Brand Equity Quiz 2009

Brand Equity Quiz – I wouldn’t mind giving my right hand to be present at the event. In fact, I look forward for the quiz the entire year. When it’s over, I am left with a feeling that the whole year is finished and I have reached December 31. That’s precisely the impact of Brand Equity Quiz on me!

I guess it is one event the whole corporate world, across the length and breadth of India, anxiously waits to be a part of. The quiz probably acts like an invisible barometer, testing the mettle of the corporate industry’s intellectual resources. Consequently, the moment your company moves to the top position, you know, you have the sharpest minds on the payroll. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise to watch topnotch organizations battle it out tooth and nail to grab the winning spot. Well, if not for the quiz, the teams would definitely fight for the national grand prize: Mahindra Scorpios.

However, to qualify for the nationals, one has to secure a win among the various local teams on the home turf. As a result, the teams battled it out at Hyderabad to qualify for the nationals in the lush green lawns of Taj Banjara under the twilight sky on 19 April ’09. As always, Derek O' Brien played the audience like a harp. He was in total control right from the word ‘go’. Yeah! A walking dynamo! You could sense imperceptible sparks fly off him. He knows when to pull off a gag, when to keep you numb with suspense, and when to make your heart do a yo yo. Like every year, he had a theme this year too. Last year, the theme was “Old Hindi Movies.” So everything was in tune with the theme. This year, the quiz was dedicated to blind people. And you could see on the background screen Louis Braille’s words slowly take shape, “Ignorance is complete darkness.” And Derek’s line, which he used quite often during the quiz, “Let me lead you from darkness to light” was very apt for the evening.

Unfortunately, I missed the preliminary round as I got stuck in the traffic. By the time I reached the venue, Derek was reeling out the answers for the prelims. I simply couldn’t forgive myself for not starting from home early. But luckily, after the coffee break, I was able to grab a front seat which presented me with a ringside view. Anyway, the six teams that made it to the final rounds at Hyderabad were Vizag Steel, Google, Microsoft, Satyam, JWT Mindset and TIME. The competition among these teams was stiff. As the evening turned cooler, the excitement got hotter. The teams were sharp, the quiz master, sharper. As usual, the crowd loved the combo!

What really drives you nuts about the quiz is that the audience is as charged up as the contestants. That’s because every now and then, Derek walks into the audience throws a question at them. If you happen to answer a question correctly, he will give you half dozen prizes. That is, if he is not in his good spirits! If you catch him in his good spirits, he wouldn’t mind giving you the prizes but also to the entire row in which you are seated! Mind you, the prizes aren’t some tidbits. They could be anything from a bottle of scotch to expensive gift vouchers from Lawrence and Mayo to free travel trips to various places. Of course, the real icing on the cake was an expensive high-end Samsung Phone, which Derek gave out to someone in the crowd.

At the fag-end of the event, only two teams were neck to neck in the competition --Vizag Steel and JWT Mindset. Although my favourite team was Vizag Steel, but as I am true blue Hyderabadi my support went out to the Hyderabad team -- JWT Mindset. Vizag Steel stands as my favourite because of their consistent performance in Brand Equity Quiz. Every year you see them clear the prelims and reach the top. But this time, unfortunately, the buzzer round spelled doom for Vizag Steel as JWT mindset team hammered the final nail on the opponents’ coffin by pressing the buzzer and giving out the correct answer.

When Derek, at the end of the show, announced that there were free drinks for everyone, although I don’t drink, my head was already dizzy with excitement. You really got to hand it out to Derek for making Brand Equity Quiz a classy event!

OraFest ‘09 at Infosys

Infosys was ablaze on 29 March 09.

It sizzled with unbridled talent as the participants of speech contest at the OraFest ’09 fought with a fire in their belly that is rarely witnessed! Eventually, the tough-minded and tough-spirited emerged out of the furnace more fluent, more knowledgeable, and, of course, with a sparkling bronze trophy in their hands.

This was the first time I attended Toastmasters and I enjoyed it thoroughly. I guess there exist about 10-12 clubs in the city. Unfortunately, I came to know of them only a couple of weeks ago. Sigh. Anyway, I would have never known about them, had it not been for my brother who dug out and sent me details of various clubs located in and around Hyderabad. And when I caught wind of OraFest ‘09 at Infosys, I simply couldn’t stop myself from attending it. I think it’s an annual fest where members of various clubs congregate. Among them, a select few members participate in the speech contests.

The speech contests were fun. The topics were funnier. Some of the topics were like “One Last Chance” “Me, the impossible”…so on. It was exciting watching the contestants dole out gripping talks on weird topics. With the speakers in action, you could easily decipher that the clubs were doing their job well! I mean damn well! All of them were so bold and confident on stage; you know they have been honing their oratory skills all along. Frankly, they were some speakers who deserved a standing ovation. The participants were gauged on various parameters such as pronunciation, speed; staying on topic…when the competition concluded, it was no doubt a nail-biting finish.

Before the curtains came down on Orafest ’09, the MC announced that the winners in this competition would automatically qualify for the main event “Ovations ’09" at Sri Lanka in May '09. Surprise! Surprise! All the club members were also invited to Sri Lanka as long as they bear their own travel expenses. Boy! How I wanted to be a part of that troop to Sri Lanka. But the part, I would have to make my own travel arrangements since all have already booked their tickets, took the air out of me! That’s when I decided to stay in India than go alone to Sri Lanka. Anyway, correct me if I am wrong, isn’t there a war going on in Sri Lanka? ;)

What's more, I have never been to Infosys before, therefore, was quite stunned to see the sprawling acres of greenery dotted with myriad colorful flowers. At Infosys, anybody would get a feeling of being transported to another country. The ambience is simply out-of-this-world. The wide stretch of asphalt amidst landscaped greenery, the morning sunlight drenching the freshly blossomed flowers, the delicate balance of nature with the architectural splendour, the soothing silence…Man, you are in a different world. All I can say is lucky infosysians.

Anyway, I am looking forward to attend the Toastmasters club on a regular beat! Phew! There is still so much to learn in life!

Sublime Thoughts

A thought that’s a rocker!

I would rather live my life as if there is a God,
and die to find out there isn't, than live my life
as if there isn't, and die to find out there is.

For those following my blog: I know, I know. The spiritual dose on here is getting slightly heavier, so I am going to tone it down a bit. The next post would be on the devil and his attributes. Nah ;). I am just kidding!!! Yes, I will tone down the spiritual part a bit though.