beed insights issue 4

BEED INSIGHTS Issue 04

December 2015

The year 2015 began with a lot of promises and optimism; investments were coming in, the tourism industry was flourishing, and hydropower deals were being signed. The economic outlook for the country was therefore upbeat.

IN THIS ISSUE 

However shortly after, an earthquake struck the country and the economy took a major hit. Subsequently, protests started in the Madhes region following the

Management Consultant 

promulgation of the constitution, and the country was faced with yet another crisis as border points were shut down; bringing trade to a standstill. Since then,

Leveraging Technology for Tourism



Nepal and Nepali’s have been facing very challenging times.

The ongoing crisis is huge lesson to managers and businesses on learning to

11 Ways To Become A Better

Making of the Pavillions Himalayas



Management Lessons from 2015

cope with these challenges practically. One glaring lessons is to focus on our long and medium term goals and not only on short term goals. Let 2016 be a year



The beed Experience

where we put the past behind and we work together in recasting our economic



Book Feature: Winning Global Markets

and management goals by building on to the resilient strength that we have developed over the year.

Wishing all our readers a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year!



Book Feature: The Art of Social Media

In the world of management consulting, there is a constant need for knowledge building and growth. Each time there is a new business problem in any industry, a solution must be found. This undoubtedly provides numerous opportunities of exposure and challenges

which

builds

up

experience and profile. I feel quite fortunate to have been part of several such assignments both at the local and international level, where

working

across

diverse

industries has put my capability

11 WAYS TO BECOME A BETTER MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT

manpower

consultant

but

a

management consultant, the next question comes back to square one: “So what exactly do you do?”

WHAT I ACTUALLY DO AS A MANAGEMENT

and bandwidth to the test. While there are times when the job gets extremely challenging and you end up working really long hours to ensure that clients are at peace, these

are

also

times

which

showcase your caliber.

CONSULTANT?

To me, one of the best things

If I were to tell people that I advise

about my job in the consulting

companies on the standardization

business is that it has provided me

and planning of finance, I am more

with inordinate opportunities to

When asked what it is that I do, it

likely to be taken as an accountant

grow; not just at the beginning of

is often with a sense of irony that I

or auditor. As there is an entire

my career, but also in the years

explain

a

gamut of work that consultants

that have followed. The most

management consultant, as the

undertake, and terms familiar to

rewarding part of the job is when

term “consultant”; in Nepal is often

people only scrape the surface,

you see that the knowledge you

synonymous with the growing

explaining it can become quite

put together and shared, the

number of consultancies in the

difficult. To put it as simply as I

relationships

education and foreign employment

can,

engagements, and the inputs you

sector.

assist managers and businesses to

SUDIP BHAJU

about

my

job

as

management

consultants

you

built

during

provided come to fruition.

achieve their goals and objectives Subsequently, I am often asked

by

and

Having worked as a consultant for

questions like “Where do you send

business problems, identifying and

over six years at beed, here are my

people?” On clarifying that I am

seizing new opportunities, and

pointers on how you could become

not an educational consultant or a

improving business performance.

a successful management consultant.

solving

management

1. MAINTAINING DISCIPLINE:

the clients even when they have

many

Discipline is an important aspect of

not really sought for help. We

unanticipated problems arise and

the

circumstances

when

business.

This

merely tend to do it to maintain a

because of the varied nature of

personal

and

relationship and rapport with the

the

professional discipline. Adhering to

client from a courtesy perspective.

different. You need to make a call:

time and being punctual while

It is also important to note the

what is the right solution and what

meeting

kinds

Sometimes

is the right way to achieve that

extremely important. Although your

clients ask for services which are

solution? These times call for you

client

waiting

not mentioned in the contract. If

to use your own judgment. You

especially in Nepal, where being

these services are not paid for and

should not be scared to make this

late by 15-20 mins is considered to

are additional to the scope of work,

call but rather feel empowered to

be normal, they will start adhering

it does require additional time to

make a decision if it provides value

to it once they are aware of your

manage it which adds to the work

for both the parties.

