7 Know Your Colleagues

8 Knowledge Snippet

8 Birthday Greetings

8 Just for Laughs!

8 Go Green

I think it is quite some time that we evaluated ourselves for something related to

our work and life. Now attempt this. This simple exercise could help you

in understanding where you are:

To what extent is your day planned? (include both official and personal works)

� Are you doing something socially value adding?

� Are you clear about the major events during this year where you need to

provide time or/and financial commitments?

� How healthy are you?

� In the last one month how many new books have you read? (include both official and personal)

� Are you managing your carryovers? (from one day to the next)

� Have you identified the ‘time wasters’ in your day to day work?

� Are you sure how your life should be five years hence? (include both official and personal items)

� Are you getting your sleep every day as planned?

� Do you write anything original every day (include both official and personal)

More on the questions:

The questions are quite jumbled and not in any particular order.

They need to be answered in a scale of 1 to 5; 1 – least and 5 – very much (or maximum)

You need to rate yourself on what you really feel about yourself.

Be sincere; do not try to break the code; it may not help.

Mail your rating to me. We will discuss.

Inspiring Stories from Gandhiji’s Life

Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the

Charkha Sangh. During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his

speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her

clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to

the place where Gandhiji was sitting. "I must see him," she insisted and going up to

Gandhiji touched his feet. Then from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper

coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away

carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He

asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. "I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the

Charkha Sangh," Jamnalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a cop-

per coin." "This copper coin is worth much more than those

thousands," Gandhiji said. "If a man has several lakhs and he

gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much.

But this coin was perhaps all that the poor

woman possessed. She gave me all she

had. That was very generous of her.

What a great sacrifice

she made. That is

why I value this

copper coin more

than a crore of

rupees."

2 10 ways to avoid energy crashes

3 Words Confused and Misused (20)

3 Excel Tips

4 Voice your thoughts!

4 Bouquets & Brickbats

5 Growth of CC

6 News

Inside

June 2010 ● Volume 4, Issue 46

R

NCR Consultants Limited

Where am I?

“Failure comes only when we forget our ideals and objectives and principles.”

-Jawaharlal Nehru

Values Beyond Consulting

R S Murali

Source: web

Page 2

“Every man is of importance to himself”.

10 ways to avoid energy crashes

It’s 2:30pm, and you have looked at your watch for the third time in the past minute. You’re dragging and need to snap out of this mental fog to accomplish your goals for the day. Some people have a difficult time in the morning, others crash after lunch. Some managers find that if they eat lunch late they get moody and unfocused. Here are 10 ideas for combating mental and biophysical energy fluctuations.

Move

Take a walk around the office or down the block. Get your blood circulating faster and wake up your brain! It does not take a marathon to make you feel better, just a couple of minutes. Kill two birds with one stone by walking to a near-by coffee shop to get an espresso or a cup of exotic tea. Invite a peer or team member to go along and catch up on how things are going.

Eat energizing foods

The foods we eat before and during our workday will have a significant impact on our energy levels throughout the day. Foods that offer a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fat help stabilize blood sugar levels. It is best to avoid large meals because these may reduce your available energy.

Splurge on a fancy coffee in the afternoon

For many, the energy crash comes in the middle of the afternoon. One way to combat the 3:00pm blahs is to get a fancy coffee. The caffeine and sugar are energizing and the diversion helps the brain recuperate. For some, the act of getting a coffee drink provides a psychological boost, as if the mind saying, “Time to get back in gear!”.

Work on meaningful tasks

If you’re out of energy, switch mental gears and work on a challenging problem or brainstorm new ideas. Ask a peer to collaborate on an issue that you want to resolve. Work that makes a difference is more interesting and engaging.

Vary the work

Mundane tasks like paperwork, filing, and email can be a drag, so don’t do them one after another! Read your email, work on a challenging problem, do some physical activity. Keep the day interesting by moving from task to task. If you need to concentrate on one sedentary task for an extended period (like reading briefs or creating a budget) take quick stretch breaks when you begin to feel weary.

