Final presentation to our client

Today, on Tuesday 18th, 2011 we held final meeting with our client which was in Isha HR office. It's nice building, we like it and meeting room there even more :-)

Presentation, which we work on during last weekend, started with a bit of delay, at least we could go through presentation again and then relax by theoretical discussion if Pele was better player then Maradona. Finally we started by connecting second client representative - Vinod - via phone. First one - Diana was with us in the room so it was combination of face-to-face and remote meeting. As both clients have seen presentation before, we could focus on core topics like - what has to be done in order to realize fully virtual training, what internet speed is required and for which cost it would pay back in combination of school location number growth, etc. Two hours passed really quickly. At the end we could have informal conversation and say Good Bye!

Original approach by using conference phone didn't work

So we had to use speaker on cell phone

In front of Isha office, full of experience

Overall meeting went well, we made recommendation based on current situation, analysis and prognosis as stated in statement of work. Now it's up to client if they go for it or not, including engagement of collage etc.

On the way back we stopped in the restaurant for late lunch. We found this restaurant few days ago and we quite like it - they offer food we know which prepares us for our return :) at the end we ordered a cake - to celebrate today's meeting. There are few things to be finished, based on the client comments to add slides and fulfill all objectives from SOW.

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Trip to Salem

Our Sundays' last minute trip overcame all our expectations. Even the travel took 4 hours instead of 2 by using taxi (as stated by hotel manager) we enjoyed it very much.

We start the trip in the top of hill by lunch. It was totally quiet place. When waiter opened the window of restaurant the clouds were entering towards hour heads what even more exceed our relaxing mood. The fresh air made us smiling and enjoying each single minute.

 

One couldn't believe what animals live here :)

After this relation session we moved to coffee plantation. At least this was the plan. Then we understood it's not possible due to restrictions. So we just stopped in one place where was path going inside one of the coffee plantation. Suddenly Mercedes started to run due to dog behind her. It appeared that dog was followed by owners and in few seconds we could see whole family wondering what we are doing there :-) We were lucky cause they invited us to their house. On the way there we could see big garden with lot of coffee plants, small spider farm (biggest spiders I've even seen in nature) and their house which was very clean and colorful. We got cap of their coffee and even I don't drink coffee I really like it - very soft aroma and deep taste, just enough sweet, simply great. The hospitality of  whole family was amazing, especially when male part of family came at the end and stated to joke about us. It was fun and nice end of their visit.

Coffee seeds

Life in the street

On the way back we stopped for a few secs to take pictures of monkeys sitting along the way, waiting for the food. Also we've seen many amazing hills, rice fields and unusual vehicles. ibmcsc

We met many interesting vehicles 

 I could say it was one of the best days here (maybe the best one), also the taxi driver was fine guy who explained us many things during the way. At end the I need to say - Thank you Mercedes for organizing such fantastic trip! :-)

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How I got in?

Recently it's quite common for me to explain people how I got in CSC program. Initially my response was - read IBM newspapers. In my case is was link.me, now called Delivery Centre CE.me, where I found information about CSC program which was sent out during February 2010, this was my first time when I applied. That time I wasn't selected and my time came this year - 2011.

To make it simple - check CSC home page where are stated conditions about who can apply,  very useful FAQ, info about application process etc. I'd recommend to think in advance about individual strengths, weaknesses, what you can offer to CSC, situations when you faced difficulties and how you resolved and also who will cover your 1 month absence. Additionally there is 1 month pre-work to prepare everybody to certain level of culture awareness, work in the team, info about destination - market, IBM activities there etc. There should be also 1 month post-work which I will describe once I went through it.

Today we will have our last pre-work telco and I can say there are already many good signals of remote team cooperation. For sure it will strengthen once we meet face-to-face, so let's see :-)

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