punctual behavior.

already in hand. Hence, you have to

consulting

includes

both

project

may

deadlines

keep

you

is

of

requests.

work,

each

problem

is

be conscious and decide what the

6. COLLABORATING:

2. UPDATING CLIENTS AND

right time to address the issues is

Consulting requires different skill

MEETING DEADLINES:

and prioritize on issues that need to

sets for different tasks. Sometimes

Keeping the client updated about

be addressed immediately. Do not

these skills may not be present

the progress of the project and

rush into solving requests without

within the team and you may need

meeting deadlines are also very

planning and do not overdo it.

an expert’s advice. Even though

important. Every week a short

expert guidance comes with a cost,

email or a conference call with the

4. PRIORITIZING WORK:

one should make sure that no

client, will keep the client up to

Prioritizing tasks is the key to

compromises are made to achieve

date about the project status. This

success and delivery in this job.

the

will also allow you to seek help (if

Every morning, try and run through

Collaboration with an expert on

required) from the client before it

the tasks you need to complete

matters will provide higher value

gets too late. If you are not able to

during the day and list them down

and the client will always respect

meet deadlines due to un-avoidable

by prioritizing the important ones

the value that comes in from this.

circumstances,

to

first. Then accordingly you can

Personally,

appraise the client on time and

commence your work. At the end of

collaboration

discuss the same with them, as last

the day, always make a point to run

people in projects very productive.

minute red flags can affect client

through the to-do list of the day

The knowledge that they bring on

behavior and have a negative

and tick tasks which are completed.

board with their experience in the

impact on your relationship.

If something is left undone then

field is priceless and incorporating

make

is

them into your solution becomes

3. DEALING WITH REQUESTS:

completed within the week so that

valuable to the project. They

Finding the right balance and being

there is no carry-over work for the

become your sounding board and

conscious

next week.

you can always discuss your ideas

of

you

the

need

time

when

requests come in is very important.

sure

that

the

task

required

insight/direction.

I

have with

found

experienced

freely and get great insights which

We rush to help or try and provide

5. MAKING JUDGMENT CALLS:

you and your team alone would

additional services (pro-bono) to

During consulting, there will be

not have thought of.

7. TEAM WORK: Working

as

hold a

the

team

back.

Also

11. ENFORCING CONTRACTS:

management

debriefing helps the team know

In our part of the world, contracts

consultant in a firm is quite

about the work being done,

are merely considered to be a

different from working as an

insights and findings in your

formal

independent or freelance consultant.

section could help other team

agreements usually tend to be

When working in a management

members in their work, and also

based

consulting firm it is the team that

the whole team is made aware of

relationships between the client

leads the assignment and the

the project status and progress.

and the consultant. People often

whole team that is involved in

document on

while

understanding

and

fail to draw an addendum in case

resolving the client’s problems. In

9. MESSAGING PLATFORMS:

of changes in the scope of work.

the consulting, there may be times

Both instant messaging platforms

Usually flexibility is indoctrinated

where you need to provide solutions

and emails are useful collaboration

and

to clients across spectrums which are

tools for office communication.

neglected. This, I believe, is one of

not completely under your domain.

Instant messaging these days are

the major reason for emergence of

Therefore,

taking lead over emails because it

conflicts as verbal agreements are

important to work as a team, hold

facilitates

information

made and no record/minuting per

discussions and brainstorm together to

exchange. People often tend to

se is done. This provides no further

come up with effective solutions.

check their emails pretty late.

legal recourse and leads to a major

While working on a team, it is

When you communicate through

loss and a bitter experience for

important to split the work based

an instant messenger, you can get

both the parties.

on one’s strength and expertise

an immediate response which

and develop a collaborative way of

reduces chances of misunderstandings

In conclusion, I must say that the

working. You should respect the

with quicker back-and-forth of

ability

contribution of each team member

replies. If these interactions result

dimensions of consulting is the

and

in

you

best skill you can have, because

accomplishments of the whole

should make sure that the points

the more clients you work with,

team rather than only yours.

