Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 42 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.Increased Screen Time for Adults - Declines Physical, Psychological Health and Sleep PatternsExcessive screen time, resulting from dependency on digital devices like smartphones and computers, has a detrimental impact on both physical and mental health. It can lead to increased stress, anxiety, sleep problems, and poses risks for obesity and cardiovascular issues. Psychological effects include symptoms of depression and suicidal tendencies, often associated with poor sleep quality due to excessive screen time. Moreover, it can disrupt circadian rhythms, alter brain chemistry, and impede mental development, particularly in children. High screen addictions has greater effects on brain development in children and the negative outcomes for both adults and children.you can read the full article here, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9638701/#sec-a.f.ctitleThis review article studied the relationships between screen time and digital device usage, precisely during the night times, the quality of sleep, anxiety causes, feelings of depression, and issues related to self-esteem, as well as physical effects in individuals. Results also show that exposure to mobile phones has a deleterious impact on the viability and motility of sperm. As studied in the article, the Screen time maximum of 4 hours in extreme recommendation. Anything beyond 4 hours is a addiction. Just look around, Your family member , friends or colleagues whose usage of screen time is more than 4 hours, You can clearly see their behavior getting changed. I am no mental health doctor, but when someone you love or care for are getting into high screen time, you can clearly see the impact on your relationship. Excessive screen time, especially when it involves activities like prolonged smartphone or computer use, social media scrolling, and watching videos, can have several negative impacts on a person's physical and mental well-being. Some of these negative effects include:* Physical Health Issues:* Sedentary Lifestyle: Spending long hours in front of screens often leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which is associated with various health problems, including obesity.* Sleep Disturbances: The blue light emitted by screens can interfere with sleep patterns, leading to sleep disturbances and insomnia.* Eye Strain: Prolonged screen use can cause digital eye strain, characterized by symptoms like dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision.* Mental Health Issues:* Anxiety and Depression: Excessive screen time, especially on social media, can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.* Reduced Attention Span: Constant exposure to screens can lead to a shorter attention span and difficulty concentrating on tasks.* Increased Stress: Frequent notifications, news, and social media updates can contribute to increased stress levels.* Impact on Relationships:* Decreased Social Interaction: Excessive screen time can lead to reduced face-to-face social interactions, which may negatively affect relationships with family and friends.* Conflict: In some cases, disputes can arise in relationships due to one person's excessive screen time, which may lead to feelings of neglect.* Productivity and Academic Performance:* Decreased Productivity: Excessive screen use, especially for non-productive activities, can reduce overall productivity in work or academics.* Lower Academic Performance: Students who spend more time on screens may experience lower academic performance due to reduced study time and concentration.* Physical Health Risks:* Digital Addiction: Some individuals develop a dependency on screens, leading to digital addiction, which can have severe consequences on their daily life and responsibilities.* Impact on Children and Adolescents:* Developmental Issues: Excessive screen time during childhood and adolescence can interfere with healthy development, including cognitive and social development.Excessive screen time can indeed have various impacts on a person's well-being, including their ability to focus on other tasks and engage in meaningful conversations. Here are some steps you can consider:* Open Communication: Try having an open and non-confrontational conversation with person you care about your concerns. Express how his/her screen time is affecting your relationship and your worries about its impact on his/her daily life.* Set Boundaries: Discuss setting some boundaries on screen time. You can mutually agree on specific times of the day when screen use should be limited, such as during meals or quality time together.* Explore Interests: Encourage him/her to explore other interests or hobbies that don't involve screens. Suggest activities you both can enjoy together, like going for a walk, cooking, or playing board games.* Supportive Environment: Create an environment that encourages non-screen-related activities. For example, designate screen-free zones in your home, such as the dining area or bedroom.* Professional Help: If his/her excessive screen time is significantly affecting her daily life, emotions, or relationships, consider seeking professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide guidance and strategies to address underlying issues.* Lead by Example: Sometimes, leading by example can be effective. Show him/her that you're willing to reduce your own screen time and engage in activities together.Remember to approach the situation with empathy and understanding. It's essential to work together to find a balanced and healthy approach to screen time that works for both of you.It's important to note that the impact of screen time can vary from person to person and depends on factors such as the type of content consumed and the individual's susceptibility to addiction. Moderation and balance are key to mitigating these negative effects. Encouraging screen-free activities, setting limits, and promoting a healthy lifestyle can help reduce these risks. If someone is struggling with excessive screen time and its negative consequences, seeking support from a healthcare professional or therapist is advisable.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 42 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox. Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. Keeping up with the JonesesLets talk about keeping up with Joneses, This is most Often topic in most of homes. Every home this will be discussed. Last week, we talked about rice and it was more of rant. so this week instead of rant, i want to focus on solution talking more. Some one is having BMW or Audi car we are having Nissan Altima as example , they are living life with enjoyment or why dont we buy the same car or even higher range than that. Remember this type of discussion at your home, may be not car , some other possessions, this topic comes up way more and every time one struggles to explain their partner that we don’t need keep up with Joneses. Or in some cases we will see that conversations goes into trap and one is buying high end car just because their colleague, friend, neighbors had it. Even it was not a need. So its either a stressful situation to explain to partner or one is getting into trap. Keeping it short, as many of us face, knows this situation. So lets talk how to deal with the situation. Dealing with the pressure to keep up with others lifestyles and financial choices can be challenging. Here are few suggestions to address the issue regarding possessions and home buying or home improvement topics where this comes up.Comparing PossessionsThe headline explains it. This is about when partner wants to have possessions like car like neighbors, gold, diamonds, backyard setup, sofa, tv, phones, the list goes on. To address such discussion,* Acknowledge Feelings: Acknowledge your partner feelings and let her know that it's okay to have aspirations. At the same time, express your contentment with what you have and that material possessions don't define your happiness.