Nischala's 2012 Favorite Blogs for MARKETING

Marketing has been a topic of personal interest and a part of my job portfolio for a while now... And I've personally found the blogs below to be a great source of information on marketing topics

http://heidicohen.com/
http://www.margieclayman.com/
http://www.paulwriter.com/
http://www.firepolemarketing.com/

What are your favorite blogs for MARKETING?

VERVE also added to the list of Best Indian Blogs

I just learnt that this blog “VERVE: The Quintessence of my Life” @ http://nipmu.blogspot.in/ has also been included in the list of Best Indian Blogs @ http://indianbloggers.org/

I’m probably the only ONE with 2 blogs in this list :)

What a great way to start the day..

And more importantly, what a cool birthday gift for my blog - Yes! Its been close to 2 years since I started blogging [March 2010]

So an exciting beginning to the 3rd year of blogging :)

Nischala's 2012 Favorite Blogs on BLOGGING

Its been close to 2 years as an active blogger.. And along the way, I have learnt so much about blogging and grown as a blogger .. In this post, I will list my favorite blogs on BLOGGING

I have been introduced to several topics and concepts and also applied successfully several of these...
http://www.problogger.net/
http://kikolani.com/
http://www.famousbloggers.net/
http://www.dailyblogtips.com/
http://www.jeffbullas.com/
http://heidicohen.com/
http://www.copyblogger.com/

What are your favorite blogs on BLOGGING? Leave a comment to let me know...

Nischala's Blog added to the Best Indian Blogs

Ecstatic to share that my blog “Nischala’s Space, Thoughts, Expressions” has been included in the list of Best Indian Blogs

This has been curated by Amit Agarwal (who was India’s first and only Professional Blogger in 2004) and is an ongoing effort to showcase some of the best Indian blogs and bloggers from India.

This list includes people like Amitabh Bachchan, Shobaa De, Abhijit Bhaduri, Rashmi Bansal, Arindam Chaudhuri, Gurucharan Das… & hence being included here is a matter of honor & pride…

Amit is a personal technology columnist at The Wall Street Journal India. He authors the hugely popular and award-winning Digital Inspiration blog - Here he writes about computer software, consumer gadgets, and web applications. In 2010, Amit launched India Blog School, a non-profit initiative that aims to spread blogging culture in India.

Nischala's ALL TIME Favorite Blogs

In this post, I have listed my ALL TIME FAVORITE blogs that I have been following for a while now and really look forward to reading.. Every time I visit these blogs, I leave more positive, more wiser, more inspired ... I hope they do the same to you...

http://www.alltop.com/
http://ann-tran.com/
http://www.dumblittleman.com/
http://www.thechangeblog.com/
http://www.chrisbrogan.com/
http://amyoscar.com/
http://www.lisapetrilli.com/
http://www.bemorewithless.com/
http://zenhabits.net/
http://www.12Most.com/

Leave a comment to let me know what are you ALL TIME FAVORITE blogs...

What a business idea? - How to Potty Train your child in 3 days...

One of the most challenging things for any parent is potty training your child...And  I happened to come across a site which claims to help parents achieve this in 3 days @ http://www.startpottytraining.com/

What an amazing business idea Carol Cline!!!

Initially, I laughed.. How can someone have a business with this one idea..? But as I mulled further... I realized that here was a brilliant business... And admired Carol for what she's managed to accomplish...

I just went back to the basics of business.. and what I learnt in my MBA..
Really what was the problem?
what was the solution?
was there a market?
was there a need?

My reflections below:

What was the problem / need?
How to potty train your child quickly

If yes, how well defined was the problem?
Very very well defined... Clear and concise
And in business if the problem statement is CLEAR, the more easy it is to find a SOLUTION and more importantly it is EASIER to SELL... Becuase if others can relate to your articulation of the SPECIFIC problem, the solution will DEFINITELY appeal...

Why Carol's solution appeals?
She provides the ANSWER to the problem. And not just a theoretical one, but a tried and tested one - From her own experience as a mother of 4 children + In her experience of running a baby care + All the client testimonials on her web-site...
And she GUARANTEES that you will achieve this in 3 DAYS :)

Was there a market?
Of course... What with approximately 490,000 babies born every day worldwide [Src: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_babies_are_born_every_day_in_the_world].. At some time they all need to be potty trained...
Of course, some learn by themselves, but for most someone HAS TO TEACH THEM !!!

