Tag: Sanjeev Kotnala

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

So, you are happy with your current job. You are doing so well. Everyone praises you. Is that making you complacent? Have you stopped looking at the future?Are you too secure in your current profile? The answers are best known to you.

 

The answers will tell you where you are headed. May be the ‘T-junction’ in your career is right ahead. May be you see a vision you don’t want to be part of.

 

So, my humble request to you is to take a deep breath, find a nice place and time and evaluate your contribution in your current job.

 

This is the key to know how far you will go.

 

The current job is a responsibility entrusted on you. It says (may be) your contribution justifies the position. You must contribute more than the organisation’s investment in you. The investment is more than just your salary but also the cost of amenities and training.

 

Simple, if you are earning Rs 66,000 per month and have a 22 working day month, in an organisation making 30% PPBIT. Your NETT contribution has to be INR 9,000 per day. ( (66,000/22)*2* (1+.3+.2)) or simple terms 1,96,000 per month.  This is bare minimum to justify your hanging in there. I believe that is not what you want. So read on.

 

You are responsible for contributing to company’s growth- definitely much in excess of the apparent and hidden cost.

 

Remember, you are as good as your last assignment. You are secure only if the organisation sees you punching above your weight now and in future.

 

Thinking of the future, the year-end is near and people are eyeing the slots in the more flattening organisational pyramid. Oh boy, how is life changing..

 

And  you want to be part of the growth. You want to earn much more. It’s simple, you need to demonstrate the capability to contribute more. Much more. That is the only way to increase your value.

 

It is true even if you are looking for a job enhancement, new assignment or a change. All the places the organisations are really evaluating your capacity to contribute.

 

It is something only you can do. Only you can change the equation. Only you can continuously redefine your utility to the organisation. Only you can continuously work toward enhancing your apparent value and your contribution to the system.

 

Remember, like anywhere else ‘Perception is truer than the reality’

 

So, go ahead and invest in yourself. In today’s world you need to be constantly educated. You need to keep your self-relevant and future proof.  You need to be thinking about yourself as a business and a brand.

 

Look around you, Are you in a category or market that is shrinking? Are you in a place where a job is there in the future? Or have you invested your future in a job that is disintegrating with time?

 

These are tough questions that only you can ask and only you can have the answers you will believe in.

 

It is never too late. There is no better time than now. Go ahead revalidate and expand your capacities. It will help in creating capabilities to contribute in the business.

 

While selecting the new capabilities evaluate how relevant they are. They should be useable to you in your current or future assignments.

 

You owe it to yourself, not to be complacent. Not to be too comfortable with the current status and not to be worried of the changes.

 

You should be preparing for the next assignment that you so badly want. You should be demonstrating capabilities in the identified desired in-demand field. You should be creating the examples that you can enumerate in few days time.

 

It is your life and you can only Fire – your – ambitions.

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

A G Krishnamurthy ( 28th April 1942- 5th February 2016) will be remembered for different reasons. The industry may just note him as the founder chairman of Mudra Communication, taking it to newer heights earlier only associated with MNC and network agencies. Or as a person who has the vision to start MICA. Or even an author of books like ‘If you can dream’, ‘Ten Much’, ‘Desi dream merchants’, ‘Learnings of an advertising professional’ and many more.

 

To me he will always be AGK and I will be another of the many AGKites.

 

He always remained a person ingrained with middle class values and openness to ideas. One who could be called a homegrown ad man with a street-smart style and a belief of ‘success being a process not an end’.

 

I remember the poster in his office at Mudra. Early days, when Mudra operated out of Manikyam apartments in Ahmedabad. It had a rooster running after a hen, while another in a corner was busy hatching an egg. It read ‘Yes, we run after new business- but we keep out existing clients satisfied’. This is a philosophy that he lived by.

 

AGK was Mudra and in many ways Mudra was AGK. Mudra was started with a mandate for excellence and that remained the driving force behind its success. A lot of its growth was organic. So when AGK said ‘Truly and honestly the age of the fittest surviving has dawned on us. The only way we (can prosper is by raising our bar of efficiency… There isn’t any alternative’. You knew he meant it.

 

He was also one of the toughest bosses I had. He never accepted mediocrity. I remember one incident where the legs turned lead- while we seven were paraded and blasted by him in Ahmedabad. (Full incident http://sanjeevkotnala.com/sardar-khush-hoga/). He was a great teacher of human relationships. One of the best bosses (not a direct boss) I ever had. Few people from whom I learnt the art of managing and motivating teams.

 

My career in advertising could have been short-lived if he was not there to make sense of my brashness and actions. I did mistakes and he allowed them as a learning ground. This openness is something that I carry with me.

