By Jaisurya Das
Welcome back, ladies and gentleman!
And the 2016 Rio Olympics have now been declared closed. So much for all the hullabaloo and the ‘unDEsirable’ comments flying around the media for days on end. Predictably, the famed TV channels did their customary double summersault and gave the De’s of the world much free footage.
Coming to think of it, this is sound PR strategy ! Think of it… Make a few nasty remarks about anyone, or anything that’s in the news and you can be sure to get a lot of media decibels.
24/7 news channels are on the eternal search for F&B ( food yes, but i mean the footage and bytes variety) irrespective of whether the lead is newsworthy or not.
What baffles me however is the attention that is given to anything that can spark a controversy. It’s almost like going back to the tabloid era with the only difference being formidable looking panelists screaming to be heard above the din, anchors et al. I think it’s time we focus on the larger issues that our sportsmen face in India..
For a start, why not a sustained ‘talk tough’ campaign (shouting and violent gesticulation included) on the imminent need to invest in our less revered sports and sportsmen. I  wouldn’t be surprised if we have a dozen medal winners at he next Olympics if our news channels devote even a quarter of their time and amazing vocal chords on these macros.
Shout by all means and use animated speech, but do it for wrestling, track and field, badminton, golf and swimming for a change.
No, we don’t want to see more cricket bucks. Give these sportsmen pride of place, Khel Ratnas and Arjuna Awards are great honours but it honestly means nothing if they aren’t  supported with grants and facilities to invest in our future Olympians.
India can do it and do it better, than most countries. It’s just that we need to internalise this and have our esteemed media fraternity turn their focus on more developmental issues, rather than wasting time and footage on de’stractions!
Distractions no more. Time to cut straight to our Q&A for the week from our readers in Mumbai, Ahmedabad and for the first time ever, the serene town of Pondicherry.
Sir, I have heard that advertising agencies have started attracting a lot of people from technology in order to step their innovation practice. I am a second-year B-Tech student from a leading NIT. I am good in English and I think I have a creative mind. Do you think I should consider a career in an ad agency as a possible option. Or, as some of my batchmates tell me, that all this innovation stuff in media is big talk and ad agencies are grappling with problems of their own future. Please advise, Sir.
Hi and thanks for writing in to Dear MxM. Yes, a few advertising majors are hiring a few resources from the technology stream to beef up their internal teams. However at this stage, I don’t think these numbers are really significant, as most of these hires have been for basic maintenance of technology platforms that the agencies use.
Digital technology professionals are however now making inroads into the agency creative teams. With digital marketing and digital advertising growing rapidly, there is an imminent need for highly skilled, creative professionals to evolve and manage digital initiatives for the clients.
As a matter of fact, even the do-it-yourself content management systems used by several companies require technical intervention to keep it trouble free and to maximise UI (user interface) and comfort.
So coming back to your question, innovation is certainly not ‘big talk’ and there certainly is a lot of innovative work happening in the advertising industry. You can be rest assured that good technology professionals will always be in demand, be it adverting or any other industry.
For now. focus on your academics and graduate with all the honours. Soon enough you will land a great career. All the very best to you.
I have been offered a job with a work-from-home option. The job is good, but I am not sure if it’s good to work from home, rather than work from an office-like set-up. I have two years’ experience post an MBA from a recently set up IIM.
I advise you against this and more so, at the beginning of your career. This isn’t the time to seek comfort. Being in the midst of all the action is critical for you during the foundation phase of your career. Don’t lose sight of that!
Besides body weight and lifestyle diseases, there is little that you stand to gain from the comfort of working at home. Get out and face the sun, rain and the wind in your face.
Moreover, how in the world do you expect to manage people and companies unless you have been in the market?
I am honestly surprised that you are even considering something like this right after your IIM stint. Even if it’s a start up that you wish to launch, an office is the place to be in. It doesn’t matter where and how this office is for even a tiny room in a business centre is good enough.
It’s important to get into the groove and leaving home for work. This will then pave the way for you to think ‘work’.
Imagine trying to conceptualise a strategy with the pressure cooking blaring and the neighbourhood cat visiting…
Stop taking life so easy, my friend. Forget that ‘good job’ and find something that needs you to be here on the street.
I have completed four years in news television and am interested in studying abroad. But my employers want me to return from my study leave and resume work. Is it good to extend my leave and put my fullest into the preparation or go back to work and do some studies alongside?
Hello and thanks once again for writing in to Dear MxM.
At the very outset, its important for me to understand what you seek from your proposed overseas education?
Unfortunately, you haven’t mentioned a subject of interest and the specific  course that you wish to pursue. Bereft of this, I would really be giving you generic advise more than anything else. I hope it helps though!
Academics and good learning will always help you shape your career but at the same time, its important to be focussed on what you expect from an additional qualification or experience.
Don’t waste your money on overseas education unless, you are sure it’s going to make a difference to your life. For instance, some courses are designed to provide you with opportunities in that country and could end up being a total waste of money and time if you plan to return for employment.
More than overseas, I would advise you to focus on what learning you want to add fillip to your career. Once you have done that, zone in on the ideal university and course, be it in India or overseas. Work experience will never be wasted and hence this call must be taken after careful research..
Get your act together, my friend and then chart the course of your career. Goodluck!
Sir, do you think there is any use attending the various ad and marketing conclaves and festivals. I just attended one, and I found it a lot of hot air. And the networking opportunities were few. What is your view?
But of course it’s useful. How else would these organisers survive if everyone starts asking such questions? But, seriously, don’t you feel good when your company nominates you to these conferences and conclaves? The delegate badge clipped on to your shirt, the horrid conference bag (it gets worse as the years go by) and the colourful pamphlets which most often mean nothing.
To be honest, some of these conclaves are sad and have very little content to boast about. Good hotels and dinners nevertheless.
But that isn’t a bad thing really. I have personally nominated a lot of my colleagues during my corporate stint and this does add to motivation. It’s much like a holiday where someone is footing your fancy hotel bill and putting you through an exotic spa isn’t it?
My advice to you would be to stop judging and start enjoying. Sit back, sleep
(during the really boring speeches ), tuck in those lunches, cocktails and network with the bar tender among others.
It really doesn’t matter does it? It’s highly unlikely that your company actually expects some great learning to be brought back. They know it’s a jaunt and this expense is justified by the terminology that is used. Period.
Just chill, my friend! Soak in those hot tubs and forget what you are actually there for. Sweet nothing will happen to you or your company.
Well, my time has come to soak my feet in the hot tub. To hell with the world. As of now, it’s all about getting set for some great weekend masti with the brews of the city…
Take great care of yourselves and keep those questions coming at editor@mxmindia.com! Oh yes, mention ‘Dear MxM’ and your ‘City’ in the subject line. Till we meet again, it’s Sayonara and God Bless.
From Powerpoints to putting powerful points to paper, Jaisurya Das, Co-founder, Pune365 has been going places. Media owner, consultant, author and more, Jaisurya is known to be a maverick at work and brutally candid with his writing. He is also Contributing Editor of mxmindia.com. Â Questions for Dear MxM should be addressed to editor@mxmindia.com