I’d like to announce that Junaid Bhura is now officially a web development studio!
I’ve stopped freelancing, and now run a studio in Bangalore. This blog will now be discontinued, and is being moved to: http://www.junaidbhura.com/blog/ . See you there!
Pay me? Please?
As far as my understanding of services go, one gets paid for services if the client is satisfied with the service offered. A simple connection, and an exchange of synergies. I’m not sure if it is ‘customary’ here in India to not ask for money after a service is rendered, but people squirm where they stand when faced with the moment of sorting out finances. Sometimes, and usually the side which owes money gets offended at this ‘impolite and inconsiderate gesture’ on the part of the service provider. Or I could just be imagining things. I do have a very active imagination.
Whatever the cause, Indian companies, particularly media agencies and other service providers with no tangible products seem to find it difficult to make their clients pay them. This fact caught me by surprise because these agencies are in no way small-time. Quite the contrary, these were established firms with big clients.
Now since there are no funds to go around, it obviously affects the company both in-house and otherwise. Freelancers and vendors get caught in the crossfire, which is extremely unfair, because they are independently functioning businesses.
What I find hard to understand is why these agencies hire services when they are unsure of clearing payments for them. Or rather, with what nerve. The thought process that sparks this kind of behavior is a mystery to me, unless, there is something sinister going on in the background. Again, it could be my active imagination, but maybe… Just maybe.. They don’t really give a crap!
With this lack of empathy and basic business etiquette, a very unhealthy atmosphere is created for all involved. There would need to be a kind of buffer at every level of involvement. The freelancer needs to set a buffer because the client has a history of not paying on time. The client would need to set a buffer because their clients never pay on time, and so on.
I have recently changed my policies to reflect this, where I specifically mention that my client’s payment to me is independent of their clients’ obligation to pay them. I think it would be best if all companies had this term clearly outlined in their contracts, especially if they plan to outsource a certain part, or all of the service.
Good bye, Good riddance
Recently I was taken by surprise by a response to an email I sent, which read:
“I would appreciate if I were addressed in proper business terminology”
This was in response to my “Hey, First Name”
As I sat rubbing my eyes in utter disbelief, I started to come to terms with the fact that the old system of business run by patriarchal males, who could only reach a certain position by establishing dominance… Is still prominent!
Just like people who think that entire web sites can be made in Flash and be happy about it, there are still people who live in the Jurassic period of the Internet (1989 – 1993) and online interaction. In an age where emails are starting to get outdated, and we will soon no longer need to introduce ourselves or have an email signature (sup, Microsoft Outlook), people need to be educated about the new, informal and unpretentious way of communication: “Hi, First Name”
The word “Hi” eliminates the fact that you are “Dear” to me. I’m not going to lie to you, you’re not. It also eliminates the need to use a 16th century title like “Mr.”
The use of the person’s first name directly after “Hi” establishes a bond on a personal level. To not want one, like our client above, is to want to be given special respect and acknowledgment of being important, and that gives an impression of being needy.
Alright, have it your way, Mr. Last Name. Could you also get your bullock cart because we need to be in the next town by nightfall and greet everyone by their titles and last names! Fun!
India Emerging
Let me begin by explaining the meaning of the word “Freelancer” in plain and simple words:
“A freelancer is a self-employed individual“
For the origins of that term and some more interesting facts on freelancing, I recommend reading Wikipedia’s page.
There seems to be a common misconception here in India that companies can “work on a freelance basis” . What ever that means, is up to your discretion. Companies are companies. Freelancers are freelancers. These are two different things which have been entwined and abused for the contents of someone’s wallet far away.
I used to find it very hard to comprehend why the number of professional freelancers is so minuscule in a country like India until I started making sense of the larger picture: We have no talent to pull it off.
Companies are ruining the image and charm of freelancing by claiming freelance services and quite frankly turning potential clients off. I’m going to share something with you which I stole off http://www.getacoder.com
We have more than 9 years of experience in Software Fields to work with commercial customers around USA as well as all around Glob. Customer satisfaction is our valuable profit. We have expertise in various domains and having enough work experience in it. We have experience to work with many Web Technologies Flash,Photoshop,Dreamweaver,other Programming Languages , Software evelopement, Database Developement and other Designing related work. We have much experience to work with ASP,AsP.net,PHP, MySQL, MSSQL,VB.net and WordPress Joomla 1.5, Drupal. Please open PMB for detail discussion. Thanks Regards [ Company name removed in case of law suits
].
I have no interest in making this up. If you have visited a site like GetACoder, I’m sure you see something like this in EVERY post. The whole essence of freelancing, which was what spawned these sites, is lost and is replaced by cheap services by companies who should be given an award for survival tactics.
What’s worse, potential clients assume that the prices quoted by these scumbags are “market standard” and expect professional freelancers to charge “something along those lines”.
In short, India is a destination for mindless outsourcing at an extremely affordable price. It should come as a surprise to a country with the second largest English speaking population in the world to not understand the world around it.
Don’t believe me? Google: “freelance companies in india”
Thank you, come again.
You’re absolutely right….. it’s difficult to find qualified freelancers anywhere. I”m in the US and the lack of true freelance talent is scarce to say the lease. Been looking for someone to outsource a few projects, but so far my search has been in vain. Great blog. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Crystal. Hope you find someone soon.
Nice write up, its pretty messed up on a global scale now. In fact, its become so annoying now that on a regular basis I end up with having to face a client who’s not ready to do business with you just because he can find someone ready to do what is essentially a really crappy job at a fraction of the price.
Hey this is my first post in this blog. This blog is primarily to share my experiences as a freelancer. I’ll also be sharing knowledge with respect to new technology and techniques in web development, as well as experiences in business.
i like the new lots-of-information-and-no-graphics look. good luck!
Kunja is discussing. 
Crystal are discussing. 
haha! he did not!
how absolutely appalling.