10 signs to know it's time to quit your job

Here is a rough estimation of the time that a full time working professional spends at work.

Regular work hours: 8

Travel to and fro from work: 1

Sleep: 7

Time towards work as a percentage of time we are awake: 9/17 = 53 percent at least

1. When you stop learning in the current role

More of the same thing is not growth necessarily. Ten years of experience of the same work, without improving skills is not necessarily 10 years of experience; it could be 1x10 or 2x5 years of experience.

2. When the role is not of your choice

You work as a programmer but your passion is training. Whether you perform well or not in the former, I suggest that you get out of it and make a transition to the latter. It is important that we do work that we are passionate about so that we enjoy it.

3. When you feel that you are not the right fit for the profile

This is a situation when you feel that you are not able to produce results as good as you could. It means that you are not at your best in this role.

4. You feel underpaid

We should charge what we deserve. If you feel that you are grossly underpaid, move to a different profile. We should charge what we deserve. If you feel that you are grossly underpaid, move to a different profile.

5. The company offers no extra training or learning opportunities

If the organisation does not facilitate learning new skills, you may want to evaluate whether you want to continue working there.

6. No clear career path

If the role or organisation has no clear plans for you, please switch jobs. It is YOUR career and you should know the next possible options for you.

7. Always doing the mundane job

Are you in the team, who always gets the mundane work while you have the capability to do better work? 

Remember, that everyone needs to do regular transactional work but if it is only mundane work, then you should look at alternatives.

8. It is impacting your personal life

The boundary between professional and personal life has dimmed significantly. In all fairness, everyone gets 24 hours a day. We need to decide what our priorities are and spend this time accordingly. If you happen to be in a job that is sabotaging your personal life (after you have tried all other options), it is probably time to move on. Of course, the assumption here is that you want a life outside work as well. It is another matter when all that you want to do is work.

9. When you feel the lack of respect

Without being excessively sensitive, if you feel that you are not being respected as an individual, please take the exit. No matter what work we do and at what level in the hierarchy, we all deserve to be treated with respect.

10. Are you excited to go to work?

The final question that you should ask yourself is: do you look forward to go to work every day or is it just a drudgery that you go through? If it is just a routine, then there is definitely something amiss.

Don't burn bridges

Remember to leave amicably. Many times people in their hurry or excitement to join a new job burn bridges and leave on a bad note. Don't do this; the world is really small. Don't just disappear; handover your responsibilities properly and leave with dignity. Else, before you join the new workplace, your reputation might precede you.

The final point to consider: It is not just the organisation's responsibility to keep us actively engaged in the job; a lot depends on us as well. Therefore, before setting out to look for opportunities outside the organisation, do an honest self-evaluation.

India's most powerful, most valuable corporate brands

Tata

Rank 2014: 1
Brand Value 2014: $21,102 million

LIC

Rank 2014: 2
Brand Value 2014: $4,104 million

State Bank of India

Rank 2014: 3
Brand Value 2014: $4,063 million

Airtel

Rank 2014: 4
Brand Value 2014: $3,819 million

Reliance

Rank 2014: 5
Brand Value 2014: $3,547 million

ONGC

Rank 2014: 6
Brand Value 2014: $3,294 million

Indian Oil

Rank 2014: 7
Brand Value 2014: $3,151 million

Larsen & Toubro

Rank 2014: 8
Brand Value 2014: $2,371 million

Infosys

Rank 2014: 9
Brand Value 2014: $2,291 million

Mahindra

Rank 2014: 10
Brand Value 2014: $2,272 million

Wipro

Rank 2014: 11
Brand Value 2014: $1,934 million

HCL

Rank 2014: 12
Brand Value 2014: $1,925 million

ICICI Bank

Rank 2014: 13
Brand Value 2014: $1,698 million

Godrej

Rank 2014: 14
Brand Value 2014: $1,505 million

Maruti Suzuki

Rank 2014: 15
Brand Value 2014: $1,359 million

Reliance (ADAG)

