Millionaire Homes, Luxury Living Redefined

After its immense success in Bangalore and Chennai, Millionaire Homes is now in Hyderabad on 19th and 20th of September, at Novotel. For those who all still unaware with Millionaire Homes event –

Millionaire Homes – the Luxury Living & Lifestyle Show is an exciting new concept in consumer driven business shows: The event is designed as a platform for connoisseurs of lifestyle and fine living to experience some of the finest concepts in luxury living. The event will showcase a host of realty and fine living options from some of the leading home builders across the country. The show also introduces guests to the finest high-end products and services for homes.

Millionaire Homes is very unique in its positioning. When everyone will find a Home Mela where all the builders come and showcase their properties, Millionaire Homes maintains its niche. Properties showcased in Millionaire Homes are luxury properties worth crore and above. Never ever a show has been show hosted in India of this nature.

To be successful, such niche events need unique and experiential marketing. Every other Home Mela depends on ATL advertising through newspaper ads, radio and hoardings to catch the attention of the masses. Millionaire Homes is marketed completely through BTL (Direct Marketing). Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), who have conceived and produced this event, have a huge commercial database of companies and HNI’s tagged on various parameters. In-house call center of D&B call these HNI’s to understand whether they are interested in buying such properties now or not? Accordingly, all interested HNI’s are exclusively invited for the event. Thus D&B has been able to bring in 1500 – 2000 HNI’s per event, interested in such luxury properties.

Moreover, to create the right ambience for these HNI’s, D&B also hosts various sub-events in evening like art-auction, musical concert, wine tasting session and fashion-show. These sub-events acts as incentives for these ultra HNI’s to attend the event and evaluate these luxury properties. If you are visiting Millionaire Homes, also watch out for exclusively designed booths created for each of the exhibitors.

With this initiative, D&B creates an interactive platform for leading luxury and premium brands to engage with customers in an exclusive environment. With a growing number of Indian's joining the ranks of the wealthy with the propensity and ability to spend on fine living, Millionaire Homes presents an excellent opportunity for luxury brands to be associated with this event and engage these customers.

“Khatron Ke Khiladi” – Level 2

Akshay Kumar and Colors Channel are back with the next season of their highly successful show, “Khatron Ke Khiladi” – Level 2. Frankly, I was never so interested in such reality shows. A similar show called, “Is Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao” had just recently ended on Sony. I always thought “Khatron Ke Khiladi” would be on the similar lines to “Is Jungle Se Mujhe Bachao”, “Roadies” and “Stuntmania”. Moreover, neither the celebrities participating in the show were appealing enough to watch the show.
These shows, being featured on the major channels at prime time, leaves you without much option. And thus one can’t avoid having a glimpse of these reality shows. Even I had too. Interestingly, I was surprised and entertained. The stunts in “Khatron Ke Khiladi” were fearful, gutsy, exciting and innovative.

Full marks to Colors and the team of “Khatron Ke Khiladi”, for raising the standards of the show through such nail biting stunts. I would recommend you all to watch “Khatron Ke Khiladi”. It’s surely a level above to all other reality shows.

IPL – An Inside Story: Cricket and Commerce

I recently finished reading this book penned by Alam Srinivas and T R Vivek. This book gives you a complete insight into the cricketing saga called Indian Premier League. How the idea IPL originated, the politics behind it, and how it became a success have been interestingly plotted in this book. It shows that with the mix of few intelligent decisions and luck, how Lalit Modi pulled of this event with unmatchable success. This book also beautifully covers the after effects of IPL on the Indian cricket. It also covers the stories of turnaround in the lives of Lalit Modi, Shane Warne and many small town Indian players who got a chance to prove themselves in this IPL. It describes each event associated with IPL in complete detail, from bidding process to the controversies around it. Sometimes the author deviates from the core issues, but then, if you are a cricket fan, you will enjoy it. The book could have been better if it would have been updated with the second season of IPL also.


My Ratings: 6/10

Sonu Nigam is back…!!!

Oops…when was Sonu Nigam gone??? Yes he was there in the industry, but I guess even he was thirsting for a hit song.

