|
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
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
.................................................. Nov 23, 2002 Digest #092 .................................................. .....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 =============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 ~
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
MT India ~ www.MTIndia.org ++++ new post - different topic ++++ From: Dr. Akshay Bharadwaj <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
===========CONTINUING============ From: Rhona P.A. Pereira <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
++++ new post - same topic ++++ From: Ranbir Chhillar <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
++++ new post - different topic ++++ From: Nitin Singhal <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
++++ new post - different topic ++++ From: Rina Vivekanandan <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
===========BILLBOARD============ From: V. Subhash <
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
> 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?
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
---------------------------------------------------- The contents of the digest do not necessarily reflect the opinions of MT India and affiliates or of the moderator. MT India or Mediweb Infotech Pvt. Ltd. make no warranties, either expressed or implied, about the truth or accuracy of the contents of the MT India Digest. Please send suggestions and comments to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
FAQ, Information & Archives at our website: http://www.mtindia.org/mtdigest/default.htm Send your posts to:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
---------- End of MT India Digest ----------- Are you a member of MT India? Eligibility criteria and membership details at our website: http://www.mtindia.org/registration/membership.htm
|