The Web Design Gang at TI

On the 6th of September 2007, the relative calm and serenity at Team Inertia Technologies (TI) Web Studio was shattered by besieging Radio Indigo Personnel. Claiming we were their  chosen “Office Of The Week”, and as such, that we were entitled to Big Breakfast at their expense – they then left – only to return with a lavish feast of sandwiches, patties and  of course, coffee, all courtesy Cremeux, Panjim’s most-loved patisserie (Chef Vincent, You Da Man!)!

So much food, so little time! But being the supreme professionals that we are, we soon regrouped our composure and like any IT process here at TI ensured that the food got the  attention it deserved and more! Howzzat for Delivering Outrageous Value!!

While conversation flowed, eased no doubt, by the copious amounts of coffee, that life-blood of the IT industry, being dished out we soon realized that these Radio Indigo guys  weren’t too bad. In fact, anybody who introduces themselves with food can’t be all that bad, can they? A little funny, more than a little crazy perhaps, but definitely not ALL 
that bad… With breakfast winding down, we soon heard the RJ of the Hour, Jolene announcing all over the airwaves to all and sundry, that Team Inertia Technologies IS “The Office  of the Week”!

Now don’t get us wrong, we completely agree with their conclusions, in fact we wouldn’t have blinked if they had to declare us “The Office of The Year” (only extreme modesty  prevents us from claiming any further…). Jolene does her usual song n question routine and while Vernon rallies back with some intellectually stimulating answers, Shaan and  Sujjo nod their heads very soberly in agreement (off the air, of course), and the rest of us take full advantage of the fact that there are now 3 people less at the food…

So after the initial shock of the sudden announcement, the miraculous appearance of food (isn’t there a line in the Good Book extolling those who “feed the hungry” ???), the 45 
seconds of fame and all that, all that’s left is for Mark & Sherwin to click a couple of group photographs and bid a teary-eyed goodbye to us as they make they way back to their HQ  and do whatever it is they do back there.

All in all it was a win-win situation for both parties, Team Inertia and Radio Indigo. They got to meet us and know first-hand what an amazing group of individuals we are, blessed  with talents of no mediocre caliber not that we’d EVER boast about it of course, (being so humble and all remember?) thereby enriching their own lives, because “greatness, no  matter how brief, changes a person” – Gene Hackman (The Replacements). What about us, you ask, how did we benefit? well, we got fed didn’t we?

But seriously, an awesome day, begun in so fine a manner and shared with awesome individuals, with some SERIOUSLY awesome food, what else can a “humble” man ask for?

Are you frustrated with the quarreling, turf wars, and endless delays in decision making in your workplace?

Are you a manager or team leader—executive, manager, front line supervisor, technical manager, or project manager, etc. — who realizes that excellence is a journey, not a destination, but are:

Going to work really shouldn’t be a pain in the rear. An enjoyable and productive workplace is one where people communicate effectively, cooperate in achieving common goals, and commit to doing what’s necessary to get results. People enjoy working where they are challenged to use and improve their skills, and where they are recognized and rewarded for doing good work. It seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it?

So why do organizations struggle with creating and achieving excellence in their workplace?

Because most organizations are so caught up in the daily grind that they overlook their opportunities to transform their workplaces into centers of excellence. They get caught up in getting through the crisis of the day instead of addressing the real causes of their problems or preventing problems in the future. Although they have good intentions, they don’t know how to put out the fires and get their people to work together more productively.

Consequently, people get frustrated. Instead of working together as a team, they promote their own agendas, protect their own turf, and resist change. In some cases, cynicism sets in and drags the rest of the organization down.

Promoting excellence in your workplace starts with transforming your mindset and the mindset of your people.

To achieve and maintain excellence, you must change how you think about your work processes, your people, and the results you want to achieve. You must transform your workplace on three levels: personal, interpersonal, and systemic. You must change how people think about themselves, how they interact with each other, and how your work systems support or impede the achievement of excellence.

YIPEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

The Sun\’s finally back after 4 continuos days of rain!!! and its back in its full splendour!!! Like they say, things are not gonna stay gloomy all the time, there will always be light at the end of the gloom!!! Indeed its like a joyous beginning to the weekend, Yup, psyching myself to enjoy the weekend!!! Ive gotta wash my car though!!!! Last washed on Sept 11 9:30am, Got Dirty by Sept 11 10:45am. So I was in no mood to wash it all over again, Been driving a lil bit fast in the last few times, Either have grown in confidence, or the warranty time is over!!!!!

Ani kitem khobor, Well Goa\’s only IT Peripherals Exhibition ECAP 2005 got underway yesterday, its really sickening to know that the IT Sector leaders can\’t build a platform for entreprenuers like us, to showcase our skills, we are still stuck up with the Hardware than actually the stuff that run it. Ok, Guys dont interpret that in a double meaning!!!! My mind\’s not yet working overtime!!!

Nimannem Kodem, Well to conclude, our tryst with the Government Departments continue, just gave a small demo to one of the higher ups in the Govt, and got the response i expected, he\’d throw the idea out, as he would not have people to man it. Its really pathetic to enter these department, At one side, we say we are progressing, by getting IFFI, Biotech Park, SEZ into Goa, but if you still have freaking load of files n paperwork and freaking govt attitude, i dont see anything great happening. After seeing some governence in the last 3-4 years with Parrikar around, it really sucks to see the Congress as the helm of affairs, Like pointed out by the State BJP President, the only thing the govt has doen in the last 100 days, is reverse whatever good work the BJP has managed in the last few years, Some of the major achievements of the Rane Sarkar include a major Garbage problem with no solution, just more garbage about a solution and of course DENGUE, thanks to the overall stench of the garbage and the state of affairs in Goa.

Well, Susegad Goenkars will never awaken, they\’d rather crib and gossip about it (JUST LIKE HERE!!!) than get up and take a stand!!! Wot to do, if you ever raise your voice, you are condemn, if you dont, you are condemned!!!

Happy Weekend Mates!!!!

Good Day to You

Well Its been raining n raining for the last 3 days now, and its kinda getting to me. Been stuck indoors for most of the time and its putting all my outdoor work for a toss. Well have to show more patience, as one of my friends said, it can never stay dull in Goa…..

Well had a lousy day yesterday, and i could not find a reason why. Had to do a little screaming n begging with the Guy upstairs to gimme some rest and solace. Found an apt verse of the day for today

“ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ”- Romans 5:3-4

Story of my life, i would say……

Well gotta go.

Adeus

Hello Brethren

Greetings from not so Sunny Goa, Well its been raining in spats every now and then, the retreating rains are getting a lil annoying now. Lucky for me, most of the time im in front of this PC doing my work. Had a hectic day yesterday, i like the time when i can be a lil creative and try out a few things. Since the advent of broadband, it is now possible to slowly increase the graphics of sites and be ensured that people will be able to see it.

Well, i am kinda excited about this seminar that happens on Friday, it deals with RFIDs or Radio Frequency Identification. I am keen that Sujjo attends it as it can give us a little technical knowledge of the same. Well if we are allowed to provide technical advice to our clients, then this would be one of the emerging options that we can suggest and if we can implement the same, it would be splendid.

Yesterday was Abbe Faria’s 250th Anniversary Celebrations Commencement, A documentary was staged at 6pm next to the statue. I have not much info about the same, as somehow I’ve not been a great fan of history, Maybe someone can shar more light about the same. About the producers of the documentary, One is a prominent English Professor and the founder of the Mustard Seed Art Company, Isabel Santa Rita Vas and the other is a noted clown, im sorry Florist, im sorry Publisher, im sorry, God knows what he does, Cecil Pinto.

Well Im back to work, Catch u guys later

Hello People

Ok, One person finally says its better to read your Blog than read the oHeraldo Website. Well Im extremely sorry for disappointing you. Well The week that went was as usual hectic. Lots of things to do and lot of highs and lows.

Well to begin with, ENGLAND finally won the ASHES!! Yup they finally made a huge dent in the Aussie Ego, Now no longer can they claim to be invincible. I think its the first time the Ashes series was so exciting. With St. Petersen showing scant regard to Warnie, it was a real real joy to see Warnie smashed for sixes.

