Saatchi & Saatchi Propagate’s Post

Today on Salman Khan's 57th Birthday 12 Months ago I quit my dream job from Working as an Art Director serving Coca Cola, Heinz and Nestlé at a WPP agency and Founded Premiox Mediaworks Private Limited The only reason I started this firm not to build products or make money but the sheer zeal to uplift my business acumen. On 1st birthyay of my first Ad Agency and 2nd Startup I must share my learnings with you all those who might be looking forward to quit their 9-5/10-6 jobs in the sneaky ticking 2024. Cons: Whenever you start make sure you have at least people from 2-3 different backgrounds and not just one specific domain. for example have 1. Someone who can recruit and lay the foundation correctly 2. Someone who enable tech effectively 3. One who could close sales swiftly We gave our all in without thinking much about the above 3. Pros: Primarily we worked with 4 Governments closely and understood how they operate. Things we learnt: 1. Intenser Perseverance. 2. If it's not well documented it won't repay. it won't make any sense. 3. Never assume your colleagues and you have same goals because that is something you have pictured they haven't. 4. Until there's no money from new business people will do as you say, Once the money flows in real temperament of everyone will be revealed, who's going to build it and who's acting to build 5. Professionalism : Keep professionalism over Emotions. 6. Even cons turned into better learnings than i could've gone into a B School Follow Anand A. Rushdy for more inspiration. #entrepreneurship #dreamjob #HappyBirthdaySalman #atmanirbharbharat #makeinindia

I switched my field from #Consulting (Bain & Company) to #Marketing (Lenskart.com) The entire journey has been full of challenges and rewards. Super grateful to Nandini Agrawal for helping me through and through! Sharing answers to some of the most asked questions! ❓Why the switch? 👉 I was always passionate about marketing as a domain. I had done marketing back in college. I was engaged with smaller start-ups on a personal level while working at Bain, which further pushed me to pursue a career in this field. ❓What did you not like about consulting? 👉 I thoroughly enjoyed my work in the consulting domain. However, I knew I was more passionate about marketing right from an early stage. ❓Did you just trust your 'gut' to switch? 👉 Well, a lot of us want to explore different fields. No matter the saying, one simply cannot go by just the 'gut feeling'. (Read till the end to know what helped me) ❓How different was it at Lenskart? 👉 The work was completely different from what I had done. So was the culture. It took a little while to settle down but gradually I could naviagte well. I worked with a much smaller team here, so it was important to take responsibilites and be pro-active. Switching fields is not an easy decision to take. These are the things that helped me: 1️⃣ I took a couple of months to ponder over the idea of switching and explored different options 2️⃣ I kept a Plan B for myself, (and a plan b for that plan b) just in case the field switch wouldn't work out 3️⃣ I spoke with some people awho have been in these industries and my friends to sense-check my plan 4️⃣ I assured myself that I'd do great at a field I'm so passionate about 5️⃣ Worked passionately at the new role, asked multiple questions and expressed willingness to learn (Do more, be more- as they say) Ever grateful to my family and friends who supported me throughout this decision and transition! If you have ever quit your job to pursue your dreams or are looking to do so, let me know in the comments below! Feel free to reach out for any questions you may have on this!

