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R.K.Laxman's Common man!

QR Codes

QR Code is the name for Quick Response Code.
Using QR codes is a rage in Japan.
QR code embeds information in a Matrix barcode and there are simple software and online tools to generate a QR code.
If you have a phone with a camera, you can read a QR code. All you need to do is download a QR code reader.
You can get QR readers from Getjar.
Once you know how to Generate a QR code and read a QR code.
You can go berserk with its uses like the one displayed here!

Here is a BBC QR code

Here is a good article to give you new ideas.

100 th Post - My 10 Favorite Posts

A year ago I started my blog LCDing. 

Now...
  • 100 Posts.
  • Around 12,000 page views.
  • Made friendships with people whom I never met!
  • I read a lot.
  • I learned a lot.
I am happy with my progress. I sincerely thank all  those who read my posts, who Subscribed my posts and all those who unsubscribed my posts!
Here, I present my best 10 posts. Incidentally they are popular !
  1. 20 Vital Metrics
  2. Which Graph ?
  3. Data Calisthenics with motion chart
  4. Animated charts in PowerPoint
  5. Text Visualization-Many eyes
  6. War in the board room
  7. Sales.. Sales all the way
  8. Sales Forecasting
  9. Waterfall charts aka Mario chart
  10. Display excel data on map - easy method
Please write to me or comment. I heart fully appreciate your time and your visit to my blog !
Keep LCDing.

Using applications without admin rights! Yet, respecting Admin!

Most of the Computers/Laptops given by corporates to their employees have restricted administrative privileges. However, the users need to accomplish some routine tests and may need software other than the ones provided by corporates.
A simple example is the use of Chrome browser instead of Internet explorer.
But, the employee is not allowed to install Chrome!
What do you do?
That's where Portable applications come in very handy!
Portable applications are small programmes of the original, that are independent of the operating system and can be run from a USB drive or a CD drive without installing them on the computer!
Here is the list of portable applications you can rely on...
You have a choice of downloading each of them separately or you can download a suit.
All of them absolutely free!
Remember- You can carry these applications in a Pendrive where ever you go and you have a spectrum of applications to work where ever you are!
PortableApps.com Suite and PortableApps.com Platform
Here are Individual programmes. Download them and use them respecting the organizational restrictions!


Right Brain vs Left Brain

Here is one sec Test .. take a look at the dancer below
 
Dancer turning clockwise? , Then you use the Right-brain more often!
Dancer turning anti-clockwise? , Then you use the Left-brain more often




Photobucket


You may try these test links to test yourself
in the end, let me close it with an insult. which goes like this...

There is nothing Right in the right brain and nothing left in the left brain.

Editable Maps for your Presentations

Using maps to show the data pertaining to a geographic area is a good idea!

You need editable maps so that you can use color codes to show the data distribution.
Creating such click-able maps needs skill and effort!
Here is one such map for you - India-States. Download India map @Downloads

You can create your own maps from any JPGs by using a software called inkscape, an open source vector graphics editor.They have a number of tutorials to help you at inkscape tutorials.
You can split the map by states and use colors of your choice to the states.

Similar maps are available from a web site called Presentation Magazine

This site hosts freely downloadable Maps of various countries very creatively crafted PowerPoint template, Editable Powerpoint News papers (a very creative thought!)

Brilliant stuff....I was tempted to share their maps, However, I respect their appeal to create a backlink rather than share. They deserve your visit to their site for all the effort in creating DO.. CO..MO.. stuff (Download, Copy ,Modify)

Make business 'Sense' with Bubble Charts

If you are to present the four parameters say Brands, Growth, Market Share and Sales, on a graph to understand dynamics of the market,   

A 'Bubble Chart' can easily show these four parameters on a single graph

We know X and Y Axis can show two data points. 
The third one is the size of the point in the form of a Bubble and 
The forth one is Color to distinguish between data points.

So, in a Bubble chart,  4 Parameters can be shown
  • Parameter 1: Brands can be shown in Color
  • Parameter 2: Growth can be shown on X-Axis
  • Parameter 3: Market Share can be shown on Y-Axis
  • Parameter 4: Sales can be shown as the Size of a bubble 

Bubble Chart Example: You can download the Template from Link given below

One can easily create Bubble charts using excel. 
However, when you are plotting multiple series of data points (Here in the example quoted above, it is the Region), you need to pain strikingly input each data point on the chart.

To make things easier, create a template and use the template every time.
I have created one such template for you. 
Next time when are to create a bubble chart, just use the template! 

You can download the excel file @Downloads
It's a DO..CO..MO.. stuff (Download, Copy , Modify )

Avoid these words in LinkedIn Profile - Top10 Cliché

Careful, while using these words in LinkedIn
  • My fast-paced career growth to the present position through various ranks authenticate my knowledge and skill as a professional.  
  • My proven track record of establishing a new business in assigned regions is a testimony to my entrepreneurial spirit. 
  • I carry with me 10 years of extensive experience in sales and marketing.
  • My result-oriented approach augmented with innovative communications earned me laurels as a marketing expert.
  • I am self-motivated and is a  mentor for 7  executives. 
  • I am intrinsically dynamic and a team player. 
  • Being a problem solver, I am always the first choice of my management team to take part in complex projects.
Sounds familiar? Yes! Indeed.
Sometime back, LinkedIn generated a list of top 10 cliché.

Here is the list...

Picture from LinkedIn Blog


1.  Extensive experience
2.  Innovative
3.  Motivated
4.  Results-oriented
5.  Dynamic
6.  Proven track record
7.  Team player
8.  Fast-paced
9.  Problem solver
10.Entrepreneurial


PS: In Corporate phraseology, LinkedIn = Job seeker !