Gia, Turns 2 in a few days

Gia Honey,

As you turn two in a few days from now, I have been grappling with my toast and I thought while I will write and raise a toast on your birthday but I am sure you would hardly remember so I am putting it in black and white for you to read when you grow up. I write this with a lot of love and to tell you how much you mean to me and you always will.

On a starry night on 7th of Jan, I first held you in my arms with a tear in my eye. I was an anxious to be father and as I see you grow I am still an anxious father and guess that would remain with me. You are this incredible burst of energy with the most mischievous, naughty and intense eyes. It's such a joy to see you even when you are screaming and bringing the roof down. Honestly I try and be calm and I know its just a phase and shall pass. I want to say sorry for all the times I have yelled at you or lost my cool. I only do that out of my limitation to understand you and keep your tantrums in check. The only intend with this is to help you grow up polite, respecting and disciplined. Love you and love you so much dear. Wish you a very happy, healthy and a great learning year ahead. Like you say LAAB YOU :)

Lessons in Enterprenuership

It's been a while since I have been thinking about it but I finally got the time and the thought to may be keen a few things I learnt from my new venture. Oh yes!! For those who did not know I now have a small business while I am working for another company as well. What this allows me to do is find aspects of myself that I never knew exist.

Let me think !! It all started one evening sitting with a friend in my balcony when he had this idea about a property he came across through his work. The idea is plain and simple take the building from the owner and sublet it make money by the difference. What involved in it was not simple and it never is.

This is first business venture, though I have been brought up in a family business and have done some form of business and too me it all seemed natural and easy progression. But it never seems to amaze me when you get into something how different and how much you learn in such small time. The facets of your characters that get overhauled it simply beautiful.

For me I am naturally averse to conflicts and try and resolve things by waiting on it or running away from it. Yeah you read it we often brush things under the carpet when its not in our comfort zone. That's what has changed ever since I started my own business. Conflict and differences are a part of the daily business. Whether it is with your employee or with your customer or with your partners. Unless you take them head on you are not going to resolve any issue.

1. First learning for me, be clear on your vision. Spend that extra time to notice the details, the pine print of the agreements, partnership deeds, dealing with customers.
2. Take a decision, notice the pros and cons. Most importantly stick to your ground and be prepared for the consequences. they are not going to be limited but that's the difference. The key difference in success or failure.
3. Never rely only on word, everything should be document and detailed. With no eye for detail it will be impossible to win customers or partners.

My job allows me the freedom to fund my business but its a big risk the money that could have repaid your home loan, funded your dreams are riding on a partnership, a risk that we all believe in. It could very easily go down the drain and with it will come despair. So its imperative that you safeguard yourself with all eventualities. No exit plan, no crash landing, no limit tables are an invitation to doomsday.

This adventure has allowed me to learn so much and respect whatever I have earned so much more that I really feel lucky to have the luxury of a job and at the same time do business. To me business is more about character and vision. Without these I don't think anyone would ever be able to create something out of nothing. A good idea could very well go down the drain without the vision and the strength of your character, the leadership and discipline. You have to be honest to your vision.

To be continued.....

Being Father to a One year Old

This the period of my life I reckon as the most exciting and challenging at the same time. I have been blessed with time that I can afford with my little Gia very early in her growing years and I am hoping I am able to do justice with the time that I have got. From feeding her to taking care of daily chores it has been a journey to remember.

Watching her starting to crawl to walk and now run have been moments I will always cherish. Her playful laughs, her fake laughs and the tantrums I seem to be growing with her. Every now and then I will glimpse of me as a child. Man I was a wreck for my parents I must say. In any way I write this my days have been such a bliss, oh yeah, but it is very challenging. It really takes a toll on your energy levels and on your patience. I have been praying everyday, "God give me patience", I do not want to be rude or raise my voice to this innocent little baby but it can be really trying. The problem is communication...Yes it starts this yearly...communication gap/generation gap all starts very early. They try to explain what they want to do, we dont understand what they want. We are happy as long as they do things according to our comfort and the moment there is a deviation tempers are tested.

Ironic isn't it we have all been through this and now we experience this with our kid...No wonder they say when you will have Kids you will understand what we have been through. Honestly, I am not trying to complain but just contemplate ways in which I can handle her tender years better..Yeah I know there are tons of website guiding you about ways in which you can do it better then you are...This is more self realization and also an attempt to pen down feelings that i experience today and everyday over the last few months. Some day I know when my baby will read all of this together we shall both laugh about it.

Gia Taparia, you are a bundle of joy and as I grow older with you I want to see myself grow out of being a father to becoming a friend that will be there for you whenever you need me. I wish I can be a father that you are amazingly proud of. I will try my best to do what I can to see that you are able to achieve whatever that you aspire to be. Hoping that I would be able to equip you to fight your fears, your pains and inhibitions. Love you always honey and sorry for losing my temper every now and then..will try and better it..I love you and I love you tons..

