Yesterday’s Times of India had a piece on how people are using their cellphones in their kitchens! You can read the article here:
Now doesn’t it say a lot about the versatility of the little instrument? Imagine carrying a laptop around the house; or when you go somewhere outside – anywhere. Real life examples: At one time I was stuck in the backlanes of Goa in the night after extensive partying. Had it not been for the maps on the cellphone of a friend and our most capable guide, we would have been lost. Then again, there are times in the cold winters, when I don’t want to leave the warmth of my blankets, and yet check that important mail.
The One97 Gig’08 was really something! Enjoyment was all around us: people laughing, talking and dancing, drinking, eating and what not! Once97 has a tradition of celebrating its founders’ day every year. This year we celebrated it on 24th December at Vatika in Prgati Maidan.
We started with the informal session with Vijay, our Managing Director, followed by a formal brief presentation. It is always good to listen to him. He uses simple words in his presentation and makes you understand the most complicated things with ease. He talked about the early days of One97, now and future. He spoke of Challenge Vs. Opportunities, Customers’ need – our mantra, which he has also written about on this blog.
After this, was the turn of the culmination of the efforts made this year in our Annual Rewards and Recognition programme. We believe in rewarding performers. In this programme, we receive company-wide nominations for achievers, then they go through further selection to become our Rock Stars.
We have many rafting enthusiasts aboard One97. But the suddenness of this rafting trip beat all impulsive plans we have made so far. One quick informal announcement, and in days’time I found myself asleep in the back of a car in the early morning of the last November-weekend.
I could hear faint voices as I suddenly wake up to find the car parked near a shiva statue thats several feet high from the ground. “This is Rishikesh,” said someone. The earlier night, myself and other rafting aspirants congregated at One97 Noida office and departed toward the foothills in three cars. Three cars with each of them defining their own world of fun. Car1 had people who had different interests, car2-the other, and car3 , the rest of the interests. (more…)
Taking the series started by Smita on *cult* forward, I would like to bring up the subject of “Accessibility”.
Accessibility:
This value really is a gesture… a warm and friendly gesture … which helps eliminate formality and create a bond which develops a conducive work environment. How friendly? Well, consider this: we have a ‘First Name’ culture here. It’s been ages since I greeted someone with a “Good Morning, Sir”! There is so much inter-mingling among all, that anybody can walk upto to any department and meet with the concerned person. I for one, feel that this saves up on a lot of time and leads to better understanding and co-operation between people and departments.
This is a series on values that we feel either are or should be a part of our *cult*.
1. Freedom
2. Transparency
3. Fun
People don’t have to say that they are having fun at work. If they are, it shows. Is work only work, or could it be fun too? How does work become fun? My take: Of course, we all make our choices early in our career. But even the most seemingly fun jobs have their share of pain behind them. In such a scenario, what makes it real fun is different for different people. For some, a word of appreciation works wonders, while for others it may be a reward.
The comments on Vijay’s post: NASSCOM Friday 2.0 inspired me to start discussing values arising out of our *cult*. Freedom is something already discussed. (Please see the comments in the post mentioned) Please do join me in contributing to the values we have and values we aspire. Let’s define our cult!
1. Freedom
2. Transparency
If you have seen the new One97 building, you could not have missed its glass facade. If you have ventured inside, you would have seen a sea of spaces lined with open work stations and cabins made of glass walls. A zero-barrier, open, transparent office.
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