FEBRUARY 2022 | ISSUE 20
BUSINESS S T R AT E G Y
E-magazine
FEATURED IPO decoded: Weight the risks and benefits
INTERNATIONAL Peter drucker and remote working – George Kemish The great opportunity -
David Savage
WORKPLACE HEALTH Conquering loneliness -
Neeta Pant It’s getting weirder-legal Paradoxes in m ental Health treatm ent
CAREER Flying throu gh the clouds a career in cloud computing
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2021 has indeed been a year of a boon for the tech start-ups in India. More than $36 million were raised in this domain alone and also India got 43 unicorns. The massive IPO rush that was very characteristic of the year 2021, still continues this year. The law environment has been extremely favorable for the IPO development this year. Dr. Vaneeta Aggarwal www.Vaneetaa.com www.Lstrategyq.com www.bizemag.com Disclaimer - The Magazine producers and editors are not responsible for any views, opinions and information provided by the writers. The content produced here is copyright of Business strategy e-magazine and cannot be reproduced in part or full form without official approval. Any graphics depicted within the magazine are solely for symbolic representation and are taken from stock free options.
A huge number of companies are on the verge of floating their IPO in 2022. The IPO collection in India is close to being 44, 000 crore INR. Even during the pandemic, the rise was so massive that it is definitely a silver lining for IPO rush. Massive companies like OYO and e-commerce setups like Flipkart are also on the same boat. However SEBI has imposed certain strict rules on IPO operations in India that has to some extent affected the operation of the IPO sector. Measures such as capping the quantum of issue and restricting the number of shares that can be offered for sale has massively affected the market. Response to such measures include various deep rooted changes. The money raised through IPO is basically used for global expansion of the tech companies. Hoping that you will like the content and choice of topics in this issue. Please write your feedback and enquiry to contact@bizemag.com
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 3
CONTENT FEATURED
IPO Decoded: Weight The Risks and Benefits
INTERNATIONAL
Peter Drucker and Remote Working – George Kemish The Great Opportunity - David Savage
WORKPLACE HEALTH Conquering Loneliness - Neeta Pant
It’s Getting Weirder-Legal Paradoxes In Mental Health Treatment
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 4
CAREER
Flying Through The CloudsA Career in Cloud Computing
The Boom of Launching IPO in India - Risks and Benefits From an Investor Point of View
IPO Decoded: Weight the Risks and Benefits
B
efore you hop into investing in IPOs, make sure you have a detailed view of the risk and benefit analysis. IPO stands for Initial Public Offering. Many investors are pretty familiar with the term and are looking forward to investing in IPOs. If you are looking forward to investing in them this IPO season, it is high time you know a bit of IPO in detail.
investment will help you immensely to create a basal connection with high-yielding successful profit-making companies. If you want to earn massive profit in a short time, an IPO is an ideal way out for you. In the short run, an IPO is very productive and can yield highly profitable returns. In this case, it is essential to note that an investor must choose the right investment company.
The one primary thing to consider is that simply because IPOs have performed very well does not mean they will perform better in the future. There are a million risks associated with IPOs and before you dive into this flashy new thing, make sure you have known each one of those correctly. The newness of the concept should never deceive you towards any unworthy investment. IPOs indeed have their own set of pros and cons like any other investment type, but the other side is that you have to do plenty of research on them before an investment motive.
During this time, investing in modern tech companies can be profitable because it is an era of new-age technology, and such companies will profit. For example, if you invest in a company that supports a revolutionising tech-based solution for a task, you can massively benefit from the same. Investing in an IPO will also help you consolidate and increase your wealth in the long run. However, the primary motive should be to increase wealth and opt for profits in the short run.
BENEFITS OF INVESTING IN AN IPO THE INVESTORS PERSPECTIVE EARLY ACTION One of the core benefits of investing in an IPO, at least from a successful investors’ point of view, is that you can get into the action very swiftly. A sustainable IPO
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ENHANCED TRANSPARENCY Accuracy and transparency are two crucial factors essential for responsible investment. IPO order documents are robust tools to clarify the price per security. However, the prices are subject to fluctuations in the market and are dependent highly on the changes. As an investor, you have to understand how to evaluate the pricing of the IPO and what are the best prices you can access.
DISCOUNT AT RETAIL QUOTA The discount at retail quota is one of the most lucrative parts of investing in an IPO. To make IPOs popular, the companies offer an innovative and lump value to their retail investors. If you are an amateur in this field, it would be best suited for you to invest under the retail quota so that your Initial investment step is marked with profit. CHANCE TO REVIEW INVESTMENTS IPO investments have already made the job easier for the investors because the mess of secondary market trading can be well avoided in the case of IPOs. Despite the immense fluctuations in vetting, you get a fair chance of reviewing your investment. With the influx of many reputed companies into the IPO market, it has become easier for investors to place their trust and make lucid choices. PRODUCTIVE ALLOCATION With the help of funds raised through an IPO, a blooming entrepreneur gets the scope of raising money for their business. Whereas in the case of secondary markets, you are buying shares from a seller. So in actualif words, funding for a productive allocation is applicable only for the IPOs.
