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Monthly Archives: September 2011

Indian Embassy- Houston

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This is a continuation of my previous Blog of an lost Indian passport replacement service provided by Indian embassy in Houston. I went to embassy after 2 Months even though i was told to contact after 1.5 months.

My visit to the new building of Indian embassy in Houston. The new building has a parking lot which is securely locked with a gate to make visitor life miserable of no place to park the car, then followed I saw a 70-80 year old lady walking down a 30 steps steep staircase as the office is in second floor and they don’t have a lift. The most horrible part is the customer support window with two holes through which a person has to communicate through with the person in the other end. Literally two holes in a wall- round hole to peep in to see the persons face in the other side and a square hole to send in the form. Never seen this style of a customer service window in the whole world unless they want to hide behind a wall to prevent people see what they are doing in the other end as most of the time they don’t do anything. Cant they afford to put a secure glass if security is a concern? they are not making any money here?

My turn came and i was excited to pick my passport as all my business trips to India has been postponed due to this. I am from south India and the lady behind wanted to talk with me in Hindi and since i don’t know this language i was replying her in English but looks like she was not in a mood to speak in English. Well she said it is not ready….. I told her my concern as it is 2 months already but she doesn’t want to provide me more details on when i could get. I asked her if it is possible I could contact someone regards to this but unfortunately there is no one responsible for this delay.

I was told to provide a request letter and they will do their best. I am sure that if the money i paid to get this done did not work then my letter will end in trash.

With so much globalization happening and India being a major player in so many BPO’s why is India not able to fix this worst customer support provided in their own embassy and very stubborn about it? worst part is if this is the case of a BPO business owner providing business to India for the past 11 years whats the fate of other people? Sometimes makes me feel maybe the people who gets this job here in this embassy is not by expertise but maybe by recommendation and hence their involvement to the job to provide the best support to the Indians who need help is absent.

Apptivo features for Consultants and Freelancers

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Apptivo is here to provide consultants and freelancers over 40+ business applications that help manage their business, all for the price of NOTHING! Get unlimited online invoicing, manage numerous projects at once, keep track of the time spent on individual projects, WordPress integrated, and much more features.

Social websites

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Last week I got an opportunity to visit Techcrunch in San Fransisco, CA. I spent some time listening to start-ups who where brought to the stage for their chance to do a presentation in-front of investors and Press.

What surprised me was almost 2 out of 3 start-ups who where taken to stage where trying to follow Facebook in a form of dating or travel sharing, in a form of doing garden like farmville. Did this country entrepreneurs forget what this country really needs now? Come on guys wake up, we need something to strengthen the businesses here in this country and not to focus more on virtual realty.

Whats next? Are we going to have virtual food?

Do something to make this country stronger by encouraging start ups who does product and service which could helps business to become stronger. We have enough virtual entertainments….

Business oppurtunities

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I went to a beach today to spend some time there. It was crowded since it is a long weekend. Got the ticket to enter the beach and as usual my car got stuck in the sand as I don’t drive a 4 wheel drive. I somehow managed to get some help and came out of it and parked my car. During my stay there i saw plenty of cars getting stuck in the same spot as not all of them drive a 4 wheel drive.
Here comes the life savers- $5 to get you out of the mess and this kids have a 4 wheel drive suv who helps the cars who get stuck.
Opportunity comes in different form and a person who uses it well could shine in business and succeed.

This story could continue in two way- First way this kids could go and spend the money which they made buying beer or the second way could be to form a company and do this as a part time during weekends when the beach gets packed with cars……Most of the time energetic kids take the first track as it is filled with fun. It is a opportunity but most of the time misused.

Small things matters in Business

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It was a Sunday afternoon and I went to buy a suit from the place where they custom fit it after purchase. I also needed it urgently so went there all in a rush to find the store was closed.  When I was about to to leave I noticed a small business card stick to the door with a number in it. Assuming it is the number for the owner of the shop I decided to give a quick try to check the number in that small card to see it if they will open.  A guy picked the phone and fortunately he was the owner of the store so he told me he is on his way to the store, will be there in 5 Minutes. He told me he will call me as soon as he opens the store, as he said he called me after 5 Minutes and I too went, bought my full suit as I intended.

It is amazing how this small card with his number in it stick to the door made a deal for him on a Sunday when his business might be dull. I was telling this to my family on my drive back home and my first son who was sitting in the back seat said “Small things Matter” and it is totally true when it comes to business in which certain things we might assume is not big of a deal since it is too small might really one-day help in finishing a good deal.

How good is to run your business in the cloud?

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http://www.apptivo.com

I always used to think having my own software apps  to run my business is better than using an online version of the same software. Price did not matter as i felt like I take control when i have my own software. I had them installed in my laptop and i felt like I am in charge and don’t have to worry of my information in the cloud. This all changed when my laptop got robbed just in front of my eyes and I stood there helpless and there went all my saved documents and my Accounting software which i had for almost 3 years.

The first thing I did is to have my accounting online software and also started using Apptivo for my business so I could store all my business related contacts, documents and they even have a free invoicing option which I could use to invoice my clients. All in one place and best of all, this services are free for me to use.

Check them out at http://www.apptivo.com as they have much more Apps which might be a good fit for your business and in this economy getting this kind of applications for free is not available anymore. Boost for businesses to take their operations to the cloud for free.