Monday, November 30, 2009
Marketing 'Love'
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Political Gimmickry
But his ego stood in his way and he wanted to see his name and photographs appear in papers other than his own Saamana, which not many people bother to read. He was also smarting under the slap his ungrateful nephew Raj gave him by winning 13 seats to Marashtra Legislative Assembly. So the old Balasaheb hit on the bright idea which would both steal the thunder from his upstart nephew and get everyone in the country talking about him. He chose his target well.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Quote -
For a business not to advertise is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing but no one else does.
~ Stuart H. Britt, US advertising consultant
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Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Media & You.
I am often asked if I think that our media - TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs (like this one) - are becoming increasingly frivolous, and exhibiting a lamentable lack of what is called 'Social Responsibility'. Instead of reporting and commenting on serious issues - such as, say, farmers' suicides, gender discrimination, man-made climate change which threatens to wreak environmental havoc on the entire planet - the media focuses more and more on what are referred to as Page 3 events and personalities: who was - and who wasn't - invited to Vijay Mallya's last birthday bash, and what the guests were wearing; which Bollywood starlet is supposedly having/not having an affair with which six-pack hunk of a male model; and so on. In short, bling on the glamour and glitz, and to hell with social responsibility.
So, are the media, by and large, guilty as charged? Are they indeed shortchanging serious issues and social responsibility in favour of Page 3 frippery and frivolity?
In a democracy, people get the government they deserve. Similarly, in free market media - as opposed to government-controlled propagandist media - consumers get the media they want.
So, is Indian media becoming all froth and no social responsibility? Yes, it probably is. And the reason for this is not far to seek. Look in the mirror and you'll see it.
The reason is YOU.
To read more, click here.
Sphere: Related ContentSunday, November 15, 2009
Sachin Tendulkar at 20-20

He continues to make politically correct statements, though, for once, he did not mince words on "Marathi Manoos", saying that he was a proud Maharashtrian, but an Indian first, and that Mumbai belongs to India.
Perhaps, Tendulkar from now on will be taken seriously when he speaks on subjects other than cricket.
Sphere: Related ContentMonday, November 2, 2009
Why the Great Indian Companies will Fail on the Internet ?
1. Top Down Management
2. Taking Technology for Granted
3. Lack of Innovation
4. Belief that Brand is Everything
5. Belief that Content is Everything
6. Big Budget, Big Plans, but Lack of Execution
7. Too much focus on Eyeball time and Ads as opposed to creating valuable transact
8. Lack of Audience Intelligence
To read more about this amazing post, click here. Sphere: Related Content
Thursday, October 22, 2009
New B School Rankings in India
The surprising findings from the survey were -
1. Many business schools could not even place half their class.
The above findings definitely shows the "hidden issues" in the education system in our country. The B-Schools apparently seems so are raking in fabulous moolah as tution fees at a time when the problem lies somewhere else, which is actually worth pondering more than a thought.
So, What do You & I do ? Answer - Wait to criticise the next year's survey.
Because, we can't make a difference in the system. Can we ? I Bet - NO !!
Is a Weak Dollar Beneficial ?
1. I'm not asking for a specific weak dollar policy (we've already done enough on that front!). The point is that if the market brings a falling dollar, this outcome can be part of the equilibrating process.
2. You don't have to approve of all the policies, or private sector practices (e.g., a low savings rate) that produced the weak dollar. A weak dollar is still a healthy response, given those constraints.
3. Never forget the difference between real and nominal exchange rates. That answers the conundrum about wishing for a dollar of near-zero value.
Marketers - Should You Empathize ?
For Marketers, the ball-game is a bit different. Ray states "Empathy is critical to any marketer. In fact successful Marketing is steeped in the ability to empathise. With consumers. The ability to see things from their perspective. Take any service encounter. The best way to to manage this dynamic scenario is by being empathetic. The customer at your store comes in with a perspective that's his own. His queries arise from his personal 'store-view'. He sees and interprets your store based on a psyche that's uniquely his. Sure, he may turn out to be like an earlier customer, yet what he sees, is his own world. Managing him requires a marketer to walk that world".
And so does Seth say, "Empathy is a hugely powerful marketing tool if we use it gently, being sure to leave lots of room for error. When we say - Oh, you did that to make a quick buck or you did that because you hate that guy or you did that because you're a man...; we've closed the door to actually allowing people to write their own story and you make it difficult to learn what actually makes them tick".
Sure, you are right, if you say Empathetic Marketing is what would sell and woo your customers, more so because it is still recession. I have always believed that Empathy is Marketing has always been the under-appreciated element in sustaining Customer Loyalty. The overall approach in addressing the current consumer reality has in verity become an old trick of the trade; and for the present, it should be given a pause.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Diwali, Marketers, Consumption & More ...
Remember, Advertising in these recessionary times should be focussed on Consumer Engagement and NOT on Awareness and Trial. The Engagement now would result in a sale in the future, this is what is deemed to happen with most consumers adopting a ‘wait and watch’ policy.
2. Building Relationship.
3. Strengthening Goodwill.
4. Perfect way to keep in touch.
Now, you understand why we buy and why are there so many marketing efforts during the Diwali seasons.
I say, You better Note.
Wishing you all readers a Happy & Safe Diwali. Cheers !! Sphere: Related Content
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Obama & Nobel. Should I Smile ?
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Personified Rambling Perspectives
Sometimes, I do apprehend that whatever I think is not of any mega sagacity, but it eventually turns out to be good to read. Why ? Because the intellect experiences a rambling which in verity becomes ‘nice to read’ types.
Blogs, I am convinced are for articulating opinions. I would not rock the boat here by playing it as safe as a diplomat. I am supposed to be unbiased here.
I like Portugese nameplates. The cream of the crop should shut up for an alter. “Vivenda” never had an English utterance.
Respect is Important. And, it sometimes becomes the most significant fixation. When ? Ask the populace who are in Long-term relationships; they last only when there is long-term respect.
True !! At times, the elongated the wait, the tastier the fruit.
To reach your aspiration, you need to struggle. You wrestle with the biggest mêlée of your existence, and it is not versus anyone else, but you. I prefer to be un-sure about ambition, but I am persuaded that I need visibility.
Living Life is not about sketching personalities I want to Be, not about compiling quotes that I would want to Say, it is about …… Not Ending at the so many Virtual Full-Stops you face day in and day out. Guess, I said it all.
Things are so un-complicated when you have a muse. Worse, I haven’t had one for the last few months. But, I don’t know whether regret I should.
Should Everything have Sense for you? I think NOT.
End! End!
Ohh !! Was the post supposed to have Marketing & It's Environment. Ahh!! Missed It :)
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Friday, October 2, 2009
Gandhi Jayanti

