Is Marketing really required to sell quality products

There’s a saying by Nick Besbeas of LinkedIn fame that “Today it's important to be present, be relevant and add value." Your quality product sure adds value to the customers’ choice and money. But marketing that quality product ensures that its presence and relevance remain intact in customers’ minds.      

Nowadays, Marketing has become an integral part of any business. In fact, marketing of products in this modern era has lot of aspects associated with it. With the development of technological miracles, digital marketing has become very effective tool for marketing. For example, in 2014 Parliamentary election, the BJP adopted various strategies/approaches and during these strategic formations BJP experimented with digital marketing and social media marketing techniques quite effectively.

Despite the fact that Mr. Narendra Modi was an effective leader, marketing him effectively was very much fruitful. We can apply this analogy for marketing of good-quality products as well. Quality products will almost always satisfy the customers. But, marketing the quality products will increase the brand- awareness for them leading to capture larger customer base to use the products. And, as the products are of good quality, it will always help to increase the product sales. As we know quality is defined by the producer but it is ultimately judged by the customer so it is very necessary to market the quality product

Generally a simple perspective people used to follow while selling a quality product is that “A good product sells itself and selling is easy” but it is a big myth, especially the product experts/technical experts of the companies never give credit to the marketing and selling practices of that product. They feel that if products are technically strong, fulfilling the needs, then marketing will be of zero use.

However, with the use of various tools nowadays like Google Analytics, the customer behavior can be tracked and accordingly actions can be taken to market some product as per the customer behavior. This customer-centric marketing is a very effective way of marketing products very economically. It is expected that because of good quality of products, the customers already using the products will remain loyal with them. But, effective marketing will increase the customers which will ultimately increase the sales.

So, effective marketing actually complements good quality products, ensuring loyalty of existing customers in tandem with attracting new customers.

Waste water management – the required way out!

At just 21, he is the youngest among all the IMPALSIANS, but he is the most sought after team member too! He joined us as an intern three months ago but since then has made such a powerful impact with his work that surprised one and all.

Today we are highlighting the journey of our bright Graphic Design intern Aakarsh Raj.

He hails from Bokaro, in the state of Jharkhand, a 2 hours drive from Ranchi, home to one of India’s most successful captains Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Akarsh was the youngest member of the Raj family too, pampered and loved by two elder sisters. He completed his SSC from DAV Kathara and HSC from DAV Swang in the Science stream. He was an average student in school, and his true interest and talent were in drawing and painting from a very tender age even without formal training.

He was only 9 years old when he lost mother who passed away after prolonged illness. Like talent, tragedy doesn’t spare tender aged either, and this loss left a vacuum in his life forever. His sisters never let him feel the absence of their mother though, pampering and showering him with love to the utmost. However, this experience made him self-caring and taught him the lesson in responsibility.

As both his sisters would be out in colleges and their father, who would be out on duty for long hours with his job in coal industry in Jharkhand, he, at times, had to spend with himself taking recourse to his interest in drawing which gradually became finer.

After 12th, he cleared entrance exam for pursuing Engineering, but didn’t feel inclined towards the grinding of Engineering! He found a supportive family in this moment of career decision. He decided to pursue Economic Honours, landed up in the City of Joy – Kolkata, and got admission in Asutosh College, one of Calcutta’s reputed colleges.        
He cleared the first year of Economics Honours, but unfortunately could not clear all the subjects in the first attempt and was not promoted to the second year.  According to the college rule, he was to reappear for the whole first year again as he was from Science stream.

He followed the rigorous process but soon felt de-motivated, and decided to give up on his studies. His family supported him again and motivated him to pursue what likes the best.
He listened to his heart’s call.

He decided to pursue Graphic Designing and that decision brought him to the city of Pune, where he started staying with elder sister who was a working professional in Pune. Akarsh joined MAAC Institute for his Graphic Designing course.

Once the course was over, he was looking for some organizations where he could take up an internship stint to gather some hands-on experience.

He was all set to look out for opportunities, but then a strange thing took place. The guy who was happy go lucky suddenly was embraced by Anxiety disorder. And that too in such a way that he started getting anxiety and panic attacks. His first attack lasted for almost a few hours and which scared him to the core.

At first he was unaware as to what exactly was happening to him but then he started researching about it on his own. For almost four months, he never moved out of his house alone as he was just scared of anything and anyone that came his way. He realized that he was getting panic attacks but was adamant on the fact that he would not undergo any harsh medical treatment for it since the medication could have some different side effects of depression as well. This decision was the true elixir of his life. He reassured himself for a moment and decided that he could come out of that phase on his own.  He read many articles on the internet and found out that Meditation is the key to calm down his anxiety.

He followed a strict regime to come out of this nightmare. Since he was suffering from sleep deprivation in this phase, firstly he started listening to sleep meditation videos due to which he could at least fall asleep. Mornings then started by his meditation by around 4am-5am, followed by pranayam, walking and yoga. Two hours of his day were strictly dedicated to this routine and he saw to it that nothing could obstruct it.