Sridhar, I want to speak to you for two minutes! In my four decades of working in advertising, branding and public relations this statement is arguably the most potent that I have heard . Invariably when someone came up to me(usually on Friday evening ) with this statement it had the effect of increasing my blood pressure! For it usually meant that the employee was disturbed, unhappy and probably wanting to leave . If someone came up to me with this statement I would drop everything and take him to my room or the conference room even if my wife was waiting for me at the corner of Brigade Road. Because the first thing we need to understand is that human emotions are transient and talking immediately may resolve the problem, after all a stich in time saves nine. Several years ago when I was the branch manager at Mudra, one of our best employees, an account supervisor, an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad came up with a similar statement. I feared the worst and was feverishly marshalling my arguments even as I led him to my cabin. He wanted to join Titan Industries Ltd as advertising manager. I argued vehemently with him as to ho he had a wonderful future in Mudra(as he definitely did) and how an ad manager's role was limited. He listened patiently but did not agree. He was polite but firm. I felt devastated because he was our best servicing person and I thought I had a great personal equation with him. For quite some time I had viewed this as a personal rejection of me and my style of management. It took me years to realise that it was a decision to further his professional career. It was in fact a great decision as he became marketing manager the MD of Tanishq and finally the MD of Titan Industries Ltd. The crowning glory was that he was recently chosen businessman of the year. Even as I was preening myself for having been his colleague in the late eighties a few things struck me Employees are your biggest assets You are only as good as your current team People will leave companies and people Do some introspection but life must go on even after separations Dont take this personally if you can Who knows these employees who left you can be great brand ambassadors of you And they might even come back Dont burn any bridges Be in touch and finally keep reminding yourself that there's nothing personal about people leaving Would love to hear your own experiences #human relations # learning

Our PG students from Mumbai had an incredible learning experience with Nehaal Fakih, Planning Director at Ogilvy! He taught our students how to decode client briefs & held a very fun, practical group activity where they worked together in teams to tackle client briefs. Nehaal’s masterclass not only helped our students learn strategy but also showed them the importance of teamwork. Thank you so much Nehaal Fakih for conducting such an amazing session and sharing your invaluable insights with our students💙 - - - #iide #brandstrategy #masterclass #strategy

Untold Stories That Shaped My Career. Unexpected Places Leaders Find Inspiration We all have those days. The ones where work feels like an uphill battle, and even the most patient person can reach their limit. A difficult client at OgilvyOne Gurgaon pushed me to my limit. In frustration, I vented on a whiteboard in my office. Little did I know, that very day, my boss would be paying a visit from Mumbai. His sharp eyes landed on my artistic expression, and with a raised eyebrow, he inquired about it. For the next fifteen minutes, I unleashed a tirade about the client, venting in frustration. He listened patiently, without interruption, until I finally sputtered to a stop, feeling a bit lighter but also exposed. He walked over to the whiteboard and with a deliberate swipe, erased my doodle. His next words were ones I've never forgotten: "Sanjeev," he began, "your team often emulates everything you do. If you crib about a client, rest assured they will too. And that's a recipe for losing the business. Negativity is contagious. It's okay to be upset," he said, "but never let your team see it. They draw their energy from you. If you have droopy shoulders, the fight is over, they will surely surrender." My boss's message struck a chord. I grasped the leader's burden. From then on, I consciously led by example, projecting optimism even during challenges. The team thrived, and so did our client relationships. Another such instance occurred during my time at Cheil. One day, my production head approached me with a rather unusual request. He had a young man in his department eager to explore account management. Conventional wisdom would dictate that production and account management are worlds apart. But something about this request resonated with me. Everyone around me expressed skepticism. "Production guys don't fit into account management," they'd say. But I held firm. After all, talent can come from anywhere, and sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith. The young man, brimming with hunger and self-motivation, impressed me instantly. He was raw, yes, but his potential was undeniable. It was a risk, for sure. What would the clients say? But my gut told me to go for it. He took to account management like a fish to water. His enthusiasm and dedication were infectious. Clients adored him. He wasn't just meeting expectations; he was exceeding them. Today, he's no longer with us, having moved on to become a Sr. VP marketing of a successful company. While I can't disclose his name, I know that if he's reading this, he'll know exactly who he is. His story is a testament to the power of spotting talent in unexpected places. It's a reminder that sometimes, you just need to give people a chance. As leaders, we have the power to open doors and shape careers. Go ahead and try it. #leadershiplessons #managementtips #companyculture #positiveleadership #talentmanagement #outoftheboxthinking #agencylife

As the Creative and Business Head at iWrite India, I've learned that transparency is not just a business practice; it's a storytelling art. 🎨 In today's digital age, the line between brands and consumers is increasingly blurred. People seek authenticity, not just in products but in the narratives behind them. Here's why and how we embrace transparency: 1. Values at the Forefront: Our brand is our promise. At iWrite, we don't just write content; we craft stories that resonate with our core values – creativity, integrity, and innovation. 📝 #ValueDrivenContent 2. Behind the Scenes: Sharing behind-the-scenes content isn't just about showing the process; it's about showcasing the passion and people behind every project. It humanizes our brand and builds a deeper connection with our audience. 👥 #BrandHumanization 3. Real Stories, Real Impact: Every project has a story, and every story has its unique impact. We share these stories to not only highlight our work but to celebrate the success of our clients. It's a journey of collaborative achievement. 🏆 #ClientSuccessStories 4. Practicing What We Preach: As a creative head, I ensure that our practices reflect our preaching. This means regular team discussions, open feedback channels, and a culture of continuous learning. Our team's growth mirrors in our content. 🌱 #TeamGrowth 5. Building Trust through Transparency: Transparency is the foundation of trust. We keep our communication clear and honest, be it in our content, client interactions, or team collaborations. Trust is the ultimate currency in a digital world. 💬 #TrustInBranding In essence, transparency in branding is about being genuine, open, and consistent. It’s about letting the world see the heart and soul of your brand. At iWrite India, we don’t just create content; we build narratives that reflect who we are, what we stand for, and how we grow, together.🤝 Let's embrace transparency and authenticity to create a brand story that's not just heard but felt. 🌐💖 #iWriteIndia #CreativeBranding #AuthenticStorytelling #DigitalNarratives #ContentWithPurpose

I am delighted to present an overview of my recent project along with Samruddhi S. Karnawat at Tradeshala, focusing on the insights gained, the practical applications of the project, and my overall learning experience. From this project, I have learned about the intricacies of market analysis and the importance of data-driven decision-making. I gained a deeper understanding of consumer behavior and how to effectively target different market segments. The skills and knowledge acquired from this project are highly practical. I now feel more confident in conducting comprehensive market research and analysis, which will significantly enhance my capabilities in any future marketing or business development roles. Working with Tradeshala has been an enriching experience. The mentorship and resources provided by Mini Agarwal were invaluable, and I was able to apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios, thereby solidifying my understanding and expertise. 😁 #MarketAnalysis #DataDriven #BusinessDevelopment #MarketingResearch #CareerGrowth #TradeshalaExperience #financeinternship #currencytrading #commoditytrading #investment #experience #finance #research

Choosing a career is rarely straightforward, and my journey is no exception. It’s been a series of twists, turns, and unexpected discoveries that have shaped who I am today. Like many in my generation, I started by following the typical path—Engineering, Medicine, or MBA. Initially, I wanted to be a doctor, but the idea of dissecting rats quickly ended that dream—I couldn’t handle it. Engineering did not interest me, so I pursued a B.Com (Hons) in business administration, which led naturally to an MBA, especially since my brother was following the same path. My first job at Kotak Life Insurance in Telesales was where I truly began my career. I quickly moved into managing a BPO team of around 30-40 people, learning valuable lessons that laid the foundation for my future in management. I also explored entrepreneurship, launching a loyalty card in Jaipur with friends and family. Later, I joined Kaya Skin Clinic, where I helped the clinic meet targets that had been missed for two years. This achievement boosted my confidence and fueled my drive to succeed. After taking a maternity break, I dove into Digital Marketing and learned from Deepak Kanakaraju. A timely email from him and his partner, Sanjay Shenoy, led to my selection as a Key Account Manager at Pixel Track, beating out hundreds of other applicants. The pandemic brought new challenges, but it also allowed me to help my husband launch online finance courses, further igniting my passion for new challenges. In May 2023, I joined Sanjay’s new SEO agency, Boringmarketing.com, as the first employee. Today, our team has grown from 5 to 50, and I'd like to believe that I played a key role in that growth, taking on various responsibilities and helping shape the company. 1. Adaptability is Key: Be open to change and ready to pivot—unexpected opportunities often lead to growth. 2. Continuous Learning: Every step of the way, from my MBA to digital marketing, has built my confidence and skills. 3. Perseverance Matters: Resilience has been crucial in my journey, whether meeting targets or navigating a pandemic. If you’re navigating a winding career path, embrace each twist and turn as a chance to learn and grow. Keep pushing forward—you never know where it might lead you. PS: I'm not short; they are tall 😃

