The Real New-kid-on-the-block

Asad, from i9 takes this opportunity to write about i9, as the team progresses towards newer and bigger ventures as well as adventures.

One experiences no difficulty in walking in the direction in which the wind blows. But, how obscured becomes ones’ path when one decides to break common practices and venture out on a new road? “It took me more than 6 months and a lot of sweat and toil to land my first client”, says Subhash Pais, the Big Daddy of the New Kid on the Block; No, I am not talking about the 80s American Pop group, but the ‘POP’ular - i9 Communications.

Something that started off as a dinner table conversation between some great minds of Blue Lotus ended up as an idea - An idea, which after a year, already has a precedent of its own, and has quite transformed itself into a Culture - A Culture called i9.

Coming from the Blue Lotus Umbrella, it was difficult to break from the traditional Corporate, Finance, Healthcare and Technology segments and penetrate into fragments unknown in the history of Blue Lotus. Yet, we chose the beats - the consumerist Consumer, the desirable Lifestyle, the glamorous Entertainment and the welcoming Hospitality – which together, today defines what we are.

In March 2009, after 6 months of conceptualization (and after a considerable expend of Subhash’s sweat!!), the first client to come our way was Dream 11, a fantasy gaming portal. Team Rustic, a Talent Management firm, also came through and signed us. During the same time, SIL too happened and all this in the first week of March itself.

But, who is to be crowned first client in the realm of i9? Well, Dream11 expressed interest first but signed the contract only in the last week of March. Team Rustic paid us first but SIL, with its Jam and Ketchup Bottles (a jealously guarded privilege of i9!!) signed the contract before anybody! Phew!! The line of accession to being the first client looks so fierce and muddled that even Mouli Sir, the Biggest Daddy, seems to have given up.

Amongst other crucial developments within i9, and a swing of ups and downs, the year also witnessed the formation of the team – Team i9. A relatively young and vibrant set of wheels constantly keeping i9 on the upward trend! The period beginning in March and ending in October saw the assembling of the squadron - Sameer, Wayne, Petrina, I, Anjum and last but not at all the least, Pournima with whom the ring of i9 was completed.

With already having celebrated an anniversary, i9 now has one of the most coveted clients in its kitty – DHL Lemuir Logistics, Vinsura Vineyards, Paramount Airways along with the steady – Team Rustic and SIL. And we strive to get better each day, every day.

So after a year, if you ask us - do we believe that we can be a match for other ‘BIGGIES’ in the industry? Well, it’s a question we have asked ourselves for quite sometime, and we do acknowledge that the other ‘BIGGIES’ have some value. So, WE ACCEPT THEM AS EQUALS! Wink!!