There was a time not so long ago when suits, ties, and sharp looking clothes were the preserve of a select few: those in the highest echelons of management. No more however. With the economy opening up, and an increasing number of foriegn companies coming into the country, and more Indians travelling globally, dressing sharp has spread. No longer are the Armani and Hugo Boss suits the preserve of the super rich or those in the glamour biz. Today even senior executives don a Ferrigno suit or wear a Givenchy perfume along with a Lanvin tie. The idea is to look good at work, to look competent and efficient, to look sharp, to look like an achiever.

Also a lot more care is being taken on ones overall appearance, on the frills and accoutrements, hair, skin, accessories and footwear. As long as it adds to that power Greek God look.

"Power dressing is here to stay," says Chirag Dattani, a fashion designer who runs a studio by his name at Laxmi Plaza in Andheri. "The best part about the whole exercise is that it is not so expensive as there are different ranges available in the market to suit different budgets. One doesn't have to hire a fashion consultant for furnishing one's wardrobe. All one has to do is befriend a salesperson at his/her favourite store to know about changing trends and get valuable suggestions that would enable one to pick up the right stuff. Being a loyal customer would also ensure that you'll be the first to know when new merchandise comes in, or when a big sale takes place," adds the man who has trained from Parsons School of Designs at New York.

More and more men have started building a 'correct corporate wardrobe' as it helps them to give the right signals. Chirag offers some pointers :

GOAL: Are you looking for a raise? Are you looking to impress your boss? Are you looking at giving your colleague an inferiority complex? Are you looking at making a client feel at ease with you? Are you looking at charming the lady client? These are questions you should mull over before making your sartorial choices.

JOB: Cut your cloth, tailor your clothes, depending on your job. Clothes definitely make a man - or a woman. If your job is in administration or finance in the back end of a company, don't dress like you are a yuppy film star. Even if you can afford it. Even if dressing down is in.

That is if you are working in a conservative job, dress conservatively. Mostly, this is to put your clients at ease and to build up their trust. Will an old lady entrust her life's earnings to a man in a bank who dresses up in frayed jeans (even if they are Ralph Lauren) and a crumpled shirt (no matter how snazzy it looks).

There are careers which call for a cool dressing approach. For instance in cinema or television, even CEOs such as Sameer Nair and Peter Mukerjea or Kunal Dasgupta don't go the whole hog in their daily corporate attire. Nair can be seen in a nice white shirt, with a smart jacket (no tie) and smart trousers in the corner office at Star House. On other days, one spots him in extremely casual attire, especially on weekends. Dasgupta and Mukerjea don't overdress themselves.

Says a fashion consultant: "Nair - though he looks like a lawyer - is one of the brightest creative professionals in the country and he deals with creative, business, legal, distribution executives in his company. His dress sense does not put off the creative programming guys nor the serious executive in Star India."

On the other hand, writers, directors, and actors are not taken seriously if they dress too seriously. Jeans, tight T-shrits, floral or striped shirts, with casual floaters or sneakers complete the look. The days of the jola and khadi kurta pyjama look have essentially gone.

BE BOLD WITH TIES
Ties, broad at the base rather than thin and slender ones are in. The colours: don't go for loud ones, dark blues, blacks, greens - as long as they match or contrast your shirt and jacket will make you look sharper. Striped ties too work well though full coloured ones are in these days. If you want to be more aggressive, pick out designer ties or funkier patterns. But be careful not to appear to be pretentious. Like there is this journalist turned entrepreneur in Delhi who claims to live in Los Angeles who normally sports a Marilyn Monroe tie no matter which shirt or jacket he is wearing. This definitely is making a statement but it leads to sniggers. Often time, colleagues and clients have remarked, smiled and guffawed loudly when he is out of ear shot about his strange sartorial sense.