 

He kept you on a leash. The leash of freedom of doing things you felt right and had conviction in. Yet he could be break your heart with one of the most brutal honest observation or a remark. Reward and reprimands ran parallel in his office. Biases were few and rare.

 

We all Mudraities who have worked under him or interacted know how motivating were the simple Ganeshas and those silver or golden pens could be. They were medals that many of us hold dearer than the awards won at later stage of life. Many a time, it was even the hard-boiled sweets that could come your way as an appreciation.

 

I will always remember him as AGK. That’s what he will remain for me.

 

I know he never forgot a Mudraite who has worked with him. In my advertising career, he twice asked me to come back. For some reasons I had to decline. But I started my advertising career at Mudra (1987-90) and I ended with Mudra (2001-2004) with my second stint.

 

AGK commanded respect that did not come entirely from the position he had but because he was through professional. I remember asking him for his observation as an ITC-Sheraton resident at Banaglore while I wasworking with HTA. And was not too surprised when I did get a handwritten note after two days. (http://sanjeevkotnala.com/upgrade/)

 

I read the news of his demise in the Whatsapp group of old and current Mudraites actively praying for his recovery. It drained me as memories flashed by me. The only way to charge myself was to hold the four Golden Ganeshas and a silver pen that he gave me during my 1987-1990 stint with Mudra Ahmedabad. And to relive few incidents and episodic interactions. They will always hold a special place for me and they always will.

 

Trust me SIR, whenever you look down from your heavenly abode, you will never find any moment of disappointment from Mudratites. Or better, AGKites

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

I hope the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’.  But hope means nothing. It is the result which counts. The experience of the first two years points in another direction.

 

In 2014, Goafest added ‘Publisher and Broadcaster Abby’.  I was one of the many winners in 2014 and part of the jury in 2015. Hence, this stupid-sounding question.

 

The numbers of entries went up in the two years. I sincerely believe it is not even a token reflection of the quantum and quality of good work done by media (Publishers) brands. Last year, I was surprised that many of the good works were not even entered. More so, sitting in Mumbai, I am privy to just the tip of the iceberg. There is huge amount of good work by regional media brands in their territories and with the target audience that makes them.

 

It is difficult to fathom the reason that kept brands like Malayala Manorama, Eenadu, Hindu, Sakal, Punjab Kesari, ABP and even Rajasthan Patrika away from Abby?

 

Suddenly for no reason, Abby  seemed skewed in favour of TOI (Include Gujarati Samay, Mumbai Mirror), Dainik Bhaskar  (Include Divya Marathi and Divya Bhaskar), Dainik Jagran, HT (Include Hindustan) and Chitralekha, the brands that repeatedly walked to collect their trophies.

 

If you take my word, there is a need for participation in Publisher Abby to hit new heights. The winning list shows a complete absence of magazines other than Chitralekha and Forbes.

 

 

You will agree that there is award-worthy work happening in print – both newspaper and magazine in offline and online space. You will also agree that the entry fee cannot be a deterrent. Then what can explain the low turnout?

 

Were the brand custodians and the marketing departments unaware of the new categories and entry deadlines? Tough to believe. Media houses have a huge delegate presence in Goafest and for that matter any industry event in or out of country. Media houses are also sponsors of industry events. Goafest makes enough noise in agencies and media about process and deadlines.

 

May be by the time they realised the entry date was over. So, why wait this year. Why wait for call for entries. Publishers would do themselves good by evaluating their work and shortlisting what they will like t enter. Take the time to get the details like strategy, objective, results and supporting documents in place. Get internal in-principle approvals.  Ask your creative agencies to help prepare the entries. Then just wait for the announcement at www.goafest.com.

 

May be they do not lack work and effort but the art and skill of sending entries. Possible. Very much possible. In that case, visit the Goafest site. The instructions are clear.  Ask your creative agency to help. Additionally if any media brands need help and guidance, I am more than willing to help.

 

The print pressure on revenue and the shift in the media weights have impacted the internal thought process. The awards are something that are not considered worth – till they are for circulation and or editorial. Maybe the publications should think again. Goafest provides an additional window to showcase the brand- its work- and attitude. ‘Best front cover’, ‘Best front page’, ‘Use of activation’, ‘Use of digital and mobile’, ‘Best brand innovation’, ‘Newspaper marketing. and ‘Cause ( CSR) related initiatives’ have been some of the categories where media houses won awards. Maybe there is a need to add Abby for  ‘Best circulation drive’, ‘Best photography’ &  ‘Best use of typography – illustration and infographics’. (sorry, I  missed suggesting these in my earlier notings)

 

Deciding the right categories to enter is one of the most important decisions. Good work will find itself eligible for more than one category. Enter it in all relevant categories. Make that extra effort to ensure right filing of form and providing quality supporting.

