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Gaurav Dalal
Gaurav Dalal

Gaurav Dalal

CEO

Apptology

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Gaurav Dalal is a member of:

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Brief about company, offerings and foundation of the company
Apptology is our working brand for doing APPS. I founded the company in 2005-2006 where initially we offered website and custom development but slowly we diversified into APPs development. Currently, we offer: 1. Custom Apps for iOS/ Blackberry, Windows Mobile and Android platforms. 2. RFID based integration. 3. GPS / mobile based tracking services. 4. GIS .5. ANT+ based apps
Risks involved in business and way of addressing
Business is another name for RISK and I strongly believe that the only way to address it by strategic planning and diversifying to more recent technologies.
Most critical decision
Finding talent for the right price was a key requirement for all the jobs which we did. Apps was a new domain and i needed skilled guys who could think out of the box. I had to re-locate to create a more corporate eco-system which would attract

such talent.
Some of the difficulties faced while building product/ solution
We have a GPS based tracking solution as a product which was different to sell as compared to typical online products. Sales are done with groundwork and a lot of emphasis is on technical support.
Three big lessons/ mistakes encountered while building company
1. Sourcing Capital

2. Advertising avenues

3. Choosing the right markets for the right product
Different actions if I rebuild my company from scratch all over again
1. Think ahead of time

2. Source capital with hierarchical company structure.
Motivation and Drives factor
I am a technology guy. Tell me something new and I am all ears.
Unique about my way of motivating troops
I believe i have started with nothing at all and i preach the same. Essentially, I did start the company with zero capital over a casual conversation with my partner and a cigarette. Working ground up, i feel connected to the soil and take pride in it. I have lots of stories to share to excite newer generation and how i feel they

should work towards success.
Way of choosing my people
I give opportunity to everyone to come and prove themselves to me. My only criteria for finding the right candidate is how much he/she can stretch and think out of the box, take responsibilities and think about the company and not individually.
The challenges and lessons learnt to get first customer
This is a tricky one. I can write a book on this !! Me and my partner worked in a company in Noida and i was the territory head for the European region. Some of the clients would not take any calls with our management without me being there. I was personally unhappy with the strategies which the company had with the european partners and wanted to quit. Walked to my CEO and told him that i could produce twice the turnover with half the manpower he had. He smiled at me and said “ Its easier said than done”. I discussed this with my friends and decided to start something to prove the point.

I initiated a conference call with some of the dis-interested clients and offered to source development to them. I was called to London to make a presentation in front of 30 London based business owners. I walked out with 8 orders in my hand. LESSON: Sometimes it is all about getting at the right place with the right attitude.
Experience of reaching out to potential investors
So far, we have not looked out for investors but i am open to discuss future plans with someone.
My role at different dimensions as the company evolved
Im the horse pulling the cart. I will wait till i buy a car !
My thoughts related to entrepreneurship/ leadership and management
Leadership is not taught, discussed or learnt but felt from circumstances around you. If you are a perfectionist and strive to bring out your best at all times, you are a leader.
Best company I admire globally
Apple started as a upfront niche product and continued to stay that way. Google initially started out as a open-source, lifetime free platform but slowly got greedy into monetising their products one way or the other.
Advice for fellow entrepreneurs
Believe your instincts. Do things differently. Have a clear goal of what you are creating and why.
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