Better Know the restrictions

These days, USPS (United States Postal Service) is quite active as they are coming out with new products and services on regular basis to meet changing needs of customers. Recently they introduced Large Flat Rate Box for domestic and International Priority mail giving customers option other than Regular Flat Rate box. They also started Sunday delivery with Express mail. This is one of only its kind offering in Parcel industry as none of big three UPS, FedEx, DHL offer Sunday delivery.
USPS has been taking right steps after momentous Postal law signed by President Bush last year to fight with other carriers as they cannot sustain the business by just delivering letters to each and every zip code from Alaska to SanDeigo.
They have to compete aggressively with other carriers in profitable business of Parcels and their moves are in right direction.
I will transition to another topic which actually prompted me to write today. Few days back, I was surprised to read some of the restrictions that various countries place on Shipments coming inside their borders ( http://www.usps.com/mailpro/2008/janfeb/janfeb.pdf )

Here are some of seemingly absurd restrictions that I found.:
Australia: Goods bearing the name “Anzac.”
Costa Rica: Blank invoices.
Ireland: Hay, straw, including articles made of straw.
Latvia: Live animals except bees and leeches.
Russia: Color copiers.
Switzerland: Mini-spies (miniature wireless transmitters).
Tunisia: Playing cards.
Countries generally disallow arms, ammunitions, explosives and hazardous substances that are identified by United Nations. But what’s wrong with Anzac? And why is Hay is restricted by Ireland? Funnily, Latvia restricts live animals with exception of bees and leeches and Russia doesn’t want color printers to be sent to them. Perhaps, they are happy with monocolor printing.

Infosys Predictability

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Last week I came across Infosys Ad on CNBC, with same themes which are on show in this video. We used to wonder why Infosys never comes out with Ads on TV as part of brand building exercise as had been the case with likes of Accenture. We used to get answers that we don’t need to spend money on such campaigns. Keeping this point aside this video is truly motivational, inpiring and nostalgic. The bonds and attachments that you create with fellow infoscions is truly understood when you are 8000 miles away from the heart of company, representing it and upholding the values every single day.

I believe among all other top IT companies, the one true differentiator is strong value system. Every single day, strong values are ingrained and embedded in you and in my opinion; this is the best asset that you build when you work for Infosys.

The story in video is about adventure of 7 guys who thought of playing gamble and risking their successful careers leading to a company that becomes brand identity of nation after 25 years. This achievement is truly remarkable. But, this is half the journey completed. If Infosys wants to survive another 25 years, then it would need immense imagination and strategy.