April, 2011

Anger Management Work it Out

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Whenever my wife gets angry, she soon works it out and calms down as she goes out shopping. “How does this help?” you may well ask. It’s because she takes my credit card! If this little story makes you chuckle it demonstrates one of the three techniques show business professionals, like me, have learnt over the years to help cope with anger. Summed up it is the “L.T.W.” technique. Laugh it out. Talk it out. Work it out. The entertainment profession, filming, TV, live shows, even football and cricket all place high stress on those taking part. So emotions have an immediate and important impact on performance. This is why tempers often run high.


Our human make-up is usually accepted as being influenced by four main pools of resources generally known as, “emotional”, “intellectual”, “spiritual” and “physical”. Ideally, in a well balanced person, these four resources are in equilibrium, though each person is influenced by their cultural and social backgrounds. Losing our tempers and becoming angry is caused when these resources become stressed. To understand a solution we have to realise that anger occurs when we focus on something so that we begin to exaggerate bad qualities. Within the workplace we may focus on only aspects of our colleagues that are inconvenient or unattractive. We overlook their good points in favour of exploding over their negative aspects. Our anger builds up into what becomes an intrinsically faulty picture. As our core human resources are out of kilter our anger may grow and grow. To help assuage this anger we have to be ready to understand our stress. For example, has there been a domestic issue which has caused emotional stress so we are unable to concentrate on our work?  Have we got tooth-ache which causes us to have physical discomfort which heightens our response to others? The “L.T.W.” technique will help.


Studies into anger in the workplace show that, depending on the organisation, between 20% and sometimes up to 60% of management time and skills are spent dealing with anger issues. Consequently understanding and dealing with anger is important.


Simple pro-active skills which are known, accepted and adapted within a company assist in reducing the negative impacts of anger which include higher staff turnover rates, absenteeism, decreased productivity and stress amongst employees.


“L.T.W.”
Firstly, “Laugh it out”. I know well, from show business, that a light hearted comment at the right moment may relieve and stop anger in its tracks. However humour at the right time is one of the more demanding skills so this is only a technique for the most experienced person to use.


Secondly “Talk it out”. Many know that the best way to relieve stress and anger is “have a cup of tea”. It provides an opportunity to chill and relax. So if anger looms, take a break, have a cuppa and talk it out.


Thirdly, for me, one of the most effective ways is, “Work it out”. By this I mean indulge in some physical activity. This is why social activities, within a company, provide a great way of bonding a team spirit and getting to know your colleagues better. Using your physical human resource also takes the individual strain away from your other three resources of spiritual, emotional which are all shared within a team environment. The article’s illustrative picture conjures up an anger solution. The physical effort the “tug-o-war” team are putting into the game involves enough energy and fun to dispel any anger. Even the losing side will have enjoyed themselves.


A senior management versa a front office “tug-o-war” team challenge, at company fun sports days I have attended, have always been a headline attraction. But to conclude this short look at anger lets finish with a lighter “laugh it out” approach to avoiding anger in the workplace.


When you have an occasional really yucky day at work and feel the urge to take your anger out on someone, don’t take it out on someone you know, make sure you take it out on someone you don’t know !

March, 2011

Projects Skidding

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During the first week of January 2011 the Projects, Oil and Energy Division of Consolidated Shipping Services successfully handled the import – clearance and delivery of 5 transformers each one weighing 100 Tons to Fujairah – RIFFA / MASAFI / GURFA substation sites. The shipment from Hamburg arrived at Jebel Ali port as two separate shipments and CSS was responsible for directly arranging the clearance and delivery including installation of these units onto the plinths. Since this was a delicate process a survey was conducted by CSS prior to the shipment arrival to assess the site conditions. The access roads were not favoring transport of such heavy pieces due to the mountainous nature at the site locations. The access roads to the sites were transformed to ensure safe transport of the over dimensional heavy transformers. The shipments were transported on Multi Axle Hydraulic trailers to the respective site and to install onto the final foundation by means of jacking & skidding method. In order to ensure this was carried out smoothly a detailed method statement was submitted for the client’s approval including suggestions to make the site conditions favorable for such a transport. CSS staff were coordinating closely with the client at every point of the projects cycle in order to ensure site access roads and facilities were done properly while closely coordinating with the vessel agents, heavylift operator and customer to ensure smooth operation. All the transformers were delivered & installed on site as per schedule while ensuring maximum client satisfaction.

November, 2010

A day in a life or a life in a day

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Cock a doodle doo – no sorry, we live in Mumbai and the wake up call is the milkman or the newspaper vendor – with a “ting tong” bell at 6 am and there goes our sleep out of the window and enter the saga that is about to begin. Depending on your age and disease – you start the day – with the most ancient to the most modern form of exercises. Ya ok I know you are a rich man so please do not show off by telling you have a heart disease and that you do not eat sweets after your meals because you made a few millions in the last few years and developed blood sugar in the bargain. And if you are still healthy and have nothing of the above, I am sorry I do not speak to paupers – move on …

Like all good men, you hopefully bathe after your exercise and are ready to take the next step forward. For a moment you feel like you are watching Boss’s day out on NDTV, covering your days schedule but its ok please relax – we will crack jokes later. Some do and some do not – eat breakfast – but all are for sure in a morning rush – the battle to reach office has begun – the cars are out , the buses are packed , the trains overflowing and autos and taxis on full throttle

Time starts –^*( *%^%S***^&%(^&*&**^^#@$*&F^^^^*())MC8776%&( %$^&* – about 2 hours – Time ends – office arrived. Look at the mirror – ouch – who is it? Touch myself – it’s me – thank god!

