Being a Minority in HR

Discussion with parents, opinions from current and past friends, future prospects, profiles, articles, blogs, long-term goals, short-term goals and finally the most important one ‘going for passion’. It was really a tough decision for me as I was in love with both of them. Which side is heavier, was not aware.

Making things clearer, i was in Love with two specializations of MBA.

So, I discussed the same with our respected admin department regarding, Dual degree. But got a reply, ‘but in the certificate only one would be considered as major’.

‘ok sir’,said I. But it felt like -> Huhhh…

But the decision from admin department was appropriate. As at this stage, one should be clear about their future. At least these queries should be narrowed down till then. 

After much elongated thought (which continued for approximately two months), I decided upon taking marketing as my major in MBA. The other specialization which lead to confusion was ‘HR’.

HR : An abbreviated form of Human Resources. The key players in any recruitment, selection, compensation management, training and development, change management, blah blah processes. 

It was a class of only 3 boys (including me and all three minors) at Institute of Management, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 2012-2014 batch. Atul, Hardik and Saurabh[me] (though i did one misjudgement considering kesav as one more colleague, who was with us just for the first trimester). Remaining around 21 were girls which is approximately 700% more than us : A clear Majority.

Now coming towards the various assumptions made by several close entities of your life. Moreover, how it feels like ‘Being a Minority’:

• How your faculties think you are

‘Ohhh !! Poor fellows. I should treat them equally. Give them assignments with equality. And will form groups which would not be biased’.

But at the end you cannot expect groups having one boy in each. In short only 3 groups. So, these groupings were random.

The most cherished and interesting parts were the games, simulations and exercises. Apart from learning the practical insights these were real mind-coolers or mind-ACs :P

I remember an incident when there was a role play in which two wives were volunteered. And two husbands were to be chosen at random. You get 66.7% chance of playing the husbands role. Then again 50% chance after fighting for playing a good/bad husband’s role.

Any question in the class seems like, simply put yourself in the situation and reply. It felt like so interesting. You can speak your heart out and faculty is always there to help you out.

• How your Friends think you are

‘Ooo wow, sooo many girls and this guy has taken HR just for them.’

Give us a break guys.

Firstly, This is MBA, Masters in business administration, mostly the last phase of education in one’s life (except those who go for PHDs or other degrees). Why should we play with our lives keeping these parameters for choosing specilization? As already mentioned, long term career goals and passion for any particular specialization are there in back of our minds. Atleast, I was not the one who took minor just for the sake of taking a minor.

The best way to deal with all this is ‘Give a sweet smile’ in reply of any of the above related questions. Else, discussing the same would lead you to no-where. After all you have many better things to do. :)

Secondly, though there is nothing wrong in it. Still, why always boys are made to be like that i.e. ‘Guy will fall for a girl’ ?

My simple question is ‘Can’t Girls fall for a guy’ ?
So, this would imply that except for the HR classes, in all other specialization which girls have taken(and are in minority in those) are because of vice-versa?

Vice-versa - > Ooo wow, sooo many boys and this girl has taken Marketing, Operations, Finance, etc just for them only.

Sounds so stupid naa...

One more confusion which most of your friends will be having is, ‘This guy has taken HR Majors’

And we, the minors will keep on replying, ‘Its minor - M I N O R. Not major. But who cares’.

• How your parents think you are

‘Finance-Marketing is a good combination’

What we feel like replying or reply,

‘But I have taken Marketing and HR, as I am passionate about these subjects. And the kind of job and career I want to pursue in these fields. How HR would help in long run in being an entrepreneur. Even role switching can be thought of, for a gaining multi-dimensional experience of your choice. And blah blah blah blahhhhhh………’

At the end what reply you get after all those long conversation,

‘woh to thik hai, but Finance-Marketing is a good combination’ :)

But at the end of two years, rather one year of HR (that too being a minority), would be a great experience. You would always cherish those classes. In the first week, you might feel like a real minority, sitting at the last with other two boys. While entering into the class, sometimes it would feel like, ohhhh… kaas ek ladka mujhse pehle aa gaya hota.

But it’s better to gel up soon, stay cool and enjoy the classes. You also get an opportunity to make some real good friends. I personally got the realization of an individual during 'performance management' classes, who was worthy of being my lifetime friend.

The practical classes must not be missed. It would make your day (once you are into it).

You would get opportunity to work for HR conclaves, in which real co-ordination could be learned. You cannot delegate your own work, rather need/learn to become more responsible.

Lastly, just one small sentence, ‘Life is short, Live it to the fullest’ (not thinking of being a minority in any field of life).

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”.

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).