Outsourcing

After my disastrous performance in CAT, I realized that there is not much left for me in this country and it’s high time I leave.
Having said that, I want to clarify that I love India and more than anyone else I want to prove it to myself that I do.

Last week was hectic. On Tuesday, I got a chance to meet and dine with some incredible people, people whom I could only imagine to be with in my dreams. I am not talking about either Kate Beckinsale or Salma Hayek but Akshaye Bhargava and Venkatesh Ramod. Obviously, I am nuts. You do not know who they are and they do need an introduction, unfortunately. Akshaye is the CEO of Progeon (the BPO Arm of Infosys) and Venkatesh that of Nipuna (the BPO arm of Satyam).

I met them and a lot of other top notch CEOs and COOs over lunch in the Sheraton. Sounds like a dream sequence from a regional film? It was surely like that. I must thank Sriram, one of my acquaintances in Infosys who arranged for it. Before you start envying this less fortunate soul, let me reveal that I got some passes for the Indiatimes BPO Conclave – An annual event conducted by the Times of India Group to facilitate thought provoking discussions on the BPO and ITES industry.

I surely was a misfit I neither belonged to the media nor the ITES industry, but, as the meeting advanced it proved to be interesting even for an outsider like me. Definitely, time well spent. Though I cannot quote everyone, among the no. of CEOs, Founders, CIOs and CFOs who spoke during the meeting, I can surely quote some.

Akshaye Bhargava – CEO of Progeon.

Profile: 22 yrs with CITI Bank at various levels. He was instrumental in setting up the E-Serve Customer Care (A Captive unit of Citibank). A finalist at the ERNST&YOUNG Entrepreneur of the Year Awards.

Educational Background: PGDBM IIMC

Views on BPO Industry: He was specifically optimistic about the future of Indian ITES and BPO industry and explained his optimism with objective reasons. (According to the latest NASSCOM Survey Software exports will touch an approximate 300 Billion dollars by 2010).

One important aspect of his analysis was that of the decrease in working population (25-40) around the world by 2020. Surprisingly, according to him, China would also have a scarcity of labor. And you know who clear winner here is…

(... come on Indians keep up the good work).

He also prophesied that Captive companies (BPOs of large Multinationals like HSBC etc..,) will do better than independent BPOs.

Raman Kumar – Founder & CEO, CBay Systems (A niche health care BPO)

Profile- Founded the company in 1998. Has over 22 years of experience in managing various public and private enterprises.

Educational Background- Masters in Organizational and Management studies, Yale University.

Views on BPO Industry: Mr. Raman Kumar, apart from briefing us about his and his company’s accomplishments, introduced us to something called Niche outsourcing and the pros and cons of it. He also explained his journey in founding a BPO, the research, marketing etc…,

Anthony Joseph – Director - HR, Convergys

Profile – Prior to convergys he served at sumilar positions in Deloitte and EDS.

Educational Background – MBA from XLRI, Jamshedpur.

Views on BPO Industry: Anthony Joseph was particularly candid in replying to questions about attrition rates prevalent in the industry. He spoke about Branding of a company, employee satisfaction among others.
One particular statement, I remember jotting down in my pad and probably will remember for a while is “Brands should tickle both the external and internal customers of an organization. Brands should reflect the true values followed by the company and any effort to disguise will eventually fail”.

Take away from the meeting: Apart from the scrumptious network lunch the meeting was definitely an eyeopener about the immense opportunity in the field of BPO and KPO. The only thing that is essential here is a creative idea and thorough research to implement.

Current Music: U2- I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For

Feel my Love

Past few days have been different; an amalgamation of both sorrow and happiness seems to have taken over me transforming my perception towards life. People say that I sound utterly irksome when I talk philosophy. Excuse me guys, you should think of coming back to this space later, I bet you will have a tough time resisting a tearJ.

