My thoughts on corporate life, work-life balance or the lack thereof and so on.
Archive for the 'Work and Life' Category
Systems and People
Monday, February 22nd, 2010Is Bill Gates being disingenuous in his philanthropic efforts? Some people think so, and see the associated tax benefits as the true motivation. I prefer to see goodness of concrete actions, rather than speculate on possible motives. After all, who am I to cast the first stone? Haven’t I sinned? Haven’t you?
Latter-day Robin Hoods
Monday, February 1st, 2010On Bill Gate’s philanthropic efforts. Giving credit where credit is due, though grudgingly.
Happy New Year!
Saturday, January 2nd, 2010Here’s wishing you a Happy 2010… May your resolutions hold up longer than those of the years past. And may you find peace, happiness, good health and prosperity.
Giving What We Can
Thursday, November 26th, 2009I found this charity initiative that I believe will make a real difference. It is called “Giving What We Can,” and it lists a few recommended organizations that are efficient and focus on the extremely poor. Helping others can be more rewarding that helping yourself.
Candle that Burns Bright
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009Memories of a classmate of mine from IIT who passed away recently. When I heard the shocking news, I wanted to write something about him. What came to mind were a couple of disjointed memories, and I thought I would share them here.
How to Make Money
Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009Switching from God, philosophy and other higher pursuits, here is a topic close to home. How do people make a lot of money? Can I do it too?
Group Dynamics
Tuesday, July 28th, 2009People tend to follow the money gradient. When a particular field is lucrative, more people tend to end up there. During the IT boom time of the previous decade, most of the talent flowed in there. Finance also has been a not-so-strange attractor for academics. Here is a look at the culture shock associated. Another excerpt from my upcoming column in the Wilmott Magazine.
Back to Blogging…
Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009It has been a while since I wrote anything on my blog. I was writing furiously, though, for my second book (http://pqd.thulasidas.com). After turning my sleep deprivation into a habitual insomnia, I turned in my draft manuscript, and I am ready to blog again.
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – VI
Monday, May 18th, 2009The last post in this series, this one exposes the extreme cases both in allowing and in denying bonuses, and their implications. Both the options imply our acceptance of certain economic idea. And, as with most things in life, it is not quite clear which is right, once you think long enough about it. A happy and stable middle ground is what we should seek and find.
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – V
Saturday, May 16th, 2009If you generate profit, don’t you deserve a share of it? Profit generation and increasing shareholder value — these are the hallmarks of top talent in our capitalistic world view now. What is good for the shareholder is certainly good for the talent as well.
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – IV
Thursday, May 14th, 2009Another common argument is that bonuses are necessary to retail the so-called “talent.” Are they?
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – III
Tuesday, May 12th, 2009If hard work does not entitle us to fat bonuses, perhaps our “talent” does? This is the third in the series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine.
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – II
Sunday, May 10th, 2009The second in the series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine, here is the common argument about hard work and the perceived entitlements.
Bonus Plans of Mice and Men – I
Friday, May 8th, 2009This is another series of posts based on an upcoming column of mine in the Wilmott Magazine. In this series, I will examine at the arguments for and against huge bonuses and golden parachutes. The first in the series, this post merely sets the stage for the next half a dozen. The starting point of this series is the public resignation letter by Jake DeSantis, ex-EVP at AIG, and his reasons for believing in the fairness of the huge bonus packages. And my arguments against them, with the personal suspicion that my views are perhaps more a case of sour grapes than of moral high horse.
How Much is Your Time Worth?
Sunday, April 12th, 2009Time and money represent the basic conflict of work-life balance. Here is an unreal look at the old problem.
Little Materialists
Friday, March 27th, 2009Do you think kids are more materialistic these days? I think so. And I think I know why.
Gurus of a Disturbing Kind
Monday, March 23rd, 2009A word of caution on charismatic gurus and shortcuts to salvation.
Unreal Stress Reduction Techniques
Saturday, February 14th, 2009Stressed out at work? Try these stress-reduction techniques. Well, musings, really…
An Office Survival Guide
Thursday, February 12th, 2009It is a jungle out there. Do you have what it takes to survive? If not, don’t worry, I’m here to help.

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