The Science behind the Jain way of life

The foundation of Jain philosophy of Non Violence or rather TOTAL Non Violence towards any living being howsoever small it may be. This philosophy guides the conduct of the followers of Jain philosophy. I have no hesitation to say that this need not be a Jain philosophy only, but this should be a philosophy of every human being. In order to live this philosophy the conduct of true followers of Jainism differs from the other Non Jains. 

1)                  Not eating of Non Veg Food

2)                  Not eating of root vegetables

3)                  Other Non Eatables

4)                  Eating before the sun set known as Chauvihar

5)                  Fasting (with water only or in some cases without water & other penance) Continue Reading....

A (very) short course on Jainism

Jains will celebrate Paryushan, their most prominent festival from today till the 15^th of Sep 2016. When the world is facing severe degradation of Morale and widespread violence, Jainism, one of the most ancient or perhaps the oldest philosophy of extreme Non-Violence is worth knowing and practicing by everybody.  

The word "Jain" is derived from the Sanskrit word jina (conqueror). A human being who has conquered all inner passions like attachment, desire, anger, pride, greed, etc. is called Jina. Followers of the path practiced and preached by the jinas are known as Jains. Continue reading....

Mahatma Gandhi’s Spiritual Guru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred his name couple of times during his Independence Day speech today. For those who wish to know more about Shrimad Rajchandra, Spiritual Guru of Mahatma Gandhi here I have reproduced some of the questions Mahatma Gandhi had asked Shrimad Rajchandra and answers given by him.   

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It is remarkable that Mahatma Gandhi had grown a close intimacy with Kavi Rajchandraji. Mahatmaji had expressed this experience of his life in very impressive language. He writes,

"Tolstoy, Ruskin and Rajchandbhai  the three great personalities have influenced me much. Tolstoy through his book and correspondence Ruskin by his " UNTO THIS LAST!" and Rajchandbhai by his close contact.

When I had grown up doubts about Hinduism, it was Rajchandbhai who helped me (to remain firm in my belief). In the month of July 1891, when I returned from England and reached Bombay, that I first met Rajchandbhai. Dr. Pranjivandas introducing him to me, as a Kavi (Poet), said, that inspite of being a poet, he is a partner with us in business. He is very wise, a 'SHATAVADHANI' also.

I was simply amazed to hear this and out of curiosity read out to him a big list of words from various languages, which I had written beforehand for my convenience. After hearing me, Rajchandbhai repeated those words exactly in the same order as I read them.

I was satisfied and wondered (at this extraordinary feat of memory). Indeed I had a great regard and impression about his faculty of memory. The wonder is that the Kavi had no knowledge of English and he was only 25 years old at the time. A student only of vernacular (normal) classes, yet he developed his wisdom and knowledge such that commanded respect from all ! My acquaintance with Kavi continued for long, as a " Gnyani” he was!

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

While Mahatma Gandhi was in South Africa, he came into the contact of the Christian Missionaries and had religious and philosophical discussions with them. As a result he had to face a mental storm which arose in his mind . He at once wrote to Kavi Rajchandra and sought his help to clear the doubtful points, which were troubling his mind. He put no less than 27 questions to the Kavi, which were duly answered.  Four are reproduced below: 

Continue reading..

Jainism is not a religion & why Irrfan is right?

Question number 1:

Can principles of physics or chemistry or maths be different for different individuals in different parts of the world?

No.

One plus one is two is universal across the world because this is a natural law.

Any laws which are natural are universally applicable to everyone irrespective of their social status, so called caste, human invented religions or geographies.

Question number 2: Continue reading...

Are you living with these fitness misconceptions?

I am fit and fine. I am slim. I go for walk and do jogging to remain fit.  I don’t have any health related problems.

Do I need to do strength (weight) training in the gym?

Well the answer is YES.

·                     Yes, if you wish to keep your muscles strong (Your heart is also made up of muscles)

·                     Yes, if you wish to maintain the health of your skeletal system. Stronger muscles support or skeleton system better. (To avoid Osteoporosis or knee replacement like old age disorders)

·                     Yes, if you wish to change your muscle to fat ratio (Slim is not fit, Muscle to fat ratio decides the fitness)

·                     Yes, if you wish to use the calories you have over consumed.

There are many myths and misconceptions about the fitness. The result is most remain confused and action-less or do whatever they are comfortable with or can be done easily.  Continue reading. 

