G Talks - By Gautam Nath

Do you know TGIM?

2017-10-21T14:55:00.003-07:00

TGIM! We all know about TGIF and Friday dressing and enjoy the feeling of coming to work in casuals, really nice to let the hair down and de-stress after a long week of work and more work! That is really nice and let the tradition continue.

And now the word is out, we have created a new milestone, it is called TGIM, yes, Thank God It’s Monday!

TGIM means formal clothes to work, men; don your grey suit, women; don your formal work wear! It’s heralding the start of a new week, a start of professional advancement and a start of accomplishments. You dress up real corporate and you bring in the biz!

Employers use the Monday to make announcements of promotions, of corporate wins, of professional development activities and a lot more, Monday is the Day! You are re-energized, Renew your corporate vows, revisit your career ambitions and move ahead with zeal and drive!

TGIM is why you come to work to win and to conquer, TGIM, wear your corporate best! This is your time!

Thank God it’s Monday!

Family is important!

2016-08-06T18:44:00.001-07:00

This morning I was reminded of a real story, my mom told us..... In the Second World War, her dad used to have a radio shop on the ground floor where they lived and during the war, he secretly tuned friends' radios so they could hear the BBC broadcasts which the German Army had banned people from listening. One day someone snitched on him and the Germans came and took him away. Her brother was in his teens and a big boy so they also took him away at the same time. For months, the two were in a local prison, so she and her mom occasionally visited and saw them through the fences and exchanged some sweet words. Then one day, they disappeared, it was said that the men were taken to work in a factory making bullets and such for the Germans in some faraway place. The war was over and the Czech women waited, hoping for their loved ones to come back home, some did and some did not. My mom and her mom went without, survived the pain and life went on. They never came back. Ten years passed, and my mom and her mom lived on with life by themselves, then one night there was a hard knocking at the door, that woke them up, scared, my mom went to the door not knowing what would be upon them and the knocking continued, thump thump! She gently opened the door in the middle of the night, her heart beating and her mom standing behind holding a big stick, outside was a thin-looking bald man, toothless and weak, almost fainting, and he stood there looking at her and a word came out of his mouth, ...........Jirina? Jirina?.... Her name. She blinked in the faint light and looked at him again, Janofski? She recognized him through his eyes, her brother was back, standing there faint and weak, he had found his way back home, they wept, took him in, fed him soup and thanked the lord that he was alive and back home. The father never returned, Janofski lived till 85 and we heard of his passing about three years ago, he married, had a life, three children and four grandchildren. This is a real story from the second world war, that stayed in my head till...... I shared it with you, just now. Embrace your siblings, we don't know where life takes each one of us. Reflect and be grateful for what you have.

Who took home the 2016 CASSIES Grand Prix? Happy to be on the jury this year.

2016-02-19T04:31:00.001-08:00

Who took home the 2016 CASSIES Grand Prix?: Check out which brands and agencies produced the best 'work that worked.'

Cities of Migration - The Walrus Talks 2015

2015-11-06T09:00:00.001-08:00

Making Awesome Chili Crabs

2015-11-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

An immigrant success story: Gautam Nath

2015-08-17T07:24:00.001-07:00

There is a moral to this story!

2015-08-05T15:12:00.001-07:00

Somewhere in my journey of life, I heard this story and it carried a great moral so thought would share it with my readers.

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One fine summer day, in the countryside, two priests were walking down the pastures till they came across a small stream gurgling in front of them.

The path ended at the stream and it was apparent that they had to wade across to continue their journey.

As they reach the banks, they found a beautiful young girl sitting at the bank; she was crying and she was naked.

The priests looked at each other and then one asked, 'My dear, why are you crying?'

The girl said in a soft sweet voice, 'I have to reach the other side of this stream but I am very scared of water.'

The priest did not say anything but picked her up in his arms and waded across the stream without saying a word.

He then gently put her down on the other bank and began to walk on.

His colleague, walked along besides him but every few minutes turned to him and shook his head in a most disapproving way.

They must have walked on for an hour when it was uncontrollable and the priest asked a question in a hurry, 'How could you hold her in your arms and walk across, she was naked?'

The priest turned to his colleague and said, 'I dropped her off an hour ago, why are you still carrying her?'

Building your Brand Series

2014-10-09T14:18:00.001-07:00

– Building Your Brand VIII-

All work and no play makes Gautam a dull Boy

Summer was here and this was when Toronto city transforms itself. And like every good Canadian, we too did soak in the sun.

Building your brand is not only about resumes, not only about networking or even not only about volunteering.

One big part of building your brand in Canada is to get to know Canada.

This is now our mothership and we now have to take the time, the energy and the effort to learn about it.

Summer brought many events, activities and shows. Many are free and some cost so cut your coat according to your cloth.

Toronto was full of weekends when streets were blocked off to traffic and transformed into a carnival like setting – a bounty of food stalls, trinkets for sale and entertainment where large crowds gather.

Imbibe, that is what we did, visiting at least half a dozen such street fairs in the city every year.

Watching, listening, eating and enjoying the ambiance. The variety of ethnicities and culture is amazing – that was Toronto and I expect that was also Vancouver, Montreal and Calgary as other big cities in the country.

Then came the parades - a jamboree of floats, dancers, music and color exhibiting the diversity of our cities and our people.

All in the learning curve, different from back in the home country but essential learning’s for every New Canadian striving to acculturate in this new country of choice.

This makes us proud of our new home, this brings appreciation of the multitude of cultures and people and who knows perhaps your next boss, your peers or your juniors at some point of time in the future. We cannot live without them and they cannot live without us, we are all living happily together.

You cannot build your brand in this environment unless you know and appreciate the environment so while it looks like play, mind you me, it is an integral part of your strategy to move forward.

Summer brought long daylight hours and several opportunities for long weekends too - which we used to explore the country outside our city.

Day trips or overnight trips and you will be amazed at what you learn.

The African Jungle Safari was not a long flight away in South Africa but a 90 minutes drive from Toronto.

Cottage country had so many options to relax and enjoy a glass of wine under the stars sitting on a lake-shore far from the maddening crowds listening to the wail of the loon.

