Today we have selected Anshul Sharma to take his interview. He is the CEO of BrandBurp.
First of all, how are you and your team doing in these COVID-19 times?
The Covid-19 pandemic has without a doubt brought unprecedented changes in each one of our lives. Everything turned upside down in a span of weeks and we were pressed to accept the changes as we didn’t have any other option. In short, I’d say there was no preparation at all. Workplaces shifted from offices to homes, physical meetings became virtual, client meetings were done on video calls and so many other adjustments we were not ready for.
It’s not easy to manage your team without any face-to-face interaction. The traditional way of working, which we had been following for years, no longer existed. It was daunting as well as overwhelming. But we did it. We have a team of more than 100 skilled individuals, who worked throughout the day to overcome the pandemic situation and not let it affect our business.
Tell us about you, your career, how you founded or joined this company.
I am Anshul Sharma, CEO of BrandBurp Digital. Prior to starting my own agency, I worked for some other company, where the concept of being an entrepreneur hit my mind. Leaving a corporate job for starting my own business was nothing but a challenge for me. I researched about the business world and how things function, for which I read a lot of books, watched videos, listened to podcasts. The knowledge and insights I gained about businesses during the process acted as a life-changer for me. For a B.Tech student, who went ahead to pursue PGDM in Sales & Marketing from Symbiosis and then studied Executive MBA in Sales at Cambridge University, the journey has been quite challenging and intimidating. But it was all worth it in the end.
I started BrandBurp Digital in 2015 and ever since it has worked on revolutionizing the functioning of brands, websites, and mobile applications. The vision was to develop something in the sales and marketing sector with a touch of the new digital world. The concept, though new for most people, had something that inclined me towards it. I somehow knew that this is going to be the new marketing strategy and it worked. In today’s time, digital marketing is at its peak with new agencies coming up every single day. Be it brands, celebrities, or companies, the demand for hiring a digital marketing firm for branding and promotion is quite high.
How does your company innovate?
We constantly introduce new processes, products, and services in order to grow in the competitive landscape. We are aware of the changes that take place in the market every other day. Our team of over 175 skilled professionals that include marketers, SEO page rankers, PR and outreach influences, content marketers, content writers, business managers, and social media executives keeps track of the ongoing business trends. They help brands thrive and top charts. Our 360-degree strategy has helped us become one of the best marketing firms in the world.
How did the coronavirus pandemic affect your business and how are you coping?
The pandemic has had drastic effects on our business but even with all the hurdles, we have been working efficiently. There’s no denying that we were pressurized and uncertain for quite some time.
As we were at our homes, under quarantine, the role of each employee became magnified and a little complex. We deal with clients from several countries, including India, the USA, UAE, and the UK; hence, it was not easy for our team to plan strategies without having face-to-face interaction. The entire team worked hard on adapting to the new normal.
With time, things are getting back to normal, and we are a digital marketing team, we know how to get things done virtually. It did take a while to get used to the new normal but few strategies helped us get through the difficult phase. Recently, we reopened the office following all precautionary measures and protocols.
Did you have to make difficult choices and what are the lessons learned?
There have been various ups and downs and the journey hasn’t been hassle-free, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. Every challenging phase has taught me a lesson and the one I cherish the most is the importance of having efficient and skilled employees who can work effortlessly.
What specific tools, software, and management skills are you using to navigate this crisis?
The crisis has taught us new ways of working. Certain software like Team Logger and Base Camp helped us monitor remote teams. We use Team Logger to track time and get automatic screenshots. Meanwhile, Base Camp helps in project management and getting work done. These tools have certainly helped in boosting productivity during the tough times of the pandemic. Besides, we are constantly in touch with each other on Skype chats, video calls, and voice calls. The telecommunication application has undoubtedly helped us stay connected.
Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?
The speed at which the digital marketing industry is expanding is sometimes intimidating. And with several other companies providing similar services, it’s quite difficult to stay in demand. However, our constant good performance and results above expectations have helped us make a good image in the market. This has been our strategy right from the beginning and will continue to be in order to keep the secured position intact.
Your final thoughts
The pandemic has tested leaders across all industries. What helped BrandBurp sustain during the tough times was the mutual understanding of the team members and their will to get through the crisis.
- Spokesperson: Anshul Sharma
- Company: BrandBurp
- Website: https://www.brandburp.com