All posts by Awfis Editorial
Interview of Ritu Singh – Co Founder, CareOnGo
How to celebrate success with your team
Success is a fruit of team effort. Sharing the happiness about a good performance with each team member is an inclusive gesture. Do you wonder how to share this happiness? The best way is to celebrate the success together. Here are the best ways on how you can celebrate your team work together to encourage the good performance.
1. Go out for a wonderful treat together
Your team works on a project together. After the success of a long- term project, it’s worth celebrating with them. You can take all of them for a treat at a good restaurant. Have dinner and party together to celebrate this joy.
2. Display your success
You can display the names of the entire team on a centrally located display board. Such recognition at a workspace for their outstanding performance will boost positive feelings and inspire others. Everybody loves to be recognized for the good work they do, so doing that in front of others is the best way to motivate them.
3. Encourage them by acknowledging their efforts
Formally or informally, you must acknowledge them for their dedication; for the extra hours, they clocked for the project, for their co-operation and all such things they did which led towards success. For such acknowledgment, you can simply applaud them mentioning their contribution in the success.
4. Offer them rewards
You can give the team members gift cards or vouchers as a reward for success. You can also grant them permission to leave early and enjoy their day. Such rewards can be a good way to appreciate them. You can also surprise them by giving some goodies.
5. Provide scope of growth
Everyone desires for their success to propel future growth. Allow your team members to realize their success and complement it with future planning. Ask them what kind of projects would they like to work on next and bond with them providing them a scope for professional growth.
Be like a family at work with your team. Work together and celebrate the success together. The contribution of each of the team member is precious to get the job done within time while maintaining quality. To encourage dedication from the team, appreciation is necessary. You must be grateful for their participation and contribution in the work.
5 ways for mom-preneurs to strike the perfect balance in life
Being a parent, especially a mom is undoubtedly the most challenging role in life. It becomes even harder if you are working and trying to build a business from scratch. Long working hours result into high levels of stress which also affects your ability to give the required attention to family. But the question is, what’s the joy of your professional achievement if you can’t share it with your family? You must not restrict your happiness over your work. You should spend quality time with your family and here are 5 ways for mom-preneurs to strike the perfect balance.
1. Exercise your strength and weaknesses
Everyone has different capabilities. Know your strength and weaknesses first. Take charge of only such tasks which you think you can accomplish; so that the work doesn’t pressurize you. It is good if you want to go beyond your abilities, but know your limits. Extra work may engage your time and efforts. Such pressured task may also affect your mental health.
2. Try to prioritize
Your responsibilities at work, as well as a family, must be arranged with priorities. The level their importance can help you to keep balance. If there is any task with lower priority, you must not waste more time on it.
3. Know the meaning of balancing
Maintaining a work-life balance refers to doing efficient work in your professional life and spending quality time with family as well. It is about paying both the required importance and attention. You can go for a walk with your family or go for a weekend trip to spend more time with them. You need to ensure that your work life is balanced in a way that your family never suppress their expectations from you.
4. Take nutritional supplements
You should never neglect having a proper diet which includes a nutritional supplement. It is very important to keep yourself healthy and fit so that you can play both roles effectively. Have balanced meals and drink plenty of water. Never compromise your health.
5. Some fluctuation is okay
If you are trying your best then it is okay if some things do not happen as per your expectation. You are a human and cannot be perfect in each task. While maintaining a balance between work and family, it is fine if you can’t perform excellently every single time. Realize this fact and try to improvise. Consistent efforts at the workspace and at home will definitely reward you.
Generally, entrepreneurship could be an all-consuming and lonely journey without a one-for-all solution for a maintainable work-life balance. While the tips provided above might not work for all, however, they could hopefully trigger some helpful ideas, allowing you to find best practices for yourself.
Interview of Kaushal Shubhank and Avinash Saxena Co-Founders, Roposo
Bringing the music fraternity together for great performances: GetSetGig
#inspiringstories@Awfis is an initiative by Awfis Editorial Team to showcase the brilliant business ideas and the journey of our startup member community.
