Cisco CTO’s tips for a top career March 9, 2010

Guest Post by Padmasree Warrior, Chief Technology Officer, Cisco Systems

Today is International Women’s Day. While we’re celebrating the achievements of women, we also need to recognize that in many fields, there are way too few women. This is the case in my domain: engineering and technology. And so, I’m spending today thinking about the future–and asking, How can we use this day to help the next generations of women charge ahead? I can help by sharing 10 career tips that I’ve learned along the way…and by the way, guys on the way up can relate to these too.

1. Creativity is a journey beyond boundaries. Chart the course of your work past the limits that you see. The road I’ve traveled to get to where I am today has been full of surprises, unsuspecting twists and turns. Some good, some challenging. But along the way, I met a lot of amazing people and learned a great deal. Creative leaders blur boundaries.

2. Build expertise from experience. Ideas alone are not enough. It’s important to execute and demonstrate results. You’ll fail along the way. That may be the most valuable experience you can gain. To become an expert, it’s more important to know what not to do than it is to know what to do. Knowledge comes from openness.

3. Understand the paradox. There’s a fine line that separates behaviors that are appealing vs. overbearing. Engage others by being confident, not arrogant. Passionate, not dogmatic. Decisive, not judgmental. Be a leader, not a spectator.

4. The only person that can slow you down is you. Must you, in your career, deal with politically motivated maneuvers, petty rivalry and jealousy? Sure! They become barriers only if you let them. Build supportive relationships that can compensate for the roadblocks you’ll face.Self-confidence is the best gift to give yourself.

5. Be authentic and approachable. I find it pretentious when people say they don’t have time for email or phone calls. Given so all the modes of communication at our fingertips, it’s easier today than ever to respond promptly and have a dialogue with a broad community. People today seek authenticity in leadership. For women, this means no longer needing to act a certain way, talk a certain way, dress a certain way. To be a great leader, you need to be yourself.

6. Influence outlasts authority. Leading laterally across company and global boundaries is increasingly important–and challenging. From my own experience, I can tell you that it’s much easier to dictate a direction in a traditional command-and-control environment. But that kind of leadership gives you short-lived authority. Influential leadership gives you a sustained following.

7. Learn the art of storytelling. It’s a special skill to take complex topics and turn them into interesting anecdotes that leave an impression. This is especially true in the detail-centric world of technology and engineering. How do you capture in a few seconds the essence of an innovation that took years to create? Simplify.

8. The best way to earn recognition is to give it away. Give credit to others freely, openly and frequently. This is easier said than done. How often do you see projects stall because people are hiding critical information lest credit be taken from them? Make it their idea and watch them run with it! Ideas get stronger when shared.

9. A successful career is about integration, not balance. After graduate school, I started my career in the semiconductor industry. During this time, my son was born, and I came face-to-face with the joy and reality of being a working mom! Success is not about seeking perfection, as suggested by “work-life balance.” To me, the word “balance” implies that work and life are somehow at odds and out of balance. Aim to improve the integration of your work, family, community and yourself.

10. Work hard but play harder. Take your work and community seriously. But don’t take yourself too seriously. Smile!

Warrior is a phenom of the Web. She has 1,421,450 followers on Twitter. Before she joined Cisco (CSCO) as Chief Technology Officer in 2007, she was CTO of Motorola (MOT), where she led 26,000 engineers and directed Motorola Labs, with an annual R&D budget of $3.7 billion. She spent 23 years at Motorola. Warrior holds an M.S. degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and a B.S. degree in chemical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in New Delhi, India.

courtesy : http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=114350177&gid=81174&articleURL=http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2010/03/08/cisco-ctos-tips-for-a-top-career/%3Fsource%3Dyahoo_quote&urlhash=RTij&trk=news_discuss

SAFETY AND SECURITY TIPS FOR WOMEN AT WORKPLACE July 24, 2009

As an organization that services global clients and operates in a 24X7 support employee well-being. However, there are certain points that a lady associate must note.

