Latest news with #Manjit
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Why Personal Branding Is The New Business Branding
Nitin Gupta, founder of QRCodeChimp. He's a technology leader with over two decades of technology development and management experience. getty I met a young Punjabi entrepreneur at a networking event in San Francisco a few years ago. Let's say his name was Manjit. As startup founders, we bonded quickly. Manjit was looking for investments for his tech firm. He met every angel investor possible to hand over his visiting cards and deliver a well-rehearsed elevator pitch about his product. He was confident that his energetic pitch would land him the opportunity he sought. He ended the event with high hopes. The following year, I met Manjit again at the same event. He revealed that he was still looking for an investor. But this year, he approached them with a different plan. Instead of a pitch, Manjit had a story to tell—the problem he identified as an expat living in a foreign land, how his product would address it and how millions of expats would benefit from it, promising great ROI. Manjit's story worked—he secured seed funding, and I learned a valuable lesson: Personal branding is no longer optional; it has become the foundation of business branding. The modern customer craves authenticity. Many people want to know the stories and faces behind a company. According to Edelman's 2023 Trust Barometer, 63% of people trust their neighbors, while 48% trust CEOs. Often customers want to know what an individual says about a brand more than what the brand says about itself. Some entrepreneurs have even become household names because of their voice and presence, making them more relatable to the common person than their companies. Traditional branding, such as logos, colors and taglines, still matters. However, I've noticed that what attracts customers and builds trust with them is the human behind the brand. The short answer is: Emotion wins over noise. Most people don't want to hear sales pitches. However, people are constantly bombarded by social media ads, marketing emails and website pop-ups, almost exasperating them. Here, personal branding works like a fresh breath of air. When someone speaks, shares a personal anecdote, tells a story or admits to a mistake, people listen, relate and often connect emotionally. Personal branding allows people to see the human behind the brand. • The power of word-of-mouth marketing: Back in 2012, a Nielsen study found that 92% of consumers trusted earned media, including individual recommendations, over brand messaging. Fast-forward to today, and much of that trust has shifted to social media influencers and vocal business leaders who shape opinions and drive purchasing decisions. • Relatability: The efficacy of a human connection is undeniable. When someone hears an entrepreneur talk about dreams, aspirations or failures, they can often instantly relate to the situations—a feat an inanimate object like a corporate brand can't achieve easily. • Engagement: Personal stories on LinkedIn and other social media platforms often see higher engagement than brand posts. Why? They feel real and build trust, encouraging people to buy from you, recommend you and invest in you. • Relevance: Personal branding keeps you visible. When you consistently express your opinion on various trending topics in addition to your business, you stay relevant (so does your brand). • Legacy: Your personal brand stays with you. Unlike businesses, which can grow, evolve or fail, your words, reputation and presence remain. I think Elon Musk is a good example of personal branding. Many people associate his personality, unfiltered views and futuristic vision directly with his companies like Tesla and SpaceX. Meanwhile Richard Branson's adventurous, bold personality makes Virgin come across as approachable and daring to many people. In India, I think Anand Mahindra's personal brand as someone who's thoughtful, witty and socially conscious has enhanced Mahindra Group's global corporate image. And Ankur Warikoo built a massive audience by sharing personal stories, career lessons and failures. First things first, you don't need an avant-garde media team or to spend tons of money to build your personal brand. Here's how to do it instead: • Pick a platform: Identify your customer demographics and where they spend most of their time. It could be LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter/X or YouTube—or all of these. Start with one platform, be consistent, and scale as your audience grows. • Share your story: Talk about your journey—why did you start your business, and how are you addressing an issue? Talk about the challenges and the solutions. Trust me, people are more interested in listening to a story than reading product features. • Offer value: Teach and inspire people. Share lessons, mistakes, wins and insights. • Be real: Dare to be imperfect. Don't overthink. People typically connect more to real human personas rather than the sanitized versions. • Engage: Build a community. Start conversations and respond often. Reply to comments, and show support to people and causes. You might be wondering: "Is all this effort worth it?" Absolutely. It can shorten sales cycles because people already trust you. It can attract talent because people want to work "with" you, not just your company. It can open doors to speaking gigs, media coverage and partnerships. And it can make your business more resilient because your presence keeps your brand alive. Personal branding is not about ego. It's about connection. People want to know who you are, not just what you sell. As an entrepreneur, showing up as yourself can be your biggest differentiator. The world doesn't just need more products—it needs more people who are real, relatable and driven by purpose. So the next time you think of investing in your business brand, ask yourself—what am I doing to build my brand? Your face, your voice, your story—it's the brand people trust. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Barnama
From Notebooks To Whatsapp: The Evolving Challenges And Duties Of Modern Journalists
Not too long ago, journalists relied heavily on pens, notebooks, and voice recorders. However, the technological boom has relegated these time-honoured tools of the journalism trade into oblivion, as they are replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) and the WhatsApp mobile application. By Nur Afiradina Arshad IPOH, May 25 (Bernama) -- Not too long ago, journalists relied heavily on pens, notebooks, and voice recorders. However, the technological boom has relegated these time-honoured tools of the journalism trade into oblivion, as they are replaced by artificial intelligence (AI) and the WhatsApp mobile application. But does this convenience make the job easier, or is there a hidden cost behind the speed of technology? Manjit Kaur, 49, a journalist with The Star Perak bureau, remains loyal to her reporter's notebook and pen, jotting down every piece of information she gathers during speeches at events, press conferences, or court proceedings. Manjit, a journalist since 2000 who proudly wears the 'old school' label, said that using notebooks and pens has never been a barrier to writing fast, concise, and accurate news while acknowledging the need to adapt to change. "In the past, journalists used small mobile phones, making it difficult to file stories like we do now. We had to return to the office to finish our stories using black-screened computers with green or white fonts and no spell check to help us type accurately," she told Bernama when contacted. Manjit said that WhatsApp group chats have made obtaining information and facts about incidents such as accidents or crimes easier, adding that journalists only need to verify the authenticity with the relevant authorities, such as the police or fire department. "This technology helps prevent journalists from being scooped by other media outlets. In the past, we would only realise we had missed a story when reading the newspapers the next day," she added. According to Sinar Harian Perak bureau chief Saifullah Ahmad, 40, the main challenges journalists face today are securing credible sources and tackling the spread of fake news on social media, adding that when the public unethically shares content, journalists from legitimate organisations find it challenging to obtain reliable information.
