THE MEANING OF MORALE

MORALE
The Meaning of Morale
By
VIKRAM KARVE

I am sure you have heard of the term MORALE – especially if you are an HR person or a Military Officer. 

But tell me, do you precisely know the meaning of the term MORALE…?

If you google the word MORALE to find out the definition, you will get a plethora of confusing gobbledygook.

The reason is clear – MORALE is an intangible entity which is easy to experience and feel, but which cannot be precisely defined.

So I will say only this.

MORALE comes from three factors:

1.    Having an important job to do.

2.    Feeling that you are doing it well.

3.    Receiving recognition for your good work.

That is all there is to it. 

Morale has got nothing to do with money. 

Morale is all about recognition, and respect which flows from recognition.

Of the three R’s of Human Resource Management:

1. REWARD
2. RECOGNITION
3. RESPECT

Reward has got the least to do with Morale - Recognition and Respect contribute much more to raising morale.

So if you want to raise MORALE you must focus on the three points mentioned above and ensure that the employee gets due RECOGNITION and consequential RESPECT.

I will end with a quote by General George S. Patton on the importance of Morale:

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.

It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2013

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this blog post?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook

If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer and blogger. Educated at IIT Delhi, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and an anthology of short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional  and academic research papers in journals and edited in-house journals and magazines for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing and blogging. Vikram Karve lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramwamankarve@gmail.com
Twitter: @vikramkarve

      

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

HOW TO GIVE GIFTS - THE ART OF GIVING

HOW TO GIVE GIFTS

THE ART OF GIVING

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Do you believe in giving gifts?

Do you give and forget?

Or do you give and remember?

If you give a gift to someone and always keep mentioning the fact again and again whenever you meet that person (or to someone else) then you need to read this classic Mulla Nasrudin Story:

An old friend of Mulla Nasrudin came to visit him one day from a distant village in the upcountry.

“Come with me. Let’s walk around the main promenade of my lovely town,” Nasrudin told his friend.

“Okay,” replied his friend, “but please lend me a good turban, since the turban I am wearing is quite worn out.”

“I will gift you a brand new turban,” Nasrudin said magnanimously.

Nasrudin took his friend to a cloth store and presented a beautiful turban to his friend, who was so delighted that he immediately wore it on his head and they walked out of the shop onto the street.

Just outside, they met an acquaintance of Mulla Nasrudin.

“This is my friend,” Nasrudin said, “I have just gifted him the elegant turban he is wearing on his head.”

The friend was deeply annoyed by the remark.

He waited until the acquaintance left and then said to Nasrudin, “Why did you make such a comment? What was the need of telling that stranger that this turban has been gifted by you to me? Please do not make such an embarrassing comment again.”

Soon they met another distinguished person and Nasrudin said, “This is my childhood friend and the splendid turban he is wearing on his head has not been gifted by me to him. Yes, he bought this turban himself, I did not present it to him.”

After the man left, the friend said angrily to Nasrudin, “What’s wrong with you? Why did you have to say all that? Please don’t say such embarrassing things again.”

So, the moment they met the next person, Nasrudin said, “This is my good friend and I have nothing to say about his turban. I will not tell you whether I gifted him that magnificent turban he is wearing or whether he bought it himself.”

MORAL OF THE STORY

GIFT and FORGET

Here is a quote by Catherine Ponder on “Giving”:

Your giving is sacred and therefore should be kept secret.

It is wise to give quietly with no strings attached…

--- Catherine Ponder

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this story?
I am sure you will like the stories in my recently published book COCKTAIL comprising twenty seven short stories about relationships. 

To order the book please click the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the link below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and he is currently working on his novel. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com        

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

HOW TO PREVENT SCAMS

HOW TO PREVENT SCAMS

Ancient Wisdom – A Mulla Nasrudin Story

By

VIKRAM KARVE


First you allow someone to loot you, give the thief enough time and opportunity to stash away his loot safely, and then, even if someone else catches the thief, you let the scamster get away scot free.  You do nothing about it though you know the scam is happening - you don't try to prevent the ongoing scam nor do you do anything to try and deter future scams.   


Then, when there is a lot of noise and hype because the scam is “discovered” by the media, or someone files a PIL and a court directs investigation, you order a “probe” into the scam, and this probe goes on and on for a long long time till there emerges another scam and everyone loses interest in the earlier scam.


