LoknathNAMA

 I was given an assignment by Rural and Urban Producers Association (Orupa) to sell different handicrafts by direct marketing in Bhubaneswar colonies. I went to IDBI staff colony in one Sunday and knock at the door to give presentation to one family. A 50 + year person came and shouted at me as I have disturbed him on Sunday. I kept mum till he gets cool. Then he wanted to throw me out of the colony. I wanted his 2 minutes to give him a presentation. He was getting angry. I told just 2 minute. Anyhow he looked at me probably to give me an opportunity and told “Always salesman. You salesman do not want us to take rest.”. I told him, “Sir, I have lot of handicraft toys made by Orissa craftspeople. These are toys. ORUPA is an association of craftspeople and it try to sell for them as craftsperson are not able to sell on their own. Crafts person are well financially. Their product can be sold if I am able to sell these toys in your colony.” The IDBI officer came closer towards me and pulled me forcibly to his house by catching my right hand. I was prepared to be veteran by this man. But he gave me a chair and asked his wife to give me a glass of milk. He then started to choose a good numbers of toys from my stocks. I was uncertain about the end. But to my surprise, not only he purchased a lot toys, but also , took me to each of the 60 house colony and acted as my promoter there.

It was a profitable day for me. in second part of the day, I was having an appointment to sell a Pipili appliqué , a local patch work from Orissa to an advertisement professional. His brother in law had sent me. I was sure to sell. I had cycled for around 10 KM to meet him as I was sure of my sale. The adman was really a noble heart and treated me in a very dignified way. I gave him my appliqué. He got impressed with it and asked me how to pay. I was quite happy. He took the appliqué and entered inside his house. I was waiting for around an hour. But he did not return. I sent message that I am getting late. So he should pay me. After sometime his sister came and returned me the appliqué saying that, “ We do not it.” I was surprised with the sequence. But in the absence of the man, whom will I try to sell?

The both cases were still fresh in my mind when I met advisor of Orupa who was also marketing Professor. I asked him what is reason behind the both deal- a success and a failure? He suggested me to go back and ask to the customer only. I took appointment and return to the both to quiz about the reason behind their purchase and refusal. “I wanted to buy your product when I came to know that social cause lies behind this sale. I want to development of Orissa’s craft. So I changed my attitude and purchased your toys and promoted your product later in my colony. It satisfied my soul.”, told the IDBI officer when I asked him about the reason of his decision to buy from me. Like him, the Adman also had a story. “I like your appliqué and wanted to hang it in my bed room. But my wife did not like the appliqué and its colour. As I had created hope in you to buy the product, I felt bad to return it. I sent it through my sister. Buying a bedroom décor item is joint decision of husband and wife. Had I bought it, I would have brought disagreement between us-husband and wife.”

I returned back to my Professor with the reason. Thereafter, I do not sell a product. Rather, I try to deliver solution to other’s need.