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

*Many are taught, few are educated.*

============================================
Published by:
MT India www.MTIndia.org

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

..................................................
Nov 23, 2002 Digest #092
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Job Center: FREE SERVICE for Job Seekers!

The Job Section in the Classifieds has been taken down. Please use
the Job Center:
http://www.mtindia.org/JobCenter/default.cfm

.....IN THIS DIGEST.....

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

-=Of associations and certification=-

~Maj (Dr.) Amit Chatterjee, SM

-=MT salary levels!=-

~Dr. Akshay Bharadwaj
"wanted to have a comparative overview of the salaries"

===========CONTINUING============

-=Sohonet and others=-

~Rhona P.A. Pereira
"This world is full of scamsters... may this tribe suffer all sorts
of agony!"

~Ranbir Chhillar
""typing ads while working from home work."

-=Save the ITES industry!=-

~Nitin Singhal
"very unorganized & secretive segment/players, who pitch business
opportunities to one and all - there is low or no transparency"

-=Future of MT=-

~Rina Vivekanandan
"introduce me to other people who have done CMT exam"

===========BILLBOARD============

-=Freeware transcription software=-

~V. Subhash

*****************************************************************
ADVERTISEMENT
-------------------------------------
1) IDS Infotech Ltd., Chandigarh
-------------------------------------

a) Project leader - MT (1)
Minimum 4 years in MT profession with at least one year as an MT

b) Team Leader for MT profession (3)
1 year as MT + 1 year as PR + prior experience as a team leader.
Capable of motivating the team and meet the client requirements of
quality and quantity along with TAT.

c) Proofers/editors (10)
Capable of delivering 1200 lines with client-deliverable accuracy
and at least 95% of the work sent directly to the client without
any further intervention required.

d) Executive Medical Transcriptionists (50)
Capable of delivering 400 lines with client-deliverable accuracy
and at least 95% of the work sent directly to the client without
any further intervention required.

mail to: iwannabe@...
------------------------------
2) Focus Infosys, Bangalore
------------------------------

a) Project leader - MT training (1)
Minimum 2 years in MT profession + prior experience in MT training.
Preferably below 35 years.

b) Team Leader for MT profession (5)
1 year as MT + 1 year as PR + prior experience as a team leader.
Capable of motivating the team and meet the client requirements of
quality and quantity along with TAT.

c) Proofers/editors (15)
Capable of delivering 1100 lines with client-deliverable accuracy
and at least 95% of the work sent directly to the client without
any further intervention required.

d) Executive Medical Transcriptionists (50)
Capable of delivering 800 lines with client-deliverable accuracy
and at least 90% of the work sent directly to the client without
any further intervention required.

mail to : recruit@...
For further details and other job opportunities, please visit
www.focusmt.com

------------------------------
3) Spectra Whiz Technologies, Indore
------------------------------

Wanted QC's/ Proofers. (3 vacancies)
- 2-3 years exp: 12-13 k per month
- 3+ years exp: 14-15 k per month
PLUS benefits. Bachelor's accomodation offered.
mail to: spectrawhiz@...

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

Dear Friends,

It is heartening to see the MT Industry pull up after a depressing
low last year. When times get tough, the tough get going:). Let us
celebrate this Thanksgiving - the American way!

There are probably a few lessons to be learned from this, in order
to prepare for the future. Here's my 2 paise, FWIW!

With the serious players hanging in there - we do have some
"serious" problems which might be beneficial to all, to address
jointly.

First, we must think differently from the US model. In the US, MT
started as inhouse or "mom & pop" outfits, which grew with time,
reaped the benefits of outsourcing and gave birth to giants like
MedQuist. This growth was IMHO, supported by a few valiant ladies
who saw this as an honourable profession, leading to the formation
of AAMT and CMT certification in an effort to bring about entry
level standards. Today, with the AAMT practitioner membership base
representing about 2.5% of what AAMT estimates to be the total
number of practitioners in the US, and with the dissolution of the
MTCC, the certification committee, things need to be seen from a
different perspective.

Speaking for myself, I have always held the opinion that the CMT
certification was not an appropriate evaluation platform for
offshore MTs - it was not designed for them in the first place.
Added on were the difficulties/costs related to appearing for the
same. This led to HealthScribe, Heartland and CBay (with a lot of
others) declaring their own certifications, but that did not yield
the much required stability to the industry or profession, per se.
I have personally seen a lot of incompetent MTs churned out of
these companies, which raises the question whether the evaluation
system was transparent and fair. Just compare the difference in
internal assessment as compared to board/univ assessment for any
exam in any institution in India, and the reasons will be quite
apparent. The point I am trying to make is any certification has to
be conducted by an external, impartial body following uniform and
transparent methodologies to be of any value and acceptable across
the board. The one up-manship demeanour that some of the "big
establishments" hold is one of the worst stumbling blocks in this
industry in India.