IS AN IPO INVESTMENT RISKY? If you fail to understand the company well, there are high chances that you will end up investing in the wrong IPO. Wrong IPO means that you will not gain anything for yourself and incur losses. You must perform thorough research on the company before planning to
invest. Here are the top 5 risks to take care of before planning an IPO investment: UNCERTAINTY OF ALLOTMENT It is not that you want to buy an IPO share, and you will easily access it. However, for investing in an IPO, you will initially have to apply. However, you will fall under a particular investor category when you use it. However, after all the applications have been received, it will be difficult to decide whether you will be eligible for buying the shares of the specific IPO or not. Just like any other business, with the application number exceeding limits, there are high chances that you may not get the opportunity to invest in a particular IPO. LACK OF INFORMATION In any type of IPO guidance, you will always come across a popular term, “do proper research prior to investment”. But what if there is no scope of research? Usually, an investor will try to reach out to the most common sources, however, of information. Still, most of the time, there is a lack of knowledge in popular databases like Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP). This leads to confusion, and you can often identify your peers’ actions. IPOS ARE NOT STABLE The uncertainty associated with an IPO is not unknown to anyone. IPO is right now the most volatile component of the financial world. Whether the trade will remain in operational status or will be frozen is entirely unpredictable. That is why it is always better to go for investment only if you can withstand the atrocities in case any situation arises. Usually, the initial days during any IPO trade are highly crucial, and the maximum amount
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What Should You Keep in Mind While Investing in IPOs? of business as well fluctuations are witnessed during this time. Later on, with advancing time, the motion of the trade becomes rigid. Here are the top 5 things to keep in mind when dealing with an IPO investment: N ever be unrealistic about your return expectations from IPOs. Investors, especially the amateurs, are often swayed away by the hype around IPOs and estimate unrealistic profits from the same. However, this is not true and is something you should refrain from. W ith the company’s growth, the value of your shares will grow. If you manage to stay put in the stock run for a long time with the same company, the chances of your claim witnessing higher growth are maximum. U nderstanding the company, its nature, Modas Operandi, and previous records is crucial before
FINAL WORDS So, after all these, many of you must be thinking that you have ended up in a mess and all the strings are entangled. Well, that is not the case. It may seem intimidating, and to be honest, it is valid to some extent but dealing with IPO investments is no rocket science. The fact is that: You can, and you should invest in an IPO only if you understand all about it in depth. With a superficial knowledge about IPO, it’s better not to indulge in the dealings. So before choosing the company to invest in, you must have a good idea about the company’s whereabouts, right from their previous records to their market worth and credibility. One of the most recent observations about IPO dealings reveals that in most cases, IPO investments are based on peer pressure, hype and the emotional psyche of the investor. Everyone else investing in an IPO makes you become a part of the hype wave. This is detrimental to your wealth and investment, and it will be better to abstain from such behaviour. If you are planning to invest in an IPO, one of the essential tasks you must perform should be realising your investment goals and your risk tolerance capacity. An ideal balance between the two should drive your IPO investment journey. Also, scrutinise the liabilities and litigations that impact the growth and value of the
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investing in any IPO. Also, when you have multiple investment options, this essential research should drive your decision. T he disappointing performance of any IPO on listing gain face should be the crucial indicator for you to exit from that IPO at the earliest. The sooner you leave, the lesser damage caused. However, you have to follow the continuous evaluation process to take action rapidly. F ollowing are the imperative numerics that must be followed when deciding whether or not to invest in an IPO:
Return on Equity Return on Growth Earnings growth Leverage position Balance sheet debt Nature of cash flow ( should be positive)
company whose IPO you are investing in. Understand the company well and weigh your investment potential before waving the flag to your IPO investment journey.
PETER DRUCKER AND REMOTE WORKING By George Kemish
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 10
P
eter Drucker stated that ‘Knowledge Management would have a Major Impact on the Structure of an Organisation’. This is something of an understatement. In fact, the Structure of an Organisation needs to support the Strategy, Capability and Culture (inclusive of the Learning Culture) needed to encourage the collaboration, communication, innovation and creativity needed to support the Value Chain (working back from the Customer). However, the move to remote working does not appear to be supporting these needs. In fact, the introduction of remote working, in many cases, has put in place a structure that has a major (detrimental) impact on Knowledge Management. It has also created a paradox in that, if not managed properly, the Strategy, Capability and Culture will end up supporting the Structure rather than the Value Chain – our research shows that this is already starting to happen. For some employees, remote working is seen as an opportunity to improve work/life balance. It cuts out the need for travel to and from work and it reduces the need for childcare in some cases. For others it can create an insular existence and, in many cases, stifle career progression. Research undertaken by external organisations have shown the following: HR Review – results show that 48% of Millennials are finding it difficult to communicate with colleagues – this is having an impact on their development.
We Work – results show that 41% of Gen Z are missing out on the Mentoring required for them to be effective in carrying out tasks; with a further 50% worried about career progression due to a lack of development. Three other surveys that have been carried out show that a median of 42% of Gen Z and Millennials feel that they have not received the development that they consider necessary to advance their careers. According to Forbes a high proportion of Gen Z would prefer to learn online. However, this does not provide a solution for stemming the loss of implicit learning (the unstructured learning that takes place in the workplace through the use of previously attained knowledge held by colleagues - perhaps from a previous employment – or subjective insight, intuition, judgement, inspiration or innovation) – you can teach explicit knowledge (that is already in the public domain) but you cannot teach what you do not know because it is still in someone else’s head. As seen by the results of the survey conducted by HR Review, the Network Structure that has been utilised to support remote working has, in most cases, reduced the lines of communication available to employees. Our research shows that it consists of a nucleus (representing the Senior Management Team) with lines of communication out to Team Leaders who are working
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remotely. There is then lines of communication from the Team Leaders to the individual team members and that is as far as it goes. Communication between team members is often lacking as are the lines of communication between the individual team leaders thus creating individual silos (something that most organisations were moving away from prior to the COVID Epidemic). Much of this comes down to business leaders not putting in place an Integrated Collaboration Environment (ICE); through the use of a more sophisticated software that allows for real-time collaboration and conferencing that takes account of the need to react to change with speed and scale (although it should be noted that, even with ICE, implicit learning is unlikely to be as spontaneous as it is when employees are co-located). We are already seeing how customer expectations are not being met through incorrect information being passed to customers due to the poor internal communication of change; and problems not being resolved at the first time of asking due to the poor capability of the people with whom customers are engaging. However, the lack of such software is not the only problem highlighted in our research when looking at poor collaboration.
