Showing posts with label strategy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label strategy. Show all posts

Sunday, February 10, 2019

How to impart Training

HOW TO IMPART TRAINING 
Musings of a Veteran Trainer 
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Training Strategy is the sine qua non for the efficacy of a Training Programme.

In fact 
 Training Strategy is the basis for Training Design and Implementation. 


That is why  the first thing I used to do before designing a training programme – was to reflect, explore, consider, analyse and decide as to which Training Philosophy is relevant to the context in the particular Training Need and Environment. 


TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
There are 3 basic Training Philosophies:

1.Confucian Training Philosophy

2. Zen Training Philosophy

3. On-the-job Training Philosophy

You must formulate your Training Strategy as per your Training Philosophy. 


Thus  Training Philosophy is the foundation  the core  of the Art of Training.

CONFUCIAN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY 

The Objective of Confucian Training Philosophy is:

The Aim of Training is to Qualify the Trainee for a more Important Job.

In other words 
 Training is inextricably linked with Career Advancement.


Most Military Training Courses are based on the Confucian Training Philosophy.

Since Confucian Type Training is primarily for promotion  if the training is not followed by promotion or career advancement quickly enough  non-realization of expectations may create frustration and resentment in the trainee. 


ZEN TRAINING PHILOSOPHY 

The Objective of Zen Training Philosophy is:

The purpose of training is continuous improvement in performance.

The emphasis here is on “continuous improvement”.


The Aim of Training is to improve the Present Performance of the Trainee – by focusing on excellence in work and self-development. 

Zen Type training aims at strengthening the inner urge and enhancing requisite skills for work-excellence and job-satisfaction  without the trainee expecting any tangible material reward or career advancement due to the training.


ON THE JOB TRAINING

And  of course  if you want to avoid a formal training programme altogether  there is always my favourite good old time-tested On-The-Job Training philosophy which is breathtaking in its simplicity:


“Entrust a man with responsibility  and then tell him to get on with the job...!”


It is called “On the Job Training” and it always works – you can take my word for it...!!! 

The Navy believes in “On the Job Training” – and – during my Navy Days – I saw the efficacy of “On the Job Training” – especially on Ships. 

In my next blog post – I will tell you a hilarious story on On-The-Job Training.

TRAINING versus EDUCATION

Hey 
 Dear Reader – can you this please tell us the difference between Training and Education.


Is there a difference between 
Training” and “Education...? 

The difference between Training and Education is explained below. 

In my opinion  the difference between Training and Education is as follows:


1. The Aim of Training is to develop the required Skills in the Trainee

2. The Aim of Education is to enhance the Knowledge of the Student


In a nutshell:

Training pertains to skill development 

Education pertains to knowledge” enhancement 

If so  what are various “Education Philosophies” akin to “Training Philosophies”...?

Hey 
 you Academics and Thinkers and Educationists out there.


Please throw some more light on this subject  so that we don’t confuse Training with Education  and vice versa. 



FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In a developing country like India – we need a skilled workforce.

Sadly – in India – we focus too much on Education. 

We have too many highly qualified individuals who are unemployable because they do not have the requisite skills.

Even Engineering and Technology Courses focus more on bookish knowledge than practical skill development.

Owing to this – most industrial organisations have to conduct induction training to develop the requisite skills  and make these degree engineers ready for work on the shopfloor – to put is metaphorically – and even I have had the opportunity to conduct Induction Training for newly recruited engineers and scientists.

Indian needs SKILL DEVELOPMENT – and – to achieve this – we have to focus more on TRAINING – rather than Degree Oriented Bookish EDUCATION.

We keep opening IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology)

But - in actual fact: 

We need more ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes).

In any case – most IIT students migrate abroad, mainly to USA, for lucrative careers and to realize their American Dream

S India does not gain much from IITs.

On the other hand – ITI trainees work in Indian Industries.

We need more ITIs – maybe an ITI in each district.

So – we should proliferating IITs – and start opening ITIs instead.

Yes – in order to achieve skill development  India needs more ITIs than IITs.


VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
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© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:
All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)
     
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.
 

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Military Metaphors in Management Jargon

MILITARY METAPHORS IN MANAGEMENT JARGON
Musings of a Veteran
By
VIKRAM KARVE

The Art and Science of Management owes its genesis and evolution to the Military.  

Modern Management theories, concepts, techniques and practices emerged in the 1950s from the experiences and lessons learnt during World War 2 (particularly in The United States of America by organizations like the RAND Corporation).

