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<ul><li><keyword id="6405564" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Times-of-India">The Times of India</keyword>'s latest campaign penned and voiced by <keyword id="7470" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="GUlzar">Gulzar</keyword> is an ode to our intimate relationship with <keyword id="49629" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Newspapers">newspapers</keyword>.</li><li><keyword id="8323988" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sivakumar-Sundaram">Sivakumar Sundaram</keyword>, Chairman, Executive Committee (CEC), Bennett Coleman &amp; Co. Ltd tells us why nobody could have expressed this feeling better than Gulzar and how the organization has been taking up several initiatives to convince people about the safety of newspapers.</li></ul> Newspaper readership around the globe might be on a decline but India is a country where getting your hands on your daily newspaper is almost as much a habit as is drinking your <keyword id="9084426" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="morning-cuppa">morning cuppa</keyword> of chai. Despite the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> lockdown hitting newspaper delivery, this is one habit that people in India will not let go of, for a long time to come. And to give words and voice to our beautiful relationship with newspapers, the Times of India has come up with a beautiful campaign, penned and voiced by the inimitable Gulzar. Starting with the words, Bina akhbar ke chai subah ki adhuri lagti hai, the ad brings you sights and sounds of early mornings in India, which is obviously never complete without reading your morning newspapers. The campaign talks about how, without getting our hands on the newspaper, there is that feeling of void in our lives. And all of us can relate to this feeling. We wanted to understand what went behind this campaign and why it was important to come up with the campaign. Telling us about the thought behind the campaign, Sivakumar Sundaram, Chairman, Executive Committee (CEC), Bennett Coleman &amp; Co. Ltd tells us, “In India, newspapers is not merely a provider of news, but an integral part of our everyday life. For those who share this <keyword id="6415488" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="reading-habit">reading habit</keyword> know that a morning is never the same without a newspaper. There are many sources of news. But the fact that it curates, validates and presents news, views and analysis in a manner that a reader can consume in one read in the morning makes it unique. It prepares us for the day with the knowledge that nothing major in the world around you has escaped your attention. Newspaper reading is a ritual that promotes sharing, bonding and all of this has value in a world that forces you to rush from one thing to another. It’s an emotional bond; an intimate relationship shared between the reader and his paper.” So why was Gulzar the right fit for this campaign? Sundaram says, “Only Gulzar could have brought alive these feelings through words and with a voice that captures the everlasting bond that has been passed on from generation to generation. This film is a tribute to this bond, this intimate relationship that unfailingly brings an inexplicable sense of saneness, security and assurance to our readers every morning after morning. In these Covid times, we felt it was time we reminded people of the charming values that the newspaper upholds. And inspire people to go back to their good habits.” “This film is about celebrating the love that people share with the newspaper. It is a tribute to our readers and the bond they share with their morning habit,” adds Sundaram. Newspapers are safe In the initial days of the lockdown, there were rumors across the country that newspapers could carry the virus, which led to people cancelling their subscriptions. However, slowly people have started to realize these were just rumors and have re-started newspaper deliveries. “The circulation of newspapers has steadily climbed up after the initial lockdown. Most readers have eagerly accepted the paperback, casting aside the false rumours regarding the safety of newspaper delivery at home. Today we are back to about 90% in key markets of our pre-Covid circulation and over 70% in most markets. As markets are opening up, we are seeing a rapidly accelerating acceptance of the newspaper,” shares Sundaram. While this campaign touches an emotional chord with all of us who have grown up with the habit of reading newspapers, BCCL has been undertaking a lot of initiatives to bust rumors and tell people about the safety of newspapers. Speaking about some of these initiatives, Sundaram says, “We have launched many initiatives, both at a local and national level to help readers get back their paper. Under the ‘I want my Paper’ campaign launched two months ago, we delivered information regarding the importance of a newspaper in turbulent times, rational and scientific data to prove the safety of the newspaper and creating facilities to ease the process of restarting the newspaper subscription. We have engaged housing societies through educational and awareness programs to ensure they arrive at the right decisions regarding how to conduct themselves during the epidemic. We have also engaged with the medical fraternity to ensure our readers get the most authentic information on dealing with the crisis and many such activities. The newspaper is instrumental in ensuring that this authentic information and awareness reaches its readers and keeps them safe and apprised of the facts.” <div type="twitter" handle="admediainsider" handlename="Advertising and Media Insider India" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1281482517443305472/8RPcjmow_normal.jpg" favoritecount="1" retweetcount="0" status="#WATCH | As we yearn for normalcy, @timesofindia has launched a beautiful ode to #NewspaperMornings,voiced and penn… https://t.co/SiU7xuHYqu" createdat="1598500622000" id="1298831865487319040"></div>

Our latest campaign voiced by Gulzar reminds people of the charming values that the newspaper upholds: Sivakumar Sundaram, BCCL

