MxMIndia

Category: SANJEEV KOTNALA

  • Political Polarisation of Movies before Elections

    Political Polarisation of Movies before Elections

    Sanjeev KotnalaYou cannot ignore it anymore. Everyone can connect the dots. And though you may not be able to link it to the on-ground political aspirations and vote politics directly, it is on your face. The big screen has become more prominent and politically engaged. Political propaganda and vote requests are no longer restricted to the 60-second political films that run like other brand promotions. They are now The Film.

    It would be naïve to see it as a mere coincidence. It is political. Joh Dikta Hai Woh Bikta Hai. Let us not forget that the Modi government is all about the visible delivery of the promise – the guarantee – the works you can see- the inaugurations, and the promises fulfilled.

    The changes in the landscape in and around us are dominantly visible. The films provide stories that leave the audience emotionally charged and with memorable proof. Indeed, one can not underestimate the power of these suggestive screenplays. They definitely nudge the voters to think and pledge their support to the political narrative. You cannot claim an unequal fight if one of the political parties, in their strategic approach, has seen the big screen’s impact on vote swings and is leveraging it overtly or covertly.

     

    Recent Films

    I recently watched ‘Article 370’, and then I watched the Indian Top Gun equivalent “Fighter”, a hell of a simple entertainer ‘Teri Batoon Mein Aisa Uljha’ and ‘Main Atal Hoon’.

    In the theatre before the feature film and during the interval, I was relentlessly attacked with teasers of the forthcoming films. It is not surprising that half of them would qualify as a clear case of political propaganda with the content and timing of the release.

    Till one cannot directly correlate and find a strong connection and funding of the movie by political parties, one will have to give it to the ruling party to judicially leverage a media that was earlier not in the game.

    It is not something new. There has been a definitive shift in the content of the movies for some time. They are more pro-government and based on the action. They also target the inactivity or perceived wrongs of the opposition or the stalwarts of the opposition parties. The shift has intensified as we near the election time.

     

    The Orientation

    The main themes are simple and easy to see.

    Religion supremacy- and that is Hinduism. It, at times, tends to become Islamophobic but is supported with known facts of recent or historical events.

    The bold initiatives of the government- doing which no other party dared to do. In effect, it projects a few political leaders as superheroes.

    Re-aligning the misinterpreted freedom movement and giving due focus to many equally great leaders.

     

    List not Short

    Be it ‘Main Atal Hu’, ‘Accidental Prime Minister’, ‘The Kerala Story’, ‘URI’, ‘Kashmir Files’, ‘Article 370’ or ‘Fighter’. Or the yet-to-be-released ‘Accident or Conspiracy: Godhra’, ‘Razakar’, ‘The Sabarmati Report’, ‘Bastar’, and the biopic of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’. Some movies suggested a similar narrative but failed to make a mark, like ‘Aakhir Palaayan Kab Tak?’.

     

    Indianising or Hinduising Factor

    The path to Indianising Bollywood started way back. The social media posts repeatedly projected a Bollywood conspiracy wrongly portraying Hindus. It questioned how all the wrongs were always committed by the characters who were Hindu. It asked why the films and the advertisements only questioned rituals and practices or made fun of Hindu gods and leaders.

    As a part of the survival act and surviving the boycotts, the foundation for a shift in narrative was laid in time. The success of Uri and other such movies did the rest.

     

    Commercialisation & Opportunistic Approach

    Can we blame Bollywood for the commercialisation and opportunism of seeking success and safety by making films about a particular ideology? And if that is right, where is the debate on any change? The industry has always believed in encashing opportunities and trends.

    This may be a change of demand and not necessarily a need for political favours. The political climate in the country has nudged the writers-producers to course-correct the earlier skewed content.

     

    Net-net: The Cycle may not last

    The trend may last a little longer before the audience starts reacting against overt political content.

    It has always happened in Indian cinema. A series of successful films opened doors for many more films with similar content. By the time they get released one after another – the audience is already satiated and starts revolting against unidimensional storytelling.

    The interested parties have sweet-timed their initiatives for peak engagement at the right time- the election time.

    But, by the time we hit the festive period this year post-elections, this content polarisation would be on the way out. So, if you are associated with some projects on similar lines, please tread cautiously unless you are well-funded by interested parties and the risk has already been taken care of.

    Aside

    As I saw the poster for ‘Bastar’, I remembered an evening brainstorming session in Raipur on the naxal issue and possible non-intrusive solutions. In that meeting, as part of the ideation process, I suggested making a movie about the Naxal movement with the active participation of the government and the naxalites. The solution was seen as impractical- it was a period when people saw cinema more as entertainment than a possible role play in the solution.

     

     

    Sanjeev Kotnala is a senior media and marketing services consultant, educator and now author. He writes on MxMIndia every Wednesday. His views here are personal

  • Why every episode of Shark Tank India is a must-watch…

    Why every episode of Shark Tank India is a must-watch…

    Sanjeev KotnalaShark Tank India is a programme I think every youngster with the thought of getting on the entrepreneur–startup landscape must watch. If not, it is their loss. It is different that the term reality show is not seen in a positive light by many, but a logic- and reason-driven ‘I am out’ works. Not a surprise when one hears a group member silently react to the next weekend’s programme by ‘I am out’.

     

    The Learning

    There is so much of learning in Shark Tank. It tells one what to watch out for, what the investors could be looking at, what is the right time and type of pitching, how the investors look at the founder’s history and passion to punt at the idea.

    It also explains various terminologies and demonstrates time and again why an entrepreneur must have a deep domain knowledge. It is superbly motivating and encourages the audience to try out and live their life. After Bigg Boss (Colors), Shark Tank India (Sony TV) is now one of my favourite reality shows and I am catching up on the episodes that I may have missed on YouTube.

    It is a good programme to learn from the approach of others, especially when it concerns success and failure. If one really immerses in the programme (which is recommended), it has the potential to help reflective self-meditation.

    It is an entertaining and educational experience. Many times, you get involved and like in a match pray for someone to get the investment. At some other time, you pat yourself in seeing the idea, its scalability or raising a question just like what the sharks do in the episode.

    It is a no cost training for the Indian entrepreneurs to learns about investing and pitching and be prepared in their real life to better negotiate the ground realities. If nothing else, it exposes them to the way how they should be evaluating their own business ideas and innovations. And that is a huge learning.

     

    The Sharks

    Shark Tank has brought the few famous dreamers and achievers from young India face to face with the other set of people wanting investments. People like Aman Gupta (Boat), Amit jain (Cardekho), Anupum Mittal (Shaadi.com), Ashneer Grover (ex-founder BharatPe), Azhar Iqubal, Deepinder Goyal (Zomato), Ghazal Alagh (Mamaearth), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Radhika Gupta (MD & CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund ), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO Rooms), Ronnie Screwvala (UpGrad), Varun Dua (Acko), Vineeta Singh (Sugar Cosmetics) have featured in the episodes since 2021 in the three seasons.

     

    Deals

    The first two seasons collectively had 87 episodes with some 244 deals worth approximately Rs 95 crore of investment across all the sharks. Season 3 (expected 35 episodes)  is streaming now and is expected to be of a bigger scale with higher value of deals.

