advertisements’ that it grew your children 3 times taller was a bluff and then stopped due to objections. Now it says your children will grow perfectly even if they refuse to eat anything we normally prepare with vegetables and nuts. Some say if you use their soap, your child will get 100% marks in exams. What a prevarication is this!

What is ‘clinically proven’?

The very obtrusive part of these ads is the models always appear with white coats flummoxing as health care professionals and often use 'clinically proven'. What is this? This is exploiting people with minimal knowledge on medical terminologies. Most of us tend to think this something very scientifically tested and proven but it is not actually. The terminology clinically proven means just by observing the respondents physically and nothing to do with lab tests or medical procedures, a doctor explains.

Millions of people are victims of these advertisements and millions of rupees spent by them that is not actually necessary. We all used to laugh at fairness creams assures fairness in weeks’ time for both men and women and none of us seen such people in real life but still we keep on buying them with persistent determination.

I would like to share my experience with a pediatrician who practiced in a district of Tamilnadu twenty years back. Despite of company representatives’ stimulation with gifts, he rejects and never prescribes of all formula foods, health drinks and energy drinks but he educates the mothers with the truth and encourage them to prepare powders and drinks at home with available cereals and nuts that would be richer than any other marketed for sure.

Our mothers and children are not just watching TV sets but they are educated by them. Sanitary napkins/pads are other commodities we purchase that are unreasonably and excessively expensive. Please remember that these items are at least five times cheaper in the US than India.

We have a system of complaining misleading advertisements (NAMS) but very little stringent punishment given as far as my knowledge is concerned.

I request the readers to brood over this issue affecting our family economy and the country’s as well.

Beware of Country Club / Country Vacations

2012-10-12T23:05:00.001+05:30

Beware of Country Club / Country Vacations

'Country Club' / 'Country Vacations' gave me a virulent experience and my suffering was a great story lasted for three years without allowed to access any of their fallaciously assured services. I was 'entrapped' by their regular lotting method to attract 'clients' (victims). I dropped my name and number in a super market, then my time started by attending their demo session with an assured gift (?) without demands. The so-called brand power hooked us to take a membership and they promised a 'free plot' near 'Bangalore airport' 121 Sq. yards. My mind suddenly flied with instantaneously grown wings. Finally I have taken the 'membership' by paying Rs. 80,000/- and signed in a cleverly prepared documents which normally takes two days to understand even to a lawyer.

They have visited our home and collected money in two installments. That is the first and last time I met the executives. After that, whenever I call for the documents they reprieved the documentation process for more than two years. I was so determined to grab the plot and then utilize the holidays. However I called to utilize the holidays to places in their list provided and got the answer that we need to pay 50% of their affiliate hotels for the stay because their resorts were full. Numerous calls and complaints made to regional office and head office level but all went vain.

I sought a support of my lawyer friend and complained to 'The Commissioner of Police', Chennai, it went to the Nungambakkam Police station and found many other similar complaints were pending. The branch manager Mr. Kalyan Kumar demonstrated very rude and adamant behaviour in the police station itself. Then we have sent a legal notice and got the refund of 75%.

The following is the copy of complaint I gave for your reference.

1. In the month of December 2007, a company by name Country Vactions Pvt. Ltd., a group company of Country Club having their registered office at Sri Vallabha Towers, 1^st floor, New no.11, College road, Nungambakkam, Chennai-600006, invited me for a function at Spencer Plaza, Mount Road, Chennai. In the function the said company offered 10 years membership with free plot at Vedic Spa, Bangalore for total sum of Rs.80,000/-. They had even identified Plot no.18 to an extent of 121 Sq. yards that is 1089 sq.ft.

2. Initially they insisted to pay a sum of Rs.15, 000/- on the same day, which I had paid and after that I paid a sum of Rs.65,000/- within one week i.e., January 2008, by way of KarurVysya Bank cheque, Andipatti Branch. The company had also issued valid receipts for the said amount. But after that to the representatives of the company with whom I was interacting was delaying for registration of the said plot No.18.Finally on 16^thMarch, 2011 I was assured by one Mr. Kamalesh that if I pay the registration fees of Rs.15,000, the land will be registered in three months’ time. Hence I paid Rs.15,000/- through SBI bank cheque on the same day. After consistent tracking once again one Mr. Naveen Sam, customer care manager, Chennai branch came into my contact in September, 2011 and assured the registration within 14 days. Then one Mr. Raj Kiran called me claiming that he was the regional manager and he requested for one more month time for registration. The Company had even sent mails confirming all the above said incidents.

