Tag: Business Tips

  • The Unbeatable Biscuit: How Parle-G Crushed Britannia’s Strategy

    The Unbeatable Biscuit: How Parle-G Crushed Britannia’s Strategy

    For decades, one biscuit has been a staple in almost every Indian household: the humble Parle-G. It’s the world’s best-selling biscuit, but how did it manage to achieve this phenomenal success and absolutely dominate its competition, especially Britannia?

    This is a story of strategic pricing and unparalleled distribution that taught the entire FMCG industry a powerful lesson.

    Britannia’s Big Mistake: Targeting the Middle Class

    When Britannia entered the biscuit war, they focused their efforts on a specific, high-spending group: the middle-class consumer. Their marketing was slick, and their products were positioned as premium. They focused on urban markets and higher-end stores.

    They believed the future lay in sophisticated, premium biscuits. But they completely missed the biggest market opportunity in India.

    Parle-G’s Masterstroke: The ₹5 Price Point

    Parle-G, on the other hand, had a simple, brilliant strategy: Keep the price point at ₹5.

    Why ₹5? This seemingly small detail was the key to unlocking the entire Indian market.

    • Accessibility: A ₹5 pack is affordable for everyone, from the wealthiest urbanite to the poorest villager. It’s an easy, impulse purchase.
    • Rural Dominance: Parle-G made its biscuits accessible not just in cities, but also in the deepest rural markets, where millions of Indians live.

    Parle-G’s philosophy was clear: Sacrifice the profit margin on a single pack to achieve massive sales volume. They aimed for everyone, everywhere.

    The Unstoppable Distribution Network

    Parle-G didn’t just have a great price; they built an unstoppable distribution network. They made sure their biscuits reached 90% of the small shops (kirana stores) in every corner of the country.

    Their strategy meant that whether you were in a bustling metro city or a tiny village, you could always find a pack of Parle-G.

    The Verdict: Volume Wins the War

    While Britannia focused on higher profit per packet from a smaller, urban customer base, Parle-G focused on winning the volume game. They sold billions of packets at a razor-thin margin.

    Today, Parle-G continues its reign as the king of biscuits. The story serves as a powerful reminder that in a country like India, winning the bottom of the pyramid with incredible accessibility and unbeatable value often leads to the biggest, most enduring success.

  • How to Write Emails That Actually Get Responses

    How to Write Emails That Actually Get Responses

    Actionable tips to make your business emails clear, polite, and effective.

    In the professional world, email is still king. Whether you’re reaching out to a potential client, following up after a meeting, or sending a proposal, your email sets the tone. But let’s face it—most emails get ignored or end up in the dreaded “I’ll reply later” folder. So, how do you write emails that actually get responses?

    How to Write Emails That Actually Get Responses

    Here are practical, proven tips to help your emails stand out and prompt action.

    1. Start with a Clear Subject Line

    The subject line is your first impression. Make it clear, relevant, and specific. Instead of saying “Quick Question”, go with “Request for Meeting – 15-min Call This Week?” or “Proposal Follow-up: XYZ Campaign Plan”. The more direct your subject, the easier it is for the recipient to prioritize.

    2. Keep It Short and Structured

    Respect people’s time. Aim for 3–5 short paragraphs max, each with 1–2 sentences. Structure helps. A good email has:

    • Greeting
    • Purpose of the email
    • Relevant details or context
    • Clear next steps or ask
    • Polite closing

    Avoid big chunks of text. Use bullet points where possible to improve readability.

    3. Get to the Point Fast

    Don’t bury your ask in the third paragraph. State your intention early—ideally in the first two lines. Example:

    “Hope you’re doing well! I’m reaching out to see if you’d be open to a quick call to discuss a potential collaboration between our teams.”

    No fluff, no backstory. Clarity is kindness.

    4. Personalize It

    Generic emails are easy to ignore. Personalization shows effort and increases response rates. Use the recipient’s name, refer to a shared connection, or mention a recent update about them or their company. Even a simple “I enjoyed your recent LinkedIn post on remote leadership” makes a difference.

    5. Make the Ask Clear and Simple

    End your email with a specific action. Do you want a reply, a meeting, a file? Ask for it clearly. Instead of:

    “Let me know what you think.”

    Try:

    “Would you be available for a 15-minute call this Thursday at 11 AM or Friday at 2 PM?”

    Giving options makes it easier to respond.

    6. Use a Friendly and Professional Tone

    You want to sound human, not robotic. Be polite, warm, and slightly conversational. Avoid overly formal language like “Dear Sir/Madam” or “I remain at your disposal.” Also, don’t go too casual unless you already have rapport. Strike the middle ground—clear, respectful, and approachable.

    7. Add a Clean Signature

    Make it easy to reach you. Include a professional email signature with your name, title, company, phone number, and LinkedIn profile link if relevant. This builds credibility and encourages trust.

    8. Follow Up—Tactfully

    If you don’t get a reply within 3–5 business days, it’s okay to follow up. Keep it polite and refer to your earlier message. Example:

    “Just following up on my previous email in case it got buried. Would love to hear your thoughts.”

    Often, a gentle nudge is all it takes.

    Final Thoughts

    Writing effective emails is part art, part structure. The secret? Be clear, be kind, and be intentional. With the right tone and a focused message, your emails will stop being ignored—and start driving results.

    ✅ Follow-up Version: Email Templates + Visual Checklist

    📩 3 Simple Email Templates That Get Replies

    1. Cold Email – Introduction / Collaboration Inquiry

    Subject: Exploring Collaboration Opportunity – [Your Company Name] x [Their Company Name]

Hi [Name],

I’m [Your Name], [Your Role] at [Your Company]. I came across your work on [relevant reference], and I believe there’s a strong opportunity for us to collaborate.

We help [brief value proposition—1 line], and I think this could be relevant for [their pain point or goal].

Would you be open to a 15-minute call this week to explore it further? I’m available [give two time slots].

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best,
[Full Name]
[Phone] | [LinkedIn] | [Company Website]

    2. Follow-Up Email – After No Response

    Subject: Just Following Up – [Your Topic or Subject from Last Email]

Hi [Name],

Just wanted to check if you had a chance to look over my previous message. Totally understand things get busy!

Let me know if a quick call this week works for you—I’d love to discuss this further.

Thanks again,
[Your Name]

    3. Meeting Recap + Next Steps

    Subject: Recap & Next Steps – [Meeting Topic]

Hi [Name],

Thanks for the great conversation earlier. Here’s a quick summary of what we discussed:

[Key Point 1]

[Key Point 2]

[Next Step or Action Item]

Let me know if I missed anything. I’ll [mention your action] by [deadline], and looking forward to your update on [their action].

Warm regards,
[Your Name]

    📝 Visual Checklist: Writing Emails That Get Responses

    ✅ Clear, specific subject line
    ✅ Personalized greeting using recipient’s name
    ✅ 1st line: State the purpose directly
    ✅ Short paragraphs or bullet points
    ✅ Friendly, professional tone
    ✅ Clear CTA (call to action)
    ✅ Add contact info / signature
    ✅ Proofread before sending
    ✅ Follow-up in 3–5 days if no reply