Sonu is back with “Don’t say Alvida” in “Main aur Mrs. Khanna” featuring Salman Khan. It’s a hummable melody with trademark Sonu’s style of romantic singing. Moreover, he is been given chance to sing ”Chiggy Wiggy” with Kylie Minogue by A.R. Rehman for the movie “Blue” featuring Akshay Kumar. Again it’s a fun loving song, sung in patented Sonu’s Punjabi style. Both are hit with audiences.

Today’s music industry, when bundle of new voices are discovered every day, one needs to be consistent. Since he became selective in choosing songs, we got a rare opportunity to hear him. Yes he came out with few albums (Classically Mild, An Evening in London) but they were also quite niche in genre. I guess, he was exploring his singing skills by trying different genres and languages. Hardened fans of Sonu Nigam’s singing (include me in this list), were desperate to listen Sonu Nigam in contemporary form of film music. Music directors like Vishal Shekhar, Pritam and others have been very generous in giving songs to every other singer except Sonu Nigam. His loyalist music directors like Anu Malik and Sajid Wajid were also losing their sheen. Shankar Ehsaan Loy and A R Rehman use Sonu Nigam only when they realize that no one but Sonu can give justice to a song.

Nevertheless, he back with flurry of songs and I hope he continues to sing more. His singing inspires many amateur singers like me. Keep singing…Sonu Nigam.

BJP's "Chintan Baithak"

I was completely shocked when I was told that BJP expelled Mr. Jaswant Singh. Unfortunately, there was only Jaswant Singh(among few) in BJP whom I respected as an intellectual. He was the only man or I should say the Man-Mohan of BJP. He was intelligent, highly qualified and above all, apolitical like many other BJP leaders. If not secular, at least he seemed secular to the general public.

Moreover BJP's "Chintan Baithak" came out with reasons of loss in 2009 general elections. All the reasons were pointing only two things.
Firstly, poor strategy and secondly poor marketing of ideas.
As per me,BJP used all media tools effectively to convey their ideology. But the problem was never in the promotion.
The main reasons for BJP's loss are the other two P's.
Product: The ideology of being stubborn, the ideology of spreading hatred, the ideology of introspecting the past and not planning for the future, the ideology of non-secularism, when mixed together, forms BJP i.e. a poor product. Such a poor product can only be sold to your customers(electorate) once. Soon the customers realize that they have been cheated.
Price: If we would have brought BJP back to power, then the price we had to pay for it would have been huge.BJP's ideology disturbs the social coherence of India. I have always believed that BJP is an Allopathic medicine. They may solve India's problems; but would also give various side-effects(for e.g. hindutva,moral policing etc.) that would hurt our country later.

My dad, who was once BJP loyalist, amusingly used to say, BJP means " Bhaago Janta Peetegi"...

KAMINEY... !!!

This was the movie; I was desperately waiting for .Reason, interesting trailers and Visual Bharadwaj. He has given movies like Makdi, Maqbool, Omkara and The Blue Umbrella. All have been meaningful, interesting and entertaining.
I always wanted to watch premiere of the movie. Thankfully to CREDAI Karnataka Realty Expo, I wasn't able to watch the movie, whole weekend. Reviews were out, everyone had loved it. Now I have to see it.
Monday after the job, I ensured not to miss the movie. And guess what, it was memorable experience. As rightfully Rajeev Masand says,'Kaminey is imaginative and original’. It made me remembered movie of 70s era, which had everything, fun action thrill drama and romance.
Kaminey was nice blend of all. I had completely forgotten that there was Shahid Kapoor in the movie. I flowed with the story through Guddu, Sweety and Charlie.
I was mesmerized with Shahid's acting and the supporting casts. As per me the movie is "Fuberb". Movie is embraced with catchy and classy music blended with Gulzar Sahab's unmatchable lyrics.
Loved the line... "Ek dil se dosti thi... Ye huzur bhi kaminey...!!!"

My next target... "What's your Rashee" by Ashutosh Gowarikar.

SWAMI...