* Value-Based Decisions: Make financial decisions based on your shared values and long-term goals. Emphasize the importance of financial stability, saving for the future, and living within your means.* Define Success: Encourage each other to define success on your terms rather than comparing yourselves to others. Success can be measured in various ways, such as personal growth, experiences, and fulfilling relationships.* Communicate Financial Goals: Discuss your financial goals and priorities as a couple. Create a budget that aligns with your shared objectives and keeps your financial situation in mind.Home Buying/ Home Improvement ComparisonSecond most faced situation is home buying or home improvement comparison. Like someone else buying 1.5 Million home or $900K home and why we are not buying like them, One keeping their blind spots here without looking that their own family income is say less than $700K. Same applies to home improvement comparison, where one is looking for much bigger deck or pool in backyard etc. To address such discussion,* Educate About Financial Risks: If someone is planning to spend 50% of their income on a mortgage, discuss the potential financial risks of such a high debt-to-income ratio. Educate your partner about the importance of a manageable mortgage payment that allows for financial flexibility.* Set Clear Budgetary Limits: Determine a reasonable budget for your own home purchase, considering factors like your current income, expenses, and long-term financial goals. Stick to a budget that provides financial security and allows for savings.* Financial Planning: Work together to create a comprehensive financial plan. Include aspects like saving for emergencies, retirement, and other future goals. This will help provide a broader perspective on your financial well-being.* Prioritize Needs vs. Wants: Distinguish between needs and wants in the home-buying process. Focus on finding a home that meets your essential needs while being mindful of extravagant features that may not be necessary.* Avoid Overextending: Remind each other about the importance of not overextending financially to buy a home. Overspending on a house can lead to stress and financial strain in the long run.* Seek Professional Advice: Consider consulting a financial advisor or mortgage specialist to get personalized advice tailored to your financial situation.Overall, fostering open communication and understanding between you and your partner is essential. Focus on building a life that aligns with your values, financial capacities, and long-term aspirations rather than trying to match others' choices or lifestyles. Remember that each individual's financial journey is unique, and what matters most is achieving financial stability and contentment within your means.2. Gender Equality in SwedenI ran into a person from Sweden and had a conversation with him over a basketball court. We were discussing in USA day care costs, home rents, home prices etc. typical men discussion. While in the conversation, he mentioned that for near than 5 years he was stay at home dad. Read many articles , blogs earlier about stay at home dads but this was first time talking to someone who has done that role. We went into deep 2 hour discussion talking about stay at home dad, wife as a main bread winner in home, now both work in USA. I was amazed by the culture of their family by end of the conversation. I have understanding of India and US culture as i have stayed in these two countries. Read many Japan school system , that’s another day topic, i love their school system. Sweden really amazed me. after a while, i talked to someone who is not from India or USA. That day i walked out with the conversation in my head, i know so little. There are still lot of cultures out there, so much of good to learn from different culture. So did some reading mainly short blogs , YouTube videos to learn about it more. For sure i need to spend more time, pick a book understand how their families have such culture. Yes, I read books for detailed information. As Books are the place where one can get deep detail information on any topic of interest. A article, YouTube video will easy go away after a period of time. So for sure, we will talk about this in next podcast when i will read books on Sweden Gender equality. So more to come. For now, from this week learnings. In Sweden, the concept of gender equality is deeply ingrained in society, including in matters of family and finances. Swedish culture promotes a balanced sharing of responsibilities between men and women, both in the household and in financial matters. Here are some key points about gender roles and financial responsibilities in Swedish families:* Gender Equality: Sweden is often recognized as one of the most gender-equal countries in the world. This extends to various aspects of life, including family dynamics and financial responsibilities.* Shared Responsibilities: Swedish couples typically share both household and financial responsibilities. It's common for both partners to contribute financially to the household, whether through earnings or other means.* Dual Income Households: The majority of Swedish households are dual income households, where both partners work and contribute to the family income. This reflects the commitment to gender equality and the belief that both partners should have equal opportunities to pursue careers and contribute economically.* Parental Leave: Sweden offers generous parental leave policies, allowing both mothers and fathers to take time off work to care for their children. This encourages shared parenting responsibilities from the early stages of a child's life. Parents in Sweden are entitled to a total of 480 days of parental leave per child. These 480 days are split into three parts: 90 days are designated for each parent, and the remaining 300 days can be shared between them.* Financial Decision-Making: Financial decisions are often made jointly, with both partners discussing and agreeing on major purchases, investments, and financial goals. This includes decisions about savings, investments, and major expenses like housing and education.* Financial Education: Swedish schools often emphasize financial education, teaching students about budgeting, saving, and making informed financial decisions. This contributes to a culture of financial responsibility among both men and women.* Legal Protections: Sweden has laws in place to protect gender equality, including regulations against gender-based discrimination in the workplace and financial matters.