tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24697125890016239292023-11-15T07:43:52.802-08:00Publishing, Security, Document and People Mgmt.Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-21791141566275995882010-09-13T07:14:00.000-07:002010-09-13T07:16:55.596-07:00DRM or NO DRM<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br />
<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">It is the same dilemma that Shakespeare put forth. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>DRM or No DRM. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The world is abuzz with people wanting that DRM to be stripped of eBooks. There is no apparent reason why so many people do not want DRM however the noise is towards having no DRM. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DRM potentially provides a lot more security to content in terms of copyrights and distribution. The major issue is portability. Today if a person purchases an Adobe PDF or ePUB that has been downloaded through ACS4 on a Sony Reader cannot be ported to iPad. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">This is the cause of frustration. People do want protected content however the portability is a question. As the eBook marketing is growing there are many devices with different versions coming up. eBook consumers certainly do not want to purchase eBooks more than once (unless there is a new edition). </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>What is the solution?</b> The solution is the standards must support and provide for portability options. If eBooks become portable that is if I can read the same eBook on Sony Reader, Kindle, iPad and likes of these devices, along with reading on Windows, Mac and Linux or other OS its going to be a boon for the consumer. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After all the books are being made for the consumers.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Comments welcome</span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-79994570916062150752010-09-04T06:30:00.000-07:002010-09-04T06:30:22.788-07:00ePUB the monster<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"></span><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wow ePUB over the years has become a monster. You don't agree? Why? Well haven't you heard the noice about people finding it difficult to understand ePUB. Read reviews and previews which are available in plentiful on the internet. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>The Monster: </b>For heavens sake everyone needs to understand. ePUB is just a set of XHTML files packaged together. How will it look on this device or on that is not the question. The question is do you really know your XHTML and CSS well? </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">How do you do it? </span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Well understand that the content must look good. With proper styles. With proper structure. Its the same as designing a pBook. The difference, the limitations. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Best Way out? </span></b></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Use standards. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Does it really matter that the looks same as the pBook?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">For me it hardly matters, the electronic medium as much more to just designing. If I read a book with lot of Index terms or Bibliography references then I prefer correct hyperlinks. Nicely styled paragraphs and clearly defined sections. Thats it the eBook is done. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I have always said this and I reiterate, devices will come and go, what today is true will be obsolete tomorrow. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Think hard on this. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Next post XML work flow for Publishing.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-87886515991875143382010-07-30T04:58:00.000-07:002010-07-30T05:38:06.086-07:00Multimedia eBooks<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >There has been a long standing debates regarding whether there should be multimedia included in ebooks are not! What exactly would be multimedia in eooks? Audio, well then why not have the entire book as a narrative and as an audio book. Video, then why not make a movie out of it or put in on popular video streaming sites.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >The very idea of multimedia eBooks poses a lot of unanswered questions</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">File size?</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >What happens the file size of the eBook? including audio an video in the ebook will always have an inherent boom in the file size. How much would one want to compress the file? Compression means loss of quality. A quality failure means the eBook will not be sold. Another aspect is that now most of the eBooks are being created with hand held devices in mind. All of these hand held devices will be mostly connected through WiFi, meaning less download speed. Increase in file size will only slow down the process, irritating the readers?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reading Experience?</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Once multimedia is included the reading experience will go for a toss. There will be no reading sequence, or it will be listening and seeing sequence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Multimedia eBooks are good for the academic and education sector, but it’s a small market. There are already people creating multimedia education systems, hence books run out of the race.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Device Size?</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Multimedia requires crystal clear sharpness in Audio as well as Video. Are we looking at 17” hand held devices now? Like holding a monitor, I think it is going that way. Most of us don’t like small screens hence we have 42” LCD or LED televisions, don’t we? But we do want to have multimedia in books. Wow a library of heavy duty books in a big and compact HDD attached to a large hand held screen, I see it coming :)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Why is everyone running in for multimedia eBooks? It’s a long way down. I see people getting back to chisel and hammer to carve out on rocks. Because that is what remains. A good book is the one with an excellent reading experience, and NOT listening or seeing experience. For that Audio books DTBs are there,and for Video movies (created from books) are there.