Author: The Metrognome

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5 things to consider when getting a new office

We present 5 factors to consider when you get new office space, to create a good working environment for staff.
by Reyna Mathur

Many start-ups don’t have the resources to open shop in swanky locations. At least for the first two years of a start-up’s life, unless it starts doing phenomenal business from the word go, there is no option but to take up a location that suits the owner’s budget. Staff members just have to go with the working space till a bigger, better one is acquired.

Though any person will prefer to work in an upmarket, well-equipped office, many start-ups begin their professional journey as a hole in the wall. However, if the business owners go beyond only economics and look for a space that meets at least the most basic needs of employees, everybody will be happy.

Here are 5 things to consider when getting a new office space.

1.Account for the number of people you are hiring. If the nature of your business is such that staff will have only desk jobs, then you will need more seating space. Some of your staff members may have roving jobs, ie marketing and sales personnel, who will require a desk. However, you can have them share their desks with other staff when they are not at work. If possible, zero in on a space that has seating for at least two extra members in the team, plus a seat for the office boy.

2. Ensure the place has a toilet and water connection. Most offices, especially the ones located on the ground floors of residential buildings do not have water connections, so there will not be a toilet inside the office. Your staff cannot spend the day without a visit to the washroom, and they can suffer health complications because of it. However, if you find that there is simply no scope to put in a toilet in the office, find out what alternate toilet arrangements you can provide the staff. You must consider that if there is no toilet inside your office or a common facility close by, women will be the first ones to refuse to work for you.

Pantry for office3. A pantry is a must. Every office should have a small pantry space, where the staff can brew tea or heat up their lunch or afternoon snacks. If you get an office with a spacious pantry space, your staff will love you for it. People like to share their lunch with each other and sit together and gossip over their afternoon tea, so if there is space to put in a common dining table, it will be a big advantage for your office. However, if there isn’t enough space for a pantry, at least ensure that you create a space for a hot plate, a microwave oven and a storage space for Styrofoam cups, sugar cubes, soup packets, spoons, plates, forks and knives. It can simply be created by segregating a suitable corner with a partition. A small refrigerator is also a bonus.

4. Check all electricity connections. When buying or leasing out an office space, you will need electricity connections for your mains, the air-conditioner, computers, water filters (if there is a water connection), printers, scanners, etc. If there are not enough plug points for all your machinery, you might need to get the space rewired and new points created as per future use. You should also check if the existing connections and fixtures work properly and all lines have been properly earthed. Take a look around to see if there is any existing leakage – if there is, there is a chance of it causing short circuits in the monsoon season. Get it rectified before you move in.

5. Check for security. In today’s times, we have to take care to ensure that our work environments are secure and there is no internal or external threat to the staff. Do not get an office in an area that suffers power outages in the evenings, and look for well-lit access roads leading to the office. Second, inquire what security measures the building has in place for the shops and offices in its premises. An armed security guard who takes down details of all visitors to the office is a bonus. However, if there is no security provided, you can install CCTVs at the entrance door, as well as a live security access door that can be clamped down under five seconds in case of a threat from outside. It is a good idea to install biometric access systems so that only bonafide staff can enter. Also ensure that the front door is fixed with shatter-proof glass panes. Inside the office, you must ensure your employees’ safety and security from theft. If necessary, install a CCTV system to keep a watch on the office floor.

(Pictures courtesy www.alliancevirtualoffices.com, www.tripadvisor.com. Images used for representational purpose only)

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Big story

Two building collapses in two weeks for Thane

Old buildings continue to fall in Mumbai and Thane. What are the Government and municipal authorities doing to address the problem?
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

After a building collapse in Thakurli last week claimed 9 lives, another building collapse in Naupada, Thane has now torn five families asunder. 12 people have died in the second collapse incident.

At least 5 people were rescued in a joint operation by National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Mumbai Fire Brigade personnel. The incident occurred at about 2 am on Tuesday, when the Krishna Niwas building collapsed in under 10 seconds. Ground floor repair work in one of the commercial establishments in the building is being blamed for the collapse. On Monday, residents had been alarmed by wide cracks in the building staircase.

The NDRF personnel had previously been pushed into service in last week’s building collapse at Thakurli, also in Thane. 9 people were killed in that incident. The Naupada building was not on the Thane Municipal Corporation’s list of dilapidated buildings.