* Attitudes towards Gender Roles: Swedish society tends to have more progressive attitudes towards traditional gender roles. This means that men and women are encouraged to pursue their interests and careers based on their abilities and passions rather than predefined gender roles.* Changing Norms: While the majority of couples in Sweden share financial responsibilities equally, it's important to note that individual couples' arrangements may vary based on personal preferences and circumstances.Overall, in Sweden, men and women are both expected and encouraged to share financial responsibilities in their families. The emphasis on gender equality, combined with policies that support work-life balance and shared parenting, has contributed to a culture where both partners are active participants in both financial decision-making and household responsibilities.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 41 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox. Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.Todays topic is a Rant, Lets understand the panic behavior's and control the same. Indians are buying Rice Bags in panic mode, this is causing rate hikes, unavailability of rice stock for many.In recent weeks, there has been a surge in panic buying of rice in India. This has led to a sharp rise in prices and shortages of the staple food in some parts of the country.There are a number of reasons for this panic buying. One is the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has disrupted global food supplies. Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of wheat and other grains, and the war has caused prices of these commodities to soar. This has raised concerns about food security in India, which is a major importer of wheat.Another reason for the panic buying is the recent heatwave in India. The heatwave has damaged crops and reduced yields, which has further raised concerns about food availability.The panic buying is also being driven by social media rumors and misinformation. Some people have been spreading rumors that there is a shortage of rice in India, which has led to even more people rushing to buy rice.The panic buying is having a number of negative consequences. It is driving up prices, making rice less affordable for many people. It is also leading to shortages, making it difficult for people to find rice to buy.The government has taken some steps to try to address the panic buying. It has increased imports of rice and wheat, and it has released stocks from government warehouses. However, these measures have not been enough to stop the panic buying.The government needs to take further steps to address the panic buying. It needs to provide accurate information about food availability and prices. It also needs to crack down on social media rumors and misinformation. If the government does not take action, the panic buying could lead to serious food shortages in India.I am concerned about the potential for price inflation due to panic buying. When demand for a product increases sharply, it can lead to shortages, which can then drive up prices. This is what we have seen with the recent panic buying of rice in India.Retailers are likely to be reluctant to bring prices down once the panic buying has subsided. This is because they have become accustomed to the higher prices and they are now making more profit. In addition, they may be worried that if they lower prices, they will lose customers to other retailers who are still charging higher prices.The government can play a role in preventing price inflation by taking steps to increase supply of the product in question. For example, in the case of rice, the government could import more rice or release stocks from government warehouses. The government can also crack down on hoarding and speculation, which can also drive up prices.In the long term, the best way to prevent price inflation is to address the underlying factors that are causing it. For example, in the case of rice, the government could invest in agricultural research and development to improve crop yields. The government could also provide subsidies to farmers to help them cope with the rising cost of inputs, such as fertilizer and fuel.It is important to remember that price inflation is not always a bad thing. In some cases, it can be a sign of economic growth. However, when price inflation is caused by panic buying or other factors, it can lead to hardship for consumers and businessOn the Friday afternoon, Noon time suddenly Costco store I was, too many Indians started showing up in Rice aisle. I felt shameful for sure. That was evidence of even educated people can get into panic buying for a number of reasons. Here are a few:* Fear of the unknown. When faced with a crisis or uncertainty, people may feel a sense of fear and anxiety. This can lead them to make impulsive decisions, such as panic buying.* Misinformation and rumors. In times of crisis, it is important to get your information from reliable sources. However, misinformation and rumors can spread quickly, especially on social media. This can lead people to believe that there is a shortage of essential goods, which can trigger panic buying.* Social pressure. When people see others panic buying, they may feel pressure to do the same. This is especially true if they are worried about not being able to find what they need later.* A sense of control. In a crisis, people may feel a loss of control. Panic buying can give people a sense of control, even if it is only temporary.It is important to remember that panic buying is a normal human response to crisis. However, it is important to try to resist the urge to panic buy. Panic buying can actually make the situation worse by creating shortages and driving up prices.Here are a few tips for avoiding panic buying:* Stay calm. It is important to stay calm and rational in times of crisis. Panicking will only make the situation worse.* Get your information from reliable sources. Don't rely on social media or rumors for information. Get your information from reliable sources, such as the government or news organizations.* Plan ahead. If you are worried about a shortage of essential goods, you can try to plan ahead. Make a list of the things you need and try to stock up on them before the crisis hits.* Help others. Instead of panic buying, you can help others by donating to food banks or other organizations that are helping people in need.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 40 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. Taking Leave from WorkBy Law at every work place employees are deserved for time off. The burnout culture is been pushing many not to take any time off and also Judge others. There are organizations few which give Unlimited vacation or mostly at least 2 weeks of leaves are granted for employee. Even 2 weeks time-off is not taken by many.Have you ever felt burned out at work after a vacation?Our vacation systems are completely broken. They don’t work.By the time we finally turn on our out-of-office messages, we’re beyond stressed, and we know that we’ll have an even bigger pile of work waiting for us when we return. What a nightmare.For most of us, it’s hard to actually use vacation time to recharge.What happens in practice with unlimited vacation time? Peer pressure. Social signals that say you’re a slacker if you’re not in the office.What’s the solution?Recurring, scheduled mandatory vacation.Yes, that’s right — an entirely new approach to managing vacation.TED talk, “The Power of Time Off,” - This is been referred in this episode. Listen.