ACCESSORIES
The package may look good but what's in it makes it look even better, more complete. Exercise is essential to make you look fit, stand erect, look like a man oozing power. But what makes you look more complete is the embellishments. Your cufflinks, your tiepin. Nice gold ones or black links can add to your appearance.The tableau of colognes and eau de toilettes and parfums has expanded in shopping malls. You have a variety of fragrances to choose from: be they woody or citrony. Take your pick depending on the occasion and your mood. Remember your cologne should be subtle and not be screaming for attention. Make sure your wallet is made of real leather not of a smelly plastic; everytime you pull it out people will appreciate your fondness for the finer things in life. Similarly, an elegant watch should complete your outfit. Brand names always leave an impression, but think sophistication first and foremost.

RIGHT SHOES
Again, your shoes must be stylish through and through. While comfort should definitely be one of the deciding factors, aim for leather footwear. If possible, avoid rubber soles and opt for leather ones instead. Black, brown and oxblood (i.e. burgundy) are your colors. Always make sure they are properly shined

Last but not the least, the air of confidence, elegance and comfort is what makes a man a winner all the way!

"My father is a writer. And his collection of books is what I was exposed to from my early years. Besides what he used to write, I also read virtually all the books he had in his library! The books in his library were really different from what my peers used to read in school! So, while my friends grew up on Hardy Boys and Famous five, I was trying to understand The Outsider by Albert Camus. Reading this particular book at a young age definitely made a great difference to my life and thinking. I would definitely recommend it to everyone I know.

I like a lot of fiction, particularly from different literary traditions - from Nikolai Gogol, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Albert Camus and Gunter Grass. I do try and catch up with some of the classics as much as possible, but somehow because of my work schedule it takes a lot of time to finish a book! I particularly like some Latin American authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Time is a big problem. A bigger problem is ones' state of mind.One has too many choices and pulls to be able to sit back and read. Also, finding time to read can be particularly challenging when you have a young kid. Yet, I still try and take some time out to catch up on my reading.

My favourite books
I recently finished re-reading, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I find this Latin American authors' writing truly 'gripping'. And the fact that the cultural root it emanates from is so very different from the predictable stuff that comes out of European or American authors. Marquez is perhaps the world's best storyteller!

If I had to name my all-time favourite they would be One Hundred Years of Solitude and Ulysses by James Joyce..

I dislike
I don't like reading marketing, advertising, and self help or motivational books. Just to cite an example, I find authors like Edward De Bono quite boring and stretched though some of his ideas may be exciting. Somehow, I haven't been able to pull myself to read that genre of books; call them self help books or plain management and marketing jargon.

About the author - Jagdish N. Sheth is a renowned scholar and world authority in the field of marketing. His insights on global competition, strategic thinking, consumer behavior, and relationship management are considered revolutionary.
Rajendra S. Sisodia is Professor of Marketing and the Founding Director of the Center for Marketing Technology at Bentley College, Waltham. An electrical engineer from BITS, Pilani, Dr. Sisodia has a Ph.D. in Marketing and Business Policy from Columbia University.

About the Book

Tectonic Shift represents a continuation of the journey started by Commanding Heights, Daniel Yergin and Joseph Stanislaw's masterful recounting of the economic history of the 20th century. The book offers a plausible scenario on how the global economy is likely to evolve in the first few decades of the 21st century. So, in short it looks at global economies in view of the emerging geopolitical forces.

The book focuses on the future of different nations of the globe taking into consideration their economic and political state. The political system of a nation directly influences its economic balance. Sheth and Sisodia have divided the world's developmental process into three basic growth engines - Western Europe in 1800s, United States in 1900s and Large Emerging Nations in the 21st century. Of all the countries in the world, United States has the highest economic output according to the World Bank.

According to the authors, `the surest and the farthest way to benefit the largest number of people is to create true synergy by speeding integration between advanced and less developed countries.'

The authors, take case studies from across Europe, America, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Australia, and India to discuss the challenges faced from a historical perspective. Taking a futuristic view they also attempt to put forth the threats of tomorrow. They believe that by 2025, most countries of the world would be loosely or tightly aligned by the three trade blocs which are America, Europe and Asia.

