BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

PLEASE VOTE NOW

The recent voting turnout in Mumbai was, needless to mention, poor - dismal - and abso-freakin-lutely unlaudable (No, I do not say this because of just 26/11 but because of the SHEER need to vote).

The very next day, I was recommended to read a post by a Mumbai based Gentleman at this link: http://www.dnaindia.com/blogs/post.php?postid=166#comments

Blog Excerpt: "...I'll present just two reasons for my not voting: One, I don't believe in a choosing exercise where the choice is not real. Suppose you are very thirsty, you would, of course, want to exercise your right to some thirst-quenching drink. But if you are told that you have to choose your drink between petrol, kerosene and dog piss, would you exercise your right? Is there a real choice there? Looking at the choice of parties we have, and the politicians, I see nothing there that won't do me harm, let alone command a modicum of faith or hope or even respect. So, what do I vote for?"

I was intrigued by his perspective but I was appalled at the fact that being an educated gentleman, how could he forget what I had to tell him through my comment:

"Simple suggestion. There is a TV programme 'Man vs Wild' that comes on Discovery (Tuesdays, 9 PM). Start watching it. You will soon realize that if you are stuck somewhere without water, the best source of preventing dehydration (and death) is you — your own PISS. But if you cannot, then the best next alternative will be Dog Piss — OBVIOUSLY! Right?

Democracy has become a farce in most nations (the degree varies). But I believe that Dictatorship, Monarchy, and Fundamentalism might have been worse (if chosen in 1944-47). Also, I strongly believe that Anarchy, Plutocracy, and Theocracy might have been impossible considering the problems we are facing in Democracy already today!

So the question essentially again boils down to — what is the alternative? If not UPA or NDA, then whom? If not MMS or LKA, then whom? YOU? ME? Sure.

Think it over! Unfortunately, you and me are part of this human species and by destiny have been thrown in a world divided in nations and in a nation called INDIA which accepted a self-reliant Democractic Republic system long before you and I were born."

I have been expressing this view clearly verbatim to many of my colleagues, friends, relatives, family in response to innumerable Forwards urging people to vote for 49-O under which you could "Vote for Nobody".

I would ask (in a typical 'Sprite' style) everybody - what will happen if you vote for Nobody.

They conveniently answered "The elections will be called off in a certain majority of 49-O"

I: Then? (assuming that the other person was not stupid enough to say something like an autocratic rule should come or we should rather go back to Theocracy or Monarchy)

T: Fresh elections would be conceived

I: Then?

T: (with the change in that rebellious expression that I love, combined with a sheepish smile) So we will vote for the better candidate...

I: How will THAT better candidate arrive on the Indian polity scene? If you are contesting the next election, my Vote goes for you - irrespective of the Party!

T: Hmmmmm (Nodding again smiling sheepsihly)

I: Hmmmmm?

The point - ladies and gentlemen - I just proved that by Voting for Nobody or Not Voting, You are just making sure that the Wrong People come to Power again and again and again; and rape and plunder you at their leisure.

BECAUSE the Ideal Right People - which we 'consider' ourselves to Be - are NEVER going to contest the elections in near future. I, for example, have been raised in a set of values which says that "Politics is NOT a career". And its a vehement NO - to my much known plight.

I rather earn my modest income and raise a good family.

I rather look after myself.

I rather look after my parents.

I rather look after my kids.

I rather look after my house.

I rather look after my car.

I rather look after my Bedroom :P

But yaar, I rather look after my Country as well. Nahi Kya?

Yaara, is baar vote karke aao - It will automatically get you Thinking - Who is Better? Just make a decision based on facts and not media hype.

1) Shortlist your choices from a flurry of candidates

2) Visit their websites - Go through their Manifestos (based on your interest and available time).

PLEASE do not visit only ONE PARTY's manifesto - Please also visit other shortlisted parties'

3) Take into account ALL Issues - Prioritize them acc to your own Perspective.

4) Talk to your Colleagues, Friends, family - most importantly - Get your ELDERS' Perspective on the last 10-20-60 years of Governance.

5) AND then make a decision.

6) AND then GO OUT and VOTE!

This will, in turn, motivate you to observe and analyze the Govt's performance in coming 5 years and next time you will make a Better Decision - not only for Lok Sabha but also for Vidhan Sabha and City Corporation as well.

P.S: I wish Rajya Sabha also started polling by Common Man. The PM MMS would not have been forced to answer uncomfortable questions raised at him being not an Elected but a Selected candidate from Rajya Sabha while he presides over the Lok Sabha. How Ironical? :-)

Being in Twenties' Something...

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like.You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.



You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.



You look at your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.



Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure.