 

‘Only Big Brands Win’ syndrome. They suspect a cartel, where none exist. They are not wrong to be influenced and think so. The industry has always been full of such rumours. I suggest: kill the naysayers. I can vouch with my experience of the publisher Jury, judging is absolutely impartial. Each entry is judged on its merit.

 

The award categories are not relevant. Nothing can be further from the truth. But what is possible is that the editorial- marketing- circulation volatile triangle in publications does not work in sync. The internal fights and claim for credit unnecessarily affect this process of award entries. This leads to non-ownership is really missing.

 

One would want to see a multiple rise in number of entries at Publisher Abby and many more awards won. But remember even god cannot help you win a lottery (which Abby is not) if you do not buy the ticket.

 

Three cheers to Goafest 2016 and the Publisher Abby.

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

Mumbai is a city battling with the nuisance of many problems and one of them is really the over population of kabootar (dove).  There are kabootar khanas (where dove can be fed) and people eager to feed.  Everyone is aware of the diseases and allergies caused by kabootars and their droppings, yet the universal symbol of peace lives unchallenged, promoting peace. So, it is not surprising that a Peace Anthem using this symbol of peace – KABOOTAR originates in the city. Trying to thread together a social change, through ‘WINGS OF FREEDOM- Kabootar’ in an era of growing intolerance. This time the dove is not in a politically rally but among the common man. (Link https://goo.gl/iJI14C 6.46 Minutes)

 

An initiative of Colors and Equal Rights Music Project, , the peace anthem was released on the Republic Day – January 26, 2016. Behind it is a well-known creative mind, Manish Bhatt, Founder Director, Scarecrow Communications and Eddie T Avil who has composed it.

 

The song is sung well and it does get on your mind. Unfortunately, the message ‘When Will Peace Finally Grace the World/ Kab utrega dharti par, ein kabootar’ is a bit too subtle. Some may say it’s the way it should be. The audience completes it in their minds with many things unanswered. Unfortunately, like always we end up layering it with religious hues in the name of diversity. Once again religion is the backdrop to erratic peace. May be we cannot or should not see reality in any other way.

 

We may have lost connect with peace. May be hatred and distrust are the overpowering emotion. Yet, I am not surprised when people see ‘Peace Anthem’ as just a ‘feel-good’ factor and nothing more. Expecting it to unite the nation and accelerate initiatives towards peace is asking too much.  And we definitely don’t need any more sensitisation to the subject.

It will be interesting to know the expectations of people behind it. Are they convinced on the potential? Or they are satisfied with creative orgasm?

Manish Bhatt says: ‘‘Peace is a subject which needs to be reinforced into the world constantly and consistently…  Poetry and music is ancient arts and often used in conveying public messages. At a broad level, it should remind that peace is inevitable for our planet. Anthem is a Public expression of music. It always works, if they are done with right spirit.”

I review the execution. Am I the only person who sees the message too layered and subtle for the audience all around?

Manish differs: ‘We often underestimate of intelligence and intellectuality of mass Indians and so this experiment should also revive the consumption of poetry and meaningful music by masses’.

He sights two other anthems as an example (both on his show reel), which worked! ‘Respect The National Anthem’ (Link https://goo.gl/Sr46LS 2.06 minutes) and  ‘Jityu Hamesha Gujarat’ an anthem for Gujarat sung by 25 Gujarati celebrities (link https://goo.gl/HXWMI6 4.18 minutes) and I will let you decide.

The reach for the peace anthem is banking on 13 million followers and digital subscribers of Colors  and social media getting the first exposure and doing some magic.

I agree that ‘Not only Pathankot or Paris, and that the entire world needs peace’.  But the launch of the peace anthem as the first output of ‘Equal Rights Music Project’ (pioneered by Manish Bhatt and Eddie T Avil) on Republic Day, to me sounds more of an event opportunity than peace initiative.

As the name suggests, Equal Rights Music Project is a music platform where professionals from across the music industry can come together to create original work. All rights of the produced piece are equally distributed amongst all key contributors. Not just the composer, lyricist or singer but also to Sound Engineer or Instrument player.

As per the team, no better subject than peace to align the first song with the spirit of the platform. I know, if nothing else at least such a concept will promote PEACE among contributing musicians.

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

I can imagine, the uproar such a campaign would have caused in India. If, that is IF, our Ad Club thought of running such a campaign. I don’t think that will ever happen. We move very small steps. We have taken some positives of pushing for a membership drive with life membership and linking event passes to membership. I personally appreciate both steps. Yet, its predominately metro (read Mumbai ) focus has been missing some opportunities.