Investing in Sales Guys for a Start-ups

I was recently talking to a long lost friend who moved from London to India and started his own IT services company in India. He called in get some idea on hiring sales guys and what might be a good approach, the cost, the system and the road ahead. I found myself advocating not to invest in hiring a sales guy rather out-sourcing sales functions to specialist considering he has just started with a couple of projects under his belt. While I believe Sales is the bread winner of the company sales guys are the drivers to catalyze the process. It is very important for start-ups looking to invest in building a sales guys is to understand the whole sales process before they hire a sales person. There are thousands of books and consultants out there to give a whole load of wisdom and do's and don'ts. All of them are very important and does make a lot of difference but none better than your own experience. The vision and passion with which a product or solution was developed in a start-up or otherwise was yours. Hence there is no better person to make pitch then you yourself. Its very important to experience the joy of sales first hand. You will surprised at the sales you are able to achieve and how quickly you are able to relate to the customer issues. Having said that I do not obviously want anyone to digress from their passion and enter sales but initially its important to sell yourself and understand the different stages as relevant to you.

This is exactly why Steve Jobs sold his products himself always and has left behind a legacy for people to learn. Same is the story with microsoft, Oracle, facebook, their CEOs have sold most of the time. So when you are looking to hire next time around for sales (considering you are not from a sales background) consider breaking up sales tasks and out sourcing them, you could begin with Lead generation both Online and Offline (actual calling/email/etc) Schedule meetings for you, Invite for seminars/webinars, Feet on the street, proposals, negotiations, Closures, delivery and support.

You must be wondering about why included Delivery and support as part of the sales function. A sales guys job never ends just at sales. He has to know and be aware of things happening in his customers premise and what can he do to better it. It's the experience that will help sell more with just a little stretch from the sales guys  on checking with the progress with the client and internally at all points. 

Tirupati Balaji - Our First Trip

I have been in bangalore for the last 10 years but could never visit Tirupati. Today finally after so many years got a call from the temple and it could not have been better. I believe it was all for Gia.


We had booked a day trip through Via.com for Bangalore tirupati darshan. The tour is something that I will never recommend to anyone. You should do it on your own. Anyways, the day at the temple started with a bus ride from the Tirupati Bus stand to Tirumla Papvinashak bus stand. Gia slept through most of the ride unaware that we had plans of shaving her head for the first time. A ritual that Khushi was extremely excited about and finally it was here. Well what do I say she did not even flinch a muscle, cry so much so even sob during the whole process. She got ready and off we were to the wait for the darshan. We were at the que at 6.30 for the darshan to begin only at 9. The temple though the richest in the world was the worst at handling the que or at least our experience was horrible. But all the other events were all divine. It was as if God really was looking after Gia. She had her natural call right infront of the loo. Just when it was time to feed her Milk. The temple guys came distributing milk and when it was time for her to breakfast God sent us right next to the breakfast counter. While everyone in the temple premise waiting for the darshan pushing and shoving each other and all the other kids crying or making it difficult. Gia quietly looked around and maintained her peace. She waited paitiently for the darshan. Finally there we were right in front of the lord no pushing, shoving and a good long darshan from up front and close. No one between us and God. It was tranquil the 6 hours wait was worth every bit of it. Cant wait for the next time we go to tirupati again. This trip Gia is not just a ritual but truly a day when God made it so easy for us and took care of us while we waited for him. He was forth coming and kind. Guess this what people call Miracle.

A New Phase

Today I have started a new phase in my life. When things are not working your way its very important to sit back and watch the time fly past you for a moment. This wish that I could take time off for a few weeks is finally here. I have decided that I will no longer fall for the easy pickings and take a more responsible career decision is finally here. My decisions are no longer completely independent it never is but at least when you are a bachelor the impact is restricted more of less to you. But I am so glad I have a Wife like Khushi that supports me in all circumstance good or bad. This I guess is marriage. Her confidence in me and my ability comes to me as a surprise. In the last couple of years I have gained quiet a few pounds in grey and maturity levels and lost a lot in weight, wait and willy. It's not about how and what you can do at your work so much than it is about how you align yourself to organisations rules and policies. Now its time to bring it to practice. This is a time that I can take for upgrading myself and building something of an expertise. Know what to do and what you cant do. Identify a niche for myself, the exact same niche or USP that I need when I go out there to sell. The very fact that I have concepts and not depth of know how makes me more gulible then any of other peers. Sometimes it is not so much about what you bring on the table Vs what you can deliver on the table and most importantly in the way it should be. If writing or cooking is what I love this an opportunity for me to get some of my thoughts together and piece some articles forge some thoughts together, take up some cooking classes so that I cook up dream dishes for my two most beautiful women. Keep the end of house tight and nice. This should be an interesting waiting period for me. I need to get my story right while I cook up the curry. Remember there is no right recipe for the best food its the passion and love with which it's made. Even when that goes horribly wrong people can feel the love and dedication in it. It is essential to carry that passion into work and bring the best that you can.

