Marketing remains one of the most important aspects of a business. From a small tea stall to a large multinational, everyone needs a marketing spend. The question, however, is how to efficiently use the marketing budget to reach the desired goal. Over the years, many forms of marketing and advertising have evolved. Word of mouth was probably the only source of marketing in the olden days. Then came newspapers, flyers, leaflets and in the 1800’s, the idea of billboards was born. Then came the Internet and lured business owners into reaching out to the masses.
Marketing is to a company what investment is to an individual. Just the way it is advisable that we should not put all eggs in one basket and must look at different avenues of investment, similarly while devising a marketing plan, it is essential to select the right medium, rather the right combination of marketing avenues.
As business owners, first we must have complete clarity of the product that we are selling and the exact target audience for the same. This helps us to decide the marketing medium. No medium is right or wrong. We just need to choose the right one. OOH advertising continues to have a huge appeal to people. Conventional billboards tend to appeal to the senses of the people while they move around the city. The sheer size of the billboard make it eye catching and delivers the message straight to the viewers. The only pitfall is that if people just pass by the billboard, they might miss the message completely. Technology has given way to digital billboards. They are surely more attractive that the conventional ones. Nothing can beat the magnanimity of billboards.
On the other hand, digital media has become a hot favourite in the past few years. This is majorly because social media offers the flexibility of reaching out to more number of people. At the same time this reach can be customised to the exact target audience. Most of the times, online marketing is also cheaper than OOH forms.
It is also a better idea to keep a combination of online as well as outdoor media. Marketing campaigns can be designed in such a way that marketing is done in a phased manner where awareness can be created through outdoor and reinforcement of the same can be done through digital media. This can also give the benefit of reaching out to a variety of audience.
Marketing is the lifeline of any business and requires a careful consideration. No amount of money is less if funds are employed intelligently.
Everything begins with an idea. One good idea means a lot of good ideas. But the value of an idea always lies in its implementation. Ideas can come and go but only the ones that are implemented are remembered. Ideas can be crazy, wacky, silly and even weird. But even an allegedly funny idea is worth testing. Every idea must be given a chance.
Good plans are not made on paper, they are for real. At the organisational level, people often fight for their ideas getting accepted. In reality, the development of new ideas must take into account the ones who are likely to get affected by it. What might be the effect on processes, people, hierarchy and so on.
Every one looks forward to radical changes and big movements. What must be understood is that it all starts small. Ideas must be tested in practice and then implemented at large for continuous adaptation. It is important here to test the idea at an early stage.
Companies must encourage employees to come up with novel ideas, there can be polls, contests and even rewards for the best ideas. This way employees start getting a sense of ownership at the workplace.
Often when ideas are not accepted, we receive a setback. If you have a good idea and you believe in it, go for its implementation. Don’t ever be scared to try new things because that is how you bring life into your daily work. Experimentation breathes newness in work.
Creativity isn’t ever going to become extinct, in fact, the more you put it into practice, the more it might grow.
It was indeed a memorable day when we took our first step towards formalising our initiative of uplifting humanity. The stage was set, preparations were in full swing. With bated breath we were ready to welcome some of the most prominent personalities to seek their love and blessings.
We officially announced the launch of Sneh Shilp Foundation on 1st April 2022 with great pleasure. Sneh Shilp Foundation is a thought, a feeling that stems from the love and support from everyone around. It is now time we give back to the society, the same love and compassion. We launched the foundation in the company of Param Pujya Shri Dwarkesh Lal Ji Maharaj who is a renowned propagator, philosopher and teacher, he graced the occasion as the chief guest. As guest of honour we had BK Chandrika Didi who is the vice chairperson of the youth wing of Rajyog Education and Research Foundation. She is also leading more than 30 branches of Brahma Kumaris. We also had Mittal Ben Patel, the founder of VSSM, a non-profit organisation which works for nomadic and de-notified tribes. Also as guest of honour, we had with us, Mr. Chiranjiv Patel who is the owner of Karma Foundation.
It was a day of double celebration where we also commemorated 18 years of excellence of Shilp Group. The event followed a press conference attended by Mrs. Snehal Brahmbhatt, who is the founder of Sneh Shilp Foundation and also handles the post of Chief Operating Officer at Shilp Group. She beautifully captured the vision of the foundation which is to enable and empower people to stand on their feet and lead independent lives. She also enumerated how the volunteers at the foundation have already started taking initiatives like food drives, pad projects for health and hygiene of women at the construction sites, creating shelter for people at old age homes, arranging blood donation camps, running a food van that picks food from kitchens of religious places and delivers to the needy and much more.
Some beautiful and encouraging words were spoken by all guests of honour which really gave everyone a new perspective about life and humanity. The event was also graced by two very famous Radio Jockeys, RJ Kunal from Radio Mirchi and RJ Harsh from Mirchi Love. They definitely added a fun element to the event and got huge public appeal. A speech by Mr. Yash Brahmbhatt was dedicated to the wonderful team of Shilp Group. We also took the opportunity to recognise the contribution of the Shilp team.
As the event was named Prarambh, this is truly the first step towards humanity and building excellence.
On one hand, India’s economy is growing with an increasing GDP, on the other hand, the labour force participation rate for women is declining. Currently, women account for only 19.9% of the total labour force in India. This low participation is on account of the restrictions imposed on women, the wage gap due to gender difference and also lack of safety and hygiene at the workplaces. The fall in women workforce in the unorganised sector was steeper during and post the pandemic. High unemployment kept women out of work. It is estimated that an increase in the women’s labour force participation by 10% could add $770 billion to India’s GDP by 2025.
The point to note here is that women do not feel encouraged to come and work. Construction sites, is one such place, that witnesses a high number of women. At Sneh Shilp Foundation, we have been working hard to make women feel comfortable at these sites. We understand how much women sacrifice when they come out of their homes and perform the role of earning, which, traditionally, is only that of a man. When women step out, their traditional role of a home-maker, a care-giver, does not lessen. They take care of multiple things at varied fronts.
Understanding the multiple battles that a woman fights each day, volunteers of Sneh Shilp Foundation decided to do their bit to ease these women and give them some solace. We organised a hygiene drive for more than 100 women at a construction site, where we distributed sanitary napkins for their monthly needs. Not only did we take care of their hygiene needs, but also their daily struggles at home. Our volunteers provided these women a set casserole to ensure the food they make at odd hours, remains healthy and edible. We also distributed sweets and _ to these deserving women and their families.
Our hearts go out to see a community like women, who are so capable emotionally and mentally, under utilising their potential. If God has made women such strong and resolute creatures, who are we o question them?
Three days went off in a jiffy. Power-packed and fun-filled event organised by CREDAI GIHED Ahmedabad was a one-of-its-kind event.Being elected as the Joint Secretary of the Credai Gujarat Women’s Wing, I am truly set out on an aspirational journey. The 16th CREDAI GIHED Property Show was an amazing place to be. The three-day event attracted more than 1,00,000 people from all over Ahmedabad. It was a sight to witness. Real estate is always a sector that attracts people. The event bore a perfect testimony to the fact.Another attraction point of the event was the mega launch of three new chapters of the Credai Gujarat Women’s Wing at Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara. The same was done by our Honourable Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel. His august presence made the event memorable. The new flag bearers of the chapters solemnly affirmed the role and have set out on a fulfilling journey.A big thanks goes to CREDAI GIHED for organising such a brilliant event. The event specially came as a relief after the turbulent times we have all faced. Three cheers to the real estate sector and three cheers to CREDAI GIHED.