     

    Concept

    The concept of the show is simple and straightforward. It entails the entrepreneurs and the founders making business pitches to a set of five sharks (investors- mostly self-made multi-millionaires) for investing in their business. They quote their ask and in terms of money against a pre-set percentage of equity.  The pitch presentation mostly is based around the people-their role-product or service- the turnover and financials. Basis that short interaction, the Sharks go on to probe further before deciding if they were willing to invest and at what valuation and how much. The discussion goes on to: possible duplication, other competition, status, EBITA, Profitability and future plans.  The negotiation is usually around the valuation and quantum of investment as well as how many sharks are individuality and or collectively participate in the investment- if any.

     

    Some Thoughts

    There have been cases when people have been on the show more for visibility and marketing then really needing an investment, but that is the smartness of the entrepreneur and the failure of the TV channel’s production team in scrutinising the candidates.

    There have been also cases when the promised investment has not been finally made because in the due diligence process, the sharks realised that the product or the service or the sales and the financial condition or parameters were not what they were shown- shared and presented on the show. It all happens, and any bad noise must be taken with a pinch of salt.

     

    My Learnings

    Through the shows I have seen, witnessed, and realised how wonderfully innovative people are.  It gives one more confidence on the path the country is taking, personally I have been introduced to few products that I have ended consuming like the Honey Twigs or while searching for a product presented on the show (Bacca Bucci), have been exposed to others like Mocobara and ended up purchasing them.

    Every episode has a learning embedded in it. It depends upon you how much you absorb from the show. Maybe reading the book Sponge and Catalyst could help.  I have my own understanding and thoughts from the show.

    • Investors are investing on to the founder and their dreams.
    • Investors at the end is looking for an exit bat a later date and a multiplier to their investment.
    • The founder – leader must deep dive on the category and know it as well as its supplementary and complimentary products and services.
    • Burnout is a term that is losing its importance and profitability and scalability is more important.
    • There is a stage before which one should not be looking at investors.
    • The investor should be synergic t the category and bring in more than just money.
    • The entrepreneur must negotiate the best deal.
    • The sharks are sharks because they are more concerned about their investment and hence the entrepreneur must be very clear about their ground realities.
    • The entrepreneur must have a valuation and investment below which they know they will walk out in-spite of which shark is making them the offer.
    • It may sound good- but must be clear that the multi shark investment may not always be a better deal.
    • At times one must stop being emotional and evaluate the future. Sometime, the best advice may not be further investment but closing the venture.

     

    Net-net

    You have an idea or not but want to be an entrepreneur at some stage of your life- or even if you don’t ever want to be starting your business- watch the show and enjoy free entertainment and learning.

  • Being water-wise needs a behavioural change

    Being water-wise needs a behavioural change

    Sanjeev KotnalaIt was like any other Saturday morning. I was working on my laptop when the Nutgraf newsletter landed in the email. For people unaware of it, it is a paid weekly emailer that explains fundamental shifts in business, technology and finance that happened over the last seven days in India. And this week, it spoke of the Bengaluru Water Crisis where it drew upon the way Cape Town, the first Zero City (in 2018), was trying to fight the crisis.

    I know someone will say that if Cape Town has  adapted to the situation in last six years, let’s learn and implement the solutions. These people don’t realise that even if the problem sounds similar,  the solutions are not the same, though one can expect a lot more of overlap.

     

    It Is Bengaluru Today, It Could Be Indore Tomorrow

    There is a need to overreact. A few of us may not be alarmed or react to then situation as we may not have ever experienced a dry tap. We may be the ones who despite the umpteen messages to conserve water – may still be waiting for the bell to ring.

    We may joke that we Indians are good at crisis management and hence would wait for the day. We may laugh at the climate alarmists and brand it yet another ‘Behdia Aaya‘ (wolf) moment.  A few of us, strengthened by the Covid mindset, would say we will adapt to the situation and find a way out as we did in the past. Many would play that helpless card like they do during the voting, questioning what difference could a single vote make?  Not knowing that every step, vote, and drop counts. And not understanding that the government can do this much and no more.

     

    Sabka Number Aayega

    The water crisis is very secular and democratic. Sooner or later, it will hit all of us. For some time, a few wealthy ones may be able to scrape through and manage, but the government will have to step in and treat everyone as equals.

    Rationing of water, police deployment, restricted service would be par for the course. One may even be imprisoned and penalised for using more water than authorised. It can be worse than the Covid oxygen crisis.

    No, I am not trying to scare you but only familiarising you with the future.  You better be scared, or there is nothing to say.

     

    The Clock been running out of Time.

    The Bengaluru crisis was not created in one day. We have been walking towards it for many years. It was one of the Top 10 cities globally in the list of cities where the crisis was expected to hit first. At every city level, we and the government know the looming water crisis has picked up pace. How one or two bad years of monsoon may just tilt the balance.

     

    The Problem is That We Know It all.

    Come summer, there will be some cuts of 10-15% and we will manage. There will be Save Water campaigns. Some brand may even take it as a part of corporate social service and do lip-service to the situation. Hotel bathrooms would have those smart looking water-saving stickers on mirrors and will ask you to change the towel and bed sheet only when needed. A few leading  newspapers and TV channels will start initiatives to get their audience to contribute to save water and talk about five- things to do to prevent water wastage. And soon as the first announcement of monsoon dates (forget first shower) will revert to our normal default setting of water wastage.

    We will forget, like we have done for so many years, that a drop saved is a drop made.

    Many will tell you not to preach because each one of us actually knows everything.

    We all know the importance of saving and not abusing water availability.

    We have been learning and training others to act.

    We have stopped looking for hotels with bathtubs.

    We use only one bucket to bath and have stopped using the shower.

    We close the tap while shaving and brushing.

    We don’t use the heavy water guzzlers of fully automatic washing machine.

    We don’t waste water washing our vehicles every day.

    We recycle wastewater. We harvest rainwater.

    And more… The possibilities in the ways we can contribute are many.

    And on the other side

    In the name of development and infrastructure, we continue to bury the remaining  lakes and water bodies.

    We continue to cut trees and reclaim marsh lands.

    We create concrete fortresses clogging every possible inch recharging underwater bodies.

    We dig borewells not worried about underwater bodies.

    Oh,

    We have developed Apps and use AI to solve the problem.

    Oh,

    We know it will not solve the problem without a behavioural change.

    Oh,

    The list is long; we know what we should/could do.

    However, even then, we are guilty of not acting despite knowing what to do.

    There cannot be a worse idiot than literates who know.

    How many of us make it to the list of people who know, can act- but don’t to save water.

    Indeed, a lot of us.

     

    We are like that only

    Many of us know the need to wear seat belts and don’t. We wear it only when we know we can be penalised. Same with the helmet, speeding, insurance, jaywalking, or cleaning the house or not littering to road.

    We are habitual offenders, and we are the smartest of all.

    So we don’t need to be told or demonstrated what we need to do.

    We speak through our ego powered by the chalta hai attitude. We also believe we are beyond the tipping point and the helpless, we can make no difference.

    I Am Guilty Too.

    Yes, I am guilty too. I recall the water crisis film that my friend made a long time ago, the films that agencies did, and the campaign that newspapers ran and some of them I contributed to. Unfortunately, the clouds of water crisis were not as prominent as they are now and the efforts were seasonal- not really geared toward measuring the results.

     

    Net-net

    There is no time to play the blame game. No point in pointing fingers and listing who is more responsible for the crisis.