Well we are finally tasting success at our Sharada Mandir Project, with the Storekeeper finally understanding her job and how it is reduced. End Result: A very very happy Storekeeper!!! After long, did i have a presentation at a clients place. Have not been showing off my faculty or demo skills for a while, and the demo to the teachers allowed me to do that after quite a while. I noticed that i was quite refreshed after it, as it was a small change from the routine that has set in.

After long, on Wednesday, we saw a little reduction in work, and i thought, Ok, time to finish and polish our backlog. The thoughts just lasted for a day. Come Friday, we already got 2 new clients with more work set for the next 2 weeks. And its soon gonna be October and the Season starts back again, I hope i get that 1st October break that im planning.

Well the Weekend did not exist for me, the Weekend never came, it was still work work n work, and topped up with a disastrous trip to the market shopping with my Mum, Veggies are double in price, which had me in a not so great mood. It was further worsened with the non availability of LASSI and 7 Up at the place i went… and in a month that has seen most of the people flat broke, i\’ve got just 3 coins left in my pocket, Thanks to my Mum.

Ok, Now im gonna stop writing, ive gone into a real fiery mood, no thanks to the morons who sit at NIIT Bangalore, BAD MEMORIES are back!!! and I always thank God for moving me out at the right time!!! PRAISE HIM!!!!

Hi People

Yeah, Sorry for no blogs last couple of days, had to do a lil catching up after the Ganesh break. Took the time to touch up some of our clients sites. 

Well September 11 is back again. Ever since the WTC, 9/11 has been a real eventful day ever since. In 2002, September 11, my Grandmother passed away while we were in London at my sister’s place on a holiday. We got the news early in the morning in London, and everyone in unison said, OF All The days in the year, she chose that day. Being in London that time, we could not make it for the funeral. As it was the first anniversary of 9/11, the mourning still continued and you could feel the sorrow, 1 year later.

September 2003, i think it was at the time, i submitted my resignation from my job at NIIT, to set up Team Inertia. Being at NIIT, taught me a few things, Quality and its actual meaning, Teamwork, which is the basis of any organisation like ours, and of course comradrey. Have wonderful memories of the place, but more importantly i made some of my best and special friends there.

September 11 , 2004, I was doing something that i dont do quite often in recent days, COMPERING! NIIT had organised an ALL GOA SOLO SINGING COMPETITION, a kinda spoof of American Idol. Well my first reaction when i heard they were doing the show, was ARE U CRAZY??!??! But since they had already made up their minds, had to be there for them. Well i had fun that day, I’m kinda a Stage HOG, so i love being a solo compere, and with a cordless mic, the adrenalin rush of interacting with the crowd is huge. Yea, thats a lil wild side of Vernon, who very few people have seen off, until that day.

September 11, 2005, Well Today is Alfy’s Baba JOEL’s Christening, and usually they have a mass on this occassion since they are very very devout family and have more than 3 priests in the family. It was a nice simple occassion, a gathering of friends, relatives and loved ones. The trips to Calvim are quite pleasant as the island and the roads that lead to it, are always lush green and the paddy swaying in the tranquil breeze is a joy to see.

Well, its back to business tomorrow, Nilesh brought a wonderful tool to work on our UML, which is very essential now for us, as our projects grow bigger everyday. Also have to manage our resources efficiently and optimally, never compromising on quality and customer delight.

Today, is the last day of Ganesh, so there gonna be a total lack of sleep. I hate it when people break the cracker into its singles and light each one, its such a pain. I remember 1 year bcoz of that, we slept thru an earthquake.

Well Bye Folks

Hello People,

Well, after a nice calm 2 days of no pressure days, its back to business at TI. Been to all my friend’s places for Ganesh, so if u poke me, you’ll get a lot of diabetic blood. A few people were ecstatic because of our visits, a few people did not want us to leave. Indeed its nice to meet friends on holidays. I think once we are out of college, its difficult to catch up with old friends, and festivals like Ganesh, Diwali and Christmas is a nice time to greet them.

