Page 43 - IBT August 2021 Issue
P. 43

Farah
                                                                                                  Shahrookh
                                                                                                  Raza
                                                                                                  Head of Marketing
                                                                                                  and Branding
                                                                                                  BSRM












                                                                                                                                           there are multiple players there are
                                                                                                                                           multiple brands with their own voice,
                                                                                                                                           commitments and deliverables that
                                                                                                                                           require aggressive marketing practices
                                                                                                                                           to support Sales Actions. The Brands
                                                                                                                                           that are playing a role in the economy
                                                                                                                                           are also taking initiatives to support
                                                                                                                                           the community, protect the
                                                                                                                                           environment and branding employees.

                                                                                                                                           Branding contents often speaks
                                                                                                                                           volume of the inclination towards
                                                                                                                                           culture, history and nationalism.
                                                                                                                                           How does this help any brand
                                                                                                                                           stand apart among its
                                                                                                                                           contemporaries?
                                                                                                                                           A brand is good and strong only when
                                                                                                                                           it has been able to create trust,
                                                                                                                                           maintain its commitment and respect’s
                                                                                                                                           its customers. It is all created when
                                                                                                                                           the brand is able to capture the culture
                                                                                                                                           and history of the nation in its vein. It
                                                                                                                                           is not about making the brand stand              pandemic extended new methods and platforms of the
                                                                                                                                           apart, it is the basics of the brand and         communication basket. It integrated digital channels with
                                                                                                                                           any strong brand will do so. A brand             traditional methods and gave rise to various areas to create
                                                                                                                                           that doesn’t understand the culture              the best customer experience. Construction industry has a
                                                                                                                                           and doesn’t believe in the history of            versatile level of customers and a core concept of marketing
                                                                                                                                           the nation will not be able to survive.          activity is to engage with its customer segments as much as
                                                                                                                                           It is the responsibility of the brand not        possible. Even though the onset of the pandemic has been
                                                                                                                                           only to be there for the customers but           difficult, the advancement and digitalization allowed industry
                                                                                                                                           also assume the responsibility to build          players to use the right online and offline platforms to connect
 How has your 19+ years of   You have been in the branding and                                                                             the nation. Some brands do it in a               to customers on the basis of segment type, needs and
 professional journey been so   marketing arena of which more than 10                                                                      subtle way and some by creating a                deliverables. Virtual platforms like Zoom and the rapid
 far? What were some of the   years have been in the construction                                                                          buzz, it is the personality of the brand         succession of social media allowed brands to retain the faith
 obstacles that challenged you   Industry. How has the industry practices                                                                  that determines how to do it. A brand            of their customers.
 to grow in your role?  evolved over the years?                                                                                            is a personality, an entity.
 In one word – marvelous. I have   I have worked with international and national                                                                                                            Can you share some advice for up and coming
 enjoyed every moment of it.   leading brands of the construction industry. I have                                                         How is the pandemic shaping the way              marketers looking to enter the steel/construction
 Growing is always about facing   always found the industry to be very dynamic and                                                         marketing and branding is done? What are         industry?
 challenges. There is no growth   at the same time exigent resulting in having                                                             some of the key marketing aspects to keep        The construction Industry is a very versatile and dynamic
 when there is no challenge. I never   multiple players in its own industrial category.                                                    in mind for the construction industry?           industry. It allows you to work with customers of different
 say there were obstacles, rather   Each of these categories are so vibrant that the                                                       Pandemic was a situation for which no            dimensions and different needs. If you look into the
 there were opportunities which I   market created the opportunities for both the                                                          company was prepared for. But, a                 operational value chain you will see working in this industry
 could see and all I had to do was   customers and consumers to choose. The initiation                                                     strong brand is always able to shape             will extend your knowledge. Every industry has its own
 rise up to the situation with   of Branding and Marketing Practices in the overall                                                        up the situation through its marketing           uniqueness and so does this industry. My advice to all will be
 diligence, dedication, integrity and   industry came 25-30 years ago but the evolution                                                    and branding practices, no matter                to have patience, be open-minded, have an inclination to learn
 a big smile. In many cases it was   took place rapidly because competition grew fast.                                                     what is going to happen in the coming            and a willingness to say yes to whatever work is kept on your
 about working more than what was   When my parents constructed their dream house in                                                       days. Hence as a part of their                   table but never compromise with integrity and ethics. If you
 required with patience because it is   the early 90’s there were limited choices but now                                                  responsibility brands step up for                love your work you will own it and if you own your work it
 a patriarchal society.     there are multiple brands – multiple choices. As                                                               customers and be there for them. The             will always pay off for you when the right time comes.

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