of discussion are minuted and sent

the more variety you will find in

out as an email later for reference.

their ideas and expectations. It

it

be

becomes

focused

very

on

quick

important

discussions,

8. DEBRIEFING AND PLANNING:

contractual

to

clauses

manage

all

are

these

goes without saying that you

When you are working in a team

10. CREATING BACKUPS:

develop this skill with experience,

and the work is distributed, it

Backing up your work is crucial in

but I hope I have pointed you in

becomes very important to discuss

consulting, which sometimes takes

the right direction.

and debrief each other on the

a back seat. We forget, we ignore

progress of the project. It is the

and

performance of the team which

sometimes we happen to lose the

will lead to successful completion

information that was gathered

of

each

with a lot of hard work. Therefore,

individual needs to put in their best

ensure backups are created for the

effort and ensure that there is a

data as your work is your wealth

proper synergy of work. Individual

and you would not want to lose

planning becomes as important as

the wealth that you have acquired

group planning so that you do not

over the years.

the

project,

hence,

we postpone,

and

then

SUDIP BHAJU

LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR TOURISM SUBRINA SHRESTHA The implications of technology and online information on a country’s

tourism industry are immense with countries spending large portions of their marketing budget on creating online content and technology. I came to realize this while working on a project on the Rwanda tourism industry. The task was simple: we had put together a thick volume of information on tourist attractions in the country, and all that was left; was to put it on a website. However

contrary to our expectations this turned

out

to

be

the

most

challenging part of the assignment.

Choosing information and presenting it on a website and mobile app in the most fitting way would shape how prospective

visitors

looked

at

Rwanda; and decide on whether to go there or not. As I sat at my office desk staring at the work-in-progress

homepage and wondered how we could make this happen, I realized this was the first of many days that I would spend on that page.

USING TECHNOLOGY TO INFORM

for domestic or international travel.

as new avalanches. Lack of an

Today, destination

are

official information dissemination

shaped by user reviews in travel

system along the trail therefore

forums, and routes are navigated

resulted in some people hastily

by Siri, Cortana and Google Now. In

abandoning trips midway. More

this maze of information, countries

crucially,

proactively put up information on

aware of the risk and implications

websites and publish free apps to

of bad weather and the dangers

attract new tourists as well as

that might lay ahead.

choices

others

weren’t

fully

inform them on the destination and other

travel

components

that

visitors will need while traveling.

Given that mountaineering and trekking is one of the largest sources of income generation for

Updating information is particularly

Nepal,

important in adventure tourism

investments be made in ensuring a

where visitors need to be aware of

safe and informed trip for visitors.

various

weather

For instance, investments can be

conditions. While camping overnight

made in developing a concrete

at Deurali during a trip to the

information

generation

and

Annapurna Base Camp just in

dissemination

mechanism,

like

March 2015, I remember hearing

regular radio contacts with trekkers or

loud rumbles which our guide

their guides.

claimed to be of avalanches nearby.

online portals are full of videos on

The very next morning a group of

Nepal’s mountains, culture and

trekkers abandoned the trip and

festivals, and this kind of positive

factors

like

it

is

essential

that

Social media and

headed back. Although we were a

publicity ought to be backed by

Researching a destination online

bit unsure we continued with the

good facilities on the ground.

before visiting it has become

journey. On the way we could see

These

common practice in this age, be it

debris from the earlier night as well

necessarily come entirely from the

investments

need

not

government.

Given

a

good

and animals, and still receives

the immense opportunities made

business case of selling weather

more than 1.5 million visitors a year.

possible by placing technology at

data, private investment can be

the

forefront

of

the

visitors’

encouraged and tour agencies and

While

with

experience. We are yet to see our

guides

to

nature resources can leverage

museums adopt interactive technology,

subscribe to these services. For instance,

what they have to boost their

our trekking trails equipped with

HoneyGuide, an app which provides

tourism industry, others can use

real time information dissemination

offline information on some of the

technology to expand this sector. I

systems, our mountains guarded

famous trails of Nepal provides

was left mesmerized with the

with well-equipped rescue teams or

data on the trails, weather and

Wings of Time – the lights and

even garbage management systems.

other relevant information. Private

water show at Sentosa Island -

players

are

which

adopting

technology, which

can

be

mandated

stepping

in

and

countries

blessed

and

We have an opportunity to reshape

is

utilizes lights, water cannons and

the industry ahead of us. Given the

encouraging to witness. Technology

sound effects to tell a simple story

recent earthquake, it is now crucial

therefore offers such immense

projected with the sea as the

that the heritage we rebuild adopts

opportunities that entire tourism

background. On the other side is

advanced architectural technology

businesses are now being built

my memory of Annapurna Base

to ensure that they remain intact if

around it.

Camp, a heavenly experience on

another earthquake were to hit the

its own, which would have been

country. We need to have a futuristic

USING TECHNOLOGY TO

far better had technology been

vision and build an appetite to adopt

ATTRACT

leveraged

new methods of packaging and

Technology has a wide spectrum of

trekking arrangements.

usage in the tourism industry that

adapts

technology

for

these

kind

of

creating tourism products And maybe few years down the line we

goes beyond the lone website and

TOURISM & TECHNOLOGY

can sit around the Dabali in front of

accompanying mobile app. Dubai’s

IN THE NEPALI CONTEXT

the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and

Burj Khalifa and Palm Islands,

Nepal, already blessed with natural

Malaysia’s theme parks and KL

heritage, can massively leverage

tower are some examples of how

technology

and

focus

countries have become top tourist

enhancing

visitor

experience.

destinations

of

Tourism products that provide the

technology. Malaysia is not as well

best of nature and technology can

endowed with natural resources as

be

Nepal, but they have managed to

tourism sector has been slow in

leverage technology to create

adopting

attractions like water, amusement,

leveraging it to its benefit.

The

wildlife and theme parks; which is

same

and

now considered as one of the most

packages have been on offer for

famous tourist destinations in the

far

world. Malaysia’s Sunway Lagoon;

encouraging to see new products,

one of the oldest theme parks in

such as the zip line at Pokhara and

the country, is full of exciting rides

sky diving at Mt. Everest, at the

along with a wide variety of birds

same time we are yet to capture

on

the

back

created,

however

Nepal’s

technology

tourism too

on

long.

created through holograms that tells a story of our ancestors and our culture right where it happened centuries

ago

preserved

durbar

it

with

is

SUBRINA SHRESTHA

the

well

and temples

standing right behind.

and

product While

witness an augmented reality field

MAKING OF THE PAVILIONS HIMALAYA RAJU TULADHAR Having survived the death road with 22 other passengers on a TATA Sumo (which has a max capacity of

11 passengers) from Ghale Gaun, we finally arrived at Besisahar,

internet. I was quite surprised to

employees, guests as well as the

Lamjung. The bulldozer -terrorism-

see such beautiful properties, and I

local community. Pavilions was to

built road from Ghale-Gaun to

realized this was not just any

become

Besisahar had shaken all of us, and

ordinary boutique hotel we were

sustainable practices and eco-

we all complained of back aches.

talking about. I was now excited to

friendly operations. The operations

After wrapping up our work in

meet the visionary Mr. Douglas.

of Pavilions was to be genuinely

Besisahar, we then moved towards Pokhara for discussion of a new project.

a

leading

model

of

and visibly an eco-friendly “Green While my back was hurting like

wash” and not “White wash”. The

crazy and my head still buzzing

idea behind this project was to

because of the Mojitos we drank

create a hybrid luxury boutique

On our arrival at Pokhara, we

the previous night, I just had

realized that we were in for a treat.

enough time to take a shower and

Over a pitcher of Mojito and

make it for the meeting with Mr.