All these days I’ve been using my Blog to publish stuff that that might interest others without realizing that it’s about me and my state of mind. Better late than never…

Have you ever felt that whatever is going on in your life is a part of a huge conspiracy, a conspiracy that the almighty carefully crafted only to ruin you?

I do, whenever something that I really long for does not happen, whenever I stand in front of my office building at 730 in the morning not knowing whether or why I should enter it. People keep reiterating that I should shed my pessimism and try to be optimistic. Crap! I definitely want to, given a chance or a reason.

I saw a girl, a girl with no name, place, religion or sect (atleast not to my knowledge). With a little knowledge of her first name I started pursuing a research. These days, thanks to the numerous online communities and blogs every person has a presence on the web, atleast most of them do. Software Life gives us very little oppurtunity to pursue anything interesting and a research on the web to find someone you like is always a welcome for it gives a strange sense of Kick or High something probably only a qualified CIA agent can really articulate! Anyways, its simple, atleast I find it to be. All you need to, is to have a good sense of judgement and guess, atleast vaguely, the objects (that is what I will be calling her from now to help the female patrons relate to the thesis) interests.

But this particular case, the object was surely a tough nut to crack for one reason, it had varied interests. And thats precisely why I am pursuing an entire story for it. A seemingly innocent, cute looking, highly articulate, socially responsible, knowledgeable and funny object. A personification of perfection and definitely an endangered species in these times. I would have shared the photograph but won’t, for obvious reasons (there’s loads of competition guys!!!). For a more accurate description of the object please refer to one of my previous posts.

I will not reveal the process I followed either, but yeah, I promis that to do so as soon as I get the much awaited patent for the same. Patrons can definitely contact me with their requests, I promise to deliver excellent results at nominal charges.

The research culminated after I found the objects personal blog on the web and much to my surprise and shock it was taken! And the point that it was has made me long more for it.

I do not see reason why I should I be pursuing this blog further but for myself, neither my family nor my friends seem to reflect my thoughts. What I am doing here is troubling yet another beautiful piece of electronics that’s in front of me. I do not give a damn; let it burn in hell. I will continue to pursue it and the blog.

Current Music: Selections from Balaji Pancharatnamala- M.S. Subbalakshmi

The Beauty killed the Beast

Human emotions have always intrigued me but this time it was an ape that did the job. KING KONG a remarkable motion picture which conquered millions of hearts since it was first made a 73 years ago (The original was made in 1933) not only because of its amazing visual effects but also because of its striking Humanness.

The movie set in the early 1930’s is a story of a struggling actress and her tryst with the mighty Kong- an ape like no other. Anne (played by the beautiful Naomi Watts) is a performer who's just lost her livelihood, she meets a creative movie director (played by Jack Black) who casts her for his new movie. The movie which is to be shot in an undiscovered island Far East proves to be a big disaster when the crew is attacked by aborigines. Anne is abducted and offered as a prey to the King. Fortunately the king is charmed with Anne, so much so that he not only saves her from other creatures of the land but also falls head over heels for her. The lady too starts liking the king. Surprising! Well, who wouldn’t fall for a man who could take over 4 Tyrannosaurs to save his lady? But Destiny plays villain; the director decides to drug the king and transport him to New York. And there he is, chained and showcased in the Broadway in front of a huge gathering.

Kong, who lived like a king in his land is reduced to a mere visual spectacle. But still he longs to catch a glimpse of his lady love. Frustrated with the separation he breaks open the chains and goes on a rampage in New York in search of Anne whom he finally finds.

The movie ends with a spectacular shot over of the Empire estate building and the subsequent death of Kong; again trying to save his love.

Probably the beauty did manage to slay the beast (with in).

The subtlety in depiction of human emotions, the melodrama and the romance between them are truly marvelous. Though the movie boasted of a number of Academy award winners/ nominees etc.., the real hero was different, someone who can never be captured live.

Viewing advice:

I would recommend this movie to all those who consider them sensitive.
People who try to dissect the chemistry between the lead characters or those who try to arrogate the presence of Sears’ tower in New York may abstain.