As we cross this milestone our success may be attributed to our determination to identify and respond to the changing needs of our industry. As we have grown we have been humble enough to learn from our experiences so we may serve our associates and partners better. We are able to look back and gain strength – strength which will enable us to navigate any unseen stronger currents ahead. Shipping continues to be our passion. Our values of respect, honour and commitment remain steadfast. These values which have played a major role in our success will stay with us as they are at the heart of C.S.S.

Looking to the future I wish to thank all our associates and partners, on behalf of CSS Group. You may be assured that we, just as we have been in the past 15 years, are there for you now and in the future.

Congratulations to everyone at CSS on our 15th anniversary

Well this all sounds easy doesn’t it? All you have to do is think positive and display a good happy confident mental attitude and all will be for the better. Well as the doctor may say, “There is good news and there is bad news. Which one do you want first?” I always tend to like the bad news first and then I have something better to look forward to. What does this say about me, or you for this matter, if you think the same way? Well for starters we are looking out for the good news as the end point. Research conducted over the last ten years points to placebo effects being related to the meaningful way any treatment is presented. In most cases this is also influenced by our cultural heritage both religious and social. So if some of us want the bad news first the chances are we have had similar cultural influences. So the bad news: 50% believe that the placebo effect is not worth anything. The good news: the other 50% think it is worth a lot!

I know from my own professional show business experiences that even when one is feeling ill, there is nothing like the “roar of the crowd and the smell of the grease paint” to suddenly banish all ills and enable an actor to give a stunning performance. This represents a really forceful placebo effect as the audience are not providing anything which may be regarded as medicinal in terms of antibiotics. However emotional stimulation hits a performing in buckets full.

A week, after the catastrophic Haitian earthquake, I visited the neighbouring Dominican Republic. For me this brought home the effects of collective positive thinking. The Dominican Republic were the first to respond with rescue and aid relief but their deeply rooted Roman Catholic beliefs enabled them to come together and gain positive “vibes” as they continued to assist their grief stricken neighbours. I attended a real heart-warming event organised through Jose Ricardo Taveras – the FNP Member of Parliament for their second city – Santiago. Here the youngsters dressed up as cultural heritage “Lechones” (piglets), bringing hope and joy to all they touched. With their traditional colourful costumes, stylist horns, noses and somewhat crazy dancing none of us could resist having our spirits lifted.

In a similar way doctors and medicine have meaningful ways of presentation which affects the outcome of treatment. Even at the outset, white coats and stethoscopes hanging out of pockets are only a costume which influences the way patients feel. So remember when someone next mentions “the placebo effect” it is really the power of a patient’s beliefs and expectations that will produce a healthy improvement. If you accept that “the placebo effect” just happens then that mega blockbuster movie may well be produced. But if you are able to recognise the part your own emotions and personality play then you will have opened the door to a powerful tool. It will be true to say that this really will help enhance your own self-esteem and allow you to develop your potential.

Dave Eager

My parents, teachers, family and friends together inculcated some values in my growing process which set me on a platform like never before. I knew then, how to grow – myself.
The day had arrived when I set out to make a career

The logistics industry, here in Mumbai and the world as a whole, welcomed me with open arms. I closely observed how they worked and behaved. It was strange but I still liked it. They had begun nurturing me to be one with them.

Each day, they told me:

Forget your primary, secondary and tertiary education
That life and death have a deep relation
Forget that two and two is four.
That a little less is a little more
Forget that price of purchase is less than sale
That honesty is not as good as telling a false tale

I remembered all my past years
The years when the entire education I received
Was but a gift of cheat and deceit
I cursed my teachers and parents alike
For telling me that a bike is a bike

So here I am today
Me a part of you and you a part of me
All the honing you gave
For that I bow to Thee
Oh world of logistics, salutations to you
Gimmicks are what I now know and A Gimmick is all I can be!

So then now tell me, how to kill an industry?

Rahat Talreja, CSS Mumbai

A POWERFUL TOOL
Communication is an excellent topic to discuss, anytime and anywhere. I believe we need to have self analysis on this topic so we may adopt new technologies which can bring results more beneficial to our careers.

I enjoyed my life at the journalism school where I studied after my graduation. There have been many instances in my later years which evoked memories of my student days. One such instance reminded me of a dissertation I had to prepare, for the end of the first semester, which was about Persuasive Communication.

For those who have read the Hindu mythological text of “Mahabharata”, understanding the concept of persuasive communication is no big deal. Here the communication technique adopted by Lord Krishna, to convince the Valiant hero Arjuna, to take up arms against his relatives who were fighting the opposition can be considered as the most effective example of persuasive communication.

Regardless of your industry or profession, the chances are you regularly have to persuade others to adapt to your ideas whether in sales or service. Persuasion does not involve anything unethical. It merely involves psychological techniques to make others understand, what you have already understood.
Every successful talk requires the support of two factors, the right time and ambience. These are the two factors which need to be taken care of before you start your persuasive discussion.

Maximum information needs to be gathered from the face of the listener, before jumping in with your ideas and suggestions. You must give time for him or her to speak out their mind first. A good listener gather momentum for introducing his suggestions.

Make sure that you are taking the listener in the right direction. You need to be focused with your views. Talk about the subject directly and precisely.

Examples and Stories are an extremely effective way to persuade. You may tell the listener about a similar incident which happened and its result. This technique can easily bring the listener round to your perspective. Give space for the listener’s imagination to grow and get his suggestions at regular intervals during the talk.

You may stress your points with third party comments. But it has to be truthful in all respects. A quote may strengthen your point and avoid a negative decision, since most of us believe that things can go correctly for us, if it went well with others. This is why advertisements are usually so effective.
At this historic juncture, where we all stand, with a significant achievement of reaching 15 years of excellent service in shipping and logistics, we all need to be willing to adopt new technologies and winning strategies.

Unnikrishnan G.
Head - Corporate Communications, CSS Group

AMHA started in the year 1997 in Thrissur, Kerala, India. It was established for a humanitarian cause to create social awareness and raise funds for the less fortunate. With its sincere endeavors to raise funds and create a better living environment for its people, AMHA had organized a charitable cultural show called “SNEHAM” which means “LOVE” in support and appreciation of the mentally handicapped adults. The event was held on 15th January, 2010 at Sheikh Rashid Auditorium, The Indian High School, Dubai, UAE. The show was filled with cultural activities ranging from classical dance to musical instruments and singing. The stars who performed included Bala Bhaskar, Sree Ram, Bala Murali, Swarna Malya, Roshni Suresh & Vinod Kumar. As expected it was an overwhelming and a warm gathering with a record crowd of over 2000 attendees. CSS Marketing Manager, Amith Surya Horra received a warm welcome at the stage where he highlighted the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility for Consolidated Shipping Group.

CSS Group is honored to be a part of this auspicious occasion and wishes AMHA and all its participants’ success in all its future endeavors.