Sathishsampath's Blog

Why does small budget clients always feel Ux Analysis is waste of Money?

sathishsampath — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 08:54:35 +0000

I know the the heading is like passing a judgement, but yeah, i think out of my experience in this month, i think its fair to make this point. I ve been in a lecturing spree to all these clients on what actually means an user experience analysis.. This is not a million dollar investment that is being put on the CSR’s and hence they derive out exact percentage of the target audience who either like or dislike, i am not a big fan of CSR’s. But i am a strong believer that every digital activity has to happen after careful study of audience behaviour and that result has to go in as input for the design process.

This activity of understanding the target audience need would not take million dollars, all it take is few 10′s or 100′s of emails to people to get their feedback on any of the wireframe or probably a concept. Why do companies fail to understand the need for the same. They keep doing marketing materials and also their product to their liking, and force the customer to use the same. They force these by using either manual, or documentation or help service or customer support or web conference etc.. How much of money is wasted to make the user to like what they did, rather than getting to know what customers or consumers actually need?

Thats the biggest pityfactor i am facing as a international consultant for process and user movement analysis. Designers sit in their cabin, thinking of various ideas comes up with their concept, which then goes to the customer, who inturn put his likes and dislikes to vet the same. Everyone again fails to understand, the project is actually done for their target audience rather than what they like to see.

I just hope specifically small budget clients understand the need for this ux analysis and inturn get their gears turned up for their audience, because the BIG companies have realised that their threat is now in the small and medium segment and inturn make these analysis much costlier and take things away from the democratic use of all companies.

Sathish Sampath

What should one look in organisation when they go in for employment?

sathishsampath — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 08:51:04 +0000

1. Do not look at brand name of company as your first choice, look at the career path that you might get in that firm
2. Do not look at the pay slip for the money that will be paid as ctc, look at the money that would be paid “on hand” and its relevant saving alternative like PF.
3. Do not go by the facilities provided by them like the shift cabs etc, check what might save your spending capability and your work life balance
4. Do not be moved by the PLVP that is being given, check for the extra hours that you have spent that you could have put on your passion.
5. Do not count the number of people working for any firm, but count the aggregate business that they generate using those people
6. Do not go underemployed, but at the same time also imagine too much pay for your less experience is equally risky and challenging, be ready to fight for it.
7. Before going to the company, be sure that you know about the company. Get their balance sheet and P & L’s and go through the same.
8. Do not go by Profits or the deal signed by the company, go by the Ratios of Capital Adequacy and see the stability of the company before joining or taking huge risks
9. Do not be moved by the company’s gesture of offer letters and other HR activities, but be sure if you have a seat in project before joining
10. Do not be cool in joining a BIG corporate as one among thousands; be sure that just like they take IN as bulk, they also send OUT as bulk.

Digital Existentialism – Part 1 – the new order of the website – MCBEM Solution System

sathishsampath — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 13:19:37 +0000

In the dawn of millions of website being created every day, the one who stand different and meaningful stands out. There are so many ways that a Search Engine Optmiser and the design based aggregates websites do to make the website being popped out and stand unique. Lets now see ways by which the actual Business wise meaning of Existentialism on the website link to the core business concept.

Website earlier where just informational, then the marketers tried to pitch that as a business alternative (shopping carts etc), but now, since everything is going online, these are considered an organisational transformation or existence in the internet. Which ideally means the existence of the organisation by flesh and blood in the world wide webspace. This is being noted through various forums recently and there are so many corporates who are trying to draft their plans for the online existence.

Lets walk through varieties of reasons why they would do so… (through couple of instances, concepts, case studies etc..).

Firstly lets start with the basic concepts why people wanted website

Information Sharing
Service Proposition
Web Selling
Mandatory Needs
Corporate Communication
Media Strategy
Concept Sharing
Technology Extension
Experience Sharing

If we categorize the above things based on ideation source, then one thing that will stand completely common to all is the phrase “Information/Idea/Sharing/Mass communication”. Most of the time, the website are done to please the owner/decision maker. Designers use their atmost skill is presenting the whatever needed to make the website looks completely stunning. While designing the website only very few think about the actual person the website is done for. Still there are so many who will not accept with the view that the website has to be done for the target audience or the client/prospective clients through online medium and NOT to the decision makers or owners of business.

