Who says number three is unlucky?

Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!

The problem with new GECs it seems is that they are not offering any differentiated programming. As SAB’s Anooj puts it, “Their programming is like the Amar, Akbar and Anthony programming. They pick a little bit of everything from every channel.” Unfortunately, this shortcut isn’t long-lasting. The only way forward for these new channels is to offer differentiated content. “They can get into offering content of just one genre - maybe like a channel with only thriller shows or only comedy et al. Copying will only destine them to doom,” says a media analyst.

So will these new GECs survive or shut shop? “A lot of them are going to be out of business. Because it’s a big boys game,” feels a confident Kunal Dasgupta, CEO, Sony Entertainment Television. Star Network’s spokesperson Yash Khanna avers similar. “It’s easy to grab audience attention when a channel is launched, but it’s difficult to sustain that attention over a long period. That’s their challenge,” he quips.

But Star and Zee should not become too complacent either. While 9X and NDTV Imagine’s launch did not hurt their respective channel share much, the coming of Viacom-18’s Colors has ruffled their feathers some. The share is no longer being pruned from Sony alone. August saw Star’s share come down 6% over last month to 26%, while Zee’s share fell 2% to sit perched at 15% in the month (source: aMap).

Given that Anil Ambani’s Big entertainment is also all set to to debut on the Indian teletube by the end of this year, Rajesh Sawhney’s (CEO, Big Entertainment) words may be prophetic. “You need not only sharply define your target audience but also your programming… One should really not have Ramayan and reality shows on one platform.” Big plans to launch four to five entertainment channels targeting different genres within entertainment, of which two are scheduled to go on air by December this year. Adds a confident Rajesh, “No point in copying others. We don’t believe in the Balaji model. The paradigm will change soon.”

Clearly, audiences are becoming restless and channels need to wake up and smell the coffee. Disruptive programming could be the key for the future as Sony’s Kunal asserts, “I think by next year long running soaps will be dead… That’s tougher as we need to come with short burst programming then. People want a story in 26 episodes.” It’s this disruptive programming that has kept Sony in this race despite nimbler competition from new GECs. Their clutter-bursting programming – Indian Idol, Jassi Jaisi, Big Boss, Dus Ka Dum – made audiences return, allowing Sony to cling to the number three crown.

So long as Kunal Dasgupta continues with this creative destruction strategy, disrupting Sony will be a tough askance. But then, Reliance has a habit of breaking the mould in every business it enters. Anil Ambani will want to reach the numero uno position quickly and the first hurdle to topple will be Sony. Are you listening Sony, 9X, Colors, NDTV Imagine etc etc etc?

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS
Now IIPM's World-Class Education... for everybody!!
IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

“Honey! Where’s my money?”

IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA

With subscriber base on the rise, mobile is the next big thing in banking...

T ring... Tring...! Remember the latest Airtel ad featuring Vidya Balan and R. Madhavan? Of course, how can you miss out on the sizzling Vidya Balan? However, the way this cool dude Madhavan impresses her by transferring money and paying bills just by using his mobile phone, is what we are more concerned about. In fact, that actually explains the latest buzz in the Indian banking environment – mobile banking!

Till some time back, mobile banking was referred to ‘pull and push’ based SMS banking, wherein alerts were sent to customers for specified transactions and customers could only request for information (and in some cases transactions) through simple SMS. “There were inherent disadvantages of such pull-based services as the customer needed to remember the exact syntax and security was very lax as the PIN would travel in plain text as also the information was readable by others very easily,” recollects Nitin Chittal, AVP - Alternate Channels, Axis Bank. But it’s passé now. Banks have started offering java application based and USSD based mobile banking services, where high level of security is maintained over the transaction. “Customers can now bank from their mobile phones at the click of a button. Seamless information, convenience and anytime & anywhere banking is now possible with no need to visit a branch as services are now readily available on your mobile,” says an ICICI Bank spokesperson.

