Phonon - You are One!

It’s Phonon’s 1st Birthday (or should I say Anniversary?) today. It’s exactly a year today, since I got Phonon registered as a business enterprise. In the process of making a small (and good) reputation in the space that I started Phonon in and slowly but surely am building small but interesting products that can help carve a niche in the call-centre automation and telephony services space.

Boy, and what a roller-coaster it’s been. Have had lots of ups and downs, gravity defying falls, meteoric rises, multiple G-forces from all sides. But do I love the thrill of wind in my hair? And I just go faster and faster!!

Makes me feel like whistling to the tune of Buffalo Soldier.

Happy Birthday!

Inspiration

Getting up every morning
In pursuit of a dream
Not knowing if to Ithaca the journey will end

Deep thought going in the smallest of actions
Alertness that catches a dropping crystal vase
Observing every cloud for the faintest of silver linings
And grabbing each of those with a warm embrace

Learning being the big take away at every step
Yearning to come back to the sweet pillow of sleep
Awaiting yet another bright day
Day after day.

The Hiatus

Close to a quarter since I last posted some of my thoughts. Well, things have been hectic (boy! thats an understatement) - wins, losses, discussions, traveling... I am just learning the hardway that success is about getting up one more time than you really think you can.

Here are some of the things that I have learnt (a couple from a very interesting book called Losing My Virginity by Branson that I read recently, others from here and there).

1. Business cannot be pushed. It takes its sweet time to develop.
2. A live spirit is of utmost importance. A smile on the face at the end of the most tiring of days is what differentiates you.
   
3. To be in business you need have complete belief in your concept and love it; or rather be passionate about.
4. Say what is required; not more; not less.
   
5. Passion is good, but let the intellect keep a leash on it. Know when to pull-back.
   
6. The driver has to be phenomenal growth; a vision to achieve what no man has ever achieved; go where no man has gone every before (no pun here!).
7. Fight! Not aggressive; know your worth, reason and stand by what you believe.
8. Know when and how to take mid-course corrections.
   
9. The idea is good; the implementation is critical.
   
10. Be clear in what you want and say. Remember, there is no second chance.
11. Last, but not the least, "opportunity knocks..." so be alert!
    

Godspeed, Phonon.

Talk about Plagiarism

I was reading the BBC, when I happened to see an article about best and worst UK adverstisements from 2006. The portion on Nimble bread reminded me of Nestle Kitkat's new campaign for their low-calorie chocolate that is being aired on Indian TV channels these days.

Come on, get original folks!!

Martini - Gult Style

Thanks to Reddy, here's the recipe for a martini made to suit anyone who has gult taste-buds.

Ingredients (for 2 servings),
60 ml vodka (any brand, its not going to make a difference in a bit)
3-4 green chillies, cut along their length (some say, the more the merrier)
1/2 a lemon
Few drops of tobasco sauce (boy...already getting the fire burning)
Ice (you'll need this)

All the ingredients in a shaker with lots of ice. Shake hard.
Strain into martini glasses (or a tall glass filled with ice cubes, for the faint hearted). Olives only if you need them!