From Su-kam to Su-vastika: My Digital Marketing Adventures

In the nascent stages of the internet, when dial-up connections were the norm and social media was a nascent concept, I saw the potential for digital transformation. At Su-kam, a solar energy company, I was a visionary, championing social media and digital platforms to reach new customers and promote innovation.

Pioneering Social Media and WhatsApp

“The Su-kam Facebook page, established in 2008, became a vital hub for information exchange within our organization and with our dealer and distributor network. With six factories spread across different locations, traditional communication methods were inefficient. Creating individual Facebook pages for employees and linking them to the company page enabled seamless sharing of news, innovations, and project updates.

Su-kam Facebook Page created in 2008

Employees could post about new creations from the factories, while sales and service personnel shared field pictures, especially from export operations. We also invited dealers and distributors to join the page, allowing them to share information about their projects, particularly solar installations. This platform became a valuable motivation and knowledge-sharing tool as individuals competed to showcase their latest innovations.**”

I recognized the growing importance of video content and launched the Su-kam Solar YouTube channel in 2009. This groundbreaking step, when few companies were using video, turned the channel into a valuable resource for information on solar energy. The videos proved invaluable for training employees, distributors, and dealers, standardizing knowledge and reaching a wider audience. The Su-kam Solar YouTube channel still has millions of views on each video, and the content was created in-house then. I used graphic and regular videos explaining solar education, which was missing then. Even today, I realize that the videos of those times have the most views in our industry. All the employees who trained me to make videos have very high placements in the digital sector, and I feel proud when they call me and thank me for the learning in those days.

Su-kam Solar Channel You tube started by KS in 2009

At Su-kam, I created a sports day that was a big hit in employee motivation. Su-kam Sports Week. 

One can watch this video to see the culture I created at Su-kam .  As creating a culture in any organisation for the performance of any organisation is very very important.

Sports week of Su-kam

Embracing Mobile Communication

In 2013, I embraced WhatsApp, a powerful tool for direct customer outreach. I purchased multiple handsets and phone numbers to send messages to dealers, using WhatsApp as a communication channel when few businesses were doing so. This was very important as salespeople could hardly inform the dealers about new product launches. We also used to send YouTube links on the Whats app campaign.

Overcoming Challenges and Promoting Digital Adoption

Despite early successes, I faced challenges within Su-kam. Many employees resisted change and struggled to adapt to new technologies. I implemented initiatives to educate employees about the benefits of digital marketing, providing training and support. We created an in-house team to train people to create Facebook and LinkedIn personal accounts for employees, as I wanted to reach the maximum number of people through their accounts.

Continuing the Journey with Su-vastika

After leaving Su-kam, I continued to explore digital media with my wife, Khushboo Sachdev, at Su-vastika. We realized the importance of a strong online presence and experimented with various platforms.

Su-vastika You Tube channel

Success Through Content and Online Presence

Su-vastika You Tube Channel

Su-vastika’s efforts have yielded impressive results. Our YouTube channel has amassed over 21.5k subscribers we have added in the last three months and has 1.3Mn views during the previous 28 days without spending a single rupee. The website receives more than 300 calls daily, a significant increase compared to traditional advertising methods. My focus on creating high-quality content, including technical blogs, has driven traffic and engagement.

Su-vastika blog page

Blog – Su-vastika (suvastika.com)

 Power of Learning Digital Marketing

My story is a learning story of the power of digital marketing. Early adoption of social media, WhatsApp, and video content has helped build successful businesses and reach a wider audience. My journey demonstrates the importance of staying ahead of the curve, embracing new technologies, and providing customer value through effective digital strategies.

Marketing is truly in my blood.

I’ve always had a knack for understanding consumer behaviour, crafting compelling messages, and building strong brands. Looking back, I sometimes wonder if I had started my marketing agency earlier; it might have been a different chapter in my life story. While I’ve achieved significant success in the solar energy industry, I believe my passion for marketing could have led me down an equally rewarding path.”