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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.)

From PVC to LDPE: The Plastics Hidden in Everyday Life

From packaging to household goods, RIC 3 and 4 plastics are everywhere. Learn how to identify them at a glance.

In my previous article, we explored the first two Resin Identification Codes—RIC 1 (PET), commonly used in beverage and food containers, and RIC 2 (HDPE), found in sturdy household bottles and a wide range of utility products. Both plastics are among the easiest to recycle, making them central to responsible waste management and to the broader shift towards more sustainable patterns of consumption. With this foundation in place and a clearer understanding of how these codes guide our daily choices, let us now move on to the remaining classifications in the Resin Identification System and understand what each one signifies.


Code 3: PVC

Code 3 refers to products made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC—a remarkably versatile and inexpensive plastic valued for its durability, water resistance, and excellent electrical insulation. As the world’s third most produced plastic, PVC is manufactured in both rigid and flexible forms, each designed to meet a wide array of everyday needs. Flexible PVC, produced using plasticisers, appears in raincoats, boots, shower curtains, handbags, and imitation leather upholstery. It is also used in bottles for non-food items such as shampoos and cosmetics, in clear blister packaging for medicines, and in cling film that helps preserve the freshness and quality of food.


Rigid PVC, prized for its strength and longevity, is used to manufacture credit cards, debit cards, national identity cards, and various inflatable items—from pool toys and floats to air mattresses. It is also present in yoga mats, sports equipment, and numerous DIY and craft materials that require durability and ease of handling.


One of the most significant industrial uses of PVC is in piping. Rigid PVC pipes have increasingly replaced metal pipes in water supply, sewage, and drainage systems due to their resistance to corrosion, leakage, and environmental wear. Unplasticised PVC (uPVC) is widely used for window and door frames, offering excellent insulation, weather resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements. Vinyl flooring—produced as tiles, sheets, or planks—is another major PVC-based product, valued in homes, offices, and hospitals for its durability, affordability, and ease of cleaning. PVC’s strong insulating properties also make it ideal for coating electrical wires and cables, while PVC membranes and siding provide long-lasting, weather-resistant coverings for roofs and exterior walls.


Although PVC can be recycled, the process is considerably more complex than with many other plastics. The numerous additives used to improve its flexibility, strength, and stability often interfere with the recycling process and can reduce the quality of the recycled material, limiting its suitability for certain applications.


Code 4: LDPE

Code 4 identifies products made from low-density polyethylene, or LDPE—one of the most widely used plastics thanks to its lightness, flexibility, and overall durability. LDPE is commonly found in stretchable grocery bags, shopping bags, and general-purpose garbage bags. It is also extensively used in milk pouches, bread and frozen-food packaging, cling film, snack and toiletry pouches, and other everyday wrapping materials. Many squeeze bottles for glue, paints, condiments, and household liquids are made from LDPE, as are numerous lids and caps. Additionally, LDPE forms the waterproof inner lining of juice and milk cartons, helping protect the contents and extend shelf life.


Beyond packaging, LDPE serves as a protective coating in various products, appears in trash-can liners, and is widely used in children’s toys such as buckets and play balls due to its resilience and safety profile. Some household goods—including certain cutting boards—are also manufactured from LDPE, benefiting from its strength and ease of cleaning.


Despite its versatility and widespread use, LDPE poses notable challenges for recycling. Rigid LDPE products are somewhat easier to process, but thin bags, wraps, and cling films are difficult to collect, separate, and recycle efficiently. As a result, a significant proportion of these items unfortunately ends up in landfill.


Our discussion will continue in next week’s instalment, where we will explore the remaining Resin Identification Codes in greater depth and understand how they influence recycling practices. Until then, I wish you a pleasant and enjoyable weekend.


 (The author is an environmentalist. Views personal.)


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