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  • FoodPanda (Ola) – Are you Listening to Your Customers? 🐼

    India is a market where our homegrown companies are competing fiercely with multinational giants. For Ola there is Uber, for Flipkart there is Amazon and Swiggy is competing with ubereats. One thing which greatly differentiate Indian companies from MNCs is the service quality. We all agree to the fact that Amazon and Uber provide better customer service than their competitors. This was also found in a recent survey by redsheer, where NPS score of MNCs were higher. ✔️

    FoodPanda and Ola 🐼🤝🚗

    I was talking to my friend who is currently working with Ola and he said that sometimes he has to work for Foodpanda when workload is higher (If you don’t know ola acquired Foodpanda this year). I instantly asked him if he can provide me Foodpanda coupons. He laughed it off and said, “why do I need a coupon when Foodpanda is already giving away food for free”.

    After the call, I checked the app and I found this 😍

    Offers on Foodpanda app

    I was really happy after seeing this, I will save money and time, as I won’t have to look in the big 4 (Zomato, Foodpanda, Ubereats and Swiggy) for coupons and offers. FoodPanda was my goto place.

    Here is what I found one day! 🥧 Pastries in 5 rupees!  

    FoodPanda offer | Delivered pastries | FoodPanda delivery guys

    So we ordered like 25 pastries and we had party in the office that day. We could only order one item in one order but there wasn’t any restriction on the number of orders. 25 different delivery boys delivered those 25 packet worth 5 rupees (after discount).

    Inefficiency kills me! Even though we enjoyed pastries, It was really surprising that, foodpanda or any other food delivery app don’t have any option to club the orders if two orders are from point A to point B. What’s more funny is that the a delivery guy who is 5 km away is assigned to pick an order from a restaurant who is just 800 mts away!

    This clearly shows that foodpanda wants to increase it number of order no matter what, probably to show investors, raise more funding and burn more! This events reminds of one business leasson from ashish hemrajani, founder BookmyShow!

    Ashish Hemrajani, founder bookmyshow on doing business 

    In StartupTalky, I learned a trick to check click data of any bit.ly or goo.gl url shortener. Just add “+” sign after the url. Foodpanda send a goo.gl URL whenever you place an order (to track status of delivery guy).

    [I don’t understand any company will leave one real data point open?] I checked the data if the offers had done a great work, and yes they did. I am sure the team was able to increase the number of orders at least 3 fold! Congrats! You are now ready to raise more funds! 💸💰

    Data of url sent to customers after delivery

    Update: Well they recently removed the offers and we can see the clicks have gone below the average. 📉

    Data of url sent to customers after delivery

    Well, this the joy of ordering food for so cheap was very short lived. with scale came problems!

    FoodPanda Problems

    Foodpanda problems
    • Restaurant is closed still showing
    • Order not delivered
    • App not working
    • Late or No delivery
    • Coupon not working
    • Order cancellation and refund
    • Bad customer support
    • Difference in taxes with orders with and without coupon
    • Chef at work showing for the last 4 hours
    • Order is showing delivered in the app but not in reality

    Was I the only one? NO!

    Just to know that if Foodpanda is just messing with or with everyone, I checked their Facebook page to see and in a post with more than 170 comments not a single comment was positive. Just like me, other customers were also having all sorts of issue with the order. It was very hard for Foodpanda support team to handle all these queries.

    Customers comment from their facebook page

    I am sure their twitter handle is also filled only with such queries. One of the comments which made me laugh like anything was

    We know running a startup is a tough job. Keep Indian customer happy feels like heaven but Mr. Panda how to plan to compete with global players when the situation is so pathetic? 🤔

    What people think about Big 4, Food Delivery startups

    I conducted a poll in StartupTalky to understand what people think of all food delivery startups.While swiggy stands at 157, food panda just got 8 votes!

    Poll conducted in the group

    What was the matter?

    To know the reason, I again talked to my friend and here is what I got to know.