In the modern competitive world where time is money and travelling is cumbersome, the mobile phone is now becoming the bank at your disposal. To add to it, rapid addition of new mobile users in India, changing demography, strengthening wireless connectivity and cutting edge payment and fund transfer solutions on the mobile, are giving more than enough positive indicators to the banks to adopt this alternate as well as exciting banking channel. In fact, PSB like Corporation Bank have already joined the bandwagon.

Apart from normal banking transactions, one can also pay bills, book tickets, purchase merchandise using his mobile phone at a minimal cost. And that too fully secured! From the banks’ perspective too, it’s highly cost effective. Looking at this, Nitin of Axis Bank says, “We expect it to grow at a fast pace considering the fact that the cost barrier in providing the banking functionality has collapsed vis-à-vis other forms of banking like branches, ATMs and Internet.” All the earlier forms of banking required a sizeable level of investment by banks that included setting up of branches or ATMs. “This potential, however real service has to be balanced with pragmatism,” feels Praveen Kutty, Executive Vice President and Head, Consumer Banking, Development Credit Bank. As per him, “Low awareness of mobile banking services, customers comfort level with technology, perception about online password security, availability of mobile banking services across banks are pauses in the near term.”

Meanwhile, the market regulator Reserve Bank of India has also issued guidelines for mobile payments, which is expected to add another thrust to the mobile banking growth story in India as it aims at dealing with the security concerns that keeps all users anxious. So, no more standing long in front of ATMs or shouting on service provider for internet failure, just pick up your mobile and be a cool dude like Madhavan.

Sunanda Roy

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS
Now IIPM's World-Class Education... for everybody!!
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Toshiba e-Studio 2500c

IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS

Technical Specification

Max resolution (b&w) 6760 x 1440 dpi; Only entry AIO (printer-scanner-copier) which offers 4 individual ink cartridges; Print Speed of 25 ppm, B/W, 13 ppm Colour
PRICE: Rs.4,999
WARRANTY: 2 years on site service warranty

The e-STUDIO2500c/3500c is a multifunction print/copy/scan/fax (MFP) device that utilises a printer-centric engine developed exclusively by Toshiba’s imaging experts. It’s perfect for users who demand unparalleled business productivity, full-colour scanning, and razor-sharp printing. The hardware accelerator developed by Toshiba ensures optimised image handling performance and reduces the frequency of HDD access and temporary file size, so “Scan to” and “Box to Print” functions are processed much faster. It is the perfect device for a high-quality image reproduction which results in clear text and crisp lines with smooth blends of colour, clubbed with excellent colour reproduction & high-quality image compression. Toshiba’s original image-processing accelerator, simply add to its glamour.

Marketers’ delight: The overall colour superiority is supported by several new Toshiba technologies that provide superior colour registration. Also, the e-STUDIO2500c/3500c is designed to support proprietary Toshiba toner that offers excellent colour quality.

Tester’s note: Pros – Is a multifunction printer, which can handle a large amount of printing work. Con – External design can be improved upon.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Now IIPM's World-Class Education... for everybody!!
IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

HCL Mileap V Series AXMV0201

IIPM Programme :- SUPERIOR COURSE CONTENTS

Technical Specification
Processor: Intel Processor A110 @ 800 MHz; RAM: 1x1GB DDR2; 80GB Hard Disk Drive; 7-inch display.

PRICE : Rs.34,990
WARRANTY : 1 year

Specifically made to suit the Indian environment, the HCL Laptop Mileap V-AXMV0201 ultra-portable PC has a unique dustproof, shock-proof and durable design. The V series is targeted at consumers who love to stay connected, everywhere. The light weight laptop is designed small so as to make it convenient to use almost everywhere. The ultra-portable PC integrates an extraordinary navigation pad on the side panel. As per a company spokesperson, “HCL V Series laptops are designed for a eco-efficient consumer and also to be used as business notebooks...”

Marketers’ delight: The stylus and durable design is a show-stealer.

Tester’s note: Pros – Ultra-potable and excellent price. Con – RAM could be improved upon.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Now IIPM's World-Class Education... for everybody!!
IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

One wonders where India would have been today if events hadn’t unfolded the way they did in 1991.

IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA

One wonders where India would have been today if events hadn’t unfolded the way they did in 1991. Clearly the BOP crisis proved to be a unique blessing in disguise

This writer recalls a conversation with an elderly Hyderabad-based Sikh gentleman on a train journey to New Delhi in 2002. When asked about his opinion on New Delhi, his reply was a landmark lesson in diplomacy as he said, “People in New Delhi are crazy!” Of course, his prejudice was not sans basis. On his previous visit to New Delhi, he had suffered the horrendous experience of a one hour traffic jam at Dhaula Kuan, one of the city’s key intersections. For Delhites, it was daily fare then, but of course, our Sikh friend had the experience of a lifetime!

That intersection has improved since, with an impressive network of flyovers, but most of India is still crying for better highways, reliable power, clean water, two meals a day, employment et al. Experts have often compared India’s course to economic development to a typical two lane Indian road laden with potholes. Piecemeal measures to convert our roads to smooth superhighways do happen, but it needs a severe crisis in terms of traffic to initiate such changes. And our economic saga is not very different,

So, while all over the world, people may dread the word crisis, we Indians must take it in our stride. It took a crisis in 1967 for the government to take baby steps towards liberalisation, but then they retreated like a crab on the beach does on seeing ‘huge waves’ of protectionist jingoism. And it took a huge Balance of Payments crisis in 1991 for India to initiate a wave of economic reforms. Thankfully, our crabby traits did not get the better of us this time around.

Before that fateful year, ‘free India’ was shackled by a range of problems, including babudom, ‘Swiss bank accounts’, red tape, protectionism, poverty, inefficient PSUs and pathetic services for its citizens. As per reports, fiscal deficit had touched an alarming 7.9% in 1989-90. The shock started in 1991 with the crude oil peak that came due to the Gulf war. India’s forex reserves dropped suddenly from an entirely unimpressive $3.11 billion in August 1990 to a decisively perilous $896 million in January 1991 (Ministry of Finance report). Reserves at that time could not even have funded two weeks of imports. India took a loan of $1.814 billion from the IMF in January 1991. The new coalition government led by the Congress took up a slew of measures, including import compression (later deemed counter productive) and allowing export of its gold reserves (some 47 tonnes of gold were sent by RBI to England, which raised around $700 million).

Apart from short term measures, the new government decided that economic reforms are a must to get the country firmly on the road to recovery. Therein, India saw a welcome saviour in the form of the then Finance Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. Fiscal profligacy was shunned with steps like abolishment of export subsidies, increase of fertiliser prices and a rain check on non-plan expenditure. Enterprise was encouraged with simplified clearance processes for trade and business and moves towards less interference by the state. The oppressive licence raj of the 1980s had breathed its last. Tax reforms were initiated and a programme was launched to divest government stake in non-performing PSUs. State influence was rightfully shifted to the social sector and towards regulation to ensure fair competition and consumer interests.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

YUAN LONGPING - The chinese charmer

IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA

YUAN LONGPING
The chinese charmer

Talking about Yuan Longping is more relevant today, with uncontrollable inflation due to shortage of commodities including the essential food grains like the rice & wheat marring the global economy. Every scientist cherishes a dream of creating something unique that will help the world at large. However, in the case of Yuan Longping, dubbed as “father of hybrid rice,” he dreamt of cultivates rice as plump as peanuts, and that farmers could relax in the cool shadow of big rice plants. As a young impressionable man, teaching at an agricultural school, he was overcome with grief when a series of natural disasters had plunged China into an unprecedented famine that caused many deaths. It was then that he developed the first hybrid rice variety, which provided 30% more rice than the normal yielding ones. His research is said to be the second green revolution. Yuan didn’t stop there. With the money he earned, he today continues to support research being carried out by others. Today when shortage of food grains is hitting the people of India hard, it’s time that the Indian scientists take lessons from this unlikely Chinese hero.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Young and upbeat - M. THIAGARAJAN

IIPM INTERNATIONAL - NEW DELHI, GURGAON & NOIDA

M. THIAGARAJAN

Young and upbeat

What’s common between Stelios Haji-loannou and M. Thaigarajan? Aviation, of course! But there is a finer glory there if you ponder hard over it – they both started young as the top man in their respective airline companies! While Guinness Book of Records tagged Stelios as the youngest Chairman of a scheduled airline (EasyJet, UK) when he was just twenty-eight, Thaigarajan wins the title of the world’s youngest airline CEO. But there’s one thing about Thiagarajan, his hobby, celestial navigation as many call it showing his vision for India in this century.

