Dec 08, 2006 05:02 PM
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Me, a fresher into corporate life.
"Transition to corporate life from campus" took a toll onto my brain !! Jesus!!! The toughest part in this era was undeniably my first bonus review discussion(1 :1 with my lead and my manager).
VERDICT - MANAGEMENT IS DONE AT A MICROSCOPIC LEVELS - A COLD WAR B/W the ASSOCIATE(Asc) AND THE MANAGER(Mgr.).
Unfortunately, I was unaware of the arsenal used for this war. Let me walk you through this REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT TO BE A SUCCESFUL WINNER FOR THE SAME!
Intercepts of the 1:1 DISCUSSION(Mental Wrestle)
It consists of Bonus, Rating and Designation change(ROTI KAPDA AUR MAKAAN ek s/w engr. ka)
Mgr : "You have been able to deliver work to your client on schedule with assistance from others".
(Dude, what do you expect? I am new to your team and I was interviewed for PL/SQL and have been put into Oracle Apps. Atleast I should have been trained in it.. What the ? )
Asc : I agree that I have taken assistance. But, I have a rationale behind it. I am new to this technical domain and the WRK assigned to me was complex. But, I would also like to say that, I have put in my best efforts and have come up with a solution in 99/100 situations. I am also in a position now to teach a new person who comes into the team.
Mgr : Yes, I agree. But, as of now, this is your negative point. But, we will surely note this down for your next review discussion.
MORAL : NEVER ACCEPT ANY NEGATIVE POINTS. KEEP DENYING IT IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
Mgr : "Talking about your talents and strengths, you have good analytical skills and think logically. You are very methodical in your approach. You manage to complete work within the given time."
(Mr. Mgr.. How conveniently you forgot about my "Timing extensions"/"Convincing the client for a "NO NOT POSSIBLE"/Convincing co-workers i.e testing ppl/Project analysts etc what the real problem is/Involving myself in FUN related activities/ No laptop ;)/ Irregular cabs/ OVER ALL....... AM A FRESHER.....................")
Asc : But, Mgr, I would like to cite my opinion that, for the allegiance I have devoted to this team, I deserve more positive points than these like, I have also assisted another fresher to sail through/I have extended my timings/ I have come on weekends/ I have volunteered during crisis times for other clients and..
Manager interrupts my argument and :
Mgr : "See Asc, that is what every associate have to do. If you are efficient, you should complete the job in 8 hrs time."
( haa haa, chal na, it is like a chain smoker having cigarette in his hand and asking me to stop smoking. )
MORAL : NEVER ALLOW THE MGR TO INTERRUPT UNTIL YOU COMPLETE YOUR DISCUSSION. TRY TO DOMINATE THE DISCUSSION.
Mgr : "You have not come up proactively to help others. You have provided assistance only when specifically assigned to you."
Yeah right, can you name one person who came and sat beside me and asked if I need any help??? Don't you think this is your major -ve point? Tech lead? Helped me ever? Or... your manager asked this to you?
Asc : Well, I have helped others in some occasions ( cited examples).
Mgr... neatly jumped to some other point leaving this matter here.
MORAL : IF YOU EVER HELP OTHERS, TRY HELPING THEM IN FRONT OF YOUR MANAGER.(UNGRATEFUL WORLD)
Mgr : Finally, ASC lets schedule this discussion for some other time. But, you have been rated Proficient and have been given a bonus of an X amount and no designation change. This rating is decided and it is not negotiable.
ON AND ON AND ON AND ON ...............
DECREE:
Be assertive. Take the negative points and try to minimize it by a PREP(POINT-REASON-EXAMPLE-POINT).
There may be some major achievements of yours', which your manager might have forgotten. Re-iterate those points.
Do not get emotional. Jobs are plenty. If something goes beyond your dignity's acceptance level, deny it straight. Do not force yourself to degrade your ability.
Be prepared for a tough battle. The game is not easy, at the same time, if you have your points right, the game is quite easy.
Have evidence to substantiate your data.
Fight for something more than you got ( Atleast it will help you further).
Maintain harmony amongst your peers(especially your manager and the lead) to avoid politics.
Above all, follow the company policies and ethics; try to complete your work in given time.
If the fault is not yours ( say, it is the requirement clarification team's fault), please show it to all, before it comes on your head.
Mail relevant documents to all the people in your team.
Save all the required documents( sent mails/chat transcripts etc)
Maintain the WRK status report and MOMs ( minutes of meetings).
Follow the etiquette for Conf. calls and team meetings.
Show enthusiasm in the work you do.
Try not to lose the innovation in every job you do. It definitely pays.
Try to assist your peers, if they need it, it definitely helps.
Never let your learning curve fall flat, you will be digging a grave and sleeping in it yourself.
There are much more points than these, please feel free to comment on this.
Thanks,
Navya
