To blog ? or Not to ?

During these days every company like to market their items or services aggressively since the market is under recovery from a so called ‘recession’. I do understand that every company needs to sell their services and products to survive. But it should be logical.

I had experience with some companies in India those who market their services and products across the globe. I have associated with one company to market their product in International market. I have had dealings with the Vice President – Corporate Relations of that company. I had a feasibility study on the product and the market and submitted him with a report envisaging hitting the market with better impact.

I have suggested him with an action plan and my requirements to start marketing activities. It took almost 20 days to provide the required documents and other details. In between I have called him many times asking about the requirements. But he said will send. Ultimately I got it after 20 days only.

Now the real fun comes, at end of the month he asked me to provide with report card. I had nothing to mention. He said there is no result.

I had a high talk with him and said this is not the way I envisaged to work with. Now need to analyze this.

What was his thinking, without providing any documents, demo of products, is that possible to market something? Is myself or my employees are magicians that the very next day providing him with a business without even giving a product demo? Why did it take 20 days to send some details which supposed to be used for marketing? This company did not have any marketing activities? The answer is NO, not at all… and they are not professional at all in their approach.

These things happens everywhere, with marketing companies, associates, executives etc.  But this is not a situation with every company. Some have exposure in the international market and they know how marketing can be done in international market.

International marketing is not an easy thing, here in domestic market you can go to the client and meet them whenever you wish. It is not feasible in international market; you need to deal everything remotely. So need to put more effort and should have more punching statement etc. You need to convince them.

I remember a story of an old man, he used to have a farm and he plant coconut trees. But he never fertilize these trees until it give a tender coconut. His policy is should get tender coconut, then he will have it and feel it then fertilize it.

Everyone should think about their attitude, their action, if the attitude is same as this farmer, I do not think they have existence in this market.

One day, one of my friends has gone for an interview, everything was fine, but they were not willing to pay his expected salary. They offered mush less than what he asked. He told them ‘if you give peanuts you will get monkeys’.

So everyone can think, whether they need monkeys and indeed, they should think about their attitude towards business too.

Remember there is no shortcut to success… and success never comes through ‘magic’

Image: http://www.corecommerce.com

I had associated with some companies in India for providing business development activities. I have very good and bad experience with these companies.

First of all, Business Development is not a magic, you go to market and get business it is not that much easy as you think. For international market a portfolio to present your credibility is most important. Some companies do not even have a better portfolio some times there is no portfolio at all. Even in such cases companies look forward to have projects. They think the person get into market is a magician and they can get work. To fight, arms and ammunitions are necessary. Without that you cannot succeed.

One day, one of my friends went for an interview, he had very good qualification and experience and the company offered a salary which were not commensurate to the qualification and experience he had. I still remember his words ‘if you give peanuts you will get monkeys’. Try to pay reasonably, you will get better people.

Some companies are looking for projects without any investment; they do not have a plan. They appoint people and ask them to bring business; they give them a target which is not achievable. They always compare them with top companies like InfoSys and Wipro. For them their name tells everything to some extend. But for this startups, need to develop their brand.

What should these small companies do to achieve something?

1)      Project what you are. If you look at the contact page of some companies, you will find their global presence. But, they all are in a one man show. There will be a person to attend call, that’s it. So someone see the site they may think this company is a big one… but in reality its nothing. I had a conflict with a company in Kochi, I have written an article about it earlier. They mentioned in their contact page that they have offices in various countries, including Dubai. I have checked there is no office in Dubai. In such cases till how long they could survive, once everyone will come to know.  And this company started in 2004; still their strength is somewhere 3-4. (I have visited their office, they had only 3 system in that company-a company who have international presence, having  office in USA, UK, UAE, Kuwait-ridiculous)So play nicely, and wisely.

2)      Start with an action plan. They should start with an action plan and set some milestones. Try to achieve it. Dream big, but do not try to achieve in the next day.

