Strong challengers to Apple iPad

Apple faces its strongest slate of challengers this holiday season, with several tablets besting the trend-setting iPad on price and features.

NEW YORK: Once upon a time, people who craved a tablet computer bought an iPad.

But Apple faces its strongest slate of challengers this holiday season, with several tablets besting the trend-setting iPad on price and features.

There are still plenty of reasons to get an iPad - either the full-size iPad Air starting at $499 or the iPad Mini at $399. Versions of both are available for $100 less, but you get a slower device with a lower-resolution screen. The Air is lighter and thinner than previous full-size models, and it feels nice in your hands.

Whichever one you get for your loved one, the iPad offers this:

* An unmatched selection of high-quality apps, many of them adapted for the tablet's larger screen. Many apps for Android tablets are simply phone apps blown up, while the Windows app store has a smaller selection.

* A screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio. That's the standard size for photos and older television shows, and it displays more content when Web surfing with the tablet held horizontally. That said, the wider aspect ratio found on Android and Windows tablets are better for widescreen video.

* Great syncing with other Apple devices, if the recipient of your gift has any. When setting up an Apple TV streaming device, for instance, you can simply place your iPad near it and bypass screens of prompts. Directions on the Mac's new Maps app can be sent to the iPad with two clicks. You can read and reply to iPhone texts from the iPad or a Mac.

But for a top-notch experience, you'll pay a top-notch price. That's where Android tablets come in.

You can get Amazon.com Inc's Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 for $120 less than the iPad Air, at $379. It's even lighter, by about 17 percent, though I couldn't feel much of a difference holding the two side by side. The Kindle's screen has a higher resolution, but the display measures just 8.9 inches (22.6 centimeters) diagonally compared with the Air's 9.7 inches (24.6 centimeters).

For a smaller tablet, you can get a 7-inch (17.5-centimeter) Kindle Fire HDX or a 7-inch Google Nexus 7 for $229, or $170 less than the latest iPad Mini.

With the Mini, though, you get a larger screen, at 7.9 inches (20 centimeters). LG Electronics' G Pad 8.3 offers an 8.3-inch (21-centimeter) screen for $350, or about $50 less than the Mini. Sync the G Pad with an Android phone to see who's calling on your tablet, though you still need the phone to answer it. You can read and reply to texts from the tablet, as long as they don't have photos or video attached. You're limited to one reply and can't initiate a text from the tablet, however. That's where iPads do better.

As for the Kindle, there's one important limitation. The Kindle runs a modified version of Android, and only a subset of Android apps works on it.

On the flip side, Amazon is alone in offering live tech support 24 hours a day, seven hours a week. Hit the "Mayday" button on an HDX, and a representative will appear in a video box within seconds. The representatives can only hear you and see what's on your screen. They can help guide you by placing orange markers on your screen or taking control of your device completely. This feature makes the Kindle excellent for your tech-challenged loved ones. Just train them to call Mayday - rather than you - every time the device's volume needs adjusting.

Owners of Samsung phones might prefer a companion tablet, such as the $550 Galaxy Note 10.1. Sporting a stylus and several note-taking features, the Note is good for those who handwrite a lot of notes. But beware: The tablet's text-recognition software makes plenty of mistakes.

Avid readers, meanwhile, might be drawn to an Arc tablet from e-book specialist Kobo. Prices range from $150 to $400 depending on screen size and quality. The home screen has quick access to books and recommendations. A reading mode blocks distractions such as notifications and sounds, while adjusting screen brightness. You can even turn Wi-Fi off completely in reading mode to avoid temptations to check email and Facebook.

Some Android tablets also address one of the iPad's major shortcomings: It's not meant for sharing. The Nexus, the G Pad and the Arc tablets are among those that let you create multiple profiles. The Nexus also lets you restrict what kids can do under their profiles, though that feature is rudimentary.

Beyond Android, you have plenty of Windows tablets to choose from, all with multi-user capabilities. The app selection is limited compared with iPads and most Android tablets. But Windows tablets are the only ones to offer a full version of Microsoft's Office software. It's free with tablets running a lightweight version of Windows 8.1 called RT. With iPads and Android tablets, you're limited to Web versions of Office.

