14 days of practical MBA feel with once in a lifetime fun

19^th Sep 2013

Day 1 - The journey started with lots of pre-requisites. There were two lectures which I had to attend (first one started at 8:00am). After that, being a member of HR Conclave core committee need to look after the brochure work. After meetings, approvals and finally delegating the remaining work had to plan for other jobs in parallel. That day I had visited the college and then back to hostel ‘to and fro’ 7 times since morning. Then went to HDFC bank for depositing the cash (the same bank where I did my summer internship project). Met with colleagues over there and specially Barkha mam, who was glad to see me after long time. Few people are sweet enough to be remembered. 

After coming back I had all the packing left and a surprise birthday party was being organized for our very own SAC Sakshi. But the body was too tired to do any-work and it was already 4:00pm. So thought to better take nap for an hour or so. Woke up after an hour and a half and started packing. The luggage exceeded the checklist. So, thought of taking my big red suitcase instead of backpack (which I usually carry on any tour). Packing got over by 7:30pm. By the time so many calls for the party already started coming on my doodle. I joined the last group for the party and finally reached Trist. It was my first visit to Trist. I really liked the ambience over there with changing colours of the surrounding after certain interval.

Birthday party at Trist restaurant

I had responsibility of taking half of my team i.e. Pritisha and Rimika to the City of Joy : Kolkata along with me. The remaining half were supposed to reach Kolkata after 2 days due to examination. After some confusion and communication gap finally we went together to the railway station. It was a feel good after little hectic schedule.

Finally, the train left Ahmedabad station at 11:55pm.

 

20^th Sep 2013                         

All of us were too tired. Me with lots of work and my team-mates with lots of shopping. I was impressed by Rimika’s pre-planning. She bought so many small and important journey stuffs like paper, pickles, fruits, tasty snacks and many more.

I woke up first in the morning and most importantly it required lots of effort to get the ladies awaken from the morning sleep. By the time they came down from their respective births, I already had my breakfast.

Train stoppage at Tatanagar

Further, we had lots of chit chats. Got a grand opportunity to listen to the girls talk. So many secrets came out. I was really surprised and shocked by few of them. I wonder how people get time for those many unwanted stuffs (unwanted in my opinion, many be very important for others) during the hectic MBA schedule. Many a times I felt blessed being happily single.

The journey was so entertaining, watched two movies namely ‘Furkey’ and ‘Sweet November’ along with snacks and soft drinks. Bas pop-corn ki kami thi.

On the way met with variety of fellow passengers. The most interesting was an uncle who was searching for bride for his son. He was little conservative and take girls only as a marriage material, that too as early as possible. He gave his own example where he told about her daughter who joined TCS, coincidently along with me in Coimbatore. Most importantly, now she a mother.

21^st Sep 2013

The overall train journey took only 1.5+37+1.5 hours = 40 hours (1.5 hours waiting for train. As can’t take traffic risk)

Ye chaalis ghante yu bit gaye maano chaalis pal ho !!

The Historic Howrah Railway Station

Howrah Bridge synonymous to Kolkata

Hotel was already booked in a place named bangur. Took taxi, reached hotel and everyone slept. In the evening went to City Center-2. Till the time I was there in Kolkata only City Center exists. But like Bollywood sequels City Center-2 have emerged in the past 3 years. This had created lots of confusion between me, pritisha, my old friends waiting for both of us at mall, rickshaw puller, taxi driver and other passengers. The evening was almost spoiled, but i thank to myself. As when I use to act naturally, irrespective of the situation people around me never stay sad or angry. It was fun helping in shopping, eating Pritisha’s favourite Tiramisu, drinking chocolate shake at Pizza Hut and last but not the least KFC’s bucket chicken with Moito.

22^nd Sep 2013

Hotel room

Sunday was filled with PPV shopping and roaming around various stores. As a perfect formal wear is the first thing which attracts a recruiter. So, we shopped like anything. Walking along the crowded streets of Kolkata reminded me of the olden days.

