Journey With Myself Promotion : Promote to win a top level domains + Hosting!

This is a promotional giveaway where you could win the following prizes: Top Level Domains [Like *.com *.org *.in etc] Premium hosting for 1 year Many domains This promotion will run from Sunday, 12th October’ 2011 to 31st October’ 2011 00:00 hours (mid-night). Result of the promotion will be announced on within a week and prizes will be distributed to all the winners in the next 3 weeks’ time.

Every Day is A New Day

New day.. New office location.. New Seat.. So many new things happened to me before this new year comes. Newness always brings enthusiasm and excitement. Hope this New Year also comes with hand full of surprises as Every Day is a New Day indeed..!!!

12 Most Famous Love Stories of All Time

When: 31 BC Where: Rome and Egypt What’s So Special about Their Love: These two had a love so strong, war was waged against them to break them up. When Mark Antony left his wife, Octavia, for the mesmerizing Cleopatra, Octavia’s brother Octavian brought the army of Rome to destroy them. These two lovers were so entranced with each other that they committed suicide rather than be apart- the ultimate Romeo and Juliet true love story.

Mahatma`s Teachings

I like both the movies MunnaBhai MBBS and Lage Raho MunnaBhai. I dont know about the Gandhi`s political decisions but I believe in his teachings to the nation.

Universal Truth about Boys............lolz!!

Now i truly admit, Google is very very very smart......

Monday, March 11, 2013

Advantages of internet marketing over traditional media advertising


Internet Marketing is Obsoleting Traditional Media Advertisers. Advertising via print and radio has been in steady decline for the past few years and very soon we will see internet marketing surpass television as well, possibly in the next year or two.
The main job of advertising companies that make commercials for radio and TV is to find creative ways to market their client’s products so that people who happen to be tuned in will choose that product over similar items.
This process is simplified by search engine marketing manager doing correct implementation of search engine marketing definition using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tactics to make your website more accessible to people searching for the product you are selling. Some of the many advantages that online marketing offers over traditional media outlets: 
├╝  Reduced Cost - The starting cost of online marketing is only a fraction of the thousands of dollars that Yellow Pages, television and radio ads cost. In addition, while traditional ads may only run for a short time, a search engine marketing techniques can deliver long-term results. You can also save money with online Pay-Per-Click advertising where it is easy to experiment with small ad volumes until you perfect your strategy and then expand your marketing budget when you are assured of a positive sales return. 
├╝  Everything Is Measurable - When you place an ad in the newspaper or a magazine, it can be difficult to assess the direct sales impact for your business. With online marketing, everything can be tracked and illustrated in detailed graphs that illustrate traffic growth, leads and sales conversions from your specific search engine marketing campaigns. Using a free traffic analysis tool like Google Analytics, it is easy to calculate your return on investment (ROI) so you can appreciate the excellent value generated from your online marketing budget. 
├╝  Brand Engagement - In the crowded market, you need to establish and maintain positive brand awareness and client loyalty. Apart from word-of-mouth and leveraging your personal relationships with your established clients, a website is the most important marketing tool a business can have. A regularly updated website with well-written content that maintains people’s interest is essential to showing people exactly how your business is distinctive - and how you offer the best value to your clients. 
├╝  Demographic Targeting - The degree to which an internet marketing campaign can target and measure the response from specific demographics and regions such as Toronto is often astonishing to business owners who normally use traditional media. New demographic prediction and online advertising platforms allow you to specifically target the specific consumer demographics most likely to buy your products. In particular, if you want to target young people between the ages of 16-30, you'll need an online marketing strategy to reach them where they spend the bulk of their time: On the Internet and on social media sites. 
├╝  Real-Time Results - With internet marketing you don’t have to wait weeks to see a significant boost in your business. With a paid search engine marketing campaign you can experience real-time results that enable you to fine-tune your marketing message to achieve your desired effect. If your marketing strategy isn't working effectively, real-time monitoring tools allow you to easily pin-point exactly where you are going wrong. 
├╝  Easily Refine Your Strategy - Using online marketing analytics and tracking tools you can test conversion rates at a fraction of the cost of a traditional media campaign. Online marketing levels the playing field and allows savvy small businesses to compete in competitive niches that previously would only be open to large corporations and their massive marketing budgets. If your marketing strategy is not bringing in the return on investment (ROI) that you desire, you can work to perfect it without having to launch an expensive new campaign as would be required with most traditional media outlets. 
├╝  Long-Term Exposure - The benefit of an organic search engine marketing campaign that optimizes a website for specific keywords is that you will achieve a long-term return on your investment. Once your website’s visibility is well-established with search engines, it is easy to do regular low-cost maintenance of your strategy. The early adopters of new online marketing platforms like social media marketing will have a significant head start over their competition. 
├╝  Product Information - Today’s savvy consumers want to compare reviews and opinions of friends, trusted bloggers and industry experts before they make a decision. If you can provide quality, linkable information that is what people are looking for, then the next step of converting users into paying clients can be very easy. With social media networks like Facebook and Twitter re-enforcing the value of positive word-of-mouth exposure, trust is more important than ever in the marketing field. 
├╝  Less Intrusive - Most savvy consumers dislike intrusive traditional marketing methods like direct mailing, print ads and television advertisements. When someone buys a newspaper or magazine, they want to read interesting articles not be bombarded with irrelevant ads. While mediums like television can still be useful for maintaining awareness of large corporate brands, it is not an effective medium for most small and medium-size businesses. With online marketing, you can target consumers precisely when they are searching for products and services that your business can provide.
├╝  Holds Their Attention - When people read the newspaper or a magazine they may scan over the advertisements beside the article but there is no way to engage their attention. With internet marketing you can encourage them to take action, visit your website and read about your products and services which results in vastly increased “stickiness” of your marketing message.

