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Shweta Brijpuria

~ Author of Dark White

Shweta Brijpuria

Category Archives: growth

The Branding Logic

22 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in aspiring authors, author, authors, blog post, bloggers, book, book lovers, book reading, books, bookworms, Brand, Branding, education, genre, growth, life, love, Marketer, novel, Publishers, Publishing, Publishing houses, readers, reading, story writing, Uncategorized, work, write, writers, Writing

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Last 40 years has seen a fight between the human mind and the men who create Brands.

There are many products and many Brands. Human brains waste time guessing which brand is the best and why is it the best. While the Brand Gods spend their time thinking how to make a space for their brand within the human mind. They also ponder on how to prevent the minds from forgeting about the brand when its time to take out the wallet and purchase. 

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Branding
Branding is a science just like cooking, playing or driving. The right ingredients cooked at the right temperature creates the right dish for the right occasion, so, that the right person praises it and you.

To develop the right dish or formular, you need an alert mind, right time and, practice. Only then can the game be won.

Branding is also an art as the men who create Brands are expected to be creative. In realtity it is a combination of art and science. It takes creativity to conceive a piece of art but requires the  science of research, to gain an in-depth understanding about the subject.

The men of Branding
People who create brand are often termed as politicians. They are devils as they play with human emotions to attract consumers. They make advertisements, packs and other materials to reach to their consumer through every way. They sweeten the deal by offering freebies to entice customers to buy. However, human minds don’t realise these things are not done to trap consumers but to ensure that the benefits of the products are well known.

People and Brands
Brands inform people of the quality and features of a product. However, to inform human minds about the existence of brands, the men of branding hammer about the existence 24×7 on television channels. This causes consumers to flip the channels instead of learning more about the product and brand. 

Brands will keep making attempts to make lives better, knocking on doors and entering whichever way possible. A balance needs to be reached to ensure consumer education without causing irritation. 

Eleven years of my career in Branding, I have learnt patience is important. I am lucky to have received such a lovely exposure and so, I couldn’t help but share some of the insights into the branding process.

Writing the climax of your book

15 Sunday Mar 2015

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in aspiring authors, author, authors, blog post, bloggers, book, book lovers, book reading, Book review, books, bookworms, Climax of the novel, genre, growth, how to write a book, life, love, Motivation, Ne book, new beginning, novel, Publishers, Publishing, Publishing houses, readers, reading, story writing, thriller, write, writers, Writing

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We are characters and life is our stage. We live life every day, every hour and every second. If we claim that the situations we are surrounded with are pretty surprising then we are not being true to ourselves.

We know exactly ‘why’ we do the things we do and the probable outcomes of these actions. We are only reluctant about being proactive because we like having control over situations and deciding the outcome of the story.

‘The Story of Life’

A few days ago I read that everything can be slated by a person’s willpower including his birth and death. I wasn’t surprised by this interpretation of life. My lack of disbelief comes from the stories I heard as a child – stories about Indian mythology, supernatural powers, and about God and how he would grant us wishes. My belief or disbelief in the creator aside, there are many examples of human greatness. People with strong willpower have created history and become Gods of the Era.

I live my life with the belief that while I carve the climax of my life, I should occasionally stop to remember the fun times that occurred as I walked the path. So, it is important that I live life to the fullest; for if the journey is not fun would I visit those times again and again.

As I near the climax of my next Novel, I felt the desire to revisit my journey from a single idea to the climax. The power of thinking, the power of believing can help you create anything, work miracles.

When I write, I have the power to create not just the climax but also the complete story. With life the power rests with me and the Almighty. He gives me the wisdom to make the right decision but he probably does not retain the power to edit my life story or the climax of it. There is a tussle between the creator and the created. This tussle exists only because he gave us the power to think and act. All he has given himself the charge of is the incentives and fines. We receive incentives for all the right that we do and are fined for all the wrong we do. He could just grant us our desires but he controls or tempers our actions by tying us to the karma of time. I ask him to give me the wisdom to make the right decision while I live my life story and write a story, so that the climax is worthwhile.

As a writer, I have decided the climax of my novel. Whether it is correct or not, I do not know. I will share my story with you soon and then you will be able to decide if my story and climax lives up to expectations.

Happiness is infectious and in my happy mood pleased with the fruit of my labor, I wish you a happy life.

God bless!


 

Winds of Change

30 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in author, authors, blog post, bloggers, book, book lovers, book reading, books, bookworms, change, Family, family time, growth, India, life, love, mother, Motivation, Parents, readers, reading, travel experience, Uncategorized, work, writers, Writing

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They never inform you before coming, but arrive when you need them the most,
They keep you waiting till you wish for them with all your heart,
They come when all your tricks are played and have no capacity left for mischief,
They make sure that you are in pure state of body and mind.

