Stress Management & Work-Life Balance

“Shantaram, it’s high time you retire from the film industry” said Shankar Bhat, the owner of Prakash Pictures casually during a meeting of the Film Producers Guild. V Shantaram, the renowned director and the owner of Rajkamal Studios was taken aback. When asked for the reason he said, “Your last film, Zanak Zanak Payal Baje has been a blockbuster through which not only have you reached a pinnacle of success but the film is also considered as an epitome of creativity....

What makes A Maverick stand apart? “Shantaram, it’s high time you retire from the film industry” said Shankar Bhat, the owner of Prakash Pictures casually during a meeting of the Film Producers Guild. V Shantaram, the renowned direc…

Communication to Impress or to express? The article discusses the difference between Good and Great Communication

Good and Great Communication “This is our drawing room; this is the balcony and this are the wall-to -wall wardrobes.” Shantanu, a software engineer in his early 30s was explaining to his guests as I was ushered into his new 3…

“The Galaxy Z flip 5 is ONLY Rs 99,999/ said the salesman at the mobile counter. Being a latest product from Samsung, we can work out a special price for you with an exchange of the old mobile additional upgrade bonus and extra bank cashback…” While the salesman was rattling off the technical specifications in his sales pitch; I got stuck at the word ONLY....

Do we mean what we say? “The Galaxy Z flip 5 is ONLY Rs 99,999/ said the salesman at the mobile counter. Being a latest product from Samsung, we can work out a special price for you with an exchange of the old mobile addi…

Alienation and Overdependence on Technology Last week I had a pre-training meeting with a manager from a MNC having its office in a premium co-working space in Bengaluru. The reception was automated wherein visitors had to key in the details…

How excessive use of technology can be problematic

Alienation and Overdependence on Technology Last week I had a pre-training meeting with a manager from a MNC having its office in a premium co-working space in Bengaluru. The reception was automated wherein visitors had to key in the details…

The article describes the importance of adversity and challenges in self-development

Adversity and Personal Growth In one of the LinkedIn posts, a lady CEO had shared  that her son who is in 9th standard could not trace his Physics book, just prior to the exams. His mother was in office whom the son was de…

The article is about the buisness model of Ikea

http://rajanparulekar.in/2022/07/23/the-ikea-effect-customer-as-a-co-creator-of-value/

The Ikea Effect – Customer as a Co-Creator of Value Recently the Swedish Furniture giant IKEA opened its Bangalore store spread over 12 acres at Nagasandra in Bangalore. There was such an overwhelming response that people had to wait for three hours…

Do you think what one does not know may be relevant than what one knows? The blog is about blind spot and human biases.

http://rajanparulekar.in/2022/06/01/blindspot-and-bias/

Blindspot and Bias The opening slides in my Value-Selling program read as follows:The main objective of the program is to help you improve the Top-Line and Bottom-Line performance. When the training program commenced…

Abraham Lincoln had no choice but to sack one of his army generals for losing a battle during the Civil war for his sheer stupidity when victory seemed almost certain. In his witty style Lincoln said, “He has managed to wring a spectacular defeat from the jaws of victory.” Congress was the ruling party in Punjab with 77 out of 117 seats under the CM Amarjeet Singh....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2022/03/25/snatching-defeat-from-the-jaws-of-victory/

Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory Abraham Lincoln had no choice but to sack one of his army generals for losing a battle during the Civil war for his sheer stupidity when victory seemed almost certain. In his witty style Lincoln sa…

In the early 90s, Airbus and Boeing, the two major players in commercial aircrafts decided to come together to manufacture Very Large Commercial Transport ( VLCT). Later on both the competitors parted ways as their business strategy could not synergize. Ultimately in 1994 Airbus decided to go solo on this venture and the project was codenamed A3XX. And thus the first flight of A380, the largest commercial aircraft happened in 2007 which is a double-deck, wide body 4-engine aircraft with 6000 square feet of usable space, 40% more space than its nearest rival product Boeing B747-8....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2022/02/28/why-market-pulse-is-more-critical-than-a-superior-product-design/

Why market pulse is more critical than a superior product design? In the early 90s, Airbus and Boeing,  the two major players in commercial aircrafts decided to come together to manufacture Very Large Commercial Transport ( VLCT). Later on both the competito…

