We were a team of about eight people when I first joined my organization SPG Media (now called Ochre Media). It was cut down to five after we were acquired by iLabs group in June and renamed Ochre Media.

The first couple of months were like paid holidays where we hardly had any work to do. There was no direction or set path for us. However, after a brief lull, our company started to grow and since then it has been making some money, enough to meet our sundry expenses.

Since October, we had new people coming in our department (called BIU). It was a great feeling to be sitting on the other side of the interview table for the first time. A bit of hesitancy and fear at the sight of the first candidate, but we managed the show well. By October we had the first batch joining. One of them was Aravind, who was taken more out of sympathy than for his abilities. Of course, he is no more with our company but he carved a niche for himself.

Then another round of interviews where we selected about six candidates. They were interviewed in January and joined us directly in the new building (to which we shifted on March 01, after being wooed for long).

Now, we are in the new office with more than 50 people, about 20 of them are new. Our department has about 8 new people - some with work experience and some totally new to this technical magazine work. But it has been fun talking to them and briefing them about our products and company, and how the industry works. It has also given me a sense of confidence that I can handle a few people on my own.

I always have a feeling that new people entering an organization will help in reviewing our products and our working style. The first few days are very important and they decide the fate of the relationship between the old and the new employees. As far as I am concerned, I had given my new team members enough induction classes and I am happy with the way they have responded so far.

I am planning to start giving them some work from tomorrow and see how things unfold. The same is the case with other teams - Pharma and Healthcare.