Men should do for Women


I feel Men need to respect the likes and dislikes of Women. Men should realize and truly believe women are as talented, capable as men, and sometimes even more. Men should not discriminate in the work place or at home. Men have to respect boundaries and make sure their words not make women feel uncomfortable. Men have to respect women's choices - in what they wear, what they eat, what and with whom they talk, where they want to go and at what time n all. Men should never use force or intimidation towards women for anything. Women are not just to assist others in living their lives. They have their own life, dreams and ambitions. Women should not sacrifice and compromise just to keep their men happy. When we are asking for equality then we shouldn`t fake ourselves and tell what bothers us. It will only help for better understanding of each other`s differences. Right?

Friday, March 8, 2013

Women`s Day

There are many women in my life whom I admire for all that they stand for: their passion, perseverance or simply their presence. 

Many Words, One sentiment - "Appreciation"
Expressing has never been easier. 

Happy Women`s Day to all.

Budget Highlights - 2013-2014


├╝  Iodised salt, match-boxes, soya products to become cheaper
├╝  Increase customs duty on imported cars to 75%
├╝  Raises custom duty on import on large SUVS
├╝  Increase excise duty on some Cigarettes
├╝  Customs duty on gold bar coins raised to 4%
├╝  Customs duty on platinum raised
├╝  Customs duty on gold raised
├╝  Some infra services exempted from service tax
├╝  Tax exemption of up to Rs 5,000 for health insurance towards annual preventive check up
├╝  Basic customs duty on bicycles raised to 30%
├╝  Exempts LCD LED panels from customs duty
├╝  Iron ore machinery part duty cut to 2.5%
├╝  Airline parts exempted from basic custom duty
├╝  Rs 15,890 crore for recapitalisation of PSU banks
├╝  Coal LNG exempt from customs duty
├╝  Exemption of customs duty of 5% on equipment for fertilizer plants
├╝  To keep peak custom rate unchanged
├╝  To raise duty on large cars 27 pc duty
├╝  Excise duty hiked to 12 pc from 10 pc
├╝  Service tax raised to 12 pc from 10 pc
├╝  FY13 market borrowing at Rs 4.79 lakh cr.
├╝  Introduction of compulsory reporting requirement of assets held abroad
├╝  To exempt some movie services from service tax
├╝  Govt services, education, entertainment, public transport exempted from service tax
├╝  School education exempted from service tax
├╝  FM says information on black money stashed abroad has started flowing in and prosecution to be executed in some cases
├╝  Removes restriction on venture capital investment
├╝  No change in corporate tax
├╝  Income above 10 lakh will have 30% income tax
├╝  Income from 5 to 10 lakh will have 20% income tax
├╝  Income Tax at 10 percent for Rs 2-5 lakh
├╝  Tax exemption limit up to 2 lakh
├╝  Introduce new law for micro finance institutions
├╝  FY12 fiscal deficit at 5.9% and FY13 fiscal deficit at 5.1%
├╝  7 medical colleges to be upgraded to All India Institutes
├╝  FY13 non plan expenditure at 9.7 lakh crores
├╝  Non-tax revenue receipts estimated at Rs 1.64 lakh crores
├╝  Additional 3 per cent interest subvention to farmers for promptly repaying their due
├╝  Rs 25,555 cr for Right to Education in FY13