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 39 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. How to run team stand-ups effectivelyPersonally I run at least 3 stand-up calls per day. Most of the days they are good, but few days are not so great. Specially on not so great days, will end up reminding team in between call to remind them how to give their stand-up updates clearly or after end of the call when i feel that i could do better. Would refer to my OneNote document where i have few tips noted for time to time to read them quick. Yeah, its better to have your own self notes instead of searching online as they will be quick refresher and also allows me to edit the same for any updates. So this week sharing some tips for running effective team stand-ups.* Set a clear agenda and stick to it. This will help keep the meeting focused and on track. The most basic agenda which you can have team follow their updates in this format. * What did I work on yesterday?* What am I working on today?* What issues are blocking me?* Encourage participation from all team members. This will help ensure that everyone feels heard and that important issues are addressed.* Keep the meeting short and to the point. Stand-ups are meant to be quick check-ins, so try to keep the meeting to 15 minutes or less.* Encourage team members to share their progress, challenges, and any blockers they may be facing. This will help the team stay informed and identify areas where they can help each other.* Follow up on any action items or issues that were brought up in the stand-up. This will help ensure that progress is being made and that the team is moving forward.* Keep it informal and use a flexible format that works for your team, such as remote or hybrid.* Be flexible and adaptable. Be open to feedback and adjust the format or structure of the meeting as needed to best meet the needs of your team.* To keep everyone engaged if you are literally standing in a room, then play a catch. toss the ball for someone to catch it, so they can give their update. Skip giving to the person next to or who has already given their update. This something i have done only once in my career. As mostly I had folks remote in my teams, I randomly call person name to let them give their update instead of going in any chronological order.If your team's stand-up meetings are running longer than expected, here are a few things you can try:* Remind team members to keep their updates brief and to the point. Encourage them to focus on the most important information and to skip over any details that are not relevant to the rest of the team.* Set a time limit for the meeting and stick to it. This will help ensure that the meeting stays on track and that everyone has enough time to complete their work.* Encourage team members to come prepared with their updates. This will help reduce the time it takes for them to gather their thoughts and present their information.* Consider breaking the meeting up into smaller groups or sub-teams. This will allow each group to focus on specific tasks and will reduce the time it takes to go through updates from every team member.* Encourage team members to address any issues or blockers during the stand-up and to schedule follow-up meetings if necessary.* Set specific time for each agenda items and stick to it.* Keep the focus on progress, not problems. Encourage team members to share what they've accomplished since the last meeting, not just what they're currently working on.* Assign a facilitator who can keep the meeting on track and remind team members to stick to the agenda and the time limit.Let me know in comment, what are your best tips to facilitate effective team stand-ups.2. Team members taking leaves is causing delays in your project ?If team members taking leaves is causing delays in your project? Most of us face this issue and now that many of my age group are mid level or senior level managers wanted to talk about this. Here are a few things you can do:* Develop a detailed project plan that includes backup plans and contingencies for when team members are absent. This will help ensure that the project can continue to move forward even when team members are away.* Develop a cross-training program to ensure that team members can step in and take on the responsibilities of absent team members. This will help ensure that the project is not impacted by the absence of a single team member.* Communicate clearly with the team members who are taking leaves, their manager and the project team. Encourage them to provide clear handover instructions before they leave and to make sure that their absence will not cause delays in the project.* Use tools like project management software or task management tools to keep track of progress and make sure that deadlines are met.* Keep open communication with the customer or stakeholders, update them about the situation and come up with a plan that works for everyone.* Consider hiring temporary staff or contractors to fill in for absent team members.* Review your leave policy and make adjustments as needed to ensure that it is fair and that it allows team members to take the time off they need while minimizing the impact on the project.* Be flexible, and be willing to adjust the project plan and schedule as needed to accommodate for the leavesIf one team member is taking a lot of leave and it is impacting the schedule of the project, follow above all things and have specific to have one on one discussion.* Communicate clearly with the team member about the impact their leaves are having on the project schedule. Encourage them to provide clear handover instructions before they leave and to make sure that their absence will not cause delays in the project.* Develop a detailed project plan that includes backup plans and contingencies for when this team member is absent. This will help ensure that the project can continue to move forward even when the team member is away.* Develop a cross-training program for this team member's responsibilities, and ensure that other team members are able to step in and take on their responsibilities while they are absent.* Keep open communication with the customer or stakeholders and update them about the situation and come up with a plan that works for everyone.* Review the leave policy and talk to the team member about their absence and how it can be managed better.* Consider hiring temporary staff or contractors to fill in for the absent team member.* Have an open and honest conversation with the team member and try to understand the reason for their leaves, if there is an underlying issue, try to address that.It's important to address the issue and come up with a plan that works for everyone and minimize the impact on the project schedule as much as possible. Remember to be empathetic and understanding of the team member's situation while also ensuring that the project stays on track.