Morning Walk With Murty

Hello, listeners! Welcome back to ‘Murty's Podcast,’ where we explore the evolving landscape of how we get things done. I’m your host, Murty , and today we’re diving into a topic that’s been on everyone’s mind lately: the difference between virtual working and working from home.

So, what’s the deal with virtual working and working from home? Aren’t they the same thing? Well, not quite. While they might seem similar on the surface, there are some key distinctions that set them apart. Let’s break it down.

First up, let’s talk about working from home. This concept has been around for a while but became a buzzword during the pandemic. Working from home means you perform your job from the comfort of your own house instead of the traditional office. It’s all about location— you’re just shifting your workspace from the company’s physical office to your own space. But here’s the kicker: your work hours, tasks, and team interactions often remain the same as they would if you were in the office.

Now, let’s shift gears to virtual working. This is a broader, more encompassing term. Virtual working isn’t just about location—it’s a whole new way of approaching work. It includes working from home, but also working from anywhere: a café, a co-working space, or even while traveling. The key difference is the mindset and infrastructure. Virtual working relies heavily on digital tools and technologies to collaborate, communicate, and manage tasks. It’s about being flexible and efficient, focusing on outcomes rather than just clocking hours.

Imagine you’re part of a virtual team spread across different time zones. You’re not just working from home; you’re working from wherever you can be most productive. Virtual working is built on a foundation of trust, autonomy, and accountability. It’s about empowering employees to manage their own time and work in a way that suits them best, all while staying connected and aligned with the team’s goals.

But what does this mean for companies and employees? For companies, virtual working opens up a global talent pool. You’re no longer limited to hiring within your local area. You can bring on the best talent from anywhere in the world. For employees, virtual working offers unparalleled flexibility and work-life balance. You can design your workday around your personal life, rather than the other way around.

So, while working from home is a component of virtual working, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. Virtual working is a more holistic, future-oriented approach to how we view and perform work. It embraces technology and flexibility, paving the way for a more dynamic and adaptable workforce.

Alright, folks, that’s a wrap on today’s episode of ‘The Future of Work.’ I hope this cleared up the differences between virtual working and working from home. Remember, it’s not just about where you work, but how you work. Stay tuned for our next episode, where we’ll explore the latest trends in remote collaboration tools. Until then, keep innovating and stay curious!

[Podcast Intro Music]

Host: “Hello, fellow book lovers! Welcome to another episode of ‘Murty's Podcast,’ where we dive into fascinating stories about books, readers, and everything in between. Today, we’re exploring an incredible global phenomenon that’s turning the world into one big library—BookCrossing.”

[Background Music Fades In]

Host: “Picture this: You’re at your favorite café, sipping on a latte, when you notice a book sitting on a small table. Curious, you pick it up and see a sticker that says, ‘I’m a very special book. I’m traveling the world! Read me and share my story.’ This is no ordinary book—it’s part of BookCrossing, an international movement that connects readers through the joy of sharing books.”

[Sound Effect: Turning Pages]

Host: “BookCrossing was born on April 21, 2001, and it’s the brainchild of Ron Hornbaker. The idea is simple yet profound: each book gets a unique identity, called a BookCrossing ID or BCID. This ID allows readers to track the book’s journey across the globe. Imagine the stories each book collects, passing through different hands and even different continents.”

[Music Transition]

Host: “But how does it work? Well, it starts with you, the book lover. You register a book on the BookCrossing website, giving it its unique BCID. Then, you leave the book somewhere—a café, a park bench, or even a ‘Little Free Library.’ The next reader finds it, reads it, and then logs into the BookCrossing site to share their thoughts and where they found the book. They then release it back into the wild, and the cycle continues. It’s a bit like a global game of hide and seek, but with books!”

[Sound Effect: Café Ambiance]

Host: “Since its inception, BookCrossing has grown into a vibrant community with over 1.9 million members and 14.5 million books traveling through 132 countries. It’s an amazing way to connect with people from all walks of life, united by a shared love for books. Each time you pick up a BookCrossing book, you’re not just reading a story—you’re becoming part of its journey.”

