Back from a vacation, Relax!

Earlier we discussed about how to plan a vacation when you are working in a corporate. And, it remains one of the most popular posts here. Google Analytics informs me that some people also reached that post while googling  “How to kill your Boss and other pursuit of happiness in office” . It's perfectly normal.

I noticed that while we have become smart enough to plan holidays, we still don’t know how to behave in office after a vacation.  “Darling, you know that we are just back after a 3 day holiday, so I need to catch-up with work. Shall be coming late for the next 3-4 days, please don't disturb now” Ramesh told his wife who called while he was in a meeting. That’s why Ramesh is still Senior Manager - Accounts. 

The art of successful vacationing doesn't end with a vacation, it begins from there.

Other day, I met Vencut ( Senior Vice President, Strategy) who was just back from his short vacation. Guy was bubbling with energy in the meeting room. Just before the very important fire-fighting meeting begun, one of his Associate Managers asked “Boss, how was your trip?”. And ,he began. “This is one of the best short trips I ever had. Simi just loved it. Drive on the Western Ghats is amazing, any of you guys tried that Hill Descent Control? I think this time BMW got it right. Prabal fort is a must visit man. I just relaxed, switched-off my blackberry and finished reading “LEAN IN, though I don’t necessarily agree with Sheryl Sandberg. Only thing I missed was my guitar classes, must leave office early for few weeks to catch-up on those ” .For the next 23 minutes, Vencut was just on and on about his trip.

If you notice carefully there are lessons here which a typical middle-management guy needs to learn from Vencut.

Never ever feel ashamed of taking leave and going for a vacation. Moment you start your after-vacation day by saying that “Got too many emails to clear, may get late in office”, you are bound to stick to that Assistant Vice President role, for ever. Grow Up. 

What Vencut called a ‘short’ vacation was actually a 7 day leave. And his passionate description of his rather simple holiday amused every one. This is what you need to learn.

Did you notice that he said “Simi” twice, without caring if people knew that his wife’s name is Simi. Who cares if you don’t know?  That’s how senior management and rich people talk about their family members ( and even their pet dogs ).

Not only did he tell that he drives a BMW, but also the book which he’s reading. This is how you inspire people. Next day, 5 of his team members were seen ordering “Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg” from flipkart. And some were even searching for what a Hill Descent Control means.

In Summary:
Senior Management : After coming back from the vacation, for next 2-3 days they don't leave any opportunity to passionately describe the awesomeness of their vacation.

Middle Management : For the full week they keep cribbing that they had to check emails, attend calls from Boss, do con-calls even when they were on vacation.

Junior Management : They begin their day with feeling guilty that they went for vacation and work late hours to compensate for the loss.

So, next time you are back from a vacation, you know how to behave.

PS: Click here to read the post I referred in the beginning .

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Planning a Sick Leave - 2012

Planning a Sick Leave, yes you read it right , It’s all about planning . And as Alan Lakein says “Failing to plan is planning to fail”.

Remember, you’ll always be reminded that you are an excellent resource and kind of indispensable to the organization when:

• You offer to resign

• Or, ask your Boss for a leave

Let’s not discuss resignation as that would need a bigger debate and focus on “Vacation Management” – ( “Holiday planning” is passé)

So here’s a step-by-step guide to Vacation Management.

Step 1 : Jot down the list of Public Holidays for 2012 , key is to note the Day on which a holiday is falling .

Step 2 : Memorize this by heart , I know you can mark it on your iPhone4 or BB , but memorizing this is always preferred so that you need not refer to your iPhone Calendar.

Step 3 : In case you have kids , match it with their holiday calendar . Remember , you should never encourage your kids to take leave because :

• You are paying for their school education, so the more they are in school, better value for your money.

• Second, your parents also did the same to you , so you must avenge on your kids.

Step 4 : List all the holidays falling on Fridays or Mondays or even Thursday , these are the ones which you have to focus. Ex : Jan 26th is falling on a thursday, so you get 4 days if you "fall" sick on Jan 27th.

Step 5 : Now visit all those Travel websites, negotiate, and book in advance for 4 nights and 5 Days. Yes , I said Book without checking with your Boss even if the travel advisor won’t refund your money on cancellation

Step 6 : Now , after you delivered a task on time , and your Boss is in good mood and faffing with you , broach the topic that you intend to go for a short vacation in that month – Never , ever reveal the dates , just month. If he sounds “approving” , say thanks and apply formally but after a couple of days.

Step 7 : If he doesn’t sound to be listening , forget it , who cares.

Step 8 : When you reach the week of your vacation , reach office late on a day prior and say you went to see doctor and keep coughing in the office , Don’t overdo though.

Step 9 : Proceed to Lonavala as scheduled but do drop a text to your Boss “ Unwell , Just went through some blood tests, may be , shall try reaching office in the evening , if possible. Can you please ask Ramesh to attend the strategy call on my behalf ”

Step 10 : Enjoy , Repeat as necessary but don’t over do.

Before I forget , here is the list of Hoildays for 2012 -

http://www.officeholidays.com/countries/india/

Here is an interesting Sick Leave Planner which I got as an email forward ! (click to enlarge )

You're welcome. 

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Vacationing, take it easy!

I am not at all an expert in travelling or vacationing, but when everyone else is busy giving ‘gyan’ then why not me.

Holiday / Vacation – Time away from normal employment or education called as vacation when (usually) spent away from home or in travelling.

Tea Gardens - Munnar

Most of us take vacation, reasons may be different though:

• Break from Job, Boss or both.
• Succumbing to family pressure – vacation demand.
• Love for travelling or nature.
• Claiming LTA ( Indian govt. Sector would understand this)
• Just because your neighbor, friend or colleague keep boasting about their vacation.
• Your brother in law from US gifted you a Nikon D 40.
• Fed up of watching others’ vacation pics on Facebook.
• To avoid wife's home cooked food.

You may have other reasons for taking a vacation, but do take a vacation once a while, other than giving you a break it also gives your maid some rest. Well, if you are thinking that I'll give you some tips on vacationing with your maid - stay away, one guy just lost his job because of a maid.

As I said I am going to give some gyan on Dos n Donts about vacationing, here I begin.

• Don’t plan too much, it’ll hardly work.
• Travel Lite, no point in carrying that new dress where no-one knows you.
• Never ever carry a checklist of the “sites / points” to cover, take it easy.
• No need to stretch yourself to visit one more site – “Now that we have come so far, let’s see that 'Sunset point' also”.
• Enjoy the local food – Why the hell you would like to have Paneer butter masala and rajma chawal in Kerala?
• Your Camera is to capture what you like, but first enjoy the view. There’s nothing better than capturing the beauty in your own memory through the twin lenses called eyes.
• Forget Facebook and Twitter, updates can happen later - soak in the moment.
• Trust local people, your driver, waiter, guide - everyone’s not a thug.
• Treat waiters with respect, you have bought the food only not the restaurant or the waiter.
• Don’t feel guilty just because you spend the day sleeping, you’ve come to relax, unwind and enjoy.
• Avoid blackberry, iphone – your office can run without you.
• Take it easy, there's always a next time.

Enjoy.

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