Unique Business Models in US

Every Economy has few unique Business Models , which at times become an identity for that country but at the end of the day credit goes to 'People' who make that IDENTITY !!

This blog is to all those who someway have made me think and say "Woww, what a business model"

Having been in States for couple of times, i came across few unique business ideas which i havent seen in any other country .

(For a background , i have been to four emirates of UAE, Malaysia, Singapore, India and hence my analysis is restricted to comparing US Business model with the mentioned four geographies).

Few Unique Business Models i came across in USA :

1. 'Drive-Thrus' - Pick your food and go, no need to get out of the cars. Common for all the big brands : KFC, McD, Burger King, Starbucks and so on!
2. 'Rest-areas' - Highly prevalent in US, accredited to numerous counties, different states separated by Miles. I havent seen that in Emirates where 7 emirates are so far off and only way to use a washroom is either gas stations or malls (which dont pop up on our way to a different emirate)
3. 'NYC Chart Culture' - Cheap decent quality food and the service is amazing. Mostly driven by Indians, Bangladeshies, Mexicans. Charts posting the unique deals online and entire downtown following the same every minute.
4. Online Auction websites in US selling cars which is pretty unique

Unique cross-selling business models in States:

• Went to a place serving Thai and Malaysian Food ('Penang' Restaurant) : People from upper class throw parties and to tap the culture, owner tries to auction different products like a LV Purse or Gucci shoes. Auctioning is unique but never thought of selling it with 'Yummy' food.
• Amazon selling all sort of foods online and delivery available for perishable food items (you talk about specifics - Soy allergy, milk allergy, gluten allergy and Amazon has delivery for all anywhere in US at reasonable rates)
• And of course, the 'i' fever is picking on me bigtime. Recently happened to see "Blood Pressure" checking machine for 'i' users. you just need to install an application and connect it to that machine. So, here it was 'Apple' Tapping the Health Sector. For Kids, Apple has hand operated helicopters, again your 'i' (phone, ipod or ipad) being the operating device. So Apple into 'Toys' segment. All these being operated by your telecom equipment. (There were the words from Steve Jobs' 2005 Standford Address 'Great work comes with working on things you love the most and dont settle till you find that thing. And like great relationships with people you love, Great work becomes better and better each day". And he Truly Proved it)

THE POWER OF POSITIVE ATTITUDE

Ahmed is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, “If I were any better, I would be twins!”He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Ahmed was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Ahmed and asked him, “I don’t get it! You can’t be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?”
Ahmed replied, “Each morning I wake up and say to myself, ‘Ahmed, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood.’ I choose to be in a good mood.
“Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
“Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.”
“Yeah, right, it isn’t that easy,” I protested.
“Yes, it is,” Ahmed said. Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. “The bottom line is: It’s your choice how you live life.”
I reflected on what Ahmed said. Soon thereafter, I left the tower industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that Ahmed was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Ahmed was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw Ahmed about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, “If I were any better, I’d be twins. Wanna see my scars?”
I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. “The first thing that went through my mind was the well being of my soon-to-be- born daughter,” Ahmed replied.
“Weren’t you scared? Did you lose consciousness?” I asked.
Ahmed continued, “The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the Emergency and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read ‘He’s a dead man.’ I knew I needed to take action.”
“What did you do?” I asked. “Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,” said Ahmed. “She asked if I was allergic to anything. ‘Yes,’ I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, ‘Gravity.’ Over their laughter, I told them, ‘I want to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead’.”
Ahmed lived, and passed through the difficult phase because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, makes a big difference in Life.

Helpless Love

Once upon a time all feelings and emotions went to a coastal island for a vacation. According to their nature, each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of an impending storm was announced and everyone was advised to evacuate the island.

The announcement caused sudden panic. All rushed to their boats. Even damaged boats were quickly repaired and commissioned for duty.

Yet, Love did not wish to flee quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realised it was time to leave. Alas, there were no boats to spare. Love looked around with hope.

Just then Prosperity passed by in a luxurious boat. Love shouted, “Prosperity, could you please take me in your boat?”

“No,” replied Prosperity, “my boat is full of precious possessions, gold and silver. There is no place for you.”

A little later Vanity came by in a beautiful boat. Again Love shouted, “Could you help me, Vanity? I am stranded and need a lift. Please take me with you.”

Vanity responded haughtily, “No, I cannot take you with me. My boat will get soiled with your muddy feet.”

Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was to no avail. “No, I cannot take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself.”

When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it did not look around, hardly concerned about anyone.