You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.



You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you're doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. You want to settle down for good because now all of a sudden that becomes top priority. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic.You begin to think a companion for life is better than a hundred in the shack and for once you would not mind standing tall for that special someone which otherwise you had never thought of until now.



You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision.



You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender! What you may not realize is that every one reading this relates to it.



We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.



You might want to send this to your twenty-something friends.... maybe it will help someone feel like they aren't alone in their state of confusion...



We call it the "Quarter-life Crisis"

Marketing Management
Nothing more than a sheer conceptualization of plain Common Sense

Over the last 2 years (through which I have been aspiring for MBA), all I had heard about Marketing is that it is the most sought-after major for an MBA student or even aspirant. I had even attended a couple of seminars or conferences listening to few speakers from corporate world, for example, Sales Head of a computer company, a reputed B-school graduated entrepreneur, and even some professors from moderately good B-schools. There were people to speak on anything and everything (I mean major) – Finance, Systems, HR and MARKETING. But at the end of each seminar, all I could conclude about the speakers, especially those who spoke about marketing (supposedly, they majored in marketing) that these people just gassed on and on and knew nothing special more than me, except the conceptualization part.

I belong to a community which has been traditionally famous (maybe infamous, too) for being typically business-minded – “The Baniyas” or most of them know us by the name of “Marwaris”. Though, our family has traditionally been a family of professionals but still, most of us have always been entrepreneurs, having our own establishments for architectural, designing and project management services. Therefore, it is since eternity – I mean, as early as I can recall – since childhood, that I remember my Dad always giving me fundas about capturing the market, understanding the customers’ needs and more so, discussing about any particular company on how could its policies have been different or how could this situation have been handled differently – be it any industry – Banks, DTC Buses, Railways, MTNL, Soaps, and especially Eatables (since we all share a peculiar but similar taste for any interesting palette) :P And not to forget, across any functional areas – be it HR or Marketing or Systems or Finance (although, he discussed these with me only as I grew over years – in that order). Finance being the last, for obvious reasons :)

So……okay……mmm……

I feel, at this point, I should share an interesting incident that happened with me a few months ago. I was having lunch with my colleagues outside my office at a “Chhola-Kulcha counter” when after the meal, as usual, I felt the chilies taking a toll on my tongue and I spotted a cup of “boondi-raita”. Although, it hardly seemed to be made out of curd, considering that it’s co-efficient of viscosity was lower than that of even plain water. Anyhow, feeling a fetish towards the “supposed” beverage, I asked its offering price – 5 Rupees, I was told. I went amok – 500 paise for this watery raita ??? and that too such a petty glass ??? and that too not full upto the brim ??? :O

Now, my baniya-giri dawned upon me and I shot back the next second, “Give it for 2 Rupees, I would have drank at least 3” (My logic being that this way he would have earned 6 Rs instead of 5, because currently, I had found his glass not worth the 5 Rs. and decided not to have it) And I paid for my part and strolled on. Out of the corner of my eye, though, I continued to look for his reaction but whatsoever, he did not respond to my comment.

It was not many days later, when I happened to be there again and I noticed something. When somebody asked the price of the raita, the vendor said “2.5 rupiya aur 7 rupiya”. On watching closely, I observed that he had started using 2 different sizes of glasses and out of those two, the bigger one (for 7 Rs.) was the same as the old one (previously for 5 Rs.), but now being filled upto the brim and the smaller one was a new addition.
Oh My GOD…!!! This guy is a genius, although I consider myself as a person, who never comes under such marketing tricks (and this time too, I did not), still I was flabbergasted at the fact that he actually surpassed my expectations. Not only did he thought about my comment (okay, I am being optimistic here), he actually raised the price of the older glass and introduced a smaller price-ranged product so that whoever just wants to kill the chili-effect, can opt for the 2.5 Rs. Glass. Furthermore, the price he decided to put at his cheaper product was not Rs. 1 or 2 or 3 – he chose 2.5 and that is such an amount that most of his customers would have a problem paying – so what would be the result? His customers would end up having 2 small glasses and would pay him Rs. 5, which happens to be a perfect round figure and hence, much more easier to pay.

Now, what would you call it?
Segmentation?
Targeting?
Or Positioning?

If you ask me, it is none. It breaks the shackles of the concepts of Marketing Management and goes beyond – much much beyond all the fundas and jargons given by the great marketing gurus. Now, this is what I call “Marketing”.

Some of my readers might argue that this is not “Marketing”. Rather, it is “Selling” to which I would say “Marketing and Selling, after all aim at only one thing – maximizing the turn-over”. Isn’t it so? :)
But Anyways, now I move on from that vendor but as I do so, I clearly re-iterate my point – this time blatantly – that there is so much to learn from this “businessman” or “entrepreneur” – maybe, not directly but surely indirectly…!!!

