Added for You - Business

Modern Call Center Solutions - Keeping in Touch is the Key
Call center solutions solve a range of age-old problems. As far back as ancient times, the success of a business has always depended on how well that business can communicate with clients and meet their needs. It is necessary to be available, in touch, easy to reach, and pleasant to deal with. From the point of view of the customer who needs to purchase a product, or is having trouble with a product or service he has already purchased, help must be readily available. From the point of view of a business competing within a certain market or industry, it is necessary to be recognized, and to constantly maintain or increase one's market share. At the bottom of all these needs is communication, and that is exactly what the call center is there to provide.This may sound simple, but it isn't. Communication is no longer just a matter of answering the phone. For a start, there are several different modes of communication - phone, fax, email - and clients use them all. In response to this, there are several solutions that make it easier to compile and integrate communication from all these different sources. Computer telephony integration, or CTI, is important to every major call center. This is just one example of a solution that a large call center is able to provide, while smaller, in-house centers may find it harder to keep up to date.Because of the sheer number of calls and oth

is very little privacy in life of an average Indian. It is very common for people to ask each other salary they make and everything else that is not asked out of courtesy in the USA. If people do not worry too much giving such personal information, Corporations can hardly ensure privacy of your consumer data because companies are run by people.

Educating everyone involved and setting-up formal processes for handling sensitive information are keys to eliminate risks surrounding privacy. Learn to politely say ‘No’ few times a day if asked for information that you are not comfortable divulging.

Overhead
Geographically India is farthest from us, twelve time zones away. When we are looking forward to a good start on any day they are tired of that day and simply retiring and vice-versa. When you find out something important during middle of the day here, they are probably dreaming about your finding (its middle of the night there) or having nightmares. You may have to wait to share it with the team in India.

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meeti

Turbo Charge Your Career With The Most Powerful Leadership Tool Of All: The Leadership Talk: Part 1
Leaders speak 15 to 20 times daily. You speak at meetings, you speak across their desks, you speak on the phone, you speak in e-mails, you speak at lunch, beside the water cooler, and on elevators, etc.It's in the interaction of those speaking encounters, multiplied daily, month in and month out, year in and year out, that you become a successful leader or not.If those encounters are defined by Leadership Talks instead of presentations/speeches, the effectiveness of your leadership will be dramatically increased, not only in your job but in your career.Here's why: There's a ladder of verbal persuasion. The lowest rungs (least effective)of which are presentations and speeches. Primarily, they communicate information.But the highest rung, the most effective way to communicate as a leader, is through the Leadership Talk.The Leadership Talk not only communicates information. It does something much more. It has you establish a deep, human, emotional connection with people – so important in motivating them to achieve results.Once you understand the Leadership Talk, you'll find it's indispensable to your leadership. You'll never go back to giving presentations/speeches again.I'm going to show you what it is and a few tips on using it. But first, let's understand this important point: If leaders don't measure up, it's often because they act

The experiences of the technology companies in the last few years who failed to navigate the rapid changes brought about in their marketplace by disruptive flattening forces may be a warning to all the businesses, institutions that are now facing these inevitable, even predictable, changes but lack the leadership, flexibility, and imagination to adapt - not because they are not smart or aware, but because the speed of change is simply overwhelming them.

The Internet now makes this whole world like one marketplace. This infrastructure is not only going to facilitate sourcing of work to the best price, best quality, from the best place, it is also going to enable a great amount of sharing of practices and knowledge, and it’s going to be ‘I can learn from you and you can learn from me’ like never before. It’s very good for the world. And India has emerged as back office hub for all kinds of services for the world.

Two thirds of Fortune 500 companies have setup offices in India for this reason. Most think of its 300 million-strong well-educated and ready-to-spend-more middleclass as an opportunity of our times. It’s a market to capture, and a talent pool to tap into. Big multinationals are moving forward in that direction and it gives them a competitive edge. A competitive edge you wish you had.