Ontario Parks offered camping facilities for the family and kids, learning all about living a rustic outdoor life for a few days - what great family bonding in this otherwise period of stress.

And the sports - baseball, basketball, swimming, jogging or merely walking along the Lake-shore – wonderful activities that come with the sun and the long daylight hours of the summer.

For those lucky enough to have some land to call their own - growing flowers in the front yard and a small vegetable patch in the back brings so much joy to the eye and the kitchen table.

This was summer - we learned to live a bit, live beyond networking, netgiving and worrying about tomorrow: live life today and tomorrow will take care of itself.

If you are motivated, recharged and experience the new things around you, your next steps will have that much more energy and bounce. You deserve it, every bit.

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Born of Czech and South Asian lineage, Gautam Nath now lives in Toronto. He is the Vice President at Balmoral Multicultural Marketing and serves on several Boards and Committees in the city. Gautam is also one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2011.

The Philip Twins

2014-06-09T13:21:00.003-07:00

The The Philip Twins

The war had just got over and daddy opened a Steak House on the main boulevard next to the Opera House. Business was great as everyone coming out of the Opera was nice and hungry and the thought of a juicy steak and mash potatoes was very appealing. That year Tim and I were born. Twins, squealed my grandma when she saw us first, how very wonderful.

Tim and Jim, we were two peas in a pod.

Mama was elated by us twins and made us similar looking clothes and when we pranced down the street, everyone would say, hey look at those two smart young boys, the Philip twins, are they not a handsome lot? Daddy would be very proud of us and take us in his convertible Ford T up and down the boulevard while we sat on the back seat with the hood down letting the breeze go through our hair.

We were inseparables, we would play together and all the boys and girls on the street would look at us with envy.

When we joined school, they would say, keep away from picking trouble with the Philip twins, they take care of each other. No one would dare bully us because we were two strong young boys growing up.

In the summers, we would go to grandma’s cottage in the country. We built ourselves a tree house and used to spend our days there reading comics and talking about what we wanted to be when we grew up.

Tim wanted to be a pirate and he would sail off into the ocean and return with booty of gold and precious stones. He said he would bring me whatever I wanted when he would grow up and be a pirate.

I on the other hand, wanted to be a fireman. I would rescue people from burning buildings and cats from high trees. I would drive my red fire engine up and down the streets and ring the siren as I would pass by. Those were happy summer days growing up at Grannies.

One day while running back to the cottage from our tree house, I found myself all alone, where was Tim I thought and looked back down the path. Nowhere in sight, my heart began to beat harder and I ran back down the lane.

I found Timmy, lying next to the big oak tree clutching his chest and gasping for breath. Tim, Tim, what’s wrong I yelled and picked him up in my arms and ran back to Grannies.

They called the doctor and soon the ambulance came and Tim was taken away. No one told me what was wrong but that evening my dad and mum arrived and were very white in the face. I asked them what was wrong and they finally told me. The doctor would like you to come to his clinic for some tests.

Over there they took some of my blood for testing and had me run through some other tests.

The doctor then told my parents that the rare infection had only affected Tim and that I was all clear.

Then I was told, Jimmy, your brother Tim has a rare blood disease that is slowly affecting his heart. They say that he needs regular blood transfusions and that I was one in a million who had a similar type of blood group. That would keep him alive but for how long they were not sure. We have to look for a new heart but to find one for Tim will be a difficult task they said with little hope.

Tim grew weak and was soon restricted to the hospital bed; I would spend hours with him there every day talking and reading stories to him.

Once a week they would take blood from me and transfuse that to Tim. Months went by like that and all we were looking for a miracle.

I went on the computer every day to put out pleas looking for some solace when I discovered this website called www.iwishihad.com

When I contacted them I found that they were concerned with the terminally ill and helped to make their last few days with us better. I gave them our address and requested if they could make Tim happy in his last few days here.

That day, I had just given blood and was lying in the next bed to Tim, feeling a bit weak and drowsy when these three men in long black coats came in. No one else was around except Tim and I.

They came up to Tim and were talking with him in low tones that I could barely hear. They told him where they were from and then I heard Tim whisper, “I wish I had a heart as strong as…..”

And all I remember was…........... chloroform does taste sweet.

- The End -

One of my short stories

2013-07-11T19:20:00.000-07:00

Our Planet

My young days were spent at my Grandpa Christopher’s farm. We would spend all summer there my brother Daniel and I while we had school holidays.

There was always a lot to do from early morning till late in the evenings. We would milk the cows, feed the chickens, and ride the tractor while grandpa would till the land. In the afternoon, we would go swimming in the little pond down in the forest and play cowboy and Indians in the barn.

Being on the farm kept us close to nature with all sorts of flying insects and crawling bugs and Grandpa used to always say, “learn to share your planet”.

Then we grew up and went to college and earned our university degrees and joined the corporate world.

It was a rat race and we soon forgot all about nature and were immersed in the daily routine of city life. No space for anyone in this life, no animals, no pets and not even a fish aquarium.

We were so very busy earning our living, fighting the corporate politics and traveling to and from work that we had little time for anything else.

Our apartments were fumigated regularly as the kids were afraid of bugs and the wives would raise merry hell. Parks were no longer safe as muggers and drug addicts had taken over. There were no more zoos after the last incident of some drug crazed maniac feeding substance to the animals and killing half the population.

Weekends at the farms were a thing of the past as our children had the least amount of interest and would rather spend time on their computers and internet and hi fi gadgetry.

We truly were living a mechanical life almost as good as robots.

We had no time for others and others had no time for us. Life was one big highway to office and back and we forgot all issues like kindness to animals, partying with friends, days out with the family and get-together with relatives.

The corporations began to dump their waste into the rivers and seas and soon with the chemicals and nuclear waste, a change was being noticed.

Our bugs became more and more resistant to the insecticides and the fumigation companies began to use more and more lethal chemicals. These too ultimately reached the oceans and mutated our fish making them inedible.

The food chain began to get affected, and soon our poultry and livestock supply began to die. They became affected by the feed and there after we moved to genetically grown animals and this created all sorts of other issues that people stopped eating meat.