Love was growing restless and dejected. Just then somebody called out, “Come Love, I will take you with me.” Love did not know who was being so magnanimous, but jumped on to the boat, greatly relieved that she would reach a safe place.

On getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Puzzled, Love inquired, “Knowledge, do you know who so generously gave me a lift just when no one else wished to help?”

Knowledge smiled, “Oh, that was Time.”

“And why would Time stop to pick me and take me to safety?” Love wondered.

Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and replied, “Because only Time knows your true greatness and what you are capable of. Only Love can bring peace and great happiness in this world.”

“The important message is that when we are prosperous, we overlook love. When we feel important, we forget love. Even in happiness and sorrow we forget love. Only with time do we realize the importance of love. Why wait that long? Why not make love a part of your life today?”

Indeed "Ram Ji"

This is for my lovely friend i lost couple of days back in Simla. I do not know who to blame but yes its a true love story dedicated to every parent out there !!

It was 12 Noon and i receive a call about my lovely friend in Simla - "Ram", and i believe he deserves an applause.

------------------------------ The Story --------------------------------------

I would like to introduce "Ram" as a person who was Jolly like hell, soul surfer, true from heart (i can say this with full confidence, having known him from 15 yrs or as far as i can remember), loving and lovable, career focused and i believe am running out of adjectives for him. But let me take this as an opportunity to say he was a true "Family Person". You will come to know why i remarked him this explicitly.

Ram moved to Simla around 5 years back to work for a telecom firm. His family being in Mumbai, he couldn't see them much . However, he was so connected that he couldn't bear small health issues for anyone in his family like Running Nose. Well, having said that he fell for a girl at his workplace. The girl was not from his caste and yes she had minor health issues; but as they "Love lies in the eyes of Beholder". She met with an accident off lately and limped at times while walking. But being lover, Ram helped her exercise over the call, waking up early morning, entire day together at work, helping each other till night. Nutshell, their Life was magical for them.

Ram never conveyed it to Aradhana, he had told his parents on the very first day and they were too against the reasons explicitly mentioned above. Ram decided to keep fighting till they got convinced. Till one day, the level of frustration was so high he got drunk and told Aradhana everything. Very next day considering everything, Aradhana and Ram broke apart, to respect what their parents wanted.

Just within few days, Aradhana quit the job and moved to Gurgaon. Ram's Parents thought it was infatuation, will go with time and there is nothing called love. According to them, they had ample experience with love marriages and since there some relative has a bad experience, it will be a curse for their family. Obviously, any middle class person has his respect on topmost priority (common in Indian families).

Ram couldn't focus on his work, spoke to proposals for "parents sake" and it went on.

Ram continued to flow with the wind for an year, he kept going on . His soul was gone, he stopped talking to anyone in workplace, he didn't have much friends either, tried to focus on studying books but no concentration, everytime he tried to highlight his problem, his family gave him no support. Eventually he stopped talking about his problems back home and he tried his best to be happy with their happiness. No one realized what he wanted or rather i should say everyone simply ignored that.

But his soul was gone with Aradhana. Now, crying in dark room , thinking looking at the roof was quiet normal. Aradhana thought he is happy and tried to be happy in his happiness.

One fine day, while coming back from work he was spoke to a girl he had said yes under frustration. He wasnt the same anymore, he was highly frustrated from inside, parents avoided talking to him and remained to the point considering everything is ok. Anguished and frustrated, driving across the highway he met with a major car accident and died on the spot.

Aradhana heard the news and stopped walking altogether. Since his death couple of months back, she is on bed. Parents heard the news and got traumatized hearing about their only son.

I am sad hearing this story . But i want to ask 1 question is this a murder or a suicide? I believe it was sheer murder. I wont be biased saying if parents would have been in place of Ram , no one would have been happy then too. Its frustration in the home that kills some or the other person.

---------------------------Options as a Kid ---------------------------

What is required is to be happy for parents and kids in such cases ?

I have two options as an ideal child (considering going against is bad, shall put that in the end):

Option 1 : Do whatever parents want you to and crucify yourself !!

My Views : Is that really definition of marriage? I think its giving back to Parents and paying them for what they did for you all those 30 years. Crib from inside and live with something called "Adjustment" . I ask Parents, is this really what family is all about ? We do pay the hostels for being a guardian. I think this was the path something Ram chose. But please sit back and realize isnt this killing your child just because of Society ?

Option 2 : Do what you want to and crucify Parents!

My Views: I dont believe in this either. If a person loves someone and if its a crime, why is No Government across the world listing it and arresting people for love marriage? Is not, the child should never get married without parents consent.

