Tuesday, March 24, 2009
I received this book as a gift on my Birthday.
I got started immediately since the subject was too interesting to be kept for later -
The First Woman ever at HLL's Sales and her experiences amidst the "all boys' club".
"Earning the ..." starts with the Protagonist "Noor Bhalla's" final days at IIM-C.
It takes us through the grind of management classes, the cut-throat competition during placements and all the gumption one might require to survive in one of the finest institutions of the country.
Noor lands up with an offer at HLL's sales and from thereon the journey is quite interesting for her as well as the reader.
The book is fast paced and is laced with very interesting experiences gathered by the Author in her stint as a Trainee and Asst. Sales Manager.
It gives an interesting account of the myriad projects that a sales trainee should expect at HLL - and not all of them being glamorous !
Infact, the book is quite an interesting peek into what a sales person has to go through and the ammo required to battle it out in the heat and dust filled, superstition driven hinterland.
The book is very expressive and one can almost feel the heat of "Etah" and the taste of "Lassi" as described by Noor.
You shall definitely end up with loads of admiration for innumerable and 'faceless" sales staff of big corporations. If not for them and their tenacity, the companies wouldn't be able to find any shelf and mind space !
It helps that Noor is a gutsy and bindaas babe who is also an idealist. Her idealism and "never-say-die" attitude come in handy while dealing with Corporate Czars and Roadside Gundas alike.
The best thing about the book is that Manreet doesn't pass any judgment on the various experiences and the colorful people that join her on her journey.
Mostly, she is like a sponge who soaks in all the learnings and lets the reader decide if a stand needs to be taken.
The one thing that I didn't like about the book - the use of heavy and unnecessary words !
Aisa laga jaise Manreet haal hi mai CAT ka exam de kar aayi hai.
A good book doesn't need a thesaurus to get a message across.
There is lots of other masala too like a Banker Boyfriend and a model like room mate. However, these, in no way affect the narration and pace of the book.
Earning the Laundry Stripes is one of the better written accounts and is a must read for all Sales/Marketing Wannabes.
P.S. - My friend tells me that he faced lots of problems to get a copy of this book. It wasn't available at major bookstores and he had to finally get a copy from the Publishing House !
Now that's a little surprising.
A Sales/Marketing Manager ki book getting no shelf space?!
The book could definitely have been promoted a LOT better.
I got started immediately since the subject was too interesting to be kept for later -
The First Woman ever at HLL's Sales and her experiences amidst the "all boys' club".
"Earning the ..." starts with the Protagonist "Noor Bhalla's" final days at IIM-C.
It takes us through the grind of management classes, the cut-throat competition during placements and all the gumption one might require to survive in one of the finest institutions of the country.
Noor lands up with an offer at HLL's sales and from thereon the journey is quite interesting for her as well as the reader.
The book is fast paced and is laced with very interesting experiences gathered by the Author in her stint as a Trainee and Asst. Sales Manager.
It gives an interesting account of the myriad projects that a sales trainee should expect at HLL - and not all of them being glamorous !
Infact, the book is quite an interesting peek into what a sales person has to go through and the ammo required to battle it out in the heat and dust filled, superstition driven hinterland.
The book is very expressive and one can almost feel the heat of "Etah" and the taste of "Lassi" as described by Noor.
You shall definitely end up with loads of admiration for innumerable and 'faceless" sales staff of big corporations. If not for them and their tenacity, the companies wouldn't be able to find any shelf and mind space !
It helps that Noor is a gutsy and bindaas babe who is also an idealist. Her idealism and "never-say-die" attitude come in handy while dealing with Corporate Czars and Roadside Gundas alike.
The best thing about the book is that Manreet doesn't pass any judgment on the various experiences and the colorful people that join her on her journey.
Mostly, she is like a sponge who soaks in all the learnings and lets the reader decide if a stand needs to be taken.
The one thing that I didn't like about the book - the use of heavy and unnecessary words !
Aisa laga jaise Manreet haal hi mai CAT ka exam de kar aayi hai.
A good book doesn't need a thesaurus to get a message across.
There is lots of other masala too like a Banker Boyfriend and a model like room mate. However, these, in no way affect the narration and pace of the book.
Earning the Laundry Stripes is one of the better written accounts and is a must read for all Sales/Marketing Wannabes.
P.S. - My friend tells me that he faced lots of problems to get a copy of this book. It wasn't available at major bookstores and he had to finally get a copy from the Publishing House !
Now that's a little surprising.
A Sales/Marketing Manager ki book getting no shelf space?!
The book could definitely have been promoted a LOT better.
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12 comments:
Humn.. well written review.. will borrow the book from you :)
A good review and I am definitely going to read this book now.
I had read certain parts of the book and it seemed interesting. It is indeed surprising that such a good book was not easily available and neither did the book recieve the kind of media coverage that less deserving books get now a days.
Would be able to comment more on the book once I read it.
@Namrata - Thank You :) You can definitely take it...
@India Unbound - Yup, very nice read.
Manreet could have done a LOT better afa the promotion goes...It's a pity that people are unaware of such a good read...
good review.. it does make me to try it out at least.. :-)
~ashkd
@ashkd - Yup...definitely worth a read...
Hi ,
Interesting blog you got here.
Well, I blog to spread awareness among the youth. I would like to invite you to visit my blog and read the posts.
The address is http://www.youthkiawaaz.com
Regards
Anshul
@Anshul - Thank You.
Have been through your blog. Looks interesting. Shall come back with comments...
First you say....
The one thing that I didn't like about the book - the use of heavy and unnecessary words !
and then you add...
"A good book doesn't need a thesaurus to get a message across."
mohtarma yeh thesaurus kya hain??can you please repeat the sentence without the use of heavy and unnecessary words! :P
@BS - Oh, forgot that I should adhere to KG level English...Manreet Sodhi effect you see :)
Aage se dhyaan rakhungi...
yeh Manreet Sodhi kaun khet ka mooli hain??
btw aap ne ab tak nahin bataya yeh "thesaurus" kya hain??maine sach mein isse pehle kabhi yeh shabd padha/dekha nahin hain...
@BS - Manreet is the author of Laundry...
Thesaurus = Dictionary
have u read manreet's latest book"THE TAJ CONSPIRACY"??
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