And then, suddenly, a thought crosses my mind-screen. Isn’t this wrong – ethically or whatever but tricking the customer in such a way that he doesn’t have an option but to have 2 glasses and pay 5 Rs instead of having his choice of having only 1 glass. I get an immediate reply – “After all, Its Business” and not only this, I have a funda confirming this – which was taught to me by my Mom – years ago (My Mom comes from a typical businessmen’ family and all my maternal uncles have proved their mettle in their Business all across India and even abroad – and that too across various industries). So!... That funda came out as a result of a conversation which was initiated by me, after observing the way Mom bargained at a local retail shop. Shopkeeper says 30 Rs and my mother replies with “not more than 15”. I am…like… Shit, What is she doing? That poor fellow is asking for 30 and she is saying 15. What’s going on here? Then followed the obvious conversation (my philanthropy showing its face), with which I am sure, many of my readers can relate to :)
But finally, what came out was that my Mom spoke about one of the basic principles of marketing or rather any Business which had been given to her by her eldest brother. I think I should mention at this point that her eldest brother is one man whom I always stare at with utter surprise, because he could not study after 5th Std., he moved to Calcutta at the age of 12. All he could learn about Business was from his masters in Calcutta, of whom he worked during the day as a shop-boy and did leg massage in the evenings, followed by assistance in household shopping before going to home. And today, I see him a well-succeeded business man, better-off in English Speaking than most of the Hotel Attendants (although with a different accent) but surely, he has traveled the world around and he knows every business – in and out.

She said “Ankit, Business is business and it has to be profitable otherwise there is no point doing business. If you are so philanthropic, you could join an NGO, rather – where you would earn a meager amount. Would you be happier then?”
She knew my answer.
She continued “By this, I do not mean to say that Business and Ethics cannot exist together. There is something called Ethical Business, Ethical Marketing or Ethical Selling. Suppose, you make a Bulb and it costs you 5 Rs each, it is entirely upto you to decide how much your selling price should be. You can even decide it as 10 (200%) – that would not be entirely unethical because it depends on a lot of factors like your brand image, your market value, etc and even your personal needs (for example: you might be in an urgent need of a house for your family). But then, when a customer comes and asks for your product – then comes into picture – Ethics.”
“You tell him – it costs 10 Rs. After negotiations, you both decide a price of 8.50 Rs. Now, the important part is that you should take 8.50 from your customer and hand him over the Bulb, which he had chosen (the one which cost you 5 Rs.) Many business-men CHEAT there customers by giving them an inferior quality product, if the customer has bargained but as far as our family’s business ethics go, we vow not to CHEAT any customer.”

This was just an example – an incident which I can recall. Many of my dear readers might argue that this is not such a special funda to be dedicated a blog to. What I would answer is simple – “It is! Today, not many businessmen care to include ethics in their business. Especially those people, who, more often than not, speak about their habit of spending 2 hours in the temple every morning and even while they are driving on a busy road, they strive so hard to get a glimpse of the roadside temple’s idol, that they might put their and other people’s lives in danger.”

Well, as for me, that moment with my mother was one moment when I did not know how to react. Today, as an MBA student, I realize the importance of that principle of ethic and moreover, I can relate Ethics with Business with much more ease.


What? You want to read more?
Well, although, already the word count has crossed my expectation and I am aware of the fact that long articles reduce readability. I could go on and on, perennially discussing my philosophy with you but I realize – Alas! In parts!!! :))

FFF - First Friday at FMS

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Vow, what a wonderful place I am at. 2 girls on my either sides – dancing with me in a night club. Suddenly, I ditch them to walk over to the counter, where I sighted an interesting lady and soon, in a matter of few minutes, I am enjoying a jolly easy-flowing conversation with her, over a martini.

:) Sounds great?
Sure…but its not. Oh no, I don’t mean it’s not great. It’s just that it’s not true and when I come out of my dream, I take a look at the wall clock and I see it is 11.46 PM and it is my first Friday (after 6 years, I think) that I am working under so much pressure (Last, as far as I can recall, I toiled so much only for my IIT-JEE).

Welcome to a B-School… Welcome to FMS !!!
Already I have had 5 hard days AND NIGHTS here and I know it’s not gonna end soon. At least not as soon as I want it to.
Oh, ok…let me keep my feelings for the latter part. Right now, the facts first. And the fact is that I am waiting for my "General Presentations" Team Partner Nikhil to send me the report, after which I am supposed to "PPT"ize it. Fortunate to get Nikhil as my partner, after working out the obvious logistics, we mutually decided that Nikhil shall mail me the report by mid night, following which I shall make the presentation slides. As it was found out later that unlike Nikhil (and many other newbies), I was an expert at PPTizing practically anything under the sun. Needless to mention, of course, after 2 years, all of us 44 creatures would be adept at it.