--------------------------Mid - way solution / Request to my readers ----------------------

I request all those parents out there, trust your kid before he looses confidence on himself. Even Government of India knows a person is decisive enough to vote at 18!!! Am talking almost double the age (late 20s / turning 30). And i beg all the parents, please grow with education and if you believe in God, every God or religion teaches us to love. Being a Hindu, i would say Krishna or Shiv ji , they are worshiped and they are famous for being Love Pray!

Lastly, just realize the family reputation is with the Kid, If that chain breaks someplace families are ruined. If Kids can sacrifice not saying anything, please respect their beliefs in important decisions of their lives like Marriage !!

I am being biased here because at the end of the day, your kid is supposed to be a parent tomorrow and yes at 30 dont tell him / her who they should marry !! Trust them and spread love which is above all religions or "Reputation (which is an abstract term in itself with different meaning for different people)".

Something called "LoVe"!!

This blog is for a mid-aged person i met today.. But, yes he inspired me unintentionally and gave me food for thought !!

Well, I have been too engrossed at work , sitting home idle i realized i was getting too disheartened (with issues all over - career, life, family... ) and i was failing to change my mood. So just got up , wore my slippers and went on a long aimless walk!!

While crossing a shopping complex, I came across a person who was selling paintings worth Rs 100 - 150/- on a street. Mid -aged fellow , standing in creepy sun with a smile. Out of habit, I tried to negotiate on prices, however the person smiled back and said Maam thats my love. I like painting and come what may i dont compromise on my love. WOW!!!

Steve Jobs - My favorite person , an icon with an incredible name "Jobs" ... Well, he addressed Stanford in 2005, 6 yrs old video on Youtube still one of the best ones i came across till date !! He simply segmented life into three phases and each phase had 1 thing in common - "Love / Passion" which brings in motivation/ inspiration and hence success.

I suppose One needs to sit back and realize what he / she loves - should be something that makes you Happy. could be a person, can be a hobby as weird as "Going to graveyard to spend time with yourself (Yes i have a friend who visits graveyard JUST LIKE THAT).. what matters is whats that thing... Honestly, I am still confused on that one. But yea have been trying new things, exploring places, and off lately aimless walking and observing people !!

Well, the point i am trying to get at is - Guys dont sit back waiting for others to help you decide what you should do. When the intuitive nudge is there, Just DO IT!! For Noone else can decide what makes you happy (and hence inspired), but yourself.

Hope this blog leaves you with an inspirational thought, Shall wait eagerly to hear from all on the recent craziest thing they did which brought them a smile ( i Dont want to be filmy but yes i am not selfish either .. Its just a personal belief if you are happy your loved ones will be happy)..

Plight of Indian Women

I come from a middle-class open-minded family, my family always imbibed in me the principals of equality between men and women. It was only after i got into a job, i started gaining exposure to the outside world and i realize some or the other way, we females are considered a "commodity". I am writing this blog in lot of anger and dissipation to see how India is failing to transform itself.

India is a powerful country in terms of the brains we give to the world, in terms of our values and principles. But, then i see the facts which just make me bow my head with shame : male - female ratio being skewed especially in states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan. Everytime, i tune in to a news channel, i come across injustice , crime incidents with girls.

Few years back - Jessica Lal, Arushi's case, Aruna Shanbaug ..

(source : News articles - Indian Express)

2010 - Around 480 Rape Cases in India

2011- 40 rape cases in mere 2 months, NCR being the leader in arena ...

(source: IBN Live)

• Women Day's (8th March) top news - Radhika Tanwar shot dead in public place just because she refused to get in to a relationship with a stalker ?
• 9th March , 77 - yr old lady being raped by rickshaw puller in daytime again in our Capital.
• 15th March, deadbody of 25 yr old girl found in a briefcase at mumbai railway station.
• and these are just the major ones...

I feel ashamed and scared at the same place. Years have passed, but alas no change in Indian Society.. Is this the value of an Indian Woman ?

Then, i sit back and realize; we are the "youth of India" and its our homeland. To Clean up the mess, its "us" who have to take few steps. I wont say we should pick a brick and hit the ministry of defense or something. But i perceive, we all can contribute in small but fruitful ways to change the game.