 

Lets get back to campaign I was referring to. The one that made me smile and appreciate the efforts being put in by Creative Belgium. All for a ‘National Cause’. To support and discover the next generation of creative talent. They have initiated a call for sperm or egg donation from Top Ad executives.

 

But, if one wants to contribute to the cause and finds the above option process cumbersome, they can always make a start by becoming  member of Creative Belgium.

 

‘People will do anything to protect a legacy. And Belgium is taking that to the next level.’

 

Meanwhile, Creative belgium promises that the donations by Naïm Baddich (Publicis- 6 LIONS), Kwint De Meyer (mortierbrigade- 6 LIONS), Dieter Van Hoof (Friendship- 6 LIONS), Dieter De Ridder (AIR- 10 LIONS), Geoffrey Hantson (Happiness- 33 LIONS) and Iwein Vandevyver (Famous- 6 LIONS) will soon available in designated  hospitals for fertilising eggs- and create the next wave of Belgium Lion winning brogade.

 

Creative Belgium tells you why you should become a member. As per mail reply from Creative Belgium, they have 360 members and are looking to take that to 500. Cost of Individual membership EURO 170, Student get it at EURO 135. In addition to helping the national cause, there are specified benefits. They are not too different or unique but placing them at one place makes them sound good.

 

The members get to connect during new year’s drink. Can stand for election to the board members. Be elected as jury members for  prestigious “Chapeau”. Enjoy special rates for CCB awards entries and party. Get the CCB awards annual book and access to all awardwinning work since 2009. Access to lectures and workshops. Free subscription on De Persgroep / Rossel Advertising or the weekly magazine HUMO . Special rates for national and international workshops, trainings and seminars in  collabs with D&AD, Contagious, Cannes Lions, Eurobest and Flanders DC. Invitation to the Lions Night in Kinepolis. 10% discount on a year subscription with Stack Magazines and 15% reduction on books at the complete webshop of LANNOO. I am not sure if members of AdClub or other Industry bodies are aware of their advantages.

 

BACKGROUND: Now why go to this extent. Well, there is an answer to this strategy. Belgium has a huge creative reputation. In four years, it has won 78 Cannes Lions with a a population of just 11.2 million. I know ratios should not be used for such events and extrapolating it to Indian population is not right.

 

CONCERN: In Western Europe, Belgium is not considered a serious market. Big companies usually split their Belgian budgets with France and Netherlands. As a result, Belgium often has little to no budget. Then again it has multiple langauges, but none large enough for big brands to target them. So, the secret to Belgium’s unique ad culture is strictly Hard Work to stand out.

 

PROBLEM DEFINITION: Young people are losing interest in advertising careers, which means for the industry there’s a crisis at the horrizon.  As per an Adweek article, Greet Wachters, manager of Creative Belgium puts it as  “The number of students in creative fields has actually declined…. those who opt for creative studies don’t always end up looking for work in agencies.” Creative Belgium believes there is need for proactive behaviour.

 

INSIGHT: If one was to believe Professor and Dr Maryse Bonduelle of the Centre for Medical Genetics recent study on creative behavior among children, creativity is indeed partially hereditary . So if Daddy was creative, may be Junior will feel an affinity to the field.

 

SOLUTION: Partnering with the Centre for Reproductive Medicine of Brussels and ad agency Air to device a smart, creepy, and only vaguely eugenicist (expert in selective breeding for human improvement):

 

RESULT: “Ad Babies”- an appeal to today’s creatives in Belgium to donate sperm and eggs!, to ensure Belgium’s creative future. They know ‘though one  can’t guarantee a future generation of Lions winners, one can boost the odds’. Well Isabel, MD Creative Belgium says that the process of harvesting egg is cumbersome and they could not find any woman to agree for it- hence the campaign focussed on Sperm Donation.

 

PRINT AD “Are you in the creative industry? Become a donor.”  I visualised these with some of the faces of Indian advertising and could not control my smile.

 

VIDEO AD– Watch them carefully play around the situation.  While passing the vial with sperms Hantson puts it niciely “One small drop for me, one giant drop for Belgian creativity.” Link https://youtu.be/TPJmVryajnU.

 

ACTION LINE: Both women and men are invited to become donors, or just members, of Creative Belgium.

 

……………………………

The article draws upon the article by Angela Natividad in Adweek, inputs from Isabel – MD Creative Belgium and website.

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

 

When the recent Myntra ad was commented upon in the positively-inclined diverse set of people in a Whatsapp group that primed itself for being open, transparent and seeking diversity in opinion, all hell broke loose.

 

Now if you have missed the ad- you can see it here before you proceed further being an opinionated ‘Fly-on-the-wall’. Yeah, I forgot to share, you are free to have your own opinion and share them in the comments section. I personally do not promise to reply to some of the pregnant pauses I am sure to find there.