Yesterday, I saw the movie “Swami” again on television. I loved the movie when saw it for the first time and even this time too. I decided to blog about this movie because many people would not talk about this movie.

“Swami” is a simple movie on a life story of titled fictional character. Movie casts Manoj Bajpai and my all time favorite heroine, Juhi Chawla. The story is about their unconditional love towards each other and later towards their children. It’s a complete family movie that will make you cry in some of its scenes.

The movie was a flop and I guess wouldn’t have even heard its name. Technically and critically speaking, this movie is below average. But its heart lies at the right place. Moreover, it teaches you the essence the relationships. The relation of Swami with his arm-chair shows you the love for his wife ”Radha”. Swami has only one dream, to fulfill the dreams of his wife through his children. Swami depicts a very good husband, father, and above all great man. His relation with his son is shown astoundingly emotional in the movie.

Moreover, this movie also shows a life of a common Indian middle class family. This movie beautifully depicts small but important moments of one’s life. One feels connected to the movie, and can easily relate to his/her life.

You will never understand all this nor will I be able to explain, until you watch this movie. Be patient, forgive the editing and try to appreciate the soul of the movie.

Team Manmohan !!!

I missed the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Manmohan Singh through my blog on 24th April. On 24th I was elated when I got the news that Congress is back. Or I should say, back with bang. I was so afraid, on 24th morning. I never wanted to BJP to be back, atleast until they drop their idea of hindutva.

Moreover, I am more or less happy with the list of ministers in Manmohan’s team. I personally wanted people like Shashi Tharoor and other young guns in some form of ministries. Inclusion of people like Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Jatin Prasad, Agatha Sangma etc. as MoS was a great decision. People like Pranab Mukherjee, P. Chidambaram, Kamalnath, Kapil Sibbal, Dayanidhi Maran, Praful Patel and others all getting key ministries to bring results rather than promises. Yes they had to compromise bit due to politics, but Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and adamant Manmohan hand-picked most of them.

I guess for the first time ever on Indian news channels, we found so much discussion on list of ministers and portfolios. As if Team Manmohan is on a mission to change India. Team Manmohan gives me hope, a hope for progress, hope for social security, hope for secularism. I trust Team Manmohan, because most of the ministers are extremely qualified with education and experience. Moreover we can see a nice blend of youth and experience in the team.

HORN OK PLEASE…!!!

Firstly, a good news. I bought a bike, “Bajaj Platina”. It was badly needed as I have to daily travel to the office. Travelling in buses was horrible and “autowallas” of Bangalore were too demanding. So I had to waste more time in travelling, which could also have been spent doing something constructive.
Bike gives you a sense of freedom and a driving pleasure. I can now go anywhere in city, anytime. I am so happy, not only because, I own a bike, but also, I have to no more be dependent on Bangalore’s autowallas.

Bangalore traffic made me realize the importance of horns in your vehicle. Not only it is necessary to alert the vehicles around you, but it’s also a mode for expression. During long traffic queues, I have seen people honking to show their anger towards vehicle ahead them. Their horns yell asking people to make roads for them. Horns are also a great mode of stress buster. Angrier you are with the traffic, harder you press the horn. Horns are also used to irritate people. I myself have tried to horn out autowallas ahead of me, just to irritate them. It’s my form of revenge against all the problems they have given to me during my two year stay at Bangalore. Horns are also mode for fun. I have heard weirdest of horns,from a baby’s cry to police’s siren. But actually I believe horns should always be weird. I guess, only then you are heard among all the similar sounds in traffic.

So next time, when you listen to a harsh horn around you, just for one second, try to think the real reason behind it.

I am back…

Hi all welcome back to Be A Step Ahead…

It’s been long since I have stopped writing.
Reasons? Infact many…

Early April, I joined Dun & Bradstreet, and it was a start to a working professional life after two years of life as management student.
Moreover, things leading to that were, shifting to a new house, a new life and many adjustments in terms of facilities. The new house had independence, a sense of belongingness but lacked facilities like internet, television, library etc., all needed to keep you updated and blog about that. We had to start from scratch.
During this phase, many ideas came in, many views, many reactions, but there was no medium to express it to the world. Moreover, I was fed with comments on my blog, which I couldn't answer due to this problems.