But as if that was the least of our problems, nature has its funny ways and soon the oceans began to evaporate causing the harmful particles to go into the atmosphere and upon condensation converted to acid rain on our fields of agriculture contaminating our food supply. Man started fighting for food and countries went to war for uncontaminated food stock from the godowns built under the earth.

Then one day, the bugs came, swarms of locusts started from the south and meticulously covered miles and miles of land as they moved up the countryside devouring all in their way. Reproducing furiously, they grew in size as the days went by and people had nowhere to hide. Soon the black ants joined the wave along with carnivorous cockroaches and there was a dual land and air attack and the globe was being run over.

All telecommunications were down, no army forces could do anything, the bugs had eaten into all the wiring of the nuclear bombs and eventually mankind had no chance.

The darkness is coming they said that morning, and soon the skies turned black and there was this strange clicking sounds coming nearer and nearer.

And as the darkness came upon us, I remembered Christopher, my grandpa and his words, “learn to share your planet”.

- The End -

Musings

2013-05-08T07:56:00.000-07:00

It’s a Brand New Year

2013-02-25T17:21:00.003-08:00

- Building Your Brand Series XII -

It’s a brand New Year

Welcome to 2013, you made it – alive!

See it was not so bad, think back of all the new things that you managed to do in 2012 and how each of these experiences have made you a better person.

Thank you to all my readers who sent me greeting cards over the holidays, I have personally written to all those who did enclose your business card or write in your address. Those of you who were thinking of sending me a card but never got down to it, it is never too late and no time is a bad time to reach out to people to say hello and to spread the warmth.

We had quite a doozy of a holiday season, a short trip to the US, Chicago was brilliant and we have vowed to go back in the summer. Three days and we made half a dozen new friends. Then we had lots of time with the family here in Toronto and celebrated all the good things that we enjoyed in 2012 and took out time for prayer too.

Now we put 2012 behind us and are all energized and looking forward to our time in 2013.

For some - new beginnings, for others same old same old but for everyone, a renewed vigor and re-energized efforts to make sure that all your dreams come true in this, the Year of the Snake.

Volunteer, network, blog and get 100% complete on LinkedIn. 3 out of 4 isn’t bad but all four and you are already brewing up your concoction for success.

They say 2013 is Canada’s year in the sun, many new things are being planned and Corporates are feeling more positive about investing in the future. Interest rates will remain steady and FDI is slated to grow. All this gears itself towards a bright year ahead and job opportunities.

Embracing Diversity will be the new mantra. Diversity is now accepted as Canada’s given and Diversity will be the platform that Canada will use to take itself to the next level. We are all part of this new awareness, this new and energized approach to life forward and this new Canada. I look forward to becoming a Canadian Citizen this year and to play even a greater role in bringing us New Canadians on the map.

Each one of us, citizen or future citizen will play our part and have our hand holding up the flag proudly and with honor. 2013 here we come.

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Born of Czech and South Asian lineage, Gautam Nath now lives in Toronto. He is the Managing Director of Multicultural Marketing Solutions Canada and serves on several Boards and Committees in the city. Gautam is also one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2011.

Holiday Branding

2012-12-05T09:10:00.001-08:00

- Building Your Brand XI -

(As printed in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine Dec 2012 issue)

Holiday Branding

December is here and it brings Holiday cheer and Christmas spirits. Children are all very excited about the season and stores are buzzing with discounts and season’s decorations.

The mood is exuberant and people are all talking about their winter plans and getting together of family members and friends. It has begun to get cold and promises to be a white winter ahead.

They say that this is a season when jobs are not being advertised, offices are closing and people are making plans for the holidays. So for many newcomers, it may feel like we have to take a hiatus till the New Year comes around the corner and many of us begin to think that we have to stop our branding and networking efforts.

Not so, not in the least and please do not let the environment fool you to think otherwise. Your branding store stays open and continues however it takes on a different dimension.

It is this time that you use to give back, to recognize and to use the season to do some things different but all towards building your brand.

The season is about gifts and greetings and so here are some actions that each of us can take to continue in building our brand in this new country of choice.

Over the time each of us has been in Canada, we have made some acquaintances, some mentors, some friends and even perhaps found some family here. Here are different things that we can do to use our time during the season to continue to build our brand salience.

Make a list of friends and organize a seasons get-together, make it a pot luck and BYOB so that there is less cost pressure on you or any one family; people don’t mind bringing a dish and sharing bread together especially if they are also newcomers and have fewer friends here than back in their country of origin. Your organizational skills, planning and coordination will show especially if you pay attention to fine details of putting together a great friends meeting with music and festive decor. They will remember you beyond the meal you share for the initiative that you took in making this happen. “He is a go getter they will say”.

The second action step is to make a list of those who have mentored you in the year that has past and those you would hope will continue or begin in the year to come. Invest a bit in gift hampers and personally go and visit them and express your gratitude in having them in your life. I do not need to explain the effect this will have on these individuals and the consequent rub off on your goodwill with them. Chose your hampers to suit each personality so it shows that you have actually taken individual efforts rather than a one suits all selection.

The next part is something than many people have forgotten with the advent of the internet which is the concept of season’s greetings cards. Hallmark, 123 Greetings and a zillion other sites are there which offer free e-greeting cards and most, and I mean almost everyone, uses this to send greetings these days. However as with all branding, how does your brand stand apart from the many other brands in the market? By doing something different and being recognized as that. And so here I recommend personalized hard copy greeting cards sent by conventional snail mail or if you can afford it and time is tight, local hand delivery. Make a list of people you have met over the course of your journey here and also those who may be in other countries and dedicate the time to write and post personal cards to each individual. The effect of a hard copy card is so much more than a link and a click on the email, they normally get a large number of those and you are but one more. You have shown that the individual is important to you and that you have taken that extra step to prove that. Here I put out a challenge, in order to help motivate you, I ask every reader to send me a card this season. I promise to place your card under our special white Christmas tree that gives sparkling angel dust and all good wishes to the sender. Let this be a test for you.

And last but not nearly the least is family. This is the time to recognize family, both immediate and near relatives. They have stood strongly besides you through the year supporting your efforts and challenges that you have faced in your personal journey. They have also made sacrifices and have faced challenges and this is an opportunity for you to acknowledge that and to build new reserves of support that you may continue to need as the New Year unfolds.