 

I am only going to identify the gender of the speaker and not the speaker. I have added few pointers for you to make your assumptions. This may sound like a focus group discussion and that’s what it seemed.

 

One way to do this is read the same speaker comments at one go. Trust me to be lazy in presenting as it happened. In the process I have been true to the art of being transparent and the science of tolerance.

 

MARKETER FEMALE  – Oh, wait for my contradictory point of view in the newspaper next week. (Well she must not have time or the inclination to share the POV- or may be she was worried that the group may pick on and present it outside. The content protection buzzed in her head)

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – agreed to wait for it and suggested that Lipika Kumaran (identified as the planner who works with Santosh Desai) has just a discussion on the subject in some other space (he was going to participate in both of them- well maybe discussion points swap like Motorola Success transfer was going to be a reality) Lipika’s original post read. ‘Myntra’s ‘The Calling’  and is exactly the kind of bullshit that passes for “feminist thought” in advertising.

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – Don’t you think she’s going to be a little surprised by the profound experience of giving birth and then tending to a new-born human that clings to her for survival? It’s amazing that an ad that’s getting rave reviews for being some sort of feminist point of view on working mothers, completely denies the unreal physical, emotional and social experience that motherhood is.
Please note that lesson 1 of feminism is to stop denying feminine experiences and choices.’ (Side comment that has nothing for the discussion said - ‘Denying feminine experiences reminded me of the person we met together in Mumbai, the one I expressed reservations about meeting’. It showed that GUITARIST MENTOR MALE had some solid strong POV when it came to feminism and corporates)

 

MARKETER FEMALE  – The point is not about denying motherhood experience but about the much prevalent corporate abuse w.r.t pregnancy and motherhood related insensitivity

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – I agree there is corporate abuse on pregnancy.  We are very bad compared to the rest of the world. UK has 1-year maternity leave.  3 months full pay, 3 months half pay and so on. 4th quarter my daughter started working once a week to get back into it. And (holy shit!) she accumulated annual leave of 23 days during her maternity.

 

A CHIRPY LOST IN THE WOOD FEMALE  – Hi, I have not seen the ad yet but will do shortly and post my views

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – yes CHIRPY LOST IN THE WOOD FEMALE  – wanted to know your views. Because I know you will have a point of view! (What’s wrong- every one will have) and can you do a post on it in the group we are part of. And remember the debate is not over on the Myntra ad! (Gets into success transfer mode) Arun Raman of Lowe expressed some very strong views on Lipika’s post.

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE– Oh that advertisement on TV is nothing but a harsh reality. It is made stark by the woman Boss. I agree that there will always be a debate on how long should the maternity or paternity leave should be. At what stage should one be asked to come back and take full change?

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – Indian companies are harsh on leave. Surprisingly the Central Government is very fair with its employees. It is tough to imagine Central Government being better at anything than the private sector.

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE – We appreciate motherhood and we know the amount of care that is needed. At the same time, we all would have experienced this at some stage of our lives.  Pregnant colleague ensures that you double up and take the extra load, even when you had nothing to do with the pregnancy. And it is true that organisations avoid women (more who are recently married) for the jobs that require full time concentration.

 

At this time GUITARIST MENTOR MALE agree that he had also experienced thus phenomenon and it was unfair.

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE – fair and unfair is contextual point of views. Just because some one gives longer leave or a shorter leave cannot be called unfair

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE – (walking in late to the discussion) I don’t get it. What’s the issue here? People make their choices. Choices aren’t forced on anyone. Both genders have their own moments of dilemma. Why do we make such a big deal about career?

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE – side stepping someone for promotion is also an organisational call and is OK.

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE - What unfair? Why do we act so helpless? It’s all finally us. We can choose one fulfilment over other or push ourselves and choose the ‘and’ option. Why do the women choose to be ‘man’? They do well being themselves. In fact they bring their own unique traits.

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE –The thing is that role relaxation for men is neither expected nor desired by society at large. So when women enter men’s world of work they are expected to play by the rules set for a male world Motherhood then is forced into the reduces productivity and contribution box So women then face forced choice situations. Meanwhile to carry your point home- Central Government does not have ambitious market share gain and growth and profitability goals. So they also do not really have the hyper need to squeeze and extract productivity from employees they can be more humane

 

MARKETER FEMALE – Maternity leave = period of zero producing = non-performance = demotion. This is a very prevalent mind-set

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE -  If you have a problem. Make your choice. Don’t work in organisations that don’t deserve you. Choose ones that do. Work for your own self. Don’t work. Do as you please.

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE -  (have been waiting to catch something that he could comment upon) do we say unfair. When it is the issue of late night working, it is always the male who has to take on the pressure, as if he does not have home and fatherhood should be undervalued.