Though we keep mouthing platitudes about “zero tolerance to corruption” in theory, in actual practice the corrupt are flourishing and most of them seem to be getting away scot-free and there hardly seems to be any deterrent punishment for corruption for economic offences like there is for criminal offences. There seems to be no serious effort at putting in place effective systems to prevent scams either.

It is truly a matter of intrigue as to why so many scams are being allowed to happen. Everyone knows that a scam is happening but they turn a blind eye and do nothing about it. And much later, when everything is over, they suddenly decide to investigate and go into overdrive, but unfortunately, it is too late. Thereafter cases linger on and on and honest people lose faith in the system as most scamsters are never brought to book and seem to be let off the hook and go scot-free and this emboldens budding scamsters to commit more and more scams as they are convinced that nothing will happen to them and they will never be punished for the scams they commit. This is happening with alarming regularity in so many cases. It seems that people are losing faith in the saying “honesty is the best policy” and anyone who follows this adage is a fool and a simpleton.

We have all learnt the simple adage in school: “Prevention is better than cure”.

Isn’t it better to take care that a scam does not happen than to run around in circles trying to cover up things when it is too late. Isn’t it easier to stop a scam from happening in the first place rather than try to fix the damage after the scam has happened which, more often than not, becomes a futile exercise.

Well, here is some ancient wisdom – one of my favourite Mulla Nasrudin stories which exemplifies implementation of the famous idiom – PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Mulla Nasrudin called a small boy and told him to get water from the well.

While giving the small boy an earthenware pot to get the water, Mulla Nasrudin looked into the eyes of the small boy and told the boy, “Make sure you don’t break the pot,” and then suddenly Mulla Nasrudin gave the small boy a tight slap on his face.

A shocked spectator asked Nasrudin, "Why did you hit the boy? How can you punish someone who hasn’t done anything wrong?"

“Because, you fool,” said Nasrudin, “what is the point of punishing the boy after he broke the pot...? ”

Moral of the Story

PREVENTIVE ACTION IS ALWAYS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CORRECTIVE ACTION

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2012

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Did you like this teaching story?

I am sure you will like the 27 short stories from my recently published anthology of Short Fiction COCKTAIL
To order your COCKTAIL please click any of the links below:
http://www.flipkart.com/cocktail-vikram-karve-short-stories-book-8191091844?affid=nme
http://www.indiaplaza.in/cocktail-vikram-karve/books/9788191091847.htm
http://www.apkpublishers.com/books/short-stories/cocktail-by-vikram-karve.html

http://dialabook.in/prod_detail.php?prod=MTA0NzA=

COCKTAIL ebook
If you prefer reading ebooks on Kindle or your ebook reader, please order Cocktail E-book by clicking the links below:
AMAZON
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005MGERZ6
SMASHWORDS
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/87925

Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll
If your are a Foodie you will like my book of Food Adventures APPETITE FOR A STROLL. Do order a copy from FLIPKART:
http://www.flipkart.com/appetite-stroll-vikram-karve/8190690094-gw23f9mr2o

About Vikram Karve

A creative person with a zest for life, Vikram Karve is a retired Naval Officer turned full time writer. Educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, The Lawrence School Lovedale and Bishops School Pune, Vikram has published two books: COCKTAIL a collection of fiction short stories about relationships (2011) and APPETITE FOR A STROLL a book of Foodie Adventures (2008) and is currently working on his novel and a book of vignettes and short fiction. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories, creative non-fiction articles on a variety of topics including food, travel, philosophy, academics, technology, management, health, pet parenting, teaching stories and self help in magazines and published a large number of professional research papers in journals and edited in-house journals for many years, before the advent of blogging. Vikram has taught at a University as a Professor for almost 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. Vikram lives in Pune India with his family and muse - his pet dog Sherry with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Academic and Creative Writing Journal: http://karvediat.blogspot.com
Professional Profile Vikram Karve: http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Vikram Karve Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/vikramkarve
Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com      
vikramkarve@gmail.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG - PET PARENTING TIPS

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG

By

VIKRAM KARVE

PET PARENTING TIPS

How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

1. Do not punish your puppy. Punishment teaches a dog only one thing – how to avoid punishment. So, instead of beating or scolding your puppy, teach the puppy what to do, what is the appropriate behaviour you expect of your pet, and reward the puppy when it listens to you both by treats and caressing it lovingly saying “good dog”.

