Recently I had a discussion with couple of my project colleagues on Outsourcing and Offshoring, the two most misunderstood (and controversial) words in American business. The context was if we are better off with insourcing and that the trend is more towards insourcing. Again those who are having this debate with are not affected by outsourcing rather they are masters in managing the business model with heavy outsourcing/offshoring. So there is no explicit protectionist stand there in the debate.
The points raised by them are
1) Outsourcing makes institutional knowledge go out of the company. My counter is - that is inherent problem with relying too much on people. Your organization's business knowledge is your most valuable asset. We are better off to have it in a good KM system than with people. People part of the equation is extremely important too. But if your key resources leave your company the risk is even higher, if you do not have a good KM Model.
2) Outsourcing gives flexibility to react fast to business needs. My counter - Yes and No. Yes, if it is a fast analysis report that is needed if you want to take a decision within few hours. No, if your need is to build a durable software system with solid framework. Needless to say other operational aspects of business like Back Office Operations, ITIS, other operations. You are basically making sure your resources are well spent on the core business and market.
3) Outsourcing is expensive in long run. This I disagree. Outsourcing is a derisking option. You have to pay for the risk you are offloading. Total cost has to be carefully measured and managed. I think by going for a specialized organization, which has virtually unlimited resource pool, experience of running similar projects/ operations, and agility to adapt best industry practices, the candidate organization will have lot to gain than lose.
Offshoring - It is a very sensitive subject but we have to bring it when there is an outsourcing discussion.
Offshoring needs at the core level understanding of the model, strong partnership with a manageable set of vendors, a solid RFP and award process, a good VMO setup, tracking, reporting and controlling process.
My personal experience - I have seen even simplest projects fail and most complex business processes succeed. While the models help a lot, it is ability to form and lead strong teams matters the most.
In this context, I remember the quote from one of my favorite movies "Das Boot" when the crew repairs and floats the sunk U-boat "You have to have good men. Good men, all of them."
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Are we ready for sheikra drop?
Sheikra is one of the best thrill rides at Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL. While not the scariest ride, it has it's own movements. The highlight of that ride is a free fall 90 degrees from 200 feet height. The euphoria of the wall street makes me feel that we are ready for similar all. While all trends and charts, market data looks like the worst times are over, I do not see the optimism in the main street. Job data is not at all positive. I did not see any new projects announced. I did not see strong regulatory steps that prevent banks from doing what they did. I did not see any measures to prevent ARM housing credit crisis as many fear is unfolding. I did not see any positive steps.
Politically, I see that Obama admin is in a stalemate on the most important bill they want to make - Health Reforms. It sounds so socialist to begin with, what they want to do for the uninsured. And the fact that average cost for a household is 15K including employer contribution is very disturbing. I wish they find a way of eliminating kick backs for costly procedures and also to improve national health by adding more community gyms, sports centers and fitness centers. Meanwhile Republicans are in their shell and doesn't want to come out for anything except scandals.
Immigration reforms, my favorite topic - should offshoring companies hire more people locally. I think they should. With stricter, often meaningless rejects of H1B renewals, I dont think there is an alternative. But I really wish they make the green card policy more practical. I dont think a position for which labor was filed in 2000 be still available in 2009. I dont think an EB-3 programmer in 2000 will still be a programmer of same skillset on 2009. If he is, then US doesnt need such underachievers. This is a flawed policy that needs urgent reform. And for god's sake, dont consider PhDs alone as highly skilled immigrants. Building complex software systems do need lots of rigor, discipline and talent. H1Bs are highly skilled.
BTW, I felt happy for Hillary Clinton that she could use Clinton to meet people like Kim Jong II. It must be ultimate revenge for his past mistakes like breaking vows of marriage and for bombing camels asses using his executive powers to deviate the country.
Domestic front, I could not help wondering what made Mr MM Singh give silly statements at Sharm el-Sheikh. Pakistan did not take any action against Nov 26 attacks and this statement seem to be putting that attack on India behind.
Other than these, off late, I am inspired by these videos of JP
JP on Politics and Governance
JP's lecture at Mumbai University
As you can see, there is no central idea behind this post...just some ramblings..
Politically, I see that Obama admin is in a stalemate on the most important bill they want to make - Health Reforms. It sounds so socialist to begin with, what they want to do for the uninsured. And the fact that average cost for a household is 15K including employer contribution is very disturbing. I wish they find a way of eliminating kick backs for costly procedures and also to improve national health by adding more community gyms, sports centers and fitness centers. Meanwhile Republicans are in their shell and doesn't want to come out for anything except scandals.