Rank 2014: 16
Brand Value 2014: $1,357 million

HDFC Bank

Rank 2014: 17
Brand Value 2014: $1,223 million

Idea Cellular

Rank 2014: 18
Brand Value 2014: $1,148 million

Bharat Petroleum

Rank 2014: 19
Brand Value 2014: $1,120 million

Amul

Rank 2014: 20
Brand Value 2014: $1,119 million

20 most admired companies in the world

To let you know about the world’s highly regarded companies, each year Hay Group and Fortune magazine bring out a list of 'World’s most admired companies’

Apple

Rank: 1
With a market cap of around $500 billion, Apple is considered the most valuable tech brand in the world.

Amazon.com

Rank: 2 

It is the most trusted and admired online shopping company as it stands behind what it sells.

Google

Rank: 3
It is one of the few companies that offers highest salaries and best perks to its staff. 

Berkshire Hathaway

Rank: 4

Starbucks

Rank: 5 

Coca-Cola

Rank: 6

Walt Disney

Rank: 7

FedEx

Rank: 8

Southwest Airlines

Rank: 9

General Electric (GE)

Rank: 10

American Express

Rank: 11

Costco Wholesale

Rank: 12

Nike

Rank: 13

BMW

Rank: 14

Procter & Gamble

Rank: 15

IBM

Rank: 16

Nordstrom

Rank: 17

Singapore Airlines

Rank: 18

Johnson & Johnson

Rank: 19

Whole Foods Market

Rank: 20

7 tips to deal with an office bully

In most offices, bullying at work may not necessarily mean a colleague physical threatening or manhandling you. It could be as naive as trying to impose their individual responsibilities on you, or making the workplace environment unfit for growth and motivation.

1. Learn to say no

Bullies are attracted to people who cannot say no. So if you've struggled to turn down a 'request' from your senior or your colleague on more than a couple of occasions, chances are you are going to be the next target (if you aren't one already). The next time someone tries to palm off their job on to you, turn them down. Be polite but be firm.

You will realise that saying 'No' is empowering in itself.

2. Don't get intimidated

Intimidation is a bully's favourite method. They will try everything in their power -- be it their proximity to your boss or the fact that they are your superiors -- to get their way. Stay calm and don't get intimidated. Hold your ground.

3. Don't get emotional

Bullies derive their strength by making people cry or lose their temper. The moment you break down, the bully wins. If you lose your temper, there's a good chance your bully will use it against you. When you get emotional in such a scenario you also tend to lose perspective. Don't let that happen.

4. Document the bullying

Jot down the details of the time you were bullied and list out the people who were witness to it.

Should you want to escalate the matter to the HR, these finer details will come handy.

5. Seek help

There is a good possibility you aren't the only person being bullied. Seek out others who may have faced a similar problem. Ask for their advice and how they dealt with it. You are bound to find stories like your own. If they haven't raised their voice, encourage them to do so because there is strength in numbers.

6. Approach the HR

If things have got out of control, approach the HR. Treat your meeting with the HR as being extremely important. When you approach them, tread lightly because there is a possibility that your bully might in fact be in their good books. This might end up backfiring on you. Your meeting with the HR is not a counselling session. You are not here to confess. State the facts as they happened. List out witnesses, if any.

7. Don't ever think your bully will change

We often believe in the innate goodness of people. But remember that the inherent nature of a person cannot change. If you are expecting your bully and you to live happily ever after, forget it!

Buying a home? Keep these golden tips in mind

First time home buyers may find it extremely tedious and time consuming to shortlist a home. And those who are buying a home for the second time, it may be less onerous, having understood the nuances of purchasing a property.

These steps which will help you buy your dream home seamlessly.

Identify your requirements

Depending on which stage of life you decide to buy a home, prepare a wish-list of what you would like in your ideal home. This may include the number of rooms, basic amenities like access to schools, colleges, transport, medical facilities, market and playground.

