Its been a while I have written and I've had enough experiences that I could term as 'memorable', but sometimes the laptop and blogspot just seem too far away. Sometimes I wonder who do I give the customary explanation of not writing to, but then I tell myself that being courteous is a virtue most people lack today. Its been more than a month and a half that I have been working. Well, I'd rather mention that its been that much time since I've started to get paid. Because, work hasn't really started - which my other friends who've joined earlier keep saying is a good thing, but I am a tough person to be convinced. For now its just been talking to people and getting a sense of how things run here and maybe visiting the market with the sales guys to get a trailer of what 3 months from october will be like. And its been enjoyable mostly. But there have been instances where I have been bored. Very bored.
However, there have been two particular moments that I think I will never forget. First was when I checked the ATM slip of my salary account on 30th July. I'm sure anyone who works will agree without any doubt that the feeling of getting the first salary is quite overwhelming. Also, it surprises even more to think that one hardly did anything to be actually paid. In fact, I was so delirious with joy that I forgot to punch out my attendance and simply walked out of the gate! I had to send a mail and get my attendance approved by my reporting manager later. I called my family, some friends and the enthusiasm they said could be felt in my voice. Lovely evening it was. It rained and for the first time I didn't have time to think if the pink umbrella looked too gay. Okay, I didn't choose to buy a pink umbrella myself! It was the only spare one at home and it did keep me dry for 2 weeks. Yes, it was floral too. Enough, I won't poke fun at myself anymore - at least not on this post.
The second memorable moment was when I actually sold something. I had a session scheduled with the person who looks after the Auto Care products and he said I should go out in the field and actually sell something than sitting in office. I was both excited as well as scared. Till now, all the marketing I have done is on ppt. XYZ is the target group, such and such should be the imagery that conveys this and that. Rs.X is the optimal price point and so much is the expected revenue. With good flair, a little research and some work with friends, professors didn't seem very displeased with me. In fact, some seemed quite impressed. However, this was the real deal. Take a product, go to a supermarket, approach walking customers and SELL! And my instructions were to call as soon as I sell my first product. He even said the guy would be there till 8pm. So it meant 'stand there as long as you have to'!
I flagged an auto. The first one agreed to go. Good signs. I prayed on the way. Found my way to the small corner where the product in question 'Magic Eraser' was being sold by someone from the company. I was instructed to approach him initially as a customer and see the demo. To my surprise, the counter was located in a very odd place. Right in between the toys section and the undergarments section. It should have been placed in the Household cleaning sections along with Harpic, Scotch Brite, Kitchen Wipes, Dusters, etc. So, I took a demo kit and two samples and stood where I felt it was more relevant. First target. Housewife. Upper middleclass to affluent. Correction, affluent. Its Hiranandani gardens! Posh locality in mumbai. Has a kid. Boy. Looks like he could be spoiling the walls. Ideal customer for my product. Showed demo and she says 'I'll have one'! Those words were music! First time successful. Felt a great deal of confidence. Called my boss. Told him I did it. He asked me to hang around for some more time and I sold another one in 15 minutes. First time I felt I gave the company something back. However miniscule the amount might be. But Rs.200 was my contribution to the company sales. Though the company will pay me more than that just to reimburse my auto fare, it was great fun.
Its been pouring heavily since morning and I can't wait to look at the lovely rains from my window. I don't mind them today as I have nowhere to go. I find them a pain otherwise. Oh, and the 'i' in the title is meant to show that I am really looking forward to the launch of the iphone5.
Sayonara,
Anand