<div type="image" title="queen mikhaila" height="1500" width="2000" msid="75145434" hostid="261"></div><ul class="summary-list"><li>I wanted to see what it would be like to follow the Queen's <keyword id="91743" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="lockdown">lockdown</keyword> routine every morning for a working week.</li><li>While it's impossible to know for sure how the 93-year-old monarch is spending her time <a href="https://www.insider.com/rare-photos-show-self-isolation-buckingham-palace-windsor-castle-2020-3">in lockdown</a> at <a href="https://www.insider.com/take-free-virtual-tour-of-queen-windsor-castle-home-2020-3">Windsor Castle</a>, I researched what her usual routine is at Buckingham Palace and adapted it to suit the current circumstances.</li><li>For instance, Her Majesty reportedly usually eats her breakfast while listening to a bagpiper outside Buckingham Palace. I did this using <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_tngp_V0s&amp;t=7167s167s">bagpipe music on YouTube.</a></li><li>At first glance, Her Majesty's morning activities seemed glamorous, with plenty of tea and biscuits, and morning baths. </li><li>However, it was more challenging than I expected. The Queen likes the water in her baths extremely shallow, which made it not very relaxing at all.</li><li>Not to mention, there's only so long you can listen to bagpipes without wanting to throw your headphones out the window.</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul>The world got a sneak peek into the Queen's new life in lockdown when she gave a <a href="https://www.insider.com/queen-special-address-nation-tv-broadcast-coronavirus-speech-2020-4">rare televised speech</a> from Windsor Castle earlier this month. Her Majesty left Buckingham Palace in March to <a href="https://www.insider.com/take-free-virtual-tour-of-queen-windsor-castle-home-2020-3">self-isolate at Windsor Castle</a> — the world's largest occupied castle — with her husband Prince Philip.Although the current lockdown on the UK means the monarch was forced to <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-coronavirus-will-impact-queen-elizabeth-royal-schedule-2020-3">cancel some future engagements</a>, she still appears to be working from home.As someone who is also working remotely from my family home in Scotland, I wanted to see if I'd be able to adopt the Queen's morning routine every day for a working week.While I don't know for sure how the monarch is spending her time <a href="https://www.insider.com/rare-photos-show-self-isolation-buckingham-palace-windsor-castle-2020-3">in lockdown</a>, I researched Her Majesty's usual morning routine and adapted it slightly to accommodate the current change in circumstances. Using articles by <a href="https://www.insider.com/everything-the-queen-eats-and-drinks-for-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner-2018-2?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">Insider</a>, the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5952745/Ones-jolly-busy-day-minute-minute-glimpse-daily-routine-Queen.html">Daily Mail</a>, the <a href="https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/queen-and-philip/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-queen-daily-routine/">Crown Chronicles</a>, and <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-morning-routine.html/">Cheat Sheet</a>, here's the routine I came up with: <ul><li>Wake up at 7.30 a.m.</li><li>Start the day with a cup of tea and cookies while listening to Radio 4</li><li>Morning bath at 8 a.m.</li><li>Have breakfast (oatmeal or cornflakes) at 8.30 a.m. while listening to bagpipers</li><li>At 9 a.m. start paperwork and answer correspondence </li><li>Walk the dog</li></ul><h2>Being the Queen for a week wasn't like I had initially planned</h2>I pitched this piece to my editor weeks before I left London for my parents' home in Glasgow, Scotland, right before the UK <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-uk-lockdown-extension-calls-to-restrict-exercise-driving-2020-4?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">went into lockdown</a> in March.So you can understand that in my mind, this would have originally involved me sauntering over for selfies outside Buckingham Palace before enjoying breakfast at a nearby restaurant.Alas, it was not meant to be and like the Queen, who is deprived of some of her daily luxuries at the palace, I had to make do with that I had. I got off to a good start on Monday, as I was in the kitchen for 7.30 a.m. sharp. The Queen starts her day with a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits (cookies) as <a href="https://www.insider.com/everything-the-queen-eats-and-drinks-for-breakfast-lunch-and-dinner-2018-2?r=US&amp;IR=TIR=T">Insider previously reported.</a><div type="image" title="queen, tea and biscuits" height="1500" width="2000" msid="75145438" hostid="261"></div>Anyone who knows me knows I am obsessed with tea (I am British, after all) and so I would naturally start my day with a cuppa anyway. But having something sweet like cookies that early in the morning is definitely far from my regular eating habits. I drank my tea while listening to Radio 4, as per instructions from the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5952745/Ones-jolly-busy-day-minute-minute-glimpse-daily-routine-Queen.html">Daily Mail</a>. For someone who never usually listens to the radio just for the sake of listening (it's usually on in the background while I'm doing chores or getting ready for the day), I found it quite relaxing. Then it was time for my morning bath. <div type="image" title="bath" height="972" width="2000" msid="75145443" hostid="261"></div>According to the <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5952745/Ones-jolly-busy-day-minute-minute-glimpse-daily-routine-Queen.html">Daily Mail</a>, the Queen's staff make sure her baths are no more than seven inches deep. This seems like a strange rule to me.I didn't have a tape measure on hand for my own bath, but I did make sure it was far more shallow than I would usually have preferred.I have no idea why the Queen apparently does this — it certainly isn't comfortable — and ended up running the water for as long as I wanted from day two onward. <h2>By the fourth day, I had already given up on one of the activities</h2>The Queen usually enjoys her breakfast (oatmeal or cornflakes, according to <a href="https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/queen-and-philip/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-queen-daily-routine/">Crown Chronicles</a>) while listening to a bagpiper outside Buckingham Palace. Since both the Queen and I no longer have that option, I improvised and enjoyed a bowl of oatmeal while listening to bagpipe music on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7_tngp_V0s&amp;t=7167s167s">YouTube</a>.<div type="image" title="bagpipes and oatmeal" height="972" width="2000" msid="75145446" hostid="261"></div>Here's the video I used if you feel the urge to try it yourself:I felt patriotic as the famous "Flower of Scotland" started playing — but that was the extent of my enjoyment of this activity. I won't lie to you, this is one activity I only kept up for the first three days, before resolving to spend the rest of the week enjoying my breakfast in silence. <h2>I fell back in love with an old hobby that I'll be sure to keep up after this experiment is over</h2>After that, the Queen usually starts paperwork at 9:00 a.m., and this includes replying to correspondence, the <a href="https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/queen-and-philip/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-queen-daily-routine/">Crown Chronicles</a> reports.As <a href="https://www.insider.com/author/mikhaila-friel">Insider's royals reporter</a>, my morning is usually busy looking for the latest news on what Her Majesty, Kate Middleton, and co. have been up to since I last checked. I did manage to take some time to dabble in my own correspondence, however.Her Majesty's usual paperwork involves reading and responding to official state papers, as well as selecting a few items of fan mail to personally reply to, and leaving the rest for her aides, according to <a href="https://thecrownchronicles.co.uk/royal-news/queen-and-philip/a-day-in-the-life-of-the-queen-daily-routine/">Cheat Sheet.</a>I wrote two letters throughout the week. The first was to one of my best friends, Elena, who I haven't seen in almost two years as she lives in Spain. The second was to my grandma, who only lives a ten minutes' drive away. I haven't been able to visit since I returned home to Glasgow almost four weeks ago. Exchanging letters is something I used to do regularly with both Elena and my gran, but as the years went on and life got busier I found myself doing it less and less. <div type="image" title="mikhaila letter" height="1500" width="2000" msid="75145449" hostid="261"></div>This was a lovely activity that helped to break up my day, and it's a nice change from a phone call or video message. It's definitely something I'll keep doing throughout lockdown, and one day when this is over I'll be able to look back and remember this crazy time with the letters I received in return.<h2>There was one activity I enjoyed more than the rest</h2>By the time the last day of the experiment (Friday) rolled around, I felt like a bit of a failure. Not only had I changed the Queen's morning baths to suit my own preference, but I had also given up on the bagpipe music. But there was one activity the Queen apparently does for exercise that I had no issue with, which is walking her corgis, as reported by <a href="https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/queen-elizabeth-morning-routine.html/">Cheat Sheet.</a>Okay, so I don't have corgis, but I do have a beautiful border collie named Pippin who I was eager to take out for my one form of exercise per day. <div type="image" title="queen and mikhaila dog walking" height="1500" width="2000" msid="75145452" hostid="261"></div>Of course, I'm not sure if Her Majesty is still going for strolls during lockdown, but considering the grounds of Windsor Castle are quite big, I don't imagine she'd have to worry about bumping into anyone if she did.All in all, I ended the week on a high. Yes, it's true that I wasn't consistent with all the tasks, but that just proves there's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to morning routines (even if the routine does belong to the monarch). After working from home for almost a month, it was the first time I had implemented a strict schedule for my week, and it's now something I realize I should have been doing from the outset.While I'll likely never follow the Queen's lockdown routine again, it has inspired me to start my own — and mine will definitely involve more letter writing and dog walks. Read more:<a href="https://www.insider.com/take-free-virtual-tour-of-queen-windsor-castle-home-2020-3">You can take a free virtual tour of Windsor Castle, the largest occupied castle in the world where the Queen is self-isolating</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/quarantine-etiquette-class-with-former-royal-butler-2020-4">I took a 'quarantine etiquette' class with the royal family's former butler, and it completely changed my lockdown experience</a><a href="https://www.insider.com/queen-special-address-nation-tv-broadcast-coronavirus-speech-2020-4">The Queen's coronavirus broadcast was only her 4th special address to the nation in 68 years. Here's every one of them.</a>Read the original article on <a href="https://www.insider.com/photos-i-tried-the-queen-lockdown-morning-routine-2020-4">Insider</a>

I tried the Queen's lockdown routine every morning for a week, and I wouldn't do it again

