One Foot in the Mudd – Page 16 – Food, technology, cars and Startups.

of meetings!

I called a marketing expert today, and asked him for a meeting. well, he said lets meet over lunch, so I was umm.. ok. lets do that.
anywyas, before I went, I noted down questions i needed answered, so that I can figure things out at my end. So we meet, and I ask him “question 1”
and he goes on… and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on…. .. and on….and just does not stop,…..
atleast if he was giving me information – i can be greateful, but he’s not… he’s asking me more questions and more questions… casting aspersions on what i am doing and the company i am doing some work for…
finally, i decded that this meeting is going no-where, look at my watch and say … “Umm, i hope you are not getting late”
well, that i thinki did the trick… he realized that he was talking too much, and called it a day! phew!

why must people be so un-productive… why can they say – ok, you need to run a program like this- it will cost you so much, and so much for increments, if you want to do something like this- it will cost you so much and so much! thats iT its done!
but no… it goes on and on and on and on!

a complete waste of my 2 hours! Blah!

e-Shopping Network!

my wife plagued me to go shopping with her- as exciting as a visit to the dentist. grudgingly I agreed. Somehow the thought of not spending time with her outweighed my utter disdain for this women’s olympic sport. Nonetheless – I found myself rubbing shoulders with them ever-so-famous mannequins and perfume samples. Now- in order to increase the wallet share- the shops have kept the womens clothes & lingerie together- that means bad news for us guys- who end up “hanging ” around untill the dust settles from the rush to and from the changing rooms. the thought struck me- why can’t stores have “waiting” rooms near the changing rooms- a small TV and a Playstation, or even some news papers and magazines- because no wifeaccompanyingshoppinghusband will go beyond an earshot of the changing room, since their “opinion” matter (yeah right! ) and if they do – then they face the wrath of the “shopping angry wife!”. and if they have no comments, then it is as good as sending the wife alone!

so as a guy – I vote for a waiting room near the changing room, to save our brethren the agony of waiting till the better halfs work their way through a stockpile of trial outfits. 🙂

travails of happiness

i took train today. it was nice. i really enjoyed it. it has no correlation with the topic, but then there are times when you want to use certain words, and then you use them. Travails 🙂 word for today.

today was one of those days when you realise, that small things in life make you happy. I went to drop off my car for service, which is quite far from home. so then I decided to take a autorikshaw back, but my friend and adviser (and also the worlds greatest car tuner for me) suggested i take the train. well, this was the first time i was taking the metropolis’s extravagant Mass Rapid Transit System – which was Mass (it was a garguantian splurge of money), hardly rapid, but it was a system (well, a single drain pipe is also a system)- but this offered a very unique blend of sights, somehting which i have never seen in my life.

the first thing that struck me was the sheer size of these stations, huge- and DAMN lonely- i really wonder how on earth women go thru that place. I was spooked, and I am 6′ 3″, weigh close to 120Kgs, and have a few color belts in Tae Kwondo, Judo, and karate, so i say hats off to folks to like using it. There were no shady folks hanging around there, but the sheer size of the place- huge, no lights, and just outside there was so much traffic – it was the blatant imbalance of chaos between the outside and inside that throws one off.

the first few kilometers was over a highly developed and hyped peice of real-estate called the “IT Corridor” it was elevated, and it was those feelings that you get from seeing everything from above. beyond that, it was the most eclectic mix of poverty, modernity, nature and dirt all mixed into a heady concoction in order to make the 20 minute ride a very memorable one.

The journey took me through the city. I saw so much greenery. I saw many sights that I have never seen before. I guess this route gives you a different perspective on things. a view from the neighbours window. Thats what I call it. You always wonder- what does your neighbour see from their window – will it be different? what will it be? and thats what I saw today. The buildings were absymal – in a state of such shamble- but right next to these buildings were large pre-indipendece structures ,that blew ones breath away.

I think i iwll take this trip once more. Just to try and capture the sights again. Just for that reason. Once more.

Startup Central?

how friendly is society towards startups? well, its slowly dawning on me- not very.

1. finances: if a startup needs a loan – its not available unless you have been in existance for 3 years with all audited financial information- which kinda defeats the purpose of a startup.

2. market sentiments – well- everyone seems to be out to take you for a ride- esp if you are not doing some form of mild rocket science. thye are like- you are a startup – so what canyou possibly do. so the moral of the story is – market whatever you do as rocket science.