Worry on cue

Are you a worry wart? If so, you may be draining your energy unnecessarily. Dale Carnegie used to say that 99% of all worries don’t come true. If you must worry, give yourself permission to worry a couple of times a day for 10 minutes or less.

Do the work you love, love the work you do

Do you love your job? Some Managers do find work more energizing than their peers who find their jobs dissatisfying. Life is too short to spend on a job you do not like. Even if your current job is not ideal, there are exciting aspects of your work. Do whatever it takes to enjoy your work.

Resist being a slave to your to-do list

Are you stuck in a rut? Does everyday look and feel the same? Try ignoring your to-do list for a week and engaging in the work you think will make the greatest difference. Do something that would never appear on your to-do list. Facilitate a breakthrough, shake things up (in a positive way), or propose a new project.

Be a bureaucracy buster

Red tape and never ending processes drain our ability to focus and concentrate. Prevent energy crashes by cutting through the steps that add hassle to the work. By de-hassling your organization, you will free up mental energy and increase work enjoyment.

Schedule meetings at the right time

Friday at 3:30pm is the WORST time to schedule a meeting. First thing Monday morning is also usually bad. Meetings held after lunch need to be active to combat the after lunch carbohydrate crash. Schedule meetings at times when people will be ready to think and before they get worn out.

Samuel Johnson

Page 3

“Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.”

Excel Tips

Average:

What Does It Do ? This function picks the average value from a list of data. Syntax =AVERAGE(Range1,Range2,Range3… )

Max

What Does It Do ? This function picks the highest value from a list of data. Syntax =MAX(Range1,Range2,Range3... )

Min

What Does It Do ? This function picks the lowest value from a list of data. Syntax =MIN(Range1,Range2,Range3... )

Upper

What Does It Do ?

This function converts all characters in a piece of text to upper case.

Syntax

=UPPER(TextToConvert)

Lower

What Does It Do ?

This function converts all characters in a piece of text to lower case.

Syntax

=LOWER(TextToConvert)

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Words Confused and Misused (20)

Observance - Observation Observance is often misused for observation, which means the act of looking at or noting or studying, as “He based his lecture on his own observation of the Indians.” Observance means the act of obeying, heeding, or paying respect to as “He found their observance of religious ceremonies to be very strict.”

Offhanded - Offhand There is little or no need for the adjective offhanded and the adeverb offhandedly since offhand is correct and preferred in both senses. “He spoke offhand and cracked a number of offhand jokes.” Offhand means impromptu..

Of - Have The substitution with have for of is an illiterate corruption arising from slovenly pronunciation. It occurs in such expressions as could of, would of, should of, may of, might of, must of. These are incorrect always and everywhere. Use have in each case.

On Time - In Time The phrase on time is preferred to in time when it ends a construction, as “We were on time”, “He is always on time.” In time is preferred when explanatory words follow, as “We were in time for the meeting”; “He is always in time for dinner.”

On - Upon In present use these prepositions are interchangeable as far as grammar is concerned and usually as far as idiom is concerned. Upon is the more bookish of the two and sometimes the more emphatic. But the choice between them is chiefly a matter of euphony, as “base on” and “fawn upon..” -to be contd

to be contd

Page 4

“Enthusiasm is the genius of sincerity, and truth accomplishes no victories without it.” Bulwer-Lytton

Humans after all!

I was recently watching the Animal Planet on TV, the natural behavior of animals, their adaptation to the

surrounding environment/climate and the natural birth and death process. This entire cycle and their need for survival

had me spell bound. My thoughts jumped to the Creator who had so meticulously planned this entire man-animal-plant

co-habitation. There appears a purpose in this Creation and it follows a definite pattern.

I watched the aggressive lions, tigers and cheetahs caring for their young ones, the snakes being attacked by the

mongooses and meekly slithering away in search of easy prey, and the innocent deer and the huge rhinos falling easily

to the might of the ferocious!

