Memorable Reunion!

 Happy New Year! I hope you all had time to relax, recharge, and reset.

My end-of-year break was remarkable. We celebrated my husband's 60th birthday in India with our close family. In our culture, the 60th birthday is akin to a mini-wedding, complete with a re-tie-the-knot ceremony, symbolizing the strengthening of our bond with the support and love of our dear ones.

Before heading to India, we enjoyed a three-day sightseeing trip in Dubai. Our itinerary included a nighttime cruise at the Marina, a city sightseeing adventure, and a thrilling Desert Safari. During the safari, my son, Hari, skillfully drove our Jeep across the red sand dunes. The children delighted in camel rides, interactions with falcons, and sandboarding.

Our visit to Burj Khalifa allowed us to experience stunning 360-degree views from the 125th floor. Another highlight was Global Village, a unique blend of carnival and international expo featuring street food worldwide. We were fortunate to attend, as this event only occurs in winter.

We enjoyed various memorable dishes, including Tandoor Matka Chai, warm roasted chestnuts, octopus momos, fresh baklavas, and Luqaimats. One effective way to cover top spots in a city is by booking a one-day bus tour, which we highly recommend. The Palm Jumeirah amazed us with its palm-shaped island stretching into the Arabian Gulf. Additionally, visiting the Souks was a wonderful shopping experience for spices and gold.

The highlight of our trip was a hot air balloon ride. Since childhood, I have dreamed of this experience. Despite an early 4:30 am start, witnessing the sunrise over the desert was magical.

After waking up at 3:30 am in Dubai on Sunday for the hot air balloon ride, we finally went to bed in Chennai around the same time on Monday. We had just four days to organize this mini-wedding celebration, which spanned two days—Friday evening and Saturday morning.

All the dresses for my daughter and me needed to be custom-made, while the men wore ready-to-wear outfits. Fortunately, we completed most of the shopping on Monday. I had already decided on colors and designs, making the process smooth for me. The tailor collected the materials and promised delivery by Thursday evening. However, my daughter wanted to explore more options, necessitating additional shopping on Wednesday. By then, I was extremely tired, and my legs were swollen.

Every night, my brother-in-law would provide first aid, ask about our symptoms, and give us medications to prepare for the next day's activities. We made another trip to T-Nagar for my daughter, where a showroom recommended an in-house tailor who could deliver the stitched clothes to our home. We also needed an auspicious 'Thalli' for Guna to re-tie, and I required new toe rings, purchasing two different sizes due to my swollen legs. Luckily, they were silver, not gold.

We stayed in Kolathur, on the outskirts, but the event took place in Anna Nagar, the city's heart. Therefore, we booked an Airbnb for Friday night. It had six bedrooms and a great ambiance, having been used for filming TV shows.

On Thursday, we performed a small ritual, praying to Lord Ganesha and our family deity. That evening, we had mehndi applied. The talented artist stayed until 2 am, completing mehndi for more than seven ladies, and her husband picked her up for safety.

On Friday, we packed for the two-day stay and moved to the Airbnb. After a late lunch, the makeover artist arrived and enhanced our appearance. We then proceeded to the event venue, arriving just in time.

My brother and his wife arrived when we needed them, initiating the ritual by invoking various deities. Slowly, other relatives joined, and the day's rituals were conducted with reverence and joy. The atmosphere was lively, filled with conversations and laughter from cousins and children. We concluded the day with a delightful dinner, reminiscing about old times and creating new memories.

Saturday began with everyone waking early, and the makeup artist returned to assist us. As it took longer for my daughter, the bride and groom hurried to the event location, where more guests had gathered. A delicious breakfast was served, though we were momentarily forgotten amidst the ongoing rituals.

A Yagna (holy fire ceremony) was performed with the chanting of mantras, and 16 copper pots filled with water and medicinal herbs were used. These pots represent 16 blessings essential for a happy life, making the morning both spiritually and culturally enriching.

1)Good and Proper Education	2) Long life
3)Good Friends	4)Inexhaustible Prosperity
5)Youthfulness	6) Disease-free (healthy) body
7)Calm mind (tranquility)	8)Affectionate Spouse
9)Children with good character	10)Name and Fame
11)Truthfulness	12)Philanthropy
13)Theft free Wealth	14)Good government
15) Worry-free life	16) Association with your great devotees

We were provided with public showers using water from 16 pots. All attendees, regardless of age, considered it an honor to participate in this ritual known as Mangla Snanam. Following this, we were expected to dry ourselves and wear bridal attire for the wedding ceremony.

