Interview10 with Chandni Khurana

PR & Corporate Communications Executive at AW Rostamani

Corporate communication is a set of activities involved in managing and orchestrating all internal and external communications aimed at creating favorable point of view among stakeholders on which the company depends. It is the messages issued by a corporate organization, body, or institute to its audiences, such as employees, media, channel partners and the general public. Organizations aim to communicate the same message to all its stakeholders, to transmit coherence, credibility and ethic. Corporate Communications help organizations explain their mission, combine its many visions and values into a cohesive message to stakeholders. The concept of corporate communication could be seen as an integrative communication structure linking stakeholders to the organization.

1. From what I recall, the last interaction which we had was on some inter-collegiate competition. Please briefly guide me/us through your journey from university till today.

Ans : After I finished my graduation from BIT Mesra – Jaipur with a degree in Animation & Multimedia, I came to UAE to pursue Masters in Business Administration (MBA) - Marketing. Post MBA, I got job with RAK Ceramics as MAR-COM Executive. I worked with RAK Ceramics for over 4 years. Currently, I am working with AW Rostamani Group as a PR & Corporate Communications Executive.

2. How influential is your journey in shaping you professionally and personally?

Ans : My journey was smooth yet challenging. If I look back today, I feel proud to have come so far. Coming from India to UAE for studies was first unusual thing to happen as usually it is vice versa. Post studies, I was the first person in the entire batch (with no family support) to have cracked the job (during recession) even before I could finish my final year exams was another surprise.

2 years of MBA, I would say were the struggle for me as its not easy it live at a place with no sense of belongingness. I used to feel out of the place. But as they say there is no pain without gain, it made me stronger and independent, so no regrets.

Working with RAK Ceramics played a key role in shaping my career. There is a vast change I see in myself from the time I started working and today.

Presently I am working with AW Rostamani Group, which has diversified businesses in retail, automotive, real estate, information technology etc. Handling Marketing and Corporate Communication of the Group is altogether a new, interesting yet challenging experience for me as every business has its own MAR-COM strategies.

3. You were with RAK Ceramics, World’s Largest Ceramics Manufacturer for approximately 5 years. How has this proved to be a successful launch pad for your career?

Ans : To start career with RAK Ceramics was a turning point in my life professionally as well as personally. The Company not only gave me the right exposure required for a college fresher to become a professional but also gave me the opportunity to discover myself, brush up my skills and utilize them to achieve personal as well as organizational goals. I was fortunate enough to work with right team as well as right Head- MARCOM who played a role of mentor throughout my tenure at RAK Ceramics.

I joined RAK Ceramics at a time, when it became the World’s largest ceramics manufacturer, plus I played a key role in some major marketing campaigns that gave me the right exposure and experience.

4. How do you differentiate yourself from others in your company and in competitor companies?

Ans : It’s not right to compare myself with others as I believe everyone is unique and possess different capabilities. Talking about my strengths I believe I possess:

• Leadership skills
• Good Time management Skills
• Multitasking skills
• Self-motivated & focused
• Out-of-the-box thinking

5. How would you define each day as “new” and what aspects would support your definition?

Ans : For me each day is “new” because every day

• I learn something new which helps me to grow
• I determine to work-harder
• Learn from my mistakes and ensure not to repeat them
• Do what I love doing

6. What does a successful career mean to you?

Ans : For me success means happiness. Happiness comes from doing what you love. I love my work, which is why I give my 100% to it. At the moment I would consider myself doing “considerable well” and not “successful” as yet there is lots to be achieved.

7. How would you define leadership and innovation in your field?

Ans : Leadership in any field is important but not everybody can be a leader. Marketing is not possible without innovation. As a Marketer, one has to think innovatively or out-of-the-box to create something unique which differentiates your work from your peers or competitors.

8. How different do you feel is your role in the gulf from your peers in the same role back in India?

Ans : Working in India is altogether a different ball game. It’s comparatively far tougher to survive in cut-throat competition. But yes, the exposure what you get in India is worth all the struggle. In India there is freedom of speech, press and expression which makes you go wild with creativity.

On the contrary, in Gulf the market is conservative and small.

9. Please give us few useful tips to convince seniors and manage juniors in our workplace?

Ans : For seniors:

•  Stay patient with new-joiners and always encourage them as we all are new at a certain point
•  Appreciate your subordinates when they do a good job
•  Welcome new ideas and approach at work as this is digital world, you can’t survive with what you have been doing so far

For juniors:

• Stay motivated
• Stay focused
• Do what you love instead of sheep walk
• Learn from people who are better than you as it will help you to grow

10. How do you feel to be interviewed by Interview10?

Ans : It was pleasure being interviewed by Interview10. I love being interviewed as it helps me to know myself even more.