munchies, we had a small briefing

Douglas at 8 am. With a folder in

session on the development of an

one hand and a bike helmet on the

eco-friendly luxury boutique resort

other, Douglas too arrived exactly

expectations of the guests by

in Pokhara. While the briefing was

at 8 am. After 25 years of living

showcasing the natural beauty of

going on, one thought was running

here, Nepal still hadn’t got the

the region and providing the

in my head -“Not another so-called

better of the Englishman.

guests a meaningful and rewarding

As any typical conversation in

return to nature as well as

Nepal would start, our conversation

philanthropy fulfillment experiences.

began with discussing the political

Douglas, being a philanthropist,

scenario of Nepal and drafting of

emphasized on the resort’s “give

Next morning we were scheduled

the constitution (which was a hot

back” goals to the Himalayas. The

to meet Mr. Douglas Maclagan to

topic then). I guess the ice breaker

goal was to provide 50% of the

discuss “The Pavilions Himalaya”

for any conversation in Nepal is

families in the village direct benefits

project. Before dozing off the

the discussion of the political

and sustainable employment within

previous night, I had made an effort

scenario. Douglas then explained

the resort. Besides that the resort

to research the Pavilions Himalaya

how Pavilions Himalaya would be

was to contribute more than half

Phuket and Bali properties over the

an example for the hotel industry,

of its profit to the community

eco

resort

in

Pokhara

again,

especially when most of the existing hotels are already having a tough time”.

hotel and a village farm resort capitalizing on the hotel brand, Pavilions, to attract individuals, couples,

groups

Pavilions

was

and

set

school and health post.

to

families. exceed

Douglas insisted that we go for a

Association. This got me thinking

approved. The other FDI approvals

site visit to get a sense of what he

as to why a company cannot

from Nepal Rastra Bank happened

was talking about. The two of us

dictate its own objective especially

in the same manner but we learnt

rode on his bike through the

when it is for a good social cause.

here

bumpy Pumdi Bhumdi road which

The CRO office maintained that

continuous follow up is the key for

would lead to the resort. The

this charity objective was to be

success in a bureaucratic environment.

Pavilions Himalaya, Pokhara was

removed

too

The biggest lesson is one has to be

set to be nestled in a picturesque

remained adamant on having this

an instant story teller of ironies at

village surrounded by farmland,

as an objective. As the saying goes

these government institutions to

forested

where there is a will there is a way,

get their attention so that the

and after much haggling and

approvals are granted in the

convincing people at the CRO, the

shortest period of time.

hills

and

a

gushing

mountain fed river.

but

Douglas

that

persistence

and

The Pavilions assignment began

registrar agreed to make an

with registration of the company

exception and have the charity

Pavilions Himalaya has managed to

“Pavilions

Private

clause as a secondary objective.

set new standards in terms of

Limited” at the Company Registrar

The Pavilions Himalaya was then

environmental friendliness as it is

office (CRO). During the entire

finally established as a company.

predominantly off the grid. It

process

The bigger task at hand was

generates its own electricity and

particular to mention that one of

getting

Direct

uses biogas for the restaurant.

the main objectives of Pavilions

Investment approval from the

Water is harvested, then recycled

Himalayas was that 50% of its

Department of Industries (DOI)

through wetland gardens in each

profit

charity

and Nepal Rastra Bank. Though the

villa, used for toilet flushing, and

purposes. The aim behind this was

government of Nepal introduced a

then in turn feeds the biogas plant.

to eventually develop a Pavilions

One Window system to facilitate

The resort also grows its own

Foundation set-up as the daughter

Foreign Direct Investment, what

organic produce which literally

philanthropic arm of the resort

the government does not tell

comes off the land, in the pot, and

which would then have a grant

investors is that this one window

on the guests’ plates. Pavilions has

available for disadvantaged and

leads to many doors. The irony is

set a new benchmark for eco-

vulnerable women, under two

the number of rooms is directly

friendly resorts in the country,

themes–Protection and Education.

proportional

of

something that should act as a

The file keeps

yardstick for others in the same

Himalaya

Douglas

would

go

was

for

very

the

bureaucracy.