NZ Herald
10-05-2025
- NZ Herald
Karori kindness: Family of elderly woman hit by car seeking good Samaritans Ruth and Justin
Nain was taking her nightly walk in Karori about 6pm and was halfway across Beauchamp St when she was hit by a car. 'Mum had a knee replacement in October, so she has only been mobile for about eight weeks. She was really excited about using her new knee and getting out walking,' said Manjit. 'She was crossing Beauchamp St when she was hit… she apparently bounced off the bonnet and landed near the sidewalk.' A number of people rushed to help Nain. Someone called Manjit and her husband and said the older woman had fallen. They ran to the scene from their nearby home. 'We ran out and saw a few people gathered and Mum lying on the street. That's when we found out she had been hit by the car,' Manjit said. 'She was holding her neck and not screaming, but she was grimacing and in a lot of pain. She wanted to lie down but a lovely lady called Ruth was supporting her from behind so she did not move. 'My husband took over from Ruth… then a man called Justin came out and he said he had seen it all and explained it to us.' Police and paramedics arrived soon after, and Nain was lifted into the ambulance. 'That's when I knew her injuries were much more severe. She was screaming,' said Manjit. At the hospital, it was confirmed Nain had four fractures to three vertebrae in her neck, a fractured hip and broken ribs. 'Had Ruth not held Mum's neck still… she would have been in a wheelchair, or even dead,' said Manjit. 'It was frightening.' Nain is still in ICU and in a lot of pain. She is awake and talking some of the time but heavy pain medication means sometimes she is not lucid and at those times she is 'very, very frightened'. Manjit said Nain kept forgetting she had been in an accident and then when she remembered she became upset. 'That's normal though, between her being almost 80 and the horrific injuries… the nights are the worst,' she said. 'She is so scared… and then I have my 87-year-old dad who also got a huge fright seeing his wife like this. 'In a moment, our lives were altered forever.' Manjit said the ambulance driver Andy was 'fantastic'. She also wanted to thank the 'extraordinary kindness and quick thinking of Ruth and Justin'. She said the pair gave Nain 'the best possible chance in those critical early moments'. 'Their actions not only protected her from further injury but quite possibly saved her life,' she said. 'We are deeply, deeply grateful.' Manjit wanted to thank the pair personally and has reached out to the Karori community via Facebook to find them. She also wanted to thank others at the scene, including those who called for help, rushed out with blankets and offered words of comfort. 'Please know how much your presence meant,' Manjit wrote on Facebook. 'In such a frightening and vulnerable moment, the compassion shown by strangers has stayed with us and truly lifted our hearts.' The family were also thinking of the driver. Manjit said the woman was 'very shaken'.
News18
08-05-2025
- News18
Army Jawan, Mother Booked After Wife Dies By Suicide in Himachal
Last Updated: The victim, Pooja Devi, had been married to Manjit Singh, an Army jawan stationed outside the state, since 2016. In a deeply disturbing case unfolding in Himachal Pradesh's Una district, an Army jawan, along with his mother, was booked for allegedly driving his wife to consume poison, resulting in her death. The matter came to light following a complaint filed by the woman's father, Chanchal Singh, a retired Army officer himself. The victim, Pooja Devi, had been married to Manjit Singh, an Army jawan stationed outside the state, since 2016. According to her father, the marriage had been marred by years of alleged physical and mental abuse, not only at the hands of Manjit but also by her mother-in-law, Raj Rani. Despite multiple instances of alleged harassment, the family had refrained from lodging official complaints in the hope of reconciliation. Chanchal Singh, a resident of Badoh village in the Gagret subdivision, recounted that the abuse had intensified over the past few years. 'Every time Manjit came home on leave, Pooja would call and cry about the torment she faced," he told the police. He added that the family was repeatedly assured by Manjit and Raj Rani that things would improve, leading them to settle the matter privately. However, things took a fatal turn after Singh received a disturbing call from his daughter on April 5. She allegedly told her father not to come alone because Manjit was planning to harm her. 'She begged me to come with some people in the morning," he alleged. The last call from the accused husband came on May 6, around noon. 'Manjit called and said that Pooja had consumed poison," Singh recounted. Alarmed, he contacted his nephew, Onkar Singh, and rushed to Una Hospital. There, he found his daughter unconscious in the emergency ward, while Manjit, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, was also present. Singh alleged that his daughter died because of the relentless abuse by Manjit and his mother as they never supported her financially or emotionally. The police have since registered a case under Section 108 and Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) at Mehatpur Police Station. Manjit Singh has been taken into custody while the woman's body, following a post-mortem in Ropar, has been handed over to her family for final rites. The investigation is ongoing. First Published: May 08, 2025, 13:22 IST