Aaaahh…I hate this cell-phone beeping but so much so for a necessary evil. Anyways, it is an SMS from Nikhil saying that he would not be able to make it by midnight. That means I can start my work only in the morning. Nothing to worry as the presentation is in the evening. So, I lay back into my chair and start dreaming again – this time, about my last 2 years. Pune, then Bangalore, then Delhi again (with short stints at Mysore, Chennai and Mumbai too) – Hmmm, I surely have gone places. Or is it? Yeah, It is. It has been a long journey, although regularly marred with thoughts about career and continuous efforts at optimizing and bettering the same – in simpler words, preparing for MBA Entrances. This was not so bad when I saw the result last year that I had not been able to convert calls from IIMB, MDI and NITIE but it got exacerbated as time flew – No, flew is a wrong word to be used here. Crawled is what I should use because over the last one year, time has actually crawled. But I am glad, eventually I have. And that too, the single call I got – FMS, MBA (MS). But surely, sometimes I wonder whether this is “THE” criteria to infer whether a person is an achiever or not. I say a complete no to it, yet I have strived so much for it.

Anyways, let’s get back to FMS. There is this silly paper – a rough sheet lying over there, which gets my attention. Oh God, whose hand-writing is this – so unreadable? Mine, no way, but it is. Scribbled all over the sheet are Names. Now, give me a break, why would I write the names of some of my classmates. Oh Shit, so many presentations? Over the last 5 days, each and every Society has given assignments to be done in the following week – most of them in the form a presentation. And the worst part (you might want to call it the best part) is that now, there are so many different groups all over the class that I had to write all of my group members’ names on a sheet, with their email addresses and phone numbers. Man, it gets surely gets screwing. And above all, the ‘best’ one is Finesse presentation – I do not even remotely know what the topic is all about – Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Never even heard of it. I do not understand how I am supposed to present it. But whatever it is, I am sure of one thing – I am not working any more right now. I need a sleep – c’mon, I usually sleep for 9 hours at least and have not been able to sleep even 6 hours for last 5 days. It is killing me.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Flurry of SMSes must be waiting for me. Hey, what’s the time? Its 8:27.
I have already spent 23 years contemplating how 8 long hours just fly in a matter of few minutes but I have learnt one thing that whenever they do fly so fast, that means I have had a fulfilling sound sleep and its good.
Ok, there are not many SMSes – only 2 – one from Nikhil stating that he has sent the report document and the other from Dujesh, my car-pool partner, telling me the time he would leave – 9.30 AM. Well, I decide to work from home today and go later in the afternoon but…mmm… what is the use of wasting fuel-energy. So, upholding my philosophy of fuel and cost-saving, I decide to leave with Dujesh only. Hey, but its not sure that the internet at the institute would be working. That means that I should download the report document at my home before leaving.
Oh shit, there is no mail from him. I mail him and send an SMS as well, of course in a hurry. Waiting for another 2 minutes helps me decide that I should get ready meanwhile and fortunately, minutes before leaving, my cell-phone beeps again – this time with the good news and I download the report into my hard disk before leaving.

Today is the first day, I am taking my laptop to the institute and …mmm… okay, I admit I am pretty excited about it :P Carrying the bag on my shoulder makes me really feel like a manager. But I know, I would get used to it sooner or later. On the way, discussion is usual over anything – favorites being Institute, seniors, presentations, assignments, past life and of course, Girls. Smooth halt outside the FMS building gives in way to the sought-after soaring FMSian bird dominated lounge. Today is a good day – at least no professorial lectures – only the evening presentation. I start making PPTs and soon after a few hours, its over. Got a pretty encouraging feedback with comments like “…Good Presentation…” and “…Questions handled very confidently…”

Bidding goodbyes......"tomorrow - Sunday - is supposed to be a relaxed day"...... next week presentations...... one week over at MBA...... hey, this notion about FMS being chilled out is myth or what?...... hmmm, what ever be the case, I dont know. Surely I hope, next week would be easier.

Screeching halt at my home's doorstep tells me I should collect all my stuff and just get out of the car, if I want to have another lasting and fulfilling sleeping night :)

Dinner......Music......TV......News......aaaaahhh...my Bed......but one thing I am still wondering about is whether I will be able to get such feedback after Sarbanes-Oxley Act…!!! :D