Amidst all this I noticed the underlying gentleness and love in the aggressive, frightening and sometimes even ugly

looking predators. The animals would only target one prey and let the others go. I even sensed respect for the other

animals. The gigantic and ugly hippo, the creepy and the lazy crocodile would under any circumstance protect its young

ones and first feed their young before having a piece of the kill! I began admiring the grace with which the elephants, the

leopards, the tigers roamed the jungle and took care of itself and its group. Even the devilish looking vultures would

swoop down on a prey only to feed the hungry mouths in its nest. I did not find the kill gruesome but looked at it as a

meal which would sustain the animal for the day!

All this immediately brings up a number of questions about humans! Is not Man with his innate sixth sense, the most

considerate, caring and loving, among all living creatures? Is he not supposed to understand his needs and that of

others, and co-habit peacefully with all other human beings? Is he not supposed to forgive and forget and look at the

larger picture?

Man has forgotten the higher purpose for which he has taken this birth and is focused largely on the outside with a desire

to satisfy his every want and greed! The aggressive nature has taken over and he has lost the three qualities of love,

compassion and wisdom which are his basic nature. This has been replaced with fear and all the other related emotions

like anger, jealousy etc.

The ease with which animals adapt themselves to the surroundings and live accordingly is something that man has to

learn from animals. Why is he unable to coexist peacefully with other human beings like the lower creatures do? Why

does he kill to acquire more and more? Why is he not able to accept the weaknesses of the other person and work

around it for effective functioning both in daily life and in an Organisation? These are some of the questions that require

serious consideration for developing a policy of “Live and Let Live”. The animals were not taught this. They just do it! It is

man with his thinking ability who makes life complex and forgets to enjoy the simplicities on offer!

Acceptance of life and adapting oneself to the larger needs of the Universe could definitely pave the way for a quality life

and a happier environment. This requires a complete inner transformation! For are we not Humans after all, bringing with

us our own baggage! Time to wake up and ponder!

Rekha Murali

Voice your thoughts!

Starting this issue, we are introducing a new section called “Voice your thoughts”! This month features the topic

”Humans after all”. Readers are free to send in articles, poems, drawings, jokes or pictures to depict a thought which

could be a platform for starting a discussion! Your thoughts on the topic above are welcome!

-Editors

Bouquets and Brickbats

Page 5

“A moment’s insight is sometimes worth a life’s experience..” Oliver Wendell Holmes

Growth of CC

The internal news letter Consultants’ Corner (CC) by NCRCL® was born in April 2006. There are more than 40 readers

of CC including staff and other friends of NCRCL®. Since then, 46 issues have been released. CC began with 4 pages in

2006-07, gradually increased to 6 pages in 2007-08, and then to 8 pages in 2008-09 and in 2009-10, it continued with

the same 8 pages. But most unfortunate is that, in 2010-11 CC has become flexible, with increase or reduction in the

number of pages based on inputs.

The contribution of articles by the readers are given in a table below. This does not include the numerous articles and

stories contributed by the Editors on a regular basis.

Red colour shows ‘Zero’ contributions to CC

Yellow colour shows contribution of 1 to 5 articles to CC

Green colour shows more than 5 articles to CC

It is an appeal to all CC readers to make a commitment and contribute at least two technical articles and five non

technical articles every year.

Sl.No. Name

Total out of 46 Issues

Technical Other Total

1 Archana B G 0 0 0

2 Ashok Rao 19 9 28

3 Balaji G 0 0 0

4 Deepak S 2 1 3

5 Gangadhara H 0 0 0

6 Lingaraju D 0 0 0

7 Mahesh 0 7 7

8 Mamtha D A 0 1 1

9 Manjunath O 0 0 0

10 Murali R S 46 0 46

11 Nandini B 0 0 0

12 Padmaja J 2 0 2

13 Pradeep V S 2 0 2

14 Ramachandran R 3 0 3

15 Rekha Murali 4 6 10

16 Roopa Kamath K 0 1 1

17 Roopa Shree T 2 2 4

18 S Baba Jan 0 1 1

19 Kishore S 1 1 2

20 Shekar C.M 0 0 0

21 Sridhar 0 0 0

22 Subba Rao M R 3 6 9

23 Suresh C S 5 7 12

24 Suresh R 0 1 1

25 Uma Shankar Mohanty 12 3 15

26 Vikas R 0 0 0

27 Vimalakar N C 0 0 0

28 Yalloji Rao 0 3 3

29 Yellapa Hydagi 0 0 0

Page 6

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Manjunath (I Place) and Mahesh

(II Place) were the winners of the

Carrom tournament held at

Bangalore.

