I often get asked and think along the lines of that ultimate question: Why do you write? As many writers have been, I too get fixated on solving this conundrum: why write? In the era of quick commerce, reels, views and monetization, why bother writing for an audience that currently is a null set? Why write for a nonexitent reader that would yearn for an article written from your ink, and your soul? And then I am reminded of an interview of a prolific Hindi writer: Dr. Shambhunath. In a recent interview with Kathadesh, he remarks on the essence of saving the sea to save fishes. And that is the work of a writer. To create a comfortable and conducive environment of dialogue and discourse; and make the society think. Along that lines, i write. Not for the world, but for that one reader who is excited by my work and counts days until my next work is published. What's on my mind? I have been a cog in the professional arena for an year now. Working both as a spectator and an insider, I have made a picture of how it feels like working for a coglomerate. A setting where causal ambiguity makes you wonder if you are contributing anything to the topline. My interactions with the teams have been enlightening, and my eagerness to get things done(my recent MBA from an IIM notwithstanding) leads me down a rabbit-hole of thoughts. And so, as the humorous adage goes, I have a bunch of thoughts. I am writing a simulation; a retelling of my experiences if you will, as stories. Set in the Indian MNC world, it is similar to how an established enterprises fiddles with the idea of greenfield and brownfield expansions. Teams are created, processes are set. However, in the core of it all is the willingness to experiment. I remember the interaction I had with my boss a while back. This happened during the annual goal setting exercise, and I have a deep sense of regard and admiration for him. It went like this: Anuj, we want you to handle the e-Com portfolio for the cluster at large. With my quick wit, I replied, "Nothing could make me happier, given my last stint in brand marketing for one of our divisions" With the patience that has become a personality trait of my boss, he understood the glint of sarcasm and post a few questions on the brand I handled, he remarked: We want to see how the channel element you handle go in the first year. The cluster is looking at the emerging channels as a way to understand their business model and make our presence felt in the long run. And you'll be handling the crux of it all. Such conversations happen regularly in a corporate setting. I am blessed with a team that appreciates the experimentation that goes along with such an endeavor; and my stories reflect the hits and misses of the steps we take to boost our portfolio. In the stories, I hope you find yourself in the narrative that highlights the hits and misses, the experiments and the learnings that follow any new undertaking in business. The stories are built around a fictional MNC that operates in healthcare, and I have tried to make it separate(and yet similar) to how I function in my current role as a Category Manager for the cluster. For now, I hope you are excited to see what comes next. If you liked the prologue, be sure to subcribe so that you become one of the supporters of a weekly exercise that will illuminate your inbox every weekend. Until next time... Writers are inspired by ridiculous things. I find solace in music. And I leave my readers with a song after every post. This is just an add-on, and not an exercise of reading between the lines. Today, I share a Gazal(this name is important to me, more on that later) from a Bollywood movie, Masoom.

In the bustling city of Mumbai, amidst the towering skyscrapers and bustling streets, resides Anuj, a seasoned strategy professional with a passion for sharing his daily musings and life insights. Anuj, hailing from the vibrant city of Mumbai in India, is preparing to embark on a new journey - that of a blogger. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for strategic thinking, Anuj is gearing up to launch his personal blog, where he will offer a glimpse into his world as a strategy professional. This blog will serve as a platform for Anuj to share his thoughts on a variety of topics, ranging from his role in the corporate world to his everyday life experiences. Although he has yet to finalize a name for his blog, Anuj's main focus will be on providing his audience with daily doses of inspiration and valuable insights. Through consistent and high-quality content, he aims to attract an organic following of readers who are eager to learn from his wisdom and experiences. In the future, Anuj plans to explore different monetization strategies for his blog, such as incorporating advertisements, affiliate marketing, and other revenue streams. However, his primary goal at the moment is to captivate and engage his audience through captivating storytelling and meaningful content. As Anuj sets out on this new venture, he invites readers to join him on this exciting journey of self-discovery, growth, and reflection. Stay tuned for daily updates filled with thought-provoking musings and valuable life lessons from this Mumbai-based strategy professional. Follow along as Anuj's blog unfolds, offering a unique perspective on life, work, and everything in between. Join him as he navigates the complexities of the modern world with grace, insight, and a touch of Mumbai flair.

