Band Aid creates Bonds!

2014-11-27 14.51.47This evening after Trade Fair ki Sair and Cha Bar ka Khana, Gurleen and me went to Gurdwara Bangla Sahib.

There I overheard these 7 kids who sounded a bit worried and got to know that one of them has hurt his Finger. I always carry a Band Aid in my Wallet and offered to help. Saw his Finger which had some internal injury and small Blood Clot had appeared which would normally be healed with passage of time. But to pacify them, I told them to use a Band Aid and on application they seem to be happy. Probably a Psychological effect.

Now, they had seen me clicking a Pic & asked me to click one of them and I obliged. I asked them if they have Mail accounts. None of them did.

One of them pointing a finger towards a Friend said….. “Isko Bhej do, iske Papa ki Sarkaari naukri hai, wohi net karte hai”

Other pointing to another said “Iska Bhai to bahut net use karta hai”

The Ones in School Uniform were Bunking School and were afraid that they may get caught. But then they said…. “Bhaiya, Isko faceBook par daal dena. Pakkra gaya to bol doonga koi aur hai”
Why am I posting this?
Because these Kids asked me to do so!

Also because, Though I had a very Special Day today, however they made it more special.

They made me Smile, They made me feel happy!

#EkKahaniAisi

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Paanch Rupye ka Namak Paara-Karam Ka Khel

A Short Experience on how people Don’t Walk the Talk. This is Story of a ShopKeeper who Show offs that he believes in Karma, but Actually does not.

A few Days ago a Friend posted on Eatlo, enquiring about where he can find Bhaji Boxes in Old Delhi or Karol Bagh.

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And the Query transported me back by 20 years to a wonderful World, when we stayed in Karol Bagh.It was time when there was not even one day when we didn’t have Matthi, Namak para , Gurr ki Mithai, Tossa at our place.

One reason was that we really loved it and also because the best shops were near our place.
So, as soon it finished, I would pick up my Blue Coloured, Hero Ranger Cycle and rush to grab some more.

So, when it was asked on Eatlo, I could not resist commenting and advising to get it from Mohan Sweets in Desh Bandhu Gupta Market, which was my favourite shop there.

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One more reason of this being my Favourite shop was that the Pot Bellied Aged owner would smile seeing me… And would always give an extra piece of Mithai in my hand… irrespective if I bought for Rs 10 or Rs 50.

Today, I was in Karol Bagh for some Work. And as it was Lunch time, I was feeling hungry.
So, I went to Om Corner and had Bhature Cholle.  And then to have some Meetha, headed to nearby Sindhi Corner for Rabri Faluda.

After having my fill, When I was about to come back…… I remembered the post and headed to Mohan Sweets.

The Shop looked the same and brought back many memories.

Even the Salesman behind the Counter was same.

I asked him to pack a 1 Kg Box of Bhaji. In a minute the 48 year old Owner of the shop too joined him and I could remember seeing him Bees Saal pehle.

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(Pic of the Bhaji Box I Bought)

Meanwhile a Group of School Students came there. And one of them Stretched his hand with a Rs 10 note and asked for “Paanch Rupye ke Namak pare” And the Owner Said.. “Chal aage ja”.

Was really astonished to see this attitude of the owner. The kid with his head bowed down walked away.

And I wondered how a Shopkeeper can talk like this. Rather, he should have taken Rs 5 and give whatever the Weighing scale would have justified. Or at the maximum Smiled and  told his inability to do so.

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(The Boy who came to the Shop is one of these Smiling, Beaming School Children. Couldn’t resist capturing their Innocence)

Firstly, he should not have talked to the Kid like this, also who was his Current Consumer, and would have come back ordering MORE in the future. Just Like I have come today!!

 

What was more Ironical is that on the Weighing Scale of the Shop, a Doha of Kabir was written citing the Importance of Karma (Pic Attached)

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(Pic of the DOHA on the Weighing Scale of Mohan Sweets)

One thing is for Sure that he has lost the Customer in me, But If I go to his Place…. Would surely give him another Kabir  Doha… And probably ask him to paste it facing him

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(My planned Gift for the Owner of Mohan Sweets)

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GREEN DREAMS!!

