The Exploration & Impact of Recession 2008 to 2010: An Experience-I

In 2008 (March) QoQ results were announced, the picture was not so good in comparison to the Previous year performance.

A wake up call on my cell phone from Bhubaneswar started my day on a beautiful weekend (Saturday), full of comfort and warmth. During this phase of work @ office and holidays @ home, today I found lot of free time to discuss about the well being of family members with my mom. Truly speaking I was missing my home; the discussion lasted for almost 30 min.

Sunday evening my friend called me up and shared about his company taking the decision to Layoff 2000 employees in the coming week (Wipro). He is an experienced professional and few weeks ago he had his engagement ceremony for marriage after coming back from USA (Client Location). He was rewarded 2000$ for his Excellent performance for the services he provided to them on behalf of the Organization. He conveyed me that due to this crisis his engagement is over and he has postponed his marriage date till he gets a suitable job. I wished him good luck.

Monday @ office I found the scenario very dull, I heard our VP (My boss) has also putted his papers. He is leaving the company with lot of senior management people to a Rival company (Collabera). The Impact of this crisis was clearly reflected on the face of senior managers @ Corporate. We lost a 20 million dollar account to Infosys. Companies becoming bankrupt in USA and other regions, due to the recession phase.

In the meantime I took a break and travelled to Bhubaneswar. It was a good decision to fix my health and spiritual requirements in the weekend. In August 2008 I suffered a knee injury on the pavement of the bus stand, it was very painful, but I continued on my trip to Parthi Ashram.After coming back from the trip, I experienced some pain in my left Leg knee Joint.

But my determination over came the pain and I keep on moving from office to home and vice versa @ Bangalore. After all “Life is a Journey, Keep Walking”…

In September I suffered from spondilysis because of working long hours at office & home. I was planning for doing my Phd program as soon as possible. But it is always advisable to “Drive Slow as Slow and Steady wins the race”. Due to busy work schedules I was unable to consult the doctor, as I thought that because of doing regular exercise, these minor problems will recover automatically (experience from past injuries).

In Dec 2008 I suffered from @ fatal attack of joint pains in my left Leg, Neck and Back. I was living alone @ Bangalore, there was no one near by and I was unable to call anyone. I visioned death in front of my eyes. Suddenly @ miracle happened the moment my eyes fall on the Big Poster of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in my room. I looked at his eyes and prayed, you are staying just 4hrs drive by road, away from me. I need you now, will you hold my hand and help me please. The moment these thoughts aroused. I felt something under my back, giving me a sensation of ice being kept under my back. I felt relaxed and my legs started moving and feet touching the ground I slowly left my bed and my arms stretched to the image of his Lotus feet kept in the rack I bowed my head and thanked him from my heart for helping me.

In March 2009 I took a very tough decision in keeping my Health as first priority to come back home @ Bhubaneswar, as Life is something else and it is defined beyond monetary satisfaction. I was lucky to found some free lance consulting assignments with SAAB group, India before leaving Bangalore.

GM Sold SAAB unit, for reducing its lossess.

A local IT company in Bhubaneswar, who hired me as Manager -Marketing also extracted 40 + days of hard work from me irrespective of my ill health , with regular trips to the client locations , and unable to pay my salary / TA/DA etc…during recession. Similar experiences were narrated by lot of professionals who came back home/passed out batches in the period of Recession Crisis.

In August 2009, I started teaching to Management students & Engineering Students in SOA, University @ Bhubaneswar. I got a call from the same friend (engagement was over few years ago), getting married in July 2010. I am also able to recover from illness and health issues in 2010 (Post Recession).I hope i will be 100% fit again during this break and keep on marching, with the lessons learned during the phase of Crisis vs Confidence and Determination.

MBA is always

Management of Mind Body and Atma,

Management by Attitude,

&

Must Be Active by thinking Positive