“Sir, do you have any requirement of centrifuges?” Said Biswas during one of the role-plays in our Value-Selling Programs. My partner, Ramiah Daniels and I have been questioning this habit of sales and service people addressing customers as Sir/Madam (rather than by the latter’s name) for quite a while. The common justifications provided by the participants are: Customer feels respected....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2021/12/27/should-you-address-your-customer-as-sir-madam/

Should You address your customer as Sir/Madam? “Sir, do you have any requirement of centrifuges?” Said Biswas during  one of the role-plays in our Value-Selling Programs. My partner, Ramiah Daniels and I have been  questioning this ha…

Cycle is a story that unfolds in Bhugaon, a village in Konkan, Maharashtra, circa 1948. The protagonist is Keshav who is an astrologer whom people consulted mostly in times of distress. Keshav provided guidance about his client’s future by studying his horoscope. Quite often if the client were to be in financial distress, Keshav not only used to offer his services pro-bono but also partake of a meal with them....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2021/09/21/the-metaphor-of-bicycle-thieves/

The Metaphor of Bicycle Thieves Cycle is a story that unfolds in Bhugaon, a village in Konkan, Maharashtra, circa 1948. The protagonist is Keshav who is an astrologer whom people consulted mostly in times of distress. Keshav…

Socrates was a Greek philosopher (470BC-399BC) in Athens. He did not author any texts, but his disciple, Plato captured his thoughts in the Dialogue. The Socratic method of inquiry was a method of deep questioning which he used to have with his students on topics like beauty, justice, virtue, etc. He never gave direct answers to his questions but expected his students to figure out their own answers....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2021/09/02/socratic-method-of-inquiry-the-difference-between-knowledge-and-wisdom/

Socratic Method of Inquiry: The Difference between Knowledge and Wisdom Asking the right questions is more crucial than looking out for the readymade answers was the main objective Socratic Method of Inquiry.

“My daughter now a days is bit depressed. Despite doing M.Sc. in biotechnology she is not getting the package like her friends in the IT sector.” Said my friend Dilip. The approach to work can be described in the following three categories: Job – People engage in work primarily to earn money. Work is a means to an end. Career- …...

http://rajanparulekar.in/2021/08/04/job-career-or-a-calling/

Job, Career or a Calling? “My daughter now a days is bit depressed. Despite doing M.Sc. in biotechnology she is not getting the package like her friends in the IT sector.” Said my friend Dilip.  The approach to work ca…

On 24th June 1991, three days after swearing-in as the Prime Minister, Prannoy Roy from NDTV while interviewing P.V. Narasimha Rao (PVN) asked him, “Hon. Prime Minister, the country is going through a major financial crisis, you are heading a minority government. You are not in the pink of health. How are you going to manage?” After a long pause, PVN, using Bismarck's famous quote, replied, “Politics, is the art of the possible.”...

http://rajanparulekar.in/2021/06/23/p-v-narasimha-rao-a-forgotten-hero/

P.V. Narasimha Rao – A Forgotten Hero The article is about P.V. Narasimha Rao the former PM of India who is considered as the chief architect of Economic Liberalization aka India’s 2nd Independence

His programs and coaching sessions have a rich blend of Western Management Techniques like EST, Who Am I, Transactional Analysis (TA), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Gestalt Therapy, Emotional & Spiritual Intelligence & Eastern practices like Zen, Tao, Vipassana, Patanjali Yoga Sutra etc. He has conducted around 75 programs on Stress Management, Work-Life Balance. Flow, Conquest of Happiness etc....

http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/11/26/rajan-parulekar/

Rajan Parulekar His programs and coaching sessions have a rich blend of Western Management Techniques like EST, Who Am I, Transactional Analysis (TA), Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), Neuro-Linguistic Pr…

The first sermon Buddha delivered after enlightenment was on the Four Noble Truths which are: The truth of suffering The truth of the origin of suffering The truth of the goal The truth of the path to the goal Quite often it is felt that Buddha was pessimistic and was against the good things in life when he uttered the first noble truth that ‘Life is Suffering’ (Dukkha). [ 945 more words ]

http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/11/02/relevance-of-four-noble-truths-in-an-age-of-uncertainty-and-anxiety/

Relevance of Four Noble Truths in an Age of Uncertainty and Anxiety It is is felt that self-improvement techniques help to drive out the nagging irritation. But the truth is otherwise and consists of the Four Noble Truths.

“Will you be giving us a certificate for the Stress Management program?” I was perplexed by this question from several participants, more so when it was to be a two-hour online session. To one of them, a lecturer, I asked “Why are you so keen on having a certificate? Do you think it will help you manage your stress?” She replied, “It looks good on my CV.” [ 1,446 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/09/03/use-these-masks-with-discretion/

Use These Masks with Discretion! “Will you be giving us a certificate for the Stress Management program?” I was perplexed by this question from several participants, more so when it was to be a two-hour online session. To one of t…

“Charles, you care for nothing but shooting dogs and rats; you will be a disgrace to not only yourself but to your family too.” This was a father’s prophecy about his son. The father wanted his son to be a doctor like him. Charles entered Edinburgh University for medicine at his father’s behest, found it unattractive, later joined Cambridge, and earned an undistinguished bachelor’s degree in theology. [ 1,477 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/07/25/have-you-found-your-niche/

Have you found your niche? The article is about developing a niche strategy towards a long-term terms sustainable success.

1.The Program was Interactive, where connecting to the customer on a common ground was shown as an important aspect. Different methods of sales pitch was also highlighted to win over new customers. - Koshal Reddy, Anritsu Instruments 2. It will help me during cold calling, how to talk as a stranger to new customers which will increase my confidence during the customer interaction.- Ritesh Kadam, Multidimensions… [ 295 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/07/20/acquiring-new-customers-participant-feedback/

Acquiring New Customers – Participant Feedback 1.The Program was Interactive, where connecting to the customer on a common ground was shown as an important aspect. Different methods of sales pitch was also highlighted to win over new customers.…

“Rajeev, we have been given a mandate by our management. Due to the Covid-19 crisis leading to a steep fall in customer demand, you are expected to reduce the price of your cutting tools by 50%,” said Mr. Padmanabhan, (the purchase manager of Shockproof, a shock absorber manufacturing company from Delhi) adding a veiled threat, “else we have no choice but to switch over to the competition.” Rajeev is a technocrat running ‘Techno Enterprises,’ a MSME manufacturing cutting tools enterprise with a turnover of around Rs. [ 1,332 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/07/08/batna-the-tool-to-improve-your-negotiating-leverage/

BATNA – The Tool to Improve Your Negotiating Leverage “Rajeev, we have been given a mandate by our management. Due to the Covid-19 crisis leading to a steep fall in customer demand, you are expected to reduce the price of your cutting tools by 50%,” s…

My first interaction with Deepak Parab, the CEO of Metrohm India Private Limited (a leading company in Analytical Instruments and Solutions) happened around two years ago when he called me from his Chennai HQ and said that he would like me to conduct a ‘Managerial Effectiveness’ program for his pan-India team of service managers. “Rajan, I shall ask my National Service Manager, Vinod Salunkhe to get in touch with you to discuss the further modalities.” The call hardly lasted five minutes; a client taking a quick decision in finalizing a 2-day training program was a rarity in my training career of 25 years. [ 1,370 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/06/20/inspiring-leadership/

Inspiring Leadership My first interaction with Deepak Parab, the CEO of Metrohm India Private Limited (a leading company in Analytical Instruments and Solutions) happened around two years ago when he called me from his…

Thursday, 25th June 2020 at 11 AM (IST) Perspective: The success rate in conventional cold calls is less than 5%. Thanks to internet and with easy availability of information coupled with Covid-19 crisis, your potential customers are wary of meeting unknown salespeople; whether on-line or in person. When the competition is a mouse click away, retaining old customers becomes a challenge. [ 276 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/06/15/acquiring-new-customers-through-contextual-selling/

Acquiring New Customers through Contextual Selling Thursday, 25th June 2020 at 11 AM (IST) Perspective: The success rate in conventional cold calls is less than 5%. Thanks to internet and with easy availability of information coupled with Covid-19 …

Saturday 13th June, @ 10 AM , Duration: One and Half Hours Major Themes: Myths and Truth about stress Impact of Stress on Mind and Body Importance of developing a Shield to protect oneself Types of Stressors – Acute, Chronic and Catastrophe How the human brain creates its own reality Technique #1: Whatever you focus on, Expands Participant Feedback: [ 50 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/06/07/free-webinar-on-stress-management-2/

FREE Webinar on Stress Management Saturday 13th June, @ 10 AM , Duration: One and Half Hours Major Themes:   Myths and Truth about stressImpact of Stress on Mind and BodyImportance of developing a Shield to protect oneselfType…

Saturday 13th June 2020 @ 10AM, Duration One and Half Hours Major Themes Myths and Truth about stress Impact of Stress on Mind and Body Importance of developing a Shield to protect oneself Types of Stressors – Acute, Chronic and Catastrophe How the human brain creates its own reality Technique #1: Whatever you focus on, Expands Faculty: Rajan Parulekar - he has conducted training programs for 1000+ companies since 1995; includes Emotional intelligence, Work-life Balance etc. [ 37 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/06/07/free-webinar-on-stress-management/

FREE Webinar on Stress Management Saturday 13th June 2020 @ 10AM, Duration One and Half Hours Major Themes Myths and Truth about stress Impact of Stress on Mind and Body Importance of dev…

How do you conclude whether you have liked a training program or not? The trainer may be highly knowledgeable but if he is not able to engage the audience; the feedback is considered to be negative confirming you have not liked the training program. The different techniques trainers employ to engage the audience include ice breakers, fun session, individual and group activities , case studies, role plays, exercises etc. [ 1,204 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/06/01/virtues-of-boredom/

Virtues of Boredom How do you conclude whether you have liked a training program or not? The trainer may be highly knowledgeable but if he is not able to engage the audience; the feedback is considered to be negative…

In one of my webinars I posed the following questions: To swim to and fro across the banks of a river; it takes a swimmer half an hour. What is the maximum number of rounds can he complete in an 8 hour schedule by diving into the same river? Most of the participants responded with the answer as 16. Some considering the fatigue of the swimmer provided answers which ranged from 4-12. [ 1,199 more word ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/05/26/relevance-of-ambiguous-thinking-in-challenging-times/

Relevance of Ambiguous Thinking in Challenging Times In one of my webinars I posed the following questions: To swim to and fro across the banks of a river; it takes a swimmer half an hour. What is the maximum number of rounds can he complete in an 8…

Mark Twain once said, “A person who does not read good books is no different from a person who cannot read them.” In this age of information overload where what’s app, blogs, magazines and newspapers are vying to catch the reader’s attention are we more knowledgeable and wiser than our ancestors? Most of us would reply in the affirmative. We may have more information of things around us but more knowledgeable may be a bit debatable. [ 842 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/05/14/how-to-read-a-book-the-classic-guide-to-intelligent-reading-by-mortimer-adler-and-charles-van-doren/

How To read A Book- The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading – By Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren Mark Twain once said, “A person who does not read good books is no different from a person who cannot read them.” In this age of information overload where what’s app, blogs, magazines and newspape…

3 Sessions:15-17th May, Fri-Sun, @10 am IST Topics: ( include 5 practical techniques) Day I- Origins and Myths about Stress Importance of developing a Shield (type A/B personality) Day II - Whatever you focus on, EXPANDS! Locus of control Day III: This too shall pass! Gap between reality and expectations Short & Long-term Strategies to Manage Stress Faculty: Rajan Parulekar… [ 83 more words ]
http://rajanparulekar.in/2020/05/12/webinar-on-managing-stress-in-challenging-times/

Webinar on Managing Stress in Challenging Times 3 Sessions:15-17th May, Fri-Sun, @10 am IST Topics: ( include 5 practical techniques) Day I- Origins and Myths about Stress Importance of developing a Shield (type A/B personality) Day II – W…

Amit, a participant who had attended my sales training program around four years back called me over phone two days back. A: Sir, I am working for a small Indian company selling Test and Measuring Instruments (TMI) What is the secret that our competitors, the giant multinational companies, go on consistently getting orders from customers beating us all the time? I know they have technically superior products. [ 1,248 more word ]
https://rajanparulekar.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/reason-and-excuse-the-crucial-difference/

Reason and Excuse: The Crucial Difference Amit, a participant who had attended my sales training program around four years back called me over phone two days back. A: Sir, I am working for a small Indian company selling Test and Measuring…