The day I met Roger Federer!!!

At the outset, it is important to note that I have been following Roger Federer's career since 2004. When I was a kid running around trying to bump into tennis players. Not like that has changed much but this is back in the day when Roger was a rising star in the ATP Rankings.

The first time I saw him play was at the Dubai Tennis Championships. I have gone there as a child and seen many great players but this time everything was different, I was mesmerised by his technique and game. I have followed his career ever since and for anyone who knows me intimately, you would know this!

Right now, he is in Toronto for the Rogers Cup. He played some amazing games against Michael Llodra and Thomas Berdych. I was there to watch the Michael Llodra match at the sponsors' booth since the company I work for is a sponsor of Roger Federer and the Rogers Cup. He came to meet my team after his match. It was the defining moment of my 6 year obsession.

It made my day! I was even able to give him a red envelope with a fan letter!

It was awesome! He is a gentleman, he stood with all of us and took photos and signed whatever we asked him to. He made us all laugh.

I wish him all the best in this tournaments and the ones up ahead. He has played very well since the beginning of this tournament and here's wishing he wins the Rogers Cup, after all it has his name on it!

Season of chances

The title although quite vague, seems to explain what I feel.

So a lot of random yet wonderful things have happened in the past week and I want to share these crazy and random stories.

So it all began last Sunday, I was showing a friend around Toronto and I took him to the O&M building, we stood there for 10 minutes talking about my job strategy and my communication with them. On our way out, I bumped into the person who interviewed me! on a Sunday, how random is that! I didn't say hello at the time and I have been kicking myself for it ever since. But I did send her an email and she replied, my heart soared and there was a huge smile pasted on my face all day.

Then on Thursday I went for drink with the work crew, and first of all I should mention this is an awesome place in the heart of downtown, off to the east. I wind my way through the entire place and past a few bars, and land up at the table. I greet all the VPs of the company and they put me in charge of getting the shots, reasoning that I was the youngest of the group and the last out of university. I agreed and on my way to the bar, I thought I saw someone I know out of the corner of my eye. I wasn't sure, so I finished my thought with my boss and turned around and said his name, audible but just not. He turned around and it was him! I was wondering who is screwing with me but he was sitting at the next table. It was great, I got the chance to see him, in the most random fashion. Meeting him refilled me with all the ideas I learnt at the event I met him at. I played the host and served others. As my reward, I got to spend some valuable private face time with the leaders in my business. This is valuable because not only did I learn about how they work and how they got there, I got to express my desires to them.

And the cherry in my drink, was that the next day I continued my rock music conversation with the VP.

What a great week!!! How was yours?

Digitally Distinct and you?

Trumpeter Swans

I was amazed to read about Trumpeter Swans, it seems they are monogamous for their entire lives...what a lovely thought!

I am not going to go down the rabbit hole talking about the mating habits of Homo sapiens. But I think it is an amazing metaphor for loyalty.

I read recently how a consumer didn't like the fact that advertisements talked of having a meaningful relationship with his deodorant. I agree and disagree with him. We only have eyes for our pet brand, just like we seek the company of people we know and like. They say brand loyalty forms at a young age, but I feel as though brand recognition comes at an early age, evidenced by my nephew only liking the golden 'M' of McDonald's. Brand loyalty comes at the time when we consume consciously, especially since we spend our hard earned money, how ever hard or easy it was to get. With the amount of choices in today's marketplace, finding a brand to fit your lifestyle is as elusive as that perfect human relationship.

I am very happy with the relationships I have with my family, friends and brands. I cant consume as much as I'd like to but the intention is the most powerful drive, and as marketeer I seek to make these connections, so I understand how rare it is to find it. I found my Trumpeter Swan, have you?

Why I smile on the train

I recently read this book by Dr. Jim Muncy called 'One Door, Two Locks', and I must say it opened my eyes.

I used to think I was always right, about everything, or that all my thoughts and ideas have merit. Not that they don't but he quoted Albert Einstein's observation that the problems we face can't be solved with the same thinking that created them.

So it's Spring cleaning time, filing away all my thoughts in deep folders, properly cross referenced for the future. I am aiming to train myself out of bad habits and into approaching every new thing without preconceived ideas from my deep database of random information. This approach has its flaws too but after preliminary assessments to my attitude toward the project in question, I am going to follow what a great man once said, " God has given us two ears and one mouth, use it in proportion".

It has made me a happier person, humbled by the realization. I am living in today and taking full opportunity of what I have before I move on. I cannot stress the importance of this decision but I strongly feel you must come to the realisation on your own, nothing that you believe in strongly was because you had to believe it.

When you pursue your passion everyday, there is a constant smile on your face, a spring in your step, warm sunshine, enlivened senses, and honestly that is what I am content with.

Until next time....