Free Ebook – Download now – Limited Period Offer

The Bread is Moving - why Customer Experience becomes critical

The is book on the subject of customer experience and service design is free for a limited period.

Praise for the book:

“Customer Experience to Counter VUCA and Disruptive Times:

Retail is changing at a Fast Pace. Consumers are changing faster, thanks to Disruptive Technology and Multiple Screens. And yes, the On Line disruption is Impacting Operating Models of all businesses. How should businesses counter the VUCA situation all around ??

There is No Magic Formulae, Nor any Rocket Science to combat these challenges.

The Author Passionately brings to us , his proposition about Customer Experience (CX).

If Retail is Theatre that consumers need to enjoy- Designing and Delivering CX is the Key.

He explains in detail, with lots of Live Examples, what CX means and how Organisation, whether Retail or Non Retail should go about Defining to Designing and Delivering CX on the ground..

His analysis of various companies reveals that, Customer Centricity is at the heart of Successful Companies. I am sure that, each one of you would have encountered many WOW moments and many more Horrible let downs by Airlines, Telecom and other Companies.

Customer Centric Companies are obsessed with Customers Delight right from their Vision, Mission to their Product ,  Service & CX. The author proposes that every organisation should have a Chief Customer Experience Officer (CCXO ) to delight the customer.

The book is written in a simple to read and ready to execute format. I am sure, you will enjoy reading this book. And without wasting any time, you will start designing your organisations CX....”

• Govind Shrikhande | Customer Care Associate & Managing Director | Shoppers Stop Ltd.

"This book is very apt and timely for Indian market. Especially for hospitals, customer experience is critical and the book tells almost A to Z of it.”

• Joy Chakraborty, COO, Hinduja Hospital

I have read a lot of management books, however this book stands apart especially for Indian businessmen. I am impressed with how simply Sunil Gandhi has explained one of the most important aspects of Customer Experience (CX). Citing Indian examples he drives home the point very clearly and I am sure readers will be able to embark on a CX improvement journey right way.

• Maman Choksi, Director, RE/MAX Gujarat.

Readers Reviews:

By Manoj Papisetty on 28 September 2015

In this book, he collates some of the most useful ways to look at new age businesses and lists down neat, powerful processes with workable frameworks for any business. I am particularly excited about this book in India because of the new startup era we are seeing in the country. It will certainly help the new age startups grow quick, efficient and sustainable.

By Anish Desai on 5 December 2015

Customer Experience Champion Sunil Gandhi, yet again takes the readers of his books through some amazing insights in delivering the value of your product/service. It's a must read for all who believe customer is at the core of the business and the key to turning around business is by focusing on the value chain and the customer. A thorough joy ride!!!!

By Surendra Arora on 2 October 2015

You must have read many such books written on US companies or situations, I admire Sunil for giving a Indian perspective to it. Interesting read for all corporate executives and business person.

By Amazon Customer on 28 September 2015

An excellent and very pertinent viewpoint that has been explained very logically and persistently.

By Gopinath Narayanan - Published on Amazon.com on 8th June 2016

A must read for anyone in the customer experience role. This is a well researched book, with several examples and case studies. Very contemporary, and includes the impact of social media.

Download now on your Kindle. Click here.  

In fact it is not free, it comes with two conditions

• Share this post
• & share your review on Amazon, that’s it.

Welcome to download , its free till 23rd July 2016.

Have visited this place? Your weekend plan.

Destination decided. Parashar Agro Farm (PAF), Rajuri, Junnar District, Maharashtra. This was after marathon search on the Google. All prominent monsoon resorts in Maharashtra were booked for the weekend. We were looking for travel distance of around 200 KM from Mumbai, not more.  Finally I was landed on the website of PAF. It was quite pleasing.

After having some hope, I visited Tripadvisor for reviews. To my pleasant surprise out of 24 reviews, 14 were Excellent and 10 were very good. Nothing below that. A very rare feat. Now my next challenge was having a vacancy  there on my designated days.

I called Mr. Manoj Hadawale whose number was there on the site. He is the owner. He confirmed the availability of rooms.  Advance was paid, others were roped in to join and the journey begun on 8th July 2016.

It was 7.40 in the morning. We travelled by Hyundai Grand i10 and other two couple were in a separate vehicle. Google map was set up for direction. It was showing 180 KM. from Dahisar Check Naka. Click on the photo below to continue reading...

A small but expanding list

This post is an overview of my books.

