Capt. Shaji Kumar

Tag: #covid-19

  • An humane approach to blue collar workforce management.

    Howsoever, troubling it may sound, jobs have always been differentiated on the colour of the collar. White, Grey, Blue – that’s the way it has always been.

    The “Blue” account for approximately 400 million jobs in India. Of these many are of contractual nature, where earnings are based on either the number of hours or days “worked”. Prominent among these are Drivers and “workers” engaged in Logistics, Delivery, etc.

    I was instrumental (always abhorred the term founded and never been able to come to terms with it), Astute Outsourcing Services Pvt. Ltd.  in 2013, as a Facility Management Company, which later transgressed into “Staffing” services with the strategic acquisition of Adamas HR Services Pvt. Ltd.. And in 2020, re-kindled the nascent business segment of Residential Services re-christened as Astute Care (erstwhile On Time – Live Easy™, which I had started toying around in late 2016).

    Seven years into Business, and going over numerous data especially in the post lockdown or pandemic scenario, I realised that my business is a contributor to the 400 million odd “blue collar” workforce. Even though the business model is not attributable to hours or days worked but based on actual employment with a employee-employer relation, it is still dependent heavily on the “Customer’s” end use requirement. Thankfully the Lockdown and subsequent social distancing norms and efforts to contain the spread of the “virus” has seen a spurt in demand for efficient and reliable workforce to handle deliveries and provide a sanitised environment both at work-place and in people’s homes as homes in this new normal scenario have become an extension of work place.

    Pouring over the newspaper reports, many of the 400 million were not as lucky as our employees, and the distressing tales of woe over how the “migrant” workers trudged back home, on foot in the absence of any other viable mode of transport being made available. This got us thinking and utilised the abundant time available to put the AOSPL think tank to work and come out with a solution to better manage the workforce. 

    My Team realised that there were a lot of issues which we could resolve by migrating to  technology. Digital, that seems to be the most prevalent byword going around post pandemic is what we based our future solutions on. Out came our drawing board – with plans to draw up a plan and solution where we could solve – digital on boarding, automated attendance management, payroll, leave, Insurance, skilling- a comprehensive model to have in place a effective workforce-management solution directed exclusively for the Blue Collar segment. Hence the idea of “SARAL JOBS” was mooted. There are lot of solutions for all types of Collars from on boarding to retirement, except the BLUE. So we decided on a multi-lingual vernacular based digital platform solution to cater exclusively for the much neglected Blue.

    Just imagine, if a Data Mapping solution for these 400 million was available in the Pre-Pandemic era we may have been spared to have been spectators of this horrid saga which each one of us “witnessed” from the confines of our homes, while a majority of these 400 million trudged back to their places of origin. 

    Most of the Blue Collar staff are deployed in an multi-location environment. We have staff deployed across the span of the Country and the “manual” process is rather cumbersome and difficult to comprehend for effective and timely solution. Say for example, if one of our delivery boys deployed at a warehouse wanted to apply for a eave, they presently follow a rather cumbersome process involving paper forms and getting stage even approvals, all of which is quite time consuming and considering the “work” pressure becomes quite an ordeal for the employee to manage. A solution like “SARAL-JOB” can automate and simplify all this and more – simplifying life – for the distributed workforce, leading to savings in cost and time. We at Astute have realised that the way forward is to invest in Technology for growth for the better of both the “Blue Collar” employee as well as the employer.

  • The advent of a new Morning…

    Even the longest and darkest of night, ends with morning light. We are nearing the end of the 3rd Lockdown. Maybe, just maybe, even if the announcement of the lockdown was abrupt and sudden in line with what we have come to accept as the innate style of our Prime Minister, it may have helped India avoid what could have been a large scale devastation, as seen elsewhere in the World. Still waiting, but the statistics till date does project quite an encouraging outcome. Anyway, lockdown or not it is time when manufacturing and other operations will be and undoubtedly should be permitted to restart in a phased manner. How much more can we remain locked up? This is an extremely critical and delicate operation that will involve clear guidelines, operating principles and a very vigilant approach to health and safety.

    Communication that is simple, easy to understand and practice becomes an essential tool in this phase. Unlike what we saw in these last 50 days, all stakeholders need to be explained the steps and procedure for operating productively while maintaining social distancing and essential practices. As also everyone in the Industry will be waiting in hope when the Finance Minister unwraps the Economic Stimulus announced by the Prime Minister in his 3rd address to the nation tonight. Astrology is always capable of predicting the future for anyone, whether it is a man, woman, country or the world itself, but astrologers can sometimes predict the future and events accurately and at times can even fail to predict it correctly. But I do firmly believe, as the Prime Minister reiterated, we can really turn the tide and change things – to make India great again. This is an opportunity for us to change things.

