Vandana Saxena

07/11/2023

Social Media is a lot beyond a content consumption and doom scrolling; if you don't leverage it professionally, your outreach to a potential employer or client will be compromised. Social media is more about creating, sharing, and engaging and in turn networking.

Will be sharing insights about and Optimising Social Media to Advance Interpersonal Skills in our next workshop.

03/11/2023

5 Corporate lessons I learned from my bosses that made me a better professional over the years:

1. It's fine to go wrong or make mistakes but one must accept, correct, and never repeat the same ones.

2. Time is your biggest weapon; use it wisely, and wait for the right time before you use your intelligence as a weapon.

3. Nothing other than your tone and behaviour defines your professionalism. No one wants to work with rude and ill-behaved people.

4. Learn to respond and don't react...Reaction takes a second but it's destructive, response takes time but it's constructive.

5. It's fine if you are not able to meet the deadline, but you must keep your peers abreast of the progress!

02/11/2023

How leaders can develop the learning culture in an organisation?

1. Never show off your expertise and stay open to asking questions from your team. Let them explain to you and give them a patient ear. They can sense your learning abilities and will be open to learning.

2. Keep infusing the latest technologies at the workplace and help your team get better. It will not only increase the overall productivity but will also give them a sense of achievement of learning something new and implementing it too.

3. Instead of condemning the mistakes or errors ask what's the learning and how it could have been avoided.

4. Experiment with the learning methods...do away with the classroom lectures in conference rooms and take your team for fun learning, preferably off-site!

5. Create an accessible library of resources...invest in some e-books or e-courses so that employees can learn at their will.

Learning is imperative. An expert gets stagnant while a learner grows!

01/11/2023

It's hard to find people who truly motivate you, and it's harder to find your right critics. Here are a few rules about how to take criticism:

Know where it is coming from; if it's coming from a subject matter expert, take it seriously and register what adds value to your work. Constructive criticism is usually actionable, clear, and beneficial to you but never negative!

Learn to differentiate between opinion and criticism...destructive criticism may sound negative and hurtful but nonetheless unhelpful...better avoid opinions and trust your abilities.

Criticism is never about proving you wrong, it's about telling you what went wrong...classify what's coming to you.

Watch out for tone; if it's disrespectful, deny it respectfully because it will only take away your peace and not add any value to you or your work.

Last but not least, find whether the criticism is focussed on you or your work, if it's you...avoid it!

Be Wise, Be Nice!!

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23/10/2023

“If there were no bad people, there would be no good lawyers!”

Legal is a profession that involves everything beginning from emotions, writing, and tech.

Two most important tips for lawyers:

 Use tools like Chat GPT, Feedly, Wisdolia for your research and drafting, but never let the tools overpower your knowledge and wisdom.

 Learn to strike the right balance between your EQ and IQ to manage emotions, enhance empathy, and improve client interactions in the legal profession.

While drafting is now integrated to AI Tools like Chat GPT, skills are yet required to produce the best suited legal docs. Emotional Intelligence intertwined with writing skills brings the best results.

Two days full of Tech & Law, Writing, and Emotions as we delivered a two-day workshop on “Generative AI, Writing Skills, and Emotional Intelligence for law and tech campus at a prominent university.

A huge shoutout to all the enthusiastic participants who made this workshop a success with their curiosity and active participation!

Stay tuned for more workshops and opportunities to learn and grow with us!

21/10/2023

Here I become a Certified Instructional Designer!

20/10/2023

Pride and Prejudice was published, in three volumes, on 28 January 1813 for 18 shillings. All 1,500 copies sold, and a second edition was called for later the same year. Austen had sold the copyright to the publisher, Thomas Egerton, for a one-off payment of £110 and made no further profit. Egerton made four times as much money from the novel as Austen.

Source: Penguin

20/10/2023

Workshops are usually fun under the sun!

Remember Sholay? How Thakur Negotiated with Jai and Veeru...clear objectives, precise expectation settings.

Four steps to negotiate like a pro!

Be clear with your objective and keep a precise approach
Hold the ball for a longer time and do not leave it in other party's court to dominate the discussion
Ask Questions and Not Give Statements but learn the art of questioning.
You don't have to win; negotiations should reach a win-win situation or it won't survive for long.

for a purchase team at a manufacturing plant!