The Fifth Idiot:

This is a fiction about entrepreneur’s aggression to expand rapidly to please PE investors and creating wealth through an IPO. & how one incident changed everything. Read how he becomes employee happiness-centric from mere profit and market share-centric.

The book has earned praise from Ritesh Agarwal of Oyo Rooms, Ninad Karpe of Aptech, Richa Anirudh of Zindagi Live TV Programme and Dr. Anupam Sibal of Apollo Hospital

A reader’s review on Amazon:

The Bread is Moving:

The book is primer for Indian entrepreneurs on the subject of customer experience (CX) and service design. What, why and how of CX.

The book is praised by Govind Shrikhande of Shoppers Stop and Joy Chakraborty of Hinduja Hospital.

One of the readers recently tweeted.

The Highest Ignorance:

The book is a fiction. A story of a woman’s journey who discovers self is not a body but a soul and road she takes once ignorance about the self evaporates and the deep desire for enlightenment emerges.

This book has received praise from Dr. Jagdish Sheth, Professor at Emory University – USA, Christopher Chapel of Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, USA Vallabh Bhansali of Enam, Padmabhushan Mallika Sarabhai, CA Bhavana Doshi of KPMG & CA Pradeep Shah to name a few.

“For today’s brake-less and largely aim-less people, Sunilbhai has created a ‘sugar coated’ fast pill. Fiction that presents the highest wisdom in a practical and applied manner. Hope a lot of readers take its benefit.”

– Vallabh Bhanshali , Co-Founder & Chairman , ENAM Group

“Beautiful……. very touching……… lucidly written story … A must read for all… young and not so young, initiated and non-initiated…… “

– CA Bhavana Doshi, Senior Advisor, KPMG

There are some good readers’ reviews on Amazon. This book an English translation of my Gujarati book Titled ‘The Shortest Journey’.

Wow ! & Weird:

This is a collection my choicest blog post over last 6 six years. Infact this is available free on my blog on registration. Welcome to register and download this ebook.

The book is praised by CA Ashwin Parekh, Ex – E & Y, Anand Rathi, Bijou Kurian of Reliance Retail and Rajnikant Patel, Ex – MD & CEO of BSE and ICE.

Coming up next:

Dangerous Debt – What every entrepreneur must know.

This is at the manuscript stage and I am inviting beta readers.

Wish you a happy READING experience with these books.

Conjuring 2 - My Views

My adult daughter insisted me to see the movie.  She cautioned me, I would be afraid as it’s a scary movie. So I took up the challenge. 

My first impression: The movie was a refined and polished version of one of the Ramsey movies I saw during my 20s. Some might feel this is a cruel comparison, but so be it. 

Some comments on the direction (though I am least qualified):

When Ed Warren knew the house is haunted why the hell did he enters the basement at night to do some plumbing job? Can’t they call a plumber during the day and get it solved? Was Ed there to help them in plumbing work?

2nd: How they found in a camera Janet is faking? When someone is being haunted, obviously she was under the control of some other soul but the body will anyway remain the same.  They saw in the camera that Janet is faking by seeing her body doing it, but that is obvious in the case someone who is being haunted (in movies). How was it concluded she is faking? 

& the last scene when three of them were on the verge of falling from the window holding one after the other, that reminded me of Manmohan Desai scene sequences. 

All in all Ok movie, which is hyped more. 

Yoga – aspects you may not know

The world is celebrating International Yoga Day today.

Yoga is popularly known by Asana i.e. physical movements and Prayanama, breathing exercise performed by practitioners. Asana and Prayanama are what the Yoga means is the belief of most practitioners when most think about the Yoga.

Now, since the Yoga has gained international acceptance and popularity, it is pertinent to know what the Yoga means.

Yoga is a way of life and not limited to Asana and Prayanama. Sage Patanjali had about 2000 years ago, prescribed Yoga in sutras in his treatises known as Patanjali Yoga Sutras. Even before Patanjali Yoga was practiced and considered a way of life in India.  However the oldest Sutras, we have in written format is by Sage Patanjali.Continue reading...

Do you possess this CRITICAL skill? Perhaps NO

Today, Saturday, so my blog is about personal matters.

“Communication starts and prevents wars nowadays.” French political consultant, Jacques Seguela

Ajit Pawar, ex-Minister in Govt of Maharashtra, in his recent meeting with party workers, advised them to speak cautiously as he accepted that he has lost everything because of his bad communication.

During the recent Mathura incidence, the way MP of Mathura, Hema Malini responded initially to a journalist was just short of pathetic. Continue reading...

