Vijay Sokhi is a market entry strategist with specialization in FMCG. He runs a business consulting firm called Sharp Consulting and Implementing Company. He is an industry expert who has successfully championed the launch of various brands and helped in building businesses. He also writes extensively on marketing and sales. He has recently come out with the business management book Peoplonomics, which propounds the ways in which people and organisations can play a more definitive role in each other’s success.

I chat with him about his book Peoplonomics, what inspired him to write this book, book recommendations, and much more.

Hello, Vijay! Tell us a bit about yourself!

Well, I am person who believes in living the moment. Complexities are a part of life, therefore whenever life gives an opportunity to take the maximum out of it, I just go with flow. Besides these moments, the other part of me is the serious one, who leads businesses as a market entry strategist.

Which authors and books were your early formative influences?

The first book that made an impact on my mind was Autobiography of A Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda. I think that was one book that played a key role in inculcating values and principles in me. Then there was the wonderful book, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, which I liked very much. As I started growing in the corporate world, I started reading non-fiction books. Books by Malcolm Gladwell, Desmond Morris, Stephen Covey, Philip Kotler, and so on, became a regular part of my book shelf. I do occasionally read fiction but non-fiction is what I mostly prefer.

How would you describe your book Peoplonomics in one sentence?

People with whom you work, make or break your career.

Now tell us a little more about the book! What can readers expect?

Performance is what everyone is after; corporate professionals know that if they perform well, they can get what they want. But, despite putting efforts, only a few are able to excel. Those who excel can manage systems and organisational processes very well, but when it comes to people management, they are found lacking. Somehow or the other, people are a deciding factor for a working individual’s struggles and successes. This makes it very imperative for us to understand with whom we are sharing the corporate space. How do you identify them? You may think of one to be a leader, but is he/she a leader in the true sense? The book Peoplonomics gives a new definition to leadership. There are many in the industry who think of themselves as leaders, but they then become someone like a godfather to their subordinates. Why does this happen? Why do individuals become so dependent that they allow someone else to control them? This and a lot more is presented in detail in this book.

The book brings forward a matrix that defines that at any place of work, there can be only four type of people. It tells the audience not to look at people with regards to their designation, it asks them to take off the veil and look at people form a whole new perspective. As readers go through this book, it will lead them to a path of self-discovery. Once individuals know who they really are, they will get to know that what is happening in their careers has a pattern to it. This will then tell them about what has to be done next to reframe their career moves. It’s a must read for all working individuals.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have to be honest to answer this question. Three times I had been put down by people who were at positions of power. My confidence broke and I was then questioning my capabilities. At that time, a phrase that I had studied in my school from the book My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi came to my mind. It was something like – ‘Look fear in its eyes and it will cease to exist.’ That is when I took on those people and challenged them. I was astonished to see them taking the back foot. Why did it happen? It was because they were not what they were posing to be, and behind their designations a meek person was residing.

There are so many people in the corporate world who become prey to such kind of dominance and lose their path. This book is a calling for them – to take a stand. It tells them that the experience and knowledge that they bring to the organisation is important, and they can get what they want by sheer willpower.

What was the research process like for Peoplonomics?

Four years of research were done by me for this book. However, the research was done with a difference. Usually, when researches are conducted the respondents are told that they are part of a survey. The moment we do this, there are chances that it will be biased. So, the approach that I took to conduct my research was covert. I befriended people and listened to them. There were many who told me how they succeeded and there were others who told me how they struggled. Each of these narratives were analysed and that was how the four types of people that can be found in any place of work, came to life in the book. I am sure that every reader will be able to connect his professional life to the analysis presented in the book and get to know that which amongst the four people he belongs to. This would then drive the readers to reach their full potential.

What is the message that you want readers to take away from this book?

Every working individual is a ‘Hero’. No matter who you are, as long as you are leading the path of values and principles, you will always be contended.

How have you been coping with the current pandemic and what will be the new normal for you post it?

The quote by Warren Buffet, ‘Do not put all your eggs in one basket’, came out as strong words of wisdom for me. Since I am a business consultant, I had multiple clients and that is what kept me afloat.

In great adversity lies the biggest of the opportunity. During the pandemic, I was not only able to manage the business but also launch my book successfully. The publishers – Locksley Hall Publishing and The Book Bakers, equally supported me by guiding me in the right direction.

The virus is there, and every mortal has the risk of getting it. I too am not different; my entire family including myself were down with the infection. But isn’t it true that when the mind is strong, the body will prevail? I was careful but never afraid. Life and death is in no one’s control; if something is destined to happen it will happen, whether it’s a pandemic or not. During this time, when other people were giving the message to ‘Stay safe, and stay at home’; my message was – ‘Stay safe, and boost your immunity’, so that if something happens, the person can recover.

People, who live in fear, will always live in fear. There will be no new normal for me. I will live life to the fullest, careful but not careless.

Lastly, are you currently reading anything and do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

I am halfway through the book Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, written by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters. In this book, the authors throw light on what type of companies achieve disruptive growth.

With reference to book recommendations, I would suggest 3 books. First, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, in which he talks about ‘how small things make a big difference’. Second, Peoplewatching by Desmond Morris. In this book, the author discusses about the different body movements that can give a deeper insight into what is going inside the mind of the person. Third, readers should read the book Peoplonomics. This book conveys this message to the professionals and readers – ‘identify the people who play a key role in shaping your corporate journey and help build successful companies.’

The book ‘Peoplonomics’ is available online and at your nearest bookstore.