Disclaimer:

No, the thoughts are not Mine…. However much I wish it could be…. as then it would have been a Masterpiece of which I would have been proud for lifetime.

This Mail was shared with me by a gentleman, Mr Arun Arora. I would have met him just twice or thrice, however the mails he forwarded, shaped me into the person I am today.

This Mail was sent on 6th  September 2002. I have read it 100’s of times and each time it make me look up and say “Waheguru Tera Shukkar hai” (Thank you God)

Have a wonderful Time reading it!!

GREEN DREAMS!!

Once there were 3 trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing  their hopes and dreams when the first  tree said,  “Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be  filled with gold,  silver and precious gems. I  could be decorated with  intricate carving and everyone would see my beauty.”

 Then the second tree said,  “Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens
 across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength and my hull.” 

Finally, the third tree said,  “I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest  tree in the  forest. People will see me on top of the hill and  look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how Close to  them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me.”

 


 
 After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said…….

 “This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter”……and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

 
 At the second tree a woodsman said, 
 “This looks like a strong tree, I should be able  to sell it to the shipyard.”  The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
 
 When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was very frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. 
 
 One of the woodsmen said, 
 “I don’t need anything special from my tree so I’ll take this one”, and he cut it down. 

 When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay.

 This was not at all what he had prayed for.

 The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings and queens had come to an end.

 The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.
 
 Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn.
 She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the  first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby,but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.


 
 Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn’t think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said “Peace” and the storm stopped. At this moment the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings.


 
 Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that  it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be close  to God as was possible,! because Jesus had been crucified on it.


 
 The moral of this story is that when things don’t seem to be going our way, we should always know that God has a plan for us, if we place your  trust in Him, He will us great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don’t
 always know what God’s plans are for us. We should know that His ways may not be not our ways, but His ways are always best.
 
 “Sometimes, the heart sees what the eyes can’t” let us keep the  faith….. …and watch things happen… someday we  will realise… there are plans just for us round the corner……. 

 

Ponder, Repeat……….. Ponder Repeat, Smile :-)

 
 

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For a Week, My Bathroom became My Classroom!!

Har Cheez kuch Sikhati hai…… Kabhi Chup rehkar, to Kabhi cheekh cheekh kar hume apni baat samjhati hai!!

(Every Thing around us teaches us something or other… Some times by keeping mum and sometimes by shouting from the roof)

 

And this was experienced by me a few days ago…. When my Geyser TALKED to me…. Yes it did and it didn’t only Talk it gave me a lesson too.

And then Every Next Day, I could hear voices from all the Accessories/Fittings in my bathroom and I wondered why I didn’t listen to them earlier.

 

But I am Glad that I did now…. And that I am sharing it with every one….

April 17, Friday
Day 1:: Geyser

 

While I went for a bath….. I heard my Geyser Say…”Gurpreet, It takes me 30 minutes to heat the water in Winters, but in Summers (now)…. I take only 6 minutes to do so. Just goes on to prove that…. Times keep changing…… But if you are consistent with your efforts, the “Target does get met”…… Sometimes Earlier… Sometime Later…..”

Thinking it to be a one off incident, I Moved on, Only to be surprised the next day too.

Just absorb this fully before going to the next day.

April 18 Saturday
Day 2:: Towel 

Next day, when I heard my Bath towel talking to me , I thought … Either I have gone Crazy or everything in my Bathroom has.
Nevertheless, I was Enjoying…and Learning too, so I listened carefully.

My Towel Said “Gurpreet, You use me rarely. May be for Just for 2 mins a day….. But still I am very very important to you. Just imagine… you have taken a Bath and you are without a Towel??”

And that set my mind thinking….

But the Towel Continued.

“So never Take things For Granted…..However small they are or however less they come in Contact with you….. You would realise its importance only when they are not with you”

 

April 19 Sunday
Day 3:: Bathroom Slippers

 

And the trend continued…….. As It was My Slippers Talking to me next.

 

It said…..”Gurpreet…. Each Person/ Object here in this world has come for a specific Motive. And if you try to change its use….Then it may not perform even 1% of what it is designed for.

