I prefer ... a few ... to ... many!

This time I am speaking as a customer and am talking about all the product options lying before me. I still remember my second day in the United States and my first visit to Walmart! I can almost affirmatively say that I was lost. There were atleast 10 and at the max I guess 30 options per product type - and this could range from basic ingredients like Sugar, Salt and even Milk! It was almost a rush, when my friend who had been kind enough to take me shopping wanted me to grab all that I wanted to and belive me or not, at the end of almost an hour, I was confused, dazed, wondering how I should wade through this without reading the specs on every product!

Having lived in India, where the largest departmental store will have not more than an average of 2 options per product, I had no clue how I would walk the maze! Shampoo, moisturizer, shoes, dresses, swimsuit, ...name just about the next plan on your agenda and you have to research through website and figure out what fits you right! Coming to think of it, I wonder why?  Is there a reason why we need so many options?

Putting on my thinking hats I was wondering why.  Most obvious reason seemed to be the diversity associated with the place. But then I wonder if United States is more diverse than India ? Every Indian metro should have a fair representation from about 20 different cultures to say the least, and this does not include the diversity brought in during immigration. Why is it that we do not have so much choice ? Is it that our consumers are not demanding, or is it that we have got conditioned to live on the usuals ? I cannot somhow accept that the Indian consumer is mundane and ease to tame! No way! 

Is it that the consumer is more aware of the product here ? The constituents and what they want in it ? Or  are there so many entrepreneurs here, that results in so many product options and each one almost "creates" a reason why his product is different from the rest ? I really wonder why ?

The irony lies in the fact, that despite so many options, I have not been successful in locating that one product that exactly mathes the one and only option that was available back home. May be I am a lazy shopper, or may be, the right stuff is always way too expensive! But, coming to think of it, I prefer buying a single packet of Aavin milk that serves as a source of all vitamins and minerals and works as a wholesome food to a vegetarian, as opposed to being deficient in Vitamin B12 just coz' I chose to buy '2% low-fat milk' as opposed to "whole milk"! May be I did not read the product description, or may be, there is indeed an alternative. Whatever, I know it for a fact, that end of the day, I miss India and the easy shopping that happenend there!

Companionship ?

Courtesy: http://nikisays.blogspot.com/

Dazzle with Zazzle!

Have been interning with Zazzle.com, a five year old bay area start up over the last month. And must confess, its been an amazing journey so far, this summer…

At the face of it, Zazzle might appear to be just another player in the online apparel market. Though over the last two years its evolved to be so much more that all that. One visit to the manufacturing unit, and I was impressed with the effort the company puts into completely changing the manufacturing style of established goods: to product them with the best of quality & finish, in the least turnaround time the industry has ever seen. And the best part, the company ensures that all this is brought to your monitor at the most economic price!

Every attempt to brand this place as an online market place, an apparel player, a youth crowd puller just about failed. This company seems to be all about innovation, and whats tough about innovation here is, they innovate on the most established age old manufacturing process of basic everyday commodities.

Awaiting an exciting journey with Zazzle!

Grad Life!

I have been writing and discarding blogs a million times over the last 6 months (oh man ! its been half a year in Stanford)! I cannot believe it! Finally decided to pen down random, arbit thoughts as they come by and click -'Publish Post' :)

The quarter system is indeed crazy. There is so much to do and so little time to spare, that almost every single second you spend relaxing, you are gonna enjoy it! I was blessed with the best start an international grad student can ask for. One of my best pals, was a student in the same department, living in the same apartment complex wrapping up her last two quarters! I inherited, a friend circle, all the department gyan, amazing company, comfortable shopping rides, great vacation trips, a of course a taste of US life, from her. To add to these, ofcourse, was complete tuition waiver and a big fat stipend in the first quarter. I was PAMPERED !!!! And as it happens with most pampered kids - spoilt !!! :P

Grad life is never complete without its share of struggles, and now I am slowly entering the grind. For most students, its a transition from struggles to comforts - with me (as is always the case), the graph has a tweaked course of ascent! Am into my second quarter now, almost mid way through - working part time with a front desk office, earning just enough to take care of living expenses and hunting for and internship and assistantship for the next few quarters. It can be a little distressing, but I guess this is what makes it worth the ride. I guess the pain wouldn't have been worth a mention had I not got used the comforts of corporate life over the last three years of life!

There is so much to do at Stanford, and every moment spent unproductive feels like a burden. Dance, music, sports, art, history, politics, entrepreneurship, health, food - there is sooooo much to learn. Every student I walk past has something great to offer, to this world. There is so much untapped talent all around and a 4-5 quarter masters program does not do justice to this place. To truly become a Stanford student - you ought to be an undergrad here, and if you have missed that slot, then plug yourself into the PhD program. Of course, in the latter, the university leaves the onus of making the best of the place almost entirely on you!

Disclaimer : All statements above are personal opinions and the reader is not obliged to believe them as is :) Ciao !