Foreign

to

the

level

This objective of the boutique

moving from one department to

hotel was not very well received at

another within the DOI until many

the CRO as the objective of

of the documents are torn and

contributing more than half of the

tattered. One will also learn that

company profit did not fit into the

that the lowest ranked personnel

standard

format

Memorandum

and

of

the

of the department – the peon -

Articles

of

holds the key to moving one’s file

Association. Questions were raised

industry.

at the desired F1 pace.

as to why such an odd objective was

to

be

Memorandum

included and

in

the

After numerous cups of masala tea

Articles

of

and haggling, the FDI was finally

RAJU TULADHAR

MANAGEMENT LESSONS FROM 2015

who we have not met or talked to

complemented

for ages, but have been offering

management and leadership skills.

support be it by getting in touch

Be it putting together a rescue

during the earthquake or providing

operation for a hospital, or running

fuel that they have managed to

a program at a time when hiring a

procure in the recent crisis. It is

vehicle is expensive or practically

SUJEEV SHAKYA

perhaps a good time to re-strengthen

impossible.

these ties and introspect on who your

people who will use these issues as

real friends are.

an excuse not to deliver, and then

All Nepali’s want to forget the year 2015. The earthquake in April caused unprecedented human and economic loss, and the crisis resulting from the blockade since September has further compounded the damage. While everyone has been caught up in dealing with the after effects, with the New Year fast approaching it is now time to ponder

over

some

of

the

management lessons we could learn from this year’s events.

OSCILLATE YOUR VIEW: Like switching between a 30,000 feet view and street view on Google Maps, we need to form different perspectives on our own lives, goals and objectives. We have remained on street view for the bulk of this year; constantly looking at and dealing with immediate problems and

solutions.

However

it

is

with

There

the

are

right

always

there are others who will succeed

SILENT CRUSADERS:

to deliver as if there were no

There are those silent crusaders in

problems. This is a good time to

life, who are never seen or heard

look within your team members

of, but continue to do things that

and determine who have these

they

skills. What is it that they have and

know

best.

During

the

earthquake, there were people at the airport tower who continued to

others don’t?

work ceaselessly and volunteers

HUMILITY IS THE WINNER:

who

to

put

things

Take a look around at the silent

an

ability

that

crusaders, those who are not

pleasantly surprised everyone. At

comfortable with compliments or

the same time, there have also

those

been people busy clicking #Relfies

without taking note of time.

(selfies with relief materials) post-

Natural disasters always provide

earthquake, or people making extra

people with an opportunity to look

money by financing fuel in the black

at their relative insignificance in

market. It is the silent crusaders

comparison to what nature can do,

who go the long haul. If you are one

and can also help you realize how

of them, be proud of the same.

little control you have over many

managed

together

with

who

work

relentlessly

things in life. The ones with egos

COMPLEMENTING KNOWLEDGE

will always burst like bubbles,

WITH

while the humble ones will remain.

MANAGEMENT

&

essential that we not lose our long

LEADERSHIP SKILLS:

term vision, or the ability to foresee

Each year thousands of people

opportunities and problems from a

graduate the same courses and

30,000 feet view, as it is only then

with similar grades, be it doctors,

that progress will be made.

engineers, accountants, lawyers or people with degrees in political

STRENGTHENING TIES:

science or social science. Why is it

The earthquake provided opportunities

that some of them stand out? It is

to get back in touch with friends

because

their

knowledge

is

SUJEEV SHAKYA

THE BEED EXPERIENCE ANUP SUBEDI It was during my penultimate semester of undergraduate studies that I first got to know about beed. I was exploring opportunities to pursue after my graduation, and after a brief research on beed, I

ANUP SUBEDI

was determined to be one of the beeds.

