Generally speaking, most people spend their money on material things (clothes, bags, watches, gadgets, cars, etc), but I am of the belief that one should spend money on experiences first, and for me there is no greater experience that money can buy than travel. For me personally travel is a joy, a high and a much-needed relief from the day-to-day routine of an urban life.No matter where I’m travelling; whether in India or abroad, to the hills or valleys, beaches or greens, countryside or urban destinations, whenever I travel, I experience a joy like no other. The joy of seeing, hearing, smelling, touching and knowing the new. Every day is a discovery for my senses and a discovery of myself. Travel helps me understand people, cultures and helps broaden my mind, my horizons and accept everything for what it is. The more I travel, the more I’ve realised that people all over the world are essentially good at the core; i.e. our hearts and emotions are essentially the same, and we all want and cherish the same things, i.e. love, care and respect. These are the things or feelings that we all need, and which bring us happiness. Travel helps me with my work too. It helps me understand people, markets and how the same business is positioned and conducted in different ways and means in different markets by different people. This always gives me a fresh perspective to run my own business and helps me implement new learnings to grow and evolve it.
Travel helps one meet new people and network - one of the biggest marketing tools. Networking can open up new business opportunities in a big way. Travel also helps me understand where the world is heading and being in the technology and digital space, where tech changes at lightning speed, travel helps in keeping abreast of the latest trends and technologies at all times, giving me a chance to see and experience it all in person.
Four years ago, we visited a client in London and working alongside the client’s other vendors gave us so much more exposure on the innovative techno-media tools and ideas they use. The entire work culture in agencies there gave us new insights as to how we could run and manage our agency, teams and even clients. Again, on a recent visit to Germany for the world’s largest digital fair, I realised how AI is evolving and transforming the Digital industry. Exposure to new people, tech and trends helps us open our minds and think innovatively and out-of-the-box, which is a key differentiator for any agency helping to stay a step ahead of the competition. My last travel to Denmark to meet a client helped us find a new market and partner.
client was so impressed with our quality of work that he chose to partner with us and market us in the Scandinavian market, opening new doors for us which we would have never explored otherwise. These are just a few examples how travel has really helped in improving and growing our business and business processes, and most importantly opening our minds to new thinking and technologies.
All my travels for holidays or work only add value to me as a person and I am always waiting for my next trip. I always encourage people to travel as well, as there is no better teacher than life, and travel is one of its best professors. Go, travel, explore, learn and grow!
