Tuesday, December 25, 2018

Story of the Tough Girl from Bihar

Inspiring people are all around us. 
And so are the toxic ones.

You, the smart one needs to make smart choices when it comes to connecting with people.

Over past few years, I have limited my circle and that has helped me in many ways.
Firstly, I get to know and understand people a lot better since I connect with them 1-1.
Secondly, these people also believe in the power of partnership and collaboration.
And lastly, efforts counts, both ways.

Relationships are somewhat similar. You can decide whom to invest time with and whom to nurture and limit the leakage or breakage where it is bound to happen.

More so, in a hard pressed time that we all live in, you have to not only balance but integrate all of the above, very carefully.

I wanted to share a short story of someone whom I met last week.

They year was 2012. She scored the highest in the commerce stream from her school in CBSE, would have been happiest if she could share her success with her father. But, her dear father, was shot dead on December 7 last year ( 2011 ).

The youngest of three siblings, she was very attached to her father. 

In the grip of sorrow, the young student found it an uphill task to concentrate on her studies. She shared, whenever she would sit down to study, her father’s memories would flood back and she would start crying.

But the family came together to provide all the support that the youngest daughter needed to scale the peak of success. Well-wishers and friends, too, put in their bit so that the teenager could prepare herself for the exam.

Even till date, as the police investigation into the death of her father continues, she has moved on amazingly well. She always wanted to study at St Stephen’s College and then at IIM-C. 

And guess what! 
Both happened. And now, she is corporate banker with a leading global MNC.

Truly inspiring to see the focus. Like they say, tough times don't last. Tough people do!

btw- This story has no ending, as she has just started!!

Thursday, November 8, 2018

What if & What about



Every night when she tried to sleep, she thought of the 'what if's' in her life that lead to the 'what about's'..

What if tomorrow or the next moment she was dead..

What about the dreams and aspirations she wanted to fulfill..

What about the loved ones she fought an hour back..

What about her 'would be' husband and kids..

What about the life she ever imagined..

What about making it big..

What about the home for homeless cause she wanted to build all around..

What about the heartbreaks she went..

What about the travel she is yet to set foot upon..

What about the many thanks & apologies she owes to people..

What about her sweet kitten- Mando..

What about her family and her friends..

As she was watching her favorite sitcom series she realized that one day she will not be around & yet there is so much to do. What she also thought was the time gone by, all these years, she was just basically waking up and sleeping down. In between, it was all air.


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This post was the most read post in #India for the Q3'18.

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Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Inside Meena Bazaar

I am sure many of you have would have taken some time out to visit a placed called as Meena Bazaar. Before you jump the gun on this one, hold on!

This place in my terms is a boutique chain where women ( and females ) are genuinely happy. And so is the staff. 

The interesting range of clothes, for all occasions with options to spoil you are all available. The staff here are old running members who in less than 2 minutes can actually predict if you are going to buy anything or not. If yes, you are treated like super cool celeb- tea, coffee or a cold drink and you have it all. If no, they will make you buy any which way.

Though for me personally, this place is a challenging option. What do I do here ? You can't keep on staring females around you. The service folks look into your eyes and smile and say - Are you paying by Samsung Pay, sir. Get ready!



During one of my recent visit I made it a point to notice what were the males doing. While some were just browsing on their smartphones, others were pulling up chairs for their partners to sit or just giving views and inputs why the green looked a little better than the pink. People who had adorable kids, were busy any which way. Then there were some newly married folks where you could sense the 'not so cool camaraderie' . Both were trying their level best to talk and share though.

The next in line were the men who were actually shopping all by themselves. That's big. 
One of them actually gave me an insight about Zardozi -  Zar ( meaning gold ) and Dozi ( meaning embroidery ) and I was super impressed. This person had a couple of stores in Jaipur and nearby areas and was a regular. He invited me to visit his place sometime.

While I did get my cold coffee but it can be so much fun to just observe what people do in places like these. What made me happy was the 'men' were all  support for their 'women' . 

That's what I call as genuine care and teamwork!

PS -  What was #karansayz doing here. That's for some other time :)

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Thursday, April 5, 2018

Hug someone- Today


What happens when you hug someone! They smile. Not that easy.

Depends. On people to people, choice to choice & time to time. 

During one of my many seminars I got this question from a young boy & I had to think since the context was not just hugs but more about the emotions involved. 

Often when you have nothing to say or talk or share with someone you give them a hug. You also embrace people when they are on extremes – either very happy or depressed or 1000 thoughts in their head. 

Moments of joy also merit a hug & when you want someone to know you are there for them, give them a hug.



And then there are folks who actually can read thoughts. Sometimes I wish you were in my place just to know how I feel. This holds a lot of relevance.

After all, explaining your feelings to someone is never easy.

And then, pain changes people, it makes them trust less, overthink more, & shut people out.

Next time when you hug someone, say some words of #share & #care along with.

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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Travel Diaries & more - Make it count

Everytime I travel, I look forward to meeting new people. New places as well can be explored but what is home without humans!?

Off late, besides the flights getting delayed, I like to reach the airport ahead of my scheduled departure timing & sit around in the lounge & read or chit-chat. Works for me.

Last week was fun & yet a bit hectic. During one of my lounge visits I hosted a dear friend ( though exactly for 15 minutes ) for a small #CoffeewithKaran session & off he had to go. In those 15 minutes we spoke in true blue corporate styles. First 5 minutes updates from him and I sipped my hot chocolate and then the next 5 minutes updates from my side.  The remaining 5 minutes were spent on discussing  ' better than before'  .

During my flight I met an amazing doctoral student or a fellowship candidate as she likes to be described. She was pursing her close 4 years doctor fellowship from a premium institute and such was her focus that she decided not to get married irrespective what society shares or tells her. We discussed some common and uncommon topics and she made me thinking its important to pursue your dreams and take hard-calls. Mostly, when you don't want to.



Market visits for me are way of not only knowing 'what is not working' for your brand but the most important way to meet, greet and hear experiences from your consumers. During my many market visits I happen to meet firebrand sales people, distributors, channel partners & young colleagues entering into corporate life. 

At times, I often get questions and queries from people all around what does it take to be a marketing manager. While I am still a learner, together with IIMJOBS.com & Hirist.com we have curated+prepared a series of short and shareable videos that give my learning's and insights over the years. You can check them out here - Link

I am a firm supporter and believer of sharing experiences and learning's and I try on my part to continue doing so.

With the festive season around and festive marketing campaigns all in the pipeline, make sure you do your bit in cheering someone around! #Makeitcount



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Aloha on the Ganges

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