• I dont want to talk about politics, i am not the right person to comment on it. But yes, if we have some rules and regulations which are so strict that the next time any educated or illiterate person attempts to harass a girl, he should think twice .
• At the same time, i request every woman not to stay quiet, if she is being harassed by any means. Dont bother about society, about peer pressures. If you realize its building on you, raise the voice. We have full right to protest and live a life of deginity. If we can give 500% of love, be a mom, be a daughter, we do have a right to live life with some self - respect !!
• Female infanticide is a crime. I understand this blog cant be read by illiterates (obviously) , but the message can be followed and simultaneously conveyed to uneducated maids, the Washer-women, and so on (which i understand is the segment still following it). Atleast, we can make the world aware about stuff. Movies like "Lajja" have done a fab job to awaken the people, but folks the ratio remains skewed.
• Lastly, i request men, please dont accept things quietly, if things are happening in front of you.I dont say accept everything (i totally love the fact, men think more from head than heart and women vice versa, which is the essence of a companionship for a balanced relation) . But my request to all the guys is, Try to realize a girl leaves every relation to settle down with you, which i suppose is hardest in the world. Only thing, she expects is a little regard, love and acceptance.

I dedicate this blog to all the women esp my ex-maid who left everything and had to go back to her parents after 5 years of traumatic married life (Miss u Seema - Aunty) , my ex-Team Lead , who after 10 years of consistent physical abuse went down with nervous breakdown and today has finally stood up for herself and her 8 year old son . And also to all the women out there, who feel helpless looking at the things happening around them but cant do much but sigh at times !!

Please feel free to add actionable points which you think can be used in to improvise the present circumstances and which "Mango"-people can adopt !!

One of the all time favorite Motivational Poems ..

"When Things Go Wrong"

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

-- Old Poem, dnt remember the name of the poet.. but always loved it !!

Few Things i want to do before i die...

Yea yea.. I confess this blog is inspired from movies like Dasvidhania , totally appreciate such thoughtful movies, which make you sit back and think how to make most of this precious birth . More than anyone else, this blog is for myself so when i revisit this after regular intervals, i try to evaluate myself on the goals.

Checklist of things i wana do before i die:

1. World Trip .. Really wish to go on a world tour specially covering Europe (Venice, Zurich,Paris-hot in my checklist) , Singapore (once more), Australia, China- atleast once!! atmost - no count at all....
2. MBA ..Once more if possible.. First MBA was a most memorable stint.. Wana relive it !! Ameen!!
3. Be a founder member of a business (mid-tier venture) with few NGO Alliances. Waiting for the right time to hit the shot !!
4. Get rid of my fears: Swimming, Heights, Speed (Quite done with this one.. have started loving "driving @ 120 kmph" on highways) , Target to cover Swimming factor this summer ! Still evaluating options for Heights.
5. Perform on a punjabi number in a descent dance show, winning would be a bonus : with audience size atleast 1500. So far, achieved audience size of 200+
6. Live those lovely moments with love and passion. Problem is: I appreciate beauty in all forms, waiting for someone to appreciate mine too... Just kidding :P
7. Paint an entire wall in my bedroom, Quite achievable once i have my own place .. bhagwan ji when will this happen!!

Guess this is just what i can think of right now, i know there is lot more than this... Hopefully, when i revisit next, i have had achieved more than my thoughts.

So Guys, go on.. sit back and decide what you are and what all you would like to do before you die.... :)

60 year Project called "Life"

Project Definition : Defining the timelines

Statistics show Average age a human being lives is around 60 yrs.We Indians are known for vivid cultures and religious nature. And as per Indian religion, our souls get a Human Birth after 86 lakh births, which we live as plants and then as animals. This makes a human birth all the more worth while and precious.

(Even though the religion might be wrong but the intent is to guide , making them realise the value of their birth wid a sensible decisive brain)

Project Definition : Planning the deliverables at each phase

Now, when we say Human Life is so important, it becomes all the more important to plan it and live it in a way worth an experience like we try to impress our clients with an impressive approach (Client being God in this case, so he is satisfied with a Wow-effect on the opportunity he gave us).

By 25 years

Planning for a life-project starts with Parents who decide a childs' career and make him understand core values of love, commitment, dedication. So our first 25 years i attribute to the parents who support us and make us a good decision-making human being. Post 25, every individual after completing his/her studies (the Gurukul knowledge), gears up for facing the world and at this stage decides, what other dreams he/she has. This is the point when parents allow the kids to use the knowledge they imparted into practical life and from here the individual starts to lay down grounds of dreams balanced to goals of survival.

By this age, Individual steps out of the Parent's protective shell . During this course, individual makes his own social circle both office and personally and many a times he faces variation in opinions from that of parents. I suppose this is attributed to the age gap and the generation gap between the times our parents lived and present time an individual lives. Lot many dilemmas, pursue your dreams or parents, then also not to forget 'life is precious' .

