Nov 9, 2007

Sell to the Customer

Markets are booming (Sensex crossed 20k mark) as economy is shining; opportunities are lying everywhere and jobs are popping up each day for bright souls, but is it all that is needed for giving that extra edge to the presence that you want to have in this more than 6 billion junta of the world. 5.9 billion punters will say 'No' but still follow the same route as they are stuck in one or the other traps while the remaining 0.1 billion will say that they already have their presence and they want to see more people enter 5.9 billion wala side. Everyone wants to outshine but don't want to give up the easy life or you can say - Ground rule of Zero, where you want to get maximum returns out of minimum efforts. In college, we used to call it a 'Mind trap' but is it just a trap?, and if you decide to move out of that trap then are you done?
This strategy of deciding and moving forward works for some and fails for other, but the discussion point here is way too intrigued then just a matter of mind trap. Even if you choose to go ahead, questions pop up like do I have a selling idea? what if my idea is not unique?, and what if Ambani bhaiya jumps for the same market? Answers to these questions are not simple but working in a strategical way might work. Consider these lateral examples - Is it Reliance as a business group or as a brand that sells? Is Cricket or idea of watching/playing cricket sells? Is Provogue/Wills Lifestyle's quality, product sells or the brand value sells? Or, is it the irritating Girl or idea of having a girl with you in the pub matters?
If you haven't yet deciphered a way of moving towards the solution. Here is a guiding principle. 'Reach out to the customer in a way he/she wants'. Understanding the customer is very important in business and if you take the parallels then in life too. North Indian junta's tendency is to show off and hence decent salaried youth will always go for known brands (which violates the basic rule of earn in rupees and spent in dollars; Reverse should always be applied). Or, for that matter cricket has been taken to the Indian streets to the extent that not knowing Cricket is a social crime today. Dhoni is a National hero today where as Vishwanathan Anand is just a good chess player. :) Anyway, rule of thumb is that you should always know your customer and for that matter how to get close to them. Get close to them, play tactics of using Hinglish or Idea Cellular, Tata Tea type marketing fundae. Don't ever show that customer segment is unfit for you. Try to project that any one else if enters will not be a suit for the match. Like Reliance is targeting bottom of the pyramid, they can't sell blackberries to the CEOs.
Always look for a particular segment and create a buzz that lasts forever which will be backed by good quality products, good service and customer retention through timely follow ups. Phone call follow ups help. Marketing plays an important role in setting the right impression amongst your customer. Create a buzz so that even if Anil bhaiya enters your arena, he falls short of something.

Think big but play safe ...... It is easy to think big but it is hard to compete there

Nov 4, 2007

Join Bold Journalism than just reading bullshit

Watching news channel has become comic & total time pass these days; and gossips are something that media focus on all the time. Aajtak, NDTV, Channel 18, IBN7, LIVE India or be it any other news channel focus mainly on third grade news rather than covering what really needs to be captured. I have heard complaints mainly from Youth section and which in itself means future India, which implies that bull shit is not something that is gonna sell for long. Lets capture the problem from various angles.

What news channels currently focus on?
Trespassing privacy of Bollywood Stars is something they love. Be it King Khan, Kareena Kapoor or Aishwarya Rai. News like Aishwarya - Abhishek's marriage, their honey moon and first Karwa Chauth is something that news channels die for. Other focus point is Cricket. No need to describe any further, just go to any news channel.

Why do news channel focus on Bollywood, Cricket and Hindu - Muslim issues all the time?
Because it sells. Because people love to hear about bollywood stars, Cricket and other fun stuff. Fair enough but does that mean that real news should be kept at the back drops. Problem with people is that they complaint all the time about the stories but buy the same stories.

Is real journalism still alive?
Indian Express has been selling news for decades and hopefully will keep doing that. Its tag line has always been Journalism of Courage. Tehelka has come up with so many sting operations, being a team with no support around. I have seen so many interviews of Tarun Tejpal and the times when he had no money to support his team. People supported him from behind but no one came up in front.

How can we support the real news, media and Journalism?
We can either support bull shit or we can get associated in some way to Tehelka, Indian Express and support real Journalism. We can work with spreading awareness about what powerful people are trying to hide with their power and money. I think Internet is the best source to come up with support teams, groups, organizations, websites and express our views.

Why do we support real news?
You won't believe but there is a thin line between lying this side or that side of the territory. Once you are on that side, you will understand the need of real journalism. There are thousands of people here in the country who are cheated knowingly or unknowingly but they can't do anything. Even if you know that your tax paid money is being misused, you can't do anything. Even if you know that you are correct by law but you crossed the path of a powerful man and hence doomed is more frustrating than anything. Also, if you are here at Startupsinindia means that in future you want to work on your own, having your own start up and that means you want a proper Judicial system in the country and people (be it politician or actor) should follow the rules. We need to support the cause than to wait to see the results.

Cross questions that follow up --
First of all, whose fault is this that these bull shit news channels are making money? Why are they keep getting all this news and how can this be ended? Does this mean that media is dead and we don't have people who know the meaning of Journalism? Can someone sell bullshit if no one buys it? Can someone do something if they can't generate money out of it?

Answer lies in the fuel of India - Youth and I believe that we will in sometime understand the need of real media.
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