Indian Remembrance

This picture could illustrate something that many of us has suspected for ages: that Jeremy is as camp as a row of tents!

However seeing this pic reminded me of one evening in Delhi when I realised how truly small the world is. Chatting to a young lady from India we touched upon poetry - something I studied for my degree. I was stunned when she started talking about Keats - one of my favourites - and then I almost fell off my chair when she started on Gerard Manley Hopkins!! He is totally amazing and someone I had studied closely - why was I so surprised that this Indian lady should also be a fan? Distance? Culture? The belief that India would have their own poets elevated way and above our weak-willed Romantics?Whatever the reason I realised that great literature, like great music, like great acting, like great stories have no boundaries!

In two weeks we are heading for the South of France for a week so we are happy to take your recommendation for restaurants and jazz clubs in Montpellier - and poets!

Let's see how I do:

India

That first sharp heat, and sights and sounds and frightening rain,
Was tempered by kind clear eyes and smiles - and the possibility became real like an elephant's strength,
And I sit here, no longer the Eastern boy, missing the certain warmth both on me and through me, onwards to an exciting future. Let it not be another 42 years before I rush back once more, to that sharp heat!

Reality - The Return

This is the photo we took before we left London for Delhi. Now that we are home we have changed a little from the chaps you see here. On the final day of our visit Jeremy trained sales coaches whilst I spent a day on the sales floor listening to calls and talking to individuals about the new techniques. It was great to hear them using our ideas and hearing the customers responding positively. I made some additional notes which I then let them have during a quick break-out session. We then repaired to the local restaurant for a final meal with our new friends. As we left we were stopped by one of the 'Quality' guys whose job it is to listen to calls and maintain the quality of customer service. He had, apparently, listened to our 2 day training course, walked into the office, picked up an agents phone and started to receive calls (having never done it before). He wanted to prove to himself that our techniques worked and that he would be able to believe in them whilst working with his team into the future. He took 12 calls. He made 12 sales! a 100% conversion rate from someone who has never done it before!!! We were delighted to hear this and he was just one of several success stories that we heard about that day. So at the final meal we made a couple of emotional speeches (of course) and we were sad to take our leave of this 'extended family' who had adopted us for the last 10 days. Jeremy talked about the changes he had seen in Delhi since his first trip 23 years ago, and I said that we would be taking many memories and a connection with this place, back home. Which is entirely true. When we arrived at the airport we checked in and we delighted to be handed a complementary upgrade!! A great end to a great trip! I am not sure how emotional Jeremy's homecoming was, but mine was amazing. We have quite a few weeks in the UK now before our next trip, which is to the South of France - tough gig! We will continue his blog in early September - keep in touch and thanks for reading!

Group 2 Finished!!

Our Final day with Group 2 was memorable and fun. They really got the product knowledge section and loved the 9 ways to close, especially when we acted out scenarios where I had to play a woman! We did a massive role play at the end that was brilliant and had superb objection handling. Afterwards we went out for dinner and to... Strikers! Where else. Another Indian band were playing - they were great! The whole place was jumping. So, last day today - JB trains Sales Coaches whilst I am on the sales floor sitting with the agents - can't wait. This time tomorrow I will be almost home. How was India? some will say. How do I respond? We are having dinner with everyone tonight and will make some speeches, it will be emotional...

Training Again - 35 new faces

We arrived at the training venue and went straight on. 35 new people who were waiting for us to do our bit! Today I barely noticed the heat which just goes to show how quickly one can get used to it. As we had lunch one of the ladies pointed into the garden 'Do you like monkeys?' she asked. 'Yes, I've got two' I answered, then I looked into the fountain and there, playing around in the water were three baboons. Wild Baboons. I suddenly remembered my nurse's dire warnings. 'Don't go near monkeys - if they bite you the rabies jabs are agony!' They seemed perfectly happy in this open garden full of people enjoying cigarettes and coffee. The talk always gravitates towards food. I think the Indian Nation believes that it creates the best food on earth. Which is probably true when you consider how many of us now enjoy a weekly curry. My new friend Anand, asked me if UK curries are really hot so I told him about Vindaloo, which they have in India and Phall which they had never heard of. I was recommended an Indian dessert called Rabri which is a kind of shortbread pancake cooked in treacle. I had one tonight - amazing. I have also developed a head cold which makes me sound like a growly voice-over artiste. The brilliant Baiju went out and got me some nasal sprays which cleared my head and allowed me to perform to, hopefully, my usual standard - as I said before they are really looking after us. After Day 1 of this group's training we got a round of applause! Yes! I thought. I'll take that! We then had a meeting and as we left the venue a wedding party went by - a loud bright and thrilling parade of the groom on horseback, and his relatives dancing down a brightly lit street. I'll post a photo tomorrow. Our trip to India is on the homeward run, 2 full days to go and home! How I miss my wife and boys, but what memories I return with. Will we be returning to India? If the reaction of the trainees is anything to go by then definitely. I certainly hope so. We turned in relatively early, but the jet lag blues don't shift easily. I will read some more about Lakshmibai, the Rani of Jahnsi and drift into the arms of the Angel of Sleep, don't drop me dear.