2. Do not have unrealistic expectations of your puppy – after all he is a dog. Have reasonable standards and train your puppy lovingly and patiently. Remember there are breed to breed differences in intelligence and adaptability to training and obedience too.

3. Do not leave your puppy alone, especially when he is small. Never tie up a small puppy or lock him up in a crate. Remember that a small puppy loves human company and hates to be left alone. (Will you leave your human baby all alone in your house or lock the baby up in a cage…?).Raising a puppy properly takes time, love, patience and commitment. If you are very busy and do not have enough time to devote towards bringing up your dog then please don't get a puppy into your family. All members of your family must love dogs and be commited towards devoting time and love towards the dog and his upbringing and care.

4. Do not keep your pup indoors all the time and keep him completely isolated from the outside world. Take the puppy outdoors regularly for walks and play. Let your puppy interact with other humans and other dogs and animals, socialise, learn to play, get a bit rough and tough, fight it out, develop immunity and courageous spirit.

Follow these tips and spend maximum time with your puppy, talk to your dog regularly, train, play games and lovingly caress your puppy. 

The ideal time to get a puppy into your home is when he is three weeks old and you must totally focus on the development of your puppy till he is about six months old. 

Training your puppy and watching his antics as he grows up will be a rewarding and happy experience and you will transform your cute puppy into a good dog who will be a joy forever. 

Remember Good Dogs don’t just happen – you have to make them happen…!

(NB – If you have a female puppy, for “he” read “she”… By the way, I prefer female dogs – they are more loving, intelligent and loyal – like my darling Sherry who you can see in the picture with me…)

VIKRAM KARVE

PET PARENTING - Make Your Cute Puppy into a Good Dog

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG

How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

By

VIKRAM KARVE

1. Do not punish your puppy. Punishment teaches a dog only one thing – how to avoid punishment. So, instead of beating or scolding your puppy, teach the puppy what to do, what is the appropriate behaviour you expect of your pet, and reward the puppy when it listens to you both by treats and caressing it lovingly saying “good dog”.

2. Do not have unrealistic expectations of your puppy – after all he is a dog. Have reasonable standards and train your puppy lovingly and patiently. Remember there are breed to breed differences in intelligence and adaptability to training and obedience too.

3. Do not leave your puppy alone, especially when he is small. Never tie up a small puppy or lock him up in a crate. Remember that a small puppy loves human company and hates to be left alone. (Will you leave your human baby all alone in your house or lock the baby up in a cage…?). Raising a puppy properly takes time, love, patience and commitment. If you are very busy and do not have enough time to devote towards bringing up your dog then please don't get a puppy into your family. All members of your family must love dogs and be commited towards devoting time and love towards the dog and his upbringing and care.

4. Do not keep your pup indoors all the time and keep him completely isolated from the outside world. Take the puppy outdoors regularly for walks and play. Let your puppy interact with other humans and other dogs and animals, socialise, learn to play, get a bit rough and tough, fight it out, develop immunity and courageous spirit.

Follow these tips and spend maximum time with your puppy, talk to your dog regularly, train, play games and lovingly caress your puppy. 

The ideal time to get a puppy into your home is when he is three weeks old and you must totally focus on the development of your puppy till he is about six months old. 

Training your puppy and watching his antics as he grows up will be a rewarding and happy experience and you will transform your cute puppy into a good dog who will be a joy forever. 

Remember Good Dogs don’t just happen – you have to make them happen…!

(NB – If you have a female puppy, for “he” read “she”… By the way, I prefer female dogs – they are more loving, intelligent and loyal – like my darling Sherry who you can see in the picture with me…)

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG

How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

By

VIKRAM KARVE

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU Varanasi, Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Creative Writing by Vikram Karve: http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com/blog/posts.htm
Academic and Creative Writing Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com/
Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve
Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book: Appetite for a Stroll http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

© vikram karve., all rights reserved

TYPES OF TEACHERS

The 3 R’s of Teaching

Reward Recognition Respect

By

VIKRAM KARVE

There are three kinds of Teachers.

In the first category are those who teach for Reward. For them teaching is like any other job, a profession rather than a passion, a means of earning their livelihood. They believe that if they teach ‘X’ number of hours they are entitled ‘Y’ salary. For any extra teaching load they expect what the industry bluntly calls overtime and for which academics use euphemisms like honorarium etc.