Apart from intermittent rains queering the pitch for buildings in Mumbai, Thane and Kalyan-Dombivali, the problem of cessed buildings and the lack of repair continues to plague the city. There are over thousands of old buildings in the city, which fall under the ambit of the Rent Control Act. Owing to the Act, owners of these buildings are not allowed to raise rents for tenants (who may pay as little as Rs 35 to Rs 100 per month as rent). Hence, the owners are unable to gather the funds to carry out repairs and restoration works for the buildings. Naturally, the buildings continue to stand in a state of increasing disrepair – till they ultimately collapse and claim lives.

Residents of old buildings in a dilapidated state are warned to vacate the premises after municipal authorities conduct checks for stability. However, most cannot afford to pay high rents or purchase property in Mumbai and Thane. The prices of real estate in Mumbai are the highest in Asia, and most people are unable to afford a home purchase.

Building owners in Mumbai and Thane are increasingly opting to redevelop their properties. However, the process of redevelopment is a long-winded one, requiring consents from tenants and owners, a mutually agreeable discussion on area allotment, permissions to be procured from the municipal authorities, and so on. It is being said that the Naupada building was locked in a dispute between a builder wanting to redevelop the property and the five families that had stayed behind in the building. Sadly, the survivors of the building are now left to grapple with the loss of their homes and loved ones.

(Picture courtesy www.indianexpress.com)

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Event

Typewriters will come to life in Mumbai

World’s leading sculpture artist Jeremy Mayer will create an unusual masterpiece using typewriter parts. Do not miss this unique live event.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Godrej Archives, the business archive of Godrej Group, in line with its philosophy ‘Restore. Reflect. Reimagine.’ is lending a new lease to its last batch of typewriters by collaborating with the world’s only known typewriter sculptor, Jeremy Mayer.

Jeremy Mayer Jeremy will treat the city art aficionados to surreal sculptures and mandalas created using parts of the typewriters. He is a renowned sculpture artist who disassembles typewriters and reassembles them into full scale, anatomically correct figures. He does not solder, weld or glue the pieces together – it is entirely a cold assembly. The artist also does not use any parts that do not come from a typewriter. This will be India’s only typewriter sculpture. The finished product will be unveiled on August 12, 2015.

After the event, Jeremy will also flag off the ‘Artist-in-residence’ programme, an initiative that encourages artists from across the globe to reinterpret 118 years of heritage so that the current and future generations are inspired to reimagine the past and build a brighter future.

Head to the Godrej Hubble, Plant 13 Annexe, Godrej & Boyce, Vikhroli (East), on Wednesday, August 12. The event takes place from 3.30 pm to 8 pm. Entry is free to all.

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Wellness

5 natural remedies for cough and cold

Try these 5 easy, effective and natural fixes from your kitchen to stop seasonal cough and cold problems in their tracks.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

With fluctuating weather and low immunity, you may fall prey to cough and cold. These conditions are not serious, but they may require bed rest.

There is no need to suffer in silence with a cough and cold – try these 5 natural remedies to get back to life in a jiffy.

  1. Garlic tea.

Garlic teaGarlic amps up the immune system. Prepare garlic tea by lightly crushing 2 or 3 cloves of garlic and adding them to 2 cups of water. Next, bring this water to a boil. Change the flame to low and let the tea simmer for about 10 more minutes, keeping it covered. Now strain the tea and add 1 teaspoon of honey. Drink it hot at least twice a day. You will notice that your nose starts clearing and your cough is brought under control.

  1. Fruit-veggie salad.

Your throat might be raw from cough and you may have lost your appetite as well. Go easy on your meal portions. Instead of a heavy meal, opt for raw vegetable and fruit salads. Carrots and apples are amazing immune boosters, so prepare this easy and tasty salad thus: chop a large carrot and apple in a bowl. Lightly heat juice of one lemon in 2 teaspoons of olive oil and a pinch of salt, and drizzle this oil over the carrot and apple. To this, add chopped seasonal fruits and have twice a day.

  1. Onion and honey cough syrup.

You can prepare this effective cough syrup at home. Take a large red onion, and slice it horizontally in disks. Place it in a bowl. Layer each onion slice thickly onOnion cough syrup both sides with honey. Cover and set aside overnight for at least 12 hours. The next day, you will find that the onion has ‘bled’ into the bowl. This syrup contains all the nutrients and vitamins from the onion, and the immunity boosting powers of honey. Store this syrup in a glass bottle and have it at least twice a day till the cough disappears.

  1. Turmeric in warm milk.

This is a remedy followed in most Indian homes. Turmeric not only builds immunity, it promotes the growth of infection-fighting cells. To a teaspoon of ghee, add half a teaspoon of turmeric and warm it slightly over a flame. Add this ghee to a cup of warm milk and mix well. Have it warm.

