Boosting Startups: How ERP Transforms Chaos into Order – Gateway ERP
Boosting Startups: How ERP Transforms Chaos into Order – Gateway ERP Category : Shaji Zone Author : admin The...
- Manjeri
“Today’s world is not just for Knowledge, but Knowledge Management.”
For people like Shaji Kizhakathra, these lines epitomize his life. Shaji, who once pursued chemistry honors in Bangalore, probably to become a teacher or a chemist, is now having a successful 25-year career in Advertising & Branding, covering global brands including Sony, Samsung, Ford, Mazda, Titan Watches, Total Lubricants, Ajmal Perfumes… to name a few, spanning all brand categories worldwide. In his portfolio, Shaji has won many coveted international awards, including London International Awards (LIA), Cresta International Advertising Awards, New York Festival Awards, and numerous Regional Awards in Dubai as part of a team. In the year 2000, he personally bagged the gold award in a visual competition targeting advertising professionals from various nationalities across the UAE, for visualizing the theme “Dubai – Beyond sand dunes and caravans…towards a new millennium.” In the same year, he was laureled another Gold award under the patronage of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce.
“Advertising is a holistic profession,” says Shaji and explains, “Whatever one does in advertising has to have a holistic mind towards the consumer and brand because there’s hope embedded in it, not just the hopes of the brand owner, but the hopes and prayers of employees and their family behind him. A branding agency is catalyzing the growth of one company.” According to Shaji, advertising is a profession that needs the patience to understand how the tastes of the consumers are being changed. So, you will have to engage with people all the time, to observe consumer behavior patterns and ensure how your stimuli are effectively influencing them, through a progressive path. He pursued an MBA in Marketing in the propagation stage of his career, aiming to rationalize brand communication, also becoming instrumental in the making of an expatriates association and turning it out for a global perspective, called Manjeri Global, with an objective of gathering all the expatriates hailing from his town, living across the world.
Shaji has yet again turned to a road less traveled. He formed Olive Advertising in the UAE as well as in India, with an objective to deliver a crisp brand experience to clients. Over time, Olive became associated with DNATA, Dubai Government Executive Council, Spinneys, Comtel Middle East, AllDay, and Sony XPERIA, among many others in its clientele. In 2017, he relocated to India for a while and was keen to develop a triangular plan, associating partners with passion, with a broader creative and business perspective that encapsulates regional talents, entrepreneurs, and brands in GCC countries and Kerala. The company was then incorporated under the Government of India with the name change, APOSTROFO OLIVE STRATEGIC BRANDING & MARCOM INTERNATIONAL PVT. LTD, aiming for the global market with an Import & Export license. Initiated to form a consortium with 5 companies and 15+ high-end professionals, mostly worked together, strategically picked after a lot of research.
Drawing upon extensive research and a wealth of practical experimentation, Apostrofo stands in collaboration with a roster of acclaimed minds possessing unrivaled expertise in ERP, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Marketing, Cybersecurity, Events, and through-the-line advertising encompassing the digital realm, activation, social media, and ambient advertising. These luminaries boast a rich trove of experience gleaned from illustrious tenures at prestigious establishments such as O&M, FP7, Saatchi & Saatchi, Publicis, Percept, Kenneth Cole, Lowe, DDB Mudra, OMD, JWT, FCB, as well as esteemed research agencies like AC Nielsen, Ipsos, Ernst & Young, etc., signifying their eminence within the global advertising and communication industry. This strategic evolution reflects the company’s vision of seamlessly integrating clients’ evolving needs into an entirely digitized world. Termed “Digit-All,” this comprehensive solution is designed to meet the diverse requirements of modern businesses, ensuring their success in the digital era.
“It’s a two-pronged objective: while catering to the UAE, it extends across the GCC and world-over. Similarly, when those are done in Kerala, the team is simultaneously working for regional clients. This will uplift the quality of work and thinking for the local brands as well,” explains Shaji, who is also working on an autobiography termed as Ad-Biography compiling all his advertising experience, and case studies of some works he did. Shaji is planning to spread Apostrofo’s service across the Middle East and India by building a business management team and personally concentrating more on qualitative aspects by engaging with more students, the public, clients, and brands.