What has been the effect of remote working on the Value Chain? What has been the effect of poor communication, collaboration and staff development on the Organisation? The most sensible way of answering these questions is to carry out a Quality Continuous Improvement Event. This was previously covered in ‘Remote Working – Changing the Structure of the Organisation’. This article can be easily found on the Specialist Human Resources Limited Business Page on LinkedIn. In the longer term, could hybrid working provide a partial remedy to some of these problems?
In an article, published by Specialist Human Resources Ltd prior to COVID, it was suggested that ‘having departmental heads explain how the different departments interact and how the post, to which the new employee is allocated, can add value, is a must. In this way, s/he will have a better understanding of how the quality of his or her work can have a knock-on effect across the Organization’. In a remote working environment this does little more than provide a platform on which to establish ICE. Implicit learning is no longer spontaneous and so it is left to the individual employee to identify the learning that needs to be communicated in order to provide growth for both the workforce and the organisation.
In summary, the Network Structure created by remote working will not support the ‘right’ strategies, capabilities and culture required to support the Value Chain without changing the way in which team members and team leaders communicate and collaborate with each other. Furthermore, there is a need to introduce software capable of supporting an Integrated Collaboration Environment (ICE) that allows people to react to change with the speed and scale required in order to maintain (or improve) the positioning of the organisation in the marketplace.
If the employee is to be in a position to identify the learning that s/he requires, as well as the learning that they have picked up whilst working remotely that needs to be communicated to others, they will need to be totally engaged in their own work and that of their team. In addition, they will need an understanding of the organisational strategy that has been put in place to ensure that customer expectations are met. They also need to identify the context in which the learning has been identified – implicit (or explicit) learning used in the wrong context could be detrimental to achieving an organisations’ goals. That leaves us with another problem. It is almost two years since many organisations commenced remote working. What has changed in that time? What implicit learning has taken place that has not yet been shared?
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In a survey carried out by Bloomberg, 61% of employees preferred the idea of hybrid working. The reasons given being an opportunity for collaboration, innovation and connectivity. However, it should be noted that, whilst it might provide an opportunity for implicit learning to be consolidated, it does not provide for spontaneous learning across the organisation as much of the learning will still occur remotely. For this reason, there is no getting away from the need to introduce ICE in order to manage the learning that is brought about through constant change.
It would appear that both the Employer and HR Professional has a lot of catching up to do!
George Kemish Founder Human Resources Specialist Employability Mentor International Business School University of Lincoln, UK
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 13
Turn the Great Resignation into the Great Opportunity! David B. Savage
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 14
David B. Savage: I Got You! I coach leaders through complex challenges to turn them into significant opportunities! 57 articles
“I
n April, the number of workers who quit their job in a single month broke an all-time U.S. record. Economists called it the “Great Resignation.” But America’s quittin’ spirit was just getting started. In July, even more people left their job. In August, quitters set yet another record. That Great Resignation? It just keeps getting greater.” Derek Thompson, The Atlantic, October 15, 2021 The Great Resignation is a very serious threat to businesses of all sizes and locations. Many employees are not coming back or resigning. Those staff and management that do stay are under huge stress, burnout, and loss of control over their lives. Many businesses can either not function or function with significantly reduced products, services and hours. Entrepreneurs, small businesses, especially in the service sectors, simply are forced to close. New gaps in staff and management are now common. The quality and sequence of communication have fallen. Loyalty falls. Many feel disrespected and trapped. Businesses that have relied on the leadership style of command and control and business that focus on making money as the highest priority are failing. Man-
agement and staff in these organizations are feeling crushed by the weight of their responsibilities, scarcer resources, and top-down management. The Great Resignation has a theme song. The Who, Tommy Album and the song; "We're not gonna take it Never did and never will We're not gonna take it Gonna break it Gonna shake it Let's forget it better still Now you can't hear me Your ears are truly sealed You can't speak either Your mouth is filled You can't see nothing." Billions of $ internationally of business and community value destruction are happening now. To compete for and attract staff, business owners and managers are;