3. All my efforts went in vain and I came to know that there are no plots left in the said site. Further, I came to know that the Country Vacations has not only cheated me but so many other persons. Hence this Complaint.

4. I submit that the company had cheated me by luring that they will give the plots, which are nonexistent and had committed criminal breach of trust by misappropriating the funds given by me.

Hence, I request your good self to take action against all the above said persons and do the needful.

I share this to warn and suggest you folks not to be 'entrapped' and these kinds of offers from holidays clubs offer nothing when you calculate the money we pay first and Annual Maintenance fees. We can enjoy the holidays with that money for more than 10 years. So, please think twice if you are about to join a holiday club and do not consider their promises of gifts that ae normally attractive but valueless.

The outstanding features of Windows 8 Pro

2012-09-29T19:32:00.000+05:30

The outstanding features of 'Windows 8 Pro'

The 'Windows 8' Pro has been released by the Microsoft and this is the best of their releases so for. We would like to tell the salient features of windows 8 pro as we have experienced. This is not just an upgrade of 'Windows 7' but has the maximum possible requisites to the windows running hassle free. It is really worth upgrading your PC to windows 8 pro.

The exceptional features:

Appearance: The screen stands out of our experiences. The screen has many applications live info like new mails, weather, news, stock market updates etc. However, it does not slow down the performance much.

Booting time: The booting is very much faster than Windows 7 OS, which is one of the major advantages that urge us to go for it.

New 'Apps' store: The all-new application store has many applications for sale and you would definitely go for some based on your interest and needs.

Improved battery life: Groovy battery life and enhanced performance in all modes

Acceleration: High-pitched hardware acceleration feature enhances much faster graphics experience

Secured boot: A feature called Trusted Boot prevents malware to load during booting on systems with 'UEFI' Boot before the OS. 'UEFI' replaced the BIOS and hence the better performance.

Fast and safe browser: IE 10 supporting makes the browsing experience fast with new HTML5 criterion

Synchronization: The usual windows live ID synchronizes almost everything like personalization, Wi-Fi passwords, IE favourites, even backgrounds and much more with cloud connections.

The other features besides the greater performance and UEFI are you can login the computer with Live ID, Windows style Applications, Windows store,

Reset and refresh systems: The reset feature resets our system to the initial stage when we installed the OS and Refresh feature keeps on our personal data and other all settings and reinstalls the 'Windows 8 Pro'

‘People Apps’ allows you to download all your contacts through all mail accounts and socialising sites like Linkedin, FaceBook etc.

Finally, the very impressive part is you can carry the Windows OS with your pen drive or other portable devices with ‘Windows to go’.

In addition, much, much more could be listed but with my limited knowledge and experience, I could found only the above-listed things. The requirements are also limited to have Windows 8 Pro like 1Ghz processor, 1GB RAM for 32 bit, 2 GB RAM for 64 Bit and DirectX9 graphics device.

Get ready to go for 'Windows 8' Pro and have greater performance with load of fun!

If you have purchased a Windows 7 PC after June 2^nd 2012 and planning to purchase one before February 28 2013 you will get the upgrade for just Rs.699/-If you sign up for www.windowsupgradeoffer.com and provide contact details you will also be notified on purchase for older PCs with Windows 7. It is expected to be available for the price of >10,000

Are you a Social Drinker?

2012-09-26T18:05:00.000+05:30

This post tends to be a foghorn to all folks drinking alcohol. Alcohol stands for joy, celebration, sharing love and grief, status, stress buster, better health with prescribed consumption etc.

It is ridiculous to care the ‘statutory warnings’ by the producers and sellers say ‘bad to health, family and society’ because we are aware of millions of people drinking and living a good and successful life around the world. However, the other side of the effects of alcohol in human life is a grievous matter of lives. Though we are experts in alcoholism including the author we just aim at basic sensitization among the drinkers.

