COMPETETION ….. COMPETETOR

An Incomplete Post! Found in drafts...  Felt like publishing as it is...  

  Competetion--- declares who won.

Lately we have been watching series of advertisements by two lead newspapers Times of India and The Hindu.

   

It is already buzzed arround the globe about their TV and print ads, how they went on each other. 

It might look funny for the some viewers watching them and even I dont know how much impact had these adds showed on their sales statistics(of course I am eager to know if any one can provide? please!) but I am here trying to figure what actually competition mean.

  

Every one have their own market. Always there are people of specific interests

     

We might have different meaning when we say the word competition or competitor depending on the context and constraints. It may declare who won but I personally feel it helps us to know where we are.  Listing out our competitors , listing out our our negatives and positives and figuring out the way to stand ahead of them happens every where from the 1st standard student to declaring of the worlds richest man (in their own terms).

Lately, we have been buzzed out with the series of TV and print ads posted by two lead newspapers Times of India and The Hindu. It might be fun to watch but still I am not able to figure out why they have targeted each other that way.

COMPETITION--- helps to grow COMPETITOR-- shows the way to grow.... I believe in this. Still I couldn't  figure out why TOI and The Hindu choose to have a silly fight over each other

If they thought it was the only way to once again remind people (non costumers) to show their presence.

Interview- The Pouff

Greetings! I know I am being silent from a long time. Got busy with the life and rest goes.

Now, I am again back Introducing another Woman entrepreneur Imrah Reyaz, who bought unique confectionery treats from traditions and lot of experience from three generations. and says “its important to always be passionate about the business you are intending on starting” .

AT: Akatma Times          IR: Imrah Reyaz

AT: Hello Imrah! Welcome to Akatma Times!  Can you share with us a few words about yourself. Your childhood, schooling, you being other than a baker?  

IR : Since I’m from Sri Lanka, I first schooled there and then we moved to Bangalore. We’ve been here for almost ten years now so I went to high school in Bangalore and after that I went to Malaysia for my degree. Baking has always played a big role in my life in the sense that as a child, baked goods and sweets always surrounded me since these play a big role in festivals and celebrations in Sri Lanka. Even in our day to day lives, we used to have tea every evening and the tea table would always have some type of baked good be it sweet or savory. But when we came to India and then again when I went to Malaysia, I became extremely involved in community development so I did my degree in international studies and my thesis on development and slums. Other than a baker I’ve been working in international aid and development as an intern with Oxfam and the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees and developed a volunteer program on campus.

AT: We would like to hear the story of The Pouff and the story of Imrah as an entreprenuer ?

IR: I started The Pouff with my mother once I got back from Malaysia after finishing my degree. Confectionery stores and gourmet bakeries are very popular there and there are so many independent bakeries and chains that are very urban and whose products are very good. When I got back, I found it very difficult to find similar products in Bangalore. Given that my mom has extensive training and experience in baking and so does my sister in law and also the fact that over three generations of my family have been baking, we decided to use our traditional recipes and add some new ones and that was how The Pouff began.  I also trained under my mom when I was young and I taught myself how to make certain products. We wanted to make baked goods that we’d love to eat and they just happened to be the things that other people love to eat too. How The Pouff came to be was pretty organic the whole thing. It started off with my mom and I doing a lot of product testing after which I set up a blog and we attended flea markets in Bangalore to promote the brand and now it’s becoming a lot more vibrant.

AT: What will be your recommendation to take away from The Pouff for your first time customer?

IR: Hahahaha I get asked this a lot at flea markets and it really depends on what the customer’s tastes are. Broadly though I’d recommend our mini tarts, cakes and Macarons. We’ve got stellar reviews from 99% of our customers for those products.

AT: “Customer is GOD” What challenges you face in day to day building of business?

IR: The whole notion of customer as god can be quite challenging but luckily we have only had a few difficult customers. Most of our customers are a great pleasure to deal. With those that are difficult we try our best to accommodate their requirements but if we absolutely cannot cater to their requirements then we just let them know. I wouldn’t say our customers are our biggest challenge. The main challenges we face is building awareness of our products. We make a lot of things that aren’t very familiar to the average person so getting people to identify with some of our product categories can be quite challenging.

AT: As we see, there is a huge competition in this niche. How are you handling the Situation? Where you would like to see The Pouff in future?  

IR: Well yes there is a lot of competition but our products are different and we focus on unique products that not a lot of other people are making and I think that’s what makes us stand apart. In the future I’d like to see The Pouff have its own stores.