Understand your financial position:

Along with the wish-list, you also need to understand your financial position and evaluate your savings and expenditure to arrive at a budget you can keep aside for buying a home.

Also, you should try and pay off other outstanding long-term debts before taking a home loan.

Save for the down payment:

One should also start saving prudently at an early stage to accumulate the maximum possible initial down payment, which will make it easier to buy the dream home.

An amount equivalent to the proposed EMI of Home Loan should be set aside every month much prior to actually availing the home loan.

Leverage on resource centers:

There are several aids available to bridge information gaps while taking a decision to buy a home.

In addition to the conventional methods of checking with friends or relatives, personally visiting new construction sites, going through advertisements, one can also visit several online sites that provide information on availability of homes.

These steps can help you to collect property information, evaluate the options and negotiate for the best deal by:
• Locating and assessing properties in line with your expectation and requirement
• Site-visit of short listed properties
• Understanding the approvals required and available for the project
• Post finalisation, assistance in negotiating the best terms and price
• Assistance in the selection of the right home loan
• Guidance in completing the registration formalities

5 quick getaways to make the most of your long weekends!

Here is a list of quick weekend getaways for you to consider whichever part of India you live in!

Coorg

About 5-8 hours drive from Bangalore (depending on what town in Coorg you plan to visit) this is the perfect place to head to if you like to be in the midst of nature.

Malshej Ghat

A short 2.5 hour drive from Mumbai and you find yourself in the lap of the Western Ghats. Picture a plateau with a 360-degree view of the ghats, wind blowing through your hair, green hills all around and absolute silence.

Monsoons are the perfect time to visit as the numerous waterfalls are a delight to see.

Thekkady

Set amongst Spice Plantations, the Shalimar Spice Resort is one of its kinds. Bordering the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, the rooms of this resort merge seamlessly into the cardamom and coffee plantations around them. Undisturbed, the butterflies flitter by, the birds chirp and the scented breeze gently blows. You can choose to drive up here from Trivandrum, Cochin or Madurai.

Palampur

Palampur is arguably the most under-rated hill station in Northern India. Two hours away from Dharamsala and Dalhousie, there are lots of things to fill into your itinerary if you wish.

Mandu

About two hours southwest of Indore, Mandu is rightly called Central India's Hampi. Strategically set atop a hill and surrounded by a wall that stretches for 45km, Mandu's glory days go back to the 10th century when it was founded as the capital of the Parmar Rulers of Malwa. The Mughals and Marathas had their reign here subsequently and it eventually fell into ruins. If you are enchanted by history and believe that every stone tells a tale, a weekend in Mandu is the perfect getaway for you.

8 ways to de-stress in no time at all!

We live in stressful times. Here are some effective ways to get rid of it.

1. Indulge in that creative streak
Any activity that takes you away from the humdrum of everyday life can take away your stress. So instead of turning on the television, take up the paintbrush or the pen and let your creative juices flow.

2. Take a walk!
If you've had a stressful day, instead of going home and brooding over it, step out and go for a walk.

3. Socialise
There is a good chance you'll meet someone interesting and learn something new.

4. Be good, do good!
When you do good, you feel good.

5. Do not swipe that card
Before you swipe that card, think a million times. The next month's statement will only make you more depressed!

6. Try yoga and meditation
Yoga not only disciplines your body but also the mind.

7. De-clutter
Keep your workplace and living space clutter-free. Allow energy to flow freely.

8. Listen to some music
Music therapy is a real thing. So go on, plug in the headphones and plug out the world.

The happiest countries in the world

24/7 Wall St. reviewed the 11 countries with the highest life satisfaction score to find out countries that are happiest.

Sweden
Rank: 11

Netherlands
Rank: 10

Mexico
Rank: 9

Finland
Rank: 8

Australia
Rank: 7

Iceland
Rank: 6

Austria
Rank: 5

Denmark
Rank: 4

Canada
Rank: 3

Norway
Rank: 2

Switzerland
Rank: 1

World's 8 biggest illegal businesses

Let's take a look at eight illegal activities that generate most revenue in the world.