#MyKaizenWay The Japanese really do have influential work styles. Kaizen is the second one I would love to follow (first one is my previous post, Inemuri). Quick update : Joining in the Thane branch of Aditya Birla Capital . Excited to be able to experience what my dad experienced back when he worked for Aditya Birla in 2008. Kaizen, in simple words, could be described as making incremental yet consistent changes/improvements. Let me break down my approach: Coffee breaks with colleagues: Those small conversations that often range from serious work talk to not so serious random discussions may seem insignificant, but I believe that a team that knows each other, grows together. Don't worry guys, coffee isn't the only beverage. I've heard that tea isn't all that bad ;) Taking notes: Well, this comes more under the category of self improvement to help overall improvement. Small simple step, even used in therapy but under the name of journalizing. Make notes, refer back and improve; as simple as it could get. Multitasking: I understand the importance of a cross team communication and work framework, but if not careful, you'd end up doing more harm than good and hence the high effort and small impact. Kind of on the lines of "A jack of all trades- master of none" as there are chances of getting so engrossed in multiple different projects that you can't really focus on them based on priority. Play around with AI and data : With the help of our new best friends, ChatGPT and Gemini, there's a lot to be experimented with and who knows, you may just accidentally stumble upon a code to create a dashboard for some of the data you were managing that could potentially make a time consuming analysis project into a 5 minute task. (Based on a true story of a close friend of mine. ) See you soon Thane, hope the dust storm settled. This was an absolute pleasure, thank you, Neha Parekh and Karishma Khurana #MyKaizenWay #EveryStepCounts #OneABC #EnrichingLives #WinasONE #IncludeasONE #LearnasONE #BuildasONE #ServeasONE #LifeatABC #IamABC #IamAdityaBirlaCapital

From Spreadsheet Samurai to Marketing Ninja with a dash of FinStreet IBS finnese. ✨ Friends, colleagues, recruiters (aka future employers, wink wink!). My MBA journey is about to conclude, and let me tell you, it's been a wilder ride than a bull at Hyderabad's famous Charminar market. MBA! you were my spreadsheet sensei, my finance fuhrer, my negotiation ninja. You taught me to: 💸 Speak the language of money: I can now decipher financial statements like a Bollywood detective reading clues in a masala movie. Watch out, Warren Buffett, there's a new shark in the tank! 🕺 Charm clients like a desi Shah Rukh Khan: My marketing skills are sharper than a Hyderabadi biryani knife. 🍲 Lead like a biryani pot: Hot, bubbling, and full of delicious ideas. As the Marketing & PR Head of FinStreet IBS, IBS Hyderabad's premier capital markets club, I wrangled a team of passionate fanatics, organized events that rocked Hyderabad like a monsoon on Charminar and learned more about teamwork than a Bollywood dance troupe. FinStreet IBS, you were my testing ground, my launchpad, my masala chai to the corporate chai latte. Forget Silicon Valley, we're the Silicon Charminar. We dreamt up marketing campaigns that were as spicy as a Andhra chilli pickle and twice as effective. I did networking like a Nawab. I know a lloott folks in Hyderabad than there are pigeons at Charminar (and that's saying something!). I'm armed with chai, biryani, and business brilliance. On a serious note, I'm incredibly grateful for the learnings, the friendships, and the late-night study sessions fueled by chai and Maggi. My MBA experience has shaped me into the marketer, the leader, the (slightly sleep-deprived) professional I am today. Now, excuse me while I go update my resume with "MBA Mastermind" and "Biryani Brand Ambassador." #campustocorporate #mbajourney #happeninghyderabad #BringOnTheCorporateBiryani