Jaise ki….. I’m a chappal…. I can only be utilized when I’m on your feet Protecting you from Dust and Nails on the floor. If I think, That I can become and perform the function of a Glove or Cap which are More delicately handled…. Then I may Loose my character completely.
So….“Be Yourself and Excel rather Aping Others and Failing”.

April 2o Monday

Day 4:: Blank

Now, I was sure that today too there would be something and my expectations were very high.

I kept looking around for some inspiration, Kept my ears glued to any voice I may hear.

But nothing, Juts Nothing.
Probably it was also a lesson that “Stop taking things for Granted. If it is happening, then it is not a surety that this may keep happening!!

April 21 Tuesday
Day 5:: Tap

And then the next day I stepped into my Bathroom, Wondering if the saga continues…. And it did. And today I was surprised by my Tap (Mixer/Faucet).

 

I was Busy adjusting my tap to get the right Mix of Luke warm water for my bath….. But I was failing… The flowing water was either too warm or too cold. And after repeated attempts … I got the right mix in 3 Minutes”

On this my Mixer Tap tells me “Gurpreet, Sometimes it is stroke of Luck or sometimes…… It is sheer Hard Work…… which gives u the right Mix in Life.

So, Just “Work Hard” initially and find Best Mix for you and then keep working hard to maintain it… Till your Priorities Change”

Another Lesson Learnt!!

April 22 Wednesday
Day 6:: Mirror

And then the next day when I entered the Bathroom with least expectations to brush my teeth……. I heard another Voice.

And today it was my MIRROR.

As I looked into it and saw myself … I could hear my mirror saying…..

“Come on Gurpreet, let’s talk FACE TO FACE” and then continued….

Each Person has many facets, which is Good…. But Masks over those Facets is not good.

One can fool everyone in this world… but not yourself. Whenever you see the Mirror, You will only see and hear the truth…. Your Real Self……

Remember to “Be Sincere” to yourself, it will show through the Glow on your Face when you see the Mirror Next!!

And remember to “Smile when you see the Mirror….. If you can Smile for Others, You can Smile for yourself too”

And Since then, I can’t Stop Smiling :-)

 

April 23 Thursday
Day 7:: Soap

Unlike other Mornings when I heard a Loud Confident Voice, Today…. It was a very feeble Voice that called me…..

And when I looked around to see where it came from… I noticed it was from the Soap in my hand!!

It had already been used for 5 days and within next 5 days…. It would be used and finished completely.


In its feeble Whisper/sobbing tone… it said to me
Gurpreet, in order to use me… People rub me every day against them and in the process each day I lose a part of me. I cry at times because I will be finished in a few days.

However since I don’t have an option, I try to find a false solace that I am being of use to someone. But the truth is…… It’s good to help someone, but not at the cost of hurting yourself

If you don’t set your own priorities, then someone else will set it for you. It will be obviously that suits THEM, not YOU!
So take your own Decisions, Don’t Exhaust yourself for others!”

Another Lesson Learnt… Was Desperately Required.

Thanks Saabun Didi!

 

And since then…. I have not heard any more voice……. coming from the Bathroom.

But in hindsight I realise.. that many a times in Malls, Cinemas and even my Car I heard some sounds,but ignored it.

Seems… Now I need to convince them to speak to me again so that I could Listen,Talk, Learn and pen down “Mall Tales” and “Cinema Tales” too :-)

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Sunday image

There is something magical in a Sunday… Seems, it’s not just ours but even God’s Special day!! (Sunday Morning Musings)

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There is something magical in a Sunday…
Seems, it’s not just ours but even God’s Special day…

Every Weekday Morning it’s a pain to wake up from the slumber…
But on a Sunday it takes a minute to get up, irrespective if it’s April or December….

Today Morning when I got up and went to the terrace,
Just loved the cool breeze on my face….

On the terrace, I picked up the Earthen Bowls,
Which are meant for the Fowls.

And as usual, Put Bajra in one and Poured water in another,
And wait for the Birds to Come, Eat, Drink and create a Flutter..