Are you willing to pay for this?
If you've ever been a parent in your life, you'll realize that this is one thing you wish you were able to teach your child with the sway of a magic wand... And I mean it! And Carol claims that she can help you achieve this in 3 Days - GUARANTEED!!!

But how much will you pay?
Honestly I don't know.. That depends on your personal context, how much you have tried already and most importantly, how much time you are willing to invest in teaching your child....

But if you want to get your child trained in 3 days - Carol has the answer (so it seems!!) and also the PRICE :)

Social Good - Pencils of Promise - Adam Braun

It all began with a QUESTION
A small boy begging on the streets of India
"What do you want the most in the world?" I asked
"A PENCIL"

I reached into my backpack, handed him my pencil, and watched as a wave of possibility washed over him.
A smile erupted and his eyes brightened. And I saw then the profound power and promise brought through something as small as a giving a pencil to just one child.

Over the next five years I backpacked through more than 50 countries, handing out thousands of pens and pencils across six continents.

These pencils, these small pieces of potential, led to powerful conversations with local parents and children across countless cultures and languages. From years of listening to their words, it became clear that there was a need for an international nonprofit that was led on-the-ground by a staff of locals from within each country, required village participation in each school, and deeply supported, trained and tracked each student to ensure their success.

These are the guidelines on which PoP was founded in October 2008 in hopes of building just one school by creating a movement of people who saw themselves as global citizens, regardless of age or status.

Since starting with just a $25 deposit, we have now built more than 50 schools.
In the process we have learned a lot. We’ve learned that education is a living, breathing entity that with the right nurturing, evolves into something spectacular. We’ve learned that every piece of its growth is a challenge and that each pencil, each dollar, each volunteer is essential.

Pencils of Promise is now a global movement of passionate individuals, many of which are the most dynamic and impactful young leaders we have ever seen. They are committed to supporting a world with greater educational opportunity for all. Thousands have joined us, making contributions through acts both large and small. There are more than 75 million children without access to education, and we intend to change this.

We are proof that a generation empowered will empower the world.
One child, one pencil at a time.
by Adam Braun
[Src: http://www.pencilsofpromise.org/who-we-are/our-story ]

Here's how, YOU can support this initiative

Social Good - Do Something - Ideas for how you can help in causes that you believe in

An amazing site for how you can help, support and contribute towards causes you believe in.. The number of ideas / suggestions itself is awesome!!!

http://www.dosomething.org..
Do Something TODAY!!!

Indian Festival – Shivrathri

Why is it celebrated?
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with great devotion and religious fervor by Hindus, in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the Hindu Gods forming the Trinity.

The many stories for the reason of celebration of this festival are below:
1) According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri is the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is also believed that Lord Shiva performed ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction on this auspicious night of Shivaratri.
2) According to another popular legend, described in Linga Purana, it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga for the first time. Since then, the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by the devotees of Shiva and they celebrate it as Maha Shivaratri - the grand night of Shiva
3)One of the most popular tales traces its origins to samudra manthan, or churning of the ocean of milk. According to this belief, when the gods and demons were churning the ocean of milk to obtain amrita (drink of immorality), they came across many unusual substances including a deadly poison. Terrified, the gods approached Shiva for help, and out of compassion for all living beings, Shiva swallowed the poison. The poison was so potent that it turned his neck to blue
4) According to a legend, Parvati performed tapas, prayed and meditated on this day to ward off any evil that might befall her husband on the moonless night. Since then, Mahashivaratri is believed to be an auspicious occasion for women to pray for the well-being of their husbands and sons. An unmarried woman prays for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband
5) Another version relates that the whole world was facing destruction and Goddess Parvati worshipped her husband Shiva to save it. She prayed for the jivs (living souls) remaining in se – like particles of gold dust in a lump of wax -- during the long period of pralaya (deluge) night, that they should, upon becoming active again, have His blessings, but only if they worshipped Him just as she did. Her prayer was granted. Parvati named the night for the worship of Ishwar by mortals Maha-Sivaratri, or the great night of Shiva, since Pralaya is brought about by Him
[Src: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/mahashivratri/]
Src: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/18/maha-shivaratri-2012-lord-shiva-photos_n_1285142.html]
[Src: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri ]

When is it celebrated?
The festival falls on the moonless, 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun (in the month of February - March, according to English Calendar).
[Src: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/mahashivratri/]

How is it celebrated?
Shiva devotees observe strict fast on Maha Shivaratri, with many people having only fruits and milk and some not even consuming a drop of water. Worshippers dutifully follow all the traditions and customs related to Shivaratri festival, as they strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva, on the auspicious day, releases a person of his sins and also liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. As Shiva is regarded as the ideal husband, unmarried women pray for a husband like Him, on Shivaratri. On the other hand, married women pray for the well being of their husbands, on this auspicious day.

On Maha Shivratri, devotees wake up early in the morning and take a bath, if possible in river Ganga. After wearing fresh clothes, they visit the nearest Shiva temple, to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum (with milk, honey, water etc). The worship continues the whole day and whole night. Jaagran (nightlong vigil) might also be observed in Lord Shiva temples, where a large number of devotees sing hymns and devotional songs, in praise of Lord Shiva. In the morning,g devotees break their fast by partaking the prasad offered to Lord Shiva, after the aarti, the night before.
[Src: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/mahashivratri/]

Additional Reading
http://blogs.astroved.com/maha-shivaratri-2012-the-great-night-to-worship-lord-shiva/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri
http://www.gita-society.com/section3/shivaratri.htm

Social Good - Make a Wish Foundation - Grant a wish of children with life threatening medical conditions

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 250,000 children around the world.

Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.

A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.

As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®.
[Src: http://www.wish.org/about/our_mission]

For further details, refer
Make a Wish Foundation - Global
Make a Wish Foundation - India

Social Good - Global Giving - Solutions for problems across the globe

The world is full of problems. GlobalGiving is full of solutions. Solutions run by innovative, grassroots projects and organizations that are working to educate children, feed the hungry, build houses, train women (and men) with job skills, and hundreds of other amazing things.

GlobalGiving is a charity fundraising web site that gives social entrepreneurs and non-profits from anywhere in the world a chance to raise the money that they need to improve their communities. Since 2002, GlobalGiving has raised $59,409,452 from 251,302 donors who have supported 5,273 projects
[Src: http://www.globalgiving.org/aboutus/]

Stop by at the Global Giving Website to see how you can help or how you can get help for a cause you believe in..

Social Good - Narayanan Krishnan - Feeding freshly cooked meals 3 times a day

TURNING POINT
In June 2002, Krishnan saw a famished old man eating his own human waste. As the old man ate the food given to him, he held Krishnan’s hand, giving very real sensation of a powerful energy. The never felt before inner happiness and fulfillment turned Krishnan's life.

FEEDING PROGRAMME
From June 2002 feeding is done for helpless, roadside destitute in Madurai who are not beggars. From January 2003, freshly cooked food is served thrice daily

GROWTH
From about 30 (June 2002) number of beneficiaries grown to over 425/day (2011 ) Over 1.9 million meals served till December 2011
[Src: http://www.akshayatrust.org/feeding.php]

Stop by at the Akshaya Trust website to see how you can help..

Social Good - Omkar Nath Sharma - Build a Medicine Bank for Poor

72-year-old Omkar Nath Sharma, has been on a mission to build a medicine bank in Delhi. Nath’s model is simple. He goes door to door in South Delhi collecting surplus medicines from homes. He then sorts them by expiry date and with the help of NGOs, makes them available to those who can’t afford to buy medicines. And what’s more, even though both his legs were deformed in an accident, he doesn’t let his physical disability come in the way of his mission
[Src: http://ibnlive.in.com/cjaward2010/nominees-bethechange.php]

If you have medicines in your house which you won't use .. It can help someone somewhere... You can Omkar to check on this at the details below:
Omkar Nath Sharma
B180, Galli No.4
Mandwali Gali
Mangalpuri Phase 2
Delhi 110045
Phone: +91-9250243298

If someone like him can help others, I am sure you can in your own way!!!

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/delhi-s-medicine-man-on-noble-mission-to-save-lives-1.792673?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4da7d865b9435c8b,0
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-06/delhi/28659697_1_medicines-cghs-patients

2012 VERVE Series

In 2012, I wanted to try a new concept on all my blogs.. And I was unable to zero-in on the specific focus for this blog.. As I mulled over it, ideas eluded me till today which I realized that it was already mid-February and I was still grappling with concepts till it occurred to me..The EUREKA Moment..

So, I'll be doing 2 Series
1) A Social Good Series where I will be featuring individuals / organizations across the globe who are working towards a good cause - The idea is really to share knowledge, create awareness, educate and possibly give you an avenue / idea in case you want to help / support
2) Indian Festivals Series in which I will be blogging about the key festivals in India - Putting together a short note on When they are celebrated?, Why they are celebrated? and their significance....

