Ask the Author: Manish Grover
Answered Questions (5)
Manish Grover
Hi Abhishek,
The book on applying the 5 principles to banking is in progress! Stay tuned for information gathering surveys where you may win a free copy as well in the coming months.
To stay in touch please also visit and like www.facebook.com/DancingTheDigitalTune.
Thank you for reading the book and for your wishes.
The book on applying the 5 principles to banking is in progress! Stay tuned for information gathering surveys where you may win a free copy as well in the coming months.
To stay in touch please also visit and like www.facebook.com/DancingTheDigitalTune.
Thank you for reading the book and for your wishes.
Manish Grover
My first book was about The 5 Principles of Competing in a Digital World. I think they are the most awesome principles to help systematically create an organization's strategy for going to market.
My next book is to build on that book and show examples of how the principles are going to specifically improve what's being done today. I'm still working out how to do that but I'm excited. I do have to get it out by mid 2015 so the time limit has been set (somewhat). There are also so many distractions like:
1. Should I get a proper publisher this time? Will they accept me?
2. How do I start marketing even as I write the book?
3. And many others
My next book is to build on that book and show examples of how the principles are going to specifically improve what's being done today. I'm still working out how to do that but I'm excited. I do have to get it out by mid 2015 so the time limit has been set (somewhat). There are also so many distractions like:
1. Should I get a proper publisher this time? Will they accept me?
2. How do I start marketing even as I write the book?
3. And many others
Manish Grover
Don't wait for the perfect idea. Put yourself out there and see the reaction. And keep improving. Don't even worry about having a passion or a niche. You'll develop it along the way.
I have 2 observations:
1. First, as you mature, you might look at your old content and see how you could have done better. That's obvious. You're older and more knowledgeable now. Just take that old piece and repost it after updating it.
2. Second, there are others like you at ALL stages. Ever wonder why the same types of blogs get the most hits (increase web traffic, how to use a CRM, how to do customer service etc.).? That's because there are new people in beginner stages all the time!!! So your content and writing is never wasted. It'll always help someone.
I have 2 observations:
1. First, as you mature, you might look at your old content and see how you could have done better. That's obvious. You're older and more knowledgeable now. Just take that old piece and repost it after updating it.
2. Second, there are others like you at ALL stages. Ever wonder why the same types of blogs get the most hits (increase web traffic, how to use a CRM, how to do customer service etc.).? That's because there are new people in beginner stages all the time!!! So your content and writing is never wasted. It'll always help someone.
Manish Grover
I mostly write on business topics. The best thing about being a writer is that I can get my strongest beliefs and convictions out to others. It's my way of helping others with their challenges. And since I focus on providing the missing angle, or a new approach to an existing problem, I feel good when people acknowledge that. Many times, no one reads what I write, and sometimes a few people write back with "congrats" or "great post" etc. That's my biggest tangible reward.
Also, when you write, you have to research. That itself is a great learning experience. There are so many great folks out there, each with their own message and niche. Its amazing how much I learn when I research a topic. But I always find an uncovered angle. That fuels my passion.
So the best things about being a writer are 1) my own learning 2) a little more visibility in the world out there.
And the long term vision: People approach me for advice in my chosen areas.
Also, when you write, you have to research. That itself is a great learning experience. There are so many great folks out there, each with their own message and niche. Its amazing how much I learn when I research a topic. But I always find an uncovered angle. That fuels my passion.
So the best things about being a writer are 1) my own learning 2) a little more visibility in the world out there.
And the long term vision: People approach me for advice in my chosen areas.
Manish Grover
Since I write mostly business content, I work out in my mind the theme or the broad outline of what I'm going to write even before I sit down to write. On an average I write one blog a week and have written a book in 2014 (which I personally think is awesome!).I'm always on the lookout for a "twist". My writing comes from providing readers with a new angle on what is commonly being discussed.
In short, my approach is very similar to what has been summarized in the book "The Challenger Sale". Start with what can be done better, or what is missing in the current approach.
Here is a process that that works for me for my blogs:
1. I read related content on the topics I like (customer experience, analytics, digital) on twitter, LinkedIn and on publications like Inc.com and Forbes.com to name a few.
2. More often than not, a topic generally catches my eye (is of great interest to me). I then think of the missing ingredients. What else is missing? Is this author missing a key prerequisite to accomplish the things which are being mentioned?
3. As I frame these questions in my mind, I research them a little on google.
4. With that, I now have the material for a 500-700 word blog post. Every post that I write thus is original and brings something new to the table. I steer away from rehashing already published content.
For my book, the process is different. I'm now writing my second book and I don't hold myself to a page a day or other aspirations like that. Instead I create the overall structure. What do I want to cover or illuminate using this book? It may take a day, a week or more, but I keep researching and keep refining. Then I attempt to fill out each subsection that I've created. With an overall structure in place, I find the process enjoyable, instead of taxing. I do have overall milestones in place. e.g. I want to done with the outline of the book in 30 days etc.
Whatever you do, don't quit reading yourself of what others are doing. They are a great source of what you should include that they haven't thought of. And above all, enjoy yourself. If you let stress get to you, you'll struggle. Too many times, I'm distracted by how to advertise what I've written, no one reads my blogs etc. You can't avoid that so spend 20 minutes taking baby steps on those distractions. e.g. email a reporter asking for a review, tweet your latest blog. It may not show results, but it satisfies your brain's uneasiness.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
In short, my approach is very similar to what has been summarized in the book "The Challenger Sale". Start with what can be done better, or what is missing in the current approach.
Here is a process that that works for me for my blogs:
1. I read related content on the topics I like (customer experience, analytics, digital) on twitter, LinkedIn and on publications like Inc.com and Forbes.com to name a few.
2. More often than not, a topic generally catches my eye (is of great interest to me). I then think of the missing ingredients. What else is missing? Is this author missing a key prerequisite to accomplish the things which are being mentioned?
3. As I frame these questions in my mind, I research them a little on google.
4. With that, I now have the material for a 500-700 word blog post. Every post that I write thus is original and brings something new to the table. I steer away from rehashing already published content.
For my book, the process is different. I'm now writing my second book and I don't hold myself to a page a day or other aspirations like that. Instead I create the overall structure. What do I want to cover or illuminate using this book? It may take a day, a week or more, but I keep researching and keep refining. Then I attempt to fill out each subsection that I've created. With an overall structure in place, I find the process enjoyable, instead of taxing. I do have overall milestones in place. e.g. I want to done with the outline of the book in 30 days etc.
Whatever you do, don't quit reading yourself of what others are doing. They are a great source of what you should include that they haven't thought of. And above all, enjoy yourself. If you let stress get to you, you'll struggle. Too many times, I'm distracted by how to advertise what I've written, no one reads my blogs etc. You can't avoid that so spend 20 minutes taking baby steps on those distractions. e.g. email a reporter asking for a review, tweet your latest blog. It may not show results, but it satisfies your brain's uneasiness.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
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