If you are a startup, jugaad is the key to get things done. The most important element of jugaad is the way to start conversation and pull the deal towards your way.
And to start conversation, the first thing you need to do is TALK. Very candidly [or articulate, if you can] ask what and why you want.
I recently had an interesting experience with one of the largest software company. I had to use one of their software for a specific purpose and while the trial version lasted only 30 days, I needed a few more days to finish off my task.
So out of shamelessness [inject this virtue in your blood cells, if you want to try out Jugaad], I wrote a mail to support team of this company saying I need an extension of the license.
As expected, they refused [am glad that they cared to reply], and before closing the chapter, I replied to the person
Dear <name>,
I appreciate your response and before you mark this service request/ticket as closed, I thought I will share my perspective on the same.
Please understand that instead of asking for license extension, I could have easily borrowed a pirated copy of your <xxx> software.
I sent out my earlier email because I firmly believe in the effort that has gone behind creating an awesome software and wouldn’t like to take any other route to cheat that effort.
I hope you understand the perspective and speak to your seniors and work out something.
If not, it’s all right.
In good faith,
Ashish.
A bit of honesty, a bit of sense of purpose mixed with emotion and within 2 days, I had an extended license with a note requesting to not share this story with others [otherwise it becomes a norm 
]; but the crux of the matter is that asking does lead to a conversation and stuff happens when people talk.
I have also experienced similar experience while organizing UnPluGGd and more deal one goes through, the more I realize that ‘asking’ is the key to get what you want.
And most of the times, geeks owing to their logical thought process tend to ask by rules.
And not to start a conversation.
Bang on.
Go by the rules and you will be stuck. Rules are for the compliance seekers not for entrepreneurs.
Are you promoting Airtel’s new tagline here,”baat karney se hi baat banti hai?”
I am in love with your blog. Startups really need to believe in jugaar technology.
Good one! Something similar happened to us just yesterday. Need to do this more often
Abhaya
Jugaad is the way to go specially when you cannot afford to buy everything you require to succeed and why not if a little conversation can do the trick.yes you have to do that leaving your ego away
Story of my life guys.
Just shamelessly ask, you never know. Couple years ago, I wanted to go to a large retail conference in Mumbai where the registration fee was some 35k. Just called up one of the numbers on their site, told them that I am a startup and this is very prohibitive. They simply shaved off 50% from my fee. Who knew.
Ask politely with no inhibitions, you never know what you may get.
- V
This is so so very true! So very often I have found people to be helpful and supportive, it’s only a question of “asking”.
I recently read the autobiography of Capt Gopinath and my belief in the simple act of “asking” grew strong. He has mentioned several instances where he has helped people who wanted to hire his Helicopters for some purpose who couldn’t afford it at regular prices. Only because the people asked.
And its not about being shameless, its about shedding your inhibitions and just ask for help.
Hello,
Good Point, asking and getting reply is the most communicatable manner, in my experiance i do 2 things, i ask people for service and i do negotiate with them in money part. Asking and negotiating are important for day to day life, because you ask for some thing and some one might provide good response and some one might not respond, negotiating to get that response from a non responder is also a great work
Thanks & Regards
Sai Pothuri
Agree completely. This is also one of the lessons I have learned as a first time entrepreneur.
Few things I have been able to manage is to get further discounts on hosting fees, and extra services.
I totally agree. Something similar happened to me too. Make them understand their weak nerve and surely they reply positively!
Hey
Really agree, from my own experience. Some times blunder hota hain..but nothing to loose ! U already aware !
its not shamelessness, its about “You will Max get No”, but ladki ko propose to karo
“I had an extended license with a note requesting to not share this story with others”
Do’h!!!
? Why that Do’h Pushkar?
For the co. it was an exception and not a norm. they wouldnt want everybody else to say ‘Give me free license, becuase this website owner said you are giving free to ppl”
I was just joking yaar
But seriously speaking, back in college days, I managed to got a $1800 software from nokia by asking and telling I am a student and can’t afford it and I am a developer and they gave me 1 year license for free.
So here are the tips to get jugaad costly software –
1. Tell them you are a developer and not end user
2. Tell them it is not for commercial purpose
3. Tell them that you will give back the code to the community
4. Tell them you are poor!
I had learnt this story the hard way – talking more always works. Be it the opposite sex, or raising money or selling something.
Very nice anecdote cnha!
PP