Wal-mart culture

10- foot rule
The 10-foot Rule is one of Walmart's secrets to customer service.

During his many store visits, Sam Walton encouraged associates to take this pledge with him: "I promise that whenever I come within 10 feet of a customer, I will look him in the eye, greet him, and ask if I can help him."

"I learned early on that one of the secrets to campus leadership was the simplest thing of all: Speak to people coming down the sidewalk before they speak to you,” Sam once said. “I would always look ahead and speak to the person coming toward me. If I knew them, I would call them by name, but even if I didn't, I would still speak to them. Before long, I probably knew more students than anybody in the university, and they recognized me and considered me their friend. I ran for every office that came along."


Sun down rule
Our founder Sam Walton created the Sundown Rule.
It’s really just a twist on “why put off until tomorrow what you can do today?” Observing the Sundown Rule is very simple. Whether it's a request from a store across the country or a call from an associate down the hall, we do our very best to give our customers, and each other, same-day service.

Difference between CV, Resume and Bio-data

A resume and a CV are similar in many ways but there are differences that you have to take note of, especially if either one is required from you. And of course, there's the bio-data. So which is which is which? Learn these differences so when someone asks for a resume, a CV or a bio-data, you know which paper to whip out of your folder.


Resume
Resume is very well defined, most commonly used. Strictly One Page, include Experience, Education, Skills and contacts ofcourse - specifically customized to target the job profile in question.

The resume is the most commonly asked for and submitted piece of paper containing your vital information. While shorter than curriculum vitae, the resume still provides details of your educational and professional experiences. That should include the courses and trainings you've completed, your school or university and the list of companies that figure in your work history. Your resume should also include all awards and projects that you have been involved with in the past.

Purpose of the resume: to give your prospective employer a good overview of your skills, qualifications and capabilities without being too detailed.

The length: If you can, make a resume a one-pager or make it two pages, max. Any longer and you're probably doing it wrong.

Who uses it? Almost everyone will use the resume form when applying for a job in most companies, even students and newly-grads. People in the medical and academic fields, however, use the curriculum vitae.

The Curriculum Vitae

C V - is more detailed, 2-3 pages, can even run in to 30 pages . CV generally means people who wants to hire you, doen't have a very specific requirement - for example technical skill - but mostly are looking for talent which can can generate business or opportunity for him/herself.

The curriculum vitae or CV is actually the plural form but it's used commonly, nonetheless. It is Latin for 'course of life' and as such, is expected to be detailed – more detailed than the resume.

The CV requires that you include a complete list of all the work you have ever done in your professional life, particularly the most significant. It should also reflect all job positions you've ever held, along with information about all credentials you have earned professionally or academically. Did you get a paper or a study published? Put that in your CV as well.

The length: The CV is AT LEAST two pages long. If you've had some significant educational and work experience and have been involved in multiple projects, it won't be a surprise if your CV is five pages long.

Who uses it? People in the medical field, such as doctors, nurses, scientists and medical researchers and those in the academia, such as professors and researchers. This is also for people who have had extensive experience in their field of study or chosen career. If you wish to enter these industries, this is probably the form you will be using, since most medical and academic facilities will require it anyway.


The Bio-Data
Bio Data - is very old fashioned word,mostly used as a key word in india for govenment jobs. This is Resume + Biography, specifically requiring legal things like - date of birth, nationality, residence, very clearly.

The bio-data is usually a one-page sheet that you fill out like you would a slam book. It is like a skeletal version of your profile and qualifications, where you provide the bare essentials. Details are not always required. The bio-data gives your potential employer a quick look at who you are and what you can do.

The bio-data is probably the oldest (and laziest) form of application. Today, it is often used for applications to temporary or skilled labor jobs. Many companies often ask you to fill out a pre-printed one during the application process, even if you have already submitted a resume.

The length: The bio-data is short – just one page. Sometimes, you even get to fill it when applying for a job, even if you already have your resume.

Who uses it? Most bio-data in the past were submitted by people applying for skilled labor jobs – machine operators, production helpers, machinists, cleaners, etc. These jobs, often technical in nature, don't often require the applicant to write a more detailed resume. The list of skills and work history often suffice. If you're applying for a job as a helper in a warehouse or construction job, for example, most employers will just ask you to submit or fill-out a bio-data.

Best HR Practices

I came across this on Cite HR.

1) Building superior workplace is part of their corporate identity.
2) Take care of employees customers keep coming back.
3) Providing superior work-life value proposition.
4) Work – Personal life Balance
5) Take time-off whenever it is necessary
6) Flexible Options
7) Members not Employees.
8) Employee Committee with genuine authority.
9) Recreation/Social Services/Food.
10) Database for employee suggestions in implementation.
11) All relevant information available to all.(Sharing Information)
12) Information sharing matrix.
13) Surveys for potential/new employess.
14) Annual Employee survey.
15) Global infrastructure organization survey.
16) Daily newsletter (start the day by reading this letter).
17) Basic Moral of the day.
18) Daily Birthdays.
19) Special Guest recognition.
20) HR eye opener of the day.
21) Call privately & inform the issue (Integrity Hotline).
22) Training or other discipline (Cross Training).
23) Running own business - Employee survey.
24) Ownership of Business- Job rotation.
25) Training to learn multiple skills.