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Business Insider spoke to two <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-scents-fragrances-to-wear-spring-from-perfumers-2024-4">professional perfumers</a> about the best scents to wear this summer. </li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/outdoor-summer-shopping-home-depot-vs-lowes-which-better-review-2024-5">Tomato leaf</a> and leather with citrusy undertones are great unisex options.</li></ul>As wardrobes change with the weather, so do perfumes.Fragrances are one of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fragrance-sales-increasing-during-pandemic-explained-2021-6">biggest affordable-luxury trends</a> that have boomed in recent years, so Business Insider asked two professional perfumers what scents everyone should wear this summer.Here's what the experts said.<h2 id="fc658a0e-29d8-4821-aabb-7083449841e2">Tomato leaf is a unique but pleasant base scent for warmer months.</h2><div type="image" title="closeup shot of tomatoes on a vine in a garden" height="1320" width="1760" msid="110977453" hostid="261" sizebytes="131570"></div>According to Caitlin Hayes, founder of <a target="_blank" href="https://sorcellerieapothecary.com">Sorcellerie Apothecary</a>, tomato-leaf scents are reminiscent of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-tips-for-surviving-summer-heat-disney-world-frequent-guest">summer weather</a> and savory garden aromas."After a morning spent in the garden, the distinctive sweet and spicy scent of tomato leaves and vine lingers on your hands," she told BI. "So this is a perfect reminder of that."Hayes recommended Garden Heaux by the Seattle-based company Samar.<h2 id="1e39e890-bf94-4b45-81e3-86ce45ea0e6d">A mixture of peony and bergamot is great for summer</h2>Although <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/dossier-perfume-cologne-review">floral scents</a> never seem to be out of style, perfumes that offer a specific mix of peony and bergamot are the way to go this summer, according to Ashley Santiago, junior perfumer at <a target="_blank" href="http://www.givaudan.com">Givaudan</a>."It doesn't get more 'hot girl summer' than this scent, and it's a huge compliment getter as my go-to night-out fragrance when it's warm," she told BI.She said Carolina Herrera's Good Girl Blush is a great option for this scent profile.<h2 id="5f9fabdd-1324-4e0b-a3ca-8551f39380c5">Mango is a classic and delicious scent to wear</h2><div type="image" title="two halves of a diced up fresh mango on a plate" height="1172" width="1563" msid="110977451" hostid="261" sizebytes="65132"></div>It's mango season, and that goes for both the fruit and the wearable scent."This fresh, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popular-chefs-recipes-for-fruit-salad-reviewed-photos-2021-8">tropical summer fruit</a> is having a moment — the more realistic, the better," Hayes said.Santiago recommended Phlur's Mango Mood Body Mist for a realistic and fresh scent.<h2 id="04ed81ef-e207-4607-8cb9-375e268b9560">Tuberose is trending again, and you don't want to miss out</h2>Tuberose has been around for hundreds of years, and according to Hayes, the floral scent is finally falling back into the spotlight."Prized for centuries for its sensual scent, it can have a cooling effect," she told BI. "Think gauzy, sweet white petals, still blooming or tempered with soft spice."The perfumer recommended trying Tuberose Tantra by Kismet Olfactive.<h2 id="7bb33d7b-ae0c-43b6-9773-d22171e383f3">If you like tea, it might be your perfect summer scent</h2><div type="image" title="cup of tea in front of a white teapot on a table" height="1119" width="1492" msid="110977452" hostid="261" sizebytes="30192"></div>According to Hayes, incorporating tea-scented perfumes into your summer rotation is a great and lightweight option."Green tea, black tea, matcha, oolong, Earl Grey — however you enjoy your cuppa, there's a perfume for that," she told BISome of her favorite options include Nest Fragrances' Indigo and Sweetly Known by Kerosene.<h2 id="7efbceab-f52b-4196-aa44-b71cb55b8f24">Sweet, citrusy scents are replacing warm vanillas this summer</h2>It's time to put away warmer vanilla scents and opt for light, citrusy alternatives."Caramel and vanilla are usually welcome, but heavy gourmands can start to feel oppressive in the heat — a zingy citrus scent has a way of balancing the sugar," Hayes told BI.The perfumer said Love and Crime by Ex Idolo is a good option for a sweet, citrus smell.<h2 id="19ae0c0e-c410-4a8f-a2c5-b089951a71b8">Salted caramel and pistachio make a warm and surprisingly beachy combo</h2><div type="image" title="pistachio cheesecake with caramel sauce and pistachios on top" height="1027" width="1369" msid="110977454" hostid="261" sizebytes="155348"></div>If you want to smell toasty and beachy, Santiago recommended finding a body spray with notes of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/how-to-make-caramel">salted caramel</a> and pistachio."I first discovered this salted-caramel-pistachio scent through hair oil and was so happy to see they offered it in a mist format," she told BI.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/beauty/sol-de-janeiro-review">Sol de Janeiro's</a> Brazilian Crush Cheirosa 62 fragrance mist is the perfumer's top lightweight pick.<h2 id="022d4652-889f-4c45-b868-62c2e4b7b67d">Instead of heavy leather scents, look for ones with notes of bergamot</h2>Leather scents are typically reserved for colder months, but if you find ones balanced with citrus, it could be perfect for summer."A leather note combined with some bright citruses like bergamot is an unexpected and unisex combination," Santiago said.She recommended Memo Paris' Sicilian Leather perfume.

8 of the best scents to wear this summer, according to professional perfumers

“We expect women to work like they don’t have children / domestic responsibilities. And we expect them to raise kids and tend to the home like they don’t have a <keyword id="19920980" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="career" source="keywords">career</keyword>.” This statement resonates deeply with many mothers, echoing across social media platforms, parenting forums, and communities. It is incredibly sad to acknowledge that this is a sentiment shared by countless mothers who find themselves caught between the demands of work and home. This is also how I felt 11 years ago. On this Mother’s Day, I wanted to revisit some such challenges that seem overwhelming at times and I myself faced as a <keyword id="21624352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="working-mother" source="keywords">working mother</keyword>. In this article, I won't hesitate from laying bare the challenges of being a working mother. At times, my words may push the boundaries of what's deemed acceptable for print, perhaps even sounding like a rant. But it's crucial to acknowledge and validate these struggles. Being a mother is challenging, and having a career is demanding. Combining these two roles means signing up for one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Some of the common challenges most working mothers face are : 1.Inconvenient time management: Being a mom is a full-time responsibility. It is a 24X7 job. It is also a role that requires the highest level of surrender physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Having a career requires full time commitment to work. It requires you to keep marching forward as the goal posts keeps shifting. Imagine existing in this state on an everyday basis! Intelligently planning schedules, adhering to timelines, factoring in childcare emergencies and unforeseen developments at work require precision akin to six sigma. Oh, and don’t forget the events! The birthday parties, the company off-site, the client visit and the school annual day – these are no less than an hurdles race we’re running whilst holding a life in our hands. 2.Coping with emotional demands: A working mother is almost always torn between the various emotional demands that come with being an individual who would like to raise a beautiful child whilst building a respectable body of work. There's always the lingering "mommy guilt" of missing out on precious moments and "not being around enough". And then there's an inner voice tugging at her heart, urging her not to lose sight of her career goals. 3.Burden of judgement: From next-door neighbors to relatives, and sometimes even family members to colleagues, peers, and superiors - everyone seems to view working mothers with a preconceived notion that they are set up for failure. No matter how hard she tries, her best is never enough. There is often very little acceptance and a lot more judgment. 4.Lack of <keyword id="20006960" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="support-system" source="keywords">support system</keyword>: The Indian family system is not designed to support working women. It often glorifies women as "domestic goddesses" and sees them primarily as caretakers. There are exceptions of course – some families genuinely nurture the individual and her dreams while some depend on the women financially and therefore make space for her work while. 5.Unconscious bias and microaggression - Working mothers often experience a lack of support both in the workplace and at home. Many also encounter discrimination and bias in professional settings. This can take the form of being overlooked for promotions or job opportunities, as well as facing negative stereotypes or assumptions about their dedication to their work due to their parental responsibilities. The snide remarks, the judgmental stare, the condescending tone or simply the lack of empathy – the list goes on. The list doesn’t end here. Working mothers face numerous challenges as they strive to balance their professional and personal responsibilities. From societal expectations to workplace biases, the hurdles can sometimes seem insurmountable. However, by building strong support networks, negotiating for flexibility, and challenging stereotypes, working mothers can overcome these challenges and achieve success in both their careers and their personal lives. My advice to working mothers, is to enlist as much help as possible. Outsource tasks that do not require a personal touch. Define boundaries at home and work, and reinforce what can or cannot be expected of you. Seek mentors and build allies at work. Most importantly, work on your ‘self’ – carve out ‘me-time’ and indulge in self-care. Doesn’t have to mean a spa, it could be cuppa and a book or meeting an old friend. The reality is that there's no such thing as a perfect balance. It's all about finding what works for your family and your career and making compromises when needed. Lastly, be nice to yourself. Remember, you’re doing the best you can. Every mother is the best mother in the world. Chetna Israni is Co-Founder and Director of Morning Star Brandcom. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are of the author/interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views of Business Insider India. The article has been partly edited for length and clarity.

