Confession of a Software Techie - Book Review

Fools learn from their mistakes. However, successful people learn from others mistakes - Unknown

"Confession of a Software Techie" book is a must read for all the Software engineers, who are struggling to find the corporate ladder. Yes, there are many of the Software engineers out there, who still doesn't know where is the corporate ladder. Some of the blessed ones, who have found the corporate ladder, work very hard 24x7 compromising their health and personal life to climb it. However, it takes years to move even a single step in the corporate ladder, if you follow the traditional path of working hard.

As Stephen.R.Covey said, "We must never be too busy to take time to sharpen the saw", reading this brilliant book will surely help you to sharpen your Saw. It is time to shift our focus from doing hard work to Smart Work. This book gives lots of techniques and insights, that will help you to know the blueprint of Corporate Success.  As a bonus, the author have also given lots of insights about maintaining a healthy relationships, Financial Planning and how to maintain a good health. Yes, I too agree that a person can be called as Success, only when he is successful in all the four important aspects of life, namely health, career, relationship and finance.

Ramakrishna Reddy, the author have done a thorough research with all leading self-help / Management / leadership/ Productivity books and implemented it successfully in his corporate life and have written this book.

Special Thanks to Ramakrishna Reddy, as he have saved lots of my time. Yes, I too want to write a similar book, which I have learnt in the IT industry for the past 14 years.The author have written exactly that is in my mind. Now I can focus my energy to a different subject that adds values to people life. 

Key Highlights of the Book :

• How to write effective Emails?
• How to speak in public ?
• How to conduct useful meeting ?
• How to deal with people and politics ?
• How to get more done with less ?
• How to handle your boss, colleagues and Subordinates?
• How to manage money effectively ?
• The power of habits.
• What does a woman want ?
• Five keys to unlock your creative potential.

John Thomas, the author of 'The Big Switch', quotes that "The destination is just an illusion. It is the journey that matters". Yes, we need to enjoy each and every moment of our journey, even in office. This book will make your working hours in office as happy hours.

Even If you ask me in the middle of the night, during my deep sleep, to recommend a book for the software engineers, with no doubt I will point this book. This book can be rightly called as the Bible for a Software Techie.I still wonder, why such a book doesn’t exist, when I enter the corporate world. 

You can play your cards better, if you know the rules of the game. Following the principles written in this book will take you in the corporate lift instead of the corporate ladder. Wish you success and good luck in your corporate life.

Click Image to buy this book in Amazon India

Note of Advice - In Amazon India, the hard copy costs little higher. However Kindle edition costs only Rs.99. You can download Kindle App in your mobile or PC and start reading it in a jiffy. [Inspired by our beloved author Ramakrishna Reddy who advice's us to spend the money wisely].

A Request from Author :
If you are working in an IT industry, you should read this book without further thought. You are also welcome to share it with your Boss, colleagues and friends who are struggling to find some light in the IT industry. 

If you like this article, You are kindly requested to join my mission of Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference is someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.

Art of Appreciation - An Inspiring True Story

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness is to put it into words is all that is necessary - Margaret Cousins 

After finishing my engineering (Information Technology) in May 2004, I have boarded the train from Madurai(Tamil Nadu) to Bangalore with lots of dreams to become a successful software engineer. 

In Bangalore, me with some of my college friends have rented a house in Indiranagar and started our job hunt. By God's grace, all of our batch mates have got a good job in a reputed IT Industry within 3 months. 

I am blessed to get a Job in a South Korean IT company, Bangalore. I have joined the South Korean MNC Company as fresher on 18th October 2004. As I am from Rajapalayam, which is a small town in Southern Tamil Nadu, I struggled a lot with the environment inside and outside the company. 

During the early days of my career, If you see me speaking in-front of five people in the meeting, I bet that you would roll out laughing on the floor. Luckily, WhatsApp was not there during that time, or else my official emails will be circulated all over the world as Joke for the day. I still remember the day, when I asked my colleague Hari to chat with our European client on messenger on my behalf. 