    When we see a hole in a piece of silk, we are hardly surprised. It may be a shame but given the susceptibility of this fabric to wear and tear, it is inevitable. When we see a hole in a piece of steel, we are amazed. What on earth caused this?  Our psychological armour is sturdy. For all our inner sensitivity, it takes a lot to dent our external confidence – and it has been proved many times over. We are made of quite sturdy stuff. The experience of this pandemic will yet again just prove the point. I am quite certain that collectively we would see a resurgent India galloping ahead.

  • The World at War?

    This Covid-19 pandemic has gripped the entire World in a vicious vice, well almost the entire World but for one – where it all began. It has now been proven beyond  doubt, that if the alert had been sounded and strict measures enforced just a mere two weeks before it was eventually acted upon, we would all still be going about our lives as “old normal” instead of trying to adapt to a “new normal”. How the severity of the spread has been targeted or diverted more towards the developed part of the World, where despite the most advanced health care system, these Countries have grappled helplessly as the pandemic spread throughout, leaving in its wake an unpreceded toll.  All these years, ever since the last World War, nations have been foolishly spending enormous amounts of money, in stockpiling weapons & weapon systems including the lethal nuclear arsenals. We always tried to visualise a World, as how it would be, the day after a nuclear holocaust. Never, has anyone in their wildest dream imagined a parasitic holocaust. Biological warfare – yes, but it was always deemed to be restricted to a vicinity of geographical area and much less potent than a nuclear holocaust.  Who would have thought that devious minds enshrined in God knows what agenda, would work silently to create a situation where the entire World is brought down without lifting a single finger or ordering the troops out of their barracks. Introducing – “The Parasite” that would rule the World.

    This World is at War!! People are inside the cover of their homes, not because of an imminent bomb raid, but to protect themselves against a far more viciously lethal enemy – an enemy which can’t be seen with naked eyes. Like a seasoned predator this particular enemy can wait patiently, lurking on some surface always ready to invade the body of an unsuspecting victim, the moment he lets his “mask” down. As leaders across the Universe are trying to take a sneak peek and test waters by announcing cautious lifting of Lockdowns, the coming few weeks and months will be the deciding factor on which way this situation is going to swing. While all this has been going on, there is but one Country which is preparing, to go shopping. Pick up the spoils of the war from the devastated battlefield, just like the old times where the victorious troops would be allowed to scavenge off the corpses, whatever precious things could be scavenged. Like a soap opera, the plots and sub-plots keep changing. The days, weeks, months ahead would be very interesting to see how this drama unfolds.

    The truth is that human behaviour all over the World has made pandemics like this inevitable. We have shrunk the natural habitats, thereby giving more opportunities for viruses to combine and create lethal iterations. Then with the current socio-environmental set up in our cities, we give them more opportunities to spread, making the demarcation line very thin. Then we have provided ample opportunities. Just remember that, there’s always something to panic about, worry about or generally be in fear of. There always has been and there always will be. What’s upsetting or disturbing us now is, no more, or less serious than anything we have ever faced in the past. Over-react to it and it will get worse. Deal with it calmly and confidently and it will go away again – as ever. It is said that Good always prevails over the evil. This is what we have always been led to believe. We need to get faster at containment. We need to catch the virus at source. We know what it takes and fighting every pandemic since life on earth began – and no virus has ever beaten us yet. Historically whenever a pandemic virus has invaded causing destruction, all of human ingenuity has been brought to bear together to bring them down. It is only a matter of time…

  • WHAT NOW….?

    More than a month has passed since the Prime Minister announced a National Lockdown. What Now? Do we continue in this state of suspended animation and continue to dwell ensconced within our respective dwellings? It appears that the respective State Governments do not want to take a chance. A chance with what? It is time that the Government starts work on a broader plan so as to allow the life to go on. Fear of death by Covid-2019 virus would far outweigh the fear of death by starvation. In absence of any lifeline or monetary support each business is left to fend for itself. The roll call at some point will determine as to how many would be left standing.

    In the meeting with Chief Ministers on Monday, the Prime Minister had rightly pointed out that importance needed to be given to the economy as well. It’s high time to walk the talk. There is no way that there is going to be an end game anytime soon as far as this particular virus is concerned. So when is it going to be the right time? Whatever, the diktats that may be given there is bound to be a massive fallout if this lockdown restrictions is not lifted and things allowed to resume post 03 May 2019. Yes this is definitely a risk that no State Government can avoid. People have become wiser and as adults, all the sane ones would follow the NEW Normal. We will forget what the Old Normal was. There was a logic to the first and even the second lockdown…but to nurture the thought of a Third…will most definitely be catastrophic and maybe even more devastating than the deaths which will be caused by the Covid-2019 virus.

