travel – workrock

October 22, 2019October 22, 2019

While living in India, was it easy to find WiFi or data towers for your phone or laptop?

Thanks for asking this question.

For the most part yes. I have travelled extensively in the country and have had no problem in accessing the internet.

If you’re travelling by rail you’re sure to find free WiFi hotspots with regularity. If you’re staying in a hotel then again free WiFi is almost a guarantee though the quality of public WiFi in railways is a lot better than WiFi in hotels.

In other places cell tower coverage is good so that if you have a SIM card with nice data plan you’re pretty much covered.

Between free WiFi and cellular connectivity you should not have any problems accessing the internet. However India is a vast country and there are a few remote areas where connectivity is limited due to a combination of terrain and limited demand.

September 7, 2019September 7, 2019

Should you use google Fi?

One of the biggest advantages of Google Fi is the international coverage. If you are say a traveller or a business person who has to frequently go to different countries it would make sense to get a google fi connection.

You won’t have to shop around for different SIM card providers and pay bills to multiple networks. You get a predictable bill as well as a data plan for your money. No additional roaming charges. It is quite convenient and frankly speaking is something that should have been been promoted by core networks themselves considering how many people are travelling internationally so frequently.

There are other benefits like automatically connecting to WiFi networks and some “quality of life” upgrades but those are minor conveniences and not something that should influence your purchase decision.

On the other hand if you’re not spending too much time travelling, maybe only once or twice a year out of the country, then I don’t think that Google Fi is the best choice for you right now and the local plans may indeed be cheaper depending upon where you’re living.

To summarize, if your goal is to have an international mobile.plan with predictable pricing and max coverage google Fi is a good choice. It’s way better than having to buy SIM cards at destination. However if you’re not moving too much a local service provider may give you a better deal. Compare plans before buying.

Further Reading

Google Fi is a type of Mobile Virtual Network Operator. MVNO does not own the infrastructure but buys it from other providers in bulk and then sell it to individuals. Thereby passing on the cost savings.

You’d be surprised to know that around the world there are more than 900 MVNOs offering services to customers with over 220 M mobile connections.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_virtual_network_operator

Although at the moment google operates as a mobile virtual network operator for Fi, it’s also getting into providing network access as well with it’s fiber project.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Fiber

https://fiber.google.com/

As well as their undersea cables

https://www.cnet.com/news/google-third-subsea-cable-equiano-connect-portugal-south-africa-nigeria/

https://9to5google.com/2019/05/29/google-indigo-cable-live/amp/

Additionally google is also building wifi hotspots around the world with it’s google station and it’s wifi router products

https://station.google.com/

https://store.google.com/?srp=/product/google_wifi

So it’s possible that in the future there may be a time when Google’s network and access points are better than those of its partners. And the best way to enjoy these services would be through the Google Fi project. Until that happens I’d say go with what’s best for you.

workrockin@gmail.com

August 21, 2019August 21, 2019

Adventure of The Cape, Goa

I discovered The Cape on my way to Cabo De Rama fort. It was March. A little warmer than January but with the heady holiday fever behind.

I say discovered but if I’m being completely honest it was more of an accident. In a stumble upon kind of way. Like what usually happens when you go trekking and instead of focussing on the trail you ramble about gaping at the view.

As you can probably guess focus is not one of my strengths. If you were to call me as a witness for your trial you’ll most probably loose the case.

Anyway, I knew I had to go to the Cabo de Rama fort but I had no idea which road to take. I’m not much of a Google maps person. When I’m on the road I like to follow it. But every turn makes me a little anxious. Should I keep going straight? Or maybe I should turn left? Where would I end up if I took a right? If it were up to me I’d ban the turns on the road and I’d fine people taking them.

Perhaps that day I took a wrong turn. Or maybe it was the right one,if you look at it from a philosophical angle. Memory is a bit hazy on the details. I can confidently say that it was about afternoon. Not quite the time for sunset just yet. But past your lunch. The kind of time when you like to take a nap your desk.

These were the circumstances in which I found myself facing a cliff overlooking the vast Arabian sea.

The “road” was not in a driveable condition. I parked my scooter in the shade of a tree and proceeded to take some photos of the cliff. Maybe a few selfies.

As I drew nearer I saw a notice board pointing to “The Cape”. You can sympathize with me given my circumstances, me being a little lost, I decided to go into The Cape and enquire with fellow brothers and sisters as to how might I reach my destination.