“I have seen very little of him personally or over meetings as most of the times he sends someone else to act on behalf of him. But whatever I know of him, he seems to be a quiet and serious personality,” comments Siddhanta Sharma, Chairman & CEO, Spice Jet who shares friendly terms with Paramount Airways as confirmed by C.R. Kannan, AVP, Paramount Airways. Thiagarajan has gifted aggression to his aviation company and within 30 months of its launch, Paramount is reigning supreme in South India by capturing maximum market share and attaining a dominant leadership position (as far as the high-value business carriers are concerned) using just Brazil-made Embraer aircrafts. “He might just be influential in the coming year, you never know,” adds Siddhanta. But remaining confined to just South India is not Thiagarajan’s cup of tea; he wants to spread his wings not only across India but later globally as well. This young man’s big plans comprise expansion through increasing the fleet size by 40 more Embraer aircrafts by 2010. The mantra of Thiagarajan appears to be concentrating on a single region, deluging and then leading before heading towards other areas as stands proven via his plans. He plans to enter western India by May-June this year and the north Indian zone by early 2009. He also has ‘beyond boundaries’ plans to go global (covering Europe, Far East, USA et al) by 2015-16, ensuring that India is a winner this century.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

ROGUE NUKES

IIPM - Admission Procedure

Even if this is true, there are a few apprehensions. Anthony Zinni, a retired US marine general, who was in-charge of the US Central Command, which oversees Pakistan among 27 nations, puts this in context. “The first time I met Musharraf, he said his No. 1 concern was that over half of his (military) officers had not been outside of Pakistan.” This was due to sanctions imposed by the US in 1990. The lack of global interaction, coupled with beards appearing among officers, signified more religious conservatism.

Even Nayyar says that “knowledgeable Pakistanis point out that most of the people working in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons labs appear to be near-religious zealots, and deeply under the influence of the Tableeghi Jamaat, an Islamic organisation with presence in several nations.” Pervez Hoodbhoy, Chairman, Department of Physics, Quaid-e-Azam University (Islamabad), adds, “Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are under threat from those inside the military and intelligence.”

Hoodbhoy fears that “small amounts of enriched uranium or plutonium could be smuggled out of Pakistan’s nuclear facilities. You need about 25 kg to make a device the size of (that was used at) Hiroshima. Making the bomb is relatively easy. It is getting the weapons-grade material which requires industrial facilities.” But Brig. Vinod Anand of the United Service Institution of India disagrees: “The Pakistan army is a very coherent and professional organisation. Even if there are reports of Islamisation of the army, it is at the lower level. We should be clear that the nuclear bomb requires complicated assembling, and it is not like an IED or any other bomb.”

Still, the other apprehension about Pakistan’s nukes is that external diplomatic pressures – like those from India and certain quarters in the US – is pushing the country’s administration to distribute its nuclear weapons. This is either to prevent a concerted effort by any nation to strike at its facilities, and to escape detection by other enemy countries. It may be a good time to remind readers that the US did threaten to strike Pakistan’s facilities and, in the 1980s, India had planned a similar attack with inputs from Israel until the US leaked the information and prevented any such moves.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!
IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

...And when will they get to laugh all the way to the bank?

IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

“The credit bubble is just beginning to unwind, and while US borrowers are being blamed, they were really just a pawn in a global game”

I am not so sure about this view. Consider that in the case of MBIA, the buyout firm Warburg Pincus was aware of the exposures to lower quality CDOs, prior to making its investment in the company, when it announced on December 10, 2007 that it would initially invest $500 million by purchasing MBIA shares at $31 each! This announcement initially helped restore some investor confidence and pushed MBIA shares as high as $37.50, the day the deal was announced. But, now with the shares changing hands at $18, the deal does not look that great (and may not even be completed). Similarly, Citigroup shares jumped from $30 to $35 after November 27 on the announcement that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) would make a $7.5 billion investment in the company. But as can be seen in figure 8, it has since then given back the entire rebound and some more! Moreover, if we look at long term charts of Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and Citigroup, considerable downside risk still exists. In the case of Bank of America, the stock could still drop from $41 to below $30 while JP Morgan Chase could decline to between $20 and $30 from $43. In fact, each time a Sovereign Wealth Fund makes an investment and stocks rebound, they seem to provide excellent exit opportunities. Blackstone Group has declined 24% since its initial public offering in June after China Investment agreed to buy a $3 billion stake in the firm. Bear Stearns has declined 26% following its sale of a stake last October to Chinese government controlled CITIC Securities. Therefore, I would consider selling UBS stock here or on any rebound, following the announcement that the Government of Singapore Investment Company and a Middle Eastern investor made a SFR 13 billion investment in some convertible bonds.

Three observations:

a) I have never experienced a bull market in equities without the participation of financial stocks. In addition, when financial stocks across the board collapse, it is a very negative sign for the overall health of the stock market.

b) The fact that a stock has declined from the peak by 50% or even 90%, does not make it necessarily inexpensive. In 1985, I recommended the purchase of a basket of Texas banks, which at the time had declined by 95% from the peak, as a contrarian play. Subsequently, they all went bankrupt!

c) As I have explained before, the financial sector has become disproportionably large over the last 15 years or so. Therefore, I would also expect the reversion to the mean of the financial sector to take several years and not to be completed in just six months! In short, I would avoid purchasing financial stocks for now and would also defer new commitments to equities. Of some concern to me is that on rallies, the list of 12-months new highs does hardly expand and that the NYSE Advance – Decline Line is trending down.

Marc Faber

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
‘This is one of Big B’s best performances’
IIPM to come up at Rajarhat
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs

Concrete Inheritor

IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

SIDDHARTH NAHATA feels that DLF’s Rajiv Singh has the skills to manage the current frenetic growth phase. But the challenges are many

He is the world’s richest realtor, ahead of Donald Trump. He’s the third richest Indian. He is K. P. Singh, chairman, DLF, whose net worth is $35 billion. But few know that his son, Rajiv Singh, has to be partly credited for this materialistic and strategic transition. When B&E finally caught up with him, Rajiv seemed humble about his personal achievements. “It has been satisfying, but a lot still needs to be done. DLF and everyone connected with DLF have come a long way. Now, we are standing at an exciting juncture of immense opportunities. We need to deliver more than we have delivered till date.”

Like many of the NewGen entrepreneurs featured in this section of the special issue, Rajiv Singh is shy and introvert, yet intelligent and has a strategic vision. Arvind Khanna, who has worked as the Chief Marketing Officer of DLF, and is currently COO, Beekam Helix, explains, “He is a shy and reticent person. Till recently, it was very difficult to make him talk to the media. He likes to be in the background. Although he’s a suave person, he’s brief and to the point. But he’s extremely informal, astute, and intuitive and very few people in the real estate industry have a vision like him.” Agrees Kapil Mehta, CEO, DLF Pramerica Life Insurance, “Rajiv has a remarkable insight into the industry and economy. His approach to business issues is direct and practical. Despite DLF’s heady success, he is extremely approachable and down to earth and it’s a pleasure to work with him.” And therein lies the key. Rajiv understands that if DLF has to become truly professional, he has to somehow manage the old guard, which helped and influenced DLF, when it was run like a family-owned business. “I believe in giving enough freedom to my team to perform various tasks. My management philosophy is that whatever we do and no matter how good or bad we do, we will do it as a team.”

“He listens to others. It doesn’t mean that he will always agree with you. But he will give a fair hearing to everyone. He has been trying to change the company for long. You need to understand that DLF is an old company. There’s a lot of skepticism about the manner in which he’s trying to change the DLF culture. But he’s carrying all the people with him, both old and new. He’s trying to change the company from a Gurgaon-centric organization to a pan-India one. Under him, people have stopped looking at individual fiefdoms,” adds Khanna. This happens to be just one of his many exceptional qualities.