Many fear change but change can be good, it makes you feel alive.

I came to this realization when I was in college. Throughout my childhood, we had shifted from home to home every two years. This change brought excitement, new surroundings to explore and new experiences to enjoy. When I was in college, we had lived in the same home for four years without shifting and it was puzzling, I was, we were craving the excitement of our next move.

I went to mother to find out ‘when’ we would shift again. She laughed and told me, ‘When you finally find a place you love, you settle in forever. No one has had any complaints about our home and instead of moving, we will be buying the house.’

I was stunned and disappointed. No more shifting meant no more adventures. The winds of change would be gone forever.

My mum could see the disappointed and she said to me, ‘Just because we have stopped shifting the adventure is not over. Now that you kids have grown up, it is time that instead of making you a part of our adventures we give you a chance to have your own adventures. You will have peace till complete your education. Once you are done, the world will be waiting for you with open arms. The winds of change take you on an adventure and the values that we have imbibed in you will help you change directions, challenge and guide you to do what’s right.’

She was inspiring and even today, when I stand at the rift that the winds of change has brought I remember what she said to me. It helps me decide right and more right.

A recent travel experience

02 Sunday Nov 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in author, book, book reading, country, growth, India, nature, novel, society, travel, travel experience, work, Writing

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I recently took a trip to a small village near my native place to seek blessings from Kula Devi. As we journey to the village, we traveled across the best and worst roads in MP. One of these kachha rastas was a never ending muddy road between green pastures. It was a beautiful sight and we were tempted to get out and walk around.

But we couldn’t!

This area was the source of inspiration for movies like Kayamat se Kayamat tak, Virasat, Shakti etc. It is well known as a home of ruthless individuals, savages, with two or more murders to their names. It is said that these individuals would send their kids to the city to studies and work, encourage them to never return while proudly boasting about their crimes.

I had no words to describe our shock and horror as our driver told us these real life horror stories.

On our way home, we experience another upsetting sight – a long line of people were waiting to see an Ojha baba that could cure all ailments and pains. We stopped and watched as this man chanted in a high pitched voice and sprinkled water of the ill. If anyone complained of pain after his healing, he coerced them into believing they were fine and then asked them to donate to build a temple. 

We asked around and learnt that this man was no spirituality leader but a government employee who had been doing this for 10 years as social service.

This trip was an eye opener. It made me ask myself many questions – what kind of world do we live? How can people behave like this? Why do we behave like civilized individuals out of India but not within India? Why do we follow blindly?

It also brought the realization that for India to grow, we need to stop following blindly and think for ourselves. I pray if prayers really work, that we Indians gain the wisdom to make the right choice.

We are the world

12 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in author, change, country, girl, girl child, growth, India, international girl child day, life, society, Uncategorized, women, women empowerment, Writing

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Screenshot2012-09-05at33340PM

The birth of a child is a cause for celebration. Do not lament if it is a girl. Simply, rejoice the arrival of this precious little one. For she will bring joy to your lives and smiles on your faces.

Always remember, if you are a parent to a girl, you are blessed. If you have adopted a girl child, you are blessed.For this tiny being turns into a wife and mother and her hands are the ones that shape the future of our world.

girl-child-day

When a child is born, a mother is his first teacher. What she was taught, she will teach. So, educate and empower, every girl child, treat her with respect that every human being deserves and she will make a huge difference to humanity.

On October 11 International Day of a Girl, come let’s celebrate. If you are a man, celebrate your mother, sisters, wife and daughters. If you are a woman, celebrate being a girl.

 

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Adding ‘’Author’’ before my name.

26 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in author, book, book reading, growth, novel, Uncategorized, work, Writing

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The biggest challenge to become an author is the first step, which no one can take for you. It is a decision you must make on your own.

I knew I had the passion to write and I wanted to become an Author and in 2012, I finally took the first step by quitting my job. After all, if you want to become something you have to try.

People and Reactions

There were a few skeptics who thought taking a sabbatical from a promising career was crazy but thankful my immediate family and close friends were extremely supportive.

Today, by God’s grace and well wishes of my dear ones I am able to manage both – a career as an author and a brand manager.

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 The biggest challenge to become an Author

My biggest challenge was convincing myself to take that first step, which transformed a brand manager and an introvert poet into an author capable of telling a captivating and dramatic tale. I learnt that to succeed, you have to be positive and believe in yourself because aspirations are WHITE, deep within the heart, but the path is difficult and often very DARK.

