Who says number three is unlucky?

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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.
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“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!!
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IIPM, GURGAON
IIPM : EXECUTIVE EDUCATION
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Toshiba e-Studio 2500c

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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

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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.

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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...