Microsoft sells a 10.6-inch (27-centimeter) RT tablet, the Surface 2, for $449. For $130 more, you can get a keyboard cover with keys that move. A more powerful version, the Surface Pro 2, starts at $899. It runs a regular version of Windows 8.1, meaning it can run older Windows programs, not just ones designed for RT. Microsoft markets these as laptop replacements, and the cover has been redesigned such that it works better for typing on your lap.

A newcomer to tablets is Nokia, traditionally a phone maker. Nokia's first-ever tablet, the Lumia 2520, has a brightly colored plastic back that helps it stand out in a crowd.

It costs $499, the same as the iPad's starting price. But it comes with access to 4G LTE cellular networks, something that costs $130 more for iPads and $100 for the Kindle. That's something really useful for those away from Wi-Fi a lot. Data charges aren't included. Price reductions are available with service contracts or bundled with Nokia smartphones
.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Beware Team India: Testing times ahead

The "bounce-back" process has to start from Benoni, where the Indians will face a decent team which has promising players like Chris Morris and Riley Rossouw. (AFP Photo)

JOHANNESBURG: The evening showers in Centurion on Sunday might well have saved India the ignominy of a 3-0 whitewash in the one-day internationals. However, the feeling in the South African camp is that Indian players will carry "some scars" from their ODI mauling into the Tests, which starts in six days' time. 

There's a two-day practice game in Benoni starting on Friday against the South African Invitational XI and the process of getting the house in order has to start from there. 

The Test specialists who are certainties in the XI - M Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Zaheer Khan - need to get some playing time in the middle along with ODI failures like Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and R Ashwin. 

The Indian team, of course, is trying to play down the verbal assault of the South Africans before they get into Test mode. While Zaheer said "those are merely big talks of the opposition", Ashwin refused to acknowledge that India's performance had been disastrous. 

"What's a disaster? We use such terms when it's a world war. Things haven't exactly gone in our favour in ODIs and we have learnt some important lessons ahead of the Tests," Ashwin said. 

The Indians didn't get a bat against the South African attack on Wednesday night due to rain, so it's difficult to predict what they have actually learnt during the course of their 141 and 134-run losses in the first two matches. 

However, the bowlers, especially Ishant Sharma, looked more incisive than in Durban and figures of 4-40 might have come as a relief for the paceman. "It's all in the mind. We have been working very hard on our game and there's belief that we can bounce back," Ishant said. 

The "bounce-back" process has to start from Benoni, where the Indians will face a decent team which has promising players like Chris Morris and Riley Rossouw. 

Coach Duncan Fletcher has been working on the shot selection of the players and the Benoni game will show how much they have learnt. It's crucial for the likes of Pujara and Vijay to get into the groove as early as possible. 

Pujara, who has been in prime form both in international and domestic cricket, is looking to carry the confidence into this series as well. 

"We have been here for a week and working on our game. We have been constantly told that if we can get the first few overs out, batting can be enjoyable on these tracks," India's No. 3 said. 

Vijay also has a plan in mind and says it's about negotiating the pace and bounce in the initial stages of the innings. "We have to leave some balls early. I have been to South Africa before and have a fair idea how to go about things," the Tamil Nadu opener said. Used to playing on the docile tracks of India, these technical adjustments are easier said than done. 

"It's already been difficult for them and come Jo'burg (the venue of the first Test), we are looking to make it even tougher," South Africa skipper AB de Villier's said. It's up to Dhoni's devils to take it up and make it an even contest in the Test series
.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Obama, Cameron 'selfie' at Mandela memorial creates online stir

US President Barack Obama may have moved the masses attending Nelson Mandela's memorial service with his stirring eulogy on Tuesday, but it was his grinning "selfie" with the Danish and British premiers that set social networks abuzz.

In a candid moment captured by AFP photographer Roberto Schmidt, Denmark's Helle Thorning-Schmidt can be seen holding up her smartphone, with Obama lending a helping hand, as they pose for a picture with David Cameron, all three of them smiling broadly in their seats at Soweto's World Cup stadium.