Handling rumours

This was a very interesting piece I came across...

A company was in dolldrums and speculation was rife among its employees about its impending closure. Rumours floated every now and then. The CEO wanted the people to believe in whatever he said but that did not happen.

Eventually, he put up a board asking people to put the latest rumour they heard about the company.

Slowly, employees did realise that the CEO acted in their interest. And the rest they say is history.

Communication channels could never be more open.

Tips By Wipro For Jobseekers

So, how do you pick the right job? Some suggestions by Wipro for job-seekers.

Know yourself
What am I good at? Will I fit the job? Confusion, apprehension and dilemma are common.

Right out of college and with no experience to bank on, it is not easy for everybody to recognise one's own skill set. Especially, for those from a general stream course. Here, skills assessment tests can prove helpful. MeritTrac conducts such tests. They cost between Rs 500 and Rs 700 and are recognised by companies such as Accenture and ICICI Bank during recruitment.

There are online tests, too. One such is the i-opener test conducted by Career Guidance India (costs less than Rs 500). This particular test takes candidates across more than 3,500 career options.

Know the job givers
Organisation's philosophy. Different organisations have different philosophies about career advancement of their employees.

Says Shabbir Merchant, former HR head of Wipro Infotech and now the chief value creator, Valulead, a consulting firm that helps organisations in their leadership development, "Wipro would promote its own employee, even if he is 70 per cent fit for a senior post than recruit someone from outside who is 100 per cent fit for the same post. Some other companies might do just the reverse."


Training programmes

Initial training can go a long way in helping out an employee. In most professions, if the basics are strong, the rest comes with hard work.Choosing a company with good training programmes is advisable. Hindustan Unilever and IBM have well-structured learning programs.

The training that newcomers get in their first job is beneficial for as long as they are employable

Brand name
Brand names are always attractive - whether it be clothes, or jobs. But, choosing a popular brand over one's career interests could prove costly in the long run.
Says Hitesh Oberoi, director and chief operating officer, Naukri.com, "Brand name helps but not at the expense of a candidate's career vision."

How good is the fit?
The final call, of course, would depend on the job offer that one gets. Says Malhotra, "The candidate needs to see whether the job profile is in sync with her career interests and also the sort of growth prospects that it offers." A discussion with the seniors of the organisation can give some useful insights.

Professional networking sites could also throw up interesting perspectives. Says Mayur Singh, an active member of such sites like techTribe.com, "I get to know a lot about companies through these sites."

Those 5-figure salaries sound great to a first-time job seeker, but "salaries should be the least of the worries for an applicant", warns Srinivasan. The need for money, however, may vary across individuals and, hence, there is no thumb rule for it. Kuriakose feels that it is important to evaluate money, while not going overboard."Set a reasonable market benchmark. Use surveys, past year's data from your campus and salary growth predictions to arrive at a range," he says.

So, take your pick. Carefully.

Secure IT companies in India

This is something I came across on CiteHR website....I don't know whether the claims are valid.But definitely worth knowing.

1) Microsoft --- Has projects till 2050.

2) EDS --- Most secure company in India . Not lay off any of its employees even during 2001. Have lots of projects in Defense and financial areas

3) HP --- Dream Company. In-house and outsourced projects

4) Infosys --- Dream Job. On a way to achieve the status of a secured, stable Govt. company.

5) AOL, Google and Yahoo - Best companies to work with, great job satisfaction as well as great salary and work environment. Rarely fires an employee. As they are internet based companies' they offer lots of opportunities to grow.

6) HCL -- A good company to be in. Called as a "retirement company."

This one surprised me....

7) HSBC --- This is the most secure company. It has never fired any employee, even when they know that the employee is showing fake experience.

8) Aricent--- a communication based Software Company, has never fired any employee and gives great perks & incentives, lot of projects in kitty. Minimal level of attrition.

9) KPIT Cumminns Infosystems Limited ---- This is the most secure company not known to many. It has presently acquired CG Smith, Bangalore and has lots of projects in pipe line. Acquisitions plans will continue.

Call centre for job seeker

Reference: Mumbai Mirror dated 26th July, 2008; page 16

AP govt to tie with Satyam computers and start a centre for people seeking jobs in private and public sectors

HYDERABAD: Registering names with employment agents, desperately waiting for call letters and renewing registrations every year are all set to be history for job seekers in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh state government has now come up with an unique plan to set up an exclusive call centre for all job seekers.

All unemployed youths or those seeking a change in jobs, can get all employment related information by calling up the centre.

According to technical education minister R Chenga Reddy, the state government will tie up with Satyam Computers to conceive, design, develop and run the call centre.

They will provide career guidance to callers based on their qualifications and the field they want to work in.

The government and Satyam computers will pool in information related to employment opportunities in both public and private sectors and categorise them under different heads — marketing, sales, IT, media, etc. The information will then be fed into computers and updated regularly.

“A caller will need to furnish details of his/her qualifications, age and area of interests. No sooner are the details updated, they will get information related to job vacancies in their areas of interest,” explained an official, who indicated that they will also provide career guidance to callers. The chief minister is keen to maintain a “record” of people getting employment in both private and public sectors.

At present, there are no such official records maintained.