    Before accusing anyone else, I must look inward and make a promise. I will leave the list of the idiots who know but don’t act. I will do whatever is right and what I must do to conserve and avoid wasting water. And I will share and tell others to do everything possible to conserve water.

    Like me, we can be the small example for our circle of influence and control. And there, we can make a difference. We must know that the act is far more critical this time than the destination.

    Meanwhile, I look forward to the government, institutions, resident societies, cooperatives and colonies using every possible means. Use Sham-Daam-Dand-Bhedh (Logic and rationality, Price and penalty and differentiation and doubt) to nudge the population.

    It may be the water pressure, water-map, or levies – fines or control. Maybe it is time that we not only look at Bengaluru and the crisis but look at the whole nation. However, working from home or migrating without habit and attitude change only relocates the problem geographically. We need a behavioural change.

  • The Grey Area of Social Betting among Friends

    The Grey Area of Social Betting among Friends

    Sanjeev KotnalaNavigating the legality surrounding gambling and betting in India is full of confusion and uncertainty for the average citizen. What is legal or illegal gambling is subject to the interpretation of authorities and law enforcement officials. While one might engage in online gaming platforms under the guise of skill-based games without repercussions, the same cannot be said for a friendly game of cards during a festive occasion like Diwali or a generic pooled bet among friends on the election results. Even betting among close friends can teeter on the edge of legality unless certain precautions are taken, further complicated by different interpretations and rules at central and state levels.

     

    The Idea of Betting on Lotus

    Recently, during a reunion in Jaipur, discussions naturally covered the upcoming 2024 elections and possible outcomes. Like any other group of elders, everyone had their own interpretation of the current geopolitical situation and, hence, polarised outcomes. These predictions were based on informed analysis, akin to a game of skill.

     

    The idea of a closed-group betting pool emerged to add excitement to the discussion. Participants would predict the number of seats the BJP would secure under the Lotus symbol and contribute a nominal amount, with one person designated as the BetMaster. The individual closest to the actual result would claim the pooled amount.

     

    Confidentiality and transparency were built into the process. The last date for predicting and betting was the eve of the first polling date. The predictions were only known to BetMaster and made public a day after the first polling date. The participant could change the prediction once before closing the entries.

     

    Despite the transparent and confidential nature of the arrangement, a crucial question loomed: Was it legal? Despite being a mere 10,000 collective possible wagers in a 60 billion industry ( estimate of 2010), we were too educated not to intellectualise the possible scenario.

     

    Risky Social Betting

    This inquiry into the subject over digital checks and a few discussions led to a sobering realisation. While the friendly betting endeavour seemed innocuous, it could potentially run afoul of gambling laws in India. One could be fined INR 200 or imprisoned for three months. The mere possibility of legal repercussions, including fines and imprisonment, cast a shadow over what was intended as harmless fun among friends.

     

    Betting is the act of putting at stake a wagering amount (a valuable or liquid cash) on the prediction of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event.

     

    Gambling in India

    Gambling is strictly prohibited in India under the antiquated Public Gambling Act of 1867, a relic from the pre-Independence era.

     

    Despite its age, its enforcement varies significantly across states, leading to a patchwork of interpretations. While the Act overlooks online betting, several states have enacted specific laws against it.

     

    Interestingly, gaming platforms have successfully argued in courts that their activities constitute skill-based games.

     

    Now, consider predicting election outcomes. It does require intricate knowledge and analysis akin to strategic skill. Yet, despite the parallels with skill-based activities like exit polls, this entertaining pooled betting among friends could be illegal.

     

    Under the Public Gaming Act of 1867, anyone caught gambling with cards, dice, or counters faces potential imprisonment and fines as per Section 45 of the Indian Penal Code of 1860.

     

    Game of Skill v/s Chance

    The legislative definition of a game of skill is one in which the element of skill predominates over the element of chance, including when the skill relates to strategising the manner of placing wagers or bets, when the skill lies in team selection or selection of virtual stocks based on analyses, or when the skill relates to the manner in which the moves are made, whether through deployment of physical or mental skill and acumen. 

     

    Based on this, many states consider rummy, bridge, golf, chess, poker, darts, and carom games to be games of skill. The gaming platforms have somehow convinced the judiciary that they are more a game of skill than of chance.

     

    If we were to fight, we could always prove that predicting election results requires a deep understanding of the geopolitical situation, processes, and ground reality—definitely, it is a game of skill. But then we wouldn’t have the energy and width to do so. We want easy clarity.

     

    Ambiguity in Gambling

    The ambiguity surrounding the legality of such simple, friendly social betting reflects broader inconsistencies within India’s gambling laws. Moreover, this is the case of educated professionals who have held positions of responsibility and repute.

     

    While online platforms exploit legal loopholes to operate as skill-based games, traditional forms of betting face stricter scrutiny, even within private circles.

     

    Not a Competition

    This pooling syndicate on election results could be considered a competition where the prize is offered for solving a puzzle, number, alphabet, crossword, missing word, or picture prize.

    Elections are one of the biggest puzzles of complex caste divides, manifesto statements, political inclinations, etc. However, with a prize of more than INR 1000, it ran foul of the Prize Competition Act of 1955, which bans a prize of more than INR 1000.

    Our prize money would have been 10,000 INR, a small sum in a 60 billion betting industry (2010 estimate), but beyond the Competition Act.

     

    Not even a Lottery

    Yes, in our scheme, typically, every participant predicted a number; in a way, he or she was buying a number that he or she believes has the most chance of coming when the results were declared. Now, does that make it within the Lottery Act?

    The lottery is defined in the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998 under Section 2(b): ‘lottery’ means a scheme, in whatever form and by whatever name called, for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance to those persons participating in the chance of a prize by purchasing tickets.

    So, our simple, transparent, innocuous betting could be against the Gambling, Competition, and Lottery Act! The group had to stop looking at further running the closed group syndicate for the IPL winner, the Purple and orange cap winner, and the US Presidential race.

     

    Social Betting Stifled

    Social betting among friends typically centred around sports or elections, is common in India. These informal wagers, characterised by low stakes and camaraderie, rarely attract legal intervention. However, the possibility of legal consequences looms over such activities, deterring individuals from fully embracing harmless social traditions. This prevents more of the educated class than the masses.

     

    Government concern with Betting

    The reluctance to legalise betting stems from moral and societal concerns, with gambling viewed as a vice associated with addiction and financial ruin. Yet, the distinction between games of skill and chance remains murky, leaving room for interpretation and enforcement discrepancies. One feels frustrated when online betting and gambling continue under the name of skill. On the other side, social gambling is under the scanner.

     

    The lack of clarity surrounding social betting perpetuates uncertainty and stifles harmless recreational activities. As the government grapples with defining and regulating gambling, it’s imperative to provide clear guidelines distinguishing between harmless social engagements and illicit gambling practices.

     

    Net-net

    The ambiguity surrounding gambling laws in India continues to confuse citizens and authorities alike. The absence of clear regulations leaves individuals hesitant to engage in harmless social activities like friendly betting pools. As we await clarity from policymakers, the question remains: can friends gather for a friendly wager without running afoul of the law? And are kitty parties, which are also a pooled lottery, legal? Until then, the legality of social betting in India remains a puzzle waiting to be solved.

     

    UNRESOLVED QUESTION.

