I have one huge huge advantage in the BFSI space – there is no one part of the bfsi space which pays my bills. This gives me a chance to crib, rave, rant about the different parts of the industry.

How does a sales person sell? Let us talk of  financial products and medicines – both are sold in a similar fashion. The mutual fund industry is nowadays forced to do something called “Investor Awareness Programs” . This is a regulator instructed camps that is supposed to teach the common man about investing. As expected (by the regulator of course) these camps should not make a sales pitch, but are supposed to be generic. However, these act more like boiler room sales pitches – and the camp attendees are pushed for sales. I am not blaming the industry at all – with the regulator crushing the margins will anybody have a heart to spend money on ‘generic education’. My answer is a clear no. Repeat NO.

Now when you meet the people who sell these products, they are more than happy to do these “financial planning workshops” or camps or “investor awareness programs” so that they can generate leads.

Now look at the poor patient who needs medical help. Companies conduct health camps and in these camps the doctors who attend are likely to prescribe the medicines that is made by the sponsoring company. The company denies that the purpose of the health camps is to have doctors use its drugs. Not surprised right? Well do you expect to attend a “Safe driving lessons” 5 hour training by General Motors to come out with the answer “Volkswagen is the safest car”. At least I do not.

But there is tremendous pressure on the 28 year old kids – working in banks, working as IFA, in life insurance companies, …to sell hard. You need to realize that ITS YOUR LIFE and you need to take care. YOU are the only father that your children have and the only husband that your wife has. Your company can find another salesman. In a country with 1.4 billion population…one human being is not so important…