Monday, June 30, 2008

Corporate Hangout Places


The corporate world has spread out its wing from offices to happening five star hotels, pubs, amusement parks for their meetings, confrences and hangouts, where the discussions are carried with glass of wine and scrumptious dine

Now days, it is appallingly difficult to find a single restaurant, bar, and hotel, where no corporate parties take place. Some parties are themed as, a project party, a meeting, or just the chill out party! It has been found that parties are stretched up with wine and dine, where groups of employees are often seen discussing something with glass of cocktail in their respective hands.
Party after a meeting, has become an agenda for the organizers who organize the parties, and the place where they are to be held. Sometimes, formal parties take place, and sometimes informal, and occasionally, it is the amalgamation of both, and therefore, hangout places are discussed on the style of party. People are more comfortable with the glass of wine, when it comes to official statements. A glass of wine with the dinner creates a contended atmosphere for the employees, who can easily discuss any official matter with the leaders and keep their opinions in front of them.

Corporate Industry, is now accepting the fact that there is immense stress and competition in almost all fields and therefore it is absolutely necessary to arrange fun activities to break the monotony and to provide the staff with a welcome relief from their mundane tasks. It is also believed that employees are an asset of the company and they always go, extra mile to achieve the targets and meet deadlines. Thus, it’s important to make them feel that they are an important part of the company, and the management is concerned about their well-being. Keeping this thing in mind, companies are arranging parties, confrences and meeting that go along with wine and dine.

Such hangouts, not only extends company's productivity, but also strengthens mutual relationship between the company and the employees. Freshly, the Satyam Computers services Ltd held their project team party at Tantra Bar in Noida, to root up their formal and informal relationship with their clients. But on what basis one decides the hangout places? 'On the basis of the level of the employees coming in the party or meeting, the place is decided for the party to be held. If it is a conference or a meeting, then places like five star hotels are preferred, and if we are having a party amongst our team members, then we choose bars & restaurants" says Payal Prakash, Business development Associate in Satyam Computers services.

Corporate companies are not limiting such activities just for the employees; one has to appreciate the fact that there is a sense of social responsibility. Activities, that help employees to interact with people across the organisation, to create a sense of a family, can be the entertainment, such as, watching movies together, or an outing, where employees with their families, are involved. Employees also seems enjoying such activities rather than the regular fun ones. There is no denying from the fact that work hours have increased considerably, leaving professionals with little or practically no time for their families. In order to help in striking a balance, companies are now inviting the families of employees to participate in these fun activities.

Cultural events, trips, parties and picnics make employees feel that they are much more than the business, thus creating a sense of belonging. Such events prove to be excellent in team building activities, and it adds on to a brilliant work relationship, that gives employees a day off at work, and they meet each other, make friends. Families of employees, feel proud that their parents, spouses or children work in such a reputed and a well cultured company which just not takes care of them but their families also.
Ranbaxy had organised Family Day out considering the fact that when family meets a family then bonding strengthens. Adventure Island at Metro Walk, Rohini was the venue of the day, where employee's families had a great time and they met each other's family and had a great time with food, beverage, and entertainment. Games and rides were extremely enjoyed by children.

What is the level of productivity of such hangouts? Geetika Sawhney, Senior Management Administration, Ranbaxy says, 'Bonding with each other increases, sense of belongingness is felt, thus, resulting in better co-ordination and understanding leading to better results', and about motive behind the party she says,' Getting to know person through informal channel helps a lot sometimes, discussions other than office and job helps each other to know them better over their designations and levels'. Ranbaxy often arranges such parties when targets are made to boost the employees and when targets are met to say Thanks to the employees….


There is no doubt that today companies are arranging variety of activities to help their workforce rejuvenate. From customised theme parties to celebrating festivals, companies are putting in, maximum efforts; to design new and innovative ways to keep their staff entertained.
Over a period of time, professionals have realised that it is necessary to have a break, and spend some time doing something different than their normal day-to-day business. Just chill was the mantra for the employees of Patni Computer System Ltd. who had their chill out party at Noida's Famous bar and restaurant where team members had a bash with delicious dinner and celestial cocktails with formal and informal discussions. 'Basically, the motive of such parties is to improve mutual relationships with office colleagues. Employees feel that the company spends extra money for their comfort and relaxation, besides the regular salaries they are get' says H. Shravan, Team Manager, Patni Computers and he also says that such kind of get together should be arranged after certain intervals.