In the meanwhile, when I casually peeped down….
From my terrace could see half of the Town

There is a whole new world that I Witness…..
A world of Love, Work, and not an iota of duress

Milk Man delivering Milk, Door to Door,
And the Newspaper wala aiming his rockets at each floor….

Some of my neighbours, Going for their walk…. 
And Chowkidar Bhaiya.. Washing the cars while indulging with them in a short talk..

And then as I look up, I see a flock of Birds… 
Parrots, Crows, Pigeons All are there……. But I miss seeing Sparrows.

I see them flying from one roof to another……
And What they must be thinking while doing this, I wonder.

With their wings wide open…. They take a flight
And land on a terrace which they think is right…..

And then again in a few minutes, they move to another place,
And I silently request them to come closer, so that I can see their face.

They do Oblige…… And pass close to me as if they are playing a game…..
And I am disappointed as all look the same.

How would they know…. Who’s who?
Or is it just we Humans that can’t see through….

They have their own lives and we have our own……
But they live in a Flock….. And we some times alone.

I just wonder do they sometimes want to be a human,
If they do….. Then I am sure they have a bad acumen.

Now, I notice… The birds coming to my terrace and doing some chatter
Guess they have come to Eat Bajra & Drink some Water,

I Quietly Drift away and let them have their food,
These are the small moments that really make you feel good 

It was a wonderful and thoughtful start to the day….
O My Lord, I Pray make every day as cheerful as a Sunday.

There is something magical in a Sunday…
Seems it’s not just ours, but even God’s Special day…
GST

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Forgive Me Lord, As I Fell for Temptation!!

Usually I Subscribe to 2 Newspapers in Paper Form. Hindustan Times and The Economic Times.

But this Sunday as Destiny would have it, My Newspaper Vendor dropped a Copy of Hindi Daily from Times group, Navbharat Times.

Having extra time at my hand and thinking that Reading a Hindi Newspaper would Brush up my Hindi a bit…. I started reading it.

After turning a few pages in Quick Succession….. I stumbled on an Advertisement from Indiatimes Shopping, Offering “Orpat Room Heaters”, with BOGO Offer.(Buy One Get One) @ Rs 1999/- 

Though the need was not there, but the Product looked Sleek, Was from a Good Company, Features were Good and came along with a Good offer and getting a sense that this winters could be chilly than earlier Years, We decided to order it.

Even with 300 Rs of Delivery Charges, I would have saved 700 Rs on each one.

Within 2 days…. I received the parcel.

The Goods Were as Desired and the Glow on the Face got Brighter.

Sadly the Glow Vanished when I scanned the Box for Additional Features 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The MRP read. Rs. 1290/- and not Rs.1990/- as printed in the Newspaper offer!!

Feeling Cheated….. I started writing this post……

But to ensure that I am not unreasonable….. I explored further and this is what I Found………

 

 

 

 

The price from Indiatimes is THE BEST.

Makes me wonder then why have they tried this strategy of Bloating the MRP and then giving it as a BOGO offer?

Indiatimes.com, Due to this, You would have ALMOST lost a Client!!

And I am sure, for many more who would have not done this additional Study, Indiatimes.com would have been History. And a Bitter one!!

So

“Forgive me Lord, that I fell to Temptation!!”

changed to

“Thank you God, or I would have Sinned by being Unreasonable!!

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I FROZE when I should have MELTED- My Encounter with Actress Amrita Singh

Marriage of “Agent Vinod–Saif Ali Khan” to “Heroine–Kareena Kapoor”…Reminds me of “Chameli–Amrita Singh”.

Amrita Singh has been my first crush since 1987 when I was 9 and watched the Movie “Betaab”.

I was lucky to have the Video Cassette of Betaab back then and have viewed it Multiple times.


Today also I sense an Extra Hop in my step when I hear “Jab hum Jawaan honge, Jaane Khaan honge” and “Badal Yun Garajta hai, Darr kuch aisa lagta hai”

My love for Amrita Singh made me Hate Sunny Deol then…as I treated him as someone who snatched my Girl Friend and is living happily together with their Dog Bozzo.

It was only when I attained the age of 11 that I realized this is a Film and they are playing characters and this was not real life situation.