    After the acquisition, Ola had announced that it would invest $200 million – over Rs 1,400 crores – in Foodpanda to elevate its market presence. Discount was one easy way to get new users and engage existing users. So a campaign “The Crave Party” was launched to relaunched Foodpanda. It was launched across all major cities and all discounts were given by Foodpanda only (restaurant was not bearing any cost for discounts, they just have to pay 23% commission on the original cost which Foodpanda anyways takes as an aggregator).

    Woah! No words

    Now to fulfill the orders, Foodpanda started to recruit 60,000 delivery men by offering a substantially higher salary than anyone in the hyperlocal delivery business but solwly they started reducing the salary from INR 1320/day to INR 40/delivery which comes around INR 400-450/day. Here is what happned next (in diagram).

    Bad Experience, Bad Experience, Bad Experience!

    How one thing at the top of the funnel affects the whole food delivery business

    So you can see these are all operations are connected as a funnel. Also, we can see that foodtech startup is more about the operation than tech.

    Learnings  📖

    • Scale your business but not at the cost of customer satisfaction/happiness.
    • Things may go out of your control while you scale, always be prepared for that.
    • Treat your team well, be true with them. They are one who will stand with you when no one will.
    • Indians are understood to love offers and discount, but everyone on the planet expects a minimum level of service quality. Especially when you are in food delivery, No one likes free pizza when they are not hungry.
    • Marketing is important but it must be supported with the efficient operation and tech.

    Liked the article? Don’t forget to give feedback and share it with your friends! 🙂

    Also Read

  • Startup Funding | Merits and Demerits

    People have been looking for ways of on how they can empower themselves economically. One  of the ways is through entering into a business world but demands involved in starting one overwhelms them. When opening a new business, there are a couple of things and has a financial implication.

    Setting up the area and make it functional requires a lot of funds. This is where startups look for the option of outsourcing the funds. There are pros and cons attached to the idea of Startup Funding as highlighted below.

    Merits of getting Startup Funding

    Easy access to business capital

    There are those financial institutions that their major role is to fund businesses. This includes investors and loans from the bank. Acquiring of capital can be based on the size of the business you want to venture into. The institutions give a certain period of time for loan repayment. If the business makes a profit then you are able to repay their loan within the stipulated period.

    Brings experts on board

    One of the advantages of Startup Funding is that you get to meet to get expertise. They offer technical skills that can be helpful to your business. Before and after receiving the funds they are always on the ground to check on the progress. Their aim is to see your business grow and free from any risks that might attack. Consultation about business ideas and any other advice can be done anytime. Better decisions are therefore made.

    Additional benefits

    Startup Funding sources support business in the legal matter. Investors would like you to comply with the law of the land so that their business is not also put into a risk. This ensures business compliance.

    Networks and linkages

    Startup Funding attracts a lot of investors. Investors expose you to the external market world. More clients through referral can be obtained. The network creates an opportunity to meet people with brilliant ideas that are ready and willing to transfer the same skills for the help of your business.

    Demerits of getting Startup Funding

    External control

    Be assured that every single cent you get from investors will be controlled by them. No investor would like to lose money, therefore, they have to monitor. Investors will always have a say in your business. Depending on the cash obtained from them, this determines their percentage of say in your business.

    Minimal business ownership

    Remember the capital of the business belongs to the investors. Therefore management of the business will be partially owned by them. At some point, they dictate what you do. No
    ownership until you completes repaying their money.

    Time wastage

    Looking for sources of Startup Funding might take quite a lot of time because of the processes and procedures involved. Running up and down is a very tedious exercise. A lot of time is wasted chasing for money that would otherwise be spend sourcing for customers and getting to understand their needs. In bootstrapping time is spent wisely sourcing and familiarizing with customers or analyzing market trend around your business area so as to boost business profit.

    Burden to agreements

    Every penny that you receive from an investor must be refunded. Before they give you cash, they subject you to signing a lot of papers to lay down procedures for repayment. Signatures should be appended to show that you are complying with the terms and conditions of the funding. Failure to adhere to them can lead to unfriendly penalties

    Some advice is given not viable

    Not every idea that you get from investors is worth. Most of the time they give you ideas to favour their business and not yours. You should be wise enough before implementing.

