Unfinished Job (முடிவுறுவாத வேலை)

Impact On Financial Health

Any unfinished project is always plagued with capital lock up, demoralized workforce, cost overrun, lost opportunity and ultimately ends up as totally non viable. The sunken money can not be recovered either. Meanwhile, the interest and penal interest cost on the loan amount for delayed payment would be mounting which at a particular point in time to make repayment impossible. The cascading effect, depriving the resources that otherwise could have been effectively deployed in other good tasks result in missed opportunities thus adversely affecting the financial health of the company. In short, it becomes the root cause for the whole downfall of the concern itself. This analogy made in the Kural given below, is finest in expressing the lurking danger. Like Unattended, Unextinguished, simmering fire and an enemy in waiting are equally  dangerous as like fire or a conflict can flare up in most unexpected time destroying an individual or a company.There is very good proverb in Tamil which says ‘There is no use by climbing up only half of the well’.

 வினைபகை யென்றிண்டின் எச்சம் நினையுங்கால்

 தீயெச்சம் போலத் தெறும். (674)    

 Vinaipagai Yendrindin Echam Ninaiyungal
 Theeyechham Poalath Therum 

     
 பகுதியில் நின்ற வேலையும், அழிக்காமல் விடப்பட்ட எதிரியும்
 அணைக்கபடாத தீயைப் போல் கேடு விளைவிக்கும் 

  Unfinished task and unconquered enemy will be destructive

  like unextinguished fire.  

 Impact On Reputation

There is no difference between a task not taken up or unfinished. In fact, a task not started is better than half done as you have choice to start other task and there is no commitment of resources. Further, no one ever appreciated or recognized a half finished job. Whole Exercise turns to be wasteful as it fails to meet the objectives. All efforts and resources invested will come to nought.All these factors, directly affects the Executive  in charge who looses his credibility, which damages his reputation as wel as his future. Completion of the  classic last mile in any race,differentiates the winner from the looser.Hence, it is imperative that the executive ensures that, any task once taken up is completed irrespective of  hurdles encountered.  Even big companies suffer the ignominy of  irreparable  loss of reputation due to unfinished project.

வினைக்கண் வினைகெடல் ஓம்பல்: வினைக்குறை

தீர்ந்தாரின் தீர்தன்று உலகு (612)

      

    Vinaikan Vinaikedal Ombal: Vinaikurai

    Theerntharin Theerthandru Ulagu

தொடங்கிய வேலையை ஒருவன் நிறுத்தக் கூடாது. உலகம் ஒரு பொழுதும் தன் கடமையை செய்யத் தவரியவனை மதிக்காது.   

Never leave a task unfinished as world does not care about person who fails to finish his duty.

Fortitude (உள வலிமை)

Even before embarking on a job, one should not get intimidated by the  complexities posed by the task. Sincere efforts and hard work will definitely  bear fruit. Mankind is able to enjoy the fruits of many many scientific  discoveries only because of the faith, dedication and untiring hard work  by great scientists coupled with perseverance against odds. They have  become immortals in the annals of history. In fact, no leader had ever  tasted success without undergoing his share of struggle. As the saying goes

 ‘you never loose until you  stopped trying’. Steve Jobs the legendary co  founder of Apple Corporation once asked about his astounding achievement  remarked that more than success and profit the journey of creating new  products with innovation to the delight of his customer itself was the  greatest reward. 

 அருமை உடைத்தென்று அசாவாமை வேண்டும்:

       பெருமை முயற்சி தரும் (611)

       Arumai Udaiththendru Asavamai Vendum:

       Perumy Muyarchi Tharum        

 
  ஒரு வேலை கடினமாக தோன்றுகிறது என்று மன கலக்கமடையக்    

  கூடாது. விடா முயற்சி வெற்றி தரும்.

   

       One should  not get intimidated by  apparent difficulties of a

       task. Persistent efforts will  definitely will bear fruit.

Positive Thinking ( நேர்மறை சிநதனைகள் )

This couplet exhorts one to develop self actualisation and motivate himself to be steadfast in focus when confronted with hurdles during execution of a task by keeping a positive frame of mind, imagining the happiness the success would bring when the task is completed. 

Many start a project with lot of initial enthusiasm but get disheartened along the way, when they face hurdles and give it up mid-way. Life rewards success only those who have the “never die” attitude and finish the task at any cost.

A successful actor in Hollywood once told how, while struggling to get a foot hold in getting a chance to act in a movie, he used to imagine himself of becoming a very successful actor and receiving a cheque for one million dollars. In a very short time he did receive a cheque for the same amount!!

துன்பம் உறவரினும் செய்க துணிவாற்றி
இன்பம் பயக்கும் வினை. (669)

       Thunbam Uravarinum Saiga Thunivarri
       Inbam Payakkum Vinai   

    செயலை செய்யும் பொழுது இடையூர்கள் வந்தாலும், அதை செய்து

    முடிக்கும் பொழுது கிடைக்கும் இன்பத்தை நினைவிலுருத்தி துணிவு

    மேற்கொண்டு முடிக்க வேண்டும்.            
   

