In our fast-paced and demanding world, it's crucial to prioritize self-care and find moments of respite. Today, I decided to dedicate my Sunday to rest and relaxation, allowing myself to fully unwind and recharge. It was a day filled with simple pleasures, where I indulged in the blissful art of doing nothing. Join me as I recount the serenity and tranquility that a lazy Sunday brought into my life.

Embracing the Slumber​

To kickstart my day, I let go of the usual early morning hustle and allowed myself the luxury of an extra hour of sleep. The warmth of the morning sun filtering through the curtains added a touch of serenity to my cozy cocoon. Embracing the silence, I snuggled deeper into the comfort of my bed, savoring the sweet moments of uninterrupted slumber.

Honoring the Art of Doing Nothing​

Throughout the day, I embraced the liberating notion of doing nothing. Free from the pressure of obligations and deadlines, I allowed myself to simply be. Whether reclining on a cozy chair, gazing at the world passing by, or savoring the delicate flavors of a cup of tea, I relished in the present moment. In this tranquil state, my mind unwound, and my spirit rejuvenated.

By giving myself permission to rest and rejuvenate, I experienced a sense of deep relaxation and inner peace. This respite from the bustling pace of life reminded me of the importance of self-care and the rejuvenating power of stillness. In a world that constantly demands our attention, dedicating a day to laziness can be a transformative act of self-love.

Moving into a new apartment is an exciting milestone, filled with the promise of a fresh beginning. As I am preparing to settle into my new rental apartment in Gurgaon, I embarked on a furniture shopping journey to transform empty spaces into a cozy and inviting home. I explored the top three rental stores in India - Urban Ladder, Pepperfry, and Wooden Street - and how I carefully curated a collection of furniture to align with my style and needs.

Simplicity carried to an extreme becomes elegance.​

The Quest for Quality and Style​

With a clear vision in mind, I set out to find furniture that blended both quality craftsmanship and stylish aesthetics. Urban Ladder, known for its contemporary designs, offered a wide selection of furniture options. From elegant sofas to chic dining sets, I discovered pieces that resonated with my personal style, ensuring a seamless integration with the overall ambiance of my new apartment.

Sales Expert: Ritika Gupta - 9521420831

Exploring Pepperfry's Vast Collection​

Pepperfry, renowned for its vast collection of furniture, became my next destination. Browsing through their online store, I was delighted to find an extensive range of furniture, catering to various tastes and preferences. With each click, I explored the diverse options available for my bedroom, living room, and dining area. Pepperfry's commitment to providing furniture at affordable prices made it an ideal choice for furnishing my new space.

Sales Expert: Ravi Vaid - 8221009225

The Wood Craftsmanship of Wooden Street​

Seeking timeless pieces crafted with the beauty of wood, I turned to Wooden Street. Their reputation for exceptional woodwork and attention to detail intrigued me. As I perused their collection, I fell in love with the elegance and durability of their furniture. From intricately carved bed frames to sturdy wooden wardrobes, Wooden Street offered me the perfect blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Sales Expert: Arif Khan - 9773313477

Coordinating Deliveries for Moving Day​

To ensure a seamless transition into my new apartment, I meticulously coordinated the deliveries of my chosen furniture from all three stores for 10th June, my moving-in date. This allowed me to plan my move with ease, knowing that everything I needed to create a comfortable living space would arrive on time.

The Joy of Personalization​

Beyond the convenience of shopping from top rental stores, I relished the opportunity to personalize my furniture choices. I carefully selected colors, fabrics, and finishes that resonated with my taste and complemented the overall theme of my apartment. By infusing my unique style into the furniture selection process, I was able to create a space that felt truly like my own.

Furniture should always be comfortable. And always have a piece of art that you made somewhere in the home.​

As I eagerly anticipate the next chapter of my life in my new rental apartment in Gurgaon, the process of furniture shopping proved to be an exhilarating journey. Through exploring Urban Ladder, Pepperfry, and Wooden Street, I discovered a wide range of high-quality furniture options that aligned with my style and needs. Coordinating the deliveries for my moving-in date added an extra layer of excitement, ensuring that my new home would be furnished and ready to welcome me from the moment I stepped through the door. With each carefully chosen piece, I am one step closer to creating a haven that reflects my personality and nurtures a sense of belonging.

