Still Figuring Out...

  The title might sound absurd to many of you living in metros, but if you have ever lived in a small town (Population ranging from 1 to 2 million), you might agree! If you have grown up watching or reading those fictional fairytale-like stories imagining yourself as the protagonist of the story, trust me! those things actually happen in small towns. To boost your imagination, if you have seen the "Gilmore Girls" web series - the fictional town "Stars Hollow" life is what I am talking about here with " la la la..." playing in the background. I have lived in such a town for almost 15 years and looking back now I can totally resonate. In small towns, everyone is friendly, there are big bungalows, clear air, the weather's not too hot and the vibe is very peaceful. I never fully appreciated the unique charms of growing up away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. It's only now, after spending nearly as much time living in metropolitan areas, t...

  Let me begin by clarifying two key marketing terms. Brand image refers to how consumers perceive a brand, while brand identity represents what a company intends its brand to embody. Now, think of these concepts in personal terms: your brand identity is who you believe you are or aspire to be, and your brand image is how others perceive you. If your brand image aligns perfectly with your brand identity, that's excellent—it means you're communicating and presenting yourself effectively. However, if there's a disconnect, you're certainly not alone. It’s common to receive feedback from friends or family that surprises you, making you think, "That's not me at all!" Why does this happen? Often, it's because we blur the lines between who we think we are and who we want to be. So, how can you determine your own brand, or how others view you? Start by engaging in conversations with a mix of people—new friends, old friends, and family. Don't explicitly ask...

  Why is it often so challenging to explain our jobs to our parents? Is it truly that complex, or might it be that we don’t fully grasp our own roles? I believe that most corporate jobs, about 90%, are actually quite straightforward—they're just adapted to contemporary ways of working. The corporate world does love its jargon, which, while sometimes necessary for precision, often complicates simple concepts unnecessarily. If you really want to help your parents understand what you do, start with the broader context. Explain that every company, whether it deals with products or services, is actually running some kind of business. From there, you can narrow down to describe what you specifically do within that framework. This approach not only helps your parents understand your work but can also clarify your own understanding of your role. I hold the conviction that if parents truly grasp what their children do professionally, they might offer insights that seem irrelevant at first b...

Lucky are those for whom the above-mentioned go hand-in-hand! Well, I am not one of those and I am okay with it. For most of us, clarity is a major issue, we exactly don't know what is our passion, or what we want to do. and many times by the time we figure it out, it is either too late or our circumstances might not allow us to pursue it. I am one of the classic cases of a typical Indian born in the late 90s, was a school topper, prepped for JEE for two years, couldn't crack IIT, went to NIT, was a software engineer for 2 years, couldn't excel in that and did not find content in it, so did an MBA, I thought I am a great fit for marketing, so currently working as a Brand Manager. Well, I have found some solace in my current job but I don't find it challenging enough (Maybe the science love in 15-year-old me kicked in). Due to certain personal reasons, I am now planning to transition into product management in tech. Here I am, still piecing together what I truly want to...