WOMEN WORKING LATE ALONE

• As far as possible Lady associates must leave in time unless instructed  to stay late by GL/PL for a specific purpose.
• Never stay back too late, unless you are assured of a safe drop back home.
• At your workplace if you are suspicious of people hanging around or receive strange phone calls notify the security and other associates.
• If you feel uncomfortable after someone enters your workplace, be aware and be prepared to call the security.

• If somebody you work with makes you uncomfortable, discuss the

situation with a co-worker you trust.

• Know colleagues in your projects, and be aware of their schedules.
• If you suspect someone of stalking, call security. Find out who the person is. Give a description of the person.

• If you must meet new work contacts out of the workplace, meet at a public place.  Never go to lonely dark places or the terrace. Keep personal information minimum and private.
• When entering an elevator, stand next to the controls. Wait for the next elevator if you feel uneasy about the occupants. If someone makes you feel uncomfortable, push the button for the next floor or push the alarm.

• Let security or a friend know you are working late; tell them when you expect to leave.
• If you enter a washroom and you suspect someone suspicious might be in there, leave immediately. Find a safe area and phone for help.
• Your cell phone is one of the most important things you can have on you, if you need assistance or during an emergency. Store the emergency numbers.
• Program an emergency contact in your phone so that he or she can be notified in the event of an emergency. Use the acronym “ICE” “In Case of Emergency” on your phone.

BASIC PREVENTION

• Avoid wearing costly jewellery, carrying large amounts of cash and also adhere to the dress code. Do not carry credit cards unless necessary.
• Never accept a lift back home from colleagues you do not know well.
• Never step out alone for dinner or other places while working late
• Avoid intimate talk or giving away personal details while using your mobile.
• Park your vehicle in lighted areas and near cameras if possible. If you feel uncomfortable walking out to your vehicle, ask someone to escort you.
• Keep alert while walking; look over your shoulder to see if someone is following you.
• Cell phones are a distraction and will make you less aware of your surroundings.
• Searching your purse, wearing headphones or struggling with heavy briefcases and uncomfortable clothing reduces your ability to be prepared.

• Spread your personal possessions. For example; keep your keys separate from your credit cards. Keep some cash separate from your credit cards. In the event you are robbed or you lose your wallet or purse, all of your important possessions are not in one place.
• If someone demands your wallet or purse, throw it in one direction and run in the opposite direction. Do not resist.

RIDING THE BUS/TRANSIT SYSTEM

• Carry a schedule. After dark, arrive just before the transit vehicle is due.
• Develop a buddy system with fellow associates so that you are not the only one waiting at the bus stop.
• Once inside the bus, sit with a group and inform the driver if you are being bothered.
• Never get friendly with  unknown people.
• On alighting, look back to see if you are being followed.
• If you are walking on a lonely stretch at a late hour on the way back home, ensure you have an escort.
• If you are dropped home by a company cab insist on an escort if you are the last to be dropped.

DRIVING

• Park in well lit spaces. Walk with others after dark.
• If car park area is dark and not illuminated, call security or walk with a colleague. Develop a buddy system for employees to get to car parks after work.
• If you use Underground Park, make sure you park is near the attendant or exit.

• Always lock your car and keep all windows tightly closed.
• Have your key ready, check inside the car to be sure no one is hiding.
• Don’t open your car window more than one inch to speak to someone, or just drive away if you feel uncomfortable.
• If you suspect another car is following your car, do not go home. Drive to a service/police/fire station and stay in your car, honking the horn in short repeated blasts until someone comes out to help you.

IF YOUR CAR BREAKS DOWN

• Call for help.  Park near inhabited place. Do not raise the hood of your car as that stops you from noticing if someone is approaching the car.
• Stay in the car with windows closed and doors locked, till help arrives

WALKING

• Wear comfortable shoes, such as runners.
• If you are using a stairwell, be sure it is well lit and that you can quickly exit to a safe place.
• Stay on well lit streets, in the centre of the sidewalk, away from bushes, doorways and parked cars – anywhere that an attacker could hide. Cross the road if necessary.
• If you think someone is following you, turn around and check. Let them know you are aware of their presence. Do not go to your car or your house. Cross the street and go to a safe place

TAKING ACTION AGAINST AN ATTACK

• Carry a personal safety device in case of danger.