How Service Design influence our happiness?

We have known about the importance of service design and how it can be implemented in solving people problem in previous two posts.

One of the fundamental principles of Service Design is it is Human Cantered. Human be it customer, citizen or patients’ or patients’ relatives.

The largest service provider who touches the maximum humans in any country is the Government (Govt.) of that country.

Governments are the biggest service providers in the world. Everything Govt. does is a service to the citizen. Govt. touches many aspects citizen’s lives. Read more...

How service design approach can reduce waiting time?

Healthcare is the industry where people consume the service out of compulsion. No customer comes there out of their desire or choice. Perhaps customers come here when they are in distress and in delicate health condition. People accompanying the patient are also in the disturbed mind as their loved and dear one is suffering and they are apprehensive about the outcome of the treatment. Continue reading...

Service Design – Why you can’t ignore it?

We all know the premium designers products command in the market. As far as services are concerned most service providers are not designing the service.

Services are about customer services. For new age businesses customer service is the core service. It does not come into play once the goods are sold and when the problem crops up. Be it banking, insurance, healthcare or hotels or any other services, their core business is customer service.  Continue Reading. 

How to use colour palette – DAILY ?

“There is nothing insignificant in the world. It all depends on the point of view.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

When I was watching the sunset at the Juhu beach, few others were watching the closed hotel Tulip star from the opposite side, few were watching the sea at Versova and a few others were watching the sea at Bandra side. Everyone had a different angle and the view they were getting from their angel were their view and their reality. Continue reading....

Bankruptcy Code – Borrowers Beware

Now becoming an NPA is a more serious problem for the borrowers. Earlier plethora of laws governing recovery was used by the borrower to their advantage to delay the process. Thanks to the new law which is coming up soon and approved by both the houses of Parliament.

The message from the bill is clear. Restructure, repay or wind up. Read more..

My First Podcast Interview

Dangerous DEBT

The NPA is a fraction of the problem for Indian banks. They will employ a team of lawyers and / or sell NPA to ARCs to get rid of such accounts. They will get capital from the Govt.

But for entrepreneurs having an NPA, it is the mega problem for them. Their other good accounts will get affected; no one will lend them, they will be at a risk of selling of property mortgaged to the bank. It’s a very stressful situation. Mostly most small NPAs are not willful but ignorant NPAs. Read more.

Enjoy your weekend with Seth Godin & Tim Ferriss

I spent my day today with Tim Ferriss and Seth Godin.

Yes, it was more than three hours of lessons from these people.

If you want to invest your weekend in a more meaningful way, just click on the links below and hear them out.

Know the difference between a painter and an artist, daily blogging, education in the future and a lot more. He is the author of 18 bestselling books and yes he has not used snooze button since 1977. -Continue Reading...

Jewellers Strike, Jeff Bezos and Achchhe Din

Jewellers in India were on strike for nearly six weeks. They are asking the Govt. Of India to remove 1% Excise Duty levied in the budget this year.

Today in the Parliament Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant recommended the Govt. to consider their requests and remove the duty. He went on to say that Jewellers do not mind 1 or 2% levy but they do not want this by an additional Govt. department. They have a bad experience about this department. ... Continue Reading...

E & Y Fraud Study and The Fifth idiot

“Young players play with a great deal of fairness and sportsmanship. Once they learn how important the game is to adults, they will learn how to cheat.” – Dr. Ron Quinn, Professor of Sports Ethics at Xavier University.

Cheat to win is the mindset we adults have developed and that is spoiling our children too. The recent study on fraud conducted by E & Y indicates about 70% of the Indian executives would indulge in unethical business practices to achieve the targets.

Parents’ expectations are the biggest CRISIS in our society. Be it winning in sports or getting top ranks in schools or studying the course of interest of parents and even marrying the partner of their choice. Fulfilling parents’ dreams make children do unethical things and study the subjects of their least interest. Parental pressure and expectations are the biggest stress for the children. Continue reading...

Who wants to suffer from Existential Distress?

Existential Distress is the term I learnt from the podcast titled ‘The Man Who Studied 1,000 Deaths to Learn How to Live’ by Tim Ferriss with BJ Miller.

The meaning of these two words is:  Existential distress at the end of life has been defined as hopelessness, a burden to others, loss of a sense of dignity, desire for death or loss of the will to live and threats to self-identity.

Existential Loneliness has entered the literature and “is understood as an intolerable emptiness, sadness, and longing, that results from the awareness of one’s fundamental separateness as a human being.” Continue reading

Why everyone needs to know about Anekantavada?

