Well my time here in India is flying by and I'm still having an amazing experience. Only 2 weeks til I get on a plane and head back to San Francisco. I have learnt a huge amount in my time here and feel I have made some great new friends.
Last weekend the F&DS crew got together for a team bonding trip to a local club. The night started quietly, but after half an hour, everyone hit the dancefloor. We stayed there for the rest of the night, dancing to very cool Hindi pop (plus a little Shakira). It was a huge amount of fun, added to by the fact that the management of the club would periodically spray lighter fluid on the floor and set fire to it. Of course we all danced around the flames!!
I have been lucky to get to know the team here pretty well. I've also enjoyed working with Vishesh and Shaun the other rotating managers. We have done a pretty thorough survey of the restaurants in the area, with my favourite being Laguna. It is a fun place and has pretty decent food - would not be out of place in the Bay Area as it has a great ambiance.
I've also been entertained by my driver Mustapha who is truly the greatest. He spends his days playing cricket with his colleagues and then mysteriously gets heat stroke. He has really been my lifeline allowing me to explore the town and survive the crazy traffic here.
Now another weekend is approaching and it is my last in Hyderabad. Next weekend I'm going to take a short trip to Kerala - hopefully to stay on a houseboat and explore the backwaters. Very excited!
Friday, May 4, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Bangalore Blitz
Another week has flown by in R10 and its time for my latest blog. The week was pretty busy with a couple of great projects taking place. The team have stepped up and done some great investigative work including phonecalls to certain institutions to discover more about how they operate - that took some real innovation.
Probably the highlight of this week was the recruiting blitz to Bangalore. We spent the week screening about 40 candidates and narrowed down to 20 for interview. Debra, Vishesh (roatating senior), Abhishek (R10 Senior), Abhi and Preethi (R10 recruiting) and myself hit Banglore on Friday. It is a short flight but the turbulance was something special. At one point the airstewards were crouching in the aisles and one of them actually had to sit on a passenger. There were trays and food everywhere!
On arrival, we stayed in the Leela Palace - a very nice hotel indeed. Friday was a few drinks and dinner prior to a mammoth interviewing session on Saturday. We split into panels and interviewed non-stop from 9am to 8.30pm. It was a really rewarding experience and the responses ranged from the sublime to the hilarious. We were able to find 4 or 5 great candidates who will hopefully expand our team.
Saturday night was fun - we went bowling, clubbing and then had dinner at 2am. We introduced some of the team to tequila which is probably wrong but they seemed to enjoy it! There are some photos which will be heavily censored before release. We also discovered that Lufthansa pilots are incredibly nice people, although even their special guide to Bangalore could not glean the name of an afterhours drinking spot.
Sunday we explored Bangalore which is a pretty city with lots of great shops. We hit MG Road and commercial street and I picked up some great handicrafts. Also had a very nice brunch in the hotel which ended at 4pm. We got home late - tired but misssion accomplished.
Probably the highlight of this week was the recruiting blitz to Bangalore. We spent the week screening about 40 candidates and narrowed down to 20 for interview. Debra, Vishesh (roatating senior), Abhishek (R10 Senior), Abhi and Preethi (R10 recruiting) and myself hit Banglore on Friday. It is a short flight but the turbulance was something special. At one point the airstewards were crouching in the aisles and one of them actually had to sit on a passenger. There were trays and food everywhere!
On arrival, we stayed in the Leela Palace - a very nice hotel indeed. Friday was a few drinks and dinner prior to a mammoth interviewing session on Saturday. We split into panels and interviewed non-stop from 9am to 8.30pm. It was a really rewarding experience and the responses ranged from the sublime to the hilarious. We were able to find 4 or 5 great candidates who will hopefully expand our team.
Saturday night was fun - we went bowling, clubbing and then had dinner at 2am. We introduced some of the team to tequila which is probably wrong but they seemed to enjoy it! There are some photos which will be heavily censored before release. We also discovered that Lufthansa pilots are incredibly nice people, although even their special guide to Bangalore could not glean the name of an afterhours drinking spot.
Sunday we explored Bangalore which is a pretty city with lots of great shops. We hit MG Road and commercial street and I picked up some great handicrafts. Also had a very nice brunch in the hotel which ended at 4pm. We got home late - tired but misssion accomplished.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Settled in
Its Friday - its 6pm in Hyderabad. Week 2 is drawing to a close. One more interview to do for a manager candidate to work in the F&DS practice and then done.
I am now feeling pretty settled in here in Hyderabad - I have got to know the team really well. They were nice enough to get me a cake for my birthday on Wednesday, sing happy birthday and then ask me when my brother Michael Bolton is getting here. This is a really talented team each with their own skills and character quirks. We are currently kicking off a DTect training exercise which will give them a chance to perform a mock engagement, work in teams and present their findings. I can't wait to help out and see the results.
I now am fully used to the flow of the hours here - it can be long into the night to do calls to the US and sort out some of the strategic issues we don't have time for in the day. However it all feels worthwhile and there is a real sense of reward for the work.
Now it is nearly the weekend - I am torn between taking time out to relax and the urge to explore Hyderabad some more. Only time will tell which option to take!