AT: There any “Oh My GOD Save me” experiences? Share with us.

IR: Hahaha in the baking those kinds of experiences are never a rarity. This one time we were putting up a stall at a flea market my mom, sister in law and I were up till 4 am still baking even after three days of continuous prep and we had to leave home at 8 am to set up on time and that ranks right on top of the Oh My GOD Save me experiences. Luckily we managed to finish all the products we’d wanted to make even though we got no sleep that day. It was extremely worth it though because the stall was a big success.  

AT: Every happy customer makes your DAY. Any great experience to share with us?

IR: Having happy customers and receiving reviews on our products is one of the best parts of what we do. So much of work and care goes into everything we make that its extremely rewarding when customers enjoy our products. This one time we had a customer who bought some of our petit cupcakes and came and told us that it’s the best she’s ever had. Then she got some more. And this other time, one of our customers ordered marshmallows, mini tarts, cookies and chocolate fudge squares for his daughter’s birthday. He called back later that day and said that everything was extremely good and ended the conversation saying that he’s eaten a lot of chicken tarts but ours has been the best.

Thank You very much Imrah for spending your time in being part of my blog.

Wishing you all the very best Wishing to see lot more varieties and tastes.

 Have  a Happy Baking always!  J

Currently they are operating from Bangalore, India and feature confectionery delights that are rare, if not unavailable in the city.

Things to look out for:

* Our variety of macarons in classic, pistachio, grape, watermelon, chocolate... the options are limitless

* Gourmet petit and large cupcakes in a variety of flavours
* Our specialty cakes
* Marshmallows in classic, vanilla, almond, pistachio, rose and coffee flavours
* Éclairs, cake pops, brownies, muffins and cream puffs.

From a birthday Party, a gathering, to Big day celebrations in your life you know where to go. Yes! The Pouff, Serving a different kind of sweetness in life.

           Facebook Page:  https://www.facebook.com/ThePouff

             Blog:  http://thepouff.blogspot.in

            email: thepouff@gmail.com

           

Addvertisementsssss!!

For whom were these ads in TV are running 24by 7by 365 days showing how white will the clothes be if people use their product or how white their teeth be if they use their tooth paste or brush. But for whom all these ads actually are?

  As a child she use to hate ads when they interrupt her favourite show or movie. Later hated these ads tooo much during cricket season. companies spend crore’s of rupees only on these television ads. 

Management says

1. It is the way we can speak out to lakhs of people at a time.

2.It is the way we remind them often that we are there for you.

alas... it is only way or should say easy way for them. and channel people getting sorry pouring money in. disturbing the viewers.

We watch TV for taking a break from the routine den how can a 30min show have two 5 mins break. oh God! these 5mins break help a lot for a householder to run into the kitchen.

-------------------------

  A new bride.... new family... new home... new colours.... and now new responsibilities.... early morning brush asks for a toothpaste. which one to get SRk’s pepsodent or Surya’s closeup or one of those confusing wonderful flavours of colgate. New maid asks for a soap for cleaning vessels, another for washing clothes and a washing powder, a floor cleaner for mopping, glass cleaner for glass furniture, and ofcourse a vacume cleaner for ceiling and fans. (Hitech maids). So now comes the question which one to get? Brains* Brains* Brains* may be google has the answer ---- yah it has. but it has answerS not an answer. answers from home made remedies to international brands leading to more confusion. Now she needs a break after having a mad rush with google. swapping the channels stopped at a floor cleaner ad. again swapping the channels stopped at soap ads, Thank God Finding the answer... so from now watching the TV is for only get some gyan on what brands provide what what products. So finally this, which one to use for which which things question is solved.

Days passed …. 

a new member came into family, extra care, sensitivity around. and again the same questions what to use which one to use. Is great grandmothers home made techniques or new maid hitech techniques now TV plus Internet provide the gyan. Like wise many questions and answers, healthy over beauty, home made over branded lot of battles and finally TV ads are a saviour to some extent at least to some needs.  

So these 5mins commercial breaks are also important along with that 30 min show. It may be the only way for the companies to brand market or move into people at a time. It is also only way for us to know what all brands available in the market making our work easier.

 So OM ADSAYA NAMAH!!!

STOP JUDGING!!

Its enough! Don't poke your nose in everything! People are not as foolish as you are! How can one judge someone? That too constantly, though you get a straight answers through actions. Its ridiculous.

