My experiences on the FMCG Sales pitch
It is a scorching summer afternoon. I roll up my sleeves and along with my sales officer and salesman, enter a kirana outlet; its blackened walls are covered with posters of ads of toothpaste, a soap and a local brand of oil. Women of all ages crowd around hustling to negotiate with the store man. Accusations of overcharging and adulteration are flying across the counter. I hope we will make a productive call and get a good order of toothpaste. I struggle to get the attention of Mohan Bhai, the store owner; hoping to chat with him about our new launch. I am finally greeted with a fervor as he lights up seeing a well-dressed potential customer. “ Haan madam, shu levaanu che? ”. I explain to him I am from Colgate and am here to take his order. He instantly loses interest and re-starts negotiating on the price of a Saffola Oil 1L pack with the bulky woman next to me – happy to have got his attention again. He has this bewildered look as he turns to me and wonders what/how to talk to