Moving to a new city is an adventure that often entails furnishing a new living space. Seeking convenience and flexibility, I opted for the Furlenco Unlmtd plan upon shifting to Gurgaon in 2021. Today, I am sharing my experience with Furlenco's customer support, their unfair refund practices, and the persistent technological challenges that plagued their app and website. As an early adopter of the Furlenco Unlmtd plan, my hopes were dashed as I encountered numerous obstacles along the way.

The Promise of Furlenco Unlmtd​

When I first subscribed to the Furlenco Unlmtd plan, I was enticed by its unlimited furniture rental option, providing the flexibility to change and upgrade my furniture as needed. The convenience of hassle-free renting, combined with a curated selection of furniture, seemed like the perfect solution for my furnishing needs.

Technological Mishaps​

Furlenco's technological infrastructure proved to be unreliable. Their app and website frequently encountered glitches and errors, making it a cumbersome experience to manage my subscription, schedule deliveries, or even browse through their furniture catalog. The persistent issues with their technology undermined the convenience they promised and left me feeling helpless in my attempts to resolve any issues.

Customer support woes​

Perhaps the most exasperating aspect of my experience was dealing with Furlenco's customer support. Upon reaching out for assistance, I encountered long wait times, unresponsive representatives, and a lack of empathy towards my concerns. The inability of their customer support team to effectively address my grievances only added to my growing frustration.

My experience with Furlenco's Unlmtd plan, customer support, and technological mishaps has been a challenging one. From encountering unfair refund practices upon cancellation to grappling with persistent glitches in their app and website, my hopes for a seamless and convenient furniture rental experience were shattered. As an early adopter, I expected better treatment and a smoother journey. Through this ordeal, I urge others to approach such services with caution, conducting thorough research and weighing all aspects before making a commitment. Transparency, fairness, and robust technological infrastructure are vital components of a reliable and customer-centric service, and sadly, Furlenco fell short in these areas.

In today's interconnected world, businesses are constantly seeking effective and efficient ways to communicate with their customers. WhatsApp, being one of the most popular messaging platforms, provides a seamless channel for reaching a wide audience. In this blog post, we will explore the concept of WhatsApp API-based messaging and guide you on how to leverage the Vonage API to unlock the full potential of this powerful communication tool.

Understanding WhatsApp API-based Messaging​

WhatsApp API-based messaging allows businesses to integrate WhatsApp's features and capabilities into their own applications, enabling direct and personalized communication with customers. With this integration, businesses can send notifications, conduct customer support, and facilitate transactions, all within the familiar WhatsApp environment.

Introducing Vonage API​

Vonage API (formerly known as Nexmo) is a leading cloud communications platform that offers a comprehensive set of APIs to enable communication via various channels, including SMS, voice, and, importantly, WhatsApp. Vonage API provides a straightforward and user-friendly solution for integrating WhatsApp into your business operations.

Integrating WhatsApp API-based messaging into your business operations can revolutionize the way you communicate with customers. By utilizing the Vonage API, you gain access to a robust and reliable platform that simplifies the integration process and provides a range of features and functionalities. Explore the power of WhatsApp API-based messaging with Vonage API and unlock new possibilities for personalized customer engagement and streamlined communication.

Managing emotions​

Pesky little disappointments seem to pop up when we least expect them. Maybe you didn't get that promotion you were hoping for, or you could not grab a tea because of other's not preferring it. Whatever it is, fret not, my friend! Dealing with small disappointments with style and grace is the way to go.

Embrace the "Oopsie Daisy" Attitude​

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs at us, and small disappointments are like those cute little bloopers that keep things interesting. Instead of dwelling on them, try adopting the "oopsie daisy" attitude. Laugh it off, shrug your shoulders, and say, "Well, that didn't go as planned, but hey, that's life!" Remember, laughter is the best medicine, even for disappointment.

Find the Silver Lining​

very cloud has a silver lining, my friend, and disappointments are no different. When life hands you a lemon-flavored disappointment, squeeze out that silver lining and make some zesty lemonade. Didn't get that promotion? Maybe it's a sign that an even more amazing opportunity is waiting just around the corner. The key is to look for the lessons and hidden blessings in every disappointment. Trust me, they're there!

Shake It Off, Shake It Off​

As our good friend Taylor Swift says, "Shake it off!" Sometimes, the best way to deal with a small disappointment is to channel your inner dancing queen and shake off that negative energy. Crank up your favorite feel-good tunes, bust out your dance moves, and shake away those disappointments like nobody's watching. Trust me, it's impossible to stay disappointed when you're getting down to the beat!

