Under PM Narendra Modi, India has emerged as a Global Leader, on its way to becoming the greatest economic power in the world. “India will become the Number One economy in the world,” John Chambers, CEO of Cisco Systems.

Now, let’s call her by her real name – BHARAT.

Next, let’s not call BHARAT a part of the Commonwealth – there was, nor is, anything common in commonwealth. It was the wealth that the Brits looted from India and the rest of the world. It’s a shame that they display them on their Crown and in their museums.

Just my 2-cents worth!

Pradeep Ganguly

Wharton Marketing professor Stefano Puntoni and his co-author say, “Consumers prefer the unique qualities that human labor gives to certain products and services….” “The findings suggest companies automating for supply-side reasons may want to keep their employees because of the value they bring to the demand side.”

When industiral revolution began, workers in England threw “Sabots” (wooden shoes) into the grinding gears of industiral machines. Thus the word “sabotage” came to be used. Industrial revolution brought many new jobs, lost some old artisan jobs. Similarly, when computers became common, workers and unions feared job losses. Instead, IT boom created many more jobs than were lost.
SO FEAR NOT. Human touch will become more important. AI will make this world a better place, if and when we use it wisely.

Pradeep Ganguly

An organization where employees FEEL that they are:
heard,
they are a part of the team,
they are appreciated,
AND that they are are vital to the mission and goals of the organization.
Let’s listen up. ALL ideas are important/valuable (however ridiculous they may first appear to be).

Pradeep Ganguly

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=organizationalculture&highlightedUpdateUrns=urn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7097643604415766528

In his book, “The Future of the Office: Work from Home, Remote Work, and the Hard Choices We All Face,” Professor Peter Cappelli says “the choices employees and employers must make about the future of work could be among the most important they face.” 

(Source: What’s the Future of the Office? – Knowledge@Wharton (upenn.edu)  

Cappelli correctly states, “we don’t know how well things worked during the pandemic’s WFH phase.”

Professor Cappelli is right.  It is time for us to ponder the “Future of Work.”

While many employees and businesses felt that WFH was great, others were not so enthusiastic.  For one, many businesses were not prepared to set up their employees for WFH protocols – equipment, security, reporting and directions.  It took time for businesses to figure these important variables.  May employees also were not fully prepared to work from home, did not always have the right work environment at home, did not have clear mandates and directions, and were unable to juggle work with home responsibilities and leisure time.

I also see many EMPTY office buildings and office parks.  What does it mean for the future of commercial real estate?  How can we incentivize businesses to expand, re-start and fill these vacant office buildings? What will it take to fill empty office and commercial buildings?

There are many questions to consider as we enter the post-pandemic phase: the future of commercial real estate, telework and WFH protocols, the need for employee interactions, the role of the manager/leader, and customer service.  Not all industries can embrace WFH, and others cannot allow remote work for various reasons.  

Business is important; businesses are the foundation of our economy.  Work-life balance is also important – it is important for employee health and morale.  Let us consider a few options: 1). 1-day WFH (rest in the office). 2). Ten-hour work days with a day off each week. 3). A. 28-day holiday plan for employees, with the requirement that no more than 14 days can be taken at a time. 4). Lower commercial lease rates, since facilities will require less maintenance and upkeep. Perhaps a government rent-subsidy can facilitate this.  

There are other options, and I would like to see your suggestions and comments.

Respectfully, 

Pradeep Ganguly, Ph.D.

According to Marcel Schwantes (INC. Contributing Editor and Founder, Leadership from the Core), there are SIX key phrases – if you use them a lot, you are a better leader than you think.

·      We could not have done it without your hard effort.

·      I could use your advice on what direction to take

·      How can I help?

·      I trust you.

·      Honestly, I don’t know.

·      What do you need from me?

Read the full article here:  If You Use These 6 Phrases a Lot, You’re a Better Leader Than You Think | Inc.com

Pradeep Ganguly

The Continents States University

Yahoo Finance reports that “Google has developed a quantum computer that instantly makes calculations that would take the best existing supercomputers 47 years….  Proponents of quantum computers say the technology, which relies on the peculiar states of quantum physics, can create hugely powerful machines able to battle climate change and create breakthrough drugs.  However, they also threaten to undermine today’s encryption systems, making them a national security priority.”  Supercomputer makes calculations in blink of an eye that take rivals 47 years (yahoo.com)

Question1:  Do you think this is the wave of the future for technology?

Question 2:  What good can Quantum Computing Do?  What can we do to protect us from harm?

Pradeep Ganguly

Knowledge@Wharton has a great article/podcast: “Learning to Be a Better Leader.” Learning to Be a Better Leader – Knowledge@Wharton (upenn.edu)

As Wharton professor Michael Useem says, ““There’s no medication to make you a leader, no pill you can take, no simple solution for it.”  

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed our business world for-ever.  We have had to learn new skills and new management styles to lead our teams.  The business world and management requirements will change again in a few years – with or without an external shock.  Leaders will have to evolve and learn as well.  Like professor Useem says, “It is a lifelong process.”

Respectfully, Pradeep Ganguly