The chapter wise description of the book makes the process of learning extremely interesting. The first few chapters explain in detail the 'magic of Ricardo' (read David Ricardo's theory of comaprative advantage) showing how free trade will prove to be beneficial in the future. Later, the authors focus on what each trade bloc must do to make itself globally competitive providing an overview of the needed change against the challenges to be faced.

Exec Speak: Interview with Joy Chakraborthy, Executive Vice President, network sales, Zee Telefilms

My day starts with
I am an early riser and am up by 5 am every morning. I am off to 'The Club' (a club in Mumbai's Andheri suburb which has facilities like a gym, squash, etc) for my workout at the gym. I make it a point to reach office by 9 am, so that I begin work early.

My fitness regime
I am an ex NDA and an ex airforce trainee pilot and therefore have always been into sports a lot. During my early years, I used to be a boxer and a football player. Nowadays it's either an hour of swimming or a combination of cardio and weights at the gym.

My diet mantra
I am a complete foodie, but I keep a check on what I eat and when I eat. When I am dining out, I love to try out Chinese, Japanese and Bengali food. Hilsa Paturi (a fish curry) and Golda Chingri (King prawns cooked with mustard paste, green chilies and yoghurt. Medium hot) are some of my most favourite Bengali dishes. I love to dine out at Oh! Calcutta in Tardeo, Mainland China in Andheri and Yokos in Andheri.

On traveling
I love to go hiking. I also take off to the hills over weekends. A long holiday happens once a year, during Christmas or New Year. I have traveled almost all over the world. Dubai remains my all-time favourite, as I can kill two birds with one stone. My brother and parents live there and it serves as a holiday place for me too.

Shopping
I am a shopaholic. Also, I am a credit card shopper and that's even more dangerous as one gets the bill only at the end of the month. Whenever I travel, I have this strong urge to buy something. Since, I am an impulsive buyer, my wife worries, when I travel abroad. I don't believe in window shopping !

Perfumes and watches are my weakness. I am also very brand conscious. Polo Sport and Issey Miyake are two of my favourite brands. As far as clothes go, for formal work wear, I prefer Ralph Lauren & Lacoste Shirts & prefer tailor made pants.

On movies
I love watching movies. Catching Movies on weekends is often a family affair. Recently, I enjoyed watching Rang De Basanti, Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara and Zinda. All three films were extremely entertaining and are worth a watch. I pray every morning after my bath, I am a Kali/ Durga Bhakt.

On music
I freak out on Eagles, Eric Clapton and Elton John. As far as Hindi music goes, I love Kishore Kumar.

On Gizmos and Gadgets
I can't call myself a gizmo freak. I don't even know all the applications of my Nokia Communicator mobile phone. I possess a DVD player, a laptop and an iPod.

My Favourite Car
I drive a Toyota Corolla but definitely aspire for a BMW.

Stress busters
I love to spend quality time with my family, as I do not enjoy partying. I love to head out to 'The Club' on weekends, where i can watch my kids playing. Being a family man, I prefer to spend my free time with my family. Also on Saturdays and Sundays I go out shopping for fish, fruits and vegetables which is an amazing stress buster for me.

By: Raman Kumar
Partner, Director - Tracinema

I spent the early years of my life in Amritsar. As a child, my uncle, who was a Sanskrit scholar, left a deep impression on me. He had a huge collection of books and, in fact, he used to seek inspiration from books. Under his influence, I grew up to be a voracious reader.

As a child, I would visit all the bookstalls in Amritsar to find the right books to read. Sometimes, I would walk for a few kilometres or even for a few hours in search of the right books.

I grew up reading short stories, fiction and magazines. I have fond memories of reading my favourite Hindi magazine Parag. Since it was not easily available anywhere in Amritsar, I used to walk to the local railway station every month to grab it.

