Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Wanted! A New Shaving Blade Product in India

Last weekend I felt lazy to shave at home and so trudged to the nearest salon. The barber put the towel over me, scrubbed my face, gave my cheek a few spanks and proceeded to take a blade and snap it into two, before sliding one half into his razor.

He proceeded to work on my beard. In 15 minutes he was done.

As I went through this, a thought dawned on me. Why didn't Gillette, Super Max, Malhotra & Sons or Glide launch a single half blade pack of 20 0r 50 for salons.

You know what I mean, a single half piece that neatly fits into his razor.

There are few reasons here. Of course, convenience for barbers no doubt.

And the other, peace of mind for customers. Just imagine the fearful thoughts of a person who sees the barber opening a used blade pack to fetch the second half of the blade to use.

I'm certain he suspects the barber is re-using the blade. Although, he may be using a fresh piece.

The last reason for the need of such a product is that when barbers snap the blade, it's not going to split perfectly. And the risk of nicks is high because the blade may not slide and sit perfectly in the razor.
An uneven blades can cause cuts.

I'm sure there a million such salons in India alone. And each barber must be wielding his razor on 10 customers each day.

Surely, not a small market to be ignored.

Gillette, Super Max, Malhotra & Sons or Glide. Anyone listening?

Rajasekar KS can be reached at rajasekar(dot)india(At)yahoo.com

Saturday, October 27, 2012

10 Best Motivational Quotations for Monday Mornings

I know how we all drag ourselves out of bed on Monday mornings. A small motivating dose of quotes could help kick us out of bed. And I thought of sharing my favorite quotes with you.

I've always been motivated by inspiring words that wake you up to a world of possibilities. It's not that we're not willing to try. It's just that our mind is clogged with mundane tasks for the day that seems to keep us away from doing what we love.

Do you agree?

Find out what you're passionate about and commit yourself to do something about it every day.

Dream about it every night before you sleep. Think about what you want to create for the day, as you get up in the morning on Mondays.

And you'll find the strength to do it. Follow your dreams and you'll be happy.

Jack Canfield, of the Chicken Soup for the Soul fame, learnt speed reading to devour books about successful habits, before he began writing his own masterpieces.

Victor Hugo, who wrote classics like Les Mirable, used to ask his servant to take away his clothes. So that left nude and nothing else to do, he penned his masterpieces.

There are people who give an arm and a leg to pursue a dream. I'm just asking you to find time to follow your passion.

If opportunity does not knock, build a door.
Milton Berle

To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.
Bruce Lee

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney

Either do or do not; there is no try.
Yoda (George Lucas)

Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Norman Vincent Peale

There is no such thing as failure. There are only results.
Tony Robbins

Life does not control you. What you believe about it does.
Alan Cohen

My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.
Oprah Winfrey

The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people.
Dr. Randy Pausch

Time is limited, so I better wake up every morning fresh and know that I have just one chance to live this particular day right, and to string my days together into a life of action, and purpose.
Lance Armstrong

Do you have favorite quotes you want to share? Please add them in the comments below.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

How Usain Bolt Teaches Us New Ways to Battle Failure


After winning the 200m gold in the London Olympics, the Jamaican sprinter proceeded to do a few push ups to tell the world he had enough and more energy to push himself further.

Never had another athlete in history brazenly displayed such energy when competitors were catching a few breaths after the race.

His act earned him fans worldwide.

But glory did not come on a silver platter for him. Rather a lot of hard work and training got him there.

Knowing well that he's not fast off the blocks, he worked hard on his start and finished with that final kick.

At 6 feet 5 inches, he's tall and full of muscle. And he's proud of his six packs. He trains three times a day and keeps himself fit even during the off season.

Bolt's Defining Moment
Some moments in life are defining. Bolt experienced that in Zagreb where he raced with American Justin Gatlin. Warming up before the race, Bolt and Gatlin were limbering up in the tracks.

Suddenly, Gatlin in a show of intimidation spat across Bolt's tracks.

That was enough to strengthen his resolve to win the race. He wanted to show that he'd like some respect.
Bolt raced ahead and left Gatlin behind in history.

Now, Bolt is confident of running 100m in 9.4 seconds. "You never know, I may be the one to run 9.4secs. I'd really like that," he declared before the Olympics 2012.

Failure Brings out the Best in Everyone
In the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, Fellow Jamaican Blake blasted his way to win, after Bolt erred with a false start. That was a wake up call. He never wanted to lose again. It was just painful. Loss is too painful to bear, he said.

In 2007 he lost the 200 m dash at Brussels. But Blake swore to silence his critics. And silence he did in style, breaking the 19.32 mark set in 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics, by Michael Johnson.

After his Olympic double, he declared himself a legend. Like Michael Jordan and Muhammad Ali.

Show of Arrogance
Anyone who saw him sprint in London knows that he deliberately slowed down before the finish, even looking over his shoulder to see his competitors.

Arrogance, one may say. But it's just that he's leagues ahead of competition. His trademark Lightning Bolt pose, an archery pose symbolizes his dominance.

And why shouldn't he when he holds the records for 100m and 200m with record timings of 9.58 secs and 19.19 secs.

And yes, people love him. His Facebook page has 8M likes and the iPhone game Bolt 1M downloads.