32 or thirty two

Yes, today indeed is my birthday. A day that over the good last few years meant just really another day in my life. For me most of my birthdays have been about counting how many wishes have I earned what really warms my heart is it hasn't reduced. Well it's not out of sarcasm that I write this but the start of this year marked a tragic accident which had two of my very close friends battling it out for their dear life. That was an instance which was a grim reminder of my own accident and the loss that can be associated with it. I am glad that it wasn't the case this time. There are no guarantees in life and it always finds ways to establish the fact. Well, this is my birthday post. So, here I am 32 completed now. Somewhere still in search of that passion and strength. There have been a few decisions that have gone wrong for me and that now seems to mean reinventing myself. I am learning a few things certainly like identify the chain, creating LOTS (language of the senses, still to get deeper into it) but still a long way.

Digital Marketing from a Sales Guy

Digital Marketing, a sales view. The last six months I have been working on digital marketing. This is my first such experience of thinking like a marketer and selling solutions to a marketing professional. Just a few months ago I was debating on a post for Sales Vs marketing. Irony that I get to experience the debate. The realty of Sales is my salary and the realty of marketing is that I will get my salary. I don't think that there can be a better definition then that. This role has certainly led to respect marketing challenges a lot more than my past. In the last few months I have been working on various aspects of digital marketing, studying different sites, medias, mediums in the digital space to find the perfect solution for my customers. While the gamut of what one can offer is limited the scope for creativity is enormous. You almost begin living in a story telling world from creating those concepts which will attract the next 100k people on your website to creating that virtual experience that's better than real or close to real. Digital Marketing is an evolving field with a promise to reduce marketing spends and get more predictable and accurate results for every rupee one puts in it. What do I see in this crowded place is too many specialist with no real credibility. A lot that is seen on the internet is make believe and not real. Reviews are monitored and mostly controlled. Authenticity, trust & standardization will be the future. A lot of marketers have already started demanding performance based pricing, no learning on my cost. To their credit they have been getting results at much faster and better rates. For some they are still reeling between performance and variable pricing and are able to get creative. Like all solutions currently this space lacks someone like an Oracle, SAP, etc. To lead and define the industry practices. Also, since this is very similar to any IT service you would take the pricing is very similar to what you see in consulting & system integration. I spend x and I need y so the price is x+y. Is this the best pricing out there for such services? I particularly like the idea of a combination of performance and setup based pricing where there is a definite arrogance (arrogance in a positive way) with what I believe in my service and I am willing to bet on it. Nothing is left to chance. It is a win win for the customer as well as he can appreciate the effort and the small investment can keep the partner motivated.

Being "Mr." Khushi

Today, we complete two years of being married. And it just seems like it was yesterday except that sometimes I take her for granted as a wife. And I am not proud of anything that I write. Take today for instance, what could have been planned and beautiful spent, thanks to me it was just another day. Khushi, just showed me how small things that she did made it such a big difference. She bought some flowers put in my cupboard with a new shirt. Hid a planner with our snaps new and old and boy was delighted or what. This also meant that I on the other hand had not planned even an evening dinner for her such a shame. Well that's me these days. Not sure if I have grown older than I am or I am just becoming insensitive. Well I am not here to write about that. Today is special, indeed I screwed up but this is it. This ain't happening again. To begin with this is what I plan. Tomorrow I plan to surprise her with some special cooking specially for her. Take her out in the evening for a nice drive bring a nice bouquet of Red Roses. Finish the day with a dinner and movie. Hopefully she will be forgive me for not making what truly is a very significant day in our lives. I often forget that significance of each day is in what we make of it. I have made this mistake more than once to be asking for forgiveness. Q. So what is it like being Mr. Khushi? A. Honestly, this is the easiest question she is the most understanding and supporting wife I could have ever asked. Often I wake up surprised with a feeling what did I do to deserve a wife like her. Truly she is the pillar of strength in my life. She breathes sensibility and balance to my life. Often is the voice in my head. My go to person for literally everything. Q. What makes you say all of this? A. Well, she is a very reasonable person. Everything goes with logic, for her the life line is her family. She manage not only her family but the relations that come with much better than I could ever have. She handles situation with reason and patiently deals with every situation. Q. What is her biggest dream? A. She is often says she wants her own house, a big house with a garden and trees.But honestly I think her biggest dream is to be the best mother, the best friend to her daughter that she can be. I am sure that she will be a great friend and mentor. This is life as I experience it is a blessing in the form of Gia, Khushi, friends like Sophie, Mani, yogi, Pooja. Loving brothers like Mayank, Chintu. Loving sister in Sonal and so many other people that make life worth it.