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE – I don’t think everything in life I about individual choice this is as false as a fatalistic attitude. We are members of a collective called a society that lies outside family extended family and clan That larger society needs to have enabling values laws and policies. That supports the enablement of all to reach their potential. We got more progressive values in our constitution because of what the progressive thinkers of that time thought our society to be. Else we could also be living in a country run by the mind-set of medieval clerics, which shoots and kills girls because they want to study

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE– Let’s assume the current environment is suited more to men; men will do the easier thing, they will rush to become corporate slaves; by the time they realise they weren’t helpless it’ll be time to retire. Women have the opportunity not to choose corporate slavery.

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE – So the argument you are making is that it is all down to individual choice and that reflects a position of great privilege. Sure say that to all the girls in Afghanistan or Bombay slums or tribal in Jharkhand.

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – The point really is that the current environment is discriminating. Women should have an equal right to corporate slavery if they choose so, as men

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE – I think there is a role for individual response to circumstances and for collective action both are required for the fulfilment of the human potential not just a privileged few but the largest no

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE – (not liking the slow simmering discussion throws some bait) do women have to be more ‘man’ then men to succeed?

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE – (gets drawn to it) some women seem to think so I don’t agree. A woman trying to be more of a man than men is as foolish and mistaken a pursuit as a man trying to be more feminine than women. Each is different and both should be celebrated for their specific qualities

 

GUITAR MENTOR MALE – (brings back the person I did not wanted to meet reference) I met a man-woman in Mumbai recently

 

FEMINIST AGGRESSIVE FEMALE – (takes another bait) I have met some such women too in corporate life I feel sad for them because I see them as lost souls. (Suddenly realises she is in a group and must be a bot more polite) My view of course and others may totally disagree

 

NEW VOICE MALE. – Corporate culture can be equally unkind to both genders. While for females the discrimination points become visible for men the discrimination issues can be more back stage. I quite agree with description of corporate slavery. But we make our own choices. There is a price people need to pay to sustain in a corporate environment. The price tag is the same for both sexes. The context of how that price gets paid or extracted could be different. The price is in the form of fulfilling expectations to deliver beyond the stated, almost all the time to remain relevant. Whether we like it or not either we are in the rat race or we are out. There is a price for both genders to remain in the race. Be it work life, family balance and so on.

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE  – Oh. Why I liked the ad is a bit…. errrr ummm… Primal?  Radhika Apte looks hot! . Did not notice the “bump” till Shernaz Patel brings it up. Even then I stayed glued to Miss Apte, till the Mercedes S350 showed up.  Is something wrong with me? But she totally does look hot. Perhaps a bit more than Miss Apte. Tough competition for me.

 

WRITERS VOICE FEMALE – I remember a conversation (when I was newly married) early 20s, and meeting with an agency head after HR had done their screening etc.  This agency head asked me with no prelude – what my baby making plans were, I was aghast. Asked him what his plans on having the next affair with anyone were. Saw it as none of his business. Like it wasn’t mine to be asking about his liaisons. In hindsight could see his concern oh Woman, married, likely to become unproductive soon. But WTF

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE  – When I came back to India, I was indoctrinated with the US style of interviews where you could not even ask a question such as tell me about your family. What does your wife do? How many kids etc. etc. And the first interview I sat on, with my CHRO, who was a lady, she point blank asked the female candidate, how old are your kids, how do you manage, can you travel, will your family allow travel, recently married? When will you have kids? She outright rejected a candidate who was pregnant. I fell of my chair.

 

WRITERS VOICE FEMALE – I know. I used to wonder if advertising gave people the license to be brash, out of line, with what was just not humanly acceptable

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE – (Now going back in life style of referencing) In another company that needed people for installation work at residential area, I broke norms. (Confession coming in) I went to a girl’s vocational course college and hired field staff from there. People told me, who would take responsibility, what if they get raped and molested by clients. These girls were being trained to be factory engineers. Guess what these six girls went on to become some of the best installers

 

WRITERS VOICE FEMALE – But still, great u did that. Choices. They need to be available. My Brother has been a stay at home dad the last 2 years and the biggest hurdle is mom and his wife. The expectation of the male stereotype can be as daunting

 

GUITARIST MENTOR MALE – tries to complete the loop left somewhere in the discussion– Hey GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE, I know you find her hot. But her reputation on the Web is quite bad, and sleazy, hope you know. There are pictures and all kinds of things floating on her. So when she appears as a stereotypical pregnant mother it was a bit of a shock for me.