Sahaj Nalgirkar was a college student when the entrepreneurship bug bit him. Being a musician himself, Sahaj was looking at getting performance gigs to make some money using his skills in music. At this point, he realized that there is a huge gap in the music industry in India for a platform that connects musicians and budding performance artists to market their talent to the right audience. He decided to finish his college and get into the field of business to create a platform to help many other artists like himself.
In his words, “If I must summarise the entrepreneurial journey, it’s just been about learning ‘when’ to take decisions. As I have had no job or business background, I had to learn about business, people, processes and the terms by myself and most of the times I learnt from my mistakes. So, we learnt that taking decisions is not disastrous, it either will be right or wrong, but taking it at the right time makes a whole lot of difference. I started this idea with 5 musicians and did less than 5 gigs in the first year. We launched our website and services officially on September 1, 2015. And 15 months later we are a network of 2000 artists and we have already completed 100 gigs. I believe the journey has just started and I am sure it is going to get more and more exciting and thrilling.”
GetSetGig is an online platform from where one can hire live performing artists like musicians, bands, standup comedians, DJs and Emcees(anchors) for their event. The platform uses a technology that makes it easy for artists and clients to set a gig. GetSetGig says they can set any gig in 24 hours using their technology.
Currently the team is headed by Sahaj and his co-founder Aditya Hanchinal, who have divided artist management and business development among themselves. They have hired a bunch of interns to help them out and are planning to expand the team very soon. GetSetGig aims to become a company that disrupts the live entertainment industry which has a huge span yet disorganised. This founder duo aspires for their platform to become the first step for every artist when they start their journey and last step before they achieve their fame.
Sahaj and Aditya started thinking like entrepreneurs since their college days in Ramrao Adik Institute Of Technology, and have now successfully traversed a path towards their goal with GetSetGig.
Talking about the challenges that came their way, Sahaj said, “We have known nothing but going into the face of challenges since the beginning. The challenges have only increased their level of difficulty like that of a computer game. Every day is a challenge for any startup. No money, no manpower, no resources and still you set out to try to bring a difference, if you can just take one step when you know this, you can pretty much face any challenge in the world. And I think that when we do the gigs, we see that we have made the artist feel alive. The satisfaction that we see on the face of the artist, keeps us going stronger into the face of challenges.”
Sahaj also writes his own blog where you can find out more about GetSetGig: www.sahajnalgirkar.com
We at Awfis think that GetSetGig is unique because of the young founders who have put their heart and soul into it, to do something for their passion – music. We find their story inspiring and are delighted to see them achieve great success while working at our business centres.
5 Perfect Games for Fun at your Workplace
In the hectic work schedule we are caught in, fun games to play at workplace serve as a refreshing break. They help break the monotony and let the employees enjoy some time off. Fun games also serve as team building activities that motivate the employees to give their best. It’s often seen that fun activities are of great help in boosting employee productivity. Here are few types of games, which can be played to relax!
1. Who Wrote This?
Even while working in the same place or even the same team, and spending 8-9 hours together, we are hardly familiar with each other’s handwriting. We are so used to computers that manual writing is rare to occur. Why not do this for a change and see if we can guess each other’s writings?
2. Wait a Minute
Plan all sorts of one-minute activities and have the participants carry them out. Blowing balloons, filling bottles, building glass towers, eating cookies etc. Create activities which are engaging, harmless and can be completed in a minute. Have the participants take turns in carrying out the activities. Give prizes to those completing the tasks in the allotted time.
3. You Know Me
Pair employees who don’t know each other very well, or pair those who talk a lot with those who talk less. Give each pair fifteen minutes to talk to each other and discuss each other’s likes and dislikes. Conduct a quiz with each pair where one asks questions to the other. The pair which gives the maximum number of correct answers is the winner. The skill is to know the most about one another in the fifteen-minute timespan.
4. LAN Games
Been to a LAN party? Know about multiplayer video games? Well, it’s a great idea to have these games to play at work. All you need is a network of computers. Offices have a LAN setup or machines connected through wi-fi. The same network can be used for LAN games like Counter-Strike, America’s Army, StarCraft, FIFA and many more. Make sure the network https://www.https://www.awfis.com/inspiration/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/shutterstock_3835072871.jpg.com/inspiration/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Awfis-is-your-new-Office1.jpgistrator is looped in and the arrangements are done beforehand. In this category of games, you can take advantage of an already set up network, and tell me who doesn’t enjoy playing video games?