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness.Thanks for reading Sridhar’s Newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 38 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. Retail giants vs Suppliers - Impact to End ConsumerRetail giants are taking a hard line with suppliers, pushing back on price raises that have become commonplace in the industry. Walmart is leading the way; last month its CEO told Sam's Club suppliers he would fight attempts to pass price hikes onto retailers, The Wall Street Journal reports, citing anonymous sources. Walmart has previously issued tough edicts to suppliers, threatening not to stock their products over price hikes. Chains like Target and Amazon have made similar moves, asking suppliers for discounts — as a tight labor market, high inflation and an inventory glut weigh on suppliers and retailers.That is really a conundrum when the buyer has so much power/clout. Seller’s wallet share of Walmart purchase is in low single digit to very best mid double digit. So in my view its more of walmart’s buying power vs. supplier’s ability to price appropriately. This is just an observation but how do we counter such a push from walmart is altogether a different question and conundrum to me - Accept it as market structure/market constraints or plan taking the above push from Walmart as given variable in business planning.Consumers are 70% of the US economy. Consumer goods channels are now seeing: the “fastest boomerang (power) back to customers ever seen”. Most of the remaining B2B economy will follow. Retail is always a tough business but it's especially tough in an economic downturn. Walmart, Amazon and Target are all working to push more of the downward margin pressure back on their suppliers."Large retailers are canceling orders, resisting price increases and in some cases asking suppliers to provide discounts. This puts pressure on product makers that are struggling to adapt to shifting consumer demand."While it wasn't a macro economic event we saw that same thing happening during the initial phases of the trade war with China. Manufacturers got squeezed by their retail customers and were able to muddle through by pushing back on their suppliers in turn, and in some cases cutting into what little product margin they had.So far this has felt similar, but with the added pressure of an anticipated slowdown in consumer demand. I expect this Q4 and next year to be tough, and for manufacturer's to have to work especially hard to maintain a profitable and sustainable business.2. Be Resilient for your New Year ResolutionFew Notes from the book “ The Difference ”, Specially the topic of increasing your Resilience Quotient hit a note, which I thought of sharing with the group, specially near year resolutions on the way. This short list is going to help you increase your resilience quotient to keep your new year goal and meet. * Ask yourself one question, Do i have to change or does someone else have to change for me to succeed at my goal ?* Do Something. It may be wrong thing, but it is okay, you will do something else latter. Take small actionable steps towards your goal* Take a Break. This is opposite of #2. If you are working on something which is not going anywhere, Take a break. Rest to get your focus back.* Find a Cheerleader. When you share your goal with others, their is 50% chance of success. You are not looking for someone who can push the same mountain as you are pushing. You are looking for someone who can believe in you and keep a check on you every few months about your journey.* Emphasize the Positive. Be Optimistic. Recognize the good stuff that happens to you each day.* Be Realistic toward your goal.* Silence your Internal Critics. This is our own harsh internal radio that keeps on playing in our head about negativity over and over again and makes it difficult to reach our goals. Don’t let it push you, rather listen to it, listen to all the Questions its raising. From your last one week of work, Look for one good achievement or work which you have done toward your goal. Come up with one good reason , a solid reason which can allow your brain to overcome those internal critics off, so which can remind your #1, why you are doing this. * Get Rid of Distractions. This is E-Mail, TV watching, Chatting, Social media mindless browsing, Internet. Get rid of distractions so you have your focus towards your goal. Be Resilient. That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 37 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. U.S Housing MarketThere is huge shortage of homes in USA, This is very much known since more than 2 years now. Current U.S Market is so tight, that house listed on the market is closed in less than a week. In my area, seen few of the home sold on 2nd day of their Listing becoming active. So any prospective buyer, specially first time home buyers are left out of this race. This resulted home prices way beyond on their year on year growth. Prices are so high, but still many are going ahead and buying them at premium prices. At stock market as many say, Paying high price for something now and assuming it will go high further without any data points is a speculation. Home Prices currently are in same boat.Other end, iBuyer concept ended up another hole in this process. iBuyer are organizations like Zillow, Redfin, Opendoor, who buy the houses from the market, flip them and then sell for profit. Zillow in recent days declared that it got the business wrong and its no longer revenue generating for them, as they bought so many home since last 2 years and now they are not able to sell the homes with a margin enough to run the business. Overall, housing market inventory issue is not getting resolved even in 2022 as projected by many economists.One has to make their life’s biggest investment within a week and in hot areas on the spot or less than a day. Zillow coming out of the business is a sign for buyers not to panic and go into buying now ? Let me know your thoughts.https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/housing-bubble-experts/ 2. Surgeon General warns of mental health 'epidemic' for kidsU.S Surgeon from State of Union, General Vivek Murthy has released a advisory in December of 2021 about the mental health epidemic for kids. 1 out 5 kids suffer depression and 1 out of 4 kids suffer anxiety, Year by year depression, hopelessness, suicide rates have been going up, Covid has added additional spike to it now. You can see the full advisory in below link,Protecting Youth Mental Health The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory To add to fuel, Social media, Pop Culture bombard young kids with their media content, telling them they are not good looking enough, popular enough, smart enough or rich enough. To take Action,All have to recognize that mental health is an essential part of overall health. Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable, and people experiencing mental health challenges deserve support, compassion, and care, not stigma and shame. Mental health is no less important than physical health. And that must be reflected in our how we communicate about and prioritize mental health.Ensure that every child has access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally competent mental health care. Care should be tailored to children’s developmental stages and health needs, and available in primary care practices, schools, and other community-based settings. In regular day to day living as well, every child should have quality access to childcare, education, Healthy food, health care, stable housing, be in safe neighborhoods. Its call for action for every adult there, to have this better future for every kid. For more insights, Do read the Advisory for sure. 3. Labor Shortage continues to 2022 as wellIn 2021, the biggest buzz word over LinkedIn and over all workplaces was “The Great Resignation”. Pandemic has changed a wave against the employer by employees. The way number of people have quit jobs or not ready to join back or come back to offices, Quitting even without an job offer to get out of toxic work culture, you name it, Resignations were everywhere in 2021. The trend is going to continue in 2022 as well, it will be a job seeker market. In 2021, it was majorly for tech jobs, science, medical professional got the high paychecks for switching employers, as we move into 2022, this trend will go into other sectors as well, Food Industry is my top list and so does the minimum pay jobs will end up following Amazon , Walmart route, that is increasing pay for entry level or minimum pay jobs , paying for education and additional bonuses to have employees on their side. Labor market is still tight, the reason for my choice of food industry was, Covid is going stay here, people who were fired during 2020 lockdown or were working 80 hours a week with minimal staff were highly burned out. So these jobs for sure no longer seen as secured jobs. So Food Industry if needs to survive in 2022, they have no option, so have to run the tide along with the job seeker. Higher Pay, Joining Bonuses, Promotions, 40hrs a week schedules, Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Higher Education support from employer, Health insurance all would need to have their staff size back to pre-pandemic level. In US altogether a different problem, There are plenty of jobs on the market, but not many are looking to come back to workforce. Many who lost their jobs due to Covid Lockdown were either lived on their life savings or government given unemployment checks. During this non-working time, many realized how much their life is spent in work , which impacted their health, stress level, no work life balance jobs all these came to limelight to them. So many are not looking to join same jobs which they left in 2021. So people are adding additional skills to look for job opportunity in different sectors than compared to sector they worked prior to Pandemic. So there will be businesses who will find very hard to find their new employees. Also 2021 has more deaths due to Covid compared to 2020, So many had Covid or taking care of their loved one with Covid or child care by being at home and older population who got retired early also adds up. See this Washington Post article specially for US job market, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/12/29/job-market-2021/That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 36 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. Facebook whistles blower - Frances HaugenFirst week of October 2021, Frances Haugen has given series of interviews. She is former Facebook employee who has shared or leaked the documents which majorly highlighted the negative impact of social media and Instagram in particular which has been impacting 1 out 3 teen girls in U.S and across the world. With the information she has shared, public, law makers should go in deep and analyze the data points so proper regulation can put in place. She is coming into limelight, will actually help other employees to come forward and share the dark secrets which are known already but hidden from public eye and law makers.Drug Cartels and Human Trafficker use these platforms openlyTeen Girls and Boys both mental health is impacted. 1 out of 3 is really a scary number for next generation and it should worry ever one of us.See more here, 2. Big Tech and Their Employees RallyApple employees have launched a campaign against their organization decision for return to the office.Dave Chapelle’s “The Closer” show has brought group of Netflix employees calling themselves Team Trans, they have scheduled a rally outside their officeEvery time I read an article or view any news about big tech and their employees’ submitting memos, forming groups and going into rallies. The first thing comes to my mind is, how the hell they are getting time in their 8-5 to spend this much amount of their energy on these things. One end being working remote, I hardly getup once or twice in my 8-hour worktime. Seriously need to know how their daily job routine is.I’m not against these asks at all, as coming to remote working, I’m all in for it. Organizations who have worked so well in last 18 months being remote, making a decision to call their employees back is ridiculous. It’s like treating in 2021 as well as 1950’s factory era and expecting everyone to be in office.Coming to any streaming giants shows which are hurtful etc. My view is, they are so many options to stream, if you don’t like it, then don’t watch it. Move on, there are infinite number of shows on streaming platforms. Why would one spend their time, knowing the content is not their likeable content and spend their time and then their energy to talk how bad it is, or they got offended. Seriously, just switch the channel.Leaving this aside, let’s talk the real issue here. doesn’t matter which topic it is, there is a disconnect between employee and employer. All this Covid time, many companies have internally and externally released to press, that they are spending good amount for employee wellbeing. If companies are really committed for employee wellbeing, then why this type of rallies are happening across many companies in the world. Problem is, however fairy tale is painted, Actually its always numbers or Companies client takes higher priority over their own employees who help them building their products. This is where many companies fail. Companies who center their communication with employees around belongingness and humanity are the one who doesn’t run in this issues.What are your thoughts?3. Dying to Lead ? Reaching top in Career Impacts HealthThe topic of burnout is most trending topic since we all began working remote since last 18 months. Many of us have played multiple roles at home while working for the role which pays your salary. People have gone way beyond pushing the boundaries to meet their daily work goal, Sprint Goals, Monthly releases etc. Doesn’t matter if you are CEO or a subordinate employee every one of us have faced burnout or wearing burnout as achievement shield. if this, is you, who is dying to work, dying to lead, dying to reach top in your career, then do read below study published in Harvard Business School.Click Below,https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/dying-to-lead-how-reaching-the-top-can-kill-you-sooner?