Well, it’s finally time to compete with the global leaders. Time has come for every business to benefit from a new trend in global economy. Partnering with India. The global economy is going to drive more integration (of India into it) and integration is going to drive the global economy.

PROFITS:
Let’s begin with why it makes sense to work with India:

Quality
It used to be that work would go wherever cheapest labor is available. That is not the case with India. Sure, it’s cheaper than here but not the cheapest. More and more work is going to India because it provides good quality services at competitive rates. Thanks to the dot-com-bust, more and more companies in India are learning that quality brings return business. And there are plenty of clients who would outsource every aspect of their business that can be done remotely. Vast English speaking population sees outsourced jobs as gateway to better life. They come to work every day (and night to synchronize with us here) with such enthusiasm not seen for that type of work and reward anywhere else.

The drive for quality also brings Indians to US companies for products and services for their needs. If Dell, GM, Microsoft, and Citibank have benefited over past several years, I bet you will find clients keenly interested in your expertise now.

Quick Proof of Concept
So, you are excited to be working on innovative new technology but have a shoestring budget to create a prototype. Welcome to outsourcing to India. Getting prototype done in India gives you a chance to evaluate the Indian partner without loosing your shirt. If you get next round of funding, you already know whether to continue working with same company or look for a better partner.

Routine & Maintenance Work
To maintain legacy applications you have tried hiring consultants here and the one who lasted longest was with you for 6 months. It’s not worth the effort anymore. Most Indian companies would compete for your routine maintenance work for long-term and do it more efficiently and effectively for far less money. And remember since it uplifts their standards of living, they do it passionately.

Productivity
If you find the right company to outsource your work to, you can focus your own resources on doing more of what you do better and stay lean. Your Indian partner can surprise you by doing more than just what you originally thought was possible to do remotely. Most of the time outsourcing increases your own productivity, increases sales, and increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. It builds value.

The other side of productivity coin is ramping up demand for leadership skills building, mentoring, and management consulting within Indian companies. Concepts nurtured and mastered by the US companies command high price from their counterparts.

Quick ROI & Cost Savings
If it weren’t for saving big money for investors and stakeholders, businesses would still be dealing with labor associations on pay hikes for things that can be done at a fraction of the cost outside. The cost benefits of sending work to India can range from 20% to astonishing 70% sometimes. In all cases it’s the quickest route to ROI and that should convince your CFO to start asking why aren’t we doing it.

PITFALLS:
Are you thinking everyone else is doing it and I should too? Sure. Like each new wave, just take some time to see if it’s really for you. Study all your options, do market research for services you plan to offer. Evaluate your Indian partner, and measure performance if you plan to avail their services. Here’s is list of things that can; and do; go wrong:

Privacy
There is very little privacy in life of an average Indian. It is very common for people to ask each other salary they make and everything else that is not asked out of courtesy in the USA. If people do not worry too much giving such personal information, Corporations can hardly ensure privacy of your consumer data because companies are run by people.

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meetin

How to Increase Your Chance of Promotion at Work
Job promotions are not something that happens all of a sudden. Getting promoted is not only about your growth but it is equally proportional to the benefits an organization expects you to deliver for them. In short to expect a promotion one has to prove his abilities and capability as an individual or in other words be an efficient employee.In order to achieve the status of an efficient employee one must keep the following things in mind:· Ensure that you do your job well within the time and at desired quality levels. Meeting deadlines is one factor that determines you are capable and shows your competence for the role.· Master your job: make sure you know the current job you are on as well as the back of your hand. Be an expert.· Try and keep yourself away from workplace politics and gossips. Having said that, sometimes it can be beneficial to be involved in the workplace politics because it will give you more insight, so the key is to be selective and know when to be involved.· Be a good listener, this will always help you to enhance your working capabilities. This advice is often overlooked, but listening is a key part of any job because it gives you a clear understanding of your role and if you work in a team environment, listening is absolutely essential.· Have a positive approach towards responsibilities delegated on you. Do not avoid it u

them a competitive edge. A competitive edge you wish you had.