Wine and Cheese

Recently I went to a Wine and Cheese event. I quite enjoyed the parings and like the speaker said "Wine and Cheese is a marriage made in heaven". The speaker is a wine expert having sampled wines from all around the world and has a book out called Ask the Wine Doctor.

With the Maître Fromager he paired cheeses with the wines to bring out either a contrast or a complimentary flavour. As we are told, we put a bit of cheese on our tongue and once it was warmer, we press it to the roof of the mouth(palette) and sip the wine. The flavours mixing is noticeable to even a naive and untrained tongue. The Wine expert discussed the flavours he got from the wines. I even guessed a few like Pear, Black Cherry, Leather, Tobacco, Acetone etc.

For your parties you may try these:
- The Nederburg Sauvignon Blanc (South Africa) with Grey Owl
- The Rocca delle Macie Chianti Vernaiolo (Italy) with Hercule
- The Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon (Chile) with Tomme de Gross Ile
- The Taylor Fladgate First Estate Port (Portugal) with Bleu Elizabeth

The Sauvignon Blanc/Grey Owl and the Chanti/Hercule are my favourites. The Port/Bleu Elizabeth is an acquired taste due to the high presence of Brandy.

Thank you Edward Finstein!

With thanks...

Today I had the immense fortune to meet with a personality so large, it is hard to describe. This man walks the walk and talks the talk. He is no preacher because he practises what he says. The man I am talking off is the author of an amazing book which is a tool out of the toolbox of life. The book inspires me to make what I want achievable and encourages you to plan for success. Many people say the same thing but he is so giving with his valuable time. I am truly grateful to him and I would attribute my new found energy to his teachings.

He gave me a copy of his book and signed it 'Pursue Your Passion Everyday' and 'You Rock!!'. He pish-poshed my feeble excuses of not having his book and magnanimously gave me the book. Again, I am in his debt.

He is an amazing personality and I wish him all the best in life.

Difficilis, querulus, laudtor temporis acti. Se puero, castigator, censorque minorum

Difficilis, querulus, laudtor temporis acti. Se puero, castigator, censorque minorum.

What does it mean? It means "Testy, a grumbler, inclined to praise the way of the world when he was a boy, to play critic and to be a censor of the new generation"

And if you know me, that is who I am. Comments?

Sesame Seed Buns: The Story of Us

I sit across from my elder sister at our small, rectangular dining table. Her stubby little chin is inches away from its surface. I can’t reach the table top, so I sit perched on two sofa pillows. I pick off the sesame seeds from my burger bun, one by one, and nibble them slowly. Dinner ended thirty minutes ago, and I was still only halfway through my meal. The familiar sound of pots and pans clanging in the sink carried all the way to the silent dining room where we sat. I could tell Mum had almost finished with the dishes. Mum always washed the cooking utensils last.

My sister chewed on the same bite of her burger for the last five minutes. It’s not like her to take so long with dinner. I watched her dissect her burger and arrange the various layers into different corners of her Mickey Mouse plate. She did this meticulously and made sure none of the piles touched. She then cut them all into finer quarters and paused to admire her handiwork. She lifted her eyes to me and awaited my reaction. I had none. I never understood this bizarre ritual. But just because it made her stay with me after dinner, I wished we had burgers every night. She proceeded to eat her food in order. She started with a bit of bread, and then moved on to the lettuce, cheese, meat, onions, and finally the tomato. She despised tomatoes. She cringed as she moved it around her mouth and swallowed it loudly.

As always she finished before me. She cast one glance at my half burger and sat for a few seconds longer. I examined her face as her eyes darted around the room looking for something to do. It was almost as if she wanted to stay with me, but she knew I would take too long. We didn’t speak as I examined the half-burger on my plate. She didn’t click her tongue at me or shake her head in disapproval. She just blinked and stared. I wanted to offer her some of my burger, hoping that she would help me finish it faster, but my previous, unsuccessful attempts discouraged me. Then without a word, she lazily slid off her chair and shuffled to the kitchen. It’s just me and my half-burger now.

"You can't frame a phone call"

Yes, you might notice the constant reference to Mad Men in my previous posts and why not I ask you?

When Don Draper said "You can't frame a phone call" it got me thinking. I'm going to ramble about it but I want to put it in the context of personal touches. I have a friend who sends me a birthday card every year without fail and I love the feeling. Getting an email is great, but how great is it to see a cute card, with my name and a handwritten note inside. I am now using this approach to thank people who have helped me. Be it after interviews, meetings etc, handwritten thank you card all the way!

It part of my "giving" strategy, because its bound to come around. That's just how the world works, believe it or not. Read the book Go-Giver, best $24 I ever spent. The ideas in the book are amazing, running along the lines of the Law of Attraction, but with a counter balance.
I'm just going to give you the 5 Rules of Success from the book:

Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.

Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.

Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.

Law of Authenticity: The most valuable gift you have is to offer is yourself.

Law of Receptivity: The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

That's my gift to you.

“Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce, How may I help you?”

I was recently diagnosed with being Mad Men’s Peggy Olson, and I wasn’t too torn up about it. I am hoping it was comparing my answers to the strength of her personality, minus the baby. I absolutely love this girl. She was discovered by her bosses by saying “Here is your basket of kisses”. I am the kind of person who prefers to be backstage, doing the grunt work and making the show seamless and enjoyable. Get the test here!

But it takes all kinds to make the world, and especially a Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.

We need a ‘Visionary’ Bertram Cooper, a ‘People person’ like Roger Sterling, a ‘Relationship manager’ like Pete Campbell, ‘Creative’ like Don Draper, the ‘Foresight’ of Peggy Olson, ‘Sharp accounting’ like Lane Pryce, a ‘Needs recognition’ person like Harry Crane, and perhaps most importantly the ‘Glue’ of Joan Harris.

Name wise, I really like the personalised names, made with initials or the list of second names. But remember this is the brand, the letterhead, the email signature. I’d like to make it about the people who work here, or at least the core team. I am not sure my second name is ideal, but I want to spend time thinking of something that businesses would wait by their phones awaiting a call from my agency.

Now for a mission, vision and work culture: For the mission, let’s just borrow from the gold standards of agencies around the world, stuff like, ‘The Work The Work The Work’, ‘The Big Idea’, ‘Disruption’, ‘The Story’, ‘360 Degree Brand Stewardship’, ‘Convergent Communications™’, ‘Being Lionhearted’ and all the others out there (these are my favourite). For the Vision, ‘to be the best at everything’ although going specialized is the trend, this should suffice. For the work culture, ‘each to his own, don’t hesitate to ask for help and be honest’.

For the location, location, location; we should choose to keep an eye out for a promising location, easily accessible and reimbursement agreement for parking. Unless of course you have billings of 24 million, with about 8 million in cash flow, be at the heart of the business. Spending time at the neighbourhood Starbucks pretending to read a book and overhear a competitor’s work schedule is preferable although constitutes as insider trading. Oh and don’t mention anything about work except at work, the walls have ears!

I hear you asking what about the money, but as you might have learned, the best of the best can take their clients with them. If not, work on a few accounts and grow the business, ideally some investment capital, but I learnt from my dad to never reduce your prices, give specials and discounts on the current prices, it’s like a gift!

So basically here is my plan for the future, I’m talking 2020 and if you want in, keep reading.

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How to answer the Hat Question!

The Problem: Recently I was posed with a question and I have been mulling the answer in my head. In my mind there is no correct answer but its the demonstration of the thinking process that improves the quality of the answer. Don't bullshit, the asker knows what the answer is and is waiting to see how you arrive at the answer.

Question: Think of a photo of a group of men in the 1930's 1940's and even 1950's. They are all wearing hats. Imagine a group of men in the 1960's. They are not wearing hats. Why?

My Answer: When I think of a hat, I first think of its origins. I feel the religious connotations of wearing a headdress is to show modesty and respect. In fact, it is the next best thing to prostrating to show the top of your head. This way, the respect is accorded when the hat is removed, say indoors or when greeting another person. In the Victorian times, only beggars did not wear hats. So social class was attributed to the wearing of hats. And I am not mistaken height of the hat and elaborate designs also denoted standing among the high classes.

The next thing that pops into my head is the timeline, 30's 40's and 50's. What happened during this time? Simple, Industrial revolution and the Great Depression for a start. As James Laver is credited for, he noted that the sea of hats reminded him of the black smoking chimney stacks themselves. As Desmond Morris noted in his book Peoplewatching, during the Great Depression, women started wearing longer skirts, to cover their ankles even though economically short skirts were cost-effective. It is not very surprising when you think of it, we tend to withdraw when upset, and this translated to longer clothing styles. Modesty comes with the package of withdrawal.

Next, I think what changed in 1960's that made people abandon the hat wearing tradition. To my mind I think it was the culmination of more jobs, the start of the American dream. The time where estranged Europeans made their way to the new world where you could make a good living. The promise of a new life, the evolution of corporate jobs got people of different classes working in the same offices, Gone were the days of distinction. I can also attribute this change to the advertisements of hair styling products, which would be destroyed by the wearing of hats. What about the influence of famous personalities with infamous hairstyles, I'm thinking Elvis Presley and James Dean.

So there you go, the reason. The wearing of hats nowadays seem to be following James Lavers' Law, a fashion becomes described as quaint only 50 years after the fashion has passed, so today fedoras and other hats are popular.

Quod erat Demonstrandum.