    Conclusion

    Investors can help boost your business idea but it is not a guarantee that you will succeed.
    Before Starting a business, it is always important to analyze and get safe ways of getting Startup Funding so you don’t get into trouble.

  • Interview Tips To Leave Last Long Impression

    Interview Tips To Grab Your Interviewer Attention

    Freshers just after graduation don’t have much knowledge about cracking an interview like a pro. Although, out of their nervousness they start practicing for the possible answers to the questions which an interviewee can ask. However, everyone wishes to give a great introduction to leave a long lasting impression on the interviewee about themselves but still didn’t get the satisfactory result, which you were looking for. Every time before a job interview numerous scenarios invade our mind like, what will they ask? How can I impress them? What is the right answer? Etc. Your mind is messed up with all these why’s and what’s, but no satisfying solution is present to relief you from this dilemma. Well, you are reading the best article for interview tips which will provide you with the best insights as per latest trends.

    We did some research about the most commonly asked interview questions and we also went little ahead, and find out some epic replies for these questions to make your interview taker run for his money. When I say answers are epic, I’m not exaggerating my facts. These questions are really simple one, but they can make you chew your toenails. Okay, so embrace yourself and get some epic replies to blow your employer’s mind.

    “Tell me about yourself?”

    This is the most popular question which you will be asked by the interviewer. This question throws many applicants off ground, as they have already answered this question in their CV or Resume but this question is asked to let you speak something which is not present on the piece of paper. Many applicants felt blank and get nervous, which worsens the problem. However, you need to answer this question with full confidence which depicts your communication skills. No need to get poetic here, because you are not a wordsmith and tell some basic things about yourself, as interviewer already have your resume with him. He just asked this question to make some formal introduction and to test your communication skills. So stay confident keep few things in mind before answering this question:

    • Don’t talk about the things that you have already mentioned in the bio data.
    • Talk about your childhood or about some life-changing event.
    • Stay on the point, don’t talk nonsense.

    Some replies about this “tell me about yourself ” question to attract your interviewer into the conversation would be like:

    “Hello. As my resume provided you the insights about my professional graph and GPA scores. I would like to share some childhood memories that made me capable of this job…..”

    That’s the start of the introduction that will help you to nail job and later part you can add, as per your job profile. Go creative and answer honestly.

    “Why are you a suitable candidate for this job?”

    This is the most favourite question of an interviewer and they ask this question to trap candidates in their own words. If you answer this question with confidence, then they will cross examine your statement and try their level best to make you eat your own words. However, if you hesitate while speaking then you will lose the chance of getting hired. Many applicants get confused here and lose their composer. The applicants need to stay confident and always stick to their initial answer, add your skills and your compatibility for this job and related experience or exposure you have for the best match.

    An interview tips for you. Suppose, you are giving an interview for a desk job in a commercial bank and your interviewer asked you the same question, then your answer should be framed like this:

    “I’m highly suitable for this job, as I have all the qualities that one commercial bank’s employee should posses. I come from a crowded small town and knows how to communicate with the strangers easily which you can verify by asking your receptionist, as I have befriended her in a short conversation. Relatively I have great exposure and practice to imply my skills for this esteemed organization growth.”

    That would really impress the HR and recommend him to definitely hire you.

    “Where do you see yourself after a year ?”

    It’s time to answer the question with some power and with a whole lot of confidence. This question usually cones in the end or middle of the interview and if you have sustained this far, then it means you are doing something right. So, it’s time to answer this question straight forward and short. Like

    ” I can see myself as an associate manager position after a year. “

    “I will be starting my own business hopefully. “

    Answering your actual dream in short and clipped manner soothens interviewer’s ears.

    It’s difficult to summarise all the interview questions in one article, as every job profile and interviewer has their own style, and some questions depends upon the real situation totally, but we found some more commonly asked interview questions which would come more interview tips, like:

    ” What are your hobbies? “

    “How come you are better than other candidates?”

    “What special benefit can you provide to the company?”

    “Give some review about our organization?”

    “Why should we hire you?”