And when she married Saif Ali Khan………tab se to samjho meri Saif Ali Khan se Dushmani hi shuru ho gayi. (Till the movie “Love Aaj Kal” was released….The Movie which I term to be one of the best I have seen.)

Anyways…all was going well for many years till that day of 9th December 2008.

I was on an Official trip to Mumbai and had just come to my Swiss Junction Showroom after having my lunch at the “Lucknow ke Tunde Kebab” in the food Court of Mega Mall, Oshiwara. It was a wonderful afternoon and since I was at the store and it was a very dull hour for business…. I asked three of my Sales people to go for lunch and come back early.

While composing a mail…..A familiar looking lady just popped in and ushered an 11 year old boy in and requested me to take care of him. I being my usual self started chatting with him and entertaining with some unique toys we had.

He told me in a very heavy American accent that his name is Ibrahim and studies at DhiruBhai Ambani International School. And some other gupshup followed.

In a few Minutes… An Elegantly Dressed lady Walked in, and said “Hey Thanks, for taking care of my Boy”.

Looking at her, I froze for a moment.

Realised that she is AMRITA SINGH and it didn’t take me long to understand that the boy I was talking to, was her and Saif Ali Khan’s Son.

Within a Minute, the Familiar lady who sent Ibrahim, walked in and after a second look I recognized her. She was Navneet Nishan. (Tara)

Now watching my decades old Crush in front of me, I was not able to Say anything or Even Move.

Just then Ibrahim told her Mom that he wants to buy that toy…priced at Rs. 590/-

I packed it and told her that this is a Gift (Punjabi hu na…)… to which she refused sternly.

So I said “Ok Will give a 50% discount on the same for the regard I have for her….And all the while I was shaking”

And when she handed over her Amex Platinum Card to my shaking hands…I punched Rs 2.95 instead of Rs.295. Which she realized while signing and got my attention towards it in Punjabi. “Eh ki Kita?”

Sensing my mistake……I again swiped it for Rs. 295/-

 

Realising my nervousness…she hugged me and thanked me (na jaane kyu), before leaving.

These Preserved Credit Card Slips are a testimony to my claim :-)

I have never been in awe of any celebrity….but for Amrita Singh….it’s different. And that is probably the only reason that I remember and relish that Instance even today.

Would have loved to share Ibrahim’s pic here too….But since he is very very young……Avoided it.

I don’t know how to end this Blog….. So am posting this image of hers published recently by Hello!! magazine with her Daughter Sara Ali Khan which shows she is as Beautiful today as she was 20 years ago.

 

Originally posted on http://www.koimoi.com/bollywood-news/i-froze-when-i-should-have-melted-koimoi-com-reader-talks-about-his-encounter-with-amrita-singh/

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The Gift of Lessons, My Gifting Company Taught Me.

This is my Real Life Story and I wanted to share with everyone.  I learnt a few Lessons from my experience which I think would be beneficial for fellow Entrepreneurs. I am still using those learning’s today and have tried to not repeat those mistakes again

 

It’s been 16 years, When I joined National Institute of Sales (NIS, part of NIIT group). Even before my Senior Secondary Exams were over in 1996, I had applied and started my “Advance Diploma in Sales and Marketing.”

 

While crossing the room of my NIS Centre Head one day, I overheard her talking about the requirement of Some Sling Pens (Pens with a thread around it, to wear it around your neck, specially used by promoters) for an upcoming Event. She was sharing with a faculty her disappointment of not getting a vendor to procure them.

 

By that evening, I talked to some people and got to know a manufacturer and I went there and got some samples.

Next day, I presented them to Centre Head and told her that I can fulfill the requirement. Oh my, was she delighted!!! She asked for the price, in which I had already added my margin of 50% and she placed the order for 1000 Pens Immediately.

 

I had some savings and ordered for the pen and immediately and gave them a delivery of 1000 Pens in 5 days and pocketed a cool Rs. 5000. A big Amount back in 1996 and definitely my biggest earning (Not my First, as I had made some money by putting up, Pepsi and Dart Stalls at Diwali Melas earlier)

 

Enthused, I opened a company, Oriental Sales.