With such pious intentions I stepped inside. I desended the steps firmly, with my goal set in mind. As I reached the reception I was amazed to look so much sea in front of me. It seemed to me that I was in a restaurant.

The staff was patiently attending to the guests. Dishes were being served. A nice gentle music played in the background. My phone was encouraging me to connect to the free WiFi hotsopt.

The breathtaking view touched my heart. It brought about a change in my outlook. Instead of following my plan to inquire about the route I took a seat and ordered watermelon juice to go along with french fries. One likes to snack upon something solid when one is enjoying the nature peacefully.

I must say in about 2 minutes I forgot all about the fort. It was not going to go anywhere, I reasoned. The soft,cool breeze refereshed me. And food restored my energy.

I decided to take a few photos of the place. And as I was clicking the manager insisted that I should tour the property. So I did.

What luxurious huts! What splendid rooms! What a spectacular view! Simply amazing jacuzzis!!

At the bottom of the cliff there was a nice secluded beach. I took my seat on a chair. Ordered a pineapple milk shake and sipped on it till the sun went down.

Should you go to the Cape Goa? I’m not the one the make recommendations. Even if I were ,reading this post should have made you realize that you shouldn’t be taking my advice anyway.

Although I’m writing this peice you can be sure I would not read anything before I went some place new. Not that I would have the patience to finish reading anything I start.

However I believe that holidays should be spent exploring a place. Not following a map or a guide. Who knows what you’re going to find on the next turn?

But I’ll say this. If there’s a better resort /restaurant in Goa I haven’t seen it.

workrockin@gmail.com

August 17, 2019August 17, 2019

Alternative business models for hotels

While selling room nights remain the most popular model for hotels, alternatives such as conferences, dining and work spaces are increasingly becoming more lucrative as sources of supplemental income.

Video games and other forms guest entertainment in lobbies , hassle free internet connectivity for guests and provision for meetings can increase the appeal of a property in the eyes of a prospect. Making it something more than just a place to stay.

Small things matter.

workrockin@gmail.com

August 11, 2019

What can travel industry teach us about digital transformation?

The travel industry is in a league of it’s own.Uncontested.Unstoppable.Developing complimentary markets like acomodation, transport,food, wellness,finance in addition to it’s own. Funding and taking them to new heights.

Such has been it’s impact that nations have now started to realize the importance of “destination marketing” to attract more tourists. Not simply for financial rewards but also for cultural diffusion.

In the last decade tourism has been the biggest driver of digital growth. Bold claim? You decide.

Why do people use Instagram? What category of posts are most popular on Facebook? How are hotel rooms being sold? How are airline tickets being booked? How do you research for a new place to go?

It seems paradoxical that an industry that is experiential, natural and physical should be seen as a poster child for the adoption of digital/electronic technology. But that’s exactly what it is.

What has the travel industry gotten right that it’s digital transformation journey became so seamless.

Was it the lack of regulatory hurdle? Certainly not. As is evident from stringent visa and passport application requirements in addition to geo political complexity.

“Maybe it was due to external capital infusion by lenders?”

Maybe. But then can you point to any one investor that invested in travel to transform the market for the whole world? Our search proved futile. And infact we discovered that most investors were averese to investment in travel.

“Then surely it has rided on the wave of technology”

That is a more moderate claim. But if that is true then how come travel has adapted so well where as others like say education, finance,agriculture, medicine, manufacturing, energy have responded meekly.

What is it about travel that seems to turn all the technological trends in it’s favor? Smart phones,social media,airlines,civil construction, the internet.

How has travel managed to elicit such an enthusiastic participation from the consumers and partners?

What can we learn from the travel industry and apply it to others businesses to simplify their digital transformation journey?

A lot of things. But a few aspects stand out.

1. An open embrace of social media and other internet technologies.
2. A consumer oriented approach. Not just in what you sell but also how you sell it. A practice of going to where the customers are rather than waiting for them to come to you. An inclination to serve rather than to earn.
3. But most importantly an open mind and open heart. A belief in the spirit of discovery. The flexibility of mind to accept and welcome change. And an understanding that new breakthroughs can lead to something better.

The success of travel industry is not an accident contingent upon the presence of acquisition of natural, breathtaking locations. Rather it is its principles, practices and beliefs that puts it heads and shoulders above the rest.

Digital transformation is not so much about digital technology as it is about the state of mind. Travel industry had the right inclination that allowed it to gain the benefits of technology.

That is what other industries should look to emulate.