The percentage of alcohol consumers in India might be lower than other countries the % of alcoholics is growing. It is said to be 10-15% of drinkers develop alcoholism but I read somewhere and believe it is 20% but could not trace the source of my reading.

Drinking starts happily and never lasts so to everybody. The types of drinkers might be

1. Occasional drinkers

2. Social Drinkers

3. Regular social drinkers

4. Hard drinkers

5. Abusers and

6. Alcoholics

None of the drinkers belongs to any of the first five categories knows when and how will they develop to the condition of the disease ‘Alcoholism’. Let us have look at one of the ‘alcoholic’s history and I alert you to evaluate yourself.

TRUE STORY – (we don’t really require the name of the person who is still living with us)

I remember I was very fond of drinks from a tender age. I just had a liking for it. My parents did not drink nor my brother and two sisters. I was brought up in a village and there were some country made medicines that contained alcohol. I used to simply pretend that I have a tummy ache and ask my mother for that medicine shot which contained alcohol. It gave me a nice feeling and a warm glow within me. During my school and college, there were a few instances when I had a small drink.
When I came to Mumbai, I was just 17 years of age. I remember accompanying my relatives who drank regularly and I used to just sip from their glasses and feel happy. Up to the age of 26 drinking was occasional. Then on, I had become a weekend drinker in the company of my friends and relatives. This continued for an year or so. I could not get the right mood with just a peg or two.
My intake increased as the time passed. I would create special occasions, like home parties, picnics etc. just to drink more and more. At the age of 30 I had become daily compulsive boozard. There was prohibition in Mumbai and so I was drinking country liquor. By this time, my financial health was very bad and I had large debts. I would lie to friends to borrow money for drinking and fan my big shotitism followed than on.. By the age 33, I was left with just my Job and a rented flat. My bank balance and good friends had disappeared. I would get blackouts after a few drinks and did not know what I did rest of the time until I awoke the next morning. I was living in fear. The life I led was lonely.

I had remorse often for excessive drinking and the arguments and verbal fights I used to indulge in. I had lost God. Fortunately, I neither gambled nor womanized. I smoked around 70 cigarettes a day. I had become a hopeless case. I tried several methods to control my drinking but failed in every attempt. Alcohol had become my master I was its slave.

Many funny incidents took place in my day-to-day life. I was a headache to self and others. I would play music full blast on a 180-watt amplifier at 2 am thinking it is 2 pm. I would wake the neighbourhood. Sometimes I would smash my crockery at 3 am and create a lot of noise. Next morning I was very ashamed and would crave for a drink to forget the previous night’s episode.
Compulsive drinking gave me painful hangovers, cold sweats and weakness regularly as during this period I could not eat for days on end.

I had come to a dead end. I had faith in Mother Mary and as a Roman Catholic by birth, I used to pray to Her, sober or drunk, to help me to get out of this drunkenness. On the 2nd of October 1968 I went searching for Alcoholics Anonymous and attended my first A.A. meeting at Foundation Group. Two months and seven days I did not touch any kind of liquor. I was feeling nice within and also put on some weight. But I doubted the statement in A.A. "Once an Alcoholic Always an Alcoholic" I would try to prove A.A. wrong on this. I went to experiment against advice and went to have just 2 pegs andstop. Unfortunately I could not stop drinking for 7 more months. This was the worst of my drinking career. I crawled back to A.A. once again on the 27th of July, 1969, a totally defeated and humbled man.

The story goes on explaining how s/he came up in life with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous. Please don’t forget to post your comments.

Human made disaster in Sivakasi

2012-09-05T18:50:00.000+05:30

Human made disaster in Sivakasi

What happened in the last few hours in Sivakasi today (05.09.2012) is a human made disaster. We register our sincere mourning and condolences to the families and people affected. Why these happen for a very long time in a place like Sivakasi (“so called kutti Japan”)? The complete negligence of basic human rights and values lead to this. It is not limited to this but there is long list of people and their attitudes. Apathy and negligence are ruling here in all related government and private institutions.

An industry a very dangerous has not been given due attention or intentionally neglected for personal gains.