Each initiative is a season’s opportunity to build your brand while doing something beyond the usual activities we do throughout the year.

Happy Seasons Greetings, I will be looking in my mailbox, your challenge is to find out where it is.

Tips for newcomers to Canada

2012-07-30T07:52:00.001-07:00

http://p.atcontent.com/Gautam/879185795454713N5.text/

– Building Your Brand VII- The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award

2012-07-05T13:26:00.000-07:00

– Building Your Brand VII -

The Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award

(Canadian Immigrant Magazine - July 2012 Issue)

This article is to congratulate the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award winners of 2012 and to the hundreds of people whose lives each one of you have affected.

Being recognized for your achievements and the dedication and efforts that each one has given back to Canada is not the end of the journey but marks a beginning of a new one. I know because I too am a past award winner.

Frame the actual award and hang it proudly where you can see it every day so that it drives you to even greater heights in giving back to this lovely country.

The Top 25 Award while seemingly is given to individuals, stands for so much more. It marks the sign of success against challenges and recognizes the determination and perseverance in reaching our goals. It motivates countless of new immigrants who have come to Canada wanting to make and live a better life. It encourages others to be selfless and count life’s little blessings.

Our world after winning the Top 25 Award does not change dramatically; no one comes and signs you on for a James Bond movie or invites you to the Oprah show. As you were before, so shall you continue.

But with a difference, people now listen more carefully and your words take on new meanings. That is the recognition which the Award brings. A recognition to yourself and a recognition from others and so like I do, learn to wear the award proudly.

Our journey needs to be told as it is a story that helps others in their journey forward and build new award winners of the future.

Many agencies that serve New Canadians have approached me since the award and requested for a presentation to an adult audience. These were newcomers who were interested to hear about Canada, about my journey and take away lessons that they could apply in their day to day lives.

The time and effort in giving back has virtually doubled since the award and every day makes me feel good and proud of what I do, helping bring change to the lives of New Canadians. I get phone calls and emails from many newcomers who want to reach out and hear my journey and this is time well spent as they move on charged with renewed energy and drive. That is the magic of the award; it lives on and energises lives of many others who come in contact with you.

A leading television channel reached out to me and made a documentary introducing newcomers to Canada, the camera crew spent time filming my day at the office, at home and at several sessions where I was speaking to New Canadians.

The immigration office recorded my interview and currently screens it at pre arrival sessions held among soon to be immigrants from South Asia.

As a newcomer myself, sharing my story whether face to face, in front of an audience or using social media, it is all about people helping people and building what Canada is well known for – the best country in the world to live in.

We have become Brand Ambassadors and have to dedicate the effort and energy to others and to make dreams a reality.

– Building Your Brand Series VI - Tackling Lack of Canadian Experience

2012-06-09T14:41:00.001-07:00

– Building Your Brand VI-

Tackling Lack of Canadian Experience

(Canadian Immigrant Magazine May 2012)

A standard tale of woe that many a newcomer to Canada faces.

And with exasperation, responds, “If I am a newcomer to Canada, how do you expect me to have Canadian experience.”

And that having been said, resign themselves into months of misery until they find a way to get a foot in the door.

Familiar sounds? Sure, we all have been victim to this.

My answer was to process the words differently. Rather than hearing the words as “But you don’t have any Canadian experience”, I heard them as “I don’t know who you are and what you can do”.

And that opened the door to a whole new world. A world of volunteering to build Canadian experience and using online media to showcase what you are capable of achieving.

In my case, I used these two routes to build my Canadian brand – writing articles and volunteering. Much as you read this article today, my articles have been published in several magazines and Dailies bringing salience to my written word. I also used online to advantage by running and contributing regularly to this blog called G Talks.

A simple Google search of your name will bring witness to how much you have achieved in the marketplace. If a prospective employer is considering hiring you, they almost always do a Google search of your name to see what the www says about you. So keep your brand alive by being active online.

The second route I used was to volunteer my time. In my case, as I had previous Board experience, I looked at volunteering at a Board level and was able to join and continue to contribute there. I like you, did not have any Canadian experience initially so this not only built my Canadian experience but also allowed prospective employers to view my capabilities. Do visit the Maytree Website at www.maytree.com if you have Board level experience for opportunities that you are suitable to volunteer for.

Everyone does not have to volunteer on a Board, select your level and an avenue that you are passionate about and can contribute positively. It will help showcase your talents and is something you can easily refer to in your resume as well as job application forms. Do not spread yourself thin but select one or perhaps two places to volunteer. But one thing is very important to remember when you are volunteering and that is to make your presence felt. Be active in your group and do things that can showcase your skill sets.

These are things you can subsequently quote as Canadian experience.

Start volunteering literally from day one as every day that you volunteer; you are gradually building your Canadian experience and your network.

The other thing that many newcomers tend to lose after coming to Canada is our self esteem. We had an image that we had built over time overseas but none of that transcends the borders so we find ourselves relatively a stranger in Canada. No one knows who you were and no one really cares leaving us with a sense of lost identity. This can lead to a downward spiraling of demotivation and at times depression.

Volunteering is a great way to retain a degree of self esteem and over time, build it back to the high levels that it was. There is a sense of purpose, a sense of achievement and a sense of recognition when we volunteer. And it makes you feel good about being able to give back and helps you stand tall and proud. That shows itself when you attend a job interview or just go about your day to day life.

– Building Your Brand Series V - Networking begins with Netgiving

2012-06-09T14:34:00.002-07:00

– Building Your Brand Series V-

Networking begins with Netgiving
(Canadian Immigrant Magazine June 2012)

While coming to Canada brings so many new experiences and discoveries, one thing we had to leave behind was our network. A finely created and cultivated group of friends, family, peers, batch-mates and others.

Back then, ask me to organize an elephant for your road show, or a rocket scientist to vet your child’s summer project and things would get done. If I did not know the person myself, you bet I had someone in my network who did.

In Canada, they say the job market is a hidden one, 85% of all good jobs are sourced out of networks and yet, we immigrants sadly had to leave ours behind.

