Auto rickshaw in Bangalore

I think many of you when you see the title of the post will start-off with a lot of bad experiences with auto drivers in Bangalore. Many years back I use to feel that Chennai auto guys were the worst , but in the last few years the Bangalore fellows seem to have caught up with them. But this post is not about a bad experience, for a change it is about a good one !!!!!

A few months back when I was travelling I came across this auto driver (in the photo) who had a small TV installed inside the auto, meant for the passengers. He would switch it on as soon as you get on and also engage in explaining the fact that he had put it for the passengers and ensure that you enjoy the experience. Now people like these auto drivers are an exception than a rule, but then some of these kind are also around and we tend to ignore them. I thought I should do my bit by sharing my positive experience...

Rural Marketing Videos

I came across a set of videos on rural marketing by CNBC TV 18 Story Board. They are little dated - 2009, but then in India it is very difficult to get anything updated on rural marketing,

Is "Fear of Bacteria" under threat

I think the last decade has seen the marketers capitalize on our fear of bacteria. The USP , if I were to use the term has been used by all from the toilet cleaners to the soaps to toothpaste guys. And this has been helping the sale of these products. But if suppose some one were to turn the concept on it's head and tell the consumers that some amount of bacteria (even the bad ones) is essential for healthy growth of children the fear of bacteria will come under threat and the marketers would be a worried lot.

This theory is called "hygiene hypothesis", which essentially says that diseases affect more individuals in the modern world where hygiene is given utmost importance.The exposure of bacteria early on helps develop a better immune system. But then what happens to the "100% Bacteria Free" proposition...

Technology Vs the Cab Driver

I just thought of sharing my recent experience of hiring a Meru Cab and the issues of technology versus human interface. As with many other experiences which I have shared earlier, this also is not one the best experiences which I have had, but...

To start with the positives of the experience, I was using the same number from which I had booked the cab earlier so I was immediately addressed as Rajesh, and asked where I want the pick-up from. I had used the service from two different locations, and once I told the location, the other details were not asked for, as it was already there in the system. The messages on the mobile followed and the cab also arrived 20 mins prior to the pick-up time. So all was fine...

Now comes the driver, during most part of journey he was busy on his mobile phone talking to some one and when he was not on the mobile, he was over speeding with the system shouting that you are exceeding the speed limit – “Please Slow Down”. This must have happened atleast 20 times during the 40 km journey. Then at the end he was very reluctant in giving the change back as if he had earned an extra tip for the experience he had provided. 

Not that I have had not had worse experiences with drivers earlier, being from Bangalore and traveled in the city auto rickshaws (only Chennai auto guys are worse). But then for me the advantage which technology had given was lost by the human interface, this was what set me thinking about how important it is to sensitize and train the human element in the chain.

Rural Retail

Mobile rural retailer in MP...

Interesting Print Ad

Saw a good print ad in the morning newspaper, thought of sharing it, looking at the limited life of the print ads...