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actively lowering standards and qualifications, raising pay, and providing additional benefits. There is a far more effective way than focussing on the money alone. During my forty-six-year career as a negotiator and business leader, the way to failure is to keep throwing money at problems. The way to success is to truly engage, listen, explore values, collaborate, innovate, and focus on creating shared value. When people and organizations focus on the real substance and leave the money part of the negotiation at the end of the negotiation, we create alignment, vision, purpose, loyalty and commitment. When we show we value people, our community, and our environment, we come together. When people feel alignment and their purposeful role, they value their employer. We are then proud of our work. Yes, employers may give staff a 7% raise. This is 1% more than inflation. A raise doesn’t make them a better, more committed, and productive member of your team. That is a Band-Aid on the real flaws of the employment relations. Consider the root causes of the Great Resignation. “The COVID-19 pandemic has allowed workers to rethink their careers, work conditions, and long-term goals. As many workplaces attempted to bring their employees in-person, workers desired the freedom to work from home given during the pandemic. With telecommuting also came schedule flexibility, which was the primary reason to look for a new job of the majority of those studied by Bankrate in August 2021. Additionally, many workers, particularly in younger cohorts, are seeking to gain a better work-life balance. “Wikipedia People are not lazy and living on social assistance. People want far more from their work. The movement is termed The Great Resignation. This is a fear-based, scarcity perspective. Let’s instead call it The Great Opportunity. My colleague, Scott Meakin and I are helping organizations and leaders navigate through these very challenging times. “Business With Purpose means being deliberate in how you operate your business with a clear focus on profit, people, and the environment. For not for profit’s, it means a clear focus on fundraising, stakeholders, and the environment in the delivery of your services. Really the same things using different words. What is important to understand is there are numerous ever-changing forces in the market today. To be
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successful, regardless of your definition of success, organizations need to account for these forces when making business decisions. Employees, customers, and external stakeholders are demanding businesses focus their services or products on them as well as the bottom line. There continues to be a drive for accountability in how organizations deliver their services or products. In fact, this drive is growing.” Business with Purpose focuses away from the fears and towards the great opportunities. Think about how you and your business will pay more attention to how we; 1. Work together, 2. Make decisions, 3. How we meet the needs of our families, 4. Protect our environment, 5. Mentor our future leaders, 6. Innovate, 7. Collaborate, 8. Hire diverse skills and demographics, 9. Include diverse perspectives, 10. Align with our values and ethics, 11. Are flexible to the needs of our people, and 12. Create and strategize to achieve our vision for our better future. Actively performing this strategy is a powerful force for change, profitability, and employee attraction and retention. Becoming a Business with Purpose is not a short-term strategy. Doing it well must become your organizational culture that evolves as we learn together. The stronger you get the greater attraction for customers, staff, clients, and stakeholders. You are creating a fresh path for your business. Build your tribe from the great pool of people and talents now available, those who want far more than a small pay raise. Turn the Great Resignation into a Great Opportunity. David B. Savage I coach leaders through complex challenges to turn them into significant opportunities!
David B. Savage Founder
Consulting LTD., Canada
Conquering Loneliness By Dr. Neeta Pant
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 18
“Loneliness is proof that your innate search for connection is intact.” – Martha Beck
D
o you know the biggest fear for humans is of being alone? We all feel lonely from time to time and it’s not easy as loneliness becomes overwhelming. The great irony is that as we become increasingly “connected” on social media & digital world, we ironically feel increasingly lonely. The tricky thing about feelings is that they impact differently for everyone. Some people are content having fewer friends and enjoy spending a great deal of time alone. Same scenarios may create a deep sense of loneliness and isolation for others. Being lonely is a feeling whereas being alone is tangible and concrete. When we feel alone, we may feel disconnected from others despite having people around us. Feeling lonely is our body’s response to not getting our needs met. Figuring out why we feel lonely even when we are not alone can help us feel more in tune with the feeling.
2. QUALITY NOT QUANTITY RELATIONSHIPS To feel connected, we need to invest time and energy into our relationships. In order to truly feel connected to someone in a relationship, we should be able to be our most natural self. We probably can’t give our natural self to a dozen people in the same way as we can to our two or three closest people, hence focus should be on this squad to ensure those bonds are strong. 3. BEING ON GUARD Ever felt like people don't really know us? Is it possible that we have our guards up, and aren't sending out clear messages that we're open for new bonds or connections? When we have our guards up, we not only have challenges with authenticity, but have challenges relating to what others may share with us. Sharing ourself can be scary for some, but if we want to form a bond with others, we need to let our guards down and open up. 4. TOO MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA
WHY DO PEOPLE FEEL LONELY? The answer basically lies in how well a person can connect on a deep emotional level with others in an intimate and vulnerable way. Figuring out how to feel less lonely depends partly on why we feel lonely to begin with.
Studies suggests that the lonelier a person is, the more time they're likely to spend on social media that gives them a sense that we're with tons of other people. Since one is not gaining anything from a face-to-face interaction, or actively experiencing their lives with them, it can further contribute to the sense of isolation even if that group is only virtual and perceived. 1. CLOSENESS CRAVING Loneliness is complicated. It might actually mean we’re longing for connection. If we do not find that element of closeness in our relationship, it will tend to make us feel more isolated than just being alone. We might wind up feeling more empty if our relationship is not clicking like we want it to. The desire to be significant is what connects us to others and lessens our feelings of loneliness.
5. NOT FITTING IN We may have different interests to the people in our circle or maybe we just dress or think differently. Feeling that we don’t fit can make the symptoms of loneliness even worse, and makes it more difficult to meet friends and feel connected. Connecting with like-minded people is the key here.