The company is usually benefited by such parties in several ways. It has a different way of boosting up the employees, encouraging them to work hard with more determination. They are relaxed by such parties, especially when they are held at the places where they can break out the restrictions and react in more informal manner. Such occasions gives the opportunity to speak up and get friendly with colleagues and seniors. Parties that involve families of the employees are more stimulating and exciting. The families get mingled up, thus making the conversation more interesting between each other. It involves fun and entertainment, by which employees get motivated and get more determined towards their jobs. The bonding between the employees strengthens with the involvement of the families, and this heightens their spirit of working together as a team. Even the response from the families of the employees matters, when any such party is organized. The companies mostly expect a good feedback from the families, after such parties.

These parties motivate the employees of the company. Besides, meetings and conferences, the motive of the party is to give a break to the employees from their regular busy schedule and to relax them. It helps them to come out from their shells and unwind themselves.
The most important are, the hangout places. If the hang out place is not worth the expectation of employees, it may dispirit them and may cause dejection, that is why it is important to choose a place where employees would be pleased to go, therefore, the pubs, bars and five-star hotels are the main target of the organizers who arrange the parties and meetings, for their corporate and official hang outs.
Plain meetings without the wine and dine are preferred when there is an official statement to be made. Meeting with the wine is considered more effective, as it boosts up the spirits of the employees.


Good thing about these meetings, conferences and hangouts is that it allows employees to have fun, and in return company gets the hard work and determination towards the job that employees put in, for the benefit of the company. The fortitude between employees helps the company, too. This is the ‘give and take’ relation between the company and the employees, thus making each other grow in their own ways.
All these corporate parties, get together, conferences and hangouts outside the office, helps employees as it improves stress buster, strengthens the team spirit , breaks the monotony, enhance the bonding beyond work and above all, it’s for fun. As office atmosphere is more formal and there are some rules and regulations therefore these corporate hangouts are organized and they are highly appreciated.

The Bahai Faith- amongst most widespread religion


The Bahai Faith is an independent religion, like many other religions of India. It has self-regulating holy book, a set of personal laws such as daily prayers, fasting, calendars, holy days and pivotal principles of the Bahai faith and lots more. The Bahais follow laws and ordinances of Bahá’u’lla
Spreading unity, love and peace are some major memorandum of every religion and so the worlds second most widespread faith, Bahai's. A Bahá’í is a person who believes in Bahá’u’lláh, as the Messenger of God for this age and follows the laws and teachings revealed by Him. Despite the fact that many religions are not stable on their teachings but Bahai faith keeps the check and ensures that the followers are free from schism or factions. They believe that humans are created with a spiritual capacity and responsibility to reflect the divine attributes of the creator. Bahai faiths global scope is mirrored in the composition of its membership therefore population of this religion is extended to 190 countries and 46 dependent territories. This faith is striving to build a new world order that demonstrates practical solutions to the challenges faced by the society. All religions and faiths are invited to join hands and enhance the harmony status.

Founder of Bahai

Bahá’u’lláh, a Persian nobleman from Tehran founded The Bahai faith. He in the mid-nineteenth century, left the life of princely comfort and security and, in the face of intense persecution and deprivation, brought to humanity a stirring new message of peace and unity. He has set in motion historical forces that are breaking down traditional barriers of race, class, creed, nation and that in time, gave birth to a universal civilization he also claimed to be nothing less than a new and independent Messenger from God. The essential message of Bahá’u’lláh is that of unity, he taught that there is only one God, human race. As foretold in all of the world’s scriptures, the time has arrived for the uniting of all peoples into a peaceful and integrated global society. The Baha'i writing states that human beings have a "rational
soul".
The Baha’i religion does not force its new converts to reject their former beliefs and doctrines in order to embrace the tenets of the Baha’i faith. One of the goals of the Baha’i religion is the unity of all religions and the preservation of all that is good from all world religions.

Fundamental Belief

Oneness of mankind, God and religion are the three cardinal principles that the Bahai's faith believe. The Bahais work for the removal of prejudice based on cast, creed, religion, sex, colour, race and language. They also advocate universal education and the inculcation of a scientific outlook among people. They do not believe in superstitions, ceremonies, rituals and dogmas they believe that, throughout history the Creator have educated humanity through a series of Divine Manifestations. They pray to the one true God, the Creator of the universe for his blessings, the act of praying is described as 'a conversation with God’.

Bahai Teaching

The teachings of Bahai religion sounds very attractive and its principles aims high ideals of peace, unity, equality, justice. Bahai teaching addresses existential problems faced by an individual and it is also open to science. Religion promotes equality of all human beings, non-violence, and abstention from alcohol, daily private prayers, fasting meditation, and prayer for the dead, and removal of prejudice and rejection of military service, it also believes in equality between men and women. It is open to Scriptures of other religions, advocates monogamy, but divorce is allowed. Social and religious issues went hand in hand in the teachings which aimed at new age peace. Bahai faith rejects polygamy, slavery and the concept of holy war (Jihad). His teachings also include equality between sexes. Service to humanity is another central teaching of the Bahai Faith, which has led its followers to initiate thousands of social and economic development projects – most of them modest, grassroots efforts such as schools, village healthcare campaigns, and environmental projects – around the world. Bahullah has written"be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." With specific regard to the pursuit of world peace, Bahá'u'lláh prescribed a world-embracing Collective Security arrangement as necessary for the establishment of a lasting peace.


Bahai Temple

Dedicated to the oneness of God, humanity and religion, the Bahá’í House of Worship, New Delhi, is the latest of seven such temples around the world as Apia, Western Samoa; Sydney, Australia; Kampala, Uganda; Panama City, Panama; Frankfurt, Germany; Wilmette, USA.. Each will become a centre for social, scientific, educational, and humanitarian services living up to its title of “Dawning place of the remembrance of God”. The lotus flower represents purity. The flower is only seen in dirty and stagnant water. The idea being that every human spirit is born pure, and like lotus can rise above the dirt, the dirt of conflict, the dirt of prejudice and differences that surrounds us, thereby achieving its true station as intended by God.

The common characteristic of Lotus Temple is that it is nine-sided. Nine is the highest digit and symbolizes comprehensiveness, oneness and unity. The House of Worship is surrounded by nine large pools of water that, not only enhance the beauty of the building but also play a significant role in the natural cooling system of the prayer hall. Within the House of Worship the Holy Scriptures of all the major religions are read or recited at prearranged intervals. At other times, all are welcome to meditate and pray in silence. No sermons or lectures are permitted, nor did any rituals perform in the prayer hall. There is a beautiful dome in the Prayer Hall represents the three worlds, the world of God, the world of the Manifestations, and the world of man, all connected together by the Manifestations of God.


Bahai Meditation

The Baha’i faith teaches that prayer and meditation are two important instruments for the progress of the human soul. Bahai worshiping style is quite different from other religions as it has no priests, ministers or clergy, but they conduct its affairs through elected bodies at local, national and international level. Bahais recite prayers revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, Báb and Abdu’l-Baha. No specific forms of meditation are laid down in the Bahai Writings, but they are usually influenced by the culture of the land they reside in. Praying daily is compulsory as it is dedicated to the oneness of humanity and religion. It also displays in action, unity of mankind, the pivotal principle of the Bahai Faith. People from all religious backgrounds are welcome. Each House of Worship will become a centre for social, scientific, educational and humanitarian services living up to its title of “Dawning Place of Remembrance of God.” It is obligatory for every Bahai to pray and meditate on the Words of God every day.


The syncretism approach of Bahaism is very noble. It promotes tolerance towards other religions. This theology sounds expansive and deep on the superficial level. But when it is scrutinized closely, it would only lead to confusion and not to the Truth. Followers from different part of the world are joining into this religion and are experiencing the teachings and fundamental beliefs of Bahai's. The Bahá’í community, inspired by Bahá'u'lláh’s teachings, is striving to build a new world order that demonstrates practical solutions to the challenges faced by society. As foretold in all of the world’s scriptures, the time has arrived for the uniting of all peoples into a peaceful and integrated global society. “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens,” Baha'u'llah wrote and some other basic principles of the Bahá’í Faith are the adoption of a Universal auxiliary language, the abolition of extremes of wealth and poverty and the Equality of Men and Women.