Taming The CAT

TAMING THE CAT

MANAGING PRESSURE IS THE CRUCIAL DIFFERENTIATOR THAT SETS CHAMPIONS APART WHEN IT COMES TO ACING THE CAT.  HANDY TIPS THAT ENABLE YOU TO PERFORM WELL EVEN UNDER PRESSURE

   Competitive exams like the CAT can often prove tougher than they actually are owing to the pressure that inevitably builds up. There is a major difference between being able to solve a question in practice and being able to execute the same solving process under intense pressure. This is the only reason why many underperform in the exam. The dominant emotion in the hour after coming out of the CAT examination for almost all candidates is –"How did I miss this logic?" or "Why was I not able to think this way inside the examination hall?" Students who have started taking mock exams have probably already experienced this.
   Look at it in the context of how just five to seven more questions solved correctly could make the difference between a 70 percentile and a 99 percentile result and how most 70 percentilers never believe that they have it in them to make it. Perhaps if you could learn to be able to perform despite the pressure, you too would be able to make this jump.
   Using sport as an analogy of a pressure situation, you would realise that there is a difference in the level of pressure when the big points are on. For instance, give 100 club level tennis players a tennis ball and ask them to serve and you would see that perhaps a lot of them would be able to hit aces, but ask them to do it at a 15-40 point in a Wimbledon final- and you would need a Federer or a Rafael Nadal to do it. Or for that matter throw a cricket ball to your average batsman and you would be hit for a six by many, but you would require a champion batsman when the whole world is watching and six runs are needed off the last ball to win a world T-20 final.
   The point here is that you should recognise the difference between performing under pressure and performing when the stakes are low. The transition from being good at something and being a champion, is the rare ability to perform under pressure.
   The obvious question that arises then is:

"What does one do?" From your past behaviour patterns check how you have performed under pressure in the past. Principally there are only two types of reactions to pressurea) Pressure improves performance: If you

have this rare ability consider yourself blessed- all champions that have ever lived in this world had this ability.
b) Performance dips when you are under pressure- This is the normal bad habit that most of us pick up during our formative years. If you belong to this category, you really need to undergo a transmutation otherwise you will only be able to solve 50-70% of what you know when you take the CAT. Second: Elevate the level of your performance, elevate the
level of your work quality, and create an obsession for excellence in your life
   The secret to making this transition is to think in terms of time frames. When do you need to become great? When do you need to create an obsession for excellence? When do you need to elevate the level of your work, your life?
   The answer: You only need to do it for the next five minutes. And then the next five, and then the next five…
   You have 288 five minute time frames in a day to live. Dhirubhai Ambani said once that if someone says that he works 15 hours a day he is lying. Great champions are able to use about 120-140 five minute time frames in a day.
   Who can stop you from being the greatest individual you can be for the next five minutes? Only yourself! Stop being serious about your results, start being sincere about your work. This simple shift will take you a long way.
Third: Ensure that you take your learnings to the point where they become your reaction — your reflex, ie the unconscious competence level.
   Remember, pressure does not affect your reflexes. Pressure can only play tricks with your mind when you ask your mind to
think. If you are responding to questions in CAT through reflex-based thought processes rather than thought out thought processes, pressure will not affect you.
Thus, while you can trust yourself to do 12+17 even under pressure, your trust on your ability to calculate something like 27×44 under pressure would obviously be much lower.
The tragedy for most aspirants is that they prepare only to the point of knowing something. If you want to bell the CAT you need to reach a point in your preparations where you not only know, but you also know that you know.

Stay-at-home careers

Stay-at-home careers

CHOOSING a home-based business that allows you flexibility and convenience. And apart from the fact that you can be your own boss, it can also be rewarding in terms of money and pride. Stay-at-home careers have been the preferred way to earn a living for those who like to set their own hours and be their own boss, mothers of young children, anyone who thinks commuting is a waste of time and those who like to avoid office politics.
   There are plenty of opportunities to earn from home and while some might involve a little travel, it's not a daily affair. Even if you earn little initially, the quality of life should make up for the loss of income. Take a look at the following options for home-birds:
   
Online tutoring -

You can earn anything from Rs 8,000 to 30,000 a month if you are a qualified teacher with computer and communication skills. The subjects in demand these days are math, English, physics, statistics, chemistry and biology. You can either teach part-time (four hours) or full-time (nine hours).
   
Freelance writer -

You have good writing skills but don't have time to work a nine to five job? You can still use your skills and earn a good amount of money. Many companies these days require good writers, like the PR industry, journalism etc. One can earn up to Rs 8,000 to 50,000.
   