First Lady Michelle Obama, sitting to the left of her husband, does not join in with the lightheartedness, keeping her eyes firmly trained on the podium where world leaders were paying tribute to South Africa's anti-apartheid hero Mandela, who died Thursday aged 95.

The so-called selfie short for self-portrait was quickly picked up by major international news outlets and went viral on social media sites, with many questioning whether the moment of mirth was appropriate for the occasion.

"There should be a moratorium on 'selfies' during memorials and funerals, no?" tweeted @JeffryHalverson.

"Is This The Most Important Selfie Of 2013?" headlined the US-based social news website Buzzfeed, noting that Michelle Obama seemed "not amused" by the impromptu photoshoot.

Cameron's Downing Street office said it had "no comment" on the photo, while the White House also made no comment. There was no immediate reaction from Copenhagen.

The act of taking selfies has become increasingly popular in recent years. The word itself was named this year's word of the year by Oxford Dictionaries.

A selfie is defined as "a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website".

The AFP photographer who captured the leaders in their group shot said his picture showed the dignitaries in a rare unscripted moment.

"It was interesting to see politicians in a human light because usually when we see them it is in such a controlled environment. Maybe this would not be such an issue if we, as the press, would have more access to dignitaries and be able to show they are human as the rest of us," he said.

But Schmidt said he feared the photo's global impact could overshadow what was "a celebration for an obviously exceptional person".

"The AFP team worked hard to display the reaction that South African people had for the passing of someone they consider as a father. We moved about 500 pictures, trying to portray their true feelings, and this seemingly trivial image overshadowed everything else," he said.

"I think it's a sad reflection on how sometimes we focus, as a society, on trivial everyday happenings."

Schmidt's photo of the three leaders posing for the selfie can be found on AFP's Tumblr page.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Twitter shares touch new high, sail past $52

Investors piled into Twitter Inc for the second straight day, lifting its shares to more than $52 and setting a new intraday high on Tuesday even in the absence of any significant announcements from the social media debutante.

Shares of Twitter were up 6 percent to $52.20 on Tuesday afternoon after a frenzied trading session on Monday, when Twitter closed up nearly 10 percent, its biggest gain ever.

(Also see: Twitter shares near all-time high)

Since the loss-making San Francisco-based firm held its closely watched initial public offering last month, its fans on Wall Street have strained to reinforce the bull case for a stock priced at increasingly inflated multiples compared to social media peers like Facebook Inc and LinkedIn Corp.

Twitter has released a spate of management news and product updates since its IPO, but some announcements, such as the official roll-out of a lucrative, cookie-based ad targeting technology called "targeted audiences," have been preceded for months by prior announcements.

In a research note on Friday, Evercore analyst Ken Sena said "targeted audiences" has been publicly in the works but raised his price target anyway from $43 to $52 because the deployment of the technology "might not be as costly as we originally modeled."

Twitter which went public on the New York Stock Exchange on November 7, is now trading at roughly double its IPO price of $26 a share with an implied valuation of more than $26 billion on just $168.6 million in revenue in the third quarter.

The San Francisco-based firm touched its previous intraday high of $50.09 on the day of its IPO.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Xolo Opus Q1000 quad-core phablet available online at Rs. 9,999

Xolo latest phablet, the Opus Q1000, is now available in the Indian market. The Xolo Opus Q1000 is up for pre-order at an e-commerce website at Rs. 9,999. The listing clearly suggests an estimate release in third week of December.

The Xolo Opus Q1000 runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and is a dual-SIM phablet with support for GSM+GSM. It features a 5-inch FWVGA IPS display with 480x854 pixels resolution. The phablet is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor along with 1GB of RAM.

It sports a 5-megapixel autofocus rear camera accompanied by an LED flash and also includes a VGA front-facing camera. The Xolo Opus Q1000 comes with 4GB inbuilt storage, which can be expanded up to 32GB with the help of a microSD card. It packs a 2000mAh battery which, as per the online retailer's listing, can deliver up to 18 hours of talktime and up to 700 hours standby time. Connectivity options on the phablet include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPRS, EDGE, GPS/ AGPS and 3G. The Xolo Opus Q1000 measures 143.3x72.9x8.95mm. The phablet is also listed at Flipkart.

The new Xolo phablet expands the company's Q smartphone series which already includes phones such as Xolo Q500, Xolo Q600, Xolo Q700, Xolo Q800, Xolo Q900, Xolo Q1000, Xolo Q1000S, andXolo Q2000 all of which are powered by quad-core processors.

In November, Xolo launched another budget Q series smartphone, the Q500, at Rs. 7,999. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and supports dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) functionality. It features a 4-inch WVGA (480x800) display with One Glass Solution (OGS) and boasts a pixel density of 233ppi.

It sports a 5-megapixel rear autofocus camera with LED flash and also houses a VGA front-facing camera. The Xolo Q500 continues the Q range tradition and equips a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 with Adreno 203 and 1GB of RAM. The Xolo Q500 is the first budget smartphone which is powered by a Snapdragon 200 processor, which has been a chipset of mid-range smartphones like the HTC Desire 500.

Mobiles launched in December 2013

Xolo Opus Q1000

• KEY SPECS
• NEWS

Display

5.00-inch

Processor

1.2GHz

Front Camera

0.3-megapixel

Resolution

480x854 pixels

RAM

1GB

OS

Android 4.2

Storage

4GB

Rear Camera

5-megapixel

Battery capacity

2000mAh

See full Xolo Opus Q1000 specifications

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Samsung Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition announced, available in limited numbers

Samsung has been famous for launching its Galaxy smartphones in new avatars, or variants, and following the tradition, the South Korean manufacturer has now announced the Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition.

As of now, the 2013 flagship smartphone variant is only available via Samsung Thailand and has been priced at 20,300 Thai bahts, which translates to roughly Rs. 38,700. Notably, Samsung Thailand's site clearly mentions that the Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition is available in limited numbers i.e. 3,500 units.

Unfortunately, there is no word on the release of the Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition outside Thailand markets. The highlight of the new Galaxy S4 variant is that it features Swarovski crystals studded at the back.

Under the hood we assume that the Galaxy S4 Crystal Edition has similar specifications as the original variant.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 was globally launched in March this year. However, the device landed in India only in April with a price tag of Rs. 41,500.

The device sports a 5-inch full-HD display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels, and pixel density of 441ppi. It is powered by 1.6GHz Exynos octa-core processor alongside 2GB of RAM and runs Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean. The Galaxy S4 sports a 13-megapixels rear shooter and a 2-megapixel one on the front.

Earlier in September, Samsung launched the Galaxy S4 Gold Edition for limited markets that majorly included the Gulf countries.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Tips For Wannabe Entrepreneurs

Tips For Wannabe Entrepreneurs

The glamour of entrepreneurship, the premise of unlimited success, and the notional freedom of being your own boss is beguiling.

It has never been a more attractive time to dream about entrepreneurship. The tough job market, coupled with the fear of being laid off, has made it difficult to be an employee. On the other hand, the glamour of entrepreneurship, the premise of unlimited success, and the notional freedom of being your own boss is beguiling. Every other professional is a wannabe entrepreneur, but are you cut out to be one? Also, is it actually the right time to be one? Here are a few pointers.

ATTITUDE: Readiness to fail

Survival account

What are your liabilities—mouths to feed, EMIs to pay, personal monthly expenses? Take stock of your liquid assets to see if you have enough to cover your outflow. Your ‘survival money’ buys you time to give your entrepreneurial dreams a decent shot. If you are planning on a venture in the services space, you should work towards paying yourself a salary in a few months. If you are building a product, it might take longer. Unless your family is ready to pitch in or you find an investor, make sure to build a survival account first.

Emotional support

Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, much like climbing a mountain alone. At times, the going will be tough and your morale will hit rock bottom. The last thing you need is a loved one urging you to give up. Besides self-belief, it helps to have the encouragement and support of your family, friends and business partners so that you can persevere through challenging times. If you don’t have this, consider getting their buy-in before you start.

Back-up plan or burn the ships?

Do you want to be an entrepreneur just to see if it works? Or are you seeking a permanent change of identity? If you are motivated by the former, keep Plan B and Plan C in place. This could also include returning to former employers if things don’t work out. If the latter is your trigger, the easier way is to burn all ships so that there is no possibility of a retreat. You have decided to stick through whether you succeed the first time or after nine consecutive failures. Note that your choice of business is immaterial if you are switching for good.

APPROACH: Easy-to-miss path

Self-employed or entrepreneur?

Don’t confuse self-employment with entrepreneurship. In the former, your earning is dependent on the hours you put in. So, the doctor in his clinic or a tuition teacher are self-employed. The entrepreneur’s time and earnings are not co-related so directly. In the former, you can start part-time by moonlighting while carrying on with your day job. The latter is nearly always a full-time commitment. Like the doctor who builds a hospital, you too can switch to entrepreneurship.

Friendship vs business

Let not friendship be a reason to do business, or business the reason to make frie nds. Such structures tend to fail and can cost you the business or friendship, or both. If you still want to start a venture due to friendship, clarify who will be the final authority in business decisions. As in a pre-nuptial agreement, write down the course of action if the business or relationship were to fail.

Mentors to multiply

Just as you reach out to seniors at the workplace to show you the ropes, seek out mentors who will share their wisdom, experiences and contacts. These are the people who have been there, done that, and have tasted their share of failures and successes. They may help you either for a stake in your business or because of your relationship with them. Good mentors help multiply your efforts and shorten the path to success.

Good health and relationships

Make sure that your entrepreneurial ambitions include plans to invest time and effort in your health and critical relationships. As most entrepreneurs would tell you, by the time you realise there is something wrong, it is too late to make amends. Bad health will force you to take time off or even abandon your venture. Failed relationships could kill your drive and motivation to persevere or, at the very least, make your success meaningless.

ACTIONS: Taking the first steps

Physical set-up

The purpose of business is to earn money. For customers to start paying for your product or service, you need to get the paperwork and legal documents in order. The easiest way is to pay for the services of a trusted chartered accountant, who is already working with your mentor or an entrepreneur friend. Find out if you need to get registered as a proprietorship, a partnership or a private limited firm. Set up bank accounts, PPF account, and register for income tax, sales tax, service tax, Shops and Establishment Act, etc. Get the necessary permits and you’re good to go.

People power

As for human resources, start hiring only when absolutely necessary, and be clear about your expectations. Anticipate hiring mistakes and be prepared to fire when the need arises. Once you recruit someone, start teaching and empowering him immediately. Give your employees the space and motivation to get involved in your business and to contribute beyond their skill sets. It’s a win-win situation since the business is now powered by multiple entrepreneurs and the employees get to grow at a rapid clip.

Business strategy

In the initial days, when your market credibility is low and customers are difficult to find, it is tempting to take up any paying opportunity that comes by. However, strategy gurus believe that what you choose not to do is more important than what you choose to do. Think hard and build your strategy around the opportunities you turn down, irrespective of their attractiveness. Have a wonderful journey!

Top 5 excuses

Deciding on an idea

You have been waiting for divine inspiration for the past six months. Experienced entrepreneurs will tell you that ideas don’t matter. Get moving and start implementing. Ideas will evolve and success will depend on your ability, market, and some luck. The writer is Director, Executive Search, at Quetzal.

Waiting for money

You haven’t started because you need someone to invest in your idea or to pre-pay for the service you are dreaming about. No one will do so unless you have a proven track record as an entrepreneur. The only way to progress is to find your own money and deliver value until people start believing.

Looking for partners

You have spent a year looking for someone to build your website or a salesperson to sell your product. Remember that an entrepreneur takes complete responsibility for success and failure. So, get up and start selling, learn coding, and do whatever it takes till you find the right people.

Researching the market

You have an idea, but are not sure of your customers. You believe some more research will show you the way. However, entrepreneurs have a bias for action and avoid ‘analysis paralysis’. Learn by doing, not through research.

Writing a plan

You have spent three months with the unfinished first draft of your business plan. Complete it today and start presenting to others while you build your business simultaneously. The combination of expert criticism and rejection from customers will perfect your plan like nothing else.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

Tips For Wannabe Entrepreneurs

Tips For Wannabe Entrepreneurs

The glamour of entrepreneurship, the premise of unlimited success, and the notional freedom of being your own boss is beguiling.

It has never been a more attractive time to dream about entrepreneurship. The tough job market, coupled with the fear of being laid off, has made it difficult to be an employee. On the other hand, the glamour of entrepreneurship, the premise of unlimited success, and the notional freedom of being your own boss is beguiling. Every other professional is a wannabe entrepreneur, but are you cut out to be one? Also, is it actually the right time to be one? Here are a few pointers.

ATTITUDE: Readiness to fail

Survival account

What are your liabilities—mouths to feed, EMIs to pay, personal monthly expenses? Take stock of your liquid assets to see if you have enough to cover your outflow. Your ‘survival money’ buys you time to give your entrepreneurial dreams a decent shot. If you are planning on a venture in the services space, you should work towards paying yourself a salary in a few months. If you are building a product, it might take longer. Unless your family is ready to pitch in or you find an investor, make sure to build a survival account first.

Emotional support

Entrepreneurship is a lonely journey, much like climbing a mountain alone. At times, the going will be tough and your morale will hit rock bottom. The last thing you need is a loved one urging you to give up. Besides self-belief, it helps to have the encouragement and support of your family, friends and business partners so that you can persevere through challenging times. If you don’t have this, consider getting their buy-in before you start.

Back-up plan or burn the ships?

Do you want to be an entrepreneur just to see if it works? Or are you seeking a permanent change of identity? If you are motivated by the former, keep Plan B and Plan C in place. This could also include returning to former employers if things don’t work out. If the latter is your trigger, the easier way is to burn all ships so that there is no possibility of a retreat. You have decided to stick through whether you succeed the first time or after nine consecutive failures. Note that your choice of business is immaterial if you are switching for good.

APPROACH: Easy-to-miss path

Self-employed or entrepreneur?

Don’t confuse self-employment with entrepreneurship. In the former, your earning is dependent on the hours you put in. So, the doctor in his clinic or a tuition teacher are self-employed. The entrepreneur’s time and earnings are not co-related so directly. In the former, you can start part-time by moonlighting while carrying on with your day job. The latter is nearly always a full-time commitment. Like the doctor who builds a hospital, you too can switch to entrepreneurship.

Friendship vs business

Let not friendship be a reason to do business, or business the reason to make frie nds. Such structures tend to fail and can cost you the business or friendship, or both. If you still want to start a venture due to friendship, clarify who will be the final authority in business decisions. As in a pre-nuptial agreement, write down the course of action if the business or relationship were to fail.

Mentors to multiply

Just as you reach out to seniors at the workplace to show you the ropes, seek out mentors who will share their wisdom, experiences and contacts. These are the people who have been there, done that, and have tasted their share of failures and successes. They may help you either for a stake in your business or because of your relationship with them. Good mentors help multiply your efforts and shorten the path to success.

Good health and relationships

Make sure that your entrepreneurial ambitions include plans to invest time and effort in your health and critical relationships. As most entrepreneurs would tell you, by the time you realise there is something wrong, it is too late to make amends. Bad health will force you to take time off or even abandon your venture. Failed relationships could kill your drive and motivation to persevere or, at the very least, make your success meaningless.

ACTIONS: Taking the first steps

Physical set-up

The purpose of business is to earn money. For customers to start paying for your product or service, you need to get the paperwork and legal documents in order. The easiest way is to pay for the services of a trusted chartered accountant, who is already working with your mentor or an entrepreneur friend. Find out if you need to get registered as a proprietorship, a partnership or a private limited firm. Set up bank accounts, PPF account, and register for income tax, sales tax, service tax, Shops and Establishment Act, etc. Get the necessary permits and you’re good to go.

People power

As for human resources, start hiring only when absolutely necessary, and be clear about your expectations. Anticipate hiring mistakes and be prepared to fire when the need arises. Once you recruit someone, start teaching and empowering him immediately. Give your employees the space and motivation to get involved in your business and to contribute beyond their skill sets. It’s a win-win situation since the business is now powered by multiple entrepreneurs and the employees get to grow at a rapid clip.

