Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!
While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.
WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.
I was very excited to be recruited fresh out of college into Eternit Everest, a building construction multinational. I thought I had made it, but soon realised that what really got me excited was the world of creative thinking and brand development.
I got a break at McCann Erickson where I met wonderful colleagues. We realised that the world was changing rapidly with the advent of information superhighway and growth of marketing services, data, and digital initiatives. Against this backdrop, we were inspired to set up a new company – Solutions Integrated Marketing Services, which went on to become India’s largest marketing services brand. Many felt that getting out of advertising and focusing on marketing services was a mistake but soon they were proven wrong as new age companies who set up shop in India loved talking to us and became our biggest clients!
I was deeply impacted by the vision of my co-partners. Srikant Sastri was my boss at McCann and the author of the vision that marketing services, data and digital would disrupt the ad and marketing world. There were many colleagues who were younger, tech-savvy and had the smarts. I learned from them every single day. They made me what I am today.
Skills that were key to my success were brand strategy & development and digital marketing. I firmly believe that data is the foundation for all decision-making making and brands are built through innovation and great consumer experience. The biggest business lesson for me is that if you haven’t managed your finances, no business will succeed.
I enjoy sharing my insights through vlogs and am currently engaged with BOD consulting as a Senior Partner. While I love engaging with startups who have great ideas and need guidance, I can’t do it if I’m not engaged in the latest trends and techniques that help brands succeed. Therefore, it is critical for me to stay clued in.
My message to the wisdom generation is you are not obsolete. You bring a huge advantage to any business – the advantage of experience and expertise which is critical for success for any business! Keep honing your skills and look for avenues to contribute.
Kanika Mathur
Photo and Interview Credits: Saonli Sen Choudhury of WisdomCircle
Read more stories of inspirational seniors embarking on new journeys in their golden years on WisdomCircle.