    After all this reading and referencing, it is still to be determined if a closed group of people on WhatsApp can bet for entertainment with the least wager that would not financially ruin them.

    If someone has an answer, I would like to know about this election result predicting small wager betting among friends and about the Diwali teen patti among friends and relatives.

    And if it is OKAY- I still have time to set the betting among friends.

  • Using Archetypes & Personification for powering Internal Alignment

    Using Archetypes & Personification for powering Internal Alignment

    Sanjeev KotnalaHave you ever played or watched the game of Tug of War or seen a boat race? If yes, you would know how collective synchronised aligned efforts bring the right results. And if the forces are not aligned, even having the best of the team cannot guarantee success. The same is true about business. Achieving success isn’t only a function of having the right resources or the brightest talent; it’s about aligning these assets effectively. Internal alignment, harmonising resources and human capital within an organisation is one of the pillars of productivity, innovation, and overall success. On the other side, non-aligned resources and human capital can lead to inefficiencies, discord, and, ultimately, business failure.

    Much has been discussed and written about the internal alignment that ensures an organisation’s resources, financial might, technological advantage, and operational assets are strategically aligned with its workforce and market demand. They thus reinforce each other, amplifying an organisation’s ability to succeed in its objective.

    Employees usually work towards achieving the organisation’s goals and objectives. Every employee understands how their work contributes to the mission and aligns their efforts accordingly. This creates a sense of purpose and commitment, driving the employees to work towards common goals with enthusiasm and dedication.

    Still, despite having the right type of people in the right place, we may not achieve the desired result. It additionally needs the right supportive culture and an atmosphere of collaborative teamwork, information sharing, transparency, and adherence to best practices. This gives the organisation agility and adaptability to respond quickly to the external environment.

    However, while focussing on these elements, we miss a critical element for internal reflection that can ensure the whole chain is aligned. We rarely create a picture of the entire ecosystem and the personification or archetype maps of people across the chain of command. We fail to map their perceived personification and archetype in multiple internal and external situations.

    Just imagine a situation when you have a dominant market share, a cracker of a product, a tiger of excellent sales and an after-sales team led by a Goat. Not the G.O.A.T but Goat- where you needed a Lion, a Tiger or a Leopard. And what if this Goat tries to play tiger with the team and is a chameleon of changing preferences and decisions with the top management? If this Goat, though nimble in the challenging market situation, is not as flexible and agile as a cheetah. What if your team is a dreamer led by a magician in a tough market like a desert? You can easily predict where the organisation is headed.

    Moreover, if the leadership shows different archetypes or personifications across stakeholders- it is a sure recipe for disaster. What if the sales head behaves like a tiger before the team and meows before the finance head, is seen as a monkey by the management and is a dog out on the field? Maybe it feels like an exaggeration because one has not tried archetyping and personification of teams and leaders across the stakeholder matrix of interaction.

    What if the management terms an open democratic interface is seen by the internal teams as a dictatorial stance and a ruthless world of illusions?

    Well, it will only lead to misalignment of image, perception and hence reactions to every plan.

    It will be an exciting challenge to do a quick personification and archetype exercise at the organisational level to see the multiple masks worn by different people while interacting within the ecosystem. This exercise will help superimpose the findings with the company or brand’s needs and ensure the gap is bridged through training or recruitment.

    In today’s fast-paced and hugely competitive business environment, organisations must recognise the critical role of internal human alignment beyond resources and directive understanding in driving success and achieving sustainable growth. Yes, this remains true even while organisations use AI for some of their operations.

    In addition to prioritising communication, collaboration, and transparency, articulating a clear vision and mission statement and ensuring every employee understands their role in achieving organisational objectives, they must create a well-aligned team like the Tug of War.

     

    Net-net

    Internal alignment of resources and human capital is critical for driving success and increasing organisational output. By aligning goals, incentives, and resources, companies can enhance efficiency, innovation, and agility, enabling them to thrive in today’s competitive business environment. Additionally, the organisation must look at the archetype and personification of the teams and their leaders to create a unidirectional force to pull the company towards its objectives.

  • Molley’s MasterClass in Customer Relations

    Molley’s MasterClass in Customer Relations

    Representative photograph

    Sanjeev KotnalaSometimes, roadside vendors can teach you a lot more than any business school or training session can. And if you keep your eyes wide open to observe and question everything you observe, trust me, the class is on every time you take to the streets. This morning was one of the best demonstrations of trust and customer relations. It was not an AI-based digital service provider with fancy algorithms working for it but a vegetable vendor with an open mind.

    Introducing Molley, a lady who sells primarily green and fresh vegetables just across the gate of a public school.

    If you ever doubted the rule of location, location, and location for such a business, this demonstrated it.

    Molley sits cross-legged on the mat, and her vegetables are spread on a bori– the woven sack placed on the road. She uses fresh banana leaves to line the road outside the area covered by the sacks.

    She is at the corner diagonally opposite the school gate. You would think there is nothing special about the location. However, if you stop there, you will soon realise that primarily, women from nearby societies and her core catchment area come to drop their children at school every morning. Some women walk to the school; many come in their cars and two-wheelers to drop off their children. Most of them buy vegetables for the day on the way back home.

    With time, Molley, a plump-looking, sweet-natured vegetable vendor, crafted and nurtured her customer base. A large section of these ladies buy vegetables from her, even though there are a few vegetable carts just a few meters away and one big, well-stacked shop that even promises home delivery.

    So, I stood there, taking a ringside view, as my wife bought vegetables from who else but Molley.

    She has an ongoing crisp banter with another set of ladies, who address her by name. She replies to them by their name and suitable didi (elder sister), aunti or taayi (elder lady-normally paternal aunt) prefix or pronoun.

    This is Molley’s loyal customer base, which she has cultivated through her personalised service and warm demeanour.

    Now, the first magic realisation. There is no weighing scale. Everything is sold on a per-unit basis. It was not only Palak (Spinach), Methi (fenugreek), Kheera (Cucumber) and Nimbu (lemon) which are anyway sold per unit, but also included things like Baigan (Eggplant), Gaajar (Carror), Mooli (White Raddish), Lauki (Gourd) and Mattar (green peas) too.

    One of the ladies picks up some carrot and places them in a polythene bag. She claims it is 500 grams, but Molley disagrees. She takes the bag, removes two pieces, and gives the bag back to her. She joyfully announces, Taayi– this is now aadha kilo (500 grams). The ladies contests her action, and Molley challenges them to weigh it at the nearby shop. They also threaten to do it one day and unanimously agree that they should do it. Molley smiles. The deal is done, and payment is received.

    You realise the weighing threat is harmless banter; it will be a while before anyone does it.

    The other magic realisation hits you harder. Molley is not digitally connected. All cash, no UPI/Gpay or Paytm. She is okay if you are not carrying cash and are even buying from her for the first time. You could pay her tomorrow. Complete trust in a stranger. And the regulars know. So they carry cash.

    Another lady’s bill is Rs 310, and she pays just 300. Her excuse is that she does not have a change of Rs 10. Molley jokingly says to her: ‘Bhabhi- 10-10 bacha kart oh iPhone legi kya‘ (Bhabhi- by saving 10-10 rupees- will you buy an iPhone?). Everyone laughs. The light-hearted banter adds a charming touch to the morning interaction and makes everyone smile.