No wonder one of the biggest things new Canadians have to strive towards is the build our network. But sadly, not all of us are trained, equipped or even know how to begin. Things happened naturally in the course of life back then that resulted in our network but here in Canada, we do not have that luxury of time. So network we must, much like the bitter pill that you have a take and each individual goes about it in his or her own peculiar manner.

Very early on, I faced this dilemma and had to find a way to address it.

And that is where the notion of Netgive gave rise. I use the power of netgiving to build my network. Much as you have a first name and a surname, think of Netgive as the first name of network. People remember you by your first name and that is what gives you your character - different from your parents and siblings who carry the same surname. And so you shall also be known by your netgiving to build your network.

Netgive is using online media to help give things to others. After my first three months of journey in Canada, I created a 35 page document called Tips for Newcomers to Canada. Online, I distributed this to anyone who would ask for it and by word of mouth, more and more people began to write in and request for a copy. Some websites decided to load it on their sites and my network spread. Over 2000 requests have come in since then.

Then, using the LinkedIn platform, I established a group called ‘Jobs in Canada’ as a forum where people can share resources and tips with each other. Today, the membership has crossed 4500 people.

I also used Google groups to open a group called India2Canada for families migrating to be able to share stories, tips and advice with each other. This grew to a community of over 200 families.

Then, as my business took me into the realm of multicultural marketing, I used LinkedIn again to start a group called the Multicultural Marketing Society of Canada. This is a forum for the fraternity to share views and news on the subject and has crossed 650 members in just 6 months.

All examples of using the net to create networks and to build your brand by giving something back. When you help someone else, they rarely forget you. The point of view when trying to build your network is to ask the other, “How can I be of help to you?” And not “What can you do for me?”

Easter Celebrations across the Globe

2012-03-19T19:46:00.002-07:00

Easter Celebrations across the Globe

- By Gautam Nath

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL,

Have you ever wondered how this day is celebrated over the globe while we attend our church service on this day and spend it together with near and dear ones.

Come on a journey with us to find out.

Our travel first takes us North bound into the Russian Republic and their beautiful city of Moscow.

The USSR as it was called earlier did not recognize the Christian faith and many wonderful churches were let to ruin but since independence, Russia has reached back its glory to the Christian faith and celebrates Easter with great pomp and glory.

The Russian Paschal salutation "Khristos Voskrese!" or "Christ is Risen!," a statement that could land believers in prison in Soviet times, has been reverberating through Moscow's churches where most of the spiritual music is being performed as well as in concert halls like the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Concert Hall on Mayakovsky Square, where a gala performance of all the choral ensembles was held on Tuesday.

In all churches special Easter Services take place all night through. At midnight people kiss each other, exchange painted Easter eggs and exclaim: "Christ has been resurrected!"

And off we go, across Europe, to the romantic city of lovers, no not Venice but Paree. Yes the city where romance flows in the air.

Notre Dame de Paris is a day of remembrance (in particular Good Friday), when traditionally from 12:30 to 3 pm is the time reserved to remember Christ.

And as the weeks draw down to Easter Sunday, Parisian chocolatiers work triple-overtime filling their shops with a glorious array of delectable chocolates made only for this special season. Tempting chocolates are everywhere … in the patisseries, the speciality chocolatiers and in those sweet little candy shops called confiseres, which stock candies from all over France including copious selections of chocolates.

Indeed, a gift of chocolate at Easter is an absolute must for friends and family of all ages. Not surprisingly, the vast selection available in the French capital goes way beyond adorable bunnies and chicks. The offerings include the very traditional dark-chocolate fish of various sizes, including the darling ‘friture,’ tiny dark chocolate fish often packed into straw baskets or chocolate boxes so that they resemble a school of delicious little fish. Then there are chocolates shaped like bells symbolizing the ringing out of the good news on Easter, along with goblets, crosses and scallop shells, the symbol of St. James. Add to this bounty all manner of flavored and pure chocolate eggs in various sizes and a fantasy array of chocolate animals such as donkeys, elephants, camels, rabbits, bunnies, chicks, ducks and geese.

With our sweet tooth satiated, we went to Prague, The Czech Republic, as it is known today.

Prague is one of the mot picturesque cities in the world and where one can spend days just walking about the streets enjoying the beautiful architecture. Although the Germans destroyed many of the buildings in the World War, they have been painstakingly rebuilt into its glory of the past.

One Easter tradition is pagan Czech Easter celebration is the "pomlazka". Farmers used to believe that a strong whipping after the winter period guaranteed health, prosperity, and most importantly a good harvest. This tradition remains to this day, although slightly modified. It is only the women who are given a good spanking with whips made of willow twigs, decorated with colorful ribbons (as if a little bit of decoration would help to ease the pain!). It is mainly younger boys who go from door to door, hoping to thrash a few girls to get some eggs in return, while singing traditional Easter carols.

The whipping or "pomlazka" is to get rid of all the bad things that had accumulated during the winter and bring the vitality back in the ladies, as well as ensure beauty and, of course, fertility.

Soon we flew up into Scotland, the land of castles and whisky.

There are the traditional Easter Feasts and church on Easter Sunday and the days leading up to Pasch (Easter) or Càisg (in Scottish Gaelic). In olden days there were those who lit huge fires to celebrate the beginning of spring and the end of winter.

There is an old Scots rhyme that is taught to children that goes like this:

First comes Candlemass,
Syne the new mune;
The neist Tyseday aifter that
Is aye Fester Een.
That mune oot
An the neist mune fou,
The neist mune aifter that
Is aye Pasch true.

Another Scottish tradition involving the Easter Season is Maundy Thursday. It is also called “Holy Thursday”. It is to commemorate the day when Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Maundy Thursday custom dates back to the Middle Ages.

The Friday before Easter is Good Friday, or Di-haoine na Ceusa (that is how it is written in Scottish Gaelic) was also known as Crucifixion Friday. In the 1800’s it was believed that no iron spade or plough should be put in the ground. It was also tradition that the band from the spinning wheel should be removed so it could not be used to bind Christ's hands and feet.