3)      Hire reliable people. Try to hire reliable people to work with. Invest on him/her. Give time to perform and achieve goals. Do not try to hire and fire. This will spoil your name in the industry.

4)      Have tie-up with reliable companies. You could have tie-up with reliable companies with in your country and abroad. But be careful when you select any company. The best way is having tie-up with companies in different area and they could bring business in your area. But deal in a decent manner, some companies may influence many. Avoid conflicts and settle issues immediately, if any occurs.

5)      Do not underestimate. I have heard from someone that, ‘you could sell a Mercedes Benz to a street vendor, if you wish’. This was taught in the sales training. Yes, you could do it. And try to accept and respect others in the same field. Do not try to grab others business.

Try to have some business ethics and be with the industry and play wisely. You will have better growth and everlasting presence.

Image: http://www.bdp-americas.com/

I had a very very bad experience with Jobin Babu (he call himself CEO & President) of Sayosys Technologies Kochi.

I do offer Marketing services to companies in India and abroad. I had initiated a contact with Jobin  in the moth of October 2009. And had various discussions on phone and personally regarding the services I offer. I have clearly explained him the requirements and benefits.  I had sent him a draft MoU on 10^th October 2009.

Ultimately the company decided to opt my service in December 2009 and I started working for Sayosys from 5^th December 2009. We had signed the MoU on 8^th December 2009.

I have tested his website and found many errors in it, and asked him to correct it and provide me with some details. He replied that the site is under redesign and will update once it is completed.

In December I had generated a very good enquiry for him, he could not even give a proposal for that. At the end of December I sent him a service bill. As per the agreement, Sayosys need to pay me INR. 5000 a month for the Marketing activities. After sending the bill, when I called he said he is not well, and currently at home. When he comes back to office will make payment. But there were no reply.

Meanwhile, I had given another enquiry in January but he was unable to provide a proper quotation for that.

I had tried to contact him, but no answer. Whenever I called he never picked the phone up. When you call office, you will get information that he is not there. One day, someone picked his mobile and said he is Jobin’s brother and Jobin is not well and was in hospital, currently at home and will be available in office next week.

Next week, I made a call to office, but he was not available. Office personal told me that he is still in hospital. Ultimately, he reached in office by 3^rd week of January. But there is no response. I had tried his number many times, sent SMS, and tried to catch up with him through IM, but no response.

At the end of January 2010, I sent him another bill, 2 months total bill which is INR. 9194.00. And asked him to make payment on or before 5^th February 2010. No response at all.

This person is not responding. He is not dead, if he has some problem in making the payment he could tell me. I understand there could be problem, why doesn’t he respond. I did not expect such a behavior from a young entrepreneur.  Any way not responding to situation is not a good option. Whatever you have to say you should convey the same.

Since he was not responding, I had a research about his company. It is understood that most of his projects are done by a freelancer in Kochi. Mr. Sujith Sukumar.  One can find the portfolio with Sujith’s site- http://sujithsukumar.blogspot.com

I do not have any problem with his operations, whether he holds some people with him or he outsource. But just wanted to convey that, when a person outsource work with in India, the client will have to pay more. He should have his own programmer and designer. But not.

Now, I will have to try many ways to recover this due amount. So someone dealing with him or planning to deal with this company please be aware about this. Deal with a good person; good company not someone who does not have good ethics or good personal values, and this person, Jobin Babu does not have courage to face situation, some sort of impotent.

After publishing this blog, he have contacted me and said will make payment, and now he turned back, and said will not make payment and do anything. He have even threatened me that he have enough base in Kochi to play around. So be aware it..

So it is my suggestion to all please keep away…. Say no to Jobin Babu and Sayosys Technologies.

If anyone need any clarification on this regard you may please contact me at jinsen.karedath@gmail.com or you can call me in any of these numbers: +91-9349614587, 9061198578, 9539821223

This is one worst experience I ever had as far as internet usage is concerned. I start using internet in 1998. I have experienced quality services in various countries and major cities of India. I lived in all metros and some major cities in India as part of my professional assignments.

