A short but sea deep dedication to my Professor Uma Chandrasekaran

 

In the balmy weather, typical of coastal towns like Pondicherry, there is a sprawling Central University campus which broadens to at least 800 acres  where all professors, students, trees, foxes and hyenas live amicably with each other in complete respect of the relevant boundaries barring one or few instances. Amidst the lush foliage there are departments that are built to the level of the tallest tree nearby.. I am quite sure there are architectural measurements to the uniform structures across campus but from where I sat which was mostly facing the canteen window- this amusing calculation of height seemed perfect.

One of these structures housed our management classes where professors would  drone on in their field of expertise adding their own observations ( I like to call it “tales”) just so that we relate to the otherwise mind boggling terms in the books that were anyway busy weighing the desk down. We may not remember every word they have eloquently put forward; but the core point of these classes remain deep within us which almost always rises depending on the occasion.

One such term is Unique Selling Proposition.. shortly called USP.. I distinctly remember my professor  asking us this existential question as her opening line –“What is your USP?”  In search for a meaningful answer, we looked at each other, up at the fading cream colored walls, I even looked at my ankles. 4 minutes later we all looked at her and shrugged our shoulders. She had that hint of a smile because she knew she had our curiosity. She proceeded to explain what would turn out to be the most important checkpoint in my life. Each word she explained was getting imprinted in me which years later still remains within unmoved as the boulders lacing the foamy sea outside campus.

Technically this term applies to a product, a brand, a basic reason for a consumer to pick that particular product or for a company to work on while positioning itself amidst competition. Simple. Being a veteran in her field, she knows how to connect the term on a personal level. So with a mischievous smile she ended the class saying “work on your USP” which was equivalent to throwing a jewel onto our laps. Many a time in my life, this question has popped up in altered versions. Be it at interview boards- why should I hire you? How will you make a difference? How do we gain from your presence in the establishment?  In fact I looked down upon any interviewer if I didn’t get this question. But again this is my adaptation of the term and her brilliant question. 

I find it applicable everywhere-  be it in decisions involving letting some people bond with us for life. It all boils down to - what is their USP? What makes them unique that their presence will light our lives? This question truly has a depth that can reach the core of Earth or in my case many nautical miles below my Pondicherry sea.

What makes us special and unique? The answer to this question though evolves over time –it definitely centers us and has led me to make some of the best decisions that have further widened my horizons and continue to. I thank her from the depth for this wonderful question that lights up quite often in my life.

In short, What is your USP? The jewel is in your lap now..