MT India Digest - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTID

*Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the
rest..... Mark Twain*

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MT India Digest
Moderated Discussion List
"Effective MT Forum"
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Published by:
MT India www.MTIndia.org

Moderated by:
Amit Chatterjee,SM amit@...

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July 18, 2002 Digest #083
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.....IN THIS DIGEST.....

======MODERATOR COMMENT =======

-=Offline Networking - MTIndia & beyond=-

~Maj (Dr.) Amit Chatterjee, SM

=============NEW===============

-=Poaching=-

~Seema
"A new approach... "

======MODERATOR COMMENT =======

Dear MTIDers,

Sometimes it is of essence to interact offline, and that's what
MTIndia has been doing for the last two months. This needs to be an
ongoing process, in the meantime let me bring you to date. We are
interacting with both business owners and MTs, here is the
perception:

Contrary to what I keep "getting told", there are MT companies who
are satisfying clients, making money and retaining a happy work
force. There is an MT company who is crossing 75,000 lpd with 110 MTs
in one shift! They have clients who paid them over 8 cpl.
Surprisingly, non of these MTs are extraordinary people. They are all
average, normal people like you and me - ones you meet in corner tea
stall. No, they are not paid in dollars. No, they do not aspire to
migrate to the US. They are happy churning out their work day in and
out in an ambient workplace, and getting paid for it. There is
another company crossing 25,000 lpd with 28 MTs. And no, this is not
a yarn I have woven - like I said, there are times when you need to
see to believe.

A flash in the pan - I don't think so! Besides some high performers,
there are those who would like to earn, but not loose sleep - there
are at least 40 companies in Bangalore and Hyderabad alone, who are
churning out more than 20,000 lpd with 40-50 employees. I would say
they are all viable business models, slow and steady, and are here to
stay and grow. And I have just covered two cities!

What is the one point of difference between these companies and the
others who collapsed? Management - that's it. Period. The other
variables were even for all. As I talk to those who made it, I see a
common understanding - they all believed that progress in life is
accomplished by doing the basics right - the "little chores day by
day". Success is never instantaneous - in any field of endeavor.
This whole business has been one long learning curve for us over the
past four years - seeing what works and what doesn't... like the
lessons of life itself.

What did the business owners perceive? Firstly, we need to
differentiate between two types of businesses - those that are making
money on transcribing, and those that are comprehending how to. It is
logical to conclude that any business needs to go through an
incubation period to start making money - but there is difference
between someone who has figured out how to go about it and sticks to
his guns, and one who is still trying to figure out. Here, I am
talking of those in the first category.

Firstly, concerns:

1) Underbidding, especially when price is known to be a key component
in building perceived brand value (btw, Julianne has written an
excellent piece on this in the launch edition of MT TIMES).

2) Poaching - believe me, some flaunt it as an HR policy!

3) Marketing - it is SO difficult to change the clients perception,
when you have already, I would say bravely, tried to sell your
services as "poor quality at a cheap price."

4) Developing and retaining HR - with all the training scandals, try
convincing fresh blood that MT is a profession. And there are those
call centers who are recruiting MTs at a premium.

The solution? Let us brainstorm some - offline and online and see
where we end up. My first Commandant used to say "Do you have a
solution, or are you part of the problem." I have to concede,that
till we can get something going, we will all remain a part of the
problem. Let us see what the leaders think.

Adieu for now. Just to let you know we are back to our normal
publishing schedule. And as always, all opinions expressed are
mine... Unless otherwise stated or REALLY stupid!

Cheers!!! :)

Maj (Dr.) Amit Chatterjee, SM
amit@...
http://mtindia.org - not non-profit on purpose....

Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

===============NEW===================

From: Seema Naik <seema@...>
Subject: Wanted to share

Dear Amit & MTIDers,

We have recently had an experience with a Medical Transcription
company located in Bangalore, Shivaji Nagar. They had first
approached us offering us work. We had a meeting with them. Upon
follow up we were told that they had found other companies who were
charging a lower amount. We thought that it had ended there.

Subsequently, we found that they had recruited some of our
employees. Furthermore, they had convinced our employees to stay on
here until they were able to influence others to join them as well.
We found about it in time, so "the recruiters" beat a hasty retreat.

The details of this company are as follows:
T. U. Mediscript (India) Private Limited
Subsidiary Transcriptions Unlimited, Inc. USA
Post Box# 5252, 101-C, 1st Floor, Farah Winsford, 133 Infantry Road,
Bangalore - 560 001. INDIA
PH: +91 80- 286 3611/2/3, 2865208
Fax: +91 80- 286 5203
E-mail: emjaycompany@..., tumedscript@...
Managing Director: Dr. M. A. Jowhar.

I just wanted all to be aware of this latest method in poaching so
that we can support each other in protecting ourselves from such
unscrupulous behavior by some MTSOs who are hurting the industry and
obviously require some education on the long-term effects.

Regards,

Seema
DIGIMETRIX

Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com
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