(G)lovely solution for the New Year!

IIPM set to beat economic slowdown

Now, “Pull my finger” has a whole new meaning. Ask Apple and iPhone fans...

Apple has announced another first in the name of ‘innovation’. The United States Patent and Trademark Office released Apple’s most recent application on January 1, 2009. And through the same, the company filed for patent protection for a ‘glove’, yes a handglove!

It is not a magical one though, just a power glove. The proposed patent (number 20090000010) is for what Apple calls a ‘High-tactility glove system’ designed to aid iPhone users in operating their multi-touch devices in frigid weather. As the application says, “When users, in cold weather, wear thick or bulky gloves, the loss of tactile feedback to the user may prevent the user from properly operating the electronic device, and may lead to frustration.” Therefore, this is another step from Apple ensuring that its users get the best of utility and comfort!

Apple’s glovely solution is a two-layer ‘system’, with an outer insulating layer and an internal conductive layer. In the fingertips of the outer layer there are ‘apertures’ through which the user may punch-in his or her desired digit, so that it appropriately provides for a multi-touch display, while still protected by the inner layer. These apertures, according to the application, may be closed by an elastic ring or cap in order to prevent rainwater from reaching the liner through the aperture, or to prevent cooling of the user’s fingers through the aperture.

Given above is the flow-chart (filed by Apple with the patent), which describes the activities a user must engage-in to enjoy fully the benefits of this innovation. Though the product has not yet been launched in the market, there is no doubt that active Apple fans, especially those in perennial cold weather will cheer its entry. As per market reports, The US Patent and Trademark Office is optimistic about granting Apple Inc. the IPR, as it feels that the innovative effort is “authentic.” So all we got to do now is to wait for this glovely solution to hit the global market. Yes, for fans, the warmth of scrolling, flicking, and punching-in digits looks interesting, but isn’t a hole in the finger of a glove taking IPR protection a wee bit too far? Apple doesn’t mind it though; do you?

Nura Yor

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

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

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Politics

1500-plus IIPM students placed across the country with 44 bagging international offers

Coup of the Year
Singh was proven king this year, once at the box office and when Manmohan Singh showed his skills at ‘Survivalonomics’. He not only staved off a no confidence motion moved against the UPA government on the N-Deal issue, but also went on to ultimately clinch the nuke deal!

The Counter Coup
Anti-incumbency became a casualty in the November 2008 Assembly elections, with Congress retaining Delhi, and BJP retaining Chhattisgarh & MP. Even Vasundhara Raje missed Rajasthan by only a whisker

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009

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

For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
IIPM set to beat economic slowdown
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This humble hack dares to be...

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This humble hack dares to be presumptuous enough to write with trepidation and a certain gumption that would hardly ruffle the feathers of a mighty and towering giant of an entrepreneur whose companies have been on a quest of global conquest in the last few years; albeit without the marauding violence and contempt displayed by the rampaging armies of George Bush Jr. I marvel at the vision, stamina, will power, fortitude, leadership skills and chutzpah you must have to manage a group with about 80 companies. I was an even more ardent admirer of your predecessor the late J.R.D. Tata.

Like all hacks, I was going through a bunch of newspapers the other morning when I stumbled upon this headline: “Tata Seeks Special Funds in Banks.” Like most hacks, I was curious; wondering if the mighty Ratan Tata now wants to buy up a bank or two after gobbling up Corus, Jaguar and Land Rover. After reading the story, I must admit I was puzzled; you may say even baffled and bamboozled. The question kept ringing in my humble head: the mighty Ratan Tata, the great global entrepreneur, the saviour of India Inc. and India, now going to the government with a hat in hand?

It seems you have found some time from your maddeningly busy schedule to write a letter to the humble Dr. Manmohan Singh. He must have felt elated because he was dejected when Barack Obama didn’t call him. In the letter, you have taken up the responsibility of saving the brightest jewels of India Inc. from distress and even disaster. In keeping with the Tata tradition of corporate ethics and social responsibility that was so exemplified by J.R.D. Tata, your mission is selfless and charitable. You want ‘select’ Indian banks to create a special contingency fund for ‘credit-worthy’ Indian companies. And what would that fund do? It would rescue allegedly top performing and leading ‘credit-worthy’ companies from despair, if the dollar and euro loans they have taken are recalled or have to be repaid in a hurry. That is because the global financial meltdown might compel many foreign banks and institutions desperate for liquidity to refuse to extend or roll over the loans after December 31, 2008, when they close their books of accounts. Visionary leader that you are, you have chosen to be pre-emptive and pro-active in saving the honour, the very izzat of ‘credit-worthy’ Indian companies and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs that are not considered ‘credit-worthy’ by you have no izzat anyway.

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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

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“Many cosmetics contain animal by-products”

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Estella Lau of The Body Shop talks about how the beauty industry has seen a shift, with consumers wanting more natural products. By Savreen Gadhoke

Do you think that perception of the consumer toward natural products has changed since The Body Shop was launched three decades ago?
The Body Shop has a belief that nature’s way is the way to be beautiful. Natural ingredients used in our products are sourced from all corners of the earth to bring our customers the very best to enhance their natural beauty. The beauty industry has seen a shift, with consumers wanting more naturals in their skin care and make-up products. As knowledge & information becomes more accessible, consumers are more aware of the benefits of natural ingredients. They have also become more conscious of their health and have become more selective of the type of cosmetics and skin care products.