During my first year appraisal, my manager have a big list of areas that needs improvement for me, that includes communication, Inter-personal, E-mail, Presentation Skills, etc. To be frank, the improvement list is much bigger than my wife’s shopping list. Every year, my manager increased the improvement list for me, without any much improvement in my salary. Whatever I do, my manager was never satisfied with my performance, he always came with a new list of areas that needs improvement. 

Many times, I have thought of quitting my software job and going back to hometown. However, my father always motivated me telling that my salary is greater than his salary as a School teacher. Whenever he goes to see his friends, he tells proudly that I am working in a South Korean MNC. So, I have decided to stick with this company, atleast to make him happy. 

In the IT industry if you don’t perform as per your Boss expectation, you will be donated to some other team during the internal job rotation. Yes, as you predicted correctly, in the year 2007, I was also requested to change team and work under Guruprasad Baller. 

Guruprasad Baller was from Bangalore. He had a beaming smile on his face always. He was a man of positive energy and enthusiasm. He treated everyone in the team as his own family members.

Whenever someone face some problem in the project, he was there to support them. He leaves office only after ensuring that everyone in his team have left and he comes early before everyone check-ins. He was one of the best employees at the company. So, all the Critical projects were assigned to him.  

He loved his work more than anything else in the world.  He respects the house keeping personnel, the same way he respects the president of our company. He is a humble, down to earth person.

He is a servant leader and I have learnt lots of leadership skills from him. Whenever we work late night, we used to order food and Guruprasad used to serve everyone and start eating only after ensuring that everyone got their share. 

I am more than happy to move to a new team, under the leadership of Guru. Guru started appreciating all the small things that I have done. I liked him very much, as he is the first person to tell me that I can also be of some use to the IT industry. He slowly polished me and gave me a proper guidance. His motivating words and appreciation was like a water for a thirsty person in the desert. 

In parallel, I started reading books about Positive Thinking, Law of Attraction, Self Help, Personal Growth, Art of Public Speaking, Leadership Skills, Management Skills, Communication Skills, etc to upgrade myself. Guru motivated and inspired me, whenever I need energy. In the year 2010, I was awarded "Best Employee Award" from our company president during the Annual day function that is held at Palace Grounds, Bangalore. 

Me, Ranjith and Vijay worked together for approximately five years under the brilliant leadership of Guruprasad. It was one of the golden days in my corporate life until now, where we enjoyed each and every moment in office. All four of us have a special bonding that cannot be explained by words. 

Ranjith, Guruprasad, Prem,Vijay 

In the year 2012, Guruprasad has resigned from our company to pursue his goals of higher studies. However, the seeds of inspiration that he have implanted within me have already started bearing the fruits. 

In the year 2014, exactly ten years after I joined the South Korean MNC Company, during my appraisal meeting my new manager told me “Prem, your communication skills, Interpersonal Skills, Email Writing skills and presentation skills are Awesome. You are the BEST. You are one of the Valuables assets to the company”. 

I have mentally thanked my (Guru)prasad for everything. Yes, his words of appreciation have changed my life positively. 

I have received multiple Star Awards, Project Awards, etc after the entry of Guruprasad in my life. I have personally told my current manager, not to include me in any of the Awards list, as I want it go to a thirsty Young engineer who is still waiting for that magical positive break. 

Guruprasad Speaks :
I am humbled to see myself in your blogs. Thanks. I agree that, appreciating a deserving colleague is the least, first but most important thing for a manager to do. Most of the people are self motivated for achieving something. So the appreciation acts as that extra "Boost" which makes them feel they are on the right path.

This is "Reverse Inspiration" case. Where the inspired is inspiring back the inspirer now. Well done Prem.. It was great reading your blog. Thanks for that and wish you all the best.

A Request from Author : 
If you are a Boss, reading this article, please be informed that everyone is gifted with unique talent, please identify it and start appreciating it, instead of criticizing only about the areas of improvement. 

If you like this article, You are kindly requested to join my mission of Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference is someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance. 

Is it OK to DISAGREE with The Boss ?

Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say - Andy Stanley

Recently, I have come across a beautiful article "EVERY WORKPLACE SHOULD TRAIN EMPLOYEES TO DISAGREE WITH THE BOSS – HERE’S WHY". I am presenting the extract of the article below for your kind reference. 

"The worst accident in the history of aviation happened on the Spanish Island of Tenerife on March 27 1977 when a KLM 747 taking off crashed into a Pan Am 747 that was still on the runway.

A long chain of events led up to the crash, but one of the major causes was that the captain of the KLM flight chose to ignore a crucial warning from his co-workers in the cockpit.

As a result, less experienced flight crew members were encouraged to challenge their captains when they believed something was not correct, and captains were instructed to listen to their crew and evaluate all decisions in light of crew concerns"

Being a Project Manager in a renowned IT company, I always think that I am on the top of the world. However, the KLM lesson have completely changed my perception about listening to my subordinates. 

After reading this article, I have started listening to my subordinates, not only about the early warnings but also about the solutions given by them when we face a problem. I am pleasantly surprised, by the simple solutions given by them for the complex problems. 

Whenever we face a problem I ask my subordinate "Do you have any better solution to solve the existing problem ?". If the solution given by my subordinate is better than the one that is in my mind, I ask him to go ahead and implement it immediately.    

Our top management still thinks that I am brilliant in problem solving and making good decisions. However, I will open a secret, please don't tell to anyone, especially my top management that, I just patiently listen to my subordinates and implements the best solutions given my them. 

Even though you are Boss, it is not mandatory that all of your decisions will be right. It is our human nature to make mistakes, but what define us, is how we correct them quickly and doesn't repeat the same mistake. 

Listening to your subordinates will help to create a happy workplace, where they feel valued.By the end of the day, it is not only the salary that motivates the employees. 

Next time, when you face a complex problem in your project, just listen. You don't want to make your brain work overtime, to solve all the problems in your project. 

References :
https://positivesharing.com/2014/02/teach-employees-to-disagree-with-the-boss/

A Request from Author: 
If you like this article, please share it with your boss.Please be informed that I am not responsible for your appraisal this year, if your boss backfires. 

If you are a Boss reading this article, Just listen to your subordinates and experience the positive results yourself. 

Inside the mind of a woman

“The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is ‘What does a woman want? - Sigmund Freud"

Most of the man think that Woman wants Diamonds, Platinum, Lipstick, Eye liner, Nail Polish, etc to make her happy. However, in the contrary you can make your queen happy without spending a single penny. 

Below is the extract from the book "Confessions of a Software Techie" written by Ramakrishna Reddy. I bow to the author for writing this brilliant book. It is a must read for everyone. 

What does Woman want ?

• She wants importance and expects you to have her as the first priority in your life. 
• She wants attention and will go to any lengths to get it if you don’t give it. 
• She wants to talk and expects you to listen with undivided attention. 
• She wants to share problems but does not want your solutions. 
• She wants surprises and gifts though not necessarily expensive ones. 
• She wants appreciation. 
• She wants to be pampered a lot. 
• She wants you to make her feel awesome in bed. 
• She wants you to support her when someone calls out her mistake. 
• She wants you to say sorry even though it was her fault. 
• She wants you to be by her side so that she will feel secure. 
• She wants you to love her like crazy. 
• She wants you to respect her for who she is and what she likes. 
• She wants you to protect her dignity against any odds.

Courtesy - "Confessions of a Software Techie" Book - Ramakrishna Reddy

A Request from Author: 
If you are woman, please share this article to your beloved husband to know what exactly you wants.If you are man reading this article, please share it your friend or brother to make his marriage life sweeter. 

If you like this article, you too can join my mission of Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference is someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance. 

Sakthi's – First Birthday Party Gift (Happily Married Series)

24-Mar 2019 | 5.30 PM | Sweet Home

My wife was busy getting ready for Sakthi’s first birthday party, which was invited by distant colleague Hari. In our company, Hari is working in fourth floor and I am working in third floor. We have worked together in the same project before a decade and we meet rarely on the sixth floor cafeteria and exchange smiles. During one such casual talk in the cafeteria last week, Hari have invited me for Sakthi’s first Birthday party, which I accepted gleefully.  

I was still sitting in the hall in the chair with my Jockey shorts and USPA Yellow T-shirt enjoying the prime video American Television series “The Mentalist”. Patrick Jane, the hero of the series solves the serious crimes by using his amazing skills of observation. I liked this series as it gives my brain some workout. On a lighter note, I personally don’t recommend to watch this series, if you have a weak heart as some scenes might be disturbing. 

My wife shouted from the bedroom "Whether the birthday baby is a Boy or Girl?" 

"Birthday baby name is Sakthi. It must be boy" I said using my Mentalist skills.  

"Which Birthday?"

"First" I replied still trying to solve the mystery in the serial. 

“Whether Sakthi will be thin or Fat?”

Irritated by her continuous series of question while I am watching the series, I asked "I know about his son only last week, and honestly I don’t know. Why are you asking all these questions?"

She replied softly "I need to select the gift accordingly for the Birthday party". 

I never thought about Birthday Gift anytime. For me going in the Bangalore traffic on a weekend and giving four hours of our valuable time is the best gift that we can give to our beloved family and friends. Time is more valuable and precious than anything else in the world. However, my wife won’t agree for this philosophy, as she is from Venus. 

She have kept a new Yellow color and Red color boy dress on top of the bed and asked "Which one we can give as gift ?" 

As I like Yellow I said "We can give Yellow".

She replied "I am confused until now, however it is clear that we can give red" 

Yes, you read it right she have selected red. She have the good habit of selecting the color, which I don't select. 

"It is 6.25 PM and you haven't changed your dress still" my wife gave me a warning still beautifying herself infront of the mirror.

"Darling, I will be ready within 5 minutes, the time starts now" I replied. 

"Let's see" she replied, carefully applying the eye liner around the contours of the eyes. 

I switched off the TV and walked to our bedroom and opened my wardrobe. I have selected the dark blue party wear shirt and brown cotton Chinos and changed my dress and combed my hair in a jiffy. Yes, I got ready within 4 minutes, before she finished beautifying her eyes. 

I picked the car key and told my son "Krish, Let's go and take the car from the parking" 

"Let's go. Boys are always first" he said with his innocent smile. 

I have taken the car out of our Apartment and switched on the Audio player. I have changed the folder to Srimad Bhagavadham, Spiritual discourse by Velukkudi Krishnan. Velkuddi Krishnan was in full form explaining the past times of Lord Rama. He was explaining about how Sita Devi have taken decision to go with Lord Rama leaving the palace and all luxuries. My wife have some of the attributes of Sita. If you give my wife the option of selecting luxury or my presence, with no doubt, she will select my presence for sure. 

Within couple of minutes my wife have boarded the car and occupied the front seat. He picked my son from the back seat and made him sit on her lap. I started my journey hearing the beautiful Spiritual discourse. 

"Shall I change to some songs?" my wife kick-started the conversation.

Even if I tell No, she will change it for sure. I don’t know still why she asks every time, as if she is going to listen to me.

"Sure. Please go ahead" I replied with a fake smile on my face. 

Soon her favorite song "Kadhaalada” from the movie Vivegam filled the air inside our car and she said "I would like to dedicate this song to you" with a smile popped up on her face. 

"Darling, You are the best wife" I replied 

24-Mar 2019 | 7.00 PM | Bhagini Suites Marathahalli

We reached the Bhagini Suites, Marathahalli, ontime and parked our car. In the Reception a Bulletin board Welcomed us "Sakthi Birthday Party at fifth floor” 

Inside the lift my wife said "It is the first time in the history, we have reached the Birthday party on time in Bangalore" 

I nodded my head gently with a victorious smile. 

