Tag: Dear MxM

By Jaisurya Das

 

Sorry about missing out on last week. The laptop crashed and some other engagements ensured that I could turn in your answers because of another commitment. But we now have a bank and write a week ahead, leaving enough time for contingencies. Meanwhile and without further ado: Your Questions. Our Answers, Ruthlessly Candid. Because We Care.

 

Sir, I am the same person who asked you about the new CEO in my media company. Some of my colleagues don’t agree with your response. They say that the owner has given him a long rope. The honeymoon period will last at least a year. My concern is that in this one year, we could run into irreversible growth. What should I do?

The time has come my friend. You must move on before it gets the better of you.  I know how tough it is, yet at times,it pays to be selfish.

 

“Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.”

 

Do I need to say more ?

 

Sir, I want to be a marketing executive in a newspaper and am due to complete my MBA next week. In my internship, I was asked a question on who my role model is from the media fraternity. I said Rupert Murdoch and got slammed. Then I gave the name of a few Indian media owners, and I was cross-questioned again. I know you can’t give me the name of who should I say is my role model, but still what is a safe name to give in an interview. And, unlike beauty pageant contestants, I don’t want to say Mahatma Gandhi is my role model! LOL

The undersigned has granted you the permission, to declare that he is your Role Model. This permission is being granted strictly for non-commercial purposes only .

 

I trust the query has been answered to your satisfaction! J

 

I hate to admit it, but you have me completely stumped on this one!  I don’t even know what qualities I should be looking for in a potential role model! However, if someone were to ever ask me this, I would probably have said that, I was my own role model. In any case, in today’s world, there is no legacy to ride on. You are finally as good as your previous day’s performance.

 

They make leaders now, not mentors. I was lucky I had a mentor who believed in me. He still does. I explored, experimented and delivered. I knew he was there if ever I messed up. They don’t make people like that anymore. Thank you, Sir. God is kind.

 

Sir, you wrote you are a hotel management graduate. If you have give the ‘menu’ of a successful media manager, what would it be (like 100 gms of confidence, 200 gms of knowledge etc etc)?

Simple. Good luck, gift of the gab, survival instinct , academics, skill,honesty of purpose and the passion to learn, to excel. The proportions don’t matter. Just do what you like with all of this.

 

It will turn out well. Go for it. All the best.

 

See you next week ! Take good care of yourself. Your Questions, Our Answers.

 

Inbox your questions to editor@mxmindia.com clearly stating Dear MxM in the subject line

 

 

By Jaisurya Das

 

Good Ladies, Morning and Gentlemen !

Oops! That doesn’t sound right, does it?

Coming to think of it, why do we have to conform all the time? Why can’t we just sit back and live the little pleasures of life???

Why do I have this strange feeling that we have stopped being selfish… and throwing ourselves to the sharks is now just as easy as a day at work?

Can we afford the luxury of a five-minute break ?

Did I just hear a Yes? Let’s do it then, and right now!

Sit back, feet on ground (socks/shoes, etc all good!) and let your body relax, go as limp as you can…

Let your hands rest comfortably on your lap… Take a slow deep breath………..hold……..and exhale…………

One more time: Slow deep breath……………hold……..and exhale……………..

Now that your body is more or less relaxed, allow your mind to wander……………. not for a moment stressing to keep it blank.

Yes I know, an uncontrollable stream of thoughts are hitting your mind, one after the other……… Don’t try and resist them. Instead recognise each one of them and allow your mind to accept them. And let go of them unprocessed.

Greek??? It’s fine, sit back and breathe normally! Will explain. Let’s assume at this very moment, a fresh thought reminded you of the client meeting scheduled at 15:00hrs.The time 14.35.

You begin to collect your thoughts on what should be discussed, your rate offer, how much to stretch etc. Now this is a classic example of processing !!!

Stop at the thought of a meeting less than an hour away. let go…. unprocessed .

Sit back and relax. Gently shut your eyes and listen to every little sound that you hear.

People, phones, the familiar creak of a chair, the rain lashing against your window and the faint bark of the neighbourhood dog.

Just listen. It’s amazing, isn’t it? How each little sound is crystal clear and magnified. And to think these sounds were always there and yet we didn’t hear them.

Five minutes? Gently open your eyes, take a slow deep breath and stretch your hands and legs. Now get up, splash some water on your face and you are ready for your meeting. Kill it, pal!

Felt nice? Did I hear a Yes? Am happy. Very happy.

May be the next time, you will want to do it for 10 minutes. And if I am lucky, a few times the same day.

Meditation. As complex as it’s made out to be, can be as simple as listening to the sounds around you!

