By Jaisurya Das
And we are back..! ‘Avanti‘ to the inimitable Dear MxM, the flipside of counselling!
Much patriotism was seen this January 26 with the tricolour splashed all over town.. Cars, toys, apartment blocks, offices and streets all proudly displayed our flag. Felt good indeed!
One also saw a few distraught faces in the crowd later in the evening, who I understand hated this day despite being patriotic! I had reason to agree with them when I figured their grievance… It was a dry day! So much for celebrating the Republic….
India’s come a long way hasn’t it? We’re one of the fastest growing economies of the world and that’s amazing progress! And to think for long our country was only known for its elephants and strange men climbing up ropes that danced to their tune… !
No wonder then, that a world leader in Neuromarketing has pitched tent in India. I was pleasantly surprised to get a connection request on LinkedIn from its Asia head a week ago.
We followed up with a long chat on phone where we discussed fMRI studies, Eye-tracking and EMGs like they were neighbourhood buddies! Felt good that there was finally someone who understood the greek I evangelised time after time for the past decade.
Yes, this isn’t a PR forum but I can’t not mention that Neurons Inc. believes that India has potential and that our consumers will finally be deciphered through Neuromarketing techniques.
While I wish them all success, I must remind them that the Indian consumer isn’t easy to figure unless you have phenomenal gut and experience in this market. You may need a champion to hold your hand for this market that can be treacherous, indifferent and yet prove to be the biggest treasure you ever found. Tread safe, tread well, my friends!
The time has come for us to delve into the unknown, the infinite mind of the Indian consumer…
It takes more than normal research. You need gut and expertise for the future.
 Think, think hard. How much do we really know of the human brain?
 Let me without further ado take you through this week’s Q&A from the cities of Kochi, Mumbai , Chennai and Hyderabad…..Pretty dominated by the South, eh ?
 Simply read on, I say….
You and MxM readers may call this a very stupid question but the anonymity of this forum allows me to ask this: My colleague and I travel on the same bus and sit alongside on the bus as well as in office. I find that he has had a bad cold for over a month and thanks to that I also keep sniffing and have had my round of cough-and-cold. I would like him to sit away from me, but that will mean that I will have to involve the HR/ admin departments. Sir, what do I do?
Well, well! Quite an unusual question indeed. I didn’t ever imagine the common cold would be a centre point of HR controversy ! Wonders will never cease I guess.
So you do what is obvious! Change the bus 🙂
Well, if you can’t, then it may make sense to carry a mask with you and wear it the moment your colleague sits next to you. This may be a simple yet effective signal to him to keep off!
If he doesn’t buy that he’s indeed a tough nut to crack, hence go onto turbo, and get him a mask too!
God forbid he’s a serial infector, the only way left is to carry some cold medication with you and probably start sniffing eucalyptus and such wonders of nature once every hour.
Sorry, no more! Get the damn guy here and we will poke some sense into him. Amen.
My final placements are happening, and I find that many companies are paying very bad – especially ad agency and news companies. What should I do, Sir?
Hmmm. Am not sure if you’re completing a Bachelor’s/ Master’s programme but, yes, I know what you mean. Either way, compensation needs to be commensurate with effort considering what the grind is like at good colleges.
I am guilty of hiring many smart kids from leading institutes at salaries often less than what they deserved but that’s what company policy demanded!
Nothing is lost however, and it’s prudent to start being pro-active and applying directly . Am sure with a bit of research you will armed with a good target list.
If not, let us know and we would be happy to give you a list of the companies that could be prospect.
There isn’t anything to be diffident about. Walk head high and let those CVs roll! Soon enough, am sure you’ll be deciding on which company to accept 🙂
Do well, my friend. God Bless.
Sir, for the last three months in my new job the only time I get to meet my boss is when I am organising coffee for him. And this is at least five times a day. Shouldn’t organisations have some rules on what kind of work they should give to entry-level professionals?
To be honest, this is a question I could very well answer in two simple words; Move on!!
Oh boy! Yes I know what this feels like. I have been privy to people asking me to measure their waist in order to get some bunch of trousers altered to go over that mighty abdomen!
Yes, I cringed too each time and yet toed the line for a short while. Beyond that I decided I won’t take it any longer and went in search of my calling…
I was fortunate. I had the audacity to leave all that mattered to life overnight, and start from the basics. Soon enough I realised that all that meant nothing. As long as you have craft, the world will make room for you!
If making coffee is what they expect you to do, it’s obvious that they don’t mean business. And such an environment breeds nothing but coffee, if at all !
Don’t think twice. It doesn’t matter if you get no time with your boss. He in any case doesn’t know what he’s doing! Go for it buddy …
Nothing will stop you. All the best friend !
Sir, my office has relocated to a place where there are many coaching classes. One teaches French, another teaches German and a third one offers a Part-time MBA. What course do you think is advisable for an ad-sales professional with 5 years experience ?
Hey! That sounds like an interesting neighbourhood.
If you’re planning on working in Europe then one of the languages may certainly help but within India, a foreign language is unlikely to add a fillip to your career.
Hence, undoubtedly the part-time MBA would be a better option, provided of course, that the institute is reputed and has a strong academic focus. This learning will certainly add to your practical expertise and provide you with an easier point of entry when you move jobs.
It also comes in handy to add such qualifications to your CV since they are valued even for appraisals within your existing company.
However, like I said, it’s important to check the credentials of the Institute before you invest your money and time. More so in view of the huge number of ‘fly by night’ academic institutes that keep popping up in some part of the country !
Well, the long and short of this, is that learning will always hold you in good stead.
Go burn it!
Not to worry if you haven’t got one of those awards this Republic Day; There is much to celebrate in life and its happiness is as simple as recognising this…
So, just go and have a fantastic weekend and yes, we will be back next Thursday with a taaza edition of ‘your friendly neighbourhood’ agony uncle !
 And till then keep questioning us at editor@mxmindia.com !
Jaisurya Das, the maverick media-evangelist, eats, sleeps and romance’s brands. His cerebral consulting interventions are aimed at making brands powerful and sustainable. He is also the Contributing Editor of MxM India. The views expressed in this column are his own.