As soon as we stepped out of the lift, I have seen Barbie girl cutout have been kept all over the party hall as part of Birthday party decoration. My mentalist brain started processing immediately, why Barbie girl cutout ? It is usually Chota Bheem or Little Krishna cutout should be kept for baby boy. I suddenly remembered my college days in Krishnan Kovil, Tamil Nadu where our college friends used to keep the actresses photos sticked all over the walls in their rooms. Is it something like this ? But Sakthi is just one year old and Hari won’t do it for sure. 

Hari was waiting in the entrance of the party hall with one year old baby boy and welcomed us with his trademark smile. Even after seeing Hari with a baby boy, my mentalistic brain was not able to connect the dots as something is missing. I asked my wife and son to take a comfortable seat in the last row and I went straight to Syed, Hari’s Lunch mate in our company.  

“Syed, How are you ?” 

“Fine, Prem. Nice to meet you” Syed replied. 

Without wasting time, I went directly to the question. 

“Is Sakthi, boy or girl ?” I asked

“Prem, Sakthi is girl” he replied with a heartful smile. 

“Oops” 

“Prem, What happened?” he asked with a concern. 

“Syed, I have brought boy dress as gift, thinking that Sakthi is boy”

Unable to control his emotions, He burst out laughing. 

“Bro, please keep it as a secret” I requested him.  

“Sure. I promise, I won't tell anyone”

Syed showed me Hari's wife, who was holding a One year old baby girl wearing a pink dress. I turned my face toward's Hari, and he was handing over the baby boy to his Younger sister. Immediately I rushed to my wife and explained the complete story. 

“What about Birthday gift, we have brought boy dress? She asked raising her eyebrows. 

“I am going out to buy a new gift. Please take care of our son” I replied. 

“Okay. Please come back soon” she requested. 

Luckily, More mega store was nearby and I bought one Pink teddy bear and rushed back to the Party hall. By the time I reached the venue it was around 8.30 PM and cake cutting was over and photo session was in progress. Once again I am late for the Birthday party. I picked my wife and son and stood in the line for the photo shoot as if nothing have happened. After the photo shoot we had a wonderful feast for our tummy.

24-Mar 2019 | 9.30 PM | Zen in the Maruti Zen 

We had left the venue in my car, after bidding bye to all our fellow friends and Hari in the party hall. 

I have purposefully set the Hare Kirshna Hare Rama Kirtan by Srila Prabhupad in my car. It is the one, which I play to calm my mind and bring the focus back. Sensing the situation, my wife have never compelled me to change the music. Yes, it is these little things that makes her more beautiful.

“How you do anything, is how you do everything” my wife said. 

I silently acknowledge her with a defeated smile.

“Have you watched Air Crash Investigation in National Geographic Channel ?” 

“Yes, I have watched it” I replied 

“It is a very small mistake that is done by someone that costs hundreds of life. Do you know ?”

“Yes, you are right. I remember one such incident, in which the Flight service person will over tight the screw in the tail of the flight during regular maintenance activity, which will give a small crack that is invisible to the human eyes, that will bring down the flight”

“It's not a mistake to make a mistake but it is a mistake to repeat the same mistake” she continued taking advantage of the situation.

“I surrender, please forgive”  I requested her 

“The best apology is the changed behavior” my wife said with her beautiful smile. 

Every one of us do lots of mistake in our life, however the successful person consider the mistake as learning and move on. Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad Poor Dad once said "Don't waste a good mistake… Learn from it".

A request from the Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends in the social media. It might help someone to correct their mistake, before it is too late.
  
I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed reading my story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you like this story, I would greatly appreciate if you would leave a comment below. Even just a line or two can make a huge difference. 

Amazon Kindle – You are my Best Friend

Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers - Charles William Eliot 

Being a bookworm, I used to carry a minimum of 3 books in different categories in my bag wherever I go. Health, Spirituality, Leadership, Self Help, Comedy, Biographies and Fiction are my special areas of interest. I don’t like reading books, that don’t add any value to my life. 

In the middle of my twenties, my life have taken a positive U-turn after reading the book "Alpha Meditation" by my beloved master Mr.Nagore Rumi. It have completely changed my perception about life. I started becoming more positive and I have found my purpose and meaning in my life. Yes, even a single word or sentence in a book can have a major positive impact in your life. 