One man’s 23years of experience, passion, dream, and life has bought India many things. Not only just awards and records but more than that..... inspirations.. role model... and a huge fan base not only for him but importantly for the game too.

Despite of watching him very closely , his game , his passion, and his manners and sensitivity to the media hypes & lows. How could you people just simply throw a statement to get him retired or he had to get retired. Yes! he might said “I had waited 22 years for the world-cup”. remember guys this world-cup is for the country, to place the team and country on the top and definitely not for him. Its not just a century making his ton centuries! Its all about India’s wait for the cup for 22 years. I personally feel he is the voice of Indian cricket and Indian pulse.

Now, its directly to the ex players,like  Mr Kapildev  and Mr Azharuddin I should honestly say your one of my respected sports person after i noticed u(Kapil Dev) in the song mile sur mera tumhara  but I dint heard any statement of yours encouraging or sharing your experiences, or at least u haven't ever tried to project their struggle on the ground to the people as one of the respected players/captain, regarding the game or the team.

Particularly to the mind games played by the other teams before the matches might disturb the players a lot. Have you people ever supported our team? Besides, this MAN always remind deaf to these unnecessary things (According to me not even a single time). You people too were also indirectly doing the same thing. Haven't you people ever faced during your career all this bakwaas news … and the pressure it puts on your minds. How could just do the same to him again. If you want to be involved in the game and media there were many other ways.(most respectable ways)

The gestures and manners he posses during his every record or just a small century or just when he felt it is a good shot. He being ground to earth always trying to surrender to GOD always says it is LUCK. Now, have you ever seen him commenting or judging, or at least advising others or juniors or at least new comers about the game or any other thing(before media). why you people always be on his back hunting.(or at least publicly).

Request to all (every one) to the whole nation. Its enough! stop hunting and let things be as they are. people just enjoy the game and not the media game. You have seen him from past 23 years why do you people still want to judge. He had proved many times and still proving to the nation and world. leave it. may be if u stop backing him, he might feel a little less pressure and give much more to the country . I am not saying to stop following him but stop all these unnecessary talks and statements.

P.S Even i dont have any right to question or judge u by just simply watching you in media. But I am helpless and couldnt stop myself from just writing this and presenting to the world. This is just because I am a also a fan of SPORTS... and more importantly INDIA (I mean people in it)

P.S.S  a small request to THE MAN I am talking. I want to you to give an autobiography to the world. may be we might get many solutions and answers to all these predictions and controversies. As well as a wonderful book of may be how passion and zeal made a life and game or may be how tuff is the journey  or may be how soul satisfying it can be being for the country.

Or atleast a book of your cricket which might be placed in every Indians library and every cricketers first text book to be read.

Interview with Veer Santhosh an Author

“…...... not all love stories are meant to have a perfect ending. Some stay incomplete. Yet they are beautiful just the way they are...... ” are you READY TO FALL IN LOVE ?   

Friends! Once again I am with  a final year engineering student, Veer Santhosh a film maker in making, and an AUTHOURPRENEUR . He says  LOVE its something which bring back hope in life. His passion for writing made him author of his first debut book “ Ready To Fall In Love?” .

AT : Akatma Times                VS : Veer Santhosh.

AT:  Can you share with us a few words about yourself, you childhood, schooling, you being other than an author?

VS:  Well, I was born to a middle class family in the year 1990. I was brought up in Mysore, Karnataka. I did my higher primary education from Mahaveer School. Later I joined Marimallappa’s high school. I did PU from Maharaja’s government PU College, & presently I’m doing final year engineering at MIT Mysore in Electronics & Communication!!! I have also directed a short film titled, “What’s your dream..?”

AT:  When did this writing instinct stuck u? What is your inspiration for writing? Where do you get the thoughts from?

VS:  I wrote my first story when I was in 8th standard. It was a short story of 2 pages. It was my friend Rohan who encouraged me to become a writer. I used to read novels of Chethan Bhagat, Ravinder Singh etc. They inspired me to take up writing!!!

AT:  “Ready to Fall in Love?” Title itself says it is something about love. Tell us more about the book?

VS: It’s the title of the one story in my book. The book has 5 short stories. Three of which are sad ending, & other two ends happily. The main thing I have tried to convey is that HOPE is what is important in life no matter how much you are screwed up!! And for me, every love story is a legend in its own way.

AT:  What made you write this book? Choose this subject? Any message you want to give?