 

Lesson — There are people who are out there looking for your Product, and are as desperately looking for a Seller like you, as much as you are looking for a Buyer

 

And after that the orders kept pouring, pouring to an extent that I even sponsored some Gifts for their events.

Word Spread and I got orders from NIIT, Khadi Gram Udhyog Bhawan, A Big Transport Company too.

Then the Diwali Season came, and I thought of selling Wall calendars too.

One fine Morning when I was getting my Rajdoot 350 Bike Serviced, I went inside a Neighboring Apparel shop and told them if they are looking for any diwali gifts, then we can supply them. And they asked for samples.  I went back after a day and got an order for 1000 calendars @ Rs 7. The margin was very low, but being my first big order, I didn’t want to say no as that would have stopped my learning process.

Since, I didn’t have that kind of money; I took a loan from a friend and serviced that order.

Still remember those 3 nights, wherein the entire family would sit in Drawing room, Kept Rolling Calendars, Placed a Rubber band over it and then putting it in a cardboard box.

Lesson: Later I realized that the Calendar order helped me think Big and I got to know the nitty gritty’s of Printing, Designing, Arranging the finances and delivering a Big order

Lesson If your Product is good, Getting Big Names as Clients isn’t tough.

 

In fact, I was even referred to AMITY UNIVERSITY by NIIT, who used to do training for their staff. Those Days Amity University was run from a small campus in South Extension.

I was asked to meet a certain Mr. Chauhan and I reached there at the appointed time. However, he got engaged in some work and could not turn up for the meeting.

And, as I was busy with my Studies and work which was already pouring, I didn’t bother to follow that lead and it ended there. Today Amity University is the Biggest University in India and their order for just one category is bigger than what Big Bazaar makes from 5 Stores.

 

Lesson :Set your Priorities, but do keep visiting them to ensure that they are set rightly. Also, try to catch things young, so that you Grow with them and they with you.

 

While all this was happening, I was also going to my dentist to get a problem Cured. And while discussions, I did mentioned about my part time work. He, being a devoted Disciple of a “Sadhu Maharaj” wanted me to make some Photo Frames with Sadhu jee picture to be distributed. And I said yes, and shared some samples and thinking that the order would be small, added a BIG margin, to cover my transportation and other costs.

Yes, I did receive the order and it was 5 times the size I thought and at the same quoted price.

Delighted I was, and then Orders from him kept pouring…………Key Chains, Pens, School Bags, Pencil Boxes, Travelling bags etc. Believe me; I made enough money from him, than I had made from any big corporation.

Lesson: Baat karne se baat banti hai. Never underestimate any order and a Buyer.

There are opportunities available,which we think never exist.

 

I had a habit to learn everything, but at the end left everything to the experts and just observed. Even If there was something amiss, I would voice my opinion and leave it to the expert for his judgment.

While servicing one order of Clocks, The printing was skewed by the Screen printer and even the Logo colour did not match. Though I was there at a very late hour, while printing was happening, but did not realize the colour Difference as it was Dark. And when I did mention to the screen printer about the skewed printing, he said “Sir, Sab bariya hai, aaap chinta na kare”. And I agreed.

Ultimately, the order was rejected by the company, and I since it was a customized product, it was of ZERO value to me, hence I sold it to them at half the price and suffering a loss.

Lesson: This taught me that one needs to handle Customised orders very delicately and even if you have an expert with you, don’t let your views go down the drain. After all it’s your Money and your reputation at stake.

 

 

After some time, I decided to explore the Pamphlet route. And got 20,000 pamphlets worth Rs 1000/- distributed on a Sunday Morning.

Next Day morning,I received a call from a BengalI Gentleman who ran a Travel Agency and requested us to present him with gift options which could be given to Embassy officials and should have an Indian touch and should be big in size.

For 5 days, I didn’t have a clue of what we could offer and wanted to make it work as this was the only call I received after distributing the pamphlets.

One day I had gone to Panchkuian road to have my Favourite Samosas from Frontier Samosa and while there noticed a Lamp shop and went inside to get one for my side table. Once there, I noticed a big Earthern Ganesha Lamp and it struck my mind. I brought one and showed it to him and he immediately liked the lamp and we struck a deal of 100 such lamps in which I made Rs 20.000

Lesson: Even a small investment of Rs 1000 could get big results.