PROFITS:
Let’s begin with why it makes sense to work with India:

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meeti

Truck Wash Equipment and a Look at Ryko System Truck Wash Components
One of the early adopters of robotic truck washing equipment Ryko systems. Today there are many other companies in the marketplace that compete with them and they have lost their large market share. It appears Ryko went through a bit of a drought for a decade or two. Since then it appears that Ryko, has cleaned up their act a little. But they just have too many old units out there that are rusted old junk these days. They need to get with the program really.They could do something with their market share lead and longevity of brand in the commercial truck-cleaning category. But I bet they get bought out by a UK or German Company one day and then they make another run at the game with an inflow of cash. Ryko is not my first choice for roll over automatic robotic truck washing systems and equipment, but they're definitely in the running if you're looking to build a truck wash.Ryko has probably sold more truck washes and roll over Fleet washing systems than any other company in the world, but there are some fierce competitors in the market such as Inter-clean Corp. and the Balenger Group, which has a new system on the market now.Who makes the best truck wash equipment in the United States, well many industry experts believe it is a matter of preference and if you're looking to put in a truck wash those of the three companies you should look into. Please consider this i

If Dell, GM, Microsoft, and Citibank have benefited over past several years, I bet you will find clients keenly interested in your expertise now.

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meeti

What Exactly Is Project Management?
Project management (PM) is a process comprised of people, systems, and techniques. The goal of PM is to ensure the successful completion of a project within a specified time frame and budget. There are five steps in the PM process: initiating, planning, executing, controlling, and closing. The project leader or manager coordinates the PM process and leads the project team.The value of PM can be realized with projects of all sizes, however the greatest impact will be felt with projects involving multiple parties, departments, and functions. The weakest link in the PM scheme is failure to identify a suitable project leader.Attributes of a good project leader. So what does it take to be a project leader? Of the greatest importance, the project leader must be a true leader. A project leader must assert his or her authority with fairness, compassion, and firmness. A project leader must inspire the project team, earn their trust, and assure them that he or she can assist them in maintaining their focus and purpose. The ideal project leader is objective, flexible, and committed to task and staff. They possess strong people skills, are meticulously organized, and can manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously. A project leader understands that he or she cannot accomplish the goal single-handedly. The leader must guide the project team through the mine field of

to do remotely. Most of the time outsourcing increases your own productivity, increases sales, and increases customer satisfaction and loyalty. It builds value.

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meeti

Employment Law Solicitors – Tips for Choosing the Right Solicitor
Before choosing an employment law solicitor it’s important to put in your background research. Draw up a shortlist of a number of possible solicitors and don’t just plump for the most convenient.Find an employment law specialist – A number of solicitors practise in a number of different areas depending on the needs of their clients. It is useful to build up an ongoing relationship with your current solicitor but they may not be the best person to offer employment law advice, in which case it’s normally best to go with a specialist. They will be more familiar with the ins and outs of employment law and almost certainly provide you with a higher quality of service.Finding a candidate list of Employment Law Solicitors – It is of course possible to find a solicitor in your region using Yellow Pages or a similar directory, however Employment Law may not be their strength. There are now several websites such as armchairadvice.co.uk and employment-solicitors.co.uk which are focused on Employment Law and will help you to locate a solicitor who specialises on this topic.Search the internet for their name – Nowadays, most individuals and companies leave a trace online. If you’ve got a specific solicitor short listed it’s always worth performing a quick search on their name. It might bring up news stories of other cases they ha

If they have a question on your specification, you would prefer they send you an email instead of calling you when you are fast asleep. We all loose some time and productivity due to this overhead.

Face-to-face meetings are sometimes required to build team dynamics, but a daunting 20-hour flight followed by 5-day jetlag is definitely overhead. Best is to entrust them with responsibility and never micromanage.