Although I missed my mother, I had invited her sister to attend. Despite concerns about my 86-year-old uncle's health and their uncertain attendance, I was pleasantly surprised when my aunt arrived with her husband and two daughters-in-law to offer their blessings. On stage, holding my aunt's hand, I was deeply moved as she reassured me with words reminiscent of my mother's: “Suja, do not cry; I am here at the right moment.” She held my Thali while Guna tied the knot, witnessed by our nieces, sister-in-law, and co-sister with great enthusiasm. My father and mother-in-law were also present to bless us. Notably, my mother-in-law attended all eight of her children's 60th birthdays, with my husband being her youngest. Additionally, my best friend from college attended with her family. Although one of my brothers could not attend due to family matters, I felt his presence in spirit.

That evening, a period of relaxation was much needed as the following four days promised to be hectic before our departure to Newark. On Sunday, we visited our family deity's temple. Monday and Tuesday were dedicated to a brief trip to Shridhi to fulfill a long-standing wish, proving the adage that the universe conspires to help those who earnestly seek something.

Upon returning to Chennai, we celebrated my husband's birthday with a cake. By Wednesday, my son and husband had packed everything, leaving me to gather essentials. I cherished the flight back with my daughter, who cared for me tenderly, ensuring no strain on my legs due to heavy luggage.

We returned just in time for my daughter's school, as she is in 11th grade and cannot afford to miss classes. While it was enjoyable to spend time with family and friends, parental responsibilities took precedence. My husband and son remained in India a bit longer to continue enjoying themselves.

Anu akka's hospitality was exceptional—she tirelessly attended to our family's needs from morning to night, preparing fish dishes that my children still praise. Additionally, Vithuma proved indispensable, always prepared to assist with anything we required. Her prompt responsiveness was greatly appreciated.

Having Periamma attend the event was a cherished dream come true. Our reunion brought immense joy, and I observed the same pride in her eyes that my mother would have had.

My brother’s incognito presence was a mystery. I don’t know if he felt the missing the event, but when my other brother poured the holy water on us, the chandhan and kumkum on the pot fell on my hand. I just held it and thought of him and his family. Yes, blood is thicker than water!

Big shout to everyone who jumped in and made this milestone totally awesome and unforgettable! You all rock!

Now, I'm already looking forward to our next trip to India! 

Business Manager’s Career Growth

 Navigating the Path to Success- From Entry-Level to Executive:

In today’s dynamic business world, the role of a business manager is both a demanding and rewarding career choice.

I will elaborate on the stages of career growth for a business manager/operation manager/strategy operation manager/business operation manager / PMO person Focused on delivery excellence.

I will be examining

• ·       Skills - required for each stage
• ·       Experiences - that shape the journey
• ·       Attributes - necessary for success

necessary for ascending from entry-level positions to executive leadership roles. As I elucidate, I will simultaneously showcase my career journey in each milestone.

The Entry-Level Phase

The journey of a business manager typically begins at the entry-level, often in roles such as management trainee or campus recruit. At this stage, the focus is on learning the fundamentals of 

•  business operations
• developing analytical skills
• understanding organizational structures/policy/framework.

You are often tasked with

• · Overseeing specific projects
• · Coordinating with teams
• · Ensuring that daily operations align with the company or Org’s objectives. 

 Key skills required at this phase include

1. Effective Communication - Crucial for clear and concise information exchange
2. Basic financial literacy - Understanding of financial principles and practices
3. Strong grasp of management principles - Knowledge of effective management strategies
4.  Ability to work collaboratively - Teamwork and cooperation skills
5. Solve problems efficiently - Quick and effective resolution of issues
6.  Adapt quickly to new challenges - Flexibility in facing and overcoming new obstacles. Never a Dull Day!  😊

When I started Operations, I was not a fresher, I had around 10+ years of IT experience. I took up an Operation role – when a new account was ramping up, as I was forced to work from home when I had my second baby. Initially, it was quite intimidating but had a very good manager who accepted and guided me.  We had daily sync calls. I divided my calls into 3 

• Task assigned - provide updates 
• Any new tasks - get the details
•  As I was in the ramp-up stage - I always had a couple of queries to learn and clarify.

 I managed to handle 2 big accounts 15M per annum Rev - working with 2 Account managers, reporting to 1 client partner. The P&L of those 2 accounts were with me. Also was able to work with Project managers on their new demands and fulfill them internally (onsite /Travel Ready from offshore) and Externally (FTE hiring /Subcon). I had always had an inclination toward numbers, but the $ sign before the numbers made me like a banker / Finance controller. At this point, I started enjoying my role.

Mid-Level Management: Building Expertise

As business managers gain experience, they transition into mid-level management roles. Mid-level managers are responsible for

• · Overseeing larger units
• · Managing more complex initiatives
• · Contributing to strategic planning

The skills necessary for success in mid-level management include

• ·       advanced problem-solving abilities
• ·       strategic thinking,
• ·       capability to lead and motivate diverse teams

 Mid-level managers must also develop a deeper understanding of   industry trends/market dynamics

This knowledge allows them to make informed decisions that drive organizational success.

During this phase, mid-level managers often pursue additional education and certifications to enhance their expertise.

I completed my PMP certification and officially was responsible for the Strategic Business Unit in Banking and Financial Services - Cards & Payment. Handled 150M per Annum Rev.  Now I was reporting to a VP and was closely working with 6 Client partners and their teams across the USA. I still love a couple of exercises I used to do with Excel, but later it was automated.

1)     Deep Dive Analysis on accounts not meeting the target margin.

2)     If all accounts continue in the current trend, what will the projection be in the upcoming quarters and where will they end up for the Fiscal Year. 

Senior Management: Leading with Vision

Senior management roles, such as general manager, director, or vice president, represent the next step in a business manager’s career growth. At this level, managers are responsible for

• ·       leading entire departments or divisions
• ·       setting long-term strategic goals
• ·       ensuring that the organization’s vision is realized.

Key attributes of successful senior managers include

·       exceptional leadership skills - Ability to guide and direct teams effectively
·       ability to inspire and influence others - Motivating team members to achieve goals
·       strategic mindset - Planning and executing long-term goals
·       managing large-scale change initiatives - Overseeing significant organizational transformations
·       fostering a culture of innovation - Encouraging creative thinking and new ideas
·       continuous improvement - Implementing processes for ongoing enhancement

I moved from Industry operation to Domain Operation. It was slightly different – we had a preview of all the industries. Handled 1.5B per annum.  As I grew up in the career trajectory - it gave me ample opportunity to explore and make an impact on the Org I supported.

1)     Working in a consulting firm – Every associate is Revenue generator.  Their utilization was our core priority.   Hence upskilling and Bench Optimization were the Rhythm of Business.

2)     Tried various Alternate Resources supply - Hire and Train /Train & Hire / Campus recruit. This enabled 150 Jr associates into our Org every year.

3)     Bench Report and working closely with Resource managers on proactive hiring.

 Executive Leadership: The Pinnacle of Career Growth

The ultimate goal for many business managers is to reach executive leadership positions, such as Chief Operating Officer (COO) / Chief of Staff Role to a Senior Leader in the company.

These roles demand a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the business -

• ·       operations
• ·       finance
• ·       marketing
• ·       human resources.

 Executives are responsible for setting up the

•  overall direction of the companym
• making critical decisions that impact on its future
• representing the organization to external stakeholders.

They must possess

• ·       blend of visionary leadership  
• ·       strategic acumen
• ·       operational expertise             
• ·       high emotional intelligence
• ·       resilience - Strength and Flexibility                                  
• ·       ability to manage and mitigate risks.

 I feel that one outlook/expectation that will help us to reach the pinnacle is ‘OWNERSHIP’ If you assume the ownership of the Org /Operation Unit you work for and the only target is Margin. We all know we can increase the Margin - by

1)     increasing the Revenue (Which is increasing sales - not in our control) 

2)     is to control the cost.  Looking through the magnifying glass and check every $ spent, will  help  us to  have better control on the business we are doing.

a)     Utilization improvement

b)     Resource mix check - Reduce FTC /Subcons.

c)     Offshore Leverage and Partner Leverage increase

 Challenges and Opportunities in Business Management

Throughout their career growth, business managers encounter numerous challenges and opportunities. One of the primary challenges is navigating the complexities of

• ·       organizational politics
• ·       interpersonal dynamics.

Developing

• ·       strong negotiation
• ·       conflict resolution skills

 is essential for overcoming these obstacles.

Business managers must prioritize

• •        self-care - Ensure long-term success by maintaining personal well-being
• •         delegate effectively - Distribute tasks to team members to enhance productivity
• •         set boundaries to ensure long-term success - Establish clear limits to balance work and personal life

Opportunities for career growth in business management are abundant, particularly for those who demonstrate a

• ·       commitment to continuous learning
• ·       adaptability - is crucial for advancement

 Conclusion

The career growth of a business manager is a multi-faceted journey that requires a combination of skills, experiences, and personal attributes. From entry-level positions to executive leadership roles, each stage presents unique challenges. Up to us to convert all Challenges into opportunities.

 By fostering a

·       1) commitment to continuous learning

o   Essential for adapting to new challenges

o   Help in staying updated with industry trends 

·       2) developing strong leadership capabilities

o   Crucial for guiding teams effectively

o   Enhances decision-making skills 

·       3) navigating the complexities of the business world

o   Requires resilience and adaptability

o   Help in turning challenges into opportunities

Business managers can achieve remarkable success and make significant contributions/impact to their organization.