1) What are some guidelines for collaboration with Americans?

2) How are the opportunities in India?

3) Is India a good choice for Outsourcing Data Entry Jobs?

QUESTION 1:
What are some guidelines for collaboration with Americans?

Dear Sir,
I have an offer from a foreign firm for collaboration in software pertaining to the Printing industry. The company besides developing software for newspapers and magazines, also is involved in systems integration. It has also affiliations with reputed companies like Quark, Adobe etc.

Do you think the offer is worth pursuing? Does the proposal have a future in India? Which place would be better to start up with business?

Neeraj Rohmetra
Manager Daily Excelsior (Largest circulated daily of Jammu and Kashmir)

ANSWER 1

Dear Mr. Rohmetra
Thank you for asking my opinion about software collaboration.

It is really hard for me to give you any advice without a lot more details. But in general I can give you some guidelines.

1. Seriously pursue collaboration. I am very positive about the idea of collaborating with foreign companies to develop software in India. This type of collaboration is really benefiting India. Everyone is now recognizing this and recently the Prime Minister is pushing for greater collaboration in the IT sector.

2. Check out the company you are dealing with. This may mean asking them to give you some references. Also look at their webpage.

3. Be cautious if they are asking you to pay a fee in advance.

4. Avoid any thing that requires you to buy a "kit" that you resell. This may not apply to software collaboration but be on the lookout anyway. Amway and Herbalife are examples of this. Amway in India has caused many heartaches. People paid (RS 4000 for a "kit" with the hopes of selling "kits" to more people. Most people lost money. A few made money at the expense of others.

5. If you do decide to do the collaboration start off with a pilot to test the waters. During this time you can determine if you can trust your partner.

6. Get the advice of experts to determine the feasibility of the project.

7. Determine if the person is more than words. There are plenty of people that are all talk and no action. They may not have a track record or financial backing. Find out who you are dealing with.

8. Determine the strategic area of the new venture. Is in a growth field? Will it divert you company away from its core competencies. Sometime it is as important to know what not to do as it to know what to do.

Thanks again for you inquiry. I hope the collaboration you are investigating becomes an exciting and profitable new venture for you.

Sincerely,
Ralph Budelman

QUESTION 2:
How are the opportunities in India?

ANSWER 2:
The opportunities in India are great. I think once you get started you will see even more potential. For example, I met a friend of mine on Sunday. He just got a job with 247customers.com

They handle website customers from Bangalore. He said they plan to expand from 80 to 800 in 6 months. Perhaps you can tell your investors that story.

QUESTION 3:
Is India a good choice for Outsourcing Data Entry Jobs?

ANSWER 3:
Thanks for contacting us in India. You will be making a good choice if you select India to outsource your data entry job.

Our company (www.stylusinc.com) is not able to do your work now so I am referring you to my friend Frank Rajan. He will contact you soon.

We are sorry that we can't do your job but we are now more focused on web development and only doing data entry jobs that relate to our work.

We hope you have a great experience outsourcing to India.

Sincerely,

Ralph Budelman
www.stylusinc.com ( Bangalore, India)