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The Book: Which was the most difficult to develop – plot or characters?

I had many ideas for my first storyline. Narrowing down to one plot was difficult. Once you are convinced of the plot, the characters fall in place.

The Title

Life is full of shade. Every person has aspirations. Aspirations are positive, constructive and very WHITE. The path to achieve aspirations is often difficult, full of sacrifices, compromises and very DARK. My book is a study of the shades of life and hence titled DARK WHITE.

The Cover

The cover is a black and white rendition of a pair of feet treading on a perilous path. This simple yet meaningful image was chosen to showcase the difficulties one faces to achieve their goals.

IMG_5069

What will a reader experience when he buys this book?

The book is about facets, the different sides of people – Dark and White. It will open your eyes, change your perspective and show you how even good friends change when chasing aspirations as the Dark has a lighter side while White has a dark side.

Advice to budding Authors

Believe in yourself.

 

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A Modern Woman

19 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in change, country, education, freedom, growth, India, life, mother, society, Uncategorized, women, women empowerment, work, Writing

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The fastest way to change a society is to mobilize the women of the world. ~ Charles Malik

The role of women in society is constantly changing. Each generation changes the next through their words, deeds, actions and inactions. 100 years ago it wasn’t acceptable for a woman to be anything but a daughter, wife and mother. Educating girls was often an afterthought. We lived in a male dominated society until one generation of women dared to dream. They learnt, they taught, they passed on their ideals and the next generation, grew up believing in equality. Each generation of educated woman since has slowly transformed our world to create today’s modern woman.

A great example of this change exists within my own family – my mother andmy sister.

My mother is a simple housewife. She lived her life through us – her children. Our achievements and successes were hers. Our failures and criticisms were hers. She loved us and encouraged us but her life was restricted to home and hearth. She wasn’t raised to want or dream of more.

My sister – studied hard, got married, had a child, took a break from work to see him through his infancy and then she plunged back into the corporate world knowing she had more, gifts and skills, to offer. She is not only a daughter, a wife and a mother but also a valued member of the work force. Her world expands beyond the four walls of her home.

One family, two generations, two very different lives. We are who we are because she ‘our mother’ encouraged us to dream.

I am a modern woman of today. I didn’t have to fight to be educated. I am surrounded by strong, independent women, who do not let gender define ‘who they are’. This positive environment makes it difficult to connect to the concept of women empowerment. Then you turn around and are confronted by instances of inequality, of chauvinism that still exists in many segments of society and realize the need for empowerment.

I do not believe, however, that empowering women is enough. We need to work for society to truly to change, to create a world where a daughter is no less valued than a son or a world where ‘rape’ does not exist. I believe we have reached a stage wherein enlightenment is as important as empowerment; for only when each and every individual believes in equality will equality prevail.

woman-EMPOWERMENT

We as woman have the power. We are the ones that shape the future by educating our children.  An enlightened woman raises a progressive child who ensures that our society continues to develop in the right direction.

Come let us become the change, we wish to see.

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Enthusiasm is Infectious

05 Friday Sep 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in growth, life, Uncategorized, work, Writing

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Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.

~ Winston Churchill
Our attitude in life can take us far or get us nowhere fast. Unfortunately, this is not a concept that everyone understands. I seen and heard stories of work places that have been ruined or have been transformed positively based on employee and senior management attitudes.

Sounds like new age propaganda?

It isn’t!

As an employee or a manager, you should always be aware that your attitude is sending messages through the work force. These messages are capable of boosting moral or destroying the work environment.

Here are few examples, which opened my eyes to the importance of attitude:

Ritesh worked in the account department and was an excellent time manager but he was a bone of contention between the Account Head and his immediate supervisor.

 “How could he perform when half the time he is not at his desk? argued the Accounts Head.

“Sir, Ritesh deserves a good appraisal. He has achieved all the targets, I find no reason to complain if he still manages to find time for leisure,” replied Ritesh’s boss.

“Ritesh is affecting the company’s work culture. Not everybody is capable of understanding your argument,” said the Accounts Head and dismissed the matter.’

With this a capable employee was deprived of his deserving appraisal and the company lost one of its performing employees.

Time Management plays a big role in increasing productivity at work but as an employer it is not an easy to manage productivity versus perception. An employee not at his desk implies a lack of productivity even if the end results indicate differently. Unfortunately, the exceptions to the rule such as Ritesh demand close scrutiny as his overall conduct can affect mindset of the masses.

Ritesh might have been an ideal time manager but he ended up creating a bad example amongst his colleagues. The lesson – ‘Even if work can be done in one day, take three days to complete so that expectation reduces.’