The basic safety measures are not followed is secondary when we look at the situation here. The very basic necessary provisions like drinking water, enough work space, transport etc. are absent in many of the fireworks in this area. Finally, more than 56 people (it may exceed to 70 as people with more than 70% wounds) charred to death and their family members lost their future. A list of possible reasons and what could be done to ensure such things will not happen in future.

1. The license holders have given their license for lease and don’t care on how they run the industry
2. Too much of production to a level of more than 10 times of allowed

3. 7-8 people are working in a room where only three people are allowed
4. Production in unapproved places like under the trees
5. Illegal storage of more than 10 times of products

6. No basic safety masks and special dresses are not provided
7. Deploying people not properly trained

8. No proper road facilities to rescue people during accidents
9. Very poor medical facilities compared to required
10. Machineries not introduced like China

Furthermore, the owners (we call them ‘Lords’ here) and government institutions have not introduced or implement safety measures. This is what the condition we people live in Virudhunagar district. Now we have to pray not the God but people who are directly or indirectly responsible and people minting money in this business to save our lives at least in future. The humanity remains with people living in the surrounding rushed to the place, saved many lives but the worst tragedy remains in the people who tried to save others’ lives have lost theirs.

Unbelievable Micromax Ninja-3 Android phone at 4999/-

2012-09-02T02:52:00.000+05:30

Micromax Ninja-3 (A57)

Are you not a smart phone user? This is the time to switch as many android entry level and mid-level smart phones are available at pocket friendly prices with attractive features. Longing for an apple era has gone. Android provides more than our regular and advanced use. I would like to introduce most effective among cost effective android phones every week. To start with Micromax Ninja-3, a cool phone with cool features and cool price.

This phone is available hot from today onwards in the shops for an attractive price Rs.4999/- with dual sim facility. A never found phone at this configuration in this price tag.

The unbelievable features are that we can find in high priced entry level and mid-level android phones.

Model: Micromax Ninja-3 (A57)

Features:

OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Processor: 1 GHz qualcomm processor (higher than any entry level priced above Rs. 7000/-)
Display: 3.5” full capacitive
Camera: 3 Mega Pixel rear camera
RAM: 256MB (which is less than other entry-level smart phones but not at this price level)
ROM: 512 MB
Other features: Blue tooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, 3G, FM etc.,

This is a necessary buy product for people thinking entering into smart phone usage. Try this and write to us.

How Should You Do Online Shopping?

2012-06-03T20:49:00.008+05:30

Do You Like Online Shopping?

Online shopping has become a fashion of purchasing and the trend is increasing in India. While >80% of the net users in America are buying things online, around 60% of the Indians do so. The influencing factors of online shopping are friends having better purchasing experience than visiting shops, the discounts announced by the online stores and results of induced by the advertisements and spamming mails. It is expected that the online purchase will grow up to 75% in next year.

Well, is online shopping advisable? Does it burn a hole in your pocket and bring some stressful days? Let us analyse a bit on this along with my personal experience in online purchases.

The pros and cons of online shopping in India:

Pros:

Saves time in our hotfooting lifestyle.
Saves travelling cost (especially in this high fuel cost period)
Easy to compare the prices
Availability of varieties that may not be available in physical stores we visit easily. This is possible because they have a network with various dealers and manufacturers in all over India and other countries sometimes.
Cheaper than the stores in our town/city by announcing discounts. (It is possible due to many reasons like running cost of online stores is cheaper, real estate cost is almost zero, fewer staffs are enough to run the business etc. in reality online stores are making better profits)
Free door delivery of even heavy electrical, electronic and furniture.
Returning the goods is possible if you are not satisfied. (Should careful of some online stores’ return policy)

Cons:

Causing stress of delay in delivery
The products appear in the website may be different from the actual or delivered. In this case we ought to have stress by calling them and reporting and a horrible process of returning and getting the refund. However, some of the online stores are properly responding and making the refunds.
Cheated by showing the products’ description as high in quality but actually untrue.
Getting confused and ended in buying a brand we are not aware of.
Many cheated by huge discounts. Majority of them are being cheated by clicking spam mails’ links.

What is the conclusion?

