Gaming Revolution

Gaming (online/offline) is no doubt a high growth sector, prime reason is the rising stress in our daily

lives. Everyone is looking for stress relievers and with the advancement in technology; gaming consoles are one of the answers. Another reason is the target demographics has also widened, today even elderly people can have a tennis game inside their living rooms and still sweat and feel refreshed.

Although market is flooded with lot of gaming consoles, the two hottest ones in existence are Nintendo Wii and Sony PlayStation 3. You can also add Microsoft X-Box to that list as it is still not there at that level of user experience…Nintendo Wii is definitely cheaper with the basic set-up costs about £180 whereas for PS3 you will have to dig deep and spend £50 more. Both use distinct technologies, although it seems Sony with its blu-ray technology is out-powering the Wii, also PS3’s support for SD and Compact Flash cards gives it additional edge on graphics as-well. (See attached image..our lounge room stacked with PS3) . Nintendo loyalists still argue that difference between them is slim…

PS3 has the more features than Wii for sure but surprisingly Wii has achieved higher sales than rest of the player and still remains the top seller among all gaming consoles. I think lot of people feel it is more value for money…whatever you buy I surely feel they do make a lot of difference to your stress levels. For most of the people who have hundred excuses to avoid exercising, having a good game on Wii or PS3 surely makes you feel relaxed.

Pub Lunch and Beer Fridge

I remember, few years back, while I was working for an MNC based in India, a colleague of mine went overboard and had a beer during lunch time. I guess he felt that was the best way to beat the Bombay heat. Poor chap almost got fired for taking that liberty perhaps even today I believe most of the firms in India would treat this as a serious offence. For next couple of weeks, HR people were after his skin ....it just made him look alcoholic...

As I fast forward now to 2008, every day I see pubs around the London city full of working class, having lunch along with beer (obviously it is English culture). Infact every friday evening an hour before we wind up, we get an official email that beer is being served for employees, which is like a kick off leading to the weekend. Sometimes, even the management team act as host. They introduce themselves and speak to employees casually and laugh and joke around. Interestingly the management feels that such social events are desperately needed. Infact every week, this fridge is hosted by different teams which compels everyone to go to that specific area in the building or campus and get introduced to the host team. Last week we hosted it… Point is what a contrast in organisation culture...