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Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Colombo - People & Work Attittudes - Tips to do business in Srilanka
Its been almost 8 months since I started this blog. It sure shows how lazy I can be. One of the reasons why I started this blog was my relocation to Colombo.
It was a huge change from the factpaced life in Bangalore. Colombo was laid back.......and I felt I would have all the time to even blog.
But like all workholics........I actually got entangled in lots of projects here. Most of them created by myself just for the heck of it.
So that may make u think what made me come back. Its something to do with writing and sharing that I have been carrying in mind for quite some time!
So let me dedicate this page to the people of Srilanka. Hmmm after almost 10 months there is lot of insight both Anu and me got about Srilankans.
They are basically very nice people. I have not seen many who were outright aggressive. These guys should be commented for their sense of work life balance.
Recently I was at a meeting with senior guys.....directors of different oranizations......Each person trying to contribute enthusisatically during the course of the discussion...........but very interestingly as the clock ticked past 4.15pm.........all of them started getting jittery.........and u wont believe it by 4.30 they all wanted to call it a day.
This can appear very strange for someone from India......where its normal to sit and discuss office matters at 8 pm.......and be back in office at 8.30am next day.
The next relevation would make you go bonkers.......Srlanka is the land of holidays. We have more holidays than working days. Apart from it being a 5 day week. Every Full Moon day is a holiday....thanks to the Budhist clergy.............Now thats one strong incentive to take up a one year contract in Srilanka.
On Business.........my observation has been that Srilankans generally act very smart and knowledgeble during the first meeting with a business partner. So avoid any arguments then. They will always try to show you that they are smarter. But being the nice type of people........you just need to build their trust and then they will leave all the decisions to you(& also the work)........
I sure love the place..for the fine family life you get here, the cheap 5 star beach resorts you can stay in, the great food and the people. Ciao........
It was a huge change from the factpaced life in Bangalore. Colombo was laid back.......and I felt I would have all the time to even blog.
But like all workholics........I actually got entangled in lots of projects here. Most of them created by myself just for the heck of it.
So that may make u think what made me come back. Its something to do with writing and sharing that I have been carrying in mind for quite some time!
So let me dedicate this page to the people of Srilanka. Hmmm after almost 10 months there is lot of insight both Anu and me got about Srilankans.
They are basically very nice people. I have not seen many who were outright aggressive. These guys should be commented for their sense of work life balance.
Recently I was at a meeting with senior guys.....directors of different oranizations......Each person trying to contribute enthusisatically during the course of the discussion...........but very interestingly as the clock ticked past 4.15pm.........all of them started getting jittery.........and u wont believe it by 4.30 they all wanted to call it a day.
This can appear very strange for someone from India......where its normal to sit and discuss office matters at 8 pm.......and be back in office at 8.30am next day.
The next relevation would make you go bonkers.......Srlanka is the land of holidays. We have more holidays than working days. Apart from it being a 5 day week. Every Full Moon day is a holiday....thanks to the Budhist clergy.............Now thats one strong incentive to take up a one year contract in Srilanka.
On Business.........my observation has been that Srilankans generally act very smart and knowledgeble during the first meeting with a business partner. So avoid any arguments then. They will always try to show you that they are smarter. But being the nice type of people........you just need to build their trust and then they will leave all the decisions to you(& also the work)........
I sure love the place..for the fine family life you get here, the cheap 5 star beach resorts you can stay in, the great food and the people. Ciao........
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