Bizarre Days and Raghu Dixit

Okay so yesterday we trained trainers - always fun to meet people that do what you do and work with them. They all had great ideas and I am sure will do a great job with our material. We were so utterly exhausted at the end of the day that we ate in the hotel and crashed. Today was one of those memorable days. We went into Delhi proper. We went to a market and bartered for silk, jewellery, toys etc, then went for lunch at the Embassy restaurant in the middle of Delhi. It was the hottest we have been so far. We enjoyed buying, and also chatting with the stallholders who gave different reasons for offering us a discount - 'first customer today', 'for luck', 'because I like you' etc. We visited the tomb of the unknown soldier and were beset with children begging. I found it very moving and will never forget those moments. Again, in the town we were followed by people begging. My heart goes out to these poor people. I felt terribly guilty and privileged. It is no-one's fault, I suppose. But it feels like mine. Today near the Red Fort, very old Delhi, were some poor guys literally sleeping in the road not caring if they get hit. As we went back to our hotel I was deeply moved and have resolved to do something positive for this amazing country of contrasts. This evening we saw a gig. Raghu Dixit - pictured shaking my hand, played for 2 hours - and he was amazing. What a difference... a modern bar, people dancing on tables, great music and beer.

Raghu Dixit is an amazing singer who sings in 3 or 4 languages including English. I can highly recommend this guy - he should be massive. We chatted briefly afterwards - I had seen him on 'Later with Jools Holland' last year and he had sung with Mavis Staples - she is singing with him in Chicago next month. Sitting here at 1.40am I know the day will stay with me, especially the young girl at the memorial whose face haunts me. This land is changing fast, and yet so much remains unchanged. I hope that our work here will make a difference.

India Day 4

After a very interesting day we went out bowling. The picture depicts the keen runner- up Jeremy Blake, bowling, with the 'hustler' bowler, and winner, Baiju Shaffi, looking on. Baiju's bowling was nothing less than professional. I came a noble and close third followed by the valiant Ruchir Mahajan. This bowling alley was immaculate, the service quick and slick, the snacks delicious and the beer freezing cold. You'd never find this in the UK. I experienced the real Delhi heat for the first time - make no mistakes, this was hot. I also made the mistake of paying 30 rupees for a chicken sandwich thinking it was a bargain, only to find it was the hottest thing I have ever eaten. Jeremy trained Sales Coaches today and quite frankly, made them all fall in love with him. You think I jest? One young lady was making notes, Jeremy went to see what she had written and what was underneath? 'Jeremy Rocks!' It took all my effort to squeeze his massive swollen head through the hotel door after that. So my wide awakeness at 2 am has not yet subsided, however we are looking forward to a fun day tomorrow training trainers, and then 36 or so hours of freedom, let loose on an unsuspecting Delhi...

Group 1 - Late and Happy!

Here is evidence that jet lag is good for you! 1 down, 4 more groups to go!

Reality Group 1 - Success!

After a top night in Strikers (left) we delivered our second day. We started much later because of the Rakhi festival and therefore finished at midnight. We felt okay due to the jet lag dividend. How were we received? Everyone we trained came up to us afterwards and shook our hands - it felt great! One lady said to Jeremy it was 'mesmerising' - which could have been down to the late hour. They loved the section on Objection Handling. We made the point that you can never win them all. However now they have some ideas they all believe they CAN win them all... Today Jeremy is training Sales Coaches whilst I have a pleasant day reviewing their current Quality Assurance and Training Materials... Then one more day training trainers tomorrow and then a day off!! We will visit the sights and markets of Delhi, stock up on some pressies and then hopefully live music Sunday night! We have been able to speak to our families briefly, and we are certainly missing them, however the intensity of the work and the hospitality is making this a new home from home!

Training in India

What a day! We managed to catch up on some sleep, then after a late breakfast in our excellent hotel we were driven through the streets of Gurgaon to the venue. It was a large room with over 70 people in it. We were nervous. First day, new client, new country, new world. We had no idea, if we are honest, about how we would be received. We had a day of meetings before and felt confident about our material - but in truth, you never know. The audience were very responsive and positive. Many of our analagies and stories are true, coming from our own lives. We were told later in the day that this is perfect for the Indian audience because 'family' is so important for them - for many of them, they are the main bread winners supporting their familes and often elderly relatives too. They have a great sense of humour, and also they are ready and willing to soak up ideas and concepts that will make them more successful. They laid out great lunches, fantasic tea and cake sessions and also delicious spicy onion pakoras as a snack - are we in the right place or what!! Then after the training we went to Strikers bar, a brewery, where we got stuck into some german lagers whilst eating the best fried curried snacks. The music in this bar was fantastic - The Doors, followed by Adele, then Led Zeppelin. Best of all, the brilliant Indian singer Raghu Dixit is playing live on Sunday, we'll be there! We are missing our families, of course. However, the hospitality of our clients is making the time fly by. So tomorrow we don't start till 3pm as they have a festival in the day where brothers and sisters meet up to keep in touch - lovely idea. The potential for us, in this country is scary. Our first impressions are that this nation, and in fact, this town within this nation, could use us for years... For those of you interested in our digestive health, so far, so good.