19/10/2023

How many times this was true?

19/10/2023

Conflicts are a clear sign that you are working in a team; but like everything else, every conflict has a solution. Most conflicts are not addressed because:

No one wants to break the ice.
No one wants to own the responsibility.
No one wants to lose the war.
No one wants to resolve.
Everyone wants to win.

Conflict Management Workshop

18/10/2023

Whether personal or professional...a relationship needs communication.

18/10/2023

Artificial Intelligence is the next big thing, and there cannot be anything bigger achievement than humans delivering a workshop on Artificial Intelligence!

This is what I am doing for the next two days with Amitabh Srivastava Public Profile

18/10/2023

"Good Communication is bridge between the confusion and clarity."

Communication isn't about speaking fluently in English. English is just a language and a language is one of the tools to communicate; though significant.

To communicate, you need:

Choice of right words, not difficult words
Clarity of idea, not necessarily accent
Concise information not data
The art of writing precise not the latest apps or gadgets

Communication Skills Workshop delivered for the young minds. A high number of selfies by the students gave me high!

17/10/2023

A lot of people ask me, "What should I read?"

The simple answer is, "Anything that you enjoy reading."

If you aren't enjoying reading it may not add any value...It's not a compulsion, it can't be a hobby, you're not a reader until you are addicted to reading something every day.

17/10/2023

You acquire knowledge at Campus but you need skills to deliver that knowledge in the corporate world; to acquire skills you need the right attitude. Learning doesn't end at the campus, it actually begins at the corporate!

Behavioural Skills Workshop for the next crop!

16/10/2023

Writing is a lonely process; you work alone, and there is no team until you finish your work.

16/10/2023

When a feedback brings you a sense of achievement, you're pushed to be better than yourself; your only competition is you!

15/10/2023

Indeed!

Think through your fingers!!

11/10/2023

Why do we feel stressed?

We work under pressure and our commitments always press us; but wait, there's a difference between pressure and stress.

5 Rules to Avoid Stress:

Love yourself, Make time for yourself amidst everything else

Life is imperfect; everything else in the world is.

There is no end to ‘Dil Maange More.’

Know what you "don’t want in life."

Positivity is just a vibe; the more you give, the merrier you get.

Conducted a Stress Management Workshop on the World Mental Health Day!

with Amitabh Srivastava Public Profile

10/10/2023

Emotions are natural, and it's absolutely okay to express your emotions but not okay to give in to your emotions and lose yourself.

If you feel your emotions are taking a toll on your mental health, you need courage. However, courage is not always about a roar; at times, it's a silent fight within, and sometimes, you lose the war.

On World Mental Health Day, here I am sharing my story of struggle and how I combat a low phase.

Step 1: Be aware of your state - Highs and Lows are a part of life and there will always be highs and then lows and then back to highs. However, a constant low feeling is a clear sign that there's something wrong; it needs to be addressed. Remember, no one knows you better than yourself. I lived in constant low feelings for eight months before I decided to seek help. Prima Facie, all was well, and life was going at its pace; only I was left behind.

Step 2: Seek Help - It took me six months to decide whether or not I should see a therapist; trust me, the dilemma ended soon after the first visit. I indeed needed one, along with some medications.

Step 3: Know what you want - A therapist to counsel you, or a psychiatrist to write medicines or a combination of both? I needed both and was on medication for more than 18 months. The medication has its own side effects, maybe I waited too long to see the counsellor. Remember, the earlier, the better.

Step 4: Ensure not to give up: Once you begin with the treatment or therapy remain consistent; you can't give up, and you should not; it's for your own well-being. Stay put, and you will win the war. Many times, I felt like not seeing the therapist again and giving up, but I looked behind and saw how far I had come, and I looked forward.

Step 5: Even after you have recovered, leave the past behind and move on; pick a hobby and follow it. Stop complaining that you don't have time; you have 24 hours like everyone else has, so make time for yourself.

Live before you achieve or rise; don't carry your body through the routine, but take your soul along; that's yours, and it must live within you, cheerful and happy.

Remember, the night is usually the darkest just before dawn, but the light will walk in; all you need is to open your eyes, breathe, and smile!

There was a pause, but the story continues!!

09/10/2023

While Learning is a constant process, devising strategies and techniques for L&D Teams in the corporate world has always been challenging with changing workplace scenarios.