OPINION: Balancing act or pure jugglery — navigating professional challenges as a working mother

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukrainian mother Yaroslava Antipina kicks off most mornings drinking what she calls "war coffee."</li><li>The <keyword id="11892744" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="twitter" source="Orion">Twitter</keyword> user uses the time to share regular updates of her life in a country upended by war.</li></ul>Almost every morning, Ukrainian mother Yaroslava Antipina begins her day with "war coffee." "Sunny &amp; frosty morning. Having my war coffee," she <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/strategywoman/status/1502157280564826114/photo/1">tweeted</a> last week under the handle @strategywoman, accompanied by a photo of a window view of a residential neighborhood. "Good morning, world."The coffee tweet is usually the first of multiple Twitter updates throughout her day, where she gives her 90,000 followers a glimpse of her life as an "ordinary" person in a changed country.Sometimes, she pens down random thoughts: <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/strategywoman/status/1503857081157357579">"Ukrainian women are fantastic," she tweeted</a> alongside a funny conversation she had with a woman. Other times, the tweets are small moments in her daily life, like the time she <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/strategywoman/status/1504080039876440071">met a "Kind Woman with a Huge Dog."</a>In one of her latest tweets on Thursday, she <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/strategywoman/status/1504338191452672004/photo/1">wrote about</a> the birds singing as she sipped on her morning cuppa — it's "regular life, but with a war taste."Antipina, a resident of Kyiv, left the city in early March with her 19-year-old son to live with her mother in Western <keyword id="11985141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ukraine" source="Orion">Ukraine</keyword>. She has not attempted to flee Ukraine because her son, like <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukrainians-describe-hellish-journey-from-zaporizhzhia-to-poland-fear-2022-3">all Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60,</a> is forbidden to leave, she told <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2022/03/14/ukraine-russia-war-twitter-diary/7001104001/">USA Today</a> in an interview. "War coffee is resistance. Strength," she told <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-war-coffee-diary-yaroslava-antipina/">CBS News</a>. We Ukrainians need such things to survive, to be strong. Because for me, the very hard thing right now is the uncertainty. You don't know what's going on the next day, next week. But we will manage. We have no choice."On some mornings, Antipina asks her followers to share <a href="https://twitter.com/strategywoman/status/1501145784498196480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1501155190359343109%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es2_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.usatoday.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Fworld%2F2022%2F03%2F14%2Fukraine-russia-war-twitter-diary%2F7001104001%2F">pics of their "peace coffees</a>." Readers from Germany, the UK, and the US have all responded."I do want to have my peace coffee as soon as possible, but at the moment, it's just war," she told USA Today.Antipina did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Ukrainian mother shares 'war coffee' Twitter diary to show what life is like for an 'ordinary' person in a country upended by war

<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>The Counter by Trade</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade Coffee Co.</a> is the online matchmaker for coffee lovers and their coffee.</li><li>From run-of-the-mill "coffee that tastes like coffee" to "hints of something different" and downright "surprising and unconventional," <a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade</a> offers lovingly grown and roasted beans for all.</li><li><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade</a> also offers equipment from coffee pots and cold brew kits to filters and scales - basically everything you need to make the perfect cup of coffee. </li><li>With subscriptions starting at $15 a month, it's a step up in price from what you might find at big-box stores. But if you enjoy your morning cup, there's nothing more precious and empowering than dialing it in perfectly each and every morning.</li></ul>"Put your mug's fate in our hands with over 2,000,000 happy coffee matches - and counting!" may reek of gimmick, but we tried <a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade Coffee Co.'s matchmaking service</a>, and I, for one, have nothing but good things to say for the brand. Why? Never has a coffee buying experience ever led me through six web pages of consultative questions in order to pair me with a bag of coffee. After the folks (or algorithm) at Trade presented me with a suggestion, I took it. Now, here I sit, feet up, sipping from a soupcon that is surely delivering me ever closer - with each shot - to a time and place where I can confidently claim that I am, indeed, living my very best life.Okay, I might be taking you for a bit of a ride here, but if you want to learn how to profile your ideal cuppa (and maybe self, while you're at it), there may be no better way than with the help of <a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Trade Coffee</a>. Depending on your profile, Trade may match you with The Classics, which is their best value plan at $25 for two 12-ounce bags. Then there's The Hookup for those seeking a "surprising and unconventional" $15 to $22 12-ounce bag.The process, intimidating at the outset, perhaps, is so thoroughly yet tidily detailed that it's a breeze.What we like most about the selection and customization process is how unassuming it is. You don't feel like you're diving in headfirst with a sommelier who's just out to make you feel uninformed. Instead, you get a clean page layout with four options to identify your level of java snob-hood: from newbie to nerd.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div>Then it's on to your preferred brewing method, which, depending on how much you care, could dictate the roast level and/or type of bean you want to be buying and why that might matter. And if you're using a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-pod-machine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pod machine</a>, a support team is ready to chat whether you use a Keurig, Nespresso, or apparently, any other type of pod machine.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div>Next, you'll select what, if anything, you add to your coffee, because they've decided to factor in even that.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div>Then there's your preferred roast level. This is a common question, of course, but again, like wine, maybe something we don't all necessarily understand. Trade also offers a little explainer about roast levels and how each roasting brand uses its own "scale" while Trade scores all coffees on their own scale so that there's no confusion within their service.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div>And this is where it all might get a little tricky. Just the same, though, don't overthink it; you can always try more. Be bold.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div>Do you buy ground, whole bean coffee, or both? This is fairly self-explanatory, though Trade makes a point to push grinding your own coffee for the best brew you can get, and we're with them. If we can offer a single piece of conjecture, to you, dear reader, let it be this: If you're going to invest in good coffee, grind it yourself or you are missing the point of luxuriating in this splurge altogether.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="http://tradecoffee.pxf.io/c/196318/571223/9472?subId1=biip_070219_trade-coffee-co-review&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.drinktrade.com%2F%3Fgclid%3DEAIaIQobChMIgt2im_mE4wIViv7jBx2uwQiVEAAYASAAEgJQH_D_BwE%26clickid%3D0kkUj%253A37Qw8TVcD0AAXT3S5PUklWxV0KQQXYQ40%26irgwc%3D1%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Trade Coffee Co.</div></div></div><a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a> Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Trade Coffee is an online matchmaker for coffee lovers and their coffee - here's how a subscription works and what it costs

