Tears Of London

Mr Trujillo

JO

I'm in the amphitheater of the LBS (the London Business School, 24 minutes from my apartment), listening my instructor talking about communication strategies.
- For those of you who want to work in supermarkets, today's lesson is for you.
I love Mr Narayan, he's my favourite teacher. He is a retired company director, specialized in supermarket marketing. He is Indian, with a strong accent that I find more understandable than most of the native English speakers' one, as a non-English person.
He might be around 60, with a grey badly trimmed beard and not so much hair left. He is always wearing classy black suits with his iconic purple bow tie.
He is an amazing teacher, always interesting and entertaining.
- Have you ever heard about Bernardo Trujillo ? he asks.
Alex, my class neighbour suddenly speaks up :
- Mr Trujillo is one of the forerunners of modern marketing. 
- That's right, Mr Peterson. Do you know why ?
My friend shakes his head, in denial.
- "Create an island of loss in an ocean of profits". That quote, that was partly why Bernardo Trujillo was known. He developed the concept of discounting and promotions to create traffic.
Mr Narayan keeps quiet a minute, to take a sip of his jug.
- You can lose your money in all the promotions you want, it's not a problem. Promotions draw customers into your store, and encourage them to spend on promotions, just like on your other products. In the end, any losses you make by lowering prices on certain items will be nothing compared to everything you've sold in return. "An island of loss in an ocean of profit".
I listen at him carefully, mesmerised by his way of thinking.
- The main thing is not to skimp on everything, kids. That's not how your business will work. You need to establish strategies that will enable you not just to earn money, but to make profit.

I loved the last class. I feel like I've learned so much in a few time.
When it was 12:00 am, the whole class tidied their stuff and prepared for dinner.
My class neighbour Alex and I stand up at the same time, to leave.
- You should come tonight, he asserts with a big smile. It will be great.
- I didn't know there was anything planned, I say, honest. What are you doing tonight ?
We left the amphitheater and are now walking through the school's corridor.
- We're going to the restaurant.
- Oh really ? What restaurant ?
- The Globe.
It is not exactly a restaurant, but a pub/snack. I went there once with Jared, it was pretty good. It is not far from the school.
- Are you going with the whole class ?
- No, we'll be around 15. It will be simple.
- It would be great if you'd come. We only see you during class.
He's right. I almost finished my first year in LBS, and I realise I didn't make an effort to make friends.
Alex makes a theatrical face to make me culpabilise. I notice he's kinda cute.
- When can I join you ?