Honesty
When you say a simple word ‘couple’ you mean exactly two, in India it’s open to interpretations. When someone says a couple of our engineers are working on your problem it means some, it could be 2 or 3 or more. When you hire someone on hourly basis, it is hard to validate the number of hours or number of consultants they bill you for. A company can claim that researchers on their team have PhD degrees, you will never know where from and how many really know about their company's claim. Some small businesses in India will have their employees fabricate qualifications, numbers or experience when asked by client. An art mastered by Enron.

It is highly recommended to select a proven partner and check references from past clients. Getting agreements reviewed by a local attorney, and alerting concerned parties on non-compliance as soon as they occur reduce risk of failure.

Quality
If the company you are working with oversold you on the benefits or is unable to retain the key employees and cannot deliver, what you get is low quality work and a place back to square one. Poor quality of products and services delivered is cited the main reasons why clients in the USA change the vendor or supplier in India often.

Just to avoid the last minute surprises, you should start small. First get a small feature done in a few weeks and verify the quality of work done before outsourcing everything.

Accountability
If responsibility can be dodged, it will be. Well, in most cases. When arriving on time for a meeting is not considered very important, deadlines will come and go. Most Indian consulting company’s executives have had experience working in the USA, but working bee does not. Dog ate my homework still rules for young fresher out of college.

You can specify the release date or you can specify what features are to be in a release. It is hard to do both and get a reliable commitment. Release dates are most reliable if people who will work on them also estimate them.

CONCLUSION:
India is a threat, India is a customer, and India is an opportunity. You have to internalize India to succeed. You cannot ignore it. Instead of competing with India as an enemy you break down your business and think about which part of the business you would like to do in India, which part you would like to sell to India, and which part you would like to buy from India.

Sending software, accounting, billing and any such work AND selling US products and services to India, is now possible for all of us. Whether you should do it, depends on your objective, growth, and need. Distance, communications, lack of information, and quality etc. should not be roadblocks anymore. You should choose your Indian partner diligently and audit them regularly.

About 60 percent of IT projects outsourced to offshore companies fail to meet the deadline and budget in comparison to moderate 23 percent of projects outsourced to local US companies.

Following are some pointers to improve your chances of success in working with India:

· Discover the best way to specify your services, software or business process
· Keep in touch with your outsourcing team without micromanaging
· Communicate directly with development team by email, instant messaging, and telephone.
· Treat the outsourced Indian team as part of your own team
· Require local leadership and entrust them with authority and responsibility

If you cannot do it yourself, use services of Pacview, Inc. with expertise and presence in both US and India to:

· Find the right outsourcing team that best fits your situation,
· Choose from more than a dozen proven expert teams in India categorized by skills,
· Cut your team search time by 90% - from months to just days,
· Cut your software development or BPO costs by up to 70%,
· Increase your customer base by 100% - from Bay Area to Bangalore.

About the Author

Mahesh Lalwani is Founder & CEO of Pacview, your partner in custom software & speech applications. Pacview has worked with dozens of Financial Services, Healthcare, and Computer Product Development companies, helping them create successful software applications that exceed customer’s expectations. Through Pacview’s expertise in design and development, and right-sourcing talent in US and India, our clients enjoy the benefits of building value through successful software applications. Visit our site at www.pacview.com for more information.

Note: You’re welcome to “reprint” this article as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “About the Author” info at the end), and you sent a copy of your reprint to mlalwani@pacview.com

HTTP = HTML link (for blogs, profiles,phorums):
<a href="http://www.added4u.com/article/32893/added4u-Profits-and-Pitfalls-of-Working-with-India.html">Profits and Pitfalls of Working with India</a>

BB link (for phorums):
[url=http://www.added4u.com/article/32893/added4u-Profits-and-Pitfalls-of-Working-with-India.html]Profits and Pitfalls of Working with India[/url]

Have you ever tap danced in a mine field? It can definitely feel that way if you have something to hide at an interview.

The most important secret in marketing is to get the message – market – match right. If you get this right your sales and profits will soar, if you fail make no mistake – it is costing you money! Discover how you can use this to your advantage.

Tags

Links

Added for You - Profits and Pitfalls of Working with India

Related Articles: