On being asked about the ICC rankings (where some of our cricketing icons were nowhere in the top despite being among the highest achievers!), the Ogilvy & Mather Group President Piyush Pandey -the Creative guru quipped "that's research for you"!!
Research is a funny business. One often starts off with some hypothesis and attempts to gather a 'true representative sample' to evaluate them, before arriving at a conclusion. So you often get what you want to hear, and go ahead with the story-often not entirely using the quote in the context meant but more in the larger interests of the 'theme' being presented :-)!
Today I had a few calls regarding a quote of mine in regarding the plight of some trainees who had agreed to a bond . While it did carry the message, here is what I thought I had expressed:
Research is a funny business. One often starts off with some hypothesis and attempts to gather a 'true representative sample' to evaluate them, before arriving at a conclusion. So you often get what you want to hear, and go ahead with the story-often not entirely using the quote in the context meant but more in the larger interests of the 'theme' being presented :-)!
Today I had a few calls regarding a quote of mine in regarding the plight of some trainees who had agreed to a bond . While it did carry the message, here is what I thought I had expressed:
-"It is a sad reflection on our education system that even after qualifying as a professional, one's vocational skills aren't exactly marketable to the industry. The last few years have seen companies 'catch' students almost 2yrs before graduation, with offers-and so, the onus is really on the corporates teaching the trainees on the job. So the 2 lakhs bond could be construed accordingly. Especially since there is no concept of lifelong employment these days!!"
-To a pointed question about my impressions on Satyam charging 2lakhs-much higher than others..and more pointedly in contrast to Infy (50K) and Wipro (75K), I quipped that the fact that Infy & Wipro too 'charged' didn't make them any holier! It was a relative measure-whether a person had committed one murder or more, each one is still a murderer!!
-What are my feelings about the bunch who seem to be running the risk of losing the money, my response was " there is no free lunch anywhere! Higher the reward, the risk is always higher. The 7000 candidates really had choices-no one really forced them to sign the bond with Satyam. If they were good enough to get other jobs, I am positive they walked into the deal with their eyes open-(maybe even dreaming about the higher salary, foreign trips and a better deal in the dowry market!!) "
Last week I was featured in a very brief clip on Headlines Today TV-on the now still high TRP Satyam topic-about the 'sentiments of the employees seeking greener pastures'-even as the management was trying to arrest the flight of customers in the light of the horrid scam.There were rumours of renegade teams-and most quotes were driving home the point.
Last week I was featured in a very brief clip on Headlines Today TV-on the now still high TRP Satyam topic-about the 'sentiments of the employees seeking greener pastures'-even as the management was trying to arrest the flight of customers in the light of the horrid scam.There were rumours of renegade teams-and most quotes were driving home the point.
The clip did come a few times during Friday-even as I expressed the balancing opinions:
-"As a recruiter handling senior management positions,( GM and above levels), the number of people who reached out to me, was a significantly smaller number..a few dozens! Typically this is a bunch who otherwise would not be like to be known looking for jobs. I admire Satyam for having over the years been able to attract and retain, some very smart people-and it is a hallmark of the culture that quite a few have been with them for over a decade! When I interacted with them, it was more a shock or disenchantment with the turn of events in the last 3 weeks..than anything else.The disbelief that it actually happened. So while they did keep themselves aware of the opportunities-they prefer to 'wait and watch' -rather than pick up the first offer and rock the boat! "
Its nice when the media does present all sides of the story -and leaves the reader to analyse! We would probably have less people retracting on their quotes!!
Unlike the print or TV media, where the reader/viewer is left with no choice but to passively receive the news/information being dished out, on the internet, the reader can actively seek out a balanced picture of whatever he or she wishes to know! Incidentally, I got to know through a close pal of mine -who works with a leading international news agency, that their company generates more revenue from the Googles and Yahoos-than all the print /TV media put together!
Well..would we soon see the 'push from the traditional media' in India lose out to the 'pull of the internet' ??
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