Tata Consultancy Services’ Post

The London Marathon is announcing whether people got into the ballot today. If you applied for the TCS London Marathon ballot or know someone else who did, we hope it’s good news! With the announcement buzzing in the air, we're getting ready to put our best foot forward as part of Team Action. If you know anyone who was lucky enough to secure a spot in the Marathon, why not ask them to make their iconic run even more special by running for us? Running for Action Medical Research means running with a purpose. Run for Action, run for a reason, run for little lives. https://lnkd.in/eyGnuwtt

The TCS 10k marathon is not just a race it's a celebration of unity and diversity. As participants lace up their shoes and gather at the starting line, they bring with them a tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. From seasoned athletes to first-time runners, people from all walks of life come together with a shared goal i.e to challenge themselves and support each other on the journey. As the course winds through city streets, the energy is palpable, fueled by cheers from spectators and camaraderie among runners. Crossing the finish line isn't just an individual triumph, it's a collective victory, showcasing the power of unity in pursuit of a common purpose. The TCS 10k marathon exemplifies how sport can transcend boundaries, bringing people together in a spirit of harmony and collaboration.

Individual brilliance or team performance? In yesterday’s TCS London Marathon, Peres Jepchirchir broke the women-only world record to finish in a time of 2 hours, 16 minutes, 16 seconds. Was this a feat of individual brilliance, or the culmination of an exceptional team performance? At first glance, it’s easy to put it down to individual performance, and clearly exceptional talent plays a huge part. But, while I don’t know anything about the team behind Peres, I would bet my house that she has a carefully-constructed team to support her, working on everything from coaching to nutrition and psychology – and it’s likely the combined efforts of her team that ensure she is able to perform at her best on race day. Whether you’re a marathon winner or one of the thousands of ‘fun’ runners who finish the race, some kind of team effort will probably have played a part. Perhaps not in the formal sense of the word team, as we would see with the professionals, but most runners will have some kind of support network – even if it’s just family and friends cheering them on, maybe providing ‘cover’ during long training runs, or people to help raise sponsorship funds. Nobody achieves anything significant alone. So don’t even try. Even once the starting gun had sounded and the race was underway yesterday, it wasn’t a solo effort. Four women, competing against each other for the win, also ended up working together to result in them all finishing faster than the previous race record-holder. So even your biggest competitors can help you achieve your goals. Whatever you want to achieve, remember it’s ok to ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness, but necessary to give ourselves the best possible chance of success. Surround yourself with people who can give expert support and guidance, moral, emotional, and practical support, and you’re much more likely to end up where you want to be, than if you try to go it alone. Teamwork makes the dream work, whatever your dream may be. #teamwork #supportnetwork #goals

My reflections a week after running the TCS 10k in 63Min 10Secs. Last Sunday, I ran the TCS 10k, as I have been doing for the last several years. Running the TCS 10k has always been a fun experience. While it may not be a full marathon distance, it is rewarding to see what my body can do when I push it. This year, I had only done 5km stretches in my training runs and was a little apprehensive about running the full 10km on race day. But the supercharged atmosphere and being in that environment with 1000s of other runners with the same goal got me going and I managed to run the whole distance without stopping. I saw once again just how powerful self-motivation can be, especially when paired with drawing energy from others around you. I also learnt how important the setting is and why it matters to create an environment in which you can work towards greater heights. Before the race began, I was in a holding area that was not moving as fast as I would have liked. We were standing in the same spot for several minutes and nearly half an hour after the scheduled start, we heard the announcer saying the people still in the holding area would be disqualified if we did not cross the start line in 5 minutes. I was worried about losing time being stuck near the tail of the crowd. But this worry melted away as I found gaps and powered through. The biggest lesson here was how crucial it is to keep calm when problems arise because that can make the difference between success and failure. I started my run at my own pace. It was going well until I saw a group led by a runner who was making a pathway through the crowds right in the middle. The group was clearly faster than everybody else around so I joined them on the fly and my pace increased and stayed there for the rest of the race. It only became clear to me just how fast I was going after I crossed the finish line and saw my timings. As I sat by the side and iced my knees, I realized that a high-performing team led by a competent leader can take an individual to further heights, even if you don't realize it at the time. I aim to be that kind of runner and leader next year so I can clear a path for others to realize their full potential. Despite running with the fast group, my energy levels started dropping towards the end. Of course, I noticed it, but I knew that I would not be able to recover my pace if I were to slow down, especially in the final stretch. And so, I pushed myself to keep going. I realized only later that the other runners around me were also taking in energy drinks and chocolates along the way, which kept their energy levels going. Had I done the same, I could've potentially improved my timings. As important as skill, and preparation is, you cannot put that talent to use without the right fuel. It is vital to keep an eye on your battery levels, so you are sufficiently charged up to push for glory. #TCSWorld10K #WeAreVolvoGroup #Motivation #EndendiguBengaluru #VolvoGroup #Leadership

