Slavia - World Dynamic Premiere

The first job is often not by choice but by 'chance'*. For many of us who pursue university degrees, family and friends influenced the selection of streams. Many of us thus ended up in roles that don't fully resonate within us. (not me!)

For example, engineers joined banking. Many got into engineering because of job opportunities, family/peer pressure, and other reasons. Then they get into pure banking. Which is a double whammy. But then engineers make good bankers. Just look around...

Then we work hard to make a success out of it. We learn a lot of valuable lessons too.

(* A lot of coaches say I am a coach by chance. Accidental coach is an oxymoron just as there are no accidental doctors, therapists, artists, techies, or bankers!)

During my banking career, I often wondered what my life's purpose was, though at a superficial level. And how was the job supporting it. Today, when I look back, many things come together.

Steve Jobs was right. You can connect dots only by looking backward.

Exotic Goa, Taj Exotic, The Skoda India 2.0

I heard the inspiring story of the Skoda strategy, India 2.0

1. Build the brand - Elementary, Watson?
2. Expand dealer network - from 65 to 153 dealers now. Will be 180 by the end of the year. Shared passion. Customer centricity: Distribution will always be a key in the automobile business. A car purchase is also emotional and physical.
3. Customer satisfaction- "We love your cars, but..." - more dealers, localization, dealer quality (replaced): NPS and beyond.
4. Professionalizing services: Service-oriented, servant-leadership, and being professional at all levels.
5. They have committed over Rs 8K CR for this in terms of money.

The strategy may sound simple. All great plans and goals were always simple. The ego-based mind made it complicated.

Is strategy enough? Execution is the key. "Culture eats strategy for breakfast"- Peter Drucker. Your company's culture determines success regardless of how good your strategy is. Hence transformational leadership is critical.

Skoda has already successfully rolled out Kushaq, selling over 2.5K per month. And now they are launching a new Sedan, #Slavia.

And the launch was different, very unique. Skoda invited a group of auto enthusiasts to Goa, not the flashy influencers but real fans. Exotic Goa, Taj's hospitality, and Skoda team's great event management.

• Not fair-weather fans, you see in club football or IPL. But die-hard fans!?
• Picked up a new variant of heartthrob, #motorthrob :)

Saw the Skoda team in action. Everything about the trip was well-planned and executed brilliantly. To be part of a car launch, diverse people coming together can be challenging for the organizers.

Many of us proudly claim the car is an extension of ourselves. For the auto enthusiast, it is much more than a mere extension. These are not dispassionate influencers who do not use the brands they promote. Nor are they apologetic about anything related to the brand they promote. For example, iconic cricketers promoting online games, with disclaimers. Or film stars promoting pan masala. These are real fans who drive Skoda, love the brand, and live the brand.

Personally, it was great to get away for two days and return to celebrate Maha Sivarathri at home. It was good to be with a few ordinary, good people - team Skoda, and the fans. It was nostalgic to be at an auto-launch. A memorable experience. Grateful.

Take a bow, team Skoda. #SimplyClever!!

Connecting dots backwards: I moved from science & maths (to become an engineer) to commerce and management, to become a banker.

No complaints :)

To know more about the car Slavia, check out: