Bench time - Problem or Opportunity? (Part I)

If you say 'Is this even a question? The obvious anser is ...'.  Well, you are one of the few folks that will put their bench time to some use. And there are many others who will not have that advantage.

If you are in Software Services Industry, you either have already been on Bench in past OR will be sometime in future. It's just part of being in this industry. In any case, knowing the answer to above question is important. And that answer will vary from individual to individual.

If being on bench is a "problem", start acting now so that you reamin on bench for as little time as possible. I have heard people say that there is hardly anything one can do about it ... it's a direct function of project pipeline (and hence your "fate" lies in the hands of sales / business development teams in your companies). I think it's only half truth. It's as much a function of your "skill set" as it's a function of sales pipeline. If your skills are deep and broad at the same time, you are more marketable. But anyways, that's not what I wanted to write this blog about.

There is another important aspect that influences the mindset towards bench-time and what you do on bench: It's the company you are working for. More than what you think of bench ... you should find out what your company thinks of you being on bench. If your company only thinks "problem", believe me, it's just not the right company. Start looking elsewhere.

Luckily I work for ThoughtWorks.  Our term for 'bench' is 'beach'. And it's not just another name for same old thing; it's how you look at it and what you do of the opportunity. More about the 'opportunity' in the next blog. Meanwhile, if you want to know how you can be in the company that offers opportunities everyday, you should stop working and start amazing.  Ok, I know it sounds very salesy ... but the time to do that thinking is not when you will be on bench, it's before bench happens to you.

Can we make a difference?

I am sure most of you read yesterday's TOI headline on PISA Report on India's Education scenario. 3 days before, our PM admitted to 58% of Indian Children being malnourished and that the problem is deeper in India than in some sub-Saharan countries.  It is saddening and depressing. Just about 3~4 weeks back, I read yet another report proclaiming that India would have a disproportionate advantage of 'Demographic Dividend' in next 15~18 years (India would have highest number of youths - aged between 12 - 64; the productive population). This report painted a very glossy picture of a 'possibility' ... that finally India is going to have its shot at World Stage ... mainly driven by the largest working class in the world.


I am sure a malnourished bulging adult population without Quality Education would actually be a curse rather than competitive advantage. If nothing changes, we are probably going from a Emerging Economy Nation status to LDC status... not in 15 years, but much sooner than that.


Ironically, this reconfirms that what ThoughtWorks-PUNE's is focusing on under the 2012 NGO Initiative, is indeed meaningful and urgently required. We want to partner with 1 or 2 Local NGOs working in Education sector and contribute holistically for the cause. In very simple terms, the idea is to have 2 parallel streams running... 'a monthly impact program' and 'a NGO initiative'. Under the NGO initiative, we want to provide whatever help that NGO might need to further its cause. This can include donating money, volunteering time for teaching, raising awareness, brainstorming with the NGO team and even developing software for them. This will run throughout 2012 and hopefully beyond. Under the monthly impact program, we will work with the needy group each month (it can be the same NGO that we have selected under the NGO Initiative or any other group, or it can even be a spontaneous idea from a ThoughtWorker).


I know that in larger schema of things, what we are planning on doing is too small. But the sooner we start, may be we will get courage to aim high. I know we can contribute and make a difference.


May be you can do something similar in your organizations. May be we can join hands ... write to me and we can discuss how we can align the efforts OR how you can participate in what we are trying to do here. Even better, you may consider joining ThoughtWorks :-). If you are passionate (about writing software and making a difference in the world we live in), you might find likeminded people here.