├╝  Rs 193107cr in FY13 for defense
├╝  Rs 1000 crores for National Skill Development Fund in FY13
├╝  Rs 15,850 crore to be allocated to Integrated Child Development Scheme in 2012-13
├╝  Pranab says the Nandan Nilekani panel recommendation on direct transfer of subsidy accepted
├╝  NRHM allocation increased to Rs 20,820 cr.
├╝  FM announces new equity savings scheme
├╝  Rs 14000 crore for rural drinking and sanitation in FY 13
├╝  Rs 242 crore project with World Bank assistance to improve dairy production.
├╝  Credit guarantee fund for education loans
├╝  National mission for food processing
├╝  6,000 schools proposed to be set up in 12th year plan
├╝  1 percent loan subsidy on home loans up to Rs 15 lakh
├╝  New PDS for food security
├╝  Allocate Rs 14232 cr to UID project
├╝  Set up state-run irrigation facility
├╝  Remove infrastructure bottleneck: FM
├╝  Budget commits to multi-brand FDI
├╝  Tax free-infra bond for Rs 60,000
├╝  Allow ECB funding to finance working capital needs of airlines for 1 year
├╝  Rs 30,000 crore to be raised through disinvestment
├╝  To make 8,800 km of highways in FY13; outlay raised
├╝  Irrigation, dams eligible for a special fund
├╝  Tax exemption on individual share investment below Rs 10 lakhs
├╝  Become self sufficient in urea production in next 5 years
├╝  Some subsidies inevitable, says Pranab
├╝  FM promises tax incentive for new investors
├╝  Considering FDI in airlines
├╝  Infrastructure debt fund launched
├╝  Sensex trading 180 points higher
├╝  Food subsidy will be fully provided for in the Budget
├╝  Consortium for direct lending approved
├╝  Implement direct tax code the earliest
├╝  Focus on removing infrastructure bottlenecks
├╝  Direct cash subsity to LPG, Kerosene
├╝  Signs of turnaround in economy in March
├╝  Address malnutrition decisively
├╝  Bring down subsidy to 1.7 percent of GDP in the next 3 years
├╝  Economy to grow at 7.6 percent in 2012/13
├╝  Direct subsidy to retailers, farmers
├╝  Address the problem of black money; FM expects inflation will come down; Have to accelerate pace of reforms
├╝  Need to improve supply side in economy says FM
├╝  Performance this year was disappointing but as compared to peers India was better says FM
├╝  Weak industrial growth has held us back says Pranab
├╝  Pranab Starts the budget presentation. He syas for Indian economy it has been a year of recovery interrupted.
├╝  DMK MPs not attending Parliament for the Budget
├╝  Can Pranab Mukherjee take the initiative to halt the deteriorating economic growth? Can he make this a significant budget?
├╝  Rupee strengthens before budget
├╝  Oil & Gas: expect status quo to be maintained on customs and excise duties in the oil & gas sector in the light of the sustained high losses on sales of subsidized petroleum products at current retail selling price.
├╝  Nominal GDP growth of 14 to 14.5 percent is likely to be used for the budget arithmetic
├╝  In the fertilizer and chemical sector, there is an expectation that the customs duty on various inputs like LNG, Naphtha, Alcohol, Propylene etc will be removed from current rate of 5 percent.
├╝  In the automobile sector, the expectation is that there will be an increase in excise duty across segments and also there is possibility of additional tax on diesel vehicles.