91 SpringBoard has come up with a special workshop for L&D Experts - Achieving High Performance In 2023 - Strategies & Techniques for L&D Teams:

Date: Thursday, October 12, 2023
Time: 4 pm to 5.30 pm

The workshop is open to all. Here's the registration link.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfklbUVVMwbzeR7bk46l1pM4lB-tQaoEnWsd-ZGLwJlM3f8cQ/viewform

You will get the Zoom call link once you have registered for the workshop.

Hope to see you there!



Vandana
+91 9717620697

Elevate your L&D team's performance in 2023! Join our virtual workshop on Oct 12 at 4 PM.

Here's what you'll learn:
✅ The art of analyzing performance gaps and identifying training needs
✅ Navigating the hybrid culture with cross-functional collaboration
✅ Crafting engaging learning content and harnessing technology



Register and secure your spot now!

09/10/2023

Training is more about the involvement of your learners and is no more a monologue!

04/10/2023

When Artificial Intelligence is entwined with Human Intelligence, it takes your productivity to the next level. However, one must remember the following three rules before you use AI Tools:

Rule 1: Tools are meant to aid your work not replace you or your intelligence.
Rule 2: If you depend on the tools to do your work, your clients will stop depending on you.
Rule 3: Tools only work well with smart prompts...you need to work hard to learn the art of smart prompting.

Workshop delivered on Generative AI for an esteemed college in Noida.

03/10/2023

It's never about which word you chose to speak...it's always about how it made the listener feel.

03/10/2023

...and this is what my day looks like today!

A discussion about the transition from Campus to Corporate - "Hello Corporate"

02/10/2023

Are you able to strike it all from you to-do-list every day?

I always postpone a few to tomorrow...no matter how I hard I try to finish it all, I just can't.

02/10/2023

Hope keeps the dreams alive while we trudge or sail our way through the darkness, and when it's the "Trails of Hope", it's meant for discussions.

Last evening was an evening for cause where we discussed about devising teaching methodologies for specially abled children. While I contributed to the anthology with a lot of research work, little did I know that the book would be an encyclopaedia for any parent.

The articles in the book are focussed on valuable information about better teaching strategies that can be devised for children with special needs. However, the most important point is we have accepted that the subject needs to be talked about and there can be ways out.

I heard the eminent fellow writers, the reviewers, and thought that even if my contribution to this book is a drop in the ocean, I at least have begun somewhere...I will continue to contribute.

Many thanks to the Asian Literary Society, Parwaaz Forum, and Manoj Krishnan for considering me to be a part of this project.

02/10/2023

Though I have not read much from Mahatma Gandhi, a few lessons I can still recall from his book, My Experiments With Truth:

Lesson 1: Change is about starting from self before you want to change anything else.
Bapu's Quote - “As I searched myself deeper, the necessity for change both internal and external began to grow on me."

Lesson 2: Don't give up
Bapu's Quote: “Nothing once begun should be abandoned unless it is proved to be morally wrong.”

Lesson 3: It's not that difficult to be human yet believe in faith.
Bapu's Quote: “If all had the same belief about all matters of religion, there would be only one religion in the world.”

Recommended Read: My Experiments With Truth by M. K. Gandhi

27/09/2023

Interviews are not about showing your knowledge but to prove your ability to implement your knowledge effectively.

🌟 Elevate Your Interview Game! Join Our Online Workshop 🌟

Are you ready to land your dream job? 🚀

Join our 3-hour Interview Skills Workshop hosted by a seasoned HR Expert specializing in Talent Acquisition! 🤝

📅 Date: October 2,
⏰ Time: 11 am to 2 pm
📍 Where: Online on Zoom
💲 Registration Fee: Rs. 599/-
📞 Contact No.: 9811055580

In this power-packed workshop, you'll learn how to:

📝 Craft an attention-grabbing resume
🔍 Navigate the job application process like a pro
🤔 Tackle those cliché interview questions with confidence
💼 Showcase the right attitude that employers love
💪 Present your skills effectively during an interview

Don't let nerves hold you back! Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, these skills are essential for interview success. 🌟

27/09/2023

I refrain from calling any of the customer care services unless it's absolutely urgent. I am sure many of us don't want to call the customer care owing to long queues or mechanical and scripted responses. Even if the responses are scripted one may do some variation to sound concerned and more natural. Here are my suggestions:

Usual Response - Good morning. Thank you for calling XYZ...My name is ABC...How can I help you today?
Recommended Response - Hi, I am ABC, What's can I solve for you today?