Share brokers/online traders -

Earn a lot of money by share trading, just clear the NCFM (CAPITAL MARKET) exam and you can start trading. You can rake in Rs 10,000 to 1,00,000 per-month depending upon the commission of the clients.
   
Designers -

If you have the creative skills and creative aptitude, try becoming a designer. Designers are required in different fields like cloth designing, crockery designing, interior designing etc. You can also design different bags, home accessories and work from your home. One can earn approximately Rs 8000 to 20,000 per-month depending upon the clients.
   
Baby care/crutch -

If you love kids and love spending time with them then you can open your baby day care crutch. There are many working mothers for whom such an arrangement is a good source of income. While sitting at home and spending time with kids, you can earn Rs 5,000 to 20,000 per-month.
   
Cartoonist -

Animators and cartoonists are basically illustrators who draw pictures and cartoons to amuse, educate and persuade people. If you are a good cartoonist you can earn Rs 20,000 to 70,000 a month.
   
Boutique owner -

If you are a fashion designer but can't leave your house, consider opening your own boutique and earn Rs 10,000 to 50,000 per-month.
   
Placement agency -

If you network, you can earn up to Rs1 lakh per-assignment. Many booming spectres in the economy, particularly IT, ITes, insurance, retail and banking, have manpower scarcity. If you tie up with institutes to organise their campus placement (such as www.campusconnect.com) or get databases of people looking for jobs and help organisations find the right people, you can make a fat packet.
   
Resale -

Buy cheap, mark up the prices, make a profit. Depending on what you decide to sell (and your neighbourhood), you can make anything upwards of Rs10,000 a month. And the buying need not be a problem; frequent auctions, garage sales and sales by embassies or large companies can get you almost anything for half the value.
   
Wrap it -

Offer a gift-wrapping service, either in association with a neighbourhood retailer or on your own. You can earn Rs 8000 to 30,000 a month, depending on the demand and your offering.
   
Event planning -

It is a good business idea especially if you manage everything. All the extras such as invitations, banners and balloons can be prepared at home. Networking with the business community can help you get a lot of work. You could make up to Rs1 lakh for every event.
   This list is indicative and many other jobs can also be done out of home. Decide what you can do, how much time you can spare, and then go for it. You'll never miss the nine to five grind.

International safety regulations

International safety regulations

HOW SERIOUS IS THE THREAT TO THE PERSONAL SAFETY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? TIPS TO ENSURE A SAFER STAY ABROAD

   India is the largest exporter of students to the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Singapore and other developed countries. Although most students go for graduate studies (Masters levels and postgraduate), an increasing number of 18 and 19-year-olds are finding exciting educational opportunities overseas.
   All students, whether going for studies at the undergraduate or graduate level, and their families need to be aware of the safety and security regulations in the countries the students are going to. The deaths of international students (for instance, one professor of Indian origin was shot in the Virginia Tech incident) due to violence last year on US and Canadian campuses have alarmed students across the globe. Although the UK does not have as serious a history of gunrelated violence, the underground subway bombings have roused the authorities to the threat, including to international students. Europe, Australia, Singapore are comparatively less in the spotlight for this issue.
   How serious is the threat to the personal safety of international students? What steps can they take to minimise such risks? These are questions that all students should ask themselves and their universities.
   The US presidential candidates have tried to grapple with several contentious issues. Gun control is one of the divisive issues in the US. On June 25, 2008, the US Supreme Court invalidated a District of Columbia handgun ban. This has led to widespread rejoicing by the pro-gun lobbyists and dismay for those against it. While John McCain has welcomed it, Obama has tried to straddle the middle ground by saying he favours an individual's right to bear firearms and a government's right to regulate them.
   Whatever the debate, the ground reality is that unfortunately, there is crime in the developed countries, as there is everywhere, but as an international student, it is better to be safe than sorry. The following tips should help dispel some of the fears and ensure a safer stay:
   
• Find out where your nearest Indian embassy is and send them a short letter, by email, giving them your details - school you're enrolled in, passport number, contact details etc.
   
• Remember the old adage - 'When in Rome, act as the Romans.' Try and blend in, as far as clothes and appearance are concerned. Wear the standard clothes that all young students wear - typically jeans and shirts. Keep your ethnic clothing only for special occasions.
   
• There's safety in numbers - Try and be with other students as much as possible, at least when you first go to another country.
   
• Several educational campuses abroad abut residential and downtown locations, some of which are safe, some not so safe. Ask for advice at the international student office about which areas to avoid.
   
• Make sure you familiarise yourself with the layout of your campus — walk around, explore and figure out where the emergency services are and how to use them.
   
• Indians are known to wear real gold and precious jewellery. Please leave your valuable jewellery in India when you go to abroad for the first time.
   