During my college days, I grew fond of a Hindi magazine called Sarika. Slowly, I graduated to poetry and as I got involved in the theatre scene I moved on to authors like Anton Chekhov. So, reading became a daily habit. After coming to Mumbai, I continued to read while commuting. Till date, I always carry a book and read whenever I can.
Earlier on, I could finish reading a book in three to four days as there were no other distractions like DVDs and television. But, now due to lack of time, I take a long time to finish a book.

My favourite books
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte is my all-time favourite book. The character Heathcliff has stayed with me forever. I would say, it's not just a pretty love story but a tale of madness and revenge. I would love to make a film based on it one day.

An English novel,The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks has also inspired me immensely. Shekhar, Ek Jeevani by Ajneya is my favourite novel in Hindi as at different stages, it portrays the philosophy of life.

Some other authors who have caught my fancy are Amrita Pritam, Surendra Prakash, Rajendersingh Bedi and Narendra Maurya. I am also passionate about Hindi and Urdu poetry, which celebrates love, compassion and human equality. Kaifi Azmi, Nida Fazli and Rajesh Reddy from the new lot are my preferred poets. I also love ghazals by Gulzar.

Books that do not hold me
Self help and spiritual books do not hold me. The only self help book which I managed to finish was Who Moved My Cheese? An amazing way to deal with change in your work and life by Spencer Johnson. I like to read literature published by Osho Rajneesh whom I consider as one of the best scholars of this century. In fact, I subscribe to the Osho magazine and read it regularly.

Apart from this, I have a large collection of books at home but it's not really organised as a proper library. I have a person who delivers Hindi books to me at home. I also get a monthly catalogue to choose from all the new books in the market.

Currently, I am reading...
I've just finished reading Pukhtan, a collection of poems by Gulzar. Just started on with short stories titled Nine O Nine by Nandita Puri which is very good. I am a lot into reading short stories and fiction. Two of my films Saath Saath and Parbat Ke Us Paar have also been inspired by short stories published in magazines.

Browsing and E-reading.
I am also into E-reading. I think the concept of e-books is a wonderful concept. Recently I had ordered a book from firstandsecond.com, an interesting online book store. Also, another interesting concept is that of audio books which I've discovered on a site called audible.com.

Engeseth starts off by explaining the rather mysterious concept of Detective Marketing. The concept is basically an attempt to take the science of marketing to another level. The author says detective marketing is really an attempt to simplify the otherwise complicated marketing discipline. It's all about unlocking ones' own creativity, building bridges between people with different backgrounds for better communication.

The author says much of the noise you hear from the marketplace is the sound of money being flushed down the toilet. Not many brands manage to win a place in the mind of the consumer, inspite of the best marketing efforts. The reason being everyone involved in marketing knows very little about human behaviour. That's where detective marketing comes in.

It's all about following ones' own instincts in order to get the breakthrough. Also, it's all about building better communication. To quote the author - 'when you work to build bridges to other peoples' know-how, your understanding of the other side of the bridge increases.'

Here Engeseth brings in his '1+2=4' formula. The formula means that one and two factors come together to give birth to a third factor. Then, additionally, there is also a desired, unexpected and synergistic possibility of a fourth factor which makes 1+2=4.

The book cites various examples from companies such as CNN, Sony, Coca-Cola and Nokia to drive home the concept. From connecting people, Engeseth then moves on to the importance of actually being 'one' with the customer. The 'one' theory is all about increasing interaction between the manufacturer and the consumer by using a common platform such as the internet.

In the later chapters, Engeseth turns his attention to products and how product image can actually push up sales. In the chapter on Marketing The Product, the author introduces two innovative ideas which are actually derived from the product image and characteristics.

For better results, the book recommends the use of Information Technology and the World Wide Web extensively as platforms to catch on the pulse of the consumer.
The author brings in industry examples from CNN and Napster's online community of music lovers to drive home the point.

Thinking realistically, one would wonder how such ideas would survive the boardroom heat?

Well, in all, the book doesn't offer too many original concepts or ideas. But, somehow his ideas can be used like an detective's endless search for clues and answers in the business world.