The idea is to get to the point immediately without wasting time.

Usual Resoponse - Ok, Let me check the details, may I put your call on hold for a few minutes?
Recommended Response - Stay online while I verify details.

The idea is to initiate action immediately soon after you heard me.

Usual Response - Is there anything else that I can assist you with now? Thank you for calling ABC, Have a great day.
Recommended Response- Anything else to solve? Hope you don't have to reach us again and enjoy a seamless service.

The idea is to assure that your problem is solved and one can trust the service provider for future.

Well, communication is the key and it does make a difference. What will be your suggestions? Share in the comment box.

26/09/2023

Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security go hand-in-hand; it's the need of the hour.

That's what I will be delivering tomorrow!

26/09/2023

3 Simple rules to develop unmatched listening skills:

1. Make an eye-contact.

2. Hold your urge to interrupt and prove your point.

3. Leverage the silence space to think before responding. Prefer to respond and not react.

One way to learn is to be a patient listener.

25/09/2023

“Peace is not the absence of conflict…it’s the ability to resolve any conflict peacefully.”

Here are five warning signs of conflict:

=> Argument

=> Negative Reaction

=> Blame

=> Criticism

=> Contempt

Here are five situations which are not conflict and have to be resolved personally:

=> Violence

=> Change

=> Perception

=> Capabilities

=> Desires

Here are five techniques to resolve conflict:

=> Avoid - if it is not worth your attention and doesn’t directly affect your organisation, team, or you, better avoid it.

=> Accommodate - if withdrawing without proving your point brings you peace, withdraw. Remember, your peace is more important to you than someone else’s ego.

=> Communicate: Better talk and resolve, but remember the rule of the arguments I shared last week.

=> Listen: Sometimes, giving an honest ear can resolve everything. Try doing it.

=> Accept: It’s okay to make mistakes or to be wrong, though inadvertently; accept and apologise; the matter ends.

22/09/2023

A prolific and versatile writer, Bierce was regarded as one of the most influential journalists in the United States.

As a writer, he was a master at turning an ordinary event into a horrible one, but he is most remembered for his own disappearance. He was over 70 when he decided to cover a revolutionary war in Mexico and was never seen again. Till today, there is much speculation about what might have happened to him.

As an author, disappearance might be one strategy he chose to bring attention to his written work, or not? I am not sure.

But you can read some of his best works listed below:

One Summer Night
Beyond the Wall
Three and One Are One
The Middle Toe of the Right Foot
An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Happy reading!!

22/09/2023

You have the best ideas to write a story when you are in the shower...the moment you try to pen those, everything seems to be washed off. It's hard to find words to express your imagination and your creativity is shelved once again.

Here's a chance to fix it all in just two days. Creative Writing Workshop is back for you. Learn to turn your ideas into intriguing stories and relatable scripts. See your imagination turning into flowy poems as you implement the nuances of creative writing in the 2-Day Creative Writing Workshop. Here are the details:

Date: October 7 & 8, 2023 (Saturday & Sunday)

Time: 3 pm to 6 pm

Mode: Online / Zoom

Registration Fee: Rs. 999/- (Pre-Registration Mandatory)

Call 9811055580 for more information.

21/09/2023

Reaction Vs Response...What's your choice ? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

20/09/2023

What does peace mean to you? Share your thoughts in the comments box.

19/09/2023

Warm-up is necessary before any writing to get the best results!

25/10/2021

Have you registered Trademark for your business yet? Here's why you should.

Insights by Mehak Kalsi



https://vandanaspen.com/why-registered-trademark-is-crucial-for-your-businesss-growth/

at

Your brand is your identity since it’s the brand that communicates with your clients for you. When someone purchases your product, your client relies on the reputation established by you and are reposing their “hard...

11/10/2021

Winning Moments are always special; when it's on fire, I step on cloud nine.
Here's is my winning on Momspresso.

The prompt: Better Late than never.

Blog Link: https://www.momspresso.com/parenting/my-monologue/article/i-ve-woken-up-it-s-better-late-than-never-rapidfireblog-9necz2nlk4no