    This undoubtedly is a crisis situation. When you’re in the midst of a crisis, it can be hard to think past your short-term response. Lockdown is indeed that – a short-term response. But, the primary focus of leaders should be on the long term. After all, it is their job to lead people into the best possible future. But their diverse army of experts now marched out a phalanx of hypotheses to explain the consequences.

    The People have been made adequately aware of the grave consequences this particular virus is empowered to inflict. Trust the people to handle the situation from hereon. Provide them with support and guidance. Locking them up in homes is definitely not a solution anymore. When it was right it was right, but now it is overdoing it. The virus isn’t going to go anytime soon, that is for sure. We just need to adapt to the NEW Normal. As Bill Joy, the brilliant thinker and engineer reminded us, “great medicines have saved lives, but it’s the simpler things, like clean water, proper hygiene and a cleaner way of life that have saved the most lives”. We are quickly learning what is causing our immune systems to react. Social distancing works but it’s a temporary answer. Lack of testing will haunt us but it will be solved over a period of time. Ventilators and hospitals will be better equipped and in a better state of readiness. We will see patterns on how to treat, or vaccinate, or both. In the meantime, there are ways to beat the virus and return to versions of a normal life. Masks hold the promise of protection at a minimum, and eradication at best. Just as there is a lot about the virus we don’t understand, there’s a lot about how it spreads we don’t understand. It can peter out and come back. It can weaken over time.

    Work From Home may become a norm in times to come at least for some time, not as a forced one but as a way of life in the future. We can see the multiple benefits of such an arrangement. What can be done for the IT Industry, can be adapted to other verticals as well. But we just need to take this calculated risk. Some collateral damage is imminent, however comparatively it will be worth the chance. However, we can just wait and watch as the decision makers have to take that call..

  • THE LONG WAIT….

    “Light at the end of the tunnel”, somehow this idiom has always mystified me for most of my adult life, especially the latter half. It has always so happened that every time I “sensed” that I could see the light; it has always been harshly extinguished as an illusory figment of my imagination. During this waiting for the light to appear, I find that a far more devastating and vicious tunnel has enveloped my proverbial tunnel. Now what? It has all got quite entangled in a spirally mess. The tunnel keeps stretching by the passing of every single day. I might as well be penning “Prison Diaries…”. Since I happen to be trapped in a “Red” Zone, the gates are locked and the “Police” stand guard. Every passing day is becoming quite chaotic.

    What if there is no drop in the rising incidence of cases? Does this “Lockdown” continue indefinitely. It is ironic, a rich Country like The US wants to do away with the lockdown and get on with the business of making money, while a poor Country like India, does not want to take that risk. Wonder what would be the decision of Warren Buffet in terms of Investing and placing the bet on –  India or US!!

    For How Long? I am sure this question would be on the mind of every administrative & political Leadership across the World where Lockdown has been in place for quite sometime now. Eventually some decision would have to be taken, before it is too late. After all we certainly do not have a bottomless magic pot full of money, and whether we have the pot at all is also a worrisome factor. Ray of hope as always rests with the return of Vijay Mallya whose extradition appeal has been turned down. Maybe the UK courts have relented during this “difficult” time and have played angel. Maybe we can get the pot after all, question remains whether it is full or empty.

    Well as long as we have the Pot…we can use it to store some spill over “oil” as there seems to be no more space to store the one time precious fluid around which the World once revolved. The American crude oil crashed below “zero”…does this mean that now America will have a free for all garage sale of Oil and throw in a burger to boot…OPEC’s opulence is at stake if the lockdown remains status quo. Even in times like this “Politics” and “Power” maintains centre stage as exhibited by the B&B of the Israel’s political set up. Benjamin Netanyahu & Benny Gantz have joined hands to rule a nation, where one half of the population never wanted the other to rule them.

    Walt Disney has asked 100,000 of its employees to get out of its payroll and instead apply for Government support. A lot of Governments have taken it upon themselves to “provide” for. A lot of us in India are still waiting on a solution as all we have had so far are Government Orders asking all Companies to continue paying Salaries irrespective of the Head “Income from Sales” representing the biggest invention of the mathematical genius Aryabhata. Hope for the Light at the end of the tunnel continues…