5. Learn Something New
It is rightly said that learning never stops. Teach all your employees a new skill, and test them at the end of the session. The one who stands first gets a reward. Make sure that this activity is more fun, than work. Teach them a new technique, a new practice; something they did not know before. It has to be something even they’re keen on learning. This then, gets the nature of a game and as we all know, competition only makes the learning better.
These were some exciting games you can play at work to break the monotony, or to celebrate certain occasions. The intent is to give the employees the break they need and the fun time they deserve!
Building the future with mobile keyboards: KeyPoint Technologies
#inspiringstories@Awfis is an initiative by Awfis Editorial Team to showcase the brilliant business ideas and the journey of our startup member community.
In the 1990’s, Naresh Patel, lost an arm in an unfortunate motorcycle accident in Scotland. It became impossible for Naresh to thereafter use a computer with one hand. His brother Sanjay then took upon himself to invent a keyboard with a different layout that allowed his brother to type despite his inability. In the process, he programmed the software to allow the computer to process keystrokes in a different arrangement. KeyPoint Technologies was thus founded in the year 2004. Sunil Motaparti, Co-Founder and the present CEO has been with KPT since its inception.
The company is headquartered in Glasgow, UK with Indian office spaces in Delhi, Bangalore & Hyderabad. They are a strong team of 100+ people who have come together to design the AI and NLP driven smart mobile keyboard- Xploree. While Sunil Motaparti– Founder & CEO, leads the business, Nutan Chokkareddy, CTO leads the technological innovations at KPT. Deepti M Saxena is in-charge of its nationwide sales and marketing activities. Prima Dona– COO, oversees companywide operations, with a special focus on scaling KPT’s latest product Xploree. Kiran Karthikeyan– VP, Product is involved in the overall success of the product offerings and works closely with partners and prospects to define product features and requirements. Today KeyPoint Technologies has over 100 enthusiasts working towards achieving the end goal, making the mobile SMART with its intelligent keyboard.
Xploree has an ad-supported business model and is free for users. It finds utility among device manufacturers, brands and digital agencies for quicker app and content discoveries on the mobile. This essentially translates to interpreting and gauging the thoughts and actions of mobile users with Xploree’s non-intrusive keyboard.
KeyPoint Technologies believes – keyboard is an integral part of user experience on mobile. It is best suited for driving consumer satisfaction and conversions in the digital space. With its latest product Xploree, KeyPoint Technologies have taken a step further to augment predictions: not just words but INTENT. The keyboard app works with all devices, (across all apps, in virtually any language, based on unique individual history, personality, interests and behaviour), connecting people to content, products, services and solutions, almost faster than ideas can actually lead to words that too in their moment of need! Additionally, it supports more than 110 languages including 29 indic languages.
The Smart Keyboard App is revolutionary and first of its kind in the market. Therefore, challenges are bound to come. But the profound belief that a product like this will drive the future of digital experience while users and brands remain ultimate beneficiaries – is what drives the team to innovate in this space.
KPT has been the world leader in linguistics and user-interface technology for over a decade now. Even after having launched two successful products they believe there is still so much left to build in the mobile keyboard space. Their vision is to build a future where the mobile keyboard can be leveraged to help people in their moment of need, create value for brands and improve the way people interact with their mobile keyboard.
We at Awfis think that Team Xploree’s journey is motivational and we are proud to have such inspiring stories building in our centres.
This story is based on the interview of Ms. Deepti Saxena, Head -Sales & Marketing, KeyPoint Technologies by Awfis Editorial Team.
Sectors which are on Investors’ radar in 2017
Every year sees certain sectors which are predicted to boom in terms of attracting investment and grow multiple folds in business. For instance, in 2016 sectors like affordable healthcare and digital wallets have created a huge uproar in the Indian start-up scenario.
We have a roundup of the top 5 sectors that investors predict to do well in 2017.
- The Internet Of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT)— by definition, is the interconnection via the Internet of computing devices embedded in everyday objects, enabling them to send and receive data. IoT is bringing implanted sensors and actuators in machines and other physical objects into the connected world.