What sets him apart from other realtors, or makes him a part of the elite league in the sector, is the way he envisages new projects. Explains Kaushik Sengupta, VP (Marketing), Eros group, “Rajiv has tactical business acumen. He announces unique projects with clear differentiation, believes in sustained efforts to enhance customer value and quality, and gives ethical and professional service to customers.”

Take a look at some of his initiatives. Today, DLF has a developable land bank of 738 million sq. ft. with projects in 32 cities. It is building a ‘New Bangalore City’ with a proposed investment of $12.5 billion in partnership with Dubai’s Limitless Group. The company has signed a MOU with Nakheel to develop two projects with a planned investment of $12-14 billion. Moreover, it is going beyond townships. DLF has a joint venture with the Hilton group to open 75 hotels in the next 5-7 years, and it has evinced interest in building special economic zones and sprawling malls.

In addition, the group is now diversifying into unrelated areas. “We recently applied for GSM spectrum and formed a JV for an asset management company with Prudential Financial. Both the arenas are of high significance to us and present rapid growth opportunities that are waiting to be tapped. We believe that we will be able to create value for everyone. Moreover, on the back of this value creation model, we will further continue to pursue opportunities across different verticals. This approach will help us in derisking operations across sectors,” elaborates Rajiv.

However, this is also going to be the biggest challenge for Rajiv Singh. As DLF spelt out in its prospectus for the public issue last year, “Our expansion and diversification is on a scale that is unprecedented in our history and will place significant demands on our management as well as our financial, accounting and operating systems. We may not be able to sustain such growth in revenues and profits or maintain a similar rate of growth in the future. If we are unable to manage our growth effectively, our business and financial results will be adversely affected.”

The same prospectus added that “given the fragmented nature of the real estate development industry, we often do not have adequate information about the projects our competitors are developing and accordingly, we run the risk of underestimating supply in the market. As we seek to diversify our regional focus, we face the risk that some of our competitors, who are also engaged in real estate development, may be better known in other markets, enjoy better relationships with landowners and international JV partners, gain early access to information regarding attractive parcels of land & be better placed to acquire such land. In addition, we are expanding into new businesses such as SEZs, infrastructure and hotels. We have little experience in these businesses…”

Therefore, there are still a number of unknown factors before we reach some concrete conclusion about Rajiv’s ability to manage the new century DLF. He has the skills to change the culture of the organization. He has the intellectual capacity to leverage DLF’s core competence by getting into new sunrise areas. He has the guts to take on giants like Reliance Communications and Reliance Industries. He has the confidence to build a 21st century realtor company. But the risk factors are as imposing. It is up to Rajiv Singh to ensure that neither internal nor external issues bring this house of concrete crashing to the ground in the near future.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
‘This is one of Big B’s best performances’
IIPM to come up at Rajarhat
IIPM awards four Bengali novelists
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs

Ever Reddy to take on...

IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

...the responsibility to ensure fiscal health

With 2007 seeing unprecedented capital inflows, the year has been one of the most challenging for RBI & its Governer Y. V. Reddy. Walking the tightrope between reining in inflation & clinging on to the fixed foreign exchange rate has been his top priority. His policy decisions were amongst the most closely watched by the crème de la crème of the Indian business & also on the Dalal Street. Well, why not? He seems to make markets sing & capital dance, like no one else & might just outperform in 2008.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs

Complete truth

IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence

Reap off the inequality blessed

Recently, the World Bank (WB) has bewailed that “there are huge inequities in the world. Even better-off citizens in most of the developing world face worse opportunities than the poor in rich countries. The fact that the country of birth is a key determinant of people’s opportunities runs counter to our view of equity.” Whatever the WB thinks of equity, it is at best only half-true. A close scrutiny will clearly exemplify that inequality has helped less developed nations to achieve economic growth and prosperity. Had it not been for the fact of inequality of income and cost of living, none of the billions of dollars of investments that has been pouring in China and India for over a decade now would have come. It is because of the relative backwardness and the consequent low cost that inspired the Western world to outsource most of its IT related work and production to India. It not only has helped India climb up the ladder faster than otherwise but also allowed it the leeway of time and energy to learn from such technology and business models to develop its own version of multinational companies. All this, thanks to the sheer inequality that existed, and is still existing between the First and the Third World. After all, even water doesn’t flow from a waterfall unless there’s difference in altitude. Hail inequality at times.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs

Talent and innovation, of the “balti“ variety that is...

