July 11, 2009
The situation in Iran has made me to introspect. The important thing about truth is that it is verifiable whether it is about election results, performance results, product behavior or side-effects, whatever.
Lies put us in a corner from which we cannot come out without loosing face. Once in this corner and especially if in power then being proved a liar would mean falling flat on your face. Of course not in all cases. In some 
countries, those in authority just brush past the truth with the media being harassed for speaking the truth.
In other cases, those (activists, opposition, journalists ) who reveal the truth and protest to have the guilty kicked out of job or power get beaten up, or entangled in counter claims or silenced one way or another. Vice versa, not necessary that the authorities lie. The truth can be sometimes hijacked by people or parties who for want of a better expression, marinate it with their own conjured facts to make their false claims appear to be true or just.
What does the word truth mean to you. Sometimes, it has unpleasant consequences which may be painful for the person telling the truth and beneficial to others. It begs the question, why bother with the truth, if you have to suffer as a consequence.
Other times, we have to fight for truth by way of protests including standing up to others.
What do you say!!
June 21, 2009
Whenever we have a situation of crisis as is happening now in Iran, who is it, that pays the greatest price.
Broken limbs, imprisonment or loss of life is a consequence. In Iran today, what is also at stake today is the belief or euphoria of the Islamic Revolution which is starting to wear out.
Whether the election was honest and fair, who knows, there were no outside observers. A common ploy politicians worldwide have started using when faced with defeat is to call election results unfair and call their supporters onto the streets. It has happened in Kenya, Ukraine and other places also with serious consequences for civilians.
As we watch, the politicians call their supporters onto the streets to defy the authorities and these supporter then come face to face with strong arm tactics from the police and others, we have to hold these politicians responsible for the outcome. Politicians declare their willingness to become martyrs but do not come to the front line. Who will support the families of the injured or dead civilians.
As the situation in Iran unfolds and the politicians show at which end of the divide they stand by their political statements and news statements, we pray that wisdom and justice will prevail. All civilians need an outlet to vent their frustrations and should be allowed to hold marches and rallies as long as they are non violent. Don’t think attacking citizens with Batons, water cannons or bullets is the solution. In every election, the voting results are just an excuse for deeper problems which in fact motivate people to vote in favor of change. Ask Obama.
What do you say?
June 10, 2009
hi, well its been almost two years on the hunt for a job in the field of purchasing and not a single interview. This despite, sending resume’s and cover letters through email, fax etc. If you are looking to start out new or have just started in procurement field, think very hard about the future in this field.
If you look at the various newspapers and internet, for every one vacancy in purchasing you will easily find maybe 500-1000 vacancies in sales. Keeping in mind that all along those in sales will be earning more than you since companies value sales more and hence sale staff includes salaries plus commission mostly. On a more individual level every business man thinks he knows everything there is about procurement and can make do with a clerk for the paperwork which further reduces the vacancies.
If you still do get into procurement, a good subdivision would be to get in category management or procurement for retailers where there is scope for jobs and improvement. If you are in the middle east, being bilingual (Arabic/English) is a common criteria and experience of having worked previously elsewhere with a retailer or else have friend in the HR dept.
One interesting article, I came across while writing this is how men and women go about procurement is here. Please read