    She adds: ‘Aab iss week ka tees ho gaya… pachaas hojayega toh le lungi’ (This week, you have saved thirty when it will add up to fifty, I will collect).

    You know it is not going to happen. It is Molley’s investment – a reminder- so everyone must understand that the lady has paid less and is not a discount.

    While these exchanges may seem like jest, they subtly reinforce the idea of mutual trust and respect in the business relationship.

    Meanwhile, she addresses a somewhat elderly lady- ‘Kaka theek hain? kaisi tabiyat hai?’ ( is uncle well… how is he now?) and further ventures- ‘Kai baat nahi, saab theek ho jayega’. (Don’t worry- things will be okay soon).

    Net-net

    Molley’s vegetable stand is not just about selling vegetables; it’s a MasterClass in customer relations and trust-building.

    Her approach highlights the importance of personalised service, trust, and community engagement in fostering long-term customer loyalty—an invaluable lesson for aspiring management professionals and more so in the digital world.

  • Complaint Management: Where bad experiences linger longer

    Complaint Management: Where bad experiences linger longer

    Sanjeev KotnalaWhenever there is a commercial transaction, there is a possibility of a complaint. The processes and responses to handle the complaints by a brand or organisation can transform perceptions, stabilise loyalty, and promote positive repeat purchases and references. However, most brands (including services) do lip-service to the concept. While they may standard operating procedures for complaint management, in most organisations, this department is the hidden face and unwarranted child. Most have a third-party call centre fronting complaints unless they have moved to Bot or IVR-based system, which is a different and equally horrifying story.

    All Complaint Management Systems work on set rules. They have scenario build-up for possible complaints and service delivery issues. The executive fronting the complaints is bound to play by the rule book. They are not expected to think. In fact, diversion from the SOP is not appreciated or encouraged. However, (one hopes) it is considered for future process refinement. The complaint handler is interested in the closure of the issue within timelines as they are evaluated on the number of calls and closures. The calls are mostly recorded for training purposes! Or so it is claimed. And surprisingly at times the complaint management systems suggest crazy solutions to the customer complaints.

     

    Can’t Find Fault with the Call Centres

    As a consumer, I have many issues and complaints with (some) brands. However, I realise that complaint-handling executives have hardly any leeway or authority to make decisions. Moreover, complaint escalation shows them in a bad light. I aim to register my complaint, hoping someone will look at it and resolve it. In the process, I would be helping the good brand learn and avoid repeating mistakes.

    Sometimes, I question this faulty thinking of mine. 

    Are these call centre executives not representing the brand? Don’t I have the right to a complaint resolution? Whatever the considerations, the interactions affect the customer’s disposition towards the brand and, hence, a critical part of the system.

     

    Differentiating Experience

    It is not that I have never had an excellent experience in complaint handling or it’s just that I am just a demanding customer. Trust me, a pleasant experience over a complaint or crisis helps create a stronger relationship.

    American Express Credit Cards is one of the brands with excellent timely customer complaint resolution and customer service/relations. The customer-fronting executive genuinely works and aims toward complaint resolution. At least, the impression is that they do, which is important.

    In Central India, at Dinshaw’s (dairy products) from Nagpur, all complaints land up with senior management, and they better be resolved as they are monitored.

    Brands like Make-My-Trip and Indigo (my experience) have good complaint handling. However, they have too many complaints appearing on social media.

    Then there are brands like Axis Bank, which tries to do its best and harness technology interfaces for a better experience. However, the unstable technology or a less than beta version of the apps is not resulting in the best of experiences.

    However, on the other extreme are brands like HappyEasyGo. Tough luck if you have a complaint with them.

     

    Complaining over Social Media

    A few trigger-happy, fastest-finger-first players use social media as the first port of call for complaint resolution. I believe people pin their complaints on social media when they don’t find a resolution in normal working. And if the complaint is addressed swiftly after it is featured on social media, it is still good as it kills the post. However, customers rarely go back to post a thank you or appreciation post after complaint resolution. I wish more of them would do so that others would know about the actual situation.

     

    Time To Take Customer Complaints Seriously

    In an idealistic situation, a complaint should not arise. However, as expectations and experiences differ, leading to dissatisfaction and irritation, complaints are a natural outcome. With increased social media interfaces and rising customer expectations in the challenging competitive environment, customers not only expect but demand the best experience and service – which a brand cannot ignore. They do not differentiate between local, regional, MNC, or start-ups. It is time for brands to wake up and take this part of customer complaint resolution far more seriously.

     

    Net-net

    People don’t buy products; they buy experiences that meet or surpass their expectations. No matter what you are selling, make them always feel better. People remember a bad experience more. They are likely to leave a bad review more than a good review. They will talk to more people about their bad experiences ( 5-10 times) than they will talk about a good experience. The brand has to nudge the customer to talk about a good experience or swift complaint resolution.

    In the new era of democratic voices, emotion and experience sharing, the experiences and the complaint management matter much more.

    ………………………………

    A story of mismanaged complaint handling

    Anupama, a young executive in an MNC firm, stays and works in Pune. Her parents stay in Aurangabad. Recently, on her father’s birthday, she used an urgent delivery service from an online flower and gift service company because she was a day late wishing her father. Forget why she forgot to wish on the day and let’s focus on what happened next.

    She went online- that’s what most people do. Like a new-age customer, she went through the process of ordering an urgent delivery from a reputed company that does flower and cake deliveries. She ordered a simple cake in a flavour that her father liked and a bouquet. She planned to call after the delivery of the make-good products.

    The company called to ask her if yellow wrapping paper would do as they were out of stock in the velvet colour she had chosen. Well, she appreciated their getting back and agreed to a colour change. The company, at this stage, earned a brownie point.

    As the delivery message came on, she called and wished her father.

    And that is when she realised they had forgotten to write on the cake. No message.

    It was the consignment bill that the delivery boy left in duplicate that her father knew who had sent the cake.

    In the phone call, her family told her that she couldn’t remember the date of her father’s birthday and, two, how stupid and careless she was- not to have any message on the cake. Was she so busy that she didn’t have time to add a message: say, dear Papa and wish him a happy birthday?

    It was not the desired experience and not what she was ready for. So she called the company with a. complaint.

    The next day, the front-line executive was all sorry madam- sorry madam for the mistake and then made the blunder of working by the book. The executive offered to send a complimentary cake to her father- this time with a message, not realising that it would amplify the error and make it messy.

    There was no way the diabetic dad was going to have another celebration and bite of the cake. The moment of glory and make-good was lost for the girl. And what was the compensation- well, a complimentary cake.

    Anupama knew there was nothing she could do. However, she made a mental note to refrain from using the company’s services again. She shared her experience on social media and with a few friends at the office. Anupama then deleted the 250 Rs digital voucher the company sent her as a goodwill gesture!

    I don’t know what would/should/could have been the best way to handle the situation. But the complimentary cake was not the right one. Hopefully, the company will review and recalibrate the response for the future.

  • Sorry, consumers. We’ve failed you!

    Sorry, consumers. We’ve failed you!

    Sanjeev KotnalaDear Customers, I am sorry and guilty as a member of the industry that has collectively, with the government, failed you, the consumer. I say this after Patanjali’s Baba Ramdev got away lightly with just a minor rap on the knuckles… an apology.  I can bet that the debate about Babaji’s Patanjali and its misinformation campaign will not die down quickly enough.