The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Insider Picks</a> team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>Dandy Blend</div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy Blend</a>, an herbal coffee substitute, features dandelion root, chicory root, barley, and rye and tastes just like the real thing.</li></ul><ul class="summary-list"><li>Coffee, with its high acid content and diuretic properties, can lead to dry, inflamed skin, but Dandy Blend is packed with vitamins and nutrients that aid in the overall health of the body - including skin health.</li></ul>Quitting coffee is one of those things I dabble in, without fail, at the beginning of every new year. Intellectually, I know the habit isn't great for my body - but I always go back to it because, as researchers have shown, caffeine addiction is real. Some of the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/05/us/yes-people-are-right-caffeine-is-addictive.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of coffee withdrawal</a> prove it: Headaches, fatigue, and irritability set in when the caffeine-spiked morning Venti goes away. I have another theory about coffee addiction, though. In my experience, the habit of making, pouring, grabbing, and sipping on a cuppa is just as addictive as the caffeine itself. When my hand is grasped around a warm mug and that sweet-bitter taste hits my tongue, I feel like the day has officially begun. So when I made up my mind to quit coffee once and for all, I knew I needed a replacement habit - something that would easily fit into my already-established morning routine and trick my body into perking up. Enter herbal coffee, or more specifically, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy Blend</a>. Dandy is an herbal blend featuring dandelion root, chicory root, barley, and rye. It looks strikingly similar to instant coffee and is just as easy make; you simply scoop a heaping tablespoon or two into a hot cup of water and stir. Voilá! "Java" is served. But where Dandy differs from other herbal coffee alternatives I've tried is that it actually tastes like the real thing. Chicory root mimics that full-bodied coffee taste I've grown to love, but in a slightly earthier way. With <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy Blend</a> in my cup, my first two coffee-free weeks flew by without any of the headaches and irritability I anticipated… probably because Dandy Blend is more than just a coffee substitute - it's actually healthy. Whereas coffee is highly acidic (which can cause heartburn and stomach issues) and a diuretic (which leaves the body dehydrated), Dandy Blend can reduce inflammation in the body (thanks to dandelion root) and regulate digestion (courtesy of barley and chicory root). But the biggest change I noticed from cutting out coffee? My skin started to G-L-O-W. "Coffee may cause insulin resistance, which is your body's ability to process sugar, and that can stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce extra oil," Jill Therese, a skin and nutrition specialist and the founder of <a href="http://healyourfacewithfood.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Heal Your Face With Food</a>, tells Business Insider. "Excess oil can lead to blocked pores on the skin and potential breakouts." Additionally, the caffeine content in coffee directly stimulates the adrenal glands. "This overstimulation of the adrenals over time can lead to dehydration and premature aging down the road," Therese says. So if you struggle with problem skin and consume coffee on a daily basis, you may want to cut back to see if caffeine is the culprit.My improved skin tone wasn't just a result of eliminating coffee - it turns out, Dandy Blend is full of glow-inducing vitamins and minerals, too. "Dandelion root is like the nectar of the gods for your skin because of its ability to support the liver's detoxification process," Therese notes. The liver has long been connected to skin issues, since it's basically the body's detox center. When the liver isn't functioning properly, it doesn't filter toxins out of the body, and these toxins can show up on your skin in the form of pimples, rashes, and even eczema and psoriasis. "Dandelion increases the flow of bile in the liver and as a result, all excess hormones and toxins are efficiently processed out of the body," Therese explains. "This leads to better digestion, less stress, and much clearer skin."The chicory root in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy Blend</a> helps as well. It's packed with antioxidants to neutralize the effects of pollution on the skin (like wrinkles, fine lines, inflammation, and age spots) and features high levels of Vitamins A and K - two of the most important vitamins for skin health. Vitamin A is famous for its anti-aging and anti-acne properties, while Vitamin K boosts the body's ability to heal, so skin issues clear up faster and don't leave scars behind.As soon as I realized that ditching my daily cup of joe in favor of Dandy Blend would lead to better skin, I knew I'd be off coffee for good. I've even altered my go-to Dandy recipe to include additional skin-boosting benefits. Want my clear skin recipe? In an eight ounce cup of hot water, I mix together one tablespoon of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy Blend</a>, a half tablespoon of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06W2KTKKF/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B06W2KTKKF&amp;linkId=16a275d6c4e5bf11d7b64e6c47408dbe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">bone broth collagen</a> (for plumper, firmer-looking skin), and one tablespoon of coconut oil (since healthy fats help to keep skin moisturized from the inside out). You can also make this with cold water and add ice cubes, if you're into a cold brew-esque experience. After a week of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dandy</a>, I promise you won't miss coffee - or the inflammation, dehydration, and dull skin that come with it - at all.<h3><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005P0XDJK/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;tag=biip_121718_dandy-blend-herbal-coffee-product-review-20&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;creativeASIN=B005P0XDJK&amp;linkId=94c5844716d3bb207ce894fe07dc5bb0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buy Dandy Blend Herbal Coffee at Amazon from $13</a></h3> <a href="http://e.businessinsider.com/join/ci/insider-picks">Subscribe to our newsletter.</a> Find all the best offers at our <a href="https://coupons.businessinsider.com/">Coupons page</a>. Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/insiderpicks">Insider Picks</a> team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

This 'herbal coffee' tastes just like the real thing - it helped me quit for good and clear my skin

Don’t feel like working after lunch and yet you slug it out to not create that impression of being lazy in front of your boss? Well, a recent survey by <keyword id="2728696" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="JobBuzz">JobBuzz</keyword> reveals you are not alone. Two hours after lunch has emerged as the least productive period. 
 

	Over 70 per cent of the respondents felt the post-lunch two-hour period was the least productive. 
	 

	"Working after lunches is the worst. The meeting goes on and pizzas are brought into the room – they are like sleeping tablets. The quality of the discussion immediately starts to fade after lunch, everyone feels sleepy and lethargic." says Venkat Prasad, a senior program analyst at a dotcom. 
	 

	While on the other hand, for all the bosses out there who want the best employee output, here is an advice from JobBuzz. Give your employees the maximum amount of work in the first two hours of office, when they have had their morning cuppa and their mind is clear. Over 65 per cent of all respondents told JobBuzz.in that they were most productive during the first two hours after reaching office. 
	 
	But JobBuzz.in also revealed that there is a difference in the choices of male and female workers. While 70 per cent of male respondents said two hours after lunch were the least productive period, nearly 50 per cent female respondents said they were least productive in the last two hours of office.

	 
	"By the end of the day, I get tired and distracted, and miss my little boy at home, who invariably calls me to ask me when I will be home. I just want to wrap up quickly and go home to my kid." explains Meenakshi Sinha, a product engineer at an IT firm. 
	 

	The survey also revealed that we might have to change the expression “Monday blues” to “Thursday blues”. <keyword id="21684" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="monday">Monday</keyword> has been termed as the most productive day and Thursday the least. Contrary to the believe that Monday is a day which all office goers dread and wish Sunday would never end, people always start their Mondays with a fresh mind to create a difference in their work this week. 
	 

	A clear 50 per cent employees in startups felt Monday was their most productive day. While for big corporate employees, 40 per cent respondents said Monday was the most productive while 30 per cent voted for Wednesday. 
	 

	 Overall, 80 per cent employees with 5-10 years and over 10 years experience polled that they are most productive on Monday. And there was a 50-50 split for entry-level employees who felt either Monday or Wednesday were the most productive. 
	 “While there are individual variations as far as productivity is concerned, the point is that more hours don’t mean better work. Everyone has ‘that time of the day’ when everything seems to fall in place and things just seem to flow. To capitalize on this productive period one needs to prioritize strategically. Workplace environment, ergonomic factors, zeal and passion for the job, all help to push up the duration of this productive period,” says <keyword id="62182" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Timesjobs">TimesJobs</keyword>.com COO <keyword id="225450" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Vivek-Madhukar">Vivek Madhukar</keyword>. 
	(image credits: mere-mortal-software.com)

70 % employees feel the two hours post lunch is the least productive: JobBuzz survey

<keyword id="60699" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Diwali-festivities">Diwali festivities</keyword> are right here, but have you done all that is needed to make these holidays perfect? No, we are not talking about offbeat home décor or great gift buying or the gourmet dishes cooking in the kitchen. Let’s face it – preparing for the festivities is a tough task with so many things to manage. Family time with friends and relatives can be stressful enough and stretching your budget for some last-minute spending takes its toll as well. Then there are the <keyword id="54214" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Fireworks">fireworks</keyword>, Diwali feasts and a little bit of <keyword id="6366684" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="gambling">gambling</keyword> – must-do things but must be done with some care and caution. If you are already feeling a bit panicky, here are 5 tips to keep you happy and safe this Diwali. 
 