Immigration reforms, my favorite topic - should offshoring companies hire more people locally. I think they should. With stricter, often meaningless rejects of H1B renewals, I dont think there is an alternative. But I really wish they make the green card policy more practical. I dont think a position for which labor was filed in 2000 be still available in 2009. I dont think an EB-3 programmer in 2000 will still be a programmer of same skillset on 2009. If he is, then US doesnt need such underachievers. This is a flawed policy that needs urgent reform. And for god's sake, dont consider PhDs alone as highly skilled immigrants. Building complex software systems do need lots of rigor, discipline and talent. H1Bs are highly skilled.
BTW, I felt happy for Hillary Clinton that she could use Clinton to meet people like Kim Jong II. It must be ultimate revenge for his past mistakes like breaking vows of marriage and for bombing camels asses using his executive powers to deviate the country.
Domestic front, I could not help wondering what made Mr MM Singh give silly statements at Sharm el-Sheikh. Pakistan did not take any action against Nov 26 attacks and this statement seem to be putting that attack on India behind.
Other than these, off late, I am inspired by these videos of JP
JP on Politics and Governance
JP's lecture at Mumbai University
As you can see, there is no central idea behind this post...just some ramblings..
Thursday, April 09, 2009
ye rojaithe choosano ninnu (the day I saw you)
ye rojaithe choosano ninnu
aaroje nuvvaipoyaa nenu
kaalam kaadanna
ae dooram addunna
nee oopiroinayi ne jeevisthunnanoo
nee sparse ee veeche gaalullo
nee roope naa veche gundello
ninnati nee smrutile nannu nadipisthoo unte
aaa nee needayi vasthaanu etu vayipunnnaa
nee kashtam lo nenoo unnannooo
karige nee kanneravuthaa nenoo
champallo jaari nee gundello cheri
nee ekantham lo odaarpavuthaanoo
kaalam edo gaayam chesindee
ninne maayam chesaananthondee
lokam nammi ayyo antondee
sokam kamme jokodanaanandi
gaayam kosthunna ne jeevincheunna
aa jeevam neevani saaksham isthunnaa
neetho gadipina aa nimishaalannee
naalo pongina gundela savvadule
avi cherigaayante ne nammedettaagaa
nuv lekunte nenantoo undanugaa
nee kashtam lo nenoo unnannooo
karige nee kanneravuthaa nenoo
champallo jaari nee gundello cheri
nee ekantham lo odaarpavuthaanoo
ye rojaithe choosano ninnu
aaroje nuvvaipoyaa nenu
kaalam kaadanna
ae dooram addunna
nee oopiroinayi ne jeevisthunnanu.......
IMO, this is one of the best lyrics in Telugu movies. Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, the lyricist is a word magician who can weave words into beautiful lyrical fabric that can be primped into awesome composition. It is from the movie Gulabi, an eccentric story, well told. Was my college time favourite. Well why not it has energy, songs, violence and importantly over dose of love. So much that otherwise normal looking girl Maheshwari became a hearthrob for some folks at least for some time...(hey I am talking about the year 1995)
aaroje nuvvaipoyaa nenu
kaalam kaadanna
ae dooram addunna
nee oopiroinayi ne jeevisthunnanoo
nee sparse ee veeche gaalullo
nee roope naa veche gundello
ninnati nee smrutile nannu nadipisthoo unte
aaa nee needayi vasthaanu etu vayipunnnaa
nee kashtam lo nenoo unnannooo
karige nee kanneravuthaa nenoo
champallo jaari nee gundello cheri
nee ekantham lo odaarpavuthaanoo
kaalam edo gaayam chesindee
ninne maayam chesaananthondee
lokam nammi ayyo antondee
sokam kamme jokodanaanandi
gaayam kosthunna ne jeevincheunna
aa jeevam neevani saaksham isthunnaa
neetho gadipina aa nimishaalannee
naalo pongina gundela savvadule
avi cherigaayante ne nammedettaagaa
nuv lekunte nenantoo undanugaa
nee kashtam lo nenoo unnannooo
karige nee kanneravuthaa nenoo
champallo jaari nee gundello cheri
nee ekantham lo odaarpavuthaanoo
ye rojaithe choosano ninnu
aaroje nuvvaipoyaa nenu
kaalam kaadanna
ae dooram addunna
nee oopiroinayi ne jeevisthunnanu.......
IMO, this is one of the best lyrics in Telugu movies. Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry, the lyricist is a word magician who can weave words into beautiful lyrical fabric that can be primped into awesome composition. It is from the movie Gulabi, an eccentric story, well told. Was my college time favourite. Well why not it has energy, songs, violence and importantly over dose of love. So much that otherwise normal looking girl Maheshwari became a hearthrob for some folks at least for some time...(hey I am talking about the year 1995)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Media Responsibility
Everybody knows about the Satyam-gate scandal. Many bloggers like Priya blogged their views and thoughts on this. I am not going to say anything about that scandal at all.