It was his sheer determination that helped him come out of the darkness as per one of his own favorite quotes from the movie Harry Potter: “Dark times lie ahead of us and there will be a time when we must choose between what is easy and what is right”. This truly inspired him and transformed him into a responsible and matured person. The idea of joining internship was still on his mind and he got a chance at IMPALS as a Graphic Design intern. He joined us in January’18 and from that time he was made a lasting impression on all of us by his dedication and hard work. Graphic Designing is his passion and he is well focused on it, come what may. Nothing can deter him from his focus and stop him from getting IMPALSIFIED. This quality of him has grabbed him an opportunity to become a full time IMPALSIAN after his internship period is over.

To throw light on some other aspect of him, he has almost 113k followers on Instagram, on his page “Petrifying Pen”. He posts shorts stories, quotes, designs etc on Instagram on a daily basis. He is a homely person so he spends most of his time in his house with his laptop exploring new trends in his field. His further plans are to complete his graduation through distance learning and get himself a degree.

From “Playing Alphabets” to “Petrifying Pen”, that the journey of our brilliant intern Aakarsh Raj. He is a true inspiration to today’s youngsters and shows us that with strong determination brings fruits of success along with it.

Team IMPALS is proud of you. Keep up the good work & get IMPALSIFIED every day.

Why to choose startups for career growth

After completing our academics, one question that hovers over us is how to choose the right career path. We aspire to work with a well known brand as we dream to be successful because we always associate success with big fat compensation we receive. Also, it makes us feel proud when we quote about it to our relatives and friends. But one thing that we never think about is “Will I get to use my skills and my knowledge over there?” 

This is why we also need to contemplate other options.  If not a well known brand, then should I take up a job at an organization which is started recently and is in its growing stage? But many a time we do not think of this option because of the money factor. We opine that startups do not pay well. May be true or may be not? But, in fact, joining a start up would be more beneficial rather than joining a MNC. Let’s find out why?

At times the reality is that while working with the MNCs at the entry level we tend to become followers and that gets tagged with us forever. Once a follower always a follower! We are used to follow instructions from our superiors. Every day is the same day with nothing new to explore. The work you do is done by many others as well and you are just a part of the team. It’s a kind of monotonous job till the time you reach at a middle or higher level. The only reward you get is the financial reward at the end of each month.

Accepting the fact that startups are not that good payers but in a startup, even at an entry level, you are a leader/an initiator, and you have a free hand to utilize your skills to the fullest. You are allowed to experiment with your creativity and share your ideas. You have to daily face new challenges and you strive hard to complete the same, and that’s the motivating factor. You get recognized for your efforts and that in turn boosts your confidence. You become a contributor to the success of the organization.

Another factor is the experience you can gain in a startup. The experience here is not limited only to your domain. You are free to help others and show your skills in other areas where required. You get exposure to new responsibilities and new learning opportunities which means you can step in various shoes and as result every time can learn something new. Learning in a startup is a never ending process, you learn as you grow. Every responsibility will be unique. And gaining maximum experience should be a major driving force rather than money when you are in your early career.

The hierarchy here is different compared to a corporate. Here the seniority factor is not that important. You are the owner of your own work. Although you are free to approach anyone from the team you think will be able to help you. You are not limited to access. You can even access the management as and when required. You can share your vision, your creative ideas, can discuss about the company’s growth strategy and give suggestions as well to your management.  This helps you build a sense of ownership in you which is helpful for you in the long run of your life.

Let’s also not deny that you have to go through a lot of pressure in a startup, burn your hands many times, but the end result would be really satisfying. If you survive this pressure, you will be able to handle any difficult situation going ahead, as you become tough. You actually have to work for extra hours here but that is going to pay you for the hard work. That is going to make you ready when you reach a higher position in your professional tenure, because once you are at a middle or higher level you are expected to work for more hours than your subordinates. Putting in extra hours while working in a startup already makes you ready for the next level.  One day of absence would make a lot of difference to the organization, where as in a MNC even ten days of leave would not make any difference to your contribution.

Startups can be considered as a stepping stone for your career. Money should not be a driving factor but a good learning opportunity should be. The urge of learning something new, the motivation to face challenges everyday will help you grow in your life. Once these factors are imbibed in you, success will automatically be a part of your life. You can find ways to come out of any difficult situation that you are in.

 Arguably, startups can also be a setback for someone, but it’s up to you how you look up to it. You have to tell yourself “I can do it”, and this “I can do it” attitude is what will help you survive. Struggle will be a part but this struggle will make you tougher and help you go miles in future. These struggles will make you a part of the growth and success of the startup. You will be proud of yourself and your achievements.

So, decide for yourself, what you want to be, A Gladiator or a Trail Blazer.