Watch out!

Kautilya quotes:

In the interest of the prosperity of the country, a king shall be diligent in foreseeing the possibility of calamities, try to avert them before they arise, overcome those which happen, remove all obstructions to economic activity and prevent loss of revenue to the state.

Applies even today, ain't it?

Can't resist me

McDonalds has amazing french fries and people just seem to love them. I do too. The problem here is among all other food items, people choose fries just like that. As an add on to the original menu that they choose.

Have you ever seen this? All your choices are almost identical to what you had last week and almost for a long period of time. You keep on ordering cheese burgers till you finally want to try something else and move on to another delicacy. I have seen people ask about a hundred other things while the nice lady at the counter keeps punching orders on the billing machine and then say, "Forget it, give me this". You either stick to the new one for a while or roll back to the original choice like a snap. Amazing how psyches can be!

Nothing special about McDonalds, you might say. But trust me. If you keep walking back to their store ordering french fries, MCD knows how to make you fall in love. Marketing brains that know how to make simple people like you and me keep munching on those fries, burgers, softies and what not while you keep blaming an occasional meal at their restaurant when someone points about the added luxury at your weight!

Can't resist you? I bet I can. After all you are a veggie!

Bachelors

Huff!

Is it true?

Risking to be considered whatever, am loading this up. Got it as a forward. Is it true?
Guys! What do you think? Girls! Am sure you have one similar to this. Please forward and it would appear here :)

Tada

Balu sent me this. Here is a first look of the proposed new Indian coin with the new rupee symbol.

Men ARE fat

It is not just women who feel unattractive at certain times of the month. Men are just as likely to suffer "fat days", feeling less confident about their appearance and suffering from low self esteem, a new study suggests.

According to a survey of more than 5,000 men, 34 percent said feeling unattractive gives them less confidence to initiate sex with their partner, the Telegraph reports. Almost one in six men agree that low self esteem about their appearance impacts their confidence in bed and more than a quarter would consider losing weight to boost their performance.

To help tackle the issue, health company Pfizer, in partnership with leading British health organisations, has launched a service Man MOT (Monday Opportunity to Talk) for men who lack confidence or time to visit their general practitioners (GPs). Tracey Cox of Man MOT said: "Men shouldn't be suffering in silence, there's lot of help out there, offering real solutions to improving sexual confidence and performance."

Men will have the opportunity to seek advice on any health issues they may be worried or concerned about and browse a range of health publications online. Berkeley Phillips, Medical Director at Pfizer said: "We know there are a lot of men out there avoiding their GP completely, leaving health issues untreated until they require immediate medical attention."

Add sizzle

"In five years' time, 70 per cent of India will be under 35 years of age. These consumers haven't grown up with Godrej and as their spending power grows, my brand and products must be relevant for them. How do we add sizzle to our products? That's our challenge." Vibrant products riding on technology and quality is the answer.

--- Vivek Gambhir, chief strategy officer, Godrej Industries.

Read full post here.

Missing dog

What happens when you are bonded with something so well that you don't realise the price you are paying? Well, a good opportunity for marketers to sell.

Found this hanging on a tree at Indiranagar. Pets have always been a special way, for me at least, to identify how one handles oneself. You find that a pet is a reflection of its owner, be how neat it is or its behaviour. Even the selection of a pet also is an extension of the person in question. You find someone tugging at a large dog with rough looks and a dirty snarl you better be away.

People get bonded to things that reflect their psyche. Things like items, brands, products that make them feel the real inner self. Want to see how you feel inside? Try free association shopping. Go to a shopping complex and see what your eye catches, the colors, items, things that grab your attention. Do they mirror your mood and choices? What say?

Vijay Divas

Saluting the heroes of Kargil and the lakhs that guard our borders 247. It is because of your sacrifice we are at peace today. Jai Hind.

Monday Blues: The first day

This Monday is the first day for the rest of your life. Think about it.

The first day for the rest of your life. So you have a chance. This Monday to start something you always wanted to start, something you always wanted to do. Be it at work or at home or for yourself, get out and get going.

Have a great Monday.

Monday Blues: Let's forgive

A few days back I asked a friend to chip in with a monday blues idea and here is what was penned down. Worth a repost...

