In this continuation of CoBB's milestone 100th episode, we dive deeper into the world of brand building with our expert panel of guests. Hosts Sharavana Raghavan and Sudeep Chawla are joined by Puru, Manas, and Sapna to share their experiences and strategies in creating successful brands. This episode covers the challenges of distribution, the impact of COVID-19, and the importance of customer feedback and market fit. PANELISTS: Puru Gupta - CoFounder of True Elements, a brand dedicated to healthy breakfast and snacks, with a strong presence both online and offline. Manas Madhu - Founder of Beyond Snack, Kerala Banana Chips, which is pioneering the shift of Banana Chips from unorganized to organized snacking with a focus on quality and innovation. Sapna Desai - CMO at Manipal Cigna Health Insurance, with extensive experience in BFSI, telecom, and advertising sectors. KEY SEGMENTS: Challenges in Distribution and Market Fit Sapna discusses the live challenges faced in distribution channels, both online and offline. Insights into how Manipal Cigna gauges market fit for new insurance products and the importance of understanding product-market fit for service brands. Impact of COVID-19 on Brand Strategies Puru and Manas share how COVID-19 validated their brand strategies and shifted consumer behaviour. The panel explores the new opportunities and challenges brought by the pandemic. Customer Feedback and Iteration Manas emphasizes the significance of conversion ratios in determining product-market fit. Guests discuss their methods for collecting and leveraging customer feedback to refine their products. Brand Differentiation and Competition The panel debates how startup brands can challenge established players and maintain a competitive edge. Strategies for sustaining brand salience and profitability despite intense competition. Sustainable Investment in Brand Building Focus on the importance of sustainable investments in brand marketing. Puru and Manas talk about balancing short-term spending with long-term brand equity and avoiding vanity metrics. TAKEAWAYS: For Entrepreneurs: Identifying distribution challenges early and iterating based on customer feedback is crucial. Persistence and adaptability remain key to navigating market shifts. For Marketers: COVID-19 has underscored the importance of health-related products and services, pushing brands to innovate and adapt quickly. For Brand Builders: Sustainable investment in brand building, focusing on long-term profitability rather than short-term gains, is essential for lasting success. MEMORABLE QUOTES: "Understanding your customer's needs and iterating based on their feedback is crucial. It’s not just about getting the product right, but about continuously evolving with the market." - Puru Gupta "COVID-19 has been a validation for health insurance and changed how consumers view their health needs." - Sapna Desai "Sales is the best feedback; conversion ratios help us understand product-market fit." - Manas Madhu As always, do mail us your feedback, comments and any questions you may have for our hosts at [email protected]. We love hearing from you. SHOW WEBSITE CONNECT WITH OUR HOSTS Sudeep Chawla - ⁠Linkedin⁠ Sharavana Raghavan - ⁠Linkedin⁠ FOLLOW US CoBB - ⁠LinkedIn CoBB - Instagram⁠ CREDITS - Album Art & Design by ting.in - Voiceovers by Anjale Stephanos - Music from Zapsplat.com - Produced by Kapoor AV - Shot At Recreate Spaces - Edited by Arul G of ting *************************************** Please tell us what topics you'd like to have discussed on the CoBB, by filling in this ⁠CONTENT SUGGESTION FORM⁠⁠ It only takes a few minutes, and it will help us provide you with the content most relevant to you.