A few days after joining, I realized beed was a lot more than what I had signed up for. As days passed there were many new things that unfolded. It must be its DNA dream, achieve, and celebrate -

and its work culture that sets it apart from any other organization in Nepal. Something that caught my attention when I first toured the beed office was the beed

professionals are readily available

beed also frequently organizes

for discussions or feedback when

events, guest lecture sessions, and

required. I think it is very rare to

knowledge series, which facilitate

experience such a work setting in

knowledge and experience sharing,

the

and discussion on different economic

world

of

consulting

and

issues. As a result, one often gets

business.

to listen to industry experts, The other thing that caught my

entrepreneurs, writers, and individuals

attention at beed was the relative

with

lack of competition among co-

backgrounds, giving you key insights on

workers. When I chat with my

various industries and experiences.

experience

from

various

friends who are working for the big four firms in the United States,

At a glance, my three years at beed

they often talk about how excessive

does not sound like a long one but

competition among co-workers creates

it feels like a real achievement if I

an unhealthy work environment

were to closely review these years.

that leads to workers resenting one

Over the ensuring period, I have

another. However beeds believe in

been fortunate to have gained

the success of the team rather

extensive experience by being

than

and

involved in various projects and

Few days after joining

competition is harnessed to facilitate

assignments across a variety of

growth rather than resentment. The

sectors. At the end beed is more

beed, I realized beed

seating arrangement and the fact

than just projects and assignments

was a lot more than

that beeds are always ready to

where you get to experience more

help each other excel and grow

than what you bargained for,

what I had signed up

has led to a very friendly and lively

rather it has been a key milestone

for.

work environment.

in my personal and professional

lab (an open workspace). This seating arrangement takes working in a team to a whole another level.

However, I soon got the concept behind the beed lab, as working became much easier as experienced

personal

success,

journey.

WINNING GLOBAL MARKETS:

BOOKS TO WATCH

HOW BUSINESSESS INVEST AND PROSPER IN WORLD’S HIGH-GROWTH CITIES”

KABITA CHAUDHARY Every once in a while, we read or hear about “national budgets” or “national plans” being formed, but have you ever wondered what would

happen

if

the

word

“national” was replaced by the

From these cities, we can see that

For me, the best part of the book

cities and MNCs have had a positive

is that it challenges some old

impact on each other as they have

beliefs. The book is supported by

helped each other grow.

strong reasoning and facts, and I realized how vast the opportunities

But then the question arises, why

are for cities and MNCs if they

are these cities chosen by MNCs?

work together. MNCs provides

This

is

because

these

cities

opportunities like employment,

largest

target

investment, infrastructure, cheap

population which gives opportunity

and easily assessable products and

for MNCs to constantly grow! And

good life style to cities, and cities

what does the city get in return? It

provide MNCs opportunities like

gets the best deals or the cheapest

large

products (they can afford).

financial

represent

the

government

or “city plan” was made and

may

think,

“What

ultimately pull the country onto the

comes to planning, as growth of

path of development, especially for

cities is remarkably higher when

a developing country like Nepal,

city specific plans are developed

are now the big market players and they are found in all the growing cities of the world. Cities in India like Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Mumbai have grown like never before and one of the major reasons for this is the presence of MNC’s

like

Wipro,

Genpact,

Accenture, HCL and Microsoft.

and

growth of cities and MNCs to

important than nations when it

Multi-National Companies (MNC)

incentives

strong case for the symbiotic

books shows why cities are more

implemented.

infrastructural

To sum it up, the book makes a

difference does it really make?” This

than when national plans are

and

best

commercial support services.

implemented instead of a national

You

population,

resources, best working force,

word “city”? What if a “city budget”

one?

target

and helps us understand how we This book therefore highlights the

can use our strengths, and lessen our

shift

weaknesses to attract MNCs to

of

economies

from

the

developed to developing countries.

As

the

authors

believe

begin operations here.

that

developing countries will be the heroes of tomorrow, they suggest that MNCs start investing in them before it is too late. On the other hand,

the

book

also

advises

developing countries to start work towards tapping into the potential of their cities.

