Co-founder and entrepreneur, Raj is in charge of a growing marketing and event management company in Bangalore. With an office alive with a group of young men and women behind their computers, Mr. Hansoge’s company is a striking example of an enterprise trying to make it in Bangalore’s rising business sector. Looking out over the green city below, Mr. Hansoge explains his company has grown quickly after he founded it, eleven years back: “As a marketing company, we design strategies for various branches in Bangalore’s business world.The current market and the growing Indian economy is very exciting, and very challenging: every campaign we start is new, with new target groups, and new challenges. It means that we have to be very flexible.”
Being one amongst many in Bangalore’s marketing and event management industry, his company is a challenge in and of itself, but Mr. Hansoge explains the competition isn’t a problem: “We don’t necessarily try to be different than the other companies; we simply try to be perfect. With every new job comes a lot of work in terms of research and we really talk to the customers, trying to get to understand what they want. It is time-consuming, but it does get our company closer to perfection, and quality brings in more work.” Despite being based in Bangalore, however, Mr. Hansoge’s company gets many of its orders from beyond the Indian market: “We actually do a lot of work outside of India. There are many companies who want us to work for them in different parts of the world. Currently, we get orders primarily from Asia and the Middle East.”
With such an international focus, Mr. Hansoge understands the value of having a foreign influence in the office, and he is very pleased with the interns that arrive through Leave UR Mark from across the globe to work for him: “We’ve found that foreign interns, especially those from Europe, are more dedicated, focused and hardworking than most Indian interns we have here.It makes sense: they’ve traveled far and are extra invested in their projects, eager to make the most of it.” When asked what kind of interns his company looks for, Mr. Hansoge is quick to answer: “We look for passionate, hardworking and caring interns who are ready to learn.” He emphasizes: “For foreign interns working here, there is the added challenge of a different, growing market, and the work environment of a developing country. Interns often can’t prepare for what they will do here in India and it is important that they come with an open mind, willing to learn.” Despite entering a new working environment, Mr. Hansoge’s interns are also expected to perform: “They get rigorous training programs, and they need to be perfect. Obviously we can’t them everything in the few months that they are with us, but while they’re here, quality work is expected.”
Looking out at the bustling office floor, it is easy to see how Leave UR Markinterns in India’s business industry need to be flexible. When asked how flexible, Mr. Hansoge laughs heartily: “Take a look at our company: you can’t imagine how much India is changing right now. Consumerism is growing, and so retail is growing. Growing retail, in turn, leads to growing infrastructure. Rapid change is a given, and as a company, you must be able to adapt to that.” As a consequence, the company hasn’t got a clear growth plan, but Mr. Hansoge explains that that is part of the market: “We just want to keep delivering good, quality work.
To be recognized for quality: that is our strategy for the future. Besides that, our line of work(Event Management) is an unorganized one: this weekend, for example, we’re completely leaving this office to work in a different part of town, on a location that’s more calm and peaceful, and more stimulating for creative work.” After the weekend, intern Johanna is asked to come to the new office as well. Flexibility is indeed a must when interning in Bangalore, but once you have it, the many opportunities of India’s international business are there for you to take.
To apply for this project, email info@leaveurmark.com