Play it safe: With loads of fireworks around, that’s the best thing to do, especially if you have kids at home. Gather the people beforehand and tell them all about the safety rules. Keep an eye on potential trouble-makers – even grown-ups tend to behave irresponsibly at times. Also, make sure all power points at home are working fine and don’t overload them with <keyword id="1924083" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="Decorative-lighting">decorative lighting</keyword>. Finally, keep a first-aid box ready and the emergency numbers handy, along with some heavy blankets that could easily put out flames. This way, you can act fast in case of an accident or mishap. 
 
Watch your money: There are <keyword id="1689680" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="offshore-casinos">offshore casinos</keyword> and private house parties for diehard gamers, but even the neighbourhood <keyword id="16035" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="100" keywordseo="Teen-Patti">teen patti</keyword> parties can burn a big hole in your pocket. Delhi card parties are (in)famous for big-bet gambling, but other metros have also caught up with it. Rumour mill says lakhs, even crores, are lost and won in card games across the national capital, and farmhouses, cars and jewellery are staked by owners. It reminds one a little about Mahabharata and Yudhisthira’s disastrous game of dice. So keep a wary eye on your money and possessions, and go slow on shopping and gambling. 
 
Keep a tab on food: Foodgasm is the latest buzz but don’t go overboard with enticing, spicy and oily food. Cook healthy as far as possible and try baking the bhujias or the chaklis (popular <keyword id="1924077" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Diwali-snacks">Diwali snacks</keyword>), instead of deep-frying them. It also makes sense to keep the mid-day meal simple if you are having an elaborate dinner every night. Cut down on alcohol, aerated drinks, high-sugar diet and extensive smoking – all these will clog your system. Now that the winter is setting in, drink a lot of water and try a cuppa or two of green tea. It will keep your system toxin free, keep you hydrated and boost your energy. 
 
Walk to wellness: A brisk walk in the morning is a great stress-buster and keeps those extra kilograms away. There’s a nip in the air, so you will enjoy the cool sojourn to a nearby park. Do some deep breathing, enjoy the greens and drive away any negative thought that pops up in your mind. If you can’t go for a walk, try some yoga exercise or practise meditation in the morning/evening. It is the ultimate de-stresser and will boost your mood in no time. 
 
Relax and connect, it’s rejuvenating: Staying happy and relaxed is the <keyword id="490344" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="holiday-season">holiday season</keyword> mantra, so try and get into that mental frame. After all, too many outings and parties are bound to wear you down. So plan smart and keep a little ‘me’ time just for yourself – to do anything you like. And last, but not the least – connect, connect and connect. As one hardcore tech professional just told us in his Diwali message: This festive season, forget your mobile, laptop, tab and smart TV. Celebrate with real people who need your time and attention. They have been waiting for it throughout the year. 
 
Image: Wikimedia

5 Ways To Drive Away Diwali Woes

Open papers in the morning with your cuppa and what do you get to see? Rapes, murders, crimes against women, domestic abuse, marital violence etc. However, there is something that escapes the headlines – the emergence of a new Indian male who thinks sharing responsibilities with his spouse isn’t something out of the ordinary. It isn’t cool or something; it’s just natural and normal to be so.

	 
	And guess what, the ad world seems to be catching up on this image pretty well. Ads, in fact, are the reflection of everything we see around us. Sometimes, they even pack fantasies so well that they tempt people to emulate them in their lives. Do you remember the Google ad of friends across boundaries brought together by grandchildren over jhajhariyas? Now, that is certainly a super nice thing to do to one’s grandparents!<o:p></o:p>

	The recent talk in the town is about the new male who has come into emergence with the Airtel advertisement. The man in question is suave, hardworking, respectful and finally, a husband who gets his share of affection from his wife.<o:p></o:p>

	In turn, the wife is a matter-of-factly boss with a bit of hesitant apology thrown in. Her voice doesn’t quiver at the time when she prods her colleagues to work late, to meet a rather impossible deadline. She is a <keyword id="2463667" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Metrosexual-woman">metrosexual woman</keyword>. At office, she is dressed in a crisp saree and at home, you will see her cooking up delicious meals in the shortest of shorts, using super-seductive cookware. Then she purrs around to get her man’s attention and get him to come home for dinner.<o:p></o:p>

	When you look at this ad, there is something that strikes about this. The topic and execution has sure got most people thinking and responding to this ad. To that extent, the advertisement has been successful. It has a ‘talking point’ whether you agree with what’s shown or not.<o:p></o:p>

	The woman’s role has been much discussed about since she is shown as balancing both the acts – a commanding boss in the office and a totally domesticated woman who will endorse the stereotypes to come home and cook according to her husband’s preference.<o:p></o:p>

	But there is something that they are clearly ignoring when they speak of the woman being progressive or regressive. It is about the emergence of the <keyword id="2463668" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Neo-Indian-male">neo-Indian male</keyword> who can be both a subordinate at office and a doting husband who likes home-cooked food. And he does not mind staying back late in the office at his woman boss’s behest. <o:p></o:p>

	How and when did this happen? And how did we miss the signs all over? The neo-Indian male emerged without as much as anyone noticing it?<o:p></o:p>

	In the country where rapes are about the sick mindset of feudal and sexist perceptions, there are millions of homes in cities and villages, too, where men stand to shoulder the responsibilities of their wives.<o:p></o:p>

	It is no more a matter of ego or turning subservient when one does this. It is simply a way of making way for the new order to take shape. Men, today, are much more sensible than their earlier generation who were oblivious to the facts such as menstruation, menopause, pre-menstrual syndromes, ovulation and a host of other things that can trouble only a bleeding woman.<o:p></o:p>

	In the changed world, men do not hesitate to wash dishes, bathe kids, cook and clean while the wife is on an assignment in another country, or has a demanding job.<o:p></o:p>

	This transformation has not been easy. Changed economic conditions and buying power has vested equal power in the hands of both men and women. But women, who historically had less negotiating power, have emerged confident winners of equal space in the society.<o:p></o:p>

	This transformation happened despite the marital ads remaining unchanged. Well, people still look for ‘beautiful, tall, fair, slim, family-loving girl’ for a boy who is possibly earning in lakhs. And none of the attributes will change even if she, too, is earning in lakhs!<o:p></o:p>

	The transformation has silently happened in homes and offices, where men have simply come around to change the pecking order. So it’s little surprise that a woman is a husband’s boss in the office and a caring wife at home. In fact, putting a man in power position in this ad would have sent a wrong message to the society that women are being forced to overwork while a man gets to leave office early. A meal prepared by him may be damned!<o:p></o:p>

	Raising a toast to the new Indian male isn’t only gracious; it is the most important thing to do. That way, grace remains intact. 
	Image: Thinkstock<o:p></o:p>

India’s Emerging Alpha Male Is Courteous, Equal Partner

6. Basically Starbucks

Yup, you have got it right – there’s no typo here. We are not talking about the traditional Monday morning blues that make people call in sick. Neither are we talking about the just-back-from-vacation crowd who is bound to feel a flutter in the stomach when faced with stomaching the gruelling workplace routine once again. Instead, there is a not-so-recognised but alarmingly growing trend when a perfectly healthy individual walks in smiling in the morning and limps back home pale and unwell after the work hours, often calling <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="40" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword> and family and telling them how ill she is. In one extreme case, a friend called up a neighbourhood drugstore from her office, ordered some pills and asked the shop to deliver the package to a neighbour so that she could swallow some as soon as she was in. Could it be a ‘sudden attack’ of some mysterious flu? Could be, in a few cases, but some therapists and workplace counsellors feel it is nothing more or less than a <keyword id="23666" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="stress">stress</keyword> attack at work – mostly triggered by seemingly inconsequential things that stress you out at the end of the day. 
 
To deal with after-work blues, check out these six things that could be hampering your feeling of well-being. 
 