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Married life begins.. !!

In childhood, Schools teach you maths, physics, bio, chem, english, hindi, geo, history and the rest of the pothas, but why don't they teach you "giving"?

Being useful to others is the most important subject to teach & learn..
It is very much required in life and marriage demands it more.

Also, losing your temper is foolish and ignoring your insult is SMART.
Never underestimate yourself and value your individuality.

Will share more such lessons when i`ll experience more :O

Thursday, January 17, 2013

papa main chhoti se badi ho gayi kyun..

papa main chhoti se badi ho gayi kyun,
papa ki nigahon mein, mamta ki baahon mein,
kuchh din aur rehti to kya bigad jata.........




will miss u a lot

Monday, January 7, 2013

Wedding Invitation


Hello All,

Saurabh and I would request the pleasure of your company at our wedding.
Please complete our happiness by celebrating our wedding on
January 30th 2013
At
Tulsi Udyan, Mehmoor Ganj, Varanasi, U.P., India
                 Please find the wedding card as an attachment.  
 Visit our wedding site for more details @                                                                         http://www.ewedding.com/sites/SaurabhHetal/


                                               Cheers! 
                                      Saurabh &  Hetal

Monday, December 31, 2012

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013


Still deciding on your resolutions and goals?  Need a few words of wisdom?
Remember the feeling you get from taking the first step is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around thinking about it. So get up and get moving.
Take the first step this year – just one small step forward.
The greatest miracle of your success will not be that you finished, it will be that you had the courage to begin.
With this wishing you all HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013!


Monday, November 26, 2012

100 kaam aur akeli jaan

so much of work but no mood to do any.. don`t know why i need to prioritize all the thngs in the world when i just want to sit & relax only and do nothing. marriage is on the head and all i am fill up with never ending list of millions of things..

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Things Money can`t buy you..


