July, 2010

Taking An Excellent Risk

Do you excel or do you achieve? Maybe you believe you do both? One thing is for certain if you focus on achieving you may well overlook the rewards of taking the risk to excel? It sounds easy to say, “I have succeeded so I must have done well?” However to be competitive and stand head and shoulders above others you need to excel. Within many organizations, because of worries about job security, many focus on achievements. A rigid ambition to do achieve nearly always leads to dissatisfaction because of the implied necessity that “In order for me to succeed I have to….” This is why focusing on achievements invariable fails to bring a feeling of success as we always succumb to pressure to achieve more.

In the ordinary “run of the mill” achievements are good for Mr. and Mrs. Average but it is those who rise above the average who excel. Excelling is all about surpassing, exceeding, transcending, outdoing and outstripping whatever others may do. On the face if it this may sound like a recipe for failure. Surely we cannot do all those things when in competition with others?  Wrong, because when it comes to excelling you are not in competition with others, you are in competition with your own inner self. Some forms of excellence are obvious, like when an athlete breaks a world record.  What matters more importantly to the athlete is not what others think, but what he thinks. Had he run his best? Did he believe he had excelled? If he doesn’t believe then winning the race has only become a simple achievement and the satisfaction will not be the same. Excellence brings a feeling of satisfaction which is emotionally rewarding. The thrill of achieving excellence is lasting whereas the simple act of achieving is only brief.

You may think that you cannot be both an achiever and also someone who pursues excellence.  But both these attributes run as equal partners. If you put aside achievements as your focus and become a pursuer of excellence, you will find that you will invariably become more successful because you are not strangled by a fear of failure. You will be able to enjoy yourself as you pursue different goals and risks which will increase your chance of success. “Whoa?” I hear you say, “Risks, I do not want to take risks.”

Imagine when you first drove a car, how you approached traffic lights, curves, junctions and observed speed limits carefully. Now, with experience, you take calculated risks. Risks which you are sure will help you on your journey and not reduce yours or others safety. Experience taught you how to calculate the risks involved. It is this type of experience one brings to pursuing goals to achieve excellence. Achieving excellence has a unique emotional adrenalin rush which is long-lasting. Excellence in achievements, over a period, of time brings rewards. My friend of many years is Alistair Burt. He has been a conscientious and dedicated constituency UK Member of Parliament. I believe he has not only worked hard to achieve things, in this role, but he has also excelled at enjoying being a Member of Parliament. His achievements were of much greater value because he excelled. His excellence has now been recognized. He was appointed, on 14th May this year, as the UK Parliamentary under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The same applies equally within C.S.S. What makes your company the driving, forward looking and dynamic company it is today is not only demonstrated by looking at its list of achievements, since its inception 15 years back, but at its record of excellence over the years.So if your mindset is focused on achievements, please step back, re-focus and think about achieving excellence. Be bold and take an excellent risk, it will be worth it.

July, 2010

Lots of Money dot com

Lots of Money dot com

Rahat Talreja

Dy. GM - CSS Mumbai

This is not an article on IT. Nor is it an article on Money. Writing like this is a habit. Habits – which you and me, both have.

They say people live longer these days, a phenomenon undoubtedly made necessary by the 30 year mortgage they have taken on. It’s in the clauses of the agreement. This mortgage could be for anything ranging from their house to wedding to car to business to vacation to shoes or ahem – for another mortgage!

The man who saw tomorrow – does not exist today. So the glorified sayings like we live only once, live life to the fullest, do it now, why wait for tomorrow are the norm these days. People have shelved the postponement of gratification. All the action must happen today. Coffee is instant and 1000 miles is not too distant.

Paul Heyne says that this gap in our economy is between what we have and what we think we ought to have – and that is a moral problem, not an economic one. This behavior reflects all over the world economy and it discounts future values of businesses into today’s euphoria.
And it leaves simple businessmen and workers stressed and thoroughly confused in the bargain. A salesman on the road is not too sure how he could deliver the 27% growth target his management sets him up every year. Each thing takes its time, after all, even today, the Earth takes 365 days to circumvent the Sun. But the moral obligation stressed by the saying “The show must go on” compels one to continue this thinking – no matter what the end result on him. And therefore this becomes one of our “ Habits” of pushing oneself to the limit, up the wall.

Economists will vouch that this habit has tremendously positive economic repercussions. Sectors like insurance grow because people are always in fear and not too sure what’s happening next , healthcare grow because this anxiety introduces them to designer diseases of today , apparel and lifestyle sector grows because you still want to show that everything is perfect and okay with you. In the bargain there is a lot of movement of goods and services and therefore our dear logistics sector feels the warmth of the whole growth story. There also crops a new breed of middlemen called venture capitalists and investment bankers (don’t worry they too have only 2 hands and 2 feet) who then play your excitement to a level where you start seeing tomorrow, get nostradamical about the business and make beautiful looking balance sheets full of hope and rosy corners – whatever happened to doomsday predictions! And therefore your value is unlocked – it’s like honoring a 5 year old child with a lifetime achievement award.

This is how it is – black and white – never mind the green with envy color of money that it is for. Now the question we need to ask ourselves is how far our habit will take us. If it is a brighter tomorrow, please let me know and I’d like to learn and if it is a dim light at the end of the tunnel, please let me know and I’d like to shun.