Thursday, October 1, 2009
Absolute, Gibberish !!!
All I say at the end is - IF wishes were horses ........
And, For sure, Something will change sooner than later. It Cannot NOT !!
It indeed was - Absolute, Gibberish !!! Sphere: Related Content
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Is Marketing an Inherent Evil ?
2. Causing harm to competitors. Excessively fierce competition and unethical marketing tactics are especially associated with saturated markets. Nowadays, it stretches beyond saturated markets.
3. Manipulating social values. The victim in this case is society as a whole, or the environment as well. The argument is that marketing promotes consumerism and waste.
Collective Success & Individual Failure
Sunday, September 6, 2009
It's all about 'Consumer Perception'
Perceptions which are once formed are often tough, though not impossible, to change. They become guiding beliefs that turn rigid and tend to last. It doesn't take long for people to judge that a product is good, bad or ugly. And when somebody makes up his or her mind that a product belongs in one of these categories, that judgment can be incredibly difficult to change.
The fact of the matter for marketers is to nurture the correct Consumer Perception about their product to excel in the market and make the moolah.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Facts are Good. But, Value is Better
Better remember, Value VALUE and not Facts.
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Saturday, August 22, 2009
A View from Ravish
Being hopeful of a better future is a defalut human setting. We can site optimistic numbers of GDP growth, lower unemployment figures to claim a fading recession but my comprehension of the data and underlying facts suggest a different story. Yes, it may be the beggining of the end of recession but please take note - once bitten twice shy. Expecting that the growth engine will be back on track, people will be consuming the same way as they did before the Lehman collapse is a littie audacious forecast. True, change is inevitable. The current scene will change in a year's time, but please give time some time. For any growth to materialize, following parties must act and in togetherness -
Friday, August 21, 2009
Are you a Friend ? Or, Stranger ?
Do you market to strangers ? Or, do strangers market you ?
The point here is - Take good care of both your Friends & Strangers.
Sphere: Related ContentWorld Economy - U, V or W for Recovery
Friday, August 14, 2009
Keep Them in the Fold

Dr. Debashish Sengupta, Area Chair - HR at Alliance writes an article titled "Keep them in the Fold" wherein he mentions that a lay-off can be avoided by -
1. Re-deploying and Optimizing the work-force
2. Streamlining Salaries
3. Nurturing Talents
4. Communicating and Building Trust
Read the complete article here.
Online Brand Jacking
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