My concern is electronic media in AP and their irresponsible heckling of Satyam employees. I heard that there are bunch of channel crew waiting around the block from Satyam offices and keep pestering the employees to say something or other. If they show any emotion - anger, frustration or disappointment, it will be shot in cameras and shown in news. If they express any word, that will be shown in news. This will put the employees job at stake as many companies will take disciplinary action for interacting with media without prior permission.
What crime did these employees do to deserve this? I think many unqualified and unethical fellows became journalists because of explotion of TV News Channels. In their hunger for news and sensationalism they are not following any journalistic standards. The same was evident during 11/26 Mumbai attacks.
Who will reign them?
My concern is electronic media in AP and their irresponsible heckling of Satyam employees. I heard that there are bunch of channel crew waiting around the block from Satyam offices and keep pestering the employees to say something or other. If they show any emotion - anger, frustration or disappointment, it will be shot in cameras and shown in news. If they express any word, that will be shown in news. This will put the employees job at stake as many companies will take disciplinary action for interacting with media without prior permission.
What crime did these employees do to deserve this? I think many unqualified and unethical fellows became journalists because of explotion of TV News Channels. In their hunger for news and sensationalism they are not following any journalistic standards. The same was evident during 11/26 Mumbai attacks.
Who will reign them?
Friday, January 02, 2009
Height of a building
Sukumar tweeted about this article today which made me think if we our thought process was suppressed in our school system or not. Here are my experiences...
All through my education from my 4th standard until my PG I never did home work. Never means really never. I never believed in writing the same stuff from one book (we used to call classwork notebook) to another book (homework book) interesting. The net effect is, my favorite class teacher, Miss Dora Raj (who used to teach Maths, Science, Social, English, Moral Science, GK) used to make me kneel down in the front of the class. My school's HM (we used to call her Big Sister), used to have a break room next to our class. She used to pass through the corridor every single day at 9 AM and she saw me and Naveed(who is my best kneeldown mate). Both my class teacher and my HM never found it strange how one student will never do homework every single day. I find it very odd. Or rather they accepted that as part of the scenary of the corridor :-) .
Next comes exams - I never read anything by heart. I used to write all original answers after understanding the concept. My fav teacher, Miss Dora Raj, when she found that a new student who joined her class (in 4th class), doesnt repeat exactly what she wrote on the blackboard in exams, was very thrilled. She used to encourage me and highlight that fact in front of every one even in school assembly. For a 8 year old kid, it must be a real motivator. I am proud and priveleged to have such a teacher.
But later in all my education, I found that my B.Sc Chemistry lab instructors encouraged us to do things different. We (Sameer, Satish and I) in our final year, changed all experiments which doesnt produce results with the ones that produce results. The older experiments were followed even though obsolete since 1970s. So glad that we had some practical instructors for chemistry practicals.
It also made me think if we as humans by nature try to influence other's ideas or principles. My son who is just 6 months old ofter tries to do things that i dont know. But sometimes I feel uncomfortable and anxious if it would hurt him. After reading the above article about Niel Bohr, I feel ashamed. I will try to change myself and encourage him do things that he finds amusing as long as it is safe - logically not as per my experience.
All through my education from my 4th standard until my PG I never did home work. Never means really never. I never believed in writing the same stuff from one book (we used to call classwork notebook) to another book (homework book) interesting. The net effect is, my favorite class teacher, Miss Dora Raj (who used to teach Maths, Science, Social, English, Moral Science, GK) used to make me kneel down in the front of the class. My school's HM (we used to call her Big Sister), used to have a break room next to our class. She used to pass through the corridor every single day at 9 AM and she saw me and Naveed(who is my best kneeldown mate). Both my class teacher and my HM never found it strange how one student will never do homework every single day. I find it very odd. Or rather they accepted that as part of the scenary of the corridor :-) .
Next comes exams - I never read anything by heart. I used to write all original answers after understanding the concept. My fav teacher, Miss Dora Raj, when she found that a new student who joined her class (in 4th class), doesnt repeat exactly what she wrote on the blackboard in exams, was very thrilled. She used to encourage me and highlight that fact in front of every one even in school assembly. For a 8 year old kid, it must be a real motivator. I am proud and priveleged to have such a teacher.
But later in all my education, I found that my B.Sc Chemistry lab instructors encouraged us to do things different. We (Sameer, Satish and I) in our final year, changed all experiments which doesnt produce results with the ones that produce results. The older experiments were followed even though obsolete since 1970s. So glad that we had some practical instructors for chemistry practicals.
It also made me think if we as humans by nature try to influence other's ideas or principles. My son who is just 6 months old ofter tries to do things that i dont know. But sometimes I feel uncomfortable and anxious if it would hurt him. After reading the above article about Niel Bohr, I feel ashamed. I will try to change myself and encourage him do things that he finds amusing as long as it is safe - logically not as per my experience.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
New Template - please give your feedback
Since Green is the way to go, to support all Green initiatives, I changed the theme of my blog to this. Let me know if you like it.
Monday, December 29, 2008
2008 Gadget Recap
I am not a big gadget lover. At least that is what I used to think of myself. But my friends think otherwise. Sometimes I even get few calls from friend's friends who want me to give a piece of advice on how a particular camcorder model works. While admitting I never bought a camcorder in my life till recently, I still do lot of research skimming through 100s of forum posts, reviews, blogs and suggest few best picks for them to choose. May be I am more curious of the specs of a piece of hardware than using that in real life. Coming to this post, I want to list the gear I purchased this year 2008 to see if I qualify to become one.
Lenovo S10 Netbook - This I should say I did not buy for myself. But I gifted this to my mummy. She wanted a light weight notebook and nothing seemed better than this. With 1 GB RAM, 1.6 GHz processor, I found it really sufficient for my everyday usage.
Canon HG-20 Like I said earlier, I do not have a camcorder (I dont want to consider my Casio Exilim which shoots some average video). My wife insisted that I should buy one. I found this Canon model has the best price-feature-convenience ratio amongst the consumer HD models. And it did not disappoint me. My only complaint about this model is video editing. All the three laptops I own cannot even open a 5 minute video shot at 24 MBPS - thanks to AVCHD.
iphone 3G I already blogged about this purchase. It is one product I found very useful, be it twitterrifc or Amazon or my banking app, working on iphone is a breeze. With it's superb Exchange ActiveSync, I could access all my work and personal email in one standard interface.
I also bought a new rucksack KATA DR-467 that will help me carry my SLR along with my laptop whereever I go. While I find my iphone 3G good for cool casual pictures, nothing like a Digital SLR with it's large lens and larger sensor. This Kata was available for 59$ instead of regular 79$ and free 2 day shipping by air. I could not resist the deal. It is superb quality bag and built like a tank. Interestingly, Kata has some roots in the same lab/group that developed millitary gear for special units.
This year is much better than last year where I went to but a HDMI cable and came home with a laptop and DVD player or 2004 when I went to Tampa Bay Downs, saw a Nikon D70S from my photographer friend Whillemina and ended up ordering myself. And dont even get started on my Panasonic HDTV 26" purchase in 2005, the same amount if I pay now, I will get a 42". (Is Moore's law applicable for HDTVs..I think so).
Coming into 2009, I do have some purchases planned. I want to upgrade my TV to a 50" HDTV. I also wish to get a home theater. May be Santa will listen to this.
Lenovo S10 Netbook - This I should say I did not buy for myself. But I gifted this to my mummy. She wanted a light weight notebook and nothing seemed better than this. With 1 GB RAM, 1.6 GHz processor, I found it really sufficient for my everyday usage.
Canon HG-20 Like I said earlier, I do not have a camcorder (I dont want to consider my Casio Exilim which shoots some average video). My wife insisted that I should buy one. I found this Canon model has the best price-feature-convenience ratio amongst the consumer HD models. And it did not disappoint me. My only complaint about this model is video editing. All the three laptops I own cannot even open a 5 minute video shot at 24 MBPS - thanks to AVCHD.
iphone 3G I already blogged about this purchase. It is one product I found very useful, be it twitterrifc or Amazon or my banking app, working on iphone is a breeze. With it's superb Exchange ActiveSync, I could access all my work and personal email in one standard interface.
I also bought a new rucksack KATA DR-467 that will help me carry my SLR along with my laptop whereever I go. While I find my iphone 3G good for cool casual pictures, nothing like a Digital SLR with it's large lens and larger sensor. This Kata was available for 59$ instead of regular 79$ and free 2 day shipping by air. I could not resist the deal. It is superb quality bag and built like a tank. Interestingly, Kata has some roots in the same lab/group that developed millitary gear for special units.
This year is much better than last year where I went to but a HDMI cable and came home with a laptop and DVD player or 2004 when I went to Tampa Bay Downs, saw a Nikon D70S from my photographer friend Whillemina and ended up ordering myself. And dont even get started on my Panasonic HDTV 26" purchase in 2005, the same amount if I pay now, I will get a 42". (Is Moore's law applicable for HDTVs..I think so).
Coming into 2009, I do have some purchases planned. I want to upgrade my TV to a 50" HDTV. I also wish to get a home theater. May be Santa will listen to this.
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