Sushma Swaraj, Indian Minister of External Affairs recently said that Jainism’s principles of Anekantavada, Aparigraha (non-hoarding) and Ahimsa (non-violence) offer a solution to the present day problems the world is facing. She was referring to extremism, climate change, and inequality.

Next week when the world will celebrate Mahavira Jayanti (birth of Mahavira, twenty fourth and the last Tirthankara (Teaching God) of the present time cycle.) today I am writing about one of the most important and fundamental principle of Jainism - Anekantavada.   Continue reading..

The common link between Ki & Ka, The Fifth Idiot and a Ted Talk

Ki & Ka, the movie by R Balki was released this Friday on 1st April. The movie is about swapping of the roles of House Wife and House Husband. The movie conveys the message in quite an interesting way.

But the moot question we all must understand is the mindset of the character Kabir, played by Arjun Kapoor in his usual serious ‘2 States’ like style. Continue reading. 

Free Ebooks – Welcome to download

Welcome to commence the new financial year with the brand new thinking. Let customer experience index and employee happiness index become the part of the Annual Report and see the transformation of business performance.

I am happy to invite readers to download two of my ebooks from Amazon. It can be downloaded on Kindle App or Kindle device. Free download ends on 4th April 2016. Continue reading....

Do you know your account could be the next NPA?

The whole India is debating about Vijay Mallya. But he is sitting somewhere in the world and addressing his high debt worries. On the other extreme, there are farmers committing suicide, due to unbearable debt exposure.

In between there are SME borrowers who are the most vulnerable to the debt crisis. Most do not know the implication of debt – its short-term and long-term usage, cash flow mismatch, interest impact and in the case of default all other implications that comes with NPA status. Continue reading...

Trust your instinct & Conquer your Everest

We all are climbing our Everest. Yes, those of us who are pursuing our passion are not any less than Everest climbers. Our expedition is ongoing and we can’t return back, the only option is one way, move ahead and upward. The result may be away or not even on the horizon, but the journey must continue.
Continue reading..

Eleven questions to the CEOs/ Business Owners:

1. Employees spend their prime time of lives with the employers. They need not wait for weekends for their happiness. Happiness for employees must be there and there at workplaces. This is the responsibility of CEOs. What are you doing about it?
2. Most (85% in Indian Pvt. Sector) employees are suffering from lifestyle diseases due to work related stress and long hours of working but they do not have time for gymnasium or exercise. Courtesy – long hours of work and so-called self-imposed targets. Shouldn’t this change?  Continue reading next 9 questions...

We are DYING in EMIs

Yes,  we all know about paying EMI but what we are ignorant about is,  we all are also drying in EMI.

As per the recent ASSOCHEM survey, due to demanding schedules, high-stress levels and performance-linked perquisites in private sectors, nearly 85% of employees in private sectors are afflicted to lifestyle, chronic diseases and acute ailment, according to a recent survey conducted on the occasion of ‘World Health day’.

We human beings are not compatible to cope up with fast moving technologies and severe competition. Bill Gates writes about Business @ The speed of thought, but we are also dying at the speed of thought while doing at the speed of thought. Continue Reading....

The journey of – The Fifth Idiot

Husband of our neighbour, a young lady CA age 24 , died within one year of their marriage. He was working with a bank and the  job was demanding. Ranjan Das, 42 years young CEO of SAP India died of cardiac arrest. Sarvshreshth Gupta, an analyst with Goldman Sachs died due to long hours of working and high stress at workplace. He once told his father that his job is too much work and too little time. After months of working close to 100-hour weeks, the young banker fell to his death in his apartment parking lot at the tender age of just 22. Continue reading

Mr. Prime Minister, after DIPAM, next is HRD Ministry

The Finance Minister presented Union Budget 2016 today. Every year we hear finance minister and post that army of experts who analyse the budget. Then everything is back to normal, & we hope well new normal. Continue reading...

Duryodhana’s HR blunder & Google’s HR excellence

Google is the best company to work for. Since 2007, the company is at the top of the chart. The company employs around 57000 people. It is said that company receives 20000 resumes per week. Ethisphere does survey of most ethical companies in the world. Google is very much there in 2015 list of 132 honorees named spanning 21 countries and five continents and representing over 50 industries. The company is 2nd in the list of most admired companies in the world after Apple. The company is the most valued company on the earth @ US $547 billion. Keep reading...