What the industry needs today is a process which will draw in fresh
talent into the profession. While the serious contenders were
slogging it out last year, the 'fly-by-night" operators made hay
while the sun shone! The Indian media (including us) is
notorious for sensalization and "scoops." The result today is that
it has become almost impossible to convince freshers that this is a
vibrant industry with the potential for growth and their secured
future prospects. OTOH, we get at least five queries a day from
wannabe MTs, looking towards a career in MT and genuine training
establishments. I am at a loss in which direction to point...

While there have been discussions about forming an Indian
regulatory body as far back as '98; and some efforts were made at
regional levels - the effort did not sustain long enough to bear
fruit. What we need today is a consortium of our corporate members
to define:

1) Training & entry level standards
2) Define quality standards
3) Set remuneration standards depending on quality and
productivity.

The objections I have got till date regarding this are:
1) Difference in cost of living in different locations.
2) Company to company variations on remuneration for managers &
benefits in lieu of loyality and length of service.

I submit that no business or profession can attempt to define
values for the above two criteria on a uniform platform -
especially the second - that is where market economics will take
over- let us welcome the free market. The first however, might be
addressed on a more regional footing. I also accept that even after
eight years, practitioner MTs in India do not have the financial or
organizational strength to walk the AAMT path today; and for the
furtherance of the profession corporates have to step in. "United
we stand, divided we ...."

We have over 120 small & medium sized corporate members today -
including those in Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Rather than
waiting for the big guys to call the shots, let us form an informal
consortium to:

1) Define job roles and quality standards for practicing MTs.
2) Fix salary and perks linked to the same.
3) Actively pitch to the media to educate them about our profession
and business.

I understand I am walking on thin ice - flame away - I would
appreciate it!:)

And to all our American friends, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. I
am back in good old Calcutta and the stuffed turkeys here are a
treat to the palate!:)

Your Striving Moderator,

Maj (Dr.) Amit Chatterjee, SM
Strategist / Founder ~ mailto:amit@...
MT India ~ www.MTIndia.org

++++ new post - different topic ++++

From: Dr. Akshay Bharadwaj <odyin@...>
Subject: MT salaries in DELHI

Dear MTIDers,

We just wanted to have a comparative overview of the salaries of
the following mt levels existing in the city of Delhi and NCR.

The levels are as follows:

1. MT's with one year of experience .
2. MTs' with 2 years of experience
3. QA's with one and a half years of expeience.
4. QA's with over three years of experience.

Will appreciate your inputs on the same.

Regards
Dr. Akshay Bharadwaj
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

===========CONTINUING============

From: Rhona P.A. Pereira <rhonapap@...>
Subject: Sohonetindia

Dear all,

Many thanks and much appreciation to Jayant who was so prompt in
answering
my query regarding www.sohonetindia.com.

I also thank Maj.(Dr) Amit Chatterjee for keeping this lively forum
open.

This world is full of scamsters... may this tribe suffer all sorts
of agony!

Rhona P.A. Pereira
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

++++ new post - same topic ++++

From: Ranbir Chhillar ranbirsc@...
Subject: Re: [MTIndia] Newsletter

Hi Major and all:

Thanks for such a good job.

I have a query regarding such work-from-home opportunity cos:

1. Do you have any idea about the SOHONET INDIA operating from
Chennai, whether they are good paymasters, regularly providing
work?
2. Recently I have got to know of something like "typing ads while
working from home" work. What kind of work is that and is it real?

I would appreciate if you could inform me about these things and
also include these things in the next newsletter.

Thanks.
Ranbir Chhillar

[MODERATOR COMMENT]

Ranbir,

I suggest you read the answers given by Jayant regarding SOHONET
INDIA in the last issue of this digest (#91):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MTID

As for "typing ads while working from home" work OR stuffing
envelops, home mailers, home typists, staple booklets etc.... - my
impression is that they are classic scams. Just introduce me to
someone who has made money in this "business" more than what you
paid intially as training/deposit and I'll take back my words. This
does not make sense to any legitimate business - the logistics of
such a business.

And while on this topic I would request the MTIndia community to
refrain from attempting to post these ads in our classifieds, forum
etc, even if you want to pay for it. I am getting over 10 posts a
day since the last four months and it is a waste of time at both
our ends. We don't believe in this and we will not allow such to be
posted.