Hope you enjoy reading these series as much I enjoy writing about them....

When two people love each other

When two people love each other
Sometimes things are said
Which cause hurt, pain and sorrow

They were not intended
But they do happen
In a moment of exhaustion, irritation, frustration or helplessness
And nothing can undo the hurt, pain and sorrow

But the fact that
There are these EMOTIONS
There is AFFECTION
There are EXPECTATIONS
Indicate that
There are still FEELINGS
And that there is LOVE

We all make mistakes in relationships
We all say and do things which can’t be undone
But the fact that we continue to think about each other
Continue to do things – for each other, with each other
Means that there is hope, there is future

Its never too late
Or never beneath you
To say SORRY

Its never too late
Or never beneath you
To make a GENUINE EFFORT for a better tomorrow

Its never too late
Or never beneath you
To make a FRESH START

Especially if it is for someone you CARE, for someone you LOVE

9 Ways to LOVE YOURSELF this Valentine's Day

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day (14 Feb)... And while there's lot of advice, tips, suggestions and advice on LOVE... I think its important to LOVE YOURSELF too

If you invest time to LOVE YOURSELF, you will be a HAPPY POSITIVE and PEACEFUL PERSON, and are able to radiate LOVE and POSITIVITY in the relationships which make a difference to you

In this post, I will list down the many ways you can LOVE yourself this Valentine's Day

1) Do 3 THINGS you LOVE today
Think about 3 things which you really LOVE doing- Small, Big, Fun, Adventorous, Routine, Boring.... It can be reading, music, dance, just giving a piece of your mind to someone, laughing with your kids, writing... Whatever! Just identify 3 things which will make you HAPPY and DO THEM TODAY! One suggestion - Whatever else you do, make sure you laugh - Read jokes, Watch a funny movie, etc etc

2) Focus on 1 POSITIVE THOUGHT for the WHOLE DAY
As you start your day, think of 1 positive thought which you will carry in your mind for the rest of the day. It could be "I love myself" OR "I am happy" OR "I love my life" or "I am at peace with myself".. whatever! Just think of 1 positive thought and stick with it through the day. By the end, you feel more happy, positive and that's the BEST way to love yourself for a day

3) Spend time with PEOPLE you LOVE
It could in the real world or virtual world, but just spend time with people you love. It will make you happy, and hopefully them also...:)

4) Practice the SILENT HOUR today
1 hour of silence in a day is a wonderful way to love yourself. Shut off the news, views, Google, phone, worries - & be silent. Feel free to think and feel what you want, but don't say anything. Try it - It's a wonderful way to LOVE yourself. Definitely worth it!

5) Do a random GOOD DEED today
Doing a randon GOOD DEED for a known or unknown face in the real or virual world is a fantastic act. If your wondering how, a few suggestions - Donate blood, Sponsor a meal for someone who can't afford it, sponsor education for someone who can't afford it. The following links may help you - Global Giving, Akshaya.
Not only will you feel happy and content within, but you have done good karma for the day. And your good deed made a difference to someone - And thats a wonderful way to give back for all the wonderful things you have in life

6) Make a COMMITMENT today to make a POSITIVE CHANGE in your LIFE
Many of us start the new year with resolutions and by now, many have fizzled out.. One of the best ways to LOVE yourself today is to make a personal COMMITMENT for a POSITIVE CHANGE in your LIFE. Just pick one area and focus on it. If you're wondering how to do it, my posts on 12 New Year Worthy Questions to Ask Yourself at the start of 2012 OR 12 Choices to Transform your life will give some questions you can ask yourself.. And hopefully, you will get some ideas or inspiration on the kind of changes you can aim for

7) Do something lovely for someone you LOVE
Do something lovely for someone you LOVE - It can be your parents, spouse, special friend, children, family, people at work, etc - Do something which others will LOVE.. And if people you LOVE are happy, you are too - And that's a great way to LOVE yourself

8) Eat something you love
Yes! Having food you love is a wonderful way to love yourself. You eat what you love, you feel happy, you radiate positive energy and that's a great way to live the day

9) Dispel JUDGEMENT
One of the best ways to love yourself for a day is to dispel JUDGMENT. Don't judge yourself, others, life, events, news, views, opinions, words,.. At the end of the day, you will feel happier, lighter, and more positive - in LOVE with yourself and others...

And on that note, Happy Valentine's Day
LOVE YOURSELF on this special Day