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6. TRAP OF VULNERABILITY Past filled with trauma, pain and rejection can lead to a distorted and painful narrative about oneself which then shapes one’s life. Society forces high levels of conformity and docility and people learn from a young age that parts of their selves are unacceptable & shameful. It then becomes nearly impossible to connect and feel an emotional closeness with others. Meaningful discussions, intimacy and authenticity are avoided at all costs which leads to loneliness. 7. LOSING SENSE OF COMMUNITY Modern society has become increasingly individualistic. People have become less empathetic, self-centred and more concerned about their image projection. Today’s society lacks compassion, is more controlled, regimented, standardized, and less tolerant and impatient. Camaraderie, exploration, fun, bonding has disappeared and relationships are more for conformity and convenience. 8. CONVENIENCE OVER BOND Bonds today are built on ‘what is in it there for me’ than genuine love and concern. Modern society values ‘things’ and ‘success’ over relations. Emotions have become commodities like one acquires a latest gadget or expensive car. Seeing people as objects does not gel well for emotional closeness and thus one never feels fulfilled and accomplished in relationship and feels lonely. 9. TOO MANY EXPERTS Interesting time we live in where there is an expert for everything, literally right from - How one should eat, how much to eat, what to eat, what our bodies should look like to even how to handle our relationships. We’ve come so far from our natural instincts and ability to listen to our body and mind that we do not even feel connected to our own selves! Roots of emotional connection is being in touch with our own emotions first and being able to trust those emotions. In absence of that one is bound to feel isolated and lonely.
Conquering Loneliness
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 20
HOW CAN WE MANAGE LONELINESS?
Loneliness is not impossible to beat but there is no one single way to fight loneliness. We may start feeling more at peace with our life and feel less lonely with following pointers: 1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND VALIDATION Telling other people we're lonely can feel daunting, appalling and dissuading, but expressing that feeling can be the beginning of releasing it. Feeling lonely doesn’t mean we’re a loser or weak, it just means we’re human. Studies suggest that labelling our feelings can reduce the intensity of them. Denying our loneliness only perpetuates it, so we have to be honest, at least with ourselves, about what we are experiencing.
2. UNDERSTAND YOUR LONELINESS Recognize that loneliness looks different for people at different times of their lives. It's important to differentiate between situational loneliness and chronic loneliness. Most people feel lonely from time to time and not always. However, if we’re feeling lonely more frequently than usual, we need to ask few questions. Has something changed in our relationships leading us to feel more disconnected? Have we been nurturing wrong connections? Are we creating ample opportunities for new relations that make us feel connected? Are we intentionally or accidentally isolating ourselves? Questions like these can help us put on the right path to cope situational and chronic loneliness.
body and mind together out of the loneliness. Walking barefoot on sand or grass, dancing, yoga — can help us pay attention to the sensations in our body. 6. PERFORM ANONYMOUS ACTS OF KINDNESS Doing something nice for other people can help us feel better. It may also help us feel more connected to the community. There are many things we can do to perform acts of kindness e.g. fundraising, spending time with underprivileged, teaching them to learn some skills. Community organizations, religious and social groups provide wonderful ways to connect with others. The key is to focus on others rather than us.
3. TAKE THE TIME TO SLOW DOWN Its might be time to hit the brakes, if we have been busy frequently and often. When people's schedules are back-to-back for too long, they start disconnecting from themselves and other people. They get overwhelmed from overworking and start feeling lonely.
4. RECONNECT WITH SELF We can use alone time to reconnect with ourselves. Creative arts have an extraordinary capacity to elevate and transcend our negative emotional experiences through self-expression. It also helps us to connect more deeply and authentically with each other. Paint, meditate, listen to music, knit, dance, yoga…. anything that one like doing to reconnect with SELF; anything to get one’s creative juices flowing. Stroll through nature is meditative. Gardening can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression which can be associated with loneliness. 5. MOVE YOUR BODY It's not so much about exercise as it is about getting in touch with our sensory system, which can encourage a state of connection and flow. The idea is to engage
7. DIGITAL DETOX Is the rise of social media driving loneliness and depression? Are we using it to make meaningful connections, spending too much time on it? Are we withdrawing ourselves from others in unhelpful ways? Re-evaluation of the influence social media has on our life is necessary. We often take resort in social media when we feel dissatisfied with our face-to-face relationships which only exacerbates the problem. If social media is disconnecting us, it might be time for a temporary digital detox. It is very essential to fuel our motivation and find our balance. 8. SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP Sometimes we need professional help to escape the dark thoughts keeping us in isolation. It can help us make more meaningful connections with people and we may discover strategies for coping with loneliness in a healthy way. Professional help also helps if we’ve been dealing with loneliness in an unhealthy way. Substance abuse or engaging in other unhealthy behaviors can increase our loneliness in the long-term. 9. PANDEMIC IMPACT We may be experiencing loneliness more frequently now due to increased remote working and decreased face-to-face time. Reduction in frequency of social con-
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 21
tact has led to lack of solidarity, affection and connectedness. People have experienced bereavement, loss of belonging & lack of well-being which added on to the feeling of lonliness.
Struggle can be occasional bout of loneliness or a chronic sense of isolation, bottom-line is we are not alone in this battle. The most destructive impact of long-term loneliness is that it distorts our cognition. It makes us believe that if we are lonely, we deserve to be lonely and we will never find contentment and love in our relations. Such thoughts guide our actions in ways that end up feeling more lonely than ever. Often people isolate themselves when they need some time to cope with the change in lives. Sometimes being lonely can be beneficial, it gives us time to know and love ourselves. It provides time to reflect better thoughts and boost our state of mind and mental peace so that we could achieve what we desire. Loneliness is the hardest walk, and only we can make ourselves stronger and make our life better by handling it differently. “A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings. Remember that next time you feel alone.”
– Mandy Hale
Dr. Neeta Pant
Senior HR Professional, Clinical Psychologist, Executive Life Coach, Soft Skills Trainer, POSH & POCSO Trainer, Graphologist, Hypnotherapist
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 22
CONQUERING LONELINESS
It's Getting Weirder-Legal Paradoxes in Mental Health Rights
February 2022 | Issue 20 | 23
T
he Mental Health Care Act of 2017 is a landmark step in the right direction for Indian society. However, it is not the sole legal provision that grants or instead decides PMI (Persons with Mental Illnesses) rights. Other laws extend other necessary, crucial rights for people affected by mental diseases. It is interesting how other legal provisions often take a draconian view of the issue and infringe on rights besides providing others. Let’s take a look at some rights that people take for granted come with a big question mark due to the law of the land.
RIGHT TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT As per legal guidelines, PMIs cannot make rational judgements. This results from their inability to understand contracts. Accordingly, they are incapable of being a valid party to a legally binding agreement. According to the dated Indian Contract Act enacted almost a century and a half before 1872, PIMs can enter into contracts only during “lucid intervals.” The term refers to periods when the severity of their disease subsides to a significant extent. RIGHT TO MARRY While the marriage laws of almost all religions specifically categorized by the Indian Constitution do not constitute valid marital relationships for PMIs due to their stated “incapacity.” It includes the Special Marriage Act of 1954 as well. It is important to note that marital relationships for PIMs are not void by themselves but rather voidable.
RIGHT TO VOTE OR HOLD PUBLIC OFFICE Suppose a competent court declares that a person’s mental disorder to be severe enough to warrant snatching away of fundamental citizenship rights, including that of suffrage. As a result, constitutional positions and public office like President, MP, Vice-President are denied to such people. RIGHT TO MAKE A WILL The right to create wills is also something that PMIs can enjoy only during lucid intervals of their illness, according to the 1925 Indian Succession Act. The basis of such denial of right is the inability to comprehend testamentary documentation as a result of the disease.
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Right to not be held liable for a criminal offence The 160-year-old IPC Indian Penal Code of 1860 gives PMIs protection from criminal liability. However, I don’t know if it is any comfort. As far as I know, most PMIs just want to get along with a healthy and free life than be a part of any criminal syndicate. Such an exemption is made on the grounds of mens rea or the absence of a guilty mind.
FROM THE GAZETTE To copy and paste the contents of THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY: “28. (1) Any person with mental illness or his nominated representative, shall have the right to complain regarding deficiencies in provision of care, treatment and services in a mental health establishment to,— (a) The medical officer or mental health professional in charge of the establishment and if not satisfied with the response; (b) The concerned Board and if not satisfied with the response; (c) The State Authority. (2) The provisions for making complaint in sub-section (1) Is without prejudice to the rights of the person to seek any judicial remedy for violation of his rights in a mental health establishment or by any mental health professional either under this Act or any other law for the time being in force.“ Yes, we are talking about legal remedies to the violation of ordinary laws that protect all citizens. However, when the offence becomes severe enough, the paradox of fundamental rights and lunacy laws comes starkly into the picture. For example, suppose a person complains of being a victim of brutal crimes or has some information on grievous criminal or terror activity and wants to share it with legal authorities. The Right To Constitutional Remedies guarantees them legal redressal. But, if their testimony does not have legal validity, then how can they have privacy rights. To make things clear, suppose I have been raped. Suppose my testimony is not legally valid, and I don’t have redressal rights. Why can’t I let legal authorities conduct advanced event detection practices like brain-fingerprinting or electro-physical testing? Suppose the ground is that the procedure is used only in severe terror cases. In that case, I might be a PMI and still have critical terror information. Now, if legal authorities can conduct such tests against my will, why can’t they do so as per my will?
CASE STUDY To take our rape parallel further, the following judgement by the Honorable Supreme Court is indeed showing the light in the darkest no-moon night: As per the complaint of a 36-year-old Uttarakhand woman suffering from 70% disability, the Supreme Court in August 2021 found a statement submitted in an oral, question-answer format “credible” enough to warrant the conviction of the accused as per the judgement of the trial court. The woman could not understand the meaning of the oath and hence had to be questioned in a question-answer format. The woman was indeed able to identify her tormentor from national icons, including Lal Bahadur Shastri and Mahatma. The convict challenged the judgment in the High Court, which too upheld the ruling issued by the trial court when it came up for hearing before Justices Aniruddha Bose and Nageswara Rao in March 2019. According to the bench, “There are certain contradictions in the evidence. However, we are of the considered view that the testimony of the prosecutrix (woman) which is credible can be the sole basis for the conviction of the appellant under section 376 (2)(l) of the IPC.” The IPC Section 376 (2)(l) governs rape crimes on PMIs. The amicus curiae and convict representative presented the argument that the lack of medical evidence resulting from the time gap between the alleged incident and the time of lodging the FIR should prove instrumental in the court’s decision. In addition, the convict’s lawyer highlighted how the statements of the witnesses presented by the prosecution contradicted each other. On the other hand, the prosecution relied on the victim’s statement to prove the guilt of the accused. The court stated, “We have carefully scrutinised the entire material on record, including the evidence that is filed by the prosecution. After considering the submission of the counsel for the appellant, we are not in agreement that an error has been committed by the court below in convicting the appellant under section 376 (2)(l).” However, the top court quashed the plea because the delay in the FIR registered and conducting the victim’s medical examination made it impossible to have any medical evidence.
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Flying Through The Clouds- A Career in Cloud Computing
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P
eople use the term cloud computing to refer to availing computing services as per demand. The most popular delivery medium of such services, including processing power, apps and even storage, is the internet. Usually, people using cloud computing facilities pay for only the amount or kind of facility they use.
HOW DOES CLOUD COMPUTING WORK? Businesses can now access apps, storage and other cloud services on a rental basis. Instead of creating and owning data centers and other computer-related infrastructure, they can now rent one. There are many advantages to businesses when they use cloud computing services like:
cloud professionals' need is set to surge further. Through cloud computing, users can access an eco-system of software tools and databases. Usually, such facilities have data centers and computing warehouses as the physical location of their operation. However, business and personal users can access such facilities online irrespective of their physical location. So, they don't have to buy and maintain physical servers of their own. Small businesses and startups particularly stand to benefit from the reduced overhead costs and need for capital investment. Cloud technology has penetrated deeper into our lives than we think. From ordinary everyday people to expert IT professionals, we all use one or another form of cloud computing service. Cloud computing also helps minimize electronic waste and, together with the rise of available bandwidth, has almost made CDs and DVDs a thing of the past with on-demand streaming.
• Lower upfront costs • A great simple alternative to owning and maintaining IT infrastructure held by the firm • Pay only for the kind of or amount of service they use
The IT landscape in this day of IoT, AI and cloud computing is quite complex. Therefore, it requires professional training, and its popularity ensures heavy demand for such suitably trained professionals.
Cloud computing is an attractive business proposition that service providers can benefit from. The significant pros they enjoy is the large economy of scale applicable for such services. In other words, cloud computing service providers benefit by selling usage to the same service to a significantly large customer base.
CLOUD COMPUTING CAREER REQUIREMENTS
ABOUT THE CLOUD COMPUTING INDUSTRY Cloud computing is a great business, with the industry expected to touch the enormous $1.25 trillion by 2028. The expected CAGR of the industry is 19.1%, as per the revelation of a study carried out by the firm Grand View Research, Inc.
• Programming languages • Programming and managing databases • Machine Learning and Artificial Fundamentals • Existing experience and understanding of how cloud computing tech works
One may attribute such handsome expected growth through the following factors: • Industries becoming increasingly digitized • Extensive Big Data utilization in several verticals • Internet penetration picking up even more significant speed • The quick pace of adoption of new tech like AI, IoT
A CAREER IN CLOUD COMPUTING Considering the brisk business and popularity of cloud services both among individual consumers and businesses, it is little wonder that professionals with trained experts on the various facets of cloud computing are in high demand. Moreover, as the importance of remote access to business and other tools grows,
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People employed in all career stages in the cloud computing vertical require the following essential skills:
Like all other IT sectors, being curious, having an analytical mindset and keeping up with the latest developments in the field are essential to be appropriately employed in cloud computing. TOP CLOUD COMPUTING CAREERS Things like job descriptions and specific requirements for a particular cloud computing role vary from organization to organization. The following are standard in the US: CLOUD ADMINISTRATOR A cloud administrator manages a business firm's overall cloud assets. A cloud administrator is responsible for developing, implementing and updating company policies on various cloud service issues. Such issues include:
• • • •
Access to services Creating security policies and protocols Monitoring and ensuring good uptimes Assess the need to update related tech
Average salary: $145,820
The position calls for students of Computer Science, MIS and other related fields. The job usually requires candidates to have 3-5 years of experience in IT administration or system administration.
CLOUD AUTOMATION ENGINEER With automation going from strength to strength across industries, cloud automation engineers are in huge demand. Firms need their services to create, enforce and maintain automation as operations migrate to the cloud. The role calls for a bachelor's degree in IT or computer science and specialized AI or ML training.
Average annual salary: $70,501
Average salary: $141,000
CLOUD ARCHITECT The tech framework on which all cloud technologies are based is referred to as cloud architecture. Like the framework of a house, there are various specific sub-specialties unique to cloud computing. Taking our house analogy a step further, cloud architects act as contractors in charge of designing and implementing cloud computing strategies. They oversee implementation effectiveness, stick to the budget and transition to a cloud-based operation. Clod admins and architects have the exact educational requirements. But the latter may also be fresh graduates or preferably postgraduates with MBA or a related master's.
CLOUD CONSULTANT The position of Cloud Consultant serves to guide businesses in adopting cloud tools through the consultant's comprehensive knowledge of cloud technologies. The process starts with the consultant expert assessing a firm's need and suggesting cloud solutions as per technical needs and monetary provisions. It is also the consultant's job to help businesses migrate the operation or process to the cloud and develop policies and choose platforms accordingly. Further, consultants may also be asked to customize a firm's cloud assets and presence, requiring general and in-depth specific
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skills. Cloud Computing experts need to have a bachelor's degree in IT and computer science. An MBA helps when you consider how vital managerial skills are for this job. Average salary: $109,553 CLOUD ENGINEER The position essentially manages the cloud strategies of a company. Cloud Architects and Engineers collaborate to ensure the proper implementation of a firm's cloud strategies. But the latter is also tasked with administrative functions and needs to negotiate with vendors and clients and ensure that tasks are allocated appropriately and everything follows budgetary provisions. A candidate for this position needs to have a bachelor's degree, preferably higher, in information systems or computer science. Additionally, they also need to have prior experience with programming languages like Python and Java. Average salary: $123,663 CLOUD SECURITY ANALYST As the very name of the position suggests, such analysts are there to maintain the security specifics of a firm and ensure that the integrity of cloud assets is not compromised. Accordingly, such personnel assess threats and create suitable defences to prevent a data breach and secure such stored data. The task of removing security gaps in case of violations also lies with them. Therefore, a bachelor's degree in systems analysis, cybersecurity, IT or computer science is essential, and specialization is security analysis.
