Nokia, Blackberry & The Death of Big Brands - Atul Chaturvedi | Coffee Pump (E107)

Konnichiwa Fam, On E107, I sit down with Atul Chaturvedi, marketing strategist, Strathmore and USIU lecturer, and a former telecom CEO who has built businesses across roughly ten different industries. Atul spent his first 41 years in India before landing in Kenya in 2010, and he's run companies in pharmaceuticals, white goods, telecom, fiber, dairy and more. We get into why Nokia really lost its crown, the dual-SIM warning their own team dismissed, and how Blackberry guarding BBM opened the door for WhatsApp to copy the idea and sell for nineteen billion. He breaks down his 80/20 split between marketing and sales, the free-nighttime-minutes play that pulled more new customers than Safaricom in a single month, and why Kenyans stay loyal to a brand even when it costs more. We also get into KDN and Kenya's fiber backbone, the milk powder business most people have never thought about, and the COVID gamble where he paid every supplier out of his own pocket and came out the other side at more than double the turnover. We talk about: • Growing up in India and a career spanning ten industries • Why power makes big brands arrogant and deaf to the market • The dual-SIM signal Nokia's own people ignored • Blackberry refusing to open BBM, and WhatsApp doing exactly that • The 80/20 rule for splitting marketing and sales budgets • Free nighttime minutes and outselling Safaricom in a month • Why Kenyans don't switch brands, even for a cheaper deal • Safaricom's grip on M-Pesa and the cost of every transaction • Running KDN and the Nairobi to Mombasa fiber backbone • The milk powder business and how dairies really work • Hiring the loyal lifer versus the industry jumper • The COVID bet: paying suppliers himself and doubling the business Hope you enjoy the episode. Best, Team Coffee Pump Order Our Coffee and Wallpapers: https://wa.me/c/254707696969 Our Coffee and Tea Is live! Order from our website: https://coffeepumppodcast.com/shop Join Our Membership and get access to videos early: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkZKGnWZWb-S9wJdz9IGDTw/join Support The Channel: - MPESA: 0707 69 69 69 - Pay Bill: 542 542 Account Number: 069 420 Find Atul Chaturvedi: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atulchaturvedi1967 Find our host Sajid Vayani: - Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Coffee Pump Spotify, Apple and Socials: - Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sajvayani Disclaimer: The content of The Coffee Pump Podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Coffee Pump Podcast, its affiliates, or any associated entities. Nothing discussed in this podcast should be construed as professional advice in any field, including but not limited to legal, financial, medical, or business matters. Any statements made about businesses, products, or individuals are based on personal experiences and opinions and are not meant to be taken as fact or a definitive review. The Coffee Pump Podcast does not assume any liability for the accuracy, completeness, or consequences of using the information discussed. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions, conduct their own research, and seek professional guidance where appropriate. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that The Coffee Pump Podcast is not responsible for any actions or decisions made based on the content provided. 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - Saj's Experience At Strathmore University & Meeting Atul 2:55 - Atul's Upbringing In India & Career Spanning Over The Years 10:57 - Atul Working At Airtel , Nokia Phones & Its Downfall , Sales & Marketing 19:50 - Blackberry Downfall , GTA Sales Model 23:16 - Telecom Market In India 26:04 - China Telecom Providers , The Peace Cable 27:51 - Atul Moving To Kenya , Working As YU Mobile CEO & Building Brand Loyalty 35:49 - Consumer Culture In Kenya Vs India 38:21 - Safaricom & M-pesa Brand Loyalty 40:05 - We Chat App , Safaricom Fiber Vs Savannah Fiber & Competition 47:33 - Safaricom Vs Other African Telecom Service Providers 49:31 - Atul Joining Kenya Data Networks , Liquid Telecom , & Data Centers Business 54:52 - Atul Joining Midcom , Hiring Processes , Employer Vs Employee Relationships 59:52 - Atul Selling Dairy Products , The Milk Powder Business 1:17:13 - Atul Leaving Cooperate & Starting Succeed In Africa Limited , Dry Goods Business 1:24:32 - Atul Working In Hospitality Industry During Covid & 2.2X Business Growth After Covid 1:31:44 - Atul's Journey As An Educator 1:35:44 - Coffee Pump Coffee & Tea Blends 1:37:26 - Atul's Experience In Bali 1:40:53 - Atul's Fitness Journey , Yoga & Diet 1:43:08 - Outro