So, here’s I am back. Back to the world of blogging, back to the social media, back to something constructive and above all, back to the freedom of expression.

The importance of PR campaign... "Grappo Fizz"

Just a week back, I wrote about Parle Agro’s new refreshing brand, LMN. But soon I found that, Parle Agro have also introduced a new brand named, “Grappo Fizz”. It seems they are going aggressive this summer. After the success story of Appy Fizz, the product is been extended to Grappo Fizz. As the name suggests, Grappo Fizz is a carbonated Grape- flavored beverage. Grappo Fizz comes in two SKUs — 300 ml (priced at Rs 20) and 500 ml (at Rs 27). I am yet to see its TVC and more importantly, yet to taste it.

Nadia Chauhan, Joint Managing Director and CMO, Parle Agro, says, “Grappo Fizz is targeted at the youth who is constantly looking for ‘new options’. Parle Agro plans to tap into this segment through various activities including a television commercial, which will be on air this weekend. The TVC will weave an “entire brand persona around” Grappo Fizz who is introduced as a “Youthful rapper” and the cousin of the Appy Fizz character."

But I am disappointed by few things. When I tried searching about Grappo Fizz on internet, I found only one article listed in Business Line and Money Control. I also tried to get the image of Grappo Fizz, but even that was unavailable. Thus, it means, a pro-active PR campaign is missing out. The only reason could be, Grappo Fizz may still be in experimental stage. I believe, Parle should aggressively market their new products to catch consumer’s attention. But the saddest thing was, one cannot find any information about these new products of Parle Agro even on their official website. Neither have they mentioned LMN as their new product nor Grappo Fizz. I guess Parle Agro have really forgotten to update its website.

Parle expects youth to buy Grappo Fizz, who is constantly looking for 'new options'. But they have forgotten that these new-product exploring customers will like to grab more information through either retail stores, or newspapers or internet. But due to lack of poor PR campaign, no information could be found in newspapers or internet. Neither Grappo Fizz is extensively distributed into markets, just after its launch. Parle doesn’t even care to inform their inquisitive customers through its website.

Parle Agro needs to be proactive in marketing and should be a step ahead. Moreover, they should realize the importance of PR campaigns to create successful brands in future.

Dun & Bradstreet... !!!

With all your good wishes, I have been placed in “Dun & Bradstreet”, famously known as “DnB”. Being a business to business (B2B) company, very less consumers know about it. DnB affect everyone’s life all around the world. To let everyone know about the company, I decided to post a blog on it. Following is the company information.

“Dun & Bradstreet”, the world’s leading source of global business information, knowledge and insight, has been enabling companies to “Decide with Confidence®” for over 165 years. Through the D&B Worldwide Network – an unrivaled alliance of D&B and leading business information providers around the world – customers gain access to the world’s largest and highest quality global commercial business information database.

Customers use D&B Risk Management Solutions to mitigate risk, increase cash flow and drive increased profitability, D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions to analyze markets, locate prospects and increase revenue from new and existing customers; D&B Export Marketing Solutions to gain significant insight into overseas markets and increase sales; D&B Financial Education Solutions to facilitate professional growth and excellence among their executives and D&B Economic Analysis Group to derive pragmatic and solution-oriented analyses of strategic economic and business developments, thereby aiding informed decision making.

• The world’s leading provider of global business information, knowledge and insight
• Established in 1841
• Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Present in over 200 countries, in 82 languages or dialects, covering 181 monetary currencies.
• Manages the world’s most valuable commercial database with information on over 131 million business entities
• Annual revenue of US$ 1.6 billion
• Market capitalization of US$ 5.6 billion

Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Pvt. Ltd. (D&B India) started in 1995, offers a wide suite of information solutions and its services are used extensively by banks, financial institutions, multinationals, corporate entities, public sector undertakings, exporters and importers.

To know more : DnB

April Fool's Day...

