In earlier times much before the fragmented and niche agencies came into being, when 15% commission and not retainer-ship was the norm, the large agencies used to have a huge annual incentive conclave. The cut was by designation.
In 1993, if I am right about the year, I made the cut first time. That year the trip destination as SUNCITY, South Africa. HTA (JWT) had (and I think still has) a policy that does not allow a large group of senior team members to take the same flight. That is aimed more to protect the organisation ( if something was to happens) than anything else.
It was my first trip abroad and it was high excitement time. While drawing the list of people doing different route- I think I was lucky to be drawn to do the luxurious relaxed Delhi- MUMBAI ( halt)- Mauritius ( Halt) – Jonesburg – Suncity route.
Now getting on to the trip is one thing but taking care of your own personal expenses is something
JAGDIP BAKSHI
different. And these expenses can total a lot even in a fully paid official trip. I addressed this issue to Jagdip Bakshi. He told me some expenses are but essential but many other expenses there is a Golden Mantra. Have enough- enjoy- and make sure that you stay at the bar with seniors.
So, at Mauritius, we all were at the lagoon bar enjoying our drink. Samir Verma, Jagdip Bakshi, Tarun Rai – all were in the same trip. I was going slowly with my drink as I had been instructed by Jagdeep Bakshi to be at the bar and not get Tully.
MIKE KHANNA
The drinks were rolling and talks were getting louder. Sometime around 10:30 PM Mike ( Mohinder ) Khanna made his entry. That was late and seniors had been waiting for him. Everybody was curious to know what took him so long. The reason was simple – He was stuck at the bathroom trying to get the system working and he cribbed as to why hotels have complicated systems instead of just a cold and a hot tap.
No, that is not the highlight of today’s episode. The seniors circle at the bar was growing tighter by the hour. I was getting lost in the process- that was my first trip. But I diligently stayed put at the fringes. Jagdip Bakshi (JB) eyes and smile told me that I was on the right track.
After two large single malt had gone down his throat, Mike wanted to retire and waived for the cheque. The waiter at the counter as if totally normal with his finger in the air making round movement- without speaking a word asked – if he was supposed to get the bill for all the people at the Bar.
‘Yes- put it on my room‘ I heard Mike say in his peculiar voice. Right on the clue- from the left edge of the semi circular bar- almost in a passing the baton style came the voices – two more- two more- two more…. Two more and then I too joined it with TWO MORE and few more followed after me Two more Two more. .
The bill for the drinks in the evening for HTA team sitting around the bar was on Mike. People who sat at a distance paid for their own drinks.
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Other episodes in Advertising and marketing
● Thank You ● Rain Clause – I ● Lethal Combination ● APPETITE ● Puncture ● Adultery- the moment ● ASSET ● I am Sankar ● The Count ● Introduction ● Time Bomb ● Small Tile ● Shoot Report ● Sardar Khush Hoga ● Shoot At Mud Island ● Kaali Peeli Picture ● Upgrade ● Juhi Effect ● Power Of Punjab ● Out ● Eleven Minutes ● The Cherry Win ● The Presentation ● Black Gold ● Buffered ● Continue With Client ● Not Fired ● One Less Decision ● The Ghost Of 35 Rani Jhansi Road Jhandewalaon ● The Problem ● Imported Art Card ● Banyan Tree Agency
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In case you have any such episode ( experiential Learning / Humor ) and would want to share- please connect with me through comment or connect at facebook : Sanjeev kotnala or tweet at – s_kotnala
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Coming next week in IPL season an episode from HTA Cricket world.