So with the fate of this greenbuck in your hands, a small tribute to it at this juncture:

Lots of Money dot com
That we all love you is no exception, it is the norm
You are not just paper, much more than a mere form
We wish the ones who curse you, must soon be members of the dorm
Dedication in our mind and commitment in our soul
Serving you forever is our lives ultimate goal
I want to marry you and want you to stay with me for life
Tell my dear parents that money is today’s best wife
Hell with the priests who speak of your vices
What is life without the spices
Here for you
A million poetries
A billion songs
Come to me – oh lots of money dot com
In your arms I feel so warm!

July, 2010

CSS GROUP PORTAL

Online tracking option which is very important comes under the e-services of CSS portal. Online Tracking enables clients to track their sea, air and land transport shipments online. To track a shipment the only necessary data is the HBL or HAWB number.The result will be based on the shipment type, if it is a transshipment then both the import shipment details as well as the export shipment details will be shown on the screen, otherwise the particular movement type details are shown. Listed here is a snapshot of a transshipment job.

July, 2010

CSS India Budget Meet 2010

Devas farm house, Thrikkunnappuzha, hosted once again the Budget Meeting for CSS India during the month of May. Managers  from all over the country participated and presented their budget figures, achievements and forecasts for the next financial year, which was attended by the  Senior Management,  The Group Chairman, T. S. Kaladharan and the Directors, Jairam K. R. and Arup Ray. The meeting analysed the achievements and short falls in detail and discussed about strategizing new programmes for the future.

The onset of monsoon in Kerala was welcoming and this was perfectly enjoyed by the participants who attended the meeting. To add charm to the overall ambience, Chef Vijayan’ and his team at Devas created some exquisite dishes for the lunches and dinners there. Delegates got the rare opportunity to enjoy a ride in the Bay liner, speed boat along the back waters of Thrikkunnapppuzha where they enjoyed the scenic view of the Chinese fishing nets.

The meeting was attended by Rampal Tandon, (Vice President), Prabhakar Maniyan (Vice President), Rahat Talreja (Dy. General Manager) from Mumbai, Rajesh Arora (Asst. General Manager) from Delhi, Eugene (Branch Manager) from Chennai, Sunil (Branch Manager) from Tirupur, Kiran (Branch In-charge) from Tuticorin, Sandeep Anthur (Branch Manager) from Bangalore and Latha (Branch In-charge), Jinu (Head Corporate Accounts) from Cochin attended the meeting.
Anantha Krishnan (Auditor) and Unnikrishnan G, (Head- Corporate Communications - CSS Group) also attended the two day Conference.

Devas Snake Boat ready to race

After an impressive victory at the last year’s Nehru Trophy boat race, in the Thekkan Odi category, Devas is gearing up for the launch of their new Chundan Vallam (The majestic Snake Boat) on the 19th of July 2010. Devas Snake Boat will participate in all the major boat races, including the Nehru Trophy this season. Devas Chundan is on its last touch ups and finishing works at Thrikkunnappuzha, its home town.
A 40 meter long Devas can carry up to 111 oars men including the routers and the cheerleaders. The most awaited function of the launching ceremony is a traditional ritual among the snake boat lovers and the local community. People who have offered a helping hand during the process of the boat making will be present with enthused mind and elevated spirits.
The Snake Boat will touch the water; rather float for the first time this day. After the inauguration, the Snake Boat will be taken to a nearby temple where offerings will be done to the local deity. Umamaheshwaran, the master crafts man and his team of more than 25 skilled workers took roughly 250 days to complete
“Devas Chundan Vallam”.

Breakbulk announcement

CSS Group will be showcasing its products and services offered at the 21st Breakbulk Americas Transportation Conference & Exhibition to be held in Houston, Texas from October 12th until October 14th, 2010 at the George R Brown Convention Center. The conference includes an agenda in which industry leaders will review emerging markets as well as logistical challenges for breakbulk and heavy-lift shippers and their transportation and supply chain providers.

Visit CSS at booth # 120
For further information, please visit: http://www.joc.com/conferences

Change in Delivery Order Counter timings

CSS Head office announces the revised timings of its Delivery Order Counter for your reference and convenience.
The new timings are :

Sunday to Thursday :
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturday :
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

May, 2010

CSS SHAKE HANDS WITH PETERS & MAY

CSS enters into a strategic alliance with Peters& May, the global yatch transporting company, providing total logistics support for the latter in the Middle East region. Consolidated Shipping Services’ strategic positioning in the Jebel Ali Freezone and the advantage of Global presence, kindles a smooth completion for all project activities, both companies undertake.

“It has always been our goal to select partners that are well-placed and capable of meeting the requirements of our worldwide customers. We recognize Consolidated Shipping Services proven ability to deliver service to the highest caliber because of its set-up of offices in key locations, strong contacts and access to local officials and customs clearance for quick and efficient support. Due to the increased volume of business being carried out by our local Dubai office, we have found it necessary to appoint an agent with an existing network of offices in the region, which will support the growth that we are anticipating in the region,” said Gerald Price, Managing Director of Peters & May about the partnership.


T S Kaladharan, Chairman, Consolidated Shipping Services states, “With the growth in the number of waterfront developments being completed in the UAE we too recognized the need to partner with a firm that has received global recognition in boat transportation. In addition, we both share the same unmatched professionalism that has made us recognized leaders in our specialized fields.”


Peters & May has over 30 years experience in the provision of marine logistics and offers global boat transportation and freight forwarding via air, road, rail and sea from a global boat transportation and freight forwarding via air, road, rail, and sea from a global network of offices and exclusive agencies. The company ships 8000 vessels through more than 150 ports in over 60 countries and is the preferred shipper for many of the world’s leading boat builders, including Correct Craft Inc, Gulf Craft, Princess Yachts, Sunseeker and Viking Yacht Company.