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17 Oct 10 Freelance Writing – How to Meet Tight Deadlines

I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.

                                                                 — The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Douglas Adams

Like the celebrated science fiction writer Douglas Adams I too love the whooshing sound made by a deadline when it passes by. But my clients do not share this view, and I am sure, neither does yours. And thus we are forced to work around time. But despite all our good intentions, we fail to meet deadlines, at time.

This particular problem chases many freelance writers, and quite many of them fail to out-speed it, which leaves them panting and gasping for more air. And at this point they wonder — is it possible humanly possible to meet the deadline?

Because of dejection, they get no as an answer despite the fact that deep in their hearts they know it is possible. This article is for those people. It will help them manage their deadlines, and if you are one of them then for sure, you will stop fearing deadlines after reading this.

Do not chew more than you can swallow

I know this is oft quoted maxim, but still it is not oft used. People, more often than we think is possible, end up taking more than mouthful. And this cannot be truer for anyone than for a freelance writer. Partly because of greed, and partly due to morbid fear of losing a client, a freelance writer ends up taking more projects than he can finish in a day.

Allocate adequate time

This is another problem. In a rush to convince oneself of having free time available for one more client, a freelance writer often end up allocating adequate time to a project, in the planning phase, which come to haunt him when he starts working on it.

Cannot say no

This is another reason behind a freelance writer’s failure to meet the deadline. It is the fear of losing a client, a freelance writer end up accepting unrealistic deadline, which they can never meet.

These are the three main reasons why you are constantly behind your deadlines. Remove them from your daily routine, and you will always be on time.

Tags: Adequate Time, Chases, Dejection, Douglas Adams, , , , , Good Intentions, , , , Hitch Hiker, Maxim, , , Planning Phase, , Science Fiction Writer,

22 May 10 How to Master the Art of Group Discussion

As the name says itself GD is Group discussion, and certainly not a debate or wrestling match. Most of the participants come forth with greed of scoring high and thus end up in aggressive verbal fights; which actually puts off the examiner. As a result participants seem to be petrified, confused, aggressive and disheartened. GD is supposed to be a systematic way of participation in the given topic of discussion. It’s rather an opportunity to build your constructive thoughts, organize thoughts with logic and deliver with sheer conviction. Command on the subject conveyed with conviction and confidence makes you an easy winner. If it still confuses you read the following tips.

A group discussion typically works in three phases –

  • Introduction
  • Body of the GD
  • Conclusion

Introduction and conclusion of the GD are the most important phases, as these phases help impressing the examiner.

Introduction stage of GD is your opportunity to write your destiny. This is your first chance to impress the examiner. While you initiate the discussion you not only grab the opportunity to speak first, but you equally draw attention of the examiner and other candidates. First impression lasts for long. If you can kick-off with a good start (on basis of content, logic and your communication skill), the ball is already in your court. Don’t get numb or stuck soon after the introduction, it shows you started with a bang just for the sake of drawing attention. Maintain your participation throughout and make sure you are heard. On the other hand don’t jump into the well and start before others; if you are not confident about the topic. A hollow start brings negative marks. You are supposed to put things in the right perspective of framework. Some handy points which can help you to try a good start are –

  • Definition of the topic in hand
  • Related quotes
  • Questions
  • Shock statement
  • Facts and figures (along with credible source)
  • Short story
  • General statement

Conclusion stage of GD is equally important. Every GD is summarized. Summarize what the group has discussed during GD, in a nutshell. It could be a conclusion either in favour or against the given topic. While concluding don’t raise new points again, avoid putting personal opinion or perceptions, avoid rigidity towards one aspect, keep your views short and crisp, don’t add anything new apart from the already discussed points.

Examiner not only pays attention towards your spoken words; but also sees through your personality traits and non-verbal communication aspects like –

  • Ability to work in team
  • Reasoning ability
  • Communication skill
  • Leadership skill
  • Persuasion skill
  • Assertiveness yet humbleness
  • Pro-active attitude
  • Flexibility
  • Creativity
  • Independent thinking process
  • Time management
  • Body language
  • Patience and tolerance

When these things are taken care of, a big win is not far from you.

Tags: , Conclusion Stage, , Constructive Thoughts, Conviction, Credible Source, , Easy Winner, First Chance, , , Group Discussion, , , , , , , , Verbal Fights

13 Mar 10 How a Small Business Can Fight a Big Business?

In the era of corporatization of everything, the mom and pop stores has reached to the brink of extinction. It is no longer seems to be viable to start a small business because in the public imagination, a small business cannot stand against the Goliaths of the business world.

Or is it so?

I don’t care what you are told, but as far as I am concerned, this is not going to happen. It is always the small business that has an upper hand while dealing with customers or fulfilling their need, or even when fighting with big giants.

Why?

Because…

  • It is the David who always wins the battle.
  • It is the David who clicks with the masses.
  • It is the David who knows to connect.
  • It is the David who does not underestimate the competitor, and prepare the strategy accordingly.
  • It is the David who does not become myopic.
  • It is the David who tries harder.
  • It is the David whose life is at stake.

Goliaths (big corporations) are managed by managers, they are not owned by them. And the distance f ownership from those who runs it plays a big role in deciding how much power one exerts.

The small business owners understand that if he loses his livelihood will go for a toss, so he fights. Contrary to this, a manager thinks: how does it matter if his corporation wins or loses now or in the long term. Neither losing nor winning is going to affect the paycheck he is drawing every month. The manager feels satisfied as long as the target set for him by his superior is met.

It is about the target, not about the customers or their satisfaction.

This is not so with small business owners. Go to a neighborhood shop, and he will cordially greet you and will ask for your well-being. You will not receive the same warmth from big giants. Indeed, they will greet you, but you also know how superficial and greed-dipped it is.

Small business do have a chance to stand against big business, but for them they have to stop pretending that they are big, and start behaving what they are. They will have to connect with the audience, and give personal touch to all the interaction with every customer.

Follow this and you will defeat the goliath (giant company) sooner than you ever expected.

Tags: Brink, Business World, , , Corporatization, Extinction, , Goliaths, , , Neighborhood Shop, , Pop Stores, Public Imagination, Satisfaction, , Stake, Start A Small Business, , Warmth

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