The last few months at CSMM have been busy and exciting beyond the usual deadline-chasing lives we lead. First we received the news that we had won not one, but two prizes in the 2000 Annual International Case Study Competition, sponsored by the Walker Information Global Network. Vibhas Ratanjee (PD) won the Silver Award for his case entry ‘Acquisition, Retention and Service Strategies for an Indian Watch Manufacturer’; and Nimai Swain (SPD) received the Bronze Award for his case ‘Connecting to the Voice of Customer – A Cellular Case Study’. Vibhas and Nimai received cash prizes and a certificate of merit from Walker Information.

CSMM’s cup of joy further brimmed over when we were accorded a high honour by Walker Information and given the 2000 Achievement Award for ‘Best Overall Performance’ across the Network. A tribute to our committed teamwork and adherence to high international standards of quality. The award was presented to Jyoti Singh of CSMM at the 10th Annual Meeting of the Walker Information Global Network at Indianapolis, US, held from September 25-29, 2000.

The month of October had a highlight in the form of a Music Appreciation Workshop, conducted by Sabrang. A stimulating and thought-provoking day spent ‘Understanding Ourselves through Music’.

In November, we organised an internal training programme and assembled the entire research and analysis team from CSMM Delhi and Mumbai for two days of intensive training, discussion, sharing and finally bowling at the Essex Farm. Surekha Poddar (AVP) from CSMM was invited by Walker Information to attend the Esomar Conference in Thailand from November 26-28, 2000, to represent the Network along with Jane McCaslin, Vice President – International, Walker Information. The conference provided Surekha an opportunity to meet various members of the international MR community, as well as clients from the Asia-Pacific Region. As a first time visitor to Bangkok, she no doubt enjoyed seeing and experiencing Thai culture.

To round-off the year, CSMM invited Jane McCaslin to visit India to conduct new product training and jointly address a client seminar on ‘Building Business Success through Stakeholder Management’.

So, in short we ended the millennium year with a bang and look forward to yet another action-filled, happening year at CSMM. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our colleagues at IMRB and all our clients and associates a Happy and Successful 2001.

If music be the food of inspiration, play on... BIRD, PQR Delhi and CSMM appreciate music at a workshop conducted by Parag Trivedi of Sabrang. Thumbs up! A proud CSMM team flaunt the Achievement Award for ‘Best Overall Performance’ across the Network for 1999/2000. Jyoti Singh of CSMM (centre) receives the 2000 Achievement Award, at Indianapolis, US, from Walker Information Global Network’s CEO Steve Walker and Jane McCaslin, VP, International. Never a Dull Moment at CSMM!