Posted on Leave a comment

Haar Ya Na…. Jeet Tho ‘Maha’ Rashtra Bharat Ka! Democracy Dances on its Largest Stage!

election,assembly,india,democracy,haryana, bharat,corporate,communications,creative,employees,customers,brand,

The World’s Largest Democracy

Amidst the festivals/ rituals that India celebrates due to its ancient culture, are some processes/ systems. Those processes that it has cultivated as the torch-bearer of Democracy amongst the Emerging Economies/ Third World Nations etc. More than 150 Nations broke free of colonial rule in the 20th Century. (More than 60 of them from Great Britain alone). As a Nation we need to be proud of this.

Culture/ Traditions/ Processes/ Systems

Speaking of India’s democratic processes/ systems, one cannot help but wonder…….. Many individuals or groups are known on account of the culture/ values that they practice or some ‘mojo‘ they possess. For eg. Indians are warm/ hospitable and of course very democratic – we believe in free speech and can keep talking for the rest of the world too 🙂 ; Americans are seen as good marketers (left to them, they may even have branded and franchised the air we breathe 🙂 ), Germans excel at engineering, Africans are gifted athletes etc

If Countries and Communities can be positioned in stakeholders’ minds with some specific traits or behavioural patterns, why not our Brands or our Organizations? The larger Enterprises surely understand and benefit from this realization. However, a lot of mid-segment Enterprises and SMEs still do not leverage the power of Brand Creation, Positioning and Communication. Both with their Customers and their Employees.

We Communicate by what we do. Also by what we don’t.

We are seen by what we do. Our actions surely become the yardstick we are measured by. What is not very obvious is that we can also be judged by what we don’t do.

Being observed doing the right things increases our Brand Value. Avoiding incorrect/ unethical behaviour does not provide immediate benefits. But it is an insurance from getting caught doing the wrong things. Tiger Woods’ reputation and his Brand Value plunged after his indiscretions became public knowledge.

What are we communicating with the S.P.I.C.E. of our lives?

It is quite possible that some of us may not have paid much attention to our Communications. If not with our Government Stakeholders or the General Public, at least our Customers and Employees should be on our minds. And more importantly, we should be in theirs. Regular thoughtful Communication with Customers and Employees will enable them to appreciate our Brand. It is never a bad time to take a look/ re-look at our Communications Strategy. We are what we Communicate. The Gurus may also state…We Are, if, We Communicate!

Posted on Leave a comment

Freedom From the Fear of Failure

freedom,fear,failure,independence,day,india,august,15,british,rule,colonial,empire,news,cues,

The Nation gets into its 73rd Independence Day and we are reminded of the huge sacrifices made by thousands who made India’s Independence possible. For every known leader (who is at least a footnote in History, if not an entire Book by himself/ herself), we have hundreds of unsung heroes/ heroines who gave up all that they had…. including family/ income/ wealth/ youth just for the Vision of an Independent India.

Friends and relatives of our freedom-fighters would have tried to reason with them…… “How does it matter, whether it is Ram or Ravanan who rules? Why are you bothered? What difference can you alone make?” The kith and kin may have been sincere in their pleas…. In any case, many of these initial ‘nay-sayers’ would also have started supporting the freedom struggle morally/ materially/ financially. Else it may not have been possible for many of the freedom fighters to continue in the Independence movement. But it is to the credit of our Independence seekers that they plunged into the struggle in the first place, without much hope or anticipation of help. Continuing generations of Indians are indebted to these self-less samurais.

Similarly, most businesspersons by their very nature, take risks akin to the huge odds that our freedom fighters took, away from their comfort zones. As India progresses towards the $5 Trillion GDP Economy mark, a lot of heroes and heroines will be needed. Whether big or small, farmers or product manufacturers or service providers, entrepreneurs or intra-preneurs, old age or new age domains, Business Brave-Hearts will be needed. Businesses also generate prosperity for more by generating more employment opportunities.

Likewise, students/ professionals/ artists et al need to break the shackles of the fear of failure. May they be encouraged to follow their passion and contribute to society and the economy in the manner best suited to their strengths/ tendencies. May they not be haunted by fear of parental or societal criticism.

On this Independence Day, let us pray for all our warriors. May they forge ahead without much fear of failure. If at all this fear is needed, it should just be as a catalyst for them to take necessary risk-mitigating steps. Into the Days ( of Freedom from the Fear of Failure), may our Knights across the spectrum, wake…!

Jai Hind!

Posted on Leave a comment

the Cup that Cheers No More

cafe,coffee,day,founder,vioora,catalysts,news,cues,life,death,

A Tribute to an Icon

Self-made success stories are increasingly dotting the Indian start-up scene. But two or three decades ago there were fewer role models who could inspire. That India’s entrepreneurship could be World Class in its concept and execution… That it was not just about IT…. was showcased by fewer role models. But not many could be more down-to-earth, self-effacing and humble as Mr VG Siddhartha.

Mr Siddhartha created a business but also enabled creation of businesses (and families 🙂 ). He provided a beautiful habitat….the urban habitat akin to the large Banyan Tree dotting a typical Indian village which provided ambience/ shelter/ play-space/ meeting-ground.

Having a cup of coffee was/ is just a metaphor…..Cafe Coffee Day or CCD for short was/ is a safe ‘Hang-out’ for kids of all ages, an ‘escape’ for couples struck by Cupid’s arrows, a low-cost meeting space for boot-strapping ventures, a place for collaborations, a very neutral ‘venue’ for parents of prospective brides and grooms, or just a place a family could visit to spend some time or even friends to catch-up on each others’ lives…….

Om Shanthi, Mr Siddhartha…..the ones far removed from your Home and Corporate Office cannot comment on the circumstances that led to your early exit. But for many like us, CCD was and continues to be Home and Corporate Office….May your Soul find peace. Om Shanthi….

Om Shanthi……
Posted on Leave a comment

NoFail (on clay) Nadal – Champions DoMimic Thiemselves

grand,slam,dominic,thiem,rafael,nadal,french,open,tennis,lawn,clay,2019,roger,federer,vioora,news,cues,

In an outcome that repeated last year’s French Open final, Rafael Nadal wins his 18th Grand Slam at Roland Garros. Like last year, he defeated Dominic Thiem again for his 12th Grand Slam title on Clay. He is now only two Grand Slams wins behind Roger Federer.

Champions are Champions because they keep at it without fatigue. Repeating their labours, practicing, mimicking themselves….

Posted on Leave a comment

Sure Speed-breaker- our Taste. Expiry Date- Everyone’s fate

news,cues,newscues,vioora,speed,breaker,expiry,date,mamata,modi,lok,sabha,elections,cartoon,didi,

In the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections, decibel levels are increasing. Parties and Leaders are coining phrases and terms to either enhance their own appeal or to put down the competition.

Recently Mr Narendra Modi charged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal’s Didi (elder-sister) of being a speed-breaker in the progress of the state. ‘Didi’ retorted that Mr Modi was after-all a Prime Minister with an expiry date to imply that he may not become PM again.

VioorA newsCues presents Brands with an opportunity to showcase their ‘mojo’ in an interesting/ erudite/ fun manner. Don’t Miss The Opportunity!