Don’t skip food – it will suck you to the bottom 
Energy wise, that is, and it can very well affect your work. So get the basics right before it is too late. By basics, we mean basics – healthy food, lots of liquid and a few tea/coffee breaks in-between that should not mar your productivity, but will keep your energy up the whole day. It’s easier said than done, of course. Some crucial meeting may be scheduled during lunch and you could be grabbing some snacks (instead of a proper meal) as and when you get time. Worse still, some people sit hunched up all day – sipping coffee or cola as they work. Well, that’s not helping you exactly. 
 
Our body craves food when it is fill-in time and you are bound to snap up if you skip lunch regularly. But in case you can’t take a 30-45 minute break for lunch, here’s some sound suggestion. Just split it up, instead of eating in chunks. Try to have a quick and early lunch whenever it fits your schedule and give it another go around 3.30-4 pm. Also, get some nutritious cookies for healthy snacking if you are working late. And drink as much juice/water as you can. Once I came across a particularly busy executive who made it a habit to keep his glass filled and sipped it throughout the day. We can all follow suit without too much hassle. 
 
Get comfortable – your desk is your second home, after all 
All of us have come across those lost souls (even in big corporations) who spend a precious half hour in the morning looking for their ‘comfy’ chairs which seemed to have been spirited away by some malicious demon during the night. No matter what is offered to such a person, she will shake her head and tell you it’s definitely not her chair. A tussle with a fellow-worker is not unlikely either, both trying to establish their ownership. Or if it’s not the chair, it’s the air-conditioner (always too high or too low for comfort) or a dirty desk or something similar. 
 While most of us laugh derisively when we come across such things, it could indicate something more than mere whims. Are you ergonomically fitted out where you spend around eight hours a day, if not more? A well-lit, well-ventilated, not-too-cramped workstation is bound to keep you healthy and <keyword id="17573" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Happy">happy</keyword>. Report blinking lights and broken furniture as and when they occur and let plenty of fresh air in unless you are working in a centrally air-conditioned building. Dust could be another deterrent, especially for those suffering from some kind of allergy or other. Stick to a cleaning routine, take the junk out (right from old papers to useless gifts like a row of oversized mugs that you don’t plan to use) and make sure the place reflects your character and personality. A little green (a bottled plant or two or some fresh flowers), some funky or classic desk essentials and some human touch (can be a great poster or a funny quotation) will light up your day and those who visit you. 
 
As for me, I got fascinated when I watched a colleague drawing two soaring swans on her glass cabin door with a black marker. Even in a futuristic office, that rough sketch gives me a sense of freedom and space whenever I look at it. 
 
Nurture wellness – go walking, playing, gymming 
We tend to lose our health and wellness without noticing it at first, especially if we are in a ‘pressure cooker’ situation all the time and feel drained out at the end of the day. To help people out, most offices today come with a recreation room (some even have meditation/nap rooms, an IT professional working in Gurgaon told me), if not a full-blown gym. If you are one of the lucky few with a multi gym in office, congrats! But do make sure you have some expert help before attempting to take down those ungainly pounds and get some advice on the diet and duration of a fitness session. In case you are a first-timer, take it slow. You can’t really do too much, too soon, and need to invest a lot of time and patience to build stamina and strength. 
 
For those without such onsite facilities, there is always the age-old staircase and some brisk walking to your colleagues’ workstations, instead of chats and phone calls. One set of health-conscious people whom I knew made it a regular practice to walk to the bus stop in the evening which was some distance away. Walking that 1 km not only gave them some much-needed exercise, but helped them unwind as well, by talking things over and discussing several office issues. Start today and you will inevitably feel better after some sweat sessions. Because most of the time the lethargy is in the mind. As soon as you realise that you have come out of the rut and doing something effective about staying well, your body confidence returns and your energy level goes up, boosting your morale and your work, even if you don’t become size zero overnight. 
 
Stay productive – disruptions are exceptions, not rules People often fret how they happen to be behind work schedule and the backlog piles up – much to their horror. I distinctly remember a knowledge worker who went into severe <keyword id="6354802" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="depression">depression</keyword> and fell physically ill because she was asked to churn out five articles a day and was in mortal fear of losing her job. If you are in a similar situation, stop ducking your manager’s salvoes and take control. 
 
One good strategy to remain focused throughout the day is to cut out on addictive social media, unproductive chats, unnecessary e-mail and time-consuming meetings. A more detailed weekly meeting, followed by a daily preview/review for 15-30 minutes should not only save time but keep things in order and the deadlines in view. Long water cooler side chats, frequent coffee breaks and venting your frustration through chain mail won’t help you either; so try and stay away from those. Once we manage to do away with disruptions, more productive time is bound to be on the cards. Some people even go to the extent of scheduling things out while wrapping up. Review what’s pending at the end of the day – so that you know what your priority is the morning after and start working on those as per your plans. 
 
But if you still feel you are overloaded or if you overwork yourself, try deputing work or talk to your colleagues, managers and people who matter in your project. Together, it is possible to usher in a collaborative solution and make sure that people can grow in a way they want to. 
 
Know what you’ve achieved – EACH day 
Some days feel like a total waste of time, mostly because we have had bitter altercations with colleagues or superiors. Or worse still, we have just done some routine work that does not have any relevance any more. A friend of mine had worked as an editorial production manager and the job required her maintaining a production sheet in Excel. She was compelled to accept the job as she had been laid off suddenly and had a family to support, but it was certainly not her cuppa and she rapidly lost interest in the job. 
 Thrust into a volatile <keyword id="34412" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="40" keywordseo="economy">economy</keyword> and faced with fast shrinking job opportunities, many of us try to go on board where they don’t belong and the outcome is a productivity and professional burnout, to say the least. Still, over a period of time, even a relevant career could be offering less value in terms of learning, growth and fulfilment. The reasons can be many – right from a change in the company’s core offerings to limited management vision that fails to offer horizontal growth. Talking to your manager could help, of course, but at times, it could be beyond your boss’s control. Simply put, there is no simple solution in such a case. 
 
If your work has become routine and doesn’t add much value to the company’s core, try developing some new skills and show your firm how you can reposition your profile along with the regular job. Most firms will be happy to recognise the extra efforts you are putting in. But in case you fail to get that adrenalin kick out of your work at the end of the day, it makes sense to look for a job that’s more of an intellectual, cultural and value fit. 
 
Stay hungry, drink deep – life’s fountain won’t ever dry up 
Finally, do not let your vision go. Even if you are beginning as an intern or rebuilding your skills from the scratch, it’s not impossible to become a member of Jeff Bezos’ two-pizza team (may not be at Amazon, of course, but every company has a core and creative team where decisions are made). In every organisation, at every level, you will come across a small, tight group who is making a conscious decision at a specific point of time. Feel inspired, get involved and put your expertise into action – you are bound to get noticed and feel valued. 
 And here’s one last piece of wisdom I got from a manager when I got laid off for the first time. You will be joining and leaving many more companies from now on – some you will leave on your own and others will let you go. But whatever that might be, learn from every situation (that one quality will be your lifeline) and when you leave, take the learning and leave the emotional baggage behind you. What matters most is your passion for the work and the value that work brings. Just remember that and let <keyword id="818790" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="40" keywordseo="the-rest">the rest</keyword> go, gracefully. As Jerome K. Jerome so sensibly wrote – throw the lumber over, man! At work, live life without angst or regret, and it gets better every day.

Help!!
End-of-day Blues Driving Me Nuts...