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Gazette%2020211004-1%20(1)&utm_content=1633357493Study shows that stress caused by chasing success at work can shorten one’s professional life.It also Impacts every employee at lower level. As Employee performance evaluated in 360 reviews, Quarterly and semiannually and yearly annual reviews. Even in the name of Annual reviews, Leadership team always looks at their workers with an eye on productivity. So, wellbeing of an employee and employer both depends on firm everyday performance.Researchers in prior studies attributed shorter life expectancies among lower-level civil servants, who tended to die at younger ages than their bosses, to the psychological stress of working in subordinate positions. Recent study flips it, turns out top managers might face more health problems.Recent studies of business environments have found that executive positions take a toll on the health of top managers, often causing cardiovascular and immune-system illnesses."Higher Ranked Employees were more susceptible to a shorter lifespan”In the workplace, it is very important to say NO. As you should be very clear of your day-to-day routine and your responsibilities, Saying No to additional responsibilities and additional remuneration will help in avoid burnout. To say it simple, Money can't buy health and a loving family.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 35 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox.Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription () or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. Social Media is ToxicSeptember 15th Newspaper issue for Wall Street Journal did an article titled, Facebook Knows Instagram Is Toxic For Teen Girls, Its Research Shows, Internal documents show a youth mental-health issue that Facebook plays down in publicSorry to say my very first thought reading the title is, Do we need a research for this ? Any user who is on the app knows this already, their family, friends all know this already. My first though went like, everyone knows that its bad for them or even if they do not realize, the people all around them knows the issue of social media over persons life. Any heavy user of these apps, you can clearly notice their inability to concentrate, they show high level anxiety and temper, All their social interactions is around the content they consumed over Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and what not. Social Media is Toxic!Just listen to any Tech Giant Leaders who are part of Social Media companies and are parents, They will never allow their kids to use any of the social media apps. May be here and there YouTube is allowed due to School programs, Educational content, Library content are published to YouTube. All the functionalities which are build into these Apps are created based on psychology so within a first look and use, person is expected to stick around, swiping up and up to consume content at pace, that time is not known, Its a Instant Gratification. This is the world we live in. On Internet people live a beautiful life and when you pick a phone and make a call, they can hardly do a 2 minute conversation, also those 2 minutes small talk is also based on the content they have posted on internet. There after there hardly much in a conversation, as all that shown on internet is not reality. Reality is its Toxic, at a level of if bike driving or car driving is not safe for you and you may get killed. Social media also does the same thing, only difference is its a slow kill. Coming back to the WSJ Article, Researchers inside Instagram began studying young users App usage and they found,* Thirty-two percent of teenage girls have mentioned that they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse - This was presented in company presentations multiple times.* Instagram creates a unrealistic picture how your body should look like, how you should live your life* With 3 years on multiple data analysis and one common point stood out as harmful for teen girls. Report says, It creates body image issues worse for one in three teen girls* We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls,"* Teeenage’s specially, "They often feel 'addicted' and know that what they're seeing is bad for their mental health but feel unable to stop themselves."* Facebook has repeatedly found that its photo-sharing app is harmful to a significant percentage of teenagers, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Tuesday.* The Journal cited internal Facebook studies over the past three years that examined how Instagram affects its young user base, with teenage girls being most notably harmed.* The company is in the process of making a version of Instagram for kidsRead the article here,https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/facebook-knows-instagram-is-toxic-for-teen-girls-company-documents-show-11631620739That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com

Welcome to Sridhar’s newsletter number # 34 & Podcast (Click Play button for Audio version of the Post). Appreciate you being here, so we can connect weekly on interesting topics. Add your email id here to get this directly to your inbox. Do subscribe over Apple Or Spotify podcast (Minimalist techie Or on Spotify ) or hear it over email you received through my subscription (https://sridhargarikipati.substack.com) or on my website.This weekly newsletter is mostly about the article, books, videos etc. I read or watch or my views on different topics which revolves around my head during the week. Now, let us dive into this week’s reads.1. China Limits Online Gaming for MinorsChina is limiting online gaming for all game players underage of 18. That is mostly banned on all school days and allowed gaming hours are 8 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Basically 3 hours in total in a week and gaming companies will be accountable to enforce these restrictions. This is drastic change compared to their November 2019 rules which allowed 90 Minutes of gaming on weekdays and 3 hours on each day of weekend. The reason this news catches my attention is to know what their data points were to make such decision. Did the generation have gaming addiction, is the children study life, mental and physical health were impacted?Yes, it did. Here are few which are called out,* Decline in Grades* Inability to Concentrate* Temper, Aggressive behavior* Lack of Social Interaction* Anxiety * Reduced MemoryOne parent mentioned that their kid has a personality change, lot of temper due to heavy gaming. All these problems affect the physical and mental health of minors, as well as their normal day to day living and learning.Not just gaming as when I grew up, during my childhood and even now I notice one more thing where minors spend most of their time also includes gossips about movies, stars and worshiping the Cinema and celebrities. Facebook, Instagram, TitTok, YouTube, even WhatsApp chats and status are used every day for this purpose. Social networks are also one which should be looked for carefully as they impact the child growth and even grownup adults. Therefore, I always dislike the idea of getting more toys into the home, as they don’t help in any way the child growth. Childhood needs lot of play, interaction with others as kids learn fast as they experience them, not sitting at home with toys, online gaming etc. A child’s universe should be of play, hands on learning, exploration, and socializing. It’s not just you, here even the help is needed from community, as towns, states should focus on building more stadiums, football courts, Badminton courts, state parks, local parks. so, kids have enough activities to do around them to explore the world around them more authentically.Let me know if it’s a right policy? As a parent, I would say Yes.