I feel from my experience at this stage parents should also understand criticality of individuals' dreams and not get swayed in factors like 'religion' (wherein all religions impart knowledge of honesty, love , commitment to your goals) , Society (which only salutes the person who understands the meaning of standing against all odds for goals and values love of his life and commitment to all personas of life) . Again, i say Parents are the backbone of any family and if an individual learns to face the world its parents who provide the emotional guidance system . But post 25, parents should allow the kid to pursue the dreams he/she has with faith in them.

And of course understand "if an individual is happy pursuing his/her dreams, only then he will spread happiness else he/she lands up compromising in precious life and lands up becoming a figure of frustration than love" , which is again against what our religions teach us.

(Even Indian Government realises , an individual is matured enough to take decisions and imparts liberty to vote by this stage)

Between 25-30

Now Between 25-30 , a person lays grounds for his/her dreams and prepares an execution roadmap for future. Looking at the present generation, people pursue management programs/ higher degrees and decide upon their love with whom they wana see the old age . Again, varying from western culture, we rely on our parents to be the final decision making authority. But these days, the process has seen a shift .

Our parents never had the funda of 'Kundli' , they never had the tough competition (which is increasing day by day and probably our next generation would face it in multiples of 100), the peer pressure (social circle we possess is so career-oriented and we keep on fearing from loosing this race) . Process we have today is like buying a commodity and not choose the person you want to live with. We test each person on so many grounds (religion : even if the person is not loving it doesnt matter, physical defects : a small problem in health is taken as a defect and we forget something can happen to us anytime) and then we buy the best commodity . During this process, parents should also understand its the person who has to live the life and if we value our parents decision so much, they should also value our feelings equally and not get swayed on external factors.

Between 30-45

Between 30-45, person works hard to balance their professional life (for survival and for luckiest who know what career best suits them , try to excel in that arena) . On personal front, they lay grounds for their family (spouse and kids) and try to get them that comfort so they can survive and kids gear up for lessons of life so they can face their generation.

Post 45

Post 45, career takes a backseat. Now, an individual has to focus on Kids higher studies, make them excel in the rat race but balance it with their interests and allow them to pursue the dreams of their lives. Here an individual realises , even the life Kids owns is equally precious and he/she should be given a chance to live it to fullest.

Parallely, we support our Parents who gave us this precious birth and value them with guidance from them at every stage. But here we also need to understand as a parent, its equally important for any kid to pursue his/her dreams . So when he is lying on a deathbed , he doesnt blame parents for the decisions being imposed on him/her.

By 55

At 55, When kids step into the world's battefield, our religions and our vedas teach us, its time to start winding up love from married jeevan (Grihast jeevan) and gear up for meditation .We try to get the kids settle down in life with due respect to their feelings and dreams. Parallely, an indian individual start pursuing the path of "Ibadat" (remember God and meditation to thank him for giving us this precious life). People in India start attending community programs like Iskon , and align themselves to religious deeds (these days people pay visits to centers like Sai-Kripa and voluntarily impart knowledge to kids)

By 60

By 60, the person retires and lets the kids take over as a bread-earner for the family. Now, the individual wishes to spend time with his spouse (love of his life who supported him all through ) . Now, this is the time for Project Assesment.

Project Assessment

As in our professional lives, Project Assesment phase helps you to revisit if the expectations have been met . And if the expectations have been "Quality" delivered. We revisit all the dreams and with a smile we tell our kids, boss i aspired for this in my life and i succeeded in attaining it . No one remembers the pain , everyone just remembers the results. If the person lives the life of compromise, he /she will say it with a smile, i wish i could have done this and probably i would have had lived a better life. But the person who lived the life of compromises not pursuing his/her goals due to temporary circumstances then realises "Oops, the game is about to get over ... and i couldnt pursue my dreams / i wish i had done this in my career/ i wish i had married love of my life , probably at this age i would have been sitting out on a beach with her by my side".

Morale of the Project called "Life"

So all my Friends out there, please dont get bogged down with the hurdles life puts us through . Pursue your dreams, marry the love you want to (dont forget its few lucky ones who get one), value each relations (parents, siblings and equally your love) . Life is precious ... ask those you dont get 60 years and they land up choosing the dreams as per short timelines God gives them !! Many people dont even know if they have a choice and they land up being a figure of Sympathy than living the Project.

For Parents, i salute you for every bit of effort your put in to raise your kids, but support them in whatever they want to do in life , not everyone gets to live the dream project for 60 years.Remember !!