Lastly another tradition in Scotland involving Easter is the 'hot cross buns', which are baked and contain spices and fruit. These buns are then “glazed” with white pastry cross. They have been a symbol of Good Friday and in the past were made fresh and served on Good Friday and throughout the weekend.

And having had our fill of Europe, if there could be such a term, we crossed the Atlantic and were soon landing at Pearson International Airport. Yes, Toronto.

Canada, a land of immigrants, celebrates Easter in many different ways according to the community you are staying with, Polish, Greek, Indian, Chinese all have something unique according to their culture.

But that’s another story for another day.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL.

– Building Your Brand Series IV - Multicultural Marketing

2012-03-14T17:43:00.001-07:00

Multicultural Marketing

(Canadian Immigrant magazine February 2012 Issue)

This month I would like to share an experience which was very exciting for me in my journey in Canada and a real turning point as a newcomer.

It has been just three years since we landed and there have been lots of trials and tribulations in my life since coming here but last week was a great milestone.

Coming from a professional marketing background, I measure my success in Canada by my acceptance among the marketing fraternity. I am sure all readers similarly would envisage such acceptance among your fraternity in Canada.

One of the most prestigious marketing associations here in Canada strangely is called The AMA or the American Marketing Association. The AMA was founded in the USA and has over 20,000 members there. The Toronto Chapter is relatively smaller with about 2000 members but is really the go to place for all marketing professionals in our city and offers a wide array of learning opportunities.

In my journey, I reached out to the President of AMA with the offer of volunteering to be part of the group and what great timing. They were actively looking at the topic of multicultural marketing and we started a dialogue. This led to my volunteering to coordinate an event for the AMA on the subject.

The AMA format is a round table breakfast series and we dialogued about a session in the New Year and selected 12^th of January 2012. I had to find a co partner and nominated Roxanne Tsui, who runs a Chinese communications firm in the city. Roxanne and I were then entrusted with putting the full program together which included deciding the subject, identifying and inviting panelists, finding an event sponsor and then marketing the event. Volunteers from AMA joined our team and we saw three months of dedicated work being put into this.

There were days when we were tense, days when we were anxious and days when we were nervous, but took each one in our stride.

We opened registration, and then came the December holidays and we all held our breath as we had only 5 sign ups. Surely a testing time but we persevered and slowly saw more registrations come in. And a week before the event, as we turned into the final lap and the last weekend before the show, our numbers crossed the average number of bookings AMA usually had. They were just coming in like crazy and there was a time when we seriously considered closing registrations due to capacity sell out.

The final day was cold and wet but it did not hold back the audience, such was the interest that at one time, people were lined up into the street.

The opening was wonderfully handled by Michael Adams, Chairman of the Environics Group and he took us through a journey on the evolution of Multiculturism in Canada. After 20 minutes, the panellists were introduced. Bobby Sahni (Rogers), Camon Mak (RBC), Gautam Nath (Monsoon Communications), Kamal Baig, (Rubicon Foods) and Robin Brown (Environics Research Group). The discussion was moderated by Roxanne Tsui (Sensu Communications). Each one discussed their experiences with multicultural marketing, the success factors, the challenges and also touched upon some misconceptions that companies may carry. Then the discussion was rounded off with a vision about the future of multicultural marketing in Canada.

With over one hundred participants, it was truly a grand moment for all who were associated. The President of AMA, Craig Lund, then formally announced that multicultural marketing was here to stay with AMA and that Roxanne and I were appointed as co chairs for this initiative. Truly a winning moment in my life and proof of how dedication and hard work always pays off. This goes to show how volunteering in Canada can showcase your skills and helps you get recognized.

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Born of Czech and South Asian lineage, Gautam Nath now lives in Toronto. He is a partner with Monsoon Communications and serves on several Boards and Committees in the city. Gautam is also one of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2011.

- Building Your Brand Series III - The Emotional Roller Coaster

2012-03-14T17:41:00.002-07:00

The Emotional Roller Coaster

(Canadian Immigrant Magazine January 2012 Issue)

In my last article (December 2011), I spoke about the 30/60/90 day plan for new Canadians.

While that has its place and there is a regime that one needs to set up, I would like to share something else that goes on in parallel.

The emotional Roller Coaster. And if you have been on a real roller coaster, you will know what I mean.

In the first three months after arriving in Canada, the number of emotions I never knew existed manifested themselves. Sure, I face new emotional issues even today but have now learned how to live with them compared to the early days.

We landed here on a high, a real high, excitement of finally being in Canada, it was so surreal, we could not believe it. It had taken us so long to get here; we had lost hope at times and finally we were really physically here. What a feeling, we had arrived, we now belonged, this was our new life.

Then the next emotion hit me.

So what, nobody cares, nothing against me personally but life goes on, people have their lives to lead and so I found that unless I made the move, I stayed in one place. The party was over, ground reality hit me, I have to look for a job and I discovered new things. Lack of Canadian experience, credentials are not recognized, savings diminish quickly and the relative high cost of living. All hit me like a pile hammer bringing home a new truth. Get up, get going or get left behind! No time to rest on my high, feeling proud for making it to Canada but it was time to be noticed, time to stand and to be recognized.

A different set of emotions takes over – anger, depression, helplessness, anxiety all bundled in one. Why did I come here? What am I going to do? Questions that hit me again and again. But I realized I was not alone.

I could sit back and lament about it or I could get up and do something about it, and chose the latter. I spent my early days going to the gym staying fit and active, volunteering at some organizations so got to meet new people, writing articles for the media for mental stimulation, starting a blog and a self help group. All this helped take away my negative emotions and I found my mood and my enthusiasm pick up as each day passed. My circle of friends and my network increased and I soon moved from being a nobody to being somebody.

Then a new realization begins, a sense of belonging, I realized that I was not a guest in this country but one of its population. This was now my home and I have to take charge of my life and move ahead.

That is the next emotion that came to me, the one of belonging and one where I realized that the future is mine to make. I knew I did not have the luxury of time unlike those born here so had to move faster. There was a lot to learn and imbibe. Learning about doing things in the Canadian way and that had begun to seep in.

Giving back, sharing my knowledge and operating from a positive sense of mind with patience and perseverance.

Canada was my country now, the bed where I put lay my head to rest at night, the nation where I must make my mark and that gave me inner strength. So shall it be for you.