Small disappointments may try to rain on your parade, but armed with these tips, you'll be twirling your umbrella and dancing in the rain. Embrace the oopsie daisies, find those silver linings, treat yourself like a rockstar, lean on your support squad, shake off the negativity, and keep dreaming big!

Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training​

Today, I met the business team of Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training and enjoyed the conversation with them. Frankfinn is the World's No. 1 Air Hostess Training Institute and offers courses in the field of Aviation, Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service. You might have seen Alia Bhatt in one of Frankfinn ads.

At its core, Frankfinn offers a comprehensive range of certificates courses to students aspiring for a career in the Aviation, Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service sectors. They offer placement assistance but do not guarantee placements.

Scale of business​

Some of the stats shared were mind boggling and are worth double-clicking. I am enumerating them below:

• Frankfinn has an in-house student counselling team of 1000 callers
• Online to offline flow of student leads is: unqualified lead -> 3 connects within 24 hours -> 5 connects within 48 hours -> Appointment for Center Visit
• They have appetite to consume 6 Lakh leads a month. Let's pause for a minute and think about the magnitude of that.
• They get around 4500-6000 admissions a month i.e. a conversation rate of 0.75%.
• The courses vary between Rs 1,20,000 to Rs 1,65,000
• Estimated annual revenue is ~ Rs 800 crore

Monopoly player​

Frankfinn does not face a lot of competition in the market. It is one of the few players who operate in this niche. Being founded in 1990s, Frankfinn bring 30 years of experience in the domain with network connections. But such profit pools are tough to defend. Especially with the disruption in Edtech, I will try to deepdive about it in another post.

Summers in India​

Summers in India are notorious for their scorching heat and relentless sun. The mercury soars, leaving people seeking respite from the sweltering temperatures. It is almost impossible to be outside between 12 noon to 6 pm. It is 43 degree celsius in Gurgaon today.

Frequent visits in the sun lead to heat stroke (or लू लगना) and it can be very painful. Loo is a hot, dry wind that blows across the plains, intensifying the already high temperatures. This atmospheric phenomenon can be relentless, with temperatures soaring well above 40 degrees Celsius. The loo heat waves bring with them a sense of discomfort, as the hot gusts deplete the moisture in the air and drain energy from those caught outdoors. It becomes crucial to take precautionary measures, such as staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding outdoor activities during the peak hours. The loo heat waves serve as a reminder of the resilience required to endure the challenging but characteristically intense summers of North India.

Beat the heat​

To beat the heat, I have decided the following:

• Avoid being directly under sun from 11 am to 6 pm. Even a brief time under sun should be avoided.
• Drink atleast 3L of water everyday and keep a water bottle with you at all times.
• Wear cotton clothes which cover most of the body.
• Avoid sudden change of temperatures and direct AC air if coming from outside.

It is clear that the sudden change in weather are more frequent and it is important to stay safe during summers.

World rests on hope​

Hope is a deeply ingrained human emotion that keeps us optimistic and motivated in the face of adversity. It allows us to envision a better future and fuels our determination to overcome challenges. While hope can be a powerful force for maintaining a positive mindset, relying solely on hope as a strategy for achieving our goals can be detrimental.

Hope vs Action​

Hope, without action, is merely wishful thinking. While hope can inspire us and provide a sense of optimism, it does not guarantee any tangible results. Merely hoping for success, happiness, or fulfillment without taking proactive steps towards our goals can lead to disappointment and stagnation. To achieve meaningful outcomes, we must complement hope with intentional and consistent action.

Hope places the power of change outside of our control. By relying solely on hope, we surrender our agency and fail to take responsibility for our own circumstances. It is essential to recognize that hope alone cannot alter external factors or bring about desired outcomes. Instead, we must actively take charge of our lives, make informed decisions, and work towards our objectives with determination and perseverance.

Ignoring the writing on the wall​

Humans are inherently emotional beings, and our emotions often play a significant role in the decisions we make. One such powerful emotion is hope, which can profoundly impact our decision-making process. Hope is a positive emotion that drives us to envision a desirable future and motivates us to pursue our goals. It can provide us with a sense of optimism and resilience in the face of challenges. However, relying solely on hope can lead to irrational decision making, as we may base our choices on wishful thinking rather than a realistic assessment of the situation.