In 2006, two freshmen from IIT-Delhi gathered enough spunk to knock at the door of Kalyanaraman Srinivasan, Amazon’s <keyword id="2463621" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-technology-head">global technology head</keyword> for retail, who was in India to set up a development center at Chennai and a regular at the Bangalore office of the global ecommerce biggie. The duo requested fifteen minutes of ‘we-time’ as they bubbled over a few ideas they considered path-breaking. They wanted to know which one they should focus on. “I took 1.5 seconds and said if they really wanted to be entrepreneurs, they must replicate Amazon in India and be patient about it,” says Srinivasan, in a southern accent cradling a Midwestern twang. The duo turned out to be Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal who founded Indian ecommerce giant Flipkart the very next year, recently raising a billion dollars from investors to take on Amazon’s Indian foray. 
 Srinivasan’s advice bode well for the youngsters and made them very rich indeed but the operative word was “patient”. Despite zero signs of profitability in the ecommerce eddies, Srinivasan remains positive. After all, more than 20% of the GDP of the world comes from emerging markets with barely 3% of capital investment therein. In other words, there are not many tradable liquid securities out here, he reasons, adding that companies like Flipkart, Snapdeal and <keyword id="761157" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Infibeam">Infibeam</keyword>, where he has personally invested, will raise the tide. 
 
“The rising tide will raise all the boats first and every company will get irrational valuations but those who focus on customer experience in the long term, will stay there and go higher, and those who don’t, will fall off,” says Srinivasan. As a precursor, he points to the dotcom boom in the US in 1999-2000. “Trillions of dollars went into valuations there but the customer experience only got better…so the irrationality of valuations is relative,” he points out, observing the Indian ecommerce market potential to be in the $100-200 range and with only $6 billion active market, excluding train and flight tickets, Flipkart’s valuation of $5 billion makes perfect sense. 
 Today, the 44-year-old Kalyanaraman Srinivasan is Chief Operating Officer, <keyword id="384914" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Groupon">Groupon</keyword>, a portmanteau for group coupon, and at one time, the fastest growing company in the world that grew from $1 million in seed money to $1 billion in two years. On a whistlestop tour covering Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, he met up with CD in the Delhi office of Groupon, housed in a rundown commercial complex in the southern part of the capital city. That’s where, over cuppa and crackers, he deconstructs the journey of a 15-year-old from poverty to power, politics at the workplace, lessons from Sam Walton, problem-solving from Amazon to startups, and how somewhere in between, he came to be known as Kal Raman. 
 
Education is salvation 
 
Born and raised in Mannarkoil in Tamil Nadu’s Tirunelveli district, down south of Chennai, Raman’s father, a tehsildar, passed away when he was all of 15. The family of four siblings struggled through the odds on his mother’s monthly pension of Rs 420. She was, however, uncompromising on her children’s education. That explains how liberally Raman uses this phrase—“Education is salvation.” 
 
After high school, Raman got through both medical and engineering college. While the medical college stood in his district, he opted for engineering in Chennai where he knew nobody. “I wanted to see how far I can fly,” he reminisces. Till today, Raman has a knack of making the tougher choice. It’s as if he’s conditioned that way. “The longer it takes to get something, the longer it stays with you….most of the things that look easy, are not good in the long term,” he says. 
 
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	&#xa0;</div>
Not quite okay, Tata 
 
Raman’s first job was in Mumbai with Tata Consulting Engineers, where he landed up in slippers on his first day at work, sending his boss into a fit of rage. Upon hearing his story, he was not only given money to buy shoes but also fixed up at his friend’s Mumbai residence. Within a month, his boss sent him to Bangalore where he computerized the entire office administration. Thus started Raman’s steady rise in the world of information technology, and he did a lot of learning on his own, including ‘C’ programming. Just as he was about to get confirmed, he gave in his resignation since he signed up with TCS at Chennai. As a code jock, he ended up in Edinburgh servicing the Scottish Equitable Insurance Company and that’s where the first signs of friction with his boss became evident. 
 
As Raman deep-dove into the world of insurance, he figured the mathematical model of the company was completely flawed—if the company had more than 15% reimbursement, the resultant number would be a big negative, while the marketing documents of the company said that people would get 23% redemption. He tried explaining it to his boss but got cold shouldered. 
 
Raman would come in late and work well into the night. Being the last to leave, he was noticed by someone by the name Chris, who asked him why he stayed up so late despite being a programmer from an outsourced company. Upon being told of a questionable business model, Chris got curious and stayed up with Raman till 2 am one morning. A few days later, as Raman came in to work, his boss was pacing up anddown the room and glanced at him menacingly. He said that the European general manager of TCS had been called by the company and they were all going to see the management and that it concerned him. “If I were you, I would have packed my bags for India,” the boss said. Eventually, the trio entered a room with suits and at the head of the table, Chris sat in bespoke CEO attire. Before a word was uttered, Raman’s boss started making excuses and virtually disowned him, labeling him as a rotten apple in the TCS pantheon of “good and loyal workers”. That’s when Chris got up and silenced him, explaining why TCS needed to hire more people like Raman. “What my CPO and CIO couldn’t solve, a 22-yearold has done, and I thought it to be pertinent to acknowledge it in front of his bosses,” he said. 
 
The American Dream 
 For Raman, there was no looking back. With the help of Chris, he applied to companies in the US and got through <keyword id="46675" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Wal-Mart">Wal-Mart</keyword>, where he rose to become the giant retailer’s technology director within a year. In fact, he admittedly got promoted 18 times that year from the lowest employee to the top rung, catching the eye of Wal-Mart promoters Sam and Rob Walton. He also picked up the invaluable lessons of long-term planning and customer-centricity from Sam Walton, the father of modern retail. That’s where Raman learnt business execution under his mentor, Doyle Graham, who again passed away at 45, exactly the age his father had died. Orphaned twice, Raman had no will to forge on. He hung around for six months before signing up with Blockbuster, the biggest DVD rental company then and as he predicted its doom, which eventually paved the way for newbies like Netflix, he started out afresh as CEO of drugstore.com. At Drugstore, he had an enviable board of directors, which included among others, Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, Bill Gates’ wife and philanthropist Melissa Gates, Starbucks’ Howard Schultz and Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. 
 
<div style="page-break-after: always;">
	&#xa0;</div>
He ran Drugstore through the tumultuous 9/11 years as corporate America took a beating and share prices tumbled. When his recovery plan was rejected by the board, Raman knew it was time. However, Bezos sought him out and wanted him to go to Seattle to take a shot at some of the problems at Amazon. Raman, of course, chose the toughest one to crack—the non-media businesses were growing faster than media and Amazon was losing $200 million worth of free cash flow back then. He identified the problem and automated the entire retail infrastructure to solve it at one go. At that juncture, there were 6,000 people working at Amazon and he had 3,000 under him. Mission accomplished, Raman moved on to start his own venture Global Scholar with venture capitalist Michael Milken until selling out in 2010 and signing up as COO of Groupon in May 2012. “Now I joined Groupon when everyone wrote the company off and I love being the underdog,” he says. 
 
Galvanizing Groupon 
 
In 2012, Groupon’s international business was crumbling and it was left to Raman to steady the ship. Today, along with the domestic US business, the international division is in the black. “We are building a category, we are not building a company…. what Groupon is now, Amazon was in 2001,” he says. 
 
As he pumps in adrenaline to the business, Raman has a roadmap. He’s applying all that he learnt at Wal-Mart, keeping the merchant community engaged and customers happy by offering the lowest prices and an efficient delivery mechanism. Will he be able to pull it off? “We’re more worried about the long term and so we’re trying to get more efficient by passing off the savings to our merchants and customers so that they become more loyal to Groupon and check our website first before they go for any other transactions….we have about 1,600 people in technology to do that out of 12,000 worldwide,” he says. At $2.5 billion revenue and with zero debt, Raman’s optimism is well-founded. And while valuations like $8 billion scorch the terrace, he maintains a straight face and waits for the tide to raise the boats. What then, after he steers Groupon to the safe shores of supra-growth and profitability? “I’ll do something very big in education in India, with or without Groupon,” he says.

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