23^rd Sep 2013

Our first day of work. All three of us woke up and got ready for the mission which we were sent for. It took more than one hour of journey and my colleagues were in state of fatigue. Somehow managed to buy Mazza and Appy fizz which lightened the mood of all. It was more of a bank day. Went to so many public sector banks and met senior officials and HR over there. In fact got an opportunity to meet CFO of one of the banks. After running here and there. Going to various floors of 15 storied building as one person referred the other. It was almost 5:00. We left for shopping and snacks. As it’s said where women are there shopping comes naturally. Thanks to my prior experience of helping people getting shopped. Though I was also getting lots of new learning out of this. As it’s said one learns from practical experience and mistakes. Finally reached home too tired, ate and slept.

Near RBI kolkata

24^th Sep 2013

Yash with Rimika at Forum Mall Restaurant

Today I was supposed to manage two teams. As two of my teammates namely Yash and Debojyoti had arrived yesterday. We went to IT Company today. Pritisha was managing the schedule and appointments from base. The teams were divided into two parts and certain companies along with few buffer were already allocated to teams. It was a great experience of manage the teams as well as meeting with HR of companies. As team will ask for contacts and location and appointment details which keep on changing. So, need to give input and feedback on many indecisive situations. It was overall an effective working day and a feel good to return back to IT environment. I was having my friends working over there, they too helped in fixing up the appointments. We returned back home and did lots of planning for tomorrow. Also the spending sheets were prepared to as to avoid last day confusion.

Unitech building at Salt Lake, Kolkata

25^th Sep 2013

Again a the hotel room pic with other direction. 

You can see the brochure packed in the bundle.

My team was supposed to visit all the companies of Park street and Esplanade. The other team visited the remaining IT companies of Salt Lake. Many appointments were delayed and extended. My team was not able to fulfil the day’s target. But the other team managed the same. As ‘Life is not a bed of roses’, sometimes one
need to walk on the thorns too. But the good thing was that, we were filled with appointment with date and timing for the next two days.

By the end of the day some tragedy happened with one of my cute friend. She lost her precious belonging. I always think my team as a family. So, it was hurting me a lot.

Colourful Berger House

26^th Sep 2013

Yash , Me(Saurabh), Debojyoti (from left to right)

Again two teams one went to Kolkata–700001 and mine went to Camac Street area. Met with HRs who gave lots of respect and pointed out our pros and cons too. Overall positive response. After a normal first half, I and my team-mate Pritisha went to Asian Delight Restaurant and had variety of chicken items. Energized with delicious food we covered so many companies in the second half. That’s why I always use to tell my team to order what they love to eat. So, that one is happy from inside and efficiency would increase. This also keeps one out of thinking work as a burden and they enjoy working.

27^th Sep 2013

Officially last working day, I went to few remaining companies. The other team went to few more IT companies and few start-ups.

28^th Sep 2013

Went to meet my old friends and room-mates of college and company days. It was fun meeting them. Party and homely food was awesome.

Near Sriram Archade and City Mart, Esplanade (Me, Himanshu, Triveni and Prasonjeet)

29^th Sep 2013

…………………………………rainy romantic weather………………………..

Paintbox in the middle to shopping street

30^th Sep 2013

The most Nostalgic day, the day I went to visit my alma-mater my very own Kalyani Government Engineering College. Met PSB sir on the way to college. Met my landlord of my Katholtala house where I stayed for an year. Finally came back to Kolkata and did final packing and reached station.

My engineering college entrance

1^st Oct 2013

Getting ready to have dinner. Though it was just 6:00 pm

Memories and history have already been created. All of us were quite and emerged into deep thoughts of the memorable once in lifetime journey.

Eating the food ordered in the train at Upper birth after long time.

2^nd Oct 2013

Siddhant's Birthday

Booked a cab and finally inside the Nirma Campus. Rushed to the hostel, unpacked the stuffs, arranged the rack, took bath after spending two days in train and got ready for the awaited party. As similar to grand exit on Sakshi’s birthday party at Trist, there was a grand welcome through Siddhant’s Birthday party at Trophy’s. Celebrated the same with full Masti [The best girl of imnu, i.e. Snazzy was looking gorgeous in the same :) ]. It was fun getting in touch with college friends after a long duration that too in this way. Just after having food, photoshoot started. Thanks to Ankita for motivating other for the same. Loved to see memories getting created.

“Life is too busy for anything and I love utilizing every bit of it.”