Well, took the time to get back to the creative days of template designing and implementation, when it used to be fun, have to get those days back in order to give the best to the clients. Thus a few clients will be quite pleased once we have finished the cosmetic changes of their sites.

My bro leaves today, finally saw my mum and him sit down and chat, an art thats not very common in our house. I was too engrossed in the 2 hour special of CSI, it required Mum’s constant nagging to get off the television. Speaking of television and cinema, today is the premiere of SALAAM NAMASTE, a movie that the guys are eagerly waiting to watch, and with the holiday gang in, they have plans for todays evening show. As usual Shaan asks the customary question of whether i would come, knowing well the answer. He says its useless asking me. Hey, somehow I’m not a real great fan of Hindi movies, unless i watch it on TV. I think Im one of the very few who has not yet stepped into INOX as yet.

Well, the day is a bit hectic , may catch u lovely people later on.

ADIEUS

Well Its a Holiday today in Goa, I’m at office catching up with a few things. Not much pressure today, hope to review a few things.

Been to a party late last night, a 21st birthday, kinda forgot how wild at times these parties can be. I dunno at times, i feel i’ve crossed these days of letting my hair down, cant stand loud music or what they call DJ Music. If i had a Crocin in the afternoon coz of data migration, think i had to have 2 for this NOISE! Geez, felt a lil OLD for it!!! or is it that its time to find different avenues of letting my hair down! Well we left at about 12am, the party it seems got over at 6:30 am , Mave and Nave were back only at 11am.

These days, I’ve been using a lot more of technology in routine life, some of it is God Send, some of it, quite interesting. Finally found my long lost adapter of my PDA, so that device is back. Used the NET to buy my bro’s  KINGFISHER ticket. Hope he has a GOOD TIME. Something that i was very very excited to see was the Petrol Pump dispenser actually printing my BILL!!! I was amazed and the attendant was all smiles looking at that huge grin on my face. Indeed Technology does make life better.

Well coming back to the title of the day, well, I must thank one of my first clients who sends me the daily readings via SMS everyday for the last two and half years. Today’s reading is from Luke 6, Well reading through Luke 6, i found this verse, that for me means quite a lot. A lot of times people do things to other people for their own selfish gifts, One example i have very fresh in my mind, is of one person, who will showers people with gifts, luxuries just to see that they are eternally grateful to them and then milk them for their needs. We’ve had such people in our lives, some people i really dont like, bcoz they expect us to always suck up to them. I detest these people and try to avoid any kind of conversation with them. I wish these people really read the WORD of the LORD and use a little bit in their lives, it will make them better.

Well gotta go, see ya Folks!

Hello People

Well Today i came in a lil bit early to work to make up for the half day of yesterday, We\’ve been on the Sharada Mandir project for a while now, and the most challenging thing i\’ve faced is the migration of the data from the old system to the new system. Firstly we really dunno what the heck is happening in the earlier system, Second the database has so many copies of the same table, we cant figure out which one is right or wrong. Once you have crossed those hurdles, the task is to move hitherto unlinked information to a much more organised system. which is easier on paper but a nightmare when trying to do it. Well, the success after a succesful migration does taste sweet for a while, before you know the other hurdles that are yet to be faced. God Willing, We\’ll cross those too.

Bro is down and the leeches are also back. Since my bro is of marriageble age, these matchmaker kinda smell that he is down, that they spare no time to make their appearence. As he is in town to attend the funeral, these guys have the cheek of approaching him even at the funeral, and even exert pressure through other means to get him to see proposals. Give the man a break, he\’s just lost a real good friend, let him recover from it.

Well Ganesh Chathurthi is finally here, the fireworks are back, Somehow i really cant understand a few things, What is the relationship with fireworks and Ganesh and for that matter ROBBED FLOWERS N FRUITS and Ganesh? If only someone could tell me about the same!!! Well the nights are gonna be longer coz of lack of sleep due to fireworks, hope there\’s something interesting on television next few days.

So I\’ve placed my order of SWEETS with Nilesh!!! And I\’m hoping that i can exclusively have them!!! Vishal!! Im waiting for my invite!!! See ya soon!!!

Guys PEACE!! and See ya Soon!