It’s time to be selfish. Do this and for yourself this time. Stop worrying about the sharks. Believe me, they are well fed.

Nostradamus is history. Who knows what lies ahead, my friend?

Life is for Living. The World can Wait.

Celebrate Life. You Deserve It.

Do write in, if you believe this week’s Dear MxM made a difference. Thanks once again for believing in us .We honestly care.

Time Out!

Your Questions, Our Answers . Dear MxM Season 2 is here.

 

My boss is suffering from stress-related issues given the heavy pressure of sales targets. I have discussed the issue with my HR department several times, but they just don’t understand. Frankly, I don’t want to suffer in the way my boss has when I reach his level. Please advise what I should do.

Simple. Start celebrating life!!

No cliché this. Don’t forget that the rat race that most of us    are pushed into is our own creation. Its manmade and that’s what makes it so difficult to negotiate!

We excel in the unique art of complicating our own lives, creating one bogey after another. It’s about time we introspect and arrive at what we actually want from life.

Relationships are shattered, families torn apart, children estranged .Even the unsuspecting dog in the family isn’t spared from the wrath of “The Great Indian Rat Race”.

Hapless victims of stress brutally weaned from their hard earned embellishments of success!

Looking back today, I ask myself if the pin-striped suit, the fancy cars and the cultivated persona of success truly mirrored my raison d’être. You think right, my friend!

Stop pushing hard on the door looking for happiness. It opens inward. Celebrate life. Cheers!

 

I have worked in a large media group in Nagpur and I now need to shift to Mumbai as my dad has got a job there. Sir, I met with a few media groups including my own office in Mumbai, and I was told that I will need to start at least two notches lower. This is very unfair. Sir, please advise what I should do. Thanks

I am certain that myopic mindsets where craft and skill are ranked basis geographies only affect the company itself.

Don’t worry, my friend. If you have what it takes, nothing can stop you. Don’t compromise beyond a point. Look beyond your current function. Am sure it’s just a matter of time before you get what you deserve. True craft can never let you down. All the very best!

 

I have been leading a news bureau for some years and I now want to get into a business-y role. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but can you help me with any books that I should read in finance and marketing?

That’s a tough question since there are over a million books that could be of help.

For a start, you could read the biographies and works of business legends like Ratan Tata, Lee Iacocca, Akio Morita, David Ogilvy and Richard Branson etc.

Besides making interesting reading, these books also empower you with a strong perspective of business and its facets like marketing, finance etc.

Honestly, a good option would be associating/ partnering with someone who is already in business and proficient with finance etc. This will also give you the much-needed breathing space, when you are establishing yourself.

The demand for quality content providers in online and print will only grow further giving you ample opportunity to pursue your business interests. All good wishes for your foray into entrepreneurship.

 

Sir, I am an Indian but have studied in Dubai. I want to work in the Indian media as a journalist. Should I take up a job here and then seek a transfer or the other way around. Please advise.

That’s good to hear! India is probably one of the most exciting media markets of the world. Indian media today can boast of the best minds in the industry be it content generation or marketing.

Adding to this is a very mature, receptive, media-savvy audience that keeps the industry on their toes!

It’s in your best interest to take up an assignment here considering the sheer exposure you would get. There isn’t a better training ground that I know off.

Time to pack your bags, my friend!

Welcome to unarguably the best media market of the world. Jai Hind.

 

Have a stupendous weekend and take good care of yourselves. We will be back next week, same day, same space.

 

Inbox your questions to editor@mxmindia.com with Dear MxM in the subject line

 

By Jaisurya Das

 

My boss says that I can’t rise very high as a client servicing executive because i am a postgraduate in commerce and not in management. He says I should do an MBA. What is your advice?

Hi, first things first, don’t ever feel that your PG in Commerce is  in any way inferior in comparison to a PG in Management. On the contrary , it may turn out to be a huge advantage for you, when you are being considered for senior levels, especially those that involve profit centre management etc.

 

Having said that, I second his view on pursuing your Masters in Management as well. This will not only build your perspective, but also catalyse your growth within the agency. Companies today look for such differentiators when it comes to hiring/ promoting their recruits. I know of a lot of companies today, where strict directives on this are given to the HR heads.

 

Do remember that an added qualification will only fuel your progress, irrespective of the industry. So stop worrying and go for it, my friend!!

 

I am going to marry a colleague from the office, who is also part of the sales team. I have been advised by various people that it is better that after marriage my wife and I should not work in the same Organisation. Sir, what do you suggest?

Personally it’s not something I advocate. The same department  Is certainly not advisable . It would only end up being a constant source of discomfort to both of you. However professional both of you are , it’s not an easy task managing this proximity at work.