 When confronted with hardship, while carrying out a task, one

    must fantasize about the delight the deed will bring, on completion of the task          and continue to work relentlessly with passion.  

PERSEVERANCE (விடா முயற்சி)

Self Confidence (தன்னம்பிக்கை)

This Kural stresses the importance of steadfast determination against odds and the need to  focus on the job undertaken to overcome any hurdles that could confront a person during  execution. It is relevant for anyone engaged in either technical, political, financial or even in academic field. It advises to overcome ‘fear of failure’ with great self confidence.

        
Barak Obama who achieved the honour of becoming  the first African American president of the USA is a standing example of a man with courage of conviction, tenacity, determination and positive thinking. His campaign slogan  “Yes, You Can” had catapulted him to the highest office against all odds. The resurgence of Apple incorporated from the downturn is attributed to it’s founder Steve Jobs, who had come back from his voluntary retirement and with countless new innovations. This is evident from the fact that for the first time in 2011, Apple  had beaten Microsoft, it’s arch rival, as the most valuable company.The company earned  record profit overtaking other rivals. Steve Jobs could attain all these achievements, inspite of the terminal cancer afflicted him in the recent past.  

Another case in point is about Dr. Kalam’s driver, who on the advice of his boss, re-started his discontinued studies that had stalled at 10^th standard. Today, after acquiring post graduate degrees, he has become a professor in a college.

வினைத்திட்பம் என்பது ஒருவன் மனதிட்பம்

மற்றைய எல்லாம் பிற (661)

   
Vinaithitpam Enpathu Oruvan Manathitpam
Matravai Ellam Pira

ஒருவன் செயலின் ஆற்றலைத்  தீர்மானிப்பது அவனது மன உறுதியே  மற்ற குணங்கள் எல்லாம் இதற்கு அடுத்தபடியே    

  
A strong mind alone ensures powerful act and all other good qualities though important, becomes insignificant with lack of self confidence.  

Effort (முயற்சி)

There are many stories about successful entrepreneurs who have emerged successful after great hardship. The recent classic example is that of Steve Jobs who was expelled from the very company he founded and was ushered back in after 10 years and made it very successful with innovative products. The whole world knows about tireless efforts of Thomas Edison who had invented products after products, that made disruptive change in the society with his enthusiasm and zeal, despite many failures.

The poet in this ‘Kural’ not only brings out the advantage of   repeated, un relented, attempts that  would bring all good things , but also 
warns that lack of it would land the person in deep troubles.

முயற்சி திருவினை ஆக்கும் முயற்றின்மை

   இன்மை புகுத்தி விடும் (616)  

Muyarchi Thiruvinai Aakkum Muyatrinmai

Inmy Pukuthi Vidum

  

இடைவிடாத முயற்சி செல்வத்திற்கு வழி வகுக்கும், சோம்பேறித்தனமோ எல்லா தீமைக்கும் அடித்தளமாகும்.        

Industriousness will lead to wealth but idleness will lead to all kind of miseries. 

Execution (செயல் படுத்தல்)

The Poet not only  stress the importance of good planning and swift decision making, but also the vital need of proper execution of the task once the decision is made. Here two vital aspects are stressed

1. Need for detailed analysis which will remove any doubt regarding lurking dangers
2. Once the decision is made, the need for quick action to ensure the completion of task in time.

This is a follow up of the Couplet (467) given under planning stressing detailed analysis preceding any decision to undertake any new task.

கலங்காது கண்ட வினைக்கண் துளங்காது      
தூக்கங் கடிந்து செயல் (668)

   

 Kalangathu kanda vinaikkan thulangathu
 Thookang Kadinthu Seyal

      

மனக்குழப்பமின்றி ஆராய்ந்து தேர்ந்தெடுத்த செயலைச சோர்வு
கொள்ளாமல் காலம் தாழ்த்தாமல் செய்து முடிக்க வேண்டும்

The  task  selected after detailed analysis without  any

confusion, should be completed without slackness  or    

delay.  
   

weighing Tasks  (சீர்தூக்கி பணி செய்தல் )

While stressing swift action the great man cautions the executive  to ensure that the action taken is not unlawful or counterproductive to the objective. However, inaction during demanding situations, either to due to ‘play safe’ attitude, habitual procrastination or deliberate neglect also will cause trouble. Here, what the sage coveys, while caution is essential to be exercised to evaluate the correctness before action to be taken, inaction will also be equally detrimental. 

This couplet deals with the need for weighing each task before execution, in order to eliminate unnecessary and forbidden tasks . The responsibility of a CEO is to constantly monitor activities being undertaken by his colleagues. There can be instances where in, some employee can indulge in unlawful or unethical activity like mis appropriation of funds, ill treatment of collegues, using pirated software,which must be curtailed at once. On the same count, adherence to all statutory (industrial and government) rules and regulations like depositing Taxes and PF amount in Government treasury in time, implementation of all safety measures to safeguard employees, pollution control norms etc are a must with out which the company in general and the CEO in particular would land  in  trouble.