Business strategy

In the initial days, when your market credibility is low and customers are difficult to find, it is tempting to take up any paying opportunity that comes by. However, strategy gurus believe that what you choose not to do is more important than what you choose to do. Think hard and build your strategy around the opportunities you turn down, irrespective of their attractiveness. Have a wonderful journey!

Top 5 excuses

Deciding on an idea

You have been waiting for divine inspiration for the past six months. Experienced entrepreneurs will tell you that ideas don’t matter. Get moving and start implementing. Ideas will evolve and success will depend on your ability, market, and some luck. The writer is Director, Executive Search, at Quetzal.

Waiting for money

You haven’t started because you need someone to invest in your idea or to pre-pay for the service you are dreaming about. No one will do so unless you have a proven track record as an entrepreneur. The only way to progress is to find your own money and deliver value until people start believing.

Looking for partners

You have spent a year looking for someone to build your website or a salesperson to sell your product. Remember that an entrepreneur takes complete responsibility for success and failure. So, get up and start selling, learn coding, and do whatever it takes till you find the right people.

Researching the market

You have an idea, but are not sure of your customers. You believe some more research will show you the way. However, entrepreneurs have a bias for action and avoid ‘analysis paralysis’. Learn by doing, not through research.

Writing a plan

You have spent three months with the unfinished first draft of your business plan. Complete it today and start presenting to others while you build your business simultaneously. The combination of expert criticism and rejection from customers will perfect your plan like nothing else.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More

‘Travel and Tourism industry to increase hiring in coming months’

Interview of the Day: ‘Travel and Tourism industry to increase hiring in coming months’

Sanjay Singh, COO, Overalltravel.com

In conversation with TimesJobs.com, Sanjay Singh, COO, Overalltravel.com, an online travel portal, talks about job opportunities and emerging trends in the Travel and Tourism industry…

What is the recruitment scenario like in Travel industry? Where are the job opportunities, in terms of positions, profiles and locations?     

As per requirement is concerned 70 per cent of the employees are from Sales while the rest 30 per cent are from Operations, Customer Service, and Finance. In terms of hiring, the expansion mode is on and we are in the process of freezing the hiring process. In order to target the spring vacations of 2014, we need to hire employees by the end of this month. 

What are the major challenges (business and recruitment related) being faced by the industry? 

The industry has evolved a lot over a period of time. It ranges from holidays to Meeting, Incentive travel, Convention/Conference and Event/Exhibition and has different options for every holiday the customer plans. However, when it comes to hiring skilled individuals, there’s lack of business expertise. 

What has been the impact of the global economic slowdown on the Indian Travel and Tourism industry? 

Global economic slowdown has definitely laid a strong impact on Indian Travel industry. Today, with dipping value of Indian rupee, Indian travel enthusiasts are happier travelling within the country. And this has badly hit the international side, as honeymooners and affluent groups are also looking for exotic local destinations (which can meet there expectation within a reasonable budget). 

How has technology impacted the Travel and Tourism industry in India? 

With the advent of Information Technology, Travel and Tourism industry has seen a significant change (for both travel companies and customers). In the dotcom era, where every company has their own established web portal, the market has become more transparent and user-friendly. Moreover, today the industry boasts on excellent client service, which is made possible with the tool called ‘technology’. 

What are the emerging trends in the Indian Travel and Tourism industry?

Indian Travel and Tourism industry has seen remarkable changes in the last decade. More options have come up, along with better management of travel packages. Today, the concept of travelling is somewhat fashioned around interesting themes like – pilgrimage, Ayurveda and well-being, etc. In this way, one can choose their desired travel packages within their given budget. Apart from that, weekend getaways are also gaining popularity among the young brigade of corporate professionals. A tour package, customised for maximum three nights, work as a brilliant option for them to gain the lost energy and to refresh the thought-process.

Hi guys If u like this post please leave a comment in comment box... comment box will top right of every post and bottom of every post. its useful for me give a better information.. if u want to give any suggestion in bottom of blog there is contact information option please leave a msgs with u r mail id sure i will get u.

Read More