Are you based in Mumbai and considering starting a personal blog to generate some side income? If so, you're in the right place! Today, we're going to discuss some strategies to help you successfully monetize your blog in Mumbai. One key factor in building a successful blog is to focus on providing high-quality and consistent content. This is exactly what Anuj, a strategy professional from Mumbai, plans to do with his upcoming blog. By sharing his daily life experiences, musings, and insights into his role and job, Anuj aims to connect with his audience on a personal level and build a loyal following. Once Anuj has established a substantial and engaged audience, he can start exploring various monetization strategies. One common approach is to incorporate advertisements on the blog. By partnering with ad networks or directly with advertisers, Anuj can earn revenue based on the number of clicks or impressions the ads receive. Another lucrative option is affiliate marketing. Anuj can promote products or services related to his niche on his blog and earn a commission for every sale or lead generated through his affiliate links. This strategy works particularly well when the promoted products align with the interests of Anuj's audience. Additionally, Anuj can consider creating and selling digital products, such as e-books, online courses, or exclusive content. These offerings can provide an additional revenue stream while adding value to his audience. To boost his blog's visibility and attract more readers, Anuj should focus on implementing search engine optimization (SEO) best practices. By conducting keyword research, optimizing his content for relevant keywords, and building backlinks from reputable websites, Anuj can improve his blog's ranking on search engine results pages and drive organic traffic. In conclusion, monetizing a personal blog in Mumbai requires a strategic approach and a commitment to providing valuable content to your audience. By following Anuj's path of sharing authentic experiences and musings, while exploring various revenue streams like ads, affiliate marketing, and digital products, you too can turn your passion for blogging into a profitable venture.

When Anuj, a strategy professional based in Mumbai, India, decided to embark on a new venture by starting a personal blog, he envisioned a platform where he could share his daily life experiences, musings, and insights with the world. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for writing, Anuj aims to build an organic audience through consistent and high-quality content. As he delves into the world of blogging, Anuj is deliberate in his approach, understanding the significance of creating engaging and valuable content to attract and retain readers. By weaving together narratives of his daily life, reflections on his role and job, and anecdotes from his general experiences, Anuj plans to offer a unique perspective that resonates with his audience. One of Anuj's key strategies for growing his blog is to focus on authenticity and sincerity in his writing. By sharing genuine stories and perspectives, he hopes to connect with readers on a personal level, ultimately building a loyal and engaged community around his blog. In addition to crafting compelling content, Anuj is also aware of the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) to increase visibility and reach a wider audience online. By incorporating relevant keywords and optimizing his blog posts for search engines, he aims to improve the discoverability of his content and attract more readers over time. Looking ahead, Anuj sees the potential to monetize his blog once he has built a substantial audience. From display ads and sponsored content to affiliate marketing and product endorsements, there are various revenue streams that he can explore in the future. However, for now, he remains focused on creating valuable content and growing his audience organically. As Anuj navigates the exciting journey of building his blog from the ground up, he is fueled by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to delivering authentic and insightful content. With determination and creativity, he is well on his way to establishing a platform that not only entertains and informs but also inspires and connects with readers from all walks of life.

A despondent existence that hits you late at night when you are absorbed in your thoughts, seeing the fan rotate ever so slightly and your existence surrounded by the biege shades of the room you call "home", for now. And then, it suddenly hits you. A reality you have been running away from since the last year. Anuj, you have left your home. Your heart still resides in the warmth of your parents' smiles, in the nostalgic past with your siblings. And yet, you trudge your work life in Mumbai in hope of one day reversing all this gloom into happiness. Of having achieved something that gives motive to all your efforts and struggles till now: all those days when you decided to study a bit more than go playing with friends, the nights you prepared for interviews while your mates at college went partying, and the weekends you perfected those presentations that eventually were never credited to you. As you have now made peace with your work - a never ending charade of mediocre tasks that bring zero value addition to your skills, you are here with those 2AM thoughts. Where is the meaning in all of this? Will it be better the second time you put your faith in the mundane tasks? Is this why you toiled hard in an NIT-IIM? I hope I get some answers as I prepare to start again. Hope is indeed the elixir of Gods. However, if it is to be different this time around, I have to let go of so many burdens I have been carrying in my life. For instance, the need for validation at work. the need to be engrossed in cultivating relationships. the need to find love. filling up my time with unnecessary social media and Netflix. and the list and the lust goes on... And so I begin my journey to find meaning and some much-needed humor in my life. Wish me luck! PS: As a ritual, I end my narrations with a song. Today, I bring an instrumental one from Bollywood. I hope you enjoy this rendition of a famous 2000s song about love and the eternal longing to meet your better half.