Then there are teachers who are obsessed with Recognition. They strive for awards, titles, positions, peer recognition, publishing papers, honours, fellowships – being recognised is all about fame. Recognition is not so much about getting credit as it is about being appreciated.

The highest category of teachers are those who win Respect – respect of their students, respect of their colleagues in the teaching fraternity and respect of society. For them respect is one of the most critical dimensions of their life.They are passionate about teaching and are loved by their students on whom they make a lasting impression.

So, Dear Reader, the next time you see a teacher try to see in which category he belongs – reward, recognition or respect.

And if you are a teacher yourself, introspect and see for yourself where you belong and truthfully assess whether your metier is in teaching. It is quite simple.

After you finish a lecture ask yourself three sets of questions:

1. Is the lecture something you felt you have done well? Do you feel you teach well?

2. Did you enjoy delivering the lecture? Do you enjoy teaching?

3. Did you feel proud of the way you delivered the lecture? Do you feel proud of the fact that you are a teacher or would you rather be someone else?

If the answers to all the six questions is YES – you know you are in the right place, so, Happy Teaching.

And don't forget the 3 R’s of Teaching.

VIKRAM KARVE

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU, Lawrence School Lovedale, and Bishop's School Pune, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts.

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog -  http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com  

Academic Journal Vikram Karve –  http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve -  http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Foodie Book APPETITE FOR A STROLL –  http://books.sulekha.com/book/appetite-for-a-stroll/default.htm

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG

How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

By

VIKRAM KARVE

1. Do not punish your puppy. Punishment teaches a dog only one thing – how to avoid punishment. So, instead of beating or scolding your puppy, teach the puppy what to do, what is the appropriate behaviour you expect of your pet, and reward the puppy when it listens to you both by treats and caressing it lovingly saying “good dog”.

2. Do not have unrealistic expectations of your puppy – after all he is a dog. Have reasonable standards and train your puppy lovingly and patiently. Remember there are breed to breed differences in intelligence and adaptability to training and obedience too.

3. Do not leave your puppy alone, especially when he is small. Never tie up a small puppy or lock him up in a crate. Remember that a small puppy loves human company and hates to be left alone. (Will you leave your human baby all alone in your house or lock the baby up in a cage…?). Raising a puppy properly takes time, love, patience and commitment. If you are very busy and do not have enough time to devote towards bringing up your dog then please don't get a puppy into your family. All members of your family must love dogs and be commited towards devoting time and love towards the dog and his upbringing and care.

4. Do not keep your pup indoors all the time and keep him completely isolated from the outside world. Take the puppy outdoors regularly for walks and play. Let your puppy interact with other humans and other dogs and animals, socialise, learn to play, get a bit rough and tough, fight it out, develop immunity and courageous spirit.

Follow these tips and spend maximum time with your puppy, talk to your dog regularly, train, play games and lovingly caress your puppy. 

The ideal time to get a puppy into your home is when he is three weeks old and you must totally focus on the development of your puppy till he is about six months old. 

Training your puppy and watching his antics as he grows up will be a rewarding and happy experience and you will transform your cute puppy into a good dog who will be a joy forever. 

Remember Good Dogs don’t just happen – you have to make them happen…!

(NB – If you have a female puppy, for “he” read “she”… By the way, I prefer female dogs – they are more loving, intelligent and loyal – like my darling Sherry who you can see in the picture with me…)

CUTE PUPPY GOOD DOG

How to train your Naughty Puppy and make it a Good Dog

By

VIKRAM KARVE

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 2010

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.  

VIKRAM KARVE educated at IIT Delhi, ITBHU and The Lawrence School Lovedale, is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, a Human Resource Manager and Trainer by occupation, a Teacher by vocation, a Creative Writer by inclination and a Foodie by passion. An avid blogger, he has written a number of fiction short stories and creative non-fiction articles in magazines and journals for many years before the advent of blogging. His delicious foodie blogs have been compiled in a book "Appetite for a Stroll". Vikram lives in Pune with his family and pet Doberman girl Sherry, with whom he takes long walks thinking creative thoughts. 

Vikram Karve Creative Writing Blog - http://vikramkarve.sulekha.com

Academic Journal Vikram Karve – http://karvediat.blogspot.com

Professional Profile of Vikram Karve - http://www.linkedin.com/in/karve 

Email: vikramkarve@sify.com
Foodie Book:  Appetite for a Stroll 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.