• Don't carry too much cash with you — use credit or debit cards for all transactions.
   
• Don't leave your cash, wallets and credit cards out in the open, even in your own room. It's easy to get lulled into a sense of security — but it's in your own interest not to let your guard down.
   
• When you leave your room, apartment or car, make sure you close all windows and lock the doors securely. Most campus buildings, dorms and apartment buildings have automatic doors that require you to swipe your identity card before gaining access. Make sure nobody else who is not properly authorised gets in along with you as you open the doors.
   
• Similarly, ensure nobody goes into secure buildings when you come out of a secure building, and the doors are still open a few seconds after you have exited.
   
• If you're working late or after sundown at the lab or library ask for an escort service — most international campuses have one.
   
• Keep your ID cards, passport, credit/debit cards and other sensitive material very secure. Expensive items such as laptops, cameras, and watches should be put away carefully.
   
• Be wary of strangers who befriend you. Until you have absolute and confirmed information about who these strangers are and what motives they have, it is better to be careful. Beware of unknown people asking you for a ride, and don't be taken in by appearances.
   
• Stay focused on your mission — beware of temptations, distractions and addictions such as alcohol, substance abuse and gaming.
   
• In the unfortunate event of you being accosted, don't try to be heroic — your safety should be uppermost in your mind. Hand over what the thief asks for as coolly as you can. Be observant and try and remember details about the person robbing you. (I'm sorry, with this last bit, I feel like the manual on flight safety aboard airplanes! All pretty useless if your life is in danger, and your wits are all you have).
   
• Don't get paranoid reading this — it's not so bad, really, and taking these precautions will go far towards making your educational experience worry-free and enjoyable

FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Lesson 1

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her shower, when the doorbell rings.

The wife quickly wraps herself in a towel and runs downstairs.

When she opens the door, there stands Bob, the next-door neighbour.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbour,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story
If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

---

Lesson 2

A priest offered a Nun a lift.

She got in and crossed her legs, forcing her gown to reveal a leg.

The priest nearly had an accident.

After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.

The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.

On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

---

Lesson 3

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to lunch when they find an antique oil lamp.

They rub it and a Genie comes out.

The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'

'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.'

Puff! She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii , relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of Pina Coladas and the love of my life.'

Puff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager.
The manager says, 'I want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story
Always let your boss have the first say.

---

 

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing.

A small rabbit saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'

The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

---

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'

'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch..

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story
Bull Shit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there.

---

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field.

While he was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him.

As the frozen bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm he was.

The dung was actually thawing him out!

He lay there all warm and happy, and soon began to sing for joy.

A passing cat heard the bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story
(1) Not everyone who shits on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of shit is your friend.

(3) And when you're in deep shit, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

Five Minute Management Course

Lesson 1:

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her
shower, when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a
towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob,
the next-door neighbor.

Before she says a word, Bob says, 'I'll give you $800 to drop that towel.'

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands
naked in front of Bob, after a few seconds, Bob hands her $800 and
leaves.

The woman wraps back up in the towel and goes back upstairs. When she
gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, 'Who was that?'

'It was Bob the next door neighbor,' she replies.

'Great,' the husband says, 'did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?'

Moral of the story:

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with
your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent
avoidable exposure.

Lesson 2:

A priest offered a Nun a lift. She got in and crossed her legs,
forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest removed his hand but, changing gears, he let his hand slide
up her leg again.

The nun once again said, 'Father, remember Psalm 129?'

The priest apologized 'Sorry sister but the flesh is weak.'

Arriving at the convent, the nun sighed heavily and went on her way.
On his arrival at the church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129.
It said, 'Go forth and seek, further up, you will find glory.'

Moral of the story:
If you are not well informed in your job, you might miss a great opportunity.

Lesson 3:

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to
lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie
comes out. The Genie says, 'I'll give each of you just one wish.'

'Me first! Me first!' says the admin clerk. 'I want to be in the
Bahamas , driving a speedboat, without a care in the world.' Pouff!
She's gone.

'Me next! Me next!' says the sales rep. 'I want to be in Hawaii ,
relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of
Pina Coladas and the love of my life.' Pouff! He's gone.

'OK, you're up,' the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, 'I
want those two back in the office after lunch.'

Moral of the story:
Always let your boss have the first say.

Lesson 4

An eagle was sitting on a tree resting, doing nothing. A small rabbit
saw the eagle and asked him, 'Can I also sit like you and do nothing?'
The eagle answered: 'Sure, why not.'

So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the eagle and rested. All of a
sudden, a fox appeared, jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story:
To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be sitting very, very high up.

Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull.

'I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree' sighed the
turkey, 'but I haven't got the energy.'
'Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?' replied the
bull. They're packed with nutrients.'

The turkey pecked at a lump of dung, and found it actually gave him
enough strength to reach the lowest branch of the tree.

The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch.

Finally after a fourth night, the turkey was proudly perched at the
top of the tree.

He was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot him out of the tree.

Moral of the story:
Bull___ might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there...

Lesson 6

A little bird was flying south for the winter. It was so cold the
bird froze and fell to the ground into a large field. While he was
lying there, a cow came by and dropped some dung on him. As the frozen
bird lay there in the pile of cow dung, he began to realize how warm
he was. The dung was actually thawing him out! He lay there all warm
and happy, and soon began to sing for joy. A passing cat heard the
bird singing and came to investigate.

Following the sound, the cat discovered the bird under the pile of cow
dung, and promptly dug him out and ate him.

Morals of the story:
(1) Not everyone who sh#ts on you is your enemy.

(2) Not everyone who gets you out of sh#t is your friend.

(3) And when you're in deep sh#t, it's best to keep your mouth shut!

THUS ENDS THE FIVE MINUTE MANAGEMENT COURSE

 

TO TAKE OR NOT TO TAKE-THAT DECISION.!

“What part does decision making play in managing? I shall find it convenient to take mild liberties with the English language by using decision making as though it were synonymous with management.”

| Herbert Simon |

You are bright, knowledgeable and ambitious. Your career is spiraling upwards. Now, an emergency crops up and you can’t reach the boss who’s out of town. You have some vital choices to make—on your own.
How do you feel?
Confident, focused and clear about your goals?
Excited about taking the initiative?
Nervous—you break into a cold sweat?
Like there’s an invisible sword dangling over your head?...

HOW TO CONDUCT PRODUCTIVE MEETINGS

The key to conduct a meeting productively involves a number of procedures - primarily from the perspective of being the organizer and facilitator.
 

1.	Circulate an agenda - An agenda should show the planned steps that get the meeting from ‘one point’ to ‘another.’ It helps the participants prepare suitably and anticipate the kind of information they might need to produce. Most importantly, it works as a contract with the participants.
2.	Have a theme - Meetings shouldn’t be indirect tours of each participant’s logical understanding. Make it clear why this meeting is happening, why each person is participating at a given time, and then use your agenda to augment how the theme will be explored or tackled in each section of the meeting.
3.	Set (and honour) times for beginning, ending, and breaks - There’s nothing worse than a meeting where everyone who knows anything will just chatter on or where the leader will stop only when he gets tired of hearing himself talk. Own your meeting by putting up walls — provide structure and be firm about respecting everyone’s time. Honour the time walls. .
4.	No electronic grazing. Period - Phones off. You’re either at the meeting or you’re not at the meeting, and few things are more distracting or disruptive than the guy who has to check his messages every five minutes. Schedule breaks for people to fiddle with their ‘toys’, but fearlessly enforce a no grazing rule once the meeting’s back in session.
5.	Schedule guests - Do not put thirty people in a room for three hours if twenty of them will have nothing to do for all but the last ten minutes. In your agenda, make it clear when people will be needed and you’ll encourage best use of everyone’s time. It’s also extra incentive (or even an excuse) to tick off agenda items in a timely manner. (”Well, it looks like Mr. Khanna is here to share his sales report, so let’s move on.”)
6.	Be a referee and employ a time-keeper - If you can afford it, have one person in the meeting be the slavish time-keeper so you, as the leader, can focus on facilitating, summarizing, clarifying, and just keeping things moving. Working closely with the time-keeper, you should not be afraid to announce things like “Okay, we have three minutes left for this, so let’s wrap up with any questions you have for Mr. Khanna, and then move on.”
7.	Stay on target - Any item that can be resolved between a couple people offline or that does not require the knowledge, consent, or input of the majority of the group should be scotched immediately. Close rat holes. As soon as the needed permission, notification, or task assignment is completed, just move on to the next item.
8.	Follow up - If you have been utilizing a project manager or note taker (and God knows you should), be sure to use a few minutes at the end for him or her to review any major new projects or action items that were generated in the meeting. Have the project manager email the list of resolved and new action items to all the participants.
9.	Be consistent - Take any of these tips that work for you — and many certainly may not — but understand one thing above all; meetings do not run themselves, and if you have any desire to make best use of people’s valuable time, you’ll need a firm hand and a lot of thoughtful planning. Set a pattern of being the one whose meetings don’t bore others and you’ll start seeing the productivity, tone, and participation in your meetings consistently improve.