Why the above sentence??

Rushed backed to college and even before entering the hostel joined HR core committee meeting. Planned for the same which was going to be help on 3^rd Oct 2013. As I was not available since long. So, had to do lots of pending activities. As I love working, so was feeling happy to get this many work at college. Before starting the work, distributed “Rasogulla” to my friends whomever I met. Was feeling so good doing the same and getting response about its great taste. Thanks to one of the junior, on whose recommendation I bought those “Rasogullas”.

Fantabulous days of Internship – Week 2

The most anticipated week in an individual’s life. The week in which birthday comes with lots and lots of surprises and wishes.

April 11, 2013

Unlike previous, this was the year with lots and lots of wishes. Infact, itni wishes to aaj tak nahi mili :) :). But as every moment need to be cherished. So, I did the same on that day too. First call at 12:00 was from an expected person. :P :P 

But phir to kya call kya message. Laato ki barshaat ho gayi. I thought people won't remember. But who kehte hai naa, “ek tili bhi pure jangal me aag laga sakti hai”. :D :D

Similar happened, in-spite of the fact that I was tired and slept around 11:30 itself.

And most importantly, they didn't let me feel that hostel is almost empty. This I realized, when the number of swinging legs on my bump was more or less same when the hostel is totally filled.

In Spiral from left: Yummy Cake, with Bhushan, with Jyot, my new shirt for the day, Jeet & Aniket, Sakshi, Cooking culture in yellow, Pankti & Rohit

Thanks to all for that too. After all it was my last birthday at any college. As I haven’t heard of the any case when someone’s wife is giving birthday bumps… :)

Morning began with going for internship (at Bodakdev Office) in the morning, then to the ABCD-AMC office. On the way had a mast mouthwatering non-veg lunch accompanied by Rohit. 

All my ABCD bank's cum college friends namely Aniket, Pankti, Jiten and Jeet were waiting for wishing me. 

Bhushan with his special facial expression

2 bikes and 1 activa, these were the means of conveneyance on the way to small treat. No need to mention who towed whom!! :P :P

After the ice-cream party at Havmore, everyone went on their own ways. On the way to IMNU, I was not thinking much about the evening party. As i was sure that my experienced room-mate, Jyot must be having some plan in mind. I, Jyot, Bhushan and Sakshi left for Cooking Culture, an elegant restaurant recommended for all vegetarians. For the first time I saw menu with prices written in words rather than numbers. This simply says that it’s not for price conscious customers, rather for taste.

Moreover there was a surprise cake too. I forgot whether to cut cake first or to blow the candles first. Thanks to Sakshi for timely reminding the same. : )

Overall, it was a decent birthday with a different experience.

Small video clip on birthday :) :)
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0Bx7Zbt5kyacVVHZSN3RaMHlSTnM/edit?usp=sharing

April 12, 2013

The day started with giving knowledge transfer regarding Mutual Funds to a Manager at ABCD Bank. I mean to a newly joined Manager. :P

Most of the customers I interacted gave a negative response. 

Everyday cannot be bed of roses. On few days you need to walk on the thorns too.

Hence, it was more of a day to have interaction with the employees. Barkha mam proved to be too good in helping out the same. She is one of the very helpful and cute managers.

April 13+14 , 2013

On this very day at the office, i got a new friend to talk to. She was a new joinee at that branch who gave lots of insights about the Banks policies on which I had doubts. Finally, in the afternoon went to the AMC office at Law garden for discussion regarding questionnaire.

Next day was Ramnavmi holiday. It was a day for Spending a peaceful time at the hostel. : )

Chulbul trip to Kankaria was planned for next week.
To be continued....

Fantabulous days of Internship – Week 1

Life has both ups and downs and that's really interesting. 
Without the Down's the importance of Up's won't be that significant. :)

Yipppiieee, i got selected in the 3^rd company which came for summer internship interviews. This is what i felt on January 9, 2013. But I was the last to get a confirmed start date of internship.

Ground floor of the ABCD bank's branch @Interview day 

April 4, 2013

Left to right: Aniket, Jeet, Saurabh. Pankti. Rohit

It was the first reporting date to the ABCD bank’s Mutual Fund branch. I was not the only trainee, but had company of Pankti, Aniket, Rohit, Koustubh, Jiten and Jeet. All seven of us were from Institute of Management, Nirma University. 