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Content is very important, however different media and mediums have different purposes. Let them be used with the purpose they are meant to be used. Leave the books to be read rather than heard or seen :)</span>. <span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There are many other ways of including multimedia with the book rather than within the book. Sometime later I might lose my laziness and express my views on that :)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >This is completely my opinion you can very well disagree with it!</span><br /><br /><br /></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-11891633907493528962010-07-06T09:50:00.000-07:002010-07-06T10:07:27.895-07:00PDF - As I Understand It<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Earlier I have written about PDF and the types of PDF files that can be created. Today I want to elaborate on the my understanding of the PDF.<br /><br />Since I became accustomed to PDF I always wondered what "Exactly is a PDF file", to be more precise, what exactly is "page in a PDF". I compared it to Microsoft Word, Open Office writer and many similar softwares. One fine day (this was in early 2002), in one of the conversation with my CEO (Versaware India Pvt. Ltd.), he mentioned "its just like paper".<br /><br />When I returned to my desk, I sat down for a while just thinking on the statement. I realised he was absolutely right. It is a "paper", similar to the ones we day in day out keep printing stuff that is not essential. The only difference being that a PDF is an electronic paper (nature friendly). Enough of flash back, back to real thing.<br /><br />As per my understanding PDF consists of four layers.<br /><br />1) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Content Layer</span>: This is the upper most layer, which consists of text and or images. This is the layer that is visible (mostly, I will comeback to why I say mostly)<br />2) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Inline Style Layer</span>: This is the layer that decorates the content, the inline styles bold, italics, underline, superscript, subscript etc.<br />3) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Content Style Layer</span>: This is the layer that defines the structure of the content, the paragraph styles, fonts, font size etc.<br />4) <span style="font-weight: bold;">Canvas Layer</span>: This is the layer that defines the Page size,the galley, the margins and the header and footer area.<br /><br />Seriously I never knew about this until, we were experimenting on content extraction from PDF and I requested one of the programmers to extract as much information from the PDF file as possible. To my surprise, all of the above information is stored very systematically within the PDF. This information can be extracted and reused and repurposed if the content is extracted with the PDF.<br /><br />It is very important to note that once a PDF is created you cannot do much with it, it is the same as a printed page. At the most you can add in some remarks or annotations or notes. Nothing much.<br /><br />PDF is a very good source of content storage in an absolutely elegantly styled way.<br /><br />Coming back to <span style="font-weight: bold;">mostly</span>, there are some PDF files where the entire page is an image and the text content of the page is either maintained in front of the image or behind the image. If it is behind the image the text content will not be visible. This mostly done to make an image PDF searchable.<br /><br />I think content if styled properly, can be extracted to HTML files and this content can be used to created ePUB files. By styled properly I mean the page layout with clearly defined and not to clogged layout. This will help to have the ePUB looking closer to the PDF. It is also important to note that making eBooks look pretty will not always help your books. Most devices just go ahead and destroy your layout.<br /><br />Keep it simple! Thats the best Bet!<br /><br />Cheers!!<br />VY!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><br /><br /></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-27816625851305147082010-06-29T11:32:00.001-07:002010-06-29T11:40:33.610-07:00Standards, and Adhering to them<span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Many a times during various phases of my career, I have faced many situations where I have hated to work with standards. Today as I see it, Standards are a must. be it eBook Production, Publishing or Secure Document Management.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So many times I have had this question in mind, everyone is talking about creation of eBooks, Workflows, however I have seen no one talking about Section 508 compliance, or any certification of Production for authenticity of content. For eg. in Singapore any document that is digitized or is digitally created, and needs to be produced in court, needs to be certified under the Evidence Act of Singapore. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In the US documents that are produced need to be compliant to the Section 508 for making the content available for the physical impaired people. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My question, is it that difficult to comply to standards. Today ePUB is sweeping everyone of their feet, however it is a standard by itself. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So many people talking about ePUB and the readers on which they can be read on, not one note have I seen about making it available to the physically impaired people. I may be wrong as I cannot read or see the billions of notes that are being made all over the world, but certainly I am not seeing them in the main stream. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">For me all standards compliance is very important. Today there are standards that have been made flexible for certain sectors, people should be taking advantage of this and should increase the number of audience/readers, to their works. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Standards are the way to go.... for me atleast.</span><br /><br /></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-21654906268592895932010-06-26T11:31:00.000-07:002010-06-26T11:41:42.393-07:00ePUB Packaging<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Umpteen times I have seen, heard or read, about how to package an ePUB.<br /><br />A Wikipedia link actually details about the ePUB format as well as the packaging: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPUB<br /><br />However what it does not explain is the answer to the question: I selected all my files and created a zip out of it, renamed it as .epub but still it doesnt work?<br /><br />Here is the structure of the ePUB package (right out from the Wikipedia article).<br /><br /></span><pre style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">--ZIP Container--<br />mimetype<br />META-INF/<br /> container.xml<br />OPS/<br /> book.opf<br /> chapter1.xhtml<br /> ch1-pic.png<br /> css/<br /> style.css<br /> myfont.otf<br /></span></pre><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >If you have created a zip and it has all the above components and still it does not display as an ePUB file. These are the things that probably have gone wrong.</span><br /><pre style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />1) You have created a zip of the folder containing the files. If this is the case get inside the folder, select all files and create the zip.<br />2) You have done the right thing with creating the zip file, yet it does not display the ePUB file, perform this action,<br /></span></pre><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Ctrl + A to select all</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Click once on mimetype to de-select it</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Click mimetype to select it</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">then create the zip</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Whenever you open the zip file using Winzip or Winrar the mimetype must be the first file. And yes don't zip the folder zip the contents of the folder (after making sure all the necessary components, ie files and the content within the file is as per the standard)<br /><br />VY<br /></span> <span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-24239093773680656662010-01-09T07:20:00.000-08:002010-01-09T09:09:53.642-08:00PDF - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Back again...</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Seriously did not get time</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> but now that I have time I would want to present my ideas or thoughts on PDF.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Currently with so many electronic formats for content available around the Globe, PDF has been compared to all the electronic content formats from since 1990s. Many people have posted the view that PDF is not a format that is sustainable in the long run. Since the very start PDF has been compared with the likes Softbook, OeB and currently with ePUB. People fail to realise that is not just an eBook.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Currently people fail to realize that there is no other format that can replicate the paper version of any content as PDF can. PDF is a not just a format, it is a standard by itself. I would rather not compare it with other eFormats available for electronic medium distribution.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;">PDF for me is a universal formats. I have been asked numerous times on what types of PDFs are available or can be created.<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">For me there are two major types of PDF files in terms of structure further divided in to sub types:</span><br /></span></div><ol style="text-align: justify; font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Scan PDF</span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">Text PDF</span></li></ol><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Scan PDF or Bitmap PDF: </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">This is where the PDF is created out of image files. These good be scanned images of paper or digitally photographed content. In this PDF the content on the PDF pages is non searchable. This type is further sub divided into </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></div><ul style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Printable (POD PDF)</span><br />This PDF is used to create Print Version of the content that is to a particular standard and used majorly for commercial production of content. The images used in this PDF are high resolution for good quality reproduction on paper<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Non-Printable Scan PDF</span><br />This PDF is generally used only to retain the digital copy of the content in the image format. This format cannot be used for commercial printing as the quality of reproduction on paper is not as good. However this can be used for quality printing which will not be commercially saleable.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">On-Line Scan PDF</span><br />This PDF is for typical created for online viewing or easy downloads from the internet. These PDF files have a very low resolution images which is supported on PC's and other devices for easy and quick rendition. The sole purpose of this PDF is for making content available online or in a format that is easily distributable, but not printable.</span></li></ul><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:85%;">Text PDF: </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">this</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> PDF file the text is searchable, however images still are not searchable. The content is highly structured or styled, however this does not stop the user from creating the Text PDF from unstructured text. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span> </div><ul style="text-align: justify; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Printable (POD PDF and Traditional Print)</span><br />This PDF is used for commercially viable printing. Hence this PDF is generally used for creation of Books, Magazines, Journals, Newspapers etc. which can be distributed in the print format. The content structure in this PDF is highly structured and styled. Mainly to appeal to the reader and make it look good<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Non-Printable Text PDF</span><br />This PDF cannot be used for commercial printing however is very good for distribution of content with searchable content. In this PDF the structure or the style used in the PDF does not carry much importance as the reach of this PDF is very low.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">On-Line Text PDF</span><br />This PDF is for typical created for online viewing or easy downloads from the internet. These PDF files have a very low resolution images which is supported on PC's and other devices for easy and quick rendition. The sole purpose of this PDF is for making content available online or in a format that is easily distributable, but not printable. In this PDF the struture and style may have relatively high value as these can be the online versions of commercially printed content search </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Books, Magazines, Journals, Newspapers etc.</span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >There is another format of the PDF, that has a very different purpose, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Text Under/Over Image PDF</span>. In this PDF the main content is rendered or captured as pages created of the images, however there is a Text layer that is introduced either under or over the Image of the page. The purpose of this to retain the structure or style of the content as is as well as make it searchable. There is a major reason I see as to why this format or version of the PDF is created. The structure or the style of the original content needs to be retained, but the underlying reason is creating a replica of the content structure using Text PDF</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > creation methods is highly expensive in comparison to creation of Scan PDF with a layer of text under or over it.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Secure </span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >PDF</span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >Content security is carries utmost importance. Even free to distribute content</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" > carries rights. Secure PDF can be created while creation of the PDF itself or using third party DRM servers. Each level of security has its own purpose and carries certain amount of importance.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">PDF as Archive Standard</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >PDF/A is a standard which defines the requirements of creation of PDF file format for long term archiving. There are two sub standards:</span><br /></div><ul style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;" ><li><span style="font-size:85%;">PDF/A-1a - Level A compliance </span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;">PDF/A-1b - Level B compliance </span></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:85%;" >More and detailed information about these standards http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF/A</span></div><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms; text-align: justify;font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-82148293554988147512009-11-20T07:42:00.001-08:002009-11-20T07:42:24.132-08:00Document Security...<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As a company it is very important that utmost security is maintained for all documents physical or digital. There are many large, medium and small firms generate physical documents that range in hundreds or thousands of documents everyday. These firms, mainly include banks, hospitals, education institutions. Mainly firms that deal with large number of people. </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>As I have a publishing background I am quite familiar with security solutions available for the publishing world as well as some familiarity of the Document World.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Digital Security</span><br />In the publishing world the security concerns mainly hover around security of content. Mainly related to rights of content. Now there is ample inclination towards also maintaining security of physical assets (meaning documents in terms of electronic file formats. Now that the world is getting more and more digital it is imperative that all data that is transfered, transformed and stored is secure in all aspects.<br /><br />Digital security in terms publishing world is mainly and widely termed as Digital Rights Management. This includes encryption, secure storage and secure distribution.<br /></span></span></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>The encryption for the publishing world is mainly in the form of encrypted ebooks either to be read on the Portable Devices or Online. </span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>Secure storage is must as rights is directly related to content. It is amply important to maintain highest level of security for documents to be stored, as a un-secure storage is an open world to Piracy</span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>Distribution requires that the content leaves the storage location and travels up to the end users reading environment. Which means that data needs to be secure at all stages from the source to the destination. It also means that the content is kept secure on the readers destination.<br /></span></span></span></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>In the </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>world of </span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span>documents, the documents are mainly stored digitally for easy retrieval purposes (using indexed data) and to give away with large spaces that are used up to store documents. However it is also important that all security aspects of storing and retrieval data.