BSNL, one of the leading player in Telecommunication, and Public Service Undertaking (PSU), one expect better services, or they should provide services better than any private operators. There is no lack in investment, they are upgrading technologies day by day and launch product and services to compete with Private players.

But what is the reality, they are losing subscribers every month. They plan some massive campaign to attract new customers.

I appreciate them for providing services in the rural area, even though the profitability is less. They should do since it is PSU.

They need to improve their services as a whole. I have taken BSNL broadband connection on 15^th October 2009. It is more than 100 days. During this period if calculate the connectivity percentage it is just 89.5 %. That means in a year almost 40 days you will sit without internet connectivity.

If you wish to register a complaint by 1500 you will hear that ‘due to some technical difficulties we are unable to provide this service, or there is no record for this number.’ Sometimes you may not get this number; you will hear a damaged tone or engaged. Experience with the other number 12678 is not different. You will get continues engaged tone. They are providing services on weekdays only, if anything happens on Saturday, till Monday evening you will not have internet connectivity. They say in the website that the customer service is available throughout weekdays from 8 AM to 8 PM. But I never have seen them before and after 5, you will get continues engaged tone or error tone.

Even if you get a customer service representative, the attitude is different, they don’t even speak properly, sometimes they order, do this, that etc. Irresponsible and adamant; they think without even a single customer they will get their payment, even if they do not work they will get payment they why should we take the trouble. Nobody is there to take action, if anybody try to take action they a very powerful weapon ‘strike’

They need to wake up, should customer friendly and service oriented. I am sure, if private players come to rural area then BSNL will lose its market share rapidly. This could be one reason in which government not asking private players to offer service in the rural area.

India, fastest growing economy, the IT hub of the world, 60-70% of India, the rural India is neglected. To what extend metro cities and other major cities can afford the needs? Rest of India should be treated equally. So, private players too should take initiative and offer services in Rural India.

If you are using www. awsurveys.com, please do not waste your time, they will not pay you. I have collected some information about the company and reported to FBI, Florida & Ocoee Police department and Internet Fraud Investigation Department, United States of America

Website: www.awsurveys.com

Parent Company: Aclarn Inc (As per the domain registration information provided)

Address:        Aclarn Inc.

P.O.Box 428

Ocoee, Florida 34761

United States

3214384254

Admin Contact:  Seebeck, Adam    admin@aclarninc.com, admin@awsurveys.com

Activities: Free Survey, They are offering free surveys and offer US$ 1 per survey, after initial surveys and for referral US$ 1.25.

I have registered with the site about 9 months back and 2 times my account balance reached above US$ 75, which is the least amount could redeem. I have opted to redeem twice. Both the occasion they did not respond within the specified time in which the fund suppose to reach in my paypal account. I have posted a support ticket, soon after posting a support ticket they removed the balance and made it 63.

I have sent so many mails to get referrals in the last 9 months and the conversion was too less and ultimately I got US$ 75. But they did not give me that fund.

Now, I believe they are cheating people. I trusted them because of following

• They offer survey to evaluate some website. These websites might be paying them for the traffic generated.

• There were some leading sites which offer paid surveys.

• They could earn money from websites offering website promotion as well as SEO because every time a person take survey a website been evaluated that means a request goes to that site thus traffic generated.

Since they are not paying there could be many reasons.

• The company might have stopped surveys, because in the recent surveys I could see only their associate website. If so they should inform the members. But still they are offering a monthly draw of US$ 500 and publish the winners. No idea whether the payment is made or not.

• Regarding account management, they could check before updating an account. They have mentioned many things in the Terms of Services. They should have a system to identify the person referred have taken survey or not. If they have a system to identify fake referrals, it should be done before updating a member’s account. Since they remove fund once ask for redeem there is something wrong with the company.

• Even if it is a fake entry company is benefitted.  They pay initially US$ 27 once an account is created for that, a member need to take 7 surveys and every month member get 1 survey each and rest a member need to make from referrals to reach US$ 75 which is the minimum amount could be redeemed.  Out of this US$ 75 they deduct US$ 25 for fast withdrawal. That means the amount they pay initially taken back at the end and the work done is not given any value. This is one way of cheating.

• A member need to send large quantity of mails for referrals, he/she need 39 people to be joined as his/her referral to reach US$ 75. Once they reach in US$ 50 and US$ 60 they get aggressive and go for massive campaign. But this will never give any result. One of my friends given me his login details of this site, when I checked his account has US$ 130 and he did not get that fund in his paypal account. Even after submitting support tickets repeatedly there is no reply from them. In my case I have written to all their contacts. But no reply.

• If they are not wrong in account calculation and reduction of funds from a particular account why don’t they answer to queries asked by a member?

Considering all the facts it is learned that they are trying to fool people around. I have taken enough pain to market them and I get mail frequently from people asking to register with this site; that means many people are working.

So it is an advice to all people those who wish to make some extra money from internet, please do not waste your time. They will not pay you. If anyone got money from this website please inform me.

Read the review in MouthShut.com

We proudly announce the launch of IdeasPark.in

If you have any requirement in IT please feel free to contact us.

To know more about IdeasPark please visit www.ideaspark.in

This article has the reference to my earlier article http://j-k.in/blog/2010/01/worst-experience-with-www-desiwebhosting-com-part-of-host-ac-please-do-not-opt/

In that I have mentioned there were no response for a long time from this hosting provider (http://www.desiwebhosting.com/part of host.ac ) Ultimately I got a response in the next day with the details of hosting account. I have tried to verify everything after uploading all the files and creating email accounts. I had the following problems even after 3 days.

• I was unable to send or receive email
• I was unable to create a database.

I have contacted the so called ‘24/7 technical support’ team. I got a reply after 7 hours, saying there is a problem with account. Do you think this is a 24/7 support?  At least they could send a reply soon after the receipt of my mail saying they are investigating. But they did not do. And even after 22 hours there were no results, solutions.

I have asked them to refund as per their policy, but there were no response. I have collected all the information about the company and even made a call to their office. But I got information that they have shifted to Delhi.

In between I have contacted the Cyber Crime Cell Kerala and enquired about the possibilities of filing a case against them. Since I have made payment through online banking, it is assured that they have an office in India. Cyber Cell advised me to file a cheating case.

I have mailed them asking for an amicable settlement, I have sent this mail to all their contacts, which they provided with CC Avenue and other companies whom they deal with. Immediately I got a mail saying your account is terminated reason “Fraud Customer”. I got a mail from CC Avenue too saying the refund process initiated.

So now everyone has to think, who is fraud? The company who says there is 24/7 technical support and my issue were answered without a solution after 7 hours or me? The company says 100% satisfaction in their website and this is the service they provide, and I asked for a refund, so they made me ‘fraud’. Am I really fraud here?

I have found an excellent hosting service provider. I suggest to use hostso

Had a very worse experience with http://www.desiwebhosting.com, I have reached there through host.ac, and they were good in service when I had opted 3 years back and thought http://www.desiwebhosting.com will be a part of host.ac. Now I am not sure whether they are part of host.ac or not.

I have ordered a hosting pack on Thursday 7^th January 2010 in the morning time and at 12:35 PM (my mail mentions this time) I have sent them a mail asking whether they receive my payment. I have made payment through online banking and given my reference number too. The amount been debited from my account to Avenues India Pvt Ltd. I have paid Rs. 600.

They sent me a reply on Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 8:16 PM asking just ‘What is the order id?’ this is the entire matter in the mail. No courtesy, nothing. I did not see any standard in their mail. I am opting a service from them and paying them, they should respect the money I spent.

I have replied with my Order id at Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 8:26 PM till now (Fri, Jan 8, 2010 at 5:25 AM) there is no reply from them.

In between I have tried to contact CC Avenue about this, and even my bank. I do not think I will get my money back from these people.

This is not the way to deal with a customer who is looking for a service; it was my mistake that I thought they will offer better service. They mention so many things in their package even 24/7 support. I doubt whether they provide it or not.

I have visited their website, to understand them better, there is no contact details of this company, tried to fetch it from ‘who is’ but it was protected. There is no phone number provided. There is no credible information provided. They might have vanished with my money.

So I suggest people not to opt them for hosting service, I lost Rs.600 and enquire before you opt a service from any hosting provider. Whether they have credible information in their website, whether they provide chat in their site etc, and should try some review sites like mouthshut.com to read some reviews.  (I used to do these, since I had opted services from host.ac I thought it will be better after 3 years, never thought that company is growing downwards and it is my mistake that I trusted them)

So, friends don’t allow them to cheat yet another, so beware, say ‘no’ to http://www.desiwebhosting.com and host.ac

Posted this in mouthshut.com too: http://www.mouthshut.com/review/General_Advice_on_Web_Hosting_Companies-183673-1.html

I have found an excellent hosting service provider. I suggest to use hostso

Business through portals and website is the latest and fastest growing business method thus, so many are attracted to this medium. In the recent years we have seen rapid growth in this area.

I have seen, so many come to this business and drop after a year or so, I had lot of experience with these entrepreneurs, would like to share some.

1)      3 years back, I got a client from USA asked me to develop a portal to deal with electronic items; he came with lot of ideas and had popular sites as reference. I have given him a quote of US$ 35000 with 90 days time line. He accepted and started the project and as per time line we delivered the portal. He managed the portal for 1 year and now he is not with that business. 

2)      2 years back, one of my friends asked me to develop a portal to manage Automobiles, especially to deal with Indian market. I have developed according to his plan and he was with that for a year, unfortunately he could not succeed with this business and dropped.

When I analyse these two projects, it was a very good project as far as technical feasibility is concerned. We have taken all precautionary measures to have successful running of these portals. But why they had to drop it?

1)      First of all, both of them entered into this venture without having a proper market analysis, feasibility study etc. They have seen someone making profit out of it and thought they could also make huge profit. 

2)      They did not have proper budget to develop and market the portal.

 3)      Marketing strategies were weak so could not get much business.

4)      Did not stick with the minimum requirement, they wanted to develop the most advanced and leading sites clone; so, had to invest more. 

What we could learn from these examples;

Those who wish to enter into web/portal business should have the following;

1)      Have proper Business analysis, market study, feasibility study etc.

2)      Should have the best and innovative marketing strategies and budgetary support to it.

3)      Do not try to clone major sites with all the features they have. Should understand that the popular and most leading sites have started years back and upgraded. So be with most essential features. (Recently a client asked me to develop a clone of http://www.bharatmatrimony.com/, I have given him a quote, after seeing the quote he said will drop the idea and now doing a site with essential features )

4)      Should have a long running business plan as far as revenue is concerned, do not go with short run.

Since, online marketing is the future, we should have proper planning, analysis, budget etc, because you are in a highly competitive field and it is important to give an impact.

Image: http://dabgo.net

One month ago, I have visited all the DTH Providers websites and given my details mentioning I am interested in a new DTH connection. I have provided with my telephone number and email id. Till today I did not get any communication from them. Two weeks back I have posted my contact details in PolicyBazaar.com, I got a call from ICICI Lombard.

Usage of internet is growing rapidly and it is available in remotest area of this country. Online business is the most popular way in western countries. They do most of the business through online, which ensure more efficient and  prompt services. Online business have brought out better customer satisfaction, better business, best support etc.

But, in India we are still far behind western countries, yes there are some companies doing business online. Most of the companies are having their websites, but only informational not sales focused.

Ebay, Amazon, Alibaba etc are the best examples of online business, they could understand the potential and started doing business.

I do not understand why corporate houses operating in India is not giving importance to online business, at least if they could generate an enquiry through their website will certainly reduce cost, so can offer better services to customer.

They might be in  stone age  -  who knows