What Money Can't Buy
You aren’t wealthy until you have something money can’t buy.
- Garth Brooks
  • A First Kiss from Someone Special – The sweet rush of butterflies in your tummy when you kiss someone special for the very first time.
  • The Realization of True Love – The warm feeling you get many years after your first kiss when you realize you married the right person.
  • Beauty – Because beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
  • True Friendship – Through thick and thin, they stood by your side.  They were there when you had nothing but them.
  • Peace of Mind – It can only be acquired with an honest heart.
  • Beginner’s Eyes – You’ll never see it again for the very first time.
  • The Joy of Telling an Interesting True Story – One of the most enticing roles we lead in life is that of a storyteller.  There are few things more satisfying than telling a true story that others enjoy listening to.
  • Happiness – True happiness is achieved by doing what you love and being involved in something you believe in.
  • Success – Success is simply excelling at doing what you love.
  • A Single Moment of Time – Once it’s gone, it’s gone.  Don’t miss it.
  • A Baby’s Laughter – Babies don’t care about money.  They care about kindness, love, and living in the moment.
  • Surprise Encounters with Long-Lost Friends – You haven’t seen them in years, and you figured you’d probably never see them again.  Then suddenly, there they are standing right in front of you.
  • The Feeling of Self-Accomplishment – You set your sights on a specific goal and followed through until you achieved it.  Now that’s something to celebrate.
  • The Sound of Raindrops Outside – …as you snuggle up on the couch.  Few sounds are more soothing.
  • A Good, Genuine Conversation – Those moments of verbal bonding when the topic of conversation flows seamlessly and all parties involved gain as much as they put in.
  • An Unexpected Compliment – It seems like just another dreary Monday afternoon, but then she walks into your office and says, “I love your shirt.  That color looks great on you.”
  • The Feeling You Get When Your Idea Works – You’ve been struggling to resolve a complex problem all day, but you just can’t seem to get it right.  Filled with frustration, you decide to try one last idea before calling it a night.  You’ve had many ideas before that failed miserably… but this time it works.
  • Randomly Hearing Your Favorite Song – You’re stuck in bumper to bumper rush hour traffic, so you crank on a radio station for a little distraction.  The opening notes to your favorite song instantly chime in.
  • Watching a Live Blooper Unfold in Front of You – As you walk alongside a friend, she trips over her own feet, wobbles erratically, regains her balance, and then tries to play it off like nothing happened.  Hilarious!
  • A Sunny Sunday Afternoon – The birds are chirping, a light breeze in blowing through your hair, and the sun’s rays are warming your cheeks.
  • The Rush of Adolescent Love – Those magical moments of adolescent lust and affection that only you and one other person rightly remember.
  • Being In The Right Place at The Right Time – You’re sitting in the nosebleed seats at a professional baseball game.  The home team batter cranks a monstrous, game-winning home run.  The ball bounces off another fan’s glove two seats in front of you and lands right in your lap.
  • The Recollection of Great Childhood Memories – Do you remember the first time you learned to ride a bike?  What about wrestling with your dad?  Or climbing trees with your friends?
  • Reminiscing About Old Times with Your Best Friend – Those crazy life experiences only the two of you lived through together.  Like that wild 24 hour road trip to Atlanta, or that drunken night on the 3rd floor balcony of your college apartment.
  • Passion – True wealth comes naturally to those who follow their hearts.  You can’t pay someone to be emotionally passionate about something.  Nor can you pay them to psychologically give-up on their passions.
  • Objects of Sentimental Value – Old family photos, your great grandmother’s music box, that painting your baby brother made for you… some things are priceless.
  • The Comfort of an Old Familiar Smell – You just pulled into your parent’s driveway after being away for a long while.  You smell familiarity in the air, the scent of the pine tree in the neighbor’s yard.  As you head through the front door, more familiar smells consume your senses.  Gosh, it feels good to be home.
  • The Hilarity of an Inside Joke – You’ll never get it unless you were there at its inception.
