eMail ethics.

On the books that I read on email ethics, I found only very abstract level of recommendations on how to address email ethics and suggest some rules which might encourage a socially responsible e-mail culture. Few recommendations will be like

1. Remember the Human
2. Respect other people's time and bandwidth
3. Know where you are in cyberspace
4. ...

I have started using emails without knowing what is ethical, but never got into any trouble. The corporate world taught me few lessons that text books forgot.

1. Know your People - Be aware of whom the email should be addressed. (ie To & CC).

2. Know your Language - The Subject & Body of the email should be brief, clear and more importantly, convey the same message.

3. Know your Action - Should I 'Reply' or 'Reply to All'?

4. Know your Priority - Should never raise a false alarm.

5. Know your Grammar - I think I don't need to explain.

6. Know your Limits - Learn when to respond and understand the hierarchy of escalation.

Email ethics with the above points will make one a more effectively communicator.

Family Shopping

Come weekend, come shopping!!!

On Sunday, I went to 'Reliance Fresh' for buying some groceries and vegetables. I was surprised to saw the crowd there. Not just restaurants, shopping malls will be crowded on weekend, but also markets, provisioning stores (thatz how I see Reliance Fresh)!!!

We expect a relatively more crowd on weekends, but didn't expect that difference. I felt tough to move around. It took few mins of struggle to understand the reason for the huge turnaround. Few of them were doing "Family Shopping".

It is good to go out with family on a weekend. That gives you a mental relief and keeps the family together. Is place like 'Reliance Fresh' makes a right choice?

I prefer place like beaches, amusement parks and restaurants for a family outing, where you tend to spend more time talking to your family members. Even theatres are not in my list as you send most of the time watching movies.

How can I react?

If you find nothing wrong in my question in the heading, you might need to have a re look.

The definition of 'React' is basically an action or an outburst either emotional or physical response to a given situation. 'Respond' is an action taken after analysis the situation. So, one can't plan/prepare to 'React'.

Instead of solving the problem, 'reacting' would intensify the problem density. Not just in professional life but also in personal life, one should know how to respond to crisis.

It is a fight between your mind and head. Your head has to win to 'Respond'. In reality, mind wins most of the time. It is easy to say, but hard to practice.

Whatever be the scenario, when an auto-driver drives in your way suddenly; when your project managers gives hard time to you; your team member not working on your assignments; when your wife reacting a way you are uncomfortable with...., you should master the art of responding.

Brain Teaser - 1

I read this interesting brain teaser in yesterday's new paper.

1) It is a 5 letter English word.
2) Sounds the same after removing the first and last letter.
3) Sounds the same after removing the 3rd letter.

What is that word?

Ans : Empty

A chase against god

Today, all the chennaites would be feeling relaxed. The heat and humidity was soaring us for more than a month now. We were fighting to keep our body cool using different techniques.

A much deserved break from all these struggles, as there was a light shower and the climate is more cloudy today.

When I was driving to office, the air was getting cooler and more humid. I felt the sweat 'Manvasanai' (the smell of the sand that signals the rain). I felt that it is going to start raining in another 10 mins. Once I saw the cloud moving towards me, I started driving fast, as fast as 70 km/hour on the mount road (i knew you wont believe this!!) to reach the office before the rain drenches me.

It was a race between the rain god and me. Eventually I won.