Who should attend a Training Program…??

 Every organization in the current corporate world arranges a number of training programs for its employees. These programs range from Technical to soft skill development.

As per theory these programs are designed to enhance employees’ skill set and make them ready for future needs. However a large majority of the participants of these programs have some different mindset and they attend these programs primarily for change, just a time off or just for funJ. For many organizations even this is acceptable and they encourage employees to attend even for fun.

Such participants still add a lot of value to training programs specially the soft skill ones because they attend all such sessions with very fresh mind and generate very good ideas and learning.

But the question mark “?” remains on the special segment of forced attendees who took training programs as “Burden” and its quite unlikely that they use any of the key learning of the session in their routine work/personal life. Every management needs to address this issue very tactfully as training outcomes may work as fuel for any organization's future journeys. 

There is some handsome cost involved in arranging a training program in terms of efforts and money so in order to have better rate of return on investment organizations should arrange some quality trainings and encourage their people managers to create a competitive environment in their respective domains and people win nomination as a privilege or as a token of appreciation for their performance. Also there must be a loop closure after the sessions by giving them some extra responsibilities or projects in which they should apply the learning and share the benefit with the rest.

There should be an internal audit of all such programs as to what value was added for organization. This exercise not only will help in enhancing the program but also will create an obligation for all the people managers to nominate those persons who really deserve to attend these trainings.

Pukh Theory.... A new beginning of a lost Culture

For a long time Pakistan was familiar with a culture of reading and many public and private libraries were made available by our elders to fulfill the need of that time. People used to wait for books and journals and there used to be fights among siblings for having a first go. The flood of media and Internet changed the moods and dimension of this area a lot. Libraries started serving some social gathering points only. In a population of 180 million people the book of which 500 or 1000 copies sold is being considered successful now. Multiple editions became rare as people are simply not interested. Cost of books also got increased as publishers have no more liberty to enjoy economy of scale so the small portion of book loyalists is also struggling.

Despite all this people still write and many still read but mostly work in Pakistan is being done in literature area and people are still getting poetry, fiction and other stuff. When it comes to have any consultation or expert opinion to business and professional areas we are mostly confined to Western and Indian authors only. Many good professionals are trying to fill the gap in this area but their efforts are facing huge resistance due to quality, cost and sometime by common domination of western mindset.

Some days back heard about a book named “Pukh Thoery” and almost all Social Medias were having this word which is normally used in language for Mockery. People were speculating what it can be in this book, a website was launched to tell reviews and all those who know Farhad Karamally were sure that something good is on its way and at last its launched and when made available and read it was not less than a treat to read.

At times some words, no matter how weird their use is, are decorated by some trendsetters and Farhad Karamally and Faraz Khan did the same to this misused word “Pukh”.  Pukh Theory, a wonderful creation of both the trendsetters is a major breakthrough for Pakistani business world. It not only addresses one of the biggest leadership challenges i.e. succession planning in a very interesting and effective manner but also made the readers think of the solution themselves.  I have never read a business parable in this much simple language and all the phrases, characters, situations and terminologies are very much Pakistani and easily understandable.

The way the book is presented and made available is also very unique. A country which is used to the sights of huge billboards of cellular companies, cosmetic industry and beverages etc. it was one remarkable achievement to have huge bill boards of a Book launch in Karachi. Two thumps up to this wonderful achievement and” Pukh Theory” is highly recommended to all those who want to read good as they will not be disappointed for sure. It should be on every CEO’s book shelf and if they don’t have any bookshelf it still remain a wonderful option for a gift as after reading this they will feel the need for one.