With 25 years of expertise in Marketing Communication, predominantly in Dubai, Shaji Kizhakathra adeptly navigated the diverse needs of multinational brands spanning automotive, tires, jewelry, perfumery, education, properties, hospitality..to name a few, covering all the brand categories in the world. His achievements include numerous awards at both regional and international levels. Collaborating with global research agencies such as AC Nielsen, Ipsos, Ernst & Young, he crafted strategies and media plans. Shaji has successfully conceptualized and executed various advertising campaigns, photo shoots, ad films, and events.
Now, Shaji is poised for a transition into consultancy roles.
His goal is to share his wealth of knowledge in advertising, design thinking, and strategy with startups and potential brands, both domestically and internationally. His vision is to empower SMEs to adopt the mindset of multinational corporations, offering strategic insights honed over his extensive career.
As an accomplished Entrepreneur, Shaji Kizhakathra proudly serves as the Founder and CEO of Apostrofo Olive Strategic Branding & Marcom International Pvt. Ltd, headquartered in Manjeri, Kerala. His venture is dedicated to providing holistic solutions for potential brands and startups. Shaji introduced the innovative concept of Digit-All, a comprehensive 360-degree digitalized approach aimed at automating and integrating various business sectors. This visionary strategy employs a sandwich model, bridging the expertise of individuals from the pre-digital era with extensive manual experience and the technological brilliance of post-digital era youth.
Harnessing his extensive professional network, Shaji successfully formed a consortium of like-minded entities. The consortium includes five companies: GatewayERP, Avanzo Cyber Security, Series5 LABS, Xpresso global, and Us Communications. Additionally, Shaji has assembled a team of 15 seasoned professionals with a multinational background from around the world. This strategic collaboration instills confidence in traditional business owners, encouraging them to embrace a decision for 100% digitalization, without ambiguity.
Beyond his professional and entrepreneurial pursuits, Shaji Kizhakathra is a dedicated philanthropist, actively contributing to over 7 associations across regional, art & cultural, social, and discussion forums. His roles as a convenor, Vice President, General Secretary, and advisory board member showcase the depth of his involvement. Notably, Shaji serves as the Vice Chairman of Ema Manjeri Global Trust, exemplifying his commitment to unifying expatriates from Manjeri for comprehensive development initiatives. Over two decades of charitable activities, the trust has made a significant impact, providing assistance worth five million to various sectors.
Currently, Shaji spearheads the innovative concept of an ecommerce platform, www.manjeri.online, fostering engagement among expatriates and local businesses. This platform goes beyond commerce, offering career guidance, business networking, and professional connections. Crucially, it serves as a conduit for charitable activities, creating a bridge between expatriates and the native community.
In the dynamic journey of success, brand recall stands as the compass guiding us towards measurable achievements. Join us in deliberate engagements and discussions, fostering a symbiotic exchange of ideas. Let’s initiate a conversation free from prejudice, delving into the intricacies of skillful triumphs and navigating through critical stages overcome at work. As we explore these depths, we may unearth solutions for current challenges. Share your thoughts and brand aspirations, as your brand may find the catalyst it needs in our collective dialogue. Let the conversation begin
Boosting Startups: How ERP Transforms Chaos into Order – Gateway ERP Category : Shaji Zone Author : admin The...
Merger and acquisition (M&A) are today’s much sought-after business strategies, and ERP plays a major role in them –...
The Evolving Landscape of ERP Systems in the Middle East: A Decade of Transformation. – Gateway ERP Category :...
Shaji Kizhakathra, the strategic branding and marcom specialist, seeks to broaden his horizons, connecting with diverse minds across borders to exchange knowledge and ideas.
Shaji Zone
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.