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Average salary: $119,198 CLOUD SOFTWARE ENGINEER These are the essential people who DEVELOP software that works in the cloud. But, of course, they don't do it and collaborate with computer scientists and programmers to create the same. Therefore, the responsibility of maintenance tasks of cloud software and databases created by them also rests with people with this job position. A minimum bachelor's degree is essential for this position, but firms prefer higher educational qualifications. The field of study may be computer science, software engineering, information or a related system. Further, expertise with programming languages like Python and Java is an additional plus. Average salary: $112,897 STEPS TO FLY IN CLOUD COMPUTING CAREER Students aspiring to a career in cloud technology need to follow the following steps to enhance chances of success: • • • • • • •
Get a computer science or IT graduate degree Get specialized cloud computing training Get certified by leading cloud service providers Get hands-on experience Create and add enough projects to your portfolio Make sure to have good references Network
That's about it for today, best of luck!
ASTRO
This is an auspicious new moon for your friendships and new connections. This is time to take initiative and make some meaningful plans with your group of friends, or join a club to connect with more people. It’s right time for community building in your life and strengthening the bond between you and your buddies.
This dark moon is illuminating your professional life, Taurus, so it’s time to get out of your comfort zone and start making a difference. If you’re looking for a new job or starting a project at your present one, now is an excellent time to get started on something new.
Gemini, your ruling planet Mercury is nearing the end of its retrograde period, so your desire for adventure and forward motion is at an all-time high under this new moon. Make arrangements for springtime trip or finally study a subject that has piqued your interest with this midwinter boost of mental motivation.
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Cancer, your intuition is especially strong during this introspective and innovative moon phase, so now is a wonderful time to practice trusting your gut instincts. Go with your gut feeling if you have a hunch about someone in your life or have a good feeling about a project or investment. Sometimes it’s preferable to listen to your inner voice.
As this new moon falls in your house of partnerships, a significant new relationship could be blossoming in your life right now, Leo. Look for possible sparks with people in both love and business, as this is a lovely moment to commit to someone and establish plans for a future together.
Virgo, this is the moment to rethink your personal wellness habits. Taking care of your mind and body is just as important as taking care of your to-do list, so use this new moon to reset your self-care clock and start scheduling more time for healthy habits in your schedule. Hit the farmer’s market for fresh produce or join a group exercise class to get yourself pumped up for a refreshed flow.
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Because this exciting new moon is tugging at your heartstrings, Libra, you may find yourself vibrating at a higher amorous frequency than normal — especially since your love-oriented ruling planet Venus ends its retrograde on January 29! This is an excellent time to start flirting and make extra time in your calendar for romantic encounters and date nights.
Scorpio, family is a vital element of everyone’s lives, but it doesn’t have to look like that traditional. Use this lunation’s collaborative spirit to motivate you to reach out to friends who feel like family. You will feel refreshed if you surround yourself with people who make you feel at ease and comfortable in your own skin.
If Mercury’s retrograde has put a wrench in your plans and caused you to fall behind on tasks, this invigorating new moon could be just what you need to get things back on track. Sagittarius, you’ve been given a burst of mental acuity, so make the most of it by reaching out to pals, catching up on errands, and settling into a new daily routine.
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We don’t blame you if you’ve had a confusing and slow start to the year, Capricorn, because both Venus and Mercury have been retrograding through your sign in the last month. This mild but steady new moon, thankfully, will assist you in returning to the present now. Concentrate on achieving your concrete objectives.
Aquarius, it’s your birthday season, and this new moon is here to give you a sparkling new start with a ribbon on top. This is an essential time to channel your self-assurance and fully accept your unique quirks. Whatever you choose to put your heart into right now may be accomplished if you set lofty goals and believe in your own ability.
A new moon’s introspective tendency can help us see ourselves more clearly, so if you’re a spiritually inclined Pisces like me, now is a fantastic time to cast your aspirations out into the world with a witchy ritual. Make time to write down your new moon wishes, concentrate on your goals with a confidence-boosting crystal, or utter positive affirmations to yourself in the mirror.
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Dr. Paolo Gallo ICF Executive Coach Switzerland
Sile O'Donnell Founder- HR Consulting Ireland
Prof. Wayne Brockbank Ross School of Business UMich, USA
Caroline Foster Chief People Officer United Kingdom
Host Dr. Vaneeta Aggarwal Founder - Bizemag Media
Anshula Verma Head - Talent Management Ernst & Young - India
George Kemish HR Specialist UK
12 Jan - 25 Feb 2022 Watch all sessions on
Dr. Jerry Gule CEO, Institute of People Management South Africa
Nicolas Behbahani People Analytics TechnicFMC, France
GLOBAL HR VIRTUALSUMMIT 2022
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