Trek to Tree Top

Last Saturday, ISACA Singapore Chapter had organized a Tree Top event for the members and I decided to participate to have a flavor and make new friends

We reached venus Car Drive around 8:30 AM and filled the Registration Forms. ISACA Caps along with water Bottles were provided  and were divided in to 6 teams of 5 members each.

We slowly started walking as a group around 9 AM, in to the silent and serene part of nature where one could experience stillness.  It was a 7KM walk amidst nature/ fantastic scenic view and  above all an excellent morning workout.  The Team members from ISACA included expats from Thailand, Malaysia, India and many more countries including native Singaporeans.  It was good to talk and understand more about the hobbies/culture and lifestyles of people from different countries.  On the runway, we also saw amateur photographers who carried sophisticated cameras that could easily weigh around 10kgs. On enquiry, we found that they come every weekend to spend the morning to catch a glimpse of frogs and some rare insects. Looking at that , I felt that these guys are living life and making it rich by doing what they really loved.

Sign boards/ Milestone posts were positioned at regular intervals to measure progress and understand the time required to complete the trip.  The event also had a competion to arrive at the best Photos shot up using iPhone/Android phones during our trek. Win from our team was pretty focussed in taking click after click at some of rare sights and made sure that we had a head start to win it big :)  Ravi shared insights about how the ecosystem of Singapore worked and also provided suggestions on other natural spots to venture.
Overall the discipline and approach to give health a top priority was evident among native Singaporeans and also with people who have stationed here for years.

After about 1.5 hours, we arrived at the Tree Top with some breath taking views and fascinating scenic landscape. The team rushed to take photos of everyone and also those important tourist attraction. Sounds of Cricket was clearly heard from underneath. We then walked over the long narrow Tree Top section and started moving ahead.  We then reached slowly and steadily to our end destination.

We resumed back to our starting place within 11:30 AM and were feeling really hungry. Seema and Andrew discussed about the Job Market and perspectives around Banking for ITSM professionals.Once all were ready, Car pooling was done to take us to the Western Bar to have our Lunch. Being a Vegetarian was a challenge as the buffet did not have choices for Vegetarian. However, the organizers made sure that they had ordered a special pasta/vegetarian dish for couple of us and to be honest, it was prepared very well.

As we completed our lunch, it was time to reveal the photos that took the winning place. All of the photos shot from the teams using iPhone/Android phones were submitted to Shirley.  Dave then displayed his Photos taken during the trip on a Slide Show mode on the screen available within the restaurant. With all photos looking good, organizers decided to go for Voting System and guess what?  Team 2 and Team 5 ended in a tie. The Organizers then called both the teams in front, reran the photos once again with the members and finally picked Team 2 as winners. We claimed as 1st Runners. - This is dedicated to Win who made that happen. Overall it was a splendid and remarkable experience attending this trek and hats of Dave who  managed this whole effort seamlessly. We look forward to more such events from ISACA

Consulting - What makes it interesting?

After respite of 2 years, it is a welcome sign to get back to Consulting.  Looking back there are no regrets for the different roles that have come across before this assignment.

Doing a Process/transformational Consulting is a different ball game for the simple fact that you make or break based on how your meet the Customer expectation day in and day out face-face.

Over the period of years, what matters most is not only your technical or functional expertise but how you moderate/facilitate your workshops/client engagements. This means  taking control  of the situation and achieving the desired outcomes of the meeting.

Culture, Seniority and above all baggage that Customers carry have a significant impact on the way you would be challenged/ridiculed or even cornered.

The art to deal with it would be to change the styles of operation tactfully without offending the audience but making the point firm.  Everyone wants to be heard and like to position themselves as experts and the least they expect is advising them that they are wrong.

To get them nod to your view point requires skillful play to get it verbalized through them without they being aware that you created a plot to trap them get to the agreement.

Communication (Verbal and Non-Verbal Cues), listening skills and ability to present the point lucidly and succinct are key attributes to win at work place

Making the Customer and Consultant collaborate like Partners and  establishing personal rapport will help in a long way to achieve win-win results.  At the end of the day if we put ourself in to the shoes of our customers and understand the view point, it makes so much easy to design/package and deliver to make Customer delight a reality.

Living away from Family

After a long time, the situation has come to be away from my family for work @ another Country.

It is tough to get through this phase from both ends. My son who is @5 wants someone to play with him physically run around/jump and spend quality time

Thanks to Skype and othe social tools to hook up and talk to them over an hour, cracking jokes and pulling legs.

Emotions take a toll when you are away. No one to vent out your feelings/frustrations and share your moments. I have come to understand that the physical presence of you dear ones can make you quite relaxed and acts as real stress buster

Listening to the family, doing group activity with them, Going out together and above all developing the bond during family time is something that I sorely miss.

At the end of the day, it is not all about work/money. It is about spending your time with your near and dear ones/Supporting them and creating a positive and fostering environment to laugh loud, play and achieve the status of Blessed Family.

The upside aspect is that it has given me the insight and rigor to make sure I fully utilize and enjoy the time I will spend with family and make it a memorable one for years to come.

Singapore - Quick Review

I have been to Singapore earlier on a tourist visa for 3 days where we did visit the places of interest and flew back.

This time, I got an oppportunity to come on an Employment Pass for 3 months and this post is about my quick review of what this place is all about...