That leaves us to a very interesting question, So who can ideally decide on the design of the website? This DEFINITELY CANNOT BE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS OR WEBSITE DESIGNER OR ANY OTHER MANAGER. If there would be a BIG corporate then one of the department who should be involved in the initial process are the “Support”/”Sales”/Customer Support Teams. the people who are in touch with the customers on a daily basis. So lets move away from this point by just noting down the problem statement -

“Problem Statement 1 – How can we derive the optimal design (online) either website or software or UI that would suit our clients”

If we then go the the next stage where the Software now a days are termed as Service, Products, Productized service and service based products (incremental selling based on the usage). While considering the dynamics of this, we should also see how complicated that would be if we try to strategies these for bringing on to website or any online communication or even design based communication. There are so many instances of companies being the front runner, and hence there is always a false thought of setting up trends rather following a real need based research. While we see these are a seperately existing concepts, there is again a convergence for these when it comes to mass communication especially in the web medium where the clusters are too high. That brings us to the next problem statement
“Problem Statement 2 – How can we position our online communication based on the products/services that we sell (assuming target audience behavior is known)”

Lets move to the interactivity segment, there has been much advancement in this area, we are much forward from the simple html based websites to much more advanced versions. In this age, there is definitely a tempting factor of referencing done on the technical plugins that are going inside the website. Again there has to be a orientation of these against the concept that is being portrayed through the communication. More so it should be in a way that the communication gels with the interactivity used. There is nothing wrong in using the same, as long as it is communicating the message of corporate. For e.g – I ve seen a website of a textile brand who for the sake of much needed interactivity has created a plugin based interactivity where the user can put the clothes to a already created model like character and see how that would look. the problem of these are that we cannot predict nature of human being, and the target audience, as everyone is unique, failure of relative model will result in loosing the client because of dilemma. In the same instance, if the same be limited to just showing the colours and texture of the material there is a equal treatment. Hence interactivity has to be treated much more carefully than how its done now.

“Problem Statement 3 – What would be right combination of interactivity for my website”

The next comes the obvious question of whether to go in for a technically stuffed high priced website or to go with KISS strategy (Keep It Simple Stupid Strategy). There are many a times corporates take the high technical route and end up in a spot where even a small change would cost them several thousands of dollars. There is definitely the other extremes too. Fot e.g the Real Estate Db in India is so decentralised that every one actually uses extremely cost effective way to pull attention to their projects. We can see a project for sale of apartments in two different category with different pricing, different numbers etc.. So that would mean that KISS Strategy does not work well to protect the truthness of the information.

“Problem Statement 4 – When should someone invest more in technology, and when they should Keep it simple as much as possible”

Lets analyse another key point before we wrap this. We have discussed about all the indirect elements of the online communication or the website concepts. Lets now touch base one of the key things that every company undergoes on a yearly basis – “Change” and “Growth” (Diversification). This has a direct impact with lots of communication based companies suggests today with their multi million dollar bills for every brand amendments. As a corporate (small and medium sized companies) what should be the position that has to be taken for the online space. At end of the day, if this is caught wrong, everything would go wrong.

Problem Statement 5 – What is the Brand Communication that I should portray in my online communication

These are just beginnings of the dilemmas and misconceptions that are prevailing today because of the sudden splurge of companies, they do anything and everything to satisfy clients in faster way rather than proper way. There are so many questions that needs to be carefully analysed (specially for small and medium companies) before suggesting or executing any projects.

There are so many questions that needs to be asked and answered. This is just part 1 of the entire series, I hope I can have your audience through out my posts in this blog. If you like it please subscribe for the same.

Self promotion – Being a certified Process analyst and more than decade experience in managing change and innovation in growing companies. I give concept based consulting activity for Small and Medium companies globally answering some of their very basic and much needed questions and also giving online solutions for their jump start for becoming big.

Lissodelphis a service offering from MediaMetrics does this using MCBEM Solution system. They have a great Case Study for Small and Medium Companies.

Sathish Sampath

customer service?? How much that costs??

sathishsampath — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:55:36 +0000

its a strange experience today from a company that sells video conferencing equipments. to put it in a real short story, i wanted a solution that will be a one step higher version with skype. Where we can to multiple video and audio conferencing so that people can see each other without much dependency to hardware that costs fortune. This company came and gave a big brochure listing the name of almost every big company in india saying thats their client base ( who cares about client bases) then they said they are the best in this and there is nothing they cannot do.. (great!!!) while discussing things i spotted a solution which if installed in mine and my counterparts internationally can do what i wanted to do… (superb!! – then comes the bomb) then i wanted to see a demo of the same or atleast the equipment so that i can see how that would fit inside my office. There came the surprise. The total cost of the equipment is USD2599. But if i need a demo of this product then i need to pay USD299 because they cannot give demo free of cost. I told them i dont need demo in that case atleast show me the instrument so that i can see how that fits in my room. They said for showing the instrument it costs USD 199 (ridiculous) because they will not have stock of any instrument and they need to bring it from bangalore and that costs has to be borne by me.