This message is also applicable to other project / technical activities, where in, unnecessary activities are to be eliminated and most important critical activities to be positively completed in time.    

செய்தக்க அல்ல செயக்கெடும் செய்தக்க

      செய்யாமை  யானும் கெடும் ( 466 )    

  
       Seithakka Alla Seyakedum Seithakka
       Seiyamai  Yaanum Kedum
  
        ஒருவன் செய்யக்கூடாத செயல்களை செய்வதால் கெடுவான்

       செய்யவேண்டிய செயல்களை செயல் படுத்தாதாலும் கெடுவான்

 Carrying out forbidden tasks as well as failure to execute   

 necessary action would equally land one in trouble

Inefficient Execution (திறமையற்ற செயலாக்கம்)

In industry or project, when there is some delay or other issue, the tendency of the leader will be to induct more workforce,  as if, it is a panacea for all ills. Infact, if the planning is bad, addition and sincere efforts would only be in vain as the task would  proceed in wrong direction, in haphazard manner though unintentionally. There are several instances, where in, many good projects become unviable due to schedule slippage with attendant cost overrun, though it is equipped with more than adequate manpower and other resources due to poor execution.

ஆற்றின் வருந்தா வருத்தம் பலர்நின்று

   போற்றினும் பொத்துப் படும் (468)

Aatrin Varuntha Varuththam Palarnindru

Potrinum pothup padum 

    

   முறையாக செய்யப்படாத செயல், பல பேர் துணை கொண்டு

   செய்தாலும் முடங்கிப்  போய்விடும்

    However much manpower is inducted, an inefficient execution will 

    result in failure.

     Alacrity ( ஆயத்தம்)

Here the couplet stresses the importance of patience and need for swift action when opportunity arrives. This aspect of timing is vital for a CEO in taking decisions like launching of new product, services or diversification / merger as it involves great risk and far reaching implications on the company’s performance in the long run.

கொக்கக்க கூம்பும் பருவத்து மற்றதன்             
குத்தொக்க சீர்த்த இடத்து ( 490 )
   
 Kokkokka Koombum Parruvaththu Matrathan
 Kuththokka Seertha Idaththu
  
 காலம் கைகூடும் வரை கொக்கு போல் பொறுமையாக காத்திருந்து, தகுந்த தருணம் வாய்க்கும் பொழுது (அதாவது மீனைக் கண்டவுடன் குறி தவறாமல் குத்தும் கொக்கைப்  போல்) காரியத்தை செய்து முடிக்கவேண்டும்.   .  
  
Just like a crane waiting patiently for the fish and strike it with out fail when it comes across it,  one has to exercise patience for the right opportunity to emerge and act swiftly without  fail

Decision Making (தீர்வு காணல்)

Decision Tree ( தீர்வு கிளையமைப்பு)

In the following two Kurals, the great sage brought out important factors to be considered, before selection of a task or project. If the analysis reveal,  adverse factors that would impede the progress, then efforts should be made to consider all alternative options before zeroing down to the best one to ensure success. This kural advises exactly that principle to be borne in mind.

ஒல்லும்வாய் எல்லாம் வினைநன்றே ஒல்லாக்கால்
செல்லும்வாய் நோக்கிச் செயல் (673) 

Ollumvaai ellaam vinainandre ollaakkaal

Sellumvaai nokkich cheyal. 

செயலைச் செய்து முடிக்க முடியும் என்று உறுதியானால் மட்டுமே செய்யத் துவங்க வேண்டும்; முடியாது என்று தோன்றினால் வேறு வழிகளை ஆராய்ந்து சிறந்த வழியைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்து செயல்படுத்த வேண்டும்.

Procrastination of Decision( முடிவை காலந்தாழ்த்தல்)

Tiruvalluvar, while advocating certain actions, brings out  the good effects of certain action and in order to highlight the great importance of the message, he also provides adverse effect of not following the dictum in another couplet. This Kural is one of many. 

In “Kural “ above, he touched upon the need  of careful planning and analysis, before launching any activity and in the couplet below, he stresses ill effects of delayed decision once detailed planning and analysis is completed. In some concerns, lot of importance is given for detailed planning. However the chief executive drags his feet to take timely decision and the whole system gets in to “Analysis Paralysis Syndrome” and in the process would miss great opportunities.

While in previous  couplets, planning and analysis before carrying out an activity were stressed, in this, Tiruvalluvar admonishes the tendency to shy away from taking timely decision, with consequent adverse effect on the final outcome.

சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது (671)

Soozhchi Mudivu Thunivaithal Aththunivu
Thaazhchiyul Thanguthal Theethu              

திட்டமிடுதலின் எல்லை ஒரு செயலை செய்வதற்க்கு வேண்டிய முடிவு
எடுப்பதற்கே. பிறகும், காலம் தாழ்த்துவது, தவறாகும்.

  

 The end result of planning is decision making only and to delay it  any further is wrong.