IIPM’s 36th Glorious Year of Academic Excellence

ibibo’s CEO on what makes his brand of social networking tick

"We want to increase the time that an individual user spends on ibibo, rather than focusing on getting inactive users...

Ashish Kashyap, CEO, ibibo Web Pvt. Ltd."

Be it a member of a bomb squad desperately urging his chief for guidance while trying to defuse a ticking bomb; or a scared wife trying to shake her husband awake at midnight; the ‘Don’t be a Balti’ campaign has created waves for this networking site. But, look beyond the hilarious TVCs and what you also find is a networking site, making a gregarious effort to empower its users, and not only by allowing them to peddle their talents online. When we caught up with Ashish Kashyap, CEO, ibibo Web Pvt. Ltd., he was quick to acknowledge ibibo’s USP. “User empowerment is our key success factor,” he explains confidently. The confidence is not misplaced. Within a span of just 18 months, this young turk has been able to attract and retain over 2 million subscribers to his social networking fora. Financially backed by South Africa based media conglomerate, Naspers, the moniker ibibo is essentially an abbreviation of this site’s tagline – ‘I Build, I Bond’. Ashish believes that its unique positioning makes ibibo stand out. “We gave up on the so called ‘connect with your old friends’ concept and identified a need of people to create a new social graph which is our biggest advantage,” he asserts.

The various promotional initiatives taken by company comprises of public ka vitt mantri (at the time of Budget 08’), ibibo isuperstar (in association with MTV) and the more recent ibibo iFashion photographer (in association with FTV). Explaining the site’s distinctive positioning, Siddhartha Deshbandhu, Sr. Marketing Manager, ibibo Web says, “ibibo provides a perfect podium for youth to showcase their talent in front of the country.” And unlike its rivals, ibibo is not focussing on increasing its subscriber base. Instead, avers Ashish, the plan is to focus on netting more quality users under its umbrella. “We want to increase the time that an individual user spends on ibibo, rather than focusing on getting inactive users. Currently a user spends 32 minutes a month on an average on our site and we want to increase it by five folds,” he says, adding that the core revenue model of the company is and will remain targeted advertising.

What’s more, instead of focussing on the already net-savvy youth in metros and big cities, this one is all prepared “to reach out to the masses in the tier- II cities.” For now, Kashyap is not concentrating his energies on gaining one-upmanship on competitors, as he feels that the “market has the potential to accommodate many niche networks.” Instead, the slow broadband penetration in India is his biggest hurdle.

With ibibo.com getting off to a salutary start, Ashish is now training his energies on his other two websites, onefamily.com & dwaar.com. The former enables the user to connect with extended family and family friends and the latter facilitates users to find and compare jobs, product reviews, matrimonial, et al, across categories. Besides, the company has also invested $12.3 million for a 30% strategic stake in ACL Wireless Ltd. The localisation of ibibo has really got them on a reputed platform. But, there are miles to go before complacency can set in. After all, rivals like Orkut and Hi-5 already enjoy the first mover advantage in the segment, while others like bigadda.com have Ambani’s deep pockets to bank on. Ashish’s one and only bet remains innovation of the never-before variety!