I wonder how companies like this has such a big client lists. will these companies just buy based on looking at some pictures and brochures?? God save these companies.. i hope i have not named the company in this posts.. even if i have.. i dont care to look through again and delete the same..

Incase you are in chennai and if you want a video conferencing solution, call me before talking to companies, i would name this company… dont waste your time with them. As the saying goes more the clients any company has, the value of their new clients or existing clients are very less… god save these people!!!

Evening Time with Fred Luthans!!! If you are a management student in mktg or strategic management its a guaranteed combination

sathishsampath — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 19:38:27 +0000

Strange Enough title!!! – wonder what this would be? Its one of my favourite subjects while in my management school – Organisational Behaviour.

I always believe Teacher is the first inspiration for any subject or class. We see the concepts through the eyes of our teacher first, just like seeing the world through our mothers eyes. I am grateful to have my profession Mr. Tamilselvan, one who has inspired me in lots of ways other than just lecturing. The next inspiration would at any day be the book that you read for that and the author enthusiasm to deal with the topics. YES, I am talking about Organisational Behaviour from Fred Luthans – in my eyes one of the finest academic academic book i have read. I can see the interest of the author through out the book rather than just notifying the concepts. The way the book is categorized and especially My favourite topics, leadership analysis and competitive analysis and game theory.. Wow!! life cant get better creative in paper than those.

I am also personally happy that I am exposed to Fredluthans rather than being introduced so some local author or professor notes that covers just the university syllabus and more to it just has answers to question that probably might come in the semester exams. Thanks to Prof. Tamilselvan again.

Today when I read the book again, i felt much more appealing and fascinating than I read may be a year back (i think less than a year back). As the day goes i can derive a new meaning and relativeness to each of the words that is described in the book. Business experience makes a good combo for reading this book even though its not a mandatory need. Gives a great review of the patterns of decision that you have taken in your business over few topics (even though it does not relate directly) over the period of time. there are few things ofcourse which you cant expect from an academic book, like realistic Industrial workarounds (even though some case studies are given).

So this is more like sharing of personal joy and happiness and may be there will be people like me with similar interests read this and do it again (if you do please put a comment in this – not needed it has to be fredluthans and management subject – it can be anything that might be interesting read to you and you have done it many times earlier).

The final and the most wonderful thing that I can share with this is that i got a great clue and lead to one of the long standing queries and stopping factor to my research in management dynamics through semantics and analogy. “Many a times we search for a solution outside, but forget to search within” This is exactly the same. I am happy that this evening read gave me the much needed push to my research. Also this gives a great push to the business consulting services that we give at MediaMetrics.

Hopefully this would be a good point where we just take the piece of book that gave us the real happiness or surprise or togetherness or some kind of remembrance and go through that book one more time.

Thanks – Happy Reading

Sathish Sampath

Today is International CAPS LOCK Day – Oct 22nd

sathishsampath — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:54:44 +0000

Sounds Funny!!! ? But its true.. Check this out.. – Source – the next web

International Caps Lock Day is a parodic holiday that was first imagined in 2000 by Derek Arnold, who deemed that on October 22, everyone across the world should type only in Caps Lock. – Why???? Arnold’s Answer

“International Caps Lock Day is in fact a testament to the small mindedness of certain Western individuals: the majority of the world’s population writes in scripts which have no concept of letter casing. Therefore it is advised to laugh at anyone who invokes this day as an excuse to dismiss local typographical conventions: they are simply making an ass out of themselves. “

Read the whole article… here

Sathish Sampath

Where is God!! Where is truthfullness – does this not matter when real estate companies sell lands to clients ?

sathishsampath — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:17:12 +0000

Two years back, when i went to sriperumbudur to see a land which my brother was interested to buy, the builder promised a real heaven on earth experience. At that juncture the company brought us a BIG brochure with excellently designed images + natural landscapes + artificial lake etc.. and marketed this as a heaven on earth and this would become like a foreign land in India in a matter of 1-2 years (potentially 2 years is over now ). They sold every piece of land with 5-10 years maintenance (i dont remember if its 5 or 10) and they sold it in such a high premium that only people outside country and well off people could buy. So my brother walked off the deal. Keeping this in perspective when I went today crossing that place, its THE MOST HORRIFIC sight that I saw. The entire property looks completely desserted, and the so called foreign land in India is looking like a desert in Chennai. There is no security, there is no work going on…….. its just left like that when I saw that place 2 years back, and everything is now become useless. Everyone who has invested in there believing there will be a clubhouse, swimming pool, garden, children play area, fountain.. whatever and what not.. which was promised during the purchase.. i dont even know if they know their land looks like a piece of S**T now.