With so many beauty products floating around in the marketplace, how does The Body Shop maintain its base of customers?
The Body Shop recognises that the stresses of everyday modern living have taken a toll on customers’ lifestyles. This has led to the development of our new ‘Wellbeing’ range, which was recently launched. Each range contains active natural ingredients based on traditional herbal remedies providing top-rate performance formulations. Every product in the range contains of at least one Community Trade ingredient, so wellbeing needs are taken care of while a community benefits in the process.

After The Body Shop was sold to L’Oréal, was there any shift in the perception of the consumer toward it continuing to use natural ingredients? What efforts did The Body Shop take to sustain its brand image with the consumers?
L’Oréal has been committed to The Body Shop sitting as a separate entity within L’Oréal and has made it clear that we are to keep our existing identity and values. Because of this, our customers have been as supportive as ever of our business.

When you market your products, what attributes besides being natural, do you focus on?
When customers buy from The Body Shop, not only do they walk away with a quality product, customers also know that they are buying from a company that is working to have a positive impact in the world.

What about rumours that your products are not 100% natural?
The Body Shop is a global retailer of naturally inspired, ethically produced beauty & cosmetics products. Wherever possible, we source our natural ingredients such as plants, herbs, fruits, nuts and so forth from sustainable sources. We use naturally-based ingredients as constituents in our products, selected for their natural skin caring and moisturising properties and used in appropriate levels. As consumer safety is paramount, our formulations contain various levels of synthetics, preservatives & emulsifiers, which are needed to protect the products and consumers against bacteria, yeasts and moulds.

The Body Shop is also extremely committed to animal protection and we believe that no animal needs to be harmed to produce cosmetics. In 2007, we announced that all of The Body Shop products were ‘suitable for vegetarians,’ which means that our products are free of any ingredients resulting from animal slaughter, such as gelatin or animal hair. It may sound strange but many cosmetics do contain these animal by-products. Customers with strong vegetarian principles seek products that they can use without compromising their ethics, and we are keen to meet their needs.

Savreen Gadhoke

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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

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Dominate Sony? Disrupt Zee? Displace Star?

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Even Zee has rolled up its sleeves and is launching a slew of new programmes. Three of them – Choti Bahu, Maa & Rang – are expected to debut soon. And one should never forget the strong comeback Zee made and the way it threatened Star Plus’ leadership a year ago. Talking about the new GECs, Zee TV’s Programming Head, Ajay Bhalwankar told 4Ps B&M, “New channels have focused on distraction based programming, which has got them viewers but that definitely cannot get them viewer loyalty that we have developed over the last 14 years.”

Sony’s Marketing Head, Khan agrees, “It’s too premature to say that Colors can lead the GEC race or not. Earlier NDTV Imagine and 9X also got higher ratings but they couldn’t sustain it and now they are behind us.” Sony has got its weekend ratings stronger due to Indian Idol 4. “We have got our weekend programming right. We are number one or two on weekends and now we are focusing on getting our weekdays programming right,” adds Khan. Sony has not been able to make a strong impact for the last one year. “Sony has continuously been trying and launching new shows different from the typical Saas-Bahu drama (like Sujata, Kuch Is Tara, and more recently Aanthva Vachan) but nothing has clicked strongly for them so far,” says a media analyst. Right now Sony is focusing on launching programming based on female protagonists but with a regional set up. One such soon to debut programme is Meet Mila de Rabba, which is built around a Punjabi set up and feel. One may see a lot of weekday programming based on different regional areas on Sony in coming times.

Undoubtedly, Colors is promising both for audience and advertisers. As Nayyar admits, “Earlier when a marketer needed reach they had to look up only to Star, Zee or Sony, but Colors has come as a good break with a strong reach.” The only challenge for them is to sustain their performance. Basabdatta Chowdhary, COO, Madison Media warns, “My only word of caution is that once Big Boss (which is a huge rating grosser for Colors) goes off air in November, this may impact the ratings of the channel.” So the replacement for Big Boss will decide a lot for Colors.

Moreover, with ADAG’s Big Broadcasting to launch two channels in the category by the year end, the competition will get even more intense. Affirms Rajesh Sawhney, CEO, Big Entertainment, “We don’t believe in doing what others are doing. We will not only sharply define our target audience but our programming too.” And as ADAG’s aggressive DNA goes, Big Broadcasting will surely do its best to disrupt the segment and pose a bigger threat to Star and Zee. At that time, the biggest challenge for Colors will be to hold audience interest and not fade out after the initial kick it got.

Interestingly, Colors and other new GECs have expanded overall entertainment viewing on the telly. Before the entry of Colors, 9X & NDTV Imagine, the category was averaging about 950-975 GRPs. Now the category has regained some share from movie, news & kids channels and is averaging at 1,200 GRPs over the past 4-6 weeks – a clear growth of 23% in a years’ time. Do we hear GEC honchos setting aside rivalries for a while and unanimously yelling the hurrah?

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Source : IIPM Editorial, 2008

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

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