[Click on the Image above to buy the book in Amazon ]

Based on the recommendation from my friend Siva, I became a Kindle Unlimited Subscriber this January 2019. Reading books in Amazon Kindle is as easy as, I don’t want to carry the physical book anymore. It made my reading habit an addiction. Yes, I can read any books from their rich database of 1.5+ million books anytime, anywhere and anyplace in my Dell laptop or LG G7 Smartphone or Samsung Tablet. 

How I select the books that I read ? 
Step-1 : I read the Amazon customer reviews and Goodreads customer reviews.
Step-2 : Download the book sample in Amazon Kindle and check whether the author have enough talent to inspire me. 
Step-3 : Based on the quality of the sample, if the book is eligible for Kindle Unlimited, I borrow the book with no time as the book is almost Free of cost.    If the book is not in Kindle Unlimited, still I buy the Kindle Edition with a discounted price when compared it to the paperback. 

How do I find time to read books ? 
If it is important to you, you will find time. Telling I don’t have time, is just a lame excuse. I purposefully commute in BMTC Volvo bus to office daily. Thanks to huge Bangalore traffic, I get a minimum of 90 minutes daily for reading books. Moreover, if I am struck up in the middle of a boring meeting, I open Kindle in my Dell Laptop and start reading a good book. I trust that you won't tell it to my Boss.

Some of my friends compliment me that, I radiate positive energy wherever I go. Today, I reveal the secret to you that, it is Meditation and good books that charges me daily with positive energy. 

If you cultivate the habit of reading good books and practicing meditation to your children, I promise that their future is in safe hands. Your children will be Divinely guided and protected by the enlightened masters and Universe. 

Amazon Kindle is my best friend ? Who is your best friend ? 

A request from the Author :
If you like this article, please share it with your family and friends.It might help them to find the answer for the battle which they are fighting currently. 

I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you like this article, I would greatly appreciate if you would leave a comment below. Even just a line or two can make a huge difference. 

“The Big Switch” - Book Review

In future, if I quit my software engineer job and become a successful author, with no doubt I can confidently tell that the book “The Big Switch” will be one of the reasons for it.

I am happy to see an Inspiring Indian novel, that tops the Amazon Best seller list, beating it romantic counterparts. I could sense a paradigm shift in the readers taste.  

[Click on the above image to buy this book in Amazon]

The Big Switch is a story about Keith, a young 24 years old software engineer, who realizes that the Software is not his plate of Biryani. How long we will tell 'It is not his cup of tea' ? So, let's think big and upgrade to Biryani from now-onwards. 

To cut the long story short, Keith will realize that he have landed in a wrong career and dares to quit his Software Job and walks in the path of his dreams.

Undoubtedly, John Thomas have hit a maiden century with this debut novel “The Big Switch - It’s Never Too Late”.  

Positive’s :

• Simple Language.
• Best story telling.
• Fast paced.
• Filled with humor.
• Inspiring with lots of Gyan.
• Gives a clear direction for everyone to follow the heart and not a lucrative career.

Negative’s :

• Optimistic person sees only positive in other’s. I am an Optimistic person.

Quotes to Remember :
"The destination is just an illusion. It is the journey that matters"

"Many times, we fail to see the rewards that life showers on us because we are too busy worrying about the hardships"

"Follow your heart. It knows where your treasure is, even when you don’t. And trust me, it will move mountains to take you there"

One more good thing about this story is that it ends in a positive note, which inspires the readers to walk in their dreams. If Keith, the Hero of the novel can do it, anyone can do it. However, we need to have faith on our self and patience. 

I strongly recommend every one of you read this novel once, as it have lots of inspiring messages sprinkled all over the book.

I have already started my ground work for making the Big Switch. What about You ?

If you like this article, you too can join my mission of Donate a Meal to start making a positive difference is someone's life. You are born with the ability to change someone life positively, please give your life a chance.