Dear All,
Recently while I was pitching for one of the projects in one of the pharma companies (a known MNC), I was very much confident to get the project. Reasons being:
1. We have an expertise to execute the project successfully.
2. We had already proven ourselves in the previous project that we did with the other division of the same company, probably the reason that this new division wanted to give us their project.
3. Product managers, mostly of my age (29 years) were very amiable while they met me and had all the praise for the work that we had done previously.
4. We were cost effective for these managers and agreed to work on strict timelines.
But after few days I was told that the project has been given to some other agency. What could be the reason? Why we lost this project? Were the competitors more cost effective? “NO”: on the contrary sources told me that the other agencies quote was almost double of what we had put.
So what exactly went wrong?
While I started business development in the initial months of venturing out, I used dress up casually for meetings. I thought its cool that way as after all it is the quality of work that counts. But gradually I myself realized that I should wear formal clothes.
So was I not wearing formal clothing for this meeting? Ofcourse I was but guess what…sources told me that when I met the product manager’s boss to discuss about project and to tell him about my company and team,he found me too cool or casual to be a director of some company…HAHA! Guess he was noticing my beard style more than the science which I was discussing.
I think it is time for senior people in industry to be open to the whole idea of young entrepreneurs too being dynamic, creative and intelligent. It is not always experience that makes you a deserving human being OR not just the way you dress or carry yourself that should help you to get business.
Would like other rodinhoods to share their experiences or if you have any suggestions for me on this?
Thanks and regards
Dr. Dang