Enjoy friends! Play pranks on others and have fun. Don't forget to laugh at yourself !!!

Lemony... "LMN" !!!

Yesterday afternoon, after lunch, I went to my nearby retail shop to buy a soft drink. Generally, I tend to buy Thums Up or Coke. But there I saw a new beverage brand, named “LMN”. I liked the packaging, which attracted me towards that brand. Moreover, I was really impressed by name “LMN” as it sounds cool, young, yet meaningful. In today’s times of fast food and speed dating, the name “LMN” seems to be derived from the SMS version of the word lemon. I bought it. Price was reasonable and competitive, as 200ml. tetra pack was of Rs.10. I really liked its taste as it was a nice surprise to me. Unlike other carbonated drinks, “LMN” was a non-carbonated lemon drink on lines of traditional Indian ‘Nimbu-Pani’.

Being an inquisitive marketer, I tried to look up more about the brand. Interestingly, “LMN” is a brand from the house of Parle Agro. My favorite beverage brand, Parle Agro, has always given tough competitions to MNC giants Pepsi and Coke. As an industry pioneer, Parle Agro was the first to introduce fruit drinks in a Tetra Pak in India, the first to introduce apple nectar and the first to introduce fruit drinks in PET bottles. Its brands like Frooti and Appy are successful and have created their own niche.

“LMN” will interestingly get a direct competition from Pepsi’s “Nimbooz”. But, I believe, “LMN” has got better packaging and brand name than “Nimbooz”. The striking green and yellow color makes the pack noticeable and increases its shelf appeal. In the PET offering, the unique bottle design of “LMN” makes it stand apart from the rest. LMN differentiates its appearance from common carbonated lemon drinks like Limca and Mirinda. As per Nimbooz, it looks like another version of Limca, and thus it seems repetitive. LMN feels new and fresh. “LMN” also takes a refreshingly fresh take on lemon, with a catchy tagline – “The Emergency Lemon Refresher”.
Interestingly, "LMN" was everywhere into the market much before its TV commercial, whereas TV ads of "Nimbooz" is on every TV channel, but diificult to find in stores.

I am yet to taste” Nimbooz”, but personally, even if “Nimbooz” tastes better, I would still buy “LMN”. Reason, it being Indian (you know how nationalist I am).

Watch TV ad here: LMN

I salute you Mr. Kamlesh Patel !!!

These days, on Friday late evenings, whenever I call up my loved ones, I get a same reply from all, ‘We are busy watching, Dance India Dance, so can we talk later!’ After months of being neglected on Friday evenings, I decided to check this show out. And believe me or not, I got hooked up to show! I was mesmerized by the emphatic dance performances of the contestants. I saw the whole show with the feeling of awe! I was personally impressed by the prince of popping and locking, “Prince” from Baroda.

But one performance made me cry (you know how emotional I am!). In fact everyone cried, including Mithun Da, the jury, the contestants and the audience. The credit goes to a man named, “Mr. Kamlesh Patel”. I was touched by his performance! As if, I was taught a great lesson of life, by that dance performance. You all must be thinking, what was so special in that performance?

Kamlesh Patel is a physically challenged man. He cannot stand on his legs, as his legs are paralyzed (at the age of 5). So he danced with his hands on Indian patriotic songs! We were all speechless by his performance with moistened eyes. We felt so small in front of him. As Mr. Remo (jury) said, ‘No one in this world can judge this performance’. When everyone was crying, Kamlesh Patel was smiling. I guess he was smiling on God, on the whole world, on us!

Kamlesh Patel had the fortitude and determination to fight against the odds. Even being paralyzed, he never bogged down, practiced dancing and honed his talent. Today, for me he is the man to look up to. He is the man, who teaches us, even in adversities, one shouldn’t accept defeat. Kamlesh Patel is an answer to all those who think, that being physically challenged is a curse.
Friends, learn not to complaint. Instead, learn to fight against the odds and emerge as the winner. And as always, be a step ahead.

Watch his dance performances here:
Kamlesh Patel Video 1
Kamlesh Patel Video 2