Brain Box Gurukul

Hi Reader, It was 1991 and I remember an uncle of mine buying one of the first few Sony Bravia 32" in the country! As we kids gathered around happily, the first move we watched was "Terminator 2" and we were blown away. For decades, humanoids have captivated our imaginations on the silver screen and in the pages of novels. Today, they are stepping out of the fictional world and onto factory floors, into warehouses, and soon, potentially into our homes and businesses. While this revolution is...

Hi Reader, Have you seen Hrithik's RuPay ad? I'll let you watch it first if you haven't. While we understand that "Gen Z" is a massive "talking point", but as professionals in marketing and branding, there’s a crucial lesson here about the pitfalls of celebrity endorsements and the evolving expectations of Gen Z consumers. The ad leans heavily on Gen Z slang and stereotypical visuals like colorful hair and baggy clothes. But these attempts feel forced and superficial. Instead of a narrative...

Hi Reader, In a world where everyone’s building something, talking about everything, and trying to be everywhere — the ones who stand out are remembered for just one thing. Not five, not three. One. So I’ll ask you what I’ve asked myself multiple times over the years: What’s your One Thing? The Mental Bias We All Have: Cognitive Hooking Humans are wired to slot people into “buckets.” It’s how we reduce complexity. When someone sees your profile or listens to your podcast, they’re not thinking...

Hi Reader, In the crowded, fast-paced world of modern marketing, one principle has stood the test of time: "The Rule of 7". This concept suggests that a potential client needs at least seven meaningful interactions or “touch points” with a brand before they are ready to make a purchase or take a significant action. The number seven is not arbitrary. George Miller’s 1956 paper “The Magical Number Seven, Plus or Minus Two,” argued that the average human working memory can hold 7 ± 2 items at a...

Hi Reader, After 2 decades of corporates, startups & founding businesses, the most common misconception about leadership is that it’s the title (or designation) that grants you command. But if you’ve ever worked with real leaders, you know that true authority is rarely assigned. It is inferred. It is felt. And it is almost always earned through conduct. This was the singular insight that resonated deeply with me when I interviewed Dulles Krishnan on Brain Box - The Leadership Podcast, voted...

Hi Reader, What happens when a global giant tries to “fix” what isn’t broken? Many of you may not be aware - but in 1985, Coca-Cola made a bold move to reinvent its iconic drink based on taste tests.. and it backfired spectacularly! This is a masterclass in the power of emotional branding, customer loyalty, and the dangers of ignoring your audience. Remember, as a founder YOU WILL PIVOT.. but it's always a strategic decision. The Bold Gamble That Shocked America In the early 1980s, Coca-Cola...

Hi Reader, We've been sharing newsletter-exclusives from our launch this year. In addition to free Perplexity Pro licenses, exclusive discounts.. today we are sharing a "FREE 9-step LinkedIn Audit Framework" that we've personally used for 40+ clients, which have eventually got them over 1 Billion engagements (yes, with a B!). Here’s the reality:People decide in under 6 seconds whether you’re worth following. This isn't fluff. It's just what works in 2025. Do You Want The Framework? Oh......

Hi Reader, Only humans make mistakes. I've made a whole tonne of them. Before I get to my biggest "branding mistake", here's a near-miss! September 2021: After successfully exiting my 15-franchise mobile refurbishing chain, I didn't quite know "What Next?" I'm a huge Gary V fan & he was recommending everyone to start a podcast. I knew the criticality of a brand (we built 3 in the past 3-1/2 years), so I was keen on tapping into distribution. I bounced this idea off my co-founder, wife & best...

Hi Reader, Are you thinking "What the hell's Saratoga Water?" You're not alone. On February 6th, hardly anyone had even heard of them - but after fitness influencer Ashton Hall’s viral morning routine video and amassing a billion views, many people now know the premium bottled water brand. Unprecedented Business Impact The viral moment has had tangible effects on Saratoga Water’s visibility and sales. Google searches for the brand surged by an astonishing 1,379%, while its parent company,...