 

PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL MALE – (thinks he must get back comment and then vanish again) Well. This is sure a big serotype.  Women with pic and a doubtful character cannot be stereotypical pregnant mother. Talk about self-made standards

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE – (comes back after scanning article) Just read the interview, fascinating trail on the Myntra ad and choices. To assume that everyone has equal choice or the awareness, let alone capability, to make considered, equal choices in consort with the unique signature an individual has or wishes to, is certainly not current reality. Actually far from it hence we need (to provide) facilitation at individual and or systemic levels.

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE – People aren’t ‘equal’ but are equally free to make choices; if they stop feeling miserable about themselves and use their unique traits and privileges

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE  – The amount of latent and subtle abuse a woman faces, lets say for this discussion in the Indian business context is shocking. When I compare it to my years living overseas, where it is not perfect either and where the choice paradigm is more equal, by design. So much more need to be done in India both at an individual level and at the level of all systems
But, did we expect an ad to answer/address all aspects of this diabolical (yes, strong word) mess we are in. I do not thin so. Does it raise some if not all issues, the answer is yes! Are they valid issues, yes?

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE – Here’s a way to look at things: Those who have knowledge have the unique ability, as they know how to do things. Those who don’t often aren’t aware impossible is impossible and end up doing it in their ‘ignorance’. Now isn’t that a unique ‘ability’ if they care to use it?

 

GET POSITIVE IN LIFE MALE  – But it is dynamic isn’t it. Those who are not aware become aware at some stage and perhaps at a stage where they cant turn the clock back. Don’t see it. A large number are in the grey zone. They want to change, exercise choice and don’t know how to. Hence strong need for facilitation.

 

WRITERS VOICE FEMALE –  I agree with you. While there are choices most women, women’s family, corporates etc. they do not know that there are choices. And hence we need a movement to raise this awareness of choices.  To use an abused word, most people/corporates do not feel ’empowered’ to make these choices.

 

CATCH THEM WITH SURPRISE MALE – How many of you have already seen Angry Indian Goddesses?   I have not seen Angry Indian Goddesses twice (not quite good enough for that) but now I’ve become adept at people watching while movie watching. The faces of the men squirmed more when the Suranjana character (played by Sandhya Mridul) was emasculating men in the boardroom, than when the Lakshmi character (played by Rajshree Deshpande) was grabbing eve teasers by the crotch.

 

I MUST STIR THE POT MALE – Thank god some people aren’t wallowing in self-pity looking at what they don’t have and others do; the world would have been a miserable place with everyone feeling miserable about their lot.

 

………………………………

The above is a set of people from industry discussing the ad. Meanwhile overheard two women discussing it.

 

First woman: None of us ever get a chance to walk out and start on our own.

Second woman: Even if we could, don’t think I will be able to do it

Third woman: Eek Toh ( first of all )  , the family allowed her to work- and now she want to start a new business when she is pregnant.

Fourth Woman: Kya Natak hai ( what Drama ), she had decided to leave the job much before this incident. Good maybe Boss did the best thing – loyalty zero.

Third woman: To raise the kids with culture and family values is the biggest career and satisfaction. Yeh saab who upper wali society ( high society) ka chochale hai. ( life style )

First Woman. Chaal bahut hua.( enough is enough) I have to go and cook. Today is paapu key papa ka  birthday  ( father of Paapu)

Fourth Woman. Lagta hai yeh writer log kabhi pregnant nahi huey. ( looks like these writers never got pregnant) Otherwise who will ask such questions. Kaam na karogey toh promotion kyu denge. Baap ka maal hai kya. ( you get promoted when you work, it is not her dad’s office)

 

……………………………

Meanwhile reality remains that pregnant woman lose some time off their career path- and that is a choice they and the organisation makes. People do not have choices like what is depicted in the ad- starting on their own. The laws will get a bit more relaxed and so would paternity leaves come in- maybe the 35 hour week will come in- MAYBE is the operative world- till that time- Pregnant woman is and will be seen as an issue by organisation- they may put up some mask of genuine care and support but inside they hate when women get pregnant

 

Sanjeev Kotnala has 28 years of corporate experience and is Founder of  Intradia World. A Brand, Marketing & Management Advisor, he focuses on IDEATION (Harvest and Liberate) and INNOVATION (InNoWait) process and workshops. He is devoted to enhancing human potential. He is also a certified Life & ‘Mid life transition’ coach. Email sanjeev@intradia.in tweet @s_kotnala web:  www.intradia.in, www.sanjeevkotnala.com.

 

By Sanjeev Kotnala

Sajeev is one of our emergencies and disaster preparedness experts at Aide-et-Action. He learnt a lesson in the Chennai floods.  Being a disaster management expert, he is always ready with sufficient stocks of essential food items, milk powder, candles, torchlight, basic medicines, etc. However, after two days of power cut in the Chennai floods, when he wanted to fill petrol in his bike, he realised he is left with only Rs 200. The power cut meant that none of the ATMs were working.  We are over-dependent on Plastic Money and ATM. ATMs are clearly NOT  “any time money”.  So, Sajeev has added one more thing in his list of preparedness: sufficient cash. Your money is not your money in such situations.