VS:  As I said, Hope is the most essential thing on the Earth. Never lose hope. I always dreamed of being writer. I wanted my voice to be heard. That made take up this task of writing a book. Why I chose love? Its simple, love stories never die!!!

AT:  You yourself have taken the job of publishing, marketing, distributing..etc 

From the basic step

o of writing to reaching out to audience. May be we should say AUTHOURPRENEUR .How is this

journey?

VS:  Hahaha!!! I saved my time running to doors of publishers for that matter!! It gives lot of satisfaction that I, myself has done everything for my book!! I’m satisfied!! I loved the way things went for me. May be I had, Beginners luck as Paul Coelho says in his book THE ALCHEMIST

AT:  Are you nervous on your first book release and your expectations on it?

VS:  Yes of course!!! It’s my first child. I’m excited as well as bit anxious, But I know, I should enjoy this moment!! I am not here to make money for sure!! I just need my work to be recognized.

AT:  What is your next project? Where you want to see yourself in coming 5 years?

VS:  I have just emptied my mind. Need time to think about the next project. But there is one thing that’s haunting me right now. I wanna start a NGO to help academically backward students in Government schools. And I’m also thinking about my next book about how I became a writer!!! Will let you all know about it soon!! I want to see myself as a more satisfied person in next 5 years. I understand that name, fame & money are important in life. But these can never be equal to one thing called, Satisfaction!!!

AT: Can you share with us about your film  "Whats your dream? " Any thing more about you and films?

VS: The concept of this movie is very simple. Suicide among engineering students has become a trend & is increasing day by day. We have not tried to look what is wrong, instead we have tried to send message to all the engineering students that these results & all are just guest

appearances in the cinema called, "LIFE". Don't take your life just for that!!

If you're so depressed, reach out for someone. Remember, Suicide is a permanent solution for your temporary problems!!. Just remember your parents who struggle to bring you up when you get such idiotic thoughts!!

AT:  Who is your role model? Being an Engineering student what made you choose to be in writing and filming?

VS: Don't have role model as such!!! But few in cinema industry like Maniratnam, Shankar impressed me!!!

AT: One last question! What is your message for students and upcoming authors?

VS:  Its never too late to follow your dreams!! Just do what you love & love what you do!!

Thank You very much Santhosh  for spending your time in being part of my blog.

Wishing you all the very best and may this beginners luck be with you all the time. Wishing to see many more books and films in future.

  Friends you can find book Ready to Fall in love?  here...

Infibeam(ebook)-

www.infibeam.com/eBooks/ready-fall-love-veer-santhosh-pdf-ebook-download/9789350671122-BEPDF.html

Amazon kindle-- http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007D4S8KU

Order from www.readytofallinlove.com

His blog: veersanthosh.wordpress.com

Lesson 1

Many of us here, most of the times we might have felt bad at watching unrealistic, un reasonable advertisements on television sets. At the same time there were adds which made us happy in watching once more. If all these adds, involving celebrities into the marketing of the brand or a product is to increase the sales... do these adds really need to bring those celebrities into these adds.  

Recently, we have been watching Birla sun life insurance add with their brand ambassador Yuvi.

This add had been disturbing most of the people around as this add struck the television sets after the Yuvi was diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment (well, may be people started to recognize the depth after they got to know about his health issues).

How cruel it was making money or marketing their brand on a youth icon while the whole country irrespective of cast and creed were praying for his health??

 How could Yuvi accept it? May be he even is good enough in trying to making money? Oh MY GOD  where is the world going to end upto?

These were the thoughts running in my mind when ever i see the add. All these controversies were tried to clarify by Ajay Kakkar CMO of Aditya Birla Group. HERE

Even then,

though the sole purpose of marketing and advertising is making themselves prominent,

though they might try to convince by showing the example of lance Armstrong

its still not convincing in reaching people. may be its also important in taking their brand in the right way into the people.

But I appreciate their takeaway saying ”As long as our intention is good and conscience is clean, criticisms don't matter, especially when they are not based on facts, but perception”

For Reference here are two adds of YUVI

Older One Latest One

Interview -- Nature In a Bottle

I am happy to say I took a step forward and publishing small talks rather I wish to say an interview.

yeah u read it right. A new session is coming up-- Interviews  

Here is my first one.

I am happy to introduce Mrs.Hema Mahesh , a women entrepreneur.

         

   AT- Akatma Times    HM- Hema Mahesh.

AT: Hello Hema, Welcome to Akatma Times.Can you speak about yourself.When did your passion for cooking start? How the word Organic is related in your jams?

