L'Store

The euphoria and excitement was upbeat when we the team of 5 (@IPMX-5) took up the ownership of L’store from the previous batch; who started this venture last year. This store not just embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship but also provides a sense a kinship and belonging to the college. To experience the application of all the gyan which we were getting in the class made the whole venture even more thrilling. Talk about MBA jargons and we were already knee deep in it, be it 4Ps of marketing, inventory management, Account receivables/payables, market research, price elasticity etc…

With childlike excitement and unbridled enthusiasm we started our first day in store at 5.30pm on hot summer day in May and tried to sell to everyone and anyone coming to the cafeteria. I got busy cajoling and convincing customers when suddenly I realized that all the others (all guys) were missing and there was a weird lull, so I went to check at the stall and sure enough the “boys” were making the first sale to a very nice lady from wmp “Almitra “ .  I must say whatever the reason for the collective effort we succeeded in making our first sale :) and there was no looking back.

It’s been 2 months since then and we’ve got a feel of what it means by “customer’s always right” and the importance of proper/clear communication in marketing.  Dealing with vendors and logistics is a whole new ball game.

Whenever I am at the stall and fold piles of t-shirts I remember Rajbeer’s (founding member) observation of having new found respect for the salespeople in stores.

 http://thetimesofipmx.blogspot.in/

From the frying pan into the fire…

My transition from a being a spouse at IIM Ahmedabad PGPX to a student at IIM Lucknow IPMX has been interesting experience. From the Profs at IIMA who planted this mba seed (read keeda) in my mind to the endless interview coaching session folks from PGPX were kind enough to provide ; not to forget S’s incessant nagging and prodding and encouraging that has got me here.

It’s extremely exciting to realise that less than a year ago I attended S’s graduation at LKP and in less than 1 year from now will be attending my own at Lucknow.

The year at IIMA with the endless chai parties, the household management, the kaam waali network gossip and the veiled politics was an experience in its own if not a social experiment. The coming year at IIM L I am told is going to be all this and much more J J

As I trade the midnight gup groups for the midnight study groups, the chaat sessions for chat sessions, the high heels and ironed suits for flats and nondescript kurtas this promises to be a roller coaster year to say the least.