If you work towards the benefit of the client, your mind starts working as his and you see from his point of view and hence serve better.

Just 1 lucky pamphlet out of the total 20000 worked for me and returned by investment many times.

 

All this while, I was the lone soul who was managing the work, from getting orders, Dealing with Vendors, Designing the Matter, Collecting payments, Delivering the product, Everything!!

Now it was time for me to expand my business.

I always wanted to explore new places, go to places where people like me do not visit, do the things supposed to be contrarian.

Though I was not able to do it as much as I can, but I am really happy that I did visit “Chor Bazaar” regularly. Chor Bazaar literally means the “Market of Thieves”. For the uninformed, Chor Bazar used to be a Sunday Bazaar, wherein people would gather every sunday to sell their wares at the ground behind the Red Fort. The wares were a mix of Second Hand Goods, Goods sold as Junk to Kabari Wala, Some factory rejects and yes, as the name suggest, some goods which have been stolen. The wares ranged from Clothes, Tyres, Electronic Goods, Shoes, Kitchen Ware, Sports Goods, Furniture etc. And in between those stalls were many small make shift eateries too.

Once, when I was there, I got hold of an ITPO Trade Fair Directory for the year 1995, which somebody must have sold to kabari wala. It caught my attention and in a spur of a moment I paid Rs 15 for that 400 page directory and walked away.

After 6 Months, when I was looking to expand my business, I thought of posting letters to my clients and framed one.  Now, the problem was who to send and I realized that I have that directory and dug it out and got labels printed to be pasted on the envelopes. Within a week of that I posted 100 letters and was struck to my home phone (No Mobile or pagers then), anticipating atleast 20 enquiries. NONE CALLED!!

Disappointed I thought of visiting some of them.

One such address was in Karol Bagh. Reaching there, I realized that this was just a city admin office and the boss and his men used to sit in Badli Industrial Area which is 40 kilometers away. I took the boss’s Number and he asked me to visit his office.

Now, Badli was an Industrial town and not very easily approachable then.  I had seen a DTC bus pass my house, with BADLI on it. So the next day, I travel 35 kms to reach Badli and realized that my destination is still 5 kms away. With limited money in my pocket and the fear that I may spend all in hiring a rickshaw, I walked a while, took a Lift and again walked a while and reached that Tyre Tube Factory. On Meeting Mr Jain, who was the right Hand of Boss, he told me that they want to order some stuff and asked me to come again with more Samples.

There I go again to Badli after 2 days with a heavy bag flung on my shoulders. And got an order of Rs 50,000/- along with an advance of Rs 10,000/-. The initial order was Rs 35,000/- but me being from a marketing bent of mind, told them that as “Puncture wala bhaiya” is the main influencer, they should give a free Customised Keychain which would tempt the puncture man to sell their product more, which the liked and hence the additional Rs 15000 order.

Lesson: The best of leads happen from the unlikeliest of places. In this case a Directory from Kabarri bazaar.

Every marketing effort may not yield immediate returns. In this case, nil revert to my 100 letters.

If you are willing to take a step ahead towards your Goal, You goal too Reciprocates double. In this case my visit to Karol Bagh.

As it was a big order, I had to loan some amount from my father with a promise to return it within 2 months. Within a month, the goods were delivered and I waited anxiously for my payments. Been 2 months, I kept calling them repeatedly and they had some silly reason or other. When I insisted, they would call me to Badli and Pay Rs 5000/-. And in this way, I was always tense and just wasted all my energies on recovering the payment, rather than utilizing it on getting new orders.

Finally after 6 months of follow up I got my payments, but with this bitter experience, was not as enthusiastic to pursue further.

Lesson : Always share your Experience/Knowledge with your clients that they can gain. In this case Key Chain offer got me 30% additional order. And from their feedback, they achieved 10% additional sales per month after the Key Chain initiative

Never Bet all your Money on one person.

