announcement

as much as i loved writing on this blog, i haven’t been disciplined enough to regularly post stuff. a lot of it had to do with the fact that i still write on paper / my journal <who does that ? >

so to all my dedicated readers, and specially my mother <hi ma! > i thank you for all the times that you all have spent reading the stuff i wrote. i will hopefully make a comeback sometime towards the end of this year. thanks, and yea, an all time classic from cartoon network: “thats all folks”

-sharad

WWF: World Wildlife Fund

This is one of the entries, in the series of posts that highlight organizations that do unique and interesting things for others or the environment. Enjoy!

WWF is not just a terrible display of masculinity in spandex. These three letters also stand for a great organization with a heart for nature. World Wildlife Fund works to conserve wildlife and preserve the ecological systems of earth.

Probably most notable for its focus on protecting endangered species, WWF wants to ensure that our world will continue to be home to many of the animals threatening to disappear. Among the hundreds of animals WWF is safeguarding, giant pandas, tigers, whales and dolphins, elephants, polar bears, rhinos, giant apes and marine turtles are flagship species it pays special attention to. These animals are known as umbrella species: helping them helps many other species that live in the same habitats and need each other to thrive. WWF also works to protect animals that are endangered by humans, with the help of the organization TRAFFIC, by fighting against illegal and unsustainable trade.

WWF also works with indigenous people to build a future where human’s needs and wildlife can live in harmony. Visiting these indigenous groups, WWF promotes sustainable use of the natural resources in the area and advocates on issues that both share concern for. WWF understands the cultural differences and aims to build a relationship between biological and cultural diversity rather than simply focusing on one or the other. WWF was the first international conservation organization to recognize cultural rights of the indigenous groups and creating a policy called WWF’s Statement of Principles on Indigenous Peoples and Conversation to act as a guide in its work.

More than just focusing on species and habitats, WWF looks at the big picture. Seeking out ways to conserve natural resources can be found in WWF’s science foundation. Through use of state-of-the-art technology, scientists working with WWF are able to work towards the advancement of biodiversity conservation. They use Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify threatened habitats, such as deforestation. Fitting animals with satellite and radio collars gives scientists the ability to track and gather information on populations and habitat use. Biodiversity in marine life is WWF’s next challenge. Scientists are currently conducting research to design marine protected areas (MPAs) as well as coming up with a conservation plan for coastal and continental shelf areas.

Businesses today have the chance to partner with WWF in order to transform and improve business practices. At the same time, these businesses help WWF by investing directly in its conservation programs. In working with government agencies, WWF uses strong relationships with other wildlife services to help save the future the natural world. WWF also builds partnerships with humanitarian organizations to help the connections between people and the environment. WWF realizes one organization cannot save the earth alone. By partnering with numerous organizations, WWF hopes to further the advancement of maintaining a healthy planet.

WWF is a large organization that has plenty of influence. Because of this, it has a great opportunity to really make a difference for our planet. Learn more about this organization at their website and find out ways that you can get involved and become a partner in conservation.

prAna

This is one of the entries, in the series of posts that highlight organizations that do unique and interesting things for others or the environment. Enjoy!

Eco-friendly! That is the best way to describe the popular climbing/yoga/hiking apparel company prAna. It’s fitting to have a company that sells products to help appreciate the natural playground to also work to diminish their carbon footprint and do their part to restore the earth.

Always looking for new ways to be sustainable, prAna is makes sure that the materials they use and their practices reduce the impact on soils, water supplies and other natural resources. They are also a member of the Organic Trade Association, increasing their use of organic cotton and other natural fibers that can be recycled.

The dyes and chemicals used to make the prAna’s products are low-impact and submit to standards set by the Global Organic Textile Standard. These dyes’ manufacture, use and disposal have less of an impact on the environment than that of conventional dyes. The dyes are promptly tested for safe and proper disposal.

All of prAna’s products are manufactured under the guidelines of the Fair Trade Association.

prAna is a great cause that is environmentally friendly and offers ways for their employees to get involved, too. Check out more about this climbing gear company on their website.

In 2005, prAna began the Natural Power initiative. The goal is to raise awareness among customers and other businesses about the advantages of renewable energy sources. The next year, prAna offset 100% of the energy consumption of 250 clothing stores across the US, its own corporate office, and all the homes of its full-time employees. 100 European and 50 Canadian retailers joined them in their alternative energy program in 2007 and 2008. All of these retailers now support wind farms and other clean energy programs to encourage further development in the pursuit of better energy sources worldwide.

Internet Brands

Everyone these days seems to be branding themselves on the internet. This webpage is a perfect example.