<br /><br />The data needs to be secure right from the creation stage right up to the storage of the data. Data creation in most cases is just indexing of data. This data is stored in document management system for easy retrieval on based on the indexed data. The document management system can be as simple as one index field retrieval to extremely complex indexed data that can be stored in Enterprise Content Management Systems. To take it forward some ECM also provide services such as creating copies, editing, automatic versioning as well as rights based access to content.<br /><br />In both cases that is Book Publishing and Document Publishing the main aim seems to be moving away from paper to a paperless work flow.<br /><br />As Digital "Instruments" are getting smaller, the digital storage is getting more complex, Or is it we are making it complex...<br /></span></span></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-91462121388955807782009-11-03T06:59:00.000-08:002009-11-03T07:47:19.839-08:00Business Level Problem Solving or Issue Resolution<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">While being into Business or running a company there are several occasions that there are problems that are seemingly difficult to solve, or you run into issues that seem to be an uphill task to resolve.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As I have observed, it is a common trend for people to JUMP onto the problem immediately. Many a times I have observed there is loss of time just because it is completely unknown, "what is the actual problem". Everyone wants to hold either of the one ends and create a chaos about it.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem Identification</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In most cases, it is evident that no one knows what exactly is "the problem". But then there is another big problem how do we identify it? For me the elimination method works the best. How do I work?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. List all the possible items that has led to the problem or so called problem.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. Eliminate each item after confirming that it is not a problem or not caused the problem</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. After reaching to a single item, evaluate (dont conclude) whether is it really "the problem" or has led to "the problem"</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. If the answer is Yes, you got the culprit, if no, still need to do more forensic investigation.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The problem is identified, </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What next?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Problem Solving</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After getting to the problem it does not mean that the problem can be easily resolved. Again the elimination method work, however have to be very careful on this.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1. List down the possible solutions or resolutions to the problem or issues.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">2. List down the possible impacts (because many a times we get into problem solving and forget about the negative impact it might be having on other items not listed or observed)</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">3. Have preventive action in place to ensure that it is not repeated</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">4. Document everything done so that it can be easily passed or referenced in future.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Business Level Scenarios</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">On the business level the scenario may not differ much from the day to day problem resolution. The participants change, the impacts change. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">For Example: IF there are quality failures observed by your client from time to time there could be a negative impact on the business relationship. However few things to note:</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">a. Are these problems due to frequent changes requested by the client.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">b. Has the client made his best effort to provide you enough information leading you to resolving the problem</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">c. Or is that the client is being just a Brick Wall</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If either of the above is true, then its better to discontinue the relation, if not, you are out of Business.</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It is best that the client and the service provider engage in honest and complete efforts in issue resolutions. This is mutual business growth. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Beware never take the client for granted to help resolve all the problems. You are the service provider, and its your job to provide the services with the agreed quality level. It is always expected that the service provider at all times provides the service to the agreed SLA and quality levels.<br /><br />Business continuity also leads to an attitude to give in to all the clients demands at all points in time. This is however very crucial to understand, as long as there are businesses running there will be clients, customers, endusers, and providers.<br /><br />I have also seen scenarios, where CXO level executives talking about solving business problems of potential clients, and for a fact are in the same scenario probably worse than the client.<br /><br />Businesses need to identify and resolve the internal problems first, set achievable the business goals, the direction and then move ahead confidently.<br /><br />Its like "<span style="font-style: italic;">You Can Never Lay A Foundation on Loose Sand</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next Post: ... still thinking a Random Topic</span><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-59151630183268252562009-11-02T06:09:00.000-08:002009-11-02T07:17:16.213-08:00External Communication<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As promised back with my postings. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">External communication for me means communicating with other parties outside your company staff circle. It does not really mean that if you have offices in two or more different geographical locations, and you need to communicate hence it falls under External Communications. Though the locations are different still the company is the same. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Medium of Communication used for External Communication</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Emails</span>: Emails lately have become the heart of external communications, however its a noticeable fact that it has also been misused as medium to send a message and then relax, "thinking my job is done". Many a times I have had experiences where some colleagues, coming and saying to me, "I have already sent you an email". For me email needs to be the medium to communicate, where parties are at different geographies (different times zones), means to record, summarize and convey the discussions held including those who were not able to participate. Emails are also a good medium to draft down thoughts for future reference.<br /><br />However for external communication, emails play an important role, as it can be considered as an official evidence of communication. Even some standards recognize emails as standard means for record keeping.<br /><br />While using emails for External communication it is very important that the message conveyed is absolutely clear. What should be the email content.<br />A. The name or the group of people the email is addressed to (Ultra important), make sure only those people are in the "To:" list.<br />B. Email Body: covering every aspect of the message. Should not keep the reader guessing. You can have the reader put off by the following.<br /></span></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using SMS kind off lingo (pls, rvrt, CU, Laterz.... the line goes on)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using incomplete sentences or statement</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using context of other talks of discussions where not relevant.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using exaggerated statements to make things look bigger (never think that the reader doesnt know anything)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Loads of Grammatical and spelling mistake.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Worst! addressing the email to the wrong people (always check the recipients before sending)</span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And that is not required at all, including as many people as you can or know of to be on the email loop.<br /></span></span></li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">C. A proper sign off (not as in log off), stating what are the next set actions.<br />D. Your name, designation if applicable and other means of communications as to in case you need to get hold of.<br /><br />It is important to understand that the proper use of emails elevates yours and your companies reputation.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Phones (landline/mobile phones)</span>: With more and more facilities being made available to bring the world together. There has been an increasing growth in people using voice for communication. There are many facilities readily available to have a group of people talk to each other. There are facilities available where people can communicate as well as view each other across geographies. This is why it is said "The world is getting smaller..."<br /><br />Few things to be taken care of while on phone:<br />A. <span style="font-style: italic;">Greetings</span>: Very Very important specially if you are a customer facing person. KNOW THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE PERSON YOU ARE SPEAKING TO, and greet accordingly. I have had experiences where a colleague from India is calling a US counterpart. Time Evening India time Morning US time, and the person saying "Good Evening....".<br /><br />B. <span style="font-style: italic;">Introduction</span>: When on the phone introduce yourself starting with your name, your designation if applicable, and the people with you (if there is a group).<br /><br />C. <span style="font-style: italic;">Points of discussion</span>: Always remember all the people, around the Globe are tied by time. We have to respect everyone's time, hence it is very important to list down the points of discussion and the probable time that will be taken. This ensures that everyone is on the same page (Yes I know, someone will say I had written an email already, about a week ago). Give everyone a fair chance, just that somebody might have had a bad day, or may not have understood what you have written.<br /><br />D. <span style="font-style: italic;">Speak and Listen</span>: Its important to listen as it is important to be heard. Language, dialect, pronunciation, and use of correct words, play a critical role, as when a voice call there are few chances that the person is able to see you while you are talking (Unless you are using 3rd Generation voice-cum-video conferencing). Let the other person finish everything he or she has to say. If you have to say something note it down and then express or say after the other party is done. If, and IF you HAVE to interrupt, excuse yourself for the "BREAK-IN".<br /><br />E. <span style="font-style: italic;">Closure</span>: Proper closure of the call is absolutely necessary. It can be the Summary of the call, Points or actions for the future. Most importantly everyone spend a fair amount of time discussing, this time must be valued, hence expressing gratitude is very important.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">SMS</span>: A big NO NO! Not an official communication medium unless it has some meaning to it, like an intimation. You CANNOT say, "<span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">...but I SMS U the udder day.. U 4get to get bck 2 mi on dis...</span>"<br /><br />Last but not the least, it is an important fact that whatever is communicated must be known to certain level of peers or management at all times. Remember we are talking about "A Company". Hence it is as critical that facts are circulated as per the needs at all times, as, if one day you call in sick (While watching a movie with your Girl Friend or Boyfriend whatever the case maybe), your colleagues, peers or Management are fairly aware if the other party wants any information or wants more discussions, in your absence.<br /><br />Cheers! Thats All for today...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next Post: Business Level Problem Solving or Issue Resolution</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-89761951852531211602009-10-29T07:31:00.000-07:002009-10-29T08:41:10.827-07:00Internal Communication<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">What does one mean by internal communication?</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Most of the time it is understood to be the chit chat happening with a certain group of people within the company. many people should I say the people who "run" the company in more lay man terms feel that it is "Not" so important to have internal communication. I have my experiences, but that's all left behind now.<br /><br />INTERNAL COMMUNICATION IS THE BACKBONE OF THE COMPANY AND A TRUE MEASURE OF THE COMPANY"S PERFORMANCE<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why is internal communication so important?</span><br />It is a fact that proper communication makes life easy. The best to convey thoughts is by channelizing and communicating them. However this needs to be done in a proper manner. With so much of advancement in technology, communication mediums its far more easier to have a proper internal communication channels and mediums.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">What are the mediums that can be used for Internal Communications and their role?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Intranet</span>: A very good medium to set up a internal communication channel to relay or broadcast information to everyone. However it should be noted that this may not be available to everyone but to those who have access to computers.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Newsletters</span>: This serves as a a very good medium to broadcast news and information regarding changes within the company or expected changes, client news, shareable financial news or just plain happenings of around the world that effect the company in some way. These can be either online or printed and distributed or posted on notice boards.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">General Meetings</span>: Periodic meetings of all staff together or in groups for general awareness and communication. These meetings need to be kept separate for project, quality, procedure etc. meetings. These meetings require only a certain amount of participation. General meetings on the other hand requires all the members (entire company or groups with members from different teams) to be participating.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Blogs or Wikis</span>: Technology and Web 2.0 has enabled people to be more communicative. Certainly blogs and wikis have taken the level of communication a level higher than previously done by the web. Now the communication can be both ways from the communicator to the audience and vice versa.<br /><br />There are some very important communications that need to happen all the time:<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Crisis Communication</span>: This heads the list. Crisis communication MUST be done first hand. To all levels of the staff members. Its not just about telling everyone about the crisis, this is also an event to bond with the staff. How? If you treat the staff members as a family, then it is obvious that only true family members will stand up during the crisis situation. However it needs to be evaluated very critically as all members standing through the crisis are not as real as they seem, they are just there for their personal benefit.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Executive Communication</span>: Frequent communication by the top notch executives or officers, regarding high level happenings client acquisitions and also failures (very important). Its very important do provide direction to the company and its not possible for the officers to communicate with everyone all the time. Its understandable however it is important that there is "Communication" from the top tier at all times.<br /><br /> Bottom line, let your staff know what you are upto, Good things and Bad ... this will acquire trust and there will be longer running staff...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next post: External Communication</span><br /></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-43646738056112518882009-10-28T06:51:00.001-07:002009-10-28T07:46:36.650-07:00Workplace<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Workplace is such an important factor in the company's well being. Its "the place" where everyone working spend half of their lifetime. May be in the same company or different. </span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Environment</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The Workplace environment must be conducive for productivity, productivity in the sense, every minute spent by the workforce must create value. The environment plays a major role creating value withing and outside the company. Its very important that everyone within the company is aware of everything and everyone within the company. This is possible only through proper communication and transparency. Adequate communication and proper transparency ensures that every employee is aware of the happenings within the company. IT is most important that every employee feels like coming to work rather than drags himself or herself to work.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cleanliness, Security and Employee Benefits (other)</span><br />Another important factor that needs to be taken care is cleanliness. The work place inside and outside MUST be absolutely clean. This means the actual work area, toilets, bathrooms, common rooms, pantry, the entire premise. This creates a healthy environment and healthier employees.<br /><br />Security is one aspect of your company that needs urgent attention all the time. What does security truly mean? Does it mean to have a Guard at your Gate 24 X 7? Well No. It means that there is internal security that is security of the employees in terms of their physical security as well security of the clients materials provided. Security also means taking care of physical well being of your employees. For example: Fire hazard training, training on usage of premise (the premise must be well marked with information in all areas), information on all departments. Not just once but every time the opportunity arises or at a certain frequency<br /><br />Employee benefits is like an every day "perk". Clean drinking water, tea /coffee, snacks. How does it make a difference? This takes the company from being just a company to being a "Family". However this must be extended to each and everyone equally. I have been through an experience where though it was termed the company being a family, only a select few had the privileges. Obviously I was not one of them. Didnt really make any difference, however I saw my colleagues who used to fret on this and the result was shown on their performance. For me they were always performing a step below their actual capability.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Workplace Ethics</span><br />Wow! another important and interesting factor. It is rather the most important factor. Workplace ethics not only means to dress properly or behave properly. It goes beyond these factors. And most importantly it needs to be observed by each member right from the Senior Management to the all levels of the workforce. For example if it is mandatory that all employees have an identity card and must be visible at all times in the premises, IT IS A MUST that everyone has it. IF there are designated areas for employees, like for example smoking zones etc. they need to be applicable to all. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next Post Communication: Internal</span><br /></span></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2469712589001623929.post-46620005521735952962009-10-27T06:27:00.000-07:002009-10-27T07:49:09.885-07:00People Management<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">WORKFORCE</span><br />I have not been through many companies. I was for 9 long years in my previous company, however I had many experiences. And the current company that I working for, is an all new experience. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">There is an important fact that I learn't through all the 9 years, 3 years prior to that and now in a new era altogether. The most important factor about making a company, being a company and making it successful,are the people. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Who are the people that make the company and their rating according to me on the scale of 1-5, 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Top Management -- 3</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Middle Management -- 3</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Workforce -- 5+</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Maybe because I have been very close to the workforce. Not that I have not been close to the Middle Management or Senior Management. I have been a part of Middle to Senior Management team. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">However lets look at the structure or rather the composition of the structure. "The Pyramid"</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Senior Management is almost 5% of the company's total population</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Middle Management is almost 10% of the company's total population.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The workforce is almost 80% to 85% of the company's total population.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So majority of the people are part of the workforce hence welfare of the workforce is the most important factor. I have always believed that keeping the <span style="font-style: italic;">workforce together, motivating them, and rewarding them is the highest priority</span> makes the company grow.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Keeping the Workforce Together</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">This I feel, needs to be on top of everything. A company that Works Together, Stays Together, GROWS Together. The company, in all circumstances in all stages of the life cycle of any project whether external or internal MUST be together. Team work and ample contribution from each team member ensures that all projects are taken to completion. This calls for every team member been taken care of.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />So how does one take care of the team.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Motivating the Workforce</span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;">It is Ultra important that all members of the team are motivated at all times. Managing a team whether large or small is an uphill task. Keeping them motivated at all times is further more difficult. At any given moment of time the mental and physical status of each and every member is not the same. It needs to be recognized and managed accordingly. Recognition is one of the most important factor of motivating the team members. And not just recognition helps, recognition at the right time and acknowledgment at the right time is as important. How does one recognize a team member?<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Rewarding the Workforce</span><br />Rewarding the workforce is also a major factor of making a company grow. Rewarding can be look at as multi -faceted activity. Rewarding can be in terms of Monetary, Emotional and/or Material.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Monetary Rewards</span>--Can be in the form of Salary Review to a higher scale, one time monetary review like bonuses or plans like retirement plans, or money saving plans.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Emotional Rewards</span>--Can be in the form of growth within the company, by promoting to higher designation.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Material rewards</span>--Can be in the form necessary materials being given out as rewards, or rewards that normally a person would not acquire in day to day life<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Next post: Workplace</span><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><br /><br /></span></span>Vickyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04870814229026134601noreply@blogger.com0