• If you feel threatened, make a scene, yell, and call for help.
• Press the Fire alarm or call out to security when in danger
• Use whatever force you feel is necessary to escape the situation and be ready to take the first opportunity to take action and get away.
• Yell loudly and repeatedly. Try shouting, HELP, NO and STOP. Push a personal safety alarm, and bang on something noisy. BE LOUD AND PERSISTENT.

LEAVE CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS/INFORMATION AT THE WORKPLACE

• Tell staff or friends/family members if you are working alone, where you are going and when you expect to arrive and leave. Leave emergency contact numbers.
• Make sure anyone attending to your business, mail or phone machine does not give out personal information, address, and cell phone numbers.
• You may approach ethical counselor if you are subject to any kind of  workplace harassment

Nandan Nilekani’s first day in the Parliament July 23, 2009

Continuing my tryst with capturing the life and times of Nandan Nilekani in his new avatar as a Cabinet Minister, here is what he had penned after his first day in the Parliament. The last entry stopped when the House was just about to begin. Let’s see what happened thereafter….

The House was in pin drop silence. I was brimming with anticipation and excitement!!!! Manmohan had informed me that my introduction was one of the important points of the agenda. I hoped that I will be able to make my speech properly. After so many interviews and conferences, I was nervous today!!!! After the Speaker indicated that the proceedings of the House could begin, Manmohan formally introduced me to the entire House. He mentioned that as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, I was responsible to ensure that each and every Indian had a digital smart card as a proof of his existence.

Manmohan spoke about why I was selected and also some references to the various projects executed by me in Infosys were mentioned. The House listened with rapt attention. I was asked to say a few words and I did exactly the same!!! I thanked the Government of India for having given me this opportunity and I assured the House that I would strive to successfully deliver this project. The Speaker then formally inducted me into the House and before the proceedings could move any forward, there was a small commotion on the other side of the hall.

It was Minister of Textiles who had a comment to make before the next point on the agenda. He made a request that I should be attired in a more austere way instead of a flashy suit. It did not go well with the image of a minister who should live to serve the common man and should be less ostentatious in his habits. I stood up to reply. I offered my apologies to the Honourable Minister and assured that I shall be in a more acceptable dress next time. I felt that he was right. We also used to have corporate dress code in Infosys. So it’s here as well!!!!

I sat down and felt somebody nudging me. I turned around and to my surprise; it was the former Indian skipper and one of my favourite batsman Mohd. Azharuddin. I remembered that he had recently won the elections. I smiled at him and mentioned to him that I used to like his game very much, shaking his hand. No Rolex, I noticed. Azhar told me that he would “fix” me an appointment with an Italian designer who had designed his dapper Kurta suit. An Italian designer in Milan doing Kurtas!!!!! I made a note of this and reminded myself to give this example to Friedman for his next book,” The World Markets are flattened”.

Since there was no doubt about the “Fixational” capacities of Azhar, I told him to give me the details and I would consider. The proceedings of the House went on with numerous bills being debated and passed as I sat as a passive audience waiting for my project’s turn to come up. After the lunch break, it was the moment for me!!!!

MY PROJECT”S FIRST REVIEW CAME UP FOR PRESENTATION

I was at sea. My laptop did not have any reserve power. I went to Manmohan and apprised him of the situation. I was sweating. He calmly replied that this would not be a cause of concern. I was flummoxed!!!! The Speaker asked me to explain to the House on what were my plans for the Unique Identity Project. I replied that I have a plan prepared for 30-60-90-120 days’ milestones and I have presentation to make for which I need a power socket, a projector and a screen. I had no idea what was going to happen after this.

The next couple of minutes were a complete jolt for me. I was completely in a tizzy. Let me just summarize what happened. A Joint Cabinet Secretary Committee was set up to judge the feasibility of my request. The Under Secretaries for the Ministries of Power, IT and Broadcasting will prepare a Viability Report after scrutinizing National Security threats to my request. This was because the power socket comes under Power, laptop comes under IT and projector comes under Broadcasting. I have also been told to reconsider my timelines of 30-60-90 days and start thinking in terms of years. Probably, they are right. I did not have the foresight in this matter.