Regards,

Amit C.
www.MTIndia.org
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

++++ new post - different topic ++++

From: Nitin Singhal <nitin_s16@...>
Subject: Good days are here again?

Dear Amit and Friends,

One's name is Nitin Singhal. After a long search for an "Authentic
Effort" on "Developing a Platform for Professionals", one is quite
motivated to be a part of MTIDers. One is working for Ch'ien Vision
Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. (CVSIPL)as Promoter Director.

We currently assist some Enterprises from Far East Asia (Mainly
China), Belgium, Italy, Turkey and U.A.E to set up their operations
in India (mostly related to market research, devising/suggesting
entry strategy, locating/qualifying channel partners, opening
offices, hiring personnel, facilitating induction training and
finally providing external support as Functional Auditors). All the
above vide the Network of Professionals specializing in different
facets of business model.

Off late, we have been associated with some ITES who had
contributed in automating business processes for our clientele. Our
associates have been quite upbeat about the "BPO Boom" and some are
doing well and some have burnt their fingers in over rush.

One is looking for some answers from this platform so as to learn
more and implement better, the thought process driving this
business model. At one hand we have very huge and organized players
who outsource to giants in the field and/or set up their 100%
subsidiary in India. At the other hand we have equally huge, very
unorganized & secretive segment/players, who pitch business
opportunities to one and all. In this segment there is low or no
transparency as to from where the work is actually being offloaded,
the call centers who aren't performing bow down to the pressures,
invest upfront facilitation money and start the work without much
clarity of where they are headed. Can the co-mtiders throw some
light on why there is no structured approach to the whole business.

This is also going unchecked and promises similar dreams that dot
com had promised.

We can't afford to have another burst due to vested interests of
few. The result will be that we would loose the faith of the
serious investors from old economy and our competitors in other
countries will get benefited.

One applauds the efforts of the moderator and all the fellow
participants for their sincere approach on such a critical juncture
of the most promising industry of our nation. Also there is
definitely a silver lining in form of good and genuine projects
finding their way to India. The industry by its nature is
graduating at a fast pace and soon we will see some real action at
grass root level.

Hope to hear from all soon..
Best regards,

Nitin Singhal
J.U.I.C.E.....
Join Us In Creating Excitement !!!!
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

++++ new post - different topic ++++

From: Rina Vivekanandan <rinavivek@...>
Subject: CMT Exam

Hello!

I plan to write my CMT exam in June 2003. Please confirm the
formalities and introduce me to other people who have done this
exam.

Thanks
Rina
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com

===========BILLBOARD============

From: V. Subhash <vsubhash@...>
Subject: Freeware transcription software

Dear Sirs,

I had created a freeware software called Subhash VCDPlayer, which
is actually a full-fledged media player. The reason why I am
pitching it to you is that, apart from playing audio and video
files, it has numerous features that make it an ideal transcription
aid. The software is wholly free and does not require any
registration, gifts, or postcards.

Download link: http://www.winsite.com/bin/Info?12500000037994
Info url is at: http://www.geocities.com/vsubhash2000/downloads.htm

The following are features that will appeal to a transcriptionist.
1. Some functions keys can be mapped to some commands in the
program so that these are available inside other programs or when
the program is minimized. (F7 - Previous, F8 - Next, F9 -
Play/Pause, F10 - Skip Backward, F11 - Skip backward).
2. Users can create a custom restart lag for resume operations.
3. Can be made to stay on top of all other windows.
4. Playback speed can be increased or decreased in 10% decrements
or increments from 10% to 220% of original playback speed.
5. Does not show up on the taskbar and is accessible from a system
tray icon.
6. The program plays both audio and video files in a single window.
So, people who do video transcription need not use a separate
software.
7. Ideal for transcriptionists who consider them more as keyboard
warriors rather than as mousemen.

The program was originally meant to play VCDs or Video CDs (which
are actually movies on CDs). The program was extended to be a
full-fledged media player and combines some useful features found
in IrfanView (file browsing), CyberLink PowerPlayer (keyboard
shortcuts and still-image capture) and Winamp (system tray icon
capabilities) with some unique features of its own.

The program, in its second version, has been getting 100 downloads
per day on Winsite.com. Typing "subhash vcdplayer" in the address
bar of your internet browser will provide you with links to the
software.

Thank you and bye,

V. Subhash
6, Devi Street, Elango Nagar,
Ambattur, Madras 600053
Comment? mailto:MTID@yahoogroups.com
----------------------------------------------------
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