  • Amazing Talents You Are Born With – Like the mind of a genius or the voice of an angel.
  • The Excitement of Making Someone Else Smile – Because her smile makes you smile back.
  • Exercising Your 5 Senses – Sight, hearing, smell, taste and touch.  Each provides a gateway to rewarding personal experiences.
  • Sharing a Good Laugh with Friends and Family – Some of the most memorable moments in your life will be moments spent in laughter.
  • The Warm Coziness of Your Own Bed – No bed is more comfortable than your own.
  • Watching Wild Animals in Nature – Like a hawk gracefully soaring above the tree line, or a deer prancing across a grassy field.
  • A Home – Money can buy a house, but not a home.  Because home is where the heart is.
  • Waking Up to the Smell of a Home Cooked Meal – You were still asleep, but someone special knew you’d be hungry soon.
  • The Peaceful Sound of Absolute Silence – Shhhhh…
  • Streams of Consciousness and Clarity – You’re ‘in the zone!’  Act while your mind is hot.
  • The Sound of a Light Breeze Through the Trees – It’s the sound of Mother Nature all around you.
  • The Captivating Experience of People Watching – The interesting (and sometimes foolish) things people do never ceases to please.  You can’t buy this quality of entertainment.
  • Watching the Sunrise and Sunset with Your Beloved – Make time for this.  It’s worth it.
  • The Sound and Sight of Ocean Waves – Another phenomenal act of Mother Nature.
  • The ‘Pump’ After a Great Workout – You feel like you can conquer the world.
  • The Blissful Act of Daydreaming – Just being… and thinking… and dreaming.
  • When She Says “I Love You” - …and you know she means it because you can read the sincerity in her eyes.
  • When an Unlikely Someone Remembers Your Birthday – A friend you haven’t seen in over a month calls you at 9AM on your birthday just to say “happy birthday.”
  • Finding Something You Thought You’d Lost Forever – You searched for it for days and finally gave up.  Now, six months later, it basically appears right in front of you.
  • The Inspiration Behind Creative Works of Art – Every piece of art is priceless in the eyes of someone who can relate to it.  The creative inspiration behind these works of art is no different.
  • When Your Pet Snuggles Up Next to You – It’s just soooo cute.
  • A Moment of Eye Contact with an Attractive Stranger – You’ve never seen them before, and you may never see them again.  But a moment was shared.
  • A Long Hug from a Loved One – Those deep, warm hugs you wish you could nestle in forever.
  • Happily Singing at The Top of Your Lungs – Well… You know you make me wanna shout! Kick my heels up and shout! Throw my hands up and shout! Throw my head back and shout! Come on now… Shout!
  • Seeing Your Breath on a Chilly Night – A simple phenomenon that has entertained children since the beginning of mankind.
  • The Feeling of Acceptance – You’re now a part of something greater… and it feels good.
  • Watching the Clouds Form Cool Shapes – Never the same show twice.
  • Cuddling a Newborn Baby – Precious… simply precious.
  • When You Know You Can Trust Someone – You can see it in their eyes and you can feel it in your heart.  They have no ulterior motive.
  • Sitting Around a Bonfire with Your Friends – One of the greatest settings for reminiscing and storytelling with those your care about.
  • Seeing Two Elderly Folks Who are Madly in Love – It’s a sight of love that has surpassed the tests of time.
  • The Beauty of a Moonlit Sky – Few simple pleasures are more satisfying than gazing up into a starry, moonlit sky.
  • The Awesomeness of Skipping Rocks Across Water – It doesn’t matter how old you get, this one never gets old.
  • Watching Lightning in the Distance – Peaceful and powerful at the same time.
  • Slow Dancing in Your Living Room - Dancing is like dreaming with your feet. -Constanze
  • Knowing She’ll Be There When You Get Back – Yes.  There is stability in your life.  And she’s a big part of it.
  • Watching Her Sleep – Just being with her and breathing with her.
  • The Colors of Fall – It’s Mother Nature’s artwork.
  • People Who Make You Smile Just by Thinking of Them – Wherever I am, no matter what I’m doing, just thinking of her makes me smile.
  • The Warm Touch of Your Beloved – It’s the touch no one else has.
  • When You Realize People Are Reading What You Write – Words can’t explain it.  Thank you.
  • The Excitement of a New Comment on Your Blog – We love these.  ;-)
Can you think of anything else money can’t buy?  Leave us a comment and let us know about it.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

