The Nature of Software Sales

The latest accounting “mishap” at Autonomy which results in almost a $9 billion write-down by HP is not novel. However this comes after a $10 billion acquisition making the acquisition worth $20 billion approx and not to mention the bad brand splash that HP got. It may even result in board shuffle adding to the weak market sentiments and costs, eventually leading lesser value to the shareholder.

Now when I say, this is not a novel case, it is because there had been previous similar accounting scandals almost a decade ago. Examples are Computer Associates, Lernout & Hauspie & Microstrategy.

Where there's a will there's NOT a way!

My most recent observations on how organizations recruit set me into some fact finding. I spoke to several of my candid “acquaintances” who were looking for a change. Also some who were not!

Then I spoke to few others who by the grace of God, landed up in HR roles or other positions and have been known to get involved in recruitment from time to time. The below is my biased and highly maligned view of it. may be its time to look at things from a different angle.

Indian politics: Caste system to eradicate Caste system– Part 1

The Origin

Caste system in India is probably a sold as the Indian culture itself. A lot many people attribute “untouchability” to the caste system in India. As Wikipedia explains, it is a malicious “social practice of ostracizing a minority group by segregating them from the mainstream by social custom or legal mandate”. A problem not just in India but also several other countries like Japan and Nigeria.  In nature very similar to apartheid and can also be compared to a racial behavior of another kind which is considered alive underground in many countries like UK, Germany, USA and even Australia.

Assessing Incremental Risk of Online Fraud – A case study

Business Scenario / Pain point:

Online Applications for consumer Banking (example, deposit accounts like checking account or IRA account, and credit lines like credit card, student or home loans etc.) are usually long and customer is required to have several data points before being able to completely fill out the application. At the same time he/she also needs to make certain decisions as part of the process. If the customer is not able to finish the application is one attempt, then there are several issues as listed below originate as business problems.

Ethics & Financial Acumen

Financial companies don’t need acumen to run, they need ethics

After all had been said and done about speculation, need for better risk management frameworks, improved control measures, too big to fail ideas, more conservative banking style, tightened regulatory measures, it had proved just one thing: Financial institution do not just require laws, regulation or financial acumen to run their businesses. They need ethics.

Why do I say so?

A Price is a Price

Recently I was at a Thai restaurant in San Francisco downtown. Just a couple of friends, in need of something to munch and we raked up a check of $49.00 We did left a tip of approx 10% (little less than 10 to be precise) and decided to walk about for others to enjoy and savor the delicious Thai recipes. Pretty famous place it was and then the next event was not quite as pleasant as the dishes.

Guideline Decisioning

I am as close to the army as Arnold (in real life) is close to being the terminator. Even then, it always fascinated me, so much so that I decided to even watch Tom Cruise starrer Born on 4th of July. I even lost the lack of respect; I so much had previously for American foreign policy.

Anyways, this post is not to talk about the foreign policies but another one of my weird observations and insights gained from watching war based films. May be there is something for businesses to learn about. I am sure a lot many entrepreneurs already do what I am about to propose, else their adaptability to changing and volatile business environment would be in question.

So my post is not proposing a “paradigm” shift in decision making. It is just including some common sense, something humble decision making, about which I read in my B-School, (Disclaimer: No, I am not from Harvard.) tried to do long ago.

Mac: All powerful - Not anymore

Apple’s one of the strongest suites other than of course all the things that only apple does was its ability to boast its virus/malware proof OS.

Apple website boasted of “it doesn't get PC viruses” and “Safeguard your data. By doing nothing” are now “upgraded” to “It's built to be safe." and "Safety. Built in”. Apparently Microsoft is proud, because for once they can claim Apple took over their style of marketing. (See before and after changes right here)

Reason for this meek marketing rather than the usual boastful one: Its first immune system failure or rather a new virus that blew out Apple’s claims.

Fuel Price Hike Jailbreak

Recently Indian government hiked the petrol prices (yet again) by 7.50 ($.13) and was met with outrage (read more…) by both opposition, who didn't really care and common public, which was actually affected.

Government was quick to hint (read more...) a reduction of 2.00 ($.03) the announcement of which didn't come as expected (read more…). It was anticipated that falling prices of the crude oil may be able to bring much respite to the average commuter.