 

The risks far outweigh the benefits, my friend . Am more than certain that both of you are more than equipped, to be hired elsewhere. That may end up being the turning point to fast track your sales career.

 

I am told that the income rise is faster in the sales function than in marketing… In newspaper organisations, that is. I work with a leading newspaper and have just finished my training process and can decide  which department I should move to. What will you suggest? Thanks.

This is true of almost every company today and rightly so. The sales team takes most of the heat both internally and externally day after day. In the sales function it’s almost a hire and fire scenario, with achievement of targets being the only parameter most of the time.

 

You are as good as your performance the previous day! Wouldn’t you want to be compensated well as you ascend the steep stairway of recognition and success?

 

The choice is left to you. Marketing as you know, encompasses  the sales function too. Listen to your heart my friend …forget about this never-ending race to acquire a bulging wallet. Believe me, wallets such only give you a chronic backache at the end of the day. Once again I repeat , master your craft and the career will follow !!!

 

To a great weekend then! Take good care of yourselves I promise to be back same space, same day, with new thoughts and new answers! Yes, Thursday it will be. Amen.

 

By Jaisurya Das

 

Dear MxM is normally carried on Thursdays. Due to a technical hitch, we couldn’t carry this yesterday. So here goes. And we’ll be back next Thursday…- Ed

 

Greetings! Welcome to the ‘New, Improved ‘ Dear MxM,

Now fortified with our patented SI (Stress Inhibiting) micro-nutrients to give you extra bounce, radiance and confidence!

Okay, so let’s get to the Q&A…

 

My neighbour is excellent in writing, but is a college drop-out. She is interested in editing and subbing copy, and I have seen that she can make for a good desk hand. But she’s a drop-out after Class 12 and finds that most big employers do not employ non-graduates. Is this really so? And why?

True, a degree from an UGC-approved university is mandatory nowadays and this is true of both large and medium corporates. It’s the primary filter used across functions in screening applications.

 

This requirement can certainly be fulfilled, provided your neighbour is ready to take that effort. She should enrol to a credible UGC-approved open university like IGNOU etc . They offer a variety of subjects, provide course material as well as conduct contact programmes in most cities in India.  It may not be advisable for her to delay this any further, since entry-level requirements are only set to get more stringent in the days to come.

 

All friends tell me I have a good face on news television but I only need to improve my diction. How do I do that, Sir? I live in Lucknow and there are no classes for diction here. I searched the internet, and found nothing in Delhi either. Please help.

Am surprised there are no Conversational English (I presume the reference being made is to English diction ) classes in Lucknow and Delhi!

 

All the same , you could ideally connect with the English department in the university who may have a database of spoken English tutors in your city. Recruitment firms (call centre specialists) will also help you with names of call centre trainers  who focus on sharpening diction, intonation etc .

 

The trainers focussing in the UK process would be best suited for your requirement.

 

There are also several audio/ video training DVDs which could help in giving you a quick start with your diction training. Crossword, Landmark and leading online booksellers like Amazon and Flipkart are all well-stocked with training material in the digital format.

 

Sir, Is there any formal training one requires to get into advertising sales in TV channels and newspapers?

Yes, it’s essential to have a good degree in order to even clear the application screening process. A normal graduation coupled with a PG degree or diploma in marketing / mass communication  / media studies/ advertising etc would make your entry simpler.

 

However, the degree or PG in itself, cannot give you success in your career. You need to believe in what you are selling, put your heart into it and walk head high with pride. Focus on building your sales craft. Leave the rest to the rest!!

 

My father works with a leading newsmagazine and I have telling him over the last two or three years that magazines are going to die given the various research reports I have read. My father still has five years before he retires, and I am worried about his future. Please advise. For your information, he’s in the the production function of the magazine, and he can’t move out to any other industry.

My friend , I can’t seem to understand what pleasure you derive from giving your father sleepless nights year after year… The very fact that for the past three years nothing drastic as you cautioned took place should be reason enough to stop sermonising him. Magazines still exist, and in the same form!

 

Experts and trained production professionals  like your father  handle all the rapid strides print production has taken over the years with immense skill and ease.

 

Stop worrying about his future! Contrary to what you believe,  enough opportunity exists for competent production professionals and more so for those with his level of experience and skill. Why not seek some advice from him on your career pursuits??? You never know, he may surprise you with his wisdom and understanding of the marketplace.

 

Dear MxM takes  this opportunity to wish all of you the very best life can offer !!  Have a great weekend and take care of yourselves. We will be back next week , same day , same space  with more questions , more answers!! And, thanks, Ed for scaling up to include additional questions!