Online purchase is really pocket friendly and saving most of our time and travel if we are careful and getting (not reading in the site) suggestion from others have experience.

Do not purchase if you are not sure about the brand.

Buy products with manufacturer’s warranty. Do not purchase the vendors’ warranty items and unknown manufacturer’s warranty.

Visit the popular and having track record online stores.

Read the company’s return policy.

Do not enter into gambling like auction sites. Some appears “pay 399 and get a nano car or apple ipad 3” etc.

Comparing and buying branded products always profitable.

Never try to buy from a foreign company asking you to pay some one’s Indian bank account.

Do check for secure online transfer from your bank account, bedit or credit cards

In my experience in the past seven years of purchasing mobiles, laptops, data cards, camera, clothes and other electronics, 75% of the purchases are from satisfactory to excellent. Some of the recommended safest online shopping sites are letsbuy.com, which has been merged with flipkart.com recently, indiaplaza.com, tradus.in, myntra.com and ebay.in.

Some of the sites caused stress and I had a very bad experience with timtara.com and 100bestbuy.com

Beware of timtara.com

I had a couple of bad experiences. Recently I have ordered three items on 13^th April 2012 and didn’t receive the items till date. They promise the products will be delivered in 14 days. When contacting them very unprofessional and adamant replies I received. They said that the problem was not with them but with the vendors, they are in contract with. Look at the lack of ownership and no logic to believe because the three products are from three different suppliers. It shows that they have a poor network with the suppliers and poorly trained people to answer. They hardly attend the calls after I created a scene of complaining in consumer forum.

I never recommend 100bestbuy.com because of their tricky ads and high cost.

Ebay.in is a good site but when buying we should be very clear on what kind of product we need to buy. Because the site is full of with branded, new, packed and with complete manufacturer’s warranty, cheaper unpacked, imported and without warranty items. We need to visit the site thoroughly and purchase.

Have careful and cheerful online shopping!

Please post your comments and if you have queries and suggestions.

Change Management course Part II

2012-03-29T17:06:00.001+05:30

In continuation to the previous post that explained little about what change management course requires, please find this PPT gives you an extensive way to handle groups on change. We have to understand the needs for change and manage direction that people coping effectively with it. If the change is unsettled, the manager coherently needs to settle with influence.

We need to personally communicate to every one to handle sensitive and sensible facets of change management in the organisation. Check that people affected by the change agree with, or at least understand, the need for change, and have a chance to decide how the change will be managed, and to be involved in the planning and implementation of the change. We need to communicate face-to-face with the people too if they are helping you manage a course of change.

If you think that you need to make a change quickly, probe the reasons - is the urgency really? If the effects of accepting a more sensitive period really be more calamitous than controlling over the change, instantaneous change prevents proper reference and complete involvement and interest, which leads to troubles that take time for resolution.

Kindly go through the PPT slide show and post your comments.

Leading & Managing Change - 2

Change Management course Part I

2012-03-25T17:01:00.001+05:30

Change management will not be more difficult if you apply some simple principles. Attaining personal change will be more successful too if you use the same approach where possible and relevant. Change management implicates attentive planning and sensible effectuation, and above all, consultation with, and participation of, the people affected by the changes. When we coerce change on people normally problems arise. Change must be realistic, achievable and measurable. These aspects are especially relevant to managing personal change.

For organisational change that implies new actions, goals setting and procedures for the team, include capacity building workshops to attain apprehension, interest, designs and programmes, objectives and aims, commitment and real time actions involed. Encourage your management team to use workshops with their people too if they are helping you to manage the change.

This post gives you a training material for handling a group of people in organisations including NGOs. This post includes the slide show of Leading and Managing Change Part I. Part II will follow next week that includes the initialising and implementing stage and "8 steps of leading change". Keep checking this site and post your comments and requirements. Find the following PPT of Leading and Managing Change part I

Leading & Managing Change - 1

Business Communication - A simple and easy to understand slideshow

2012-01-11T17:59:00.001+05:30

Business Communication

A Comprehensive guide to Stress and Conflict Management

2012-01-04T17:57:00.000+05:30

Understand what stress is and how to manage by making simple modifications in your behaviour. Ways to resolve your conflicts.
This post is intended to help people who want to use my articles specifically for training purposes. If you need more information on these PPT please contact me by mail or posting in comments on this post. I would be happy to help you with more materials and tools if you are really interested and in need.

Stress and Conflict Management - Personality types

How to Balance Work Life and Personal Life

2011-12-27T17:55:00.000+05:30

Balance Work Life and Personal Life

Every one of us wants to know how to balance work life and family life. Before we discuss about this, we need to discuss on why do we want to split our life into portions and what are they. When I explore the web world about this and even discussing with people the discussion articulates in “work life and family life”. It is surprising that we don’t think about “personal life” where none can enter. I strongly believe that everyone has such a personal life and I tend to split if it is essential into four such as “professional life, family life, personal life and other social life”.

Balancing life is simply balancing self not the portions of life. We may find it difficult when we try to completely understand the aspects and people in our life. We need to be aware that balancing is not managing. Managing people and professional commitments are different from balancing and never has it overlapped. Balancing is self-perpetuating requires a sober imagination of our wishes and identification of self-contentment point.

I don’t want to elaborately discuss the philosophy but explore the contents of different portions of life. The simple exploration may help us to find a balancing style.

Professional life:

Our professional life involves so many things which we developed the qualities already we have by nature.

· Requires commitment towards what we are assigned for

· Requires discipline

· Planning and prioritising

· Requires Intellectualisation

· Consuming energy

· Handling dynamics and undercurrent between people

· Ought to develop skills required which potentially increase both positive and negative stress

· Always intellectualising than simply thinking

· Always working with dual objectives (personal and organisational)

· Limited to material benefits and it is always misunderstood as social status

· Always try to impress the bosses and colleagues

Some of us try to show that they are working hard by the way of staying at work place for a long time. This increases the stress reduce productivity and inviting comments. It is not really required and not recognised even in social work culture. You could realise some amount of personalisation is there and increased stress.

Another danger of the “highly committed” people is they just live their professional life. Living is not working and working is not the only way of living.

How many of us can completely withdraw when we get out of the work place? It is possible by practise and some of us can do this by nature. But we should not confuse with people never take the work life seriously and managing with less productivity and it is a danger. Some people find it hard to withdraw from work and tend to show they work hard by the way of staying at work place for a longer time or work at home in late nights and sending mails/reports. A really committed person requires measured less time to accomplish the work. Hard working is no way greater than working smart.

So the suggestion here is to have a determined and required time limit to complete the work and detach from it abruptly to move on to the other areas life.

Family life:

· Requires commitment to loved ones

· Financial commitment (so many ways to manage and not to be confused with the objective of this article)

· It doesn’t demand your skills but simplicity

· No image to be maintained but the care you give will give you an image

· It seems to demand much of your time but actually not true. The quality of time you spend with people decides this.

· This is the place where you gain energy to equal the energy spent at work

· Simplicity and being as you is the key

· Dynamics and under currents in family is dangerous and if it is present. They are very weak in nature. Don’t try to indulge in it and ignorance is the best policy here.

Personal life:

How many of us accept/believe that we have personal life which is completely personal and none/nothing can interfere or even enter into it. Here you can generate plenty of energy for your life.

· No commitment towards anything in the world except your peace

· Does not involve anything else in the external world including loved ones

· No dynamics, skills involved

· You can be any kind you love to be

· Positive imagination or even vacuum state replace the energy exhausted

If you can spend some time determined on being alone and thinking the maximum possible positive about yourself, will be helpful to fill your mind with energy. "Workouts" does wonders in personal life and if you could throw yourself into any sports the result will be really a magic.

Social life:

What about social life? This is a combination of the above said three and other time we spend with friends and for charity, political interests, spending time on socialising sites etc. we have to take care of these and in control the way it is not affecting the other three.

There is nothing new to know the information shared but we should be completely aware of them instead of just knowing. We need to segregate the life into parts but living the wholesome life.

Don’t forget to comment on this…….

Anger Management Course

2011-10-27T17:11:00.000+05:30

What is anger?

Anger is a natural emotion that every human and many non-human animals experience. Mild forms of human anger may include displeasure, irritation or dislike. When we react to frustration, criticism or a threat, we may become angry - and usually this is a healthy response. Anger may be a secondary response to feeling sad, lonely or frightened. When anger becomes a full-blown rage our judgment and thinking can become impaired and we are more likely to do and say unreasonable and irrational things.

Not hust end of relationship, enmity stated

What an easy way to get things done!!!

Anger has survival benefits, and forms part of our “fight or flight” brain response to a perceived threat or harm. Anger can be constructive or destructive.
Experts say anger is a primary, natural emotion with functional survival value, which we all experience from time to time. The raised heart rate, blood pressure, and release of hormones prepare us physically for remedial action - which is either to fight or run away at top speed (fight or flight).
Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
-- Ambrose Bierce.

Anger can make you ill

When we are angry the body releases stress hormones, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol. The heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature and breathing rate increase. Regular episodes of anger can eventually make people ill.

Out-of-control anger hurts your physical health, mental health, career and relationship with others. This will lead you to distress unless managed.

General conceptions and reality of Anger

Conception: If you hold your anger, it will make you unhealthy and the best is to vent it out.

Reality: Though conquering and neglecting anger is not a healthy practice, venting out is not a better option. Anger could not be let out belligerently to get rid of blown. Philippics and bursts will aggravate and increase your ill effects of anger.

Conception: Anger can never be controlled and none can help it.

Reality: You can never control the situation you are in like we discussed already in stress management but you can control your expressions when you are angry. It is you have the choice of responding to people in anger situation. Don't raise your voice with anger but improve quality of your argument without aggressive facial expressions.

Conception: Showing anger and being aggressive will gain me some respect among people around me.

Reality: People will become afraid of you and will maintain distance that is misunderstood as respect. Humbleness and respecting others go a long way and earn you the real respect.

Conception: Managing anger is oppressing it.
Reality: It is to develop healthier practices to manage disturbances and upsets. Anger management is knowing fundamental feelings when confused, depressed or disturbed and manage them. Suppressing your anger or completely avoiding are not the objectives but the goal is to express in a productive way or not destructive way at least.

Try these:

· Take a "time out." Count to 10 before reacting or leave the situation altogether.

· Think carefully before you say anything so that you don't end up saying something you'll regret.

· Don't hold a grudge. Forgive the other person. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to behave exactly as you want.

· Use "I" statements when describing the problem to avoid criticizing or placing blame. For instance, say "I'm upset you didn't help with the housework this evening," instead of, "You should have helped with the housework." To do otherwise will likely upset the other person and escalate tensions.

Some anger management tips might help:

· Ask yourself this question: "Will the object of my anger matter ten years from now?" Chances are, you will see things from a calmer perspective.

· Ask yourself: "What is the worst consequence of the object of my anger?" If someone cut in front of you at the book store check-out, you will probably find that three minutes is not such a big deal.

· Imagine yourself doing the same thing. Come on, admit that you sometimes cut in front of another driver, too ... sometimes by accident. Do you get angry at yourself?

· Ask yourself this question: "Did that person do this to me on purpose?" In many cases, you will see that they were just careless or in a rush, and really did not mean you any harm.

· Try counting to ten before saying anything. This may not address the anger directly, but it can minimize the damage you will do while angry.

· Try some "new and improved" variations of counting to ten. For instance, try counting to ten with a deep slow breathe in between each number. Deep breathing -- from your diaphragm -- helps people relax.

· Or try pacing your numbers as you count. The old "one-steamboat-two-steamboat, etc." trick seems kind of lame to me. Steamboats are not the best devices to reduce your steam. How about "One-chocolate-ice-cream-two-chocolate-ice-cream", or use something else that you find either pleasant or humorous.

· Visualize a relaxing experience. Close your eyes, and travel there in your mind. Make it your stress-free oasis.

For further course related materials click www.mindsbuilding.com and contact me.

Coping with workplace stress

2011-09-25T16:47:00.000+05:30

Workplace stress: Stressors, Causes and Remedies:

While we discuss about workplace stress, some amount of stress is common and sometimes required too, in normal part of the workplace. However, excessive and specific stress symptoms and their consequences can interfere with our productivity and reduce our physical and emotional health. The ways to manage workplace stress is not about making huge changes. Rather, stress management requires focus on the one thing that’s always within your control and practicing coping mechanisms.

The types and causes of stress at workplace are:

Role & Task Stressors

· Role ambiguity

· Single and multiple role conflict

· Transition

· Entrapment

· Nature of the task and risk involved

· Decision-making

· Under/over stimulation

People related

· Relationship with superiors, peers, subordinates and clients

· Interpersonal conflict,

· Harassment

· Animosities

· Bullying

· Victimization

· Organizational politics

Personal

· Undisciplined working nature

· Non assertiveness – Either aggressive or submissive

· Poor time/change management

· Incompetence

Some Tips to cope with workplace stress:

Schedule, plan and balance:

By analysing your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks, make them comfortable the way it fits your ability and the desired result. Understanding and aware of the difference between organisational expectations and yours will help balancing. It may look huge many times.

It may be helpful to draw some discipline measures by yourself and it is done strictly follow that. Since it is your own code prepared the way you are comfortable this will clear some pressure areas in our brain.

Prioritise tasks:

Make a list of tasks you have to do, and tackle them in order of importance. Do the high-priority items first. If you have something particularly unpleasant to do, get it over with early. The rest of your day will be more pleasant as a result.

Avoid over commitment:

This one reduces your perceived load of work. If you complain too much of work, try to distinguish between the most important and the less ones.

Punctuality:

This term itself is stressful to some of us being and being in the place bit earlier is less stressful than on time. Even 10-15 minutes can make the difference between frantically rushing to your desk and having time to ease into your day. Don’t add to your stress levels by running late.

Taking breaks:

Make sure to take short breaks throughout the day to take a walk or sit back and clear your mind. Also try to get away from your desk or work station for lunch. Stepping away from work to briefly relax and recharge will help you be more, not less, productive.

Break a big task into small steps:

If a large task seems overwhelming, make a step-by-step plan. Focus on one manageable step at a time, rather than taking on everything at once.

Delegate or find alternate sources:

Y may not have to do it all yourself. If other people can take care of the task, why not let them? Let go of the desire to control or oversee every little step. You’ll be letting go of unnecessary stress in the process.

Willingness to change/compromise:

The statement “I never compromise” is destructive to yourself and others.

When you ask someone to contribute differently to a task, revise a deadline, or change their behaviour at work, be willing to do the same. Sometimes, if you can both bend a little, you’ll be able to find a happy middle ground that reduces the stress levels for everyone concerned.

Boil down expectations:

Invalidate, change, modify or null your expectations and the logic is everybody has got expectations and values her/his own. The employer/organisation has got expectations too and more valuable than the individuals. This is not because we are paid but it is collective and directed to the desired results to be produced.

Avoid perfectionism:

If you are a perfectionist, you might think of changing your views entirely. It is considered as a disorder by psychiatrists. Nobody is perfect in the world and nothing is perfectly done. This is the most uncollectible form of expectations.

Managing procrastination:

Procrastination is a result of excessive stress and procrastination increases the stress very dangerously. This is a very unproductive consequence of stress and will lead to total collapse. “This topic will be a freestanding post in coming days.”

A tip for now:

Breaking tasks into tiny pieces and practice per day 10 minutes only on stressful tasks and see the magic.

Improve your emotional Intelligence:

Emotional intelligence in the workplace has four major components:

Self-awareness – The ability to recognize your emotions and their impact while using gut feelings to guide your decisions

Self-management – The ability to control your emotions and behaviour and adapt to changing circumstances

Social awareness – The ability to sense, understand, and react to other's emotions and feel comfortable socially

Relationship management – The ability to inspire, influence, and connect to others and manage conflict

Last but most important suggestion:

Depersonalise your professional matters at work place. If you personalise your workplace matters like positions, superior and others’ behaviours, it is a voluntary act of inviting unmanageable stress.

Functional and dysfunctional response to workplace stress:

Functional

Identify & understand causes
Reset goals
Change and adapt behaviour suit people and circumstances
Change until desired effects produces

Dysfunctional:

Get drunk
Get violent
Fall ill
Absent from work
Turn in low quality work
Get disappointed, dejected, depressed

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