IBM - An analyst's view

[from FT]: Gambits of Big Blue-sky thinking

Competitor bashing is always fun! :))

http://www.dailytech.com/Canadian+Customers+Sue+Dell+Over+Notebooks/article5701c.htm

http://www.efytimes.com/efytimes/fullnews.asp?edid=16770

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/12/inspiron_defect_lawsuit/

Will finish these later

http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Bhardwaj1.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertrand_Russel

http://www.paulgraham.com/hs.html

Interview Tips

[via S Anand]

Interview tips from Prof. Vijay Kumar.

Although I don't see my self taking any interviews in the medium term, it's good to remember those general skills that any company looks for in an employee.

And I guess once you start working, it's eaqually important to remember why your company chose you, and what it expects from you.

I've noticed that employer expectations are fairly similar across companies -- Indian/ MNC, and irrespective of which fucntion of the company you handle (meaning you could be in sales, or you could be in project management!).

Companies want certain general skills, apart from competency in specific functional areas.

From Anand's post --

During the interview (what does the interviewer want?):

• Brains: logical thinking, primarily
• Creativity
• Hard-work, but one can take that for granted for a person from the IIMs
• Willing to take direction, and yet is a self-starter
• A person who can explore new ideas on their own
• Good interpersonal relationships
• A person who can make casual conversation
• Can suavely deflect objectionable questions
• Well dressed, good posture, etc.

And once you're on the job (although this was written for a consultant's role, I would think that most points apply in other roles as well):

• Quality of assignments
• Followup on assignment
• Client feedback
• Budget overruns (applicable more to PLs and managers)
• Input into thought leadership and knowledge-base
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Future directions for improvement.

Relevant articles from Rediff -- Awesome!!

Like most other things that I stumble across, wish I'd read these articles much earlier!

Have spent almost a year now away from home.

Although my post-graduation course also required me to be away from home for 2 years, it was spent with 240 batchmates in a residential course at a campus that's just got the most awesome facilitites. Those 2 years went by in a jiffy, and I never really got the time to miss home.

But work's different in many ways:

1. Colleauges/ peers are very few in number -- the sales role is only for a select few! :))
2. Colleagues are much older, and 'settled' in life -- most of my colleagues have a lot of work experience.
3. Kerala is NOT known for it's commerce! So naturally, none of my batchmates from b-school, engineering college, or even school work or live in Kochi, Kerala!

So here's the list of articles from Rediif on this topic:

Plagued by loneliness?

From the article (simple things that we always seem to froget!)

1. Strengthen your network

• Make the effort to stay in touch. Write letters, call, send greeting cards to stay in touch with people you care about. If you have access to a computer, browse the Internet, send emails to friends and also try to meet them.
• Find ways to make new friends. New friends can add spice to your life.
• Attend events and social gatherings. Invite people to your home.
• Make a date to share meals with a friend or neighbour who is also alone.
• Share experiences and feelings with your friends. Be a good listener.
• Get a pet. A pet can lessen loneliness. Additionally, it can also help lower your blood pressure, anxiety and depression.
• Take a walk with a neighbour every day.
• Join a health club.
• Stay positive. More importantly, stay away from negative people.

2. Be a volunteer or mentor

3. Be a lifelong learner

Life seems more rewarding when you make learning a lifelong habit. You build new skills. You challenge your mental processes. You understand things and are able to adjust better. Most importantly, you keep growing and evolving. Of course, you also have more things to talk about with others, which makes you a more interesting friend. Here are some ideas:

• Take a meditation, yoga or aerobics class.
• Read books, newspapers and magazines.
• Study a foreign language.
• Learn to play a musical instrument.
• Join a travel group.

As I was reading this article, I couldn't help but nod my head in acceptance every 2 lines.

11 rules for living alone.

How to enjoy the single life.


Others that might prove to be useful! :))

Survival guide: From heartbreak to happiness.

Heal your broken heart.

Brilliant, brave, and under 25!

[via Rediff] A Rhodes Scholar speaks. Liked this article -- lots of take-aways!

77 ways to learn better

[via S Anand] I always find good stuff at Anand's blog!

This is 77 ways to learn better!

Looking for meaning? Listen to what this author has to say: "If someone granted you one wish, what do you imagine you would want out of life that you haven't gotten yet? For many people, it would be self-improvement and knowledge."

Remembering Smita Patil

I would definitely have been Smita Patel's fan .. (if I were watcing movies in the '70s and '80s!)
These takes on her made my day!

[via Rediff]
1. The best of Smita Patil
2. Raw stock, rare appeal: Smita Patil

My new favorite

Like the TCL ad, this is my new favorite!!!

Prison Break

eWeek's IBM repository

eWeek has a list of IBM moves.

Wish I'd read these some time back!!

Not that I'm a father or anything, but I guess this could apply to a kid who's growing up too, and not just for parents.

From rediff.com:
10 tips to groom your son well. A must read! Quick look, if you don't have the time:

• Imbibing confidence
• Being independent
• Accepting responsibility
• Learning to respect women
• Being expressive
• Learning household chores
• Cultivating friendships
• Eating healthy
• Exercising effectively
• Be there for your son

And another: On girls.