The City ranks very high among Citizens/Expats and Mobile crowd for 2 distict reasons. 1. Cleanliness 2. Security/Low Crime rate

This is particulary true and have observed females going about without inhibitions alone past midnight.

The Public transport is outstanding considering the tie up with MRT(Train) and SMRT buses.

People are quite cordial and helpful and everyone speaks English. But you cannot get away with "la" at the end... Ok la... :)

Rentals are pretty exorbitant and the residentship is of two types. HDB (Housing Development Board -Govt apartments) and Condos (Privately owned)

There are rooms let out for shared purpose. i.e)If you have a Master Bed Room and 2 Single Rooms , they share the Single Rooms separately and also Master Bed Room and make the agreement done

House Agents/Brokers get a month of rental as deposit and tenure is either 1 year or more. The More the tenure, better the bargaining potential. 1-2 months advance as deposit and pay in advance while occupying the posession.

China Town and Little India have domination of the respective Countries. Lot of Indian Restaurants and particularly south indian cusines are well in demand.

Work wise, people are hardworking and they are quite reserved. They (Native Singaporeans) do not socialize much with other members from foreign countries.

Weather is little humid with showers intermittently varying between 28- 32 degree Celsius all through the year.

There are lot of artificial monuments/sight seeings and less number of natural spots.. Hope to post more as I spend some time @ the Asian Hub in the days to come.

How to Increase Your Energy Levels Naturally

Everyday I hear the same complaints from the same people about how tired they are, how stressed they are etc. with no solution in sight! The key is to correct the situation versus standing idle and accepting it.
Forget about the energy drinks or pills. Learn to increase your energy naturally, and have a healthy steady supply to get you through each day. By adjusting your personal eating, sleeping and exercise habits, you can boost your energy the natural way and settle into a self-sustaining rhythm.

Essential Water – Keep your body hydrated throughout the day. The first sign of dehydration is fatigue. Your body can’t function at capacity without that good old H2O. A steady supply of water will naturally keep things flowing–including your energy.
Improve Sleeping Habits – Often a small adjustment of your sleeping habits can already do wonders for your energy levels.

Lying in bed is not sleeping: Don’t go to bed if your not sleepy and end up lying in bed pondering and stressing. If you are drifting off at the computer, while reading, or watching TV, it’s time to get to bed. Your bedtime should and will vary from night to night. Let your body tell you when to sleep as opposed to the following the 8-hour rule.

Rise and Shine: Put an alarm and get up at the same time everyday.
Sleepy at Noon?: Try a powernap of 20 minutes in a quiet place.
Experiment and find out what your optimal sleep levels are.

Yoga, Exercising & Stretching – It sounds counter-intuitive, perhaps, but by expending energy on a regular basis, you will actually give yourself more of it in the end. The key is to set up a fairly regular schedule–about three times a week–and push to the point that you feel refreshed, not exhausted. Don’t overdo it. It may take a couple of weeks to get into the natural rhythm, so have patience and higher energy levels will follow.


Deep breathing exercise – Another great way to re-energize your body is with a quick deep breathing exercise. Sit on a chair with a straight back and breathe deeply while you focus on your breath going in – going out. At the same time use a powerful affirmation to invigorate your mind and body.


Eliminate Energy-Sappers From Your Diet – Have more alkaline-forming foods like fruits and vegetables. Avoid excess sugar and coffee as they lead to lower blood sugar levels–and less energy–after they give you an initial kick. Also one could pack some almonds and nuts for a quick and convenient protein snack.

Let me know your thoughts as well you would suggest to improve Energy Levels :-)

India are World Champions - 2011

After a long wait of 28 Years, India were crowned as World Champions 2011. India entered the game as Favorites, however it did not earn the wins easily.

The Group matches were tough and the fielding and bowling did not match to the standards. I still remember, Dhoni being candid to admit poor fielding and the need to peak at the right time.

Things changed dramatically after we entered the Quarters. 3 Tough games to Clinch the world title. India deserved to Win, not because of being the Host nation, but the self belief and all round display as TEAM India. - With 31-2, Gambhir & Kohli put up a Spirited Display to build the innings. Ofcourse, the Midas Touch from Dhoni, who led the team from the front exhibiting strong character an seizing the pressure away made it happen

Overall it was a exhilartion for all the Billion Indians who had supported the country men and backed them to become World Champions. The Entire Country dedicated the World Cup to the Little Master (Sachin Tendulkar) who has spent more than 2 Decades to put India at Driver seat... Hats off Guys.. You made us all Proud.!!! Chak De India

Anna Hazare - Fight against Corruption

After a long respite, I could not resist in writing this to my Blog. I have heard only from History about India`s fight for Independence. The Indian Independence was won by selfless hearts and leaders who put the national interest ahead of their personal comfort.

Today after 63 years, Anna Hazare stir`s the entire nation by undergoing Fast-Until Death to Fight against Corruption. The Demand to have Jan Lokpal Bill (Citizen's Ombudsman Bill)has garnered the support of Millions of Indians across the country.

In two hundred cities across India on Tuesday, thousands of college students, young executives and housewives joined a campaign that asks the government to enact an important new law to fight corruption

Of Course, it stands clear that until Civil society plays a role in drafting the law, thing would not change. However this is a first good step to see India move down on the rank of Corrupted Nations.