---------------------------xox-----------------------------

– Building Your Brand Series II - The 30/60/90 Day Plan

2012-03-14T17:39:00.004-07:00

The 30/60/90 Day Plan

(Canadian Immigrant Magazine December 2011 Issue)

What is the 30/60/90 Day Plan?

It was not Camp Obama, but this was as serious to me as it must have been for them.

Landed in Canada, a new land of opportunity but where do you go? I needed to put down a plan, a guideline to move forward, a template to follow.

Having a corporate management background, I put on my thinking cap. My plan would have to be as strategic as when I was leading a team that re-engineered a 4000 strong organization some years ago.

Simply put, it was going to be my 30/60/90 day plan for Canada.

The first 30 days, I decided, was going to be spent primarily putting all my ducks in a row: Opening a bank account, getting a credit card, getting my SIN number, driving license, cell phone, new connectivity, calling cards and such formalities. And I realized, I needed to understand the terrain that I was operating in, the lay of the land.

A TTC pass and a flask of hot coffee and I was equipped for the days to come. Every morning, I would get ready and leave the house at 0830 hours and catch the TTC - no book to read, no iPod to listen to and no cell phone to talk on, I was out with a mission. The mission was to map out the lay of the land in Toronto, and a Toronto map was my only companion. I spent 3 to 4 hours those initial days going up one end of the subway to the other, getting familiar with the route. Soon confidence had grown and I would venture out and connect on a bus route crisscrossing the city getting familiar with the place I now had to call home. My eyes and ears were open, taking in the ambiance, watching how life went on by and listening to a multitude of languages and variety of English accents.

Occasionally, I would get an opportunity to speak to a fellow passenger and that would add to my knowledge of the terrain around me.

Yes, this was the first 30, as any general worth his salt would do - understanding the terrain before deploying your troops.

Now that I was a little familiar with the landscape, the next 30 days would begin my networking. I had identified several networking groups during my initial month and now was time to reach out. My initial homework was done online and connectivity was one of my initial investments as it allowed me 24 hours access to the internet.

Then I ventured out and physically attended the networking meetings assessing several things – who were the members, what was their background, what were they looking for, how could I leverage my skills, how often did they meet, did I get a warm vibe and was it expensive?

The answers helped me select a few that were closer to my field and my area of expertise. And then I began my involvement. “If you are taking the trouble to belong to a group, give it all you have”. I did not sit in the back row nor waited for things to happen. I put up my hand, got involved and ensured that I made a mark there. “Giving back is an integral part of networking and so I volunteered my time and my aptitude to the groups I was involved in”. I made friends, got involved with their events and began to slowly shape up a brand personality for myself. Gautam Nath soon was moving away from being a mere statistic and an unknown face to a human being with a face and a name and a slow network of Canadians who were beginning to see what I could offer.

At the end of my 60 days, I was offered a marketing advisory role in two organizations, however on a voluntary basis. But this helped me build my Canadian experience.

The next 30 days to my 90 day target was all about meeting more and more people, my confidence grew as I volunteered my time and my familiarity with the ways of life here became easier. I travelled outside the city when I could and slowly was able to see differences between the city of Toronto and some other smaller towns like Kitchener, Waterloo, Kingston, Hamilton, Georgetown and even got to Ottawa, Montreal and Vancouver.

And surely, by the end of my 90 days, i had met many people, not all but some were in relation to finding a job and soon was in serious dialogue with the President of a well regarded Canadian firm, one that would take me into their fold for the next two years. More to come in my next month’s column.

Building your Brand Series I - Building your Personal Brand

2012-03-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

Building your Personal Brand

(First published in the Canadian Immigrant Magazine)

1095 days, or 26280 hours, or 1576800 minutes or 94608000 seconds ago, my feet touched Canadian soil at Pearson International Airport, Toronto.

From being a full Indian citizen, in a few minutes from now, I would achieve landing rights and formally, Permanent Resident status.

It took me 5 and a half years to get here, no I was not crossing the Sahara desert, I was merely a statistic in the skilled worker queue, a faceless file, lying on a shelf in the Canadian High Commission in New Delhi before they breathed life into it. It seems so very long ago but here I was, in true live blood and flesh, standing at the doorstep of my new home, Canada.

A wait, a real long wait, one many of us have experienced in our own journey between application and finally receiving the PR visa stamped in our passport. While the wait was long, the period after receiving the visa had its own share of anxieties.

We were now in the queue, there was a limited number of months within which we had to land in Canada and like many others, we too had nights of panic and days of anxiety. Were we doing the right thing? Could we unattach ourselves from our well settled life? Could we leave the cocoon of family and friends that provided us behind? Do we liquidate a lifelong of belongings and fly half way across the world? So many choices, so many decisions and so much emotion.

We took the plunge, closed up shop and moved - literally 6 weeks after receiving the visa, and were on the flight to Canada. A clean cut heals the fastest they said.

Many who came before us and those who followed share the emotions that emerge after getting the visa in your hand. What was a vision earlier turns into a reality and a mixed bag of excitement of the adventure ahead yet fear of the unknown.

And soon enough, here we were, in a taxi with our limited baggage going down the streets of Toronto to what would be home for the next 8 months.

That was October 2008, this is November 2011 - three years have passed under the bridge and much water. I landed a mere statistic, a stranger in a new country and without any safety net. I am now a partner in a leading multicultural strategy & communications firm based in Toronto; I received the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award 2011 and have been felicitated by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

This column is all about how one navigated the waters in this new country of choice, how one overcame the barriers of settling in a new country and how one rose from being a mere statistic to a recognized individual. I hope to be able to place before you my journey, my learning’s, my experiences for you to take away what fits your path. Far from over, many more miles before I sleep, please join me in my journey as it unfolds.

Note: Gautam Nath is Partner at Monsoon Communications and serves on several Boards and Committees across Toronto. He is one of the earliest newcomers to Canada to be featured on CBC National Television on Canada Day as well as receive the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award in 2011. Follow his bi monthly column in the Canadian Immigrant magazine, where he shares his journey underlying the importance of building a personal brand and the value of giving back in Canada. Stay tuned.

