How to combat Startup Workforce Worries with a Must-have-List in hand

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Mr. Chandrababu Naidu’s green signal to a Startup Village, on lines of Kochi, might have left all the budding entrepreneurs in the coastal city, Vishakhapatnam, in a cheerful mood. But, so soon to be surfaced were the facts that only a handful of workforce is willing to take up a career with startups. A recent write up in top English daily also suggests that the same is the case with startups in Hyderabad, the joint capital of AP and Telangana.

So many engineers being qualified each year, and the State known to be a haven for techie younger generation and one among tops (before AP bifurcation) in processing many IT related activities, why on this earth all budding entrepreneurships left with a handful of workforce? The question seems reasonable.

With the growing numbers of younger lot turning to lavish packages of MNCs and already MNC-mesmerized working lot unwilling to come off their safe seats, burgeoning small setups finding it hard to build up the workforce while slogging to make their dream projects pace up.

What could be the possible reason for this workforce gap? As we tried examining:

Having gone through a simple google search of that of a startup, mentioned in that English Daily, what we found, to our surprise, was a no-face organization. Not even a single link in the result page was related to that of the company we were searching for. It had yielded nothing but a blank opinion on that company. – Apologies we said that.

That experienced, we think even startups should gear up for the market demands in order to attract qualitative workforce, i.e. they ought to have certain qualities at least to make their business searchable, if not to roping in a skilled workforce - experienced as well as just pass-out. For that, chalking out a ‘Must-have list’ would not be a bad idea at all.

Must-have list:

Quirky Idea

The idea should be really convincing and at the same time, it should have that unique factor to hold the younger hearts. With the world turning app side, most of the startups now are coming up with app developing ideas thus they could make the businesses get socialized and easily accessible across the world. But we guess that won’t work with every industry. App development for game/food/entertainment businesses is entirely different from that of healthcare sector, because the former industries give more scope to freedom of experimenting wherein the latter requires a bit of follow the line attitude. However, these days all industries are looking for that quirky idea which could gain them the publicity they needed. For e.g. an app of RTC showing up the information of busses like the time of next bus might attract the younger lot.

Optimized web front

Of course, your most effective face in this digital era is your web front. How effective is it depends on how well you optimize it and how stuffed you make it with insightful information and thought leadership materials. Whatever the case, you should have it, at the first hand, without which you cannot even imagine the plight of your business surviving the competition. Either to attract workforce or to promote your services, one should have a suave web front that not only promises the future with its content but also satisfies the gen-Z’s quick-to-be -searched attitude with its optimization. For e.g. showing up in the first page of google search results might increase the credibility of your company, which could help you to gain to-be-recruited’s confidence.

Surprisingly, as we said it earlier, google search of a startup, mentioned in that English daily, has surfaced nothing but irrelevant links like this:

A startup's struggle of being not shown up in Google Search Result Page

https://www.google.co.in/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=%22svaadh%22  (the link has been given basing on a research line, not to showcase that organization’s abilities)

Searching by that name showed up nothing related to that company. The link above itself is a self-explanative, which clears why a startup ought to have an optimized webfront.

Buzzy affair

Develop a buzzy brand, if not playing a conch. Your continuous participation in startups’ events matters for employees to find their heart in you. Show the younger lot that you are going places by creating buzz around. Try being on such buzzy platforms. Win some credentials and prove your mettle. There are many such to display your prowess, thus you could convey what you are up to. Who knows, you might even win some sponsors or industry mentors who could suggest you the path to build credibility.

One such platform is http://10000startups.com/, a better place for the startup likeminded.

In addition, you can participate in monthly events like #StartupSaturday. As the event sees many a working professionals and students turn up, there might be a chance that your idea might strike a chord with them leading to build a trustworthy image among and hence carving a niche place for you, as a potential employer.

However great they could promote themselves, budding entrepreneurs themselves cannot bring the change in the mind-set of younger lot while recruiting. But the growing experienced folk could also help bring the change, we feel. The experienced can educate the younger generation that it is all right to take up the opportunity with the startups and take risk in the initial stages of career. In addition, they could make the younger lot learn how they can grow up the ladder at a startup than that of an established organization.

On an endnote, there are no hard and fast rules for success. But following some set standards could help us at least try for what we wish to. No matter how effective is it, startups must have an up lifted face to attract younger lot is what our opinion is. It might differ with you. If it is, kindly help us learn more on this topic.