Ritesh was the exception to the rule. Typically, employees or employee management styles can be divided into 3 categories – Performance, Productivity and Incentive Based.

The first category is based on employee performance.

For example, Pooja

Pooja used to stay in office after hours since her husband picked her up on his way back from work. Due to this behavior, people assumed that she worked hard and she encouraged the thought.

Pooja was an average performer but an excellent pretender. Her mistakes were often covered by blaming other employees who left on time. However, to the senior staff, she was the most deserving employee, who sat late to complete her work. They hoped to encourage other employees to take work as seriously as her.

Instead it spread a negative message among the employees – ‘Performance equals to number of hours spent at the offices.’

The next category recognizes potential which in turn reaps productivity and loyalty.

Such as, Karan

Karan was not a not an expert SAP professional, he was only skilled with the JD Edward software, but instead of rejecting this potential candidate he was absorbed and trained.

Karan’s job was dependent on the number of sales orders per day. The work structure demanded extra effort during the first ten days and the last five days of the month. His performance during this time slot proved his efficiency.

“When you know the work cycle, it is important to allow employees to relax and prepare themselves mentally for the peak pressure days,” said the employer. It spread a positive message amongst employees.

The message ‘We appreciate potential and productivity.’ It also had the bonus effect of developing a deeper loyalty between the employee, his work and the company.

The next category offers incentives to performing employees in order to generate results.

For example, a Managing Director gave his team a huge sales target while offering tempting incentives to performers. The targets were achieved but under the influence of wrong-selling practice which ultimately affected the reputation of the company.

The lesson – ‘Blind delegation is dangerous’. Achieving results irrespective of how the results are attained often leads to shortcuts and malpractices, if proper guidance or guidelines are not provided.

Lastly, there was Karishma.

Karishma was a receptionist and one of the oldest employees in the company. She was famous for bitching amongst her colleagues until the day the HR head learnt of her skill and he invited her for a cup of coffee.

No he didn’t yell at her or fire her.

He simply gave her a new assignment – ‘assist the HR executive on assessing the staff conduct in office on the basis of their positive and negative behavioral aspects’. A lesson was taught without a single word being spoken.

The lesson – ‘It’s important to influx positive energy in a work environment to get maximum output from the resource.’ Simply put, if you inject positively, you will create a more positive, a happier work environment because enthusiasm is infectious.

 

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Places I’ve lived, who I “were” and how it made me, the person I am today

24 Sunday Aug 2014

Posted by shwetabrijpuria in change, growth, life, Mumbai, Pune, travel, Uncategorized, Writing

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Growth and Change are synonymous. Everything changes even non living things. Places and things appreciate in value or depreciate. Some turn into priceless antiques while others become obsolete. Human beings, in particular, change as we grow – we learn from our failures and successes, we gain priceless experience with each gray hair and wrinkle.

Looking Back

The person I am today is vastly different from the small town bhopali girl of yesterday. That girl was sheltered, over protected, sweet and naïve.

I traveled away from Bhopal to the city of Pune to the bustling metropolis of Mumbai. Each move, each experience and each person added new dimensions to who I am.

Bhopal, my childhood home forms the foundation of ‘who I am’ but it was Pune that taught me to be independent and self sufficient.

Pune, a transient city, is full of individuals who have come there to study or work. Surrounded by strangers, it is easy to feel lost and alone. Making friends and socializing helps but not enough. I often found myself asking, ‘How do you cope?’ No answer filled the gap of family and a steady support system. It was the gradual change from dependent to independent that brought the awareness – friends help but you have to live for yourself first.

Pune taught me independence, Mumbai taught me trust.

Mumbai, the mecca of marketing churns out professionals of every level but it wasn’t my dream. I have always been a small town girl and I was sure this fast paced metropolis would kick me out. I owe my survival to my friend Vandu. I love her for her support and guidance. She let me stay with her during that terrifying month and guided me on the do’s and don’ts of living in Mumbai.

Mumbai was worth it!

A decade has passed since my foray into independence, that girl who once was so dependent on others has transformed. She has grown confident and is capable of extending a helping hand, like Vandu extended hers, to help those in need, those still trying to find their footing.

Looking forward

They say ‘Time teaches and you learn, sometimes the lesson is easy but mostly, lessons are hard earned’. Luckily for me, I had a balance of easy and hard but I have just completed my first decade of independent living, I still have a lot of living to do. I look forward to the changes and growth, life will bring. I hope when I am old and gray with deep wrinkles, that the person I have become is someone that gives back to society, an instrument of growth.

 

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