Drug trafficking
Global revenue in 2012: $320 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 1

Counterfeit and pirated goods
Global revenue in 2012: $250 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 2

Human trafficking
Global revenue in 2012: $32 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 3

Wildlife trafficking
Global revenue in 2012: $19 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 4

Oil trade
Global revenue in 2012: $11 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 5

Fishing
Global revenue in 2012: $10 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 6

Logging
Global revenue in 2012: $10 billion
Overall rank in revenue: 7

Human organs
Global revenue in 2012: $600 million
Overall rank in revenue: 8

2 Indian cities can submerge under water by 2070

Due to changing climatic conditions two Indian cities have the highest risk of submerging under water by 2070

Jakarta

Rank: 20
Country: Indonesia

Tokyo
Rank: 19
Country: Japan

Chittagong
Rank: 18
Country: Bangladesh

New York-Newark
Rank: 17
Country: US

Abidjan
Rank: 16
Country: Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Lagos
Rank: 15
Country: Nigeria

Ningbo
Rank: 14
Country: China

Khulna
Rank: 13
Country: Bangladesh

Tianjin
Rank: 12
Country: China

Alexandria
Rank: 11
Country: Egypt

Haiphong
Rank: 10
Country: Vietnam

Miami
Rank: 9
Country: US

Rangoon
Rank: 8
Country: Myanmar

Bangkok
Rank: 7
Country: Thailand

Shanghai
Rank: 6
Country: China

Ho Chi Minh City
Rank: 5
Country: Vietnam

Guangzhou
Rank: 4
Country: China

Dhaka
Rank: 3
Country: Bangladesh

Mumbai
Rank: 2
Country: India

Kolkata
Rank: 1
Country: India

8 things to do when you hate your job but cannot quit

8 things to do when you hate your job but cannot quit

1. Find out what is it that you really hate about your job

Let's say you don't like the profile you've been handed or you believe your boss is out to get you. Set up a meeting with your boss and understand why you've been handed the job you're doing -- remember, there are always two sides to the coin -- and explain to him just how you can contribute better to the organisation.

More importantly, don't expect a change immediately.

2. Look for the positives

For instance, your colleagues with whom you spend the maximum amount of time, might be a particularly jolly lot. Instead of moping about how horrible your job is, learn to enjoy the pleasure of your colleagues' company. As in life, focus on the positives.

3. Don't let your employer chose your career path

Remember, your employer has retained you because they feel you will contribute something fruitful to the company. And you should! But don't let your employer decide what you should be doing with your career. The path of you and your company may be different and it is ok. Give in to some of your employers' demands -- remember they are paying you -- but also keep some of your own wishes about what you want to be seen doing non-negotiable. Else, you will find yourself drifting along a path that might work for someone else but not you.

4. Volunteer

Just because you're stuck in a job you don't like doesn't mean you need to give up all hopes. Make the most of the time in the organisation. If there are projects that are of interest to you, volunteer to be part of them.

Show you are interested in going beyond your current role. This will help you justify your stay in the organisation at your next job interview. It might also help you get that promotion you were eyeing.

5. Know that quitting cannot solve your problems

Quitting your job in the hope that the next one will be better is the silliest reason to put in your papers. A successful career, like a successful relationship, requires work. So chip at it; work on making your job as enjoyable as possible.

6. Take a few days off

Being in an unfulfilling job can be pretty distressing. But it also comes with its perks -- leaves and vacations! Take a few days off every few weeks; go on a vacation whenever you can afford it; ensure you get your 'me-time' on the weekends.

7. Take up a hobby

Talking of me-time, pursue a hobby -- learn the guitar, a new language, hit the gym, take up a new sport… anything that will keep your mind away from the job you hate so much.

8. Keep looking

If you've reached this far, evidently your heart isn't in your job. So, here's the final piece of advice -- don't stop looking for new opportunities. Put your CV out there; let the relevant people know you are looking for a change. A new job may not necessarily come along as quickly as you hope to but it will. So don't lose heart! Keep looking.