  1. Jaggery for cough.

If you dislike chemical-rich cough syrups, make your own at home. Take about 5 peppercorns, half a teaspoon of cumin and a small piece of jaggery. To this, add some water and boil over low flame till it becomes thicker and concentrated. Cool it and drink every two hours to loosen the phlegm and eject it from the system faster.

(Pictures courtesy homesteadinghomemaker.blogspot.com, www.archanaskitchen.com, naturalpureessentials.wordpress.com. Images are used for representational purpose only)

Categories
grey space

Of personal and familial pursuits

A senior citizen writes about cracking life’s code – enriching one’s life in the golden years by self-help and empathy.
by Vanita Kumta

Life goes around in circles. As human beings we are a part of a greater society and we all need the help of one another – more so in a family. Having completed most of our responsibilities in life and reached our retirement, often there is a clash of ideas about whether lending a helping hand with the rearing of one’s grandchildren is worthwhile or whether we should call it a day and just enjoy our golden years.

When any work that we do is not taken for granted and it is appreciated, it is a pleasant feeling. Especially nurturing one’s grandchildren. It is in these golden years as our own birds leave the nests soaring high in their respective careers and with families of their own that the empty nest syndrome brings loneliness and depression in its wake. The seniors can find a lot of love and solace when they bond with their grandchildren. It reminds us of our own youth and our children and also our elders.

These reminiscences are full of mixed feelings of joy and pain. But that, in essence, is life.

My husband and I are an old couple, currently retired from our active phase of life. We were part of a joint family till about two years back and have, of our own accord, insisted that our son, daughter-in-law and grandchild live their lives separately away from us. We took this decision to avoid stepping on one another’s toes and to give space in our relationships. Nevertheless, we try to be active supports, especially in taking care of our little granddaughter.

In hindsight, we feel that this decision has brought back a healthy bonding between us. We have our own space after leading a full life and we treasure it. The young fledgling family, too, becomes more responsible and realises the value of time, money and work. They become more responsible, independent and innovative in the bargain. All in all it is heady mixture of freedom for all without the encumbrance of strictures.

Most people do not adapt to changing times and try to hold on to meaningless strings. This makes us lose out on a lot in life. The waters of life keep flowing regardless of obstacles. If we adapt to our new roles, try to stay aloof at times and yet be of service to one another, it makes the world a much better place to live in. Having said this, I cannot deny that there is turmoil. But the entire exercise is one of patience, and never trying to exploit one another.

May be we too will need a finger to hold on to, so why not offer a helping hand without expecting too much in return? I think that leading an active life that enriches us as individuals and the lives of others helps us physically, emotionally and may be financially.

Since April this year, we have stepped back a little from our babysitter duties as our granddaughter is now quite grown up. It is time that her young family becomes self-sufficient and that we relax a wee bit and see them grow. I do not wish for us to become a burden on anyone, so we also make some time for exercise, too.

I think I have cracked the code to a happy life. Have you?

Grey Space’ is a weekly column on senior citizen issues. If you have an anecdote, or legal information, or anything you feel is useful to senior citizens, caregivers and the society at large, feel free to get it published in this space. Write to editor@themetrognome.in or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Themetrognome.in and we will publish your account.

(Picture courtesy darkroom.baltimoresun.com, www.wikihow.com. Images are used for representational purpose only)

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Kharcha paani

Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane on Smart Cities list

Maharashtra Government announces 10 cities from State on the country’s list, allots Rs 100 crore per city for the initiative.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

On the last day of the Monsoon Session of the State Legislature Friday, July 31, the State Government announced the names of Maharashtra’s 10 Smart Cities to be set up in the next 5 years. Mumbai, Thane and Navi Mumbai are on the list, apart from Pune-Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kalyan-Dombivali, Amravati, Nashik, Solapur, Nagpur and Aurangabad.

The Smart Cities initiative envisages the setting up of, or creating, 100 Smart Cities in India. It aims at upgrading existing infrastructure, using technology to improve processes and quality of life, and ensure progress of each city so that more investment is attracted. The bigger plan is to create satellite cities around each Smart City to absorb rising population and set up new industrial and commercial districts.

The Centre has set aside a corpus of Rs 48,000 crore for this purpose. The plan is to spend Rs 100 crore each year in a phase-wise manner per city. An equal sum of money will be set aside by each State in the country.

‘Special Purpose Vehicles’ are to be set up in each city to monitor the progress of work, as also a Smart Cities Experts Forum to chart out a roadmap for the initiative in each State.

(Picture courtesy computer.financialexpress.com. Image used for representational purpose only)

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