Anand Nataraj

Posts Tagged ‘startups’

Event focusing on operational challenges for running a startup. The upcoming event (August 22, 2009) deals with hiring challenges in startups.

Here are the details

Hiring in a startup is a challenge – right from finding the right match, figuring out salary structure to keeping the employees motivated (especially in tight situation). While there aren’t any ‘right ways’ to do so, the best way out is to share experiences.

pluGGd.in is conducting a ‘Hiring strategy for startups’ event (half-day) where we are inviting entrepreneurs to share their experiences; and a HR consulting firm to show the ‘other’ side of the world.

Topic: How to combat Hiring Blues in Startups

Date: August 22nd, 2009, Saturday [10AM - 1 PM]

Agenda

• How do I structure employee salary? ESOP vs. Salary Distribution?
• Employee Agreement – what are the points one need
• I am not a funded startup and don’t have a lot of money to give away. How do I recruit smart people?
• How do I judge the commitment of candidates when they are applying? [Share/learn from experiences...]

And related topics on hiring @ startups visit http://www.pluggd.in/unpluggd/august.html…

Wanted to share this wonderful resource site shared by Mr.Harendhiraprasad M N which covers all information a startup needs. A must read resource for all entrepreneurs.

For more visit http://www.gabrielweinberg.com/startupswiki/Ask_YC_Archive

I started my entrepreneurship ride during the year 2000 in the month of September. It was the starting days of so called dotcom bubble. The buzz, happenings and the glamour have all come to a halt. It was one of the worst times to even think of starting a company and that too offering Web based services. We were criticized left right and center for becoming an entrepreneur. My parents asked me to take up higher studies and my friends asked me to take up a job till things revert back.

In spite of all those obstacles I started my company with the help of my mentor and well wisher Mr.Shunmugavel Yogan, founder TheITDepot.com. Initial struggles were enormous… When ever I failed there was more criticism than getting moral support… We had no mentors and also the startup ecosystem was not mature… Everything was starting to take shape unlike today;

• Opensource and frameworks were starting to emerge and were not usable. So, we had to develop everything from the scratch.
• There were not many market places like elance or scriptlance. We had to depend on forums and on top listing on search engines (SEO).
• Startup ecosystem like proto.in, barcamps, open coffee clubs etc were not there.
• Also the concept of bootstrapping was new. There was an illusion that to start a business one needs huge capital.

In spite of all those odds we were able to strike it big and I personally feel we can see persons best only when his character is put on a test. Why I keep repeating these kind of post is because I see many enthusiastic people who want to become entrepreneurs keep telling me reasons like it is recession, market is inflated, family commitments, emotional commitments etc.

Unless we have control on us we can’t strike the gold. So instead of getting inspired by successful people try to know their path to success which can teach you lots of lessons.

Last Sunday I’ve been to Bangalore to attend B’lore OCC and then went to 13^th floor to honor my promise to host Hrish Thota for a treat… Only then I came to know Hrish was a documentary film maker and it kindled my eagerness to know more about film-making…

Hrish said that he is going to his office to finish some editing work and I asked him if I can accompany him to have a look at his office…

The name of their company is Flaunge and it is a home-cum-office housed in his friend’s house… By entering his office I was thrilled to see this small fish tank… This really pulled my attention… Positioning of tank was well done where in visitors don’t feel the pinch of waiting…

Then I went into their office and I was really amazed to see such a small office… It must be a 10 * 6 Sq.Ft. office… But the equipment used is expensive… You can also have a peep into their office…

This is the size of Sweet little Flaunge & you can see all the equipments fitted within that room…This is Hrish working in his MAC… 

Then Hrish showed me their sample work and I really liked Tour De Nilgiris… Here is the video…

Tour Of Nilgiris – Experience Nature from Tour Of Nilgiris on Vimeo.

In the mean time if you have any requirement for short film-making or ad film-making you can contact Flaunge…

Much expected Google Ventures is out at last… Google coming from rags and knowing the pains of a startup they must have done this before… But it is better late than never… These are some insights about the venture…

•  
  • Launched on 31^st March 2009
  • Managed by Bill Maris & Rich Miner (Can check their BIO’s)
  • Will invest in any kind of startups
  • Investment ranges from Seed funding to tens of millions of dollar
  • Should be contacted only thru email ventures@google.com

As usual the site is very simple with just four pages and up to the point… Their FAQ is also very little covering most of the questions…

In their FAQ they claim that that they are an independent company and they never push to use Google products or force for an acquisition…

Let us see how the company transforms startups in days to come…

At this point we wish Google Ventures Best Luck…