I remember a few months back after strong tremors were felt in Delhi, my sister-in-law called to share her fears.There had been too many earthquakes in recent past. She was worried. She stays in Patparganj, which is reclaimed marshland and is more at risk. The news media keeps reminding her that Delhi is on the earthquake fault line, the pressure in Himalayan belt has been building up for long and a big one is due.

She is smart. Along with her friends she bought a light and small-but-sturdy trunk. The metallic one. Inside went important documents including land deeds. It is kept in an easy-to-access area. It is different that her new generation son has stored all scanned images on the cloud. But to her, the trunk is more dependable than something she does not understand, see or feel.

In case of an earthquake striking Delhi, she believes she will have time to rush out with the trunk. I just hope that no earthquake of high magnitude hits and she ever needs to test the system.

The year 2006 in Mumbai saw people buying small heavy hammers with pointed tips. A special variety in fact did brisk business. After the effect of 2005 Mumbai rains, even the Mumbai police asked people to carry it in their cars. The hammer is meant to break the windshield in case one gets locked inside their cars. In 2005, many were trapped when the sophisticated centre systems that controls all functions malfunctioned due to rising rainwater. Many could have survived only if they had something to break their strong laminated glass windows. The hammer is precautionary step. In the last 11 years, I have never heard of anyone using it. Slowly the hammer moved from the glove compartment to some obscure part of the car.  If today you were to ask these hammer owners, they are most likely not to know, where have they kept the hammer?

We are human. We are trained to react. We adapt fast. We have selective memory. We relapse into safe feeling too fast. We take reactive measures. ‘We’ here include all brand owners, custodians and management teams.

We may be better prepared for predicting rains and future impact, but we are not prepared for the rains. We are still trying to understand earthquakes. In the case of earthquake it may happen the next moment or may keep building the pressure for next decade.  We have two situations, predictable and unpredictable.

The business environment is no different. The market you and your competitors currently operate in is no different. There are predictable actions (rains) that your current management is hopefully trained to handle. But, if a business is caught with an equivalent of Uttrakhand or Chennai situation, the best of the trained will find tough to cope. There is no template of response processes, accountability and responsibilities. You may have a hammer in place but it is useless.

On the other side, there is that constant disruption and innovation (earthquake). A result of shift in current technology, consumer needs, product designs or services. The pressure in any stable category or service is always building up and the switchover is sudden. Look at the impact of WhatsApp on mobile voice. The impact of services like Uber and Meru. These are tectonic shifts.

The business earthquakes have too many tectonic plates in friction. The pressure around product, service, process, technology is always building up. Even a simple consumer reorientation creates havoc. The only way to face it is to live in earthquake-proof buildings where the best you can do is minimise the impact and hope for the best.

The creation of such an impact-bearing structure in business needs brands and organisations to be proactive. Maybe create planned obsolescence. Continue living on the edge and defining newer and better technology and service. It is better than a new trend-fad-disruption redefining your business. Be ahead of the consumer dreams curve. Do not only listen to consumers and keep track of technology development to catch the early tremors. Define the new business plates. Experiment with things that your consumer may not be able to tell you.

But, maybe you already have a trunk for your brand. And that makes you happy. That makes you feel safe.

When the earthquake hits, the trunk will be of no use. My sister-in-law knows her special trunk is at best a salvation device. It is not the solution. To be doubly sure, she plans to move to a better location, which is on firm land, and the building is constructed with earthquake-proof technology. I know unless there are more tremors in near future, she will take this action out of her priority list. ‘It will not happen to me’ is the easiest trap we fall into. So did Sony Walkman, Kodak Films, Pagers and many more categories.

The firmness and longevity comes from constant evolution and proactive behaviour. It does not come from waiting for the next rain, earthquake or pollution reports.

You will have to decide what you want to do. Yu want to be happy with the hammer and trunk for your brand or you want to create a brand protocol and system – an earthquake proof zone. If you tell me it is the latter, I know you are lying.

May you never need your hammer and trunk.

 

Sanjeev Kotnala with 28 years of corporate experience is the Founderof Intradia World. A Brand, Marketing & Management Advisor, hefocuseson IDEATION (Harvest and Liberate) and INNOVATION (InNoWait) process and workshops. He is devoted to enhancing human potential. He is also a certified Life & ‘Mid life transition’ coach.Email sanjeev@intradia.in tweet @s_kotnalaweb: www.intradia.in, www.sanjeevkotnala.com.