The cost of life: Who decides?

There are there moments that abruptly put disturbing facts on my face and shock me for a moment. But then I think ‘As if I didn’t know that something like this happens, happens all the time’. It happened this morning when I read an article from the New York Times.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/world/africa/17nigeria.html?hp

What strikes me as would to most of the people reading this is the reaction from all the people involved to the incidents in the two different parts of the world. Not just the general knowledge of the disasters but reactions from politicians, citizens from the region and the country at large, oil companies, world press, you and I.

For the sake of argument if we assume that a price for life can be put (Which is a one way ticket no doubt) then it would appear that this cost is higher in the US vis-à-vis Nigeria. The cost of damage for the US spill appears to be in the magnitude of $ 20 B if not more and the cost of damage in the continuous Nigerian spill is anybody’s guess.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/17/us/17liability.html?ref=africa

So the billion dollar question is – Who fixed the price?

The answer is somewhat easier to derive for the US as a price has been fixed. One can argue that a combination of the wrath of the affected people, pressure from the opposition parties and the Whitehouse initiative got a dollar number on the table. And I would also argue that it started with the affected people and media. In contrast, the affected people in Nigeria have not found a forceful voice to express their anger. Their government has literally no opposition and even its legitimacy is questioned internationally. Nigeria is #130 on the transparency international’s corruption perceptions index which serves as a barometer of how responsive you can expect the government to be in protecting the interests of the affected people.

The point being: There will always be the like of the oil companies (BP, SHELL, EXXON ..) or corporate giants who try to make an extra dollar at the cost of life – both human and other species. However, these companies don’t decide on the cost - It is up the affected people to put up the cost number and if the cost number can be high enough it will be a strong deterrent for the corporate giants to take life so lightly.

10 + 1 Tips to make a career

As thousands of graduates pass out of business schools, colleges and universities all over the world every year we all wonder, who will make it in this race. Philosophy aside, when I say make it, I do mean who has the right metal to reach that C level in a well known company. At work, we all see people who have made it big and hear stories about how they make it big. We make our own impressions. I have waded through many leaders in my career and observed them with a keen eye. While this is not an exact science you would agree with the old adage ‘The smart man learns from other people’s experiences’. So here is my experience and golden bullet points on how to make a career.

10 + 1 Tips on how to make a career

1. Identifying where is the right place and what is the right time.
2. Have more than one mentors in the organization
3. Try and do an assistant role to a CXO – Just to make your network in the organization
4. Keep the balance – Its not a 100 m race, it’s a marathon
5. Be good to people on your way up, you would need them if you have to come down
6. Understand that your career will go through some doldrums
7. There is a time to lie low
8. Build your team, let your subordinates flourish
9. Take your company outside, get up on a stage
10. There is a time to quit
11. It pays to be loyal

Why should we vote?

This is important. Your reading and acting upon this mail can make a difference.

We all complain about our political system in different forms and fashion. Most of all we complain about how rotten people get elected to the Lok Sabha year after year. Ever wondered how the math works out?

The average voter turnout in India is about 60%. In urban areas it is less than 50%. Any guesses as to who actually goes to vote?

It is estimated the voter turnout rate by education is
Illiterate – 60%
Upto middle school – 90%
College and post graduate is less than 50%

MEANING EVERY SECOND PERSON WHO IS READING THIS DOES NOT VOTE!!!

Similarly less than half of the top 20% earners of India cast their vote.
The result: The 14th Lok Sabha (The out going one) will go down in history as having seen 40 expulsions (Highest in our history) and every fourth MP has a dubious record.

There is a much echoed adage –
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”

There are two main “categories” of reasons given by the urban class for not casting their vote:

The first is administrative issues such as pending voter ID card, name not in electoral rolls etc
Suggestion – take some time out to visit www.jaagore.com - it gives a simple and concise solution to all such administrative problems. Believe me – the process is MUCH easier and simpler than you think. Its also very effective.

The second excuse is generally along the lines of “all parties are equally bad … most politicians are corrupt … how do I choose a candidate when all are unsuitable. ”
Suggestion - Look carefully. Not all candidates are rotten. There are some candidates who never get enough votes or support because majority of the people do not make the effort to look them up and they do not have the money or muscle to make themselves visible.
Here is a hint - START WITH THE CANDIDATE WITHOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD.

If we, i.e. the 50% apathetic educated class, do go out and vote we become a SIZEABLE vote bank overnight. We can tilt the balance in electing the right candidate to the next Lok Sabha

It is our DUTY to elect the right government. Go vote for a person with a clean record.

Share this with as many people as you can.