Aligning Business with Technology..few thoughts..

Having been a part of the IT industry for a while now, it sometimes seems quite interesting to look back into the nuances of jargons and marketing excellence and the impact on the industry. Articulation and the magic of words has always been the charmer that can make the most factual beginnings end up in a world of imagination that’s far from reality!
Often certain critical terminologies used like “increasing productivity” , “generating RoI “,providing solutions “on-demand”, “strategic partner” etc are often spontaneous responses which are more involuntary than meant and understood. These are seriously “easier said than done”!
Keeping the above contexts in mind, let’s looks at “Aligning business with technology”-a phrase that invariably is a part of every IT provider’s message, a strategic goal for every business,a caption in bold and italics in every CIO’s presentation- but has it really been well understood, well executed or should I say “well-aligned”?
Taking a simplistic look at this objective, it essentially means achieving business objectives and leveraging IT as an enabler to achieve them. Slicing it further, some of the business goals common across the board are increasing revenues, lowering costs and improving operational efficiency. Now the key would lie in translating the same into technology solutions, right? How would you justify a server or a piece of code in a machine would increase revenues you earn from selling chocolates? How would you justify a million dollar spent as a mode of lowering costs? ( and trust me, no IT company is running charity to not lighten your wallet!).How would you ensure the optimal route of sending your truck load of iron ore is going to be operationally beneficial due to some lines of code written by a geek?
However non-realistic it may seem at times, it’s been happening and intellectuals or business tycoons have been there , done that- but yes, its easier said than done-and am sure all those who mean when they say “ i have aligned my business with technology” would agree to that!
A host of technologies, architectures,platforms,delivery models,etc have been credited the honor of enabling businesses with technology ( one f the most common and prolific participants being SOA)- but none have provided the “magic potion” or a “fool-proof” mechanism to make it successful. I believe there are a host of factors which play a critical role beyond the obvious in ensuring the success or failure of such “strategic initiatives” at an execution level:
1. People: To ensure business goals are set and met with seamless integration with IT, organizations need thought leaders who could lead this transition and ensure effective translation. Expecting the business guy to fathom those architectural horrors or the technical guy to comprehend the effect of software on P&L accounts is irrational- we need individuals who have been on both sides of the table to help build the bridge

2. Phased and committed approach: We all know Rome wasn’t built in a day- and so businesses can’t be transformed overnight. This alignment at an execution and operational level needs to be phased, with a strong commitment from executives at all levels with the patience to see returns in the mid to long term. Phased approach helps in incremental realization of benefits and taking stock of corrective measures but its an investment that needs to be made with an etched out roadmap towards moving to the next level.The will and commitment to invest in the future is core!

3. Look before you leap: This is potentially the most critical factor that needs to be considered when a business is looking at a business + IT transformation. Every business has its own nuances and the requirements are specific. So are their ability to spend and the need to transform. The IT industry is not unknown to terminologies existent at 80,000feet levels which disappear before they get their foot on the ground- be it the dot com bubble, be it the initial lapses in the ASP model or be it “aligning business with technology” – its important to be safe than sorry especially since its an entire business at stake- evaluate the credentials, the risk-reward for your business, the right partners( experts) who know the tricks of the trade and then leap- not because its supposed to be jazzy and seemingly imperative.

I have no doubts that aligning business with technology is critical and definitely a key differentiator that determines the success or failure in today’s highly competitive industry but the next time you say “ I can help you align your business and technology” or you put those unavoidable words on your presentation-think twice and remember- its easier said than done!
It maybe as simply put forth as a callous claim towards “increasing productivity” , “generating RoI “ providing solutions “on-demand” or being a , “strategic partner” - but the true challenge and the true success lies in taking the right steps wrt people, policies,priniciples,commitment and executional levels- move slowly , but surely!
Aligning business with technology is not a goal you reach, rather a road you travel- it’s an ongoing journey, a continuous process, one that changes as dynamically as the business & technology environment around you.
Robert Frost may not have exactly formed those immortal lines in this context but I can’t help thinking that for every individual who wants to contribute towards this journey, needs to remember right through…:

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep....

Happy Alignment!

Insaaniyat

Insaan hain, insaan bane rahein
Yahi hai iss dil ki chahat,
Par insaniyaat hi na samajh paaya..
Aasi kyun hain insaanon ki fitraat?

Kya chahte hain hum zindagi se?
Sukh, shaanti, apno ki chahat?
Bas ho agar yahi abhilaasha,
Fir kyun faili hai chaaron taraf nafrat?

Ho rahein hain dange, ho rahi hain ladaiyan,
Bah rahein hai charoon taraf, Bas khoon ke hi dariyaan...
Kyun dete hain hum inko itni mahatwa?
Kyun bhool jaaten hain ke har boond ke saath
Kho rahi hai insaaniyat, apni mool astitwa...

Kya hai inn sab ka lakshya?
Zaydaad? Daulat? Taakat?
Par kyun? Kiske liye?
Jab mit ti hai har pal inse mohabbat..
Batoge kiske saath tum apni khushi?
Jab na rahenge woh apne..unki chahat..
Bas rah jayegi ek sannata...maut ki khamoshi...

Pyaar kya hai, poocho kabhi uss jharne se
Jisne apni sheetalta se pyaar failaaya...
Paththaron ke beech reh kar bhi,
Apne raah mein har pyaase ka pyaas bujhaaya...