[Music Transition]

Host: “One of the beautiful aspects of BookCrossing is the serendipity it brings. You never know where a book will end up or who it will touch next. It’s a reminder of the universal power of stories to bridge gaps, spark conversations, and create connections. Whether you’re in bustling New York City or a quiet village in Italy, a BookCrossing book can find its way to you.”

[Sound Effect: Airport Ambiance]

Host: “Let’s hear from some BookCrossers. Here’s Emma from the UK, who found a book while traveling in Japan.”

[Voice Clip: Emma’s Testimony]

Emma: “I was in Tokyo, feeling a bit homesick, when I stumbled upon a BookCrossing book in a cozy café. It was a novel by a British author I loved. Reading it felt like a little piece of home, and I knew I had to pass it on. I left it in a hostel, and who knows where it is now. It’s such a magical experience!”

[Music Transition]

Host: “So, if you’re looking for a way to share your favorite books and become part of a global community, give BookCrossing a try. Register a book, release it into the wild, and follow its journey. Who knows where it will end up and what stories it will collect along the way?”

[Podcast Outro Music]

Host: “That’s all for today’s episode of ‘Murty's Podcast’ Thanks for tuning in, and don’t forget to share your own BookCrossing adventures with us. Happy reading and happy sharing!”

[Outro Music Fades Out]

In terms of inspiring events, the annual AI Assistant Summit is a great one. It showcases the latest innovations and breakthroughs in the field of virtual assistance. In 2023, the summit featured a session on “The Future of Virtual Assistants: AI in the Workplace,” which discussed how AI assistants are being integrated into various professional environments to increase productivity and efficiency.

As for the difference between virtual working and work from home, while both involve working outside of a traditional office setting, they have some key differences.

• Virtual working usually refers to a setup where employees can work from anywhere, using digital tools to connect with their team and complete tasks. This can include working from home, but it also includes other locations like coworking spaces or while traveling.

• Work from home, on the other hand, specifically refers to working from your home office or another location within your residence.

In both cases, the goal is to provide flexibility and autonomy to the worker, but virtual working often implies a more intentional use of digital tools and a stronger emphasis on remote collaboration.

Author: Murty BVNS

In her first 3 months as a virtual assistant, Faith Farris earned $932.50, finding clients through Facebook and networking, but had to account for taxes, fees, and business costs, ultimately profiting $155.65.

Highlights:

Faith shares her experience as a virtual assistant, starting in January 2021, detailing how she found clients, what services she offered, and the income she generated during her first three months.

• Her motivation for becoming a virtual assistant and the services she initially planned to offer, such as social media marketing and video editing.
• Faith's client acquisition strategies, including using Facebook to attract clients by offering a special rate and leveraging resources from a virtual assistant community.
• Faith's client growth and success, securing larger clients, like the one who paid her $350 for 10 hours of work, and expanding her services to include copywriting.
• As a virtual assistant, Faith Farris made $932.50 in their first three months, highlighting the potential to earn money in this field. However, they emphasize the importance of considering taxes and fees when calculating income.
• The speaker shares their experience of starting as a virtual assistant and earning income through various tasks like copywriting and video editing.
• The speaker discusses the realization of the challenges in finding well-paying clients and balancing work with other commitments like school and courses.
• Faith reflects on the importance of setting aside funds for taxes and being mindful of transaction fees when receiving payments as a virtual assistant.
• As a virtual assistant, it's important to consider the costs of doing business, such as taxes, fees, and savings for future expenses, to ensure financial stability and success.
• Managing finances as a virtual assistant involves budgeting for business costs like website fees, accountant services, and equipment maintenance to sustain profitability.
• Balancing income between savings and profit, while being selective with job opportunities, is crucial for long-term success and financial security as a virtual assistant.
• Acknowledging the challenges of finding clients, respecting business owners, and understanding the dedication required for virtual assistant work are key takeaways from the experience.

Here is everything she learned during my first 3 months as a new virtual assistant. She answer things such as: How much did she make? What skills did she use and services did she offer? How did she find clients? How did it work? Where did she apply?