If you have committed a mistake, then Book the Loss and move on, just trying to make it work will not lead you anywhere.  I very clearly remember a story from Mr Kishore Biyani’s Book.  “It Happened in India”.  Betting big on White Shirts, he ordered 1 Lakh White Shirts to be manufactured. And eventually, when they didn’t sell, He decided to call it a mistake and sell it for less than his cost, rather than holding it an waiting for it to sell in 3 years. Not many Companies did this during those days.

In business Ups and Downs happen, don’t be Super Excited or Super depressed with any development.

Honestly, this instance did hurt me a lot and everyone dissuaded me to end this.

And I did what they told me…………….Oriental Sales died…………….and all my hopes of nurturing it into the Best Corporate Gifting Company died too.

Yes, I did Lose a battle, but the Lessons I learnt helped me Win a War!!

Originally Posted at http://therodinhoods.com/profiles/blogs/the-gift-of-lessons-my-gifting-company-taught-me?xg_source=activity on 16 June 2012 at www.theronhoods.com

 

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International Youth Forum 2012, The Long and Shorts of it!!

I was lucky enough to be at the 1st International Youth Forum, organized in India between 24th to 28th June 2012. This was an eye-opener and wanted to share some Snippets in regards to same. Some may be relevant to all and some may be only to me, but I shared what I felt like……The LONGS……and the SHORTS too


• Have never stayed in a Hostel since I left Bishop Cotton School, Simla on Nov 30, 1989. (Need to admit many of my fellow Delegates, were not even born by then).

• So, nice to see that the youth of today is clear in what they want and where they want to be. The route may not be clear to them, but the Destination is.

• Never have I seen So Many Enterprising youth and one place. Contrary to the common perception, that today’s Youth wants to play safe by getting a Govt Job, I Noticed here that Delegates are open to take Risks and think out of Box solutions for their own benefit along with it taking care that the Society is Benefitted at Large too.

• Never had I Sweated “So much” in such a short Span of time. (No AC’s/Coolers in our rooms). An estimate would say, I sweated enough in one night that I would do usually in a week.

The Vibes at this place were so so positive; it could illuminate a City like Delhi for 10 days.

• I have never every been so much CLICKED in such a Short Time. Hope to see some good Pics Now.

• Loved to be awake till 4 in the morning every night and discuss issues with all delegates and even chip with a game of MAFIOS.

• Have never met so many intellectual youth from so varied Geographical Locations spanning Towns, Cities, States, Countries and Continents.

• It was like the brain was working at twice the speed as we had some amazing discovery learning while brainstorming Ideas amongst us.

• I really get disturbed when I see some people sharing unauthenticated Information and Bash Govts, Media, Policies, Ideas. Good to realize that, The ALERTNESS of Few is Big enough to compensate for the IGNORANCE of many.

• I agree that Everybody does not, and cannot think on the same lines, but I am happy to see that the Paucity of ideas from one Individual is compensated by the Excess of Ideas and Passion from someone else

• It was indeed an Great Experience to listen the experiences of some of the speakers specially, Mr Gupta from Goonj, Mr Osama Manzar, First Indian Master Chef Mrs Pankaj, Prateek Shah, Delegates from Milna India, Art of Living Delegation and the Best and most inspiring Dr. Shashi Tharoor

• I have been more or less an Indian Person who wanted to Explore. At IYF, I got an excellent opportunity to meet many,many,many Like Minded Individuals and I salute their spirit of making a change that has made them travel for long hours and invest their Resources in bringing a change.

• I shared my view with most of the delegates here that we all are winners as We all have come here to discuss in regards to Development of this wonderful place called EARTH which we have inherited from our Forefathers. And it’s not OURS as We have to bequeath it to over children. With a responsibility to give them MORE than we inherited.

“You can wake up a person who is sleeping but not one who is pretending to be asleep, but here we were YOUTH of today, who does not sleep till his dreams are met”. (Only to stay awake again to fulfill our next dream)


With our Work, Let us ANNOUNCE to One and All that WE The Delegates of IYF2012, have in US what it takes and we will create a road where none exists, just to make this World a better place to live in.
Gurpreet Singh TIkku
Email—[email protected]
Facebook—www.facebook.com/gurujee13
Twitter—-@gurujee13
Blog——www.gurpreetsinghtikku.com

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