This will help businesses improve performance and will be a starting point to create newer business models. With the right amount of monitoring, it can also benefit the health sector.
- Mobile Internet
The internet has proved to be more than just a convenience for our times; it’s a necessity for more than a billion people – especially those who own smartphones and tablets.
Accessibility is a necessity for society as digital identity is becoming an important part of one’s being. From bank payments to online services – mobile internet will see a growth spurt this year.
- Shared Economy
A sharing economy is an economic model in which individuals are able to borrow or rent assets owned by someone else. Of late, this sector has seen many upcoming models in all verticals.
From shared accommodation, apparel, cars and bikes and even office spaces – shared economy is here to stay.
- FinTech
FinTech is one of the biggest growing sectors of banking, online lending, and blockchain.With demonetization in India, digital wallets have already replaced the physical card. Eventually, banks will allow virtual interaction allowing people the power of financing without any middle-men.
Touted as an experiment, blockchain will soon become a critical development area for any exchange of value over the Internet, person to person.
- Artificial Intelligence
Forrester has predicted that investment in Artificial Intelligence will grow 300% in 2017! Along with Big data, and IoT technologies, Artificial Intelligence will enable businesses investing in them to successfully overcome barriers to data access and to mining useful insights. It is said that in 2017 these technologies will increase business’ access to data, broaden the types of data that can be analyzed, and raise the level of sophistication of the resulting insight.
While business innovation gives rise to newer concepts and technology, we will look forward to what investors find most attractive and sustainable among these sectors in 2017.
How Yuvraj Singh took on the world to be such an inspiration
Yuvraj Singh’s recent score of 150 against England in the Cuttack Cricket ODI was an innings which reminded us of what takes sports to a higher plane and makes it more than just physical endeavor or entertainment.
Fondly referred to as the Indian ‘Prince of Cricket’, Yuvraj has proved that dedication to passion always yields. His journey has been a roller coaster shuffling from a bed of roses to a rendezvous with cancer and then a powerful comeback! Yuvraj’s story is inspirational to today’s youth – it’s about a man who didn’t allow a fatal disease like cancer get in the way of living his dream.
A few highlights from his cricketing journey to take inspiration from:
1. Prince Of Cricket
Yuvraj Singh had struggled while getting into professional cricket. Once he reached the International playing ground, there was no stopping him! Making his ODI debut in 2000 in a cricket match against Kenya, Yuvraj became unstoppable. He played key innings and roles in the NatWest Series final in 2002 & scored the ‘fastest fifty’ in just 12 balls at the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007. His other achievements on the field include the famous six sixes stint, scoring the fourth highest successful run chase. He also won the ‘Player of the Series’ at the ICC World Cup in 2011.
2. Battling Cancer
At the peak of his career, Yuvraj saw what most would consider being his ‘fall’.
However, he didn’t let this take a toll on him and instead decided to fight it out! With rounds of chemotherapy and traveling across the seas to meet the best doctors, he was ready to return to the field within 3 months! Within a year he was back against Sri Lanka and has never left the field since.
3. The Entrepreneur
To add to the many caps he already wears, Yuvraj channelized his inner entrepreneur in 2015 by announcing YouWeCan Ventures.
It was established to be an investment company supporting online startups – encouraging entrepreneurship.
Since inception, YouWeCan Ventures has helped a number of startups such as Vyomo, Moovo, Healthians, Edukart, and JetSetGo.
As told to Human’s Of Bombay, “I’m constantly looking for ways to push this cause and through YWCFashion, I’m looking to enter a different avenue and make the fight against cancer even stronger. Today, I sponsor the entire education of 25 kids whose parents don’t have the funds. When I met them and they told me about their ambitions, I knew that this is what I want to continue doing— give back and help them make a ‘come back’, just like I did.”
Yuvraj Singh’s ‘Never Die’ attitude has made him realize and turn his dreams into reality. He inspires us with his zeal and inner strength. We are certain that he inspires our readers as much as well.
We, at Awfis, think that Yuvraj’s journey is motivational and we are proud to have such inspiring stories building in our centres!