Hopefully this will help someone out there figure out if they would like to take the next step!

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Due to India's rising market and unstable visa policies abroad, many Indian expatriates are returning to India to launch their own businesses. This trend is known as “reverse migration.”

The number of startups in India has increased significantly, with over 140,800 being identified by the middle of 2024, generating 1.6 million direct jobs.

The fastest-growing economy among global economies, India's economy expanded by 8.2% in 2023, increasing investment interest and purchasing power.

It is now simpler for entrepreneurs to start and expand their businesses in India thanks to the country's supportive ecosystem, government programs like Startup India, and improved ease of doing business.

• Reverse Migration Trend: Many expat Indians are moving back to India to start their own companies, driven by factors like unstable visa policies abroad and India's booming market.

• Startup Boom: India has seen a significant increase in startups, with over 140,800 recognized by mid-2024, creating 1.6 million direct jobs.

• Economic Growth: India's economy grew by 8.2% in 2023, the fastest among large economies, boosting purchasing power and investor interest.

• Supportive Ecosystem: Improved ease of doing business, government initiatives like Startup India, and a supportive community are making it easier for entrepreneurs to launch and grow their ventures in India.

• Restructured Ionized Water is a type of water that has undergone a specific filtration and ionization process.
• This process involves the use of electrolysis, which separates water into alkaline and acidic components.
• The alkaline water is intended for drinking, while the acidic water can be used for cleaning and beauty purposes.
• The claimed benefits of Restructured Ionized Water include improved hydration, detoxification, and increased antioxidant properties.
• However, these claims are not universally accepted and more research is needed to confirm their validity.
• It's important to note that regular water, when consumed in adequate amounts, can provide all the necessary hydration and health benefits.

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• Dr. Masaru Emoto was a renowned water researcher, demonstrating that water is influenced by human thoughts, sounds, and intentions.
• His work, documented in the New York Times Bestseller The Hidden Messages in Water, shows how water exposed to positive intentions forms aesthetically pleasing structures, while negative intentions result in disconnected formations.
• Dr. Emoto's research also revealed that polluted water, when exposed to prayer and intention, can be restored to beautifully formed geometric crystals.
• Sound also affects water, with classical music generating beautiful crystalline patterns and heavy metal music creating distorted formations.
• The power of human thoughts and intentions on water has implications for understanding the impact on human beings, who are composed mostly of water.
• Technologies like water structuring devices by scientists like Bernhard Ratheiser are making it easier to access water's highest vibration, aligning with the energy of creation.

• In 2021, $220 billion was spent on global content, a 14% increase from the previous year, with streaming platforms investing heavily in exclusive programming.
• Composers and songwriters face unsustainable terms with companies like Netflix, who offer buyout contracts in the form of direct licenses, often forfeiting future royalties and rights to their work.
• Composers typically earn more revenue from performance royalties than upfront fees, but the cost of recording a score can often exceed initial earnings.
• Streaming royalties impact more than just film score creators, with movie and TV producers licensing more compositions and recordings than ever before.
• Composers have been raising concerns over low royalty earnings, with even high-profile composers like Hans Zimmer expressing worries about the future of revenue in the streaming era.
• The collective power of composer organizations has successfully defused similar plans by companies like Discovery Networks, ensuring that U.S. channels will remain operating under the traditional PRO performing rights model.

🇮🇳 Contrary to the lavish lifestyle of a billionaire, Sridhar is known for his simplicity and dedication to education. He's investing in rural areas, creating job opportunities, and establishing modern schools and Zoho University in his village.

💻 By connecting villages with technology and providing quality education, Sridhar aims to create a vast talent pool in rural areas. His vision is to deliver better services from villages, even in software development.

Instead of buying a private jet or investing abroad, Sridhar is making a difference in his homeland. The question remains – why don't we celebrate more heroes like Sridhar, who choose to give back to their communities? 💭

🔎 Let's shine a light on real-life heroes and inspire change for a better future. 💫

Anyway, if someone's total property is worth 18 thousand crore rupees, then even the auditor will not object to buy a private jet plane worth 300 crore Rupees. And when money is limitless then what is difficult?

