The generation today is more aware of their strength and weakness, the options available and the path they want to choose. When that choice is allowed and encouraged, it flows down into productivity. Isn’t that what organizations need? Education degree being non-mandatory throws out a lot of pressure from an individual as well as the organization. It’s a win-win situation. Talent, more than education, is what needs to be given an opportunity.
Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing.
I come from a strong Air Force background, being the only one who ventured into the corporate world. Since time immemorial I have been surrounded by leaders with a strong sense of commitment and ownership. My family’s profession also gave me the opportunity to experience various cultures from multiple corners of India and be able to readily adjust to people and circumstances.
My family paid a lot of attention to all-around development especially, sports. Each one of us at home has one sport they specialize in. I am a runner and swimmer. This helped me become a jack of all trades. As a child, I loved writing and evangelizing things I believed in. I am glad that this love turned out to be a part of the profession I landed into.
How did you rise to the highest echelons and what are your future plans?
I have been blessed for things to fall into the right place at the right time. For example my first job - Google. Google had just opened operations in India and I happened to be at the venue where Google was conducting a written test. It was just by chance that I gave that test and 8 months later (yes, interviews in those days with Google did take that long) I was working at Google.
I have been blessed for things to fall into the right place at the right time. For example my first job - Google. Google had just opened operations in India and I happened to be at the venue where Google was conducting a written test. It was just by chance that I gave that test and 8 months later (yes, interviews in those days with Google did take that long) I was working at Google.
That is where my marketing journey started and I knew this is the profession that will help me evangelize what I believe in. But my highest echelon was with the realization of having a willingness to learn. I always believe whatever you do, you do your best.
You don’t have to benchmark yourself with someone else but, at the end of the day, will you be happy with the quality of work you did? I also ensure I surround myself with great people. People who have high standards of discipline, confidence, and a let’s-do-it attitude.
As for the future plans, I want to innovate the marketing techniques and learnings into various different departments of an organization. For many years, marketing in HR was unheard of. Today, that profession is high in demand. I want to do the same for the engineering divisions of an organization. In fact, I aspire for a marketing role to become a must in tech departments.
As for the future plans, I want to innovate the marketing techniques and learnings into various different departments of an organization. For many years, marketing in HR was unheard of. Today, that profession is high in demand. I want to do the same for the engineering divisions of an organization. In fact, I aspire for a marketing role to become a must in tech departments.
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What does your typical workday look like?
With excitement and rush! I treat each day as a gift and an opportunity to make a difference. I am a very time-table-oriented person. My day starts at 5:30 am with an hour and a half of Bible reading and conversations with God for guidance and the ability to see things with the right perspective and gratitude.
From 7:30 to 9:00 AM I am the head chef, the facilities manager, and the principal. Between 9 am to 10 am I squeeze in time for a workout session. 10 AM onwards I get on to meetings. The day goes by in advising business units, drafting strategies, and listening to ideas. We make it a point to play one family board game - These days we are playing Catan before we retire for the day.
Several global companies have come out and thrown their support behind not needing a formal education. What is your opinion about this?
I have met smart people who do not have piles of certificates to show and I have met people coming out of top universities who are a joy to spend time with. There sure is a difference between them. But how does that difference work for an organization? Formal education was seen as a guarantee of a good life. The dynamics today are changing.
I have met smart people who do not have piles of certificates to show and I have met people coming out of top universities who are a joy to spend time with. There sure is a difference between them. But how does that difference work for an organization? Formal education was seen as a guarantee of a good life. The dynamics today are changing.
The generation today is more aware of their strength and weakness, the options available and the path they want to choose. When that choice is allowed and encouraged, it flows down into productivity. Isn’t that what organizations need? Education degree being non-mandatory throws out a lot of pressure from an individual as well as the organization. It’s a win-win situation. Talent, more than education, is what needs to be given an opportunity.
How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume?
Lying overall boils down to the issue of integrity. When I hire, I need to know that the individual can be trusted. If you can’t be faithful with the little, how would you be faithful with much? These are qualities that need to be imbibed in childhood. Lying is not going to help in the long run.
Lying overall boils down to the issue of integrity. When I hire, I need to know that the individual can be trusted. If you can’t be faithful with the little, how would you be faithful with much? These are qualities that need to be imbibed in childhood. Lying is not going to help in the long run.
It might fool you into getting into an organization but you are going to be miserable because you are not the right fit. I would reject but not blacklist the candidate. Allow the person to realize the blunder, make amends and encourage positive change.
How has covid changed things at your workplace & which of these changes do you intend to make permanently?
The new normal has worked as a blessing for some and a nightmare for others. The good thing is that people do not have to waste time traveling anymore. The morning rush and hustle have been reduced. This allows the body and minds more time to recuperate and you get to spend more time with your family.
The new normal has worked as a blessing for some and a nightmare for others. The good thing is that people do not have to waste time traveling anymore. The morning rush and hustle have been reduced. This allows the body and minds more time to recuperate and you get to spend more time with your family.
But, work from home has also thinned out the boundary of hours spent at work. Those who do not have strict time disciplines will end up working way more than what is healthy. So, apart from the organization having to ensure collaboration and team spirit, it has to ensure its employees are not getting burnt out.
What advice do you have for those starting their career and those who are eyeing the top job?
Find out what you want to do and why you want to do it. If the answer satisfies you, you know what you are doing is right. As you start your journey, be curious. Ask as many questions and verify the answers. Learn, network, and create plans.
Find out what you want to do and why you want to do it. If the answer satisfies you, you know what you are doing is right. As you start your journey, be curious. Ask as many questions and verify the answers. Learn, network, and create plans.
Work out a SMART strategy. Specify what you want, know how you will measure it and what it will take to achieve it. Be reasonable and time-specific. Keep checking your goal progression. Re-define them as you go ahead. And always keep dreaming big, believing good things are coming your way.
Which is your favorite book/show and why?
I have many favorites. The first book that went into my list of favorites is God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It’s a rare combination of trauma and giggles with a juvenile lucid language complementing the wistful mood of the book. I love the way the author takes a tragic incident and weaves a poignant story about the loss of innocence and the series of the devastation caused.
I have many favorites. The first book that went into my list of favorites is God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. It’s a rare combination of trauma and giggles with a juvenile lucid language complementing the wistful mood of the book. I love the way the author takes a tragic incident and weaves a poignant story about the loss of innocence and the series of the devastation caused.
Each character is examined with genuine warmth, their motivations, insecurities, and most importantly their unfulfilled dreams and the way they define humanness in each of us.
Bio -
Brinda leads the employer brand for Myntra - India’s fashion retail eCommerce giant. Currently based in Bangalore, Brinda has more than 14 years of experience in various aspects of branding, marketing, and advertising.
As a marketer, she applies systematic and broad business perspectives to employer brand programs. Brinda plays a key role with her proven ability in conceptualizing and delivering talent attraction solutions in line with organizational needs.
She expertises in generating awareness about working in an inclusive and diverse environment and ensuring candidates are provided ample opportunities to excel at working in a place that values them.
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