Whether it be a small company or an individual or a global corporate house, all of them are doing it. To get more webpage hits, to have more followers on twitter, to have more fans on facebook, or to try to be someone they truly aren’t.  However somewhere along, in the process of ‘branding their image’ or ‘re-branding their existing image’, to be noticed, most entities are losing track of what they really set out ‘to achieve’ or what they actually stand for; and for popularity’s sake they say and do things that is completely different from what they actually are.

This leads to disappointment when consumers of these internet avatars actually have an encounter with the real, bare, true entity, either in person, or as a user or their product or service. Also, in the long run, it is these entities that are in loss. I don’t think everyone does it, but a large percentage of the beginners try this.

The following is a great post, that seems relevant to this topic:

‘Notice me’

If the new web has a mantra, that’s it.

So much time and effort is now put into finding followers, accumulating comments and generating controversy… all so that people will notice you. People say and do things that don’t benefit them, just because they’re hooked on attention.

Attention is fine, as long as you have a goal that is reached in exchange for all this effort.

Far better than being noticed:

• Trusted
• Engaged with
• Purchased from
• Discussed
• Echoed
• Teaching
• Leading

Vampire Weekend | new song: Horchata

Vampire Weekend just posted their new song “Horchata” on their website. It comes from their new album Contra, which will be released this coming January. It’s a pretty simple track with xylophone and percussion-heavy pre-chorus.

You can listen to the song here: Vampire Weekend – Horchata

Semi-Writer’s Block

My college has taken over my life. It is literally running my life these days. I can’t believe that I have so much stuff to deal with and that too within such a short time span. Two big lessons that I am learning from this episode are:

• Procrastination is bad.
• Time Management is awesome.

Otherwise too, I sometimes suffer from not being able to think about anything to write about, so here are some things that might help someone else, if he is unable to think about stuff to write about. The difference between an amateur and a professional is that a professional will deliver even when he doesn’t feel like it. (note: I am not claiming to be a professional writer.) Or he’s good at making himself feel like it. Someday I’m going to figure out how to be a professional writer. Till then, use some of the following techniques and see if you come up with something creative:

Here are the five things I’m going to try to break this writer’s block:

1. Write for five minutes about anything. Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting the words flowing from my mind to the computer.
2. Mindmap to see if the problem is that I don’t know what I’m talking about. If so, then this calls for some more research and playing around with text editors.
3. Tell myself that I only need to write for about five minutes. Just like in conversation, I tend to get carried away—but I have to start somewhere.
4. Take care of my other tasks so that I’m not thinking about them.
5. Deliberately not write until it drives me mad and I just _have_ to write.

See, that doesn’t seem too hard…

See other stuff on Technorati about: writing

A Very Moving Commercial

This commercial does something to you. It makes you realize how cruel Humans can be and how they really misuse even their best friends for fun and entertainment.

Stranger in a Strange Land – Accepting the Impossible

Sometimes I feel like I’ve arrived on earth having spent my formative years being brought up by Martians on a world where things were possible simply because everyone already did those things.  And now I’m on earth wanting to do things only to be told, “That won’t work?” or “I’ve never seen that work before”.

Harrumph!

I hate being around naysayers.  I abhor being around people who say, “That’s not how we’ve done it in the past.”  And I particularly struggle to show grace to those who simply don’t want to try new things just because we might have a spectacular failure.

What is it that people are afraid of? Why is change such a scary thing?  What is it about the chance of failure that makes people want to keep getting the results they’re getting even when they’re not happy with those outcomes?

As a leader, how do I motivate others, (both under my leadership and those who I report to), to take a chance?  How do I get them to accept… no welcome… no embrace and seek change?

I figure it takes a few steps but I’m sure I’ve missed some things out.  So, as you read through these, feel free to exclaim. “I disagree,” or “You need to include this step too!” and include them via the comments section.

1. Get people to Buy-in to the Vision

Even before discussion on doing something different, if you want people to embrace it, they need to both know why it needs to happen and be excited about where you’re all heading.

Simply put, people need to know that any hardship and sacrifice that any change will bring, (and it inevitably will), the benefits on the other side are more than worth it.

2. Get people to Own the Change

People need to know they’ve had input and been a part of the process when change is going to affect their lives.  Involve them in the process AND communicate the decisions that come out of the process.

3. Give people Time to Accept the Change

After the communication people still need time to get to a stage where they can embrace the change.

4. Communicate the Success Stories

When changes are made problems will always follow.  Expect them!  But know that the pain of the problems will be felt by all the people involved in the change.

So tell them about the successes that are happening.  This is where they know that the benefits they dream for are worth the sacrifices they’re making to get there.

Feel Free to Disagree

iPhone for Everything

Story of My Life

I came across this cartoon, and well this pretty much sums up my productivity; when working on assignments, papers and other homework. I can really connect with this graph.