This Monday, let's FORGIVE...

Life is all about the choices we make.

Today, make a choice between taking a revenge on some one who had hurt you badly and forgiving the same to make both the lives to be in peace. The later, my friends, works wonders. Just give a try.

What more

How can you retain customers when you don't have what they are looking for?

"No, we don't have it," sounds normal.

"I am afraid, we've run out of stock. Can I call you back when we get it?" is a better answer.

"Oops! Sorry we don't have it right now. You can find it at the store a few blocks away. Let me show you the way," is my kind of answer.

We were at Bangalore Central and this board at foodbazaar shows they care. Good customer service '=' repeat walkins.

Can you do this to your business? Service? Why don't you?

Wattaplaya

800 is a magical number. For Murali, it is a fitting number to be associated to. Having reached there, at the pinnacle one expects a huge ego and pride. Murali is all but that. He was a picture of simplicity and down to earth. At home, Sachin matches the same attitude. Here is saluting the legend Murali is.
Pic

The evolution of dance

Nostalgia sells. The way this video continues to top the charts on Youtube's most watched videos list proves it.

Take something that everyone knows and remembers, make it a bit comical and take people away from their present life. Show them good times and times that they have closed in their hearts and that they would like to see again and lo! you have a hit.

Wanna make it move

Hannah sings from my lappie...

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

Large waist???

Get back in shape or your heart might have a problem. Read this...

People with a larger waistline and high triglyceride levels are at increased risk of coronary heart disease, according to a new research.

"Among individuals classified at low coronary heart disease risk based on the absence of traditional risk factors, the presence of the hyper-triglyceridemic waist is predictive of a substantially increased risk of coronary heart disease," said Drs. Benoit Arsenault and Jean-Pierre Despres, Laval University, Quebec City.

A point to be noted is that men and women with increased waist circumference (even without higher triglyceride levels) and increased triglyceride levels (even without higher waist circumference) show high risk of CAD.

However, both factors combined showed the highest risk of CAD.

The study is published in Canadian Medical Association Journal.


You got to Go Lite!

Monday Blues: Flower and thorns

A little breather gives me a chance to blog again. Just a thought.

A flower need not envy the thorns as they are too sharp and fast in everything they do. People fear them and stay away. But the flower is what the thorns are for. Unless you have thorns you would never see the beauty of the flower.

When you see people around you grow fast, be mean and ruthless you always think why could you not do that and grow as they do. You can always do that and be one among them. Or you can be a flower. Once you are a flower, all the thorns around you accentuate your beauty and act as mere props on the landscape. This Monday, you have a choice: To be a flower or to be one among the thorns.

Pic

Waka waka

Not exactly the one you might be searching for but a collection of about 10 different videos of this kid dancing to the tune that made the whole world go crazy and hum back has about a million views.

Let me list few take aways from this song. Am sure you can add some.

• Easy to catch tune
• Language doesn't matter when you can blurt the words
• Stay back and let the culture come in
• The thump matches the heartbeat
  
• Repeated views, recollection, develops liking
• Catch a theme/message and pack it well
  

Zindagi Ka Saath

Ignore the smoking, the lyrics are too good. Here they go...

Maein Zindagi Ka Saath Nibhata Chala Gaya
Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Udata Chala Gaya

Barbadiyon Ka Shok Manana Fizul Tha
Barbadiyon Ka Jashan Manata Chala Gaya
Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Uda…

Jo Mil Gaya Usi Ko Muqaddar Samajh Liya
Jo Kho Gaya Maein Usko Bhulata Chala Gaya
Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Uda…

Gham Aur Khushi Mein Farq Na Mehsoos Ho Jahan
Maein Dil Ko Us Muqaam Pe Laata Chala Gaya
Har Fikar Ko Dhuen Mein Uda…

Sorry Bips, I ain't walking

Not that my cabin is on the 15th floor or because I don't like walking, but because your message is lost on me. Being in marketing makes me look at all the ads for the hidden, marketing message that I should be subliminally accepting and adhering to. Now is that a boon or bane is for you to decide. I take both ways. I see what is good and bad in the ad. Now when I look at the ad, I ignore the sweets, the fact that I don't exercise and am found looking at the long legs and thinking how this can be achieved by someone who is busy and the message at the end is that she takes the stairs and sugar free???!!!