     

    Apology of an Apology

    Okay, so the size of the apology was increased. But it appeared once in the larger size and once in the smaller size. It is minuscule compared to the total space and time consumed by Patanjali with its misinformation campaign. Hence, expecting the audience to have the same opportunity to see the apology as they had when they saw the campaign is futile. This means that most will remain unaware of the apology and continue to be under the influence of all-powerful misinformation and miscommunication. In a true sense, if we want a real example and deterrent, the apology must appear in the same media (Press-TV-Digital) in the same size and with the same frequency as the misleading campaign. Now, that may be too much to ask, but should that not be justified for a habitual offender brand? And till it happens, the brand should be debarred from communicating in the media. That would have been justice.

    I wonder if they ran a 15-second apology on TV and digital with the same channel and platforms. Logically, they should have.

     

    The Products are not Bad, the Misleading Information is

    Before you take it otherwise, let me tell you I firmly believe in remedies and the products that Patanjali propagates. However, it is all about the hugely exaggerated, unscientific, unsubstantiated claims the brand has been pushing with heavy media exposure riding on Baba Ramesh Yoga and Ayurvedic Acharya image.

     

    This is no time for Celebration

    It is not the time to celebrate the victory. This is just a demonstration of the industry and the government’s failure to curb such brand menace.

    No time to rejoice for the apology that the brand was forced to publish.

    This is like any other time- a good time for introspection.

    An industry that expects a celebrity endorser to do a due diligent check on the brand must take the blame when it feels at the creative and media level to question misleading claims. And that is not just about Patanjali, it is about the non-healthy health drinks- the Fair that now Glows and many other such brands.

    It is time to once again call upon every stakeholder and see what genuine efforts are needed so that no other brand dares to create and release misleading communication.

     

    Two Questions

    One way in which the brand should be penalised for the long-term damage it could have created on the highly influenceable minds of the masses. The courts and the ministry must work together to ensure that even if it is a witch hunt, Baba Ramdev and the brand are made an example of it. Is taking brands off the shelf good enough? Should the brand be asked to mirror the product’s misleading campaign media plan for the apology media plan? Or should we ask the brand to provide 5% of the revenue as a deterrent?

     

    What about the Future?

    I have often said this – No One Is Worried Of ASCI and the fragmented industry. Recently, ASCI has been trying to act bravely and get some teeth by working with the consumer affairs and information ministry. However, it remains a source of a sparkling array of meticulously crafted guidelines-  which remain what they are: guidelines.  It does not have the power to sanction a brand. And without that, brands are willing to risk litigation delays and what escape routes they can exploit.

     

    It is Not a New Issue

    I had seen the brand’s damaging approach and attitude many years back. I raised the issue- the year- Baba Ramdev was fighting and defending the brand in court battles with other brands. That year, Babaji was a Guest of Honour speaker at Goafest- the advertising and marketing industry’s flagship festival. I protested that the Baba, who has refused to follow ASCI guidelines, must not be invited as a speaker at an Ad Club and IAA event. I asked the industry associations to stand together against a habitual offender of ASCI guidelines, which every brand should consider sacrosanct.

    But my voice of dissent failed to find enough takers.

    Babaji entered and exited to a standing ovation from the industry.

     

    Can’t Blame Media

    Many may even want to question the role of media. They knew what they were publishing. Advertising whose promises and claims were questionable. Were they not supposed to be the guardians of audience rights? Well, one should not expect them to start scanning every campaign and sit in the seat of justice. However, the creative and the media planners must answer – what they were doing. Everyone wanted the cream till the party lasted.

     

    ASCI and Polite Self-Governance/Self-Regulation is Not Working!

    We are the noisy, naughty students in preparatory school who need the teacher in the classroom to enforce discipline. Our attempt at nudging the misguided brands to follow the guidelines has failed. Most brands smoothly side-step and repeatedly flout guidelines- knowing nothing will happen and nothing happens.! ASCI asks for an explanation. The brands take time to provide. Then, if the communication is found fault, the brands silently say sorry, and the business goes on; otherwise, everyone would have learnt their lessons by now. Sometimes, like Patanjali did, the brand takes ASCI to court.

    We need something more. It is not working- it is so broken- we must do something about it. How long can the audience be asked to sacrifice their interest in the absence of some real action?

    The brands that flout the rules are big brands. They understand the legality and how to escape it. They do it knowingly. There is an intent behind every action of the highly paid planners and creative and strategic people. They do it because industry self-governance is toothless and needs to be fixed.

     

    We failed the Industry & the Audience

    The creative agency, if any, willingly follows the brand directive. It dare not ask for substantiation. It will never refuse the work- because many others are in the line to do it.

     

    ASCI must get teeth or…

    ASCI must graduate from an industry body of guidelines to something that still constitutes the same way but can enforce discipline. It should be powerful to dictate the terms, and the media and creative industry must accept the ruling.

    It may lead to many court cases. The cases will further clarify what is allowed and what is not. Maybe the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should foot the bill for these cases.

     

    Net-net

    ASCI must be given Teeth as the first port of call, or a decision/penalty/guidelines enforcer or some other framework must be created to address it. 

    Trust me, Exaggerated, False, and Misleading Claims will continue to be created and released, putting the public at large at risk because we lack a system to quickly address and nip them in the bud. Patanjali has been doing so for more than a decade- and hopefully, we in the industry know that by allowing a brand this free run, we have not lived up to our duty and responsibility. 

    We, as an industry, have collectively failed the audience.

    Let the recent happenings on the FMCG Health front, and Baba Ramdev/Patanjali be a call to wake up. If we do not self–govern, the law will govern, which may be a sad phase.

    Maybe every marketer, communicator, brand custodian should take a print of the Patanjali apology, frame it, and hang it in their room. Just to remind them not to participate in any process of creating or releasing misleading communication.

     

    Sanjeev Kotnala is a senior business strategy consultant and educator. He writes on MxMIndia every Wednesday. His views here are personal.

  • The Cred-isation of Advertising. But not everyone gets it

    The Cred-isation of Advertising. But not everyone gets it

    Sanjeev KotnalaCred has evolved from its previous style of communication, which was often misunderstood but has been effective. Though forced, there has always been an attempt at being humorous and there is a storyline that delivers the message. Here is the recent ad, sharing the longer version of the Rajamouli ad. The other ads featured Illa Arun and Leander Paes.  The Cred way of advertising indeed has a history of consistency.

     

     

    Learning from Cred

    TheCcred way of advertising has a history of consistency. Remember Govinda  and other star auditions, the Goof for Great, Cred bounty and even something I just discovered and had not watched earlier- typical Cred- the claw  (is that really Cred?!).

     

    Meanwhile, many brands have learned from the Cred Institute of Advertising and are attempting to make advertising simple.

    Have a message.

    Maybe have a celebrity.

    Create communication that repeats what you want to say.

    Say it simply enough.

    In the name of creativity and humour – try a condescending tone.

    And most likely, there will be enough consumers who will try you out.

    If you have the budget, you can attempt multiple edits or celebrities. However, that is not an essential requirement.