As per the college policies, each one of us need to undergo a minimum of 8 weeks of internship. As of now, not even 1 month have been completed, but it feels like have spend 1 whole eventful year.

On the very first day got introduced to many top notches of that ABCD bank’s Asset Management Company (AMC) based on Ahmedabad. From the past 10 days before joining, I used to take follow up with them and finally it was feel good to meet them practically. After the introduction part was over, training started. We were bombarded with jargons on the very first day. After trying hard, concentrating on what my organization guide is speaking and frequently referring to the company’s booklet (which they provided), got to understand few of the stuffs.

Second day too was filled with training session. I learned about few of the following Jargons:
1) KYC (Know your client) – lage haath khud ka bhi KYC karwa daala
2) SIP (Systematic investment Plan)
3) STP (Systematic Transaction Plan)
4) CAMSKRA, CVL, NDML, DOTX, KARVYKRA
5) NAV (Net Asset Value) – the baap of Mutual Funds theory

One more happening thing of the day was mouth-watering lunch provided by the head manager of the bank at Saasu Maa… Opppssss Saasuji’s restaurant. Gujarati thali filled with variety of stuffs. I had 3 jalebi’s too.






April 7, 2013

It’s our first Sunday after joining.Aahaa… Still got opportunity to attend a seminar organized by the ABCD-AMC on Sunday. The seminar-hall was filled with ladies and housewives who were made aware of the Mutual funds in lucid ways by an orator from Pune. The best part of the event was an example of twin sisters, one of which invested in early days of her life and the other after getting older.

On the way to Office saw one of the biggest Goat @ Law Garden

the Magical Tap from which water flows without any support  :)

April 8+9, 2013

Training was almost over and time came for practical implementation. All those time spend with six of the friends was going to be on hold. The time we spend together, laughed, PJed, gone for lunch, acted like teaching on the white board. The time came, when we would be missing all those fun and frolic. But in my life my today is always better than the past. Hence, that’s what exactly happened. 

Now the time was for practically implementing what was taught. Few of them can be mentioned as under:
1) Convincing the clients
2) Spreading awareness regarding Mutual Funds
3) All steps of KYC form filling
4) Meeting both soft and rude clients

Now I feel, what all those awareness spreading as well as sales guys use to feel. It was very exciting and challenging job. Slowly I mastered the same by making a very personal touch and improving on the ways of interaction.  One thing I would like to say, “There is no theoretical alternative to what we can experience practically”.

The next day was my birthday, which was filled with surprises……….
To be continued…

Unintentional Marketing by a Lady at McDonald's – A great learning

Just after reading the topic you might have got the overall gist of the story. A marketing blog with innovative idea by some top notch lady in the company.

But that’s not the real story.

Friday 29^th march 2013

Jyot , Bhushan and Me were on a secret marketing mission.

After completing our major agenda for the evening, we crashed into McDonald’s restaurant. Before we would have agreed upon our menus, a lady came from behind.

“Coupon redeem this that blah blah aavdi che baabdi che ek be tronn taare paase coupon che tare coupon nikadi blah blah” , said the lady (this is what I got)

(Actually by all these she meant -> Take this coupon and do your normal purchase. You will get one 'veg Pizza McPuff', which you please give back to me.)

Barobar chhe, Jyot said

I was glad that she would get a ‘veg Pizza McPuff’ for free because of us.

Moreover, the simple Indian and homely looking lady in Salwar-Suit dared to ask us. It was a great move. She seems to be little bold.

We ordered the below stuffs:
1) Mc Veggie Meal * 2 
2) Mc Chicken Meal *1

Gave the lady’s coupon at the counter and waited for the order.

Scheme of the Coupon:
As clearly visible in the picture, you will get the coupon stamped in the first purchase. Then you will get it stamped on the second with 'Veg Pizza McPuff and so on.

“From where people use to get such kind of interesting coupons?”, i said

“Don’t know yaar”, said Bhushan and Jyot in chorus

Our dinner arrived and there was a coupon on the top of it.