For example  the concept of systems analysis  which involves looking at a particular problem not in isolation but rather in the context of the whole system of which it is a part and then explicitly examining the consequences of alternative courses of action  was developed at RAND in the 1950s to address military challenges.

The revolutionary technological concepts of information technology like internet and software and hardware technologies on which today’s corporate world depend so extensively also emanated from the military. In fact – RAND was the birthplace of the Internet's basic distributed network technology.

Isn’t it therefore ironic that the reverse is happening today?

Yes – it was the military that gave modern management principles to the civilian corporate world.

And  today we see a paradoxical situation of military men running to Civilian Business Schools and Management Institutes to “learn” management and acquire the coveted MBA degree which is the sine qua non and all important passport for entry into the corporate world.

It is also amusing to see so-called management experts from the corporate world, safely ensconced in the comfort of their air-conditioned offices, who are far removed from the experience of war and who have never seen a shot fired in anger, boast of using military strategy in boardrooms, and advocating the use of military tactics in sales and marketing.

These management gurus freely bandy about terms like “foot soldiers”, “generals”, “field experience” – and liberally quote from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and other military classics. 

It has become fashionable to call competitors as “enemies” and use terms like “battles” and “leading from the front” – little realizing that there is a vast difference between the rules of engagement pertaining to corporate “wars” and actual wars fought on real battlefields.

This metaphorical imagery may sound appealing to civilians – but – the stakes are vastly different.

If a manager does not “win” – he risks losing his job – and he may cause a financial loss to his company.


If a military officer does not win – he risks losing his life (and those of his men) – and he can cause defeat in war to his country – which can have catastrophic consequences. 

Think about it.

VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

THE BLIND SIDE

THE BLIND SIDE
Learning from Fables
By
VIKRAM KARVE

There is an Aesop’s Fable called: “The One-Eyed Doe”.

Once upon a time – there was a doe (female deer).

The doe had lost one of her eyes.

Therefore – she could not see anything on the side with her blind eye (her “blind side”).

Whenever the doe used to feed near the seashore – she used to stand in such a way that her “good eye” looked towards the land – so that she could see if any hunters were approaching – and could make a quick escape in case she saw any hunters on the land.

The doe kept her “blind eye” towards the sea – since she did not expect any threat from that side.

One day – some sailors came rowing in a boat from the sea.

They saw the doe blissfully grazing near the seashore.

Since her “blind side” was towards the sea – the doe did not see the sailors coming from the sea.

One of the sailors took aim with his gun and shot the doe.

As she was dying – heaving her last breath – the doe cried to herself:

“What a mistake I made…?  I was safe on the land side where I expected to be attacked – but was attacked from the direction of the sea which I thought was safe…”


MORAL OF THE STORY: 

“Danger often comes from the least expected source or direction”

Military History shows us many examples of this “moral of the story” – where armies have been attacked from their “blind side” – from directions where they least expected to be attacked – and we see many such examples in recent security incidents too – where one discovers dangers from directions/places/people that one thought were “safe”.

While this fable has a lesson for the military and security forces – isn’t this fable metaphorically true in many other aspects of our life as well…?

Aren’t we most vulnerable from our “blind side” – emotionally – materially – in happenings – in business – in relationships…?


So – you must remember: 

Introspect – discover if you have a “blind side” – be aware of your “blind side”  and never neglect your “blind side” (or “blind sides”)


VIKRAM KARVE
Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT

HOW TO DEAL WITH CONFLICT
Ruminations
By
VIKRAM KARVE

CONFLICT RIDDEN ENVIRONMENT

We live in a conflict-ridden environment and we do not know what to do about it.

It seems that we are confused.

There are so many conflicts going on right now.

There are problems with our not-so-friendly neighbours at our borders, especially the frequent skirmishes at the LoC and intrusions and incursions at the LAC.

There are internal security issues and law and order problems within.

Politicians and political parties are perpetually in a state of conflict with each other.

And there is antagonism and ill-will between sections of society.

There is an environment of rancor and bitterness everywhere.

For example, look at the acrimony between ex-servicemen and “babus” or for that matter the bad-blood between the uniformed military and the civil services.

In other places too, there is increasing resentment between various cadres of employees and between competing businesses.

There is an increase in “gender conflict” too, at home, at work, and in society, and this leads to violence against women at both the domestic and societal levels.

It seems that these conflicts are allowed to fester because we seem confused and do not know how to deal with all these issues.

You cannot neglect the issue and allow conflicts to go on indefinitely in the hope that the conflicts will resolve themselves.

If you adopt this approach, conflicts will aggravate and things may worsen to such an extent that you will have to pay a heavy price.

Conflicts have to be resolved.

And, in order to resolve conflict, you cannot “look the other way” and be indifferent and hope for the best and wish that the immortal panacea “time” or some divine miracle will solve your problems, or someone else will resolve your conflicts for you.

You have to deal with and resolve your own conflicts yourself – you cannot “outsource” this because outsourcing conflict resolution may create an even bigger problem, as history has shown.

How do you resolve conflicts?

Which approach do you adopt?

There are contrasting approaches to resolving conflict – and all these approaches lie in between the two extreme theories of conflict resolution.


CONTRASTING APPROACHES TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT – THE TWO EXTREMES

The two extreme approaches to resolving conflict are:

1. AGONOLOGY

2. SATYAGRAHA


AGONOLOGY

Agonology employs a strategy of deceit.

The objective is to defeat the opponent by using whatever means, violent and non-violent, which may be expedient.

The cardinal principle of Agonology is to make the opponent’s position as difficult as possible.

Escalate the conflict, especially if it creates more difficulties for your opponent than you.

Strike first at the opponent’s most vital parts.

Attach the opponent frontally and internally.

Make him bleed externally and internally by giving him a “thousand cuts”.

Destroy and degrade his resources, and if possible, subvert his resources and try to use his own resources against him.

Deceive your opponent; never disclose your “true” intentions, motives and tactics.

Commit “irrational” acts from time to time to confuse opponent

Go in for the “kill” at the earliest favourable opportunity.

Push your opponent against the wall, into a tight corner, and leave your opponent with only one way out and that is to surrender to your wishes.

Make him resolve the conflict on your terms without any “give and take”.


SATYAGRAHA

Gandhian Satyagraha employs a “truth” strategy.

In this context, “Truth” means a resolution of the conflict without compromising your own cardinal principles, beliefs and values.

The objective of Satyagraha is to achieve an agreement with the opponent acceptable to both sides by engaging him in a search for “truth”, using only nonviolent means.

The basic premise of Satyagraha is to engage your opponent by non-violent means in a search for “truth” which will lead to a mutually favourable solution and amicable resolution of the conflict.

Satyagraha is based on ethical principles.

You never take undue advantage of your opponent’s difficulties.

You try to cool down the conflict and search for avenues of cooperation on honorable terms, in a spirit of “give and take”.

You protect the opponent’s person and his resources.

You do not take any actions that will make your opponent “lose face”.

You never lie, you never hold anything back and you keep your opponent informed of your actions.

You reduce your demands to a minimum consistent with “truth”.

You try your best to extend areas of rationality in searching for a mutually acceptable solution.

You launch direct action only after exhausting all efforts to achieve an honorable settlement, but all your actions are strictly non-violent.


CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Agonology and Satyagraha are two extreme contrasting approaches to resolving conflict.

You cannot swing from one extreme to another as this causes confusion and exacerbates the conflict rather than mitigate it.

For each conflict, you have to formulate a specific conflict resolution strategy

You may, at first, take a middle-of-the-road approach.

If you can resolve the conflict, it is well and good.

Otherwise, you will have to move towards one of the extremities and decide between Agonology and Satyagraha.


So do tell us, for the various intractable “unresolvable” conflicts going on in our present-day scenario, which approach do your suggest – Agonology or Satyagraha?

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

Disclaimer:
All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
NB:
No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.
Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)


Did you like this article?
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: vikramkarve@hotmail.com
Twitter: @vikramkarve
      
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Friday, September 6, 2013

1962 India China War - Battle of Se-La Dirang Dzong and Bomdi-La - Learning from Military History

Learning from Military History - Battle of Se-La Dirang Dzong and Bomdi-La - 1962 India China War (A View From the Other Side)

Here is the link to an interesting article from the USI Journal on the 1962 India China War describing the Battles of Se-La Dirang Dzong and Bomdi-La



Battle of Se La, Dirang Dzong and Bomdi La : 1962 Sino-Indian Conflict



Click the link above to read the article online in the USI Journal

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

THE POWER OF FEAR - The Meaning and Definition of DETERRENCE


THE POWER OF FEAR
THE MEANING AND DEFINITION OF DETERRENCE 
A Parable - The Snake and The Saint
By
VIKRAM KARVE

Definition and Meaning of DETERRENCE 

Deterrence is the prevention from action by fear of the consequences.
 
Deterrence is the act or process of discouraging actions or preventing occurrences by instilling fear or doubt or anxiety. 

Deterrence is a state of mind brought about by the existence of a credible threat of unacceptable counteraction. 
 
Whenever I want to explain the concept of deterrence, I narrate one of my favourite stories from the parables of Sri Ramakrishna called The Snake and The Saint:

THE STORY OF THE SNAKE AND THE SAINT

A group of persons from a village went to a holy man, a Saint, who was meditating in a cave in the mountains. 

They were very terrified and complained to the Saint about large venomous snake who was terrorizing everyone in the village.

“This terrible serpent’s hiss can be heard for miles around,” they said, “This terrible creature mercilessly bites everyone. Sir, this snake is extremely dangerous and does not spare anyone. He attacks even our wives, our children, our cattle, our dogs, yes, he viciously bites everyone he sees. Even the bravest among us have become afraid to venture out into the fields, which are dry, parched, uncultivated. Our granaries are depleted and empty. Our numbers are dwindling from death by the snake, and by starvation. Please help us. You are a great Guru and you alone can subdue and vanquish him.”

The Saint, realizing the gravity of the situation, went to the village, and then walked to the place where the snake lived. 

As he approached, the terrible venomous snake moved swiftly toward the saint with upraised hood. 

The terrified villagers ran away, leaving the Saint to deal with the snake. 

The Saint looked at snake, slithering and undulating, his scales shimmering in the sunlight, dark and shining in his majesty, awesome in his length and his beauty.

“Come forth, O Magnificent One,” the Saint called out to the snake and kept looking at him with a benign eye.

The snake was mesmerized by the aura and charismatic presence of the Saint. He suddenly he lost all his ferocity and glided towards the Saint and coiled up meekly at the Saint’s feet in obeisance .

“O you beautiful creature, what is it that I hear about you being the scourge of the village? Leave your destructive ways. Be good. Don’t terrorize the poor villagers needlessly. Please stop biting them. Leave them alone,” the Saint said to the snake.

The snake bowed and nodded assent. 

He resolved to leave his evil ways and be good and promised the Saint that henceforth he would not bite anyone.

The venomous snake turned a new leaf. 

He scrupulously kept his promise and stopped attacking and biting anyone. 

The snake began to live a life of innocence, without attempting to harm anyone.

The villagers were very happy, the fields flourished, the cattle grazed peacefully and the children came out to play fearlessly.

One day, several months later, the Saint passed by the village. 

He remembered the snake and searched for him everywhere. 

After a long search the saint found the snake coiled near the root of a tree, lying mangled and half dead. 

The snake was utterly transformed. 

His scales had fallen off; he looked dilapidated, emaciated, innocuous, and badly injured. The snake had sores all over his body. 

The poor snake seemed to be on the verge of death.

“O My Dear Friend, what happened to you…?” the Saint asked the snake.

“This, O Guru, is the fruit of obedience, of being good. I obeyed you, I gave up my evil ways, I let the villagers alone, I stopped biting them, I stopped attacking them, and do you know what happened to me? Now everyone pelts me with stones, beats me with sticks, even the children tease and torment me and drag me mercilessly by the tail. But I have kept my promise that I made to you…”

The Saint smiled and lovingly said to the snake, “I exhorted you not to attack them, but I did not prohibit you from hissing… yes, my dear friend, I told you not to BITE them, but did I ever tell you not to HISS…?”

The snake learned a lesson for life and henceforth he got on in life safely.

Moral of the Story:

DON'T BITE - BUT DON'T STOP HISSING  

Effective Deterrence can be achieved by instilling fear because the mere threat of violence is more scary than the violence itself.

My Pet Dog Sherry has a different take on the story :

She says that this strategy may work if you are a snake, but if you are a dog, a bite once in a while works wonders rather than mere barking. 

Therefore Sherry feels that mere HISSING is  not enough. 

Yes, for a guard dog mere BARKING is not enough. 

A BITE is much more potent for instilling long term fear and potent deterrence. 

A BITE adds credibility to your BARK.

Yes, for effective deterrence a BITE” once in a while adds credibility to your HISSING.

Dear Reader, in the current scenario and prevailing environment around us, which of the two views do you agree with:

Is it good enough only to HISS (or BARK)?

or 

Should you BITE once in a while? 

Do comment and tell us your views.

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 article?
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. 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 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 15 years and now teaches as a visiting faculty and devotes most of his time to creative writing. 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: vikramkarve@sify.com
    
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.