Hmmm... sounds good to listen but trust me only that is not going to help you. Taking to few friends, I am told that they remember the product and not the brand behind it. Now that is a problem for the brand in question as I do remember Bips and the fact that I need to cut down on sugar apart from a little exercise, but the brand skips my attention. The prominence is on the fact that people plan a lot but act only on a few. This is actually what happens with the ad. All I remember is the message bit and the brand skips me. I wouldn't remember picking up the brand when I am at store and that is a loss for the brand.

So I would follow Bips' advise and would choose the stairs but lemme get that ice cream on the way. Yes, make is sugar free and I don't care which brand.

Good job Vatal

Staying in news has its own advantages. And with nothing to offer, how do you get there? Well ask Vatal Nagraj from Namma Bengaluru. Kannada Vatal Paksha leader Vatal Nagaraj knows how to stay put in news, whether by peeing or by selling coconuts. No I don't see any links there. What makes me wonder is his appetite in doing that.

Brands may not always have a story to sell but can always have a news to make. Staying up for the wrong reasons? Well if all you want is a recognition, why not? Check out the chefs of controversy. What Vatal makes me think is his ability to stand away and novel in his protests and he manages to grab enough attention all the time. This is interesting as it is very hard to do. People may not vote for him or follow his model but one thing is for sure, he will not be ignored. This is exactly what he intends to do. Good job Vatal.

Jagan CM

Odarpu (Consolation) yatra? Bypassing high command's orders. Amassing the wronged child and garnering support on YSR's legacy. You are good Jagan but the fact is you are late. Having been in politicking for a long time all the politicians are very scared and worried about the fact that Jagan can pull up masses like his father did and people are still sympathizing about the way Jagan is being treated. The move to start assembly session didn't work out well for Rosaiah as he is being seen a leader who ried to pull away members of the house from attending te festivities in honor of the deceased CM. Jagan mulls up enough to get support from the people and many of the silent supporters who feel he deserves more. Well the fact remains that Jagan is too small for a party like congress which has been very patient in promoting the unquestionable heir of congress, Rahul, to the top and has always shown that he needs more exposure and experience under the so called 'mentors' and is expecting Jagan to do the same. Sad for them but Jagan doesn't seem to like the fact that he is being ignored and has reasoned that any delay further is pushing him away from the CM spot.

Nails and scars

Ammu sent me this long time back and you might have seen this too many times, but the message is worth it. Here it goes...

Once upon a time there was a boy with a very difficult character. His parents got worried that if his temper tantrums continued, he would never find peace in relationships. So, one day, his father gave him a bag full of nails and told him to drive one nail into the garden fence every time he loses his patience and/or has an argument with someone. The first day the boy drove 37 nails in the garden fence.

In the following weeks, the boy learns to control himself and the number of nails driven into the fence gets lower every day: The boy discovers that it is easier to learn to control himself than to hammer nails in the fence. At last, the day comes when the boy does not drive any nails into the garden fence. Then he goes to his father and tells him that today he did not need to hammer any nails.

His father then tells the boy to take one nail out from the fence for every day he succeeds in controlling his temper and not losing his patience. Many days pass and finally the boy can tell his father that he has taken all nails out of the fence.

The father takes his son to the fence and tells him: "My son, you have behaved well, but look how many holes you have left in the fence. It will never be the same again. When you have an argument with someone and abuse them, you leave them with wounds like these ones in the fence. You can stab a man and then take the knife out, but you will always leave a wound. It does not matter how many times you say sorry, the scars will stay. A wound caused by words hurts just as bad as a physical wound.

Next time around you are ready to lose your temper on your loved ones, colleagues or anyone else, please be mindful of the scars that you may leave behind.

Save ME!

All Bengalurians please pick up tees at Lifestyle as part of the proceeds would go towards the well being of the animals at the Bannerghatta National Park. The collection reflects the animal theme and has various options to choose from. The prices are reasonable too. What I would have picked up is anybody's guess.