"Satyagraha," "Swaraj" and "Swadeshi"- the three pillars of Gandhian philosophy


According to author Sudheendra Kulkarni who elaborates the thought in his new book Kulkarni has tried to wed Gandhi's philosophies with the power of the worldwide web and dared readers to strive via the Internet for development of life as a whole in his book "Music of the Spinning Wheel: Mahatma Gandhi's Manifesto for the Internet Age".


Kulkarni says he has been inspired by the life of Mahatma Gandhi and the simultaneous study of the Internet has led the author to coin the term "Internet Satyagrahis" in the book brought out by Amaryllis publications.


"It is a call to all those readers, who believe even to some extent in the power of the Internet on the one hand and also in the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, to become Internet Satyagrahis," Kulkarni told in an interview. "The Spinning Wheel (charkha) of Mahatma was not merely just a tool but life transformative machine to propagate ideas and ideals - namely non-violence, justice, respect for nature, equitable and sustainable socio-economic development - and my study of the Internet has made me realise that it has united the world into a single community living in a Global Village," says Kulkarni.


The author says "Satyagraha," "Swaraj" and "Swadeshi"- the three pillars of Gandhian philosophy if superimposed on the Internet can benefit the earth in entirety and also keep perils at bay.

Monday, October 1, 2012

Project Managers - Don'T Press, Just Impress

You get a genuine prospect, you ask for requirements, tend to believe that you have understood the requirements since you would like to close the deal, you prepare a set of documents under the different names of design plan, development plan, resource plan, timelines plan, implementation plan, deployment plan, testing plan etc; and then you jump into working for the customer.
Few days pass and then the customer starts pushing to add in more features/functionalities as his maturity towards the system enhances. You tend to be polite and accept to incorporate small features that would take about 2-3 hours. Then he requests few more features and then you would assume that it is hopefully not repetitive and then accommodate in order to avoid clashes. When it continues, you start letting customer that it would be difficult to accept new requirements midway. You realize that customer delays the payment so that you would consider including his desired new features. That is when you tend to press the customer to avoid unnecessary changes, add in imaginary features and to make the payments on time. All above scenarios are very common and I guess, are applicable for all projects; regardless of whether you are building the product or providing services, the requirements of which have been hastily agreed to kick-start the project.
There is a scene in one of my favorite movies ‘Rocket Singh – Salesman of the year’. The newly graduated friends would be having late party when the DJ threatens to leave. When everybody gives up convincing him, Ranvir Kapoor walks up to him, talks for couple of mins and does the trick. “Thodisi conversation, thodisi persuasion, thodisi negotiation”. Below are few suggestions for project managers, especially for start-up organizations as they tend to give into the pressure of doing more for small payments –
• Freeze the requirements document: I understand that this is easy said than done; however, you can clearly mention that you would leverage Time and Material costing model if the requirements continue to change. Once the customer understands that he will have to pay for the delay, he will attempt to freeze the requirements.
• Document of Understanding: I agree that it is difficult to get a commitment from the customer as it is very likely that although the requirements are frozen, the customer can always interpret a requirement differently and ask you to deliver more than agreed with either the same or lower cost. Prepare a Document of Understanding and get a sign-off that your understanding of requirements is at par with them. This is one of the most crucial steps. Use your communication skills and convince its importance to the customer how it would avoid last minute unpleasant surprises and costs as well.
• List of deliverables: Ensure that everybody is clear in terms of deliverables and additional deliverables will cost timelines, resources and hence additional payments. Put down the expectations in terms of contents of document.
• Expectations Management: Usually, most of the managers do a good job of expectations management to ensure that customer’s expectations are met. However, good leaders also put down their expectations in terms of payments on time. Let’s accept it that there is no free meal in the world and someone has to pay when work is done. One needs to make it clear that the work would be stopped and resources would be allocated to different projects, if the payments are not done on time. If you do a good job of completing the deliverables as expected, you are entitled to ask for the payments on time.
• Meet decision makers: Often, the deals are lost since you spend all your energy in impressing folks who are not decision makers. Ensure that a budget is available and that decision makers are involved in discussions. Even if you don’t get decision makers to attend meeting in the first place, schedule a meeting to talk to them and explain about your expertise and services. They are the ones who sponsor the projects and approve the payments. The rest of the folks usually work on it to showcase the details for their appraisals or merely because they have been asked to get it done.
• Budget constraints: Sometimes, you get to talk to decision makers and realize that they have genuine constraints on budgets. I would suggest not hanging your boots so soon. Visit them again, check out the reasons, validate their rationale on budget and if you are able to implement it although with smaller margins but having a good long term relationship, I would recommend going with it. It takes a while to know that business is not only about money although it is an important fuel for startups as well as all organizations.
I understand that most of the people would like to make their presence felt, get recognition for their efforts and perhaps it is a human tendency. Sure, Go ahead and impress; however, by doing a great job, not by shining apples for your bosses/customers; by working sincerely and delivering the projects on time, not by stepping on your colleague’s toes; by following ethics, not by stealing somebody’s due recognition.
You’ll have different pressures at different times to deliver the job. The above pointers may help you decide whether to get pressed or leave the bosses/customers impressed.