RSM conducted a sensitization programme for all the departmental heads and staff on "Management Information Systems" at Shija Hospitals, Imphal.

Kishore conducted a training programme on "Taxation of

professional income for consultant doctors" at Shija hospitals,

Imphal

Fun times at NCRCL® !

Kishore and Mohanty try their hand at

mountain climbing during their visit to Shija

Hospitals, Manipur.

R.Ramachandran was awarded a certificate

at the Chennai office for five successful

correct answers to the quiz questions

featured in Consultants’ Corner.

Congratulations to Congratulations to Congratulations to Congratulations to

Manjunath and Mahesh Manjunath and Mahesh Manjunath and Mahesh Manjunath and Mahesh

NCRCL® extends a warm

welcome to G.Balaji who

joins the group as Office

Driver cum Assistant.

RSM addressed a group of

teachers with a presentation on

Soft Skills on 28/05/10 as part of

a series of workshops for a

school run by Samvit Sagar

Trust

Page 7

“Equality is the sacred law of humanity.”

Know Your Colleagues

Friedrich Schiller

Designation: Office Assistant

Date of Birth: 25th May

Email: admin@ncrcl.com, balakrith@gmail.com

Phone: 91 9790927951

Qualification: (B.A) (History)

Name: Balaji.G

No Questions Your Answers

1. The meaning of your name. Strong.

2. Nick name. Balaji.

3. Your dream job. Present job.

4. Your first impression of NCRCL® . A good organization and friendly environment.

5. What personal/emotional characteristic of yours do you want to change?

Want to work more efficiently.

6. Money or job satisfaction? Both.

7. Your stress buster. Sit quietly for sometime.

8. Do you have a small circle of close friends, rather than a large number of friends?

Small circle of close friends.

9. What do you most like about a person? Positive attitude, good intentions.

10. What do you most hate in a person? Not understanding the other’s view point.

11. Team work Vs Individual work – your comments. Team work.

12. Do you make efforts to get others to laugh and smile?

Always.

13. Your heart rules your head or your head rules your heart?

Heart rules my head.

14. Special talent. Offering immediate help to a person in need.

15. Hobbies. Listening to music, watching cricket.

Page 8

NCR Consultants Limited

Bangalore Office:

#310, 3rd Floor, Rear Entrance, Swiss Complex,

33, Race Course Road, Bangalore 560 001

Ph: +91 80 65737503, +91 80 40914593

Fax: +91 80 22342238

email: bangalore@ncrcl.com

Website: www.ncrcl.com

“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

Answer To last month’s Knowledge Snippet question: Answer To last month’s Knowledge Snippet question: Answer To last month’s Knowledge Snippet question: Answer To last month’s Knowledge Snippet question:

“The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog”. What is special about

this statement?

Answer: Answer: Answer: Answer: This sentence known as a Pangram contains all the 26

letters of the English Alphabet.

Bay of Bengal is in which state and in which state is the

Antarctica?

Send in your answers to the editor at bangalore@ncrcl.com

Regd Office:

2nd Floor, New No. 4, Old No. 23, C P Ramasamy Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018

Ph: +91 44 2466 0955

Fax: +91 44 4218 5593

email: chennai@ncrcl.com

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Just for Laughs!

The right answer was given by Ramachandran,

Kishore, Subba Rao, Manikantan

!!! Congratulations !!!!!! Congratulations !!!!!! Congratulations !!!!!! Congratulations !!!

Knowledge Snippet

Birthday Greetings

Yallappa Hydagi - 01st June Babajan - 01st June

Roopashree - 4th June

Yalloji Rao - 8th June Shekar - 11th June

Make your own cleaning supplies

Using simple ingredients such as baking soda, soap, and vinegar, you can make cheap, easy, and non-toxic cleaning products that really work! Save money, time, and improve your indoor air quality.

Go Green!