2012 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 3,800 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 6 years to get that many views.
ATML and Standardized Data Exchange
Recently I came across a situation in automated test setting which clearly demonstrated how lack of standardized data exchange can drive up cost and cause significant delays.
As it is demonstrated above lack of standardized ATE and test information data exchange among companies and their suppliers and OEMs contributes significant overhead costs to manufactured products. Luckily for these organizations a new XML-based standard for ATE and test information data exchange, known as Automated Test Markup Language (ATML), is emerging with widespread support among test and measurement industry leaders as well as major government programs. With the emerging promise of ATML as a test and measurement industry XML standard, some leading vendors already have begun implementing ATML capabilities into their products and test solutions.
Marketing Monster 2011 in review
Here’s an excerpt:
A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,100 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 3 trips to carry that many people.
Online Stores in India
Many were looking for a list. There are many more, I will update the list frequently.
| Store | Type |
| Yebhi.com | Apparel |
| Myntra.com | Apparel |
| Ebay.in | Auctions |
| Carwale.com | Automobiles |
| Flipkart.com | Books, DVDs, Electronics |
| Tolmol.com | Books, DVDs, Electronics |
| Infibeam.com | Books, DVDs, Electronics |
| Quikr.com | Classifieds |
| Olx.com | Classifieds |
| Sulekha.com | Classifieds |
| Letsbuy.com | Computer, Electronics |
| Naaptol.com | Computer, Electronics |
| Snapdeal.com | Daily deals |
| Dealsandyou.com | Daily deals |
| Fashionandyou.com | Luxury |
| 99acres.com | Real estate |
| Magicbricks.com | Real estate |
| Futurebazaar.com | Superstore |
I will come up with a comparison and an analysis of the segment soon.
Network-based Marketing
Building a Market Research Machinery for Indian Market
If you are a company planning to come up with new products consistently you have to setup a strong machinery for Market Research. Market Research enables two things-> validates & improves the idea and create a strong sales funnel.
Preparing for the ‘First Job’ interviews
No matter how senior you are in your career, an interview always gives you blues; especially if you are in a situation where you need to change the job. Given that, we can easily assume that for a fresher attending an interview for his first job gives the biggest blues. And first job is a very important event in life which can influence the rest of your life.
Before any interview you should have the belief that you are good enough for the job being offered. You have to believe that you can do a better job than anybody else who is applying for the same job. Once you are confident, the right answers, the right gestures will come to you by default. There was a period in my life where I couldn’t convert any of the interviews I attended. I was worried about another interview which was scheduled and my friend asked me why I should be worried as my resume is much stronger and more suitable for the job than anyone else. I went with the same belief to the interview and I got the job with a coveted private equity firm. On hindsight my resume was not very different from others who had applied for the same job. It was my belief that I am better which helped me get the job. Since then I have never walked out of an interview without a job.
One thing which can win over any panel member is passion for the segment in which the prospective employer operates. I remember being asked in my interview with a leading MNC in internet space, why I want to join them rather than accepting an offer I had from a better paying company which operates in the same field as my last employer and where my engineering degree is more relevant. My answer was I just love what the company does and I spent most of my time reading and tracking what is happening in online space. That answer got me the job.
Another important aspect is to rightly gauge the person who is taking your interview. There is no one size fits all solution for interviews. Your approach should differ from person to person. You should be able to judge that in first 3 minutes of the interview. Some like people who are honest in answers while being very open about your plans might land up in trouble with some. Many like you taking control of the interview while there are panelists for whom interview is like an opportunity to demonstrate their own knowledge.
But you can’t put all the advice into practice without preparation. Getting the right practice at right time is very critical. Equally important is being able to track your own performance across interviews and take necessary steps to improve aspects where you are lacking. Feedback from the right people is also essential. The best place to get feedback from is an alumnus from same industry or organization.