(Click below)https://www.npr.org/2021/08/30/1032489883/china-kids-video-games-limitshttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/30/business/media/china-online-games.html2. Three Month Notice Period - Indian IT Workforce Most of Indian IT Companies have 3 Months’ Notice period, which is complete contrast to U.S two weeks’ Notice, but in U.S as well you will find Indian Consulting companies who try to push more than 2 weeks into Job Offer letter. Just investigate any LinkedIn Posts since last 6 months, you will see two type of,* From Candidate perspective, I am serving a notice period and actively looking for new job opportunities and I can join within a month or in some cases within 15 days.So, in this case, what’s happening is, they already have an offer at hand, and they are now taking their network help to land multiple offers.From one Company to another company, few are looking only at a Pay part with counter offers. By the time of their notice period completion, they will join their choice of a company and other companies are ghosted by giving them last minute GHOSTING.* Start Up Companies are calling out on this process from big tech companies over social media and they are screaming to change the notice period to 15 days.In some case, the Recruiter or HR team is ranting up for above #1 CultureFew recruiters are losing jobs in this process as they are seen as not meeting up with their company hiring standards. As Companies loosing revenue for not finding a resource, someone else is taking heat. Either someone is losing job, or some team is facing heat as they are already clocking more hours at work during these covid times as in remote and this resource shortage will bleed them even more.Among all this, there are professionals around the world who are struggling to get even one job. This makes them feel like a loser and they undermine their own confidence.Employer is at another level to fuel this up even more. As majority of companies have three months’ notice period, many organizations are posting a job ad for the positions which don’t even exists in their projects. As to hire immediately is not possible, they are interviewing candidates and leaving them in hope of releasing offer letters. In Some cases, people have received offer letter after 10 months as well. As the time of joining comes near even within 2 weeks as well, Employer in this market is continuing their job hunt as candidate can drop a late notice for not joining them, so as a backup they are hitting the job market who are ready to join right away. Here it gets even messy, as people who are really in need of job are in this market, they hit every site and job posting and send 100’s of resumes in a day. They get into interview rounds level 1 and 2 so fast that their hopes of getting jobs gets so high. If earlier recruit is joining the organization, then employer backups in some cases more than 2-3 are being ghosted.Entire job market is catchy currently, but at the same time it’s too messy. Its high time for employers to change their hiring process, tide has been their side since very long and it is now a time to a change, else it will be fireplace for both employee and employer, for some it will be bonfire, while for others its wildfires.3. Would you quit job, rather coming to officeWould you quit your job, rather coming to office? In Great Reshuffling and Great Resignations times, I have seen specially in my circle parents are the one who are taking this step much faster than anyone. In last one month, I know more than three parents who have resigned their job for a full remote option.Since Covid-19 started, most of the jobs which allowed to work remote have been working remote since March 2020. You may call it stress times or drama, these times will be re-called after a decade how we re-call September 11 U.S and India November 26 attacks. For some watching day to day news or going to work knowing still Covid wave is there is really a stressful time we live in. Once Vaccinated we thought we will be back to normal but seeing the resistance against the vaccine for more than 48% adults in U.S and Covid still remapping itself to generate even more and more variants, normal is nowhere near. One day the news is about no masks and just within a week masks are back on. Offices are discussing about coming back to work fully or in hybrid model once vaccinated and few are declaring remote work forever. The Big tech companies who are declaring over news about pushing their back to work plans beyond end of this year or mid of 2022. On Contrast the one who are not in news are silently pushing hybrid model or requesting full back to work. In U.S prior to Delta variant, Covid cases were on seven-day average were in 2000, but over the summer the Delta variant has changed the wave and seven-day average are pushed to 1,45,000 cases per day. Employees have discussed with their HR teams and even in office town hall meetings based on their area number of cases, they are asking them to have some flexibility or give a full remote option, Companies are just going with Industrial era factory model. Ignoring all remote work skills learnt past year are pushed to trash.Many employees are leaving jobs if they are unhappy with how their company is communicating with them. Employers who have shared monthly update during all of 2020, now have stopped giving any updates after vaccination, all they are doing now is one cold email and asking many to fully back to office. Ignoring their Zip Code specific cases and employees’ requests in town hall meeting is overlooked.As the pandemic continues in many parts of world, full remote work is here to stay and organizations who realized benefit of remote culture will continue to shine in long term. At the same time, it is important that leaders address the current burnout and frustration while resetting their practices for the long term. It is important for every organization to reflect on past year and experiment with new work culture, instead of following age-old factory model. It is must for employer to be transparent with its employees and have two-way communication. Your Employees won’t be having all answers or you yourself. All employee want is a two-way dialogue which helps in building trust between them.Coworkers who choose not to be vaccinated or wear a mask at work. Your Zip Code having high number of cases or at home kids below age of 12 who are still waiting for their vaccine shot, it’s a lot for a person now. This uncertainty is not going to get resolve in any time near future. Don’t be an employer who just investigate future risk strategy plans to retain employees and what is your business continuation plan when other employee leaves or even falls sick of Covid. Understanding what drives and motivates employees and then implementing professional development and coaching programs that will help them is much of greater need.So, some people are choosing to quit if they don't like the terms of their return to work but it's not that easy for others. Let me know in comments below how your organization is responding to return to work.That is all for this week. See you again.Do let me know in comments or reply me over email to share what is your view on this post. So, Share, Like, subscribe whatever these days’ kids say :-)Stay Connected, Share Ideas, Spread Happiness. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sridhargarikipati.substack.com