The summary of the issue is that I need to come up with a more inclusive, democratic, comprehensive long term plan for this project to be executed over the next five years. I have also been given a presentation slot 3 months from now (by which the issues related to the power cord etc will also be resolved). I am filled with mixed reactions. I was planning for a quick resolution; the management wants a strategic solution. I come out of the House and text Murthy.

“You won’t believe it but these guys work just like us. I am on a NATIONAL BENCH for the next three months!!!!!!!!”

my boss taught me… July 11, 2009

My most influential boss taught me the importance of striking a fine balance in everything that I did and emphasized the need to continuously look for better solutions to achieve excellence.He was flexible and a good listener who cared to understand the viewpoint of the other person and contributed effectively towards finding a solution to every problem.He taught me one important lesson: it is not enough to have the required knowledge or correct point of view on a given subject; it is equally important to present the same in a convincing manner.He also taught me that our greatest
weakness lies in giving up and the most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.He was great leader and motivated my team to meet the most aggressive deadlines. He was an excellent orator and used to tackle the clients, peers, supervisors and juniors with equal elan. Enthusiasm is the lifeblood of all success. If you choose to loose touch with your inner enthusiasm, you are choosing mediocrity. That doesn’t have to happen; each of us is capable of making his/her job “the best job”.

An interview with job hopper May 22, 2009

Some, rather most organizations reject his CV today because he has changed jobs frequently (10 in 14 years). My friend, the ‘job hopper’ (referred here as Mr. JH), does not mind it…. well he does not need to mind it at all. Having worked full-time with 10 employer companies in just 14 years gives Mr. JH the relaxing edge that most of the ‘company loyal’ employees are struggling for today. Today, Mr. JH too is laid off like some other 14-15 year experienced guys – the difference being the latter have just worked in 2-3 organizations in the same number of years. Here are the excerpts of an interview with Mr. JH:

Q: Why have you changed 10 jobs in 14 years?
A: To get financially sound and stable before getting laid off the second time.

Q: So you knew you would be laid off in the year 2009?
A: Well I was laid off first in the year 2002 due to the first global economic slowdown. I had not got a full-time job before January 2003 when the economy started looking up; so I had struggled for almost a year without job and with compromises.

Q: Which number of job was that?
A: That was my third job.

Q: So from Jan 2003 to Jan 2009, in 6 years, you have changed 8 jobs to make the count as 10 jobs in 14 years?
A: I had no other option. In my first 8 years of professional life, I had worked only for 2 organizations thinking that jobs are deserved after lot of hard work and one should stay with an employer company to justify the saying ’employer loyalty’. But I was an idiot.

Q: Why do you say so?
A: My salary in the first 8 years went up only marginally. I could not save enough and also, I had thought that I had a ‘permanent’ job, so I need not worry about ‘what will I do if I lose my job’. I could never imagine losing a job because of economic slowdown and not because of my performance. That was January 2002.

Q: Can you brief on what happened between January 2003 and 2009.
A: Well, I had learnt my lessons of being ‘company loyal’ and not ‘money earning and saving loyal’. But then you can save enough only when you earn enough. So I shifted my loyalty towards money making and saving – I changed 8 jobs in 6 years assuring all my interviewers about my stability.

Q: So you lied to your interviewers; you had already planned to change the job for which you were being interviewed on a particular day?
A: Yes, you can change jobs only when the market is up and companies are hiring. You tell me – can I get a job now because of the slowdown? No. So one should change jobs for higher salaries only when the market is up because that is the only time when companies hire and can afford the expected salaries.

Q: What have you gained by doing such things?
A: That’s the question I was waiting for. In Jan 2003, I had a fixed salary (without variables) of say Rs. X p.a. In January 2009, my salary was 8X. So assuming my salary was Rs.3 lakh p.a. in Jan 2003, my last drawn salary in Jan 2009 was Rs.24 lakh p.a. (without variable). I never bothered about variable as I had no intention to stay for 1 year and go
through the appraisal process to wait for the company to give me a hike.

Q: So you decided on your own hike?
A: Yes, in 2003, I could see the slowdown coming again in future like it had happened in 2001-02. Though I was not sure by when the next slowdown would come, I was pretty sure I wanted a ‘debt-free’ life before being laid off again. So I planned my hike targets on a yearly basis without waiting for the year to complete.

Q: So are you debt-free now?
A: Yes, I earned so much by virtue of job changes for money and spent so little that today I have a loan free 2 BR flat (1200 sq. feet) plus a loan free big car without bothering about any EMIs. I am laid off too but I do not complain at all. If I have laid off companies for money, it is OK if a company lays me off because of lack of money.

Q: Who is complaining?
A: All those guys who are not getting a job to pay their EMIs off are complaining. They had made fun of me saying I am a job hopper and do not have any company loyalty. Now I ask them what they gained by their company loyalty; they too are laid off like me and pass comments to me – why will you bother about us, you are already debt-free. They were still
in the bracket of 12-14 lakh p.a. when they were laid off.

Q: What is your advice to professionals?
A: Like Narayan Murthy had said – love your job and not your company because you never know when your company will stop loving you. In the same lines, love yourself and your family needs more than the company’s needs. Companies can keep coming and going; family will always remain the same. Make money for yourself first and simultaneously make money for the company, not the other way around.

Q: What is your biggest pain point with companies?
A: When a company does well, its CEO etc will address the entire company saying, ‘well done guys, it is YOUR company, keep up the hard work, I am with you.” But when the slowdown happens and the company does not do so well, the same CEO etc will say, “It is MY company and to save the company, I have to take tough decisions including asking people to go.” So think about your financial stability first; when you get laid off, your kids will complain to you and not your boss.

which was better? May 9, 2009

this is a fwd that i got.. very true and interesting!
Pocket money from Dad was Rs. 200/- per month, in that we were not only
able to eat stomachs fill, but we were able to save too!!!
Now we earn a sum of more than 20K, we have no idea where it goes, let
alone saving it!!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

6 subjects per year, 6 different teachers! One project since we joined and just one manager!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

We used to make notes; we used to study for ranks!! Now we scan thru our mails; we struggle for our ratings!!!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

We have still not forgotten the people in the next section!!! Now we don’t even know who sits in the next cubicle!!!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

After getting back from a tiring play, we used to do our home work!! Now who knows/cares about home; all we do is just work!!!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

We knew our history and economics!! Now let alone reading books, we don’t even catch up with the daily news!!!
Which was better, the former or the latter???

We had an aim in life; backed by our teachers!! Now we have no idea about the future nor do we find anyone who would tell us anything!!!

Now just ask yourself,
Which was better, the former or the latter????

recession is hitting you ?!! April 29, 2009

How recession is showing its effect on large indian IT giants like Infosys,TCS,Wipro,CTS etc

there are no projects  and thousands of ppl are on bench literally for months. thanks to all big wigs like chrysler,merryl lynch,GM etc who are out of business and obviouslt outsourcing is an operational expenditure which they are eager to cut down on.earlier ppl used to be jealous if we got an onsite oppurtunity or onsite proj.but, nowadays the situation has become real worse tht ppl r becoming jealous the moment they know tht we got allocated into a project.be it the local govt wala proj or any f*** proj  or any other khatara proj. every body fears the pink slips.nobody wants a hike.nobody wants to complain abt long working hrs even if it is 14 to 16 hrs a day!these projects take only 2 ppl and make them do the work of 5 ppl. nobody is really bothered as long as we have an allocation. now this jealousy and hatred is becoming so very evident that even if we get an interview call and if the other person doesn’t get then they start cribbing and crying saying tht u r so lucky! which means “Damn u ! wtf u have and i don’t have?” leave alone our success or failure at the interview. say if we have 2 openings.then there is so much of competition that they get around 20 CVs for those 2 positions.naturally they pick the 2 best ppl from the 20 lot rite! but, ppl do not understand this, all the remaining 18 start complaining that is it truly unfair and injustice done to them!ppl from all over india r ready for any damn job opening internally,ready to relocate from chennai to noida or from mumbai to assam!

your boss , you and the 2009 target! April 21, 2009

guess what this is ? April 4, 2009

burn calories not power ? wtf !!! March 18, 2009