Working with India...

I've just finished working on a successful web project with a designer in Kolkata, India.

I have worked with people in India before on design projects, but this one was much different due to the contractual nature of the relationship as well as the communication method. I was able to use Skype to communicate with this new designer and negotiate in real time all of he details that were to be put into the project. Estimates, design reviews, mid project compromises and agreement changes all were refined using this wonderful new tool called Skype.

The project was not a small logo design or graphics project, but a full blown web site that explained and promoted one of my design busniesses. Many flash pages were produced, hundreds of images organized and interactive text blocks were created to communicate the sites content and promotional message.

Payment terms were carried out using paypal which worked smoothly to compensate after each phase of the project was completed.

Files were exchanged using email, online storage sites as well as skype's ability to do file exchange.

Apart from the mid project agreement changes that were raised by India, which we were able to resolve with out a whole lot of drama, I think this project is the first of many to be executed in this new method of globalised commerce and interconnected cultural problem solving. In the course of the project I never met my couterpart in India. Through utilizing the internet, we were able to complete this very complex project without ever seeing eachothers face nor hearing one anothers voice.

Trust building is key in such a business relationship. I was able to build trust with someone I have never met, and acheived results that are superior to that of the old model of face to face meetings and office politics. Effiecency, economy, sophisitcation and trust were all elevated to new levels using this new business project model.

A fine case history study...