Its a different ball game

So, I have settled down in a CMMi Level 5 company as I had been expecting for a long time now. Actually a CMMi Level 5 company was not my target. but a good established concern. basically people should be able to understand to immediately identify the company you are working for. Still TATA Elxsi(the company I work for is not the Infosys of the world and the Wipros of the world. But still the name TATA has a reputation worldwide.

I might make you thinking that I go after fame. Certainly not. Its always a different ball game. There are standards set here and there are predefined procedures to work here. You might not have the liberty to work as a freelancer. Everything is pretty organised here and you get to know what it takes to organise and manage such huge projects that they handle.

Small startup companies have their advantages too. For example, it is only in a small startup company your learning range is wider and wider. You get exposure to all the stages. You are free to try out new things. You are free to research on anything you would like to. You get to know many thing being in a startup than in a MNC. This is my honest opinion. And the disadvantages that you have working for a small startup are not much, infact nothing if you are not seriously looking at the money aspect. Small startup MIGHT NOT (some companies do, like Skava Systems) pay you more. But you should accept the fact that the work you get there is above par.

When it comes to MNCs, you are basically hired on an as-needed basis. Your learning is very much narrowed down to the project that the company is currently interested in. But I should tell you that there are some exceptions in MNCs too, where they offer you great work culture and atmosphere.

I just sat for a discussion with our team and a discussion with a client. Thats when I was thinking how a similar project would be approached elsewhere. We go out to discuss to a separate discussion room, we have a white board, somebody goes in front and talks for a while, explains, and then everybody asks questions to him, THATS NOT EXACTLY WHAT I AM TRYING TO TELL YOU. There is something more more more more important than those silly things. The procedure that you have to follow. The decisions that are taken here are not always taken. And there is no adhoc plan on how to go about with the project. Everything is clearl charted out. The way to write out a proposal document, going through requirement specifications,.... In my previous company, it was all product. no service. We developed our own product coz of which we had to requirement specification doc or anything else. We just start off with an initial design of the product straight away and after approval from boss, we go about implementing. Here it takes much more than to start designing right away. You are also considering the cost aspects for the development. You also have to think about how the client would like to have so many resources in the project, since he is actually paying for each and every resource that is in the project. We have to convince the client about the need for a particular resource, if the client finds that as unnecessary. Lots of things, but you gotta appreciate the fact that, there are too many people to manage this. But for all thsoe people, it is up to them to mange it themselves. They dont think that somebody else will do it. They take the responsibilities on their shoulders. And thats a sure sign of success...

hmm, I was just thinking as i was blogging. how about adding some technical information which some ppl might find good. Infact, I myself will be one in that in the future. So, expect some technical stuff or atleast some useful stuff in this blog later.

for now,

time to go,

bye

Joe

Switched Job

So atlast after two years, two successfull, two wonderful years I have quit my company and joined a new company. And that was not the reason for me not blogging for all these days. It was sheer laziness and getting myself indulging in other activities that I did not blog. When I said other activities, they dont mean activities that are junk. some were such ofcourse. But I did get myself involved in some important ones too. Important ones like, my House Warming Ceremony. Man, it feels soo very good to have a home to cal your own. I did not actually construct this home to call it my own. but, as a token of my love towards my parents. I knew how much they wouuld have wanted to get themselves settled in a home, sweet home. they were not able to in the past. Coz, they had to take care of the expenses incurred by meee.. And I dont exactly consider this a way of repaying them. not at all... this is simply not enough to repay their love and kindness that they have shown towards me.... But still, its a small token of my love and gratitude to my parents. Now that I have moved them into a new home, I started chasing my dreams. jumping into a branded company.

My previous company Skava Systems, was a startup company. I was the first employee to join the company. Before me, there were two partners who had been running the company for almost two years alone... Right from day one I joined the company, it was exciting. I was introduced into a new world. infact a small world. Java for mobile phones and other handhelds: J2ME.

It was a Roller Coaster ride for two years since then. I was part of all the stages of the Software Development Life Cycle. The work there required me to put in late nights and extra hours at work and I happily did it. As far as I am learning something and doing something useful, I dont really mind how much time I spend working. I can even go on like this for days. well, until my bio clock allows me toooo, ofcourse..

Then, my team grew and we were a total of nine people(apart from those Big Two). When I had completed a year, I started looking out and infact got an offer from L&T Infotech, Mysore. But then, I had turned it down after a discussion with my bossie. I liked the way both my bosses reacted when I told them about the offer. I had them call me right from USA to India and discuss things. They wanted to know what prompted me for a change. They did and they matched my expectations in Skava itself. Then, I had told them that I ll stay with them for some more time. And then again I received some offers Which I had to put down again after discussing with them. But, once my house construction was over, I thought I had to make the move irrespective of whatever I get. And I did. My new company has a good brand name in the industry.

But I honestly feel, Skava was a better place to work in. Leave alone the difficulties I had to face and the problems that I had there, Skava Systems will always stand high on my wish list. I am sure one day they will grow to the magnitude of what my new company is today. But then, I would not be a part of it to celebrate its success from within the organisation. But I ll definitely celebrate the growth of Skava. Coz, I have a personal sentimental feeling towards Skava, as that was my first company. First company is equally my first love too. I owe to Skava Systems what I am today. And I am not afraid in saying so anywhere. I told this same sentence even in my interviews elsewhere. I am proud of being a part of, infact, having been a part of Skava Systems.

But fine, now its an all new place, all new people, all new policies, all new procedures, all new rules and altogether the environment and my work atmosphere had changed. The way I had to work also had to change.... I am maintaining work timings here,. Strictly 9 hours duty and not more than that. Atleast now, till I am assigned any huge responsbilities to shoulder. After having been assigned responsibilities, its totally different... Let me wait n see how it turns out to be...