Pawan Chabra

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus
The Hindu : Education Plus : Honour for IIPM
IIPM ranked No.1 B-School in India, Management News - By ...
IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
Moneycontrol >> News >> Press- News >> IIPM ranked No1 B-School in ...
IIPM ranked No. 1 B-school in India- Zee Business Survey ...
IIPM ranked No1 B-School in India :: Education, Careers ...
The Hindu Business Line : IIPM placements hit a high of over 2000 jobs
Deccan Herald - IIPM ranked as top B-School in India
India eNews - IIPM Ranked No1 B-School in India
IIPM Delhi - Indian Institute of Planning and Management New Delhi ...
domain-b.com : IIPM ranked ahead of IIMs

Agnello Dias, National Creative Director, JWT

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

Agnello Dias, National Creative Director, JWT: Surjo has a hunger inside him to create things. He has a passion to excel in life and will do whatever it takes to reach the pinnacle of success. He is always looking to improve the things he has done in the past and is never satisfied or content with his work. As far as his personality goes, his biggest strength is that he is always hungry for more. If he has done a good job and even if he is satisfied, he will still come back and do more, as his personality is very intense. Definitely a promising guy for the future. Oh! And while his Mountain Dew campaign brought him loads of success, personally I love his ‘Ooh aah India...’ campaign for Pepsi.

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global (Print Version)
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!

Now that’s a ‘class’ act!

IIPM Ranked No. 1 B-School In Global Exposre - Zee...

LG is going for rebranding, but faces the daunting challenge of perceptions

sounds hard to believe, but the company, which made life good for millions of consumer durable buyers worldwide began its journey with a cosmetic known as ‘Lucky Cream’. Consumer durables, was, of course a remarkable transformation.

Now LG is on the threshold of another vital transformation to alter its roadmap for the future. Buoyed by their remarkable success in the Middle East and Africa in 2005, where LG is positioned as a premium brand with high-end stylish products, the company is all set to adopt this corporate philosophy by re-branding their products on a global front.

After making their presence felt in four verticals – home appliances, consumer electronics, GSM handsets and IT products, the Korean giant is making a shift from a mass to a premium segment, even as they are now gearing up their sleeves for target sales of $3 billion in 2008, with an eye to double their revenues and profits by 2010.

“The kind of growth in the high end segment is phenomenal and we have had a change of approach after we did a global survey,” explains Amitabh Tiwari, Business Head, Consumers Electronics & Appliances, LGEIL. Another reason is the annual erosion of prices of around 2-3%, which makes it hard for manufacturers to meet turnover of the previous year with their average selling price intact. The recent hike in prices of steel in second quarter of the current fiscal by 10% has further pushed the consumer durable firms to raise their prices and thus move on to the premium segment. “LG is putting up a large upfront investment of around Rs.400 crores as in premium range, profits will be higher,” avers RC Chopra, consumer electronics expert, CII. Moreover, its a fact that in India, the premium durables segment is growing much faster than the mass segment.

The company plans to spend $1.4 billion globally and around Rs.3.5 billion in India,” avers L. K. Gupta, CMO, LGEIL. Surely, if they don’t play the game well they may lose out as repositioning will take them more than a year in India. Anyways, the company will not risk giving up on the mass market. “We can’t do away with janta products but with aspirational tag attached, even the mass product consumer will change their perspective,” projects Tiwari.

How will LG tackle other fishes in the pond (read niche segment)? As per Tiwari, LG is “keeping a price at premium and 3-5% above competitors.” They would also differentiate their product on conduct, after sales service and approach. LG aims to grow at over 20% in India and claims to have cornered all touch points including advertisements, in shop experience and consumer knowledge. “Our brand can stand premium image with or without a brand ambassador and we plan to spend three-fourth of our total investment on advertisement,” claims Gupta.

However, the stumbling block is only one, premium products are a different ball game and they will have to battle consumer perceptions. “LG will continue to be a mass product in white goods as it has the largest market share...,” comments a consumer durables analyst. Of course, to their credit, LG is not new to facing challenges in India.

Neha Saraiya

For more articles, Click on IIPM Article.

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri and Arindam chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).

Read these article :-
ZEE BUSINESS BEST B SCHOOL SURVEY
B-schooled in India, Placed Abroad (Print Version)
IIPM in Financial times (Print Version)
IIPM makes business education truly global
The Indian Institute of Planning and Management (IIPM)
IIPM Campus

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
4Ps Power Brand Awards 2007
When IIPM comes to education, never compromise
IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM - Admission Procedure
IIPM is A World of Career
Why Study Abroad When IIPM Gives You 3 global Advantages!