IIPM - MEDIA: February 2008

Monday, February 25, 2008

Travelled all around the globe

Gopal Sarkar, a pith (Shola) artist whose works have travelled

all around the globe including San Francisco, New York, Toronto, London, Nigeria, and Tokyo sounds the doomsday alarm with a gentle smile, “Th ese confl icts talk about the beginning – the beginning of the end! I’ve spent 50 years of my life doing and seeing all these. Internationally, people value Kumartuli, but the rot is right here. Forget about anyone else, our children don’t value this art at all... previously people used to call it a seasonal trade, now our own children call it a backdated trade!” Today, uneasy questions hang over the fate of all those who dedicated their lives for this age-old legacy, who dreamt to be called ‘artists’, working day and night to enrich our festive mood. While they suffer Gopal Sarkar sighs, “Wish Maa is observing all this…” Probably she is, and waiting to see what men would do to their fellow men!

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Friday, February 22, 2008

Financial contagion

Today, we live in a world so intertwined that a

financial contagion has an astounding probability of making it to the farthest and most alienated places of Earth. Did anybody say financial inclusion? Well, for whatever, the recent subprime shake out has been a crisis of sorts; and how far have the Asian giants been exposed is a question worth pondering over, considering the increased role of Asia in the global financial system. Well, there’s no doubt that the aftershocks of US sub-prime have traversed far enough and hit the Asian shores, which is quite palpable from the widening bond spreads shown in the charts. But one has to consider the following. The external debt of Asian economies has reduced significantly – placing them strongly against hasty capital outflows and currency depreciation. External debt as a percentage of GDP for emerging East Asia and other Emerging Asia has fallen by almost 10% & 5% (approx), respectively. Again, if one takes into consideration the government balances, one would find that fiscal prudence has been noteworthy.

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

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POTA? Funny!
The army’s fallen behind China
The Man of Steel gets his hands in Oil
HLL ‘Lever’ ages the power of Hindustan

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Private labels

With ‘in house’ or private labels

always having higher margins, they have been golden geese for retailers and Vishal has all reasons to make a maiden entry in private cosmetics. But an exception is Shoppers’ Stop, which will launch its offensive. Comments S. Ranganathan, Chief of Operations, Shoppers’ Stop Ltd, “We will be launching more and more brands and this will be festival specific; the timings will be different for Durga Puja and different for Diwali.” Even before Ganesh Chaturthi, this retailer has a target of unleashing 4 new stores and there will be a fl at 30% discount offer, which will be duplicated for Durga Puja in the city of Kolkata. With the artillery in place, retailers are ready to fire a volley of special formats of retail stores and this fiesta will see a scuffle between these formats. To make things more interesting, Home Town from Biyani’s stable will be offering special home furnishing and interior decoration services this time.

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Indomitable brand from Birla

The indomitable brand from Birla is also planning to tie-u

p with ITC’s e-Choupal & Godrej’s Aadhaar to spread its reach in tier I & II cities. With an aim to regain its dwindling share in the textile mart, big daddy Reliance is re-launching its Vimal brand in September. Promises Parimal Nathwani, Group President, Corporate Affairs, Reliance Industries, “We will be re-branding Vimal and targeting rural & small towns. Of course we’ll also have our own apparel brands for metros.” Well, Mukesh Ambani might be a tad too late to fight in this carnival fiesta, as players like Digjam, S. Kumars, Raymond et al are far ahead in the race with their massive plans already underway. Digjam, which had rolled out 350 new designs last festive season, saw a 70% growth in its turnover for the September-November period.

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Diwali Dhamaka

K.K. Goyal, Marketing Head, Haldirams, avers similarly

. “This festive season, we are planning to launch gift packs such as Shahi Andaaz & Diwali Dhamaka with combination of sweets & namkeens. Every year, we witness a growth of 15- 20% in sales,” he says. Others like Nirula’s have also put together exciting gift hampers, including Diwali Sparks & Hand Craft ed Chocolates to woo consumers. Contrary to age old philosophy, all that glitters during the festive season is definitely gold, even as the rush for gold & jewellery picks up amazing tempo during Diwali and Dhanteras. Both unorganized and organized jewellery manufacturers such as Tanishq, D’Damas, Gitanjali, et al witness an increase in demand despite a simultaneous rise in prices. And here’s a shake-up for those who thought that the jewellery fetish is only for the rich!