“Oh, they are giving it to everyone who’s having a purchase above Rs.200.”, Bhushan said

“We could have availed the offer if we would have ordered in bits and pieces.”, Jyot mumbled

“Okay guys, next time…. Lets enjoy the dinner as if now. And Before that lets find a place to sit 
where we would get the maximum ‘Nayansukh’”. ,said i

“There it is, we can have both outside and inside overview”, Jyot said

Bhushan happily handed over the ‘veg Pizza McPuff’ to the lady and we moved towards the ‘Nayansukh’ table.

“Oh my goodness. Can you see that?” , i said

“Where sipppp where sippp where sipp ??” , Bhushan taking sip of coke

“Oooo Myyyy myyyyy. It’s biggieeee” , said one of us

All our mouth-watering faces were peeping outside the window of McDonald. Our dinner menu, which we selected after so much of analysis wasn’t that much tempting. A different hunger arose…………………………

Soon a guy came and took away our prospective asset (which we were happy to just visualize without blinking our eyes).

“All our stuffs are getting cold”, i said

“Hmmmm…. These can be bought again. But not thoseeeee.. yummmmm !!”, one of us.

“Hey look the lady is still there, convincing someone”, Bhushan said

“She might redeem one or two food-items today”, i said

“Shezzz having three coupons”, Jyot said

“Ohhhhhh.. WTF”, in chorus

“She is convincing every new customer. This offer is not meant for Gujarat”, Jyot said

“Is she planning to redeem all the 15 food items?”

“I think she’ll giving party to her neighbours today”

“Whatever, she is a good marketer”. i said

“Marketer. Where the hell this came from?”

“She is ruining McDonald’s Smile card scheme”

“Okay, Just answer this question of mine. As both of you might be aware that these days we are getting coupons every now and then on enormous good and services. Say it retail, automobile, parlors  banking sector and even I remember one of my colleague telling story about discount coupon at brothel with some monthly scheme. So, do you mind looking into all the random coupons by your own?”, i said

“Well sometimes”

“No… But”

“See, your answer is not a straight ‘Yes’. That’s means you need someone to explain the stuffs. That means one or two extra employee is required for the same?”, i said

“correct”

“yuppp”

“Still you won’t listen to him/her. You might say, ‘next time’ Or some excuse. As we do not have time in this busy era for ourselves and family (forget about others). Moreover, my past job’s personal experience says, Life of an MBA students (who is having a huge dream and expectations from himself) is more hectic than of a person at job.”, i said

“What you want to convey through the example. Plzz elaborate !!”

“I mean, Look at the job that lady is doing. I am sure, she is not recruited by McDonald and it’s not their marketing strategy”, i said

“Marketing strategy… It’s a loss to the company. This scheme seems to be a kind of loyalty programme. But that lady is redeeming all the offers in a single day.”, Jyot said

“Look at it differently Jyot. Like the very famous saying at our MBA ‘Read between the lines’, I would suggest you to ‘See beyond the Visibility’. She is making others able to convince by letting them know the offer. And people are more receptive to any other customer than the employer. As they are also customers, which implies ‘A customer would relate himself/herself more to another customer’, i said

“Ohhh.. Yuppp.. : )”

“That lady is inspiring”

“That’s what I told in the beginning. The lady behind McDonald’s Smile Card scheme”, i said
 

Left to right: Lady, Bhushan , Saurabh

We finished off our food and came out of the shop. The lady was still inside convincing, explaining and gaining. 
Convincing -> Other customers
Explaining -> The Scheme 
Gaining -> Food items and self-satisfaction

I wanted to have a photograph clicked with her. At the end somehow we managed to get one while she came out once. But that was without her notice.
 
It was a great day, understanding Human Psychology and relating it to Marketing which came unintentionally. I hope even McDonald would not have thought of this kind of marketing. I would like to name this as “Customer as an Employer” Marketing. Hope this would be a new trend in the near future. Company can get benefits without actually employing and paying salary. Sometimes this could be more effective than Advertising too.

Some of you might think this as “Word of Mouth”. But in my words (I repeat) ‘It’s looking beyond Visibility’. I would prefer calling it as “Customer as an Employer” Marketing, as its more of explaining by giving live example (and not just by simply conveying). And all of us would agree to this that, a visual learning is more effective than audio (just listening).