     

    Make My Trip

    Have you seen the Real Hero campaign of Make My Trip, where celebrities are hinted at but don’t show their face? It is where Cred was ages back. I am surprised at the campaign- which keeps spraying bullet point statements from a PowerPoint presentation – and even has to point out that Make My Trip is the real hero. So they have their Moves Don’t Lie, Breathless, Steamy and  Bhidu Shakespeare- Jackie Shroff. Why, when you have such a great pair of Alia and Ranveer Singh doing a great job? Not that I liked their latest ad for first international travel. But every brand is allowed some goof-ups.

     

    HDFC PayZap

    HDFC is one of these advertisers that uses the Cred strategy of plain, iterative, repetitive, simplified, and no-storyline advertising. I must agree that Cred always had a storyline holding its creativity, and hence, the HDFC PayZap act with Virat for its payment platform is an innovation. However, one can cite the various restrictions one faces while using IPL association for advertising, and really making a good ad is sometimes difficult.

     

    MRF ZLX

    Talking of Virat, MRF, another brand endorsed by the celebrity, has recently made some friendly additions to the message, but it is still MRF ZLX or whatever that is supposed to meet.

     

    Many brands have believed that the punch line- an end dialogue that can be repeated sticks and makes the brand memorable. Well, the SBI ads are trying to do the same – ‘I will upgrade to Cred’ with ‘Janata hai uska Bank kaun hai’ almost like ‘Mera baap kaun hai’.

     

    Net-net 

    Now, before you get me wrong, the ads may be working, or the metrices must be showing them to be working. Maybe Cred-isation is the need of the hour in the shortened attention span and fragmented media reach. I am not sure, but I would love to know your point of view. However, I must say that the excitement, the humour, the smile and the aha moments are missing from these communications- maybe that is not what advertising is expected to do anymore.

  • Clean Indore’s Next Challenge: Taming Traffic Chaos

    Clean Indore’s Next Challenge: Taming Traffic Chaos

    Sanjeev KotnalaI don’t understand Indore. How the logical, sensible people who understand civic duties and needs like cleanliness forget their responsibility towards traffic sense and rules?

     

    Indore The Cleanest City

    The city, which changed how its average citizen treats and disposes garbage, has failed with other initiatives. Indore has been the cleanest city in the country for almost a decade now. It is said that Indore processes over 1,900 tons of urban waste every day, which helps the city fuel its buses and gives it crores of rupees. And hold it, Indore segregates garbage into six distinct categories at a collection point. It must be happening, but I am yet to witness it at the household or society level.

    However, the truth remains that it has been declared the cleanest city repeatedly. The credit goes to the management (Indore Municipal Corporation) and more to the citizens of Indore who have undoubtedly played a significant role in making the city neat and clean.

    A clean city is only possible when the habits of the citizen and their outlook toward cleanliness are changed. The change is evident in the surroundings.

    So, someone knew the magic spell- the trigger to press and the pulse of the city.

    It is the same city that was ranked 25th in 2016 in the list of 73 cities and then has continued to rank 1st in the following years of the Clean India Mission Surveys.

     

    There Are Chinks in The Clean Mirror

    One sees the work and processes that keep the city clean.  However, the status may be the cleanest city, but the ground reality does not evoke the same confidence.

    Yes, there are public toilets at a fair distance. And you don’t see people urinating or defecating in the open.

    The roads are mostly clean. At least the main roads are.

    My doctor treating me for an upper throat infection, instructs me not to go for a morning walk on the main street as it is dusty with the morning weeping of the roads.

    People take pride in their city being the cleanest. However, most of the cleanliness drive workers are without gloves or masks.

    The affluent (and mostly literate) pet owners do not pick pet poo from the roads. No amount of logic works. More so, they give you a weird look as you diligently pick the poo- place them in the bags and deposit them in the dustbin. Their looks question you. It shouts. Are you mad?  Why, someone will pick it up and will you pick the poo of the stray dogs too! I don’t know where the Indore pride of the cleanest city vanishes on such occasions.

    There are spots along the roads where families leave their trash in plastic bags, which are picked up by the workers. It is clean but not as clean as the cleanest village in the northeast.

    Something has worked for the cleanliness drive.

     

    You can’t be No 1 in everything.

    Being No 1 for a long has somewhere instilled the thought as a habit. James Clear would appreciate it- because, yes, cleanliness is somewhat of a habit in Indore.  However, the system and the citizens are misguided in knowing their limits to behaviour change.

    Indore must have been the cleanest election. You hardly saw posters- banners or loudspeakers in action. No one is talking of the manifestoes and the need for the promises to be made. However, towards the end, there was an intense activity by Congress for people to go and vote NOTA.

    As the city wanted to achieve the highest percentage of voting and become number 1 in voting- even Voting for NOTA in an almost No-Election was desirable.

    The thought was right, but it was an over-expectation. It was doomed to fail. Even the ‘Run for Vote’ Marathon had limited participation. There were orphaned posters and sponsored by retail chains and educational institutes promoting an attempt at maximum voting plastered over the city. A waste of time after BUMB the Congress candidate withdrew his candidature and joined the BJP. The task of getting the voters to visit the booth during the heat wave made it further challenging.

     

    Here is the cause to be the No 1. TRAFFIC

    Indore citizens are proud of their cleanest status and now even shun the otherwise welcomed comparison as a Mini Mumbai. They are in a Zone of itself.  I am not from Indore and, hence, I have many cribs, unlike a person from Indore who has adapted to life and thrives in the scenario.

    Whatever has worked in the cleanliness drive has failed to show results in another aspect of governance or initiative. And I fail to understand it.

    They are the same citizen. The initiatives are for their benefit. So, why do they refuse to follow them?

    Are they rebels? Or has the cleanliness drive had some negative impact, too?
    Are people feeling let down?

    Do they think that if they join in for any other initiatives, they will be trapped? It is a one-way street, and they will lose the freedom they so enjoy and want.

    Being the best puts pressure to behave continuously. Then being just Good is not enough.

     

    Indore needs Traffic Sense.

    Can someone help the town with a sense of driving?

    It is illogical. It is mayhem. It is depressing, irritating, and frustrating.

    People crisscross without any respect for lights, police, cameras or zebra crossing.

    In the main squares, it is like the WhatsApp videos you see of traffic going from all directions. Well, the light gets green just for sufficient time for the person to sprint to the next side. And you better sprint and find your way to the next side. Surprisingly, there are hardly any accidents.

    The service roads convert four-way traffic to 16-way traffic. And that excludes the BRTS.

    Everyone is in a hurry. No one wants to wait.

    The traffic police watch uninterested.

     

    A Revenue Stream in Waiting.

    Trust me, if the traffic violators were to be diligently challenged in just two main traffic crossovers a day, Indore could get huge revenues.

    Additionally, maybe the Indore rebels will be tamed.

    Maybe we need a start-up or an NGO to do it with the Indore Development Authority and Indore Municipal Corporation.

    Pedestrians have perfected the art of crossing the road through this Brownian moment traffic.

    Hardly anyone wears a seat belt or helmet.

    However, you find abundant use of the Chunni guard. The woman wraps around their head and faces to save their skin from sunlight and pollution.

    It proves that Indore people do have the logical sense to make the right choices.

    The food vendors have their own stalls on the service roads or covering the footpath. But they all have a waste basket for the trash.

     

    Can Indore grow from Cleanest to a Model Smart City?

    So, do we have anyone who completely understands what worked for the cleanliness drive? Will someone take the initiative to do the same for traffic control?

