What a Gem!

Today's class focused on branding. As have many of the professors in this program, today's professor spent a good portion of his time reviewing basic concepts of his subject. Did someone forget to tell these people that we are graduate students? It makes me wonder at what level their own students really are, if the professors are inclined to teach basics instead of more complex theory and case analysis at the graduate level. As time passed the prof did eventually get to information specifically about branding within India and internationally. This was interesting, but there was too little information given to take away a solid understanding of international branding. The concepts he did present were basically just extensions of branding being used at international level, nothing new here.

We had the afternoon off. This gave us a chance to get caught up on errands - like shopping! Mr. Dwarakanth had offered to come with me and some others to shop for fine jewelry. While I had picked out several pieces at a store next to our hotel, he had a shop that he wanted us to visit first. We went, they had poorer quality stones and less selection, but, of course, the prices were lower. After passing on anything at that shop, we went to the one where I had been previously. They saw me coming in the door and jumped into action. I asked the salesperson what discount I would get for purchasing my four favorite pieces. He quoted an amount that was not as good as the last time I was in, so I told him the price wasn't as good and got up and left! I was so abrupt that I think he was shocked. I know my compadres were. By this time Mr. Dwarakanth had left and we went to another part of the store where I haggled on a carpet that we were purchasing as a gift for Mr. Dwarakanath. Long story short - got a good deal on the carpet, went back and bought the jewelry, but only after getting a 40% discount.

I noticed that the salesmen in the different parts of the store use alot of the same lines when trying to sell something. Given that this particular store has about a hundred locations I wondered if they provide sales training. If they do, it is not training that emphasizes needs analysis of the customer, but rather, sell whatever you can for as much as possible, and say whatever it takes to do so.