3. realestate- realised that the folks in the building need to see fancy spancy crap to think that you are a worthwile company- which is annoying to say the least. Just today – i had the watchman for the office building saying that the parking is not available for us- which is very strange- because the owners have had parking slots for almost 3 years.

guess its a matter of perspective- as to who can be walked over and who would turn around and bite you back.

being on your own

Today was a day of reckoning. we took some decisions as a company. and we are proud of them. Being on your own its nice- this feeling. At times its troubled thoughts on how one might put food on the table, but its also a sense of liberation which allows you to do anything you might want at any time and any point. explore limitless possibilities and all along be happy- simply because you are choosing to do so.

we have grown!

we hired our second employee this week. this morning, we stumbled on a great idea- and have decided to take it forward. a bit of a digression from our current line of work – but hey- being the boss -you can dictate.

So, we need some folks – we sent out some email and now we posted an advert online. Our very first advert.

So as things go … incase anyone who reads this .. knows of any good folks.. do refer them to us.

decisions

when you work for an established orgnization, you assume that all bills will be covered. however, when you are on your own – you have to make sure you have enough money to make sure the bills are covered. so if you want to buy an AC for the office- hmm- thought needs to go in – to how much the bills are going to be and whether this is a necessity or an extravagance. that rule of thumb literally goes for everything that we need to purchase. getting money is the 2nd most critical thing, the first being – the balls to take off. you need money for eveyrthing- and every tom, dick and third bihari thinks that since you have a startup – you are flushed with cash. which is not the best thought since- they will jack up the prices. here- being a startup- you will be as cost conscious as possible- comparing vendors to even supply you toilet equipment, whereas most of the suppliers think- hmmm… new company… more money! 🙁 sadly – the saga for the entrepreneur is never over.

another golden rule- time is money. when you decide not to work – you loose business. you can’t afford to sit back with your feet in the air saying – im my own boss- i think i wont go to work today. nein – that does not work these days! 🙁

so a tip – think a million times before you jump in! 🙂

Our first office

Monday August 4th 2008

My first monday morning in office. reached at a fairly decent time (i guess 10am is decent by most standards! ) and worked on a few things, ironing out some issues, and mailed a few folks. Finally we set off to make our first purchase. it was funny, it was the first tim in my life that i bargained. and bargained hard. well, for most folks, the bargaining might have been peanuts, but for someone who doesnt bother – i was rather surprised with myself with the level of bargaining. 🙂

we came out of the shop with one printer and one wireless hub. our companies first office equipment.

clap! clap!

The Entrepreneur

Sunday 22nd June 2008- sitting in office at 4pm, wondering what the hell were we doing pushing ourselves so hard. It was Saturdays, sundays, all days 8am to 2am almost. I had always wanted to be on my own, so decided, if i can work so hard for someone, doing something for which the benifits I will never see, I must have it in me to do it for me? well, at that moment, I logged into the system, and clicked on the one button all of us stuck in the rat race always dream of clicking- “submit resignation”. That being done, Startedworking with even more gusto, because i saw light at the end of the tunnel. something which i felt that wll allow me to explore the relems of life, and enjoy the joy of success.

Thursday 31st July 2008- Was effectively my last day at the company. I went about finishing my formalities, had a small farewell party – a cake and a lovely gift voucher – most importantly, it was a gathering to say goodbye. The light at my tunnel was appearing brighter, many a times during the 1.5 months, I wondered if i had taken th right decision. If this was the case, then should i withdraw my resignation? so, here i was, at the cusp of the next big step of my life. I was finally going to be an entrepreneur. my dream and my ambition.

Senseless websense!

I finally moved my team, which got me a different job profile, along with it, a complete drop from the ultimate position- a direct internet connection. that essentially allowed me to go anywhere and do anything and not worry about the fact that the site minder software wont be bothering me! 🙂 But then, as they say- all good things shall pass!

so, I changed, and lost those privileges as well. No admin access, no internet access, nothing. well, truly a second class citizen! 🙂

but the crux of the issue is – how useful is websense? people always find ways around systems. Like with the great ultrasurf. Websense’s only nemesis – where the software seems to tunnel its way through the software to give the user unlimited access.

Them folks at work – have decided to restrict almost all sites that will allow a person to maintin their sanity. all sports sites are blocked, all entertainment sites are blocked, hell – even blogs are blocked. Little do they realise that with the heralding in of the web2.0 system – blogs are where the information is. All information – opinions are now blogged. and if the access is not allowed- well, truly – it sucks!