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Monday, February 11, 2008

PNB slashed its rates

PNB slashed its rates by 25 basis points. This definitely was a breather for the home seekers as the rates for the last few years were continuously lingering near double digit figures. ICICI Bank had tied up with a few builders in Mumbai and was off erring home loans at 8% as compared to the then prevalent rate of 9.5%. Speaking at a press conference, earlier this year, Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC, said, “HDFC is extending its monsoon off er (loans at 25 basis point discount) up to the festival season that starts in August-September.” So it can only be expected that other banks too would tread a similar path this festive season. Consumers usually spend a lump sum amount of money in the festivities. Many among them take the asset creation route and book properties at that time. Also, it is the bonus time of the year. Industry watchers opine that with rise in income and the burgeoning DINK (Double Income No Kids) strata of the society is conduring tributing to the cause.

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Friday, February 08, 2008

Banking fraternity remains silent

However, the banking fraternity remains silent on the question of any concessions on t

he lending rate front and not without reason. A senior official at Oriental Bank of Commerce categorically points out that, “In the upcoming season, our bank will only promote its existing schemes to encash on the festive sentiments and there is no scope of any concessions for consumers availing of loans.” PSBs are reeling under shrinking margins (as PSBs’ move to align lending rates to borrowing costs was opposed by Finance Ministry) & sadly, there is little room for gain. Truly, the era of cheap money is over & borrowers will have to dig deeper into their wallets. Wannabe borrowers possibly could wait for the festival season, for they might get ‘some’ relief, but that could prove equally fatal, if RBI further tightens its noose around banks in late October. There’s just this lingering suspicion with us that this current interest rate eclipse does not seem to be going away anywhere... not to soon...?

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Thursday, February 07, 2008

Don’t go by the sound...

...as the real performance of the Indian automobile sector is surely more electrifying
There is a lot at off er this season as auto manufacturers get ready fo

r the onslaught. For starters, there will be some smashing new models from the stable of all the majors. Thanks to the easing of homologation restrictions, come Diwali and you could get your hands over an 800cc plus manic sports bike. With the prospective launch of Yamaha’s 1000cc R1 and Suzuki’s GSX R1000, there will be immense torque power near a local motorcycle showroom. Established executive segment players like TVS, Bajaj & Hero Honda are contemplating a slew of model launches as well. TVS recently unveiled seven new products including two motorcycles and a scooter; Bajaj, on the other hand, is all set to revolutionise the entry level segment with its brand new 125 DTS-Si technology.

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Stock of additional skill

This process forces each employee to take stock of additional skill-sets

thus obtained, to enrich& enhance the experience and competence with the addition of each year of employment in the organisation. PVMI also encourages its employees to move across functions as this provides them to gain perspective about the organization on a larger platform, thereby helping them to grow in their careers. This ‘role rotation’ process is an integral part of an employee’s growth path. Perfetti believes in not just getting the right people and grooming them but also on retaining them. Given today’s competitive scenario, Palit candidly talks about retention being one of the key issues at PVMI. But Perfetti is not alarmed about this issue as they feel their strategy to change their outlook with the changing times provides them an edge over competitors. Just like its popular brand ‘Center Fresh,’ PVMI is busy continuously refreshing its HR policies. After all, we can’t have the employees of this sweet company turning sour!

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Favourite of marketers

“In less than two years, 4Ps B&M has bec

ome a favourite of marketers, advertising professionals and communicators. I hope these awards will further strengthenthe strong bond that is developing between us,” a beaming Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri, Editor-in-chief, Planman Media and Chairman, Planman Consulting, delightfully shared on the occasion. The celebration was accompanied by a breathtaking performance by the popular band, Channel V POPSTARS II, AASMA and was anchored by Nina Manuel. The 4Ps B&M and ICMR methodology for selecting the winners, both for ‘India’s 100 Most Valuable Brands’ and the ‘Top 30 Automobile Brands of India’, was painstakingly elaborate and diligent.

For Complete I I P M Article, Click on IIPM Article

Source : IIPM Editorial, 2007

An IIPM and Professor Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist) Initiative