Welcome to Windows XP – welcome to desktop (oh the exciting picture of the sultry actress) – start Microsoft outlook – send receive – downloading 1 of 176 – “tapak tapak” – issue 1 in inbox – tapak tapak – issue 2 in inbox – tapak tapak tapak – download completes – 37 issues in inbox – 18 spam emails making my nights longer – 111 emails (one ex cricket umpire can be seen jumping) which make some sense and rest can be ignored coz they are from your boss – like the diaper – full of shit and always on your ass.

Time starts – @$%66F**%%&*(BC%^^%^**(S**^%())*&$#@^&* – 8 – 9 – 10 hours – Time ends – pack up – no option – no energy – no reasoning – just take me back – start travel back home – F$^*&^&*()*^&$S^&(*&*(*)(0MCBC %&^*(&(*)*_)* – 2 hours -  reached home.

Parents, wife, children, chores – sleep. And then the dream – that you and me all had – the Alice in wonderland world – the oxygen in the air, the colour of the flowers, the scent of the grass , the touch of the cool wind, the sight of the rainbow, the echoing sound of the waterfall, the flow of energy in your spine – the high of life.

Good night, sweet dreams -
you have a few hours remaining before it is again 6!

November, 2010

The World Is Thinking… Go Green

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The cell phone charger that stays plugged in, the DVD player that waits for the occasional playing, the TV that sits on standby all night and the laptop which pretends to sleep … Are these the simple things that need a little attention in your daily life?

According to ‘Chaos Theory’ the flap of a butterfly’s wings here can create a tornado half way across the world…So let us make it a commitment that we do our part.

Now poking into a broader concept: ‘Green Logistics’ ensures a natural way of doing profitable business. Corporate Social Responsibility has gained crucial significance in the business world during these years. Environmental aspects have gained importance as the global companies are now well aware of ‘greening’ their business. Greening in business will add to measurable financial business benefits like reduced cost due to lower energy consumption, green alliances and support from governments by giving rebates and subsidies.

According to recent research by Aberdeen Group more than 50% of companies indicate ‘reducing overall business cost’ as one of the main drivers in pursuing ‘green’ initiatives. The cost and environmental impact of the supply chain can be attributed to two basic areas: Warehousing and Transportation and the latter one in terms of carbon foot-print (a measure of the impact of our activities on environment) accounts for two thirds of supply chain’s overall energy consumption. The conceptual design of the warehouse has to be done with a clear understanding of the interconnections between the transportation and the warehouse. As always, warehouses are busy places where goods are constantly on move, both inbound and outbound. Businesses always focus on maximizing the returns of each dollar spent by focusing on reducing costs whilst increasing the Corporate Social Responsibility efforts. The three ‘R’s of reducing costs which is inline with the environmental focus are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

In warehousing there are many areas which needs attention where businesses can ‘R’educe consumption whether it is consumption of energy or resources. Packaging is a major attribute of warehousing. By reducing the packaging and also by the use of advance packing materials the weight can be reduced and also it increases efficiency. By reducing the weight we not only save shipping costs but also save energy for the movement of packed materials inside the warehouse. Biodegradable packaging is another advanced method to make sure that customers are not liable for disposing environmentally harmful packing.

‘R’eusing packaging is a traditional method which is followed in most warehouses globally. Pallets, cartons and boxes are examined and reused if appropriate. For certain products the packaging is expensive and each time the manufacturer will lose it once goods are sold out. Increasing the quality can increase the life of the packaging whereby the manufacturers can reuse and reduce the amount spent on packing material.The recent financial turmoil had opened the eyes of many businesses where we are forced to reduce the costs. This created more importance in ‘R’ecycle of many materials in warehouses.

However, despite the investment a company makes in order to improve its Corporate Social Responsibility, the employees need to change their work habits and follow new procedures that combined will help the environment and in turn help the company’s bottom line.

November, 2010

Where is the CHICKEN?

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Mention “ethics” to most of your friends and their eyes will either curl up to the ceiling or they will look at you with expectant interest. This is because we view this subject as either very easy or something which is far too difficult.  The truth is tantalisingly somewhere in between these extremes. It is also true to say that when you and your company act under a strict code of ethics your customers soon begin to realise this.

It was in 2002 that a newspaper article entitled “Corporate ethics is simple” suggested “the smell test” – “If something smells bad then don’t do it!” Equally you could say that if you don’t want your mother to know what you are really doing then, “Don’t do it!” The implication of these statements seems to confirm that it is easy to be ethical but this ignores the complexity surrounding ethical decision making.