KABITA CHAUDHARY

THE ART OF

up an asymmetrical profile picture

your content. It is very important

(because

one

for an organization to have an idea

SOCIAL MEDIA

“makes a picture less interesting”),

of the reach of their posts. Reach is

to building your foundation, to

a good indicator of how well you

optimizing your profile, and finally

are getting your products or

effectively integrating social media

business name out in the public

and blogging. In between all this,

and into people’s newsfeeds. One

the book also talks about the small

might have shared the right article

components - such as “how to

or post, but all the effort would go

respond to comments”,” how to

to waste if it does not reach the

avoid looking clueless” and most

right audience.

KASHU DHAKHWA From the moment I saw the cover of this book, I told myself that I had to read it. Kawasaki definitely

knows how to market himself. A picture of him grinning in the first chapter makes you familiar with the man and it is easy to picture

a

symmetrical

importantly “how to get more followers” - where individuals or

This chapter gives you 19 easy

organizations mostly go wrong.

ways to perfect your posts. It talks about being valuable which comes

him guiding you till the end. The

in

book says it is for power users, but

because it makes posts “irresistible”.

already tested themselves on social

For instance a reader will be more

media. The book consequently helps

interested and eager to read posts

you organize your social media

that have titles such as “How to

activities by creating a system of sharing,

Completely Change…”, “Five Essentials

re-

of…” or “Ways and Tactics to…”.

sharing (is caring) and calendaring posts.

informative,

Being sly is also given a priority

is more for the ones who have

finding,

forms:

analytical, helpful and entertaining.

after reading the book I feel that it

planning,

four

The best part about this book is that it contains only primary information.

The book is filled with nuggets of

Kawasaki and Fitzpatrick are not

information, and readers would be

interested in theories that prove

well-advised to have a notebook

one tactic is better than the other.

ready to jot down the “tricks” they

Nor do they overwhelm you with

think is important for them. It is

examples of how some organizations’

also very important to understand

tactics made them famous in the

that applying all the 123 tips (yes!)

world of social media. In fact, the

that Kawasaki and Fitzpatrick have

authors follow their own suggestions

mentioned is not the way forward.

and recommend tools that they

Readers would rather focus on

have worked with or are linked

implementing a few things before

with marketing strategy.

Kawasaki and Fitzpatrick rightly suggest that there is a sense of suspense for the readers in all these titles and it has a higher chance of getting “clicks”. Similarly, using

#hastags,

multilingual also feature high on

the list.

Chapter 4 on “perfecting your posts” was one of my favorite chapters

step by step guide - from putting

because it talks about polishing

active

(sharing and re-sharing), being

moving to the next.

The book has a flow in that gives a

being

KASHU DHAKHWA

Contact Us

Coming to the end of the book and the last chapter of “how to put everything together”, the authors provide a great framework on what needs to be done and what it takes to have a good social media presence. Of

beed management

course, for them it is easier to do what they do, because both are gurus of

P.O Box 7025

the social media space. But you cannot really argue or criticize with what

Krishna Galli

they have suggested. The book is a stepping stone in your quest to being a

Lalitpur - 3

full-fledged social media expert, and as such has spelled out the ultimate

Nepal

secret recipe(s) in such simple words.

(+977) 1 - 5548400

The Art of Social Media is a book which is full of tactics and strategies that Kawasaki refers to as “Great Stuff, No Fluff”. It points you in the right

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direction to be better in the social media arena. For beginners who are

beedinsights@beed.com.np

overwhelmed by too many choices, as well as those who want to improve their social media game, this book is a constant source of reference.

Visit us on the web at www.beed.com.np

in the business of positive transformation

beed management is an international management consulting and financial advisory services firm working in Nepal, Bhutan and Rwanda.

Since its establishment in September 2008, we have served over hundred clients in over 20 industries.

Nepal Economic Forum (NEF) is not for profit organization initiated by beed aiming to be Nepal’s premier private sector led economic policy and research institution.

beed leadership center (BLC) works on the positive transformation of individuals, and explores the domain of leadership development through selfdiscovery.

NEF strives to re-define the economic development discourse in Nepal, and works towards strengthening the Nepali economy.

BLC conducts leadership programs for different individuals & organizations.

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