    “How will you attract new customers?”

    “What are your USP points?”

    Well, the list is more populated with questions but you need only two common tools to answer any question thrown at you by an interviewer. Firstly, answer every question with calm mind and after listening properly. Secondly, answer honestly and never fabricate your facts. Just answer confidently and the success will automatically falls under your feet’s. We wish you all the very best for your future endeavors and may you will land your dream job soon.

  • A Complete Guide To Nail Your Dream Job Interview

    Do’s & Don’t which could help you to get through Job Interview

    The IT sector is booming very rapidly around the globe. It is the only sector where a lot of job opportunities in varied categories are available. Every job seeker is trying to crack a job interview in the big technology-based company to survive this unbalanced economic environment. If you want a job in leading MNCs like Google, Yahoo, Apple, then you need to prepare hard for the interview. These tech giants don’t hire candidates only on the basis of the interview and performance. So come out of your bubble world to face a harsh reality.

    The interview is a parameter to select a candidate, so as to examine the ability of the interviewee. Many interviewees give their best but unfortunately fails to crack the interview. So today we are discussing a very important question, that why big tech companies reject you after performing perfectly in the interview when you have given your best, then what is the flaw? In this article, we will depict some myths and misconceptions related to the technology companies interviews and methodology to crack these interviews.

    Myths and Misconceptions:

    I have a good GPA

    If you have a good GPA and a degree from a renowned university, it doesn’t bind you with a guarantee of successfully getting a job in a reputed company. Many people complaints that after showing their GPA and degree in the interview, they still didn’t get the job. Although, there are many reasons behind it. Sometimes companies only required a simple programmer to solve basic issues and you are more capable then that, and if they hire you, they need to pay higher wages, which a new startup can’t afford. So they drop you and hire someone with less qualification.

    I have experience  

    Experience matters, but in some case, it doesn’t matter. If a company is looking to hire fresher with innovative ideas in less salary, then it’s not your fault. So don’t blame yourself, if you got rejected despite having years of experience.

    You have sloppy coding 

    Wondering, that you have performed well in solving the equation, but in reality, you missed a few coding steps which are a big no-no for the tech companies. They look for perfect candidates to hire, So keep working hard on your coding system.

    Your Citizenship 

    Your nationality plays a vital role in hiring you. A company normally doesn’t employ foreign citizen because of higher rates and visa fees. Big companies sometimes take the risk and hire people from outside the country, but new startups can’t afford to pay such paper fees.

    Lack of tech competency

    After the interview, if you feel good and your interviewer seems polite and yet you get rejected, this is the question that trouble many job seekers. Moreover, if your interviewer seems polite, it’s because he is trained to do so. They will never tell you, your weak points. You have to self-evaluate your performance and dwell that are you really compatible with the tech world or not.

    These are a few questions that run in every job seeker’s mind, who got rejected by big tech companies and trying hard to get their dream job. You shouldn’t get disheartened after few rejections, as these are part and play of interviews. You should always have a spirit of encouragement and keep trying because the perfect job is waiting for you. So, gather up your confidence again and read some tips, which will help you to crack the nuts for your dream job in big tech companies.

    Tips to crack corporate interviews:

    • The utmost step is to understand the culture of an organization for which your giving interview. This helps you to understand the company better and it’s working style.
    • Speak softly with the interviewer and maintain the same level of tone throughout the interview session. Never speak loudly to convey your message or discontinue a topic.
    • Using hand gestures show your speaking power and take proper care of your body language. Never let your nervousness mix in your body language. Stay confidence in your style.
    • Your dress is your address to impress. Dress properly for the interview according to the profile of the company. Don’t overdo nor under dress yourself.
    • Practice hard to nail down your coding.
    • Show your leadership qualities and ability to handle a critical situation on your own to the interviewer.
    • Don’t give an irrelevant answer, it’s better to accept it politely if you don’t know. Answer only those questions which you are asked.
    • Bring your knowledge and perspective to the table: Try to converse actively by building a rapoo with the interviewer.
    • Pay special care to your attitude. Don’t act too smart or dumb at the time of interview. Just be yourself.
    • Your motivation level and passion about the job should be seen in your speech and interviewer should understand that straight.
    • Show your capability to handle the conflicts in an impressive manner to the person.

    These are a few tips for the jobseekers. One Golden Tip before going for an interview is to do a thorough research about the company as well as the interviewer so as to have an idea about the level of difficulties you can face. This will give you knowledge about the company and it’s working culture which would be a boon to you. If you are an active job seeker then it’s time to visit some job portals and start applying. We wish all the very best for your future endeavors.

  • Top 6 Ways ChatBot For Business Can Help You

    To enhance use ChatBot for Business : A great tool to simply business.

    Now, many of the customer service industry looking for chatbot for business-the ideal things for customer service and information management. A chatbot is similar to Artificial intelligence as it is programming languages that stimulate real conversation when you connect via the chat interface. Chat bots application can differ from functional to functional and it can be evaluated in many chat products like slack, Telegram, Facebook messenger and even text messages. Chatbots are an essential when it comes to ordering food, buying tickets etc. Let me tell you how can chatbots help you exactly in running a successful business.

    Endless Shopping Experience

    Nowadays No people roaming around the world without smartphones. The importance and usage of mobile devices have been increasing so far. But when it comes to making a purchase or online shopping they just switch to their stationary devices. You can get an easy access to support. This makes customers be frustrated when there is the lack of mobile optimization and even more.

    Chatbots are the ideal solution for all these issues. Chatbots for business will let the customer begin a transaction via messaging app or chat interface. It also helps the client by eliminating the necessity to communicate a company for extra support. Many advanced company makes use of this chatbot to enhance their business such as Domino’s Pizza. This company flourished the full potential to lunch pizza ordering bot for facebook messenger. Chatbot also promotes many essential services for your products.

    Dominos pizza makes use of this chatbot to promote Domino’s online feature called ‘Easy order’. It allows a customer to order their favorite pizza via mobile app or even through smart watches. The one thing you have to do to get this feature is make pairing your facebook account with Dominos account and type ‘Pizza’ to the messenger bot. That’s all.

    Improved Customer Service

    Chatbots also aid customer for complex shopping design. If you are hunting down for a certain product, chatbots can do the Google and deliver a product catalog to you. It simply make personalizes recommendation for a customer.

    Let’s say a customer tells a chatbot they hunting down for black and brown shoe made from leather then the chatbot will pull items with genuine details for the customer.chat bot will take care of the entire transaction when the customer decides to make purchases. Many companies also ensure that your customer has good access to human agents.

    If a customer decides to make purchases and not yet make purchases then it’s not a problem at all. Next time when this customer contact with chatbots, they get to know former conversation and preferences.

    Scale-Up Its Operation

    As chatbot is an automated solution it will allow you to manage a business with more customers. As live agents are not able to handle more than 3 or 4 web chats via messenger or app. But chat bots is the ideal solution for this issue. All you have to do is make use of chat bots for your business. No need to worry about handle multiple incoming calls. So think about chatbots when you are looking to scale.

    Answering To Incoming Calls

    Have you received a huge number of incoming calls from your regular customer promote questions about the deliveries, business policies, regular schemes etc.?Have your customer connects your agents to get to know the answer to these same repeated questions round the clock? Though answering questions are essential in running a good business, your agents easily get bored when profused by such tasks. If you decide to offer relevant task to your agent’s means think about the chatbots. Chatbot for business can screen incoming calls and will pass to the agents if required.

    Reduce Complexity

    In case your products or services are the bit difficult for your customers to understand, chatbot will resolve this issue. You can use chatbots to simplify them. Chatbot for business break down the jargon and aids the loyal customer to get to know your products and services via conversational interface. Instead of giving printed manuals to your customer, you can give them chatbot interface.

    Other Tasks

    Chatbot for business are not just for customer service and management; it can be used for another task like marketing, sales and other micro tasks like assisting agents to do their reports and similar matter. Once upon a time chatbots are existed only on websites but nowadays it is available on all platform like skype, telegram and even more.