    So that Indore can grow from being a mere cleanest city to the most model city worth living.

     

    Net-net

    Yes, Indore is clean, and even the street vendors keep the place clean.

    However, if it really wants to be the best city and a smart city, the citizens of Indore must grow up and follow the rules. Maybe then the pride could swell. Maybe then the other cities could understand and follow the way. The citizens of Indore have demonstrated through the cleanliness drive that it is the place for such experiments. So, if you do want to be number one is something, I have a list- but can we start with Traffic?

    If you want to read more about the Indore Cleanliness Drive- read it here – INDORE SMART CITY.

  • Copyright in AI-Generated Content: Originality, Creativity, and Human Origin

    Copyright in AI-Generated Content: Originality, Creativity, and Human Origin

    Sanjeev KotnalaThe excitement around AI-generated content is palpable. AI promises to fulfil a wide range of creative and functional needs quickly and efficiently. It can write books, blogs, and articles, design advertisements, create social media posts, develop visuals, and more. However, the surge in AI-generated content raises questions about originality and copyright protection for commercialising the content.

     

    Sourcing v/s Plagiarism

    Based on human prompts, AI generates content by accessing a vast repository of digital material and synthesising it into new works. This process often involves repurposing existing material, raising concerns about plagiarism. The AI doesn’t create original content; instead, it reconfigures what already exists, often from sources with copyright protections — something human creators are not allowed or expected to do. Genuinely speaking, it is a new form of an old problem- plagiarism.

    Before you point out, let me say that many human creators do the same! For example, I accessed many articles for this column, assimilated my thoughts, and then presented my point of view. So, what’s wrong if AI does the same? The AI does not superimpose its thoughts and thinking while recreating- recrafting what it proposes.

     

    Shaky on Copyright

    Copyright protection hinges on three main criteria: originality, a tangible medium, and human authorship. While AI-generated content might meet the requirement of being in a tangible medium, it falters on the other two fronts. AI content lacks originality since it is derived from existing works. Remember, the test of originality looks at substantial similarities and not differences. And it definitely fails the test of human authorship as algorithms, not humans, generate it.

    Unless the rules are changed- the AI-generated material cannot be commercially protected, which may be why most Generative AI programs promise the user the freedom to use or say they own the content!  However, if you were to try copyrighting it- you would be disappointed.

     

    The Debate on AI vs Copyright Continues

    The debate around AI and copyright is ongoing and complex. Some argue that traditional notions of copyright are becoming obsolete in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Others believe in democratising content and universal ownership, valuing productivity and accessibility over strict copyright enforcement. You can ignore this debate if you feel the same way.

    It’s important to note that the debate on AI Content Copyright and the rules to harness AI capabilities within a safety net of universally accepted guidelines are ongoing and of significant relevance. This is a topic that we will be actively discussing and trying to resolve for some time.

     

    Case for a Disclaimer

    To maintain transparency, content creators should disclose the use of AI in their work. This would help differentiate between predominantly AI-generated content and content primarily created by humans with some AI assistance.

    Some digital content creators do mention if AI was used in content development. It may not be a case like the News and Advertorial, but the audience has the right to know. What do you think?

     

    Humanising AI Content

    Many creators use AI for initial content generation but rely on human creativity to edit and refine the final product. This practice, while common, does not solve the issue of originality since the AI’s role in content creation remains significant. Do not consider it a possible escape route to claim the originality of content. It would not pass the test.

     

    Individual Point of View

    Opinions on AI-generated content vary widely. The lack of consensus on copyright and commercial protection for such content leaves many questions unanswered. The debate will continue until the lawmakers and stakeholders work towards a shared understanding and framework- which is not expected soon.

    Possible solutions include stricter regulations on using copyrighted material in AI training, more explicit guidelines on the attribution of authorship in AI-generated content, and the development of AI-specific copyright laws.

    Many question the futility of such a debate. They question if it matters when the content is relevant, impactful, and to the brief. Is there a problem if no one objects and claims copyright?

     

    Net-net: AI Is trained on Pre-Existing Content

    AI training involves using pre-existing, often copyrighted content without explicit permissions or commercial transactions. This practice can lead to a homogenisation of creative works, potentially stifling originality and creativity in the long run.

    Many global and national content creators refuse AI permission to access their content for training. Is that a step in the right direction?

    Or would you want to access AI and check the politically correct stance and response?

     

    DISCLAIMER. This article first had 1063  words, then AI condensed it to 383. What you read is the Humanised version (741 words) of that condensed article- as the condensed version lacked and blanked out many human thoughts- still with the use of AI- I do not claim to be the sole creator of this particular piece of work.

  • All roads lead to Goafest 2024

    All roads lead to Goafest 2024

    Sanjeev KotnalaThis year, my second-favourite festival of advertising and marketing – GoaFest, relocates to the picturesque hillock by Powai Lake in Mumbai. Despite the change of scenery, the essence of Goafest remains intact. Scheduled at the height of summer during the sweltering ‘Nau tapa,’ it promises the same exclusivity as the Grand Hyatt Goa. Fear not; the accomplished management team ensures continuity in excellence and execution.

     

    Goafest has significantly evolved over the years, shedding its initial entertainment-heavy façade for a more serious, business-focused atmosphere. The transformation reflects the industry’s current realities, with a noticeable reduction in entertainment elements. Pre-session entertainment is now limited and doesn’t set the mood for the serious awards or the informative afternoon sessions. However, the night-after parties still provide ample opportunity for networking and letting loose, albeit within friendly organisational circles. I miss the more relaxed vibe of earlier editions.

     

    Kudos to the organisers for enhancing the knowledge sessions. The event now features keynotes, interviews, and interesting discussions. However, clearly catering to audience preferences, a marked enhanced emphasis on celebrity guest speakers. This raises a pertinent question: Should association-led, fee-based events prioritise audience desires over their foundational goals? Striking a balanced approach seems to be an elusive target for Goafest.

     

    The relocation of GoaFest from Goa’s beaches prompts a re-evaluation of its geographical anchorage. Opinions are divided: some advocate for Mumbai due to its status as an industry hub, while others suggest rotating the location annually. This year’s participation will offer crucial insights into this ongoing debate.

     

    Timing is another crucial aspect under scrutiny. Given the industry’s low activity in April and May, these months appear ideal for higher attendance. Yet, climate conditions, the IPL season, and elections every fifth year suggest a shift to a post-monsoon, pre-festival window or a February prelude, positioning it as the first significant advertising festival of the year.

     

    Goafest is still to address three persistent challenges, even though there is no lack of effort. But, somehow, the results are missing.

     

    First, client-side participation remains low. Second, the ever-expanding list of awards diminishes their value. Third, international participation in both awards and attendance is lacking. While there are no easy solutions, enhancing client involvement could significantly elevate the festival’s prestige and indirectly also address the lethargic response.

     

    A final, somewhat controversial point: Are we burdened with too many awards functions? The coexistence of Kyoorius and Goafest within a tight timeframe begs the question. Despite their distinct identities—one is association-led, and the other a privately promoted—both events draw industry attention. However, financial constraints and the rise of digital participation threaten their sustainability. This duality fosters polarisation and factionalism within the industry, necessitating a thoughtful resolution.

     

    While Goafest continues to adapt and thrive, it must address these critical issues to retain its relevance and prestige in the dynamic advertising landscape.