6 places in India you must eat at before you die

6 places in India you must eat at before you die

Crimson Chakra, Chennai

Located in Adyar, Chennai, Crimson serves you a mix of continental and North Indian food.

Some of its best dishes include the Thakali Poondu Soup, Mushroom Soup and Crab Meat Cakes.

If you are going there for the first time, do not forget to try their Chicken Lasagna and Mutton Isabella in the main course. 

Must-try dishes: Poached Chicken Breast Clemenceau, Vendakkai Meen Soup

Church Street Social, Bangalore

A great place for beverage lovers and drinkers in general, one of its most popular drinks is the Cosmo Explosion.

It is a blissful jumble of vodka, cranberry juice, candy floss and malta orange.

As for the food, you can't afford to miss the Elvis Presley French Toast.

A twist on the old-school French Toast, this one includes peanut butter, soaked sugar sprinkled bread slices that are served with bananas.

Must-try dishes: Anda Shammi Kebab, Sesame Honey Chilli Fries and Chicken Bao

Peter Cat, Kolkata

Peter Cat, is the ideal place for those solely interested in devouring its beautifully prepared, and aesthetically presented food items.

Must-try dishes: Vegetarian Mixed Grill Sizzler, Fish Makhmail Keba and Fried Chicken Liver

Global Fusion, Mumbai

Its Spicy Pepper Chicken, Fried Pepper Mushrooms, Honey Chilly Potatoes and its Fried Pomfret are real treats for non-vegetarians.

The restaurant has a mini lagoon that offers Japanese, Thai, Chinese and North Indian cuisine, focusing more on the non-vegetarian preparations.

Incredibly popular for its sushi, the restaurant boasts of a separate kiosk serving well over two dozen varieties of it.

If the appetisers and the main course aren't enough, the dessert counter is sure to leave you stuffed to capacity.

From exclusive Baskin and Robbins ice creams to cheesecakes, pastries and a number of Indian desserts, they have it all.

No wonder this place draws in customers by the hundreds.

Must-try dishes: Crab soup, Cheese Prawns and Shanghai Paneer

Pirates of Grill, Gurgaon

It is one of those places where the taste gets you excited, compelling you to explore more with the service of each dish.

While the restaurant caters to non-vegetarian taste buds, they also serve vegan delicacies.

Among the array of dishes they have to offer, some of their most popular ones are grilled prawns, Brazilian Churasco chicken, Punjabi aneer and Tawa Boti Soya Mushroom.

Must-try dishes: Moong Dal Halwa and Garlic Green Prawns

Khan Chacha, Delhi

Its mouth-watering delicacies like the Chicken Tikka Roomali Roll and the Mutton Seekh Kebab Roll draw foodies not only from Delhi, but also from the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.

Some of its other well-known dishes include Mutton Kakori Kebab, Mutton Tikka Roll and Fish Tikka.

Obviously, the restaurant is not very popular with vegetarians, however, its vegetarian Paneer Tikka and vegetarian Hariyali Roomali Roti are delicious.

Apart from its rolls and tikkas, the lassi served here is also a crowd favourite.

Must-try dishes: Chicken Biryani and Mutton Seekh Roll

India's 15 best cities to live in

The cities were rated on four broad parameters: urban planning and design, urban capacities and resources, empowered and legitimate political representation, and transparency, accountability and participation. 


Kolkata: Rank: 1
Thiruvananthapuram: Rank:2
Bhopal: Rank: 3
Patna: Rank: 4
Delhi: Rank: 5
Raipur: Rank: 6
Surat: Rank:7 
Pune: Rank: 8
Mumbai: Rank: 9
Ahmedabad: Rank: 10
Jaipur: Rank: 11
Chennai: Rank: 12
Lucknow: Rank: 13
Kanpur: Rank: 14 
Ranchi: Rank: 15