Song of the nation

India storms the World Cup bastion once again.The victory was full on adrenalin and feet stomping. It was so powerful and vivacious that Sri Lanka was virtually blown away by the swaying emotions of a billion heads roaring as 'one India'. 
As I saw people spilling on to the streets with their cars and bikes, with laughter and music flowing, I wondered how a simple cricket match could have brought so much change in a nation of billion which never looks beyond its individualistic approach. 
We communicated with ourselves, with each other and with virtual strangers as we saw them as fellow Indians who felt proud being a part of this priceless moment.
We were, for these 35 days, a single nation with a single need and a single vision.
Then where do we fall short for the rest of the 300 days? We fall short in having a single vision - that of well being of India. We forget that it is the power of the nation that takes care of our future and our well being. Without the nation we can only buy time but not the living.
Let's look for that communicator who can, selflessly, instil this power of vision in us that can sway the entire billion to surge and come together as the single super power the world has ever seen in this century.

Why are we like this?

All eyes are on the Commonwealth Games.


Would someone please stand up and answer the following to the nation:
a)  Why is our greed for money never satiated?
b) Why, for us, does the country not come before our own wants? 
c) Why do we put those people on pedestals who are just doing their jobs and making money out of it?
d) Why don't we believe in quality?
e) Why don't we believe in unity?
f)  Why don't we work with the rural sector?
g) Why do we eulogise power?


And, most importantly, why don't we stop, stand up and ask uncomfortable questions to the government? And why doesn't the government stop, stand and answer uncomfortable questions?

Branding in brick and mortar sector

Eversince its inception, Ideas Inc. has been working closely with the brick and mortar sector, viz., industrial and engineering.

In fact, it is one of its kind, since it understands these sectors and the needs. Ideas is well equipped to develop the communication strategy and the communication tools that are required for these sectors.

Except for the major players, there are very few organisations in these sectors that really look at planned and sustained advertising. In fact, few of them have budgets allocated for promotion. This is mainly because the companies conecentrate on driving sales and whatever communication tools they require are mainly to augment the sales pitch.

There is no branding activity and the now familiar inconsistencies in the promotional activities, at times, makes me wonder if we are really in the right sectors! 

I really have to educate the clients, when I work with them, on the importance of a concerted promotional effort and what it gives back to the organisation. But if they were to choose between saving money and promotion, they would rather choose the former!

The result is a weak brand and no effective market position. Therefore, the emphasis on networking, service and driving sales gets even more critical. And when there is a new entrant, for example an MNC with an established brand, the insecurities are huge.

Then the company realises that it needs to focus on its image and gradually the change sets in on a much lesser scale than desirable.

With globalisation, branding has come to stay in the Indian brick and mortar sector. Sooner the players realise it the better it is for their business.

I had happened to meet Sabina Sehgal Saikia on a few occasions. I have been wondering what would have happened if people around her had given her confidence and told her to try and escape. Don't know if it would have worked but it definitely would have been what she was good at - aggression. Fear was not her strength.
Terror is knocking at our doorsteps. Public action at this stage is critical for our survival.
The valiant commandos are providing Z security to our countless politicians. What happens to India Inc.? Let's revisit the Z catgory security.
Sensationalising terrorism is what the terrorists want. People need to get rid of their fear of these mindless guntotters. If it means building infrastructure, changing mindsets, manage training, etc., let's get this going.
Does it sound far fetched? Don't know. But we could make an honest attempt.
We may not have discipline but we too have emotions. We may not be the US, but we too value our lives. India has to be resilient. We don't have a choice. But we do have a choice of moulding a better future.
And I begin by believing in my being the change agent.