Monsoon has been BAD

2012-02-24T11:02:00.000-08:00

Monsoon has been BAD

Thursday Feb 23: Toronto – It finally happened, what we all feared, Monsoon Communications finally went BAD.

The North York Civic Centre was buzzing with anticipation to hear what Daisy Wright, renowned career coach & the author of the bestseller: 'No Canadian Experience, Eh?‘ had to say in her bold presentation topic, BAD.

Gautam Nath, Partner, Monsoon Communications, was there to listen and take away what Daisy so neatly packaged as BAD – Be Bold, Be Audacious and Be Dynamic.

Applying her philosophy to the business, it was apparent to him how Monsoon had been BAD.

BOLD - in setting up shop in Toronto to address strategic & communications needs for organizations interested in the Multicultural Markets. With fluctuating budgets, changing scenarios and diverse consumer needs, it was indeed a BOLD step to set up shop. We go where no man has gone before.

AUDACIOUS - in getting out there and taking steps to be involved at the forefront. It was Monsoons fearlessness and drive to venture out and be noticed that helped the company rise from being a new kid on the block to someone to be reckoned with. Monsoon today, stands tall among 15 or 20 year old veterans in this market and is equal to the best. We bring mainstream advertising standards to ethnic markets.

DYNAMIC – With the dynamic nature of the customer and Canada’s immigration numbers, we are nimble and we are quick. We stay at the edge of technology bringing both traditional and new age media to our clients. We understand smart technology and its advantages and challenges.

We are BAD and we believe in going forward with one mission – when you think multicultural marketing, you think of Monsoon Communications.

Daisy helped set the room on fire. Everyone was challenged into thinking how BAD they could be. Eager to go back into the world and be BAD, eager to show Canada how we newcomers were not just BAD and far more BAD than we were ever before.

The discussions got quite interactive with CAMP (Communications, Advertising and Marketing professionals) members asking Ms. Wright clear and direct questions straining to gain insights from her every word. They hung on to her experiences and her powerful stories as a newcomer to Canada. It is always good to hear from someone who has been there and done that.

Rogers Television crew were on site, capturing every moment to sharing with a broader audience at a near future date.

Everyone was upbeat, with batteries recharged and eagerly waiting to get out there and to be BAD.

One anecdote that I found quite cute from a marketing perspective was a story Daisy mentioned she had heard about, a prospective employee purchased and sent a prospective employer a shoe. Yes a shoe! Neatly wrapped and sent along with a note and a resume. The note said, “They told me to get a foot in the door. Now that I have my foot in the door, I request if you could read my resume because I think I am a great fit for your organization and can contribute to your present and future success". The employer was so taken aback by this approach, that she made it a point to go through the resume and to meet the person face to face.

Thank you Daisy for an insightful evening, thank you CAMP for bringing it all together and when you think of multicultural marketing – Think of Monsoon Communications.

Internationally Educated Professionals (IEP) 2012 Convention Toronto

2012-02-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

IEP 2012 came and went, organized by PCPI Canada, this annual event saw 1700 registrations yesterday.

Silma Roddau and her team brilliantly organized yet another smooth operation that left every delegate breathless.

The day started early at 0830 hours with Christopher Alexander, the Chair of PCPI, opening the convention followed by an address by the key sponsors.

Then came the keynote speaker Lionel Laroche, who entralled the audience with his effective and humorous presentation. Lots of food for thought and sparkles were left behind for the audience. CBC Television captured the moment and broadcast a short clip the same evening.

AnneMarie and Dwight Drummond, entrees from CBC eminence, mCeed the day with their charm and eloquence. CBC rocks!

Then three IEP's were invited to share their journey and yours truly was one of them.

Samuel, Gautam and Vinod, 3 IEP's had our moment in the sun and shared our golden nuggets with the large audience. They hung on to every word as we represented their vision and their journey ahead.

Break time followed and the group then broke into the breakaway sessions. Eminent speaker panels led each session and the delegates divided themselves among the rooms to imbibe knowledge on their subject areas.

The marketplace was buzzing with over 50 booths representing agencies and colleges all aiming at enriching the newcomer experience in Canada.

The lunch boxes were a welcoming break after such intense sessions that they were devoured in an instance. Then, with satiated stomaches, the delegates ventured forth to attend the afternoon keynote address.

Donna Messer is no novice, she immediately had everyone up in their seats, buzzing with excitement and eagerly hanging on her every word. Truly an eventful day, no one wanted it to end and yet, there was another surprise, an afternoon breakaway session for skills building that delegates had difficulty deciding which one they wanted to attend.

Rhonda capped it all with her culture cover and some happy souls left with prizes for Their day of discovery.

The IEP convention gives every attendee some fresh food for thought, a few new contacts and hope in their hearts. Don't think they met their soul mates even if Valentines Day is around the corner but surely showed them the light at the end of the tunnel.

We welcome the first white weekend of the season, temperatures are ever so cold, love lies in the heart and good food in the stomach. We are proud to be snug at home and look forward to our new and beautiful life in Canada.

Thank you IEP for keeping us warm.

Monsoon goes Camping

2012-01-29T16:03:00.000-08:00

Not the one you are thinking of up at Lake Simcoe but CAMP in this case is Toronto’s leading network of Internationally Trained Professionals with a Communications, Marketing or Advertising background.

This networking group of like minded professionals meet every month to share common interests and look at ways to give back and to prosper in their new life in Canada.

Gautam Nath, Partner, Research & Agency Branding at Monsoon Communications was invited to speak at the 2012 inaugural event held on Jan26th at the North York Civic Hall.

In his one hour conversation with a tightly packed room of professionals, Gautam shared some insights into Canada’s multicultural profile and then followed by his 30/60/90 Day Plan as a newcomer settling into Canada. His journey as a newcomer over the last two and a half years that resulted in being awarded the Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award 2011 motivated the audience and energized them in their quest to success. There were many simple tips and learning's shared as he unfolded the story of his Canadian adventure.

Rogers Television crew was on location to film the event for a documentary they intend to release shortly on newcomers to Canada.

This is one of the many ways that Monsoon gives back to the fraternity, keep watching for more.