When it comes to evaluating people or situations, it is vital to focus on actual actions rather than what we hope them to do. Actions speak louder than words, and they provide a more accurate reflection of someone's character, intentions, and reliability. By objectively observing and analyzing the actions of individuals or assessing the viability of a situation, we can make more sound decisions and avoid disappointment caused by misplaced hope.

By evaluating the actions of people and situations objectively, we can make more informed decisions and minimize the impact of wishful thinking. Let us embrace the power of hope while remaining grounded in reality to ensure that our decisions are guided by both our emotions and rationality.

Residential retail broker model​

The residential brokers (individual or brokerage firms) act as intermediaries between tenants and owners in the residential real estate market. These brokers facilitate the entire home renting process, starting from property search and evaluation to negotiations, documentation, and closure of the deal. They provide personalized assistance, guidance, and expertise to buyers, helping them make informed decisions based on their preferences, budget, and market trends.

Nobroker doesn't work​

Nobroker came up with a novel concept of connecting the tenants and owners with the use of technology. Unfortunately, it is failing in delivering the said value. The primary reason is that it operates on a very thin value proposition of no-brokerage.

Consider a rental scenario in Gurgaon as below:

Apartment: 2 BHK Rent per month: Rs 50,000 Brokerage per party: Rs 25,000

The challenge is the number of visits involved and mutual agreement. Following observations hold true:

• The owners are usually affluent, occupied in work and less interested in showing the apartment to the tenants. Owners prefer outsourcing.
• Owners talk to each other on Whatsapp Groups and mutually decide the minimal rental and resale value of the apartment. This sets a floor on apartment rental and resale value and is inefficient.
• The tenants also optimize for travel time, cost, lifestyle and shift date of tenancy. Tenants look at annualized cost.
• Brokers bring in convenience and primarily convince the tenant to accept the rental offer. They usually have no bargaining power with the owners.

Efficiencies in rental market​

As a tenant, it is at times a nightmare to find an apartment. The following tips might help:

1. Optimize for your needs and do not forget your needs in the process of reviewing flats.
2. Make your broker work: find a good broker who understands your need and works out a set of options for you.
3. Save time by clubbing the viewings in a day or half day. Act fast if something fits your needs.
4. Keep a price band of rent in mind instead of only a budget. Work on both sides, for eg if your society does not have a good club, go for a Cult Fit membership instead.
5. If you like a society, find a way to get access to the MyGate/Apna Complex app feed of the society. Many a times owners and brokers post them in the group.

Despite challenges posed by digital platforms, traditional brokers have adapted and remain relevant by leveraging technology and focusing on fleet on street. As the real estate market evolves, residential retail brokers continue to be a crucial link between buyers and sellers, empowering individuals and families in their quest for a dream home.

Waving to strangers​

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness can have the most significant impact on our day. Recently, as I waved to strangers from my car on my way back from swimming on Golf Course Road Gurgaon, I experienced a delightful encounter that transported me back to my own childhood. The pure innocence and genuine happiness of a group of kids in an overcrowded school van, as they waved back with smiles and laughter, lifted my morning spirits. This heartwarming experience forces me to reflect on the power of simple gestures in brightening someone's day.

A flashback to my own childhood​

As I gazed out of the car window, memories from my own childhood came flooding back. I recalled the days when I traveled to school in an auto-rickshaw, excitedly waving at passersby, hoping for a wave in return. It was a small act that brought immense joy to my young heart and made my day brighter. Little did I know that years later, the tables would turn, and I would be the one receiving that wave of joy. Today, seizing the opportunity to bring a smile to their faces, I waved with a wide grin. To my delight, the children eagerly waved back, their eyes shining with excitement and mischief. Their infectious laughter filled the air, instantly lifting my own spirits.

Power of simple gestures​

In that moment, I realized the incredible impact that a simple wave and a shared moment of connection can have. The children in the school van reminded me of the joy that comes from acknowledging the presence of others, even if they are strangers. In our busy lives, we often overlook these small opportunities for genuine human connection, but they hold immense power to brighten our day and create a ripple effect of positivity. A simple wave can create a ripple effect, touching the lives of those around us and fostering a sense of community and connectedness.

In a world that often seems consumed by haste and indifference, it is essential to hold onto the spirit of innocence that children embody. Their ability to find joy in the simplest of interactions is a powerful reminder for us all. As adults, we can learn from their uninhibited expression of happiness and embrace opportunities to spread positivity through small acts of kindness, like a wave or a smile.

A wave, a smile, or a friendly greeting might seem insignificant, but they possess the power to brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of positivity in our world.​