What if we talked about diversity, equity and inclusion ? Those who know me well know that although I practice different sports, I am not a big sports fan in general. However, I would like to highlight a great initiative taken by the #TCS London Marathon organization which recently transformed the 3 letters of DEI into impactful actions. Few people have certainly noticed this historic news, but for the first time at the TCS London Marathon 2024, the wheelchair athletes' prize fund will be equal to able-bodied athletes. https://lnkd.in/eedANF6Q In a recent interview on CNBC TV18, TCS  Global CMO,  Abhinav Kumar has recalled the long and consistent story of TCS investments in Marathons. He highlighted how these investments have contributed to TCS brand value and its remarkable growth synonym of commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustained excellence. https://lnkd.in/eA_SFsWp TCS’ sports partnerships are built on shared values and purpose. We use our sports sponsorships to strengthen our brand but not only. We build relationships with our customers and the communities. We use our innovations to enhance event experiences or sport performances like with the first digital heart using the power of IA of Des Linden, a legendary runner, two-time Olympian and Boston Marathon champion. It is therefore today with real pleasure and pride that I see that our engagement to the London Marathon is also synonymous with pioneering DEI initiatives. https://lnkd.in/ebS63v6a

8.5 minutes may not seem like much time, but ask any sportsperson, including runners, and they'll tell you the significant impact it can have. I'm not a regular runner at all; in fact, I only run long distances once a year :) That's exactly what I did yesterday when I competed again in the TCS10K event. To be honest, I was nervous—not about finishing the race, but about beating my last year's time of 63 minutes. And I did, by 8.5 minutes—surprised and elated, for sure. On the way back, I engaged in some self-reflection to figure out what I did differently this year: 1. No music: I ran most of the time without listening to music. It actually brought a sense of calmness while running. 2. No distance tracking notification app: I didn't use NIKE Run or similar apps to keep notifying me about how much distance I had covered and what my speed was. Those apps tend to be more of a pressure than support for me. 3. Workout discipline: Over the last 10 months (and continuing), I've been on a health transformation journey where I dedicate five days a week to working out in the gym. That routine worked wonders in improving my stamina and endurance during the race. Running has taught me some valuable lessons, not only for better runs but also for a better life. See you next year, TCS10K :)

Running is an excellent way to live an active #lifestyle that boosts physical and mental well-being. No wonder, many look forward to events like #Marathon, for it is a multi-faceted #opportunity -- it can boost physical health, mental well-being and career graphs alike. India is likely to have over two dozen marathons in 2024 alone, including high-altitude ones. Apart from enthusiastic individuals, companies like Amdocs, RPG Group and Mahindra Group have been encouraging their employees to experience the #benefits of running Marathons. If you are planning to attend one, this article by our founding partner Diganta B., a trained mountaineer and a Marathon participant, can help you #prepare. Read on https://lnkd.in/gNfT94kK How are you preparing this year? Tell us in the comments.

As #Champions return to #India tonite, its time to cheer them for all the good work done and for bringing glory back to our #motherland. Its sheer #hardwork, #determination, #focussed to the #target approach and being relaxed even under demanding situation, that made it possible. There are some great lessons that we learn from #TeamIndia- 1. #Clarity of goal is very important and must be well undertstood by each member. 2. No task is complete till the time the #goal is achieved. 3. #Success enroute are the lead to your goal and they should not be #distractions. 4. Being focussed to the #target always aligns you to the purpose. 5. Finally its the #Teamwork that made it possible. No amount of individual glory could have made the success possible. A well oiled team working flawlessly can only achieve the impossible. 6. A strong #leadership not only keeps the team motivated but also keeps them grounded and focussed to the goal. 7. People (support staff) around you work as catalyst in enhancing your #performance. 8. Be #focussed to the purpose but remain grounded as human. What are your views on the lessons that we learnt. BCCI Prerana Sharma TravOinspire Global Pvt Ltd #T20 #teamwork #champions #worldcup #cricket #teamindia #hardwork #determination #goal