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By:

Divyaa Advaani 

2 November 2024 at 3:28:38 am

Presence Before Pitch

Walk into any business networking room and you will witness something far more telling than exchanged cards or polite handshakes. You will see personal brands at work — quietly, powerfully, and often unintentionally. The way a business owner carries himself, engages with others, and competes for attention in public spaces reveals more about future growth than balance sheets ever will. At a recent networking meet, two business owners from the same industry stood out — not because of what they...

Presence Before Pitch

Walk into any business networking room and you will witness something far more telling than exchanged cards or polite handshakes. You will see personal brands at work — quietly, powerfully, and often unintentionally. The way a business owner carries himself, engages with others, and competes for attention in public spaces reveals more about future growth than balance sheets ever will. At a recent networking meet, two business owners from the same industry stood out — not because of what they said, but because of how they behaved. One was visibly assertive, bordering on aggressive. He pulled people aside, positioned himself strategically, and tried to dominate conversations to secure advantage. The other remained calm, composed, and observant. He engaged without urgency, listened more than he spoke, and never attempted to overpower the room. Both wanted business. Both were ambitious. Yet the impressions they left could not have been more different. For someone new to the room — a potential client, collaborator, or investor — this contrast creates confusion. Whom do you trust? Whom do you align with? Whose values reflect stability rather than desperation? Often, decisions are made instinctively, not analytically. And those instincts are shaped by personal branding, whether intentional or accidental. This is where many business owners underestimate the real cost of their behaviour. Personal branding is not about visibility alone. It is about perception under pressure. In networking environments, where no one has time to analyse credentials deeply, people read cues — tone, composure, generosity, restraint. An overly forceful approach may signal insecurity rather than confidence. Excessive friendliness can appear transactional. Silence, when grounded, can convey authority. Silence, when disconnected, can signal irrelevance. Every move sends a message. What’s at stake is not just one meeting or one deal. It is long-term growth. When a business owner appears opportunistic, others become cautious. When someone seems too eager to win, people question their stability. When intent feels unclear, credibility erodes. This doesn’t merely slow growth — it quietly redirects opportunities elsewhere. Deals don’t always collapse loudly. Sometimes, they simply never materialise. The composed business owner in the room may not close a deal that day. But he leaves with something far more valuable — trust capital. His presence feels safe. His brand feels consistent. People remember him as someone they would like to work with, not someone they need to protect themselves from. Over time, this distinction compounds. In today’s business ecosystem, especially among seasoned founders and leaders, how you compete matters as much as whether you compete. Growth is no longer just about capability; it is about conduct. Your personal brand determines whether people lean in or step back — whether they introduce you to others or quietly avoid alignment. This is why personal branding is not a cosmetic exercise. It is strategic risk management. A strong personal brand ensures that your ambition does not overshadow your credibility. It aligns your intent with your impact. It allows you to command rooms without controlling them, influence without intrusion, and compete without compromising respect. Most importantly, it ensures that when people talk about you after you leave the room, they speak with clarity, not confusion. For business owners who want to scale, this distinction becomes critical. Growth brings visibility. Visibility amplifies behaviour. What once went unnoticed suddenly becomes defining. Without a refined personal brand, ambition can be misread as aggression. Confidence can feel like arrogance. Silence can be mistaken for disinterest. And these misinterpretations cost more than money — they cost momentum. The question, then, is not whether you are talented or successful. It is whether your personal brand is working for you or quietly against you in spaces where decisions are formed long before contracts are signed. Because in business, people don’t always choose the best offer. They choose the person who feels right. If you are a business owner or founder who wants to grow without compromising credibility — who wants to attract opportunities rather than chase them — it may be time to look closely at how your presence is being perceived in rooms that matter. If this resonates and you’d like to explore how your personal brand can be refined to support your growth, you can book a complimentary consultation here: https://sprect.com/pro/divyaaadvaani Not as a pitch — but as a conversation about how you show up, and what that presence is truly building for you. (The writer is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

Aapulki—Where Young Minds Find a Safe Harbour

In an age where students are constantly juggling expectations, racing against deadlines, and battling unseen emotional storms, mental well-being often takes a back seat. While classrooms focus on grades and playgrounds shape physical fitness, the silent struggles of young minds frequently go unnoticed. Breaking this long-standing pattern, Nanded Education Society’s Science College, Nanded, has stepped up to the plate by launching an innovative initiative, ‘Aapulki,’ a dedicated mental health support center, under the guidance of President Dr Venkatesh Kabde, Vice-President CA Dr Praveen Patil, and Secretary Shyamal Patki, that places compassion at the very heart of education.


True to its name, which signifies warmth, care, and emotional closeness, 'Aapulki' offers students a safe space to open up and find their footing. At a time when pressure threatens to overwhelm, this initiative stands as a timely reminder that nurturing the mind is just as important as sharpening the intellect. What is Aapulki? It is more than a word, more than a programme, and far more than a room within college walls. Aapulki is the warmth in relationships, the quiet glow of affection, and the sense of belonging that makes one feel heard, understood, and cared for. Giving this very name to a mental health support center is not accidental; it is deeply intentional.


Recognising that students today are often caught between academic pressure and emotional turbulence, the college has taken a pioneering step by setting up a dedicated mental health support center named ‘Aapulki.’ Just as sports teachers are appointed at schools and colleges to nurture physical fitness, the college acknowledged the equally vital need for mental well-being. By reading the writing on the wall and understanding the silent struggles of students, the college has brought mental health out of the shadows and into the mainstream of campus life.


The idea of the ‘Aapulki’ center was proposed by renowned cardiologist and president of Nanded Education Society, former MP Dr Venkatesh Kabde. The choice of the name itself speaks volumes. The word carries compassion within it; it invites rather than intimidates. Dr Kabde believed that a support center should not feel clinical or distant but should draw students in, helping them open up without hesitation. When the name itself feels like a gentle embrace, half the battle is already won. The center is coordinated by Sangeeta Modi, with Chaitali Kakde providing counselling support.


The center was inaugurated on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Dr Venkatesh Kabde and Kunjama Kabde, along with the principal, Dr L.P Shinde, Vice-Principal Eknath Khillare, faculty members, and students. The occasion marked not just the opening of a facility but the beginning of a more empathetic academic culture.


At its heart, ‘Aapulki’ aims to support students navigating emotional storms and help them get back on their feet. In an age where anxiety, stress, and emotional overload are becoming part of everyday life, the center works as an anchor, enabling students to cope, adapt, and grow. It focuses on students’ emotional, mental, and academic development, helping them deal with pressure related to studies, relationships, and self-expectations.


The purpose of the Aapulki Mental Health Support Centre is clear: to safeguard students’ mental well-being by offering emotional support in a safe and trustworthy environment. It provides a space where students can speak freely about stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological concerns without fear of being judged. Here, problems are not brushed under the carpet; they are talked through, worked on, and gradually resolved.


Initially, the center was started with students of Class XI and XII in mind. Over time, as the ‘Aapulki’ word spread and trust grew, undergraduate and postgraduate students from BSc and MSc courses also began to seek support. Counselling sessions may be individual or group-based.


Two guiding principles form the backbone of Aapulki. The first is privacy; everything shared by a student remains strictly confidential. The second is a non-judgmental approach; students are never labeled or criticised based on their problems. These golden rules encourage students to speak their minds openly and unburden their hearts without holding back.


(The writer is a journalist based in Latur. Views personal.)

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