Pyaar kya hai, poocho kabhi uss phool se,
Jisne kaaton ke beech bhi hameshaa sirf muskuraya..
Apni ma se khud bichad kar,
Do premiyon ko pyaar ka ehsaas dilaaya...

Pyaar kya hai, poocho kabhi uss aasmaan se,
Jisne saare duniya ko apne god mein bithaaya,
Jo khud toh roya, par apne ashkon ko bahaakar,
Tumhaare chaaron taraf haryaali failaaya...

Pyaar kya hai, poocho kabhi uss zameen se,
Jise har pal tumne apne kadmon se raunda,
Par zindagi kya, tumhaari maut ke baad bhi,
Ussne hi tumhein apne dil mein samaaya...

Bahut garv hai tumhein insaan bankar?
Par yaar insaaniyat ko toh samjho!
Aankhon se parda hata kar kabhi,
Pyaar, mohabbat, chahat ko to samjho!

Kabhi toh uss jharne ko kehne do,
Kabhi toh uss phool ko kehne do,
Kabhi toh uss aasmaan ko kehne do,
Kabhi toh uss zameen ko kehne do,
Ki pyaar kya hai, pooch uss insaan se,
Jisne insaaniyat se yeh duniya banaya!

Friendship

Friendship is the eternal flower,
That blooms in every season;
It has that invincible power,
That dares to defy all reason

It's that precious gift of life,
That's refreshing and here to stay;
It's the bond that holds you together,
Yet sets you free in every way

A true friend is a priceless possession,
Who's someone invaluable and rare;
Who always provides the soothing sensation,
In today's world of wear and tear

He's the one voluntary companion,
In your hour of despair;
Who peacefully answers every question,
With a smile and not a glaring stare

You dont have to give him a reason,
For every single thing you do;
But he's always there to fall back on,
When life's squeezing the hell out of you

Tohfa

Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Unn yaadon ka hai yeh kasoor
Jo tohfa tum chor gayi,
Jab gayi tum mujhse door...

Unn saanson ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jinke sahaare maine jeeya
Unn ashhkon ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jinhe sirf maine peeya...
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn palkon ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jinpe thi tum kabhi baithi
Unn aankhon ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jin mein tum ab tak ho basi...
Unn lamhon ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jin mein samaayi thi tumhaari hansi...
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn geeton ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo humne kabhi saath saath they gungunaay...
Unn baton ne tumhein yaad kiya
Jinhe kabhi tumhaare labon ne sahlaay..
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Uss gali, unn raston ne tumhein yaad kiya
Jin pe kabhi they humne saath chalein
Har mor ne tumhein yaad kiya
Jahan thak kar kabhi hum baithein
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn khaton ne kabhi tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo tumne they likhe...
Unn waadon ne kabhi tumhein yaad kiya,
Jinpe they mere saans tike...
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn sachchaiyon ne kabhi tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo thi na kabhi humse chupi..
Uss vishwaas ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo ab takk hai tiki
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn uljhano ne kabhi tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo kabhi humne saath they suljhaay...
Unn takkraron ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jinhone kabhi tumhein rulaayein
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Tumhaari hansi ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Woh halki si muskaan...
Tumhaari har adaa ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo har pal karte they mujhe hairaan
Tumhaara sharmaana- kabhi chup ho jaana,
Chahte huye bhi kuch bol na paana..
Bachchon ki tarah kabhi rooth jaana
Tumhaare bachpana ne tumhein yaad kiya...
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Unn sapno ne kabhi tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo humne saath they dekhe...
Meri hansi ne tumhein yaad kiya,
Jo tum apne saath gaye leke...
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

Chaha bahut ki tujhe na chahoon,
Socha bahut ki na sochun...
Par mere yaar yeh ho na sakaa
Bas ab aur main kya kahun...
Chahta raha hun, chaahte rahunga
Ki tumhein main bhool paayun..
Par chaahne ka yahi sila hai
Na chaahte huye bhi, tumhein hi chahoon
Main nahi mujrim mere yaar,
Tumhaare tohfe ka hai yeh kasoor...

dreams make a life

When the sun doesn't shine,
Casting an overcast sky...
When the malignant rises from the benign,
The inspiration's missing to give the final try!
That's the way we face life,
With hassles and problems at our door,
And just when life seems to be a strife,
A ray of light shines beyond the shore.
It's the silver lining in the cloud,
That guides you on your way,
It helps you to remove the shroud,
And sparkles your life in a special way!
Spare a moment for your dreams,
And you'll grasp the trickling sand...
Suddenly life that seemed a swim upstream,
Seems like an eternal gift in your hand

Happiness

Happiness is nothing but a state of mind. It is not dependent on what you have or what you do- it’s all about how you feel or want to feel. Each one of us has a lot of things we can be happy about and we also have a lot of things we can be unhappy about. It’s a matter of choice we as a human being have whether to feel happy or unhappy.
Happiness can’t be defined, happiness can’t be measured, neither can happiness be bought by all the wealth in the world nor conquered by all the power in the world- it’s a beautiful treasure that grows by sharing, that can be just felt and experienced and each of us can be happy if we choose to be happy.
We often look for our happiness in external factors or reasons or we make it dependent on someone else- that’s not happiness, that’s searching for reasons not be happy. Your happiness doesn’t depend on others, it depends on you!
God has empowered each one of us with the ability to be happy-to value the gifts we have, to treasure the moments we share with our loved ones, to cherish the love and care that is showered on us. The beauty of happiness is it multiplies by sharing and when we spread happiness and smiles around us, it automatically surrounds us.
Let all of us pledge to be happy and spread the happiness around us.