I am reminded of the story of the patient saying to his doctor, “Doctor, I’ve become a compulsive thief.” The doctor prescribes him a course of tablets and says, “If you’re not cured in a couple of weeks would you get me a 42 inch plasma screen television?” This story provides a humorous example of options which need to be considered when deciding ones actions and how ethical deliberations may influence them. For example, in this case, if we cannot change something do we just accept the outcome regardless of the ethical considerations? It underscores the fact that following ethical principles is not a straight forward commitment.  Actions need to be evaluated on their merits, in line with your company’s rigorous ethical code. This has particular relevance when it comes to marketing.

Practicing ethics in marketing means deliberately applying standards of fairness, moral rights and wrongs to decision making. These standards will depend on acknowledged behavior and practice within an organisation. Marketing is, for many, the first point of contact with your customer. They soon see, almost feeling subconsciously, the contrast when they get a sense that your company isn’t trying to convince them to do something which is not in their best interests. This realisation by your customer generates long-term loyalty. You may deduce, from this article that I am all for strict ethical codes both in business and life in general. Adopting ethical principles, apart from making corporate and staff life more enjoyable, cements an all important enduring relationship where “my word is my bond”. An over ambitious salesman, who forgets his ethical principles to achieve an order, may like to ponder on this story. A butcher who had had good day happily weighed his last chicken on a scale for a customer. “That will be $10. 50 cents,” he told her. “Oh that’s fine, but it is a little too small”, said the little old lady, “Have you anything a little larger?” The butcher thinking he was being clever returned the chicken to the fridge, waited a moment, hiding his actions from the customer, and then took out the same one again. He then weighed it and said, “This one will be $12”.

The little old lady paused to think and then made her decision…”I know what”, she said, “I’ll take them both!”

Whilst the study and debate about business ethics still cause in some the “curled-eye” response, a proactive approach assists everyone in achieving their goals.  When ethical conduct is managed and encouraged by management and team leaders, a company’s ethical culture, becomes an inherent part of sustaining success. This ensures you are never caught out when your customer equivalent of the little old lady says, “I’ll take them both!”

September, 2010

So Where Do We Go From Here

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When it comes to employment has our world become testing crazy? What with psychometric, personality, aptitude, verbal, spatial, emotional, mechanical, numerical and reasoning assessment tests, it certainly feels like it!  Maybe you might first look at the picture, think about it, and then see if you wished you had thought something different by time you have finished reading this article.

The value of testing, at job interviews and within human resource structures, is sometimes brought into question. This is especially so when one considers the offers of training available on the Internet to help “pass” these methods of evaluation. Surely if it is possible to train and get help then the whole raison d’être of testing is undermined? The one word which encompasses many of the tests is “psychometric” as the theories associated with this have been applied in the measurement of personality, attitudes, academic achievements and beliefs.

The use of such tests has become ubiquitous since they were first mooted in the late 1880’s to such an extent that their reliability and validity must be expertly evaluated. It is true to say that the use of psychometric testing, as part of recruitment procedures and staff assessments, is widespread. You may well ask, “Is it a waste of time training to pass such tests?” My reply would be a categorical, “Yes, it is a waste of time!” The whole idea is to find a position which mutually suits you and your employer. It is of little benefit to anyone if you end up in a job you cannot do well especially as it will probably mean you will be unhappy.

The easiest and best way to approach any of these tests is to be yourself. Relax and enjoy them. There actually isn’t any pass or fail as it is simply an assessment of your overall skills. Someone who is good at time management may not be as good at problem resolving. Equally someone who excels in decision making may not be so good at presentation.

A successful company needs personnel that, as a team, are able to provide all the necessary skills. It would take a miracle to find these all in one person. We all shine at something and it is the psychometric tests which will help identify this. It is useful for you to undertake your own psychometric appraisal in order for you to know and understand yourself better. Why leave it for others to find out? Knowing yourself puts you ahead of the rest. Some of my friends are now developing picture/visuals as a means of determining skills and motivation. If you have looked at the picture with this article and thought about it, what caught your eye first, second, third and do your subsequent thoughts give a clue to your profile skills? Did you look at the young girl on the right first (the groom)? Did you look at the driver on the left? Did you look at the ponies and then realise that the one on the right was a mule? Did you wonder where the picture was taken? Did you wonder about the sport?

No doubt you will appreciate that over a selection of pictures the order in which you perceive and question things will start to give an overall picture of what motivates you.  Some people are able to develop a skill of “animal instinct” assessment and amongst the best of these are many school teachers. They may quickly determine a pupil’s prospects.
The headmaster at Richard Branson’s school is attributed as saying that Branson would either end up as a successful business man or in jail. It didn’t take any psychometric test to be proved right on both counts.  However when testing is waived before you, as the be all and end all, you should always keep this thought uppermost: – “Winners are always doing something different to everyone else – it is this difference which makes them winners”. So where do we go from here, as it is doubtful if any amount of testing will pinpoint this winning difference?

Dave Eager