Even though, when Laxmi tears the roof and showers money, such decisions do not seem expensive to anyone. Maybe that's why buying a jet plane for a billionaire is like buying a Maruti car for a manager. But Saraswati along with Laxmi, Chairman of Zoho Corporation, Sridhar Vembu, was kind. So their intentions were totally different from others.

Private jet buying away, he told his company board of directors that they want to move the Joho Corporation headquarters from California, US to elsewhere. Company officers were disturbed by this idea of Sridhar. Because there is no other place in the world than California's Bay-area for the software industry. Google, Apple, Facebook, Twitter or Cisco, all of them are living in the same area, flourishing. But Sridhar was going to take a bigger unexpected decision. They shifted from California to Seattle or Houston. They wanted to return to Chennai about 13000 kilometers away from America. He said in the board meeting that if Dale, Cisco, Apple or Microsoft can set up their office and research centres in India, why does Zoho Corporation refrain from returning home?

The board remained silent in front of Sridhar's logic and questions. The decision had been made. IIT Madras engineer Sridhar had pledged to go back to Madras. They had already purchased 4 acres of land to install company's new headquarters in a village, District Tenksi in Tamil Nadu. And according to the announcement, October 2019, i.e. exactly one year ago, Sridhar started the Global Headquarters of Zoho Corporation in Mathlamparai village of Tenksi district. Not only that, the 2.5 billion dollar Joho Corporation also shocked many in the tech world by achieving a record revenue of 3,410 crore rupees in software development business last year.

Why did Sridhar want to return home country?

Sridhar, did not return home country due to the pressure of any agency or bank or stock exchange in America. They weren't even competing pressure. They were not even starting a new business. They returned home with a positive thought, not for any negative reason. He vowed years ago that if Joho succeeded in business he would invest a large portion of the profit in the homeland. They will also spend the company's profits on giving modern education to village children. With this intention, they first opened free modern schools for children in Mathlamparai village. The knowledgeable of computer technology is also building Zoho University in Sridhar village where future software engineers will be ready. In an interview in Forbes magazine, Sridhar explains that migration from the village can be prevented if technology is linked to rural areas. “Talent in the village, willing to work, if we connect children with modern education then we will get a big talent pool in the village. That's why I also go to kids class and teach them too. My attempt is to connect the village with satellite. We are not just erasing the distance, not just backwardness, but we are going to deliver better than the city from the village. Even if the product is software” says Sridhar.

Photos show that Sridhar is a very simple and simplicity person. You'll often see them in Lungi and Bush Shirt. They walk on bicycle to visit the village and tehsil. From his conversation, expression, does not realize that Sridhar is a billionaire software industrialist who has employed more than Nine Thousand people with mostly engineers. Their company's operations spread from the US to Japan and Singapore where Nine Thousand Three Hundred tech personnel got employment. Sridhar says he will provide around Eight thousand tech jobs to Indian villages in the coming years and shift global service to non-urban areas of the country. In villages with education they are setting up modern hospitals, sewer systems, irrigation, market and skill centers.

One question to you now

What is the reason that the public cannot test diamonds like Sridhar in the country? What is the reason we worship pseudo heroes by ignoring real heroes? If Sridhar wanted to be flying on private jet plane in California today, staying in Seven Star Luxury Villa, investing his earnings abroad. What did they need to return home? Yet the country does not care about their sacrifice?

Are people like Sridhar becoming irrelevant now in this country, which is colored with mud and hatred? Or are we becoming so poor and shameless that we are looking for worthless instead of Narayan in Narayan? Many polar stars like Sridhar are enlightening the country today but the shine of these stars does not make the society silent. Their karma, does not illuminate news channel headlines. And those who are being enlightened in the morning and evening can give you nothing but darkness.

My urge is from you. If the future of children is to change, shut down the news channel for a while and around yourself. Find Sridhar in your village country.