HM: Hi Akatma, I am happy to be a part of your blog. I am a cook, wife and mother - and that summarizes the essence of me. As far as my passion for food and cooking goes, one memory that stands out is when I was in 8th class and commuted daily from a small village to the school next town. The journey was long and tiring, but the best part was the scenery - green paddy fields, ground nut fields, road side vegetable markets and the colors of the earth. These are etched in my mind, and to me me, the food is always connected to the source - Mother Earth. When I grew up, got married and moved to the US for a few years, it opened the doors of the world cuisine to me. I was fascinated with the sight of all the new cusines I got introduced to in California. I shopped in a variety of local farmer’s markets for fresh produce, experimented a lot in the kitchen trying out Thai, Italian, Chinese, American,... dishes. My husband, a good sport, was my test subject, and the end result was that I emerged as a good cook. Moving back to India - Bangalore especially, and becoming a mom made cooking the centre stage. Jayanagar market with all the glowing vegetable and fruits raised my adrenaline levels .The colors were too tempting . To this day, Colors and fragrances were my turn-on’s in every dish. I tried applying my passion for color in painting with some success, but my heart is in the kitchen.

AT: Flavors

! They are just unique and tempting. How the name Nature in a bottle came to u? Is NIB your first venture?

HM:

I was in a mad rush preparing for my first exhibit with “A Hundred Hands”, and a week before the show, I still did not have a name nor a logo. My neighbor Anu Gummaraju, founder of Second to None, suggested asking for suggestions in their Facebook page. So I put up a small contest with s set of Jams as the prize, and a number of suggestions poured in. The name Nature In A Bottle is an adaptation of the winning entry for this contest.

Yes, this is my first venture  into the food industry.

AT:

What was your inspiration for moving into market? (like any other entrepreneur  or  story which provoked you to start a sale/entrepreneurial instinct in you)?

HM: :

Last year, I read a book called ‘Food Rules” by Michael Pollan, which became a turning point for my cooking. With too many choices and confusion regarding how to eat and what to eat, this book was a savior. One rule from the book is: “Don’t eat anything your great-great-grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food”. As a result, I started looking at the ingredients of every packaged item we purchased, and in most cases, could not recognize several of the ingredients. So I started cutting down on buying packaged foods and making most of them at home. That is when I realized a shortage of preservative free products in the market. When the idea of Jams was in bubbling in my head, my husband and I decided that we have to make it exclusive in not just the flavors but also the ingredients. My offerings of my jams are based on these two constraints. So when you buy by products you know exactly what you are eating

AT:

How have you done your market research?

HM:

Rather than running after customers, my philosophy has been to envision a good product that people would like and then try to perfect it. Another key aspect is prototyping. I enlist the help of a small circle of friends to test and refine my jams before I sell. I am indebted to these friends for their constant feedback and support

AT:

When things come to action there will be a lot of things to plan and put in order. Can you please explain this phase?

HM:

Experience is the best teacher. It has been a learning process ever since I started my venture, but I am enjoying every moment of it.

AT:

Can you narrate your first sale experience?

HM:

My first customer was a small 7 year old girl. She very hesitantly tasted my Banana Orange Jam and the reaction was a wonderful smile. She then looked up at her daddy and my first sale was made!

AT:

customer feedback’s---  May be this is the point where the whole thing revolves. There may be many doubts raised by customers about colors/ preservatives/longevity and storage..Can you share with us your first feedback’s?

HM: :

Most of us in India have grown up on Kissan jams. The concept of preservative free jam which has a very short shelf life is new.  After tasting the jams, and I mention that these are preservative free with just natural products, they are delighted to take home a bottle or two.

AT:

Where would you like to see NIB in future?Any plans in adding other products?Any plans in penetrating large scale into the market?

HM: am hoping that NIB will be known for the purity of its product and their unique flavors. I am working on a line of such products.

AT:

Any lessons learnt in these few steps?Any message to convey aspiring women entrepreneurs.

HM: :

I am not sure I can advise any one but I do admire a lot of women entrepreneurs.I very strongly believe in the strength  of a women any point in her life.

AT:

How did you made a balance between family, profession and passion?

HM:

I am blessed with a very supportive husband and a darling son which makes it very easy for me to strike a balance in every thing I do.

AT: Thank You Hema for spending your time in being a part of my blog. Wishing you all the very best for your venture and expecting more variety of food products.
you can visit her facebook page Nature in a bottle
people from bangalore you can order from the facebook page and enjoy!