How in-between communication channels adulterating the essence of creative advertising?

The brief that we have received is not definite: Creative team

The inputs we have shared are all what we were given: Ad Sales Team

This is what the client gave and at present, they are unavailable for talk: Media Agency

It (the output) is exactly the opposite of what we are looking for: Client.

If not so often, most of the times we get to hear some of the above conversations go on between respective teams in advertising / media agencies. What could be the probable consequences: creative agencies juggling between multiple retakes; the perplexed creative team with loads of pressure and unclear communication as with what to be conveyed and at the tail end a vexed up account/client unsatisfied with output. In the entire process, the essence of advertising – the creativity would be at the risk of being adulterated.

For all this mess or confusion as we put it, the reason could be unreasonable increasing of communication channels or layered communication. 

For a single homepage takeover banner, in digital advertising platform, now the client has to go through multiple channels to reach out to creative team. And there comes many filters in between - media agencies, ad sales/account guys - through which the actual message has to pass on. As with every person has their own opinion on particular product, every team in this process has their own ideation, preposition, and thence their own version of briefing the team down the line. Although we could believe that even a peon can take part in the ideation process, how would it be to see the creative developed without creative team’s involvement?

Layered Communication Channels adulterating the essence of Advertising

Moreover, with growing ‘push it for more’ attitude, the actual requirement is being shown with added complexities making it difficult for the creative brains to crack a simple idea. To keep how the process is going at present, in simple terms:

• -       Client (let’s number him 1) conveys he is looking for X, to Media agency (2),
• -       The message reaching to the creative team (4) is that (1) is looking for XYZ+
• -       In between the media agency (2) and Ad Sales Team (3) stuff up the message with complexities

In anticipation to give an outstanding output, everyone in the process try to walk that extra mile putting up the pressure on the tail end, making it difficult to cum up with a creative campaign.That said, we could realize how the essence of advertising is being shadowed by the curse of layered communication.It shows the more the advertising industry is being sectioned, the more the communication is being adulterated. 

Now, having that depicted, it is clear with the growing communication channels or layered communication, the essence of advertising is being adulterated.

Many creative agencies, even now,wish to keep the client at a direct contact, but only if they had hit the right chord in their previous endeavours. Even the clients would want to work with creative team directly thus to minimalize the gap to save time and to convey clear communication. That is how we guess the idea of in-house branding and advertising had come up with which client himself could play a dual role and he holds the total responsibility of pushing the campaign into the market that too in given time communicating exactly what he wished to.

Creative communication, being an essence of advertising, undoubtedly needs its own pace and space apart from valid inputs. To safeguard it, it is better clients or agencies overlook the layered communication and they must see channels reduced to a few. Or else they should at least do clear job marking, thus each team could work as suggested and the brief could reach creative team without adulteration.

Our opinion on how the essence of advertising is being adulterated by layered communication might differ with you. If it is, kindly share your idea with us.

Mobile Phones distance those who are next to us rather than opposite

Early in this century, the telecommunication industry was given a push with the advent of mobile phones, which stormed every one of our lives, giving us the leisurely pleasure to communicate with our loved ones while on the go. As it continued to grow up as a necessary commodity, with more and more up-gradations and add-on features, it has raised some concerns among people. Some are claiming that it has been pushing its boundaries more into our personal lives distancing the persons next to us rather than the opposite. However, mobile phones, as part of telecommunication industry itself, accept it distances the opposite, in their physical absence; more than it distances the ones next to us is what some are arguing. What could be the mutual point?

Back in 2001, during the graduation days, I had a privilege to see one of my friends carrying the rock solid 8-inch long Nokia mobile phone. At that time, we had only one handheld among eight of us. We would utilize it only in emergencies, especially when we were out of home and rest all the time we preferred developing more a personal conversation with the persons we are clubbed with. The time has changed, so the usability of mobile phones.

A decade after, the mobile phone metamorphosed into a smartphone. Everybody has it, 3g/2g equipped. It has become a luxury and prestigious issue to carry one. So many operating systems, and many more supporting mobile applications, which, all are targeted to engage us, as a user. Across dining table, while on a stroll downtown, while commuting, and even on the bed, to name a few mobile applications, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Whatsapp, have gained much more momentum over face-to-face conversation. They are so engaging that we have ignored the importance of the persons next to us; their feelings, their conversations etc. We have denied the basic essences of human beings; emotional presence, sentiments et al., rather we have kept ourselves entertaining by texting the opposite. As a basic communicative tool, it brought in more cheers but its luxury aspect of seeing the world on fingertips has killed the emotional presence of its users, us; distanced the persons next to us like never before. To the worst of it, the phenomenon is increasing day by day.

On the contrary, the very need of tele communications itself suggests us that we, humans, are distanced more from the opposite persons (who are on the other side of the line) than the ones next to us. Thus, the invention took place. From telephones to mobile phones to smartphones, we have welcomed it as the need of the day to migrate to other places without losing the touch with our families, not physically but emotionally. As a necessary commodity, it was our requirement at that time. Even now, mobile phones as a basic tool of communication, especially in opposite person’s physical absence, distance us like ever, but not at the cost of next person’s emotions and needs. Only when it turns out to be luxurious commodity, as we tend to use it more often, at the personal level, it would be capable enough to hurt the persons next to us and thus distances them more than the opposite.

In conclusion, what we feel is that mobile phone in either ways, as a luxury and as a necessity, distances the human beings from one another, but it always depends on how we use it. The distance from the persons next to us is evitable, and the distance from the opposite is inevitable.

The opinion on mobile phones, a necessity or luxury and distance the persons next to us rather than opposite, might differ with you. If at all, kindly let me learn your opinion.

How it all happened: I was given this topic as a content writer interview topic. Later I found it to be in similar lines with GRE issue essay. Though it was all new experience, I am glad I could at least try it. 

How the myth of being trapped should be dealt with?

Stepping out? Watch out for a good sign (shakun).

What percent are you expecting this academic year?

Heard you are planning a new business set up. How soon would you like it to be at breakeven?

Do not welcome evil with a black dress on the festive season!

Having grown up amidst many customs and systems all through the life, since the very first step on this earth, for being an Indian specifically I have been hearing all those imperatives whenever I am scheduled to embark on a particular task; thinking of the results before even taking a first step.

The thoughts have been programmed to think of the results right at the pillar stone. Wings were locked with the winds of expectations. For 33 years now, I have walked every minute practically with the fear of what would be the outcome than being cognitive of what could be the first step.

I have realized that in fact the seeds of negative thought process were sown all this while have grown to their ugliest shape juxtaposing every task that I start with a pre-expected evil result right away, unconsciously. Had those expectations been goals and targets, the situation would have been different, but alas, they were not. Those were apprehensions, phobias, human psychological syndromes; and all related to fearing the future. In the name of beliefs/customs, we tend to fear about the future.

I would fondly put it as the myth of being trapped; being trapped by the unpredicted, being trapped by the negative forces, and being trapped by the internal enmity. Yes, of course, it is internal enmity – the hatred towards oneself, for not being able to win over pessimistic thoughts.

In over dozen instances, I myself had experienced them, if not almost in every aspect, where I, for the fear of being trapped with negative outcomes, encountered exactly what I had feared for:

-          With the fear that I can’t make it to taxation, I opted for a bachelor’s degree in management

-          With the fear that I might not make it to advertising, I had settled with animation early in my career. However, had managed to pursue my passion too.

-          With the fear that I might get cheated through online purchase, I had processed a transaction that resulted in a shipment with missing accessories.

In retrospection, I sometimes wonder how the fear of uncertain future influences all our lives. And have realized that there is no such thing called pre-expectations of post-results. What we will get would always be what exactly we have wished and craved for. All that we get is through our good fortunes and hard work and all that we lose is the outcome of our misconceptions (in this case our fear of being trapped). The early we realize it, the soon we could get over it, for positive results and for a better change.

And there we have a thing called timing too which would also influence most of the outcomes as respected Radhika Subramanian, CEO of Emcien says

“It is a story of humility because I think luck has so much to do with entrepreneurship. It is something I tell myself every day. I always tell my team, If you go home and pray for one thing today, pray that God make the timing right and guide you to the right timing. The way things unfolded was completely beyond me. It just happened.”

Read through that statement, it seems definite that the luck factor has major stake in pinning down the things. But I don’t second the thought that it is, by large, the only influencer. I see that the luck factor stands a hypothetical factor and represents our unpreparedness for the future.

Like many of my age group, I, too, could not agree with Ms. Radhika Subramanian’s opinion. Nevertheless, I fell in line believing that it along the hard work actually has a vital role in achieving success. But not to the extent that it hinders my preparedness for the unknown waters.

To deal well with the unknown waters, I would like all my fellow humans to read Mr. Leo Babauta’s flowing with the unknown an excellent write up which I think would clarify how the myth of being trapped should be dealt with. My favourite phrase from that is ‘you respond instead of reacting’.

Meanwhile, I too try practise thinking about immediate actions than the post results and try coming off the myth/fear of being trapped asap.

We are opinionated on how to come off the negative forces and grow in life. Are you? If yes, drop us your opinion.

Dear ECI, sorry I could not cast my vote, but wish for brighter India

Dear Election Commission of India (ECI) first let me apologise that I could not utilize my vote, my only right to define the future of the largest democracy on the earth, in 2014 Indian elections. I am sorry all the Telugu people for not being part of a mission called divisive forces’ eradication. I am sorry all Indians that I could not walk along with you to oust the ancestry politicians. I feel ashamed that I did not vote against a scamster worth of more than Rs. 5,000 crores. I curse myself for not helping a good administrator, who raised the bar of Andhra Pradesh in international circles, to come over the odds. I am crying deeply for not showing the Italian woman, who screwed up my state, her original ground, my foot. In addition, I stand helpless to extend my hand for development spearheaded Modi government. 

Why couldn’t I cast my vote?

Enough with apologies. Dear ECI, I would also like you to know the reason behind my failure in defining my future. Though it sounds great to hear that the poling day has been announced as a paid holiday, I could not decide on how it comes handy for the people who reside out of their State or constituencies. Do they have to travel all the way from their current residing State? Even if someone decides to travel, to our always-packed railways, it is next to impossible task to get a ticket, until and unless one wants to travel without it. 

May we have poling day, an optional holiday?

Adding more to it, isn’t the paid holiday on poling day works only for voters residing in their home States? Of course it is. Being put up outside my State – Andhra Pradesh, I enjoyed the holiday status of Tamil Nadu’s poling day, but couldn’t avail it for my State’s poling day, I won’t even have an optional holiday. Would that raise a request for an optional holiday on all poling days until the last phase of Indian Elections? Might be a good thought, I think.

May we have poling day on weekend?

There are plenty like me, who could not utilize their right, the vote, only because they stayed outside their home states and have no option to avail a polling day holiday. In that case, why can’t the EC of India arrange the general elections during weekends? At least, in that way, organizations would not have to allocate a paid holiday. Moreover, it gives no excuse to voters to stay away from poling.

With only exception to the ruckus or violence created by YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh, respecting every single aspect of Indian Elections 2014 and each government official involved in it, I admit the above-mentioned are just suggestions, which I thought could increase the poling percentage in every area. With almost 50 percent of the younger voters just done elections, it is heartening to see on an average only 65 to 70 percent turnout. 

We cannot change the past; nevertheless, can influence the future, for sure. At least, for next general elections, I wish and hope EC of India to take necessary steps to increase the voting percentage. Once again bidding apologies for not being the part of this country’s future, I would love to know your opinion on this, because we all are opinionated and connected in one or the other way.

Here is a quick way to understand the writer's responsibilities pre and post computer invention

Revolution is a process that affects perspectives, perceptions, practices, and hence the outcome. When that actually occurs, the duty of turning it for betterment lies in the hands of people who go through it on a personal front.

One such revolution that made ‘the writers’ in the corporate world carry forward the legacy of organizational writing and at the same time swiftly embrace new technologies, practice new methodologies, take up new challenges, and cut short the time they would spend on drafting, developing and publishing the communication materials is the invention of the computer.

The invention has changed his role from mere a language expert to a 2.0 or 3.0 technology savvy. It has forced the otherwise soft soul, creative, and facetious writer, to become a suave technology expert learning new tools of the trade and aligning them with proven old methodologies and procedures while spreading the message with utmost lucidity.

Depicted and mentioned here is a comparison between some of the tools and responsibilities of writers of a pre- and post-technology era: symbolized are the icons and logos of renowned software applications and tools a writer is expected to have a freehand on and composed are the duties a writer shall take care of.

http://visual.ly/writer-then-and-now

Irrespective of the era or field, he is in, ideas, research, data exceptional command over the language, and a deeper understanding of the target audience are considered to be a few must-possess prerequisites for any kind of a writer.

3 strengths that answer why should we hire you?

Almost ten years into professional life, having been answering twenty to thirty interview calls per year on an average, the question which I still feel the toughest in an interview is “Why should we hire you?” It has always been a puzzle since the time I started my career: Should I start answer it with the subject matter qualifications or should I get along explaining personal strengths I possess? I found there is no perfect answer; as it is apt to say, the situation demands the type of response. But for the most times, as I think, one should start answering this question by discussing their strengths and weaknesses clubbed with anecdotes to give the bigger picture of themselves, so that making an interviewer’s job less hectic.

In simple, I would say practice picking up keywords with respect to strengths and weaknesses that mentioned in your portfolio (to make employers know a little more on some of your important characteristics and how are they going to help their organization), which have continuously been a driving force for you while approaching a professional task. I feel those could be the best possible reasons that answer why an employer should hire you and me as well. Some of those strengths are:

Adaptability: This particular strength can possibly help an interviewer learn how easy you (interviewee) are to gel up with the working conditions and with the team. In my case, I have worked for various industries since the time I took up writing as a career.

Workplace Anecdotes: “since 2002, the year I have started my career, I’ve worked for various industries viz. Dotcom, IT, and Rich Media. The people were different. And so was their approach to arrive at a task done. Irrespective of the industry I was working for, I tried to be suitable to organization’s culture and working conditions at any given point of time and know what! I am happy with what I have been experiencing at work, so far.”

Adverbial: ‘Adverbial’ could be one of the best possible reasons why an employer should hire you as it showcases the flexibility and learning curve of you (an employee) or his/her ability to move around irrespective of organizational hierarchy. It might not be understood by all as it sounds more linguistic while reading and hence I had given a lot of thought before correlating with strengths and weaknesses. However, I am pretty sure that it fits any portfolio with ease for its best possible ability of fitting anywhere irrespective of hierarchy.

Digging deep into its roots, to my little knowledge adverb, by large, is the only section of parts of speech in English language which has the ability to move around in a sentence, refer to position of adverbs. Before the main verb; as a mediator as in between the auxiliary and main verb; and (or) after the verb used to. But wherever it is, it works hand in hand with the main verb. 

Workplace Anecdotes: Once, I was ordered to look after on-page optimization techniques of one of our employers’ website for a very short period. But my interview-time responsibilities were to take up writing related to tasks only i.e. related to content writing. Instead of being reluctant to take up the task out of my job, in a quick gesture, I took up the challenge and had proven a point to my manager that put me in any position; I will work towards the best practices of an organization.

On the contrary, I will not recommend this specific trait for everyone as some may feel that it is not wise to change your mind set for someone’s sake. Many feel, sometimes, it may mislead your career but, I would say, often times it will help you to be resourceful and could save you at layoff times. 

Go-Getter Attitude: Most times what any employer would look for in an employee is the latter’s attitude towards work; the go-getter attitude. Organizations not only look for the loyalists but also the doer’s. Show that killer act which you have achieved. It’s not such an alien thing. Everyone, indeed, has it in-built – the zeal to accomplish. You just have to show that up to your interviewer. You might have walked a tight rope while solving an issue; you might have helped someone to solve something; or, at least might have tried something against the mundane to get the work done. Just brush up your memory and put up the best possible go-getting situation you’ve experienced professionally to be productive and deliverable as well.

For instance, I would proudly say that I am deliverable looking at my track record as…

Workplace Anecdotes: A couple of years ago, while I was working with Suchirindia Group, we had to develop a microsite for a proposed sky scrapper in Sri Lanka. The brief given was nothing but a few words; about what and all the facilities would come up and on which floor. And the time we were given was just 24 hours. I must say, the task was completed with 8 hours in hand, that too with a green signal from our CEO.

Ending note: Instead of cutting the conversation right away, make it a justified one. Sum it up and try to pacify the interviewer by putting up the answer he is looking for. Give him/her the bottom-line why you have chosen those strengths to be discussed and felt that are the best reasons why one should hire you. I would probably say: “With the strengths discussed above, I am not trying to boast up my mettle but would like to assure you that my stint with XYZ (particular organization) is going to be a qualitative and fruitful for me and that particular organization as well.” 

That’s it. Have a great interview call ahead. Good Luck. Cheers!!!

My opinion on this topic might differ with yours. If it does so, I shall request you: kindly post your opinion below.