Category Archives: Management

Strategy and Cleanliness

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“Cleanliness and order are not matters of instinct; they are matters of education, and like most great things, you must cultivate a taste for them.”

―Benjamin Disraeli

In the context of Strategy and its correlation with the Value of Cleanliness, focus is on clarity of mind. Physical cleanliness and hygiene, however, continue to be important always ….. premises, building design/layout, infrastructure, ….. and do play a strong role in cleanliness and health of mind and body.

Specifically related to Strategy, is the role of Cleanliness in terms of cutting out noise and clutter of thought …..right from the definition of the Strategic issue to execution of actions with neatly and clearly defined scope, roles, timelines.

Jim Collins, in his well known Hedgehog Principle, in a way refers to a ‘squeaky clean’ and crystal clear mental state while defining areas of passion, expertise and economic engine drivers. Such clarity is actually the outcome of a well defined, neat and clean thought process and allows selection of highly effective Strategic options !!

An organization that continues to ‘clean’ and polish its shared understanding of Values, Strategic Priorities, Vision, Culture, Decision Processes, Reward and Review Mechanisms, stays Attractive and Healthy !!

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That which cannot be expressed by speech …..

Painting by JPSingh

That which cannot be expressed by speech,

That by which speech is expressed.

Know That alone to be Brahman, not this –

this which (people) worship.

Kenopanishad I : 5

The Supreme God, Brahman, Atman is Consciousness which enlivens the organ of speech to speak. The Subject within which animates speech. It is not an object of speech. Speech cannot express Brahman. Brahman causes the organs of action to function, breathes life into them.

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Strategy and Self-Acceptance

thKX2V243N Strategy is like a ‘Guide Map’ in a neighborhood locality. To figure out how to reach House No.245, one has to first anchor the ‘You Are Here’ position. Then, the route to take is the strategy.

In Business Strategy or Personal Leadership Strategy ….. or in any kind of strategy for that matter, be it even strategy for personal finance, the step after establishing ‘Intentionality’, is anchoring the ‘You Are Here’. Also called Situation Analysis in business strategy theory.

This calls for a frank look at SWOT, environmental factors, stage in life, Value Systems, Passion, etc. etc., ‘ACCEPTING’ the ‘AS IS’ and building the same into the strategy equation. JPS_CCE_Units_certificate_Prasad_17th Dec

In a nonlinear system, sensitive dependence on initial conditions can cause huge differences at later stages. The Butterfly Effect ….. The theoretical example of a hurricane being influenced by minor disturbances due to the flapping of the wings of a distant butterfly several weeks earlier.

Hence the significance of Introspection, Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance …..

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That which one hears not by the ear …..

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Painting by JPSingh

That which one hears not by the ear, That by which this hearing is heard. Know That alone to be Brahman.

The Consciousness

The Brahman is that which enlivens the ear to hear and which cannot be heard by the ear.

Kenopanishad I : 8

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Strategy and Thankfulness

images (18) There is a lot of material on detailed analysis in strategy formulation. There will be, to some extent, thoughts and discussions on the need for a holistic, right brained, creative input as well. To fine tune and polish up the overall strategy. To make sure all the pieces fit in together with each other and with The WHOLE.

However, whatever literature and science of strategy I have come across, the Value of Thankfulness has never been used in the same breath, talk, sentence, chapter or even book as strategy 🙂

I guess it is that ‘soft’, superficial kind of thing that finds no place in the world of ‘Super Intelligent and Rational Strategy’ discussions.

Like the start of any activity, one could initiate the process of strategy formulation with ‘Thankfulness’ towards all stakeholders. Employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers ….. competition !? ….. The Universal Power !? Towards our products !? To all those who brought things up to where they are today. A ritual as with so many good things that we start !!

“May do it once, but strategy is a very dynamic thing, you know; like having to constantly dance on your feet in a boxing ring”, someone would say. So great, let’s express Gratitude and Thankfulness all the time !! images (17)

This simple Value, expressed genuinely and timely, can create so much Harmony and Flow in the preparation, building and execution of strategy. Enthusiastic participation can bring in richness, diversity and depth of thoughts and insights from one and all with full ownership and accountability.

Endless cups of coffee and stressful curses can be eased somewhat with nice sincere ‘Thanks’ on the way, making the process so much lighter, so much fun and full of life. The sheer positivity in the ecosystem can make strategy thinking much more creative, energetic, joyful, effective and insightful.

He that gives should never remember, he that receives should never forget. ~ The Talmud

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