The misuse of presentations

Well decked formatted presentations have become a fashion these days. Every meeting, discussion you are at people expect you to carry a presentation and sit through hours of rigorous task of looking at bland slides that are designed in a tasteless way to convince you that the plan they have sketched on the screen is going to work. People even wince when I ask them to skip a slide because I hardly take little over 15 seconds to get what is written on the slide and all they want is an appreciation for the design on the slide.

The worst part is that these presentations require hours and hours of man power to type, edit and format the content. Sitting inside darkened rooms with all eyes focused on the lit up screen listening to the voice is old fashion. Come on now, you got to agree that the time is very less and I don't want to sit down and waste my time with some PowerPoint slides.

I recently saw a presentation created by a designing graduate which had her signature written all over. I couldn't but compliment for the effort put-in in designing the slides but had to tell that the content was poor and if half the effort was devoted to the content, it would have made wonders.

Let me ask you a question here. Do we need long presentations? Let me refine the question. Do we need presentations at all? If you insist, how about a two slider? A crisp one with just the summary. For the background and design, how about a plain subtle one that accentuates the content and theme rather than dominating the whole scenario? If you want to spend hours and show me your creativity, spend it on the content for I am there to see the content and not the design.

Seriously, think about it. Do we need presentations?

Monday Blues: Fighting insecurity

One of the worst fears is insecurity. It feeds on your confidence and renders you helpless. I have seen people worry themselves so much that they get sick, literally. Worrying about their past, present, future, finances, about what other people think of them, what they ought to do, about pleasing people, about getting hurt, trying to control everything and what not! Not that I am an expert in teaching how to handle your life, but I believe worry is the way to insecurity which leads to unhappiness in life. Desperation makes you seek happiness elsewhere and causes discomfort.

The wicked me whispers this... What a chance for the marketer in me! All I need to do is figure out what makes you unhappy and create something to take it out or divert that built up unkempt energy to my product. Bingo! the headlights and the poor deer. Now you know why people smoke, drink, etc.

You can be phony, acting like everything’s fine on the outside when you really unhappy on the inside. You can hide the crackling for sometime but at the end of the day you are hurting yourself. A majority of us do not even get to ask this question. Like Shakespearean drama, you keep on playing the roles expected to perfection forgetting the inner you and lose out in the battle, tired, drained and cold.

Often you feel divided, drawn between things at work, business and life, failing to find time to devote for yourself and family. You know what I mean... tied up with several things, your to do list keeps on growing and work starts piling up at all junctures. Things like laundry, pending bills, trip to the dentist, reports to submit, millions of trackers to update, calling up old friends, things to buy like the tooth paste, lip gloss, hair cut and so on. We start questioning where is the liberty we thought we would have and how our life is drifting by, without us having any control. Here is where the panic button kicks in. How do we manage to handle this? Here is what I do. In this realm of importance I make a list of things to be done that day and divide them into two:
Got to do & Nice to do. First finish the 'Got to do' and then move on to 'Nice to do' which makes much sense. Now I always make sure I have some personal time to reflect and relax so as to allocate time for planning.

And if nothing works out, here is an easy get away. Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". I spend some time with God, in solace and Lo! I am filled with relaxation and energy to face the world. You might call this spiritual and should try. You would find it very useful in handling the stress, whatever the cause may be.

Leave the worrying and learn to relax. Welcome to the decision to have a good attitude. It would change you much before the actual change occurs in you! It is your life after all; make it awesome.

Precious

Clicked this while on a field visit outside a medical shop in Shivaji Nagar. Liked the message and the theme. How true that the Lord sees every precious thing!

'Feames' astrologer

Every day this board appears in front of a shop in Tavarekere, Bangalore. Couldn't stop myself from clicking. This area is one of the very good localities which translates to high rent in terms of real estate space and if he continues to put up shop here every day, he must have good paying clients. Now the astrologer is supposed to be famous and if he is not, I hope this would get him there.

[I totally respect him and his work]

The Right Mood

Most of the MBA kids are in the process of submitting their internship reports and this suits the scenario perfectly. Ditto with reports at work. What do you think?

Thy Way, Not Mine, O Lord

Thy way, not mine, O Lord,
However dark it be.

Lead me by Thine own hand;
Choose Thou the path for me.

I dare not choose my lot;
I would not if I might.

Choose Thou for me, my God;
So shall I walk aright.

Links to the pic and Horatius Bonar's hymn.