I am now feeling pretty settled in here in Hyderabad - I have got to know the team really well. They were nice enough to get me a cake for my birthday on Wednesday, sing happy birthday and then ask me when my brother Michael Bolton is getting here. This is a really talented team each with their own skills and character quirks. We are currently kicking off a DTect training exercise which will give them a chance to perform a mock engagement, work in teams and present their findings. I can't wait to help out and see the results.
I now am fully used to the flow of the hours here - it can be long into the night to do calls to the US and sort out some of the strategic issues we don't have time for in the day. However it all feels worthwhile and there is a real sense of reward for the work.
Now it is nearly the weekend - I am torn between taking time out to relax and the urge to explore Hyderabad some more. Only time will tell which option to take!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Week 2
Today was the start of my second week here and first full week in the office. I had a good weekend finding my way around the town and working out where to buy supplies and good places to eat (and have a cold beer or two). It is already getting hot out here for the summer - around 108 degrees today!
I was able to achieve a lot today - interviewed a couple of candidates for positions in the group and found a potential good fit for an analyst. I am also working on a data project that should kick off this week and on some marketing. I'm getting to know the team well now and they introduced me to their lunchtime ritual - canteen food followed by Lassi (not the dog, a yoghurt drink that apparently helps deal with the heat!).
Now I am back in the Novotel ending my day and watching the cricket world cup. The R10 team have mostly lost interest in it as India were knocked out early but are still pretty obsessive.
I was able to achieve a lot today - interviewed a couple of candidates for positions in the group and found a potential good fit for an analyst. I am also working on a data project that should kick off this week and on some marketing. I'm getting to know the team well now and they introduced me to their lunchtime ritual - canteen food followed by Lassi (not the dog, a yoghurt drink that apparently helps deal with the heat!).
Now I am back in the Novotel ending my day and watching the cricket world cup. The R10 team have mostly lost interest in it as India were knocked out early but are still pretty obsessive.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
Settling in
I have just finished my second day of work here in R10. I am loving the variety of challenges that fill each day. Today I met with the head of R10 tax to discuss their quality control initiative and how it could apply to our group. I helped prepare for and participated in a video conference with the North East Region. I was able to facilitate pulling together some marketing for a new PMO and also to review a budget for a potential new piece of client work. I've also been trying to find new work for this team out here, allowing me to stay connected to my network in the Bay Area.
Outside of work, I saw more of Hyderabad (the Fort and the Seven Tombs) during an early morning trip to the golf driving range. The golf course is still in its earlier stages (it has three holes to date). May try to get 18 in at the weekend (this involves going round six times!). Joking aside, the city is actually very picturesque and complex and has lots of history.
Outside of work, I saw more of Hyderabad (the Fort and the Seven Tombs) during an early morning trip to the golf driving range. The golf course is still in its earlier stages (it has three holes to date). May try to get 18 in at the weekend (this involves going round six times!). Joking aside, the city is actually very picturesque and complex and has lots of history.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
England and arrival in Hyderabad
I had a perfect week back home in the UK. Em and I were able to catch up with both our families and also a lot of close friends. We celebrated Em's birthday in style with a number of parties. The time seemed to fly by as we raced around the island. Before I knew it, I was at Heathrow waiting to board my plane to Hyderabad. Definitely an exciting moment!
The flight itself was easy and non-eventful. I changed planes in Doha and it is probably one of the nicest airport experiences ever.
Arriving in Hyderabad early in the morning, I was treated to a fly over of the town. It looks like a version of Sim City - there is so much building and development going on. Much of the land is marked out into new parcels.
After clearing immigration which was a smooth ride, I was thrown into the usual chaotic scene outside the airport. After ascertaining that my ride to the hotel was not there, I managed to take a taxi to the hotel and avoid getting really fleeced (I think). The ride was amazing - I have never seen so much life and bustle in one place. There are people racing everywhere on scooters and rickshaws and its best to look out of the window rather than at the traffic ahead and around you. I was so energized by this place with its obvious growth and buzz.
I spent the day acclimatizing and discussing the rotation with Debra Baker. I also had a good sleep to shake off the jetlag. Tomorrow I start in earnest and I can't wait.
The flight itself was easy and non-eventful. I changed planes in Doha and it is probably one of the nicest airport experiences ever.
Arriving in Hyderabad early in the morning, I was treated to a fly over of the town. It looks like a version of Sim City - there is so much building and development going on. Much of the land is marked out into new parcels.
After clearing immigration which was a smooth ride, I was thrown into the usual chaotic scene outside the airport. After ascertaining that my ride to the hotel was not there, I managed to take a taxi to the hotel and avoid getting really fleeced (I think). The ride was amazing - I have never seen so much life and bustle in one place. There are people racing everywhere on scooters and rickshaws and its best to look out of the window rather than at the traffic ahead and around you. I was so energized by this place with its obvious growth and buzz.
I spent the day acclimatizing and discussing the rotation with Debra Baker. I also had a good sleep to shake off the jetlag. Tomorrow I start in earnest and I can't wait.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Nearly ready to go!
Its a beautiful sunny day in California and I have spent the day preparing for my trip to London and then on to India. I know I'm going to miss everything at home a lot during my travels, especially Emily. I've been lucky to spend the last week or so having a great time with friends and truly enjoying where I live. Now I'm ready for my adventure - suitcases are packed, loose ends tied up and about to get into the air. Who knows what lies ahead, but I am sure it will be hugely fun, interesting and I will learn an enormous amount. So without further ado I'll sign off. Next update will be from the UK!
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