What are they doing with the maintenance fee that they have levied during the process of sale. There was a BIG LEARNING TODAY for me to know and learn before I invest in residential land anymore, please dont believe in the Gated community concepts unless you see yourself. Please make sure you visit couple of gated community projects the same company has done before you put your money. Please do not believe in brochures or presentations which is being sent to you. Dear All NRI’S please do not see Indian land as a matter of cheap investment and throw your money recklessly without proper verification and follow ups.

All People (i dont have any till now, this is the first time i thought i can buy one for me.. ) who has invested in lands please be sure even if that you visit your land atleat once in 6 months. If you are outside India, do not believe the builders who say they are doing maintenance etc.. Do it yourself, you appoint a company to take care of the maintenance of lands.. There is an absolute act of cheating, misrepresentation of facts. Your money towards maintenance, security whatever it is JUST WASTE…

This has given me a great amount of surprise and shock.. millions of rupees spent by NRIs beleiving the local construction companies, but they are completely cheated. I am still not out from the sight that I saw today… I think there is a real need for truthfullness to prevail in this industry… do these people believe there is god?? I am told that god dont give good things to people who lie, cheat and commit bad things to others.. But these people are living very happily, still circulating the same brochures (with fresh green pictures etc) to everyone online and offline..

I am atleast happy that I have a friend who is in this industry and who is really taking care of my needs in a transparent manner, but I dont think everyone will have this gift from god to know the actual happenings…

BUYERS BEWARE…..

Sathish Sampath

Portugal All the way – their biggest win

sathishsampath — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:56:15 +0000

What a match it was to witness the quality of gaming from the portugal team. The koreans on the other hand didnt even have a minute to cheer for their efforts in the match. The most busy player in that match is the korean goal keeper, unfortunately could not save much. Portugal definitely got the best out of their combination. As a Chirstiano Ronaldo fan it would be the biggest day because after a real gap of 24 months, he broke the ice and scored the goal. He is a legend, and i really hope this gives the much needed start for him.

Portugal also slammed all the critics who portrayed their sluggish beginning in the world cup terming them as too much a defending team, this win is their biggest ever win known to me.

Specially for portugal, Tiago, Simoa, C.Ronaldo showed a treat to everyone who witnessed the game. Amazing game, great win.. and this makes portugal to have a strong position in the group throwing ivory coast for a must win situation in their match against korea.

Sathish Sampath

FIFA 2010 – Argentina Vs Korea – Preview

sathishsampath — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:59:58 +0000

This would be a real expected match after koreas performance in their first round with 2-0 against Greece. Most of the asian eyes would be on Lee jung soo who performed very well in their first match. On the other hand, the korean captain is also in tremendous form, Park Ji sung gave a stunning display of ball maneuvering talent in his match against greece.

On the other hand, the tournament favourites Argentina would be expecting to put some good show today evening against korea after their win against paraguay helped them to get a warm up and a coordination done and worked for their team. This match would be crucial to both teams to qualify directly to the next round. On the contrary Maradona would definitely want to show his talent as a coach in this match, after the latest controversy over the statement made by brazillian soccer player Pele about his coaching skills and the intention. Also the Argentinian boys would be very eager to prove to the entire world that they are not just a team but they are a benchmark team with their completeness in the soccer talent.

Stars to watch for –

Argentina – messi, onas gutierazz, walter samuel, demishelles, veron, maschereno, i am specially expecting to see maradona’s reaction and his tactics after this latest controversial statement from pele..

Korea – lee jung soo, park ji sung (capt)

My predictions – Argentina win by 1 goal difference (2-1 in favour of Argentina)

Diego Forlan – show his touch..

sathishsampath — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:48:10 +0000

Yesterdays match saw a stunning performance from the Uruguay team. Specially speaking, Diego Forlan at his best. The first goal was a stunning one, surprising everyone including the SA goal keep khume. This match in the second half was filled with some stunning action from the Uruguay team, and the controversial decision by the umpire on the penalty kick and the red card to the SA goal keeper.

This puts uruguay in the strong position with 4 points, making my first prediction work well very happy to see that this FIFA world cup is going very interestingly and each match has its own surprises. Hoping to see the next play from mexico to see the fate of the others in this group.

Sathish Sampath